“Trust In Yourself, Work Hard And Make It Happen” – FRANÇOIS LEMARIEY On How To Manage A Successful MXGP Team

Is there a more thrilling sport than motocross (MX)? In the MXGP category, daredevil riders on 450cc four-strokes engines risk life and limb as they carve through the mud and soar through the air in a battle to reach the chequered flag first. Considering the extreme conditions in this sport, it is no surprise that NGK SPARK PLUG, the world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist, has a high involvement. As a technical partner and spark plug supplier to the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT), we caught up with François Lemariey, the team’s young but highly experienced manager to gain some insights into his passion for the sport and the challenges of his job.
A career forged in childhood
Many people spend a lifetime, often without success, searching for their vocation. Some, however, like François Lemariey discover their true calling at a very early age. “I started to love MX as a young kid. I would visit my grandparents regularly on Sundays. Close to where they lived was a place where you could rent motorcycles, so I would spend the afternoon riding 50cc bikes. This, certainly, is where my passion for racing and motocross was first sparked,” he tells.
With his target career clearly defined, François secured a traineeship with the CLS Kawasaki team before he had even finished school. “I worked for CLS Kawasaki for three years and enjoyed many great experiences there.” His entrance into the world of professional motorsport led to many additional opportunities. “While working with CLS I spent the winters with the MD Rallye Sport Team. In my first year, which was the last Dakar raced in Africa, I worked as a motorbike mechanic and when the Dakar moved to South America for the first time, I became a co-driver of a fast assistance truck,” he informs. In 2009, François switched teams, joining the Belgium-based Honda LS. “I worked as a mechanic for Clement Desalle who enjoyed a successful year, finishing 3rd in the world championship. This was my first real test and it gave me a good experience. It got me noticed in the paddock,” he says.
Barely a year into his new job, his former boss Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni came calling with an offer he simply couldn’t refuse. “Thierry had taken over the Kawasaki Racing Team and offered me a new and, frankly, unexpected challenge; to become the team’s manager. It was not an easy decision, but I decided to take the plunge and the rest as they say is history. I’m now into my 11th year as team manager of KRT,” he proudly tells. And the recipe for his success? “Trust in yourself, work hard and make it happen!”
The challenges of managing an MXGP team
To ensure optimum performance, François leaves no stone unturned to guarantee that his riders are in the best possible shape. “We work with KRT superbike support to help the riders get the maximum physical prep done during training and we have a team of physios to help the riders with recovery after competition and to accelerate the healing of small injuries,” he says.
A bright future
Being in contention for world championships, however, wouldn’t be possible without the support of the team’s partners and sponsors, which include Kawasaki Japan, Monster Energy, Alpinestars, Motorex and others. The world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist is playing an equally important role for his team. “NGK SPARK PLUG simply make the best spark plugs, which is why our team is happy to rely on them. KRT and NGK SPARK PLUG have a lot in common. We are both constantly looking for the best performance and reliability,” he says.

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