MX2

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 3 April 2020 – Infront Moto Racing is pleased to announce that popular channel MTV Finland and MXGP have renewed a deal for a long-term agreement from 2020 until end of 2023.

MTV is one of the biggest commercial television channels in Finland and has a long history of bringing some of the best coverage of motorsports in the country. Since 2012, the channel has been broadcasting our 26 Min Magazine following each event and in 2020, with the comeback of the MXGP of Finland, MTV will be bringing the MXGP Race 2 LIVE throughout the season for the Finnish MXGP fans!

Even more good news for fans in Finland, as MTV will also be onsite at the KymiRing circuit on the 22-23 of August to bring LIVE coverage of the MXGP of Finland.

Info about MTV: The channel founded in 1957 as a programming block before launching its own channel 27 years ago, in 1993. MTV (3) provides nationwide coverage of various American and British shows, as well as producing their very own. Alongside, they provide Sporting Programming including; UEFA UCL & UEL and LaLiga Football, local Ice Hockey League and the IIHF world championships, Formula One, MotoGP and MXGP.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MTV Finland

Dear MXGP Friends,

We have all been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. In such challenging time that brought the entire world to shut down for some weeks, my first words will go to all the medical care people, all around the world, that are fighting the virus and helping people that have been affected. Motorsports and medical care have always been linked, maybe more than any other sport, we all know somebody that is working and dedicating their life to help people, so I wish to all of them, on behalf of the MXGP family to keep strong and I give them all our respect!

The last weeks have been very special and busy. After the successful MXGP of The Netherlands in Valkenswaard where we witnessed the victory of Jeffrey Herlings in the MXGP class fighting with Tim Gajser but also the victory of Tom Vialle in the MX2 class, which is more open than ever, we had to face a lot of challenges due to the wide-spread of COVID-19 cases worldwide and the decision of many countries to shut down their economy and to close their borders.

In the last 2 weeks, we managed to postpone 9 Grand Prix that were supposed to take place between now and July and I would like to thank all the organizers (Argentina, Arco di Trento, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Maggiora, and the two GP in Indonesia), their national federations and the FIM for their help and understanding in such challenging time.

Here again the motorsport family proved to be united to find the best solution for preserving the 2020 MXGP World Championship.

The season should start again in Russia on the 6/7^th of June and finish in Argentina on the 21/22th of November. It will be a very challenging season with a high rhythm during the summer period, sometimes 5/6 Grand Prix in a row. This current calendar still depends on the politics of each country regarding the evolution of the virus. We are in constant communication with the authorities to be updated regarding the situation and as you can understand, it evolves on a daily basis. 

I want to confirm to everybody that the main intention of Infront Moto Racing is to do all what is possible, and sometimes also impossible, to deliver a complete, professional and worldwide championship. Our aim is to preserve the more than 3000 jobs present in the paddock, from journalists, mechanics, exposition partners, riders, trainers to logistics, organizers etc., and to go through this perfect storm with the less impact possible for MXGP.

On a more positive touch, our digital team is working to deliver some nice archives on our different platforms, including YouTube’s platform MXGPTV. You will be able to watch some of the most historical Motocross of Nations from the nineties up to now and much more content. 

I wish to all of you, to all the riders, their family and to all our industry to stay in good health and remain positive.

David Luongo

CEO of Infront Moto Racing  

Building a Grand Prix team isn’t something that easy. To become a success, you need to have the right people and have the correct work ethic. Belgian businessman Hans Corvers has proven that with his Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team as the challenge the toughest MX2 team in the World, the Red Bull KTM Factory squad, who have won 11 of the last 12 MX2 championships.

It isn’t about being in the spotlight for Corvers, but producing a winning combination, and with his two riders Jago Geerts and Ben Watson, he has a great chance of giving Yamaha their first success in the MX2 class since 2007, when Antonio Cairoli won the MX2 championship for the De Carli Yamaha effort. For Corvers it started at a very young age that he fell in love with the sport and he even raced at Grand Prix level.

“I was racing amateurs in 1979 until 1980 and then in 1981 I went to the Belgian federation, and I did 1981 junior 125cc, then 1982 and 1983 National 125cc, then in 1984 I did International 125cc in Belgium, and also the first Grand Prix’s in 125cc. I was riding with guys like Dave Strijbos, John Van Den Berg and many others. In 1985, 86, 87 I raced GPs and then only 125cc, then I started my company and went back to racing in the amateurs. I did a few years in the European amateurs.”

Corvers remembers a lot of the reasons he fell in love with motocross, as a child riding, an adult racing at the highest level, or watching the legends of the sport as a fan. The passion that comes from the Belgian team owner isn’t something you can buy, it is bred.

“It is in your blood. I was seven years old when I started riding an Italjet. Also, where I grew up, it was the foot of the mountain in Paal, in fact Marnicq Bervoets (team manager for the team) lived on the other side of the mountain. On that mountain in the 1970s there was a really nice track. All the best riders rode there, Joel Robert, Heikki Mikkola, and Sylvain Geboers. As soon as we heard the motorcycles riding there, we took our bicycles and rode there to watch. I always rode Suzuki, and after my last two seasons racing in 1997, Yamaha wanted me on a 125 and they wanted to make a team around me. I started the team, and gave it the name, Kemea, which in Dutch is Kom er maar achter mij aan (come and try and catch me).”

One thing that Corvers believes in, is giving his riders everything possible to get the job done, and as team owner, he knows that giving them that confidence in the team, will only build confidence in the rider.

“If they are just a few months with us, what all of us do, the whole team, what we are doing for these guys and they get a different mindset and they grow from it. They have to know it, they are doing it themselves, but every day everyone is working hard within the team. The riders also need to work the same as the other team members.”

Now, with Geerts right in the heat of battle for the MX2 championship, Corvers knows that to beat the best, you need to be the best and having been handed the roll of the official Yamaha factory team in 2020, that goal of bringing home a world motocross championship has only grown within the team.

Photo Copyright: Yamaha Racing

As announced by MXGP, a few updates in terms of some updates to the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship racing calendar have been announced. We wanted to reach out to our valued MXGP VIP ticket holders, to assure you all that your GOLD SKYBOX VIP Pass remains valid for the revised dates!

We cannot wait to get back to racing and to see you all again for more awesome action courtesy of the best riders in the world!

Should you need any assistance following this announcement, please contact us at vip@mxgp.com. Please kindly indicate the order number of your purchase.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 1 April 2020 – Infront Moto Racing is excited to announce that the 80^th issue of the MXGP Magazine is now available to read online!

This month’s cover features the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider Jago Geerts, who talks about his season so far and his expectations for the championship.

Inside you will also find a recap of the MXGP of The Netherlands held in Valkenswaard, including more about the FOX Holeshot award, as well as a special feature about Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory MXGP team’s newest F1 style ‘awning’.

Furthermore, you can also go back in time and read more about Greg Albertyn’s 1992 Honda 125 in our Vintage Bike section, as well as find out more about the Dutch pro motocross racer, Kees van der Ven, in our MX Hall of Fame!

Click HERE to read the 80th issue of MXGP Mag or download it for FREE on Apple Store or Google Play.

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.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP Mag

Something that is really cool about the sport of motocross is the fact many older riders continue to be involved and give back to the sport that gave them so much. American Ryan Hughes raced the Grand Prix scene in the 1990s and had some success with Grand Prix wins and also as Team USA rider winning the Motocross of Nations in 2000.

Hughes now works with another Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations winner, Glenn Coldenhoff and is trying to help the Dutchman to a World MXGP championship in 2020. Any rider who hasn’t grown up in Europe but comes to race the FIM Motocross World Championship feels straight away the amazing cultures of the different countries, and Hughes isn’t any different. A romantic at heart and somebody who can enjoy the difference from back home in USA.

“Well,” Hughes said. “It is good to be back to see old friends and people who have been in this sport for such a long time. I like uniqueness, because uniqueness is beauty and in Europe, you get a lot of that because every country you go to has that, with its different types of food, different languages, different architectures. I see at the track the professionalism has risen, with the sport, the riders and the organization. The riders have become more technical in MXGP, learnt a lot and their ability to race motocross all the time has taken them to another level. When I came the first time as a racer everyone showed me respect and now, I come here as a coach, I get that same respect. I am happy to be here.”

Another former racer is Eric Sorby, a veteran Frenchman who raced all around the World, and finally settled back into his homeland and like Hughes started enjoying the relax feeling of not only the sport, but also the whole MXGP vibe. Sorby had lived in America for a number of years, first as a racer, and then as a trainer to former Team USA rider James Stewart.

“I enjoyed being in USA, but the MXGP culture is so different. You can walk into the pits and all the GP riders like Tim Gajser, Gautier Paulin, Mitch Evans you can talk to and meet. This year Livia hired me, and we have the two young Australian riders, Nathan Crawford and Bailey Malkiewicz and we have also a European rider. We spent some time in France and Italy and my main thing is helping.”

So when you see guys like Hughes or Sorby hanging out in the Grand Prix paddock, you know these two former racers are really enjoying the moment, taking in all the atmosphere and remembering how tough it can be to be travelling the World, but also how enjoyable it can be if you put yourself around the right type of people.

Copyright: Photo: Ray Archer

Team HRC rider Mitch Evans is recovering nicely at home in Australia after having surgery on the right shoulder that he damaged in a crash at the second MXGP of the season in Valkenswaard, Netherlands.

Performed by the respected Dr Steve Andrews at the Brisbane Private Hospital, the arthroscopic anterior stabilisation went smoothly and without complications, giving Evans the best possible chance to recover as quickly as possible during this enforced absence from the MXGP calendar.

With the nature of the current COVID-19 pandemic causing uncertainty, there is no real timeline for the Australian’s next race and as such, he can concentrate on his recuperation and getting back to the form that saw him go three-seven in his first ever MXGP round at Matterley Basin, Great Britain

Mitch Evans: I’m glad to have had the surgery, and I can now get home and begin my recovery. It’s a strange situation with the season and all these postponed races but my aim is to get my shoulder feeling 100% and to get back riding and feeling comfortable on the bike again. A big thanks to the team for all their support and advice and hopefully I’ll be back soon. Stay safe everyone!

The third issue in 2020 of a monthly motorcycle sport magazine with some of the best interviews, features and Blogs from the heart of MXGP, MotoGP, AMA Motocross/Supercross and WorldSBK as well as tests and reviews of bikes and products from the motorcycling industry. Here are some of the highlights of OTOR #197: Just 4; the story of the closest and most dramatic FIM Motocross World Championship finale through the words and memories of the people that were there. Final snap of the whip? Sam Lowes missed the opening round of Moto2 but with a seat in the title-winning VDS team is this 2020 still his best chance of ruling the class? It takes a V2 baby; Ducati are spoiling us with Panigale offerings but where and how does the 2020 V2 fit into the plan? Roland Brown rides and reviews the new blood-red special

What is a Motohall anyway? KTM have given motorcycle fans another excuse to set their GPS routes via Mattighofen in Austria. We take a tour and give a verdict of the new Motohall.

Read it HERE

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Rene Hofer has been something of a surprise after the opening two rounds of the MX2 World championship. The Austrian rider is currently fifth in the championship points and started the year on fire at the first round at Matterley Basin in England.

Around the circuit in the valley, and in tough conditions the Red Bull KTM rider surprised everyone with 8-2 results for fifth overall. It was a solid, consistent run for the MX2 rookie, and one that even surprises him in many ways.

“Just amazing,” Hofer said. “My goal was to take two good starts and to try and ride like I do in practice. In the first race I was 5th at the start and made my way up to 3rd and had nearly half the race there but could not make the pass on [Mathys] Boisrame and dropped back with some arm-pump. I was 6th on the last lap – and was OK with that – but made a small mistake, tipped over and lost two positions. In the second race I made the holeshot and passed Jago on the second lap. I really enjoyed the track. It is one of my favourites of the year. I almost led until the end. Anyway, it is the first GP of the year it feels incredible. I’m really happy.”

The following week at the Valkenswaard circuit in Holland, Hofer showed brilliance again in the opening race, finishing in fourth spot, but was involved in a big accident in the second race and struggled to 26^th position. Still, a top ten overall and confident that things could even get better.

“All in all, a good weekend,” Hofer said. “It was positive to get the 4th starting position on Saturday and then the first race was amazing. I was second behind Tom and then made a little mistake and dropped back but still managed a 4th place which was really good for my first sand race in MX2 and on such a rough track. I had a massive start crash in the second race and had to sort out my forks in the pitlane it took some time to do that and then I crashed again and damaged the bike a bit more. I struggled but will take the good parts from that first race.”

With some time to think about his positive start in the MX2 championship Hofer will no doubt come into the third round, and be able to build on what has already been a really nice start to his MX2 assault.

Photo Copyright: Ray Archer

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team rider Jago Geerts will look forward to heading to the Grand Prix of Russia on June 7 as he tries to chase down the owner of the red plate in the MX2 class Tom Vialle, of the Red Bull KTM Factory team. Vialle leads Geerts by five points, 87 points to Vialle and 82 points to Geerts and the two teenagers will without question have some big battles in 2020.

The Belgian rider who has already won the opening round of the championship at Matterley Basin in England around a month ago, winning a race in England and also a race at round two in Valkenswaard looks like a different rider to the one from 2019, so consistency hasn’t been a problem.

"It felt really good in England,” Geerts said. “It was a nice weekend. It was a little bit difficult in the second race. I crashed and hurt my shoulder a little bit but still managed to come back and get my first GP win. I was really happy with that, and I got the red plate for the first time which is nice especially as it was at Valkenswaard, a track that is not far from my home.”

In Valkenswaard, riding with the red plate, Geerts suffered a bad start in the first race and still got the race win, then in race two a first corner crash saw him charge through the field to finish 7^th.

“I didn’t have the best start in the first race, but I made some good passes on the first laps and after 15 minutes I was in second place and hunting Tom (Vialle). I managed to pass him and take the win, the track was really tough, but it was a good race for me. In the second heat, I had a really big crash in the first turn, and I hit my ribs and I couldn’t breathe. I started more than 1-minute down, but I got back to seventh, so I could still stand on the podium.”

With those two strong performances in rounds one and two, Geerts has now got to sit and wait for the season to resume in Russia in a little over two months’ time. Like many, he is taking time off the bike and remain at home.

“The Covid-19 virus is spreading very fast. In consultation with Yamaha and my team, we decided today not to train with the bike for 14 days. This is to avoid unnecessary risks and I totally support this choice.”

No doubt, once Geerts gets back on the bike, and starts to prepare for Russia, he will be more than focused to steal that red plate back from Vialle and hopefully gift Belgium their first World Champion since 2007, when the trainer of Geerts, Steve Ramon clinched the world title.