MX2

MAGGIORA (Italy) 8 May 2022 – The seventh round of the FIM Motocross World Championship has concluded with a muddy Italian Grand Prix in Maggiora Park that saw Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts secure back-to-back GP victories in MXGP and MX2.

The heavy rainfall in the night and some more throughout the day made for some tough conditions but the top MXGP and MX2 stars took on the challenge and produced some intense racing that saw Stephen Rubini of Ship to Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz celebrate his first podium in MX2 and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing claim a 2-3 podium with Jeremy Seewer and Maxime Renaux.

In the opening MXGP race of the Italian Grand Prix, the first Fox Holeshot went to Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Calvin Vlaanderen, who led Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux and Jeremy Seewer, as well as Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass.

Renaux then slipped by Gajser as he took over second place on the opening lap and the pair then battled closely for much of the race, with Gajser making several attempts to pass. While the two fought for second, Vlaanderen was looking pretty comfortable in the lead, until lap six when Renaux went through and lap or so later so did Gajser.

In that time, Seewer found his way past Jonass and could then put in a couple of good laps in order to close in on Vlaanderen, Gajser and Renaux.

As the fight between Renaux and Gajser intensified, the pair came within touching distance as they almost made contact, but it was the Slovenian who came out on top and became the new race leader on lap 11.

Seewer then upped his pace as he worked his way around Vlaanderen on lap 11, after battling with the Dutchman for four laps. Towards the final laps of the race, Seewer passed Renaux and then crashed with two laps to go but managed to get going quickly to maintain second position.

Gajser won the race, Seewer was second ahead of Renaux, Vlaanderen and Jonass.

In the second race, it was Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Ben Watson who secured his first Fox Holeshot of the 2022 season and led Jonass, Seewer and Gajser.

Gajser was quick to pass Seewer as Jonass took the lead away from Watson on lap two. The Brit then came under more pressure from Gajser and Seewer, and eventually dropped to fourth by the third lap.

SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery’s Alberto Forato was looking good as he challenged Renaux for his position and eventually took fifth away from the Frenchman. He looked solid for a couple of more laps before crashing and finishing the race in 13^th position.

On lap five we saw a change for the lead, as Gajser got around Jonass, while Seewer remained close. Moments later the Swiss got around the Latvian who crashed five or so laps later and dropped back to 8^th.

From then on it was a steady race for Gajser, as Seewer got comfortable in second, while Watson was looking good in third. Renaux was on a mission though, as he looked to fight back and score some solid points. On lap 12 the Frenchman sensed an opportunity to get Watson and took it with both hands and solidified his spot on the box.

Gajser won the race with a 20.264 second advantage over Seewer. Renaux was third ahead of Watson and Fernandez.

Gajser went on to claim his sixth overall win of the season, with Seewer finally making a comeback on the box since Matterley Basin to secure the second spot ahead of his teammate Renaux who celebrated his fourth podium in MXGP.

With Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado out for the Italian GP, this now means that Gajser leads by 81 points as Renaux moves into second in the championship standings ahead of Seewer who is third.

Tim Gajser: “Yeah, it was a good weekend, I was really enjoying those days. It was completely different, we had rain during the night so it was completely different and more technical let’s say. It was a good day and also good starts, then I took the time to find some nice lines to pass the guys in front of me, then could make a comfortable lead and then control the race. I really enjoyed the race and look forward to next weekend”.

Jeremy Seewer: “It took me way too long to be back on the podium which wasn’t in a very good form in the beginning of the season. You know, many things came in between. The crash in Argentina was a big setback and it took me a lot longer than I expected just to find my form again. And even now, I mean, I've done a good weekend, but I still feel like I can improve a lot. I'm not yet back to where I should be but there’s still a lot of racing left, we are very happy to be back on the box. And now I think I can still go step by step and improve and try, you know, to battle with Tim, because he's on a very good level”.

Maxime Renaux: “It was a really consistent day. There's one thing I'm really happy about this weekend is that we made a big step on the on the starts, I got three good starts, in the qualifying and both races, so that was a really good thing. Then I messed up between the first and second and second and third corner and went back to fifth and yeah, I was just not happy and satisfied about my riding in the second race. I know I can do much better and I know inside of me I still have so much left so we will try to figure it out and work hard coming into Riola Sardo next weekend”.

Main Photo: Tim Gajser

Bottom Photos: 1. Jeremy Seewer 2. Maxime Renaux

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 35:54.476; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:05.940; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:14.816; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:17.013; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:32.750; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:42.759; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:47.237; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:49.316; 9. Brian Bogers (NED, Husqvarna), +0:50.318; 10. Ben Watson (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:52.029;

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 34:52.491; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:20.264; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:30.434; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:32.382; 5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:34.972; 6. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +0:37.428; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:40.473; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:47.135; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:49.210; 10. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:52.099;

MXGP - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 44 p.; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 32 p.; 5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 31 p.; 6. Ben Watson (GBR, KAW), 29 p.; 7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 29 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 26 p.; 9. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 23 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 22 p.;

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 336 points; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 255 p.; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 231 p.; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 220 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 199 p.; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 194 p.; 7. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 173 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 166 p.; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 149 p.; 10. Alberto Forato (ITA, GAS), 132 p.;

MXGP - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Honda, 336 points; 2. Yamaha, 293 p.; 3. GASGAS, 242 p.; 4. Husqvarna, 230 p.; 5. Beta, 166 p.; 6. Kawasaki, 155 p.; 7. KTM, 151 p.; 8. Suzuki, 10 p.; 9. Fantic, 3 p.;

As the gate dropped for MX2 race one, the first Fox Holeshot of the weekend went to Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini who immediately crashed in the third corner and that also stopped Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle in his tracks and allowed Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts into the lead!

Geerts then led Kay Karssemakers of Hitachi KTM Fuelled by Milwaukee, Stephen Rubini of Ship to Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz as well as Hitachi KTM Fuelled by Milwaukee’s Isak Gifting.

Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf started well too along with Diga Procross KTM Racing’s Liam Everts who was running well inside the top 10.

Rubini then moved into second place as Guadagnini crashed once more. The Italian did not finish the rest of the race.

Everts then passed de Wolf to move into fifth place, as Gifting passed Karssemakers. The Dutchman then crashed which allowed Everts to move into fourth.  By that point Vialle was in seventh and catching up to de Wolf and the pair then battled intensely.

While at the front of the field, Rubini was looking impressive and was the fastest rider on the track for a while. The Frenchman consistently improved upon his lap times as he closed the gap to Geerts. This is when backmarkers started to play their part, as Rubini got help up which allowed Geerts to pull away.

At around the mid-way stage of the race, Everts found himself in the sights of de Wolf which meant that he could not afford any mistakes or a moment to relax. Eventually on lap 12, de Wolf was able to get by Everts, though crashed just two laps after that which handed fourth place back to Everts. By that point Vialle also picked up the pace as he got within striking distance of Everts. 

In the end, Geerts went on to win race one with Rubini crossing the line in second place ahead of Gifting, while Everts kept Vialle at bay to secure fourth.

In race two, the Fox Holeshot went to Karssemakers who led Vialle, Geerts, de Wolf and Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder. de Wolf dropped down to seventh as Längenfelder got by and so did Adamo and Guadagnini.

Geerts and Längenfelder then got by Karssemakers, as Längenfelder set the fastest lap of the race and looked to close the gap down between him and the Belgian ahead of him.

Adamo was next to go after the Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee of Kay Karssemakers but pushed too hard and crashed. The Italian got going again in 11^th but then slipped down to 16^th by the end of the race.

Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Mikkel Haarup, Rubini and F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Kevin Horgmo were locked in a close battle for seventh as they pushed their way closer to Guadagnini and de Wolf just ahead. Karssemakers was still ahead, with de Wolf pushing to get by but a mistake saw him drop to fifth, with Rubini and Haarup looming in his shadow.

Eventually de Wolf was able to get himself into fourth, as Karssemakers found himself being urged on by Rubini. As the Frenchman focused on the KTM rider ahead of him, Haarup was able to seize his own opportunity to get by, catching Rubini off by surprise, as did Horgmo who shortly after passed him too. 

Back with the leaders, Geerts kept things close to Vialle who was still the rider in the lead. In the final few laps the Belgian really stepped up his game as he applied the pressure onto his championship rival, though it was not enough to spook Vialle who ended up winning the race. Geerts was second, Längenfelder third, de Wolf finished fourth ahead of Haarup.

A 1-2 result of Geerts, compared to Vialle’s 5-1 gave Geerts the overall victory, with Vialle second on the box ahead of Rubini who celebrated his first ever podium in the world championship.

As it stands, Geerts leads the MX2 Championship with a 6-point advantage over Vialle. Längenfelder is third, five points ahead of de Wolf and Haarup who are tied on points in fourth and fifth.

Jago Geerts: “Yeah it was a really good day for me. First race, I got a good start and I was feeling good. Didn’t make too many mistakes. And then the second heat, in the first 15 minutes I was struggling a bit with the track, but after that I found some good lines and in the end had a battle with Tom but I finished second. Really happy about today and looking forward to the next race in Sardegna”.

Tom Vialle: “I couldn’t do so much; I didn’t have a bit of luck in the first race. I had a good start but then Mattia went on the inside, then into my rut and the bike turned around for him, so I was stuck and dropped quite a few positions. I was pretty far behind but came back to fifth. In the second race, I didn’t get the holeshot but I was first, Jago was pushing really hard in the end but I could manage to win the second race so I’m quite happy. There’s some positives to take away”

Stephen Rubini: "It was a really positive weekend, especially today on Sunday. We managed to do two good starts and to battle in the front is just so nice. It’s finally where I wanted to be, fighting at the front in the first race, putting in some good laps and catching up to Jago. And actually, after the second race I didn’t know I was on the podium until my friends told me and I was just relieved to know, it's been quite a few long years. And I'm happy to finally be where I want to be”.

Main Photos: Jago Geerts

Bottom Photos: 1. Tom Vialle 2. Stephen Rubini

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), 34:21.361; 2. Stephen Rubini (FRA, Honda), +0:09.035; 3. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), +0:21.906; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:25.604; 5. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:28.005; 6. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:41.030; 7. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:42.637; 8. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), +0:46.328; 9. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:48.170; 10. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GASGAS), +0:49.999;

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 35:31.289; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:01.505; 3. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:35.047; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:55.557; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:56.827; 6. Stephen Rubini (FRA, Honda), +1:03.356; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +1:07.566; 8. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +1:11.449; 9. Kay Karssemakers (NED, KTM), +1:12.800; 10. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +1:12.902;

MX2 - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 47 points; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 41 p.; 3. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 37 p.; 4. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 35 p.; 5. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 30 p.; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 30 p.; 7. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), 29 p.; 8. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 26 p.; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 23 p.; 10. Kay Karssemakers (NED, KTM), 22 p.;

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 291 points; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 285 p.; 3. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 216 p.; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 211 p.; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 211 p.; 6. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 199 p.; 7. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 172 p.; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GAS), 169 p.; 9. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), 165 p.; 10. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 158 p.;

MX2 – Manufacturers Classification: 1. Yamaha, 313 points; 2. KTM, 305 p.; 3. GASGAS, 265 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 245 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 225 p.; 6. Honda, 193 p.;

All the photos from the MXGP of Italy will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF ITALY QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1730m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 19° C

Weather conditions: Cloudy

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 22000

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP of Italy – Maggiora

MAGGIORA (Italy) 7 May 2022 – The first day of racing has concluded in Maggiora Park, the host of the MXGP of Italy and the seventh round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. 

After some intense battles, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle will go to the line first tomorrow as they claimed victories in the MXGP and MX2 qualifying heats, with Renaux claiming his second qualifying win in MXGP and Vialle his first of 2022. 

Alongside the world championship action, we also saw the first races of the EMX Open and EMX250 categories, with JD Gunnex KTM Racing’s Jose Butron and Fantic Factory Team Maddii’s Cornelius Toendel winning the opening heats, ready for tomorrow’s podium deciding races. 

In MXGP qualifying race, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux was flying out of the gate as he led Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Calvin Vlaanderen, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer and Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez. 

As riders fought for positions on the opening lap, Vlaanderen dropped down to sixth, while Gajser began to apply the pressure onto Renaux, with Seewer keeping a close eye on the pair ahead.  

Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass made a couple of nice passes to get himself into fifth, as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff took sixth from Vlaanderen. 

Gajser then set the fastest lap of the race in the early stages as he was searching for every opportunity to get around Renaux while for a moment it looked like Seewer was losing touch on the pair. 

On lap five Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Brian Bogers crashed out of ninth ahead of Alberto Forato of SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery, as wildcard rider Christophe Charlier of Riley Racing moved up to tenth with Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Ben Watson just behind him. Charlier held on to the position until the end of the heat, as Watson dropped back to 13^th. 

In the closing stages, Vlaanderen began to close the gap back down to Coldenhoff as he searched for a way to take back the position he lost earlier, all while Gajser started to look impatient as he struggled to find a way past the Frenchman ahead of him.  

Renaux did a great job to not crack under pressure as he secured his second qualifying win of the season in MXGP, ahead of Gajser, Seewer, Fernandez and Jonass. 

Maxime Renaux: “It was a great qualifying; it was good to get another holeshot in qualifying, but I want to get those holeshots in the races. It was a nice race, I had a lot of pressure from Tim throughout the whole race and I felt that he was pushing. It’s a good warm-up for tomorrow, I felt good on the track and let’s try to make two good starts in the races tomorrow, that would be nice”. 

MXGP - Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), 24:41.265; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:00.916; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:03.237; 4. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:11.549; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:15.912; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:17.609; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:18.397; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:20.427; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, GASGAS), +0:23.258; 10. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:28.944. 

Main Photo: Maxime Renaux

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser; 2 Jeremy Seewer

As the gate dropped for the MX2 qualifying race, it was Team VRT KTM Veritise’s Tom Guyon who grabbed the holeshot, though Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle was quick to take over the lead as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts slipped into second, with F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Kevin Horgmo following in tow. 

Vialle was then the fastest rider on track with Geerts just a few second behind, as Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini passed SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery’s Andrea Adamo for eighth. 

Geerts then responded to Vialle by setting his own flying lap as he looked to close in on the leader, while further down the field Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf crashed out of seventh but managed to get going fairly quickly to remain inside the top 10 but then dropped down to 11^th by the chequered flag.  

Guyon crashed out of fourth and made another mistake as he dropped down to 12^th, as Vialle and Geerts continued to trade in who set the fastest lap of the race as they continued to get faster. 

Jan Pancar of TEM JP253 was having a strong ride, after posting the fifth fastest time in time practice. The Slovenian eventually finished in 9^th. 

Throughout the race Vialle and Geerts stayed close, until Geerts crashed with just two laps to go and Vialle was able to take his first qualifying win of the season. Despite the mistake, Geerts managed to hold on to second place as Horgmo crossed the line in third ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Thibault Benistant and Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Mikkel Haarup. 

Tom Vialle: “It was a good race. I had a great start, and every lap Jago was pushing so it was not easy to make a gap, but I just tried to ride as good as possible. It’s the first qualification race win for me so it’s really nice. Normally on Saturday I don’t push so hard but now we have a good gate pick for tomorrow which is nice, so now we will try to do the same tomorrow”.  

MX2 - Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 24:56.098; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:04.987; 3. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:07.069; 4. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:13.664; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:14.600; 6. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +0:16.048; 7. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GASGAS), +0:19.857; 8. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), +0:22.187; 9. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:27.769; 10. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:30.648;

Main Photo: Tom Vialle

Bottom Photos: 1 Jago Geerts; 2. Kevin Horgmo

TIMETABLE (Local Timing CEST)

SUNDAY: 09:45 EMX Open Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 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 MXGP of Italy will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF ITALY QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1730m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 20° C

Weather conditions: Partly Cloudy

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Italy – Maggiora

MAGGIORA (Italy) 6 May 2022 – The FIM Motocross World Championship continues with the MXGP of Italy this weekend, as Maggiora Park is set to host its 11^th World Championship event since first making an appearance on the racing calendar in 1966.

As it stands, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser leads the MXGP standings with a 66-point advantage and with his closest rival Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado out of the GP with a dislocated shoulder, this weekend will see him extend the lead and get a tighter crip on the title. While in MX2, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle are level on points as they enter the seventh round of the series, which should make for some very interesting racing as the two title hopefuls start again from zero.

Don’t miss the action this weekend and check out the full list of channels below that will air LIVE and delayed action of the MXGP of Italy, 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 throughout the weekend, all you need to do is log onto www.MXGP-TV.com this Saturday and Sunday to watch the MXGP, MX2, EMX250 and EMX Open action from the comfort of your home.

USA CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 10:00 am ET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 11:00 am ET – LIVE

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 15:00 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – Delayed

BELGIUM 

PLAY SPORTS OPEN

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

VRT

Sunday 08 May 2022  – 20mn highlights

ESTONIA

Go3

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

FINLAND

MTV Max

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 (Local time GMT+3) - LIVE

FRANCE

AUTOMOTO LA CHAINE 

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 15:00 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 00:00 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 00:30 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 01:30 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 02:00 CET – Delayed

ITALY

RAI SPORT HD

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 22:30 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:30 CET – Delayed

RAI STREAMING

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE streaming

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE streaming

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 00:00 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 00:30 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 01:30 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 02:00 CET – Delayed

LATVIA

TV3 Sport Open

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

LITHUANIA

Go3

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

NETHERLANDS

NOS

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE Stream

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

SPAIN

TV Galicia

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

Teledeporte

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 or 2 – 22:15 CET – Delayed

RTVE Play

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE Stream

BRAZIL

Bandsports

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

ASIA

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

EUROSPORT ASIA

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 23:30 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 00:00 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 00:30 CET – Delayed

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 01:00 CET – Delayed

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

VIACOM SPORT 18

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

PACIFIC

AUSTRALIA

STAN SPORTS

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 08 May 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – 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                                  Firday 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

                                    Redbull TV                               Race Craft and Vlog

MXGP of Italy LIVE MXGP-TV Timetable

TIMETABLE (Local Timing CEST)

SATURDAY: 09:45 EMX Open Free Practice, 10:15 EMX250 Free Practice, 10:50 MX2 Free Practice, 11:20 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 12:45 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:25 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 14:45 EMX Open Race 1, 15:30 EMX250 Race 1, 16:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:45 EMX Open Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 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 MXGP of Italy will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Italy – Maggiora

After an outstanding 2021 MX2 championship season, Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing rider Mattia Guadagnini was expected to come into the 2022 season as one of the favourites for the title hunt. The Italian rider hasn’t really had the season so far that he had hoped for, with the last three round being very up and down after a strong performance in round three in Argentina, where Guadagnini went 3-4 for fourth overall.

Seventh in the World championship points at the moment, is not where anyone expected the Italian to be come round seven, and despite the odd strong showing, we still haven’t seen the best of Guadagnini.

In Portugal around a month ago he could only pick up 25 points and his confidence took a bit of a knock. Feeling comfortable on the bike the Italian continues to make mistakes, mistakes that he felt cost him at the least a podium finish.

“My riding was really good this weekend,” Guadagnini said. “However, I just made too many mistakes. That cost me a podium and maybe even a win, so I am quite sad about that. I think that we have some positives to take from the weekend though, like the start in the first race and my riding. We are just going to keep working! The championship is long, and we need to be there fighting for the podium.”

Back home in Trentino for the next round, Guadagnini improved somewhat with 7-4 scores and the hard pack gave him some joy as he battled the best 250 riders in the World. Feeling that the speed was there, starts didn’t help his cause.

"I was feeling really, really good on the track this weekend. I showed what I could do in the second race and did one of the best laps of the race towards the end; I just need to focus on the start. If I start in the top three, then I know that I can go for the win. The best thing to come from this weekend was my speed.”

And at the last round in Kegums, Latvia, Guadagnini once again dropped major points as he made more mistakes, even running off the circuit in the opening race and finished in 14^th, before coming back strong in the second race to claim a much better fifth place finish.

“It was not the best weekend. I went off track in the first race and lost a lot of time, then I lost my rhythm and could only manage to get fourteenth. That was really bad. I had a better start in the second race, but I was not riding the best in the first few laps and got passed. I did not want to make any mistakes and throw another race away, so I just took fifth place. I know that I can do more than this. The results will come.”

Now, as Guadagnini enters round seven, back home in Italy again and at the magnificent Maggiora circuit, you get the feeling he can once again pick up some solid points and possibly move further up the MX2 World championship points standings. Trying to get his season back on track is the ultimate goal for the GasGas rider.

Photo Copyright: Juan Pablo Acevedo

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 4 May 2022 – The seventh round of the FIM Motocross World Championship is heading back to the legendary Maggiora Park this weekend for the MXGP of Italy.

Last season, Maggiora Park made its much-anticipated return to the MXGP calendar, after closing its doors in late 2016. In that time, the well-known Italian circuit was revived and made its World Championship return, re-introducing a beloved old-school traditional circuit with some modernised touches.  

The hillside track based in the north of Italy has a rich history having hosted numerous FIM Motocross World Championship events since the late 60’s, including the most memorable 1970, 1986 and 2016 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

Maggiora stats & facts:

• First GP hosted in 1966 and was won by Paul Friedrichs
• Host of the legendary 1970, 1986 & 2016 Monster Energy FIM MXoN
• 10 GP’s hosted in total since 1966 – this year will be the 11^th!
• Jeffrey Herlings has won the most GPs in Maggiora than any other rider (3 – 2013, 2014 & 2021)

Joining the MXGP and MX2 riders this weekend will be the EMX categories with rounds three and four of the EMX250 and EMX Open Championships. In EMX250, after two rounds Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Rick Elzinga leads the championship with 93 points over Fantic Factory Team Maddii’s Cornelius Toendel and Oriol Oliver of WZ Racing. Elzinga has won both of the first two rounds in Lombardia and Portugal, so it will be interesting to see if he can carry on his winning streak, or whether a new rider will rise to the occasion.

Meanwhile in EMX Open, just a point separates Raths Motorsports’ Michael Sandner and Jose Butron from JD Gunnex KTM Racing Team in the championship standings, after Sandner’s DNF in race one at the Latvian round saw him in danger of losing the red plate. Butron will enter the Italian round following his first overall victory of the season, so it will be interesting to see whether he can repeat his success and take control of the series.

As we head into round seven of the series, news broke that defending world champion Jeffrey Herlings of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will sit out the remainder of the season. Herlings will undergo two corrective surgeries and will instead focus his efforts on being ready for 2023. Meanwhile there is still no news on Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Romain Febvre and his return. 

At the moment Team HRC’s Tim Gajser is in the driving season of the championship and after the perfect scorecard in Latvia last weekend and his fifth GP win of the season, the Slovenian will be looking to continue his winning streak and deliver a much more positive result this time around in Maggiora, compared to last year’s 5-6 scorecard for seventh overall.

Gajser has previously won in Maggiora back in 2015 though this was in MX2, and he is yet to win in the MXGP category at the hillside venue. As it stands, Gajser currently leads all of the stats so far in terms of pole positions, laps led, race wins, GP victories and podiums, therefore having him as a top contender for the win this weekend wouldn’t be that surprising.

Of course, his closest title rival and the rider who follows him in all of those stats is Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado. Prado will be looking to bounce back after a disastrous weekend in Kegums. A 12^th and 13^th in the races saw Prado now drop to 66 points behind Gajser, so maximum points will be needed for the Spaniard in order to not lose grip on his chance to go for his first MXGP championship.

Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass will enter the Italian Grand Prix off the back of a very successful weekend on home soil that saw him battle at the front of the field and challenging Gajser for race wins on his way to his first podium of 2022. In the end Jonass confirmed he needed to “keep his feet on the ground” which was a very mature decision by the Latvian, in order to deliver a solid result rather than risk it all. Now having had a race weekend where he was consistently fighting with the championship leaders, this should give him confidence for the rest of the year and it will be interesting to see how he can follow up with that.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff was among the three riders that were tied on points for the GP victory last season in Maggiora. The Dutchman finished on 40 points alongside Red KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli, with Herlings’ race two victory eventually overruling the scores of the other two riders. Having those memories will be a bonus for Coldenhoff who has been building for a podium finish this season and has been looking strong ever since Portugal where he won the qualifying race and has been close to a spot on the box ever since.

His teammates Maxime Renaux and Jeremy Seewer have also been in the mix at the sharp end consistently. Though when it comes to looking at the numbers, Renaux is currently the most successful rider on the team this season, if we measure ‘success’ by podium finishes, which the Frenchman has three under his belt compared to Seewer’s one. Seewer also revealed that he struggled in Latvia, as did Renaux, so it would be good to see the pair back at the top this time around.

Honda 114 Motorsports Ruben Fernandez is a rider to watch this weekend. The Spaniard secured his first MXGP podium of his career in Latvia, going 3-4 for third overall. Now it will be interesting to see if that first podium will change anything for Fernandez and whether he can follow up with more.

Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Arminas Jasikonis is on the entry list for the Italian Grand Prix and will hopefully make his come back after missing the last four GPs. Looking at the current entry list, Beta SDM Corse’s Alessandro Lupino will also return to racing

Making a wildcard appearance for this GP will be David Philippaerts who is a usual regular when it comes to racing the Italian GP’s.

Home rider Alberto Forato of SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery will be looking to put on his best performance on home soil and continue delivering the strong results that he has been showing so far. He currently sits ninth in the championship standings which is pretty impressive. There are quite a few Italians to watch out for in general this weekend including Fantic Factory Team Maddii’s Nicholas Lapucci and Filippo Zonta among quite a few others who will wildcard this weekend.

2021 MXGP of Italy Top 3 – MXGP:

1. Jeffrey Herlings (40 pts)

2. Glenn Coldenhoff (40 pts)

3. Antonio Cairoli (40 pts)

Main Photo: MXGP Start 2021

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser 2. Glenn Coldenhoff

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 286 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 220 p.; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 215 p.; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 187 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 177 p.; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 163 p.; 7. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 154 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 140 p.; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, GAS), 124 p.; 10. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 120 p.;

In MX2 things are getting interesting at the top of the championship standings as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts took back the red plate in Latvia with a clean 1-1 overall victory, though he remains tied on points with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle. So, it’s back to square one for the pair, as they basically start from zero, which should make for some very interesting racing.

In Latvia, Geerts was on top of his game and keen on making up for lost ground in Trentino where a DNF saw him lose the championship lead. Meanwhile, Vialle struggled to find his rhythm all weekend long in Kegums, so will be looking to bring his A game this weekend and take maximum points. Last year the MXGP of Italy was not the best for Vialle, who after getting injured a few weeks prior, only managed a few laps of the races.

What would be nice to see this weekend is something special from Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini. Last season, Guadagnini had a dream weekend in Maggiora, winning a race and then subsequently winning the GP (his very first one and on home soil) as well as taking the red plate! Of course, expectations are going to be high this weekend, as the Italian is yet to finish on the podium this year and this weekend could be his best opportunity to do it.

The second Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing rider Simon Längenfelder is currently third in the championship, sitting on the same points as Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf and Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Mikkel Haarup. Since his podium in Great Britain, Längenfelder has come close to the podium, but consistency its what’s letting him down lately. Meanwhile, de Wolf has also had some very solid results this year, he’s been on the podium twice but has also had a couple of races, where consistency was the reason why he narrowly missed out on a spot on the box. Either way both Längenfelder and de Wolf are still a pair to watch out for this weekend.

Meanwhile Haarup had a tough weekend in Latvia after an unavoidable crash, on a landing of a jump where another rider had already fallen, took him out of the running for his fourth consecutive podium. Before that, Haarup was running well and had presented himself as a real threat at the sharp end, so hopefully he can bounce back this weekend and see the beginning of another podium streak.

F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Kevin Horgmo had a near perfect weekend in Kegums and continued the team’s success in Latvia, securing his first podium in MX2 with second overall. Horgmo led an impressive 11 laps of the second race, before getting caught by Geerts, nonetheless, the Norwegian showed that he is fast enough, fit enough and most importantly confident enough to lead races which is a huge confidence boost in itself. It will be interesting to see what the next race has in store and whether the result in Kegums will be like a springboard for Horgmo for the rest of the season.

The Italian GP this weekend will also be a home round for SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery’s Andrea Adamo. Since his podium in Mantova, Adamo has struggled to put together two consistent results. Also not scoring points in race two at the MXGP of Trentino didn’t help his overall standings as he currently sits in 8^th behind Guadagnini. A home GP is usually special for any rider, so hopefully that extra boost of motivation to perform well on home soil will see Adamo fighting with the leaders once again.

Gianluca Facchetti of Team Beddini Racing KTM is also on the entry list, along with another local rider Daniel Gimm who will make a wildcard appearance this weekend.

2021 MXGP of Italy Top 3 – MX2:

1. Mattia Guadagnini (47 pts)

2. Maxime Renaux (37 pts)

3. Jago Geerts (34 pts)

Main Photo: MX2 Start 2021

Bottom Photos: 1. Jago Geerts 2. Mattia Guadagnini

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 244 points; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 244 p.; 3. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 181 p.; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 181 p.; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 181 p.; 6. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 176 p.; 7. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 161 p.; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GAS), 153 p.; 9. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), 136 p.; 10. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 121 p.;

TIMETABLE (Local Timing CEST)

SATURDAY: 09:45 EMX Open Free Practice, 10:15 EMX250 Free Practice, 10:50 MX2 Free Practice, 11:20 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 12:45 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:25 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 14:45 EMX Open Race 1, 15:30 EMX250 Race 1, 16:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:45 EMX Open Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 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 MXGP of Italy will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Italy – Maggiora

The FIM Motocross World Championship heads to Maggiora Park for round seven of the series this weekend, for the MXGP of Italy. Check out the timetable and entry lists below:

TIMETABLE

MXGP ENTRY LIST

MX2 ENTRY LIST

EMX250 ENTRY LIST

EMX OPEN ENTRY LIST