MX2

AFYONKARAHISAR (Turkiye) 3 September 2022 – The Qualifying races of the Bitci MXGP of Turkiye have concluded in Afyon with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle taking victories in MXGP and MX2.

Both of the qualifying heats saw intense battles between Renaux and Team HRC’s Mitch Evans in MXGP and Vialle and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts in MX2, which gave us a taste of what can be expected during the Grand Prix races tomorrow where points will be on the line.

Geerts and Vialle are locked in the battle for the title as just two points separate the pair, while Renaux has the chance to go for the bronze medal in the MXGP standings and will need to score top points.  

Today we also witnessed the crowning of the first Champion of the weekend. JD Gunnex KTM Racing Team's Jose Butron secured the EMX Open title in race one, while the WMX Championship crown will be decided tomorrow together with the MX2. 

In the MXGP qualifying race, it was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux who was the early leader ahead of his teammate Jeremy Seewer as well as, Team HRC’s Mitch Evans, Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini and iXS Hostettler MXGP Team Valentin Guillod.

Evans was quick to pass Seewer and was eyeing up Renaux moments later, with the Australian taking over the lead on the opening lap of the race. Evans led briefly as a small mistake allowed Renaux back through.

Guillod then got around Guadagnini for seventh place, where he remained for the rest of the heat, as Evans set the fastest lap of the race and was looking to close down the 1.920-second gap to Renaux.

Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado did not have the qualifying race that he would have hoped for, as he started in 14^th and eventually finished there too.

On lap nine, we saw Evans take over first place from Renaux, as the pair continued to battle each other. But another small mistake from Evans was the opportunity that Renaux was searching for as he passed him back on the final lap of the heat.

Renaux ended up securing his third qualifying race victory of the season, as Evans finished second ahead of Seewer, Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff.

Maxime Renaux: “It's good to start the weekend like this, you know, every year, I enjoy my time here, so today was very good. I had a great start. Unfortunately, did not get the Holeshot plate, but I'm going to work very hard for it tomorrow. And that was really important to know that I could get in front early, but then I made a small mistake and Mitch passed me, but I could get him back and pass on the last lap so that was a really great qualifying”.

“The goal is to get the medal definitely, so we're going to give it all and work hard for that. Let’s see but I’m going to give it all”.

Main Photo: Maxime Renaux

Bottom Photos: 1. Mitch Evans 2. Jeremy Seewer

MXGP - Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), 23:49.609; 2. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +0:04.114; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:08.819; 4. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:10.953; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:12.864; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:15.745; 7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), +0:15.954; 8. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:23.306; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:25.772; 10. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:28.698;

In MX2 qualifying, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle was the leading rider into the first corner ahead of Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf and Roan Van de Moosdijk, as well as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts.

Geerts then passed both Moosdijk and de Wolf to get into second, while Ship to Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz’ Stephen Rubini crashed early on in the race, which also caught out Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder.

de Wolf then landed heavy but managed to stay on and keep the third-place spot, as Geerts and Vialle battled closely in front. The pair traded in the fastest laps for much of the heat which was a taste of how intense tomorrow's races can be expected.

As the race progressed, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Thibault Benistant closed in on De Wolf and managed to pass the Dutchman three laps from the end, as Moosdijk remained fifth.

In the end, Vialle claimed his sixth qualifying race win of the 2022 season ahead of Geerts, Benistant, de Wolf and Moosdijk.

Tom Vialle: “It was a good day. I felt really good on the track and had a great start and led every lap. Jago, I think was already on the second or third lap behind me. I think it's going to be a nice fight tomorrow because he will start at the second gate and we will both be at the front and it will be a good fight for sure, so I am ready for it! I feel really good on the track so let’s see what will happen tomorrow.

“[My approach tomorrow] actually, it's a little bit like today on a great start, just ride as fast as possible. I felt so good on the bike today, so hopefully tomorrow I have the same feeling and I think it’s going to be a good day”.

Jago Geerts: “Yeah, it was quite a good day. Quite a good start. I was fifth and then after a few laps, I was in second behind Tom and just felt quite good on the track. The track was really fast today. So, I hope it will be a little bit more rutty and more rough tomorrow but yeah, feeling good and ready to battle tomorrow. The start will be important so I will just try to get a good start and go for the win. I think that's the only option we have”.

Top Photo: Tom Vialle

Bottom Photos: 1. Jago Geerts 2. Thibault Benistant

MX2 - Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 23:58.567; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:04.311; 3. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:21.155; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:24.057; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Husqvarna), +0:25.101; 6. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:26.212; 7. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:36.148; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GASGAS), +0:38.386; 9. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:42.608; 10. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:44.373;

WEEKEND TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC+3)

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.

BITCI MXGP OF TURKIYE – QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1725m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 31

Weather conditions: Cloudy

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 – 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) 1 September 2022 – Infront Moto Racing is delighted to share the 2022 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations entry list of the teams that will go head-to-head on September 24^th and 25^th for the Chamberlain Trophy!

This year the iconic event will return to America’s legendary track of RedBud in Michigan, the host of the 2018 edition of the Monster Energy FIM MXoN that saw Team France win their fifth title on the bounce.

Among the 34 different teams, some of the favourites to win this year include the likes of Team USA with their riders Eli Tomac, Justin Cooper and Chase Sexton who will look at breaking their 11-year dry spell and get back on top while Team Italy’s Antonio Cairoli, Andrea Adamo and Mattia Guadagnini will be hoping to make it two wins on the bounce!

Team France are also looking strong this year with Maxime Renaux, Marvin Musquin and Dylan Ferrandis, as well as Team Netherlands’ Glenn Coldenhoff, Kay de Wolf and Calvin Vlaanderen and Team Australia’s Mitch Evans, Hunter Lawrence and Jett Lawrence who will also be fighting for top positions.

This year there will also be two new teams entering the Monster Energy FIM MXoN, this includes FIM Latin America with Marco Atezana, Yarod Vargas and Franklin Noguera as well as FIM Europe with Bence Pergel, Julius Mikula and Pavlo Kizlyak.

Take a look at the full provisional entry list below:  

Please download the entry list by clicking HERE

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

RedBud

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to confirm a three-rider line-up for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team in 2023. Yamaha and the team have retained title challengers Jago Geerts and Thibault Benistant for another season and are poised to welcome the recently crowned EMX250 Champion Rick Elzinga into the fray. All three riders have signed on to campaign the factory Yamaha YZ250FM in the FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship.

With 32 race wins and 42 podiums to his credit already in MX2, Geerts is a proven title contender. The 22-year-old Belgian is again chasing his first world title in MX2 this season and currently holds a 2-point lead in the series with only one round remaining.

While his goal is to win the MX2 crown this year and then successfully defend it next, Geerts is also looking forward to making his MXGP debut aboard a factory Yamaha YZ450FM in 2024.

Geerts’ title hopes in 2023 will not be without a challenge from teammate Benistant, who has secured both the EMX125 and EMX250 championship titles during his ten-year tenure with Yamaha. Despite his rookie MX2 season in 2021 being disrupted by injury, the 20-year-old Frenchman racked up two race wins and a podium finish, ending the season eighth in the standings.

Benistant’s form has continued into 2022, with the youngster again overcoming an injury that saw him sit out the first three rounds to claim a maiden Grand Prix victory, four race wins and five podium finishes, placing him fifth in the series standings with one round remaining.

At the same time, Elzinga has worked up the Yamaha Racing pyramid with podium finishes in EMX125, aboard a GYTR kitted YZ125, and a stellar EMX250 title campaign aboard a GYTR kitted YZ250F in which he celebrated four round wins, five race wins, and six podium finishes on his way to the crown.

As the freshly crowned European EMX250 Champion, Elzinga has earned his place on the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team for his first full season in MX2.

Jago Geerts, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team: “This is my fifth year with Yamaha and I’m really happy to extend my contract for another two years. I work well with the team, and we already have a good bike set up, so it’s nice going into the winter period with a strong base. The goal will be the same as it is this year, we want to fight for the world title again, and I think we will be there. I am really looking forward to it.”

Thibault Benistant, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team: “I have been with Yamaha for a long time, since I was racing on a YZ125, so I am happy to continue with them for at least another two years. I feel good on the factory YZ250FM, and I have a lot of confidence in the team around me, so I’m certain we can be contenders for the World Championship title. Thanks to my team for their support and thanks to Yamaha for believing in me.”

Rick Elzinga, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team: “Becoming a Factory rider is so motivating. I have done a few rounds of MX2 this year as a wild card rider, and I loved it. Racing at the highest level with Yamaha’s most prestigious MX2 team is a dream come true. It has given me an extra boost of motivation to give even more, and I am determined to get the job done in MX2 next year.”

Alexandre Kowalski, Yamaha Motor Europe Off-Road Racing Manager: “We are happy to extend our deal with Jago and Thibault and to welcome Rick to the Factory team. All three riders are very talented title contenders. Jago has consistently demonstrated his title potential with multiple race wins and podium finishes, only missing out on the ultimate prize through bad luck. He finished third in 2019 and second in 2020 and 2021, so his goal for this season and next, is clear; to first win and then successfully defend the world title. We truly believe he has the ability and the support necessary to achieve these goals. As for Thibault, he is a product of Yamaha’s racing program having been with us for more than 10-years. With Yamaha, he has progressed through the ranks, securing the EMX125 title on a YZ125 and the EMX250 title on a GYTR kitted YZ250F, and it’s a similar story for Rick too. Both are perfect examples of how a rider can develop and progress within the Yamaha Family. We look forward to celebrating even more achievements in the future.”

Hans Corvers, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team Owner: “We are happy to have retained both Jago and Thibault for next season, as both have shown that they are title contenders, and to strengthen our line-up with this years’ European EMX250 Champion Rick. As a team, we go into every season determined to fight for the world title, so it’s satisfying to know that once again we have three riders who are more than capable of helping us to achieve our ultimate goal. It’s not so easy to secure riders of this calibre, and the fact that both Jago and Thibault have opted to remain with us reflects favourably on both the team and on Yamaha. We’re looking forward to next season. We know we have a good package and now we also know we have the riders to exploit it to the full.”

Photo Copyright: Yamaha Racing

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