MX2

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While Italy might be known for its pizza, pasta and magnificent cities, it is also the land of Antonio Cairoli and motocross, and in recent times the MXGP champion has introduced massive amounts of non-motocross fans to our sport.

It isn’t just Cairoli though who has helped Italian people come to love the sport of motocross. This year it’s been circuits like Mantova, Maggiora and Pietramurata that have brought the southern European country action and excitement. Huge crowds, beautiful weather and typical Italian warmth has seen Italy shine.

In years gone past there have been many GP’s held in the south of Europe. From that very first Italian Grand Prix held in the famous motorsport city of Imola there has been a steady growth for motocross in Italy.

For seven years, between 1957 and 1963 Imola held the 500cc GP and many legends won at that circuit, including Bill Nilsson, Sten Lundin and Rolf Tibblin. The Swedish hero’s owned those first seven years, with Nilsson winning in 57 and 61, Lundin in 58, 59 and 60 and Tibblin taking the top step of the podium in 62 and 63.

Many magnificent circuits have followed on from Imola, from Gallarate, Cingoli, Faenza, Asti, Castiglione del Lago and Montevarchi. All typical Italian circuits, cut into the side of a mountain or hillside. Rock hard, where throttle control was of a maximum. A challenge for every single motocross racer, as Ryan Villopoto found out this year in Pietramurata.

In recent years many highlight events have happened in Maggiora, of course the home of the 1986 Motocross of Nations, and current GP facility. Maggiora will of course hold next year’s Monster Energy Motocross of Nations and that facility continues to grow, keeping that old school flavor, but bringing in new exciting changed to this beautiful circuit.

A lot of people will think about the 2009 Motocross of Nations, held at the Autodromo di Franciarcorta circuit in Italy, the first time this event had returned to Italy since Maggiora in 86. That 2009 MXoN was a turning point for the sport in Europe as riders like Antonio Cairoli and Gautier Paulin took it to the American riders. Sure Team USA took the trophy that year, but the writing was on the wall that the sports leadership was in change and just three years later Europe had taken over as the world power in motocross.

Italian legends such as Michele Rinaldi, Andrea Bartolini, Alessio Chiodi, Alex Puzar, David Philippaets and Antonio Cairoli have made sure the Italian public had something to scream about, and the delight for the massive numbers of spectators that arrived at the Italian Grand Prix’s continued to grow.

Now in 2015 three GP’s were selected for Italy, and this weekend the final of those three will be held in Mantova. Another beautiful city, full of culture and excitement. A long list of MXGP and MX2 riders fighting for podiums places and victories. The 2015 season has seen a lot of drama and action, and for sure this weekend Mantova event will continue the strong tradition of Italian motocross with an event worthy of world championship status.

CONGRATULATIONS to Martin Plesník and Markétka Topinková as the winners of Athena GET Photo competition for the last two MXGPs.

Here below the pictures which got more likes on MXGP Facebook page!

They will receive an OGIO Backpack and will go in the draw to win the grand prize of two VIP passes to any round of the 2016 MXGP season.

What you have to do to win an amazing OGIO prize is: 

1. Find any ATHENA or GET Logo on the rider’s gear, on the bikes, on the team trucks, and around the paddock of MXGP on various other banners and advertising panels.

2. Take a photo of it

3. Upload it to the Athena Photo Competition app on MXGP’s Facebook page. Click HERE.

Don't forget to VOTE for your favourite photo on our Athena GET photo competition:http://mxgpathena.pgtb.me/rdBQ6b

And don’t forget to follow @Athenasocial on Facebook and Twitter and hashtag #MXGP & #AthenaLive

MANTOVA (Italy), 21 August 2015 - For the first time in five years the FIM Motocross World Championship will take place on the iconic sand circuit of Mantova, Italy. The Italian television network Mediaset, which have been broadcasting the entire MXGP season, will be screening both MXGP races and the second MX2 race LIVE this weekend on the channel Italia 2.

Eurosport will also be broadcasting LIVE, except in France where the coverage will be delayed. 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 the MXGP of Lombardia will be available to watch on www.MXGP-TV.com from Wednesday  26^th of August.

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

ITALY 

ITALIA 2 – LIVE

Sunday 23 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 23 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 - LIVE

Sunday 23 August  – 17:100 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

EUROPE 

EUROSPORT 2 – LIVE

Sunday 23 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 23 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

MOTORS TV – DELAYED 

Sunday 23 August  – 19:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 20:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 21:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 23 August  – 22:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

BELGIUM

VRT – HIGHLIGHTS

Sunday 23 August  – 23:00 CET 

TELENET

Sunday 23 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

BULGARIA

BNT - LIVE 

Sunday 23 August  – 14:00 local – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 17:00 local  – MX2 Race 2 

PORTUGAL

Sport TV5 - LIVE  

Sunday 23 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 23 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV - LIVE 

Sunday 23 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 23 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

ASIA

FOX SPORTS  3 HD – LIVE 

Sunday 23 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 23 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

THAILAND 

TRUE VISION – LIVE 

Sunday 23 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 23 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

USA

CBS Sports Network - DELAYED

Sunday 23 August  : MXGP Race 2 – 12.00 pm EST (09.00 am PST)

Sunday 23 August  : MX2 Race 2 - 01.00 pm EST (10.00 am PST)

BRAZIL 

BANDSPORTS - DELAYED 

Sunday 23 August  – 13:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 16:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

MIDDLE EAST - AFRICA  

BeIn SPORTS - LIVE 

Sunday 23 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 23 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

AFRICA

Sport TV Africa 2 – LIVE

Sunday 23 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 23 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 23 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

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 Lombardia will be available HERE

TIMETABLE

Saturday: MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00

Sunday: MX2 Warm up 11:10; MXGP Warm up 11:30; 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 Lombardia

MANTOVA (Lombardia), 19 August 2015 - After a couple of weekends of rest and recovery, or testing and training, the championship which has already exceeded most of the high expectations laid upon it, 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship, is set to put round fifteen in the books this weekend in Mantova, Italy. While we have already stopped off in this motocross mad country a couple of times this year, fear not, this weekend’s circuit is in complete contrast to the previous two which took place at the iconic clay based and heavily elevated circuits of Pietramurata and Maggiora as the MXGP rounds of Trentino and Italy.

Mantova, located in the north of Italy, is a flat and sandy circuit with a series of man-made jumps. In terms of the sand, it is a different grain to that of Lommel as it is firmer which means it won’t be as deep.

This weekend will be the seventh time a round of the FIM Motocross World Championship will grace the venue, with the first being back in 1991 when American Trampas Parker won, and the most recent being in 2010, when fan favourite Antonio Cairoli took the win in the premier class while Marvin Musquin won in MX2.

If the track shapes up deep and sandy, Hitachi Construction Machinery KTM’s Shaun Simpson, the ‘dark horse’ of MXGP, will go about fifty shades lighter and will probably be pinned for the win. The Scot’s dominating performance in Lommel was exceptional and demonstrated exactly what he is capable of, if he can carry that same speed and confidence through to this weekend there is no reason why he won’t be on the box, the top step even.

Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin is always a threat to the throne, more or less dependent on his own mind set. With 86 points being the difference between him and the championship leader, Romain Febvre, it is essential for him to remain in front of his fellow countryman in order to keep the title in sight.

Speaking of the championship leader Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalubes’s Romain Febvre, he hasn’t been off the podium since round six in Spain, which proves just how deserving he is of the title. All he has to do is keep that same momentum going and the bike rubber side down and it should be smooth sailing from here.

Meanwhile Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev has edged his way into third in the championship standings 40 points shy of teammate Gautier Paulin and 7 points clear of Tony Cairoli, who will not be racing. Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl is a further 63 points back in fifth and will finally make his return to racing after a five round hiatus due to an ankle injury.

DP19 Yamaha Racing’s David Philippaerts will also be back on the line after a ridiculously ugly crash in Loket left him sidelined for one round, the MXGP of Belgium. As for the Belgians, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos and Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Jeremy Van Horebeek, they’ll also be a pair of hard chargers in the sand this weekend.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 547 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HON), 463 p.; 3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 423 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 416 p.; 5. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 360 p.; 6. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 356 p.; 7. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 331 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 324 p.; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, SUZ), 290 p.; 10. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 287 p.

MX2 is so stacked, but the odds for the win this weekend given the way he is performing of late, definitely fall in favor of Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Max Anstie who has proven he’s the second fastest rider in the sand, bar the injured Jeffrey Herlings, with his faultless and impressive acts in Kegums and Lommel where he went unbeaten in both qualifiers and all four races.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass will be rolling out as the fresh new target after taking the red plate at the last round. The young Latvian said in the press conference in Lommel, “I never imagined that I would have the red plate in my hands so soon, I thought maybe in two or three years”, he now leads Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser by 4 points with the next threat being Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s Valentin Guillod who is a further 25 points back in fourth.

Meanwhile, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Petar Petrov is beaming confidence at the moment. The Bulgarian has finally found his mojo and despite crashing in Lommel, managed to land his first ever podium finish. He has since gone on to dominate the latest rounds of the local races he competes in and will be trying to keep that same flow going this weekend.

Another sand race is going to fall in favor of Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarana Factory Racing’s wildcard Harri Kullas who was the cat amongst the pigeons in the sand of Latvia with his first ever podium finish and then again with his fifth at the MXGP of Belgium in Lommel, while fourth in Lommel was wrapped up by Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s Julien Lieber who is also capable of shaking things up from time to time.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 433 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 429 p.; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 423 p.; 4. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 408 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 395 p.; 6. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KAW), 393 p.; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, KAW), 387 p.; 8. Julien Lieber (BEL, YAM), 340 p.; 9. Petar Petrov (BUL, KAW), 262 p.; 10. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 259 p.

All the photos of the MXGP of Lombardia will be available HERE

TIMETABLE

Saturday: MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00

Sunday: MX2 Warm up 11:10; MXGP Warm up 11:30; 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 Lombardia

One hundred and eleventh issue of this bi-weekly motorcycle sport magazine, tackling the latest races and issues in MotoGP, the FIM Motocross World Championship, AMA Motocross/Supercross and World Superbike as well as general motorcycling and accessories with the best blogs and photographs. In OTOR 112: Lorenzo Landing: MotoGP; A fifth win of the season puts Jorge Lorenzo firmly on top as the main man from the 2015 season to-date. Gavin Emmett Blogs from Brno while Marc VDS’ Michael Bartholemy also talks. Putting the boot in: Tech10s; How do Alpinestars make their flagship Tech10 boots? We went to Asolo in Italy to watch the 185 pieces of the immensely popular riding footwear be constructed and fitted for MX stars. Finding a way: Cianciarulo; Coping with expectation unlike any other junior or amateur before him has been part of Adam Cianciarulo’s daily existence. OTOR met the eighteen year old in CA to talk pressure and glory. BMW mix things up: S1000XR; Roland takes a whirl with the company’s new S1000XR to see how they have managed to merge two of their most impressive bikes into a sport tourer that could be the definition of the tag

Che it out HERE

It’s with great pleasure the KEMEA Yamaha Yamalube announces the extension of the contract of Benoit Paturel. The French rider, who’s riding his first full MX2 GP season in 2015, has signed for another 2 years with the team and will finish his MX2 career under the KEMEA tent. Next to the confirmation of Benoit, head mechanic Jeremy Fontaine and Paturel's mechanic Sam Pittraye will also remain part of the team in the coming years.

Marnicq Bervoets: ‘ It’s great to see the progress Benoit made in the last year. When he signed him last year  we knew he had the potential, but it was still the question if it would come out. This year he proved on multiple occasions he has great speed, and he’s still not on top of his game. He works hard and if we can continue like this I’m convinced we will see some nice things from him in the coming years.

Benoit Paturel: ‘ I’m so happy to stay in the KEMEA team. I have to thank Marnicq and Hans for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I feel really good within the team and having Sam and Jeremy by my side helps me a lot. Now my goal is to finish the season on a positive note and then work hard during the winter. There are still some points I must improve but I’m really motivated to work on them. For the coming season I just want to step it up and be in the top 5 as much as possible.”

Copyright: Photo: Kemea Yamaha Yamalube

Five times World Champion Joel Smets of Belgium has been appointed KTM Motocross Factory Racing Sports Director, Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director has announced. It is a welcome return to the KTM International Family for Smets whose name is firmly anchored among the finest in the sport.

Pit Beirer: “I’m pleased and proud that we have been able to bring a personality like Joel into this new position. I’m confident that he is going to lead our riders onto even greater things. Joel’s experience and his career achievements speak for themselves, and clearly he’s also a strong role model for both our senior and junior factory riders.”

Although Smets came into the sport of Motocross relatively late at the age of 17, he took his first world title in 1995 and won again in 1997 and 1998. His fourth and fifth titles were while he rode for KTM in 2000 and 2003. Smets started in 168 GPs during his career, and with 57 GP victories, he established himself as one of the sport’s greatest riders. Smets was also six-times Belgian National Champion and was Belgian Sportsman of the Year in 2000.

Smets joins KTM to fill this newly created position within the factory team structure and both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Managers, Claudio de Carli (MXGP) and Dirk Gruebel (MX2) welcome him onboard. He will be in charge of overseeing general planning, and will coordinate and facilitate training schedules to the best advantage. Smets will also be head of the race workshop in Belgium.

The MXGP, MX2 and KTM Factory Junior teams will now share two comprehensive base camp facilities, one in Belgium and a second near Rome. The two locations will allow them to take best advantage of prevailing weather conditions, and to work out of two top class facilities.

The Austrian workshop at KTM Factory Racing headquarters, the exclusive location where all factory bikes and engines are built, remains the hub for the company’s worldwide factory racing activities, Beirer confirmed. “This new setup, along with Joel’s appointment, guarantee we have the very best of everything in Italy, Austria and Belgium. With this strong management structure and excellent facilities we will always be READY TO RACE!”

The battle for the FIM MX2 world championship is really heating up as a handful of riders continue to fight for major points. With four rounds remaining in Italy, The Netherlands, Mexico and America there are still six riders in serious contention. Just 46 points separation that group.

Leading the way is Red Bull KTM Factory rider Pauls Jonass. The Latvian picked up the red plate in the latest round in Lommel, Belgium, although his lead in the points race is just four points over second placed man Tim Gajser. Third placed man Valentin Guillod had an unfortunate DNF in Lommel, and is now 25 points behind Jonass, while Jeremy Seewer is 38 points behind, Jordi Tixier 40 points behind, and Max Anstie is 46 points behind. For Jonass the excitement of the last couple of weeks hasn’t really sunk in.

“I am so surprised.” Jonass said. “I never expected to be holding the red plate at this point of my career. I like it and it feels good. I don’t feel pressure and Stefan helps me out a lot with relaxing at the races. It’s going to be hard work as so many riders are in contention, but I am just going to try and enjoy it and take it one race at a time.”

What is interesting is it’s Anstie who has the most momentum going into this weekend’s round in Mantova, Italy. The British rider has scored six moto wins in the last nine races and has gone 1-1 in both Belgium and Latvia. Still, with a 46 point deficit winning the championship would be a long-shot.

“We have sorted out some things,” Anstie told after his Lommel victory. “We are just working hard and the wins are coming. I love the sand, but I also love rough circuits, so I am excited about the last four rounds. I don’t count on anything, we just come to the races and do the best we can.”

Gajser who recently signed a long term contract with HRC is nervous about the coming weekends, but will try and enjoy the experience as much as possible.

“Actually I try to be calm,” Gajser said. “When you see you have a chance (to win the title) it isn’t easy being calm. You have something in the back of your mind, I just try and be calm. Of course Jeffrey has bad luck this year and I wish him a quick recovery, but that is sport. The season is long and we will do our best.”

So going into Mantova this weekend a long list of MX2 riders will be looking to create their own little piece of history. A victory in Italy for any one of the big six could be the difference from staying in contention or losing hope.