MX2

Shaun Simpson is hoping to be one of the few British riders in the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship and is actively planning to establish his own Grand Prix and British Championship race team fielding KTM and WP Suspension equipment. The 31 year old will leave the confines of RFX KTM – a squad he helped establish for 2019 – and race under his own ‘SS24’ banner next year.

The veteran has struggled with the set-up of his race machine as well as basic technical issues in the last rounds of the current campaign and after recovering from a broken hand that forced to Scot to miss five Grands Prix in the mid-part of the season. Simpson has decided to tailor a racing operation around his needs and return to the modus operandi that served him brightly in 2014 and 2015 for GP success.

“I have almost fifteen years experience in the world championship and still totally believe I have the speed and the knowledge to run as high as possible in MXGP; definitely to get in amongst the factory boys,” he said. “Now is the time to do things the right way that will allow me to do my best on the track. For what feels like many reasons it simply hasn’t happened for me in the last month in MXGP but we have already taken some steps to reorganise and make sure we’re in the right direction for the Motocross of Nations and the last British Championship round.”

“Thanks to the people involved at RFX KTM, but I know I can keep progressing in my career if we make this move,” he added. “It will be far from easy but I can count on great support from KTM and it’s a brand that is a natural fit for me with the most competitive equipment. It’s exciting. We’ll start small but we want a high level of presentation because we know what sponsors and fans will expect. We’ll try to do things a bit differently as well with some ideas at races and through social media.”

“The goal will be a strong world championship campaign, the British title and a few surprise race appearances and then who knows where the team will grow for ’21,” he added.

While the second half of 2019 has been sparse for top ten results, Simpson has shown proven pace: toasting 8 wins from 14 races in the British series as well as top three classifications in national Dutch and Belgian meetings against Grand Prix rivals. He has not achieved the starts nor the consistency to hit the mark in MXGP, much to his frustration.

“It’s been one of the hardest periods of my career. It has been a bumpy ride the last three years with injuries and team and brand changes,” he reflected. “It’s time to reset to some ways that I know will deliver the results and put a smile on my face again.”  

Simpson, who is the last privateer winner of a premier class Grand Prix when he triumphed at the 2013 Grand Prix of Benelux with a stock Yamaha, is likely to run as the sole rider in the new team but is beginning to confirm the scale and full ambition of the project.

SHANGHAI (China) 12 September 2019 – The Final round of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship will conclude in the magnificent city of Shanghai for the MXGP of China for the very first time. While a new track on its own is a big challenge for MXGP and MX2 riders, the medium soft circuit is ready and excited to host its very first world class event. 

The 2019 MXGP season has travelled to 18 different venues this year around the world providing hype, expectations and intense actions at each round. The 2019 Champions Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado have nothing to prove this weekend as they have already their MXGP and MX2 titles in the pockets but the battles to round up the Championships podiums are still open. 

While the 2019 MXGP Championship title chase concluded with Team HRC’s Tim Gajser taking the title in Imola, the field is still open battling for other positions. However the Slovenian he’ll be lining up hoping to add the Grand Finale victory to his nine overalls, besides he only needs to add nine more points to the second placed in order to be the most dominant champion in motocross history and a return to the podium is like a must for the HRC rider this weekend after his 4^th place in Turkey. 

Red Bull KTM Factory's Jeffrey Herlings is back, he was the protagonist of the MXGP of Turkey being able to win his first GP of the season after recovering from couple of major injuries this year. Last weekend’s perfect performance shows the Dutchman will go into the MXGP of China and the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations as a big favourite for the overall win. 

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team’s Jeremy Seewer will attempt the MXGP of China with 542 point on the standings, after a bitter-sweet GP in Turkey where he was able to finish 7^th, the Swiss is going to China with the speed on his side and full of expectations to return on MXGP Podium. 

Standing Construct KTM team’s Glenn Coldenhoff boosted his confidence going 1-1-2 for the last three Grand Prix and you can bet he will push hard at the MXGP of China looking at the third place on the MXGP championship points while Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Gautier Paulin currently holds down that position. Paulin, who is actually feeling awesome recently, has 499 points while Coldenhoff 488, so it will be interesting to see who comes out of that battle with the third position.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Pauls Jonass is also in good form and will want to perform at his best in China. The Latvian finished third overall at the MXGP of Turkey reaching his third podium of the season. 

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tommy Searle was forced to withdraw from the MXGP of Turkey due to a crash during the warm up which caused him a shoulder contusion. After further examinations Searle might be back at the MXGP of China. 

MXGP - World Championship Top Ten:1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 744 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 542 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 499 p.; 4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 488 p.; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 462 p.; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 428 p.; 7. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 416 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 403 p.; 9. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 384 p.; 10. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 358 p.

Main Photo: MXGP Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser; 2. Jeffrey Herlings

In the MX2 class Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado is the favourite to win this coming weekend and score his 31 GP win while the battles for the GP podium and Championship standings is still wide open. 

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team’sThomas Kjer Olsen is secure to finish second in the MX2 championship, but due to food poisoning sickness couldn’t race to his best level in Turkey last weekend and will want to end his season with a better result.

Third in the Championship is Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Jago Geerts who has lacked his usual speed in recent weeks and goes to the final round with a strong motivation to get back on the podium as he did in Turkey the past week. 

Battling for the third position in the standings is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado Tom Vialle who is just 10 points behind Geerts. You can bet he’ll push hard this weekend with good starts and confidence on his side. 

F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Roan Van De Moosdijk picked up his first ever MX2 podium last weekend in Turkey, and made a statement for being selected by Team Netherlands for the Monster Energy FIM MXoN indeed, be sure he wishes to repeat his Turkish performances this weekend. 

Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen, is hoping to make its fourth podium of the season, after he missed the podium at the MXGP of Turkey only for 1 point finishing 6^th tied in points with Vialle.

Another rider to watch out recently is surely Team SM Action Yamaha team’s Maxime Renaux who made his first MX2 Podium at the MXGP of Italy and arrived fourth in Turkey tied in points with Van De Moosdijk.

This weekend the MX2 class also has the third WMX classified, Larissa Papenmeier among the entries. The German is looking forward to joining this experience in China after a bitter sweet final round of WMX due to sickness.  

MX2 - World Championship Top Ten:1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 787 points; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 592 p.; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 505 p.; 4. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 495 p.; 5. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 442 p.; 6. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 384 p.; 7. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 376 p.; 8. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 359 p.; 9. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, HON), 303 p.; 10. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 282 p.

Main Photo: MX2 Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Jorge Prado; 2. Jago Geerts

All Photos from the MXGP of China can be found HERE

TIMETABLE in Local Time (GMT+8) 

Saturday: 10:45 MX2 Free Practice, 11:15 MXGP Free Practice, 13:20 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 15:25 Qualifying Race, 16:10 Qualifying Race

Sunday: 10:25 MX2 Warm-Up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-Up, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of China

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 MXGP of Turkey, which took place in Afyon this weekend, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass 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 Jorge Prado took the FOX Holeshot in both races. 

Watch the FOX Holeshots Films HERE below. 

MXGP FOX Holeshot Film

MX2 FOX Holeshot Film

The 18th and Final round of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship is taking place this weekend in Shanghai, China for the very first time. 

Timetable and Entry Lists for the MXGP of China are available here below:

TIMETABLE

MXGP Entry List

MX2 Entry List

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 MXGP of Turkey in Afyon Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herligs 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: Jeffrey Herlings at Race 1 Lap 7 with 1:48:954

MX2: Jorge Prado at Race 1 Lap 3 with 1:52:741

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

AFYON (Turkey) 8 September 2019 – The MXGP of Turkey hosted the final round of the EMX2T championship presented by FMF Racing where Ecomaxx Fuels’ Mike Kras not only won the day, but was also crowned 2019 EMX Champion. The Dutchman went 3-1 for the victory and finished just one point ahead of Verde Substance KTM team’s Brad Anderson, who went 2-2 for second overall, and second in the championship. Third in the championship was Todd Kellett.

Team JK Racing Yamaha’s Manuel Iacopi who took the opening race win in the class, but could not finish the second race while in second place, still managed to finish third overall with 1-6 results.

The first EMX2T championship presented by FMF Racing race saw an early lead from Kras after being close to Anderson in the first and second corner, then Anderson went down in the second corner but was quickly into third and then moved into second, but it was Iacopi who re-passed first Anderson on lap six and then Kras on lap eight when the Dutchman stalled his bike. 

Kras tried to come back, but was rattled and Anderson also moved past, and into second place. Kras faded badly in the second part of the race, but still finished third. The Italian Iacopi won his third race of the season from Anderson and Kras.

The second EMX2T championship presented by FMF Racing race was the all-important championship decider. Iacopi led from Kras and Anderson, with Dimitrios Baxeanis and Francesco Galligari in fourth and fifth. Kras moved into the lead quickly and Anderson also past Iacopi. After a lap Kras was already nearly five seconds ahead of Anderson, with Iacopi seven seconds back in third place. 

As the race moved into the fifth lap Anderson started closing up on Kras and it was just two seconds behind, but Kras clocked the quickest lap of the race to stay in front. Making the championship complicated Iacopi caught Anderson and was all over the British who started struggling and lost a position to the Italian rider.

The lead by Kras was just under two seconds, but then all of a sudden just as Iacopi caught and tried to pass the leader, his bike stopped, and he ended up last. Kras held a big lead over Anderson and went on to win the race and the championship.

Mike Kras: “I just want to say this, my kids will remember me as a champion. I needed to take it easy. I could see Brad (Anderson) wasn’t catching me. I just want to take the title home and now we will celebrate. Before the race I felt good, because it isn’t the first time I go for a championship even if we arrived in Turkey tied in points. I took a good start and rode my own race.”

Brad Anderson: “Mike had some good lines, passed us both and got away from us a bit. Then I started catching, but Iacopi was close and passed me, but then his bike broke. I tried to get my head down and tried to catch Mike, but he rode very well. I am disappointed, but I wish to thank the team for getting me here.”

EMX2T championship presented by FMF Racing - Race 1 Top Six:1. Manuel Iacopi (ITA, Yamaha), 30:44.043; 2. Brad Anderson (GBR, KTM), +0:04.214; 3. Mike Kras (NED, KTM), +0:21.867; 4. Andreas Andreoy (GRE, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 5. Dimitrios Baxevanis (GRE, Yamaha), -2 lap(s); 6. Francesco Galligari (ITA, Husqvarna), -2 lap(s);

EMX2T championship presented by FMF Racing - Race 2 Top Six:1. Mike Kras (NED, KTM), 29:43.512; 2. Brad Anderson (GBR, KTM), +0:04.802; 3. Dimitrios Baxevanis (GRE, Yamaha), -2 lap(s); 4. Andreas Andreoy (GRE, Yamaha), -3 lap(s); 5. Francesco Galligari (ITA, Husqvarna), -3 lap(s); 6. Manuel Iacopi (ITA, Yamaha), -5 lap(s);

EMX2T championship presented by FMF Racing - Overall Top Six:1. Mike Kras (NED, KTM), 45 points; 2. Brad Anderson (GBR, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Manuel Iacopi (ITA, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Dimitrios Baxevanis (GRE, YAM), 36 p.; 5. Andreas Andreoy (GRE, YAM), 36 p.; 6. Francesco Galligari (ITA, HUS), 31 p.;

EMX2T championship presented by FMF Racing - Championship Top Ten: 1. Mike Kras (NED, KTM), 280 points; 2. Brad Anderson (GBR, KTM), 279 p.; 3. Todd Kellett (GBR, YAM), 200 p.; 4. Vaclav Kovar (CZE, GAS), 180 p.; 5. Andero Lusbo (EST, HUS), 162 p.; 6. Andrea Gorini (SMR, YAM), 102 p.; 7. Gianluca Deghi (ITA, KTM), 93 p.; 8. Manuel Iacopi (ITA, YAM), 90 p.; 9. Youri van t Ende (NED, KTM), 88 p.; 10. Brad Todd (GBR, YAM), 86 p.;

EMX2T championship presented by FMF Racing - Manufacturers Classification:1. KTM, 330 points; 2. Yamaha, 293 p.; 3. Husqvarna, 250 p.; 4. Gas Gas, 180 p.; 5. Honda, 23 p.; 6. TM, 7 p.

Main Photo: FIM Europe President Martin de Graaff, Mike Kras and Youthstream CEO David Luongo

Bottom Photos: 1. Iacopi, Kras and Anderson Action; 2. Mike Kras Finish

Click HERE for the complete results

All the Photos from the MXGP of Turkey will be available HERE 

MXGP of Turkey – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1,725m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 28°

Weather conditions: sunny

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 25,000

EMX was available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM Europe

MXGP of Turkey

AFYON (Turkey) 8 September 2019 – Bike It DRT Kawasaki’s Courtney Duncan achieved her lifetime achievement this weekend at the final round of the Women’s Motocross World Championship as she has been crowned 2019 Women’s Motocross World Champion in Afyon after walking away from the dry heat of Turkey with her first World championship. The New Zealander went 1-1 and proved once again to be too good for the opposition after dominating the whole series with 4 rounds win. 

Sara Andersen finished second overall with 2-2 results and No Fear Yamaha team’s Nancy Van De Ven finished third overall with 3-3 results on the day and second overall in the championship points. Third in the championship was Larissa Papenmeier who had a bitter-sweet weekend.

In the opening WMX race Duncan was in a close battle for first place, going from fourth to first in the second corner, but made a mistake and dropped back behind Papenmeier and Van De Ven. Duncan rode cautious and she did not want to make a mistake being third place just ahead of Andersen.

Van De Ven then passed Papenmeier and moved into first place while Andersen moved into second place. Duncan also passed Papenmeier for third and soon after Andersen took the lead over Van De Ven.

Duncan was on fire and moved into second place and relegated Van De Ven to third while Papenmeier crashed and dropped back to eight position. Duncan passed Andersen for the lead and was never headed again. Duncan won from Andersen and Van De Ven.

The second WMX race saw Papenmeier leading from Duncan, but the Kiwi was quickly into the lead ahead of Line Dam, Papenmeier, Van De Ven, and Shana Van der Vlist. After two laps the lead by Duncan was nearly seven seconds with Andersen second and Van De Ven third. Amandine Verstappen was into fourth and Dam fifth.

On lap six Duncan just controlled the race up front with a 13-second lead over Anderson and Van De Ven in third. The new World champion made it a 20 second lead on lap eight and looked brilliant once again. Dam crashed out while battling with Papenmeier for fifth position and dropped back to seventh. Duncan wins it from Andersen and Van De Ven claiming her coveted Women’s Motocross World Title.

Courtney Duncan: “I am lost for words. I can’t describe it. I won my first race and I expected big things from myself and everyone around me also. I needed to take my time and learn from these mistakes and failures and when we felt like quitting, we kept going and here we are, World champion. Yes, I mean I wanted to go out there and ride a good race and I had nothing to lose and just put the hammer down. What a way to end the season, nine out of ten wins and I couldn’t be happier. It was cool to clinch it yesterday and just enjoy today and embrace the moment. I am so grateful my family did and all my other family, they put in a bit effort. The team, Dixon Racing, Monster Energy and so awesome to have my family here.”

Nancy Van De Ven: “Second overall in the championship but Courtney was really good, and she deserves this championship. I had to fight to get third on the podium and second in the championship. Overall it was a good year and I want to thank my team and sponsors and my family.”

Larissa Papenmeier: “I had a tough weekend. I started getting sick and I was at the medical center for a long time, I wasn’t sure I could ride. I finished eight and crashed again and I wasn’t sure I could race again today. For sure I am not feeling good now, but congratulation to Courtney and let’s see what happens next year. I want to thank the team, my family and my fans. I want to ride MX2 class in China next week, so I hope I am well enough.”

WMX - Race 1 Top Ten:1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), 26:02.094; 2. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:12.818; 3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:25.931; 4. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Yamaha), +0:47.884; 5. Line Dam (DEN, Honda), +1:10.954; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +1:15.881; 7. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +1:17.645; 8. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +1:34.765; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), +1:50.775; 10. Virginie Germond (SUI, KTM), -1 lap(s); 

WMX - Race 2 Top Ten:1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), 24:10.640; 2. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:29.096; 3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:33.273; 4. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Yamaha), +0:34.424; 5. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +1:07.454; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +1:16.850; 7. Line Dam (DEN, Honda), +1:35.826; 8. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +1:40.454; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), +1:41.914; 10. Elisa Galvagno (ITA, Yamaha), -1 lap(s);

WMX - Overall Top Ten:1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 50 points; 2. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, YAM), 36 p.; 5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 30 p.; 6. Line Dam (DEN, HON), 30 p.; 7. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 29 p.; 8. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 27 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, SUZ), 24 p.; 10. Elisa Galvagno (ITA, YAM), 21 p.;

WMX - Championship Top Ten:1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 239 points; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 203 p.; 3. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 195 p.; 4. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, YAM), 171 p.; 5. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 153 p.; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 152 p.; 7. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 147 p.; 8. Line Dam (DEN, HON), 111 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, SUZ), 106 p.; 10. Nicky van Wordragen (NED, YAM), 65 p.;

WMX - Manufacturers Classification:1. Kawasaki, 239 points; 2. Yamaha, 219 p.; 3. KTM, 182 p.; 4. Honda, 116 p.; 5. Suzuki, 114 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 59 p.

Main Photo: 2019 WMX Championship Podium - Youthstream CEO David Luongo, Nancy Van De Ven, Courtney Duncan, Larissa Papenmeier, FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela

Bottom Photos: 1. WMX Start; 2. Duncan Celebrations

Click HERE for the complete results

All the Photos from the MXGP of Turkey will be available HERE 

MXGP of Turkey – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1,725m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 28°

Weather conditions: sunny

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 25,000

WMX was available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Turkey

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team's Tommy Searle after a crash during the warm up on Sunday morning wasn’t able to race this 17^th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Tommy Searle posted the twelfth fastest lap in both practice sessions on Saturday and later qualified in eleventh position for the GP. But during the warm up on Sunday morning Tommy crashed and suffered a shoulder contusion which forced him to withdraws from the GP. Tommy Searle normally will be back on track next weekend in China for the final round of the 2019 championship.