MX2

Swedish MX2 rider Alvin Ostlund will join Wilvo Standing Construct Yamaha Official MX2 Team in 2016 as a late replacement for the injured Julien Lieber ahead of the season opener in Qatar on Feb 27.

Ostlund won the Swedish National Championship in 2015, and in 2014 finished the EMX125 Championship second overall and 3rd in the Junior World Championship. The 18-year old from Hudiksvall originally started the 2016 season with former World Champion David Philippaerts' DP19 Yamaha Official Team, and has already competed in two Italian Championship races this year, with a Top-10 in Alghero and a very strong podium at Lamezia Terme in the MX2 race, just missing the Top-10 in the MX Elite in his second international outing on the YZ250F.

In 2015 Ostlund finished the EMX250 Championship in 5th overall.

Lieber underwent surgery to both hips at the end of 2015 and has begun his recovery more slowly than anticipated in time for the 2016 MX2 season. He steps aside to focus on his health and fitness and plans a return to active motocross competition when his recovery is complete.

Alvin Ostlund - Wilvo Standing Construct Yamaha Official MX2 Team

"This is a big change for me, and I'm going to a lot of races against the best guys this year, so it's important to thank David for the intense and fruitful training and especially my mechanic Daniele Castiglioni at DP19, as well as Tim Mathys and Louis Vosters and my two new mechanics Carlo van Loon and Valentin Touchet at Wilvo Standing Construct for the trust and opportunity. I'd also like to thank my parents and my high school trainers Magnus Hultberg and Espen Blikstad at Fågelvikus High School in Sweden."

Louis Vosters - Co-owner Wilvo Standing Construct Yamaha Official MX2 Team

"It's unfortunate news that Julien Lieber needs more recovery from his injuries and won't be able to start the season in time, so we are really happy to have this opportunity to welcome the young and talented Alvin Ostlund to our team for 2016. He has already raced EMX250 and was 5th last year, so the transition to MX2 will be a big step but not too big for him. For Wilvo Standing Construct Yamaha we see a chance to build a long-term relationship with a young rider and will be very happy to see him in the Top-10 this year."

Alberto Barozzi - Yamaha Europe Motocross Racing Manager

A difficult situation arises when a rider's health is not at the top level, and there are many complications when we approach the first race of the season with some question marks on the final roster. The graciousness and tremendous fair-play done by David Philippaerts and his DP19 Yamaha Official Team to accommodate this change at such a late date in the pre-season calendar really reflect a champion's character, and on behalf of Yamaha Racing we thank David and everyone at DP19 for their teamwork."

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 18 February 2016 - Tickets have now opened for the all NEW Supermotocross Riders’ & Manufacturers’ Cup which is set to take place inside the VELTINS-Arena, Germany on October 8^th 2016.

A Youthstream delegation recently visited the venue to go over the details of this all new and exciting event. Following the visit, Youthstream are confident that the Supermotocross Riders’ & Manufacturers’ Cup will be one to remember. Track design, the building of the track, spectator facilities, entertainment, and the organization were all topics of a fruitful discussion where it was obvious that everything is falling into place.

Click HERE to purchase your ticket in advance.

What is Supermotocross? It is a new concept of off-road racing where the world’s fastest MXGP and MX2 riders will team up and race for the glory of their manufacturer on a motocross track built by the world’s best track designers inside a stadium.

The football field, home to FC Schalke 04, will be removed from the stadium in order to protect the pitch. More than 25,000 cubic meters of dirt will be trucked in and built on a removable hard base surface. The idea of the tracks layout will be to make for safe and fluid racing without compromising the ‘WOW’ factor. This means you can expect big battles, fast paced racing and some decent airtime in terms of jumps.

All of the fastest motocross riders in the world will be there and ready to go bar to bar inside the floodlit stadium in a battle for brand supremacy. All 7 manufacturers will take part, KTM, Husqvarna, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and TM. Each brand will line up 3 riders who will compete for a massive cash prize.

Does it sound amazing?

Get in quick and take advantage of our EASTER SPECIAL where you can buy your tickets at a DISCOUNTED price. There are four different types of tickets available to purchase, each zone has a different view of the track. All tickets include a free return trip with VRR public transport (2nd class) in the VRR zone (or city/fare zone). For more info visit www.vrr.de.

Here are the ticket types:

TRACKSIDE TRIBUNE

Experience the SMX trackside and watch the world’s best riders go flat out on the straights and get some big air while jumping the most exciting jumps of the circuit. These seats are located on the side of the track and offer a clear view of the finish line and of the circuit’s longest straights, plus a clear view on the most thrilling parts of the course: the first corner, where the SMX Pro class riders will try to take the holeshot 3 times!

Remember these are numbered seats!

SOUTH BANK

Sit comfortably behind the start area and watch a night filled with the most exciting racing. These seats are located right behind the start gate area, from which the world’s leading riders will take off to a flying start and try take the holeshot at turn one, on which you will have a clear view.

Remember these are numbered seats!

UPPER TRIBUNE

The highest seated area of the VELTINS-Arena will offer a comprehensive view of the action packed SMX track. These seats are available all around the arena’s length and are located at the highest point of the arena itself.

Remember these are numbered seats!

NORTH STAND

This is the only standing area available for the event. Buy a ticket for this zone and you will be able to move freely from one side to the other of the stand. While standing here it seems like the bikes are running towards you as this is where the start straight heads to!

Remember these are standing places, no seats available.

But, if you want to have the ultimate Supermotocross Riders’ Cup experience keep an eye out for the VIP Packages and Paddock tickets which are not yet on sale, but will be soon.

EASTER DISCOUNT ends March 28^th.

Watch the SMX trailer by clicking HERE and don't forget to follow this link http://www.mxgp.com/tracks/veltins-arena or visit our FACEBOOK page for more details.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

SMX

Tickets Shop

VELTINS-Arena

VELTINS-Arena Tickets Shop

While names like defending world MXGP champion Romain Febvre, and multi-time world champion Antonio Cairoli are the two favorites for this year’s MXGP title, there will be a long list of riders looking at trying to shock the world. Two riders have come through their winter preparation with a lot of confidence and really strong teams behind them.

HRC Factory rider Evgeny Bobryshev is riding probably better than ever, and after spending the cold European winter in the warmth of California, he feels like he has made the right changes to enter the 2016 title race with a very good chance of improving on his third place in 2015.

“I have more flow on the track now,” Bobryshev said. “The bike helps a lot, to ride this new style, we made some changes. We improved the engine, we also have the FMF pipes and that helps a lot. Also from Japan they developed new parts, which helps the power. We have better shifting with the timing and the bike is always pulling.

One things Bobryshev knows he has to look out for is making a mistake. While he might have ridden on the edge in the early part of his career, he now knows that being consistent and riding at 80% is a safer and more productive avenue.

“Now is the time the guys are pushing,” Bobryshev said. “They want to take it to the limit and at the moment the competition is really strong. Sometimes the take-off in the jumps are many ruts, and that makes it tough and dangerous, and at the moment it’s easy to make a mistake because everyone is on the limit to win.”

If anyone knows about staying fit and not taking risk it is Scotsman, Shaun Simpson. Simpson from the Wilvo Virus Performance KTM team has probably finished more GP’s than anyone else in the last two or three years, and his consistent approach to his career could be his biggest attribute in 2016.

“The ultimate goal for everyone is to be world champion,” Simpson said. “I think I am in there with a shout. I am excited at the prospect at that at the moment and I feel so comfortable on the bike and the pace I am riding. The boxes are getting ticked at the moment and I just need to keep it on two wheels and make no mistakes before the main race in Qatar in two weeks’ time.”

Like all the riders in the MXGP class the thought of lining up in Qatar is something that gives him a buzz. Always open for something new the Scotsman will be looking at riding at his best and starting the season with some momentum.

“It will come down to who brings their A-Game to Qatar,” Simpson said. “I mean some won’t be mentally strong, some guys have some silly little injuries and you just need to stay focused and believe in yourself and I know if I turn up with what I have to give I will be there or there about. I mean if you tried to pick the top five from Qatar you could be totally wrong. The younger guys from MX2, these guys are going to be interesting. I just try and concentrate on myself and I am not a spring chicken anymore and I know it’s not just about Qatar or Thailand. You need to be there every single weekend, and that is what pays off and I am looking at the long haul.”

For sure both Bobryshev and Simpson will enter the limelight if they can produce victory in Qatar, but both have their eyes set firmly on the big prize at the end of the championship in September.

PHOTO: Ray Archer

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 16 February 2016 - After many successful years together Youthstream is pleased to announce that Vertex will remain a loyal partner of the MXGP series for another two years.

Vertex is a worldwide leader in high performance pistons. The company is based in Italy where they have a team of highly skilled employees using modern equipment to research, develop and produce high performance cast and forged pistons, which are shipped globally, satisfying the needs of motorcycle enthusiasts and professional racers worldwide.

As a result of the partnership with MXGP, Vertex will receive visibility around the track and in the paddock which extends to MXGP’s millions of loyal viewers via Social Media, MXGP-TV and television broadcast.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Vertex

‘The grass is always greener on the other side’ and if the grass isn’t greener then at least for the MX Panda, Clement Desalle, everything else is.

Finally, after a ton of speculation, it has been confirmed that Monster Energy Kawasaki has re-loaded their MXGP championship guns with one of the biggest title threats, Clement Desalle. Desalle, at the ripe age of 26 years old, has been one of the most consistent forces in the premier class for the last six years.

At 19 years old, 2009, two years after his debut in MX1, now named MXGP, the Belgian finished third in the championship and in that same season claimed his first two grand prix victories. The following season, 2010, he finished second behind none other than the eight-time FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli.

In the years that followed, he dropped back to third in 2011 due to an injury forcing him out of three rounds, but then bounced back for two silver medals in 2012 and 2013. Meanwhile, 2014 and ’15 weren’t the best seasons for the man who is on a quest for the gold plate; both saw him withdraw from the championship prematurely due to a broken scaphoid in ’14 and an urgent need for shoulder stabilization surgery in ‘15.

Untimely injuries may have hindered Desalle’s results over the last couple of years but that has only made him hungrier for the title. Combine that hunger with a team that is yearning for a world title, having not had one in the premier class since the legend Stefan Everts won in 1995, and Christophe Pourcel in MX2 back in 2006, then you have a massive force to be reckoned with.

We caught up with the MX Panda who has been in America for the last two months riding and training.

Click HERE to read the interview.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 12 February 2016 – Youthstream and Milestone are pleased to announce the DLC MXGP2 - Cairoli Replica Equipment and MXGP2 - Villopoto Replica Equipment are available for PlayStation®4, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system and Windows PC®/STEAM™ .

The two DLCs contain the following customizations:

DLC MXGP2 - Cairoli Replica Equipment

•  Airoh Aviator Helmet
•  AXO Motion 3 Racewear
•  Sidi Crossfire TC222 Limited Edition Boots

Watch Antonio Cairoli Replica Trailer HERE

DLC MXGP2 - Villopoto Replica Equipment 

•  Thor Verge Helmet
•  Thor Core Orbit Racewear
• Alpinestars Tech10 Boots

Watch Ryan Villopoto Replica Trailer HERE

DLCs may vary depending on retailers availability.

For those who won’t preorder, the DLC will be available for purchase at Day1 at the following prices:

• DLC MXGP2 - Cairoli Replica Equipment e DLC MXGP2 - Villopoto Replica Equipment for 1,99€.

More details on http://mxgpvideogame.com/preorder/

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

As a new season of MXGP draws nearer there are as always, a multitude of questions that need answering; it’s the same year-in, year-out. But every year there is always the unknown factor of new talent emerging, riders switching teams and class, and riders who despite their maturing years hope that another year of competing will mean another successful season out on track. Whichever way you look at it, there’s no denying that 2016 has all the makings of another exciting season in both MXGP and MX2. So, let’s break it down for you as the countdown to Qatar begins.

Click to read this feature.

Team Suzuki World MXGP General Manager Stefan Everts talks about taking over Suzuki’s factory GP squad, winter training and pre-season races before the MXGP World Championship gate drops at Qatar on February 27th. He says moving back to Suzuki, where he won the first of his 10 world MX titles, was a decision that changed his life.

What a couple of crazy months it has been. My life has changed completely, but I don’t regret my decision for a second. I’m still very happy and motivated and so far everything is falling into place. What has made the whole process extra difficult, is the early start of the GP season. Everything has been under pressure time-wise. We are in full preparation with our riders, we go training with them in Spain and France, because of the weather it is impossible to stay in our region. Also, the mechanics are waiting on the spare parts. We have been participating in some international pre-season races and we are testing more things on the RM-Z450 and RM-Z250. Moreover, the crates for the oversea races have to be packed and shipped. So many things to do in such a short period has made it extremely tense and buzzy. Luckily, we have a great team and a great crew with loads of experience, so we are getting there. 

I’ve also been away from home a lot, joining the riders and the team on the training sessions. We went to the RedSand MX Park in Spain for a few weeks in January. Riding went so good and the riders where very happy. I’m also really happy with how they are training together, pushing each other to do better, learning and sharing their experience. It makes me happy to see that we can have such a strong team spirit. It’s pushing all riders to the next level in their skills. 

You can see that the guys like it: Kevin’s speed this winter has been really good. His confidence grew over the past few months and he is happy and satisfied with his RM-Z450. Also Ben is doing good. He had a little shock therapy with the Belgium and Dutch sand the last couple of weeks, but he is picking-up fast and he grew so much the last couple of days. I’m happy to be captain of those two guys in my first year as General Manager at Team Suzuki World MXGP. 

They say, time is going by fast when you are having fun and this is really true. Our first race as a team is already in the history books. We went to Hawkstone last weekend and it was a good test for the team. Overall I was happy, even though we had a little technical issue with Kevin, but it taught us a lot about the riding style of Kevin and Ben. They are both so different. For the first time we saw some big differences in setting-up the bikes. We really collected some vital data at the race in Hawkstone; and the guys did good there. BT rode well and is up there with the top guys, speed-wise. Only his fitness needs to improve but I’m sure that this will come in the next few weeks. 

Our final stop before the big MXGP season start in Qatar will be Valence. It’s our last rehearsal. And we also have the pleasure to welcome Yamaguchi-san from Suzuki Japan for this race. He and the crew will fine-tune the bike for the best possible results. Hopefully we will have a miracle with the weather, so we can have some sunshine for the race. But we are ready for anything. 

Personally I’m also very excited to go to Qatar. The first GP is always special. The whole family comes back together again, riders in new gear, new team set-ups and Qatar is special, racing under the lights. It adds some class on TV and the images afterwards. Plus, we made some changes on our overseas set-up and I’m very happy with the final results. Just watch and see! 

S72 

Belgian Clement Desalle will be the sole Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team representative during the first two GPs as teammate Jordi Tixier underwent wrist surgery this week.

Tixier, MX2 world champion in 2014, switched to the MXGP class this winter due to the age regulation in the MX2 class. The 23 year old Frenchman, whose 2015 campaign as a member of the Monster Energy Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team was brought to an end after a crash during the Grand Prix of Lombardy, had signed a two year deal with Kawasaki early last year to enter this new and exciting challenge. Recovering from the wrist injury sustained in Mantova, Jordi was able to enter the traditional testing session with his new team in November and immediately had a good feeling with the factory KX450F-SR Kawasaki. Working hard on his physical condition through the winter, Jordi still had some pain in his right wrist and further examination has revealed damage to a ligament and forced him to have further surgery in Paris by Professor Mathoulin, one of the most famous hand specialists. The surgery was successful but Jordi needs now time to recover before getting back to racing.
 
Jordi Tixier: “Of course it’s a big disappointment to miss the opening rounds of the MXGP world championship, but there was no other solution as the most recent examination revealed that my wrist had still some damage after the surgery of last summer. Professor Mathoulin didn’t want me to race with infiltration as it could have dramatic consequences so I had no real choice. Fortunately he didn’t have to put in any screws or a spindle in my wrist, he just repaired the ligament and worked on some bones; I’ve a light plaster for one week, then I will visit him again for a check up and I will follow his advice. It’s just a shame that it came so late; I had some pain when riding the bike but all the doctors told me that it was just normal after such an injury. I want to thanks the team and all our sponsors, as nobody put pressure on me, and I can’t wait to be back racing as the bike is fantastic and the team so professional. It’s a tough period for me, but I will be back stronger as soon as I will be fit again.”
 
François Lemariey (KRT team manager): “Of course it was a tough decision for Jordi as the season starts now, but the team doesn’t want any rider to compete whilst he is injured. Jordi and ourselves are both very disappointed, but we know this sport, as do our sponsors who understand the situation. We saw during the testing session how strong Jordi’s potential on the 450 can be, and we want him to make his debut in this new class fully prepared and physically ready. Going for a surgery was a joint decision; of course we wish him a prompt recovery and we’re convinced that he will come back stronger.”

MONACO, (Principality of Monaco) 11 February 2016 - The widely recognized Italian broadcasting service Mediaset has renewed their contract with Youthstream to broadcast the entire 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship and the all new Supermotocross Riders’ Cup which will take place the 8th of October at the famous Veltins Arena, on popular Italian television channel Premium Sport. In addition to the broadcasting of all MXGP and MX2 races and the Supermotocross Riders’ Cup, they will also screen the prestigious Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, which will take place at home for them in Maggiora, Italy, on Italia 1.

As an Italian based mass media company, Mediaset S.p.A is the largest commercial broadcaster in Italy. Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was the founder back in the 1970’s with his family’s holding company Fininvest still holding 38.6% of the company shares.

Mediaset’s head office is in Milan where most of its studios can also be found. Although Milan provides a lot of the action for the company, it also has a further three big television production centers in Segrate, Cologno Monzese and Rome.

A great majority of MXGP fans come from Italy with the nation being home to one of the greatest motocross riders of all time, Antonio Cairoli, who will be hoping to bounce back this year and claim his ninth FIM motocross world title. With Mediaset agreeing to broadcast the entire championship for yet another year, Italian fans will be thrilled to know they can support their heroes from the comfort of their own home all season long.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Mediaset

Premium Sport