MX2

Kawasaki is proud to announce that talented New Zealander Courtney Duncan joins the Green family this season to compete in the high-profile five-round series of the Women’s Motocross World Championship. The fast twenty-three-year-old young lady has been a major protagonist in the series since her debut three years ago, claiming an amazing seven GP victories and fourteen heat wins from just fifteen starts within that short space of time. Twice she was denied the world title through injury and lost the title by just two points on the other occasion. More determined than ever to finally achieve her goal Courtney has made the conscious decision to join the highly-experienced British Kawasaki squad run by Steve Dixon to race a KX250 alongside male teammates Darian Sanayei from the USA and Brazilian Gustavo Pessoa in a truly international squad. Apart from the GPs Courtney, currently in Europe to prepare for the GP season, will also race in her native country with the support of Kawasaki New Zealand.

Courtney Duncan: “I’m stoked to announce my signing with the Bike It DRT Kawasaki race team. They've given me an awesome opportunity and I'm very motivated to put them on top in 2019. A fresh start is what I needed and I couldn't be more excited than to do that with Kawasaki. Kawasaki New Zealand have also come on board to support me at home, for which I am also very thankful.”

Steve Dixon, DRT team owner: "It's ten years since our team was involved in the Women's World Championship with Tarah Gieger, when she even helped Puerto Rico to qualify for the Motocross of Nations, but we have always maintained a keen interest in the series. It was actually a friend who mentioned to me that Courtney was looking around for a competitive ride in this year's GPs; it took some thinking about but Kawasaki were keen, especially since their previous champion Livia Lancelot retired. I confidently expect Courtney to bring Kawasaki the world title."

Steve Guttridge, Kawasaki Motors Europe: "The FIM and Youthstream provide a great platform for the women to show off their skills and talent at the highest level within the MXGP environment and so we are very much looking forward to welcoming Courtney into the DRT team in time for round one of the series at Valkenswaard. It is a great opportunity for us as Kawasaki to return to the Women's World MX series and for sure we will again be at the sharp end with Courtney! We believe that she will be a perfect match for our KX250 and the experienced UK-based MX2 team will give her the base to challenge for the 2019 WMX title." 

Copyright: Photo: Kawasaki Racing

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to welcome Australian MXGP star Dean Ferris into the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team as a temporary replacement for the injured Romain Febvre. 

After an exciting start to the MXGP season, which was celebrated with an emphatic Qualifying Race win, Febvre was unfortunately unable to finish the first Grand Prix of the year after a heavy fall in Race 2. The former MXGP World Champion broke his Talus in the incident and was later informed that the injury required surgical repair. 

Febvre underwent a successful operation on Wednesday 13th of March at the University Antwerp Hospital (UZA). The injury is expected to take six-weeks to heal therefore Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP has called upon Ferris to fill the Frenchman's seat for the next three rounds of the MXGP World Championship. 

Ferris is the current Australian Motocross Champion in the premier class and has been undefeated in the title chase for the last three years. All three titles were won on Yamaha's popular YZ450F, and in 2018 he put his name in the history books as the first rider to win all 10-rounds of the series.

No stranger to the podium or the tracks and venues in Europe, the 28-year-old is relishing the chance to race three rounds of the MXGP World Championship with a Factory YZ450FM as a substitute for Febvre. Having achieved his current goals in Australia, he is now looking for opportunities to compete in other areas of the world and new challenges that will allow him to further hone his skills as a top motocross rider.  

Ferris will make his 2019 MXGP debut on the weekend of March 24that Matterley Basin, in Winchester, England, where he will line up on a Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP YZ450FM for the second round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. 

Matterley Basin is the first of three back-to-back MXGP rounds. Ferris will also contest the two rounds that follow. Round three in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, and round four in Pietramurata, Italy. 

Dean Ferris: "I'm really grateful for the opportunity. I know the next GP is close but we still have a few days to get comfortable with the bike. I have ridden these three tracks before so I will be pulling on my experience a lot. It's great that I can stay with Yamaha as I've had a great experience with them in the past few years. It's a bummer that Romain got hurt, we never want to see that but it can happen. I will be trying my very best for these GP's and I look forward to the experience and opportunity."

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing

MXGP is back on European soil for the second stop of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship in Matterley Basin. The MXGP of Great Britain not only hosts the second round of the MXGP and MX2 classes but also the first ever round of the brand new class EMX2T and the EMX250.

The Entry lists of the 4 classes can be found here below:

MXGP Entry List

MX2 Entry List

EMX2T Entry List

EMX250 Entry List

Recently, in order to improve the MXGP knowledge about Clerk of Course and Sporting Steward in Shanghai, China, the first official seminar was hosted at the Yue Hua Hotel Shanghai over 2 days. FIM Representative Rodrigo Castro gave valuable lessons to more than 80 trainees who came from throughout China.

The lesson is an important step for the upcoming MXGP event in Shanghai, held by the Fédération Internationale Motocycliste (FIM) along with the Chinese National Federation (CAMF), and organized by H&H Sports Protection. CAMF Deputy Secretary General Gong Hongguo, Shanghai Motorcycle Federation Secretary General Wang Zhenyong, Shanghai Fenxian District General Administration of Sport General Director Gao Ping, H&H Sports Protection Vice President Ni Ming, and CAMF Event Operation Vice President Cui Jianjun all attended the opening ceremony.

The lesson included an overview of the 2019 MXGP Official Rules, guidelines on the structure of the committee, the committee’s duty and power, along with track construction, and any new rule changes.

After the 2-day lesson, all trainees took a test to insure what had been learned during the seminar specifically for the Clerk of Course and Sporting Steward. The successful competition of the training and testing is certificated by the FIM and a short commencement was held afterwards. Gong Hongguo showed appreciation to all participants and gave his best wishes to the bright future of Chinese motorcycling events.

To conclude, Ni Ming represented H&H Sports Protection and showed appreciation to all participants as well before then giving a short introduction to the MXGP of China in Shanghai, inviting everyone to the event, and stating that H&H Sports Protection will hold a fantastic Grand Prix. 

While the Grand Prix of Great Britain in a weeks time might not have MXGP World Champion Jeffrey Herlings on the start gate, the local fans will have a good share of British riders to cheer. Both in MXGP and MX2 there are a good supply of leading GP riders, capable of top three finishes.

Max Anstie, Shaun Simpson, and Tommy Searle are all multiple GP winners. Tommy Searle with 14 in the MX2 class, Max Anstie with six also in MX2, and Shaun Simpson with four in the MXGP class.

Currently ranked seventh (Searle), eighth (Simpson) and thirteenth (Anstie) in the MXGP points, the three 450 riders have some good form, and all three are capable of a podium at Matterley Basin. Who knows, with a little luck, and some home fan support, a victory isn’t out of the question.

Just ask Anstie, who turned the circuit on its head at the 2017 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. On that wet and muddy day back at the end of 2017, the young British rider shocked the world to go 1-1 at Matterley Basin, and it is a memory he will never forget helping Team GB onto the podium.

“It was unbelievable,” Anstie remembered. “I felt like the last part of that season with my team every week we are pushing and pushing and getting stronger, I always had it in the back of my head with the last few GPs getting on the box (at the MXoN). It was awesome, the first race was something special, the crowd were so loud, and I had too much time to think. The guys rode amazing, I have to give it up to Mark Chamberlain, the whole week was stressful, probably the most stressful week of all of our lives. But we made the best of it, we kept solid and it’s an amazing feeling to be on the podium.”

As for Simpson, the lone Brit to win in the premier class knows that this season could be a special one, and as he has shown in the past, winning a Grand Prix can come at any time.

“I feel so relaxed on the KTM,” Simpson said. “The bike suits me and we haven’t squeezed everything out of it yet and I don’t think we are far off, and once we do that, it will just be about clocking laps off. I feel I can get a bit faster on it, and the key to my season will be starts and we need to work on those starts. If I can start in the top five, some weeks I might lose some places, but if I can start top five on a track I am enjoying, then I can be pushing up to second or third. Romain is out, Jeffrey is out, and sure Antonio is there, but guys like Desalle, Paulin, myself, we are thinking, you know what, there is a shot at a championship, a GP win or a podium. Jeremy Van Horebeek is also riding well. I know, I am a top class motocross rider and on my day I can race with anyone in the world.”

When you add the names of MX2 riders Ben Watson, Adam Sterry, and Conrad Mewse a again, three riders capable of getting on the podium, or even getting a surprise victory. In the MX2 points these riders are ranked sixth, ninth, and eleventh similar to the MXGP boys.

Photo Copyright: Elliot Spencer

The Grand Prix of Great Britain is one of the longest running GPs on the calendar. Starting way back in 1957, the first official year of the Motocross World Championships. It was Hawkstone Park where that first GP was held, and the event was won by British legend and two-time World Motocross Champion Jeff Smith riding a BSA.

Since that very special day nearly 60 years ago the British GP has visited many amazing circuits and seen some very special GP winners.

Hawkstone Park was the mainstay for the 500cc Grand Prix after that 1957 debut, and for eight years the best big bike riders competed around the tough sand track. Riders like Bill Nilsson and Rolf Tibblin scored victories at Hawkstone, but it was Smith who finished that early Hawkstone Park era with wins again in 1963 and 65 (no British GP was held for the 500s in 1964).

Hawkstone Park would drift in and out of the FIM Motocross World Championship series, and in-between the 500cc class, circuits like Farleigh Castle and Dodinton Park were visited. Many legends have won at these circuits, but none more popular than the British legend and three time 500cc World Champion, Dave Thorpe.

Thorpe would win GP’s at home in 1984, 1988 and 1989, although one of his greatest performances was in 1985 when he didn’t even win the GP. Crashing in the first corner with Merv Anstie (father of current MXGP rider Max Anstie) Thorpe got up in last place and rode all the way to first. Completely worn out from the charge he was eventually repassed by Andre Malherbe won went on the steal the GP victory.

The 250cc class was also loaded with memorable moments, from the first victory at the Ipswich circuit by Dave Bickers in 1962, to Stefan Everts dominating at the Foxhills circuit in 1995, 96 and 97.

The 250 class ran at several different circuits between 1962 and the late 1990’s, with Donington, Hawkstone Park and Foxhills being the three circuits that brought big crowds and an exciting atmosphere.

The 125cc class didn’t see a Grand Prix until 1975, and it was Belgian legend Gaston Rahier who won at the Pembrokeshire circuit. Several different riders won in the class between 1975 and 1999, but one of the biggest wins was that of local rider Paul Malin who took victory at the Foxhills circuit in 1995. A massive crowd arrived at the circuit and the win by Malin was the only time a British rider won a GP in that era.

In the new millennium the British GP spent a few years trying to find a home. Foxhills had aged out and was no longer a GP facility while Hawkstone Park had also disappeared from the GP calendar. Sure, some cool events at places like Isle of Wight, Matchams Park, Donnington Park, or Mallory Park were in, but it wasn’t until Steve Dixon built a circuit at the Matterley Basin facility in 2006 that the British GP came into its own again.

Since 2006 Matterley Basin has been the home of the British Grand Prix where names like Antonio Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings, Clement Desalle, Tommy Searle, Glenn Coldenhoff, Tim Gajser, Valentin Guillod, and Pauls Jonass have all had success.

Not to mention the circuit also held the 2006 and 2017 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations event, the first was where Stefan Everts had his swansong from the sport with a victory over James Stewart and of course just over a year ago when Max Anstie shocked the world and went 1-1, putting Great Britain on the podium.

As the 2019 season has kicked off last week the organizers of the MXGP of Turkey in Afyonkarahisar have presented the return of the event for 2019 to both Turkish and International media today at the NG Hotel in Afyon.

Taking the stage in Afyon was Turkish Motorcycling Federation President Bekir Yunus Ucar, Governor of Afyonkarahisar Mustafa Tutulmaz, Mayor of Afyonkarahisar Burhanettin Coban and Youthstream’s Guido Giacinto Becchis all spoke on the upcoming event along with its inaugural success.

A video started off the presentation showcasing the 2018 edition and its success as the first MXGP of Turkey in years and the first ever visit to Afyon. 2019 will be the second year for the FIM Motocross World Championship in Afyon and after winning the 2018 MXGP Award for Best Infrastructure in its first attempt another top-class event is expected at the venue this season.

The presentation also included the successful growth of MXGP in general over the past year with the return of the MXGP Turkey being an important milestone and symbol of the world-wide championship.

With the national and international media briefed on round 17 of the 19 this season the MXGP of Turkey is now counting down the days to the first gates dropping on September 7^th and 8^th.

For more information about the 2019 MXGP of Turkey in Afyon click HERE https://www.mxgp.com/tracks/afyon

The third 2019 issue of a monthly motorcycle sport magazine with some of the best interviews, features and Blogs from the heart of MXGP, MotoGP, AMA Motocross/Supercross and WorldSBK as well as tests and reviews of bikes and products from the motorcycling industry. In the OTOR MXGP Special Edition: Postcards from Patagonia; MXGP opens for 2019 with some furious speed and sights at Neuquen. Check out Ray Archer’s photography. MXGP: Making it ‘Factory’ We ask KRT to tell us their three main ways to convert a stock KX450F to MXGP a factory weapon and also how RFX KTM chisel a production 450 SX-F to be Ready to Race. Chasing the Magic of Matterley; an ongoing talk with the subject of the first OTOR MXGP ProTaper Podcast – Max Anstie – on the lessons of 2018 and the feeling of euphoria at the Monster Energy FIM MXoN. Blogs, products, pics; opinion and insight from Argentina to Atlanta and the latest round of AMA Supercross where the big Red Bull orange is also clearing up

Read it HERE

One of the biggest shocks of the opening round of the MX2 class was a young Australian named Mitchell Evans. Evans making his MX2 debut, with Honda 114 Motorsports, claimed a podium spot and looked comfortable in doing so. Even after racing the 2016 and 2018 Motocross of Nations little could prepare Evans for the fast speeds and high tempo of the Grand Prix in Argentina. Funnily enough, it wasn’t so much the racing that caught him out, but actually climbing the podium on Sunday afternoon.

“Honesty I didn’t know what to expect (when climbing the podium),” Evans said. “I was more nervous standing on the podium than I was on the start line for the races. I remember racing MXoN in 2016 and I was on the line and the crowd was amping up the crowd and the same thing happened in Argentina. I remember saying to myself in 2016 that this is where I wanted to be, and for that to come true, three years later is amazing. I was speechless and tried to enjoy every moment of it.

Despite little International experience, the Aussie knew that MXGP was a place he wanted to be, and worked hard in Australia to make his goal happen. The MXoN held at the Maggiora circuit proved to be the right place to get his juices flowing for a move to Europe.

“In 2016, it was an eye opening, I was going to school at the time and had never raced a 30-minute race and I was not prepared. That moment made me put a plan together and three years later we achieved our goal and we are here. It is pretty cool that it came together.”

What is impressive about Evans that he gave up a chance to defend his Australian MX2 championship in 2018, so he could be picked in the Australian team for the MXoN event in America.

“1 big reason I moved to the MX1 class for 2018 in Australia, was so I could make the Australian team for the Motocross of Nations at Redbud. A lot of people doubted us going into the weekend, but we knew we had a solid team and I was stoked with my riding, it wasn’t the greatest, but I still put in some good results and battling with Ken Roczen in the second race was a huge confidence booster.”

And now, after a top three in Argentina, Evans is looking forward to heading back to Europe with circuits like Matterley Basin and Valkenswaard. Exciting times for the young Australian rider.

“I am looking forward to Matterley Basin, some big jumps there and I am looking forward to some deep ruts too. We have deep sand tracks in the Southwest of France, but everyone tells me it isn’t like Valkenswaard. I used to struggle in the sand and I worked on it last year and this pre-season. If we get good starts and I can run with the front boys, then I should be able to get better throughout the weekend.”

So be prepared world, this young kid from Cairns in Australia has now set his goals on a GP victory and a very consistent season in both Europe and around the world.

Photo Copyright: Bavo Swijgers

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 8 March 2019 - Youthstream is proud to announce the sixty-seventh issue of MXGP Mag is online after the following the 2019 MXGP season opener at the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina! The newest issue of MXGP Mag features the ICE1 Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MXGP team with their new riders Pauls Jonass and Arminas Jasikonis. We also give a recap of the events on and off the track during the MXGP of Argentina Patagonia in our racing catch up feature plus the first Fox Holesot report of 2019. Afterwards we take a look at the past with André Malherbe's 1973/74 125cc World Championship Zundapp bike and then we feature motocross hall of famer Donnie Hansen!

Click here to read the sixty-seventh issue of MXGP Mag or download it for FREE on Apple Store or Google Play.

Those users who have already downloaded other issues on their iOS device can automatically download the new issue by opening the News Stand and clicking on the cover of the MXGP Mag. Whereas those readers using an Android device will be able to download the magazine for free thanks to this app: http://bit.ly/IssuuOnAndroid

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

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