MX2

First qualifying race of the 2017 season: the MXGP of Qatar is bound to be nothing less than epic! Did you miss something form today's sessions? Here below you can watch the highlights video! 

LOSAIL (Qatar), 24 February 2017 - Youthstream announces the cancellation of the MXGP event in Charlotte NC. The future venue for the Monster Energy MXGP of USA will be announced shortly.

Stay tuned to MXGP.com for future information.

Please find here below the updated calendar.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Suzuki World MXGP rider Arminas Jasikonis has been forced to miss the opening round of the 2017 MXGP World Championship due visa issues that weren’t able to get sorted out in time for the gate drop at this weekend’s Qatar event. 

After such a successful pre-season, everyone in the team is disappointed that AJ won’t be able to showcase his skills at this round, but expect him to be really fired-up for the second round in Indonesia in one week’s time. 

General Manager Stefan Everts said: “AJ is back on a plane to Europe because he didn’t have the right visa. It’s a very bad break for him, after having a good pre-season and we were really looking forward to having him on the start line on the new RM-Z450WS. It is a big disappointment, especially for himself, but also for the whole team and Suzuki, to not see him here after all the work we’ve put in. This is how it is and we have to accept it, we should have taken care better on the visa issue and we will learn from this. I want to apologise to all our sponsors, partners and fans, and especially to Suzuki that he won’t be on the start line.” 

Kevin Strijbos will be the sole MXGP rider at the event that gets underway with practice and qualifying this afternoon at the Losail International Circuit.

Photo Credits: Suzuki Racing

Today the best motocross riders in the world will be lined up for the opening GP of the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship. With 21 former GP winners and 266 GP victories tallied from the MXGP class, this is considered one of the strongest fields the sport has seen.

Shaun Simpson, who is one of the 21 GP winners knows that a consistent night in Qatar will be the perfect start to his season. He also knows that this event is special, and while it isn’t old school, it does have its place in the Grand Prix series.

“Most years I get this question,” Simpson said. “And most years I say the same thing. It’s nice going there, we all enjoy it, I don’t think you can find anyone who goes there and doesn’t like it, nobody is complaining about going there. The layout of the track is ok. I mean the airport is close, the hotels are beautiful. It’s well organized, plenty of money there, the facility is great, the mechanics love it. I think if you compare it to what Indonesia will be like, or Mexico or Argentina, those places are very basic.”

2015 MXGP champion Romain Febvre, just like Simpson loves the experience of Qatar, and knows that while it will be all business on Saturday night, he will also try to enjoy the sunshine and relaxed atmosphere of the city in the desert.

“I’ve always liked Qatar,” Febvre said. “From the very first time we went there. The weather is good and it’s perfect for riding, not too hot during the day and not too cold at night. We always just go for four days, because there isn’t a lot to do there, but they do have nice hotels. I really like the facility, they have everything staying in the garage of the MotoGP. I like riding in the night. Indonesia I have never been there, but some people tell me it’s going to be more humid than Thailand, so that is going to be tough. But it’s like that for everyone, so that is ok.”

Young American Darian Sanayei does have some night racing experience, having raced some supercross events back home. Making his full-time debut in the MX2 class he will attract some attention from his fans back home.

“I don’t know if it’s an advantage,” Sanayei said. “It will be fun, I have been to Monster Cup at night, and some other indoor things. I am just looking forward to racing all the rounds. I just want to be good in qualification, get a good gate pick, and I think if I can get good starts, I can do ok.”

One thing is for sure, both MX2 and MXGP will produce some drama, and excitement, something the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship always brings.

LOSAIL (Qatar), 23 February 2017 - Racing is set to begin in Losail, Qatar to kickoff the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship. While everyone seems eager for the first gate drop of the season tomorrow, a media opportunity was held at the AL SHAQAB an equestrian center specializing in Arabian horses.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Clement Desalle and Jordie Tixier, Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos, Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer, Hunter Lawrence and Bas Vaessen, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Jorge Prado Garcia, Wilvo Yamaha MXGP’s Arnaud Tonus and Shaun Simpson, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie, and TM Factory Racing’s Samuele Bernardini were in attendance and were able to look around and interact with the horses inside the center.

After the media opportunity, the first press conference of the season took place in front of the national and international media, a handful of riders, as well as a multiple teams. Taking the stage, Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo was joined by FIM/CMS Director Mr. Tony Skillington, FIM Europe President Mr. Wolfgang Srb, Losail Circuit Sports Club Vice President and General Manager Mr. Khalid Al Remaihi and QMMF President Mr. Abdulrahman Al Mannai, along with some of the biggest names for this year’s racing season: Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Clement Desalle and Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos.

Mr. Giuseppe Luongo opened the welcome press conference: “I want to thank the Losail Circuit for welcoming us here once again and to the QMMF for the great organization of this race, everything is perfect, everything is clean, the track is prepared very well, and we are set to have another fantastic opening to the season.”

Mr. Tony Skillington continued: “I’m really excited for this season, I can feel the energy already and it’s very unpredictable, if I were a betting man I would not know where to place my money, I think that we will be in for a fantastic season…I just can’t wait to see it started.”

Mr. Wolfgang Srb stated: “It is a pleasure to be here in what is becoming a tradition now on our 5th year in a row starting the series in the gulf region at Qatar and this wonderful circuit for a night race…We hope to come here for many more years to start the MXGP series.”

Mr. Khalid Al Remaihi said: “We did some work on the track surface this year in order to improve it more and more and we’re hoping the riders will enjoy the change. It is always exciting to have the MXGP here, it is a fantastic show and we hope that more and more people come here to watch”

Mr. Abdulrahman Al Mannai stated: “Welcome everyone, we are very excited to have the opening round for the MXGP series. The MXGP is always exciting, it is always a show. We had Tim Gajser and Herlings win here last year and go on to win the championship, we hope this year’s winners will have the same luck.”

The riders rounded out the press conference telling about their winter and their expectations about the 2017 season with these statements:

“We had a really good winter, we had a new bike from Honda and we tested a lot. I’m looking to do my best here, just try to forget about the pressure and ride like I know how to and we will see come Saturday” – Team HRC’s Tim Gajser.

“We had a perfect run in the off season, riding was good, we really dialled in the bike and I was super comfortable for my rookie year. As you know I crashed 2 weeks ago and broke a bone in my hand which has been pretty devastating but tomorrow It will be my first test and hopefully I can be racing smoothly” – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings.

“It’s a long season so I think the most important thing is to be consistent all season, every point counts, I want to minimize mistakes, and I would rather take 5th or 4th than crash. We will see what will happen tomorrow night” – Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre.

“My off season went really well, we didn’t make many bike changes this year over last which I was quite happy about, I was able to train and spend time riding on the bike.” – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl.

“With the new bike I feel good, it feels a lot lighter and it handles even better than before. I had some decent preseason races and look forward to racing here. I think top 5 here would be good to start the season.” – Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos.

“I’m here to do my best of course, as myself and the others know it is a long season and we will need to be consistent at all the races but at the same time at every race I will go for the win.” – Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle.

“The preseason races were really on point this year and I’m very grateful that I’m feeling back at almost my best of all time, I’m really looking forward to the races coming here in Qatar.“ – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli.

To wrap up the day Youthstream presented a few important statistics such as the increased social media following and the reach of MXGP live television broadcasting.

It has been another busy day here in Qatar which has left everyone excited for another season of none stop motocross racing. Be sure to watch the qualifying races LIVE tomorrow night on www.mxgp-tv.com 

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

TIMETABLE

Friday: MX2 Free Practice 15:15; MXGP Free Practice 15:45; MX2 Time Practice 17:15; MXGP Time Practice 18:00; MX2 Qualifying Race 20:00; MXGP Qualifying Race 20:50.

Saturday: MX2 Warm up 14:30; MXGP Warm up 15:00; MX2 Race 1 17:15; MXGP Race 1 18:15; MX2 Race 2 20:10; MXGP Race 2 21:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Qatar

LOSAIL (Qatar), 23 February 2017 – The world’s premier motocross series MXGP is set for yet another MUST-SEE season. The 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship will begin this weekend under the lights of Losail Motocross Track in Qatar. MXGP will again receive an extensive amount of television coverage as the championship continues to grow and engage more global viewers. The entire season will be broadcasted on LIVE television in various countries across the globe and will be accessible to everyone worldwide via www.MXGP-TV.com showing both days LIVE.

This weekend’s MXGP of Qatar will be broadcasted on several far reaching channels.

Once again MXGP’s 26mn Behind the Gate, a filmed production that covers all the action, both on and off the track, with highlights from racing in MXGP and MX2, a GoPro on-board lap of the track, as well as the inside scoop from the pits at each round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, will be back with MXGP’s lovely host Lisa Leyland.

You can watch 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, Spain on OpenSport, Slovenia on Sport TV, South America on FOX Sports, Asia on FOX Sports, China on Fox Sports and SINA, and the Middle East and Africa on BeIn.

As far as the MXGP of Qatar is concerned it will commence this Friday, the 24th February, BeIn Sports Qatar will be the main local broadcaster and will be broadcasting all the races live on Saturday the 25th.

Check the guides below to find out how you can watch the MXGP of Qatar:

QATAR

BEIN

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 1 – 17:00   local time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 1 – 18:00   local time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 2 – 20:00   local time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 21:00   local time – LIVE

MIDDLE EAST – AFRICA

BEIN

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 1 – 17:00   local time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 1 – 18:00   local time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 2 – 20:00   local time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 21:00   local time – LIVE

USA- CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 26 Feb - MX2 Race 2 – 09.00 am EST (06.00 am PST)

Sunday 26 Feb  - MXGP Race 2 – 10.00 am EST (07:00 am PST)

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00   CET time – LIVE

Sunday 26 Feb – MXGP Race 2 – 08:45   CET time – Repeat

Sunday 26 Feb – MXGP Race 2 – 18:30   CET time – Repeat

Motorsport.tv

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 1 – 15:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 1 – 16:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 2 – 18:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00   CET time – LIVE

BELGIUM

PLAY SPORTS

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 1 – 16:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00   CET time – LIVE

VRT – SPORZA

Sunday 26 Feb  – 30 mn highlights – 13:30 CET time

BULGARIA

BNT

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 1 – 16:00   Bulgaria time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 2 – 19:00   Bulgaria time – LIVE

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00   CET time – LIVE

Sunday 26 Feb – MXGP Race 2 – 08:45   CET time – Repeat

Sunday 26 Feb – MXGP Race 2 – 18:30   CET time – Repeat

Motorsportv.tv

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 1 – 15:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 1 – 16:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 2 – 18:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00   CET time – LIVE

L’EQUIPE 21

Tuesday 28 Feb – MX2 Race 2 – 20:45 CET -  Delayed

Tuesday 28 Feb – MXGP Race 2 – 21:45 CET -  Delayed

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 1 – 15:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 1 – 16:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 2 – 18:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00   CET time – LIVE

SPAIN

Open Sport

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 1 – 15:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 1 – 16:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 2 – 18:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00   CET time – LIVE

BRAZIL 

BANDSPORTS

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 1 – 16:00   CET time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00   CET time – LIVE

ASIA

FOX SPORTS 2 SEA

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 1 – 22:00   ASIA time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 1 – 23:00   ASIA time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 2 – 00:00   ASIA time – LIVE

Saturday 26 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 01:00   ASIA time – LIVE

CHINA

FOX China

FOX SPORTS 2 SEA

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 1 – 22:00   ASIA time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MXGP Race 1 – 23:00   ASIA time – LIVE

Saturday 25 Feb  – MX2 Race 2 – 00:00   ASIA time – LIVE

Saturday 26 Feb  – MXGP Race 2 – 01:00   ASIA 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 Qatar will be available here

TIMETABLE

Friday: MX2 Free Practice 15:15; MXGP Free Practice 15:45; MX2 Time Practice 17:15; MXGP Time Practice 18:00; MX2 Qualifying Race 20:00; MXGP Qualifying Race 20:50.

Saturday: MX2 Warm up 14:30; MXGP Warm up 15:00; MX2 Race 1 17:15; MXGP Race 1 18:15; MX2 Race 2 20:10; MXGP Race 2 21:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Qatar

MXGP-TV package offers you to watch LIVE and onDemand the FIM Motocross World Championship as well as the FIM Women's Motocross World Championship and all the European Championships rounds plus the awaited FIM Monster Energy Motocross of Nations on your favorite device.

If you don’t have a MXGP-TV account yet follow the steps below :

1.Register your username following this link: http://www.mxgp-tv.com/user/signup

2. MXGP-TV will send you an email in order to verify the account

3. When you have your username and password confirmed you just need to choose ‘BUY NOW’ and follow all the steps until the payment as it is shown below. You can choose either Credit card or Paypal.

If the payment is sucessfull you’ll see the MXGP-TV package under your account, In case you have some issues do not hesitate to contact MXGP-TV at contact@youthstream.com for assistance

Don’t miss any action ! Subscribe to MXGP-TV and Stay on POLE!

Join the new 2017 Suzuki World MX2 team as they prepare for the upcoming GP season in a new video launched by the team today.

For 2017, Swiss rider Jeremy Seewer is joined by Dutch teenager Bas Vaessen and Australian Hunter Lawrence aboard the RM-Z250, while French teenager Zachary Pichon joins the squad for the EMX250 series.

The new video features short interviews with the riders and General Manager Stefan Everts, plus some pre-season action during the team’s official photoshoot and presentation at Lommel in Belgium.

The 2017 MXGP season is set to begin for the fifth year in succession at the circuit of Losail in Qatar this weekend. Just like in the past years the main races are set to take place Saturday evening on the man-made circuit under the Qatari lights. All the races, including the qualifying races on Friday, will be available LIVE and OnDemand on www.mxgp-tv.com.

The track will most likely be unpredictable this year, as the track has seen rain for the last week, despite the incredibly dry climate and will most likely set up differently again, we will see which riders will gel with it and excel.

Over the past four years we have seen intense, unexpected, and top level racing here in Losail, which has left us yearning for more. We have had a different winner each year in the premier class. In 2013, when MXGP first tore up the hard packed soil of Qatar, it was Clement Desalle on the top step of the podium. Followed Gautier Paulin rising above the competition to claim the first red plate of the year. Then in 2015 it was dominated by Max Nagl, who rode at an untouchable level, and last year the soon to be Champion of Tim Gajser started his season in winning form at Qatar.

This year, once again, it’s anyone guess who could win, it’s a gamble. With that said, the first rider to come to mind is of course the defending MXGP world champion, Team HRC's Tim Gajser, who put together an amazing and surprising rookie season last year. The young Slovenian set the world on notice in his debut appearance in the MXGP class here in Losail last year.

This weekend the 84 of Jeffrey Herlings will also be lining up for his 450cc debut fresh off of an injury. However, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing did state that he will be healthy and fit to race. 2015 Champion, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing's Romain Febvre will be lined up in hopes to regain the FIM Motocross World Champion Title but against stiff competition such as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Antonio Cairoli, who will be just as motivated. Cairoli has claimed the Championship eight times but has gone the last 2 years without it. This trend could change by a solid performance at the opener this weekend at a venue where the Sicilian has never won.

Another rider to look out for is the 777 HRC Honda of Evgeny Bobryshev, who in 2016 performed well at the Qatar opener placing 3rd overall. The Russian veteran looks to improve on his position on the podium in 2017.

Meanwhile, Gautier Paulin is one not to forget, as he has made changes in the off season. Now racing for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing he comes in to Qatar with a renewed energy. Also changing teams is the number 24 of Shaun Simpson, who will be racing for Wilvo Yamaha MXGP Official Team. Simpson finished just outside the top 5 at Qatar in 2016 with a 6th place, a result he looks to change for the better this weekend.

Wilvo Yamaha MXGP Official Team's Arnaud Tonus returns to the MXGP series after being absent since racing MX2 in 2014, a year where he had some success finishing 6th in the MX2 points. Joining the list of riders to watch is Valentin Guillod riding for Team Honda Red Moto Assomotor, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP's Jeremy Van Horebeek, Team Suzuki World MXGP's Kevin Strijbos, and another MXGP rookie Max Anstie riding the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing FC450.

2016 MXGP of Qatar MXGP Top 3

1. Tim Gajser

2. Romain Febvre

3. Evgeny Bobryshev

Since the defending MX2 champion Jeffrey Herlings, along with Max Anstie, have jumped up to the premier class, most don’t know where to place there bets. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has placed their hopes on Pauls Jonass and the MX2 Rookie Jorge Prado, who have now taken over Herlings’ spot.

Meanwhile, Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer has his heart set on doing better than the fourth place he got last year. Seewer finished second in the championship last year and is one of the favorites to win this time around. While Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Team’s Benoit Paturel will be also looking to get on the box after struggling last year.

The Americans of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’ Thomas Covington and Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Darian Sanayei also have the potential to finish amongst the top five.

Other notable riders will be Petar Petrov as he will continue to race for Monster Energy Kawasaki after his numerous top 10 finishes in 2016, Brent Van doninck, who reached the podium in 2016 at Assen racing  alongside Kemea Yamaha teammate Paturel, and the Italian TM Racing Factory Team's Samuele Bernardini who finished 8th in the championship points last year.

New faces to MX2 are those of HRC MX2’s Michele Cervellin & Chihiro Notsuka and Australian Hunter Lawrence for Team Suzuki World MX2.

No matter how you look at it the MXGP of Qatar at Losail Motocross Track should once again be an exciting and difficult opener to the MXGP season. Make sure you keep up with all the action being with LIVE on Friday & Saturday night. You don’t want to miss it.

2016 MXGP of Qatar MX2 Top 3

1. Jeffrey Herlings

2. Dylan Ferrandis

3. Pauls Jonass

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

TIMETABLE

Friday: MX2 Free Practice 15:15; MXGP Free Practice 15:45; MX2 Time Practice 17:15; MXGP Time Practice 18:00; MX2 Qualifying Race 20:00; MXGP Qualifying Race 20:50.

Saturday: MX2 Warm up 14:30; MXGP Warm up 15:00; MX2 Race 1 17:15; MXGP Race 1 18:15; MX2 Race 2 20:10; MXGP Race 2 21:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Qatar