If you missed the news, Raycin Kyler, one of the brightest young talents in American motocross, represented Team USA this past weekend at the FIM Junior World Motocross Championship in Romagné, France — her first international appearance.
The 11-year-old Cobra rider touched down at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on Tuesday, joined by several members of her family, who flew in to support her milestone debut on the world stage. After a shakedown with the team and early testing of her bike on European track, she arrived at Romagné on Friday to get a first look at the track.
Alongside her coach Eric Sorby, Raycin walked the track and attended the official rider presentation as part of Team USA. The 65cc riders were hosted by the Bud Racing team for the weekend, creating a professional yet welcoming environment for the young athletes.
A promising start
Saturday kicked off with free practice, where Raycin posted an encouraging 14th fastest time in her group — a strong showing for her international debut. Later in qualifying, she repeated the performance, again clocking the 14th fastest lap to secure her place in Sunday’s main events. Notably, she was one of the few riders in her class to pass the finish jump.
But the weather had other plans.
Heavy rain fell throughout the night, turning the track into a muddy challenge. Despite the conditions, a sizable crowd gathered early on Sunday for warm-up. Raycin completed only two laps but still registered the 20th fastest time — many competitors struggled just to stay moving.
Race One: Grit in the Mud
Lined up mid-grid, Raycin made an outstanding start in Race One, surging into the top five after a strong first lap — only for the race to be red-flagged due to a gate malfunction. The restart placed her back in the middle of the grid. Once again, she got a great jump and tucked in just behind the top five.
But then came the setbacks: worsening rain, a crash directly in front of her, and mechanical issues. She lost her goggles in the spray and had some bike problems. On the fourth lap, she — like many others — got stuck on one of the muddy climbs. Determined, she pulled to the side and restarted her machine alone, refusing outside assistance as per the rules. She eventually conquered the hill, but the race was red-flagged once again due to the extreme conditions.
Raycin crossed the line 16th (later adjusted to 17th due to classification changes), a result that doesn’t reflect her aggressive start and determination under pressure.
Race Two: Canceled Chaos
The rain didn’t let up totally. Riders in the 65cc class attempted to launch into Race Two, but the conditions had worsened. Raycin got off the line cleanly but was held up before the first corner. A red flag waved once again. She was one of the last to return to the waiting zone. Officials decided to postpone the race until after the other classes — but due to broadcast schedules and timing constraints, Race Two was eventually canceled.
As a result, Raycin finished 17th overall in the 2025 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship — an impressive result, especially given the brutal weather, and the fact that she was ill throughout her time in France.
Despite all of this, she never stopped smiling, responded to media requests, and stood proud with her teammates during the podium celebrations. On Monday, she and her family flew back to the U.S., having made an unforgettable mark on her first international competition.
A name to remember
Raycin Kyler isn’t just a name on a list — she’s a symbol of what’s next for American motocross. With skill, resilience, and the heart of a champion, she’s only just getting started.
