MX2

The FIM Motocross World Championship gears up for round 11 of the series to conclude the awesome trio of races here in Mantova, Italy. 

Here below the timetable & the Entry Lists from the MXGP of Europe to download in PDF format: 

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to confirm that Jago Geerts will remain with the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team through 2022. It is also with great pleasure that Yamaha Motor Europe can confirm the young Belgian will be joined on the gate of the 2021 and 2022 MX2 World Championships by young Frenchman Maxime Renaux.

Geerts made his MX2 debut with the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team back in 2018. The combination of the young Belgian and the Yamaha YZ250F has been fruitful with the ‘193’ scoring his first-ever Grand Prix podium on his way to eighth overall in his rookie season.

After one-year of learning and improvement at an elite level, Geerts was able secure the MX2 bronze medal with six more podium finishes in his second season.

Starting 2020 strong, the 19-year-old won his first ever Grand Prix at the opening round of the MX2 series in Matterley Basin, Great Britain. He has since turned 20-years-old and has gone on to win two more rounds, in Kegums, Latvia, and has extended his career podium count to 13.

As a long-time Yamaha rider, Renaux has already raced on the Hans Corvers led ‘Kemea Yamaha’ team in the past. It was back in 2015 where he celebrated three EMX125 wins onboard a GYTR kitted YZ125 and was crowned Junior 125cc World Champion in that same year. Since then, the team has taken on Factory status as the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Team and is solely focused on the FIM MX2 World Championship.

Renaux, now 20-years-old, has shown great promise since his MX2 debut in 2018 where he raced five rounds of the FIM MX2 World Championship as a wildcard rider. He completed his first full-term in MX2 in 2019 where he managed to steer his YZ250F to a maiden podium finish on his way to seventh overall in the final classification.

Nine rounds into the 2020 series, the ‘959’ has quickly established himself as a title threat. He is currently third in the MX2 World Championship standings and has already celebrated his first ever Grand Prix race and overall win, at the MXGP of Italy in Faenza one month ago.

Producing many notable performances since his MX2 debut, which includes four podium celebrations and eight top-three race finishes, Renaux shows signs of great promise and will be a strong challenger for the 2021 and 2022 MX2 crowns.

Alex Kowalski – Yamaha Motor Europe Off-Road Manager

“Yamaha is excited to continue the journey with Jago, he is doing a great job and has already proven he is one of the fastest riders in MX2. There is already some great history with Jago and the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team where together with Hans Corvers and Team Manager Marnicq Bervoets, and the YZ250FM they have already achieved a lot. It’s very positive. Our goal at Yamaha is to build future champions, Jago has already shown great progression and we hope to go on to win many more races and championships with him. We are also proud to welcome Maxime to the Factory team. Maxime is a pure Yamaha rider; he has been on Yamaha since he was little and has grown with the brand. I am really happy for him, I’ve watched him climb all the steps from Junior classes on a YZ85 to the EMX championship on the YZ125 and YZ250F, where he has challenged titles and was Junior 125cc World Champion on a GYTR kitted YZ125. He is an exciting example of what can be achieved within the Yamaha Family, and we are super proud to have him onboard as a Factory rider for the next two years.”

Jago Geerts – Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Rider

“I’m really happy to sign with Yamaha for another two years. The last three years were really nice, and it’s really cool I have extended my contract. Everything works nicely within our team and we have had some really good races this year. I’m really happy with my bike, the Yamaha YZ250FM, so it’s good for me to stay with Yamaha for another two-years.”

Maxime Renaux - Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Rider

“I’m really looking forward to moving up to the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory team for 2021 and 2022. It will be a new beginning for me and I’m ready to fight for the title during those next years. The team looks really motivated and so am I. I am already really looking forward to starting our winter program and to start testing and training ahead of 2021.”

Photo Copyright: Yamaha Racing

MANTOVA (Italy) 1 October 2020 – The FIM Motocross World Championship continues to carry momentum of the thrilling 2020 season into the third and final event here in Mantova, this weekend, with the MXGP of Europe!

Just eight rounds remain of the 2020 MXGP and MX2 Championships and things are heating up as Team HRC’s Tim Gajser looks to defend his 2019 title, as he leads the championship by just five points over Antonio Cairoli of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Jeremy Seewer from Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing.

Meanwhile in MX2, Tom Vialle, rider of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has managed to find a little bit of breathing room as he extended his lead yesterday to 46 points over Jago Geerts of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2, who remains second, despite a tough few races.

Alongside the main world championship races, the MXGP of Europe will also see the rounds of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and the EMX250 Championships, as Andrea Bonacorsi will be looking to put his Fantic Racing machine out in front once again, as he chases his fourth consecutive overall victory in the 125cc class, while in the 250cc category, Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Thibault Benistant will be looking for redemption, as Mattia Guadagnini of Husqvarna Junior Racing Maddii will be looking to repeat his success from Tuesday and go for another double race victory.  

After some incredibly close battles during the last two GP’s, the MXGP of Europe is set to deliver nothing less, as Team HRC’s Tim Gajser will be looking to add some more solid results under his belt and extend that MXGP championship lead. Starts will be vital for the Slovenian, who will be looking to make the job a little bit easier by getting out in front early on, which is vital in this stacked field.

Gajser finished third on the podium yesterday, though was not entirely satisfied with his riding, so it will be interesting to see if the three days until the next race will give him enough time to work on some things, ready for the races on Sunday.

Of course, Romain Febvre of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team is guaranteed to be one of the many riders who will look to challenge for race wins, following some fantastic races yesterday, that saw him claim his first MXGP race win and overall victory of the 2020 season.

The Frenchman has been a threat here in Mantova throughout the last two events, and now with the confidence of winning yesterday injecting some more motivation, there is no doubt that he will line-up on Sunday with only winning on his mind.

Meanwhile for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer, the next couple of races will be the perfect opportunity for redemption as he looks to get back on the podium and pull back some points. Over the last two GPs, Seewer has proven that he has exactly what it takes to lead the field around the Mantova circuit, though small mistakes and crashes have been the biggest issue for the Yamaha rider.

For Sunday’s races it will be important for the Swiss to keep it on two wheels if he wants to remain with a fighting chance of the title this season. Though still plenty of rounds remain and like always anything can happen.

His teammate, Gautier Paulin, could also surprise us at the MXGP of Europe, as that second-place finish yesterday, which he battled Gajser for, really goes to show that with a good start Paulin fits right in with the top championship runners. He also showed a glimpse of this in Faenza, so to see Paulin finally make a podium appearance would not be too surprising.

Meanwhile Antonio Cairoli of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will no doubt be wanting to finish the triple header on a positive note as he looks to get back on the podium at his home GP. While Cairoli may have missed out on the podium at the last two rounds, he’s been pretty consistent otherwise, especially with his 4-4 result yesterday. And the consistency is paying off as he’s just 5 points off the red plate, which gives him a great fighting chance to go for title number 10.

Then there’s Jorge Prado of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing who has declared himself a real threat every race so far here in Mantova. The Spaniard won his second ever race in the premier MXGP class yesterday in race one, and with his recent battles at the top end of the field, it would not come as a surprised anymore to see him win more races and make another podium appearance, if anything it would be strange not to see him fighting with the leaders. 

MXGP of Città di Mantova Top 3:

1.Romain Febvre

2.Jorge Prado

3.Tim Gajser

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 352 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 347 p.; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 334 p.; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 317 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GAS), 303 p.; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 275 p.; 7. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 263 p.; 8. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 257 p.; 9. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 248 p.; 10. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 238 p.;

Main Photo: Romain Febvre

Bottom Photos: 1. MXGP Start; 2. Tim Gajser

In MX2, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen has continued his journey back to the top end of the field, as he claimed a second consecutive overall victory yesterday with a near perfect 1-2 result. Olsen has been looking stronger every race so far and now a potential third podium could be on the horizon, if things continue to head in a positive direction.

It’s clear that he’s taken well to the hard sand track, as his confidence to push for passes, especially as he chased down Renaux in the first race yesterday, show’s that. It will be interesting what Olsen will bring to the next round and whether can make it three in a row.

His teammate Jed Beaton will of course want to get in on the action and aim for higher positions, than yesterday’s 6-6 result. He podiumed at the MXGP of Lombardia and even won a race, so he clearly knows how to get around the track here in Mantova and can also cope well under pressure. Starts will be important for Beaton, in order to make his races easier, without having to fight through the pack.

Meanwhile Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle will want to continue heading in a positive direction, as his races in Mantova started out a little bit tough. Yesterday’s third place and a win was enough to get him back on the podium which added some more positives.

The next race will be another opportunity for Vialle to extend his championship lead, as now 46 points separate him and Jago Geerts in second.

And for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts the next race is going to be crucial if he wants to whittle down those points. The previous two rounds in Mantova have been far from perfect, as numerous mistakes and crashes have put him out of battles at the top end. Yesterday then Belgian did get his chance to fight for top positions but it was those crashes that cost him vital points.

Maxime Renaux of Yamaha SM Action MC Migliori – J1 Racing had a tough day yesterday. He came close to a race win in the opening heat, though after leading pretty much every lap of the race, the Frenchman could not do anything about the hard charging Olsen, who passed him on the very last lap of the race. The second race was much tougher for the Yamaha rider who got caught up in a first turn crash and then had to fight his way through from dead last. He eventually came back to 9^th which is pretty impressive, and it goes to show that he has the speed and can make the passes, so It’s all about getting a good start and keeping it on two wheels.

For Roan Van de Moosdijk, rider of F&H Kawasaki, the next round will be another opportunity to fight for the podium. After yesterday’s races the Dutchman knew he could have done better, as he revealed he didn’t ride like himself for both races. And the third overall yesterday could help to give him that motivation and positivity that he needs, after some tough races in Faenza. Let’s see if he can make a podium appearance twice in a row.

MXGP of Città di Mantova Top 3:

1.Thomas Kjer Olsen

2.Tom Vialle

3.Roan Van de Moosdijk

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 431 points; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 385 p.; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 329 p.; 4. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 316 p.; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 279 p.; 6. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 275 p.; 7. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 252 p.; 8. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 217 p.; 9. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 215 p.; 10. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 186 p.

Main Photo: Tom Vialle

Bottom Photos: 1. MX2 Start; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen

TIMETABLE (Local Timing CET/GMT+2)

SATURDAY: 09:30 EMX125 Free Practice, 10:00 EMX250 Free Practice, 11:10 EMX125 Qualifying Practice, 11:45 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:00 EMX125 Race 1, 13:50 EMX250 Race 1, 15:00 EMX125 Race 2, 15:55 EMX250 Race 2.

SUNDAY: 09:15 MX2 Free/Time Practice, 10:15 MXGP Free/Time Practice, 12:05 MX2 Race 1, 13:05 MXGP Race 1, 15:00 MX2 Race 2, 16:00 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Europe

MXGP is super excited to continue with the FOX Holeshot competition, that is running throughout the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship season, together with MXGP partner FOX.

The way the competition works is; 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 MXGP of Città di Mantova, the FOX Holeshot’s were once again claimed by a number of different riders, with some getting their first shot at leading the field into the first corner.  

In the opening MXGP race, Jorge Prado of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing continued to prove that he is the king of starts as he claimed his ninth holeshot of the season on his way to victory. Meanwhile in the second race, it was the race winner Romain Febvre of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team who led the race from gate drop to finish flag.

In MX2, the first FOX Holeshot went to Diga Procross GasGas Factory Juniors newest recruit, Isak Gifting who put the GasGas machine out in front, in the category, for the very first time. Though in the second race it was Tom Vialle from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing who got the advantage into the first turn, putting his tally now to 12.  

As it stands Vialle leads the FOX Holeshot Award with 12 points, while in MXGP Prado leads with 9.

Watch the FOX Holeshot Films from the MXGP of Città di Mantova below. 

MXGP FOX Holeshot Film

MX2 FOX Holeshot Film

MANTOVA (Italy) 1 October 2020 - TAG Heuer has been the official timekeeper of the FIM Motocross World Championship since 2014 and together with MXGP are running the fastest lap competition across each season.

The way it works is; at each and every round of the MXGP season, the rider that sets the best lap time in each class, MXGP and MX2, will receive 1 point in the TAG Heuer competition. The rider that has set the fastest lap at the most rounds throughout the year in both classes, and has the most points, will be award with the special prize!

At the MXGP of Città di Mantova, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin was the fastest MXGP rider of the day, as he put in a lap time of 1.54:946 in the opening lap of the second MXGP race.

While in MX2, the best lap of the day came from Roan Van de Moosdijk, rider of F&H Kawasaki Racing. He clocked a time of 1.56:191, on lap three of race two.

As it stands, the Tag Heuer Best Lap competition is led by the two Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Jeffrey Herlings and Tom Vialle, who both are on three points each.

Find the details below:

MXGP:  Gautier Paulin – 1.54:946 – Race 2 Lap 1

MX2: Roan Van de Moosdijk – 1.56:191– Race 2 Lap 3

Check out MXGP.com home page for the Top 3 TAG Heuer Best Lap competition’s rankings.

MANTOVA (Italy) 1 October 2020 – Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Infront Moto Racing and Yamaha Motor Europe have taken the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe SuperFinale, which was scheduled to take place during the MXGP of Lommel, in Belgium on October 24^th.

With safety in mind, a range of scenarios were discussed and reviewed internally. Still, it is with deep regret that Infront Moto Racing and Yamaha Motor Europe have opted to cancel this year's YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe SuperFinale as well as the bLU cRU Masterclass, which was expected to take place at the end of the year. Tightening travel restrictions across Europe, together with the fact that many of the participants have recently returned to school for the first time after a long absence, may well have prevented some competitors from attending. Infront Moto Racing and Yamaha Motor Europe are committed to staging a fun and fair event and, without the possibility to do so, there was little option but to cancel this year's YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe SuperFinale.

Although the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale and bLU cRU Masterclass will not go ahead as planned, Yamaha Motor Europe remains committed to supporting the bLU cRU program and will be following the YZ125, YZ85 and YZ65 riders in their national championships.

The focus is now on preparing for the 2021 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup and on ensuring that the 2021 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale will be an exciting ‘once in a lifetime’ experience at the end of a hard-fought season of racing.

An update on when entries for the 2021 YZ125, YZ85 and YZ65 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cups will open will be shared on www.Yamaha-Racing.com.

David Luongo – Infront Moto Racing CEO: “It is with big regrets, that we have to announce the cancellation of the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup Superfinale for 2020 that was supposed to take place in Lommel. This decision doesn’t change the fantastic collaboration we have had with Yamaha during the last years. We share their vision of investing in young talents with this competition which give to the Yamaha enthusiastic the possibility to ride during the MXGP in front of massive crowd and TV! The event will come back for sure in 2021 on the calendar and for more years to come.”

Paolo Pavesio - Director Marketing and Motorsport, Yamaha Motor Europe: “We regret to announce that we have had to cancel this year's YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, as we know how special this event is, to attend, to compete in and to observe. It really is the perfect way to close out a season of incredible racing together with the entire Yamaha Family in one place. Over the summer the situation was giving us hope for an easier travelling situation, therefore together with Infront we made the decision to keep the event within the MXGP calendar. However, the situation looks to have become complicated once again, with countries across Europe working to contain a pandemic while making it safe for everybody to enjoy sport. We also encourage our young bLU cRU riders to focus on their education and understand they have recently returned to school, which could make it difficult for them to attend. We are very sorry that the “2020 class” will miss this experience, but we must remain enthusiastic and happy that we can still race locally, and we are already working to make the 2021 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale a memorable experience!”

Photo: YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Start, Assen 2019

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM Europe

Yamaha Racing

MANTOVA (Italy) 30 September 2020 – The MXGP of Città di Mantova has concluded with a series of epic races that kept us all on the edge of our seats. 

Romain Febvre and Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team celebrated an epic victory, as the Frenchman took his first race win in over a year and a first overall victory of the season so far.  Meanwhile in MX2, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen put on an incredible performance to go after a back-to-back Grand Prix win.

In race one, it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado who continued to show that he is the king of starts as he grabbed yet another FOX Holeshot. He was closely followed by teammate Antonio Cairoli, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer and Romain Febvre of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team.

Seewer though wasted no time as he quickly moved past Cairoli to move into second and then focused on Prado for the lead. Team HRC’s Mitch Evans had a good start and was sitting fifth ahead of his teammate and the current championship leader Tim Gajser.

Meanwhile Seewer looked to pick up the pace, setting the fastest lap time of the race as he chased down Prado. Though he needed to be careful as Febvre was also on a mission for the race win, which meant that the Swiss could not afford to make a mistake or relax.

The battle then heated up as the top three riders were all separated by a mere 1.6 seconds with still 19 minutes plus 2 laps to go. And Cairoli then looked to be stepping things up as he started to close in on Febvre, Seewer and Prado.

Meanwhile further down the field, Standing Construct GasGas MXGP rider Glenn Coldenhoff squeezed past Clement Desalle of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team, to move into 7^th.

With 11 minutes on the clock, the gap between Prado and Seewer was 2.016 seconds as Gajser started to close in on Cairoli for 4^th. The fight for the win then intensified as Prado was getting caught by Seewer who was less than a second behind him.

With just a few laps to go, there was no change in the top 5, as Prado was able to keep control under pressure to take the opening MXGP race win, while Seewer finished second and Febvre third.

The second MXGP race saw Febvre perfectly time the start as he entered the first corner in the lead taking the FOX Holeshot. Febvre then led Gajser, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin, Seewer, Coldenhoff and Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Calvin Vlaanderen.

Gajser then put his focus on Febvre as the two were all over each other, while Seewer charged for Prado who was in 4^th just ahead of him. Though he may have pushed too hard, as the Yamaha rider made a mistake which saw him crash out of 5^th and things only got worse, as the Swiss had another big moment which saw him drop further down the order, outside the top 10.

Vlaanderen then went out of 9^th, losing several positions and dropping down to 15^th.

With 10 minutes left, Febvre continued to control the race with Gajser still second and Paulin third. Paulin then passed Gajser, who immediately responded, but a lap later the Team HRC rider slipped the front and crashed out, allowing Paulin to inherit his position. He was however able to re-join just ahead of Cairoli.

As Paulin, Gajser and Cairoli battled it out, Coldenhoff was also looking to join in, on the mix as he edged closer to the top 4. While further down the field, Seewer was sitting in 11^th as he looked to make up some positions in order to salvage some points.

Towards the end of the race, Febvre led by 6.978 seconds with Paulin holding on to second and Gajser third. Seewer then passed Dylan Walsh of JM Honda Racing for 10^th.

With just a couple of laps to go Gajser put in a last effort to pass Paulin, though Paulin was able to hold on to the position, while Febvre took his first race win of 2020!

With that second race win, Romain Febvre secured his spot on the top step of the podium, while Jorge Prado finished second and Tim Gajser third. In terms of the championship, Gajser holds on to the red plate and now has a 5-point advantage to Antonio Cairoli, with Jeremy Seewer third on 334 points.

Romain Febvre: “First win of the year, especially with the new team, it’s been awesome. In the first race I had a good start, I was fourth and passed Tony [Cairoli] on the first lap but I couldn’t take the rhythm. I made two mistakes, had a gap after 20 minutes and I closed that gap, but it wasn’t good enough to make that pass. In the second race I took a big holeshot and of course that makes life easier because you can choose your lines and ride smooth. Seewer was pushing for the first 20 minutes I think, and then I think he made a mistake, so I had a comfortable gap on Gautier [Paulin] and after I was just by myself. I tried to stay calm to finish the race and win the GP”.

Jorge Prado: “First race was perfect. Second race I had a good jump out of the gate, I thought I made everything right and in the first corner I was almost with Romain [Febvre] but then some riders came on the inside and into the second corner I think I was around ninth, then I was able to make some passes in the next two corners. I was in a good position with 15 minutes to go, for the overall; then I stalled my bike and had to fight back. I was pushing very hard and still felt like I could make a good race because I was charging all the way to the finish”.

Tim Gajser: “Of course it’s not a bad day when you finish on the podium but still I was not completely happy with my riding today. In the first race I didn’t have the best start and then I was behind Tony [Cairoli] and it was difficult to make a pass on him. We were all kind of like at the same speed and I finished fifth. The second one, I got a better start, I was behind Romain [Febvre] and I was pushing hard, trying to pass him. I had a couple of spots where I was really faster than him but then I made a mistake and Gautier [Paulin] passed me, then I was pushing hard to pass him but it didn’t happen, so I settled for third”.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 35:13.182; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:01.152; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:04.142; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:11.098; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:13.368; 6. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +0:25.884; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GASGAS), +0:33.761; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:41.780; 9. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:45.223; 10. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:49.814.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), 34:59.172; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:01.667; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:03.880; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:06.557; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GASGAS), +0:07.281; 6. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:07.577; 7. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +0:32.148; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:35.818; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:37.490; 10. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:43.488.

MXGP - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 45 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 36 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 34 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 33 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GAS), 30 p.; 8. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 29 p.; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 26 p.; 10. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 21 p.

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 352 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 347 p.; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 334 p.; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 317 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GAS), 303 p.; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 275 p.; 7. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 263 p.; 8. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 257 p.; 9. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 248 p.; 10. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 238 p.

MXGP - Manufacturers Classification: 1. KTM, 444 points; 2. Honda, 389 p.; 3. Yamaha, 383 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 344 p.; 5. GASGAS, 317 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 265 p.

Main Photo: Romain Febvre

Bottom Photos: 1. Jorge Prado; 2. Tim Gajser

As the gate dropped for the opening MX2 race of the day, it was Diga Procross GasGas Factory Juniors Isak Gifting who claimed the first FOX Holeshot of the day. He was followed by Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Jago Geerts, as Mikkel Haarup of F&H Kawasaki Racing slipped into second position.

Though Geerts led the way, with Maxime Renaux of Yamaha SM Action MC Migliori – J1 Racing in second, and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle third. A few moments later Geerts crashed out of 1^st, to re-join in 7^th behind his teammate Ben Watson.

As Vialle moved into second, he needed to be careful as a hard charging Thomas Kjer Olsen was catching up to the back of him.

Haarup then crashed out of 5^th and looked to have re-join the race, before pulling into pitlane and eventually heading back to the paddock. Honda Racing Assomotor’s Alvin Ostlund was another rider who retired from the race, as he walked back to the paddock.

Geerts then struggled to pass Watson, as Renaux led the race with Vialle and Olsen pushing on. The top 3 were only separated by 1.9 seconds and that point, which really made things interesting for the fans.

As the three continued to battle, Geerts was making a comeback as he caught on to Roan Van de Moosdijk of F&H Kawasaki Racing. He eventually passed him with 4 minutes plus 2 laps to go. Then after making a mistake, Van de Moosdijk lost another position to Watson and was down in 6^th.

For Geerts things only got worse as he crashed once more, to re-join in 8^th with not much time left of the race in order to make up vital positions.

Back in the lead, Renaux continued his way onto a race win, while Vialle was coming under fire from Olsen. Olsen then forced the issue, passing Vialle and going after Renaux with just 2 laps to go of the race.

Olsen then put on two good laps to take the lead from Renaux on the final lap, though Renaux was not going to let him get away and the two almost collided. In the end Olsen confirmed his race win, with Renaux second and Vialle third.

In the second MX2 race, it was Vialle, Jed Beaton of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Racing and Van de Moosdijk who were the riders out in front while Renaux and Watson had a disastrous start, with both going down and having to pick themselves up in last.

Van de Moosdijk then passed Beaton for 2^nd, as Geerts moved into 4^th. Olsen was also making moves as he got around Conrad Mewse of Hitachi KTM Fuelled by Milwaukee, for 5^th position. Though Beaton was able to fight back, taking the position back from van de Moosdijk not too long after. Van de Moosdijk then lost another position, and that time it was to Geerts, who was keen on making up for lost ground in the opening race.

A mistake from Geerts gave Beaton a bit more breathing room, though it didn’t last long as a little later on, he lost 2 positions to Geerts and his teammate, Olsen. Beaton then continued to fall down the order as Mewse was able to find a way through. 

Bailey Malkiewicz of Honda 114 Motorsports was having a great rider in 7^th, as he passed Nathan Renkens of NR83.

Vialle then led the way by 3.332 seconds with just 2 minutes plus 2 laps to go. Renaux then passed Mathys Boisrame of F&H Kawasaki Racing for 8^th.

Geerts then crashed out once again, though was able to pick himself up in 5^th, as Olsen moved into second.

In the end, Vialle took the race win, as Olsen crossed the line in 2^nd and Van de Moosdijk finishing 3^rd in the race.

Thomas Kjer Olsen confirmed his success here in Mantova, with a back-to-back Grand Prix victory, as Tom Vialle made his return to the podium with 2^nd overall and Roan Van de Moosdijk making his comeback to the box, to occupy the 3^rd step.

As it stands, Vialle leads the MX2 championship on 431 points, with Geerts a further 46 points back and Renaux remaining in 3^rd.

Thomas Kjer Olsen: “For sure, ever since we came here, I have been feeling a lot better and it’s great to have that aggressive riding back. To be back on top of the podium today is just amazing and I would say I really had to battle hard for it, especially in that second race. My fitness seems to be good and it’s really nice to be on top”.

Tom Vialle: “Today was not so bad. In the first race I completely missed my start, I was completely last, and I passed a few riders in the first lap and was close. After two or three laps Jago [Geerts] crashed and I was already second. I didn’t find any good line to pass Maxime and, in the meanwhile, Thomas passed me. In the second race I took a really good start; I led the whole race though Jago was coming fast. Even if didn’t make mistake in the start I needed only to stay focus because there are still a lot of races. I need to be focused because in that track the start is really important, so now I’m really focused on Sunday”.

Roan Van de Moosdijk: “It felt like quite some time since I’ve been on the podium. My qualifying was really good and that’s why I could stay on the inside, I knew if I got a good jump I was safe and in the first race I just closed the gap too early, I didn’t ride like I used to and I got arm pump, but still managed to finish in fifth place. In the second race I had a good jump, I was behind Tom [Vialle] and following him for quite a few laps, but then again I felt a little bit tight, so I dropped back to fifth I think and then I found my rhythm again and came back to third”.

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), 35:56.454; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:01.490; 3. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:03.279; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:04.536; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:11.427; 6. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:13.050; 7. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +0:18.569; 8. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:30.411; 9. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Yamaha), +0:32.272; 10. Isak Gifting (SWE, GASGAS), +0:33.590.

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 35:28.261; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:03.400; 3. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:10.067; 4. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +0:15.077; 5. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:22.379; 6. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:26.071; 7. Bailey Malkiewicz (AUS, Honda), +0:46.888; 8. Isak Gifting (SWE, GASGAS), +0:50.391; 9. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:44.340; 10. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:52.712.

MX2 - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 47 points; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 45 p.; 3. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 36 p.; 4. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 34 p.; 5. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 32 p.; 6. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 30 p.; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 29 p.; 8. Isak Gifting (SWE, GAS), 24 p.; 9. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 22 p.

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 431 points; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 385 p.; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 329 p.; 4. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 316 p.; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 279 p.; 6. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 275 p.; 7. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 252 p.; 8. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 217 p.; 9. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 215 p.; 10. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 186 p.

MX2 - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Yamaha, 447 points; 2. KTM, 447 p.; 3. Husqvarna, 365 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 351 p.; 5. Honda, 229 p.; 6. GASGAS, 128 p.

Main Photo: Thomas Kjer Olsen

Bottom Photos: 1. Tom Vialle; 2. Roan Van De Moosdijk

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos from the MXGP of Città di Mantova will be available HERE

MXGP of Città di Mantova – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1660m

Type of ground: Hard Sand

Temperature: 23°

Weather conditions: sunny

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP of Città di Mantova

MANTOVA (Lombardia - Italy) 30 September 2020 – As this epic season of the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship heats up, the action will soon head to Belgium for this year’s penultimate triple-header, as Lommel is set to host the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders, MXGP of Limburg and the MXGP of Lommel.

The deep sand of Lommel has been a staple of the MXGP calendar for many years – always one to guarantee the deepest ruts, the best atmosphere, and the best racing of the entire year, with many riders extremely keen to get on the podium at a track considered to be one of the toughest sand tracks in the world.

The Belgian Grand Prix was initially scheduled to take place at the beginning of August but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent safety restrictions the event was postponed and later announced as one of the selected few venues to host a special triple-header this season.

The Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders, MXGP of Limburg and the MXGP of Lommel, will now take place on the 17^th-18^th October, the 20^th-21^st October and the 24^th-25^th October.

Infront Moto Racing has been in close cooperation with the local authorities, Sport Vlaanderen and event organizer GP Limburg to run one of the best events of the season, though despite all the efforts and keeping in mind the current safety requirements and restrictions, the possibility of welcoming fans to the Lommel circuit will not be possible during the three GPs in 2020, thus the Lommel triple header will run behind closed doors.

Though fans will still be able to watch all the action unfold during the Belgian triple-header from the comfort of their homes with MXGP-TV.com, which will air all the races LIVE, including the EMX, MX2 and MXGP races.

MXGP is eager to finally return to Lommel, the home of many of the MXGP teams and riders, in order to find out which riders in each category will be declared as the Sand Kings!

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Lommel