Red Bull KTM’s Antonio Cairoli was crowned World Champion for the 9th time in his career last weekend at MXGP Assen. The veteran of the sport will have a pressure free weekend of racing but both himself and team-mate Jeffrey Herlings will undoubtedly be at it hammer and tongs for the win at Pays de Montbéliard and the pride goes with it.

Herlings has secured second secnd in the championship with his win last weekend in Assen and is keen to finish his season on a high note with another victory. Cairoli finished third here in 2015 while Herlings won the MX2 class overall.

For both Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre this weekend will be a home GP. Febvre won this GP in his 2015 championship season while Paulin has struggled in the past with 12th in 2015 and 23rd in 2009. Paulin currently is third in the points standing just ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle.

Unfortunately for Desalle a crash last week in Assen ended his season. In result of Desalle missing the final round Paulin is guaranteed to maintain his third position in the 2017 record books.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser has a top 5 spot in the championship currently but he is recovering from a crash and heavy hit in Assen. Gajser is expected to line up this weekend but may struggle to maintain his position in the points as Febvre is only 6 points behind. Gajser’s last visit to the circuit in 2015 was a successful one though as he finished 2nd in the MX2 overall.

Frenchman and Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jordi Tixier will be absent from yet another race this season as he sits out the home round, which he finished on the podium at in 2015, to recover from injuries suffered prior this year.

HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev comes into the last race of the season after struggling in Assen, the Russian however has done well in the past at the Villars circuit when he scored 2nd overall in 2015.