A two-times FIM junior world champion and European champion whilst still at school, the Latvian claimed gold and two-times silver during a five-year career in the FIM MX2 world series but injuries have affected his MXGP career since he graduated to the premier off-road world series in 2018.
 
Pauls immediately slotted into the highly-efficient KRT set-up last year to post a series of top-six finishes at the start of his debut season in Green before a heavy concussion at the fourth round of the series forced him to sit out several rounds prior to returning to the fray at the end of the season as a permanent top-ten runner. After an uninterrupted winter preparation he is now poised to challenge regularly for the podium in 2026.