MX2

As we embark on the final European round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, MXGP of The Netherlands in Assen, Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube have welcomed Monster Energy onboard as a sponsor for the MXGP series curtain call.

This evening at the Yamaha rig in the paddock, the team announced that Monster Energy will now be a sponsor of the team. Both riders Jeremy Van Horebeek, the 2014 FIM Motocross vice World Champion and Romain Febvre, the 2015 MXGP red plate holder, will be wearing Monster Energy painted helmets for the final leg of the championship. From 2016 Monster Energy will return as the title sponsor of the team.

Dutch motocross has many riders who have had major success on the FIM Motocross World Championships. From the 1970’s until current hero Jeffrey Herlings the Dutch fans have had something to cheer about. From Gerrit Wolsink in the 1970’s the Dutch Motocross history began to grow. A handful of World Motocross Championships and more than a hundred GP victories have led the Dutch to the forefront of world motocross on many occasions.

Gerrit Wolsink was the original Dutch hero, winning 13 GP’s in one of the toughest eras of the 500cc class. Racing against names like Roger De Coster, Heikki Mikkola and Brad Lackey, Wolsink finished third in the 1975 and 1977 World 500cc championships and second in 1979. He was also known as the King of the 500cc USGP held at the Carlsbad circuit in America, winning four times at the famous circuit.

Kees Van Der Ven was the big bike rider in Holland in the 1980’s. While he never won a motocross world championship he did win 18 GP’s and finished second in the 1980 250cc championship behind Georges Jobe, then backed that up with third in 1981, 1982 and 1983, he then backed that up with third in the 125cc world championship in 1984. He also finished third in the 500cc championship in 1987.

Dave Strijbos won his world motocross championship in the 125cc class in 1986, he was in fact the first Dutchman to ever win a world title and along with John Van den Berk led the golden era of motocross in Holland. He won 27 Grand Prix’s and Strijbos also finished top three on many occasions. Second in the 125cc class in 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1992 and third in 1993.

John Van Den Berk picked up two motocross world championships, taking his first in 1987 in the 125cc class, and then following that up with victory in the 250cc title in 1988. Van Den Berk also won nine GP’s, seven in the 125cc class and two in the 250 class. Like his fellow countrymen he finished with consistent results in world championship battle. Second in the 125cc class in 1986, followed by first in 1987 (125cc) and 1988 (250cc), and third in the 250cc class in 1989 and 1990

Pedro Tragter scored his 125cc world championship in 1993. The blonde haired rider was very consistent at the start of the 1990’s, finishing third in 1991, third in 1992 and third in 1994. Tragter won seven GP’s in his career.

Current king of Dutch Motocross Jeffrey Herlings with 47 Grand Prix victories and two world MX2 championships is very much the most successful Dutch motocross racer ever. Herlings currently out injured has been a bright light for the local scene. Many see him as the rider to one day break the records of Stefan Everts, although two years of injury and bad luck have seen his championship tally drop.

Of course now it’s up to Glenn Coldenhoff, Davy Pootjes and Herlings to continue the fine record of Dutchmen in the FIM Motocross World Championship. Coldenhoff already with two GP victories in 2014 and 2015 could be the man to stand on top of the podium in Assen this weekend.

ASSEN (The Netherlands), 28 August 2015 – We have a very unique event on our hands this weekend for round sixteen of the FIM Motocross World Championship. The MXGP track crew have taken on the monstrous task of building a sand circuit in less than one week at the world renowned TT circuit Assen. The event is receiving a lot of support from the local television networks and media representatives such as RTL7 who has followed the entire FIM Motocross World Championship.

Check the guides below for how you can watch. For those who will be tuning into Italia 2, the FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion Kiara Fontanesi will be commentating.  

Also don’t forget to check out our feature series ‘Behind the Gate’, which is 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. The 26mn Magazine covering MXGP of The Netherlands will be screened on Wednesday September 2nd at 11:00 (CET) on Eurosport International.

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

EUROPE 

EUROSPORT INTERNATIONAL

Wednesday September 2nd - 11:00 CET - 26mn magazine «Behind the gate » 

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 30 August  – 15:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 15:30 CET – MXGP Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 18:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 19:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 – DELAYED

MOTORS TV 

Sunday 30 August  – 19:30 CET – MX2 Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 – LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 20:30 CET – MX2 Race 2 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

BELGIUM

VRT - DELAYED 

Sunday 30 August  – 15:30 CET – MXGP Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 17:45 CET – MXGP Race 2 – 10mn highlights

Telenet - LIVE 

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

BULGARIA

BNT - LIVE 

Sunday 30 August  – 16:45 local – MX2 Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 17:05 local  – MX2 Race 2  - LIVE

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 30 August  – 19:15 CET – MX2 Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 19:45 CET – MXGP Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 20:15 CET – MX2 Race 2 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 21:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 – DELAYED

ITALY 

ITALIA 2

Sunday 30 August  – 15:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

PORTUGAL

Sport TV5 - LIVE  

Sunday  30 August  – 00:10 CET – MX2 Race 1 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 01:10 CET – MXGP Race 1 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 02:10 CET – MX2 Race 2 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 03:10 CET – MXGP Race 2 - DELAYED

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV - LIVE 

Sunday  30 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

ASIA

FOX SPORTS  3 HD – LIVE 

Sunday 30 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

THAILAND 

TRUE VISION – LIVE 

Sunday  30 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

USA

CBS Sports Network - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  : MXGP Race 2 – 12.00 pm EST (09.00 am PST)

Sunday 30 August  : MX2 Race 2 - 01.00 pm EST (10.00 am PST)

BRAZIL 

BANDSPORTS - DELAYED 

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

MIDDLE EAST - AFRICA  

BeIn SPORTS - LIVE 

Sunday  30 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

AFRICA

Sport TV Africa 2 – LIVE

Sunday  30 August  – 00:10 CET – MX2 Race 1 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 01:10 CET – MXGP Race 1 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 02:10 CET – MX2 Race 2 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 03:10 CET – MXGP Race 2 - DELAYED

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 The Netherlands will be available HERE

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX150 Free/Timed practice 08:10; EMX125 Free/Timed practice 08:45; EMX250 Free/Timed practice 09:20; VMX Free/Timed practice 09:55; MX2 Free Practice 10:25; MXGP Free Practice 10:55; EMX150 Race 1 12:40; EMX125 Race 1 13:20; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; VMX Race 1 15:15; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00; EMX250 Race 1 17:40; VMX Race 2 18:30.

Sunday: EMX150 Warm-up 08:00; EMX125 Warm-up 08:15; EMX250 Warm-up 08:30; EMX150 Race 2 09:30; EMX125 Race 2 10:20; MX2 Warm up 11:10; MXGP Warm up 11:30; EMX250 Race 2 12:00; 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 The Netherlands

Building a sand track in less than one week is a monstrous task, but the team at MXGP like challenges and bringing unique races to the calendar.

Check out how the sand circuit at the world-renowned TT circuit of Assen is coming together in the video below:

Copyright: Photo: Stanley Leroux / Pascal Haudiquert

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 26 August 2015 - With the last round of the 2015 FIM World MXGPs campaign, taking place at the Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California on September 20^th and the annual Monster Energy FIM MXoN landing on France’s soil in Ernée, at Circuit Raymond Demy, on September 27^th, in the upcoming weeks there will be tremendous amount of American Motocross content to captivate the North American fans’ attention.

Both events will count on generous Television coverage on CBS Sports Network in the Unites States and Canada, with the 2015 Monster Energy MXGP of USA being broadcast LIVE for the final races of each category: Each class will receive a 1-hour show, including comprehensive first-moto highlights, with the MX2 initially taking the scene at 6pm EST (3pm PST), and the MXGP following at 7pm EST (4pm PST).

The 2015 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will receive a same-day 3-hour coverage, inclusive of all Sunday’s main event races, that will be soon announced in details.

“As the final part of the FIM MXGPs season is approaching, the US top motocross scene will get a prestigious back-to-back appearance on the exclusive world stage of the sport, for that reason we have crafted a solid TV package for the North American viewers,” said Mario Marini, Youthstream’s Director of Corporate Relations. “In particular, being able to bring the Monster Energy MXGP of USA Live on Television also in US and Canada allows us to even further rise the leading position of the FIM World Motocross Championship in most motocross Live TV coverage across the planet”.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

CBS Sports Network

ASSEN (The Netherlands), 26 August 2015 - The sixteenth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship will take place for the first time ever at the world-renowned TT circuit of Assen, The Netherlands. While the Van Drenthe circuit is already recognized worldwide as the longest standing venue on the MotoGP calendar, this weekend it will make its mark on the motocross world with the unveiling of a super trick man-made sand track.

25,000 cubic meters of white sand has been imported from a nearby army training facility to make the track, which is still under construction as we speak. The circuit will be built in less than a week, which means it will be brand spanking new and a level playing field for everyone.

What is also exciting about the new and exciting track is that it can be enjoyed from the same permanent facilities used for MotoGP. The grandstands will be put to use with enough space to seat 25,000 raging MXGP fans. This means that come rain or shine, the racing can be enjoyed in the dry thanks to the sheltered spectating zone. Everyone involved or onsite to witness the epicness the MXGP of The Netherlands will bring will be spoiled with access to all of the immense permanent facilities such as a world-class media center, lavish VIP areas, flushing toilets, clean showers, the list goes on.

In addition to the luxuries of permanent facilities and the coolness of an all new never before seen track, the FIM Motocross World Championship will also be joined by the final rounds of the European Championships EMX250, 125 and 150 as well as the one and only round of the Veteran World Cup, VMX.

In the European Championship EMX250, Dutchman riding for J-Tech Honda, Nick Kouwenberg has a 34 point lead and should wrap the title up in front of his home crown this weekend while in the EMX125 the title will go down to the wire with only 1 point separating KTM Factory Junior’s young Spaniard Jorge Prado and his Kiwi teammate Josiah Natzke.

This weekend all eyes will be on the rookie Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre as he could be crowned world champion on Sunday. After his uber impressive double victory last weekend in Mantova, MXGP of Lombardia, Febvre will line up in Assen with a 101-point advantage over fellow Frenchman Gautier Paulin.

Speaking of Paulin, the Team HRC rider is the only guy who can keep the title chase alive this weekend, but in order to do so he must finish with at least 2 points more than Febvre.

While the atmosphere is already chirpy inside the Yamaha camp, Jeremy Van Horebeek will want to contribute to those smiles by wrapping up his shaky season with some podium finishes.

Meanwhile Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev has got to be looking for a top step performance. The Russian has, up to now, achieved his goal of being consistent which as a result has him in third place in the championship standings.

With sand going into the Dutch TT circuit by the truck load, one rider who will be thinking “yes, that’s right, just keep that sand flowing” is Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM’s Shaun Simpson who has made quite a name for himself on the soft surfaces.

Flying the flag for the Dutch this weekend is Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff who has proved he can run the pace and he can win. The Dutchman wowed everyone in the sand of Latvia when he took his first ever MXGP race and round win and we can only imagine that he will be wanting to do it again on home soil this weekend.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 597 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HON), 496 p.; 3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 463 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 416 p.; 5. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 392 p.; 6. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 384 p.; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 366 p.; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 331 p.; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, SUZ), 321 p.; 10. Todd Waters (AUS, HUS), 300 p.

The MX2 world championship is shaping up to be the perfect storm. There are a handful of guys still in it to win it, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass leads Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser by four while Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Max Anstie still sits a fair way back in third, but is the likely candidate to win most of the races from here on out.

Starting with Pauls Jonass. The young Latvian leads the way and may wrap up the title having not won a single race or round. Meanwhile, Anstie has been the most dominant out of the trio in terms of laps led and race wins. Anstie has won 8 races this year and has led 132 laps while Gajser has only won 3 races and has only led 61 laps. Nevertheless, Gajser is second in the championship having been more consistent than Anstie over the season. The Slovenian trails Jonass by 4 points and leads Anstie by 34.

Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s Valentin Guillod is also still in the running as he trails Anstie by 4 points. The ‘92’ is so awesome to watch but hasn’t had the best luck over the most recent rounds after getting wiped out from behind on the start in Mantova and landing on Brent Van Doninck in Lommel who was crashed on the blindside of a jump.

Home soil was good to HSF Logistics Motorsport Team’s Brian Bogers earlier this year when he finished fourth in Valkenswaard at the MXGP of Europe. This weekend he will have the chance to shine for his fans again.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 475 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 471 p.; 3. Max Anstie (GBR, KAW), 437 p.; 4. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 433 p.; 5. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 423 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 409 p.; 7. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KAW), 393 p.; 8. Julien Lieber (BEL, YAM), 356 p.; 9. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 292 p.; 10. Petar Petrov (BUL, KAW), 285 p.

All the photos of the MXGP of The Netherlands will be available HERE

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX150 Free/Timed practice 08:10; EMX125 Free/Timed practice 08:45; EMX250 Free/Timed practice 09:20; VMX Free/Timed practice 09:55; MX2 Free Practice 10:25; MXGP Free Practice 10:55; EMX150 Race 1 12:40; EMX125 Race 1 13:20; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; VMX Race 1 15:15; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00; EMX250 Race 1 17:40; VMX Race 2 18:30.

Sunday: EMX150 Warm-up 08:00; EMX125 Warm-up 08:15; EMX250 Warm-up 08:30; EMX150 Race 2 09:30; EMX125 Race 2 10:20; MX2 Warm up 11:10; MXGP Warm up 11:30; EMX250 Race 2 12:00; 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 The Netherlands

Injuries have haunted many of Italy’s fastest motocross riders this year. Antonio Cairoli, David Philippaerts, Alessandro Lupino and Davide Guarneri are just a few of the many names that have missed rounds of MXGP in 2015 due to injury. Because of this, the Italian Motorcycling Federation have opted to give the opportunity of racing the biggest motocross event of the year, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, to a very young and promising team of riders. Those riders are Samuele Bernardini (OPEN), Michele Cervellin (MX2) and Ivo Monticelli (MXGP).

President of the FMI, Italian Federation Mr. Paolo Sesti said “2015 has been unlucky because of the injuries. That's why I completely agree with the choice to give a great occasion to these young riders. This decision is in line with our politic to involve youngsters in these experiences.”

Team Italy trainer and Team Manager Mr. Thomas Traversini said “The MXoN is always difficult even for top riders, due to the injury situation I’m very happy to welcome these young riders to this event and give them the chance to compete with the best motocross riders in the world. I'm following them and I know they'll do their best for this unique experience.”

It is a country so rich in motocross tradition that you could place it inside the top ten motocross countries in the history of the sport. The Netherlands, with former world champions like Dave Strijbos, John Van den Berk, Pedro Tragter, and Jeffrey Herlings. Not to mention a long list of guys who were serious contenders amongst the world elite. Names like Gerrit Wolsink, Kees Van Der Ven, Erik Eggens, Gerard Rond, Gert Jan Van Doorn, and Marc De Reuver. All multiple GP winners and riders who finished close to becoming world champion.

What sets The Netherlands thought apart from most other countries is its love of sand. Circuits such as Lierop, Valkenswaard, Norg, Mill, Oss, Halle, Lichtenvoorde, Markelo, St Antonis and Rhenen are known as some of the toughest motocross tracks to ever be involved in the FIM Motocross World Championships.

For the Netherlands their involvement with the sport started way back in 1957 when Bill Nilsson took his AJS machine to victory in the 500cc, held at the Lichtenvoorde circuit in the east of Holland. From that moment on GP riders fought their way around these deep sand tracks.

Jeffrey Herlings the current king of Dutch motocross is of course known as the best sand rider in the world, and little wonder. He has grown up riding circuits like Lierop and Valkenswaard as a young boy. He also knows that the advantage he has is huge.

“For any rider from Holland, you know how to ride sand,” Herlings once said. “We are born on this stuff, and riding in sand is really good for your technique. I love riding at places like Lierop, or Valkenswaard.”

While the circuits are treacherous the Dutch people always bring a relaxed, friendly atmosphere to the Grand Prix series. Maybe not as wild as the British, French or Italians, the Dutch events always have a family feel, and are always well promoted.

Maarten Roos one of the organizers of the Dutch GP at Valkenswaard is the total professional, always looking for a way to make their Grand Prix a success.

“We are an organized people,” said Roos. “I think we like to do our best and make sure that everything runs well. I like to think Valkenswaard is one of the best organized events on the calendar and we are proud of riders like Herlings, De Reuver, Coldenhoff and others that give a good exposure for the sport in Holland.”

This weekend at the famous Assen TT circuit in the north of Holland the best motocross riders in the world will try and beat the sand once again. With thousands of truck-loads of white sand being brought into the circuit you can count on the Dutch tradition of deep ruts and breathe taking laps putting the Grand Prix riders through hell. Bring on yet another chapter in the tradition of the toughest motocross circuits in the world.