A Grand Prix winner in 2007, defeating world champion Toni Cairoli in a straight fight, and MX2 world series bronze medalist in 2008, the slightly-built Aubin only showed glimpses of his proven talent during the 2009 World Championship, whilst recording excellent results away from the GPs aboard a 450cc machine.

The newly-introduced age limit means that 2010 will be his final chance to race the MX2 GPs and most observers had expected Nicolas to switch class this year, but the opportunity to contest the MX2 series one more time aboard a Kawasaki KX250F with Kawasaki Bud Racing was just too tempting for the 21 year old.

Although 2010 will be the first time that “Nico” has raced Kawasaki, he is well aware of the qualities of the green machines, having finished runner-up to Christophe Pourcel in the 80cc French Championship as long ago as 2002.

The son of a leading regional rider in his native Normandy, Nico entered the GPs in 2005 as a privateer with the assistance of his enthusiastic father, and solid performances earned him a place in an official team, his first adult national title and nomination for the French team which reached the podium at the Motocross of Nations in America by 2007.

The subject of several offers to race MX1 full-time in 2010, Nico was persuaded to remain for one final season in MX2 by the package on offer at Kawasaki Bud Racing. Team manager Stefan Dassé, team trainer Jacky Vimond and, as soon as he had ridden a KX250F for the first time, Nico himself are all convinced that they have the structure for him to leave the class on a high note.

Nico’s commitment was reinforced by his decision to leave his native Normandy to be based closer to Kawasaki Bud Racing and trainer Vimond at Hossegor this year. And the positive experience of a month training with the ex-champion and teammate Gregory Aranda in southern California this winter has further underlined this belief.

Nicolas Aubin: “After a difficult season last year it is a genuine relief to be able to work with such a professional and sympathetic setup as that which I have discovered in the Bud Racing “family”. They already supported me earlier in my career, and I am sure that I can do much better on the KX250F than I did last year in MX2; that is one of the reasons I chose to stay in the class rather than moving to a 450. Gregory and I have trained hard with Jacky Vimond this winter, I have a bike which is performing well, and I really want to experience that great feeling of winning races again!”

Career Resume