MX2

The 2018 MXGP season ends this weekend at Imola and the Kawasaki Racing Team and Monster Energy are pleased to announce the renewal of their partnership to challenge for the title next year.

The Kawasaki Racing Team and Monster Energy joined forces five years ago in the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship, and they have already achieved impressive results including a leading role in the French team victory at the 2014 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, seven MXGP wins and more than twenty podiums. Clement Desalle, holding third in the 2018 series entering the final round, has delivered his best results since joining the team with eight podiums and an overall GP victory in Russia this season.

Long-time partners in the US series with KHI and Pro Circuit, Kawasaki and Monster Energy have claimed many titles in the Supercross and Motocross series, and joining KRT five years ago was the logical step to build an even stronger worldwide partnership between the ‘black and green’ companies which also share the same winning spirit in World Superbike. Next season Belgian riders Clement Desalle and Julien Lieber will again be working closely with the team to develop the new KX450, and put the bike on the podium as often as possible during the twenty rounds of the highly competitive MXGP series.

Mitch Covington (Monster Energy): “Monster is proud to continue with the Kawasaki Racing Team; Thierry has been a solid partner with Monster for a long time and we appreciate his passion for the sport and excellent team to represent Monster Energy.”

Steve Guttridge (Kawasaki Motors Europe): "The news that we will be continuing the great partnership and relationship with Monster Energy and our Factory MXGP team is very much appreciated by all at Kawasaki. The hard work that the team and KHI have put into this season again on the KX450F-SR means that Clement remains the only rider in the class to have won a GP by beating both the defending and new world champions! The level of competition in MXGP is incredibly high but, with Monster Energy's support confirmed, we will continue to build the strongest possible foundations with the factory and, now utilising the all-new KX450, that will give our KRT riders the best chance to challenge for the MXGP title again in 2019."

Thierry Chizat Suzzoni (KRT): “We are of course very happy to continue our partnership with Monster Energy; we have been working together for five years now and we have shared some great moments together, especially this year as Clement Desalle got top results with eight podiums and a GP win. We have a strong relationship with Monster; they see every year our investment with partners such as KHI or Pro Circuit to get even better results in the MXGP class and I would like to thank Mitch and the Monster staff for their commitment with us.”

Many countries will be represented at this year’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at RedBud, 31 to be exact. With each team composed of 3 riders there is a massive amount of talent along with interesting facts and history.

Team Estonia is one team who did remarkably well in 2017 finishing 8th just ahead of the American team at Matterley Basin. The country is one of three Baltic states in Northern Europe and home to just over one million people and it has placed in the top 10 at the Motocross of Nations 14 times since 1993.

Leading the team in MXGP is the most well versed MXoN veteran, Tanel Leok. The now 33 year old Leok has attended the annual event for a remarkable 18 consecutive years. Leok has a long list of accomplishments such as 85cc Junior Motocross World Champion in 2000, 125cc Junior World Champion and 125cc German Champion in 2001, Dutch motocross champion in 2007, and he is a 3 time GP winner in the premier FIM Motocross World Championship class.

Joining Leok is Hardi Roosiorg in MX2 and Harri Kullas in the Open category. Roosiorg is an Estonian Champion in 85cc, the 2017 Winner of the Coupe de l'Avenir Open class, and currently holds 27th in the 2018 MX2 World Championship. Meanwhile Kullas finished 4th in the 2006 85cc Junior World and European Championships, won the 2008 Ricky Carmichael MXoN Youngest Rider award, finished 9th in the 2011 MX2 World Championship overall, and took 3rd at the 2015 MXGP of Latvia in MX2 followed by a 4th place team finish at the 2015 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

Team Estonia may be an underdog but is one of the most experienced and certainly one of the most interesting to watch compete this year at RedBud, US, on 6^th and 7^th October!

The 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations is very much a race of Nations as there will always be the battle among the best in the World.

Everyone is excited for the fight between World MXGP champion Jeffrey Herlings and Team USA rider Eli Tomac, who is the number one in USA. Team USA manager Roger De Coster knows that the individual results count for fan interest, but he also knows that winning a class won’t be more important than winning the event as a country.

“The high point of the year was that we (America) won the Motocross des Nations,” De Coster said. “The Nations event mean a lot to me. Everyone talks about this guy is the fastest, or the 250 guys are fastest, or the 450 guys are best. But the Nations puts everyone together in the same class at the same time. Winning again for Team USA is important, and we will do our best to achieve that.”

British legend, Dave Thorpe, a man who has ridden many MXoN events, and won races as well as overall victories is most excited to see the Herlings vs Tomac battle.

“I think the Jeffrey (Herlings) vs (Eli) Tomac thing probably excites me more than anything,” Thorpe said. “It is always nice to see the best riders going head to head. I think Jeffrey, he  has a little more pace than anyone. If you look at USA, Eli has ridden really well this year. He will be stirred on by his home crowd and he will be pumped up, but Jeffrey will as well and you wouldn’t discount Tony from winning the individual overall either, because I might come back stronger and faster than before.”

Team USA rider Justin Barcia doesn’t see the individual battles as important as the team victory and winning the Chamberlain trophy is way more important than winning the Open class overall.

“At the end of the day, it is a team race,” Barcia said. “I think people just want to blow up the whole Eli and [Jeffrey] Herlings thing. People want to make it exciting. That’s fine, but at the end of the day, we are there to accomplish a goal. I don’t think anyone of us Americans are going to do something stupid to risk the overall goal. I always went to the race and rode smart, but aggressive and fast and have never really thrown it away. If I feel that I can win the race, I’m going to win the race. However, at the end of the day, we have to be smart and fast and get it done with the overall.”

So now, in a little over a week’s time, the whole motocross World will be heading to the Redbud circuit in America, and just like every single year, the interest will be on individual honours, but when it comes to Sunday night, only one thing matters, and that is the Chamberlain trophy being in your baggage on the trip back home.

The team at Fox Racing is giving MXGP fans a chance to win 2 Paddock passes to this weekend’s MXGP of Italy at Imola with a contest on MXGP Instagram Page. The Paddock pass will not only give access to the venue, but it allows to get it the paddock where all teams and riders are located during the weekend. 

The Instagram contest is simple to enter and all that is required to be entered for a chance to attend the MXGP season finale is to like the posted photo and tag a friend in the comments!

Link to post: Fox Racing Instagram Contest

Contest will be up until Friday 28^th September at Noon and the lucky winners will be contacted Friday afternoon!

Click HERE and take your chance to enjoy Imola

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce the signing of Gautier Paulin to the Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Team where he will race a YZ450F along side teammate Arnaud Tonus in the 2019 MXGP World Championship.

As one of the most talented riders in the world, Paulin already has an incredible list of achievements. The 28 year-old Frenchman has won 11 Grand Prix rounds, three in MX2 and eight in MXGP, and has stood on the podium 52 times, 18 times in MX2 and 34 in MXGP. He has claimed 19 race wins in total throughout that time, three were on a 250cc in the MX2 class, and 14 were aboard a 450cc inside the premier class, MXGP.

The incredibly talented Frenchman won the EMX250 Championship in 2007 and in that same year he made his FIM Motocross World Championship debut as a wild-card entry in the MX2 class at six of the 15 rounds where his best race finish was a fourth-place in Northern Ireland. His 2008 season was cut-short by injury meaning his first full term in MX2 was in 2009 where he won three rounds and finished the season as the bronze medalist.

In 2012, he stepped up to the premier class, formerly known as 'MX1' and now named 'MXGP', where he finished third in the championship classification in his rookie year.

In 2015, the French star finished as the runner-up in the MXGP World Championship behind his compatriot, YZ450FM mounted Romain Febvre, and added one more medal to his tally with yet another bronze inside the premier class in 2017.

In addition to his individual achievements, the French phenomenon has had the honor of representing his nation at the prestigious Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations on nine occasions where he has played a vital role in the teams' success, that includes four gold medals, in 2014, '15, '16 and '17, and two silver medals, in 2009, and '11. He will represent Team France for a tenth time, alongside Yamaha Factory rider Dylan Ferrandis and Jordi Tixier, at the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations that will take place on the weekend of October 7th at the Red Bud circuit in Michigan, USA.

Erik Eggens, Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Manager: "We are very excited to have Gautier back on Yamaha and in Paddock Blue. He has always been a rider that can fight for podiums and he is definitely capable of challenging for race wins as well, and we saw that a few years back when he joined Yamaha and won his debut Grand Prix on a YZ450F, which is an outstanding achievement and something that not many riders can say they have done. We believe that with the support of the Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP team he can still achieve these results, and this is something we look forward to. The team is very motivated and is a team that has shown great improvement and stability over the years, which is something a high caliber rider such as Gautier needs. With that said, we wish Gautier a warm welcome back, and we look forward to having him back on blue."

Louis Vosters, Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Team Owner: “I am really happy to have Gautier join us for the 2019 season. He is a fantastic rider and I am sure that with the right structure and the tools and support that we offer, he can make it back to the top of the MXGP World Championship. Also, together with his teammate Arnaud Tonus, I am convinced that these two great riders will make each other better and bring the results that we are looking for."

Watch the first episode of Science of Scrub with Tim Gajser at this link https://youtu.be/EEvziZyezYk

Motocross racing is a very spectacular but demanding sport and unlike its asphalt counterpart it does not require a constant and meticulous repetition of lines, as the track changes underneath riders and their bikes after and during every single lap, session and race. Despite this continuing evolution of the surface, a tenth of a second or less can still make a huge difference in having the edge over your opponent or not.

Scrubbing is one, spectacular way to make up time: by carrying more speed heading to a jump and minimise the amount of air time, a rider can push their performance on the single lap to the limit in order to create some gap with his rivals and/or get the best gate-pick in timed practice.

Tim Gajser has become a master in the art of scrubbing aboard his Honda CRF450RW: few riders are able to scrub as effectively and spectacularly as he does. In this three-episode series, the Team HRC rider discusses the science behind scrubbing with two well-known former motocross riders of the Honda family: Roger Harvey (HRC World Motocross Adviser) and Gordon Crockard (Honda Motor Europe Off Road Manager).

Copyright: Photo: Honda Racing

Torsten Hallman is without question the greatest Swedish motocross rider, and one of the few riders to win four motocross world championships in the history of the sport. The former 250cc World champion, who won titles in 1962, 63, 66 and 67 was also the man who began the clothing company THOR, only to sell it and move onto other business projects.

Hallman also has 37 Grand Prix victories, and if you ask anyone in Europe or America, they all know the name Torsten Hallman.

While Hallman might never have won the Motocross of Nations (finishing second on a few occasions), he did win the Trophee des Nations on five occasions, in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967 and 1968. An event that pitted the 250cc bikes against each other. Both events were as important as the other, but the Trophee des Nations ended in 1984, when they decided to combine the 500cc and 250cc bikes.

For the Swedish legend, the man who helped to introduce motocross to America, he missed out on racing a USGP, but he did enjoy big success on the World scene.

MXGP: Did you ever do a USGP and if you did, what was your experience?

Hallman: No, the USGP was not invented when I was racing! You must understand that when I came to the US during the first couple of years I always had to spell the word “motocross” to explain for people what I was doing!

MXGP: Motocross of Nations is the biggest race of the year and I noticed you never actually won it, even in the era of Sweden winning it often. Why was that?

Hallman: You have to look deeper in your history books! During my era, we had both Trophee des Nations (250cc) and MXoN (500cc). In that time, the same riders were picked to ride in both of the team races. I am quite satisfied with my result winning the Trophee des Nations five times and coming second in the MXoN three times! And I won individual three or four times! At my first MXoN race in 1963 in Sweden I was leading – and Team Sweden was in the lead – when my experimental Husqvarna 420cc bike suddenly stopped with ignition issues! Same in France 1966 when I was leading when the chain broke.

MXGP: How many MXoN did you do and what stood out for you at that event?

Hallman: Seven Trophee des Nations and five MXoN. It’s a special feeling to be standing on top of the box with all team members and all the fans following that event!

MXGP: Did you used to go to MXoN as a boy or have memories of the event as boy?

Hallman: No, I never attend any of the team races before I raced myself in Italy 1961.

Photo Credits: Husqvarna Image

Hello MXGP-TV member,

Log on to MXGP-TV.com now and watch the 26 Min Behind the Gate special feature from the Motocross of European Nations in Poland!

The 2018 Motocross of European Nations returned to Gdansk, Poland this year and the 26 Minute Behind the Gate feature from the event is online and available to watch now.

Many of Europe’s best riders represented their nations in teams for a battle of national pride. This year Team Italy took the win in impressive fashion in both the men’s and women’s racing!

Check out all the action with an inside look at the entire event from racing to practice and everything in between in the new upload.

Don’t forget this Behind the Gate feature is also one of the few that can be viewed on YouTube for free so be sure to share with friends and family or even on social media!

Click HERE and Watch it NOW!

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 21 September 2018 - Youthstream and SCOTT Sports are proud to announce that a multi-year agreement has been reached for the sponsorship of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

SCOTT and Youthstream have been longtime partners in the promotion and development of junior motocross. Sponsoring the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship for several years SCOTT has been committed not only to the sport but its development and youth.

For 2019 Youthstream and SCOTT expand upon the partnership by sponsoring the MXGP season. The high level of commitment from SCOTT helps to bring both recognition and promotion of the brand but also to continue the support of previous junior riders as the climb through the professional ranks.

David Luongo, Youthstream’s Vice-President: “Youthstream is extremely proud to improve the visibility and collaboration with such a prestigious brand as Scott. The MXGP World Championship is the best platform to promote the brand worldwide and reach new markets with the diversity of the series and the international TV coverage provided. In addition the variety of the championship showcases not only the quality but the versatility of their products to a wide range of customers.”

Marco Galli, SCOTT Motosports Marketing Coordinator: “We’re extremely happy about this new extended partnership with MXGP. As a leading off-road brand being present in the pinnacle of motocross racing is extremely important to reach our target consumer and allow us to prove the quality of our products in the most demanding conditions.”

“Youthstream is a very reliable partner and after our three-years cooperation on the FIM Junior MX World Championship we decided to take our relationship to the next level by entering the MXGP World Championship as official partners.”

Based in Switzerland with American roots SCOTT Sports is known for their premium goggle optics but is also a worldwide leader in off-road apparel, bicycles and sporting goods. For more information about SCOTT, their products, or the FIM Motocross World Championship visit the link: www.scott-sports.com/global/en/country

Copyright: Photo: Scott Sports

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

SCOTT

For anyone that attended The MXGP of the Netherlands last weekend will know what I mean, and without question it was an historical moment not just for Dutch motocross, but World motocross. The Assen facility is what many people today want, and that is a modern infrastructure and comfortable seating.

When I drove into the MotoGP facility on Saturday morning I was happy to re-visit. For new motocross fans, or new sponsors in the sport, it is a big improvement on is without question gives the sport a very professional look.

With 40,000 people attending the event, and the local boy Jeffrey Herlings winning the GP and the World championship, the weekend ended with a lot of positives for the Dutch fans. Small children wearing a KTM jersey and standing in the cues for the riders’ autograph sessions is a very positive look for the sport, and with a packed VIP area, you just know some of those wealthy businessmen will look into getting more involved in the MXGP series, or motocross in general.

For new MXGP World champion Jeffrey Herlings, the whole weekend was something special:

“Yes,” Herlings said. “I try and be a role model, not just for children, but also for the sport. I think it is important because we can grow, we will probably never be like F1 or football, never get that big, but I try and make the sport grow and that would be good. Tony mentioned there were people who never had been to a motocross race before. You know it is better for the industry, better for the riders and hopefully more children will get a motorcycle instead of a pair of football boots. More talent will come and its good for many occasions.”

Antonio Cairoli, who has put the sport on the map in main-stream media in Italy knows the importance of bringing a professional look to the sport. With the last round at the famous Imola circuit in Italy in a little over a week’s time, the Italian legend knows how important these types of facilities are to improve the relationship between new fans and the spot of motocross.

“So many people came to me in Assen,” Cairoli said. “And many tell me they have never been to a motocross race before. In Italy the people are crazy, and I never see that before in Holland, so it is good. It means Jeffrey is a good ambassador and its good for the sport. I think maybe half the people in Assen were not motocross fans, and its good to bring new people to the motocross.”

So while there might still be some old-school fans who don’t get these road racing facilities, maybe Assen, or Imola will change their mind, because while we still love the old school circuits like Valkenswaard, or Trentino, for the sport to grow, we also need places like Assen and Imola.