MX2

The next round of the MXGP and MX2 championships will be played out at a very popular venue. The eurocircuit in Valkenswaard is considered one of our crown jewels on the GP scene and while Valkenswaard might not be considered one of the real old school Grand Prix circuits of the 1960′s it still has a long relationship with the FIM Motocross World Championships.

Back in 1974 Sylvain Geboers topped the 250cc Grand Prix. Geboers would end the 1974 season in 11th place, and that victory in Holland would be the great rider’s last big win on the International scene.

It would be 18 years before the 250cc class would return to Valkenswaard and in this new era Stefan Everts would show good speed around the twisty, tough sand track. A young Everts (the new World 125cc champion) had moved to the 250cc class in 1992 and shocked the world with victory around Valkenswaard.

He would then add victories at the eurocircuit in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 2004. Other riders to win in the 250cc class at Valkenswaard were Greg Albertyn in 1993, Marnicq Bervoets twice in 1997 and 1999, Sebastien Tortelli in 1998, Frederic Bolley in 2000, and Mickael Pichon in 2002.

In 2003 Pichon won the MX1/MotocrossGP class after a hard battle with Stefan Everts. The two collided mid-race, breaking the front spokes on Everts bike. It was a time when Pichon rode at his best ever, taking the first three GPs of the season easily and looking likely to win the title (which eventually went to Everts)

In the 500cc class the first GP at Valkenswaard was held in 1980 and Belgian rider Andre Vromans won. The 500cc class didn’t venture to Valkenswaard as often as the 250cc class, and there would only be a handful of Open class winners around the Valkenswaard circuit, those being Dave Thorpe in 1985, Dirk Geukens in 1989, Billy Liles in 1990, Marnicq Bervoets in 2000, Joel Smets in 2002. Smets won his first Valkenswaard Grand Prix leading home Bervoets and Everts. Smets would add a 650cc win in Valkenswaard in 2003.

In the 125cc/MX2 class the history of Valkenswaard is mixed, in 1981 Marc Valkeneers won with 3-1 results, Harry Everts was second with 3-2 results, but the news of the day was the 1-DNF result by Eric Geboers.

The DNF by Geboers would cost him the title as Everts won with a 15-point cushion 211pts to 197pts. In 1987 the Dutch golden boy Dave Strijbos would claim victory with 1-1 results, while two other Dutchman Pedro Tragter and John Van Den Berk finished second and third. It was the golden era of Motocross in Holland.

South African Grant Langston won in the 125cc class in 2000, while Steve Ramon won the 125cc class in 2002 and 2003. In 2004 Ben Townley dominated the Dutch GP, going 1-1 for victory.

Valkenswaard missed two years on the Grand Prix series, and when it returned in 2007 it was Josh Coppins and Antonio Cairoli who would win in the MX1 and MX2 class, giving Yamaha a double victory.

In 2008 Ken De Dycker took a 1-1 victory in the MX1 class and Tyla Rattray produced a win in the MX2 class. Jonathan Barragan would score a shock victory in the MX1 class in 2009 and Marvin Musquin would win the MX2.

The King of Valkenswaard, Jeffrey Herlings began his amazing domination of the MX2 class in Valkenswaard with wins in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, and on each occasion scoring 1-1 victories. This year he goes for victory number seven!!

Another KTM hero Cairoli would do a similar thing, winning the MX1 class in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 giving him his sixth GP victory at Valkenswaard (five in MXGP and one in MX2).

MONACO, (Principality of Monaco) 16 March 2016 – The first round of the 2016 European Championship EMX250 and EMX300 will kick off in the sand of Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, on March 27^th and 28^th.

This year both classes will be completely stacked, as 118 riders will line up to compete for EMX250 glory, while the EMX300 class has had a massive improvement in size and there will be 57 riders on the gate.

Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, President of Youthstream stated: ‘The massive rider presence in all the European classes shows that Youthstream’s policy of investing in the youth Championships and in the MXGP Academy has been right. Every year many good riders go from the European Championships to the MX2 World Championship and then from MX2 to the prime MXGP class, the current MXGP leaders (Febvre and Gajser come from our youth Championships, and Roczen and Musquin, who took 1st and 2nd places at last weekend’s Supercross World Championship) also come from our youth Championships. We are extremely proud of the level of competition of our young riders and we continue to support them: this year all the European championship races will be broadcasted live on MXGP-TV.com. With all these fast youth coming up into MXGP the level of MXGP has become very high and at the last race there were 16 riders within 3 seconds and 11 riders within 2 seconds of each other. Without a doubt the MXGP Academy and the European Championships are the best Motocross youth programs in the world and from where the biggest number of talented professional riders come from.’

Dr. Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President said: ‘The European Motocross Championship is simply a story of success, since it is organized together with MXGP. The number of riders has increased, the competition has reached a top level and every year the best riders have a chance to move up to the World Championship. This is exactly how the "pyramid" has to work: from National Championships via the European Championship to the World Championship. I am very happy about the cooperation with Youthstream, which is a win - win situation for the parties involved. The live coverage of the European races is so important for the sport and will bring the European Motocross Championship to the next level.’

Download the EMX official Entry lists for the MXGP of Europe here below.

EMX300 Entry List  

   EMX250 Entry List  

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM Europe

MXGP of Europe

British rider Max Anstie isn’t looking too bad in 2016. Despite a couple of scoreless results, and being down the order in the MX2 series points, he looks like he might have a good year on the Factory Husqvarna machines. Anstie scored 11 points in the opening round in Qatar and backed that up with 22 in Thailand and is now 12^th in the overall points standings.

His Thailand performance could have been so much better. He started the weekend with a solid third in the Saturday qualification race, then picked up a second in the second moto on Sunday.

Q: How did you feel in Thailand on the Saturday?

Anstie: It was warm out there. It was nice to put some laps in and I am getting more comfortable with the bike and I am still only riding 80%, but it went well. The track was really rutty, pretty cool, it isn’t an easy track and not a lot of places to rest for the heat.

Q: Sunday could have really been something special couldn’t it?

Anstie: We learned a few things here in Thailand and made some more steps in the right direction. Unfortunately, the first race didn’t go as planned due to a mechanical. But we came back stronger in the second race. We went to work and made the best of the situation. I didn’t get a great start, but I was working with the bike and managed to get second. It’s nice we now have two weeks off. We’ll be able to continue building on what we learned. I hope I can get a little bit stronger too. It was the first weekend that my body felt good and that was a very positive thing ahead of the long season.

Q: What did you think of the track on Sunday?

Anstie: I think it was good. Justin makes a good track and the jumps are fun. I don’t mind a good double or triple. I think Justin did a good job with the ground they have and they are watering it a lot.

Q: What did you do between Qatar and Thailand?

Anstie: After Qatar we sat in Bangkok and I did some training. I went out a couple of times, but it’s a bit sketchy, because you don’t know what to eat, and it’s difficult to know what works better and what doesn’t. I was sleeping ok, but my team-mate (Thomas Covington) was throwing up all night. 

Between the sun, mountains and beaches that make Mexico famous is the quaint city of Leon, an area that has a solid reputation in the leather industry and is now picking up steam in motocross circles too as the home of Mexico’s one and only round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, the MXGP of Leon.

To READ the rest of this feature, click HERE.

Jeremy Seewer has really shown great consistent results in the opening two rounds of the MX2 championship. The rider from Switzerland has gone 4-5-3-3 after four moto finishes, and is second in the championship behind series favorite Jeffrey Herlings.

Seewer who finished fifth in the 2015 MX2 championship is keen to improve on that fifth place, and already many experts are seeing him as the rider to give Herlings the most difficulties this year.

Last year Seewer managed three podium finishes, and already this year has a fourth overall from Qatar and second overall from Thailand, the Thailand result is the best GP finish in his short career.

A quiet individual, but very determined Seewer finished with 5^th, 6^th and 7^th overall in the sand in Assen, Valkenswaard  and Lommel in 2015, and would love to leave Valkenswaard at the end of the month with another podium result.

“It is always the goal to do the best you can do, and I showed a podium is possible. It would mean a lot to arrive in Europe, close to our race shop and get a top three.”

In Thailand he already improved on his 2015 efforts, where he managed just nine points after struggling with the warm temperatures.

“I am really happy with the result in Thailand, because this race wasn’t good for me in 2015. I passed out after the opening race, and couldn’t race the second moto. This year we worked hard in our preparation, and I am happy about that. My starts were not good, but we made so many changes to my bike in the winter, it’s nearly not the same bike anymore, but it’s so much better, but we still need to work out getting out of the gate.”

Seewer also enjoys the experience of working with Stefan Everts, the new team owner at Suzuki. The experience Everts brings to the team makes the job of Seewer that little bit easier.

“So far it is nice working with Stefan, if brings a new spirit and he looks at some things different and he brings positive things. I hope it continues like this for the future.”

As for the rest of the season, it’s obvious that every rider wants to improve and be consistent, and Seewer is no different.

“My goal is to be more consistent, be on the podium as much as possible or inside the top five. Last year I had some inconsistent results and I was outside the top five and also some crashes. I don’t care where I am at the start of the year, because it’s the end that counts.”

Now onto the third round of the MX2 World championship in the sand of Valkenswaard where Seewer hopes to continue his good form of this season.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 10 March 2016 - Youthstream and Milestone announce that the New Release Date for MXGP2 is April 7^th 2016 instead of the previous release date scheduled for 31^st March 2016. The game will be available for PlayStation®4, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system and Windows PC®/STEAM™.

MXGP2 – The Official Motocross Videogame is developed by Milestone S.r.l., Italy’s leading videogame developer for consoles and PC, and the world’s foremost developer of videogames dedicated to the world of motorcycling.

Follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/MXGPVideogame, on the official YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/MXGPVideogame, check out #MXGPVideogame, or visit the site www.mxgpvideogame.com.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Milestone

Have you ever wondered “is there more to a Monster Girl than just a pretty face and a hot body?” If you have, problem solved! We, MXGP, have come up with an idea in collaboration with Monster Energy where we will select a Monster Girl from each round of MXGP and ask her a few random questions. The ‘interviewed’ Monster Girl and her answers will be featured on our website on every Wednesday following each MXGP round.

At MXGP of Thailand we caught up with Kristyna and Alena and this is what we asked them:

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Thailand!! I have always wanted to come here, so I am taking a vacation after working at the MXGP! I am so lucky!! 

What’s the best ‘pick-up’ line you’ve ever heard?

Oh I hate pick up lines! Anyone that can make me laugh and get me talking, that is a good start! 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

When I kind of fell off the stage at the motocross of nations during the Monster energy rig riot! Everyone in the crowd was watching! Luckily I was ok but it was very embarrassing!! 

Are you into sports?

Yes I love sport it is a great way to relax. I love watching Motorsport, going to the gym and playing tennis! 

Who is your all time favourite athlete and why?

That's hard! I would have to say Valentino Rossi, he is amazing rider and I love his style on a bike. I am a big fan! 

Team Suzuki World MX2 rider Brian Hsu has started training on his RM-Z250 again after three months months away due to an injury he sustained at the Supercross Motolive race during Europe’s largest motorcycle show, EICMA in Milan, in November. 

Hsu damaged and dislocated his left wrist, but after undergoing surgery at the Ortema facility in Germany, has made good progress and is now ready to start serious bike training. 

“My injury was pretty bad. It feels better now but it is not yet 100%. Last Friday was my first day back on the bike and it felt the same as before my injury,” the former World and European 125cc Junior Champion commented. “Of course I do not have the same mobility in my wrist yet, but it will get better in time, I’m sure.” 

Team Suzuki World MX2 General Manager Stefan Everts is happy with Hsu’s recovery, commenting: “I’m looking forward to Brian joining the group again. He is a good rider and I’m looking forward to seeing him race again.” 

Hsu, who is also a talented musician, has been training and getting back into shape before he added motorcycle training to the mix in the past few days. The 17-year-old added: “I was quite limited in doing things, as not only my wrist, but my whole left body was injured. After a while I could manage to train walking-up mountain sections and then I started with swimming. As I am still a full time student in Italy at the violin school, I was able to spend more time in school and studying.” 

Hsu plans to undertake more training on his RMZ-250 in the next couple of weeks to get back in shape ready for his 2016 MX2 World Championship debut. He added: “When I can race again will depend on my recovery. I'll have to do decent preparation on-and-off the bike and this will take some time, but I am sure that it will not be a big problem to be race-ready soon.”

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 Thailand Team Honda Red Moto Assomotor’s Kei Yamamoto took his first ever Fox Holeshot while Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team's Valentin Guillod took the holeshot in Race Two.

Meanwhile in MX2 it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings who took his first of the season in Race One while his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Pauls Jonass claimed it in Race Two.

Watch MXGP of Thailand ‘Fox Holeshot’ slow mo’s in the videos below.

MXGP Fox Holeshot Film 

MX2 Fox Holeshot Film

The MXGP of Thailand in Suphan Buri was round two of the FIM Motocross World Championship where Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s duo of Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings set the fastest lap times for the weekend in their respective classes.

Both riders have added one point to their TAG Heuer fastest lap score sheets. Jeffrey Herlings takes his second point in the competition while it’s a first for Antonio Cairoli.  

If you don’t know about this competition, the way it works is; he who sets the fastest lap time in each MXGP or MX2 over the weekend at each round of MXGP this year will be awarded 1 point towards the TAG Heuer sponsored ‘fastest lap’ competition. At the end of the season, the rider who has the most points will be awarded an elegant gift of prestige, a TAG Heuer watch.

If you scroll down on the main page at MXGP.com you will see the TAG HEUER Fastest Lap results grid which is situated directly underneath the FOX Holeshot results grid.