Experience versus youth

The 2016 MXGP class is without question one of youth versus experience. While names like David Philippaerts, Antonio Cairoli, Shaun Simpson, Ken De Dycker, Ben Townley, Tommy Searle, Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos represent the experienced riders of this era, the names of Romain Febvre, Tim Gajser, Valentin Guillod and Jordi Tixier bring in the fresh blood to the big bike class.

Sure Febvre as a rookie was crowned 2015 MXGP champion, but he’s still very much a youngster in a class loaded with former world champions and GP winners. Many riders who have ridden nearly their whole lives in the Grand Prix series.

Experience counts for little though when these young rookies have little fear and a lot of motivation. Winning in the MXGP class is the pinnacle of the sport. MXoN winners come out of this class and it’s been proven time and time again the strongest most determined competitors are racing in the FIM Motocross World Championship.

2015 MX2 world champion Tim Gajser knows that nothing comes without hard work and pain. The HRC factory rider goes into the 2016 season with momentum on his side after blitzing to his first world title, but one title isn’t enough.

“It has always been my dream to win a world championship,” Tim Gajser told after his MX2 title this year. “I just didn’t want to win it in the MX2 class though, my goal was to move to the MXGP class and try and win it there. Now I have that MX2 championship I have to work even harder to be competitive in the MXGP class. I am excited for 2016.”

It isn’t hard to forget how Gajser came to win the MX2 championship. In a tough battle with Pauls Jonass, Valentin Guillod and Jordi Tixier he came out in front. Guillod and Tixier follow the Honda rider to the MXGP class next year, and they would like nothing more than putting pressure on the older brigade and make their own mark in the 450cc class.

“It won’t be easy,” Guillod said. “But you know the 250 doesn’t really match my riding style, the 450 is really smooth and my first goal is to arrive ready for Qatar and I will try and improve race by race and see where we are at the middle of the season, but the first goal is to be around top seven.”

So the big question is can the young guns of 2016 make their mark against the old guard of Cairoli, Desalle, Townley, and Strijbos? If 2015 is anything to go by, then the answer is simple. Anyone coming out of the top five in the MX2 class is capable of battling the leading MXGP riders, and that makes for a very special 2016 season.