Grand Prix progress

MXGP and MX2 are two very tough classes, both growing at an alarming rate. One with the more experienced and the other with youngsters looking for their place in the FIM World Motocross Championships.

Nothing has changed more in recent years than the amazing depth of the MXGP class and the intensity of the racing. The level from first to 15th is higher than ever and the while the leading MXGP riders fight for points and progress, they continue to look over their shoulders as the younger MX2 riders prepare to make their step to the bigger 450cc class.

With leading MX2 riders like Arnaud Tonus, Glenn Coldenhoff, Christophe Charlier and Jose Butron moving up to the MXGP class in 2015 (due to the age rule) and Jeffrey Herlings probably moving up, the 2015 season is already mouth-watering. But what about 2014?

After four rounds it is the same old story with Antonio Cairoli. He has the off day (if you can call 5th overall an off day), but generally his consistent approach to the season and his career remains his strong point. Now 17 points ahead of Clement Desalle in the MXGP series points the Italian legend isn’t as comfortable as we might have expected and with Sevlievo, Bulgaria coming up, a circuit that is usually good for Desalle and bad for Cairoli, that points gap might even be smaller come Sunday night after the Grand Prix of Bulgaria.

There have of course been disappointments in the MXGP class and also bright lights. The major injuries to Ken De Dycker, Tyla Rattray and Tommy Searle and minor injuries to riders like Steven Frossard and Evgeny Bobryshev are not good, and hopefully all five riders can recapture their best form as the season moves into the middle stages.

What about the brilliant form of the Belgians in Italy last weekend? While the depth of Belgian Motocross doesn’t go past their current four leading GP riders (Clement Desalle, Kevin Strijbos, Jeremy Van Horebeek, Joel Roelants) and injured De Dycker, the fact Desalle, Strijbos, Van Horebeek and Roelants are all inside the top nine in the MXGP class gives the country a lot of confidence when the MXoN comes around in September.

The MX2 class until now is just bursting with big stories and of course the development of the younger riders continues to be the most impressive thing from this class. While it was expected that Jeffrey Herlings would lead from the front, and he would get some hurry-up from riders like Arnaud Tonus, Glenn Coldenhoff and Max Anstie, however the form of several of the 2012 and 2013 EMX riders has really caught the eye of the likes of Herlings and Anstie.

Last weekend we saw Valentin Guillod finish fourth overall and of course the Swiss rider also won the Saturday qualification race. Tim Gajser finish seventh overall and scored a brilliant third place finish in the opening moto. Just two of the future heroes of this class and don’t be surprised to see them both on the podium again soon.

All in all the FIM World Motocross Championship series continues to grow and it’s something the riders will only benefit from this. Bring on Sevlievo, Bulgaria.