MX2

UDDEVALLA (Sweden) 21 August, 2019 – The FIM Motocross World Championship is gearing up for the 16^th stop of the season in Uddevalla as the MXGP of Sweden makes a return to the 2019 Calendar after 1 year break. Uddevalla and its natural rocky hills have a long history in MXGP and in Motocross in general with the first Motocross World Championship being hosted in 1958. 

Team HRC Tim Gajser scored his third FIM Motocross World Championship title in Imola last week and it's actually his 4th World title if we consider he won the 125cc Junior Motocross World Title in 2012, but looked pumped to continue his MXGP battles until the very last moment of the series, while in MX2 class, it is very possible that defending MX2 champion Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado will score his second consecutive MX2 championship on the hard pack track of Uddevalla. 

It won’t just be Prado who will compete for the gold plate this weekend as the EMX250 and EMX125 presented by FMF Racing championships will join the MXGP and MX2 classes and the EMX250 and EMX125 champions will also be crowned this weekend. 

In EMX250 it is F&H Racing Kawasaki’s Roan van de Moosdijk who leads the championship by 11 points to Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Stephen Rubini, with Maddii Racing Husqvarna’s Alberto Forato 13 points behind Van De Moosdijk, and with three riders in the championship picture, whatever happens in Sweden, it will go down to the wire.

In the EMX125 presented by FMF Racing, WZ-Racing’s Simon Laengenfelder scored 2-1 results to win the overall in the last round in Lommel, ahead of series leader Maddii Racing Husqvarna’s Mattia Guadagnini and Team VRT’s Tom Guyon, however Guadagnini is leading the championship by 20 points and might be crowned EMX125 presented by FMF Racing champion come Sunday morning in Sweden.

In the MXGP class Team HRC’s Tim Gajser has nothing to prove after he won his 2019 MXGP title three GPs before the end of the season but he admitted he’ll not plan to relax yet especially in Sweden, which is a track he fits very well after his win in 2015 in MX2 and in 2017 in MXGP at the last occasion MXGP visited Uddevalla. 

Last week GP winner Standing Construct KTM’s Glenn Coldenhoff went 1-1 in Italy and reached the top 5 in Uddevalla in 2017 while Championship’s second position, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team’s Jeremy Seewer looks excited to go back to the old school track of Uddevalla, the same track where he had good memories winning the 2017 GP of Sweden in MX2 class. Both these guys are in great form and expect them to push the new World MXGP champion to the limit.

Second and third overall at the 2017 MXGP of Sweden were Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team’s Romain Febvre and Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Gautier Paulin. Febvre, who won the MXGP of Sweden in 2015, is still leading the TAG HEUER fastest lap competition but he is only placed 7^th at championship standings while Paulin who’s third in the series 41 points behind Seewer is gearing up to be back on the box in a track where he always performed very well with a podium finish in MXGP and three podium finished in MX2. 

21 point behind Paulin is his teammate Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Arnaud Tonus who is looking forward to catch up this weekend after quite a frustrating GP in Imola.

Naming who are up front recently, we can not avoid the two Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing riders of Arminas Jasikonis and Pauls Jonass, who are 6^th and 9^th in the points respectively. Last time Jonass was in Sweden it was third on the podium in MX2 and we might experience the same battles up front between the Latvian and Seewer this year but in MXGP class, Jonass managed to finish 5^th in Imola last weekend. 

Standing Construct KTM’s Max Anstie had some further examination in Imola after he felt pain while he was battling in the Top five in qualifying race, he' forced to sit out the final rounds of the 2019 MXGP season due to a dislocated collarbone since his crash in Lommel and a lung issue he discovered in Imola after additional checks. 

2017 MXGP of Sweden MXGP Podium

1. Tim Gajser

2. Romain Febvre

3. Gautier Paulin

MXGP - World Championship Top Ten:1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 664 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 481 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 440 p.; 4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 419 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 399 p.; 6. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 377 p.; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 362 p.; 8. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 358 p.; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 352 p.; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 347 p.

Main Photo: MXGP Start - MXGP of Sweden 2017

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser; 2. Jeremy Seewer

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado is lining up to grab his second MX2 championship from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing‘s Thomas Kjer Olsen. The Spanish rider has been amazing in 2019, and his season will go down as one of the all-time greats in the sports history while Olsen was back on the box in Imola after a difficult weekend in Belgium and he is keen on pushing hard this weekend. Prado was second in 2017 in Uddevalla after winning the race 1 while Olsen arrived 6^th.

Third place in the championship is back to Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Jago Geerts and he has a handy point lead over fourth placed man F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Henry Jacobi, those two will be keen for podium results while Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s teammate Ben Watson is forced out of the races due to a wrist injury.

Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen, who has been consistent since his return from injury, is looking for a podium in Sweden after his solid performances whilw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle is just a handful of points away from Jacobi for fourth place in the championship; he did not have his best GP in Imola after a two-DNF result but he is attempting the Uddevalla circuit for the first time with the goal to move closer to the top three season finish.

Yamaha SM Action’s Maxime Renaux, who is sitting in 7^th in the points, had his first MX2 Podium finish in Imola and he is someone to watch out rolling at the Swedish track. 

2017 MXGP of Sweden MX2 Podium

1. Jeremy Seewer

2. Jorge Prado

3. Pauls Jonass

MX2 - World Championship Top Ten:1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 694 points; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 564 p.; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 447 p.; 4. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 422 p.; 5. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 416 p.; 6. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 320 p.; 7. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 309 p.; 8. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 282 p.; 9. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 281 p.; 10. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, HON), 255 p.

Main Photo: MX2 Start - MXGP of Sweden 2017

Bottom Photos: 1. Jorge Prado; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen

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

TIMETABLE

Saturday: 09h00 EMX125 Free practice Group 1, 09h25 EMX125 Free Practice Group 2, 09h50 EMX250 Free Practice; 10h20 EMX125 Qualifying practice Group 1, 11h00 EMX125 Qualifying Practice Group 2, 11h40 EMX250 Qualifying practice; 12h30 MX2 Free Practice, 13h00 MXGP Free Practice, 13h55 EMX125 Race 1, 14h40 MX2 Time Practice, 15h15 MXGP Time Practice, 16h05 EMX250 Race 1, 16h55 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17h40 MXGP Qualifying Race.

Sunday: 09h45 EMX125 Race 2, 10h25 MX2 Warm-Up, 10h45 MXGP Warm-Up, 11h30 EMX250 Race 2, 13h15 MX2 Race 1, 14h15 MXGP Race 1, 16h10 MX2 Race 2, 17h10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Sweden

Team USA has been presented for the 73^rd Edition of the Monster Energy FIM MXoN. 

Team Manager Roger De Coster introduced the team leader Jason Anderson who will compete in MXGP, Justin Cooper who is lining up in MX2 and Zach Osborne who will enter the Open Class. 

Jason Anderson and Zach Osborne have been part of Team USA already twice and both of them are actually riding a Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory racing 450, while Justin Cooper will enter the Monster Energy FIM MXoN for this first time this year on a Yamaha YZ 250cc. 

The newly announced American team is keen on attending this Edition taking place on September the 28^th and 29^th to bring home his 23^rd MXoN overall win. 

The complete line up of this edition of ‘The Nations’ is taking shape and the official entry lists is going to be released shortly. 

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/

Today a presentation press conference was held at the regional Parliament palace of Drenthe, Netherlands where the Organizers of the 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Lee Van Dam and Theo Verdegem, Youthstream Representative Guido Becchis and local politicians such as Mayor of Assen Marco Out and Regional Deputy Mr. Tjisse Stelpstra were in attendance to give more details on the 73^rd edition of the Monster Energy FIM MXoN to local and national media. 

During the conference also the Netherlands Squad has been presented; after the great achievement Team Netherlands reached at the 2018 Monster Energy FIM MXoN, the Dutch Federation had the pleasure to present the line-up which stood at the second step of the Podium in Red Bud; Team Manager Patrice Assendelft presented Jeffrey Herlings and Glenn Coldenhoff, two of the best Dutch riders ever. Herlings who was injured for most of the 2019 is recovering to be in full shape for the event, while Coldenhoff has a great confidence this season and especially after winning his first GP of the season in Imola. 

Member of the team will be Calvin Vlaanderen who showed great speed lately and the surprise of 2019 season, the young rider Roan Van de Moosdijk. The four riders will make some tests on deep sandy tracks in the next days and the final team will be chosen and announced shortly.

In 1954 the region of Drenthe was home of MXoN for the very first time and it was organized by Motoclub Assen, since that moment Team Netherlands finished on MXoN podium 13 times but has never taken the victory. In 2016 Team Netherlands took its first podium in more than 15 years, repeating the accomplishment in both 2017 and 2018. Team Netherlands is fully motivated to win its first ever Monster Energy FIM MXoN in Assen this September and make the history. 

Don’t miss the pinnacle of the MX season which is taking place in September 28^th and 29^th at TT circuit in Assen, click HERE to purchase your ticket. 

Click HERE for more details on the VIP Gold Skybox entrances! 

Photo Credits: AndereFoto / Serge Duursma

The final 2019 MXGP Round will be held in China on September 15^thfor the first time. 

Last August the 16^th the MXGP was presented in Shanghai with representatives from Shanghai Municipal Government in attendance and over 50 national media attending presenting additional details on the preparation of the event. In attendance at this opening press conference: Yihao Huang, H&H Group Marketing & Media manager, Jianhao Xu, one of the best Chinese MX rider, Ming Ni, Vice president of H&H group, Bill Ni, Chairman of H&H group, Yuan Yuan, Deputy Chief executive of Fengxian District, Stephan Macky. Carapiet, Chairman of the FIM Asia, Guangyu Yang, Director of China General Administration of Sport-Automobile and Motorcycle Department, Hongjuan Jiang, Bureau of Sports Department of Fengxian District, Hongguo Guo, Director of CAMF, Frank Zhu, Vice President of H&H Group.

The best motocross riders in the world will be welcomed by the Fengxian District and it was introduced additional activities will be settled during the GP. 

Yuan Yuan, Deputy Chief executive of Fengxian District first welcomed the public and use the occasion to thank Youthstream, the FIM and H&H Group to bring such a big inetrnational event as the FIM Motocross World Championship to China. 

For the upcoming event, the CAMF (Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of People’s Republic of China) and Shanghai Sports Bureau will cooperate to ensure a fantastic outcome of the event at international standards. 

We will contribute all our efforts to fully prepare the event to the international standard. We are raising the level and ability of race organization to create a pleasant environment and offer hospitality for the audience, dedicate to hold a successful, safe and splendid motorcross feast. We hope to show the fans the charm of this sport as well as the city characters and the broad mind of South Shanghai.

Huajie Ni, Chairmain of H&H group talked about MXGP and the long-term planning of the site: “I’ve always been hoping to bring MXGP into China. Thanks to FIM, CAMF and the local government, we finally introduce this event into China after years’ investigations and negotiations. Now we have less than 1 month left, the preparation comes to the sprint stage, all our staffs are dedicated to offer a safe and successful event to the motocross fans and the 70^thbirthday of China.”

Then Guangyu Yang, Director of China General Administration of Sport-Automobile and Motorcycle Department talked about three aspects which can be benefited from holding MXGP event: “The FIM Motocross World Championship MXGP has enormous influence and since China is going to hold the final stand of this year, MXGP would promote every aspect of the event:  

• Compitition level of the riders:Riders of MXGP are the best riders from different countries, representing the highest level of the world. Having national riders compete with them could increase the communication with foreign riders and raise the level of domestics.
• Event operation ability:MXGP represents the world’s top motocross race and the preparation of the supplies are all the highest level. Holding this event would help improve the ability of race management and operation.
• Business development:This event attracts fans and riders all over the world and would be reported through TV, internet, channels and other medias. Advertising of the event could combine sports with the industry to promote the business development of the motocross racing.”

Stephan Macky Carapiet, Chairman of the FIM Asia, expressed his welcome to everyone to come to China to feel the passion of motocross and his thanks to the cooperation: “On behalf of myself and our FIM President Jorge Viegas, I wish to share how glad we are to held in China the final stop of the event. We encourage everyone to make the most of this wonderful opportunity for the participating riders and teams to deliver their best as competitors and sportsmen – race to the best of your skills and abilities, and make us proud! I wish to thank the local organizers, local governments, the media, sponsors, for the great cooperation and we wish you the best for the success of this event!”

This season, as a result of the evolving relationship between Yamaha Motor Europe and FIM Europe, elected bLU cRU  riders have been offered a unique opportunity to join FIM Europe’s MXGP Academy project at selected rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

The 'MXGP Academy' is similar, in many ways, to the bLU cRU program, in that they both operate at national level targeting the next generation of motocross racing talent. Both projects havebeen designed to introduce the stars of tomorrow to the highly competitive world of racing and have been designed by professionals to guide and develop young talented riders in all areas of their very early careers. 

The MXGP academy and the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup both offer opportunities for young riders to experience life inside the paddock at selected rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship. The YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup goes the extra mile in that it offers 120 YZ riders, that are younger than 16 years old, a chance to race on the world stage at the biggest and most prestigious event of the year, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, with full television coverage of the race, whereas the MXGP Academy invites a small group of 65cc and 85cc riders to attend and ride the track at selected Grand Prix rounds. 

This year, three of the elected MXGP Academy riders were YZ65 and/or YZ85 riders that are competing in the bLU cRU program. The riders that attend the MXGP Academy activity arrive at the Grand Prix on Friday before the GP commences and meet at the Media Center where the coaches explain the schedule for the weekend. After the run-down, the young stars are able to gear up and ride on the Grand Prix circuit.

Once out on the MXGP circuit, the coaches focus on particular sections of the track, where they use an abundance of unique training techniques to demonstrate specific skills that will benefit the riders in shaving seconds off of their lap times. 

On Saturday, the MXGP Academy and bLU cRU riders are taken on an exclusive tour through the paddock where they are able to meet and observe their favorite riders on 'Race Day'. They are also offered and in depth look at the trucks and set-ups of the biggest teams such as the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team. 

On Sunday, the young stars are able to observe and enjoy the racing along with their families and the rest of the Yamaha Family. This season, the project has taken place at MXGP rounds in Portugal, Russia, Latvia, Germany, and Czech Republic. The final round of the MXGP Academy took place at the MXGP of Italy in Imola on the weekend of August 18th. 

The next big event for the bLU cRU will be the most exciting race of their 2019 seasons. It will be the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale which will take place at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Assen, The Netherlands, on the weekend of September 28th. It is at this event that 120 of Europe's fastest bLU cRU YZ65, YZ85 and YZ125 riders will race for a place at the bLU cRU Masterclass. 

The top three finishers in each class at the SuperFinale and two wildcard riders will move on to take part in a unique Yamaha bLU cRU Masterclass under the guidance, supervision and advise of the bLU cRU Ambassadors, such as Jeremy Seewer, Arnaud Tonus and Gautier Paulin. From this, one lucky rider will win the ultimate prize where he or she will be picked to receive support in their quests to contest the European Championship. For the winner of the YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup, he or she will join the MJC Yamaha EMX125 team, while the EMX85 and EMX65 riders will receive support for Yamaha Motor Europe for the 2020 season.  

The media center of Imola hosted the 4th Edition of the Spadavecchia Photo Contest which is taking place every year at the Italian round of MXGP. 

This year the prize was presented in memory of Adriano Dondi, Motocross Journalist and Photographer who passed away last May 2019 in a tragic road accident. Youthstream and MXGP Paddock teamed up with the Spadavecchia prize founders in order to dedicate the 2019 prize giving Edition to him. 

Adriano Dondi’s wife and brother joined on stage in order to collect the prize from Spadavecchia family and friends in a familiar and warm atmosphere. 

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 Italy in Imola Standing Construct KTM’s Glenn Coldenhoff 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: Glenn Coldenhoff at Race 2 Lap 3 with 1:37:28

MX2: Jorge Prado at Race 1 Lap 5 with 1:39:159

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

Immediately after celebrating her third consecutive double-race win success at Imola Courtney Duncan extended her contract with Kawasaki Motors Europe and the Bike It DRT squad into the 2020 season.

The 2019 season has been excellent so far for both Courtney and DRT manager Steve Dixon, who collected the podium honours at each of the last three rounds of the FIM World WMX Women's Motocross Championship and have led the series since the Portuguese GP in May. Victorious in every moto bar one at the opening round of the series, the twenty-three-year-old New Zealander quickly adapted to her new bike and team and is now close to her first-ever world title as she leads the series by twenty-three points headed for the final round in Turkey on September 7/8. Successfully racing the new 2020 KX250 to victory in the last two rounds, Courtney was so happy with her new environment that she has already extended her contract for the future.

Courtney Duncan: “I'm very thankful and excited to announce that I have extended my contract with Kawasaki and DRT through 2020. I really feel at home with the team and feel the KX250 suits me perfectly. This is just the start and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can continue to achieve together in the future.”

Steve Dixon: “First I want to thank Kawasaki Motors Europe and Steve Guttridge for their support to our team; it’s been so nice to work with Courtney this season. She’s a nice girl and, although she was already successful in the past, she is quite dominant at the moment; our strategy this year was to try to win the series and to provide her with the best support. We all know that nothing is done until the last race, but so far it’s been an exciting season for us and we’ll continue to work hard together in the future.”

Steve Guttridge (Kawasaki Europe Racing Manager): "Courtney's arrival this season at Kawasaki and within the DRT set-up was an instant success. She has gelled with both the KX250 and the team and we can see positive proof in her winning performances on the track so far this season. She is a pleasure to work with both on and off the track, so we are very happy that she has committed herself to continue to race with Kawasaki in the future."

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 Italy,which took place on August the 18^thin Imola Monster Energy WILVO Yamaha’s Arnaud Tonus and Standing Construct KTM’s Glenn Coldenhoff 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 it in race 1 and Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha's Jago Geerts took it in race 2. 

Watch the FOX Holeshots Films HERE below. 

MXGP FOX Holeshot Film

MX2 FOX Holeshot Film

Husqvarna Motorcycles are pleased to announce that Arminas Jasikonis has signed a one-year extension to his current contract with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing. This new agreement will see the Lithuanian continue to compete in the MXGP category through to the end of the 2020 season. 

21-year-old Jasikonis signed to the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team at the end of 2018. Marking his third full year of competition in the premier MXGP class in 2019, the Husqvarna FC 450 mounted rider has shown great potential, claiming a number of top-five race results including a third-place finish in the first race at the GP of Lombardia. Despite a number of small crashes hampering his progress, Arminas lies sixth overall in the FIM MXGP World Championship classification with four rounds left to race. Jasikonis will once again compete alongside Pauls Jonass in 2020, under the expert guidance of team manager Antti Pyrhönen.

Jasikonis and Jonass not only get on well away from racing but push each other when competing and training, forming a highly promising team that is focused on continued success during the forthcoming season. 

Arminas Jasikonis – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing: “It means so much to me to be given the opportunity to ride for such a great team. It feels great to know that the team believes in me and what I can achieve. Admittedly, 2019 has not been the best year for me, a few mistakes have affected my results, but I’m happy with my progress on the bike and I’m keen to deliver the results I know I’m capable of. For 2020, remaining with the same team takes a lot of pressure off – we already have a very good set-up for the races and a good atmosphere within the team. I’m really looking forward to continuing to improve and hopefully securing some top results.” 

Antti Pyrhönen – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MXGP Team Manager: “Overall, we’re very happy with the progress and consistency Arminas has demonstrated this season. In the races where he has been able to show his real speed and potential, the results have been excellent. We have learned a lot this year in terms of both his weaker points and his strengths and we can put in place a strategy to work on these points and challenge for the top three places in the championship next year. Both Arminas and Pauls work very well together – they work hard and are improving all the time. We hope to bring home some good results in the last four rounds of this season and then plan to work hard to prepare for 2020.”

Copyright: Photo: Husqvarna Racing