MX2

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands) 31 March 2019 – Three rounds are now complete in the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship after today’s racing at the MXGP of the Netherlands in Valkenswaard. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team’s Antonio Cairoli and Jorge Prado bested the competition on every occasion this weekend achieved the first KTM sweep of 2019!

The Netherlands was the perfect setting for the action today with challenging race conditions and better than expected weather added to by an enthusiastic crowd. As the day progress the dark Dutch sand shifted lap after lap creating the ultimate test for even the world’s best MXGP and MX2 riders while also providing at times chaotic but mostly action-packed racing.

The first home for many riders and second home to most others, the Netherlands always hosts action packed racing. Today was no exception, rather the example, as riders swapped positions on number of occasions and battles were fought around the circuit.

As Race 1 started Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli scored the Fox Holeshot but by the end of the first lap it was Standing Construct KTM’s Max Anstie in the lead! Running the pace early Anstie’s pass on Cairoli was textbook.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser was third with Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Gautier Paulin and Standing Construct KTM’s Italian rider Ivo Monticelli. Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle was back in 8th after the first official lap but passed his Monster Energy KRT teammate Julien Lieber one lap later. Continue his way forward the Belgian made it by Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer before catching Monticelli.

On the fifth lap a mistake sent Gajser flying and out of 3rd promoting Paulin to the spot. Three laps after the mistake from Gajser, who rejoined the race in 12th behind HRC teammate Brian Bogers, Anstie then fell while leading and was slow to get back going after snagging his gear on the bike.

The fall of Anstie not only gave Paulin another spot but handed the lead back to the always strong Sicilian Antonio Cairoli. Next to fall victim to a mistake was Anstie’s teammate and Cairoli’s compatriot Monticelli. Taking over the Monticelli’s position was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Arminas Jasikonis. Jasikonis started his charge from 10th on lap 1 and progressed all the way up to 4th by lap 12.

At the conclusion of the first race Cairoli took the win by over Desalle by 4.2 seconds with Paulin and Jasikonis less than 3 seconds further back while Honda SR Motoblouz’s Jeremy Van Horebeektook 5th. Gajser recovered to 7th by the finish while Anstie finished 16th ahead of his two Standing Construct KTM teammates Glenn Coldenhoff and Ivo Monticelli in 17th and 18th.

MXGP Race 2 gave Cairoli his 2nd Fox Holeshot of the weekend and 4th of the season but this time he held the lead for all of the 17 laps. Gajser has his Works Honda in second with the privateer effort of Van Horebeek just behind.

Jasikonis was off to another midfield start and came across the finish lap in 9th after the first complete lap. RFX KTM Racing’s Shaun Simpson had a remarkable start inside the top 5 battling with Desalle for 4th during the first 10 laps. Paulin was on a move up the leaderboard along with Jasikonis for several laps before losing control of his Yamaha and sampling the sand. 

Similar to Race 1 Jasikonis continued to progress forward taking 4th away from Desalle with only two laps remaining. At the finish it was a second race win for Cairoli with Gajser 2nd, Van Horebeek 3rd, Jasikonis 4th, and Desalle 5th.

In the overall classification Cairoli’s double win earned him 50 points while Desalle’s 2-5 scores earned 38 points for 2nd overall and Gajser’s 7-2 tallied 36 points for 3rd overall and his 3rd podium of the 3 races so far this season.

Antonio Cairoli: "Overall I'm happy going into Trentino next week. Having the first three GP wins this year it's nice. Of course, it's not easy, Tim is very fast at the moment and it's nice to have such a high rhythm in the race for us, for the fans, and for everybody.”

Clement Desalle: “I'm happy going into Trentino next week. Having the first three GP wins this year it's nice. Of course, it's not easy, Tim is very fast at the moment and it's nice to have such a high rhythm in the race for us, for the fans, and for everybody.”

Tim Gajser: “I'm happy to finish on the podium again. But yeah I'm a little bit disappointed. In the first race I had a good start and I was in third place behind Tony and Max, then I make a mistake and I fell so I had to came through the pack. Anyway we're looking forward to next weekend in Arco, definitely many fans from Slovenia are going to be there and I'm excited.”

MXGP Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 34:34.806; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:04.242; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:05.137; 4. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +0:06.759; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:12.427; 6. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:13.786; 7. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:14.058; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:20.989; 9. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:35.999; 10. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:39.272.

MXGP Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 34:13.363; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:01.461; 3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:32.822; 4. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +0:42.905; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:48.123; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:51.333; 7. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:52.345; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:54.021; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), +1:00.795; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +1:01.515.

MXGP Overall Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 38 p.; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 36 p.; 4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 36 p.; 5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 36 p.; 6. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 29 p.; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 28 p.; 8. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 28 p.; 9. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), 17 p.

MXGP ChampionshipTop Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 147 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 125 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 103 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 102 p.; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 102 p.; 6. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 92 p.; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 78 p.; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 64 p.; 9. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 62 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), 56 p.

MXGP Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 147 points; 2. Honda, 127 p.; 3. Yamaha, 113 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 103 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 92 p.

Main Photo: Antonio Cairoli

Bottom Photos: 1. Clement Desalle; 2. Tim Gajser

The dominance of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing continued in MX2 this weekend as defending MX2 World Champion Jorge Prado returned from his one-week hiatus. Adding to his impressive collection of Fox Holeshot black plates Prado took the Race 1 lead immediately.

Thomas Kjer Olsen’s red plated Rockstar Energy Husqvarna got him into second early while his newfound antagonist Henry Jacobi from F&H Racing Kawasaki ran third. Team DIGA Procross Husqvarna’s Davy Pootjes was 5th for the first 7 laps of the race before Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Ben Watson flew past at the end of the roller section.

Watson also passed Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle but a lap later the Brit crashed making his hard work all for nothing as he lost 3 spots as a result. Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen came from 9th on lap 1 to 4th by the end of lap 12 where he settled in behind Jacobi. Watson meanwhile regrouped from his fall and took 5th away from Pootjes for the second time with two laps to go.

At the finish Prado scored the win 7 and a half seconds ahead of Olsen who had 6 seconds on Jacobi and another 16 seconds on Vlaanderen in 4th.

In Race 2 Prado’s perfection was continued with another Fox Holeshot over Olsen, Jacobi, Vialle, and Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Jago Geerts. Prado’s new KTM teammate, Tom Vialle, crashed out of 4th position during lap 3 and remounted only in 11th.

Vlaanderen moved into the top 5 due to Vialle’s crash but more noticeably Geerts took the Frenchman’s prior position and ran with it. A native of the neighboring Belgium, Geerts applied pressure to Jacobi for a consistent 7 laps and finally made the move to take over 3rd and 2 laps later Vlaanderen did the same displacing Jacobi another position backwards.

With just two laps to go Jacobi would lose another position to Watson with Maddii Racing Husqvarna’s EMX250 rider and current EMX250 points leader, Alberto Forato, applying pressure from an impressive ride in 7th. The most important pass of the race for Geerts was also the final one. On the last lap, the last section, and last jump Geerts launched his YZ250F past Olsen to take second and also earn the final spot on the podium.

With Prado taking the win it was a perfect KTM sweep of the weekend in both MXGP and MX2 while Olsen took second overall and maintained the red plate ahead of next weekend’s MXGP of Trentino.

Jorge Prado: I had a good feeling both days, It's still not where I want because we still need to work but I'm going in the right direction. Trentino should be a great weekend hopefully. I have good memories from there and I have good races there every year. Hopefully we can make another good one next week.”

Thomas Kjer Olsen: “I feel pretty good with my performance. I got two good starts in the races, which I was pretty happy about. It made it a little bit easier for me to not have to battle all the way through the field. Prado was riding really good, I didn't feel like I was riding bad or anything myself, I had a pretty good flow it just wasn't quite enough.”

Jago Geerts: “It was a really good week for me, the first race didn’t go as planned but in the second race I was pretty fired up, in the last lap I got second place and took third on the podium so I was pretty happy with that.”

MX2 Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 34:30.560; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:07.459; 3. Henry Jacobi (GER, Kawasaki), +0:16.197; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Honda), +0:32.080; 5. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:41.347; 6. Davy Pootjes (NED, Husqvarna), +0:46.249; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:46.877; 8. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:54.324; 9. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:58.521; 10. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +1:09.100.

MX2 Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 34:35.326; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:05.031; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:05.188; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Honda), +0:13.061; 5. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:16.499; 6. Henry Jacobi (GER, Kawasaki), +0:27.070; 7. Alberto Forato (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:37.591; 8. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), +0:48.631; 9. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:06.469; 10. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +1:09.989.

MX2 Overall Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 50 points; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 42 p.; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 36 p.; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 36 p.; 5. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 35 p.; 6. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 32 p.; 7. Alberto Forato (ITA, HUS), 23 p.; 8. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 22 p.; 9. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 21 p.; 10. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 21 p.

MX2 ChampionshipTop Ten: 1. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 136 points; 2. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 113 p.; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 107 p.; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 100 p.; 5. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 95 p.; 6. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 86 p.; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 81 p.; 8. Davy Pootjes (NED, HUS), 65 p.; 9. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 63 p.; 10. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 60 p.

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 138 points; 2. Husqvarna, 136 p.; 3. Kawasaki, 113 p.; 4. Honda, 109 p.; 5. Yamaha, 102 p.

Main Photo: Jorge Prado

Bottom Photo: 1. Thomas Kjer Olsen; 2. Jago Geerts

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos from the MXGP of The Netherlands will be available HERE

MXGP OF THE NETHERLANDS – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1780

Type of ground: SAND

Temperature: 14°

Weather conditions: sunny

Weekend crowd Attendance: 26,000

MXGP was be 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.

NEXT ROUND

Next Round of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship will take place in 1-week time in Pietramurata, Trentino.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of the Netherlands

VALKENSWAARD (the Netherlands) 31 March 2019 – Youthstream is proud to announce a brand-new event and vision for the future of racing! Together with the FIM and E-Bike manufacturers Youthstream will host the first ever FIM E-XBike World Cup in its debut during the 2019 MXGP of Italy in Imola this August.

This weekend’s MXGP of the Netherlands has now hosted a press conference in front of MXGP’s collection of international and national media to announce the new e-bicycles race taking place on the 1,550 meters long Imola MXGP circuit following Saturday’s MXGP Qualifying the 17^thof August.

Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo stated, “We are very excited to start this new project with the FIM, we thank FIM and in particular their President, Mr. Jorge Viegas, for the trust and for this opportunity to develop this new sport, it will be both challenging and very interesting.  Our goal is to develop the FIM E-X Bike World Cup for all customers and riders who want to enjoy racing on an extreme circuit in front of a massive crowd and with a great media coverage.”

The one race format will include a mass start with combined categories of both male and female riders racing for 30 minutes plus 1 lap but scored separately. The racing will be opened to anyone with an electric bicycle. The event is being developed with the full support of Youthstream as CEO Mr. David Luongo explains, “Youthstream will put all its TV and Media resources to promote as much as possible this new competition. The first FIM E-XBike World Cup will be broadcasted live on our OTT Platforms, MXGP-TV.com, and our Facebook MXGP Page that has more than 2.5 Million followers.”

Jorge Viegas, the new elected President of the FIM took part in the conference as well during his first MXGP visit and enthusiastically said, "I am very happy that the FIM is starting to provide competitions for electric bikes. The first ever FIM E-XBike World Cup will allow a new generation of riders to take part in these exciting races. Thanks to the support of our promoters Youthstream and Infront, the Italian Federation and the Imola circuit, the FIM will be able to offer the public who come to the MXGP in Italy the opportunity to discover a new type of competition. For the FIM it is a reoccurring story because the first motorcycles were based on a bike frame, with the addition of a motor. In recent years the electric technology has evolved considerably, and we are convinced that the FIM E-X Bike World Cup will offer the manufacturers a great platform for further development. An E-bike round table meeting will also be organized in Belgium at Metet MX circuit the 9^thof June in conjunction with another E-Bike / Pedelec race organized under the authority of the FMB.”

Continuing the tradition of progressing racing and two wheeled sports Youthstream is excited to work with both the FIM and the manufactures to promote this new era. For more information on the 2019 FIM E-XBike World Cup follow MXGP.com and all of our digital platforms.

Follow the FIM E-XBike World Cup on Social Media

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/EXBikeWorldCup

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/exbikeworldcup/

Click HERE to download the FIM E-XBIKE World Cup presentation in PDF format

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM E-XBike World Cup

MXGP of Italy

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands) 30 March 2019 – The first day of racing is complete at the 2019 MXGP of the Netherlands in Valkenswaard and as the sun sets on the Dutch sands, riders and fans are preparing for another day of epic racing. The first to the finish line today and first to line up for race one tomorrow are Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Jorge Prado.

The MXGP of the Netherlands is off to a flying start with MXGP, MX2, WMX, and EMX125 presented by FMF Racing all descending on the dark Valkenswaard sand. Only one year ago the racing was amidst snow and freezing temperatures however today’s sunshine and warm spring weather have set the tone for a perfect race day tomorrow.

Aside from the action in MXGP and MX2 Qualifying races, today hosted the first race of the 2019 FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship as well as the first race of the 2019 EMX125 presented by FMF Racing season. Today’s WMX race was dominated by BIKE IT DRT Kawasaki’s new rider, Courtney Duncan, with Amandine Verstappen and MXFONTA RACING Yamaha’s Larissa Papenmeier in chase. 

The full gate of EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing was decided by morning qualifying sessions taking the number of riders down from 100 to 40. When the gate dropped team Maddii Racing Husqvarna’s Mattia Guadagnini lead the way and never looked back on the way to the first race win of 2019 with 14 laps in the lead. For both the WMX and 125cc classes Race 2 will take place Sunday morning to decide the overall and hand out the first red plate of the new season.

MXGP’s early season points leader Antonio Cairolifrom Red Bull KTM Factory Racing revealed a shoulder hindrance last week in Great Britain and while not completely resolved the Sicilian showed no indication of weakness today. As the fastest in both Free and Time Practice Cairoli carried the momentum into the Qualifying Race with the holeshot.

Behind Cairoli off the start was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer but Team HRC’s Tim Gajser quickly took the spot away from the Swiss rider. Standing Construct KTM Racing’s Ivo Monticelli was 4th but started to lose positions as the race got underway. 

First to pass Monticelli was Honda SR Motoblouz’s Jeremy Van Horebeek followed by Monticelli’s own Standing Construct KTM teammate Max Anstie. Van Horebeek continued to push forward taking 3rd position from Seewer who was then passed by Anstie as well.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s JulienLieber and Clement Desalle were in 8th and 10th after the first official lap but both progressed forward. Desalle surpassed Lieber when the #33 fell out of 7th.

The man making the most progress throughout the race was likely Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Arminas Jasikonis. A poor start put the Lithuanian in 12th after the first lap but he gained 7 positions as the race went on including moves on his teammate Pauls Jonass, Standing Construct KTM’s Glenn Coldenhoff and Monticelli, then Desalle, and finally Paulin and Seewer in the same lap.

Jasikonis also managed to put in the fastest lap of the race while Cairoli steadily grew his gap over Gajser throughout the 12 laps eventually taking the win by 4.5 seconds. Gajser, Van Horebeek, Anstie, and Jasikonis rounded out the top 5.

Antonio Cairoli, “In the Qualifying Race, after three or four laps, I started to get a little tired in my shoulder, so I really couldn't really ride how I wanted. Tomorrow’s race is a little bit longer and after a couple of laps, I think after 15 or 20 minutes, I will start feeling a bit better, freer, and I will try to go for the win.”

Glenn Coldenhoff, “Before Argentina I had only two weeks on the bike and normally you prepare yourself for three months, Argentina was very tough, England was also tough, but it was still okay, and I was surprised by getting eighth overall. I hope to continue with this progress I've made over the past weeks and yeah, here at my own GP, it's again tough cause I'm struggling every single day still but It's always nice to ride in Holland, I'm very proud to be Dutch."

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 24:19.045; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:04.551; 3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:15.172; 4. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), +0:19.774; 5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +0:30.289; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:35.696; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:38.974; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:44.593; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:48.604; 10. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), +0:50.204

Main Photo: Antonio Cairoli

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser ; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek and Jeremy Seewer

With Cairoli staking his claim in the MXGP category his younger Red Bull KTM Teammate and protégé Jorge Prado returned to racing in full form today. Just like his MXGP teammate, Prado’s shoulder has been troublesome as of late even requiring the defending MX2 champion to sit out of the racing at the previous round in Great Britain. 

Also similar to Cairoli not a step was missed in today’s performance, Prado went fastest in both the Free and Time Practice sessions in what was his first-time riding in nearly 3 weeks. With the start of MX2 Qualifying Prado used his holeshot prowess to take the lead while several other riders fell in the first turns including Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen and Yamaha SM Action M.C. Migliori’s Michele Cervellin. As the field entered the second section of the circuit REVO Husqvarna UK’s Dylan Walsh also fell but like Cervellin would not resume the race.

The Dutch fans were on their feet quickly as Jorge Prado led Dutch native Davy Pootjes from Team DIGA-Procross Husqvarna ran in 2nd. Pootjes first dealt with pressure from the F&H Racing Team duo of Adam Sterry and Henry Jacobi but after a mistake from Sterry let Jacobi past Jacobi slid out of 3rd.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen was next to put pressure on the fellow Husqvarna rider but after six laps of intense battling and bar to bar racing the Dane finally made his way into 2nd. Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Jago Geerts used his Belgian sand knowledge to overtake Pootjes as well, meanwhile Ben Watson was left pulling his Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha out of the fencing following an off-track excursion.

Once rebounded from his early mistake Jacobi made a comeback from 7th to get Pootjes as well before the finish. Prado took the Qualifying win, his first of 2019, nearly 10 seconds ahead of Olsen, Geerts, Jacobi, and Pootjes while Watson finished 10th and Vlaanderen took 14th following his start crash.

Jorge Prado, “I felt very good for the first day back on the bike and hopefully I feel the same tomorrow. It was a bit painful, but if I want to go for the win I just need to push through it, try to have a smart race, and take home some points, that's what's important.”

Calvin Vlaanderen, “I feel pretty good and I've had two fourth overalls. Obviously, I want more, I want to be on the podium, but I’ll take what I can get. Hopefully I can bring that momentum into this weekend. I've felt good this whole week, also training went really well, and had a good feeling on the track today. I know with my speed and how I feel right now I can fight for the podium tomorrow.”

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten:1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 24:48.550; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:09.942; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:13.514; 4. Henry Jacobi (GER, Kawasaki), +0:19.460; 5. Davy Pootjes (NED, Husqvarna), +0:23.120; 6. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Honda), +0:26.980; 7. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:29.278; 8. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), +0:31.521; 9. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:34.164; 10. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:35.901

Main Photo: Jorge Prado

Bottom Photo: 1. Thomas Kjer Olsen; 2. Jago Geerts

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos from the MXGP of The Netherlands will be available HERE

MXGP OF THE NETHERLANDS – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1780

Type of ground: SAND

Temperature: 19°

Weather conditions: sunny

MXGP will be 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.

TIMETABLE

SUNDAY*:

09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-Up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-Up, 11:30 EMX125 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2

*Daylight Saving Time Begins (GMT+2/UTC+2)

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of the Netherlands

Following today’s World Championship Qualifying, and press conference, THOR MX held a product release and press conference of their own at the trackside media center to showcase the new “Radial Boot”. Together with THOR PR Thorsten Stephan and Thor brand Specialist Thomas Cabon also the EMX rider Emil Weckmann went on stage to share his experience using THOR. 

The newest motocross and off-road boot from THOR MX comes after three years of development and is now available at Parts Europe dealers. Strategically constructed with premium materials, the Radial delivers functional performance to meet the demands of modern motocross and off-road riding.

For more info on THOR MX and technical information on their Radial boot head to their website www.thormx.com 

About THOR Motocross: Over the years, countless races and championships have been won by riders wearing THOR. Every product is a progression, a new step forward in design and performance. Always racing forward, always respecting our past, always focused on building quality products that exceed rider expectations

VALKENSWAARD (Netherlands), 29 March 2019 – The time has come for round 3 of the 2019 MXGP FIM Motocross World Championship and this weekend the dark sands of Valkenswaard, Netherlands will host the action. The 2019 MXGP of the Netherlands at Valkenswaard will be the first European sand race just a few miles away from most team workshops. 

TV coverage for the Dutch MXGP will come from Youthstream’s worldwide TV partners including the Netherlands’ NOS, who cover the entire season live and will also have a crew with live commentary on site this weekend. In addition, Bulgaria’s BNT have signed on to broadcast the entire season live while the USA and Canada will receive coverage on CBS Sports Network.

The entire event including Saturday’s Qualifying races and the additional classes of WMX and EMX125 presented by FMF Racing will be streamed LIVE worldwide from Valkenswaard on MXGP’s own online TV service, www.MXGP-TV.com.

As always fans can also watch the 26min Behind the Gate special feature via our TV partners or MXGP-TV on the Tuesday after each event. To find out when and where to watch in your home country check the listings below. 

USA - CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 02:00 pm ET – Delayed

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 2 – 03:00 pm ET – Delayed

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – Live

BALTICS (Estonia – Latvia - Lithuania)

TV Play Sports + 

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – Live

TV Play Premium

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – Live

BELGIUM 

PLAY SPORTS 1

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – Live

BULGARIA

BNT

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – Live

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – Live

LA CHAINE L’EQUIPE

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 1 – 19:45 CET – Delayed

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 20:45 CET – Delayed

AUTOMOTO LA CHAINE  

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – Live

ITALY

RAI SPORTS

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 23:35 CET - Delayed

NETHERLANDS

NOS

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET –Live streaming

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – Live

PORTUGAL

Sport TV 3

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 1 – 24:00 GMT – Delayed

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 1 – 01:00 GMT – Delayed

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 2 – 02:00 GMT – Delayed

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 03:00 GMT – Delayed

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – Live

Sunday 31 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – Live

ASIA

FOX SPORTS INDONESIA 

Monday 01 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 10:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 11:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 12:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 13:00 HKT – Delayed

FOX SPORTS SEA (Hong Kong – Macau – Thailand)

Monday 01 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 10:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 11:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 12:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 13:00 HKT – Delayed

FOX SPORTS 3 SEA (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia)

Monday 01 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:30 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:30 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:30 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:30 HKT – Delayed

FOX SPORTS ASIA 

Monday 01 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 04:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 05:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 06:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 07:00 HKT – Delayed

CHINA

FOX Sports China 

Monday 01 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 11:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 12:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 13:00 HKT – Delayed

Monday 01 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 14:00 HKT – Delayed

BRAZIL

BANDSPORTS 

Sunday 24 March – MXGP Race 1 – 09:00 Brazil timing – Live

Sunday 24 March – MXGP Race 2 – 12:00 Brazil timing – Live

26mn “Behind the gate” partners:

USA – Canada: Motortrend // MAV TV 

Europe: Motorsport TV – Motortrend 

Croatia: Kreator TV 

Finland: MTV 

France: Automoto la Chaine 

Italy: Automototv 

Portugal: Sport TV 

Netherland: RTL 

Portugal: Sport TV 

Slovenia: Sport TV 

Spain: Movistar 

Latin America: FOX Sports

Brazil: Bandsports

Caribbean: Flow Sports 

Asia: FOX Sports 

Africa: Sport connect

*Daylight Saving Time Begins (GMT+2/UTC+2)

TIMETABLE in Local Time GMT+1/UTC+1 (Saturday) GMT+2/UTC+2 (Sunday)

SATURDAY:

07:55 WMX Free Practice, 08:20 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 08:45 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 09:20 WMX Qualifying Practice, 10:00 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 10:40 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 11:30 MX2 Free Practice, 12:00 MXGP Free Practice, 13:00 WMX Race 1, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:05 EMX125 Race 1, 15:55 MX2 Qualifying Race, 16:40 MXGP Qualifying Race

SUNDAY*:

09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-Up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-Up, 11:30 EMX125 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of the Netherlands

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands) 27 March 2019 - The third round of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship takes place this weekend on the sands of Valkenswaard! The MXGP of the Netherlands is set to get racing only 6 days after the previous round of MXGP across the pond in Great Britain. Last year the dark sand of Valkenswaard contrasted with the white snow blanketing its cold surface however, this weekend, mother nature is a fan of motocross with perfect conditions expected. 

The Valkenswaard circuit will be the first true sand race of 2019 with the venue just a stone’s throw away from most of the teams' workshops it also serves as a second home and training ground for many riders. The darkened sand of the Dutch circuit will host thousands of fans, family, and friends as they cheer for their favorite riders.

The amazing atmosphere will be furthered by the addition classes of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship and the 125 2-stroke class of FIM Europe’s Motocross Championship. Reigning and 6-time WMX Champion Kiara Fontanesi from the MXFONTA Yamaha team will be unable to defend her crown due to health complications but longtime rivals such as BIKE IT DRT Kawasaki’s Courtney Duncan and Nancy Van de Ven are eager to start the new season in winning form. EMX125 presented by FMF Racing will also hold its season opening round at Valkenswaard with 100 entries fighting for a chance to make it into the top 40 before racing for wins.

In the MXGP category it is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli who has taken the first two overall victories of the season with 3 of the 4 individual Race wins to his name. Cairoli has also won at this venue on six prior occasions and with the last coming in 2014 he will be shooting to exchange his 2^nd overall finish from last year to 1^st for the 7^th time.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser looked menacing at the last round however and the former MXGP and MX2 World Champion from Slovenia was the only rider able to take on Cairoli so far this year. Had it not been for a massive crash in Great Britain, Gajser may have very well taken the win. Gajser has never seen much success here though with his best finish being 3^rdin the 6 times he has raced the circuit.

While Cairoli and Gajser may be the most favorited for wins this weekend, many other top competitors are starting to find their flow as the season gets underway. One potential winner is Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Gautier Paulin who made his way to the podium last week and won his last GP at the same venue in 2017. Paulin was on the podium here in 2015 and 2018 as well with the stop in 2015 being a GP overall win.

Also worth considering for a top showing are the Belgian sand specialists, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle and Honda SR Motoblouz’s Jeremy van Horebeek. Desalle has raced this event 12 times throughout his career but only finished on the podium twice, 2^ndin 2012 and 3^rdin 2015. Van Horebeek has also been on the podium twice but raced here 10 times with 5 being in MX2 and the rest in MXGP as opposed to Desalle’s 12 all in the premier 450 category.

2018 MXGP of Europe MXGP top 3

1. Jeffrey Herlings
2. Antonio Cairoli
3. Gautier Paulin

MXGP Championship Top Ten Standings: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 97 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 89 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 74 p.; 4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 66 p.; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 65 p.; 6. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 56 p.; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 50 p.; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), 39 p.; 9. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 39 p.; 10. Tommy Searle (GBR, KAW), 38 p.

Photos: Main Photo: MXGP Start Valkenswaard 2018

Bottom Photos: 1. Antonio Cairoli; 2. Gautier Paulin

The MX2 class ran without defending champion and round one winner Jorge Prado from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team in Great Britain after a training crash. The Spaniard’s void left the door open for a new protagonist and the rider stepping up to the plate to make the most of last week was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen. Olsen’s double race wins took not only the overall, but the points lead as well. Olsen is a strong sand rider and has also done well here the last two years finishing 4^thin 2017 and 3^rdin 2018.

Olsen was however challenged and pressured by German rider Henry Jacobi from F&H Racing. Jacobi’s new team and off-season training have been what he considers the most professional of his career. The change is clear from the outside looking in as well as both of the first two rounds he has fought for a top spot and put in some of the fastest lap times along the way. Historically Jacobi does not perform well at Valkenswaard though with his best finish being 17^thin the 3 times he’s raced here.

Turning heads in the class is the young French Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rookie Tom Vialle who managed to make it on the podium in only his second ever MX2 professional race last week. Vialle’s impressive starts have been key to his success while it has been the downfall of many others.

Honda 114 Motorsports’ Mitch Evans is another rookie who started his debut season strong when he made the podium at round 1. Evans suffered a mechanical issue during the first lap of race 1 in Great Britain though which on paper made his second showing needing improvement. The Australian did however hold the pace of the front runners as he reentered the race from pit lane leaving the question of how he could have done unhindered still left to answer.

Prado's status for Valkenswaard is still unknown but more information on his return will be coming shortly but another week away may be costly with riders such as Olsen building confidence and momentum in his absence. 

Others to watch in MX2 this weekend include the Dutch riders of Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen and Team DIGA Procross Husqvarna’s Davy Pootjes. Vlaanderen is one of only three riders who have won a GP in the class and he comes off a strong 4^thoverall at Matterley while Pootjes just missed the top five last week and his been inside the top ten in both of his prior entries at Valkenswaard.

2018 MXGP of Europe MX2 top 3 

1. Pauls Jonass
2. Jorge Prado
3. Thomas Kjer Olsen

MX2 Championship Top Ten Standings: 1. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 94 points; 2. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 78 p.; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 71 p.; 4. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 65 p.; 5. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 63 p.; 6. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 50 p.; 7. Davy Pootjes (NED, HUS), 50 p.; 8. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 49 p.; 9. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 45 p.; 10. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 41 p.

Photos: Main Photo: MX2 Start Valkenswaard 2018

Bottom Photos: 1. Thomas Kjer Olsen; 2. Calvin Vlaanderen

TIMETABLE CET

GMT+1/UTC+1 (Saturday) GMT+2/UTC+2 (Sunday)

SATURDAY

07:55 WMX Free Practice, 08:20 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 08:45 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 09:20 WMX Qualifying Practice, 10:00 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 10:40 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 11:30 MX2 Free Practice, 12:00 MXGP Free Practice, 13:00 WMX Race 1, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:05 EMX125 Race 1, 15:55 MX2 Qualifying Race, 16:40 MXGP Qualifying Race

SUNDAY*

09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-Up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-Up, 11:30 EMX125 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2

*Daylight Saving Time Begins (GMT+2/UTC+2)

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of the Netherlands