MX2

FRAUENFELD (Switzerland) 10 April 2023 – The MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS came to an end!

The third round of the FIM Motocross World Championship held all its promises with a fantastic Grand Prix spread across Saturday for the RAM Qualifying Races and Monday for the races due to Easter Sunday! The brand-new track of Frauenfeld gave us some exciting fights across both categories and the atmosphere was electric thanks to the great Swiss public coming in large number.

At the end of the day the victory went to Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Maxime Renaux, who won for the first time of the season as well as his first podium. Second on the podium was Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and third Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre.
In MX2, it was also a first with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team’s Thibault Benistant winning for the first time in 2023, in front of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Andrea Adamo and Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf.

The opening ceremony began with a Swiss Bells rang by a traditional troup that walked among the public. It was then marked with speeches on the Skybox in front of an excited crowd first from Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo followed by FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela, Willy Läderach, president MXGP Suisse , Brigitte Häberli-Koller, Council president of states (Ständeratspräsidentin), Walter Wobmann, president FMS, Stefan Bissegger, European Champion 2022 trial cycling, Heinz Kinigatener, Motocross World Champion. This welcome moment was closed by the traditional singer Markus von Rotz who sang the Swiss National Anthem.

In the MXGP Race 1 in Frauenfeld Jorge Prado took the FOX Holeshot to keep his impressive start record and kept the lead from start to finish. His teammate at Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing Mattia Guadagnini got off very well as he found himself 2^nd over the first 5 laps. However, Maxime Renaux who passed Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings on lap 2 to get to 3^rd place powered through to overtake also Guadagnini on lap 6 for 2nd. Renaux went on to keep his 2^nd place until the end without being able to get too close to Prado.

Guadagnini made a mistake on lap 10 and moved down from 3^rd to 7^th and got overtaken again several times to finish at the 9^th place. Herlings was not on the same form as in Sardinia as the “bullet” went 4^th on lap 2 when Renaux overtook him. He could not hold his 4^th place as he got passed successively by Romain Febvre, Team Gebben Van Venroy Yamaha Racing’s Calvin Vlaanderen and Team HRC’s Ruben Fernandez between lap 9 and 11 to move down to 6^th where he would stay until the end.

Febvre was riding impressively coming from 5^th place on lap 1 and passed Herlings for 4^th on lap 9 after an intense battle that lasted many laps. He then found himself 3^rd after Guadagnini’s fall on lap 10. The Frenchman tried to attack his compatriot Renaux for second but settled for 3^rd in the end.

Vlaanderen and Fernandez got to 6^th and 7^th during the first 8 laps and kept following each other throughout the whole race. The two riders managed to pass Herlings mid-race and went to 4^th for Vlaanderen and 5^th for Fernandez on lap 11 until the end.

Valentin Guillod from Team Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz, riding at home showed a lot of qualities as the Swiss stayed in the top 10 throughout the whole race. He stayed in 9^th position behind Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team’s Glenn Coldenhoff in 8^th from lap 1 to 12. As Coldenhoff overtook Guadagnini for on lap 13 for 7^th, Guillod did the same a lap later and passed Guadagnini for 8^th. Guillod made the Swiss public cheered loudly when he made his move on Coldenhoff on lap 15 for 7^th. Guillod finished 7^th while Coldenhoff settled in 8^th.

De Baets Yamaha MX-Team’s Benoit Paturel who finished 10^th show a strong performance as the he went from 13^th on lap 1 to steadily go up the rank without getting overtaken throughout the race.
Riding at home Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Jeremy Seewer crashed early on in the first lap which hindered his chances to win his home GP. The Swiss finished 20^th.

In Race 2, Prado again clinched the FOX Holeshot to make it 100% for the weekend. However, it was not the same scenario than in race 1 as Renaux was all over Prado’s rear wheel over the opening lap. After an unfruitful try, the Frenchman managed to pass Prado and take the lead. Renaux showed great composure to keep the lead until the end.

Prado 2^nd quickly started to get threatened by Febvre who looked very comfortable on the compact hard-pack. Febvre overtook Herlings on lap 2 and was on a mission to catch Prado up as he clocked the fastest time of the race on lap 8. Febvre made several attacks on Prado until lap 12 when he found the gap and muscled his way to overtake the Spaniard for 2^nd. Febvre would go on to finish 2^nd while Prado 3^rd.

Herlings pretty quiet in race 1 kept a low profile as after finding himself 4^th on lap 2 kept going throughout the whole race without being too worried by Seewer behind him. Seewer had much quieter and better race as he found himself 5^th after lap 1 to keep this place until the end.

SM Action Racing Team Yuasa Battery MXGP’s Alberto Forato, Vlaanderen and Fernandez managed to stay together the whole race. Forato got the better out of Fernandez on lap 3 to get to 6^th. An advantage that he will keep the race. Fernandez then got under attack by Vlaanderen and moved down eventually to 8^th in lap 5 while Vlaanderen moved up to 7^th and they kept this order until the end.

Guillod did another strong performance as the circuit of Frauenfeld seemed to suit him. Guillod went from 12^th on lap 1 to overtake another Swiss Kevin Brumann on lap 3 for 11^th. Then he showed determination as he successively passed MRT Racing Team Beta’s Alessandro Lupino on lap 6 and capitalised on Pauls Jonass surrender on lap 8 toget to 9^th. Lupino eventually finished 11^th. Finally Guillod finished 9^th getting another top 10 for the GP while MRT Racing Team Beta’s Ben Watson managed to 10^th in the end after climbing his way from 14^th on lap 1.

In the end, Maxime Renaux won his first GP of the season in front of Jorge Prado 2^nd who is still the Red Plate holder, thanks also to winning another RAM Qualifying Race again, and Romain Febvre 3^rd with his first podium of the season.

It was also the return of Arnaud Tonus on his home ground as a Wildcard rider. The Swissman finished 13^th in race 1 and unfortunately could not finish the second race. However this gave a lot to cheer for the public as they welcomed and cheered for the rider throughout the all GP.

Maxime Renaux: “Super happy to get my 1^st GP winning of the season. It is a great feeling especially after the first 2 Grand Prix where I missed the podium. Finally I can get it altogether today. I want to thank the team for their hard work and now we’ll keep on grinding for the championship. See you in Trentino.”

Jorge Prado: “The first race was great. The second one, I broke away but couldn’t keep the lead, I didn’t have the same flow. In the end I came out second overall and it is the most important to keep the Red Plate and getting points for the championship.”

Romain Febvre: “I felt good all weekend long. I had to pass Herlings in both races and Prado on the second so it was quite hard. I got close to Maxime and I worked very hard but I am happy to be on the podium, first time this year. Thanks to my team!”

Main Photos: 1. MXGP Start ; 2. MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS Opening Ceremony

Bottom Photos: 1. Maxime Renaux; 2. Romain Febvre     

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), 33:47.857; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:06.298; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:14.572; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:17.538; 5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:22.113; 6. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:30.112; 7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +0:34.759; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:43.139; 9. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +0:44.964; 10. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:47.953;

MXGP- Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), 33:34.904; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:07.825; 3. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:17.970; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:21.320; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:26.839; 6. Alberto Forato (ITA, KTM), +0:31.325; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:38.761; 8. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:43.814; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +0:53.484; 10. Ben Watson (GBR, Beta), +1:07.193; 11

MXGP - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 47 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 45 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 42 p.; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 33 p.; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 32 p.; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 29 p.; 7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 26 p.; 8. Alberto Forato (ITA, KTM), 24 p.; 9. Ben Watson (GBR, BET), 21 p.; 10. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 21 p.; (BEL, HON), 25 p.; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, KTM), 25 p.; 10. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 20 p.; 

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 155 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 134 p.; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 131 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 129 p.; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 101 p.; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 94 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 90 p.; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 79 p.; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, KTM), 76 p.; 10. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 76 p.;

MXGP - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Yamaha, 155 points; 2. GASGAS, 155 p.; 3. KTM, 134 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 129 p.; 5. Honda, 114 p.; 6. Beta, 51 p.;

In MX2, Jago Geerts started strongly as he got the FOX Holeshot and took the lead with Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Roan Van de Moosdijk behind him in 2^nd and Benistant 3^rd. The three riders followed each other for a while as Benistant tried few attacks on Van de Moosdijk. Geerts was looked to go all the way but all went down when he crashed on lap 15 leaving Van de Moosdijk taking the lead until the end to win the race.

Benistant also crashed on lap14 to going down to 4^th. Benistant eventually kept the 4^th place until the end, however it was not the same for Geerts who got overtaken quickly after his fall by Kay de Wolf and Andrea Adamo and then by Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Simon Laengenfelder and Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Lucas Coenen. Geerts finished 7^th in the end.

De Wolf 6^th on lap 1 moved up to 5^th quickly on lap 4 and stayed patient behind Adamo 4^th at the time. Adamo capitalised on Geerts’ fall on lap 16 to get to 4^th and also on Benistant’s crash to find himself 2^nd on lap16.

De Wolf on his side overtook Geert on lap 16 and made his move on Benistant on lap 17 to get to 3^rd behind Adamo with 3 laps to go. De Wolf showed good qualities to overtake Adamo in the last lap for 2^nd. Adamo finished 3^rd in the end.

One of the comebacks of the day was Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Lucas Coenen who fell on the first turn and found himself 16^th on lap 1. The young rider steadily climbed his way up with some really great moves along the way notably as breathed pass Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Liam Everts on lap 13 for 7^th. He eventually passed Geerts with two laps to go to finish 6^th. Everts was really consistent as he went from 7^th on lap 1 to 8^th in the end.

F&H Kawasaki Racing Team’s Kevin Horgmo and TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team’s Jan Pancar went 9^th and 10^th on lap 1 respectively. While Horgmo went up the rank to 8^th place on lap 7, Pancar went down to 12^th place between lap 4 and 12 but found his rhythm to get back to 10th in the end. Horgmo got overtaken by Coenen on lap 10 to keep his 9^th position until the end.

In race 2, it was Adamo who clinched the FOX Holeshot and led the pack early on although the Italian was under threat by the duo from Monster Energy Yamaha Benistant and Geerts. Eventually Geerts got the best of Benistant and attacked Adamo on lap 2. This was the moment Benistant chose to attack both riders and get the lead. Adamo moved down to 2^nd and Geerts to 3^rd. Benistant was the fastest of the pack and started to pull away from Adamo and Geerts.

Benistant showed great composure to keep his ride clean and quick to eventually win the race. Adamo and Geerts would fight until the end. Geerts took the edge between lap 9 and 13 to go 2^nd but like in the first race Geerts fell and Adamo passed him to finish 2^nd. Geerts settled for 3^rd in the end.

Laengenfelder was a solid 4^th from start to near the end. De Wolf went from a poor start, being 8^th on lap 1 to attack everyone in front of him and pass Horgmo (who would finish at a good 7^th place), then Elzinga (who finished 11^th) and also Everts on lap 14 for 5^th. The last lap was when Laengenfelder could not keep his position with De Wolf showing great technique move up to 4^th and leave Laengenfelder finishing 5^th. Everts settled for 6^th.

Like his teammate De Wolf, Van de Moosdijk got an average start in 11^th after lap 1 but managed to get up to 8^th in the end although this was not the race he would have liked to do after winning race 1. Pancar again rode strongly as he managed to keep riding in the top 10 throughout the whole race and finished 9^th in the end.

Team Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz’s Emil Weckman who went 13^th after lap 1 held on and stayed within touching distance of F&H Kawasaki Racing Team’s David Braceras (finishing 13^th) and the American Jack Chambers from Big Van World MTX Kawasaki who was competing for the first time in MX2 and got a good first experience finishing 12^th in race 2 and 15^th in race 1. Weckman managed to overtake both riders to get to 11^th on lap 17 and finally overtaking WZ Racing Team’s Oriol Oliver for 10^th. Oliver ended up 13^th.

In the end, Benistant clinched his first GP win of the season and second of his career in front of Adamo solid second and Kay de Wolf who gets a back to back podium after his second place in Sardinia.

Thibault Benistant : “First race win of the season and overall. I was feeling really good. Second one I felt pretty good and tried to attack directly. I had some pressure from my teammate but I think he made a mistake and I managed to keep my advantage so I’m very happy and it’s nice for the team.”

Andrea Adamo: “It is second podium and a solid weekend so it was a good GP for me. I’m really happy and we can now keep the championship chase on its way.”

Kay de Wolf: “I had to work my way up quite a few times but I’m on the podium in the end. It is a really good feeling to get back to back podiums!”

Main Photo: Thibault Benistant

Bottom Photos: 1. Andrea Adamo; 2. MX2 Podium

 MX2 - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification : 1. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Husqvarna), 33:58.764; 2. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:04.536; 3. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:06.482; 4. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:11.947; 5. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:15.602; 6. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:16.425; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:25.844; 8. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:36.352; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:44.341; 10. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +1:03.899;

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), 33:47.845; 2. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:04.929; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:07.755; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:08.543; 5. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:10.647; 6. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:14.336; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:15.593; 8. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Husqvarna), +0:47.308; 9. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:48.721; 10. Emil Weckman (FIN, Honda), +0:49.673;

MX2 - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 43 points; 2. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 40 p.; 4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, HUS), 38 p.; 5. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 34 p.; 6. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 32 p.; 7. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 28 p.; 8. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 26 p.; 9. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), 23 p.; 10. Emil Weckman (FIN, HON), 20 p.;

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 159 points; 2. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 139 p.; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 136 p.; 4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 131 p.; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, HUS), 112 p.; 6. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 111 p.; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 94 p.; 8. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 94 p.; 9. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 72 p.; 10. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), 66 p.;

MX2 - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Yamaha, 170 points; 2. Husqvarna, 145 p.; 3. KTM, 133 p.; 4. GASGAS, 111 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 95 p.; 6. Honda, 56 p.; 7. Fantic, 12 p.;      

MXGP OF SWITZERLAND PRESENTED BY iXS QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1500m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 15°

Weather conditions: Sunny

Crowd Attendance: 43000 – From Friday until Monday included

All the photos from the MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Frauenfeld

FRAUENFELD (Switzerland) 8 April 2023 – The MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS has started in the best way with the RAM Qualifying Races ruled by Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing's Jorge Prado once again in MXGP while in MX2 it was Monster Energy Yamaha MX2's Thibault Benistant. 

Waiting four long years to come back to Switzerland, the riders did not waste any time to get into full gears on the brand-new track of Frauenfeld. The return to hard pack has been really competitive today as we already saw many exciting battles throughout both races in MXGP and MX2.

Alongside the FIM Motocross World Championship races, we also witnessed the first races of the WMX and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing's classes which were domintated by Big Van World MTX Kawasaki's Courtney Duncan and Yamaha Europe MJC's Janis Martin Reisulis

Following the RAM Qualifying Races, many fans were able to join and cheers for the stars at the Paddock Show that hosted the winners of the qualifications Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team's Thibault Benistant and Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing's Jorge Prado along with special guests Jeremy Seewer, Kevin Brumann and MX2 Red Plate holder Jago Geerts.
 

Aware of sounding incredibly repetitive, the MXGP RAM Qualifying Race was once again dominated by Jorge Prado for his third consecutive qualifying win. However, it was not an easy day for the Spaniard as following a good start he found himself 2nd for the majority of the race in-between Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre leading the way and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings 3rd. After a first lap where the three men where all together trying to get the lead from each other, we saw Febvre taking the edge on Prado to lead the way at the end of the first lap while Herlings would stay a bit behind in third.

Staying patient, a couple of seconds of Febvre, Prado would finally find a way to pounce on the very last lap in great fashion and over a couple of turns to take the lead off the Frenchman. Febvre who looked like he was going to win his first RAM Qualifying Race could not contain Prado and settled for 2nd.

Herlings kept a strong pace all throughout the race to confidently keep an important 3rd place, synonym of 8 points for the Championship. He had to keep at bay during the whole race the duo Monster Energy Yamaha factory MXGP Team’s Maxime Renaux and SM Action Racing Team Yuasa Battery’s Alberto Forato, 4th and 5th respectively after lap 1. Forato looked very comfortable on this track as he was in touching distance of Renaux all way through and finally made a move to get to 4th with 3 laps to go and would not lose this advantage. Forato ended 4th and Renaux 5th. 

One of the story of the day was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Jeremy Seewer who didn’t have a quick start and found himself 10th on lap 1. The home rider quickly got to 8th on lap 2 but fell down while trying to chase Alessandro Lupino 7th at that time, moving down to13th. Lupino made few mistakes later on to finish 15th. However Seewer, probably helped by the immense support from the Swiss fans came back on the chase and steadily moved up through the ranking order overtaking the likes of Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini, De Baets Yamaha MX-Team’s Benoit Paturel, his teammate Glenn Coldenhoff who finished 10th, and fellow countryman Ship to Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz’s Valentin Guillod who rode strongly to end up at a promising 8thplace. Seewer found himself 7th on the last lap to overtake another good performer, Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha’s Calvin Vlaanderen. Seewer finished a sensational comeback on his home ground with the 6th place, in front of Vlaanderen 7th. 

Another really good rebound was the one of Team HRC’s Ruben Fernandez who found himself 17 after lap 1 to steadily move up to 9th place showing along the way the qualities that made him a GP winner in Argentina.

Jorge Prado: “It was a good day of racing. I had a very good start but then I lost the lead and got a bit tense over a couple of laps. After I took my time behind Romain as it was difficult to get very close but on the last lap, I knew I had the place so I went for it so I’m super happy. I had a great rhythm and it’s another important win!”

MXGP – RAM Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), 23:59.039; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:03.046; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:04.539; 4. Alberto Forato (ITA, KTM), +0:08.089; 5. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:16.951; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:17.852; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:20.138; 8. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +0:30.617; 9. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:36.792; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:41.214;

Main Photo: Jorge Prado

Bottom Photos: 1. Romain Febvre  2. Jeffrey Herlings
 

In MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, we saw the established order changing with the win of Thibault Benistant. The first lap saw TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team’s Jan Pancar take the lead in front of Roan Van de Moosdijk of Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing and Benistant. Pancar could not hold the lead for long. Benistant overtook Van de Moosdijk in the first lap to clock the fastest lap and put pressure on Pancar and pass him in lap 2. Benistant kept the lead until the end displaying a very strong and confident performance.

For Pancar, it was not the same story as he moved down the table to get to 8th on lap 8 and keep this place until the end but the Slovenian rode the whole race in the top 10 to get 3 important points counting for the Championship. Van de Moosdijk who was 2nd between lap 4 and 6 was not able to keep this position first against his teammate Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf and then the Red Plate holder Jago Geerts from Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2 Team. De Wolf in the end finished 2nd while Geerts 3rd. Van de Moosdijk ended at a good 4th place.

Behind them, RedBull KTM Factory Racing’s Andrea Adamo was the best of the rest as he climbed from the 9th place on lap 1 to 5th on lap 8 as he passed Pancar on lap 4 and WZ Racing’s Mikkel Haarup on lap 7 for 5th to keep this place until the end. Haarup displayed some quick pace in the first half of the race going to 4th on lap 5 but slowed down in the second to move down to 7th in the end. 
Finishing 6th between them was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Liam Everts who started poorly to get 13th after lap 1. But the Belgian showed his qualities on this compact track to steadily take the better of many riders in front him.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team’s Rick Elzinga rode consistently within the top 10. The Rookie rider shows that he has the pace as he finished 8th while David Braceras also showed his quality going from 12th in lap 1 to 8th between lap 6 and 7 although he had to settle to 10^th taking the last point of the day.

Simon Laengenfelder did not get to the points as the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing rider could not do better than 12th while Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Lucas Coenen crashed early on the race and had to give up on lap 4. Both riders missed on important points for the Championships and will get ready to make up for it on Monday. 

Thibault Benistant: “It was my first win of the season in qualification and I’m very happy. I made few passes in the first few laps and I felt good on the bike and the track. I hope I can do the same on Monday.”

MX2 – RAM Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), 24:21.806; 2. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:12.665; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:13.113; 4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Husqvarna), +0:18.307; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:19.414; 6. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:19.820; 7. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KTM), +0:23.776; 8. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:39.157; 9. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:45.456; 10. David Braceras (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:46.320;

Main Photo: Thibault Benistant

Bottom Photos: 1. MX2 Start; 2. Jago Geerts

TIMETABLE 

MONDAY: 09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX125 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.
 

MXGP OF SWITZERLAND PRESENTED BY iXS QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1500m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 9°

Weather conditions: Cloudy/Rainy

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Frauenfeld

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 5 April 2023 – The FIM Motocross World Championship third round is coming back to Switzerland after 4 years and it will mark the first stop of the season in Mainland Europe. MXGP is heading to Frauenfeld for the MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS on the 8^th and 10^th April, being Easter day of break on the Sunday 9^th. 

The riders will come back to a brand-new circuit at Frauenfeld which will add to the challenge as they will have to adapt to the new design. The Swiss track has hosted the MXGP series three years in a row between 2016 to 2018 and it was pretty successful for KTM in the MXGP class as Antonio Cairoli won in 2016 while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings won back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.

Along with MXGP and MX2, the supporting classes will also be competing in Switzerland with the second round of the FIM Women's Motocross World Championship and the first round of the season for the FIM Motocross European Championship EMX125 presented by FMF.

In WMX, RFME GASGAS WMX Team’s Daniella Guillen won her first GP of her career in Sardinia with a 2-1 and showing a strong and skilful riding throughout the weekend. Other riders to watch will be the young Lotte Van Drunen who started the season incredibly by winning the first race of the season and finishing second overall while Ceres 71 Racing’s Nancy Van de Ven showed that we can count on her to be competing for the top spot again this year as she finished second in race 2, despite a crash on race 1 and DRT Kawasaki’s Courtney Duncan going 4-3 and the third place overall.

In EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing, it will be really open this year with many new riders coming to the category for the first time. This first round will be a good time to get some clues on who will be fighting for the top spots this season.

This season, the circuit of Frauenfeld will be hosting MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS for the 4^th time in its history. The last edition was 4 years ago and Jeffrey Herlings was the one who took the victory in front of Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Romain Febvre and Clement Desalle. The Dutchman was on his way to win his first World Title in the MXGP class. 

Coming into the third round of the season, we are already seeing that this season is going to be very competitive with many riders showing great skills and determination throughout the first two rounds. Herlings is coming to Switzerland with plenty of confidence as he won the last GP in Sardinia, winning his 100^th GP along the way. The ‘bullet’ is showing that he is already up to speed after missing the 2022 season and being 2^ndoverall in the Championship standing. 

The Red Plate holder Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado has been riding superbly so far, taking the maximum points in RAM Qualifying Races in Argentina and Sardinia and winning 2 races out of 4, the Spaniard is on a great form and is determined to win his first GP this season. Having won the last edition in Switzerland in MX2 will certainly help him in his quest to keep the Red Plate.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Glenn Coldenhoff, 2^nd on the last podium in Sardinia with a 5-1 has shown that he is finding his rhythm on his new bike while his teammate Maxime Renaux and Romain Febvre, 3^rd and 4^th in the Championships respectively, both showed loads of quality ridings since the season started and will definitely fight for the top spots this season even if they both narrowly missed the podium so far in 2023.

After winning his first GP in Argentina Team HRC’s Ruben Fernandez was not at his best during the MXGP of Sardegna as the Spaniard crashed few times and could not find a way to ride back up the ranking order. He will surely look for redemption in Switzerland and be prepared to display a great performance this weekend.

Riding at home this week, Jeremy Seewer from Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team is the rider who will want to get back to the top after combining high and lows so far this season with 17-3 in Argentina and 7-6 in Sardinia. The swiss was often fighting for the first places but crashed too many times to remain consistent. Riding in front of his fans could be the perfect opportunity to really kick-start his season.

The other home riders Team Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz’s Valentin Guillod and JK Racing Yamaha’s Kevin Brumann will be the ones to be carried by the home crowd and could use that to get some great opportunities to score big points. Guillod with two top 20s so far has shown some glimpse of his potential and could capitalise on riding at home while Brumann could really kickstarts his first full MXGP season this weekend at Frauenfeld.
 

Championship Standings

1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 100 points;
2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 93 p.;
3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 78 p. ;
4. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 78 p. ;
5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 75 p.;
6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 65 p.;
7. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 63 p.;
8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 57 p.;
9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 56 p.;
10. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 55 p.;

2018 MXGP of Switzerland MXGP Top 3:

1. Jeffrey Herlings
2. Romain Febvre
3. Clement Desalle        

Main Photo: MXGP Start MXGP of Switzerland 2018
Bottom Photos: 1. Jeffrey Herlings, 2. Jeremy Seewer

In 2018, it was Jorge Prado who clinched the victory in Frauenfeld in front of Standing Construct Honda MXGP’s Pauls Jonass and Hunter Lawrence. With none of these riders still present in this category, the 2023 edition of the MXGP of Switzerland will see a new MX2 winner.

The start of the 2023 campaign in MX2 has seen the near total dominance of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team’s Jago Geerts so far. The Belgian won the first 2 GPs with a perfect 1-1 in Argentina and 2-1 in Sardinia, along with topping both RAM Qualifying Races. However, like Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team’s Thibault Benistant fighting with Geerts in Argentina, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf showed his great potential in Sardinia as he went 1-2 and could have been the one to win the GP. Benistant also got to the last step of the podium for the second time this season. This demonstrates that de Wolf and Benistant are up there with Geerts and could be the ones to upset the Belgian’s lead so far.

Just behind the trio are teammates Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Andrea Adamo and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Simon Laegenfelder, 4^th and 5^th respectively, who also have shown that they can compete at time with the front three. Adamo is consistent so far with 2^nd place overall in Argentina and 6^th in Sardinia while Laengenfelder improved on his 7^th place on the first round by going 3-7 in Sardinia and getting the 4^thoverall. 

The other riders who could well battling for the top points will be F&H Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team’s Kevin Horgmo, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Roan Van de Moosdijk and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Liam Everts who are 6^th, 7^th and 8^th in the Championships respectively and have all found themselves fighting at the top at one point during the first two rounds. They all could use their experience of this beginning of the campaign to find the ways to move up in the Championship standing after Switzerland.

Championship Standings

1. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 117 points;
2. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 87 p.;
3. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 86 p.;
4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 83 p.;
5. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 79 p.;
6. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 68 p.;
7. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, HUS), 67 p.;
8. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 61 p.;
9. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 52 p.;
10. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), 40 p.;

2018 MXGP of Switzerland MX2 Top 3:

1. Jorge Prado
2. Pauls Jonass
3. Hunter Lawrence

Main Photo: MX2 Start MXGP of Switzerland 2018
Bottom Photos: 1. Jago Geerts, 2 Kay de Wolf

TIMETABLE 

SATURDAY: 08:00 EMX125 Free Practice Group 1, 08:25 EMX125 Free Practice Group 2, 08:50 WMX Free Practice, 09:20 EMX125 Qualifying practice Group 1, 09:55 EMX125 Qualifying practice Group 2, 10:30 MX2 Free Practice, 11:00 MXGP OAT Free Practice, 12:10 WMX Qualifying Practice, 12:45 MXGP Wildcard Free/Qualifying practice, 13:45 MX2 Time Practice, 14:20 MXGP OAT Time Practice, 15:05 WMX Race 1, 15:45 EMX125 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 17:20 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

Monday: 09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX125 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Frauenfeld