MX2

(VALKENSWAARD) Netherlands, 23 April 2017- The FIM Motocross World Championship raced on the sandy and demanding track at Valkenswaard this weekend. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass were the two riders who met the demands and took the overall victories.

This weekend belongs to Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin who won the first Race after grabbing the important Fox Holeshot and leading the entire time. It was the first race victory for Paulin since Teutschental 2015. In race 2 Paulin finished second securing the overall, 2 years after doing the same here in 2015, it was the first Valkenswaard overall for Husqvarna in history. Paulin in the press conference said, “Being back on the podium and on the first step feels really good, it has been over a year. It is great to be racing like this, the ride with Jeffrey was awesome! The Dutch fans were cheering for Jeffrey so hard and I felt the track was getting smaller, I was really pushing hard to keep him from passing me. I will have good memories from today!”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings had his best result of the season today when he scored second overall. The Dutch rider had fought his way through both races, where he didn’t have the starts he’d hoped for. In race 2 on his way to the front he battled with the former champions, Tim Gajser and Romain Febvre passing both before catching Paulin in 2nd and though Herlings was close he wasn’t able to make it past the Frenchman. Herlings during the press conference said, “In MXGP it is like all out war from the moment the gate drops until the finish flag and that’s something I’m not used to, but we will get there. We are getting the speed and I think there is one thing left and that’s the starts. I felt like I was close today, I was really close to the win and that’s good.”

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek scored his second podium of the season today with 3rd overall. Van Horebeek had a great ride in race one where held of the hard charges of Jeffrey Herlings and finished 2nd. In race he finished 5th after battling for the top 3 most of the race before falling on the last lap. In the press conference Van Horebeek said: “It’s been a really good weekend…I think that the fans enjoyed our racing and it’s a tough class, we have to fight for every position. I’m really happy to be on the podium and be consistent every weekend.”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli had a bad start in race 1, he was 14th on lap one. Cairoli consistently worked his forward over the first few laps before settling into 9th. For race 2 you could tell he wanted the win as he started with the Fox Holeshot and he returned to winning form. Cairoli finished 4th overall and continues to narrow the points gap, he is now 14 points behind in the championship.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser had a good weekend finishing 6-4 for 5th overall and though it wasn’t the dominant form like we’ve seen lately he holds on to the championship lead now nearly a third of the way through the season. Gajser in the press conference said: “I’m quite happy, the speed was there. I just made some small mistakes, in the first race I crashed and in the second one I didn’t have the best start. It’s really tough actually, many guys are close together, their speed is there, you really just have to be focused 100%.”

Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev was second for several laps in race 1 where he finished 4th and in race 2 he was in second, right in tow with Cairoli, the first 12 laps, but eventually dropped to 8th. His 6th overall and 31 points from the weekend have him 5th in the championship standings going into Latvia.

Team Suzuki World MXGP’s Arminas Jasikonis achieved his best result today when he went 5-6 for 7th overall. He excelled on the technical and rough circuit, Jasikonis will undoubtably gain confidence from the result and will look forward to the next round at his home GP in Latvia.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff finished 9th overall in front of his home crowd. The Dutch rider lives a mere 20 minutes from Valkenswaard. Coldenhoff was visibly at home on the track as he held off his hard charging team mate Cairoli he finished 8th in race 1 and 10th in race 2.

MXGP Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), 35:24.915; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:00.950; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:04.824; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:05.634; 5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Suzuki), +0:05.963; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:19.448; 7. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:27.218; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:28.967; 9. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:37.452; 10. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:38.425.

MXGP Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 35:26.367; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:02.258; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:02.617; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:08.230; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:12.606; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:14.957; 7. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Suzuki), +0:18.880; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:28.120; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:33.895; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:34.136.

MXGP Overall Top Ten: 1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 47 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 38 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 37 p.; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 33 p.; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 31 p.; 7. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, SUZ), 30 p.; 8. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 25 p.; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 24 p.; 10. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 21 p.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 234 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 220 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 192 p.; 4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 182 p.; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 176 p.; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 172 p.; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 131 p.; 8. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 124 p.; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 120 p.; 10. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 116 p.

MXGP Manufacturers: 1. Honda, 237 points; 2. KTM, 232 p.; 3. Yamaha, 211 p.; 4. Husqvarna, 200 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 172 p.; 6. Suzuki, 130 p.

In MX2 class Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass completed the perfect weekend again this season going pole in Saturday’s qualifying race and following it up with 2 race wins. He achieved the race wins after two good starts including the FOX Holeshot in race 1 and leading the field every time the finish line was crossed. Jonass in the press conference said: “I felt pretty good all weekend, we made some improvements since yesterday and just kept improving all weekend with the bike. I enjoyed the track today…it was nice to ride, in the second race I got a good start, pulled a gap then just cruised around for the win. I really enjoy riding here and to go home with a 1-1 is good. The next GP is my home GP and I’m really looking forward to it.

Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer finished 19th in qualifying yesterday and responded well to the challenge today of 19th gate pick. Seewer was in 7th in race and 5th in race 2’s first lap, both races he made passes getting himself to 4th and 2nd for 2nd overall on his 4th podium this season. In the press conference Seewer said, “I made the best out of today, both races I started between 10th and 15th and I had to make a lot of passes, I’m happy that I did. Especially in the second moto I did all that I could, to beat Pauls you need to be there on the start to battle him. I think we can look forward, I’m pretty positive now.”

Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Brent Van doninck reached the podium today which is something that has evaded him in the past. Van doninck had a fifth in race one and a 3rd in race 2 which was good for 3rd overall. He had a bad start in race 1 and he had to push hard to get to the well deserved 5th while in race 2, his better start helped him to get near the back of Seewer but the physical demands took hold as he wasn’t able to find the extra energy needed to get past #91 Suzuki. Van doninck in the press conference said, “I was coming close to Seewer but he had another gear and I was quite tired…I knew I was on the podium and I didn’t want to throw it away with a crash or something. I’m happy, I’m looking forward to Latvia and I just want to keep the consistency like I’m doing now.”

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen looked comfortable on the bike and the track all weekend but went down in race 1 before completing the first lap while trying to make a pass. This mistake set him in 30th the first time across the finish, he would impressively climb his way back to 9th by the finish. The 9th combined with 4th in the second race resulted in 4th overall and he also 4th in the championship standings.

HSF Logistics Motorsport’s Calvin Vlaanderen finished out the top 5 overall today in 5th at what is his home GP after a 6th in race 1 and 7th in race 2.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Benoit Paturel is really struggling with starts and it is a shame because if he was in the front during the early stages of racing he almost certainly would stay there. Paturel 7th and 9th in today’s races were enough for the 6th overall and he is 5th in the championship standings 69 points off the leader.

Suzuki World MX2’s Hunter Lawerence had a breakthrough performance in race 2 finishing fifth, that together with the Australian’s 10th in race 1 got him a 6th overall.

The consistent #33 LRT KTM of Julien Lieber had his first major issue of the season when he had to pull out of race 2 with a mechanical issue. The Belgian howover still took 9th overall thanks to his season best second in race 1. Lieber remains third in the championship points standings and he will continue to pursue his first win at the next round on the again soft soil of Latvia.

MX2 Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 35:37.548; 2. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +0:03.476; 3. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), +0:36.928; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:44.764; 5. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), +0:51.128; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), +0:56.409; 7. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +1:03.528; 8. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Kawasaki), +1:07.900; 9. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +1:12.565; 10. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Suzuki), +1:15.317.

MX2 Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 34:09.329; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:04.491; 3. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), +0:09.510; 4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:13.352; 5. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Suzuki), +0:24.378; 6. Brian Hsu (GER, Husqvarna), +0:28.694; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), +0:31.049; 8. Petar Petrov (BUL, Kawasaki), +0:36.142; 9. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:36.387; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +0:47.690.

MX2 Overall Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 50 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 40 p.; 3. Brent Van doninck (BEL, YAM), 36 p.; 4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 30 p.; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), 29 p.; 6. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, SUZ), 27 p.; 7. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 26 p.; 8. Petar Petrov (BUL, KAW), 22 p.; 9. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 22 p.; 10. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 20 p.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 242 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 223 p.; 3. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 197 p.; 4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 188 p.; 5. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 173 p.; 6. Brent Van doninck (BEL, YAM), 159 p.; 7. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 133 p.; 8. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, KAW), 123 p.; 9. Jorge Prado Garcia (ESP, KTM), 121 p.; 10. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 109 p.

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 284 points; 2. Suzuki, 223 p.; 3. Husqvarna, 216 p.; 4. Yamaha, 204 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 164 p.; 6. Honda, 111 p.; 7. TM, 98 p.

NEXT ROUND

The next round of the FIM Motocross World Championship will be held in 2 week time in Kegums, for the MXGP of Latvia

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos of the MXGP of Europe will be available here

MXGP of Europe – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1550m

Type of ground: Sand

Temperature: 14°C

Weather conditions: varied

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 26,000

MXGP was 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.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Europe

(VALKENSWAARD) The Netherlands, 22 April 2017 - The MXGP of Europe played host to the 6th round of the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship this weekend and it all started today. On the sandy and technical circuit of Valkenswaard it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Pauls Jonass whose top notch riding in their respective qualifying races put them into pole position for Sunday.

We also saw the second round of the European Championship EMX250 start today with 88 entries, 8 of which were two strokes. KTM DIGA Junior Racing’s Miro Sihvonen wins Race 1, one week after his third position on the podium in Trentino. Behind Sihvonen it was F&H Racing Team’s Ruben Fernandez and the Dutch rider Nick Kouwenberg.

Alongside the EMX250 race 1, we had the first gate drop of the European Championship EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing. After the field was narrowed down from 85 entries, the 40 fastest 125CC 2t racers in Europe battled for 25 minutes and 2 laps. IceOne Racing Husqvarna’s Mikkel Haarup took the lead on lap 3 and never looked back winning race 1 followed by the battle for second between Tim Edberg and BUD Racing Monster Energy’s Brian Strubhart Moreau.

It was smooth sailing for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli today when he grabbed the Holeshot, lead every lap, and finished 12.6 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Cairoli looked well prepared and most of all smooth on the way to his qualifying win, only one week after the comeback of ages. In the press conference Cairoli said, “I like this kind of Valkenswaard, it’s very technical. Last weekend was a good race and it went well for me. It is great for the future motocross to have such hype in the media, it doesn’t matter if it was me or someone else.”

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek is no stranger to soft soil and it showed, the Belgian was on a mission in qualifying race today, taking no prisoners, while making passes left and right on his way to second place. Van Horebeek is looking fit and determined to make it on to the podium here in Valkenswaard.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin was another rider making passes, after starting in fifth he battled with several riders before landing the third gate pick for Sunday’s racing.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings tied his best result of the season so far with a 4th place in qualifying session. Not only is Herlings literally home in Valkenswaard, his form looks at home too. After a risky gate choice, the far inside, didn’t pay off for him, he came from back in 8th to 4th. The Dutch native has never lost here and with good starts tomorrow he is contention to keep it that way this weekend. Herlings in the press conference said, “There is a lot of good guys and a lot of potential in this class, everything needs to be 100%. I’m very surprised actually in both classes how everyone is on the same level and how fast things go. It’s been a lot of years back that I think the competition was so strong and in each time practice everyone is so close, there are many potential winners. I think it’s great for our sport but it’s hard for us riders, every detail counts!”

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle has the starts down seeing he was right up front from the beginning of qualifying, something he has done many times this year. Desalle started in 2nd and he stayed there until lap 6 where he was passed by Van Horebeek, afterward he also lost spots to Paulin and Herlings. If the Belgian can step up his pace in the second half of the races he could battle for the win here on the sandy surface.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser is a rider whose name often comes up when talking of which rider want to pass, the thing is very few seem to do so, unfortunately for him today a few did. After a good start Gajser struggled and would drop from 3rd to 7th before finishing in 6th. Perhaps Gajser was less concerned with the gate pick this weekend as it is uncommon for him to fade in race. Either way, you can count on the #243 to drop the hammer when it counts, don’t be swayed by his unfitting result in qualifying race as he will almost certainly be in the battle for the podium tomorrow.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff only lives 20 minutes from Valkenswaard track making this truly a home GP. In today’s qualifying Coldenhoff rode well from 9th on lap one, he worked his way up to 7th before a mistake by Bobryshev took them both down. Coldenhoff qualified 10th but looks to place higher in the points counting races of Sunday. The Dutch rider said in the press conference, “It’s always great to race here, I’m feeling really good this year and I must say that I feel much better than the years before. My starts are very good lately and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow, I’m really motivated!

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 25:05.071; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:12.637; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:18.723; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:26.515; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:28.163; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:29.398; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:31.629; 8. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Suzuki), +0:32.296; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:46.199; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:48.128.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass was the best of the MX2 riders in today’s qualifying race. Jonass crossed the Fox holeshot line in second and made it passed Julien Lieber on lap 2 for the lead. Jonass has mentioned his sand training recently appears to be working, he stayed in the lead all the way till the checkered flag and made his way through lapped riders better than anyone else. In the qualifying press conference Jonass said, “I got into the lead and controlled the race. We can still improve for tomorrow and I think we will be much better, I look forward to it”.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen was the main challenger to Jonass today, Olsen was nipping at the #41’s back tire throughout the race. If Olsen can get the Holeshot and ride consistent tomorrow he has the necessary speed to win.

LRT KTM’s Julien Lieber lead lap one of qualifying but as he was trying to gap the competition, he made a mistake and lost his spot to Jonass. Lieber’s error seemed to cause him to momentarily loose his focus as he was passed by Olsen the following lap. Lieber did have a resurgence later in the race but in the end he stayed in 3rd.

Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Vsevolod Brylyakov came into the day by putting in the fastest lap of Free Practice. The Russian followed it up by placing 4th in qualifying, his 4th gate pick is the best he’s had all season and seeing how comfortable he looks on the Valkenswaard circuit we may see his first podium this season.

Husqvarna Maurer-gép Racing Team’s Brian Hsu had the fastest lap in qualifying today with a 1:47.788 and it help propelled him to a 5th place finish today. The German looks good on the bike and with the top 5 qualifying result to match now he looks to do the same tomorrow.

For HRC MX2’s Lars Van Berkel this is not only a home GP but as a fill in rider for the HRC MX2 squad it the chance of a lifetime. Van Berkel impressed today, after only riding the bike twice before, with an 11th place. In the qualifying press conference he said, “It’s a very cool opportunity, I’ve ridden the bike twice this week and felt at home from the second corner, everything is really good, the bike is really good, the team is very professional, and it’s my home GP. I hope to have a better start tomorrow and we will see what happens from there.”

Riding for Team Ausio Yamaha in her MX2 debut this weekend is Kiara Fontanesi, she finished 39th in qualifying and in the press conference said, “I’m really happy about the opportunity I have, it’s really nice and it’s been my dream to one day race MX2. I really enjoy riding on the sand here and I can gain a lot of experience. I gained a lot of experience already today and will get more tomorrow. I think it was a good decision, it’s helping me to grow mentally and on the bike.”

Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer struggled today to say the least, after starting 8th he fell and found himself in 35th on lap 3. The Swiss rider didn’t give into to the misfortune though, he fought throughout the race eventually found his way up to 19th.

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 25:27.062; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:00.944; 3. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +0:01.734; 4. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Kawasaki), +0:12.005; 5. Brian Hsu (GER, Husqvarna), +0:17.556; 6. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), +0:27.509; 7. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +0:30.093; 8. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:30.422; 9. Conrad Mewse (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:32.812; 10. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), +0:33.216.

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos of the MXGP of Europe will be available here

MXGP of Europe – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1550m

Type of ground: Sand

Temperature: 12°C

Weather conditions: cloudy

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: EMX125 Race 2 09:45; MX2 Warm up 10:25; MXGP Warm up 10:45; EMX250 Race 2 11:30; MX2 Race 1 13:15; MXGP Race 1 14:15; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Europe

Joining Michele Cervellin in HRC MX2, riding the CRF250RW, is 22-year-old Dutchman Lars Van Berkel who will be filling in for the injured Chihiro Notsuka.

Coming just one week after the MXGP of Trentino as the European season starts to come thick and fast, the MXGP of Europe represents the first real sand race of the year. Located just over the Dutch / Belgian border, Valkenswaard is old-school motocross and equally popular with the fans as it is challenging for the riders. 

Fresh from his MX2 debut with Honda Europe team Vamo Racing in Argentina and Trentino, Van Berkel is graduating to HRC for the next two rounds of the MX2 Category in Valkenswaard and Latvia. As a good sand rider, these two races should suit him well, and he is no stranger to Honda having won the Dutch championship on the Honda CRF150R in 2009. Vamo Racing have released Van Berkel to HRC to give the Dutchman the opportunity to showcase his talent as the Honda Racing Family continues to search for and promote new talent. This will be his last year in MX2 before moving up to the MXGP class next season. 

Lars Van Berkel: It is a dream come true to ride for the Honda Racing Corporation Factory team for the next two rounds. I am going to make the best of it and try to show that I deserve the ride. I was riding for Vamo Honda this year and I am grateful that they have allowed me to take this opportunity. I have ridden Hondas for many years so I know the bike well and it is a bike that I feel good on. Valkensward is a track I know fairly well as it is a home race so I am going to go there with my ‘A’ game. The most important thing for me is that I ride like I know I can.

Copyright: Photo: Honda Racing

(VALKENSWAARD) Netherlands, 21 April 2017 - MXGP is in Valkenswaard this weekend for the MXGP of Europe. The sandy soiled 6th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship will receive television coverage from its partners including Netherland’s NOS who will cover the MXGP of Europe with a TV crew and live commentators, Eindhoven’s Omroep Brabant with a news crew, and also RTL 7 will be onsite covering the event and producing highlights. As always MXGP will be broadcasted LIVE to everyone worldwide from the Netherlands via www.MXGP-TV.com both days.

In addition don’t forget you can always watch MXGP’s 26mn Behind the Gate in Europe on motorsport.tv & MotorTrend two days after each round of the MXGP series. 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 Middle East and Africa on BeIn.

Check the guides below to find out how you can watch the MXGP of Europe from Valkenswaard:

USA- CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 23 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 12:00 pm EST (09.00 am PST)

Sunday 23 April  – MXGP Race 2  – 01.00 pm EST (10:00 am PST)

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 23 April  – MXGP Race 2  – 17:00 CET time – Live

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 1 – 18:00 CET time – Delayed

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 18:50 CET time – Delayed

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 2 – 19:41 CET time – Delayed

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 20:30 CET time – Delayed

BELGIUM

PLAY SPORTS

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

SPORZA

Sunday 23 April  –MXGP 30mn highlights – 23:30 CET

BULGARIA

BNT

Sunday 23 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 Bulgaria time – Live

Sunday 23 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 Bulgaria time – Live

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 23 April  – MXGP Race 2  – 17:00 CET time – Live

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 1 – 18:00 CET time – Delayed

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 18:50 CET time – Delayed

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 2 – 19:41 CET time – Delayed

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 20:30 CET time – Delayed

L’EQUIPE 21

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 2 – 18:50 CET time – Delayed

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 19:50 CET time – Delayed

ITALY

RAI Sports

Thursday 27 April – MXGP Race 2 – 17:45 CET Time – Delayed

NETHERLAND

NOS

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET time – Live Stream

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

SPAIN

Open Sport

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

UK

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 1 – 18:00 UK time – Delayed

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 17:50 UK time – Delayed

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 2 – 19:40 UK time – Delayed

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 19:30 UK time – Delayed

MIDDLE EAST – AFRICA

BEIN

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

BRAZIL

BANDSPORTS

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 11:00 Brazil timing – Delayed

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 12:00 Brazil timing – Live

ASIA

FOX SPORTS 2 SEA

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

CHINA

FOX China

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 23 April – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

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.

All the photos of the MXGP of Europe will be available here

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX125 Group 1 Free/Timed Practice 08:00; EMX125 Group 2 Free/Timed Practice 08:45; EMX250 Group 1 Free/Timed Practice 09:30; EMX250 Group 2 Free/Timed Practice 10:15; MX2 Free Practice 11:45; MXGP Free Practice 12:15; EMX125 Last chance Qualifying Race 13:10; EMX250 Last chance Qualifying Race 13:55; MX2 Time Practice 14:30; MXGP Time Practice 15:00; EMX125 Race 1 15:30; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:25; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:10; EMX250 Race 1 17:55.

Sunday: EMX125 Race 2 09:45; MX2 Warm up 10:25; MXGP Warm up 10:45; EMX250 Race 2 11:30; MX2 Race 1 13:15; MXGP Race 1 14:15; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Europe

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands), 21 April 2017 – As the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship takes to the demanding dark sand of Valkenswaard so to will the season opener of the EMX125 class Presented by FMF Racing. With FMF Racing renewing is presenting sponsorship of both the EMX125 and EMX300 classes, it clearly shows, once again, its support for the top level of two stroke racing in Europe.

FMF, Flying Machine Factory, is a world leader in aftermarket power exhaust systems for dirt bikes and ATV’s, and was set up in 1973 by a youthful twenty-two year old by the name of Donny Emler, a typical Southern California native who like everybody else in the seventies found the urge to ride and race dirt bikes simply irresistible. While FMF’s bread and butter have be taken care of on home turf in America you may have noticed their presence gain traction in MXGP over the past few years, not only as a series partner but also as team sponsors with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing as one of the main beneficiaries.

You can sense the 2-stroke thing is something the team at FMF still feels passionately about, which is no surprise considering that two of FMF’s biggest advocates are the biggest 2-stroke fans; the boss himself and a former 250cc world champion, Danny LaPorte.

David Luongo, Youthstream Vice-President and Head of Operations stated: “It has always been our target to maintain and to develop the two-stroke series! They are so important for our sport, for the development of the young riders. Today we can see that the two-strokes live a very good moment and the success of the EMX125cc and the EMX300cc classes are proof of it. We are glad that one of the strongest American  motocross companies, FMF Racing, shares the same vision as us and strengthen its support in such categories, which are very fun to watch and to listen to.”

Don Emler Jr, FMF Racing’s Marketing Director said: “Two-Strokes are easy to work on, inexpensive to own and a blast to ride. That’s why at FMF Racing we still ride every chance we get and support those that help promote the 2-stroke movement. The feedback we have received on working with the MXGP 2-Stroke classes has been phenomenal and shows our steadfast dedication to supporting the sport.”

Two-Stroke racing is a main focus of Youthstream, with full backing of FIM Europe. Both entities strongly believe in the crucial role two-strokes play in the development of the young riders in preparation for the jump to the big, more challenging, and more powerful four-stroke motorcycles. Since their inception both classes have become increasingly popular, offering highly entertaining racing. The EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class was first kickstarted in 2011 and has since been an important step taken before the World Championship, riders such as the 2016 MXGP champion and red plate holder Tim Gajser along with 2015 MX2 vice World Champion and current MX2 points leader Pauls Jonass have raced in the class among many others.

Both championships have attracted increasing attention and interest over the years with the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class receiving near 100 entries for the opening round this weekend. The EMX300 Presented by FMF Racing class will have its first race alongside the MXGP of Germany in Teutschenthal.

You can follow FMF at @fmf73 on social media channels or visit www.fmfracing.com

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

FMF Racing

MXGP of Europe

Kiara Fontanesi will make history this weekend in the sand of Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, as the first ever female to race the FIM MX2 World Championship on Dutch soil. The Italian star will make her MX2 debut as a temporary replacement for the injured Jorge Zaragoza on the Ausio Yamaha Supported team on a YZ250F.

Fresh off of winning her home grand prix - WMX round of Trentino, Italy - the challenge of going up against the fastest, fittest and strongest males in the world on one of the toughest surfaces (sand) is something the fearless twenty-three-year-old WMX star is looking forward to. Fontanesi is already the most successful WMX rider of all-time having won four FIM WMX world titles, but she is not satisfied with that incredible accomplishment alone. Ready to add to her already decorated resume, the Yamaha ace will try her best to become the first ever female to score world championship points at the MXGP of Europe.

Erik Eggens, Yamaha Motor Europe Off-road Racing Manager: "This is a positive that can be taken from an unfortunate situation for the Aussio team who are missing a rider due to injury. For Kiara, it will be an amazing experience, she is already at an elite level in women's racing and is one of the most successful WMX riders ever, so it makes sense for her to try and race the best men in the world. It is definitely not going to be easy, it will be tough and a big challenge, but I think it is something exciting and it will be interesting."

Kiara Fontanesi: I am really happy to race MX2 this weekend, it has always been a dream of mine. After the race in Arco di Trento I got the opportunity from Aussio Yamaha to replace Jorge Zaragoza at the MXGP of Europe in Valkenswaard. For me it was an easy decision to race because it's the last year I can race in MX2 because of my age. I love the track in Valkenswaard, it's one of my favourites, so everything is perfect."

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Glenn Coldenhoff will enter the sixth round of this year’s MXGP championship with a lot to prove. Down in 13^th place in the MXGP points standings, holding onto 77 points it hasn’t had the start he would have hope for. While he scored a brilliant runner-up spot in the mud of Indonesia, the rest of his performances haven’t been what his fans, or he would have expected.

Coldenhoff like all Dutchmen loves the sand, and his performances around Valkenswaard have usually given him top ten finish, with the highlight being a podium in the deep sand in Assen last year.

2017 thought has been like a rollercoaster, and last weekend’s round in Pietramurata was one of the down sides. 14^th overall, and just 15 points.

“We had some issues on Saturday, made some changes and then felt much better. We had a problem in the Qualification Heat and it made me a bit wary but I was hopeful for the Sunday’s races because if I knew I had the start then I’d be OK. I had to use the clutch a little in the first start and didn’t get away well. I wasn’t comfortable in that race and I couldn’t do what I wanted. I was fighting hard but I was stuck behind Tanel Leok for a while. I finished seventeenth and I was really disappointed. The second race start was much better and I was in the top four but I didn’t have the speed like the top guys; I was a little bit off the pace. Tenth is a solid result but I’m still disappointed.”

A couple of weeks earlier at Leon in Mexico, it was another poor performance, with 15^th overall and 14 points. In tough conditions and with a shoulder injury, the KTM rider was just happy to get out of the weekend healthy.

“I am quite happy to go home in one piece. I felt bad yesterday and I had a lot of pain this morning and I was quite worried the shoulder would pop out. I saw in the first moto it was OK to have solid pace but not my normal speed. I got a bit more confidence that my shoulder was strong enough. Eleventh in the second moto was quite good damage control and I was really looking forward to Pietramurata which is one of my favourite tracks.”

Coming off the brilliant third place in Indonesia, it was expected Coldenhoff would be strong in Argentina, but that wasn’t to be the case. Just seven points and 18^th place wasn’t what he would have wanted. A DNF in the second moto made sure his points haul was minimum.

“My starts were great and we’d done a lot of testing: our work was really paying off here and that was the positive part of the weekend because I was struggling here quite a bit. We made some changes [to the set-up] for the second race which were better and I felt more comfortable and it was a shame we had a mechanical issue. Fifteenth place in the first race really isn’t good and I wasn’t happy we didn’t get the chance to make it better.”

As we mentioned though, it’s now onto Valkenswaard, and hopefully the current run of disappointment will turn around in his beloved sand.

Copyright: Photo: Ray Archer