As the new season of MXGP prepares to countdown for the season opener, all eyes will be on the main FIM Motocross World Championship protagonists to see who will strike first to take that early advantage. But before we even contemplate who will be doing the winning, let’s take a look at some of the off-season moves and shakers, and the riders who have either changed class, bike, team or all three!
In the latest issue of the MXGP Magazine, we take a look at the Officially Approved Team’s for 2021. Read the full feature HERE!
Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo was welcomed by the President of FFM (Fédération Française de Motocyclisme) Sébastien Poirier on Wednesday 10th February.
The meeting was held together with the Directeur Général Vincent Chaumet-Riffaudand Directeur des Sports et de la Réglementation, Hubert Marque, to begin discussions of organising future FIM Motocross World Championship events, along with the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.
The goal is to hold an MXGP event in France every year, while bringing the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations to the country on a regular basis. In addition, the possibility of organising the Junior Motocross World Championship in France, in the near future, was also discussed.
To finalise the meeting, Jean-Marie Boissonnot, President of the Angérien Moto-Club and Francis Faure, secretary of the structure, were welcomed to discuss organisational arrangements for the 2021 edition of the MXGP of France, scheduled to take place in Saint Jean d'Angely on the 10th and 11th of October.
Infront Moto Racing is delighted to maintain the good cooperation together with the FFM for the upcoming years.
Photo: President of FFM (Fédération Française de Motocyclisme) Sébastien Poirier & Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo
MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 10 February 2021 – Infront Moto Racing would like to inform on the updates to the provisional 2021 calendar of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
Due to the current situation worldwide in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, the racing calendar will see the FIM Motocross World Championship kickstart later than originally planned, with the first Grand Prix scheduled for the 23rd of May in Oss with the MXGP of the Netherlands.
While we had originally planned to begin the year in with the MXGP of Oman on April 3rd, the Omani Grand Prix has been postponed to 2022, while the MXGP of Italy, MXGP of Portugal and the MXGP of Germany will be moved from April/May to October.
Other changes include two new venues that will host the two Indonesian rounds. The MXGP of Asia will head to the picturesque Borobudur on the 4th of July, while the MXGP of Indonesia will take place in Bali on the 11th of July.
Furthermore, the MXGP of China has been re-scheduled on November the 7th, with a venue to be announced as well as the MXGP of Argentina set to be held on November the 21st in an exciting new track to be announced.
The goal for the 2021 season is to finally welcome back spectators and to be able to do so in a safe and responsible way; certain changes had to be made following the current evolution of the pandemic.
While several of the Grand Prix’s have moved around, other events including the FIM SNX World Championship, scheduled on the 9th and 10th April in Rovaniemi in Finland, along with the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship held on the 31st July and 1st August in Megalopolis in Greece, as well as the FIM-E Motocross of European Nations, scheduled for the 18th and 19th of September in Riola Sardo in Italy, will all go ahead as planned.
Additionally, we are excited to welcome back the highly anticipated Monster Energy FIM Motocross ofNations in 2021, taking place on the 26th of September. While originally the best off road event of the season was due to be held in Imola, the Italian venue will not host the MXoN this year, with a new location to be announced shortly.
We thank you all for your continued support and understand, as MXGP remain committed to bringing you another wonderful season of racing!
MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 8 February 2021 – Infront Moto Racing is pleased to announce the renewal of contract with TV Galicia for another two years, which will see the FIM Motocross World Championship broadcasted in Spain.
Following the success of the previous partnership with the Spanish channel TV Galicia where they followed the 2020 season of the series, the contract has now been extended for a further two years, which is a great news for galician fans who want to tune in to enjoy the action LIVE.
The 2020 campaign also welcomed back the MXGP of Spain at the brand-new intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos, which proved to be a real success as Spaniard Jorge Prado dominated the MXGP category to win on home soil in incredible fashion going 1-1 to take the top spot on the podium.
The Spanish Grand Prix will return in 2021 with the racing set to be even bigger and better, as the world’s fastest riders take on the challenge of the hard-pack venue.
About TV Galicia:
Televisión de Galicia, the public media network of Galicia, broadcasts 24 hours a day on two digital terrestrial channels and two satellite channels to Europe and America. The network reaches more than 4 million people in northwest Spain (covering Galicia and surrounding areas) and northern Portugal.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2's Jago Geerts has been recognised for the past three-years by his professional number 193, but in 2021, the 20-year-old MX2 title contender will ditch his professional number in favour of a new number, 93.
As a youngster, Geerts carried the number 93 through title-winning campaigns inside the EMX85, EMX125 and Junior Motocross World Championships before turning pro in 2018. "I had always ridden with 93 before I went to MX2," he said, "so I really wanted 93 again as my race number and now the rider in MXGP who used it the last years quit racing the GP's, so then I could become 93 again" he smiled.
In 2020, Geerts steered his YZ250FM to 14 race wins, matching the win rate of the eventual World Champion. "Tom (Vialle) was more consistent than me in 2020," he admitted, "I had really good starts that year, a lot better than the last years, but just in the last few races, I made too many mistakes and I wasn't feeling really that good."
"My speed was still there, but I crashed too much and made some stupid mistakes, you also learn from that and I think that it worked out as good experience for this year, for me to try to keep myself focused for the whole season."
Geerts has power vaulted his way up the MX2 ranks since making his debut, celebrating 15 race wins and 19 podium finishes on his way to two championship medals in 2019 and 2020. Despite his evident talent and impressive results as a young star on the rise, he has already endured many frustrations. "I learned a lot last season," he divulged, "the season is long, and you need to be consistent throughout the whole season to fight for the title. I learned a lot about the bike and the bike set up, just that the bike needs to be 100% or you are going to make a lot of mistakes when you don't have a really good day. So that is what I want to take into this year. I just want to focus more on the bike and focus on myself that I am always 100% ready for the next race."
Asked whether he has made any changes to his YZ250FM in the off-season, Geerts said, "we have done a lot of testing with the suspension and some different parts. I am really happy with the bike now and I think we made some improvements with the suspension. I think I will be ready when the season starts."
After securing the silver medal in 2020, Geerts suffered a shoulder injury in the final race of the year at the MXGP of Garda-Trentino in Italy. "It was a pretty difficult injury," he said, "for sure the first few weeks I couldn't do much and it was pretty painful, but then after 4-weeks I got a check-up, and everything was going good and I could start physical therapy. After that, it went better and better and after seven or eight weeks, I was back on the bike."
With the FIM MX2 World Championship expected to kick off in two months' time, Geerts is gearing up to go after his first MX2 world title. "I think I am ready to fight for the title again." He concluded, "I had the speed already last year, so I think when I am a little bit smarter, and I try to ride more consistent that I have a chance at the title."
MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 5 February 2021 – Infront Moto Racing is pleased to share the 90th issue of the MXGP Magazine, which you can read online now!
The second issue of 2021 features Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s newest recruit, Mattia Guadagnini on the cover, including a special feature about the EMX Champion inside!
The 90th edition also includes the Racing Catch-up which takes a look at the 2021 Provisional OAT (Officially Approved Teams) list and the riders who will represent them, along with a special feature giving you an insight into the life of an MXGP Mechanic.
Additionally, this month’s Hall of Fame will dive deeper into Daryl King’s racing career, as well as more throwback moments in our vintage bike section featuring Mickäel Pichon’s 2002 Suzuki RM250 WS02!
Users who have already downloaded other issues on their iOS device can automatically download the new issue by opening the News Stand and clicking on the cover of the MXGP Mag. Whereas those readers using an Android device will be able to download the magazine for free thanks to this app: http://bit.ly/IssuuOnAndroid.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider Jed Beaton is coming off a brilliant 2020, and despite all the perils of the COVID-19 season, the Australian was more consistent and didn’t suffer a major injury, something that had really stalled his career in the past.
While he isn’t saying he wants to be going for a World championship in 2021, he has made it clear that he expects to be battling for GP wins and podium finishes and then see where he stands at the end of the MX2 championship.
“You don’t go out and train and put your whole life into it to not want that goal,” Beaton said. “Of course, it is there (to go for a World championship), but to achieve that goal you have to do the best you can every day and you really put your whole life into it. It is always a goal, but you need an injury free year and consistent and good results and the maximum way to achieve that is have a smile on your face and enjoy it, even in the bad times. Don’t get caught in a dip. I don’t like to talk about the future, because you don’t know what it brings, but hopefully at the end of the year, we are somewhere battling for it.”
Being consistent and staying away from injuries is every rider’s goal, and the Aussie is no different. It is an obvious aim, but one that is so difficult in the toughest sport in the World and Beaton knows better than most that bad luck is waiting around the corner to make a mess of your season.
“Obviously for this year, the goal is to go out and do my best and a lot of it comes from the winter and last season I had a good winter and hopefully we can make more steps and fight for the top positions. I just take it day by day and make little steps and little adjustments. I am keen to go racing again, because it has been a long break, and I took time off after the season because it was a long one. I am keen to get back into it and excited.”
Now a handful of years in Europe, Beaton knows that taking his chances is what got him a factory ride with Husqvarna and he never forget that hard work and motivation are the main keys to success.
“Obviously, I got the opportunity to ride for Carglass Honda that year in the EMX250 championship and it went up from there. I tried to make the best of that situation and I was rewarded from it. A bit different from way back then to now, but I try and enjoy every day as it comes and there is a lot of pressure, but I am doing what I love, and I wake up every day with a big smile and I enjoy it as much as I can. It isn’t a long career.”
So, when the 2021 season begins, the Australian will be holding his national flag high and want to fight for as many points as possible and remain in the same rich vein of form that has taken him to top five in the World in 2020.
MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 26 January 2021 – Infront Moto Racing is delighted to share the provisional OAT (Officially Approved Teams) list for the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship!
The provisional list gives a breakdown of all the teams that have currently entered to contest in the 2021 season of racing, along with the riders who will represent them. At present, the list features over 30 teams that will take part in the MXGP and MX2 Championships next year.
With more than 30 teams entered, a large group of the fastest riders in the world and a packed 20-round racing schedule, the 2021 MXGP season will no doubt showcase more of the best action that motocross has to offer!
The 2021 Provisional OAT MXGP & MX2 Lists can be viewed in its entirety below:
While some are enjoying that well-deserved ‘off-season’ break, others already have their sights set on the 2021 season. Not too long ago, a provisional calendar of the FIM Motocross World Championship was released featuring 21 venues, 5 of which are new to the series!
With the 2020 championship season concluding so late in the year, due to COVID-19 and the numerous changes that the racing calendar endured, the racing will kick-off later than usual this year, as the first gate drop is scheduled for the 2nd – 3rd of April.
In the latest issue of the MXGP Magazine, we take a look at the provisional racing calendar and the awesome venues we are set to visit in 2021! Read the full feature HERE!
MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 14 January 2021 - Infront Moto Racing and Milestone are pleased to announce the release of MXGP 2020 on PlayStation®5. The latest chapter of the beloved series of the official FIM Motocross World Championship, is now coming on next-generation along with a lot of exclusive features.
Thanks to the innovative DualSense Controller, MXGP 2020 will have amazing haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, giving a real dirt bike experience to players. Additionally, PlayStation®5 gives the opportunity to upgrade resolution up to 4K with strong 60 FPS, increasing details and immersion for a smoother motocross experience. Last but not least, riders who really love competition will now have the chance to compete in online races up to 14 players.
In MXGP20 you can enjoy the adrenaline of the current MXGP season, competing with 68 riders from MXGP and MX2 categories on all the 19 circuits of the season. Building your career starting as a rookie will be just the first step for glory: players will be able to join an official team or build their own one, personalizing their experience to fit their dream as a competitive rider. Track Editor is back with some new features added in. With Heightmaps feature, players can replicate the real MX tracks configurations, often built on hills and mountains, adding realism and all the challenges that real riders face during races. Four different types of terrain will allow players to choose and customize the element in order to create the track of their dream. Those tracks could be shared online with friends and community.
MXGP 2020 on PlayStation®5 is available from January 14th, 2021.
