It has been a busy winter for the Frenchman who underwent surgery straight after the final GP of 2022 to remove a pin in his leg. “The surgeon also took this opportunity to clean the knee so I had to wait until the end of November to get back training physically and later on the bike. For the first time in a while I can run and undertake physical training without pain, and that was great to have a strong winter to prepare the season,” explained Romain, who also decided to have further minor surgery on his forearms in January. “Two years ago I experienced pain in my arms and underwent surgery then last year, when I was back after six months, the pain returned. That’s pretty usual after you don’t ride for a long time, but after intensive training and testing this winter I felt the pain again so I didn’t want to take any risks and had surgery in January. I had to stop riding for a few weeks which is why I didn’t race the Italian International series.”
 
For the ninth time in his career, Romain will line up in the MXGP class where he won the world title in 2015. He narrowly missed a second title in 2021, his second year with Kawasaki, when the series went to the final moto of the season, and of course it’s his main goal this year to clinch gold again. “It’s impossible to explain what a great feeling it is when you are world champion. Already as a child I was dreaming to get a title at least one time; it was a dream initially but when I finally got it I wanted more. When you take part in any sport, whatever it is, you want to be the best but it’s not easy. Then when you miss it by just a couple of points like in 2021 you look back on the season and you see where you could have got those few more points. And that’s not easy to accept,” he said in analysis. With all his experience he knows how important the mental approach is. “The mental side is a big part of the puzzle! Even if you work hard and are ready for the challenge you know before the start of each race that it’s a tough affair. To be strong mentally can help you to handle the pressure, and that’s something that you must have in you. Either you have it or you don’t; you can’t invent it.”
 
The pre-season races were pretty good for Romain, who achieved several podium results, but now it’s time to line up for the first GPs against even stronger opposition. “I’m nearly at 100% now, and the season will be really long. I love that track in Argentina, and the goal will be to score as many points as possible at each round. I know that in 2021 I was missing some speed compared to Herlings at times, and that’s a point we have worked on with Kevin Strijbos. If I regularly take good starts, like in the first moto at Hawkstone, I know what we are capable of this season. Let's go !”