EMX250

TALAVERA DE LA REINA (Spain), 10 May 2014 - While a chilly wind took the edge off the direct sunlight at the last round of MXGP in The Netherlands, there was no masking the sun here in Talavera as the soaring temperatures cooked both the paddock and track ready for today’s qualifying heat races of round seven of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Also taking to the hilly classic style circuit here in Talavera, the European Championships EMX250 and EMX300 battled the heat and each other in contention for the second rounds of their respective series’. CNC KTM’s British rider Steven Clarke took control of the EMX250’s first race ahead of Bud Racing Kawasaki’s duo of Sullivan Jaulin and local hero Jorge Zaragoza.

Meanwhile in the EMX300, GL12 Team’s Lewis Gregory made it a great day in the office for the British European Championship fans, flaunting his true potential after passing red plate holder TM Racing Team’s Samuele Bernardini, who had slid out on lap one, and went on to lead every lap for his first race win of the season. Meanwhile CEC I.S Racing’s Toms Macuks charged hard from outside the top five to catch the leader, but couldn’t get enough traction to make a pass. Wilvo Forkrent KTM’s Kenny Vandueren made a solid return from injury to round out the top three while the early leader and red plate holder Bernardini only came home in fifth.

MXGP

Twenty-third pick of the gate clearly didn’t phase the red plate holder Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli as he had his KTM350SXF pinned around the outside of turn one to go inside on the following turn and run away with the race win.

Meanwhile, behind the seven-times World Champ, the trio of Belgians were at it once again. Initially it was Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle to look more at home on the harder surface, but that energy only lasted three quarters of the race before fellow countrymen Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek and Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Kevin Strijbos came through to make quick work of him. After blowing by Desalle, Van Horebeek and Strijbos rode extremely close grained to finish narrowly in that order.

With Desalle dropping off the pace, Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev was able to close in. Although the Russian Bobryshev made up a ton of ground, there weren’t enough laps for him to challenge for fourth, meaning he would have to settle for fifth.

MXGP Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 24:36.272; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:15.857; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:17.419; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:26.272; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:27.837; 6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Honda), +0:32.569; 7. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:34.814; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, Yamaha), +0:36.162; 9. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:38.883; 10. Joel Roelants (BEL, Honda), +0:39.955.

MX2

Fast becoming one of the best qualifying race racers, Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod fended off the challenge from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier and Yamaha Factory Racing Christophe Charlier for the entire twenty minutes plus two laps to take his second qualifying heat victory of the season. Meanwhile behind the Swiss Guillod, two of France’s finest, Charlier, who has just returned from an injury which occurred at MXGP round two in Thailand, and Tixier were going head to head for second. Despite putting in a very impressive ride given the circumstances, Charlier couldn’t hold off the wrath of his fellow countryman Tixier and dropped back to third in the final leg of the race.

Fiercely chasing the top three, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre hunted down and passed the fan favorite KTM Silver Actions Jose Butrón who was forced back to settle for fifth while Febvre took home a hard fought fourth.

Struggling to attack the surface with the same intensity as he did on his home soil in Valkenswaard, KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings bit the dust a couple of times which dropped him well outside of the top 20. Nonetheless the Dutch youngster kept on grinding to come home in sixteenth.

MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 24:57.007; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:04.233; 3. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:07.150; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:13.946; 5. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:15.984; 6. Julien Lieber (BEL, Suzuki), +0:18.463; 7. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:19.462; 8. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +0:22.305; 9. Petar Petrov (BUL, Yamaha), +0:27.367; 10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:34.229.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

All the photos of the MXGP of Spain will be available here

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition, and is also globally available to view live and in HD on www.MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks, viewing times can be viewed by clicking on the logo of your chosen broadcasting network.

MXGP SPAIN – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1620

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 30°

Weather conditions: sunny

TIMETABLE

SUNDAY: EMX300 Warm-up 08:40; EMX250 Warm-up 08:55; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; EMX300 Race 2 10:10; EMX250 Race 2 11:10; MX2 Race 1 13:15; MXGP Race 1 14:15; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Spain

TALAVERA DE LA REINA (Spain), 08 May 2014 – The 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship will receive live and delayed coverage worldwide via prominent TV networks Eurosport, CBS Sports Network, FOX sports, Mediaset, BEIN Sport, BNT, Bandsports and MotorsTV.

This weekend a local broadcasting network from Spain will be in attendance with their own TV crew to provide their viewers with exclusive footage and coverage of MXGP.

The seventh round of the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship in Talavera de la Reina, Spain, will be broadcasted in the UK and Europe on Eurosport2 and MotorsTV. BEIN sport will cover parts of Europe as well as The Middle East, North Africa and South Africa while FOX Sports will cover Asia and Australia while Mediaset will screen the final race of both MX2 and MXGP LIVE in Italy from 16:00 – 18:00 (CET) on Italia2. CBS Sports Network will cover the United States and Canada screening the second races of both MXGP and MX2 starting at 6pm (EST) and 3pm (PST).

MXGP-TV’s 26mn Magazine features rider interviews with MXGP-TV host Amy Dargan, all the best moments of the weekend both on the track and off, highlights from racing in MXGP and MX2 as well as the GoPro on-board lap of the track at each and every round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Following each round of MXGP, the 26mn Magazine will be broadcasted every Tuesday night at 21:30 (CET) on Eurosport.

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition, and is also globally available to view live and in HD on www.MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks, viewing times can be viewed by clicking on the logo of your chosen broadcasting network.

Italia 2

Race 2 MX2 (LIVE)                                                16:00 (CET)          

Race 2 MXGP (LIVE)                                             17:00 (CET)                      

CBS Sports Network

Premiere on Sunday 11 May 

Race 2 MX2                                                           7.00pm (EST) / 4.00pm (PST)  

Race 2 MXGP                                                        6.00pm (EST) / 3.00pm (PST)            

Eurosport 2 

MXGP RACES (LIVE)                                             14:00 – 17:00 (CET)

Tuesday 13 May:

26mn Magazine                                                       21:30 (CET)          

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY: EMX300 Free/Timed Practice 08:25; EMX250 Group 1 Free/Timed Practice 08:50; EMX250 Group 2 Free/Timed Practice 09:30; MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; EMX250 Last chance qualifying race 11:50; MX2 Time practice 14:00; MXGP Time practice 14:35; EMX300 Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying race 17:00; EMX125 Race 1 17:40.

SUNDAY: EMX300 Warm-up 08:40; EMX250 Warm-up 08:55; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; EMX300 Race 2 10:10; EMX250 Race 2 11:00; MX2 Race 1 13:15; MXGP Race 1 14:15; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Spain

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 7 May 2014 - After a two-year hiatus, Spain is back on the FIM Motocross World Championship calendar and is all set to host MXGP’s round seven at the classic style circuit of Talavera de la Reina. Embodying a mixed soil base of hard clay and soft sand, loads of elevation and beautifully sculpted jumps, the circuit of Talavera de la Reina is one of only three circuits this year to of not hosted a round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in the last decade. This weekend no rider will have a mental edge with no-one in either MXGP or MX2 to have had previous FIM Motocross World Championship experience on this circuit, meaning the doors for podium performance predictions are left wide open.

Also joining MXGP at the track of Talavera de la Reina, which is located approximately 130 kilometers southwest of Spain’s capital Madrid, the European Championships EMX250 and EMX300 will line up for their second rounds of the season. It will be a particularly special day for the EMX250’s round one winner Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Spaniard Jorge Zaragoza as he lines up to prove to his nation he is their future in MX2 and MXGP racing.

MXGP

With each round of MXGP, FIM Motocross World title number eight inches closer and closer for the reigning champ Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli. Although he is not quite as dominant as his MX2 teammate Jeffrey Herlings, he is definitely the easy bet in MXGP with only Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek showing the same kind of consistency.

Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek is easily the most improved rider in MXGP this year. After six from six top five finishes, five of which were podium finishes, the young Belgian has now engraved his name at the top of the list as Cairoli’s biggest title threat.

After getting off to somewhat of a slow start to the year, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Kevin Strijbos looks to be picking up steam. The FIM Motocross World Championship veteran has finished the last three rounds of MXGP with two podiums and one top five placing, confirming he’s a man on a mission.

For the last four years Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle has walked away ranked two times second and two times third in the world. Although he has been touted in the pre-season as the likeliest threat to Cairoli, it seems he has not quite found his mojo for season 2014 as more often than not he is seen lingering in the shadows of the front runners. Despite his momentary lack of wow factor, the 2013 vice world champion remains as one of only three MXGP victors this year.

Meanwhile J-Race Racing’s Joel Roelents pulled a rabbit out of the hat last weekend in Valkenswaard to come away with his first top five in the premier MXGP class. This weekend the young Honda rider will be on a mission to prove last weekend was no fluke and he has in fact got the goods to be an easy top ten placer.

Although nothing is official yet, it is unlikely Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin will line up this weekend after sustaining a broken collarbone and thumb after his hard crash in Valkenswaard.

MX2

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings has ridden half of this season without the red plate and seems to posses a much more humble attitude this year. Despite the new modest approach, the Dutch teen-ager hung his insane sand riding skills out for the whole world to see last weekend in Valkenswaard when he set the fastest lap time of the weekend, an astonishing 3 seconds faster than the fastest rider in MXGP, Antonio Cairoli. This weekend the MX2 class will look a little more ‘normal’ with the red plate to have returned to Herlings’ number 84 KTM machine.

Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre had very much a bittersweet experience in Valkenswaard when he was passed in both races on the home stretch. Nonetheless, the Frenchman is confident he is moving 100% in the right direction and expects big things for the remainder of the season.

It has been a scruffy start to the year for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier but it seems he’s finally starting to turn things around. The young Frenchman has now nailed two consecutive podiums and is clearly determined to keep this momentum going this weekend in Spain.

If Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod’s moments of brilliance are anything to go by, it’s only a matter of time before the Swiss sensation lands his first ever MX2 podium.

While CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s stylish Swiss Arnaud Tonus didn’t really expect to beat Jeffrey Herlings in the sand last weekend, on a difference surface he has proved he can definitely run the pace and is more than capable of winning. It wouldn’t be too crazy to predict Tonus to be hot on the heels of Herlings this weekend, keeping his chance of a MX2 championship title alive.

As MXGP hits the homeland of 2013’s MX2 bronze medalist and the classes hottest starter KTM Silver Actions Jose Butrón, it definitely raises the curiosity factor as to how the Spaniard is going to perform.

All the photos of the MXGP of Spain will be available here

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY: EMX300 Free/Timed Practice 08:25; EMX250 Group 1 Free/Timed Practice 08:50; EMX250 Group 2 Free/Timed Practice 09:30; MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; EMX250 Last chance qualifying race 11:50; MX2 Time practice 14:00; MXGP Time practice 14:35; EMX300 Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying race 17:00; EMX125 Race 1 17:40.

SUNDAY: EMX300 Warm-up 08:40; EMX250 Warm-up 08:55; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; EMX300 Race 2 10:10; EMX250 Race 2 11:00; MX2 Race 1 13:15; MXGP Race 1 14:15; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Spain

FUNGHAL (Portugal), 06 May 2014 - Youthstream is pleased to announce that the last round of the European Championship EMX150 will take place along side the MXGP of Belgium in Lommel on the weekend of 03 August.

The MXGP of Belgium will now host all four European Championship classes, EMX300, EMX250, EMX125 and EMX150 along side the premier MXGP and MX2 races.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM Europe

Youthstream would like to express their gratitude to Kawasaki Motors Europe for their ongoing support to the MXGP series, which includes their supply of utility vehicles for practical use on and around the circuits of MXGP.

Kawasaki’s 4x4 Mules and Quads offer Youthstream an extra pair of hands in setting up and maintaining the infrastructure of MXGP. They are extremely versatile, easy to operate and maneuver around the track and paddock. No job is too big and no terrain is too tough for these utility vehicles to handle, which makes them the perfect partner for Youthstream’s logistics crew.

Kawasaki is a leading brand in motorcycling and is the title sponsor of three teams that have genuine shots at the titles in both MXGP and MX2. Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team hosts two of the hottest talents in MXGP, Gautier Paulin and Steven Frossard, while CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy flies the flag for Kawasaki in MX2 with their young stars Arnaud Tonus, Dylan Ferrandis and Thomas Covington. CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy also has two heavy hitters racing hard in MXGP, Tommy Searle and Alessandro Lupino, while in the European and FIM Women’s Motocross Championship’s Kawasaki sponsors Bud Racing Kawasaki with Jorge Zaragoza and Meghan Rutledge and Team One One Four with Livia Lancelot.

Two young riders showed really good form last weekend at the Grand Prix of Bulgaria. Spaniard Jorge Zaragoza and Dutch youngster Davy Pootjes won the overall results in the EMX125 and EMX250 classes.

Spanish rider Zaragoza rode well to win the EMX250 class at the Grand Prix of Bulgaria. The young Kawasaki rider is very much a rider with a big future and his present form should help him progress. Here is what he thought of his weekend in Bulgaria.

“I don’t know, I was working hard in the pre-season and I came to Bulgaria to see where I am. On Saturday I was really bad and I was like 25^th, but I passed a lot of guys and got third place, but then I crashed and finished sixth. In the race on Sunday I was fighting all the way and scored second and I got the overall. I don’t know what it is with me and Sevlievo, because I always go well at Sevlievo. The conditions were very different for the two races, on Saturday it was more difficult and wet and on Sunday the track was dry and better for me. I really like my Kawasaki, really happy with it. It is important for me that I can show that Spanish riders are good and maybe one day I can be a top GP rider.”

Pootjes won the EMX125 class at the Grand Prix of Bulgaria and continues to lead the series points. Scoring 1-3, it was hard work for Pootjes as he fought through pain and many crashes. He wasn’t totally happy with his weekend, but glad he still leads the EMX125 series points going into his home race in Valkenswaard.

“Saturday morning in the free practice I had a big crash and hurt my hand and shoulder. In the start I was seventh and came back to win the moto. In the second moto I took the holeshot and I was passed and I wasn’t riding well, in the third lap I felt good and I tried to get the win, but I crashed and I was back in fifth and then I just tried to pass the fourth guy and he crashed and his bike hit me and I crashed again. Then I came back from sixth to third and that was good for me and I got the overall. Of course I am happy I got the overall, but the whole weekend my riding wasn’t good and I was in a lot of pain, but I am happy I have the red plate and I can ride with that plate.”

Now onto Valkenswaard, Holland in 10 days time, where both Zaragoza and Pootjes will try and continue their march to the FIM World Motocross Championships and hopefully a place amongst the present MX2 riders.

SEVLIEVO (Bulgaria), 20 April 2014 – The European Championship’s round of Sevlievo was the ultimate example of why EMX racing is the best step a rider can take on their path to a career as a professional motocross athlete. Thanks to the rain, which had flooded the track earlier in the week, the clay circuit here in Bulgaria was moist and challenging. On a track that demanded the riders to walk the fine line between attack and respect, three riders reigned supreme in their respective categories. TM Racing Team’s Samuele Bernardini took the victory in the EMX300, while Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Jorge Zaragoza won the EMX250 with Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes taking his second overall victory of season in the EMX125.

EMX125

With the drop of the gate for the EMX125 race two, the fans were immediately on their feet as Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes led the Bulgarian public’s future star Michael Ivanov around turn one. Within a couple of corners, Ivanov had already put the pass on the red plate holder, Pootjes, who then went down trying to respond half a lap later. With Pootjes remounting in fourth, Team MJC’s David Herbreteau took over second with De Carli KTM’s Joakin Furbetta moving into third.

Around lap five, a sudden influx of noise and hooting surged from the fence line as a battle between Herbreteau and the local kid Ivanov developed with both youngsters going head to head in one of the best duals of the championship to date. Despite the relentlessness of Ivanov, Herbreteau had found his groove and was moving fluidly up and down the gnarly clay hills of Sevlievo, eventually making a pass on Ivanov that would stick.

While Herbreteau proceeded to check-out, Ivanov was keeping himself entertained in second while a battle was cutting loose between the guy who was fastest in timed training, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu and race one winner Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes.

Although initially it was Hsu who had moved forward to take third place, with Pootjes hard on his tail, a mistake a few laps later soon dropped the German back to fifth, which also allowed race one runner-up Diga Racing’s Tomass Sileika to sneak through.

After a full 30 minutes of jam packed action it was Team MJC’s David Herbreteau who took the checkers ahead of KTM Silver Actions Michael Ivanov and Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes. Meanwhile Diga Racing’s Tomass Sileika put in an outstanding ride to grind his way forward from a terrible start for fourth with Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu rounding out the top five.

After the combination of points of both races, Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes took his second consecutive round victory of the season, while Bulgarian star and KTM Silver Action rider Michael Ivanov did his nation proud with second overall. Diga Racing’s Tomass Sileika rounded out the top three.

Meanwhile De Carli KTM’s Joakin Furbetta, who was running third in the EMX125 championship before this round, crashed early on in lap four in race two and was forced to retire with a suspected broken collar-bone.

EMX125 Race 1: 1. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 30:28.450; 2. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), +0:09.529; 3. Brian Hsu (GER, Suzuki), +0:12.079; 4. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), +0:21.416; 5. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), +0:42.417; 6. Gabriel Chetnicki (POL, KTM), +0:50.532; 7. Ivan Baranov (RUS, KTM), +0:53.041; 8. Michele Baraiolo (ITA, TM), +0:54.295; 9. David Herbreteau (FRA, Yamaha), +0:55.082; 10. Natanael Bres (FRA, Yamaha), +1:07.028.

EMX125 Race 2: 1. David Herbreteau (FRA, Yamaha), 30:58.860; 2. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), +0:06.531; 3. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:18.655; 4. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), +0:25.878; 5. Brian Hsu (GER, Suzuki), +0:27.619; 6. Dan Houzet (FRA, KTM), +0:29.711; 7. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:33.171; 8. Tommaso Isdraele Romano (ITA, KTM), +0:42.006; 9. Rene De Jong (NED, KTM), +0:44.448; 10. Miro Sihvonen (FIN, KTM), +0:52.582.

EMX125 Overall: 1. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 45 points; 2. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), 40 p.; 4. David Herbreteau (FRA, YAM), 37 p.; 5. Brian Hsu (GER, SUZ), 36 p.; 6. Natanael Bres (FRA, YAM), 21 p.; 7. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, YAM), 20 p.; 8. Gabriel Chetnicki (POL, KTM), 18 p.; 9. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), 16 p.; 10. Dan Houzet (FRA, KTM), 15 p.

EMX125 Championship Standings: 1. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 95 points; 2. David Herbreteau (FRA, YAM), 69 p.; 3. Brian Hsu (GER, SUZ), 69 p.; 4. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), 62 p.; 5. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), 60 p.; 6. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, YAM), 51 p.; 7. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), 50 p.; 8. Michele Baraiolo (ITA, TM), 48 p.; 9. Filippo Zonta (ITA, KTM), 41 p.; 10. Gabriel Chetnicki (POL, KTM), 37 p.

EMX250

In the EMX250, CNC KTM’s Steven Clarke pulled a ripper of a holeshot leading last year’s EMX125 stars Marchetti Racing Team KTM’s Pauls Jonass and Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Jorge Zaragoza around turn one. Although it was his second holeshot of the weekend, it was short lived, as the youngsters Jonass and Zaragoza were quick to find a way around.

Moments after passing Clarke, the duo Jonas and Zaragoza put space between themselves and third, both charging like bulls at a gate. After an intense battle which saw Zaragoza have a few sketchy moments as he looked for new lines around the Latvian Jonass, the duo allowed another rider to close up in the form of Martin Racing Technology Team’s Michele Cervellin. With the Italian Cervellin in on the battle, Zaragoza made a hasty pass on Jonass to take over the lead. Thanks to Zaragoza pushing Jonass wide, Cervellin took the opportunity to sneak up the inside and take second.

Having expelled an intense amount of energy leading the first half of the race, Jonass faded back and was left to his own devices in third. Meanwhile the battle up front raged on, with Cervellin eventually making a pass on Zaragoza. While Zaragoza did his best to respond, Cervellin made a lot less errors throughout the race and went on to win his first ever EMX250 race. The flamboyant Spaniard Jorge Zaragoza came home in a respectable second while Pauls Jonass held on for third. CNC KTM’s Steven Clarke and HSF Logistics Motorsport Team’s Ceriel Klein Kromhof rounded out the top five.

After combining the results of race one and race two, it’s obvious the field of future stars is deep. Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Jorge Zaragoza takes the overall victory with a sixth in race one and a second in race two. Standing on the second step, HM plant KTM UK’s Ben Watson combined his race one win with a ninth in race two with fellow Brit CNC KTM’s Steven Clarke rounding off the podium with his set of fourths.

EMX250 Race 1: 1. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), 30:05.489; 2. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +0:11.172; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Honda), +0:15.255; 4. Steven Clarke (GBR, KTM), +0:17.355; 5. Brent Van doninck (BEL, KTM), +0:17.676; 6. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:23.898; 7. Ander Valentin (ESP, Yamaha), +0:26.298; 8. Henry Jacobi (GER, KTM), +0:29.252; 9. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, Yamaha), +0:29.634; 10. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, KTM), +0:33.256.

EMX250 Race 2: 1. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Honda), 30:00.531; 2. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:04.601; 3. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:25.963; 4. Steven Clarke (GBR, KTM), +0:33.642; 5. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, KTM), +0:39.628; 6. Karl Vilhelm Linus Olsson (SWE, Honda), +0:41.374; 7. Arnaud Aubin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:42.163; 8. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Honda), +0:44.246; 9. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), +0:53.167; 10. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), +0:54.610.

EMX250 Overall: 1. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, KAW), 37 points; 2. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), 37 p.; 3. Steven Clarke (GBR, KTM), 36 p.; 4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HON), 33 p.; 5. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 28 p.; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, KTM), 27 p.; 8. Brent Van doninck (BEL, KTM), 26 p.; 9. Arnaud Aubin (FRA, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 22 p.

EMX250 Championship Standings: 1. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), 37 points; 2. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, KAW), 37 p.; 3. Steven Clarke (GBR, KTM), 36 p.; 4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HON), 33 p.; 5. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 28 p.; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, KTM), 27 p.; 8. Brent Van doninck (BEL, KTM), 26 p.; 9. Arnaud Aubin (FRA, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 22 p.

EMX300

With the debut of the EMX300 European Championship this weekend, TM Racing Team’s Samuele Bernardini proved to be the man to beat as he went on to dominate both race one, which took place yesterday, and race two today to start the season with a perfect score. Meanwhile Team Maddii Racing’s Marco Maddii occupied the second step of the podium thanks to his consistent third place in race one, and a well fought second in race two with CEC I.S Racing’s Toms Macuks rounding off the podium with his combined 2 – 4 scores for third overall.

EMX300 Race 1: 1. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 30:39.588; 2. Toms Macuks (LAT, KTM), +0:05.559; 3. Marco Maddii (ITA, KTM), +0:11.010; 4. Bence Szvoboda (HUN, KTM), +1:11.341; 5. Mark Szoke (HUN, KTM), +1:55.948; 6. Michele Cencioni (ITA, KTM), +2:25.769; 7. Stephane Watel (FRA, KTM), +2:32.434; 8. Txomin Arana (ESP, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 9. Rene Rannikko (FIN, KTM), -1 lap(s); 10. Lewis Gregory (GBR, Yamaha), -1 lap.

EMX300 Race 2: 1. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 30:12.766; 2. Marco Maddii (ITA, KTM), +0:02.031; 3. Bence Szvoboda (HUN, KTM), +0:02.798; 4. Toms Macuks (LAT, KTM), +0:34.747; 5. Lewis Gregory (GBR, Yamaha), +0:46.023; 6. Mark Szoke (HUN, KTM), +1:07.389; 7. Stephane Watel (FRA, KTM), +1:31.085; 8. Txomin Arana (ESP, Yamaha), +1:52.952; 9. Michele Cencioni (ITA, KTM), +2:15.312; 10. Rene Rannikko (FIN, KTM), +2:17.490.

EMX300 Overall: 1. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 50 points; 2. Marco Maddii (ITA, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Toms Macuks (LAT, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Bence Szvoboda (HUN, KTM), 38 p.; 5. Mark Szoke (HUN, KTM), 31 p.; 6. Stephane Watel (FRA, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Lewis Gregory (GBR, YAM), 27 p.; 8. Michele Cencioni (ITA, KTM), 27 p.; 9. Txomin Arana (ESP, YAM), 26 p.; 10. Rene Rannikko (FIN, KTM), 23 p.

EMX300 Championship Standings: 1. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 50 points; 2. Marco Maddii (ITA, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Toms Macuks (LAT, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Bence Szvoboda (HUN, KTM), 38 p.; 5. Mark Szoke (HUN, KTM), 31 p.; 6. Stephane Watel (FRA, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Lewis Gregory (GBR, YAM), 27 p.; 8. Michele Cencioni (ITA, KTM), 27 p.; 9. Txomin Arana (ESP, YAM), 26 p.; 10. Rene Rannikko (FIN, KTM), 23 p.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

All the photos of the MXGP of Bulgaria are available here

MXGP BULGARIA – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1735m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 21°C

Weather conditions: sunny

MXGP is available across the board in high definition, and is also globally available to view live and in HD on www.MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks, viewing times can be viewed by clicking on the logo of your chosen broadcasting network

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Bulgaria

SEVLIEVO (Bulgaria), 19 April 2014 – Dust was never going to be an issue at the spectacular track of Sevlievo today with Mother Nature raining on the parade of MXGP’s round five the entire week prior. An extremely wet clay surface running up and down the hills of Sevlievo provided less than ideal conditions for the qualifying day of round five of the FIM Motocross World Championship, therefore race direction decided it was in the best interests of the event to cancel free practice for all classes in order to preserve the circuit for the races.

Thanks to the clouds lifting with the skies eventually making way for some sunshine, the track ended up drying out perfectly, leaving loads of tacky ruts for the riders of not only MXGP and MX2 but also the European EMX250, EMX125 and EMX300 classes to sink their tyres into.

Kicking off the EMX races, the European Championship’s newest edition, the EMX300 took to the track for the first time this season with TM Racing Team’s Samuele Bernardini banking the first twenty-five EMX300 championship points.

Meanwhile in MXGP’s ultimate ‘road to pro’ stepping stone class the EMX250, it was HM Plant KTM UK’s Ben Watson who got off to an early lead when fellow countryman CNC KTM’s Steven Clarke crashed early on in the race. After taking over the lead Watson controlled the race to win a comfortable ten seconds clear of HSF Logistics Motorsport Team Brian Bogers and Honda Jtech’s Thomas Kjer Olsen.

Taking the win in race one of the EMX125 European Championship, Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes remains unbeaten this year, winning race one ahead of Diga Racing’s Tomass Sileika and Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu. KTM Silver Action’s Bulgarian young gun Michael Ivanov came home in an impressive fourth in front of his countrymen here in Sevlievo, while De Carli KTM’s Joakim Furbetta rounded out the top five.

MXGP

Rut railing skills were put to the ultimate test here in Bulgaria when the gates dropped for MXGP’s qualifying heat race. Taking the holeshot followed by a nice scrub over the single that followed 100m after the turn, MXGP red plate holder Antonio Cairoli was in the best position of the race, first.

Following closely behind the Italian legend Cairoli, Team HRC’s Max Nagl and Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek lead Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle who actually had a bad start but managed to hold a tight line around turn one and salvage fifth.

In the early stages of the race, it was looking to be a cracker with all the title contenders taking a place inside the top five. Team HRC’s Max Nagl was the first to drop the hammer, backing off the gas just a little bit to keep tight to the inside and pass Cairoli for the lead. A few turns later Van Horebeek had had enough roost off the back wheel of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider and found a way through, too.

While Cairoli was forced back to third, the race didn’t stop there as Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin was slicing his way forward after a very average start. After a slight dual for third which saw the two Paulin and Cairoli switch the position back and forth a couple of times, Paulin found a smooth line past the skybox and sealed the deal on third. 

Coming into the closing stages of the race, the top five had settled into their positions. Team HRC’s Max Nagl clearly enjoyed the gnarlyness of the track, riding home to his first qualifying heat win of the season, while Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek took second ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing’s Gautier Paulin, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Clement Desalle respectively.

MXGP Qualifying Race top ten: : 1. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), 25:31.817; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:01.411; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:02.216; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:04.421; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:25.437; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:29.921; 7. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:32.799; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:36.358; 9. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:41.451; 10. Tyla Rattray (RSA, Husqvarna), +0:51.849.

MX2

With hundreds of ruts dug out around the circuit of Sevlievo, line selection was going to be key to a qualifying heat victory. Although the start straight remained as the wettest place on the track, the track management had done an excellent job scraping the mud off and having it in the best condition possible, given the circumstances, for MX2’s qualifying race.

After the five second board was raised and the gate was dropped it was last weekend’s qualifying heat star Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod who took the holeshot with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings hot on his tail. While Guillod led the first lap, lap two saw the super Swiss lose the front end and go down handing Herlings the early lead. While initially it appeared the current MX2 World Champion would check out, CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Arnaud Tonus and Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre had other ideas.

With both Tonus and Febvre starting around tenth, the duo began to slice and dice their way through the pack to be running second and third respectively on lap three. On lap four, Tonus set the fastest lap time with Febvre following in his wake.

As the race approached midway, Tonus and Febvre had chopped down the six second lead of Herlings, engaging in a battle for first and it wasn’t long before Tonus decided it was ‘go time’ and threw a very low and fast scrub to flamboyantly pass Herlings for the lead. One lap later, Febvre also made a move on Herlings in almost the same part of the track.

With two laps to go Herlings, who had spent the last three laps stalking Febvre, finally found another gear and passed the Frenchman to make a last ditch effort at catching the MX2 red plate holder Arnaud Tonus.

Although the flying Dutchman also known as ‘The Bullet’ did impressively knock Tonus’ ‘fastest laptime’ off the board on the final lap, it wasn’t enough to catch the CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s star who qualified on pole for the first time this season. Meanwhile Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings was forced to settle for second ahead of Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre who put in an outstanding ride for third. CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis recovered from an early moto crash to come home in fourth with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier rounding out the top five.

Bulgaria’s own Kemea Yamaha Racing rider Petar Petrov came home in a respectable ninth and later said in the press conference, “I look forward to coming home to race because I am the only Bulgarian in the world championship which means it is an important race for me, and also it is really nice because all my family friends come out to see me ride”.

MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Kawasaki), 26:06.452; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:01.208; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:06.036; 4. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:18.248; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:25.422; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Suzuki), +0:29.592; 7. Mel Pocock (GBR, KTM), +0:45.838; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, Yamaha), +0:46.341; 9. Petar Petrov (BUL, Yamaha), +0:57.154; 10. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +1:00.501.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

All the photos of the MXGP of Bulgaria will be available here

MXGP BULGARIA – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1735m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 14°C

Weather conditions: cloudy

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition, and is also globally available to view live and in HD on www.MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks, viewing times can be viewed by clicking on the logo of your chosen broadcasting network.

TIMETABLE

Sunday: EMX300 Warm-up 08:10; EMX125 Warm-up 08:30; EMX250 Warm-up 08:50; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; EMX300 Race 2 10:10; EMX125 Race 2 11:00; EMX250 Race 2 11:50; MX2 Race 1 13:10; MXGP Race 1 14:10; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Bulgaria