MX2

From April 12th to 14th, the organizer for the MXGP of China, H&H Sports Protection, hosted a road show at Formula One China’s commercial area where more than 60 thousand people visited per day.

Through this road show, numerous amounts of potentential fans got to know MXGP for the first time, and they expressed huge interest to keep following Grand Prix Motocross. At the same time, many veteran motorcyclists and motorcycle fans were also extremely excited for MXGP as it has been 11 years since the last motorcycle related grand prix happening in China. 

On the first day of the exhibition, the Deputy Mayor of Shanghai Fengxian District Ms. Yuan Yuan made a visit to the booth. While on the third day of exhibition, the Director of Sports Bureau in Shanghai Fengxian District Jiang Hongjuan visited the booth to give his compliments. 

At the booth, the helmets and motorcycles attracted a lot of interest with visitors staying to look at the display, play interactive games, and take photos for memory.

Additionally, there were promo models who caught people’s eye and distrubited small gifts at the booth.

Even at the last minute of the event, people’s enthusiasm still did not fade away. They were thrilled to know MXGP will be held in China for the first time. Also with the scheduding for MXGP China being during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a Chinese traditional holiday, many people plan to bring their whole family to the great event.

Copyright: Photos: H&H Sports Protection

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 23 April 2019 - Youthstream is proud to announce that PATRON has committed to be the title sponsor of the 8^th round of 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship season, the MXGP of Russia in Orlyonok. The event now coined the “PATRON MXGP of Russia” is set to take place this 8^th and 9^th of June.

As a global auto parts brand PATRON is owned by Shate-M Plus, the largest distributor of its kind throughout Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan making the Russian GP and Youthstream the perfect partner.PATRON produces a wide range of auto parts at the highest OEM quality including more than 39,000 individual products for today’s cars and all of which come with an impressive 1 year/20,000 km guarantee. 

PATRON is already a long-term partner of the 2016-2023 Ice Hockey World Championships but the new MXGP partnership will propel the brand even further within motorsports and world motocross specifically.

More information about the 2019 PATRON MXGP of Russia can be found here while further information about PATRON is available here.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Patron

Italy will hold the next round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, set for Mantova in the far north of Italy. It is little surprise that there is a buzz in the air for this event as the MXGP riders return back to Italy after a stunning round in Trentino a couple of weeks ago.

A handful of countries have a special long-standing relationship with the FIM Motocross World Championship, and Italy is one of those. Of course, our current MXGP red-plate owner is Antonio Cairoli, an Italian who has dominated the sport for the last 15 years.

Cairoli is passionate about his sport and even more so about his country. Sportsman of the year in Italy in previous years and a household name, Cairoli has done more for Italian motocross than any other Italian motocrosser, and believe me, there have been some very special Italian riders to have graced our sport.

Present day Yamaha Factory team owner Michele Rinaldi was the pioneer of Italian world champions, winning the FIM World 125cc Motocross Championship in 1984 and scoring 13 GP wins.

Rinaldi was a lucky man, like anyone else who raced for the Suzuki factory back then he knew he had the bikes to win. The yellow Suzuki machines won 10 125cc titles in a row, Rinaldi’s crowning glory being the last of the 10.

Rinaldi still attends the races as team owner of the Yamaha Factory effort, and he has seen a changing of the guard in many ways. He has also seen the improvement in the MXGP riders over recent years.

Alessandro Puzar kept the fire burning in Italian motocross with a 250cc title in 1990 and a 125cc title in 1995. Puzar also picked up 22 GP victories in his very exciting career and he remains one of the most interesting characters in the sport.

Following Alex Puzar’s success came Alessio Chiodi. Chiodi won three 125cc titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999 and scored 26 GP wins, previously placing him just outside the top ten for all time GP winners. Just ahead of him were Georges Jobe, Andre Malherbe, and Paul Friedrichs on 28 GP victories.

At the time Chiodi was considered the best Italian rider of all time, and his battles against the likes of Grant Langston, James Dobb, and David Vuillemin were epic.

Another Italian Andrea Bartolini won a world 500cc championship in 1999, racing for the Rinaldi Yamaha team Bartolini was up against the mighty Joel Smets, but made the most of the Belgian's misfortunes to clinch Italy their seventh motocross world championship.

After the Bartolini championship times got a little quiet for the Italian riders, with Cairoli scoring two MX2 World championships in 2005, and 2007, and in 2008 David Philippaerts added an MX1 championship. Cairoli would then win titles in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017, a stunning performance.

What makes the performances of Cairoli so special is the fact he has won FIM Motocross World Championships on nine occasions, with just 14 years. Cairoli also has 88 GP victories and stands just second in the all-time GP winners list to Stefan Everts, who has 101.

Now as the MXGP class head to Mantova, Cairoli can look at GP win number 89, as he climbs closer to his 10^th World Motocross championship. A true legend, just not for Italy, but for motocross worldwide.

Anyone who watched the last Grand Prix in Trentino had to be excited for the MX2 class. No doubt led by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Jorge Prado, the 18-year-old Spaniard who has really dominated this year, we have a long list of youngsters fighting for their own piece of the MX2 pie.

In Italy just over a week ago, two other 18-year olds, Jago Geerts and Tom Vialle joined Prado on the podium, finishing second and third overall and moving into fifth and sixth positions in the MX2 championship points.

When Prado drove out of the Trentino circuit on Sunday night, the smile on his face couldn’t hide the fact he has won at this circuit three years in a row and continues to impress the motocross public.

“Three years racing in MX2 here and three victories,” Prado said. “There must be something at this track for me! I felt comfortable and we have been training hard after the time-off with the injury and a bit more riding time. I was happy coming here. The qualification heat gave me confidence and two very good starts today was really important on this track because it is tough to pass. Good riding and a good result. I’ll just try to keep on doing what I’m doing and avoid the mistakes.”

As for Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha rider Geerts, it was his second trip to the podium this year, and his confidence continues to grow moving into Mantova in a month’s time. The Belgian rider is now looking at that top three position as much as possible.

"It was a really good weekend for me,” Geerts said. “Even Saturday was really good with second place in the qualification race. Sunday went the same, I had two good starts and moved to second place and finished second place. I had really good speed and really enjoyed the track this year as it was really rough, especially in the second race and I like that. Now I just want to work hard in this small break that we have and try to be on the box again in Mantova."

The young Frenchman Vialle was also standing on the box for the second time this season and although he also rides for the Red Bull KTM Factory team, and is the same age as Prado, everyone is surprised by his sudden rise in the division.

“A second podium in four GPs is unbelievable,” Vialle said. “When they called me to come in after the finish line, I thought they had made a mistake! I was a bit disappointed a few moments before because I thought I’d lost it. I was so happy to learn I was third and was actually happy with my riding the whole weekend considering this was my first visit to this circuit. I love trying new tracks and new ground and it played into my favour today.”

Now back to Italy, and the circuit of Mantova in a month’s time. A track where all three teenagers should shine, as all have great sand skills, it wouldn’t surprise anyone this time if we have the three young men standing on the box.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 15 April 2019 - With the progression of motocross around the world and the ever-increasing professionalism and speed in MXGP Youthstream and the FIM have together been working to keep safety as the number one priority.

For the protection of the world’s best athletes on the track, the world’s best mechanics and teams in the Pit Lane, or the world’s best fans lining the fences, Youthstream and the FIM are continually innovating in terms of their safety measures.

Two of the newest additions to the MXGP series highlight this push for safety. The first addition is the Goggle Lane, introduced in Patagonia Argentina, which provides a safe, effective, and quick way for riders to keep their vision at 100%. Whereas previously riders  needed to exit the circuit through the Pit Lane to receive clean goggles, the time it took to do so proved hard for the riders to justify. The new addition sits  close to the Pit Lane but is completely separate allowing the riders to pull in and meet their mechanic or team member who can provide clean goggles. This alone provides for much safer racing and reduces the number of visibility-related incidents on track.

The second new addition, which had its debut in Valkenswaard during the MXGP of the Netherlands, is an airbag-like barrier alongside the track facing a portion of the Pit Lane. This air protection wall guarantees greater safety through cushioning and high resistance to impact. It protects not only the riders, should they veer off track, but also the mechanics and crew working inside the Pit Lane. This air-fence protection might also be used in other areas around the track.

Together these innovations in safety are essential for the all involved to both keep the sport safe and allow riders to optimise their performances. 

Youthstream President Giuseppe Luongo: “For the first time ever we are using an air-fence made especially for motocross, the entire Pit Lane since Valkenswaard is protected by air-fence, and shortly it will be used in other areas around the track. This is a big step forward in terms of riders’ safety and for others involved.  Possibly some may not understand the importance of a goggle-lane for riders’ safety, however this means a lot because in bad weather conditions it’s common for riders (more than 50%) to remove their goggles because they are covered in mud and the rider can’t see anymore. If the riders wanted to change their goggles by entering into the Pit Lane they could lose more than 1 minute so often they continue the race without goggles putting their eyes in serious danger. Therefore, the goggle-lane has been created close to Pit-Lane, which is a dedicated area to be used only for changing goggles, and we have calculated that riders stopping in this area will lose a maximum of 10 seconds. This is very beneficial for the rider: 1st for his health and also for the results.”

FIM President Jorge Viegas, added: “Youthstream and the FIM have the safety of the riders at the top of the agenda. The Goggle Lane and the Pit Lane air fence clearly demonstrate this because both initiatives were put in place following two racing incidents in the last two events of the 2018 season. Youthstream and the FIM will continue monitoring the evolution of the Championship and take appropriate action whenever necessary.”

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

The 21st edition of the Bal du Printemps – « Spring Ball » took place on Thursday, 21 march 2019 at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva Held on the theme of Greece – Kalispera. Organized by the International Foundation for Research in Paraplegia – IRP, the charity event gathered some 520 guests and managed to fundraise more the CHF 300,000.- that will finance the neuroscience research projects selected by the IRP Scientific Committee in Switzerland and around the world, in particular the STIMO clinical study – Stimulation of the spinal cord of paraplegic patients, led by Professors Grégoire Courtine and Jocelyne Bloch.

The highlight of the evening has been the presence of David Mzee, one of the first patients to participate in the STIMO study, who arrived on the scene of Hotel President Wilson standing, to testify of his incredible experience that allows him today to walk on his own.

The Bal du Printemps 2019 was held under the patronage of the Greek Embassy in Switzerland, with the presence of the singer Mrs Nana Mouskouri. After the fabulous meal prepared by Chef Michel Roth, Eric Valdieu led the Auction Sale before a concert by Tom Leeb, with the band Noneïm. 

Youthstream CEO David Luongo had the pleasure to attend the event in Geneva as Youthstream has been supporting the IRP Foundation since years.

The next Bal du Printemps will take place on Saturday, 21 March 2020 at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva.

Read the full text on the latest issue of the MXGP Magazine: https://issuu.com/mxgpmag/docs/mxgpmag068/68

Copyright: Photos: IRP

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 11 April 2019 - Youthstream is happy to announce that the MXGP-TV YouTube page has reached a milestone of 80 Million Views! MXGP-TV’s YouTube Channel started in April 2013 and now has more than 5.5K videos available for MXGP fans to watch with 274.4M minutes of content viewed by now. The channel has had over 66,000 fans subscribed in the past year alone bringing the total number of subscribers to 166,635 with the top 5 countries being the USA, Indonesia, Italy, France, and the UK. 

Comparing the channel to the past year it reaches 20% more views with 40% more minutes watched and 115% increase in subscribers. This impressive growth continues in the other MXGP social media platforms with Instagram growing by 40% and Facebook by 20% while MXGP-TV.com has 25% more views with 50% more on website traffic showing that the worldwide interest in motocross and specifically the MXGP FIM Motocross World Championship is stronger than ever before. 

Subscribed users and MXGP social media followers are the first to see the newest video content from the MXGP FIM Motocross World Championship, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, and more. Content which can be seen on the MXGP-TV YouTube channel includes Studio Shows, Welcome Videos, Postcards, GoPro Track Previews, News Highlights, Best Moments, Pit Chats, Team Reports, Action Videos and more. To Subscribe to the MXGP-TV YouTube channel click here http://ow.ly/tPA6Y

MXGP Social media channels can be followed on the links below:

MXGP Instagram

MXGP Facebook Page

MXGP Twitter Feed

MXGPTV Youtube Channel

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGPTV Youtube Channel

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 Trentino taking place on April the 7^th in Pietramurata again Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Jorge Prado took both FOX Holeshot in Race 1 and Race 2 respectively.

 Watch the FOX Holeshots Films HERE below. 

MXGP FOX Holeshot Film

MX2 FOX Holeshot Film

As the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship season is poised to start, the FIM is pleased to launch a video on flag marshalling at motocross events. 

The purpose of the clip is to help the FIM’s Continental Unions and National Federations, their clubs and organisers at all levels, as well as their members and flag marshals to make the sport safer for everyone involved. 

Flag marshals are part of the many unsung heroes behind an event. They play a significant role, are always close to the action, often putting their safety at risk to protect the riders. They must take decisions and appropriate action in a fraction of a second. The safety of the riders depends on that action, hence the need for the marshals to have a correct understanding of the use of the flags in any situation that might occur. 

With all this in mind, the FIM Motocross Commission, together with Youthstream, wishes to share this video clip aimed at raising the standards of flag marshalling. 

So if you want to support safer sport, please share this information on your social media networks and digital platforms! 

After injuring his right ankle and fibula at last weekend’s MXGP of Trentino, Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen underwent surgery to repair the damage, with the procedure going extremely well.

During the timed practice on Saturday afternoon, Vlaanderen twisted his ankle whilst on his hotlap and even though he was still able to set the fastest lap of the session, he had to retire immediately back to the truck. After attempting to race the qualifying race it was apparent after one lap, the pain was too much and he sought on-site medical advice at the track. Scans showed he had a fractured fibula and a severe ankle sprain, with the advice being to go and get the surgery done straight away.

On Monday morning, Vlaanderen had the successful operation performed by the highly-regarded Dr Claes and is now already in the initial signs of recovery. With a cast on right now to protect the area, Vlaanderen will hope to start physio in a couple weeks, with the goal of making a comeback at the next round of the championship on May 11-12 at the Mantova track in Italy.

Calvin Vlaanderen: "Obviously I’m extremely disappointed to have this happen to me at the weekend. I was feeling really good on the bike and was in the process of setting the fastest lap when I just twisted my ankle. I didn’t crash or anything so it was a real shock to see the x-ray show that I fractured my fibula.
Thankfully, with the support of the team and the excellent Dr Claes, I have since had the surgery which went extremely well. I hope to have the cast off in less than a couple of weeks and begin physio and cycling shortly after that, with the goal of being fit and ready to go for the fifth round of the MX2 championship in Mantova on May 11-12.
Thanks for all the support I have received since the news broke, it is really nice to see so many fans reach out with their messages and it gives me even greater motivation to comeback stronger than ever. I also wish to say congratulations to my Team HRC teammate Tim Gajser for his amazing performance in winning the MXGP of Trentino. He rode really well and he fully deserved that victory."

Marcus Pereira de Freitas, HRC General Manager – MXGP: It was a real shame for Calvin to injure himself last weekend, but we are extremely happy with the news that the surgery went well and that he hopes to be ready for the next round of the MX2 series. That event takes place in five weeks’ time and everyone at Team HRC will do everything to support Calvin with his recovery and make sure he is fully prepared and feeling back to his best when the next gate drops.

Copyright: Photo: Honda Racing