MX2

9 time FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli has signed with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2 further years, 2019 and 2020.

The contract was renewed on Thursday 22^nd February in Rome with KTM Sport Manager Pit Beirer and Team Manager Claudio De Carli. Cairoli was the first KTM rider to win the World Championship in the premier MX1 class in 2010 and with this new agreement, his career with KTM will reach the 11 year mark.

Antonio Cairoli: ‘I’m very happy about this announcement as with this contract I made the history with KTM. After 8 years results are now visible and KTM is the most important off road manufacturer. I’m very motivated for the next 2 seasons.

In the next few days Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will travel to Argentina for the first GP of the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship and the team will start the 2018 season as reiging World Champion in both the MXGP and MX2 categories for the sixth time in the last 10 years.

Copyright: Photo: De Carli Racing

MXGP has learned that I-Fly JK Yamaha’s Swedish MX2 rider, Anton Gole, has suffered a minor injury after a training crash during this last Thursday in the Tuscany region of Italy. Gole sustained a small fracture to the scaphoid bone of the left wrist and unfortunately the injury will cause the Swede to miss the first 2 GPs of the season.

It is however anticipated that he will rejoin the series at the third GP in Spain, the MXGP of La Comunitat Valenciana, we at MXGP wish Anton a quick recovery and look forward to seeing him back in action shorlty.

Copyright: Photo: I-Fly JK Racing

MONACO, (Principality of Monaco) 22 February 2018 - Youthstream is pleased to announce that FLY Racing will extend its partnership with the FIM Motocross World Championship and the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations for a multi-year term.

After being a familiar presence on the tracks of the Motocross World Championship for the last couple of years, the American company from Boise, Idaho, will enhance its visibility starting with the upcoming first round of the 2018 season in Neuquen, Argentina.

The strengthened agreement with the world's leading motocross series is part of an ongoing successful strategy of expansion and growth in the global market, where FLY Racing is quickly becoming one of the industry’s most prominent actors and setting the standards for the years to come.

Youthstream USA’s Sergio Marini: ”Being successful internationally is all but easy and FLY Racing proved again that when you have a great team of people and offer the finest products  worldwide customers reward you. FLY Racing has been doing impressive things in the US market for many years and now they’re having the same impact on a global level”.

Craig Shoemaker, President and CEO of Western Power Sports: ”FLY Racing’s goal has always been to create the best motocross and off-road products for customers around the world. MXGP’s global visibility provides us with an incredible platform to continue our growth and development. A long-term partnership with Youthstream was a win for everyone involved!”.

About FLY Racing

Established in 1998, FLY Racing has quickly become one of the fastest growing off-road motorcycle racing apparel and protective equipment brands in the powersports industry. The company began by developing quality products for the competitive North American market and is now distributed worldwide in 40+ countries. In the United States, FLY Racing products are distributed exclusively to dealers through parent company Western Power Sports (WPS) and its six regional distribution warehouses.

The design team at FLY Racing’s has dedicated itself to innovate, develop and improve the future of racewear, helmets and protective equipment. Invaluable insight from athletes—both amateur and pro alike—fuel and guide the constant goal to improve. In addition to motocross apparel, the brand also manufactures a growing line of hard parts; a full line of casual wear; as well as apparel for the BMX, Mountain Bike, Snowmobile, Watercraft and Street riding segments.

About Youthstream

Youthstream is the company that manages the exclusive television, marketing and promotional world wide rights of the FIM Motocross World Championship, the FIM Motocross of Nations, the FIM Women's Motocross World Championship, the FIM Veteran's Motocross World Cup, the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship, the FIM Snowcross World Championship, the Motocross European Championship and the Motocross of European Nations.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Fly Racing

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, after undergoing a successful surgery in Mantova on the evening of Sunday 18^thFebruary and checked out of the hospital the following day, was transported via ambulance to his native Slovenia, where he had another surgical operation – performed by jaw surgeon specialist Dr Grošeta of Maribor Hospital – to further stabilise the fractured jaw.

With the recovery time estimated at three weeks, and a mandatory rest for the two-time World Champion, Tim Gajser has to miss the opening stop of the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship in Argentina but he will target a possible return to action at the first European stop of the series, the MXGP of Europe at Valkenswaard.

With team mate Brian Bogers still on his way to full recovery, the sole standard bearer of the team at Neuquén will be Calvin Vlaanderen aboard his Honda CRF250RW machine in the MX2 class.

Tim Gajser #243: All things considered, I can say that I’ve been quite lucky. I landed basically at the base of the following jump and hit my face hard on the handlebar. I want to look at the bright side because it could have been much worse, and I’ll be back sooner rather than later. I would like to thank the doctors and medical staff who took care of me, the team that stayed by my side and the fans and everyone who was seriously concerned about my well-being. I’ll soon get a smile back on my face – and hopefully it will be a good-looking one, too!

Marcus Pereira de Freitas, HRC General Manager, MXGP: First of all, we’re happy that Tim had no serious injury to his body because it was quite a scary crash! The goal for now is to make sure he gets back to full fitness before jumping back on the bike, but looks like it won’t take too long this time. We can’t wait to have him back on board with us and we wish him a speedy recovery; he’s a warrior, so he’ll be stronger than ever.

Every year before the first Gate drop of the MXGP series the anticipation builds as the fans, riders, and teams all prepare for yet another epic season of racing. One year after another we talk of the upcomning season while discussing how it is bound to be the best yet and 2018 is no exception. What has come before has been exceptional without doubt but with the ever increasing level of the FIM Motocross World Championship and all they key racers returning plus some moving up from MX2, it is fair to say that 2018 will be better than ever. 

Read the whole 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship Preview on the February issue of the MAG by clicking HERE

The new team of MXGP Rider Ander Valentin,  920 Fly Group was introduced to the media in a press conference held in front of the emblematic Monument to the Encierro- running of the bulls- in Pamplona- Spain

Both Ander Valentin and team manager Patxi Larrea gave all kind of details and information about this new project.

Attendants to the conference also had the opportunity to check the whole infrastructure that will travel with Ander at every MXGP stop – bike, truck, tents, vehicles and human team.

Representatives from different institutions (Navarra Government, Pamplona Council, Estella Council and Ayegui Council) and spornsors (Irabia Plagas, Druck and Lurauto Archueta) were present at the conference to give Ander and his new team all their support and to wish them good luck in this new motivating project. 

Watch the Presentation Video HERE

Copyright: Photo: 920 Fly Group

Ambition is the way to Success

After a long and successful career as a rider, Livia Lancelot, 2 times WMX World Champion, decided to stop racing as a rider but keep fighting for a World Title in MX2 as Team Owner. 
Honda 114 Motorsports will compete in MX2 Class. Honda Europe decided to trust Livia and her new goals, they will support the riders with the new 250 CRF 2018.
The Team will be based in the south of France, the Staff comes from the best Teams in the Paddock. And everyone is working really hard to give the best chances to the riders to archive their goals. 
All this would not be possible without the help of Partners who trust Honda 114 Motorsports. 

Livia Lancelot, Team Owner: 'Take the decision to stop my carrer wasn’t easy, but 6 months later I’m really happy about my choice. My new life isn’t easy, we started from zero few months ago and in such a short time I'm fighting with the biggest Teams in the Paddock so this is a 24/7 job. Honda trusted me from the first moment in this project and with the new CRF250R I really believe that we have what we need to be on the Box. As my riders Bas and Hunter, competition is in my Veins so I can’t wait to be in Argentina! I can tell that if they bring me back on the podium before the end of the season I will be the happiest Manager in the Paddock!!'

Hunter Lawrence #96: “Everything has gone really well this pre-season. I love this small but super-efficient team around me; Livia is doing awesome, I get on great with my mechanic Reese and the new 2018 Honda CRF250R is really good also. I’m feeling the best that I ever have and I’m just generally happy with everything; mentally and physically. I’m loving life at the moment and I’m really looking forward to going racing and for the season to kick-off so I can chase after that dream of being world champion.”

Bas Vaessen #98: “I just can’t wait to get the season started. It’s been a really time since I raced a GP, after my injuries last year, so I can’t wait to get going again in Argentina. I’m really happy with the Honda CRF250R and I’m really happy with the new team. The transition has been smooth and everyone is excited to go racing. I think I can have a good season this year and keep up my progression from year’s past.”

Watch the Team Honda 114 Motorsports Video Presentation HERE

There is no doubt about it, the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship has a lot of questions to be answered, and a long list of riders capable of answering them. For the past half a decade we had ventured to Qatar for the opening Grand Prix, and while many of us will miss that venue and experience, visiting Argentina for the start of the season isn’t a bad improvement.

Patagonia is known worldwide for its beauty, and while everyone inside the GP paddock is looking forward to the snow-capped mountains and amazing forests, it’s the racing that brings us to this magnificent part of the world.

With the pre-season races behind us it is clear two men are in form. Defending MXGP champion Antonio Cairoli is without question the man to beat in 2018.

His speed looks as good or better than ever, and we all know his race craft is second to none, very possibly the smartest motocross rider in history. Age doesn’t seem to have slowed the Sicilian, and when he arrives in Argentina, you know his had eyes for the top step of the podium.

His Red Bull KTM Factory Racing  team-mate, Jeffrey Herlings is also in super form, he looks more than capable of matching Cairoli when it comes to Argentina.

But it won’t just be the two orange army riders who are capable of winning. No, this MXGP class is stacked with talent, from Romain Febvre, to MXoN hero, Max Anstie, not to mention Gautier Paulin, Clement Desalle, Shaun Simpson, Jeremy Seewer, Arnaud Tonus, Jeremy Van Horebeek, and many more.

If you think the MXGP class is going to be tough, then how about the MX2 youngsters. Just like in the MXGP class it is KTM who look the favourites, with defending MX2 champion, Pauls Jonass as the man to beat, but expect the unexpected with the 250cc boys, because anything is possible.

The Aussies, Hunter Lawrence and Jed Beaton are in good form, in fact Lawrence has beaten Jonass on both occasions they have raced. British riders Ben Watson, Adam Sterry and Conrad Mewse are also in good form, and no doubt the young Spaniard, Jorge Prado is looking to add to his 2017 GP victories.

Husqvarna are also coming with two tough, and now experienced riders in Thomas Kjer Olsen and Thomas Covington. The American winning the final GP of the season, and Olsen also with a GP victory to his name in 2017. Both will be harder and stronger in 2018.

HRC signing Calvin Vlaanderen has shown good speed in the pre-season, so can he possibly pull off a surprise in Argentina?

Whatever happens, the world will be watching on March 4, and whoever walks away with the GP overall will arrive back in Europe with a target on his back. Bring on Argentina!!

Copyright: Photo: KTM

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser was injured yesterday following a crash during a Motocross race in Mantova, Italy

After a first assessment of his condition locally, the 21-year-old Slovenian rider was transported to the nearby Carlo Poma hospital to perform a series of evaluations and scans, which gave a clearer picture of his condition. Gajser was conscious, he interacted with the medical staff and showed full body movement; results from MRI scans to head and cervical spine were clear.

Gajser underwent a surgical operation to repair two fractures in his jaw bone. More updates on Gajser’s recovery will follow through MXGP and HRC’s official channels very shortly as soon as more information becomes available. 

Copyright: Photo: Honda Racing

Youthstream is happy to announce that ticket sales are now open for the 2018 MXGP of MXGP of France in Saint Jean d'Angely scheduled for the 9th and 10th of June. Saint Jean d'Angely stop is the only French GP of the 2018 calendar and will likely be one of the biggest.

The French motocross fans always come out in large numbers to see MXGP and produce some of the best atmosphere. With the combination of world class riders and the wild, dedicated, and enthusiastic French fans, the 2018 MXGP of France will be hard to top!

Click the following link to get more details and purchase the tickets: https://saintjeandangely.motocross-tickets.com/23141-mxgp-of-saint-jean-d-ang--ly/