EMXOPEN

AFYONKARAHISAR (Turkiye) 4 September 2022 – The final round of the EMX Open Championship saw JD Gunnex KTM Racing’s Jose Butron celebrating the title from the top step of the podium as the Spaniard secured his second overall victory of the season!

The Bitci Round of Turkiye podium was the same as the championship top three, with Tomas Kohut of Osicka MX Team and Michael Sandner of Raths Motorsports joining the winner on the podium as they collected their second and third place trophies and silver and bronze FIM-Europe medals.

Main Photo: EMX Open Championship top three pictured with Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo, FIM President Jorge Viegas and Peter Goris, FIM Motocross Commission Vice Chairman

Photos: Jose Butron celebrates EMX Open title

In the first EMX Open race, it was Butron who led the way ahead of Sandner and Michael Ivanov. Though Sandner took away the lead from Butron on the opening lap. Kohut made his way up to third with Butron in his sights.

By the end of the first lap, Butron was back in the driving seat as he took back first place from Sandner. The Spaniard then stretched his lead to 4.675 seconds as he set the fastest lap of the race, as Kohut began to come under pressure from a hard-charging Ivanov.

Butron was riding a race of his own, while Sandner crashed out of second, which allowed Kohut through. In the final two laps, Sandner dropped another position as Simon Jost of Osicka MX Team found his way past the Austrian.

In the end, Butron crossed the line first and celebrated his EMX Open title immediately, as Kohut finished second ahead of Jost, Sandner and Krisztian Tompa who rounded out the top five.

In race two, it was Butron who got a good jump out of the gate, though was beaten to the holeshot by Sandner who was the leading rider. Ivanov was second ahead of Butron, though Butron briefly found his way past the Bulgarian.

By the end of the opening lap, Ivanov was able to find the perfect opportunity to go from third to first, as Sandner remained second but Butron made a mistake and dropped to fifth.

Ivanov was looking comfortable in the lead as he led Sandner with a 6.997-second advantage, but moments later a 'pending penalty' message was issued on the timing screen for Ivanov who failed to respect a waved yellow flag and as a result, received a 10-place penalty.

At this point in the race Kohut was the fastest rider on track, in third place behind Sandner, but despite setting the fastest lap of the race, could not get close enough to the Austrian.

In the end, Sandner was declared the race winner, due to Ivanov’s penalty. Kohut was second ahead of Butron, Jost and Tompa.

Butron was declared the overall winner ahead of Kohut and Sandner, which was exactly how the final championship podium ended up too!

Jose Butron: "I'm very happy! I moved to the European class to win it, that was my goal and today we made it happen, I am European Champion! Thanks to my sponsors and my family. Thank you! We are champions now".

Bottom Photos: 1. Tomas Kohut 2. Michael Sandner

EMXOpen - Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 30:13.649; 2. Tomas Kohut (SVK, KTM), +0:09.047; 3. Simon Jost (SVK, KTM), +0:17.006; 4. Michael Sandner (AUT, KTM), +0:30.590; 5. Krisztian Tompa (ROU, Husqvarna), +1:32.418; 6. Kristian Petkov (BUL, KTM), -1 lap(s); 7. Twan Van Essen (NED, Honda), -1 lap(s); 8. Stefan Neychev (BUL, GASGAS), -1 lap(s); 9. Mustafa Cetin (TUR, Yamaha), -2 lap(s); 10. Michael Ivanov (BUL, Husqvarna), +0:47.918;

EMXOpen - Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Michael Sandner (AUT, KTM), 30:32.914; 2. Tomas Kohut (SVK, KTM), +0:00.687; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:01.482; 4. Simon Jost (SVK, KTM), +0:45.353; 5. Krisztian Tompa (ROU, Husqvarna), +1:53.083; 6. Kristian Petkov (BUL, KTM), -2 lap(s); 7. Stefan Neychev (BUL, GASGAS), -2 lap(s); 8. Mustafa Cetin (TUR, Yamaha), -2 lap(s); 9. Batuhan Demiryol (TUR, KTM), -3 lap(s); 10. Ömer Uçum (TUR, KTM), -3 lap(s);

EMXOpen - Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 45 points; 2. Tomas Kohut (SVK, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Michael Sandner (AUT, KTM), 43 p.; 4. Simon Jost (SVK, KTM), 38 p.; 5. Krisztian Tompa (ROU, HUS), 32 p.; 6. Kristian Petkov (BUL, KTM), 30 p.; 7. Stefan Neychev (BUL, GAS), 27 p.; 8. Mustafa Cetin (TUR, YAM), 25 p.; 9. Batuhan Demiryol (TUR, KTM), 22 p.; 10. Michael Ivanov (BUL, HUS), 21 p.;

EMXOpen - Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 238 points; 2. Tomas Kohut (SVK, KTM), 211 p.; 3. Michael Sandner (AUT, KTM), 199 p.; 4. Simon Jost (SVK, KTM), 141 p.; 5. Michael Ivanov (BUL, HUS), 136 p.; 6. Simone Croci (ITA, HUS), 110 p.; 7. Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, HUS), 104 p.; 8. Gert Krestinov (EST, HON), 76 p.; 9. Stefano Pezzuto (ITA, KTM), 64 p.; 10. Raf Meuwissen (NED, KTM), 60 p.;

EMXOpen - Manufacturers Classification: 1. KTM, 288 points; 2. Husqvarna, 250 p.; 3. Honda, 168 p.; 4. GASGAS, 138 p.; 5. Yamaha, 50 p.; 6. Suzuki, 41 p.; 7. Kawasaki, 13 p.;

BITCI MXGP OF TURKIYE – QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1725m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 31

Weather conditions: sunny

All the photos from the BitCi MXGP of Turkiye will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM Europe

Afyonkarahisar

AFYONKARAHISAR (Turkiye) 2 September 2022 – The 2022 Bitci MXGP of Turkiye was officially declared open following the inaugural ceremony which was held at the main stage of the Afyon Moto Festival area where a large crowd of local fans gathered to celebrate the final round of the FIM Motocross World Championship!

The evening began with speeches from the officials which included Infront Moto Racing COO Daniele Rizzi, FIM President Jorge Viegas, Afyonkarahisar Governor Kubra Guran Yigitbasi, Afyonkarahisar Mayor Mehmet Zeybek, Afyonkarahisar Deputy Ibrahim Yurdunuseven, Turkish Motorcycle Federation President Bekir Yunus Ucar who were received on stage by an enthusiastic crowd of local fans as they welcomed everybody to Afyon and shared their excitement for the finale and the return of MXGP to Turkiye.

Infront Moto Racing COO Daniele Rizzi: "It’s an honor to be in Afyonkarahisar for the 2022 Bitci MXGP of Turkiye. Thank you so much for having us there once again after 5 years. We have been here also during the Pandemic time, and it was a very excellent event for everybody, fans, teams and riders. Sunday we’ll have a new World Champion celebration and having the chance to have it together with this festival it will a good chance for the fans to enjoy even more and have fun. I would like to thank the local authorities, the new Governor, the FIM and the National Federation to make this event possible with such high standards and great facilities that make this venue one of the best of the calendar. It’s really a pleasure to be here and we are looking forward to many other years!"

FIM President Jorge Viegas: “I’m very happy to be here in Turkiye for MXGP. Thank you for the very good work that was done in these years to make this event possible. I hope that the riders and the teams will enjoy the last races of the season, especially because we’ll see the new MX2 World Champion crowned on Sunday. Once more I would like to thank everybody present here for welcoming me in Afyonkarahisar. I wish you All a fantastic weekend!".

Afyonkarahisar Governor Assoc.Dr. Kübra Güran Yiğitbaşı: "We are very pleased to welcome the best riders in the world. Motocross is one of the most enjoyable sports. It is also a special honour for us to see our rider Irmak racing with the best riders. We thank our President for making us live this honour under the auspices of the Presidency.”

Emphasizing that Afyonkarahisar has organized the race for the fifth time in its fourth year, Afyonkarahisar Mayor Mehmet Zeybek said, “We are bringing Afyonkarahisar and Turkiye to the world agenda with the great interest of our youth". 

Türkiye Motorcycling Federation (TMF) President Bekir Yunus Uçar: “We will race here for many years together with Afyonkarahisar. We are extremely happy to host the best of the world in Turkiye under the auspices of our President and to host the final races of MXGP here this year.”

Personnel from the paddock, including the MXGP, MX2 and WMX riders were also in attendance to enjoy the festivities as they were able to soak in the atmosphere and try out local delicacies. Riders including Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle, Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado, Mattia Guadagnini and Simon Längenfelder, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf and Roan Van De Moosdijk, F&H Kawasaki Racing Team’s Kevin Horgmo, Fantic Factory Team Maddii’s Cas Valk and Cornelius Toendel, JK Yamaha Racing’s Alvin Ostlund and Lynn Valk, Ship to Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz Stephen Rubini and Emil Weckman, Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Rick Elzinga and Andrea Bonacorsi, SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery’s Andrea Adamo and Alberto Forato, JM Honda Racing’s Ivo Monticelli, Hitachi KTM Fuelled by Milwaukee’s Kay Karssemakers, iXS Hostettler MXGP Team’s Valentin Guillod and local hero Irmak Yildirim of Ege Motosiklet Kulubu who joined the officials on stage to take the family photo in a warm and colourful moment in front of the supportive crowd which was the perfect setting to begin the 2022 Bitci MXGP of Turkiye.

WEEKEND TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC+3)

SATURDAY: 09:45 EMX Open Free Practice, 10:15 WMX Free Practice, 10:50 MX2 Free Practice, 11:20 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 12:45 WMX Qualifying Practice, 13:25 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 14:45 EMX Open Race 1, 15:35 WMX Race 1, 16:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:40 EMX Open Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 WMX Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

All the photos from the BitCi MXGP of Turkiye will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Afyonkarahisar

AFYONKARAHISAR (Turkiye) 2 September 2022 – We have reached the final round of the FIM Motocross World Championship which promises to be a good one as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle enter the Bitci MXGP of Turkiye separated by just two points!

In addition, the WMX and EMX Open Champions are yet to be decided too, which means plenty of more action and excitement can be expected.

There will be plenty of coverage of the Turkish Grand Prix, with Turkiye’s TRT streaming the races LIVE online and on their TV channel, while fans in France can follow Tom Vialle on Automoto TV la chaine and Belgian fans can follow Jago Geerts on Play Sport in Belgium.

There will also be LIVE coverage of the WMX races in Spain on TV3, as well as the EMX Open and WMX races shown LIVE on TRT too!

The Bitci MXGP of Turkiye is not one to be missed! Check out the full list of channels below that will air LIVE and delayed action, along with the 26min Behind-the-Gate magazine, available to enjoy on MXGP-TV.com and via our TV magazine partners following the GP weekend, featuring the best moments from the races and exclusive interviews, plus more!

As always, MXGP fans can follow the races LIVE and uninterrupted throughout the weekend on MXGP’s very own streaming service, all you need to do is log onto www.MXGP-TV.com this Saturday and Sunday to watch the MXGP, MX2, WMX and EMX Open finals.  

TURKIYE

TRT -  www.trtspor.com.tr

Saturday 03 September 2022 – MX2 qualifying Race – 16:15 local timing – LIVE stream

Saturday 03 September 2022 – MXGP qualifying Race – 17:10 local timing – LIVE stream

TRT - TRT SPOR YILDIZ 

Sunday 04 September 2022  – EMX Open Race 2 – 09:35 local timing – LIVE

TRT -TRT SPOR

Sunday 04 September 2022  –WMX Race 2 – 11:25 local timing – LIVE

TRT -  www.trtspor.com.tr

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 local timing – LIVE stream

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 local timing – LIVE stream

USA CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 ET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 –10:00 ET – LIVE

BRAZIL

Bandsports

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Monday 5 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 08:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 09:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 –10:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 11:30 CET – Delayed

BELGIUM 

PLAY SPORTS OPEN

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

VRT

Sunday 04 September 2022  – news sports 20mn

ESTONIA

Go3

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

FINLAND

MTV Sport 2

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 (Local time GMT+3) - LIVE

FRANCE

Automoto TV la chaine

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

EUROSPORT 2

Monday 5 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 08:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 09:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 –10:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 11:30 CET – Delayed

ITALY

RAI SPORT HD

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 21:00 CET – Delayed

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 22:00 CET – Delayed

RAI Play

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE Stream

EUROSPORT 2

Monday 5 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 08:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 09:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 –10:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 11:30 CET – Delayed

LATVIA

TV3 Sport Open

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

LITHUANIA

Go3

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

NETHERLANDS

NOS

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE Stream

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

SPAIN

TV Galicia

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

TV3- Esport3.cat

Saturday 03 September 2022  – WMX Race 1 – 14:30 CET – LIVE Stream

TV3- Esport3

Sunday 04 September 2022  – WMX Race 2 – 10:25 CET – LIVE

Teledeporte

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

RTVE Play

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE Stream

MENA (Middle East North Africa)

The Saudi Sport Company - SSC Extra 2

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

ASIA

Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand

EUROSPORT ASIA

Monday 5 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 08:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 09:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 –10:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 5 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 11:30 CET – Delayed

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)

VIACOM SPORT 18

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 04 September 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

PACIFIC

AUSTRALIA

STAN SPORTS

Sunday 04 September – MX2 Race 1 – 20:00 (Australia) – LIVE

Sunday 04 September – MXGP Race 1 – 21:00  (Australia) – LIVE

Sunday 04 September – MX2 Race 2 – 23:00 (Australia) – LIVE

Sunday 04 September – MXGP Race 2 – 00:00  (Australia) – LIVE

26min Behind-the-Gate Magazine Partners:

AMERICA

Direct TV                     Latin America                          Thursday after each MXGP 8:30pm

USA                             MAV TV                                   During the week after the event

AFRICA

Africa                           AXP                                          During the week after the event

EUROPE

Albania                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Austria                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Baltics                          TV3 Sport Open                      Thursday after each MXGP

Belgium                       SPORT TEN                              tba

Bosnia                         GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Croatia                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Finland                        MTV                                        During the week after the event

Hungary                      GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Kosovo                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Montenegro                GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Northern Macedonia  GP1                                          Thursday after each event at 20:15

Portugal                      SPORT TV                                Tuesday after the event        

Romania                      Look Sport                               Wednesday after each event

Serbia                          GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Slovenia                      Sport TV                                  Tuesday after the event

Spain                           Movistar                                   Friday after each event at 12am

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)

VIACOM SPORT 18                                                      TBC

WORLDWIDE

Worldwide                  Motorvision                            During the week after the event

WEEKEND TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC+3)

SATURDAY: 09:45 EMX Open Free Practice, 10:15 WMX Free Practice, 10:50 MX2 Free Practice, 11:20 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 12:45 WMX Qualifying Practice, 13:25 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 14:45 EMX Open Race 1, 15:35 WMX Race 1, 16:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:40 EMX Open Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 WMX Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

All the photos from the BitCi MXGP of Turkiye will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Afyonkarahisar

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 30 August 2022 – It’s crunch time in the FIM Motocross World Championship with the final champions awaiting to be crowned at the BitCi MXGP of Turkiye, the final stop of the 2022 campaign.

A big weekend is ahead for the title hopefuls in MX2 as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle enter the last round separated by just two points. The previous Grand Prix saw Vialle win on home soil, while Geerts was forced to settle for third, but there is no doubt that both riders will bring their ‘A game’ to the final race of the year in the hope of taking home the golden plate.

Alongside the final rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship, we will also see the last round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship that is currently being led by Nancy Van De Ven who is 25-points ahead of JK Yamaha Racing’s Lynn Valk. Shana Van der Vlist is third just a further 13 points behind, and just 3-points ahead of Larissa Papenmeier, which means that the medal-scoring positions are still up for grabs!

The same can be said for the EMX Open Championship that is currently headed by JD Gunnex KTM Racing’s Jose Butron, with Tomas Kohut in second position, 34-points behind, while Michael Sandner is third, a further 11 points adrift.

In MXGP, the title has already been decided and safely lies in the hands of Team HRC’s Tim Gajser who was also the overall winner at the MXGP of Charente Maritime. The Slovenian will no doubt be looking to add another GP win in Afyon and end his championship-winning season on a high!

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer occupies the silver medal position, which he is not in any danger of losing after a string of impressive performances that saw the Swiss podium the last three Grand Prix in a row, one of which was an overall victory. The Yamaha rider also came close to another GP win last time around in Saint Jean d'Angely, though was beat on the final lap by a hard-charging Gajser who passed him and Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado.

The final medal scoring position is all to play for between Prado and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff who is just four points behind the Spaniard. Coldenhoff has had some impressive races this year and has been on the podium six times, one of which was an overall GP win. Meanwhile, Prado also has one GP win to his name, but 10 podiums in total, the most recent being in France a couple of weeks ago, which was his first podium in three rounds.

In the second half of the season, Coldenhoff has been stronger, as numerous factors added to Prado's struggle, but hopefully, now the Spaniard is passed that and we will see a close fight for the bronze medal at the BtiCi MXGP of Turkiye this weekend.

Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Romain Febvre will enter the final round looking to score that podium finish that he was been close to on several occasions since coming back from injury. There is no denying that Febvre has the speed but putting together two solid races has been the only thing holding him back. The Frenchman has also won the last two qualifying races at two very different types of circuits, so nothing is stopping him from doing the same this weekend in Turkey.

The fight for seventh in the championship standings remains very close between Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez and Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Calvin Vlaanderen who is just one point behind the Spaniard. It will be interesting to see who can come out on top in the last round of the year and occupy 7^th in the MXGP Championship.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux and Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini are a pair to watch this weekend as both riders were on the podium last time around in Afyon. Renaux has had a couple of up-and-down weekends recently, while Guadagnini is still finding his feet in the MXGP class, but there’s no counting out the rookies on making things interesting this weekend.

2021 Bitci MXGP of Afyon – Top 3 MXGP:

1. Jeffrey Herlings

2. Tim Gajser

3. Antonio Cairoli

Main Photo: MXGP Start from 2021

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser 2. Jeremy Seewer

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 721 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 615 p.; 3. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 557 p.; 4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 553 p.; 5. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 540 p.; 6. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 406 p.; 7. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 380 p.; 8. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 379 p.; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 350 p.; 10. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 296 p.;

In MX2, it’s crunch time for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle who enter the final GP of the season separated by just two points.

While Geerts holds the slim advantage, it’s Vialle who is probably in the better position out of the two. The Frenchman has won the last two Grand Prix on the bounce in Finland and France, and he also dominated the doubleheader in Turkey last year, which means he will be full of confidence coming into this weekend.

Geerts’ results from last year in Turkey were 6^th and 8^th overall, which will not be good enough to secure the title, meaning he will need to bring his best performance to Afyon and arrive both mentally and physically strong if he wants to get his hands on his very first world title in MX2.

While the first and second place positions are yet to be decided, Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder has no pressure coming into this weekend as he sits comfortably in third and has no big risk of losing that as he is 61 points ahead of his closest rival F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Kevin Horgmo who is fourth.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Thibault Benistant is currently fifth in the standings and will enter the last event off the back of a podium at his home GP where he finished second overall behind Vialle. Despite a shoulder injury, Benistant managed to go 2-1 for the second step and will no doubt be eyeing up the podium again this weekend.  

This weekend there are a few familiar faces making wildcard appearances which include the 2022 EMX250 Champion Rick Elzinga from Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing who will line up in MX2 as he prepares for his move up to the world championship category next season. His teammate Andrea Bonacorsi will be racing in MX2 this weekend too, along with Fantic Factory Team Maddii’s Haakon Osterhagen as well as his teammate Cas Valk who recently secured the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing title in Finland. It will be interesting to see what the wildcard riders can do and if they can get in the mix with the front runners and make for some even more exciting racing!

2021 Bitci MXGP of Afyon – Top 3 MX2:

1. Tom Vialle

2. Maxime Renaux

3. Mattia Guadagnini

Top Photo: MX2 Start from 2021

Bottom Photos: 1. Tom Vialle 2. Jago Geerts

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 710 points; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 708 p.; 3. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 564 p.; 4. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 503 p.; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 481 p.; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 435 p.; 7. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 410 p.; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GAS), 410 p.; 9. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 373 p.; 10. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 286 p.;

WEEKEND TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC+3)

SATURDAY: 09:45 EMX Open Free Practice, 10:15 WMX Free Practice, 10:50 MX2 Free Practice, 11:20 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 12:45 WMX Qualifying Practice, 13:25 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 14:45 EMX Open Race 1, 15:35 WMX Race 1, 16:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:40 EMX Open Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 WMX Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

All the photos from the BitCi MXGP of Turkiye will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Afyonkarahisar