EMX250

OSS (The Netherlands) 17 July 2021 – Saturday’s race action in Oss is done and dusted with Dutch riders Rick Elzinga from TBS Conversions KTM Racing Team and Micha-Boy De Waal of No Fear/Jumbo BT Racing Team victorious in the EMX250 and EMX Open categories.

Both riders were met by an eager Dutch crowd who urged them on from start to finish as they craved their way through the sand on their way to victory.

In the opening EMX250 race it was SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery’s Kevin Horgmo who was the early race leader before crashing, which allowed Fantic Factory Team Maddii's Nicholas Lapucci, Jorgen-Mathias Talviku of No Fear/Jumbo BT Racing Team, Yago Martinez from Team VRT Nordpesca Holland, Elzinga and Dave Kooiker of Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing through, among others, as the Norwegian dropped to 8^th.

Talviku and Elzinga then had a close battle for second, as the Dutchman went through on the Estonian and then the Husqvarna rider came under more pressure this time from Martinez who was also able to pass him. Talviku later crashed in the race a couple of times to finish the race ninth.

Everts was having a good ride as he made his way into the top five, though after an unlucky crash dropped down the order but was eventually to pick himself back up and finish the race inside the top five.

On lap 7 Elzinga was able to get around Lapucci for the lead as Kooiker lost quite a few positions and dropped down to sixth, allowing the likes of Horgmo, Martinez, Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Andrea Bonacorsi and Liam Everts of KTM Liamski through.

While it looked like Elzinga was on track to take a race win, Lapucci caught him out on the final lap to take back first position and go on to win the race ahead of the Dutchman, with Horgmo finishing third.

In race two, it was Lapucci who took the holeshot as Talviku quickly took the lead away from the Italian. The Estonian then crashed out of first place, with Lapucci forced off track due to the incident, and as a result lost valuable positions as he re-joined in 7^th.

Team VRT Nordpesca Holland’s Davide Braceras then assumed first place, as Everts sensed the perfect opportunity to go after his first EMX250 race win. By lap three Everts was the new race leader, as Elzinga and Lapucci made their way back up to the leaders.

Elzinga then passed Lapucci, Bonacorsi and Braceras in one lap as Everts extended his lead to 4 seconds over Kooiker and Elzinga. Elzinga then got himself into second, as Lapucci worked his way up to third and then it was game on as Elzinga and Lapucci battled it out.

In the final laps of the race the pair caught onto the back of Everts who started to make mistakes under pressure and on the final lap, Elzinga was able to take the lead, as Everts successfully defended second place from Lapucci.

Elzinga was the race winner, with Everts second and Lapucci third. The same three riders took to the podium, with Elzinga taking the victory on home soil, with Lapucci second overall and Everts making his first EMX250 podium appearance in third.

Lapucci now leads the championship with a 17-point advantage over Horgmo, as Bonacorsi sits third.

Rick Elzinga: “To win at your home round is amazing and with the home crowd finally back at the races. I was sick for a long time so 25-minute race was not an easy thing to do and then my starts I was around tenth or fifteenth, so coming back from the mid-pack was really hard, I’m just really happy about the win”

“Lommel will be the team's home GP, so I hope to get another podium. I train there a lot, I am familiar with the track, and I think I can do some good things there”.

Nicholas Lapucci: “In the end it was not a bad day. A part of me is happy but also a part of me is a little bit upset but this is part of the races. The second race I had a problem when Talviku crashed and I went off the track, so I needed to work a lot to come back and take second overall. The important thing is to save the points position and go to Lommel pumped to maybe take the overall in the sand”.

“We work pretty hard in the sand, and I have enjoyed riding and today I showed good things and I will take away the positives. I got the race win in race one and showed good speed in race two, I did everything I could to try to take the guys in front, but they were fast too, and this is a part of racing”.

Liam Everts: “In the first race it was quite tough for me as I had a little crash, I was going too fast and made another mistake going in the uphill but still managed to get fifth. In the second race I got a good start and I was fourth, I almost had a crash myself but then I saw Nicholas and Kevin off, so I took advantage of this and made the most of it to get around leader and then go one more lap, and leave them behind. Then two laps from the end I made a little mistake which I think cost me the win, it was quite close in the end which is a shame but nonetheless I am very happy”.

“Home GP next where I grew up and learned to ride. I’m really looking forward to that, but this is already one goal achieved this year, the podium and to have the fans back is great. I saw and heard many fans cheering. I’m really looking forward to Lommel”.

Main Photo: EMX250 Start.

Bottom Photos: 1. Rick Elzinga 2. Nicholas Lapucci.

EMX250 - Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Nicholas Lapucci (ITA, Fantic), 31:20.758; 2. Rick Elzinga (NED, KTM), +0:05.815; 3. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, GASGAS), +0:06.554; 4. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:25.519; 5. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:34.587; 6. Dave Kooiker (NED, Yamaha), +0:39.933; 7. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, Yamaha), +0:40.681; 8. Yago Martinez (ESP, KTM), +0:56.757; 9. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, Husqvarna), +0:59.457; 10. Mike Gwerder (SUI, KTM), +1:02.492;

EMX250 - Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Rick Elzinga (NED, KTM), 31:28.568; 2. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:00.275; 3. Nicholas Lapucci (ITA, Fantic), +0:02.132; 4. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:11.816; 5. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, GASGAS), +0:18.982; 6. Dave Kooiker (NED, Yamaha), +0:49.215; 7. David Braceras (ESP, KTM), +0:58.052; 8. Yago Martinez (ESP, KTM), +1:01.247; 9. Rasmus Hakansson (SWE, Husqvarna), +1:06.904; 10. Kjell Verbruggen (NED, KTM), +1:06.960;

EMX250 – Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Rick Elzinga (NED, KTM), 47 points; 2. Nicholas Lapucci (ITA, FAN), 45 p.; 3. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, YAM), 36 p.; 5. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, GAS), 36 p.; 6. Dave Kooiker (NED, YAM), 30 p.; 7. Yago Martinez (ESP, KTM), 26 p.; 8. Rasmus Hakansson (SWE, HUS), 22 p.; 9. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, YAM), 19 p.; 10. Kjell Verbruggen (NED, KTM), 18 p.;

EMX250 – Top 10 Championship Classification: 1. Nicholas Lapucci (ITA, FAN), 95 points; 2. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, GAS), 78 p.; 3. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, YAM), 62 p.; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 58 p.; 5. Rick Elzinga (NED, KTM), 57 p.; 6. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, YAM), 57 p.; 7. Yago Martinez (ESP, KTM), 55 p.; 8. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, KAW), 39 p.; 9. Emil Weckman (FIN, HON), 34 p.; 10. Dave Kooiker (NED, YAM), 30 p.;

EMX250 - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Fantic, 95 points; 2. GASGAS, 78 p.; 3. KTM, 76 p.; 4. Yamaha, 74 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 54 p.; 6. Kawasaki, 39 p.; 7. Honda, 34 p.; 8. TM, 3 p.;

As the gate dropped for the first EMX Open race, it was De Waal who took the lead from the get-go, as Nicholas Dercourt of Honda ST Motoblouz followed behind.

Former MXGP rider, Ken De Dycker got a good start and was inside the top five, before getting himself into second behind De Waal. The race leader, De Waal, then continued to stretch out his lead lap-by-lap, setting consistent lap times throughout the entire race.

Dercourt then pushed De Dycker to third, as De Waal extended his lead to 9.484 seconds and remained the fastest rider on track by almost 2 seconds compared to the riders behind him.

Davide De Bortoli was fighting his way through the field as he got around Joel Van Mechelen for fourth place. In the end De Waal was the race winner with Dercourt second and De Dycker finishing third.

In race two it was once again De Waal who took the holeshot after the race was re-started due to a false start. De Waal led the way with De Bortoli, Dercourt, Simeo Ubach of 137 KTM Motorsport and Simone Croci rounding out the top five on the opening lap.

De Dycker was down in 10^th and had to work hard to make his way through the field, but eventually fell down to 12^th where he finished the second heat.

Much like the first race, De Waal led from start to finish, while De Bortoli worked hard to keep Dercourt behind him, as the pair finished the race second and third. In the end it was De Waal who was the overall round winner in front of his home crowd, securing his team their first overall win, as Dercourt placed second overall and De Bortoli was third on the podium.

De Court now takes the championship lead, with De Bortoli four points behind him in second and De Waal sitting in third.

Micha-Boy De Waal: “Today was really good. My goal was to find a way to stay on the bike and today I managed to do that. I liked the track, it’s sand of course and I managed to take two race wins and two holeshots, so it was a good day definitely. For me it’s the first time I win two races and the overall and at the home round so it’s really special, for the team as well as it’s their first win also, but we are far away from the lead so we need to think of some way to get close”

Nicholas Dercourt: “I’m super happy with my weekend. I did not think it would unfold like that. It was tough and technical, especially since I was not familiar with the track. But I had a lot of fun with the team. We are building the foundations and we are trying to evolve little by little and not miss any steps. So, it is really great. I am happy to have had two good races and get the red plate. Thank you to everyone, sponsors and my team, Joss and Seb”.

Davide De Bortoli: “For me it’s a surprise to be on the podium today because this type of track is not my favourite. I don’t feel so confident in the sand but today I felt good to finish in third position and now the championship is interesting. I am happy to be second in the championship and I hope to do better in Loket on a track terrain that is my favourite”.

Main Photo: EMXOpen Start.

Bottom Photos: Micha-Boy De Waal 2. Nicholas Dercourt with the red plate.

EMXOpen - Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Micha-Boy De Waal (NED, Husqvarna), 31:16.549; 2. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, Honda), +0:22.356; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:30.731; 4. Davide De Bortoli (ITA, Honda), +0:34.044; 5. Kay Ebben (NED, KTM), +0:39.041; 6. Jilani Cambré (BEL, Yamaha), +0:42.292; 7. Joel Van Mechelen (NED, KTM), +0:45.963; 8. Simeo Ubach (ESP, Husqvarna), +0:47.926; 9. Emil Berggren (SWE, Husqvarna), +0:51.697; 10. Lars Griekspoor (NED, KTM), +1:11.062;

EMXOpen - Race 2 -  Top 10 Classification: 1. Micha-Boy De Waal (NED, Husqvarna), 31:39.961; 2. Davide De Bortoli (ITA, Honda), +0:12.007; 3. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, Honda), +0:17.504; 4. Simeo Ubach (ESP, Husqvarna), +0:45.771; 5. Simone Croci (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:52.898; 6. Kay Ebben (NED, KTM), +1:03.021; 7. Andero Lusbo (EST, Husqvarna), +1:09.058; 8. James Dunn (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:14.585; 9. Joel Van Mechelen (NED, KTM), +1:20.290; 10. Mike Bolink (NED, KTM), +1:26.385;

EMXOpen – Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Micha-Boy De Waal (NED, HUS), 50 points; 2. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, HON), 42 p.; 3. Davide De Bortoli (ITA, HON), 40 p.; 4. Simeo Ubach (ESP, HUS), 31 p.; 5. Kay Ebben (NED, KTM), 31 p.; 6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KAW), 29 p.; 7. Simone Croci (ITA, HUS), 26 p.; 8. Joel Van Mechelen (NED, KTM), 26 p.; 9. James Dunn (GBR, KAW), 21 p.; 10. Mike Bolink (NED, KTM), 20 p.;

EMXOpen – Top 10 Championship Classification: 1. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, HON), 84 points; 2. Davide De Bortoli (ITA, HON), 80 p.; 3. Micha-Boy De Waal (NED, HUS), 63 p.; 4. Simone Croci (ITA, HUS), 62 p.; 5. Filippo Zonta (ITA, HON), 50 p.; 6. Simeo Ubach (ESP, HUS), 44 p.; 7. Jilani Cambré (BEL, YAM), 44 p.; 8. Andero Lusbo (EST, HUS), 37 p.; 9. Kay Ebben (NED, KTM), 35 p.; 10. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KAW), 29 p.;

EMXOpen - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Honda, 94 points; 2. Husqvarna, 86 p.; 3. KTM, 53 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 45 p.; 5. Yamaha, 45 p.; 6. GASGAS, 12 p.;

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos from the MXGP of the Netherlands will be available HERE

MXGP OF THE NETHERLANDS – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1775m

Type of ground: Sand

Temperature: 27°

Weather conditions: Sunny

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Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to welcome Australian motocross star Bailey Malkiewicz into the Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250 team as a temporary replacement for the injured Jeremy Sydow.

After a positive winter period where he showed signs of great promise aboard his GYTR kitted YZ250F, Sydow was, unfortunately, unable to start his 2021 EMX250 campaign in Matterley Basin, England, on 27th June due to an injury sustained at a Dutch Motocross Championship race in Arnhem, The Netherlands, one-week prior. The 21-year-old German damaged his pancreas in a minor crash, and after spending several days in the hospital under the watchful eye of medical professionals, a decision to operate was made.

Sydow underwent a successful operation on Tuesday 23rd June at Isala Zwolle Hospital in The Netherlands. The injury is expected to take at least 10-weeks to heal; therefore, Yamaha has called upon Malkiewicz to fill the German’s seat for the next four rounds of the EMX250 Championship.

Malkiewicz is a 19-year-old Australian best known for his success at the 2018 Junior Motocross World Championship, where he won the Junior 125cc world title aboard a Yamaha YZ125. He also contested the 2020 FIM MX2 World Championship and finished 14th in the final classification despite sustaining a torn ACL in his right knee.

Looking forward to making a return to Europe, Malkiewicz has recovered from an ACL reconstruction and is relishing the chance to race the highly competitive European Championship with a GYTR kitted YZ250F as a substitute for Sydow. The youngster landed in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on Wednesday 14th July and will make his EMX250 debut this weekend at the MXGP of The Netherlands in Oss, with the second round of the 2021 EMX250 Championship set to take place on Saturday 17th.

Bailey Malkiewicz – Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250 Rider:  “I’m excited to reunite with Yamaha as I’ve had great success with them in 2018 as Junior World Champion 125. When preparing for my knee surgery, my personal team and I planned for this return. It’s reassuring that the Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250 team have demonstrated their professionalism in developing the right strategy for my return to ensure it’s safe and can yield results at the right time. Mentally I’m stronger than ever before. I’d like to thank everyone that made this happen especially Thorsten, the team, my father Steve, and my manager, as there was so much work to do in a short period. Without them, this opportunity wouldn’t have come together.”

Thorsten Lentink – Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Co-Ordinator: “Jeremy had a very good off-season where he worked really hard to be at the top of his game for the EMX250 season this year. He was looking good, and we were expecting to celebrate some great achievements, so it is very unfortunate that he has sustained this injury. While we continue to focus on helping Jeremy return to full fitness, we also want to see the GYTR kitted YZ250F represented at a high level. So, with that in mind, I am very happy we were able to reach a deal with Bailey Malkiewicz. Bailey is a talented young rider that caught our attention last year. He is a rider that has a lot of potential, and since he has already had success with Yamaha and the Yamaha Family in the past as the winner of the Junior World Championship on a YZ125, he was the obvious choice to step in for Jeremy. We look forward to working with Bailey, and to give him the chance to return to Europe where he can show his potential on the world stage.” 

Photo Copyright: Yamaha Racing 

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 14 July 2021 – The FIM Motocross World Championship returns to the Netherlands this weekend for this year’s Dutch Grand Prix in Oss!

Over the years venues such as Lierop, Assen and Valkenswaard have all hosted the Dutch Motocross Grand Prix, though this season the MXGP of the Netherlands will take place somewhere different as it will celebrate the return of a former World Championship venue of the 80’s, that is Oss.

The Dutch track, located in the south of the country and less than 50km from Eindhoven, first opened its doors in 1980 and was then better known as ‘Witte Ruysheuve’. Five years later, in 1985 the track presented the Motocross World Championship Grand Prix, which saw home rider and former 125cc World Champion, Dave Strijbos victorious.

The club then organised another two GP’s in Oss in 1989 and 1998 which were dominated by American Mike Healey and Italian Alessio Chiodi. Now 23 years later Oss will make a comeback to the FIM Motocross World Championship to host what is bound to be an exciting race weekend!

Alongside the usual MXGP and MX2 races, the MXGP of the Netherlands will also see rounds of the EMX250 and EMX Open Championships. In the European 250 category Fantic Factory Team Maddii rider Nicholas Lapucci leads the championship over SM Action Racing Team’s Kevin Horgmo and Cornelius Toendel from Riley Racing Yamaha. Meanwhile in EMX Open, after an incredible performance in Maggiora two weeks ago, Filippo Zonta leads over Nicholas Dercourt and Davide De Bortoli. With both championships tight on points, it will be interesting to see who will come out on top this weekend.

As we enter the first sand race of the season, there’s no doubt that all eyes will be on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings. As many of us know, Herlings is very strong in the sand and has won the Dutch Grand Prix a total of 14 times since 2010, including 10 wins in MX2 and 4 in the MXGP category.

Coming off the back of a GP victory in Maggiora two weeks ago, Herlings will enter his home round with a nice confident boost after three GP’s on a hardpack base, he will be back on a terrain he prefers a lot more and has been dominant on in the past, so a win for the Bullet is highly likely.

A rider who could challenge him for the win is Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff. For Coldenhoff the races in Oss will be a true home GP as the Dutchman grew up in the area. With the confidence of a podium finish in Italy, where he was tied on points with Herlings for the GP win, as well as the support of the home crowd, Coldenhoff will be strong and a real threat.

Meanwhile Team HRC’s Tim Gajser will be looking to claw back as many championship points as he can with a solid weekend. In Maggiora Gajser failed to place on the podium, though his chances of a podium this weekend are pretty high. Last year in Valkenswaard the Slovenian put on an incredible performance to go 1-2 for second overall. He also won twice in Lommel during the Belgian triple-header so there’s no question that Gajser can ride in the sand and will be one to look out for.

There’s also Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli who has been in incredible shape lately. After failing to score points in the second race in Orlyonok, Cairoli came back fighting in Matterley Basin to take his first GP win of the season and the followed that up with another strong performance in Maggiora going 3-3 to tie on points with Herlings and Coldenhoff. Cairoli has always been a good sand rider having won the Dutch and Belgian GP’s more than a handful times, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him on the top step once again.

Of course, there’s also Romain Febvre of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team who managed his first race win in Maggiora, though the second heat was much tougher and cost the Frenchman a podium and championship points. Despite that he is still third, just two points ahead of Cairoli, so of course he will be keen to pick up as many points as he can to keep his spot.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer and Ben Watson will also be looking for more this time around, with both riders getting top 10 results in Maggiora. The pair are also known to be good in the sand so it could be another GP that we see all three factory Yamaha riders inside the top 10 again.

Last season, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Arminas Jasikonis finished third overall in Valkenswaard during the Dutch Grand Prix after two solid third place finishes. This season, Jasikonis is yet to pick up points after making his return from injury, but with the first sand race of the year taking place this weekend, we could see the Lithuanian climb up the order as he gets another race under his belt and becomes more confident. 

Local riders Calvin Vlaanderen of Gebben Van Venrooy Racing and Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing’s Brian Bogers will be keen to perform well during their home GP and so will wildcard riders Lars van Berkel, Rene De Jong and Sven Van der Mierden.

2020 MXGP of the Netherlands – Top 3 MXGP

1. Jeffrey Herlings

2. Tim Gajser

3. Arminas Jasikonis

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 124 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 118 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 107 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 105 p.; 5. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 97 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 86 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 82 p.; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GAS), 82 p.; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), 69 p.; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 60 p.;

Main Photo: MXGP Start 2021

Bottom Photos: 1. Jeffrey Herlings 2. Glenn Coldenhoff

In MX2, F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Roan Van De Moosdijk is bound to be one of the main protagonists for the podium in Oss. After coming close to a top three overall finish in Orlyonok and Matterley Basin, Van De Moosdijk will be pushing for his first podium of the 2021 season and racing at home will for sure give him some sort of advantage. His teammates Mathys Boisrame and Mikkel Haarup cannot be ruled out either, with Boisrame showing huge improvements in the sand last season and so far this year he has been consistently fighting at the top end of the field.

Another one of the biggest threats for the win will be the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2 squad. All three riders, Jago Geerts, Maxime Renaux and Thibault Benistant have what it takes to lead races. Belgian born Geerts of course has the biggest advantage being a very strong sand rider, but Renaux can perform on the soft stuff too, as he proved it in Valkenswaard last season where he finished second on the podium. And of course, Benistant will be full of confidence after his race one victory in Maggiora. So, all three riders could put on a show this weekend.

One of the biggest questions coming into the Dutch Grand Prix was whether or not we will see Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle make his return. Unfortunately, Vialle will sit out the races in Oss after two difficult GP's due to a broken hand. The broken bone in his hand is almost healed but anymore stress could be a setback for the defending World Champion, therefore the Frenchman made the decisions to not take part in this weekends races. At the moment Vialle is down in 11^th in the championship standings, 63 points down on the leader Mattia Guadagnini. 

For Guadagnini the upcoming races will be a real test to see if the Italian can perform just as well on sand as he had in the hard pack races so far this season, as well as to see whether having the red plate add any extra pressure or whether the rookie will be able to keep it together and put in another two solid races and continue his podium success.

Of course, Honda 114 Motorsport’s Ruben Fernandez will also want to get in on the action and stay within the top three in the championship. Fernandez has shown his fierce side these past few races, getting involved in some strong battles for top positions in every race that he has lined-up for. The races in Oss will be another opportunity for the Spaniard to solidify himself as a title contender this season after some very good races so far.

Another rider who will be looking to put on his best performance will be Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay De Wolf, who will enter his home Grand Prix in the MX2 World Championship class for the first time. Two weeks ago, both De Wolf and Beaton had some good races, both finishing inside the top 10 and battling within the top 5 together at one stage too. For the De Wolf this will be an opportunity to shine and show what can be expected later in the season as he gets more confident.

2020 MXGP of the Netherlands – Top 3 MX2

1. Tom Vialle

2. Maxime Renaux

3. Jago Geerts

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), 113 points; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 111 p.; 3. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 108 p.; 4. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 105 p.; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 99 p.; 6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 80 p.; 7. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 79 p.; 8. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 70 p.; 9. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 67 p.; 10. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 67 p.;

Main Photo: MX2 Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Roan Van De Moosdijk 2. Kay De Wolf

TIMETABLE (Local Timing GMT+2)

SATURDAY: 09:00 EMX Open Free Practice, 09:30 EMX250 Group 1 Free Practice, 10:00 EMX250 Group 2 Free Practice, 10:35 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 11:10 EMX250 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 11:45 EMX250 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 13:10 EMX Open Race 1, 14:00 EMX250 Race 1, 15:10 EMX Open Race 2, 16:05 EMX250 Race 2.

SUNDAY: 09:15 MX2 Free/Time Practice, 10:15 MXGP Free/Time Practice, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

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Oss

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 26 June 2021 – The EMX250 and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing opening rounds have concluded in Matterley Basin, with Fantic Factory Team Maddii riders Nicholas Lapucci and Haakon Osterhagen dominating the field with overall victories.

It has been the perfect day for racing with great weather and awesome British crowds who turned out to support the EMX riders as they kicked off round 1 of 2021.

In the EMX250 class it was Nicholas Lapucci of Fantic Factory Team Maddii who conquered the rest of the field, taking two race wins to secure the top spot on the podium as well as the championship lead. Joining him on the podium was the Norwegian, Kevin Horgmo of SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery who finished second overall thanks to two solid heats going 3-2. Occupying the third spot was Cornelius Toendel from Riley Racing who celebrated a first podium finish in EMX.

In the opening EMX250 race, Lapucci wasted no time to jump into an early lead with Maxime Grau of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, Toendel and Liam Everts of KTM Liamski just behind.

Everts then came under pressure from Hakon Fredriksen of 9MM Energy Drink BUD Racing Kawasaki and then Horgmo, before dropping a couple of more positions to 6^th and then crashing out of the top 10 a few laps later. He finished the race in 12^th.

Toendel then squeezed down the inside of Grau to take second with Frenchman, then coming under more pressure as Fredriksen and Horgmo went through as well, dropping him down to 5^th.
Towards the end of the race all eyes were on Fredriksen and Horgmo, with the pair having an incredibly close battle for third, swapping positions on several occasions though Horgmo was able to hold on in the end to secure a top 3 finish.

Lapucci was the winner in race 1 with Toendel 2^nd and Horgmo 3^rd.

In the second race, it was Lorenzo Corti of S11 Motorsport DianaMx who got a great start, though not wasting any time once again was Lapucci who quickly jumped into P1. Fredriksen got around Corti next, with Horgmo doing the same not long after.

Horgmo then went after Fredriksen and was able to pass him much easier than in race one to move into second and it was game on as the Norwegian chased down the race leader.

Setting fast lap after fast lap, Horgmo edged closer to Lapucci, though couldn’t quite get close enough to attempt a pass and therefore settled for P2, as Lapucci took the win, with Emil Weckman of Honda Racing Assomotor Team securing a top 3 finish behind the pair.

Nicholas Lapucci: “It’s just crazy to start the season like this. We knew we had the speed but it’s always a surprise to get a result like this so I’m really happy and I’m looking forward to the next races. Today was just a perfect day to start well in time practice and then we kept going with the races, I just took the right gap to bring it back in both races. I just want to say thank you to the whole Fantic Factory Team Maddii, Fantic, the people at home, my family, sponsors and everybody who supports me”.

Kevin Horgmo: “I had two bad starts, so that made the day a little bit difficult, but I felt quite good from the beginning from the practice. I knew I was fast on the track, I just needed to get two good starts but unfortunately was mid-pack or top ten maybe, so in the second race I pushed really hard to stay with Nicholas Lapucci, I got to two seconds behind him but in the end my back brake failed on me, so I just rode smooth and kept it on two wheels to finish second overall”.

Cornelius Toendel: “I am very happy about finishing on the podium today. It is my first podium finish in EMX ever so I’m really happy with that and just looking forward to the next races and keep the ball rolling”.

EMX250 - Race 1 Top 10 Classification: 1. Nicholas Lapucci (ITA, Fantic), 31:59.134; 2. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, Yamaha), +0:08.758; 3. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, GASGAS), +0:13.184; 4. Maxime Grau (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:27.162; 5. Yago Martinez (ESP, KTM), +0:29.201; 6. Florian Miot (FRA, KTM), +0:38.663; 7. Emil Weckman (FIN, Honda), +0:39.617; 8. Yuri Quarti (ITA, KTM), +0:45.629; 9. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:18.076; 10. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:49.215;

EMX250 - Race 2  Top 10 Classification: 1. Nicholas Lapucci (ITA, Fantic), 31:57.969; 2. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, GASGAS), +0:07.307; 3. Emil Weckman (FIN, Honda), +0:18.902; 4. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:29.210; 5. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, Yamaha), +0:38.330; 6. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:44.199; 7. Maximilian Spies (GER, Fantic), +0:45.296; 8. Yago Martinez (ESP, KTM), +0:47.508; 9. Lorenzo Corti (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:50.135; 10. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:52.760;

EMX250 - Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Nicholas Lapucci (ITA, FAN), 50 points; 2. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, GAS), 42 p.; 3. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, YAM), 38 p.; 4. Emil Weckman (FIN, HON), 34 p.; 5. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, KAW), 30 p.; 6. Yago Martinez (ESP, KTM), 29 p.; 7. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, YAM), 26 p.; 8. Florian Miot (FRA, KTM), 24 p.; 9. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 20 p.; 10. Maximilian Spies (GER, FAN), 19 p.;

EMX250 - Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Nicholas Lapucci (ITA, FAN), 50 points; 2. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, GAS), 42 p.; 3. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, YAM), 38 p.; 4. Emil Weckman (FIN, HON), 34 p.; 5. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, KAW), 30 p.; 6. Yago Martinez (ESP, KTM), 29 p.; 7. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, YAM), 26 p.; 8. Florian Miot (FRA, KTM), 24 p.; 9. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 20 p.; 10. Maximilian Spies (GER, FAN), 19 p.;

EMX250 - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Fantic, 50 points; 2. GASGAS, 42 p.; 3. Yamaha, 38 p.; 4. Honda, 34 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 30 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 30 p.; 7. KTM, 29 p.;

Main Photo: EM250 Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Nicholas Lapucci 2. Kevin Horgmo

In the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing category it was another win for Fantic Factory Team Maddii as Haakon Osterhagen’s 1-3 result in the races put him on the top spot of the podium. Ferruccio Zanchi of Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC finished second overall while Brit Bobby Bruce of ASA United GasGas made the home crowd proud with a third-place finish.

As the gate dropped for race 1 it was Andrea Viano who got a great start, with Osterhagen not far behind as well as Sacha Coenen of 9MM Energy Drink BUD Racing Kawasaki and Zanchi.

It only took a lap or so for Osterhagen to get into the lead and he was quick to extend his gap to the rider in second who was Zanchi, as Viano dropped to third. Bruce then went after 5^th as he searched for top positions.

With 5 minutes left on the clock Coenen got himself into second, with Bruce making his way up to 3^rd followed by Zanchi and Marc-Antoine Rossi of Tech 32.

In the end it was Osterhagen with the win, as Rossi inherited P2 due to a penalty that was handed out to Bruce which dropped him 3 positions, as a result of leaving the track with gaining advantage. Sacha Coenen finished the race 3^rd.

In race two Osterhagen led the way early doors once again, though shortly after the Fantic rider made a costly mistake which saw him crash and drop down the order, though not too far as he was able to recover vital positions quickly.

It was then Zanchi who led the rest of the field as he fended off the pressure from Bruce who was fighting hard to get into P1. Bruce made a brief appearance in the lead but didn’t quite manage to hold onto it.  

The second EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing heat was cut short due to a red flag incident involving Ferruccio Zanchi and Kay Karssemakers. The Italian rider was taken to the medical centre for observation, though despite having an unfortunate incident was counted as the race winner as under a red flag incident the results are taken from the previous lap, which at the time Zanchi had led. Therefore, the race win went to Zanchi with Bruce in P2 and Osterhagen P3.

Haakon Osterhagen: “I’m feeling pretty good. I absolutely loved the track and felt quite confident coming into this race weekend. I just did my own thing and tried to not to think too much and let the bike do the work. The first race I had a bad start, but I got quickly to the front and took the win. The second race I almost had the holeshot but something happened with the bike, and I also made a mistake which cost me a little bit but I pushed really hard in the laps and got up to first place. But unfortunately, a rider crashed so it was a weird one but I’m still happy to take the overall”.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Race 1 - Top 10 Classification: 1. Haakon Osterhagen (NOR, Fantic), 31:13.112; 2. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, KTM), +0:07.481; 3. Sacha Coenen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:15.432; 4. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:17.900; 5. Cato Nickel (GER, KTM), +0:20.586; 6. Bobby Bruce (GBR, GASGAS), +0:14.139; 7. Kay Karssemakers (NED, Husqvarna), +0:22.571; 8. Valerio Lata (ITA, KTM), +0:25.459; 9. Xavier Cazal (FRA, KTM), +0:32.898; 10. Raul Sanchez (ESP, GASGAS), +0:36.547;

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Race 2 Top 10 - Classification: 1. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Yamaha), 10:09.033; 2. Bobby Bruce (GBR, GASGAS), +0:00.516; 3. Haakon Osterhagen (NOR, Fantic), +0:01.670; 4. Kay Karssemakers (NED, Husqvarna), +0:02.675; 5. Luca Ruffini (ITA, KTM), +0:04.760; 6. Valerio Lata (ITA, KTM), +0:07.821; 7. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, KTM), +0:09.348; 8. Sacha Coenen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:11.722; 9. Scott Smulders (NED, Husqvarna), +0:13.681; 10. Nicolas Duhamel (FRA, KTM), +0:14.411;

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Haakon Osterhagen (NOR, FAN), 45 points; 2. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, YAM), 43 p.; 3. Bobby Bruce (GBR, GAS), 37 p.; 4. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KAW), 33 p.; 6. Kay Karssemakers (NED, HUS), 32 p.; 7. Valerio Lata (ITA, KTM), 28 p.; 8. Luca Ruffini (ITA, KTM), 23 p.; 9. Cato Nickel (GER, KTM), 23 p.; 10. Scott Smulders (NED, HUS), 21 p.;

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Haakon Osterhagen (NOR, FAN), 45 points; 2. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, YAM), 43 p.; 3. Bobby Bruce (GBR, GAS), 37 p.; 4. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KAW), 33 p.; 6. Kay Karssemakers (NED, HUS), 32 p.; 7. Valerio Lata (ITA, KTM), 28 p.; 8. Luca Ruffini (ITA, KTM), 23 p.; 9. Cato Nickel (GER, KTM), 23 p.; 10. Scott Smulders (NED, HUS), 21 p.;

EMX125 - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Fantic, 45 points; 2. Yamaha, 43 p.; 3. KTM, 38 p.; 4. GASGAS, 37 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 33 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 32 p.;

Main Photo: Haakon Osterhagen

Bottom Photos: 1. EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Start; 2. Bobby Bruce

Click here to obtain the complete results

MXGP OF GREAT BRITAIN– QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 2240m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 21°

Weather conditions: Sunny

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MXGP of Great Britain

KTM Sarholz Racing Team are happy to announce that Kjell Verbruggen from the Netherlands will round up our rider roster as he will enter the EMX250 Championship alongside local competitions.

The young Dutch talent is coming back from a difficult 2020 season spiked with injuries and of course less riding/racing due to the worldwide situation.  Mutual trust in team and rider made a perfect match for both sides aiming for a solid Top 5 position at national championship level.

Our personal mission is to provide all our athletes with the best environment to grow on their own and to win at their levels of competition.

André Sarholz (Team Owner): We from KTM Sarholz are delighted to have contracted a highly talented young rider like Kjell for our team entering the Youngster Cup as we are sure he will develop in the right direction, leaving his mark on race day. We are looking forward to kicking things off with the whole team for a great 2021 season.

Kjell Verbruggen: I am looking forward to starting the partnership with KTM Sarholz for the 2021 season and see what the future holds for us. I always wanted to ride a whole ADAC season and now I can. Luckily for KTM Sarholz! I have faith in them and in me. So, the best is to use this chance well, stay fit, focused, and make wise choices!

Much like the rest of the teams, SIXTYTWO Motorsport crew have been busy with their winter preparations for the EMX125 and EMX250 Championships, in the Italian island of Sardinia.

Sardinia is a popular destination among the paddock for winter preparation, offering plenty of good motocross circuits with different type of terrain, along with beautiful weather conditions, perfect for cycling and running.

Jaka Peklaj (EMX125) is adapting well to the bigger bike, Husqvarna TC125. He did some suspension testing to adjust the bike to his riding style as well as engine test - tuned by RR racing. With the team he is putting hours in the sand to improve his sand skills and get some important experience before the start of the season.

"It is the first time for me to have a preparation like this. I like the new bike as I can play more on the tracks, but still I want to improve myself on sandy compound tracks. We are in no rush as my season starts in August, so I will work hard to be prepared for my first EMX125 race"

Filip Olsson (EMX250) continues where he left off last year before his injury. All the team is very pleased with his performance on and off the bike.

"I think we found a good balance between hard and smart training. I have a lot of fun every time I go riding. I didn't really expect to be in such a good shape as I'm now after a long break due to my injury. So, I'm looking forward to being behind the gate soon”.

Klemen Gercar (Team Manager) "I can say that all looks very positive after a month of winter preparations as all the team is very motivated and we work hard, but at the same time we have a lot of fun. We came to Sardinia this year with a race truck and van, which has allowed us to have a good base on the racetrack Riola Sardo”.

Check out the team in action for their first ‘A day in the life vlog’ below!

Photo Copyright: Lina Jakolin Mulej

While we all eagerly await the start of the 2021 season of the FIM Motocross World Championship, SM Action GasGas Racing Team Yuasa Battery took the opportunity of their recent annual team photoshoot to present their team line-up for the upcoming year.

The team has many years of experience in the FIM Motocross World Championship and is ready to face the 2021 season with two riders in the MX2 class: Alberto Forato and Andrea Adamo, while Kevin Horgmo will represent the team in the highly competitive EMX250 category. 

The team now have set sights on some pre-season competition in Italy, before the season opener of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Oss, the Netherlands.

#303 Alberto Forato                         #80 Andrea Adamo                        #24 Kevin Horgmo

Photo Copyright: SM Action GasGas Racing Team Yuasa Battery

GASGAS Italia continues to deploy its forces on the field, with the aim of bringing more and more red to the world of Motocross. Thanks to the active collaboration of the RACESTORE team, Andrea Roncoli will compete in the 2021 of the EMX250 Championship, along with national Italian races with GASGAS and the team connected to the prestigious Paolo Mencacci dealership.

Born in 2003, Roncoli began his career as a mini-cross rider in 2011, arriving on the final podium of the Italian 85 Senior. In 2019 the talent of the young Piemontese exploded with the conquest of the Italian MX 125 title and new satisfactions at the international level: participation in the EMX125 Junior World Championship and the European Championship for MXoEN Nations, where he contributed to the victory of the Italian team. While in 2020, Roncoli took seventh in the European EMX125 Championship, second in the Italian international races, as well as third in the national 125cc series.

In 2021 Roncoli will become a GASGAS rider by riding the GASGAS MC 250F managed by the RACESTORE team, with which he will compete in the EMX250 category, along with national Italian races.

Andrea Roncoli: “I am happy to be able to race with GASGAS and the relationship that has been created with the Racestore team. It is a very important moment in my career and, after careful evaluations made with my family and my trainer and supervisor Cristian Rostagno, we have made the best decision to face 2021 with everything necessary to do well”.

Simona Filoni, Team GASGAS Racestore: “Being able to have a talented and promising young player like Andrea in our team is one more incentive to start next season with the utmost enthusiasm. I am also personally very happy to undertake this new work experience alongside Paolo Mencacci, I will give my contribution to make the structure even more complete and performing. The choice of Roncoli was made in agreement with the Italian branch of GASGAS, with which we always work in total sharing of views and objectives”.

Photo Credit: Team GASGAS Racestore 

The KTM Racestore Team managed by Paolo Mencacci is pleased to reconfirm the agreement with the young Jan Pancar. Given the positive and constantly growing results obtained in the 2020 season, the young Slovenian will be back on the KTM SX-F 250 of the Tuscan team and will race in the MX2 category of the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship.

In addition to the World Championship, the team will participate in the Italian Prestige Championship and will also support Jacopo Fabbri, a young talent on the Italian scene.

Jacopo Fabbri who will participate in the Italian Prestige Championship and as a “wild card” in some races of the EMX250 European Championship.

Paolo Mencacci, Team Manager: “We have seen a lot of commitment and perseverance in Jan, qualities that have led him to grow both as a rider and as a person, obtaining good results especially in the second half of the season, we are sure that by continuing the work together started last year we can achieve even more. I am also happy to have Jacopo in the team. He is a rider I had seen in action in the local area and his skills immediately impressed me. Thanks to KTM Italia for the trust and support given for next season”.

Photo Copyright: KTM Racestore