MX2

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain), 27 September 2017 - Youthstream is excited to announce that the forty-ninth issue of the MXGP Mag is now online. This month the new 2017 Champions of Antonio Cairoli and Pauls Jonass are featured on the cover with Cairoli as the rider of the month after his stunning 9th Motocross World Title. In the #49 Issue of MXGP Mag we get you caught up on all the racing from the Monster Energy MXGP of the USA, the MXGP of the Netherlands, and the MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard in France and we give you a preview of what is the best motocross race of the Season, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Presented by Fiat Professional. We give you insight into the MXGP Academy program and then there is the throwback to the past with an article on the 1970 Suzuki 250 and Joel Robert plus a feature on motocross Hall of Famer Jacky Martens.

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

Those users who have already downloaded the other issues on their iOS device can automatically download the forty-ninth 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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MXGP MAG

Team USA have a long list of legends who have ridden for their country in the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations. As the winningest country in the event, with 22 victories, the will always be a contender, not matter what team they bring.

From their first victory in 1981 at the Lommel circuit in Belgium, to their last at the St Jean d’Angely circuit in France, they have produced brilliance. Sometimes a little lucky, but usually just too good for the opposition. We caught up with two of the legends of this event, first up winner Danny Laporte, from the 1981 team, and 1993 and 1996 winner, Jeremy McGrath.

McGrath rode for Team USA on two occasions in 1993, and 1996. The Supercross legend didn’t let America down as he pulled off victories on both occasions, although in 1993 as a rookie he went into the event nervous and not sure how well he would do. Around the very old school European circuit of Schwanenstadt, in Austria, McGrath finished fourth in his very first MXoN race, and helped Team USA to victory.

“Obviously I have spent a lot of my racing in Europe,” McGrath said. “As a rider, to get invited (to the MXoN), I was invited several times, and I managed to race for Team USA twice, and both times we won. Amazingly enough it was two different experiences. I went in 1993 and I was a young kid, and didn’t really have much experience riding motocross, and I wasn’t very good. I was the weak link in the team, but I managed to get one score that was good enough and we got the win.”

Three years later at the Jerez circuit in Spain, Team USA completely dominated, and McGrath was a major part of their success story. McGrath, Jeff Emig and Steve Lamson all won their class, and gave the rest of the world little chance of beating them.

“In 1996, I was a much better rider and we won the Motocross of Nations again. We went and won everything, and that experience was one of the best racing experiences in my career. The level of the Europeans is maybe better than our guys now. I think the Motocross of Nations is a race any motorcycle enthusiast should see.”

In 1981 Team USA, with Chuck Sun, Danny Laporte, Johnny O’Mara and Donny Hansen sent the Grand Prix riders packing as they dominated the event. Harry Everts and Eric Geboers of the Belgian team (and favourites) couldn’t believe the speed of the American riders around the tough Lommel circuit. It would be the start of the most dominating era in MXoN history and one that would prove that America was a force in World Motocross. Danny Laporte remembered it well.

“The US was having trouble putting a team together,” Laporte said. “So, we went with our (Honda) team, myself, Johnny O’Mara, Donny Hansen and Chuck Sun. I had no idea what I was doing, and it was the first time we ever won a championship at the Motocross of Nations.”

Obviously, this year’s riders Thomas Covington, Cole Seely and Zach Osborne will continue the great performances by American riders, and how knows, maybe they can come out with victory number 23.

Copyright: Photo: MXLarge

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain), 27 September 2017 - The biggest event of 2017, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations presented by FIAT Professional, is upon us at the amazing and historic Matterley Basin circuit in the UK. The 71st running of the event will bring 39 nations together from countries as far as Brazil and exotic as Thailand or Iran.

The venue is known as one of the best in the world with its grassy hills and natural terrain. The track this year has been updated with new additions and a longer track length sure to give the tens of thousands of fans expected epic racing. Last time the circuit hosted the Motocross of Nations was in 2006 and it provided not only some of the best racing, but also one of the best atmospheres of any Motocross of Nations.

On the topic of atmosphere and supreme racing, last year’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations presented by FIAT Professional in Maggiora, Italy, is not one to forget. Scores of fans filled the hillsides and cheered for their countrymen in the patriotic battle. Last year it was team France who edged out the competition by 1 point but with a swarm of new competitors this year may see a new holder of the Chamberlain trophy.

Multi-time and defending champions Team France again posses a strong team led by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin. The experienced French rider comes off a strong season in the MXGP World Championship where he won the MXGP of Europe in Valkenswaard and took third overall in the championship standings.

Joining Paulin is Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Christophe Charlier. Febvre struggled in the early part of the 2017 season but has finished strong reaching the podium in two of the last four rounds while Charlier fills in for the injured Dylan Ferrandis and Benoit Paturel.

Runner-up in 2016 was team The Netherlands as they lost out by a single point. The 2017 team will again pose as a strong threat to the win with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Glenn Coldenhoff plus MX2 HSF Motorsports rider Brian Bogers.

Herlings has been the man to beat in the MXGP championship during the second half of the season scoring 6 overall victories in 2017. Herlings finished second in the MXGP championship in his rookie year and will take his much improved 450cc experience into the UK. Glenn Coldenhoff and Brian Bogers are not to be counted out either as both have shown the speed required to fight at the top of the standings throughout their 2017 campaign.

Team USA is always in everybody’s bets when speaking of a potential winner. The last time the Motocross of Nations was celebrated in Matterley Basin in 2006 the Americans won in impressive fashion. This year team USA will be composed by HRC’s Cole Seely along with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne and Thomas Covington.

Osborne is a prior MX2 World Championship racer and will look to use his experience racing abroad to help him this weekend. Thomas Covington may be an American by blood but he has been riding, racing and training for years in Europe and comes off of several strong results in 2017 including various race wins and two overall victories as recent as Villars sous Ecot.

The home country, Team Great Britain, will indeed have the crowd behind them. The team is made up by Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Tommy Searle plus Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie and Dean Wilson. Anstie has momentum on his side as he was on the podium 3 times in his 2017 rookie MXGP campaign and 2 of them came at the last 2 rounds.

Team Belgium is another podium contender with top riders such as Team Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Van Horebeek and Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Brent Van doninck.

Dean Ferris leads Team Australia and pairs up with Kirk Gibbs and Team Suzuki World MX2’s Hunter Lawerence. Lawerence comes of his career first race win and pole position at the MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard only a couple of weeks ago.

Team Switzerland will be a force to reckon with as well with Wilvo Yamaha MXGP’s Arnaud Tonus, Team Suzuki World MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer, and Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Valentin Guillod. Tonus while returning from injury has an MXGP race win to his name in 2017 and Seewer steps up to the 450cc after finishing second in the 2017 MX2 World Championship.

Some other strong contenders are Italy’s now 9-time world champion, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, who clinched his 9th title 3 races short of the full season and had 2 second place race results in the 2016 MXoN, joined by HRC MX2’s Michele Cervellin and Team Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Alessandro Lupino, Slovenia and Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, who is the 2016 MXGP World Champion, and Danish rider and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen who finished third in his rookie 2017 MX2 season.

All the photos from the 2017 Edition of the Monster Energy FIM MXoN Presented by Fiat Professional will be available HERE

TIMETABLE

Friday: MXGP Awards 14:00; MXoN Teams Presentation 18:00

Saturday: Free Practice YZ125 bLU cRU 08:30; Free Practice MXGP 10:00; Free practice MX2 11:00; Free Practice Open 12:00; Time Practice YZ125 bLU cRU 12:50; Qualifying Heat MXGP 13:30; Qualifying Heat MX2 14:30; Qualifying Heat Open 15:30; Race 1 YZ125 bLU cRU 16:00; C-Final 17:00.

Sunday: Warm-up B-Final 8:30; Race 2 YZ125 bLU cRU 09:20; Warm-up MXoN Group 1 9:50; Warm-up MXoN Group 2 10:20; B-Final 11:00; MXoN Race 1 (MXGP+MX2) 13:10; MXoN Race 2 (MX2+Open) 14:40; MXoN Race 3 (Open+MXGP) 16:08.

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Monster Energy FIM MXoN Presented by FIAT Professional

(MONACO) Principality of Monaco, 25 September 2017 - One of the most recognized riders in women’s motocross, Kiara Fontanesi, is now the most successful in the history of FIM Women’s Motocross, now having 5 FIM WMX titles to her name Kiara is an idol to many.

Kiara Fontanesi was born and raised in Parma, Italy, where she started riding at a very young age. Kiara took after her brother who ripped around on a mini-bike. The young gymnast one ride later was hooked and ready to race.

In 2009 Kiara, at the age of 15, decided it was time to take on the world as she entered the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship. While she didn’t see success early, a season of training and determination worked in her favor as she came out swinging at the final round of the 2009 WMX championship in Lierop, The Netherlands, winning the race!

One year later, in 2010, Kiara asserted herself as a permanent force to be reckoned with as she pulled off second over all at the season opener in Bulgaria and then backed up the result up with a series of podium finishes and a couple of race wins finishing fourth in the overall championship standings.

In 2011, Kiara continued to improve which resulted in several strong races and finishes in the 2011 WMX World Championship. After the season of bar to bar racing and impressive results, Kiara settled for second behind the WMX champion Stephanie Laier.

2012 was a coming of age for Kiara, after coming so close to the title in 2011, the eighteen year-old was on a mission to accomplish her life long dream of becoming World Champion. Not only did she do just that, she blew away the competition and wrapped up the championship one round early in Matterley Basin, Great Britain.

World domination had been achieved, but at nineteen years old one world title wasn’t enough and Kiara went on to claim her second consecutive WMX world title in similar style. After two years of dominance in women’s motocross, Kiara was finally challenged. Although the competition was very stiff in 2014, Kiara still managed to rise above and claimed her third FIM WMX title.

In 2015 the battle for WMX supremacy was a battle between Kiara and  2008 WMX world champion Livia Lancelot, if it wasn’t Livia winning the round it was Kiara and vice versa.  Both riders took five race wins each, but it was Kiara who took the most overall wins, three to Livia’s two.

Heading into the sixth and final round at the circuit of Loket in the Czech Republic only two points separated the protagonists in what was set to be a tense match up for the 2015 WMX crown. Livia ended up seizing her engine on the sighting lap of the final race, which meant Kiara was able to wrap up the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship, for the fourth time in row.

In 2016 the competition continued to strengthen and Kiara made it difficult to contend for the championship as she had three scoreless second races during the season. Kiara finished 4th in the championship 88 points behind the champion Livia Lancelot.

2017 was a testing year for the women as they faced varied conditions through out the 6 race season and coming into the final round at Pays de Montbéliard, France, only 5 points separated the top 4 women. Anything was possible as Kiara came into the race 4th in the championship standings. While the other riders struggled to have 2 strong race results Kiara scored a first and a 3rd giving her one more point to claim her 5th World title over runner up Livia Lancelot.

Congratulations Kiara for your fifth WMX title!

Watch Kiara Fontanesi WMX World Champion HERE

Watch the WMX News Highlights from the MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard HERE

Kiara Fontanesi career

First round raced: Sevlievo, Bulgaria, 2009

World Titles: 5

First World Title: WMX, 2012    

Round wins - 17

First Round win: Vantaa, Finland 2011

Last Round win: 2017, MXGP of Pays de Montbeliard, Villars sous Ecot

2017 position in the Championship 1, WMX

Other Results

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FIM

(MONACO) Principality of Monaco, 22 September 2017 - Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass has raced motocross for most of his life. Born in Kalvene, Latvia January 13th 1997, Jonass started riding back at a young age in his home country of Latvia and soon after began racing in the surrounding countries.

It didn’t take Jonass long to see success in the Baltic region reaching podiums and taking wins. However Jonass’ first real international success was in 2011 at the age of 14 when he won the 2011 FIM 85cc Junior World Championship title in Italy. In 2012, Jonass moved into the bigger 125cc class where he quickly learned the ropes taking second in EMX125cc at Uddevalla, Sweden, circuit along with a third later in the year at the FIM Junior MX World Championship in Bulgaria.

In 2013, Jonass became not only the EMX125 Champion but also the 2013 FIM 125cc Junior Motocross World Champion aboard a KTM machine. The following year Jonass entered the MX2 World Championship with Marchetti Racing Team and in 2015 it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing that signed him on a 5 year contract from 2015 to the end of the 2019 season. Jonass raced 7 of the 2014 MX2 World Championship stops scoring points at 6 of the 7.

2015 was the first full MX2 season for Jonass and one which excelled in finishing on the podium several times to finish 2nd overall in the championship behind Tim Gajser. 2016 was an important learning season for Jonass as mistakes often hampered his potential. While running third in the Championship Jonass had a bad crash at the MXGP of Czech Republic not only ending his weekend but his 2016 season.

In 2017 we saw a new Jonass, one who had learned from his mistakes and now knew that consistency was paramount. Jonass showed this as he reached the podium 15 of the 19 rounds in vastly different conditions around the globe. Jonass rode like a veteran rebounding well and is now the 2017 MX2 FIM Motocross World Champion title with 7 Pole Positions, 14 heat wins and 6 GP wins this season as the first one was at first round of the season, in Losail, Qatar and the last came at the MXGP of Czech Republic where his season ended the year prior.

Congratulations Pauls and to your whole team at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing on your first FIM Motocross World Championship gold plate!

Watch 2017 Pauls Jonass Best Moments’ Video HERE

Pauls Jonass career

First GP Raced           2014, MXGP of Trentino

World Titles               3 (1 MX2, 1 Junior 85cc - 1 Junior 125cc)

First World Title         2011 85cc class

GP wins                    6 MX2                              

First GP win              2017, MXGP of Qatar, Losail, MX2                 

Last GP win              2017, MXGP of Czech Republic, Loket, MXGP

2017 position in the Championship        1, MX2, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Other results

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

After the Qualifying Press Conference at the MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard the Sport Director of the Supercross de Paris, Mr. Xavier Audouard had the pleasure to present the rider line up for the “2017 Supercross de Paris” which be held on November 18th and 19th in a brand new Stadium, the U Arena, at la Defence, Paris, which still is under construction and will be inaugurated very shortly. 

The line up includes some of the best Supercross and Motocross riders in the World, including the French superstar Marvin Musquin, Zach Osborne, Dean Wilson, Maxime Desprey just to name a few. The event also includes additional activities like freestyle to provide a diverse type of show.

Follow the event website HERE fore more information and tickets. 

Here we are! One of the most awaited moments of the week: MXGP in collaboration with Monster Energy has the pleasure to interview a Monster Girl at every GP. The feature will go up the week after the event.

At the MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard we had the chance to catch up with the French Monster Girl, Analisa. Here what we asked:

What’s your favorite place in the entire world? France of course! Anywhere with a beach and good company I am happy – I love to travel. South of France is beautiful!

What kinds of things really make you laugh? People genuinely having fun and also animal videos on Youtube! I can watch one video then an hour later I have watched them all!

What was your favorite Monster Energy event this year? Catalunya Moto GP, always! It is in beautiful Barcelona and the sun is always shining! The atmosphere is amazing and the people are so much fun.

To get to know more about your favorite Monster Girl, check out our Monster Girls section on http://www.mxgp.com or click HERE, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.

There is no event like it in the world, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Presented by Fiat Professional. As far back as 1947 when a British team won the event at the Wassenaar circuit in The Netherlands this race has grown into a massive celebration of the best riders in the World.

Back in the 1950’s and 60s it was Sweden and Great Britain who dominated this event, before the Belgians started their amazing run of victories. Winning their first in 1948 and their last in 2013 the Belgian team have won 15 times.

Of course, after the Belgium era of domination came the might of Team USA, as the American took the event by storm in 1981 and in the last 31 years have won 22 times.

Riders like Ricky Johnson, David Bailey, Jeff Ward, Johnny O’Mara, Mike Kiedrowski, Jeff Emig, Jeremy McGrath, Jeff Stanton and many more made this event their own. Then came the era of Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Villopoto, James Stewart and Ryan Dungey, it was an unstoppable force that was not often broken.

It had been the American team that has really brought glamour to this event, as they came in their numbers, huge budgets and total professionalism. The rest of the world had to look on with respect, take their beating and then hope for some luck the following year.

Of course, in recent years the tide has turned a little, with Team USA not winning in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

After losing four years in a row Ricky Carmichael rounds up his troops and won in 2005. The win by Team USA at the Ernee circuit in 2005 also saw the event move to another level. The brilliance of RC, plus a solid performance by New Zealander Ben Townley brought added interest to the event and each year bigger crowds, larger facilities and more media attention has seen this race grow at an alarming rate.

Since that 2005 victory America have had mixed results, but it’s been more about the improvement in the Grand Prix riders’ performances, that has seen the changing of the guard somewhat.

In 2012, it was Germany who won, then Belgium in 2013, before Team France took control of the event, winning in 2014, 2015 and 2016. France will try and become only the third team in history to win it four years on the trot, with Team USA having their 13-year winning streak and seven-year winning streak, and Team Great Britain winning it five years running in 1963, 64, 65, 66 and 67.

Team France rider Gautier Paulin will also be going for something special, trying and become only the third rider in the events history to win the event four years in a row. It had been done in the past by Team USA rider David Bailey, who won five times in a row in 1982, 83, 84, 85, and 86, and another American legend, Jeff Ward who won it four times in a row in 1987, 88, 89 and 90.

Copyright: Photo: MXLarge

The Fox Holeshot award runs across the entire MXGP season. The way it works is 1 point is awarded for each race holeshot. He, who has the most points in MXGP at the end of the season will win the grand prize of €10,000 while he with the most points in MX2 will win the grand prize of €5,000.

At the MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard which took place in Villars sous Ecot, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings took the FOX Holeshot in Race 1 and Race 2 respectively.

While in MX2 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass took the FOX Holeshot in Race 1 and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington took it in race 2.

Watch the MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard ‘Fox Holeshot’ films here below.    

MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard FOX Holeshot MXGP Film

MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard FOX Holeshot MX2 Film

From the last 20 years, here are two men that stand tall in the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations history books. Ricky Carmichael from Team USA and Stefan Everts from Team Belgium. These two men had their share of victories, Carmichael winning the team event in 2000, 2005 and 2007 and Everts in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2003 and 2004.

Now as we come closer to this year’s event, both Carmichael and Everts will be standing in the crowd, watching as fans. Both respected in the sport and both happy with their achievements, but just as happy to be sitting in the middle of a group of fellow motocross fans enjoying the action.

Everts ended his career at the Matterley Basin circuit, helping Team Belgium onto the podium after scoring 1-1 results and beating James Stewart from Team USA. American might have won the event, but Everts walked away the hero.

“When I rode there in 2006,” Everts said. “It was the biggest crowd I had ever ridden in front of in Europe and the Nations, so a good moment, even great moment. It is always nice going back to Matterley. It is one of the nicest tracks on the season, along with Argentina, and Matterley is equal. You can see 100% of the track, which is awesome for the crowd and also the teams. It’s a cool track and the layout is nice. It will be interesting to see how it is this time around. We will have completely different riders on the start line compared to my last one, and we will see how the crowd will be, will it be the same big crowd, I hope so.”

Carmichael will attend his first Motocross of Nations in a decade as he too returns to Matterley Basin, the circuit where he watched Everts do his magic in 2006. Carmichael was meant to race that event in 06, but picked up an injury, and was replaced by Ivan Tedesco in Team USA. He can’t wait to get back and visit this beautiful circuit one more time.

“I’m really excited to go back. I haven’t been to the Motocross of Nations since 2007—my last race! That was the last Motocross of Nations I’ve been to. I’m really excited about going there and especially to be going to the UK. I love going to that country. It’s always a great time. I’m really excited to see all the fans and to spend face time with them and maybe do some hot laps with (Stefan) Everts for all the fans. That should be pretty fun. I’m ecstatic about that.”

So for those who might be attending this year’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Presented by Fiat Professional. Don’t be surprised if you are walking through the thousands of spectators, and this American and this Belgian are standing together, chatting over old times, and taking in the races, just like all of us will.

Copyright: Photo: Geoff Meyer