MX2

FRAUENFELD-GACHNANG (Switzerland) 18 August 2018 - MXGP’s 16th round of the year is underway after today’s Qualifying races in Frauenfeld-Gachnang, Switzerland for the 2018 MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS. Taking patient and impressive qualifying wins were Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and his younger MX2 teammate Jorge Prado.

The unique venue of the event boast amazing viewing for fans via massive grandstands. Today’s spectators were treated to some of the most interesting qualifying races of the year along with the European Championship racing of EMX125 presented by FMF Racing and EMX250. The penultimate round of the 125cc racing left the possibility for Yamaha Europe EMX125’s Thibault Benistant to take the title but only via double race wins. Benistant’s teammate Rick Elzinga returned from injury this weekend and gifted no team favors on his way to second while Benistant took 5th. Team VRT’s Tom Guyon came from 5th to take the win as Team Maddi Racing Husqvarna’s Mattia Gaudagnini and RD10’s Raivo Dankers took 3th and 4th respectively.

In EMX250 the race was first led by the round 1 winner from RedSand, BUD Racing Monster Energy’s Pierre Goupillon. Goupillon quickly lost the lead to Team DIGA-Procross’ Dylan Walsh. Walsh dealt with pressure from Honda RedMoto Assomotor’s Mathys Boisrame who fell and eventually finished 6th. Goupillon’s BUD Racing Monster Energy Teammate Brian Moreau took 2nd from his fellow Frenchman on lap 8. Walsh scored the win with Moreau, Goupillon, Boisrame, and Yamaha SM Action MC Migliori’s Maxime Renaux rounding out the top 5.

MXGP Qualifying heat was off to a wild start with Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings leading the pack through the first corner. By the exit of turn 2 however Herlings was down and picked his bike up in dead last position.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle took the second spot after the fall from Herlings leading Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and home GP star from the Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP team, Jeremy Seewer.

Herlings, though in 37th off of the start, was already up to 20th by the end of the first official lap. Cairoli took 3rd from Anstie on lap 2 before closing on Desalle. Cairoli played the patient game and even though he struggled to find a way past at first, he eventually got past the Belgian on 8 then only took one more lap to pass Tim Gajser for the lead.

At that point Herlings just broke into the top ten with a pass on BOS GP’s Evgeny Bobryshev, continuing his moves forward the Bullet took 9th from BIKE IT DRT Kawasaki’s Tommy Searle before catching Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Van Horebeek.

Van Horebeek’s Monster Energy Yamaha teammate Romain Febvre was in a battle with Seewer earlier but just after he passed the Swiss rider the #91 fell and dropped to 7th. Febvre continued to push forward even putting in the fastest lap of any rider in the race.

Gajser meanwhile was fading quickly and dropped from leading the race to 5th in a single lap. Febvre took full advantage and moved from 5th to 2nd in the next 3 laps. Herlings picked off a few more positions including 2 on the last lap from Seewer and Gajser.

At the finish it was a win from Antonio Cairoli with Romain Febvre 2nd, Clement Desalle 3rd, Max Anstie 4th, and his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Teammate Gautier Paulin 5th.

Antonio Cairoli: “My goal, for sure it is difficult, but it is to stay in the front and try to win as much as possible. The points gap is not that big and I knew that last race would be difficult in Lommel because Jeffrey is very fast on that kind of track but from now on I will try to stay closer and try to stay in front as much as possible. I will do everything I can to stay in front, I still have some races to go so I will see what happens.”

Jeremy Seewer: “It feels amazing to race at home, I'm living not far from here and for Switzerland this is a big event. I felt really good all day, I enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. I made a small mistake in the Qualifying race where I lost some positions but I was behind Tony before which was good and I enjoyed it.”

Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Arnaud Tonus has begun riding again but took part in his home GP as a spectator saying: “I have been back on the bike the last few days which is good because I was off it for a while. It is home here and it is hard to come here and not be racing but I hope for some good racing tomorrow and that the fans enjoy it.”

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 24:46.322; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:03.479; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:04.552; 4. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:07.604; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:12.864; 6. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:14.678; 7. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:15.454; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:15.592; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:24.309; 10. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:29.298.

MXGP Photos

Main Photo: Antonio Cairoli

Bottom Photos: 1. Romain Febvre  2. Clement Desalle

MX2 Qualifying race was off to a more typical start than that of MXGP with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado taking the Holeshot. Looking comfortable for the first time in many races was Honda 114 Motorsport’s Hunter Lawrence who was second with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington 3rd.

Covington’s teammate Thomas Kjer Olsen was 4th but under pressure from the other Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Pauls Jonass. By the end of the 3rd lap Jonass had taken 4th from Olsen as Covington continued to pressure Lawrence. The pressure didn’t seem to hinder Lawrence however who instead took advantage of a fall from Prado to get into the lead.

Prado’s fall only cost him the lead as he got up just ahead of Lawrence but didn’t have the momentum necessary to clear the next jump. Lawrence’s lead lasted for 3 laps before he made a mistake and seemingly stalled his bike losing both his momentum and the lead.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Team’s Ben Watson took his Yamaha from 8th on the first lap up to 6th while his teammate Jago Geerts crashed out of the race and was helped off the track by medical personnel.

At the finish of the race it was Jorge Prado who took the win even after his fall with Hunter Lawrence 2nd, Thomas Covington 3rd, Pauls Jonass 4th, and Thomas Kjer Olsen in 5th.

Jorge Prado: “It was a good qualifying race, I had good start, made a small gap but then I made a small mistake and crashed so it took a bit to get back in my rhythm but then was able to put in some good laps.”

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 25:00.079; 2. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +0:01.786; 3. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), +0:08.532; 4. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:14.127; 5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:19.061; 6. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:25.074; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Honda), +0:36.141; 8. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Yamaha), +0:44.114; 9. Stephen Rubini (FRA, KTM), +0:48.452; 10. Marshal Weltin (USA, Kawasaki), +0:52.015.

MX2 Photos

Main Photo: Jorge Prado

Bottom Photos: 1. Hunter Lawrence; 2. Thomas Covington

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos from the MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS can be found HERE

MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1,560m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 26°

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: 09h45 EMX125 Race 2, 10h25 MX2 Warm-Up, 10h45 MXGP Warm-Up, 11h30 EMX250 Race 2, 13h15 MX2 Race 1, 14h15 MXGP Race 1, 16h10 MX2 Race 2, 17h10 MXGP Race 2

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS

It didn’t last long before the passionate former team manager of KAWASAKI-CLS came back in the MXGP paddock!

Jean-Jacques Luisetti: “this atmosphere is unique, and after so many years fighting for podiums, nothing can’t overpass that feeling. I’m happy to be back to help this promising French structure”

Olivier Bossard: “I will be honest, I love the technical part of the job, but I’m very happy to have Jean-Jacques on my side. He has so many years of experience with partners, teams, riders that he can only help us... and he’s obviously the missing link of our structure.”

Jean-Jacques Luisetti will be in charge to sign the 2019 riders. BOS GP team will give more details shortly.

Copyright: Photo: BOS GP

With many of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations teams selected in the last week, many are now starting to look at the possible match-ups between riders.

There is no doubt, the biggest battle, or the battle everyone wants to see is Dutchman Jeffrey Herlings going up against Team USA rider Eli Tomac. Herlings who won on both occasions against Tomac in 2017 seemingly goes in the favourite, when you ask around the paddock.

Mark Chamberlain, the team manager of Great Britain has been around the sport for many years. Like many GP followers, he is a big Herlings’ fan, and feels the Dutchman will get the job done come October.

“Tomac to be fair to him,” Chamberlain said. “He is riding closer now to the form he had a few years ago. If he is going to give Herlings a run, it might have to be now. Personally, Herlings is the best rider in the World at the moment, but Tomac is at home, I hope they get into each other a bit.”

A rider who has ridden the Monster Energy FIM Motocross Nations on three occasions for his country and is also a possible chance to head to Redbud in October is Jake Nicholls. The former GP rider and current leading in the British motocross championship rode at Redbud this year and feels the circuit will suit the Grand Prix riders.

To be honest with you, it’s amazing, there is no other way to describe it. You have to give credit to Cairoli, there is no tougher opponent than Herlings, mentally and physically. He only got beaten by 30 second in Lommel and I thought he would lap everyone there. It is unbelievable. It is incredible his skill on a bike and the way he jumps, it’s a product of hard work, nothing has been gifted to him there. He is just a hard worker and as hard as nails. I think it’s a good track for GP guys, because it’s a bit sandy, gets pretty rutted and it isn’t that fast.

Australian Dean Ferris won’t be riding for his country at this year’s event but has ridden a handful of times for Team Australia and is a constant visitor to the MXGP.tv coverage and feels that it might be a tough job to beat Herlings at this year’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

“Watching him (Herlings) ride is just unbelievable,” Ferris said. “He has the perfect technique and he is such a big strong guy, he is doing things that nobody has ever seen before and it’s really nice to watch. I watch the whole thing, every lap of every race. I do all my training indoors on a cycle and it gives me a lot of time to watch the racing. I mean it’s going to be at Redbud in America, but still, the way Herlings is riding right now, I would have to put my money on him.”

So there you have it, Herlings might be the favourite in many people eyes, but the real story will be played out in the first weekend of October, when the biggest motocross race in the World is played out at the Redbud circuit in America.

Copyright: photo: Monster Energy

Spaniard Oriol Casas (19) is set to make his GP debut for Jumbo No Fear Vamo Honda this weekend at the MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS. The new team mate of Micha-Boy De Waal will contest the remaining MX2 world championship rounds for the Belgian team.

Twee years ago Oriol captured the Spanish MX2 title. Hampered by an early season injury Casas had a difficult 2018 but he"s determined to gain as much experience as possible and to show what he's made of in the next five GP's.

Copyright: Photo: Dieter Jans

FRAUENFELD-GACHNANG (Switzerland), 17 August 2018 – The 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship is in Switzerland and back on hard soil for this weekend’s racing. We can expect the usual strength of both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli but just as interesting is guessing who else will fight for the podium and with the competition as strong as ever before.

Realistically in both MXGP and MX2 the list of possible podium finishers is massive and unpredictable. The racing will surely be epic and so too will the amount of TV coverage for the weekend.

The 2018 MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS will receive global television coverage from its traditional partners with several offering Live coverage on Sunday such as Swiss TV who will be on site with commentators on both SRF and RTS.

The entire event including Qualifying heats on Saturday, the races of both MXGP and MX2 on Sunday, plus the European classes of EMX125 presented by FMF Racing and EMX250 will be streamed LIVE worldwide from Switzerland on www.MXGP-TV.com

As usual you can watch the 26min Behind the Gate in Europe on motorsport.tv & MotorTrend two days after the event. It can also be viewed in the USA/Canada on BeIn and MAV TV, Finland on MTV 3, Croatia on Kreator TV, South America on FOX Sports, Asia on FOX Sports, China on Fox Sports and SINA, and the Africa on Africa XP.

Check the guides below to find out how you can watch the MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS:

USA- CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 10:00 am ET (07:00 am PT) - Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 11:00 am ET (08.00 am PT) - Live

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET – Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 18:00 – CET - Delayed

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:20 – CET- Delayed

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:20 – CET – Delayed

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 21:20 – CET - Delayed

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00– CET - Delayed

BELGIUM

PLAY SPORTS 1

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET – Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00– CET – Live

CANVAS

Sunday 19 August  - Highlights

BULGARIA

BNT

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:05 – Bulgarian Time - Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:05– Bulgarian Time - Live

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET – Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 18:00 – CET - Delayed

La chaîne l’Equipe

Monday 20 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 14:00 – CET - Delayed

Monday 20 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 15:00– CET – Delayed

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:20 – CET- Delayed

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:20 – CET – Delayed

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 21:20 – CET - Delayed

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00– CET - Delayed

ITALY

RAI Sports 2 HD

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:50 – CET – Delayed

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET - Delayed

PORTUGAL

Sport TV 3

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 – GMT+1- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 – GMT+1 - Live

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:45 – GMT+1 - Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:45– GMT+1 - Live

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET – Live

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00– CET - Live

SWITZERLAND 

SRF.CH

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live Streaming

SRF2

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET – Live

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET - Live

SRF Info

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00– CET - Live

RTS.CH

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live Streaming

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET - Live Streaming

RTS deux

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET – Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00– CET - Live

UK

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 18:20 – CET- Delayed

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 19:20 – CET – Delayed

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 20:20 – CET - Delayed

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 22:00– CET - Delayed

ASIA

FOX SPORTS Indonesia

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00– HKT- Live

FOX SPORTS SEA (Hong Kong – Macau – Thailand – Singapore – Indonesia)

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00– HKT- Live

FOX SPORTS 3 Hong Kong

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00– HKT- Live

FOX SPORTS Philippines

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00– HKT- Live

FOX SPORTS Malaysia

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00– HKT- Live

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

Monday 20 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 23:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 20 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 24:00 – HKT- Delayed

Tuesday 21 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 01:00 – HKT- Delayed

Tuesday 21 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 02:00– HKT- Delayed

CHINA

STAR Sports  China

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 – HKT- Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00– HKT- Live

BRAZIL

BANDSPORTS

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 1 – 09:00 – Brazil timing - Live

Sunday 19 August  – MXGP Race 2 – 12:00 – Brazil timing - Live

All the photos from the MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS can be found HERE

TIMETABLE in Local Time (GMT+2)

Saturday: 07h45 EMX125 Group 1 Free/Time Practice, 08h30 EMX125 Group 2 Free/Time Practice, 09h15 EMX250 Group 1 Free/Time Practice, 10h00 EMX250 Group 2 Free/Time Practice, 10h55 Last Chance Race, 11h30 MX2 Free Practice, 12h00 MXGP Free Practice, 13h00 EMX250 Last Chance Race, 14h00 MX2 Time Practice, 14h40 MXGP Time Practice, 16h25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17h10 MXGP Qualifying Race, 17h55 EMX125 Race 1, 18h40 EMX250 Race 1.

Sunday: 09h45 EMX125 Race 2, 10h25 MX2 Warm-Up, 10h45 MXGP Warm-Up, 11h30 EMX250 Race 2, 13h15 MX2 Race 1, 14h15 MXGP Race 1, 16h10 MX2 Race 2, 17h10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS

The Australian Motorcycling federation known as Motorcycle Australia (MA) has selected and announced their team for the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at RedBud, USA this October.

The team will have FIM Motocross World Championship racer Hunter Lawrence riding his Honda 114 Motorsport’s MX2 machine with KTM Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs riding in MXGP and Mitch Evansa in the Open class with Micheal Byrne as the team manager.

The 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will be held the 6th and 7th of October at the famous American circuit of RedBud.

More information about the venue can be found HERE https://www.mxgp.com/tracks/red-bud

Addition Links:

Tickets: https://mxon.motocross-tickets.com/en/22471-motocross-of-nations/

FIM: http://www.fim-live.com/

MA: https://www.ma.org.au/

Event Website: http://redbudmxon.com/

While Switzerland might not have had an MXGP or MX2 champion in its history, the small country tucked between Italy, France, Germany and Austria has a long relationship with the sport of motocross. While Grand Prix events were held in Switzerland as far back as 1957, the history of the FIM, our sports federation, also has a deep relationship with the country of Switzerland.

While the FIM was founded in Paris, France, on 21 December 1904, it was then known as the Fédération Internationale des Clubs Motocyclistes, however the name was changed to the Fédération Internationale Motocycliste (FIM) in 1949, and the headquarters were moved to Geneva, Switzerland in 1959.

No doubt, with such a relationship with the country, many Grand Prix’s were arranged in Switzerland, and from 1957, until recent times circuits like Wohlen, Payerne, Roggernburg and more recently, Frauenfeld-Gachnang played host to the best motocross riders in the World.  The Frauenfeld area had actually held Grand Prix rounds much earlier than the last couple of years, and it was back in 1981 that Eric Geboers took victory in the 125cc GP at Frauenfeld.

Of course the first Swiss GP, held in 1957 was the start of something special with the country, and it was Belgian rider Nic Jansen who was the first rider to put his feet at the top of the podium in Switzerland, as he won the 500cc GP.

A long list of riders followed Jansen to the top of the podium in Switzerland throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s, as names like Rene Baeten, Bill Nilsson, Sten Lundin, Rolf Tibblin, Jeff Smith, Paul Friedrichs, Torsten Hallman, Bengt Aberg, Heikki Mikkola, Roger De Coster, Gerrit Wolsink, Andre Malherbe, Hakan Carlqvist, Graham Noyce, Georges Jobe, Kees Van Der Ven, Kurt Nicoll, Dave Thorpe, Jorgen Nilsson, Gert Jan Van Doorn, Joel Smets and Darryl King all took victories.

Only a handful of these riders could duplicate their wins in that country, those being Lundin, Friedrichs, Aberg, Mikkola, De Coster, Malherbe, Nicoll, and Smets. The 500cc class mainly visited Payerne, and Wohlen, with the odd visit to circuits in Geneve, or Roggenburg thrown in.

In the new millennium Marniqu Bervoets won in the 500 class at Roggenburg, in 2000 and backed it up with another win in 2001.

If the 500cc class was a difficult one to win often, then the 250cc class was also a tough experience for the GP riders in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. From that first GP held in 1962 at the Lausanne circuit, until 1998 18 riders won, and again some big names in the sport from Jeff Smith, Torsten Hallman, Joel Robert, Heikki Mikkola, Hakan Andersson, Harry Everts, Jim Pomeroy, Guennady Moissev, Georges Jobe, Rolf Dieffenbach, Jacky Vimond, Jeremy Whatley, Trampas Parker, Greg Albertyn, Yves Demaria, Federic Bolley, Stefan Everts and Sebastien Tortelli. Pit Beirer would win in 2000 and a year later Claudio Federici won, and thus ending the relationship with the 250cc class and Switzerland.

The 125cc class obviously had the shortest relationship with Switzerland, as in 1976, the first winner was legendary Belgian, Gaston Rahier. Rahier would win three times in Switzerland, once in Roggenburg in 1977 and twice in Schupart in 1976 and 1979. Between his wins was a victory to Dutchman, Gerard Rond in 1978, and then names like Eric Geboers, Johnny O’Mara, Michele Rinaldi, Dave Strijbos, Jean Michele Bayle, Donny Schmit, Stefan Everts, Sebastien Tortelli, and Alessio Chiodi would take wins. In 2001 James Dobb would win at Roggenburg, and suddenly the country disappeared from the calendar. That was until Youthstream put in the hard yards and worked a deal with the current facility for the MXGP of Switzerland, in Frauenfeld-Gachnang.

Since its return into the MXGP and MX2 championship, two years ago in 2016, winners have been Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings in MXGP and Max Anstie and Benoit Paturel in MX2.

Copyright: Photo: Ray Archer

FRAUENFELD-GACHNANG (Switzerland) 15 August 2018 - MXGP is in Swtizerland this weekend for the 2018 version of the MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS. After a week to recover from the brutal sand in Lommel, MXGP riders and crew will arrive in Frauenfeld-Gachnang for the first of 3 back to back weekends of racing. Wildly different conditions from the soft and deep surface in Belgium the Schweizer Zucker track will be another challenge for the world’s best riders and teams.

Aside from MXGP and MX2 this weekend EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and EMX250 will race over both Saturday and Sunday. In the EMX250 class Mathys Boisrame from the Honda Red Moto Assomotor team leads the championship by only 2 points after REVO Husqvarna UK’s Mel Pocock took his first overall win of the season in Belgium to tighten the title fight. Meanwhile EMX125 presented by FMF Racing has had the red plate switch into the hands of Yamaha Europe EMX125’s Thibault Benistant as KTM Junior Racing’s Rene Hofer suffered a season ending injury a few weeks ago.

MXGP’s point leader, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings is now 36 points ahead of his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Antonio Cairoli but with 250 points still up for grabs, or even too lose, the championship is far from over.

Herlings has been the favorite the past several races especially at the sand of Lommel but while he may have momentum on his side, Cairoli is returning to full health and fitness plus he won here in 2016 and reached the podium last year. However Herlings’ lone appearance in Switzerland last season result in a win for the Dutchman.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle has maintained 3rd in the championship and is still the only rider to beat Herlings and Cairoli. Desalle’ Swiss resume is weak though with a 10th in 2016 and 12th last year. Desalle will be interesting to watch this weekend coming off a difficult home GP where he was at one point lapped by Herlings.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser could be fighting for the win this week as the style of the Swiss track meshes well with his own. Gajser took 6th last year but was 2nd here in 2016 and has been improving as the season has continued on.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre just missed the podium in Belgium to Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie. Febvre took fourth here in 2017 with Anstie in 5th. Anstie however won the MX2 class in 2016 while Febvre took 3rd in MXGP.

One of the strongest performances from Anstie’s Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate, Gautier Paulin, came here last year when he split the KTM’s of Herlings and Cairoli to take 2nd overall.

Also to watch this weekend is Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer for several reasons. Firstly Seewer is a Swiss native who will have the home fans behind him along with motivation from his home sponsor iXS and he has just signed with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP for 2019. Seewer has finished on the MX2 podium the past two years with a pair of 2nd place finishes.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 683 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 647 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 503 p.; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 478 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 468 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 435 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 388 p.; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 350 p.; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 337 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 267 p.

2017 MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS MXGP Top 3:

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

MXGP Photos:

Top Photo: 2017 MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS MXGP Start

Bottom photos: 1. Gautier Paulin 2. Jeremy Seewer

In MX2 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado has shown his older KTM teammates from MXGP just how quickly things can change in the chase for a title. Prado and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass have been fighting for the championship lead the past races which has taken Jonass from the top to nearly 30 points behind in only a few weekends.

The question now is whether or not Prado can maintain his lead or if Jonass can respond. Jonass took 3rd here in 2017 behind Seewer and Marchetti Racing Team KTM’s Benoit Paturel who have both moved to the MXGP class. Prado took 5th last year but remains the biggest threat and favorite for the win this weekend.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen holds 3rd in the championship currently and returned to the MX2 podium in Belgium along with his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Thomas Covington. Olsen has 2 top ten finishes in Switzerland with 6th and 8th in 2017 and 2016 while Covington has performed slightly better with a 4th last year and 7th in 2016.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 team’s Ben Watson will be a threat for the podium this weekend. Last year Watson was 7th but has improved greatly since and was riding well at the last hard pack race in Czech Republic before crashing out.

Watson’s Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Teammate Jago Geerts stepped up to the challenge of Lommel for one of his best rides in front of home fans and will also be one to watch with his newly added confidence. Both Kemea Yamaha riders will race the new 2019 YZ250F in Switzerland as well.

Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen will be another MX2 rider to keep an eye on with his solid results lately he could score his second overall of the year in Switzerland. Vlaanderen was 5th at this circuit in 2016 and took 9th last year.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 645 points; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 617 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 492 p.; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 453 p.; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 444 p.; 6. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 417 p.; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 346 p.; 8. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 291 p.; 9. Henry Jacobi (GER, HUS), 261 p.; 10. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 218 p.

2017 MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS MX2 Top 3:

1. Benoit Paturel
2. Jeremy Seewer
3. Pauls Jonass

MX2 Photos:

Top Photo: 2017 MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS MX2 Start

Bottom photos: 1. Jorge Prado; 2. Pauls Jonass

All the photos from the MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS can be found HERE

TIMETABLE in Local Time (GMT+2)

Saturday: 07h45 EMX125 Group 1 Free/Time Practice, 08h30 EMX125 Group 2 Free/Time Practice, 09h15 EMX250 Group 1 Free/Time Practice, 10h00 EMX250 Group 2 Free/Time Practice, 10h55 Last Chance Race, 11h30 MX2 Free Practice, 12h00 MXGP Free Practice, 13h00 EMX250 Last Chance Race, 14h00 MX2 Time Practice, 14h40 MXGP Time Practice, 16h25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17h10 MXGP Qualifying Race, 17h55 EMX125 Race 1, 18h40 EMX250 Race 1.

Sunday: 09h45 EMX125 Race 2, 10h25 MX2 Warm-Up, 10h45 MXGP Warm-Up, 11h30 EMX250 Race 2, 13h15 MX2 Race 1, 14h15 MXGP Race 1, 16h10 MX2 Race 2, 17h10 MXGP Race 2

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS