MX2

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 6 July 2021 – MXGP is thrilled to continue the Fox Holeshot competition, that is running throughout the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship season, together with MXGP partner Fox.

How does the competition work?

During both MXGP and MX2 races, the rider who crosses the white line painted on the ground at the exit of the first corner will be awarded 1 point. At the end of the season, the 2 riders, one per category, with the most Fox Holeshot points will win the mega prize!

During the Monster Energy MXGP of Italy we once again saw four different riders dominate the starts to each received the Fox Holeshot plate!

In the first MXGP race it was the race winner Romain Febvre of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team who added another Fox Holeshot to his season campaign, as he dominated the entire opening race to claim his first race win of the year. Meanwhile in the second heat it was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff who was quick out of the gate, crossing the white chalk line first to get himself into an early lead.

In MX2, it was a Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing affair as Thibault Benistant claimed the first Fox Holeshot on his way to a race win, while in the second heat it was Jago Geerts who got himself out in front into the first corner to claim his first Fox Holeshot of the season, on his way to a top three podium finish!

As it stands, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre edge out in the competition with two points, meanwhile in MX2 there’s currently six riders all on one point each.

MXGP Fox Holeshot Classifications

MX2 Fox Holeshot Classifications

Watch the FOX Holeshot Films from the Monster Energy MXGP of Italy below. 

MAGGIORA (Italy) 4 July 2021 – The Monster Energy MXGP of Italy has concluded in Maggiora with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing victorious in MXGP and MX2, as Jeffrey Herlings and Mattia Guadagnini secured overall victories in their respective categories.  

The day was full of excitement, as we started things off with a special parade lap which featured former FIM Motocross World Championship riders Gautier Paulin, Joel Smets and Alex Puzar, followed up by four interesting races that kept the crowd of spectators on their toes.  

In MXGP, the podium was close as the top three riders were all tied on 40 points. But it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Jeffrey Herlings who put in a stellar effort to get himself onto the top step of the podium, while Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff made his podium debut with factory Yamaha to finish second overall, as Antonio Cairoli of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing added another top three finish to his 10^th title chase.

In race one, it was Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team rider Romain Febvre who grabbed the Fox Holeshot and was followed by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and Cairoli.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff and Ben Watson got off to a good start and were sitting fourth and fifth, with their teammate Jeremy Seewer inside the top 10 too.

Herlings started the race down in 6^th and was pushing through the field until a jammed rock in his back break made things difficult, for which he had to pull over to fix and as a result lost valuable positions and time.

Seewer then went after Watson, for 7^th place and a couple of laps later so did Herlings, pushing the Brit down to 9^th where he eventually finished the race – this was his best result of the season so far.  

Herlings continued his charge as he went after Seewer and then four laps later managed to get Jonass as well, to finish the race 6^th, all while Febvre comfortably led the entire race with Prado, Cairoli and Coldenhoff behind him.

At one stage it did look like Gajser would make a move on Coldenhoff, though the Slovenian was unable to do so and the Dutchman could not edge close enough to get Cairoli and Prado either. Febvre took the race win with Prado second and Cairoli third.

In race two, things were very different thanks to the heavy rain that started to fall just before the gate dropped. As the race got going, it was Coldenhoff who grabbed the second Fox Holeshot of the day. He then led Herlings, Henry Jacobi of JM Honda Racing, Prado, Seewer and Cairoli on the opening lap, as Gajser started down in 11^th.

Race 1 winner, Febvre started the race in 7^th before making several mistakes and eventually finishing the race in 12^th position.

Coldenhoff maintained a healthy 3-4 second gap to Herlings, as Jacobi was doing a great job keeping up with the Dutchman, as Cairoli and Prado were both looking to get around the German themselves, but were not able to do so.  

By lap 12, Herlings was the new race leader and not long after Cairoli was finally able to get around Jacobi to move up into P3. Jacobi then dropped another position, as Jonass passed him too, with Gajser managing to get back to 6^th after a tough race.

Herlings was the race winner, with Coldenhoff second and Cairoli third. The race top 3 was exactly how they went up to the podium with all three riders tied on points. Though it was Herlings with the Grand Prix victory.

Despite missing the podium, Tim Gajser continues to lead the MXGP championship and sits just 6 points ahead of Jeffrey Herlings, with Romain Febvre a further 11 points back.

Jeffrey Herlings: “After the first race I was 7^th or 6^th behind Tim and got a stone between my rear brake, at one point I didn’t know what it was so I had to stop. I lost many places and about 20 seconds I think and then I had to come back to 6th. I had to make a really late race charge. Before the second race, I was really bummed and wanted to go for the win. Then just before I gave up it was pouring down rain and came a bit unexpected, so I had to make a last-minute decision regarding the tyre, goggle and whatsoever. Second race I came off really good, I was in third, raced to second then I wanted to save my goggle because in a mud race goggles are pretty important. So I always had a gap to Glenn, once I got into the lapped riders, I tried to attack and managed to pass Glenn, I was already counting and then I was like I will have the advantage for the overall and with a few laps to go I was going to win the overall. I lost a lot of the points into the championship, I started unlucky but it’s good heading into Oss in two week time. I think we are just 6 points behind. Still a lot in the championship so I won’t really look at the points because at the past I was counting, counting, counting, and sometimes I was over 150 points up front, I still didn’t win the championship, so I don’t count anymore, I just look race by race. I look at every race individually and try to be the best I can every single weekend. I want to thank the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, they did a great job. The bike was good and especially in the second race with all the mud”. 

Glenn Coldenhoff: “Orlyonok was a tough one for me, but I was surprised because my feeling was very good there. England was a bit better. But today straight from the first lap I felt really good and comfortable. In the first race I was behind Tony Cairoli, and I was a bit faster, but the track was lined, it was difficult to pass but, in the end, I spent quite some energy which resulted in not so much, let’s say, still fourth. In the second race the start was very good, holeshot and the team you know has been working so hard for this, I’m really thankful for that and want to give it up to them. In general, that second race, I was leading, I felt confident out there until halfway through the race, I started to struggle a little bit. Jeffrey was fast in the end, but I knew we had a twenty second gap to third and If I was to finish in front of Jeffrey, I knew I would win, but like I said I was not comfortable in the second part of the race. I’m really happy to be back on the podium and that’s where I think I belong; It’s a good confidence boost going into Oss in two weeks’ time and I’m really looking forward to that GP”.

Antonio Cairoli: “I’m really happy about the podium of course but not happy about that second race because I had the speed to ride in front. I started sixth or seventh then managed to pass Jorge Prado and a few other guys and then I arrive at the back of Henry Jacobi but my roll-off’s broke immediately because of a stone. The guys in front pulled away and I couldn’t pass Jacobi, so I really struggled to find a place to pass him but in the end I managed to do so on the last three laps. I’m training a lot on the mud lately and my feeling is good. I’m really looking forward to the sand races now, I’ve not been riding a lot on the sand lately but I love it, it’s my first favourite ground so I’m looking forward to being in Oss in a couple of weeks and hopefully we can continue to build up condition and try to stay in front again”.

Tim Gajser: “It was a tough day for us, I was struggling with the starts. First race I had a solid start but then passing was not easy so I kind of just settled for fifth and followed Glenn all race. Second one, I had a wild race, the rain and the storm came for the first half of the race, I lost the goggles immediately in the first lap and then I was struggling the whole race. I managed to come back to sixth in the end, but it was not easy to ride. But anyway, overall, I have to be happy as it could be worse. But now I am really looking forward to going to Oss”.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), 34:00.711; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:02.948; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:05.240; 4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:06.961; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:09.446; 6. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:13.052; 7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GASGAS), +0:14.708; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:30.816; 9. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:37.357; 10. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), +0:46.310;

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 35:58.417; 2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:06.911; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:29.021; 4. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GASGAS), +0:31.204; 5. Henry Jacobi (GER, Honda), +0:31.717; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:32.851; 7. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:46.734; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:52.013; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), +1:09.670; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +1:13.969;

MXGP - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 40 points; 2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 40 p.; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 34 p.; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GAS), 32 p.; 7. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 31 p.; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 26 p.; 9. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 22 p.; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 21 p.;

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 124 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 118 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 107 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 105 p.; 5. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 97 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 86 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 82 p.; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GAS), 82 p.; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), 69 p.; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 60 p.;

MXGP - Manufacturers Classification: 1. KTM, 134 points; 2. Honda, 125 p.; 3. Kawasaki, 107 p.; 4. Yamaha, 103 p.; 5. GASGAS, 82 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 46 p.;

Main Photo: Jeffrey Herlings

Bottom Photos: 1. Glenn Coldenhoff 2. Antonio Cairoli

In MX2 the racing was nail-biting as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Mattia Guadagnini secured his first overall GP victory and did so on home soil, in front of his home crowd. As Maxime Renaux of Monster Energy Yamaha Racing made it two podiums in a row following a win in Great Britain, while his teammate Jago Geerts made a strong comeback after two tough GP’s and injury.

In race one, it was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Thibault Benistant who took the Fox Holeshot as he led Guadagnini, Geerts and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay De Wolf and Jed Beaton.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle did go out in the first race but failed finish and did not start race two either.

Beaton was able to get past his teammate to get himself into 4^th, while further down the field the Championship leader (at the time) Ruben Fernandez of Honda 114 Motorsports was getting closer to the top 5 after passing Stephen Rubini of Honda Racing Assomotor for 7^th.

Fernandez then started to close in on De Wolf for 5^th as Mathys Boisrame of F&H Kawasaki Racing was also looking to get involved in the battle. Fernandez was eventually able to pass the Husqvarna rider on lap 11.

Benistant extended his lead to 6.092 seconds at one stage over Guadagnini, as Geerts was coming under fire from a group of riders behind him, including Beaton, Fernandez, De Wolf and Renaux.

Fernandez was eventually able to get Beaton on lap 15 and then just a lap later he also passed Geerts for third. Benistant was the race winner with Guadagnini almost 10 seconds behind in P2 and Fernandez 3^rd.  

In race two, it was Geerts who led the way as he secured his first Fox Holeshot of the season with Guadagnini and Rene Hofer just behind. Guadagnini wasted no time and by the end of the lap was the new race leader as Renaux slipped into second.

Renaux then made a mistake which lost him valuable time on Guadagnini, who was focused on riding his own race and held healthy lead.  

Fernandez was unlucky in the beginning of the second race, as it took him 7 laps to get inside of the points.

Both Simon Längenfelder and Isak Gifting of DIGA Procross GasGas Factory Racing had a good start of the race as they were both inside the top 10 at one stage. Längenfelder was able to maintain a good position to finish the race 8^th, while Gifting was down in 31^st.

Beaton then lost three positions to Hofer and F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Roan Van De Moosdijk and later Boisrame, as Hofer went after Geerts.  

Van De Moosdijk eventually was able to get around Geerts for third as well, with his teammate doing the same as the pair placed 3^rd and 4^th. Geerts did managed to get Hofer back by the end of the race, all while Guadagnini took his second race win of the season, as Renaux finished second, with Moosdijk third.

Guadagnini was the overall winner with a 2-1 result, with Renaux finishing second on 37 points and Geerts third on 34 points. With Fernandez only scoring 29 points today, Mattia Guadagnini is now the new MX2 Championship leader, with Maxime Renaux just 2 points behind him and Ruben Fernandez dropping to 3^rd.

Mattia Guadagnini: “It’s crazy, I don’t even know what to say, It’s too good. The day started pretty good, I had sixth in time practice and took a good start for race one. Then I was second and didn’t want to take any risks, I was behind Thibault Benistant in second and just tried to keep calm, maybe tried to pass him in the last part of the race, but then he was also fast, so I was just happy with the second place. And then in the second race I had a good start, I was second and pushed in the first lap to take the lead and then just had fun and was feeling good, so I could take a good gap and relax at the last few laps and enjoy it. It’s amazing for me, my first GP win in Italy and also taking the red plate, I didn’t know, it was a surprise, but I just don’t want to think about it, I just want to try my best every race and then let’s see”.

“I’m pretty good also in the sand, so we will try to get some good training and be ready for some sand races in Oss”.

Maxime Renaux: “The first race was tough because I had a really bad start and then had a crash also after five laps, I guess. Then coming into the second race, I just wanted to get a good result to try to get on the podium and actually second place was enough to get second overall, so I was happy with that. I had a really good lap time this morning and straight away I was feeling good with the track, had some issues and body problems in the end so I was not in the best shape, but I still managed to get second overall today and it’s consistent so that’s how I wanted the entire season to go”.

“I knew if I passed Mattia I would get the red plate, but I just didn’t want to make any mistakes or go crazy because he was really fast and I was just not feeling it, so second was enough for me. Now I just want to try to get consistent and get the red plate later on in the season. For sure in the next races if I can get it, I will, but I don’t want to put pressure on myself to have it as soon as possible”.

Jago Geerts: “I’m really happy with my first podium of the season. The first two races were really tough, also with my knee injury, but it’s getting a lot better. I’m happy with the day, two solid races. I know I don’t really have the pace to battle for the win yet, but I will train hard throughout the next two weeks, and I will be waiting for Oss”.

“Currently I’m not thinking about the title but it’s still a really long season, so anything can happen, but first I just want to get 100% and battle for the win again”.

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), 34:16.807; 2. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), +0:09.598; 3. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:17.177; 4. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:20.260; 5. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:20.592; 6. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:21.057; 7. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:23.274; 8. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:27.653; 9. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:28.549; 10. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +0:31.669;

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), 34:43.918; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:03.433; 3. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:05.691; 4. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:08.375; 5. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:10.306; 6. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), +0:10.922; 7. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:13.680; 8. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:24.458; 9. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:28.110; 10. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GASGAS), +0:32.686;

MX2 - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), 47 points; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 37 p.; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 34 p.; 4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 32 p.; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 32 p.; 6. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 31 p.; 7. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 30 p.; 8. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 29 p.; 9. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 26 p.; 10. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 25 p.;

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), 113 points; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 111 p.; 3. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 108 p.; 4. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 105 p.; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 99 p.; 6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 80 p.; 7. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 79 p.; 8. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 70 p.; 9. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 67 p.; 10. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 67 p.;

MX2 - Manufacturers Classification: 1. KTM, 140 points; 2. Yamaha, 124 p.; 3. Kawasaki, 113 p.; 4. Honda, 108 p.; 5. GASGAS, 74 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 73 p.;

Main Photo: Mattia Guadagnini 

Bottom Photos: 1. Maxime Renaux; 2. Jago Geerts

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos from the Monster Energy MXGP of Italy will be available HERE

MONSTER ENERGY MXGP OF ITALY – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1730m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 26°

Weather conditions: Cloudy with rain

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Maggiora

MAGGIORA (Italy) 3 July 2021 - Following the final EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing heat in Maggiora, a special press conference took place to present the 'Maglia Azzurra' that Team Italy will wear at the 2021 edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Mantova this September.

Present for the occasion was Italian Motorcycle Federation Representative Francesco Mezzasalma, Motocross Committee Coordinator Roberto Rustichelli and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli.   

2021 is a special year for the Italian Motorcycle Federation who will celebrate their 110^th year anniversary and to commemorate such a special occasion, the jersey features graphics from Italian victories back in the 80s and 90s for the glorious moment.

The official team jersey will not only be used at this year’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations but will also be worn by the Junior Motocross World Championship team in Greece on July the 31^st and August the 1st.

While we still wait for the official announcement of the Team Italy line-up for this year’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, this presentation was the perfect teaser of what can be expected of Italian team ahead of the event in September.

Francesco Mezzasalma: “I wish to welcome everybody to Maggiora on behalf of the FMI President Giovanni Copioli and the Federation. Today is an important day for our sport. I saw Cairoli moving his first steps in motocross in Sicily and, to present the Maglia Azzurra with him today made us very proud.”

Roberto Rustichelli: “I’m very pleased to present this jersey today. Some details on the jersey, there is a new logo at the front, celebrating 110^th Anniversary of the Italian Motorcycle Federation. We also added some more details in tribute of the victories in the 80’s and 90’s as these were days we didn’t want to forget. The jersey will be worn at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Mantova, as well as the Junior Motocross World Championship in Greece and we have big expectations for both races and we hope that this will be a lucky shirt for both, professional riders and young talents”.

Antonio Cairoli: “I’m really happy to hopefully be part of Team Italy, my goal is to bring my country as high as possible every year. This year I hope we have a strong team and we will be racing on home soil, so for us it is a good possibility to win this trophy. We will try our best to at least be on the podium again. I have worn the Maglia Azzurra in many occasions as I represented my country and this is always a big honour.”

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

The third stop of the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship series is taking place in Maggiora for the Monster Energy MXGP of Italy. 

Timetable & Entry Lists for the event are available for download in PDF format here below: 

TIMETABLE

MXGP Entry List

MX2 Entry List

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Entry List

EMX OPEN Entry List

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 30 June 2021 – The 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship continues as we enter round three with the Monster Energy MXGP of Italy.

The Italian Grand Prix returns to Maggiora Park this weekend, a track that has a very rich motocross history dating back to 1966 when the circuit first hosted the FIM Motocross World Championship with the Grand Prix dominated by Paul Friedrichs on the CZ.

The hillside track based in the north of Italy has hosted numerous FIM Motocross World Championship events since then, including the most memorable 1970, 1986 and 2016 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

Following the 2016 edition of MXoN the track closed its doors and after undergoing some work, Maggiora will be revived this weekend as it returns to the MXGP calendar for this year’s Monster Energy MXGP of Italy!

Joining the MXGP and MX2 riders this weekend will be the EMX categories, with round one of the EMX Open Championship as well as the second instalment of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing. Fantic Factory Team Maddii rider Haakon Osterhagen leads the 125cc Championship ahead of Ferruccio Zanchi of Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC and Brit Bobby Bruce from ASA United GasGas, so it will be interesting to see how the action unfolds this time around. Meanwhile the EMX Open class is all to play for as we will get a taste of what this year’s contenders can do. 

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli will enter his home Grand Prix with the confidence of a Grand Prix victory a week ago in Great Britain where he went 1-3 to secure his 93^rd GP win. While Maggiora may not be a circuit that Cairoli feels most suited to, there is no doubt that the support of a home crowd will give him that extra edge.

Of course, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser will be looking to create more success at the iconic track following his win there in 2015, the same year he became MX2 World Champion. There’s no secret that Gajser is extremely strong this season and Maggiora is just another hard-pack track that we’re likely to see him shine at.

Much like Gajser, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre will want to repeat his success in Maggiora too, including his MXGP GP win in 2015, the same year he also became World Champion and of course not forgetting the 2016 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations where Febvre won with Team France for the third consecutive time. Febvre is a strong podium contender for this weekend and his results from the first two rounds just go to prove that. He secured a podium in Orlyonok and missed on a spot on the box by the slimmest of margins in Britain last weekend. He was also close to securing his first race win in Matterley Basin before losing the lead on the final two laps to Gajser. This of course was frustrating for the Kawasaki rider, so there’s no doubt he’ll want to fight back and get back on the podium this time around.

For Jeffrey Herlings of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, the upcoming race weekend is just another opportunity to get back up to speed, as the next few events will be taking place at tracks that are more suited to the sand-loving Dutchman. But of course, Herlings is also another rider who knows how to win in Maggiora, having done so in 2013 and 2014 back during his MX2 career. As it stands it’s Herlings who holds the most GP victories at the Italian track, but could he add a third?

Another rider to look out for is Standing Construct GASGAS Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass as he continues his top 10 success. In Orlyonok the Latvian didn’t have the best of luck as he DNF’d the first race, though that second heat was a real turning point as he place 3^rd which gave him 8^th overall. Then we moved on to Matterley Basin where he got two very solid results 6-6 for 6^th overall. He’s proving to be strong on a hard track so Maggiora could be another opportunity for Jonass to fight for a podium finish.

This weekend’s races will of course be special for other home riders, including MRT Racing Team KTM’s Alessandro Lupino, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Ivo Monticelli and Alberto Forato of SM Action Racing Team who will line up in front of their local fans. Lupino will be looking to add another top 10 finish to his scorecard, while Monticelli and Forato will be looking for stronger results following a tough weekend in Great Britain.

2015 MXGP of Italy – MXGP Top 3:

1. Romain Febvre

2. Kevin Strijbos

3. Todd Waters

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 93 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 78 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 73 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 65 p.; 5. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 61 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 60 p.; 7. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), 54 p.; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GAS), 50 p.; 9. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 43 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 42 p.;

Main Photo: 2015 MXGP Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Antonio Cairoli 2. Romain Febvre

In MX2 it’s all to play for too, with plenty of podium contenders and potential race winners to choose from. Possibly one of the most exciting things to discuss is that Honda 114 Motorsports Ruben Fernandez will enter the third round as the MX2 World Championship leader.

Fernandez has grabbed everyone’s attention with his recent results and the incredible battles that he has delivered. In Orlyonok we saw the Spaniard fight with Tom Vialle of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and his teammate Rene Hofer, while in Britain we were once again treated to some incredible combat between Fernandez and Hofer and then also Mathys Boisrame of F&H Kawasaki Racing and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini.

Fernandez looks strong this year, he’s able to get up in the mix, fight hard and respond when is necessary, which is why he’s been consistently on the podium so far.

While Tom Vialle was forced to pull out of the British GP due to an injury he sustained during the week, it looks like Vialle will be back for Maggiora, though his participating is not yet confirmed. There is no doubt Vialle is keen on getting back racing and claw back as many points as he can in order to have a fighting chance of defending his title.

Rene Hofer has also been on a high, with the Austrian consistently battling at the top end of the field which just goes to prove that Red Bull KTM Factory Racing have got a strong MX2 line-up this season, just like they do in MXGP.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux will enter the Italian Grand Prix confident, following his GP win in Matterley Basin. Renaux had two strong races last weekend going 1-2 and also Maggiora is a track he knows and has ridden before and even won at before back in 2015 when he was an EMX125 rider.

F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Mathys Boisrame and Roan Van De Moosdijk are a threat this weekend, with the pair becoming regulars when it comes to challenging at the top end of the field. Both riders have been consistently finishing together, with Boisrame 3^rd in Orlyonok and 4^th overall in Great Britain, while Moosdijk placed 4^th at the MXGP of Russia and 5^th in Matterley Basin.

And of course, we can’t forget the young Italian talent that is Mattia Guadagnini of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Last weekend in Britain we finally got to see the Italian shine as he took his first race win and secured a second overall on the podium – an emotional moment for sure. Now Guadagnini heads to his home GP with the confidence boost of his win and podium in Great Britain which will no doubt give him the push to keep going and deliver even better results this time around.

Other Local riders to keep an eye out for will be Andrea Adamo of SM Action Racing Team and Gianluca Facchetti of Team Honda Racing Assomotor.

2015 MXGP of Italy – MX2 Top 3:

1.  Tim Gajser

2.  Jeffrey Herlings

3. Jeremy Seewer

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), 36:34.006; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:02.407; 3. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), +0:04.397; 4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:09.087; 5. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:10.791; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:15.057; 7. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:24.453; 8. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:25.214; 9. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:29.094; 10. Isak Gifting (SWE, GASGAS), +0:33.158;

Main Photo: Maxime Renaux

Bottom Photos: 1. Mattia Guadagnini 2. Ruben Fernandez

TIMETABLE (Local Timing GMT+2)

SATURDAY: 09:00 EMX Open Free Practice, 09:30 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 10:00 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 10:35 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 11:10 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 11:45 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 13:10 EMX Open Race 1, 14:00 EMX125 Race 1, 15:10 EMX Open Race 2, 16:05 EMX125 Race 2.

SUNDAY: 09:15 MX2 Free/Time Practice, 10:15 MXGP Free/Time Practice, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Maggiora

The sixth 2021 issue of monthly motorcycle sport magazine with some of the best interviews, features and Blogs from the heart of MXGP, MotoGP and AMA Motocross/Supercross as well as tests and reviews of bikes and products from the motorcycling industry. Here are some of the highlights of OTOR #212:

MXGP: Brawling at the Basin - Photography and Blog perspective from round two of 2021 MXGP in Great Britain and where Tony Cairoli won his 93^rd GP but Honda now head the classes

Beginning with the start - The holeshot device and subsequent ride height system are ubiquitous in more than one racing series. We tracked the origins from MXGP and get the explanation of the concept

The Making Process - How do the experts spot young road racing talent, how do they fast-track them and, importantly, how do they keep it all going? We sought answers in MotoGP

MotoGP: Feeling double Blue - Control to controversy; it rarely feels like a calm day for Yamaha’s MotoGP effort. Expert insight and exquisite images from Assen where the Japanese courted all the attention

Read the full issue HERE!