'I was better today and had a good flow' - Tom Vialle Reflects on 2nd Place in Texas Playoff 2

The reigning 250SX East Monster Energy AMA Supercross Champion and 2x MX2 MXGP Champion, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Frenchmen Tom Vialle, had a better Playoff 2 round in Texas ahead of the series Finale this weekend, finishing 2nd overall with 3-2 moto scores. In Charlotte, Playoff 1, Vialle went 4-7 moto scores for 5th overall and came into Texas on the weekend, sitting 3rd in points.

Improvements from the #16 have been evident since his rookie debut last year when he finished 8th place in the SuperMotocross World Championship in 2023 for the inaugural season. He went on to take his first Supercross Championship this past season, had solid rides throughout the Pro Motocross Championship, and was close at multiple rounds for overall wins. Finally, he got that overall win he was looking for at the season's final round at Ironman and finished 2nd in the 250MX Championship.

He spoke about his 2nd overall at the Texas Motor Speedway during the post-race press conference:

During the gnarly Texas heat and slick track conditions, Tom made moves throughout the motos after outside the top 5 starts and was catching the points leader and winner, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, during the final moto. "The track was not easy. I mean, it was the same for everyone, of course, but I started around sixth or seventh and I passed a few guys in the first few laps. I was able to pass Joe (Shimoda) and Levi (Kitchen), and I was like, okay, Haiden is maybe three or four seconds ahead. I was catching him a little bit, but I came up a little short, finishing maybe two or three seconds behind him. Actually, it was nice to be able to fight and ride with him at the same speed. But even if I had passed him, it wouldn't have changed anything for the overall. No, it was a good race, and we’re getting ready for next weekend."

Speaking on his improvements this year and his hard adjustment coming overseas to the United States, it’s tough to get used to the AMA series races. "I mean, that's just what I've been doing for the last five years. When you make the move from Europe to the U.S., it's really hard to get used to it, and I kind of struggled, especially in Supercross and also in AMA Motocross last year. But I had a great winter, and I wouldn’t say it's about training or anything like that. I just got better, more confident, and used to the tracks and the format here in the U.S., and also to the riders. I kind of know everyone now. I'm just used to it, and that's how I was riding in Europe. I'm more confident now, and we've made a lot of progress compared to last year."

On the broadcast, James Stewart stated that Tom was much happier and chipper coming into the race day. We asked him about it. "I don't know. I'm always the same, I think, coming to the race. Today was actually a little bit more important. Last weekend, of course, was important, but less so. Today is what mattered, and of course, next weekend matters the most. I was better today and had a good flow, especially in that second moto. I think the dirt is going to be a little bit like this next weekend in Vegas—kind of hard-pack. It was nice to have a good flow today, especially later in the day during the second moto. I think we're going to be good for next weekend in Vegas."

Vialle compared the tracks in Europe he rode to the track this past weekend in Texas. "No, I've never seen a track like today. It was really dry; I think I've never ridden a track that dry. The first moto was actually a little bit sketchy; the second moto, the track was a little better. It was kind of a mix, of course, like an SMX track between Supercross and outdoor. I think it was a little bit more outdoor today, but the track was just super dry and slippery. Normally in outdoor, there's a little bit more traction."

Tom is now second in points, 19 points behind Deegan, leading into the SMX series Finale this weekend with triple points on the line. Does he have anything for the series points leader? You never know what could happen when the gate drops.