MX2

Clement Desalle has well and truly returned to the top of his game. The 20 times Grand Prix winner, who sits in third place in the MXGP points standings has been a model of consistency this year. Scoring three top three finishes in races, and claimed 3^rd, 3^rd and 6^th in the first three GPs of the season.

In Argentina a couple of weeks ago, the Belgian strongman had to survive after feeling uncomfortable on the fast circuit. Riding with care, he still managed to score a lot of points, and remain inside the top three in the series.

“My qualifying race was not easy as there was a crash at the start just in front of me and I had no place to go! I didn’t crash but I lost too much time, then during the race I made one mistake and finished fourteenth. My start in the first race was pretty good; I was third or fourth throughout the race and eventually finished third; it was a good race. The track changed a lot between the two races and, even though I got a very good start, I struggled with the track. I was second at the first corner and took over the lead at turn two to lead the race for several laps but I didn’t feel confident and I took the decision to ride safe to finish the race.”

At the second round of the series in Indonesia, the Kawasaki factory rider fought through the rain and mud to claim a podium place, but he was anything but excited about the weekend.

“Those were not normal conditions. I made the podium, but there is not too much to say. The start was so important and then everybody was just trying to get around. One place on the track was really bad and in the last three-four laps you just hoped that you would get through it. The whole situation was on the limit.”

At the opening round in Qatar he surprised a lot of people as he swept back to his old self. Claiming a top three overall, and proving that the veteran wasn’t finished just yet.

“It is really good to start the year on the podium. I was not happy with how things were going on Friday. It was hard to pass, it was not easy riding out there and I wasn’t pleased! It was much better on Saturday. I had a good feeling on the bike and that is very important for me and I had some good starts. I changed my mentality a little bit but so much depends on how and where you are after the second corner! Eventually I could make a difference.”

Now onto Mexico, where Desalle will try and find that top step on the podium and add this to his already impressive list of GP victories.

Copyright: Kawasaki Racing

One hundred and fifty-first issue of this re-designed bi-weekly motorcycle sport magazine, tackling the latest races and issues in MXGP, MotoGP, AMA Motocross/Supercross and World Superbike as well as general motorcycling and accessories with the best blogs and photographs.

In OTOR 151: Hoisting the Flag: MX2 Brits Uncovered; A look at what the UK have coming through in Grand Prix and how the careers of Conrad Mewse, Adam Sterry and Ben Watson are converging in MX2. Tomac drives on for Dungey: SX. Steve Matthes throws some words and opinions from Detroit as AMA Supercross nears the home rhythm section of the 2017 campaign.

The Reign Man: MotoGP from Qatar; Under the threat of rain MotoGP over delivered once again: Maverick Viñales was the driving narrative among many tales from round one. Blogs & images inside. George’s Gallery: Visiting World Champions99.

A tour and look at a unique museum and event space in the mountains of Andorra la Vella and Jorge Lorenzo’s ambitious new project for motorsport fans. 

Read it HERE

Perfect weekends are hard to come by but Team HRC’s Tim Gajser figured it out at the MXGP of Patagonia - Argentina. Gajser won the Qualifying Race, Race 1, and Race 2, he accomplished all of which in a cool and precise manner. The Slovenian won in Leon last year and he will need to keep his cool once again if he expects to have the same success under the bright sun and 30 degree Celsius temperatures predicted for Leon.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek had his best races of the year in Patagonia Argentina finishing second overall. Momentum and confidence are often the keys to win, keys that Jeremy holds coming into Leon.

Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev is impressing week after week with Patagonia Argentina being the pinnacle thus far. The Russian fought through sickness up to and during the GP eventually coming away with his first podium of the season and a second place finish in race 2. In 2015 he placed third in Leon and last year was one spot shy of the podium. Assuming Bobryshev has recovered, he is likely to be competing for his second podium this year and maybe even the victory in Leon.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli came into Patagonia with the points but saw himself slip into second in the championship after a testing weekend. The Italian showed some serious speed on his way through the pack though and will look to better his 2016 MXGP of Leon 6th place finish.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle sits 6 points behind Cairoli in the championship. The MXGP of Patagonia Argentina was a mixed bag for Desalle as he placed 3rd in race 1 and lead laps in race 2 before losing rhythm and dropping to a 10th place finish for 6th overall. If Desalle can keep his focus it’s clear he has the speed to challenge for a win in Mexico. Desalle’s teammate Jordi Tixier will miss the MXGP in Leon due to a surgery, leaving Clement as the only MXGP rider in Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre was about to win the Overall last year going 1-2 to Gajser’s 2-1 in Leon. Febvre has spent the week training in the US and now looks to conquer this year’s MXGP of Leon.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl rode at podium level during the last MXGP of Leon placing 3rd and after an 8th in Neuquen he is undoubtedly hungry for a result closer to last years, if not better.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings won in Leon last year in MX2 and after a difficult start on his 450cc rookie season, Herlings’ frustration is evident. With signs of improvement in Patagonia Argentina’s race 2 he is heading to the right direction and he is always a potential top finisher.

2016 MXGP of Leon, Mexico MXGP Top 3

1. Tim Gajser
2. Romain Febvre
3. Max Nagl

2017 MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 106 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 96 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 91 p.; 4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 84 p.; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 82 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 72 p.; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 65 p.; 8. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 56 p.; 9. Shaun Simpson (GBR, YAM), 55 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 49 p.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass was the other rider to figure out the recipe for a perfect weekend in Patagonia Argentina and it was the second time this season but after struggles in Indonesia he sits second in the championship. Jonass finished fourth in last year's Leon GP but with speed that seems unmatchable at times he is a favorite for this weekend.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado Garcia battled for wins against his teammate Jonass during both races in Argentina ending up 2nd overall. The 16 year old Spaniard now looks to come out on the top step of podium in Mexico.

Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer rode consistent in Neuquen finishing top 5 in race 1 and second in race 2. His results give him the red plate coming to Mexico, where last year he finished 2nd behind the previous MX2 rider Jeffrey Herlings.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Benoit Paturel made some good moves in race 1 at last round finishing 2nd but a mishap in race 2 resulting in a ninth place, cost him the red plate. Benoit now sits 3rd in the championship standings and is searching for his first race win of the year in Leon.

Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Darian Sanayei heads to Leon confident after his best MX2 showing in Argentina with 6-4 finishes for 5th overall. The American has spent time back stateside and with a refreshed mindset and improving results he is looking to turn heads in Mexico and grasp his first career MX2 podium.

Russian Vsevolod Brylyakov, Sanayei’s Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki teammate has shown speed and been atop practice times but has yet to put all the pieces together come race day. Brylyakov was on the Leon podium last year and with the right combination may be a dark horse this time around.

LRT KTM’s Julien Lieber has had strong performance to start the season but after issues in Patagonia he now looks to rebound for the last race before heading back to Europe.

2016 MXGP of Leon, Mexico MX2 Top 3

1. Jeffrey Herlings
2. Jeremy Seewer
3. Vsevolod Brylyakov

2017 MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 110 points; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 107 p.; 3. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 104 p.; 4. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 99 p.; 5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 99 p.; 6. Brent Van doninck (BEL, YAM), 73 p.; 7. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 70 p.; 8. Jorge Prado Garcia (ESP, KTM), 67 p.; 9. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 62 p.; 10. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, KAW), 59 p

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

TIMETABLE

Saturday: MX2 Free Practice 10:45; MXGP Free Practice 11:15; MX2 Time Practice 13:30; MXGP Time Practice 14:00; MX2 Qualifying Race 15:25; MXGP Qualifying Race 16:10.

Sunday: MX2 Warm up 10:20; MXGP Warm up 10:40; MX2 Race 1 12:15; MXGP Race 1 13:15; MX2 Race 2 15:10; MXGP Race 2 16:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Leon

Have you ever wondered how to watch the FIM World Motocross championship? Well that’s exactly what this article is about, whether you are sitting in the comfort of your own home or traveling the world.

The MXGP series strives to provide the motocross community with an extensive amount of television coverage as the championship continues to grow and engage more global viewers. This year the entire season will be broadcasted on LIVE television in countries across the globe. However, if you are the kind of fan that likes the freedom to watch LIVE from anywhere or from any device, every day of every race including qualifying, it is accessible worldwide via www.MXGP-TV.com. Not to mention if you saw something spectacular on MXGP-TV you can watch the replay on demand in HD.

Read the full featire from the MXGP Mag #42 HERE

This weekend, 1^st and 2^nd the FIM Motocross World Championship will be back in Mexico for the MXGP of Leon – Mexico.

Official Timetable and Entry Lists are available and can be downloaded at the links below

TIMETABLE

MXGP Entry List

MX2 Entry List

Tickets for the MXGP of Leon-Mexico are online and available by clicking HERE

And don’t forget to watch the MXGP ‘NEXT STOP’ Promo at the here below!

There was a special moment at the MXGP of Patagonia Argentina last weekend when Argentina Minister of Tourism Gustavo Santos and the Governor of Neuquén Omar Gutierrez presented a plate of recognition to Claudio Pesce and Jean Pierre Raemdonck. Claudio Pesce is the most important figure of motocross in Argentina and the first to compete in the United States while the Belgian, Jean Pierre Raemdonck was the first to bring a motocross bike to the country and Villa La Angostura in 1968.

The two were recognized in front of the fans of motocross for their involvement in the foundation of Motocross Racing for the country of Argentina and the Neuquen region.

While later in the afternoon at the post race press conference the Minister of Tourism for Neuquen, Jorge Brillo and the Major of Villa La Angostura, Guillermo Carusso joined MXGP and MX2 winners Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Paul’s Jonass in the media center to present them with a special gift from the government, a voucher to go to Villa la Angostura on holiday. Gift the two riders appreciated a lot.

The special moment was followed by words from Youthstream CEO Daniele Rizzi who thanked the Government and the local authorities for the support and expressed his pleasure to be for the third time in Villa la Angostura and the spectators turnout. 

The Minister and the Mayor followed Daniele Rizzi’s thanks by wishing the best to the teams and their riders, and looking forward to seeing them in the upcoming years. All parties involved in this great MXGP will gather up soon to secure the future of this event in the long term – the opportunity of hosting a Motocross of Nations will be examined too.

Julien Lieber started the season on fire, leading the MX2 points heading into last weekend’s Grand Prix of Patagonia - Argentina, although a less than impressive weekend saw him drop to fourth in the standing, 11 points of red plate owner Jeremy Seewer.

While the talent of Lieber is known, many didn’t see him doing so well in his privateer team, LRT KTM so starting the season in Qatar and Indonesia with 3-3-3-4 really gave the Belgian a lot of confidence.

“It was nice to have the red plate, but we were only in the third round, early in the season. Of course, we try out best in the next couple of Grand Prix.”

No doubt though, working with a smaller budget, and against the factory riders, he knew the team would have to work hard for results.

“It is fun because all the people are doing it just for me. I can choose whatever I want for the bike, or the gear, and it’s like a family and my direct family helps me a lot. Of course, a factory team would be better. At the beginning, I wanted to go into a good team, but I had no choice and we went privateer. We did it late, but we made it. We had some sponsors from before, who stayed with us. KTM helps us a lot. Until now everything is going good.”

Past history counts for nothing now as he fights his way back into the eye of the factory teams, and his move to the MXGP class in 2018. His immediate goal though it to take his privateer bike to more podiums, a GP victory and maybe a world title, which would lead to, hopefully a full factory ride next year.

“It is my last year in MX2, so I have to do my best, and find a good team for 2018. We will see. I finished sixth in 2015 with some problems and some riders went to MXGP. I know I have the best bike we could have taken and I knew the speed was good in the winter. The pressure and the stress we had to deal with, but until now it goes easy.”

Now onto Mexico in a little over a week’s time, for the next Grand Prix for 2017, and another shot at making the podium and scoring more points.

Copyright: Photo: Ray Archer

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 23 March 2017 – Youthstream is pleased to announce two of the most well known Italian venues for Motorsports events, Maggiora Park & Ottobiano Motorsport have merged into a new society: 8M Sport Group S.p.A. dedicated to all Action Sports at both the national and international levels starting the next 24^th and 25^th June for the MXGP of Italy.

The 2017 MXGP of Italy, initially scheduled at Maggiora Park will now be held at the international circuit of Ottobiano, Pavia.

The new society structure of 8M Sport Group S.p.A will be the result of the two societies with outstanding numbers:

• 8 tracks for different action sports and multiple facilities: Motocross, Minicross, Enduro, Freestyle, Supermoto, Quad, MiniGP, Pit bike, Kart, Auto, Oval, Scooter, E-bike, Big Airbag and Pump Track
• 500.000 sqm surface
• 55.000 sqm Paddock surface
• 100.000 annual entries
• More than 50 events per season

In particular this project will help the reach of productive financial synergies between the two societies and a more efficient overall management.

The final goal is to create a big network of facilities dedicated to Action Sports in order to have a higher level of organization and infrastructure with international standards.

Giuseppe Luongo, Youthstream Group SAM President stated: “This project between Maggiora and Ottobiano is fantastic for our sport, we have always believed the union could create strength. We are sure with the two structures and the know-how of both societies we can organize spectacular events. Besides the MXGP events we can start multiple projects focused on the growth of Motocross and the Youth activities, essential for the future of this sport. We wish to have great cooperation with 8M Sport Group S.p.A. starting from this 24^th and 25th of June for the MXGP of Italy”.

“We are pleased to announce this new partnership” Luca Gualini, 8M Sport Group Manager said- “Today a big business project comes, unique in its kind, based on the willingness to innovate and promote the value of Motorsport and the territory alike. We also have the great pleasure to organize the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship which represents a challenge for us and to whom we will dedicate our best resources and commitment up to the expectations of all the MXGP fans. In the meantime we will go ahead to improve and increase our offers onsite for all the action sports followers.”

“With this merge we reached an important result” – Stefano Avandero, 8M Sport Group Manager stated- “For us this for sure is an important step in this moment to give a burst to Maggiora Park and for the possibilities of new future initiatives too. With Ottobiano Motorsport we have many elements in common, first of them is the vision of the sport as a unique experience. We are also working on the bureaucratic matters that are around Maggiora Park in order to have it open shortly.”

Shortly more details on ticketing will be available, in the meantime follow the links below for more information:

www.ottobianomotorsports.com

www.maggiorapark.com

Please find here below the updated 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship Calendar including all support classes:

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

In any sport perfection is pretty hard to find, be it football, tennis, rugby or motocross. Last weekend around the Patagonia circuit in Neuquen, Argentina, two men in fact finished with the perfect weekend.

Both Tim Gajser in the MXGP class and Pauls Jonass in the MX2 class went 1-1-1 for victories in the Saturday qualification race and the two races on Sunday. But these two didn’t just win the races, they showed amazing control and consistency in their victories.

Hardly putting a foot wrong, and leading just about all the laps, with Gajser leading 34 of the 37 MXGP laps, and Jonass leading 36 of the 37 laps in MX2. Pretty impressive stuff from both winners.

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jonass knew it was going to be a good weekend as soon as he got off the plane in Argentina.

“I was already excited to go to Argentina” Jonass said. “Because it’s a nice place, nice track and a good organization. I got really good start in the qualification race, I was behind Jorge, but I made a quick pass and led all the race. I did pretty much the same in the first and second races on Sunday. I really enjoyed the racing and riding that track. I was really happy to 1-1 again.”

As for Gajser, his strong showing in last year’s Argentinean event gave him enough confidence that he would have a good weekend around the beautifully prepared circuit.

“I am really happy,” Gajser said. “Finally grabbed a win in 2017 and I am happy with the performance. I really like the track, it was amazing, although a little sketchy in some places, but a really nice track. It was actually a perfect weekend. I really enjoyed the track and I know I was riding well. The crowds here were good and it was nice to hear them cheering when I came past them on the last lap. They have made a few changes to the track this year which suited me. The season didn’t start in the best way but I have been working really hard and training back at home, I never stop working and it’s now paying off. We are just at the beginning of the season but I aim to ride consistent and get more podiums.”

Now the two riders will more than likely take a weekend off, then head to Mexico, for the fourth round of the series full of confidence, and their mental strength stronger than ever. If Argentina was anything to go by, then their competition better have their A-Game on, otherwise it’s going to be another lesson in perfect riding.

Copyright: Photo: Ray Archer

As the previous year MXGP have the pleasure to run the FOX Holeshot Competition. 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 Patagonia-Argentina which was held last weekend in Neuquen, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff took both FOX holeshots while in MX2 class Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado was the one who took both FOX Holeshots

Watch the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina ‘Fox Holeshot’ films here below.         

MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina MXGP FOX Holeshot Film

MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina MX2 FOX Holeshot Film