MX2

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 28 February 2020 – During the opening press conference at Matterley Basin, Infront Moto Racing unveiled the special MXGP Championship Trophy, that will be awarded to the MXGP World Champion at the end of the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship season.

The newly introduced trophy will signify a new tradition in the world championship, paying homage to all the past, present and future world champions of the premier MXGP class.

The MXGP trophy is made up of two main materials, aluminium and carbon fibre base is formed by 6 pieces of anodized aluminium in three different shades: red at the bottom, and black and grey in the middle alongside the MXGP logo. In the grey parts we can find some filigrees inspired by motocross such as the starting gates of the tracks, the teeth on the bike sprockets, and more distinctive elements. The top of the trophy is formed by 16 twisted carbon fibre blades shaped into a cup to resemble the championship logo. The 20 stainless steel plaques wrapping the trophy are engraved with all the world champions’ names from 1957 until now in the main class.

The size and weight of the trophy represent the toughness of the competition, and its uneven sharp angles are meant to capture the skilled performance of the riders and the thrill and speed of the races.

The trophy was designed by the Barcelona-based Garcia Rojals Studio, that holds a long-time global reputation for designing outstanding racing trophies, including the Moto GP World Championship Trophy and the World SBK Trophy.

The studio is also the creators behind some specific race trophies inside the same championships and has developed different projects for eSports and NASCAR, among others. Gracia Rojals design philosophy relies on creating unique projects that are timeless, with a special focus on the technical high-quality materials.

The official unveil of the Trophy took place today during the opening press conference where Infront Moto Racing CEO Mr. David Luongo introduced the new novelty to the media, teams and riders saying: “We wanted to highlight the fact that the MXGP title is the best achievement of motocross worldwide. It will become traditional for the riders who win MXGP as they’ll have their names and their manufacturers engraved on the plates of the trophy. This trophy, designed with a talented Spanish artist, will represent the whole history of our sport since the first Championship in 1957. I’m proud to say from now on every world champion of the MXGP class will be added to the trophy and will continue to write the history of our favourite sport”

Main Photo: MXGP Trophy & MXGP Riders

Bottom Photos: 1. Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo showing the new MXGP Trophy;

2. Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo Official presenting the MXGP Trophy to media and teams during the opening press conference in Matterley Basin

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP of Great Britain

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 28 February 2020 – Infront Moto Racing, the promoters of the FIM MXGP World Championship, has extended its partnership with Dunlop. The MXGP-winning tyre brand has signed a new three-year partnership agreement to be an Official Tyre Supplier of the series.

Teams competing in MXGP, the highest level of motocross, have a free choice of tyres. In recent years, Dunlop has been providing its latest tyre technology to race-winning teams, most notably Monster Energy Kawasaki and also Standing Construct, who ran KTM bikes in 2019 and switch to GasGas this year. 

Having chosen to move to Dunlop at the start of last season, Standing Construct’s riders celebrated five victories from the last eight races, most notably Dutch rider Glenn Coldenhoff taking back to back overall victories in Italy and Sweden as well as wins at the season-ending Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

David Luongo, Infront Moto Racing CEO said: “Dunlop has been at the heart of motorsport since the very beginning. We are proud to have such a premium brand actively using MXGP to promote their race-winning tyres. We are delighted they see MXGP as more than a promotional platform, too. The open tyre competition makes MXGP a fantastic arena to develop new technologies and products. Dunlop’s recent launches prove that motorsport can drive innovation.”

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager at Dunlop added: “MXGP gives us the opportunity to test our latest off-road technology in the most demanding and gruelling events in the world. Our range of tyres, including the versatile Geomax MX33, have been developed in the heat of competition. As a result, amateur, local and national riders can buy the same tyres that have been developed and used by MXGP race winners. It’s a true proving ground for tyre innovation.”

Late last year, Dunlop launched the Geomax MX53 for harder terrain and cited the MXGP experience as being key to testing the technology in the tyre.

Dunlop also benefits from the growing audiences who follow MXGP events. The events feature live streaming, fan zones in the paddock and strong global media coverage. 

The FIM MXGP World Championship begins with the British Grand Prix at Matterley Basin on 2 February.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Dunlop

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 28 February 2020 – Infront Moto Racing is glad to announce the agreement with CBS Sports Network has been renewed for a further three years that will see the FIM Motocross World Championship air in the United States.

The collaboration began in 2012, when the network aired the 2012 edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, following the success of that event, CBS Sports Network then went on to cover the MXGP and MX2 season.

In 2020, CBS Sports will bring US MXGP fans as much coverage as possible, of every MXGP and MX2 race, including the 2020 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, taking place in Ernée, France. This is great news for the fans and the sport, as motocross continues to reach audiences worldwide.

The coverage will begin with the opening round of the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship in Matterley Basin, for the MXGP of Great Britain, as we kick-start an unforgettable season of MXGP.

About CBS Sports Network:

CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, is widely available through all major cable, satellite and telco distributors as well as via OTT streaming service providers YouTube TV, fuboTV, DirecTV and Hulu. Additionally, a live CBS Sports Network stream is available through CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App by authenticating with select providers. For more information, including a full programming schedule, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

CBS SN

Four-times FIM Motocross World Champion Jeffrey Herlings has signed a new contract with his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team and will remain ‘in orange’ for a further three years until the end of the 2023 MXGP season.

The twenty-five-year-old Dutchman inked his deal on the eve of the British Grand Prix this weekend and the opening round of twenty in the 2020 MXGP series; his fourth in the premier class and eleventh in the FIM World Championship all with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.

The association began in 2009 when Herlings was signed to make his MX2 GP debut for the 2010 season as a fifteen-year old. He claimed his first top-three race finish in just his second race at the Grand Prix of Bulgaria at Sevlievo, celebrated his first podium at Mantova in Italy for round two and then started an incredible seven-year unbeaten streak of wins a few weeks later at his home event at Valkenswaard; scene of his very first 1-1 clean sweep.

Since that initial term in 2010 Herlings has gone on to accumulate 86 Grand Prix victories in two classes and ace titles in 2012, 2013, 2016 (all MX2) and then 2018 (MXGP) with KTM 250 SX-F and KTM 450 SX-F machinery. In that time there have been some astonishing performances – such as the first moto chequered flag in Latvia last summer, taken with a broken foot – and also some tough moments when he conceded likely titles in 2014 and 2015 due to injury. His peerless 2018 MXGP campaign saw #84 own 17 from 19 Grands Prix and classify as runner-up in the other two outings.

Herlings is already the most successful Dutch rider in the history of the sport and is third on the list for all-time Grand Prix triumphs. In 2019 he added the Motocross of Nations Chamberlain trophy to his heaving collection of silverware.

Jeffrey Herlings: “I’m very, very happy. I have been with KTM since 2009 so by the end of this next contract it will be fifteen years together. I’m excited to stay in the orange family and I have been working with Pit [Beirer] and the entire crew since the beginning and I was fourteen. I’m blessed to be able to do it for another three years; four including this one about to start. It is also good to have this done before the weekend and GP1 of 2020. KTM is where my heart is, and they are my family. I’m thankful that they trust in me, and I believe in them, the bike and all the people I work with. I’ll be racing with them until I’m 28 and I’m super-happy, hopefully there many more happy days ahead.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “This contract definitely means a lot to me personally because it was back in 2009 that we gave this young kid and his family our word that we’d take good care of him and he had a great future in front of him: we wanted to be a partner in that. We went through so many ups and downs with Jeffrey and he has collected all of his wins and titles with us – just one brand. It was actually quite emotional to know he could spend his career with just one company. I’m really happy that we could agree everything so early for another three years and I wish him a healthy and strong season and hopefully an even longer association with us when he’s stopped racing.”

Robert Jonas, Vice President KTM Motorsports Offroad: “Jeffrey’s story with KTM is really special and I think it shows the strong bond we have with him that he wanted to commit to another three years with us. We all know his speed and his ability, and that determination to get the best of himself on the circuit can be almost unmatchable. He is a spectacular athlete to watch and to work with and we’re looking forward to a lot more races together.”

Copyright: Photo: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Just two days before the start of the MXGP world championship in Matterley Basin, the team KTM Sarholz announces the collaboration with the former world champion Jordi Tixier. The 27 year old Frenchman will compete the european rounds of the world championship for the german team.

Andre Sarholz:
 "After the decision was made that Jordi quits with his old team, we stayed in contact and try to make the deal happen. With the support of our sponsors and, especially, KTM we find a solution. We believe in his strength and are looking forward to a successfull season."

Jordi Tixier:
 "I’m not the type of person who gives up, I’m blessed to have a supporting family and a solid team believing and trusting in me. We raised our heads again and we put in work all we have to be in position on the grid. I thank the team Sarholz who did the best to be able to take me on board in 2020. The work done these last 3 weeks was very good. None of this would be possible without the support of factory KTM Austria and the trust of all my loyal personal partners, and sports partner."

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 27 February 2020 – The FIM Motocross World Championship is back for 2020 as we kick-off one of the most unpredictable seasons of MXGP, starting with Matterley Basin for the MXGP of Great Britain.

Known as one of the best circuits in the world, Matterley Basin will host an action-packed weekend with awesome racing from the MXGP, MX2, EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and WMX riders. With four classes stacked full of talented riders from all around the globe, we can expect the competition to be fierce.

During the 2020 season, our television partners will continue to bring live coverage to our passionate MXGP fans worldwide, including CBS Sports Network who have recently extended the agreement for a further three years, during which they will bring American fans as much coverage as possible of all MXGP events and FIM Monster Energy Motocross of Nations.

In Europe, Eurosport2 will air delayed the MXGP and MX2 races, while French fans will be able to enjoy the action live and on a delayed schedule via the Automoto la chaine and La chaine l’Equipe television channels. In the Netherlands, NOS will broadcast MXGP races, and in Slovenia devoted fans of the defending MXGP World Champion, Tim Gajser, will be able to watch both MXGP and MX2 races on Sport TV.

Italian television channel RAI Sports will once again broadcast the entire season of MXGP, including a special coverage with their very own commentary and crew at the three Italian rounds taking place in Pietramurata, Maggiora and Imola.

In the Baltics, fans from Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia will be able to watch the MXGP races, on TV Play Sports+, while fans in Portugal will receive live coverage on Sport TV. Additionally, in Brazil, Bandsports will also air the entire season live.

As a novelty in 2020, in Latvia,  Best 4 Sports will be doing a special coverage of the MXGP races live every weekend. And in Finland, the television channel Cmore Max from MTV will also be live every Sunday with the MXGP Race 2. Spanish fans will also be able to tune in to both MXGP races, as TV Galicia will provide live broadcasting of both races.

FOX Latin America and FOX Sports Asia will broadcast the races to Latin America and countries in Asia, expanding MXGP’s audience reach worldwide.   

USA - CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 ET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 ET Delayed

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 1 – 21:30 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 22:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 2 – 22:30 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET Delayed

BALTICS (Estonia – Latvia - Lithuania)

TV Play Sports +

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET LIVE

BELGIUM

PLAY SPORTS 1

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET LIVE

FINLAND

CMORE MAX

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 local time LIVE

FRANCE

AUTOMOTO LA CHAINE 

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 1 – 15:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET LIVE

LA CHAINE L’EQUIPE

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 2 – 18:30 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 19:30 CET Delayed

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 1 – 22:30 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 23:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 2 – 23:30 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 24:00 CET Delayed

ITALY

RAI SPORT

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 23:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 24:20 CET Delayed

RAI SPORT WEB

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET LIVE Streaming

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET LIVE Streaming

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 1 – 21:30 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 22:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 2 – 22:30 CET Delayed

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET Delayed

NETHERLANDS

NOS

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET LIVE Streaming

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET LIVE Streaming

PORTUGAL

Sport TV 5

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 GMT LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 GMT LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 GMT LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 GMT Delayed

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET LIVE

SPAIN

TV GALICIA

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET LIVE

ASIA

FOX SPORTS 2 CHINA

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 1 – 20:00 local time LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 21:00 local time LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 2 – 23:00 local time LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 24:00 local time LIVE

FOX SPORT SEA

Monday 2 March – MX2 Race 1 – 11:00 Delayed

Monday 2 March – MXGP Race 1 – 12:00 Delayed

Monday 2 March – MX2 Race 2 – 13:00 Delayed

Monday 2 March – MXGP Race 2 – 14:00 Delayed

FOX SPORTS 3 SEA

Sunday 1 March – MX2 Race 1 – 20:00 local time LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 21:00 local time LIVE

Sunday 1  March – MX2 Race 2 – 23:00 local time LIVE

Sunday 1  March – MXGP Race 2 – 24:00 local time LIVE

STAR SPORTS CHINA

Monday 2 March – MX2 Race 1 – 11:00 Delayed

Monday 2 March – MXGP Race 1 – 12:00 Delayed

Monday 2 March – MX2 Race 2 – 13:00 Delayed

Monday 2 March – MXGP Race 2 – 14:00 Delayed

BRAZIL 

Bandsports

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 1 – 10:00 am local time LIVE

Sunday 1 March – MXGP Race 2 – 13:00 am local time LIVE

But of course, the entire event including Saturday’s Qualifying races will also be streamed LIVE worldwide from Matterley Basin on MXGP’s own online TV service, www.MXGP-TV.com, and as usual fans can also watch the 26min Behind the Gate special feature via our TV partners or MXGP-TV on the Tuesday after each event.

26 min Behind the Gate partners:

USA & Canada: Motortrend // MAV TV

Croatia: Kreator TV

Finland: MTV

France: Automoto la Chaine

Portugal: Sport TV

Slovenia: Sport TV

Spain: Movistar

Latin America: FOX Sports

Brazil: Bandsports

Asia: FOX Sports

Africa: Sport connect

MXGP of Great Britain LIVE MXGP-TV Schedule

TIMETABLE in Local Time (GMT/UTC)

SATURDAY: 07:50 WMX Free Practice, 08:15 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 08:40 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 09:05 WMX Qualifying Practice, 09:50 MX2 Free Practice, 10:20 MXGP Free Practice, 11:10 EMX125 Qualifying Practice, 11:45 EMX125 Qualifying Practice, 12:25 MX2 Time Practice, 13:00 MXGP Time Practice, 13:45 WMX Race 1, 14:30 EMX125 Race 1, 15:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 16:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 08:25 WMX Race 2, 09:25 MX Warm-up, 09:45 MXGP Warm-up, 10:30 EMX125 Race 2, 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

MXGP of Great Britain

The countdown is truly on, as the best MXGP and MX2 riders make their way to the south of England for the opening round of the FIM World Motocross Championship. Riders from all over the world, from Australia, America, South Africa, and all over Europe arriving in England for what could be one of the greatest starts to a world motocross championship ever.

Former GP rider Max Anstie is excited to be attending the opening round of the MXGP championship as a spectator. The former Monster Energy FIM MXoN 1-1 performer at Matterley knows a little about going fast around the circuit in the valley and feels the big guns in MXGP will shine.

“I think Jeffrey and Gajser,” Anstie said. “It's difficult to battle with them, and I know that they will put the work in. Maybe third, could be Desalle, or maybe Evans. Mitch Evans will be good. Just thinking where to put Ben (Watson). I think the first race top three, and of course it would be amazing if he won, but I would be happy if he gets third, that is like winning. Then you have Vialle, and Olsen. Olsen will be strong, depends on how his hand is”.

Ben Watson will have the whole British contingent watching and hoping he can produce a stunning performance, similar to Tommy Searle in 2012 when he slayed Jeffrey Herlings around the Matterley Basin circuit.

“It is the British GP,” Watson said. “I feel I am one of the ones fighting for wins and I have worked for that, and I expect that from myself. I am not thinking about what the British fans are thinking, because that won’t help me. I learnt that last year and if it doesn’t go well now, even if I am not in the top five, I am not going to worry, it is a long season and I just keep working. You see a lot of the time some people who start strong at the start of the season are not strong at the end of the season, and you have to structure yourself and try and be strong all season, but everyone will have a bad weekend and crashes and you just have to stay consistent and try not to think about everything. I am not going there thinking I want to be careful, I just go there and do my best, but a top five is okay, but I am going there to win. When you are riding properly, that is when you ride best anyway.”

In just a few days’ time, the whole World will be watching as the best motocross riders in the world go head to head and try and gain momentum over their rivals. While it is a British held event, and the majority of fans will be from the homeland of motocross, you can be sure the hills will be filled with airhorns from Italy and France, and the atmosphere is going to be electric.

The second 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 #196: Gate/light & holeshot: 2020 MXGP and WorldSBK starts this weekend so Steve English tackled some of the talking points going into Superbike while we talk with some Grand Prix athletes about nerves. Hiding to nothing: An in-depth talk with protection and apparel specialists Alpinestars on the materials that go into their road racing leather suits. High-tech synthetics or still the butt of an animal? What do you see? The sensations, feelings and whirring thoughts of taking a motorcycle – a KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R at that – on a racetrack for the first time and what did the Pros think? Reviews, Blogs & Photos: Roland tries to get his head around KTM’s third Beast, Jonathan Rea talks about the rise of unpopularity with the climb of success, Steve & James check in from Arlington & the Qatar test.

Read it HERE

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 26 February 2020 – Infront Moto Racing is pleased to announce that the partnership with Vertex Pistons will continue for the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship season.

Since way back in 1953, when 2 strokes ruled the offroad world, professional motorcycle riders and serious amateurs alike have put Vertex Pistons in their engines. And while a lot has changed in the world of motorcycling after more than 50 years, one thing has remained a constant: Vertex Pistons and the unique levels of power they deliver are still the pistons powering the champions.

2019 MXGP World Champion Tim Gajser of Honda HRC won with Vertex and so did 2019 Supermoto World Champion Thomas Chareyre with TM Racing and Beta Motorcycles’ 2019 E3 World Champion Steve Holcombe. 2019’s E2 World Champion Loic Larrieu raced with Vertex, as did EJ World Champion Andrea Verona and EY World Champion Hamish MacDonald.

The pistons produced by Vertex, Italian company founded in 1953, played a starring role in all of this. And it’s no surprise; innovators from the start, Vertex is still pursuing the latest technologies, designs, materials and heat treatments to improve the performance and durability of every piston they make, and there are plenty. Today’s application list has expanded to include not only the most popular 2 and 4 stroke engines of past years, but all the latest-designed engines, as well, the newest releases by the major off-road motorcycle manufacturers. There is no doubt, Vertex Pistons are made to win!

This season you can see the performance of Team HRC riders Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre and Clement Desalle, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP riders Gautier Paulin, Jeremy Seewer and Arnaud Tonus, Kiara Fontanesi in WMX and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 riders Jago Geerts and Ben Watson, all powered by Vertex Pistons.

But Vertex Pistons product range is not limited to pistons, as the company also distributes on the market important brands of accessories as Wrench Rabbit, All Balls, Arrowhead, Cylinder Works, Fuel Star, Hot Cams, Hot Rods and Pivot Works.

To find out more about Vertex Pistons, visit www.it.vertexpistons.com.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Vertex Pistons