The battle for the 250SX East title is intensifying with two rounds remaining and defending champion Tom Vialle remains in contention, despite being yet to win a main event in 2025. The experienced Frenchman sits P3 in the standings, just seven points outside of the lead as a result of textbook consistency to date. Check In with Vialle as he breaks down the season so far and shares his take on last Saturday night from the podium in New Jersey.

Image: Octopi Media.

Tom, the last few weeks haven’t been great for you in terms of points being lost. How are you feeling right now about your title chances?

Yeah, like you said, the last two races have been pretty bad for me, especially [Foxborough] in the mud. Tonight, my start wasn’t that good, and I had to pass a few guys, then I was behind RJ [Hampshire] the whole main event. The guys were riding good, Seth [Hammaker] was fast, and RJ too – I felt like I couldn’t get close enough to make a pass. The track was pretty gnarly, but I think right now, the starts are pretty important. I have to make it happen for the next two races.

Is there anywhere specifically on the track where you noticed yourself losing time?

I think RJ and I were pretty close. I feel like when you get to the last six or seven laps and into the lappers, you either gain time or you lose time. It depends on each lap. Speed-wise, I feel like we’re all pretty close – Seth was good, he had a great start and he was pulling away pretty early in the race, and from there it’s hard to catch.

Image: Octopi Media.

Earlier in the season, you had the red plate and looked to be one of the championship favorites. I’m sure you’d love to do Foxborough all over again, but you are only seven points back from the championship lead with two races to go. What do these two races – Pittsburgh and the Showdown in Utah – look like for you and how are you going to prepare yourself for those?

I obviously lost a lot of points in Foxborough, but I feel like RJ and Seth have also had their bad rounds. But yeah, the start, I think the start next weekend is going to be important. I need to try to put myself in some better positions early in the race, and then it’s going to be important to fight for that win.

What about the Showdown? How much of a curveball is that when you combine the riders from the west in also?

The last round in Salt Lake, anything can happen. We just have to try to put ourselves in good positions for a good shot at the title, that’s really my goal for the next two races – to be still there and close to the leader. Hopefully, next weekend we can finish in front and get ready for the last race.