He made his world championship debut in 1992 at the age of 16, competing in the 125cc class where he completed the season ranked 19th aboard a privateer Honda.
[14] He moved up to the 250cc class in 1998 and won the season opening race at Glen Helen Raceway, finishing ahead of Jeremy McGrath and Mike LaRocco.
[16] In 1999, he joined the Honda factory racing team and finished fourth in the 250cc Supercross national championship.
[18] Pichon then returned to Europe and signed a contract to compete in the 250cc motocross world championship with the Sylvain Geboers - Suzuki team on the recommendation of De Coster.
He won the 2001 250cc motocross world championship in a dominating manner by winning 10 of the 14 Grand Prix races.
[9] As of 2019, his 38 Grand Prix victories ranks sixth overall behind Stefan Everts (101), Antonio Cairoli (86), Jeffrey Herlings (84), Joël Smets (57) and Eric Geboers (38).