MX2

Rene Hofer will join Red Bull KTM as a full-time Grand Prix rider in 2020. The 17 year old impressed with three wild-card MX2 appearances in 2019 in what was his first full year of competition with the KTM 250 SX-F. The Austrian will give KTM factory presence in the MX2 class alongside Tom Vialle next season with double world champion Jorge Prado joining the MXGP category with Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings.

The teenager (who will turn 18 in the first days of 2020) is a former FIM Junior and European Champion and has risen through the ranks. He won EMX125 European Championship races in 2018 and was a contender for the title until a mid-season injury. Hofer claimed a podium finish and classified fourth in the EMX250 standings at his first attempt with the KTM 250 SX-F in 2019.

The rider from Linz joined the Grand Prix team for three appearances this summer; taking his first FIM world championship points in the Czech Republic and then scoring 7th place overall at the Grand Prix of Italy at Imola. This weekend he will represent Team Austria as one of the three best racers from his country for the 73rd Motocross of Nations at the TT Circuit Assen.

Hofer will be the first Austrian to represent the modern incarnation of Red Bull KTM, the first in MX2 and the third native in the factory team after Heinz Kinigadner and current VP of Offroad Robert Jonas.

Rene Hofer: “I’m super-excited. We’ve really worked for this over the last couple of years and my dreams are coming true right now. We were not sure if it would happen for 2020 but I showed some good speed in the second half of the season and also that I could compete in good positions in MX2. I felt confident in the class from the very first time, even if the weekend routine is pretty different from EMX. I’m so grateful to be able to have the chance to ride for the most successful team in the GP paddock and to have the best racing people around me as well as being able to learn from Tom. I’ve trained with him a few times now and he’s a really nice guy. He had an unbelievable rookie season and I think we can put in some solid preparation work over the winter to be ready for 2020. I turn 18 next year and I know I am ready for this step. For sure the result in Imola was very good but I will be hungry for more and I will bring in the very best effort from my side. I cannot forget to thank all the people who have helped me reach this stage of my career and who have helped shape me as a rider and as a human. I cannot wait to start work for 2020 but first I need to focus on this weekend!”

Robert Jonas, VP of Offroad: “Rene has quickly moved up through the levels of the sport and he made sure that it was hard to ignore his progress in 2019 and his first with the 250 SX-F. After two seasons in the 125s and just one in EMX250 he was already pushing for a Grand Prix opportunity and showed us what he can do. We really like the mentality and the determination of this kid and we’re proud to be able to bring another rookie into our factory team for 2020. He’s Austrian and some might think this would be an advantage but it also comes with pressure, and we wanted to make sure that Rene would be able to handle this chance. I can remember this situation from my own experience and we have no doubts about Rene. 2020 will be a learning year but, together with Tom, it means we have exciting and youthful talent behind an amazing strong MXGP line-up.”

ASSEN (The Netherlands) 25 September 2019 – The 73^rd edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations returns home this weekend as the biggest motocross race in the World settles down in The Netherlands, the country where this famous event began way back in 1947.

Besides in 1954 it was the region of Drenthe to be home of MXoN for the very first time and it was organized by Motoclub Assen indeed. Nowadays the Dutch TT circuit which hosted the FIM Motocross World Championship since 2015, and witnessed the 2017 and 2018 MXGP Championship crowning momentshas been transformed into a motocross venue again this weekend to host the 2019 edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations where each country will have 3 talented riders representing their nation in a fight for glory and pride to line up to win the coveted Chamberlain Trophy. 

Main Photo: 2018 Monster Energy FIM MXoN Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Herlings at 2018 MXGP of the Netherlands; 2. Monster Energy FIM MXoN podium

Team France is lining up again this weekend as defending Champions. They’ve been contesting the event since 1947 with 6 wins in total and 16 podiums. Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Gautier Paulin is leading the way, followed by Team VHR KTM rider Jordi Tixier and Team SM Action Yamaha team’s Maxime Renaux, the three of themrepresent the solid 2019 squad. Despite some latest changes in the line up, these riders still have the capabilities of getting their sixth in a row win and going to Ernèe, France, next year as the champions.

Despite a number of second and third place finishes in the Motocross of Nations, The Netherlands team have never won the Chamberlain trophy, although it looks that might change this weekend. Led by multi-time Motocross World Champion and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings, with last year’s perfect man at Redbud, Standing Construct KTM team rider Glenn Coldenhoff who went 1-1 in 2018 competing the OPEN class and Team HRC Calvin Vlaanderen in MX2, the Dutch are clear favourites. Even do the Monster Energy FIM MXoN is really unpredictable and it doesn’t always reward the favourites with victory Team Netherlands is fully motivated to win its first ever Monster Energy FIM MXoN in History in Assen this September. In 2016 Team Netherlands took its first podium in more than 15 years, repeating the accomplishment in both 2017 and 2018. 

This year Team USA arrive with a different line-up than 2018, however Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne, and Jason Anderson and Monster Energy/Star/Yamaha Racing Team rider Justin Cooper, who will enter the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations for the first time,all have put in the hard work to give their team the best chance of victory. Both Osborne and Anderson have arrived early in Europe to prepare for the weekend and along with their previous experience in this event as part of team USA, have a good chance to lift the trophy for the first time since 2011 and score team USA’s 23^rdvictory at this legendary race. 

Last year’s third placed Team Great Britain come with a good line-up of riders and are clearly a team to watch. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Nathan Watson in MXGP class, F&H Kawasaki rider Adam Sterry in MX2 and RFX KTM rider Shaun Simpson in OPEN are all three capable of riding within the lead riders in their classes. Simpson has a Grand Prix victory at the Assen circuit, and both Sterry and Watson are brilliant sand riders.

Team Belgium is always among the favourites with 15 wins at Motocross of Nations, 11 wins in Trophèe des Nations and 1 win in Coupe de Nations. Last time Team Belgium won the Chamberlain Trophy was back in 2013 while this year with two veterans and the 2019 MX2 bronze medal, they come prepared for battle. SR Honda team rider Jeremy Van Horebeek, and JWR Yamaha’s Kevin Strijbos are seasoned campaigners in the Belgian line-up, while Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Jago Geerts experienced his first MXoN in USA last year. Just as they have done so many times before, the Belgian team will make sure they are around the top teams on Sunday night.

Team Italy also selected a well performed team, with Standing Construct KTM team rider Ivo Monticelli at his second MXoN participationcompeting in MXGP, Team Maddii Racing Husqvarna’s Alberto Forato debuting in MX2 at the event and Gebben Van Venrooy Kawasaki’s Alessandro Lupino, who is the most experienced rider with six participations will enter the OPEN category. No doubt Team Italy has to fight for the top positions; missing the Italian hero Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli they might have a tough weekend, but they will be working just as hard as the other lead nations to make the podium.

Not to forget Team Switzerland with MXGP runner-up Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team’s Jeremy Seewer, Valentin Guillod and Cyril Scheiwiller have a consistent look about them, they could find a top five finish if their riders all perform to their best. Team Australia, whohave been competing in MXoN since the early 80s, have former Grand Prix rider Dean Ferris in the line-up and two youngster who will experience their first ever Motocross of Nations, Kyle Webster and Regan Duffy.

2019 MXGP World Champion Team HRC’s Tim Gajser will hope he can help Team Slovenia into the Sunday program and with Jan Pancar and Irt Peter backing up the World champion it looks very possible. All eyes this weekend are also on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado, the MX2 World champion from Team Spain because of his debut in 450cc in MXGP class after he won the MX2 overall last year in RedBud. Marchetti KTM's Iker Larranaga and Carlos Campano rounded up the Spanish Squad. 

Notable contenders are also Team Estonia, with the veteran A1M Motorsport team’s Tanel Leok who is attending for the 19^thtime, Priit Ratsep and Harri Kullas who have some experience in the team and also big sand skills as well as Team Denmark and Team Latvia. Team Estonia got involved in the event in 1993 for the very first time.

Stefan Kjer Olsen and Vice MX2 Champion Thomas Kjer Olsen entered Team Denmark in MXGP and MX2 classes respectively while Bastian Bogh Damm enters the OPEN class. The first time Denmark contested the Motocross of Nations was in 1951 had the chance to participate in every MXoN since then with only tree exceptions in 2007, 2010 and 2017 with best registered result as a 7th place in 1980.

MX1 2019 Latvian Champion Toms Macuks representing the MXGP Class, Davis Ivanovs entering the MX2 class and multiple Motocross World Champion Pauls Jonass in the OPEN Category will represent Team Latvia this weekend. Team Latvia has been taking part at the event since 1992. 

34 Teams will line up this weekend at the sandy track of Assen which will show some slight changes in the layout made on purpose for a weekend which is bound to be epic. 

Upper Photos: Glenn Coldenhoff & Gautier Paulin - 2018 MXoN

Bottom Photos: Alessandro Lupino & Jorge Prado - 2018 MXoN

TIMETABLE 

Friday: MXoN Teams Presentation to the Crowd 17:00; Pit Bike of Nations 18:15; Briefing with Team Managers and Ballot 19:15.

Saturday: Free practice bLU cRU YZ65 08:00; Free practice bLU cRU YZ85 08:15; Free practice bLU cRU YZ125 08:30; Time practice bLU cRU YZ65 08:45; Free practice bLU cRU YZ85 09:10; Free practice bLU cRU YZ125 09:35; Free Practice MXGP 10:00; Free practice MX2 10:50; Free Practice Open 11:40; Race bLU cRU YZ65 13:10; Race bLU cRU YZ85 13:45; Qualifying Heat MXGP 14:30; Qualifying Heat MX2 15:30; Qualifying Heat Open 16:30

Sunday: Warm-up B-Final 8:35; Race bLU cRU YZ125 09:20; Warm-up MXoN Group 1 10:00; Warm-up MXoN Group 2 10:20; B-Final 10:50; MXoN Race 1 (MXGP+MX2) 13:10; MXoN Race 2 (MX2+Open) 14:40; MXoN Race 3 (Open+MXGP) 16:08.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Assen

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 24 September 2019 – Youthstream is very pleased to announce the renewal of the partnership with Moto-Master Brake Systems, one of the best Motocross Brake Discs and Brake Pads providers in the world, for the next three years. 

Moto-Master was founded in 1997 and over the years the company has built a fantastic reputation with their cutting edge products, which has resulted in them becoming a solid partner of the strongest teams in the paddock. Part of their success are MXGP and MX2 World Champions Jeffrey Herlings Antonio Cairoli and Jorge Prado (2018 MX2) and Pauls Jonass (2017 MX2), and a few weeks ago they could celebrate a new MX2 World Title with Jorge Prado. Since 2010 Moto-Master has secured 16 World Titles in MXGP and MX2 combined, making their FLAME Series the winnigest brake disc in today’s motocross.

Since shaking hands with Youthstream in 2015, Moto-Master has become a recognized brand at each round of MXGP, with Moto-Master branded advertising panels strategically placed on the side of the circuits giving the brand some great television coverage.

David Luongo, Youthstream CEO: “We want to thank Moto-Master for their great collaboration over the last years. MXGP is now a global brand recognize all over the world, and Moto-Master is strongly supporting the sport, helping us to reach new markets and to touch more fans.” 

Mr Eduard Nolde, Moto-Master Owner stated: “At Moto-Master we are pleased to renew our partnership with Youthstream because, over the past years it has significantly raised brand awareness within the MX community on a global scale. It is one of the key factors responsible for the substantial growth of our company.”

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Moto-Master

Team Latvia has been introduced for the 73^rd Edition of the Monster Energy FIM MXoN: Team Manager is the MXGP of Latvia Organizer Kristers Sergis, who officially presents MX1 2019 Latvian Champion Toms Macuks representing the MXGP Class while Davis Ivanovs enters the MX2 class and multiple Motocross World Champion Pauls Jonass lines up in OPEN Category. 

Pauls Jonass, besides his three world titles, 2 as Junior motocross world champion and one as MX2 Champion in 2017 is a podium finisher in 2019 in his rookie season in MXGP. The Latvian is fully committed to give his team his best result since their first appearance at MXoN in 1992. 

The 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations is in 1 week time. The circuit of Assen is waiting for you.

Purchase your ticket for the HERE: https://assen.motocross-tickets.com/en/12091-motocross-of-nations-the-netherlands/

Go VIP at the Monster Energy FIM MXoN! More info HERE: https://mxon.motocross-viptickets.com/en/2364-the-netherlands-motocross-vip/

Team Denmark has a strong line up at this edition of the Monster Energy FIM MXoN set to take place in Assen the 28^th and 29^th September. 

The Danish Federation and team manager Emil Larsen named the couple of brothers Stefan and Vice MX2 Champion Thomas Kjer Olsen competing in MXGP and MX2 classes respectively plus Bastian Bogh Damm riding in the OPEN class. 

The first time Denmark participated in Motocross of Nations was in 1951 on the Namur circuit in Belgium and Team Denmark had the chance to participate in every MXoN since then with only tree exceptions in 2007, 2010 and 2017 with best registered result as a 7th place in 1980.

In 1955 Denmark was also the organizer of Motocross des Nations on the Volk Mølle track in Randers. 

The 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations is going to be massive. Purchase your ticket for  HERE: https://assen.motocross-tickets.com/en/12091-motocross-of-nations-the-netherlands/

Go VIP at the Monster Energy FIM MXoN! More info HERE: https://mxon.motocross-viptickets.com/en/2364-the-netherlands-motocross-vip/

In a week time Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will take place at the ‘Cathedral of Speed’ at one of the most well known circuits in the world, the Assen TT circuit in the Netherlands. Book yourself for the 28^th and 29^th September and buy your tickets now!

The Assen TT Circuit was home of both the 2017 and 2018 MXGP Championship crowning moments and this year might witness another historical moment. Team the Netherlands seems to be one the favourites to win the Chamberlain Trophy this year and it would be the first ever MXoN victory for the Dutch team. 

However, Team France will not leave things easy for the local team as they are looking forward to confirm their Nations Supremacy! And what about Team USA? The Americans are travelling to the Netherlands committed to fight for what it would be their 23^rd title. 

Glory, action, pride, CHEER ON YOUR FAVOURITE NATION IN THE SEASON'S BIGGEST RACE!

Buy your ticket for the best event of the year HERE

Unfortunately the strong team of the Swiss have to make a short term change in the line-up of the Monster Energy FIM MXoN taking place in Assen, Netherlands this 28th and 29th November. 
Arnaud Tonus suffered a hand injury at the last MXGP world championship race in Shanghai, China which was diagnosed today by his doctor in Switzerland. Although this means that Tonus does not need surgery the healing process of his injured hand is about four to six weeks. Sadly Arnaud announced today that he can not represent our country in Assen. 

As a replacement rider for Arnaud Tonus the Swiss Open Vice-Champion Cyril Scheiwiller was nominated by the Swiss Federation FMS. Cyril is 27 years old and will race on a Yamaha in Assen. 

Ge Well Soon Arnaud!

MXGP is happy to keep running the FOX Holeshot competition trough the 19 rounds of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship season together with MXGP Partner FOX. 

The way it works is that 1 point is awarded per MXGP or MX2 championship race. The first rider who cross the white line painted on the ground at the exit of the first corner will be given a point. At the end of the season, the 2 riders – one per category - with the most FOX Holeshot points will win a mega prize. 

At the Just1 MXGP of China Presented by Hehui Investment Group, which took place in Shanghai last weekend, Standing Construct KTM’s Glenn Coldenhoff and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer took the FOX Holeshot in MXGP Race 1 and Race 2 respectively while in MX2 Class Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle took the FOX Holeshot in race 1 and Jorge Prado took it in Race 2. 

Watch the FOX Holeshots Films HERE below. 

MXGP FOX Holeshot Film

MX2 FOX Holeshot Film

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 season in MXGP and MX2 classes, and has the most points, will be awarded.

At the Just1 MXGP of China Presented by Hehui Investment Group for the very first time this season the MXGP Vice Champion Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer set the Tag Heuer best lap in MXGP, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado did it in MX2.

Here below you have the details: 

MXGP: Jeremy Seewer at Race 1 Lap 2 with 1:44:208

MX2: Jorge Prado at Race 2 Lap 3 with 1:45:688

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

Team Great Britain announced the two replacements for the MXGP and MX2 class being Max Anstie and Ben Watson injured and forced out from the 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. 

Nathan Watson will replace Max Anstie in MXGP Class, while Adam Sterry will compete in MX2.

Team GB have a long history in MXoN with victories in 17 occasions, the most recent win was in 1994 while they have been on the podium in each of the last two ‘Nations’ taking third in Matterley Basin in 2017 and Red Bud in 2018. The Team GB line up formed by Nathan Watson, Adam Sterry and Shaun Simpson is hoping to secure the third podium position in a row. 

You won’t want to miss the Monster Energy FIM MXoN taking place in Assen, Netherlands in September the 28^thand 29^th.

Purchase your ticket for the 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations HERE: https://assen.motocross-tickets.com/en/12091-motocross-of-nations-the-netherlands/

Go VIP at the Monster Energy FIM MXoN! More info HERE: https://mxon.motocross-viptickets.com/en/2364-the-netherlands-motocross-vip/