A month of Culture

The opening month of this year’s FIM Motocross World Championships will introduce many exciting cities and cultures. Of course in around a week’s time the whole MXGP paddock will arrive in Doha, Qatar, for the opening round of the series.

Doha was for everyone a breath of fresh air as the brilliant weather and friendly nature of the people of Doha. While the serious side of racing was on everyone’s mind the holiday like atmosphere of the warm city in Qatar and the magnificent circuit of Losail really put everyone at ease.

Doha will be no different this year as temperatures are presently around the 27 degrees and we are expecting sunshine when the MXGP starts on February 28.

The bright lights and the night racing is going to once again give the MXGP series a special start and no doubt the whole World will be wanting to watch and see how only the second night MXGP ever turns out.

A week later and after some sightseeing by the riders and team members the MXGP of Thailand will bring us to the Si Racha circuit. This was such a pleasant surprise as everything was in place for a really nice event.

While the city of Pattaya just down the road from the MXGP facility is very different, being known as one of the wildest cities in the World, the Si Racha area is mellow and just like all around the country of Thailand the people are super friendly.

Si Racha is a really well made circuit and for Jeffrey Herlings it was one of the best circuits on the calendar.

“Oh man,” Herlings told us. “I can’t wait until the gate drops in Qatar. It feels like I haven’t raced in years. I last raced in August and I just can’t wait for the season to start. I am so looking forward to being behind the gate and battling with some guys. Qatar is a lovely track, of course the light was not perfect last year, dark in some places, but it will be better this year. Thailand, I loved that track, it was rough, wide and many lines, one of the best tracks on the calendar. I will try and do my best and try and win. In Qatar all eyes will be on me and I will deal with the pressure and try and win.”

A couple of weeks after Thailand the riders fly to Brazil, for the third round of the FIM Motocross World Championships. While the Si Racha circuit is new and really pleasant to watch from the Beto Carrero MX Park in Brazil is known Worldwide as a really professional and beautiful circuit. Its red clay and tropical feel will always be special and by the time the riders have completed their Brazilian stop-off you can be sure they will have experienced a lot more in just a few weeks than most people enjoy in their whole year.