MX2

With the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in the books the off season begins and the focus switches to the upcoming year. Fittingly, Youthstream is excited to announce the OPENING of online ticket sales for the 2019 edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations being held at the famous Assen TT Circuit in the Netherlands on September the 28^th and 29^th.

Home of both the 2017 and 2018 MXGP Championship crowning moments the upcoming 2019 visit to Assen will be for the single biggest motocross race in the world. The Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at Assen will be the “Cathedral of Speed’s” only off road event – surely one of the biggest in their calendar - and it is well suited for the challenge.

The now available general admission tickets will provide top of the line racing views from the famous and massive trackside tribune. Take advantage of the early bird prices by clicking HERE!

Youthstream is also proud to announce the OPENING of the VIP Gold Skybox sales at the immaculate Assen facility. Sold out months in advance for the 2018 edition you don’t want to miss your chance to attend the 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations as a VIP Gold Skybox Guest!

For more information and to purchase your tickets to the 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at Assen visit the link the below:

Monster Energy FIM MXoN Tickets: https://assen.motocross-tickets.com/en/12091-motocross-of-nations-the-netherlands/

VIP Gold Skybox for the Monster Energy FIM MXoN: https://mxon.motocross-viptickets.com/en/2364-the-netherlands-motocross-vip/

On the opening day of the annual EICMA Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan, Italy, Team HRC confirmed its rider line-up for the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship, MXGP.

Brian Bogers was present at the traditional Honda factory motorsport announcement, joining the likes of World Champions Marc Marquez and Toni Bou, although both Tim Gajser and Calvin Vlaanderen were forced to miss the annual presentation – Gajser because of a final scheduled surgery to his jaw after the injury he suffered at the start of this season, and Vlaanderen because his strict training routine has taken him back to his native South Africa for the off-season.

Team HRC’s 2019 line-up is unchanged, with 2015 MX2 and 2016 MXGP World Champion Tim Gajser remaining on the #243 CRF450RW alongside Brian Bogers on the #5 machine in the larger-capacity class, and 2018 Grand Prix winner Calvin Vlaanderen on the #10 CRF250RW, remaining in the smaller-capacity class for another season.

Team HRC are testing throughout the off-season in preparation for the opening round of the 2019 MXGP series at the beginning of March.

Marcus Pereira de Freitas, HRC General Manager – MXGP: “Retaining the same line-up for 2019 means we maintain consistency and can build upon the progress made in 2018, when Brian and Calvin joined us. Calvin had a strong first season with Team HRC taking his maiden Grand Prix victory and although Brian’s season was struck by injury, he’s fully recovered now and is preparing for 2019 fully fit. Tim’s injury before the GP season got underway hampered his title challenge this year, but with the final surgery he’s undergoing now we’ll have a team at full strength for next season, and our preparations are already well underway to fight at the front in both MXGP and MX2.”

Tim Gajser: “Everyone knows I have a long and great relationship with HRC – the team feels just like family so I’m very happy to be returning in 2019. We had a few knocks this season including my injury during the pre-season, and the final surgery is why unfortunately I’m having to miss being at EICMA this year, but it means we’ll be going into 2019 stronger than ever. When you look at all the HRC riders together at EICMA it’s an impressive show of strength so I’m sad to miss it this year, but wish all my fellow riders all the best for more success in 2019!”

Brian Bogers: “I’m excited for my second year with Team HRC, which to be honest is like my first again because I lost eight months in 2018 with my pre-season ankle injury. Now I’m back to 100% again after that time off the bike, so my 2019 pre-season has started well, I’m feeling very comfortable and I’m looking forward to really showing what we can do next year. Right now I’m so happy to be back on the bike again and I’m confident that we’ll be well-prepared for 2019.”

Calvin Vlaanderen: “I’m really excited to be working with HRC again in 2019, racing my CRF250RW in the MX2 World Championship. We had a successful 2018 with finishing 6th overall in MX2 with five podiums and a Grand Prix win. We will take that experience and build on that for the upcoming season. In 2019 I will do my best to be fighting for podiums each weekend but my main goal will be the world title.”

Copyright: Photo: Honda Racing

Standing Construct KTM is pleased to announce the signing of Max Anstie to contest the 2019 MXGP World Championship onboard a KTM450SX-F. British prodigy Max Anstie already has an impressive list of achievements. The 25 year-old was the bronze medalist in the MX2 World Championship back in 2015, which he followed up with a fourth overall the following year. 

In 2017, he stepped up to the premier class, MXGP, and stunned many as he challenged the top-three, and landed on the podium at multiple Grand Prix rounds.
After wrapping up his rookie season at the prestigious Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations with a double race victory that led Great Britain to the podium for the first time in two decades, Anstie, who had a challenging 2018 season with 3 podium places, has returned to full fitness and health and is predicted to strengthen Standing Construct KTM’s 2019 MXGP World Championship campaign. 

Anstie will complete the teams’ exciting three-man line-up as he joins teammates Glenn Coldenhoff and Ivo Monticelli on KTM Factory supported Standing Construct KTM450SX-F machinery.

Max Anstie: "
I’m really looking forward to 2019.
The Standing Construct KTM team are a great crew, we have great material, and a solid program.
We will be ready to perform in 2019!
I’m very grateful to KTM and Tim for making this happen and giving me this opportunity." 

Tim Mathys, Standing Construct KTM Team Manager: "
I am very happy to have signed Max to ride for our team in 2019.
Already in our MX2 period we were seriously interested in Max and also earlier this season we showed interest in him. With the support of KTM we managed to find an agreement and I think that we have a strong team heading into the 2019 MXGP season."

There is no doubt, the MXGP class is tough, it is tough for every single rider competing, including guys like Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli. The toughest series in the World is demanding, and the older you get, the tougher it becomes.

Just like any big series in the World, winning or being a podium guy is how many teams gauge a rider’s success. For veteran riders like Shaun Simpson, who has won a handful of GPs’ in his career, and is now 30 years old, the story is different. Working hard, and being good with his sponsors, fans and the media has seen the Scotsman pick up a solid ride for 2019, and it’s a situation, for this period of his career that will see him be competitive for top tens and maybe the odd podium.

“I am 30 years old,” Simpson said. “The main goal is to support my family and it is my job, but I still have this deep sense that I want to achieve more in MXGP. Tony is 33 now and he is still riding at a top level, and I have always been a slow burner, and still feel, somehow, my best years are still in there. I just need to find the correct environment to get that out.”

With big support from British based company RaceFX, Simpson will go racing next year, and feels more than comfortable with the situation and his short-term future.

“RFX or RaceFX is a massive distribution company in the UK, and they have been upping their game in recent years. They started with two or three brands and it has just gotten bigger and bigger. FLY racing is involved, Bell helmets, so some big brands. On the other side they do levers, parts and so much other stock. It’s a place you will be able to just go in, get your parts, like a motorcycle supermarket.”

The former GP winner and constant top ten rider has also returned to KTM, a brand that saw him have a lot of success in both his MX2 and MXGP career. He has won championships with the orange army and will head into 2019 with a bike more than capable of getting him up front.

“Obviously we have done a deal with KTM and I am really happy to be back on board with KTM. It is the brand I have probably most enjoyed riding and the brand I have probably had the most success. KTM are a brand who don’t hold a grudge if you leave them and come back. I know a lot of the guys in Austria and the UK, and it feels like I am coming home.”

Now, with his RFX KTM team all sorted and the winter to get his machine and team fully sorted, Shaun Simpson can go into the new season with as much excitement as he did when he joined the GP scene a decade ago.

Husqvarna Motorcycles are pleased to announce the signing of up-and-coming motocross racers Jed Beaton and Kay de Wolf, who will compete on Husqvarna machinery throughout the 2019 and 2020 seasons. With 20-year-old Beaton entering the MX2 World Championship aboard the FC 250, 14-year-old de Wolf will make the switch to EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing competition on the TC 125. 

One of the revelations of the 2018 FIM MX2 World Championship, Jed Beaton will race with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 team throughout the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Beaton took the international motocross community by surprise in 2017 by securing a podium result in the MX2 category at the season finale in France. 

Enjoying a stellar start to his first full season of international 250cc class competition in 2018, the young Australian secured a podium result at the GP of Portugal and was placed fifth in the provisional MX2 World Championship standings before injury at the GP of Great Britain in June. 

A welcome addition to the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing squad, Beaton will join Thomas Kjer-Olsen in a strong two-rider MX2 team that will remain under the guidance of former FIM 500cc Motocross World Champion Jacky Martens. 

Runner-up in both the 2018 EMX85 European Championship and the 2018 Junior 85cc World Championship, Kay de Wolf is a highly promising young racer. Demonstrating his potential at the EMX85 and Junior World Championship finals, he was a force to be reckoned with at both events in the Czech Republic and Australia. Kay is also the reigning 2018 Dutch 85cc Champion. 

Making the switch to the 125cc class, the young rider from The Netherlands is set to enter the 2019 EMX125 European Championship aboard Husqvarna’s TC 125 machine. 

Jed Beaton – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing: “It’s a great honour for me to join the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MX2 team. Growing up in Australia, it’s been a lifelong dream of mine to be able to race the Motocross World Championship. As a member of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MX2 team I believe I am in the best possible position to fight for the ultimate goal of becoming world champion. The team never cease to impress me with their professionalism and I am really looking forward to starting the new chapter of my career with them.” 

Kay de Wolf – Husqvarna Motorcycles’ EMX 125 rider: “I am excited to turn a new page in my career with Husqvarna Motorcycles’ official team. I have always looked up to their achievements and to be part of this team now feels like a dream has come true. I’ve had a great season in 2018, with two titles in The Netherlands and two second place results in the European and Junior World 85cc Championships and I am prepared to step it up now. This is an exciting time in my career as a motocross racer and I am extra motivated to continue getting better.” 

Diego Clement – Head of Motorsport at Husqvarna Motorcycles: “We are pleased to have Jed Beaton and Kay de Wolf join our team for the next two years. It is a major part of our philosophy to invest in up-and-coming talent and we strongly believe Jed and Kay have a lot to give to our team. Despite his young age Jed has proven he’s strong both physically and mentally and we believe this is a great asset going into the long and demanding 20-round-long MX2 World Championship. Alongside Thomas Kjer-Olsen, they will form a solid two-rider team that will represent Husqvarna Motorcycles in MX2 class competition. For Kay de Wolf, we’ve been following his progress for some time and we are excited to have him onboard. Our team will do their best so that both Jed and Kay will be able to demonstrate their true potential and grow, as racers, with us.” 

Jacky Martens- Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 team manager: “I am confident that signing Jed Beaton and Kay de Wolf will help us continue our positive development in international motocross racing. As a team, we’re always setting the bar high and with Jed joining TKO in our Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MX2 team I believe we have two very strong riders who can battle for the 2019 MX2 World Championship. As for Kay, he is one of the most talented young riders and our job now is to take him to the next level. Our long-term agreement gives us the opportunity to prepare Kay for MX2 class competition in the future. Investing in young talents and allowing them to grow to championship contenders has always been our major objective. We are all excited to start working with Jed and Kay.”

Photo: From left ro Right: Jacky Martens, Jed Beaton & Diego Clement

Copyright: Photo: Husqvarna Racing

World leaders in air filter technology, Twin Air have worked closely together with Honda to win motocross races and World Championships for over two decades, and are proud to announce the continuation of that relationship for another three years.

The Dutch company will continue to supply Team HRC’s factory Honda CRF machines in the FIM Motocross World Championship until the end of the 2021 season, providing their trademark air filters as well as filter cleaning products, airbox covers and exhaust plugs.

Boasting optimum balance of protection against particles and maximum airflow for greater power, Twin Air filters are the ideal complement to the Honda CRF250R and CRF450R, ensuring absolute holeshot power alongside race-winning durability and protection.

With the 2018 MXGP season having already drawn to a close, Team HRC’s 2019 pre-season development is already well underway with Twin Air at the heart of product development for the 2019 Honda CRF450RW and CRF250RW. A comprehensive test programme will lead up to the first round of next year at the end of February

Marcus de Freitas, Team HRC Manager

“The relationship we have with Twin Air has gone back many years and we’ve enjoyed a lot of success in the Motocross World Championship. Their experience is unrivalled and they work with many factory Honda racing teams across the world so are perfectly placed to continue to support us for the next three years with their world-leading products.”

Pieter Does, Twin Air General Manager

“We’ve been supporting Honda in motocross for many years, from the beginning since Eric Geboers, and we support factory Honda teams throughout the world, so we’re very proud to continue this winning relationship with Team HRC for another three years. One of the key benefits for us is that we’re able to develop our products on the race bikes, in the most extreme of off-road environments, even before the productions versions come out, so our distributors and dealers will already have our products ready in their shops for every new Honda CRF launched.”

Photo: From left to right: Marcus de Freitas, Team HRC Manager & Pieter Does, Twin Air General Manager

Copyright: Honda Racing

Husqvarna Motorcycles are pleased to announce the signing of Arminas Jasikonis who will race for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MXGP team throughout the 2019 season. The 21-year-old racer from Lithuania will partner Pauls Jonass in a highly promising two-rider team that will compete in the MXGP class of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Entering the MXGP World Championship at the age of 19, the highlight of Arminas Jasikonis’ career to date was a podium result at the GP of Portugal in 2017, during his first full season of international 450cc competition. Set to enter his third full season of MXGP class racing with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team, the tall Lithuanian will pilot Husqvarna’s FC 450 machine in the 20-round 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship.

At just 21 years of age, both Arminas Jasikonis and his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team partner Pauls Jonass have bright futures ahead of them. Together they form a highly-promising Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MXGP team, which will remain under the guidance of highly-experienced GP racer Antti Pyrhönen.

Arminas Jasikonis – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing: “I’m really looking forward to entering the 2019 series with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MXGP team. I’ve been closely following their work and to finally be a member of this great team feels like a dream has come true. I admire their professionalism and I am willing to work harder than ever so I can give my best in each and every GP. This will be my third full season in the MXGP category and I am really motivated to make it the best one so far. Coming from a shoulder injury, I’ve worked really hard to be physically stronger and I’m now looking forward to start riding my new FC 450 machine. It’s a great bike and I believe I am capable of doing great things aboard this machine.”

Diego Clement – Head of Motorsport at Husqvarna Motorcycles: “We strongly believe in Arminas’ potential and we are excited to have him join our team for the coming season. Despite his young age, Arminas will be now entering his third complete season of MXGP class competition. Demonstrating good speed in the past, he is already a podium finisher in the class. Our immediate goal with Arminas is to help him turn this potential into consistently positive results. I have full confidence that our MXGP team can provide Arminas with what’s needed in orderto take his career to new level.”

Antti Pyrhönen - Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MXGP team manager: “We are looking forward to working with Arminas Jasikonis and I personally believe he will be a perfect fit to our team alongside Pauls Jonass. Battling through a challenging season, Arminas is extremely motivated to turn a new page in his career with our team. We want to provide him with all the right tools so that he can step up his game and become a contender for podium results and GP victories. Both Arminas and Pauls are extremely talented and we believe in their potential. I am really looking forward to seeing them battle it out in the MXGP class once the season begins.”

Copyright: Husqvarna Racing

The 26 Min season review of 2018 MXGP Championship is online now full of racing action showcasing the 20 stops of the FIM World Motocross calendar. Testing the best riders alongside the beauty of Patagonia-Argentina, snow of Valkenswaard, and the sands of Lommel to the great brand new rounds of Asia, Turkey, and several others the 2018 MXGP season was epic.

Watch as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings works to earn the prestigious FIM Motocross World Championship against the tough competition of the premier MXGP category such as 9-time World Champion teammate Antonio Cairoli, Belgian Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team rider Clement Desalle, and various other former World Champions such as Team HRC’s Tim Gajser or Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre.

Not to mention you can also get a behind the scenes look at the MX2 World Championship with the young Spanish sensation, and new champion, from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Jorge Prado along with Thomas Kjer Olsen and Thomas Covington from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory racing, Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen and many more.

The new 26 Min Season Review is ready and waiting check it out now HERE 

The last installment in the three-episode series “Science of Scrub with Tim Gajser” digs even deeper into the art of scrubbing – as well as its pros and cons when it comes to competitive motocross racing.

Tim Gajser, who has delighted crowds and fans around the world with this move – performed on his factory-spec Honda CRF450RW – wraps up this interesting talk with HRC World Motocross Adviser Roger Harvey and Honda Motor Europe Off-Road Manager Gordon Crockard.

Watch the video below 

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 30 October 2018 - Youthstream is proud to announce that the sixty-third issue of MXGP Mag is now online. The newest issue of MXGP Mag features the now 6-time Monster Energy Motocross of Nations Champions team France on the cover and gets you caught up on the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at RedBud from the off track atmosphere to Fox Holeshots and more. Also included is a recap of the special Women’s edition of the MXGP Academy held in Assen, Netherlands and then we check out the 1990 Suzuki 250cc of Alex Puzar plus we feature motocross hall of fame athlete Grant Langston!

Click here to read the sixty-third 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

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