EMX250

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands), 28 March 2016 - The first round of the European Championship EMX250 and European Championship EMX300 Presented by FMF Racing took place this weekend on the treacherous circuit of Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. Stormy skies darkened the atmosphere ever so slightly as rain came and went, and wicked winds gusted, but the real storm that is the depth of racing in the European Championship was enough to put a smile on everyone’s faces as Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s duo of Conrad Mewse and Yentel Martens reigned supreme here at the opening rounds.

When the gates slammed into the sloppy sand of Valkenswaard Norway’s Even Heibye was the quickest to react and took the holeshot with the two EMX250 rookies, Conrad Mewse and Maxime Renaux, in tow.

Mewse was looking right at home on the roughness of Valkenswaard as he hang right off the back of his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, keeping the front wheel light, and wheel tapped his way past Heibye on the rhythm section after the waves to take over the lead.

Yesterdays runner-up, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Hunter Lawrence didn’t do himself any favors with a mediocre start, but it didn’t bother him too much, he just got creative with his lines and put in two jaw-dropping laps to be on the heels of the leaders by the end of lap two.

Mewse started to inch away as Lawrence bashed bars with Heibye for second, eventually the Aussie made the pass and went after the race one winner Mewse. In no time at all, Lawrence, who was pinned beyond belief, blitzed past Mewse to take over the lead.

With ten minutes to go, Heibye hooked a gear and got right on Lawrence. Lawrence ended up handing the Norwegian, Heibye, the lead when he got too hard on the gas and spun out at the bottom of a hill. Mewse then took second back four seconds adrift of Heibye while Lawerence remounted in third, ten seconds back.

Lawrence was the fastest rider on the track by a full second but a race riddled with sketchy moments saw the ambitious youngster drop back to fifth with Bodo Schmidt Motorsports Thomas Kjer Olsen and Team Suzuki World MX2’s Dutchman Bas Vaessen taking third and fourth respectively.

In the final stages of the race Mewse regrouped and knuckled down to make a pass on Heibye for the lead and rode it home for a hard fought win over Heibye, Kjer Olsen, Vaessen and Lawrence.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Conrad Mewse was the dominator this weekend while Even Heibye stood on the podium for the first time in his EMX career. Bodo Schmidt Motosports Thomas Kjer Olsen was sick all week and was stoked with his performance for third overall.

EMX250 Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Conrad Mewse (GBR, Husqvarna), 30:13.460; 2. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:02.489; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:30.169; 4. Even Heibye (NOR, KTM), +0:33.440; 5. Anton Lundgren (SWE, Husqvarna), +0:50.010; 6. Kevin Wouts (BEL, KTM), +0:54.589; 7. Darian Sanayei (USA, Kawasaki), +0:57.320; 8. Nick Kouwenberg (NED, Honda), +0:59.807; 9. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:00.376; 10. Ken Bengtson (SWE, Yamaha), +1:08.529

EMX250 Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Conrad Mewse (GBR, Husqvarna), 30:38.200; 2. Even Heibye (NOR, KTM), +0:03.207; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:06.589; 4. Bas Vaessen (NED, Suzuki), +0:08.435; 5. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:15.792; 6. Kevin Wouts (BEL, KTM), +0:30.054; 7. Anton Lundgren (SWE, Husqvarna), +0:38.858; 8. Nick Kouwenberg (NED, Honda), +0:57.430; 9. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, Honda), +1:00.250; 10. Anton Gole (SWE, Husqvarna), +1:01.413

EMX250 Overall Top Ten: 1. Conrad Mewse (GBR, HUS), 50 points; 2. Even Heibye (NOR, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 40 p.; 4. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, KAW), 38 p.; 5. Kevin Wouts (BEL, KTM), 30 p.; 6. Anton Lundgren (SWE, HUS), 30 p.; 7. Nick Kouwenberg (NED, HON), 26 p.; 8. Bas Vaessen (NED, SUZ), 25 p.; 9. Darian Sanayei (USA, KAW), 23 p.; 10. Ken Bengtson (SWE, YAM), 21 p.

EMX250 Manufacturers: 1. Husqvarna, 50 points; 2. KTM, 40 p.; 3. Kawasaki, 38 p.; 4. Honda, 26 p.; 5. Suzuki, 25 p.; 6. Yamaha, 21 p.

Forty 300cc two-strokes on a gate is music to the ears of most genuine race fans. The tinny sound is like a shot of adrenalin that pumps everyone up right before the gate falls. When the gates dropped for the final race of the weekend it was yesterday’s runner-up Yentel Martens who took the holeshot ahead of the race one winner Mike Kras who slid out on the exit.

With Kras down, Martens, who was coincidently last year’s dominator here in Valkenswaard, checked out and cruised home for an easy victory. Meanwhile, behind the leggy Belgian, GL12’s Lewis Gregory wasted no time in muscling his way forward and was in a comfortable second on lap two. Gregory’s GL12 teammate Brad Anderson was also flying in the opening stages of the race but stacked it on lap three.

Dutchman Patrick Vos soldiered his way from eighth all the way to third ahead of Belgian Mike Vanderstraeten and Kevin Van Geldorp. As for the Race One winner Mike Kras, he had a disastrous first lap where he went down in the first corner and then tangled with another rider a lap later. Despite losing his front fender the Dutchman dug deep and managed to come home in sixth.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Yentel Martens went 2 – 1 for the overall and the first red plate of the season while GL12 Yamaha Racing’s Lewis Gregory replicated his result of last year with second overall. Dutchman Mike Kras rounded off the podium after his outstanding recovery from two crashes in the final race.

EMX300 Presented by FMF Racing Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Mike Kras (NED, KTM), 30:08.630; 2. Yentel Martens (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:08.004; 3. Mike Vanderstraeten (BEL, TM), +0:33.141; 4. Lewis Gregory (GBR, Yamaha), +0:45.442; 5. Francisco Utrilla Antonio (ESP, Yamaha), +0:56.162; 6. Brad Anderson (GBR, Yamaha), +1:08.082; 7. Joshua van der Linden (NED, Yamaha), +1:25.761; 8. Joey Smet (BEL, KTM), +1:27.409; 9. Kevin Van Geldorp (NED, Yamaha), +1:50.594; 10. Thomas Marini (SMR, Husqvarna), +1:52.637

EMX300 Presented by FMF Racing Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Yentel Martens (BEL, Husqvarna), 29:24.719; 2. Lewis Gregory (GBR, Yamaha), +0:28.437; 3. Patrick Vos (NED, KTM), +0:30.782; 4. Mike Vanderstraeten (BEL, TM), +0:32.322; 5. Kevin Van Geldorp (NED, Yamaha), +1:07.049; 6. Mike Kras (NED, KTM), +1:08.861; 7. Matthew Moffat (GBR, KTM), +1:11.126; 8. Dietger Damiaens (BEL, KTM), +1:12.242; 9. Joshua van der Linden (NED, Yamaha), +1:12.497; 10. Francisco Utrilla Antonio (ESP, Yamaha), +1:13.548

EMX300 Presented by FMF Racing Overall Top Ten: 1. Yentel Martens (BEL, HUS), 47 points; 2. Lewis Gregory (GBR, YAM), 40 p.; 3. Mike Kras (NED, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Mike Vanderstraeten (BEL, TM), 38 p.; 5. Kevin Van Geldorp (NED, YAM), 28 p.; 6. Francisco Utrilla Antonio (ESP, YAM), 27 p.; 7. Joshua van der Linden (NED, YAM), 26 p.; 8. Patrick Vos (NED, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Matthew Moffat (GBR, KTM), 24 p.; 10. Dietger Damiaens (BEL, KTM), 22 p.;

EMX300 Presented by FMF Racing Manufacturers: 1. Husqvarna, 47 points; 2. KTM, 45 p.; 3. Yamaha, 40 p.; 4. TM, 38 p.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

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

MXGP EUROPE – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1550m

Type of ground: sand

Temperature: 11°C

Weather conditions: changeable

Crowd Attendance: 23,000

MXGP was available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM Europe

MXGP of Europe

The first races from the opening round of the European Championships EMX250 & EMX300 took place yesterday, as did the first race of the second round of the FIM Women's Motocross World Championship. Watch all the highlights in the videos below: 

EMX250 Race One Highlights

EMX300 Race One Highlights

WMX Race One Highlights

Watch the official GoPro lap of Valkenswaard, The Netherlands with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Glenn Coldenhoff & Monster Energy Kawasaki's Petar Petrov here: 

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands), 26 March 2016 – As the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship touches Europe’ soil for the first time of the year, at Valkenswaard, The Netherlands for the MXGP of Europe on March 27/28, the event race schedule will also include the beginning of the European Motocross Championship (EMX).

In particular, the demanding dark sanded Eurocircuit, will host this weekend the opener of the EMX300 class Presented by FMF Racing that together with the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class represent the absolutely top two-stroke racing offer of the continent.

Both classes, from 2016 are honored to receive the presenting sponsorship of FMF Racing, world leader in aftermarket power exhaust systems for dirt bikes and ATV’s.

FMF Racing has been at the top of the business for more than 40 years, long before the modern four-stroke era. While FMF Racing has developed a phenomenal range in four-stroke exhaust systems, and is the official exhaust for MXGP teams as HRC Honda and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, the Southern California-based brand built its legacy in the two-stroke generation and continues to offers a strong selection of products for such technology.

“Two-Strokes are easy to work on, inexpensive to own and a blast to ride.  That’s why at FMF Racing we still ride every chance we get and support those that help promote the 2-stroke movement.  When we became the Official Exhaust of the MXGP series, supporting the EMX300cc two-stroke and the EMX125cc two-stroke classes was a must. We look forward to this weekend for the sound and smell of two-strokes at first round in Valkenswaard,” said Don Emler Jr, FMF Racing’s Marketing Director.

Two-Stroke racing has returned to premier international level for initiative of Youthstream, with full backing of FIM Europe. Both entities strongly believe in the crucial role two-stroke plays in the development of the young riders in preparation for the jump to the big, more challenging and powerful four-stroke motorcycles.

Since their inception both classes have become increasingly popular, offering as well highly entertaining racing.

The EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class was first mainstreamed in 2011 and has been the stepping stone for riders such as the 2014 and 2015 MX2 World Champions Jordi Tixier and Tim Gajser, as well as the 2015 MX2 vice World Champion Pauls Jonass among many more.

As for the EMX300 Presented by FMF Racing class, it has proven fitting a relevant spot of the racing spectrum as bigger two-strokes bikes are in solid demand for their affordability and the reduced maintenance. This class represents an extraordinary opportunity for talented riders with a smaller budget to still race on a top continental level.

Both championships have attracted increasing attention and interest over the years with the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class receiving more than 100 entries for the opening round, which will take place in Latvia on the weekend of May 1^st, while the EMX300 Presented by FMF Racing has doubled in size for 2016 with 50 riders entered.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Europe

MONACO, (Principality of Monaco) 16 March 2016 – The first round of the 2016 European Championship EMX250 and EMX300 will kick off in the sand of Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, on March 27^th and 28^th.

This year both classes will be completely stacked, as 118 riders will line up to compete for EMX250 glory, while the EMX300 class has had a massive improvement in size and there will be 57 riders on the gate.

Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, President of Youthstream stated: ‘The massive rider presence in all the European classes shows that Youthstream’s policy of investing in the youth Championships and in the MXGP Academy has been right. Every year many good riders go from the European Championships to the MX2 World Championship and then from MX2 to the prime MXGP class, the current MXGP leaders (Febvre and Gajser come from our youth Championships, and Roczen and Musquin, who took 1st and 2nd places at last weekend’s Supercross World Championship) also come from our youth Championships. We are extremely proud of the level of competition of our young riders and we continue to support them: this year all the European championship races will be broadcasted live on MXGP-TV.com. With all these fast youth coming up into MXGP the level of MXGP has become very high and at the last race there were 16 riders within 3 seconds and 11 riders within 2 seconds of each other. Without a doubt the MXGP Academy and the European Championships are the best Motocross youth programs in the world and from where the biggest number of talented professional riders come from.’

Dr. Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President said: ‘The European Motocross Championship is simply a story of success, since it is organized together with MXGP. The number of riders has increased, the competition has reached a top level and every year the best riders have a chance to move up to the World Championship. This is exactly how the "pyramid" has to work: from National Championships via the European Championship to the World Championship. I am very happy about the cooperation with Youthstream, which is a win - win situation for the parties involved. The live coverage of the European races is so important for the sport and will bring the European Motocross Championship to the next level.’

Download the EMX official Entry lists for the MXGP of Europe here below.

EMX300 Entry List  

   EMX250 Entry List  

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM Europe

MXGP of Europe

Team Manager Dirk Saelen is pleased and proud to announce that following talented teens and their parents have opted to join the unique, international tinted education project by KTM Diga Junior Racing:

Radek Vetrovski in EMX85 class and Petr Polak in EMX125 class will defend the colors of the Czech Federation.

From the Finnish Federation they welcome Matias Vesterinen in EMX85 and Miro Sihvonen in EMX250 class.

Finally EMX250 rider Bradley Cox, originating from South Africa, will complete this enthusiastic group of youngsters.

After careful consideration KTM Diga Junior Racing has decided to participate to the European Motocross Championships, the ADAC MX Masters and the Dutch Masters of Motocross.

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 20 November 2015 - Youthstream, FIM Europe and FIM Women in Motorcycling commission have created Motocross European Cup for Women.


The first FIM-Europe Women's MX Cup will be held at Cieszyn in Poland on 21-22 May 2016 in conjunction with a round of the EMX65/85 North East Europe zone. The event is open to women of a minimum age of 15 years old riding MX2 specification motorcycles (250cc 4-strokes or 125cc 2-strokes). The top four women in the FIM World Championship for 2015 and 2014 are excluded from entering but the event is open to any rider from any Continental Union, not just Europe.


The main idea behind creation of the new cup is to ensure that the success of the Women´s Motocross World Championship will continue into the future and that the number and level of the riders will stay at high level when women are able to get international racing experience from the European Cup level not just from the World Championship level.


“The introduction of the FIM-Europe Women's MX Cup is a great and important step in the fast and strong growing development of women´s motocross. It will provide riders a stepping-stone to the FIM Women´s Motocross World Championship. At the FIM Women in Motorcycling Commission we are grateful for the support of our idea of this cup from FIM Europe and Youthstream and for them making this possible”,says FIM Women in Motorcycling Commission´s motocross representative Peter Isgren.


“It is the aim of FIM-Europe to increase the number of events to 3 or 4 and make this a full European Championship in 2017 thus building the base of the pyramid to the World Championship”, commented FIM-Europe Motocross Commission Chairman, Eddie Herd.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM Europe

Almost a quarter of a century since they were last World Champions together Stefan Everts and Suzuki are once again collaborating to powerful effect as the sport’s most successful Grand Prix rider is now in control of the Suzuki World MXGP team and organisation. 

Everts, 42 years old, has assumed the role of Team Principal after reaching an agreement with Geboers Racing Promotions’ Sylvain Geboers and the two Belgians will now steer Suzuki’s factory programme in the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship with the RM-Z450 as well as the MX2 category and EMX250 European Championship (RM-Z250). Everts will be accompanied in the Lommel-based set-up with assistance from father (and another former Suzuki World Champion) Harry and will not only oversee racing operations involving a skilled and dedicated crew and six riders but also contribute to the development of Suzuki’s RM-Z technology. Everts will heavily promote the Suzuki name at the highest level of the sport and where the team have been championship contenders since the beginning of the century with the RM250 and the RM-Z450 from 2004. 

Everts retired in 2006 with his 10th crown and a record 101 Grand Prix victories. He has since marshalled another manufacturer to world championship success, developed key motorcycle models and evolved junior racing talent with notable spoils. He is now ready to ally with Geboers after winning the first of his titles back in 1991 in ‘yellow’. 

“It is a very big challenge and a big responsibility…but actually I think I am ready for it,” ‘#72’ commented. “I have the age and the knowledge. I have been retired for nine years and thanks to my former job I was able to build up some experience on the other side of the fence. I feel ready! 

“I love this sport so much and I love to travel and be at the races,” he added. “I love finding new talent. I want success with this team. A lot of things need to change, to move and be pushed forward. I’d like to create a really strong team image. On the multimedia side we can work harder and expand our profile more. The interaction with the fans is important.” 

Of his initial link to Suzuki while still a teenager and under the watchful gaze of father Harry he said: “They were my first love. Sylvain is the one who got me into Suzuki. That was where it all started for me. Those were some great years and I respected what Sylvain and Suzuki gave me.” 

Geboers, a Suzuki stalwart across the decades and a name synonymous with the brand, is now into his seventies and will stay in place to assist with the transition and offering advice to Everts as GRP enters a new era. “What we have now is a good opportunity for GRP, Suzuki and Stefan,” he commented. “I think he can be a huge help to riders and knows what it takes to win and become champion. A few years ago we, as Suzuki, lost Roger [De Coster] and therefore a lot of our power. I believe this is now coming back through Stefan and all the experience he has.” 

Suzuki World MXGP will attack the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship with Kevin Strijbos and Ben Townley in the MXGP division. Jeremy Seewer and Brian Hsu will gun the RM-Z250 in MX2 while Bas Vaessen will enter the EMX250 European Championship.

Copyright: Photo: Gary Freeman