Latvian motocross competitor Pauls Jonass has secured his best world championship ranking in five years, finishing the MXGP season in ninth place overall following a consistent campaign that minimized major injuries.
Competing in the premier MXGP class since 2019, the Kalvene native wrapped up his latest world championship campaign at the final round in Australia. According to reports from regional media, Jonass posted a pair of fifth-place finishes in the final two motos at the Australian venue, securing fifth overall for the weekend and lifting himself one spot in the season-long standings from tenth to ninth.
The result marks his first return to the top ten in the final standings since 2022, when he also finished ninth. His career in the elite class includes his debut 2019 season—the only year he completed the full calendar without missing a round—where he achieved a career-best sixth place overall alongside three podium finishes.
Subsequent seasons proved physically demanding. The 2020 campaign was wiped out almost entirely, while medical setbacks plagued the three following years, forcing him to miss 11, 12, and eight rounds respectively.
Strong Finishes Fuel Confidence for the Future
Reflecting on the conclusion of the 19-round calendar, Jonass highlighted his late-season pace as the most encouraging takeaway. In comments reported by motorsport outlets, he noted that his performances at the end of the year demonstrated what he is capable of achieving.
That sentiment was echoed by Kristers Serģis, who observed that the strong closing stretch of the season provides a solid foundation of confidence to target higher positions moving forward. Serģis pointed out that finishing the year on an upward trajectory proves the rider’s potential to break into higher tiers of the championship.
While the season lacked the shine of championship medals, the relative absence of severe physical setbacks allowed Jonass to build essential momentum. Consistency replaced the frequent trips to medical rooms that defined his previous campaigns, giving his support team a stable platform to build upon.
Fellow Competitors Assess Mixed Campaigns
The broader Latvian motocross contingent also used the end of the season to evaluate their progress on the international stage. Competitors faced variable fortunes throughout the demanding global calendar, balancing flashes of speed against the brutal physical demands of the world championship.
Kārlis Reišulis offered a candid assessment of his own performance during the year, noting that while the campaign featured several bright moments, he lacked the overall consistency needed to challenge the division’s very top tier.
For Jonass, avoiding the lengthy injury lists of past years proved crucial. By maintaining health through the grueling flyaway rounds and European fixtures alike, he converted speed into steady points-scoring finishes, culminating in the fifth-place weekend in Australia that finalized his top-ten championship standing.
Next Steps and Off-Season Outlook
With the MXGP calendar officially closed, riders and teams have transitioned into their off-season preparation phases. Training schedules, bike development, and medical re-evaluations will dictate preparations for the upcoming championship calendar, where athletes aim to turn late-season momentum into consistent early-round results.
Official announcements regarding team rosters, winter testing schedules, and the preliminary FIM Motocross World Championship calendar are expected from governing bodies in the coming weeks. Share your thoughts on Jonass’s season in the comments below.
