MX2

After a difficult first half of the 2015 season, Wilvo Forkrent KTM and Steven Frossard have taken the decision to part company.



The partnership didn’t work out as planned and despite repeated attempts to find a solution, it was evident that finding a common ground that would facilitate a turnaround in fortunes was unachievable. Therefore, it has been decided that it would be in the best interest of the team and rider if they went their separate ways.
 


The team would like to thank KTM and all their sponsors and partners for the continued support, and would like to add that all team personnel are fully committed to continuing to provide the professional support and assistance for returning MXGP rider Jake Nicholls, and EMX250 Championship contender Adam Sterry.

SHIFT Racing unveiled its 2016 line of motocross gear this evening in the paddock here in Uddevalla. American legend and SHIFT ambassador Jeff Emig was onsite to introduce the all-new gear and explain the concept behind SHIFT’s design and approach.

SHIFT is worn by the three-time MX2 grand prix winner Tim Gajser who was also at the presentation to chat a little bit about his season and his thoughts on the new range. On display were all four lines of racewear, Strike, Faction, Assault and Recon.

After the product launch all of the media in attendance made their way to the beer tent, not to drink beer, but to play about on CRF50’s in the SHIFT Ride Club. Twelve teams of two were formed and a little circular circuit was pegged out. The rules were ‘there are no rules!’ Shift’s motto is to live and ride without boundaries, which means there was a lot of bar bashing and a lot of happy faces.

Check out their uber cool gear at www.shiftmx.com

There is a lot of enthusiasm and excitement in the air here in Uddevalla where the MXGP of Sweden will take place this weekend. This morning our host Lisa Leyland caught up with Wilvo Forkrent KTM’s Jake Nicholls, who will be making his return to MXGP tomorrow. You can watch the Pit-Chat in the video below.

Later on in the day, many of the worlds fastest racers gathered at the Torp shopping centrum in Uddevalla to sign autographs for their fans while a small freestyle and stunt show took place in the background.

Riders such as Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre and Jeremy Van Horebeek, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos and Glenn Coldenhoff, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Todd Waters, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Dean Ferris, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Tyla Rattray and Thomas Covington, Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM’s Shaun Simpson, 24MX Honda Racing’s Filip Bengtsson and Kemea Yamaha Yamalube’s Benoit Paturel and Brent Van Doninck were more than willing to spend time with the fans here in Sweden.

With a lot of happy fans excited for tomorrows racing, the MXGP of Sweden is sure to be epic.

Pit Chat with Jake Nicholls

The nineteenth edition of the International Fair Play Awards, a ceremony that celebrates and encourages good sportsmanship and honors some of the worlds best athletes for their initiative and achievements in making sport fun and fair.

SEL Sport & Event Logistics are the main sponsor of the International Fair Play Awards, “For all of us at SEL Sport & Event Logistics, 2015 is a year of growth and great achievements. The Fair Play Awards is a great way of celebrating champions and heroes and more.”

As a partner of MXGP, this year was extra special for SEL Sports and Logistics as the former three times FIM Motocross World Champion Alessio Chiodi was the winner of the Sport e Ambiente award. Honoring Chiodi, who was the first Italian to win a motocross world title on a bike that was manufactured in Italy, was SEL Director, Mr. Pier Carlo Bottero.

On behalf of MXGP, we would like to congratulate Alessio Chiodi on this fantastic achievement.

UDDEVALLA (Sweden), 02 July 2015 – The most recent rounds of MXGP have put a twist on the 2015 MXGP title chase. This weekend will mark the eleventh round of the FIM Motocross World Championship where the new red plate holder, rookie, Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre will try hold his own against some of the most season MXGP riders in the world such as Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli.

Watch it LIVE! This weekend, the MXGP of Sweden will be LIVE on Eurosport 2 and Motors TV, and will also be available LIVE and OnDemand to the rest of world at www.mxgp-tv.com.

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 Sweden will be screened on Wednesday July 8th at 00:15 (CET) on Eurosport International.

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

EUROPE 

EUROSPORT INTERNATIONAL

Wednesday 8 July - 00:15 CET - 26mn magazine «Behind the gate » 

EUROSPORT 2 - LIVE

Sunday 5 July – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 5 July  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 5 July  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

MOTORS TV – LIVE 

Sunday 5 July  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 5 July – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 5 July  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 5 July  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

BELGIUM

VRT – Sporza – DELAYED

Sunday 8 July - 18:35 till 19:05 - highlights

BULGARIA

BNT - LIVE 

Sunday 5 July  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 5 July  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

ITALY 

ITALIA 2

Sunday 5 July – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 5 July  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 5 July  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

PORTUGAL

Sport TV5 - LIVE  

Sunday 5 July  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 5 July  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV - LIVE 

Sunday 5 July  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 5 July – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 5 July  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 5 July  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

ASIA

FOX SPORTS – LIVE 

TBA

THAILAND 

TRUE VISION – LIVE 

Sunday 5 July  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 5 July – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 5 July  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 5 July  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

USA

CBS Sports Network - DELAYED

Sunday 5 July: MXGP Race 2 – 12.00 pm EST (09.00 am PST)

Sunday 5 July: MX2 Race 2 - 01.00 pm EST (10.00 am PST)

BRAZIL 

BANDSPORTS - DELAYED 

TBA

MIDDLE EAST - AFRICA  

BeIn SPORTS - LIVE 

Sunday 5 July  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1

Sunday 5 July – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1

Sunday 5 July  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 5 July  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

AFRICA

Sport TV Africa 2 – DELAYED

TBA

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 Sweden will be available here

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX300 Free/Timed practice 08:20; EMX250 Group 1 Free/Timed practice 08:55; EMX250 Group 2 Free/Timed practice 09:30; MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; EMX250 Last Chance Qualifying Race 11:50; EMX300 Race 1 13:20; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; EMX250 Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00.

Sunday: EMX300 Warm-up 08:30; EMX250 Warm-up 08:45; EMX300 Race 2 10:00; MX2 Warm up 10:40; MXGP Warm up 11:00; EMX250 Race 2 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 Sweden

Following on from their respective ankle and shoulder injuries sustained at the MXGP of Germany – round 10 of the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship on June 21 – Husqvarna Motorcycles confirms that Max Nagl will be out of action for the next two GPs, with Aleksandr Tonkov sidelined for the rest of the 2015 season.

In recent days Nagl returned to riding following the successful surgery at the Halle Hospital in Germany, in the hope of competing in this weekend’s MXGP of Sweden. Frustratingly for the on-form Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing rider extreme levels of discomfort resulted in the decision being taken that he will not compete in this weekend’s race at Uddevalla or the following MXGP of Latvia. Max is continuing to do all he can to ensure that when he returns to competition at the MXGP of Czech Republic on July 26 he will be fully fit and ready to once again challenge for GP wins.

Aleksandr Tonkov’s MX2 campaign is sadly over after the Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team rider recently underwent shoulder surgery following his crash at the MXGP of Germany. Requiring a significant rehabilitation period, Aleksandr priority is now to spend the coming weeks and months working towards a full recovery before returning to competition.

Max Nagl: “Words can't describe just how disappointed I am about my MXGP championship campaign. But as everyone knows in motorsport injuries can quickly change things. I am working hard so that when I return I will be able to give a strong end to the season. I really wanted to race in Sweden but it is just too early. The support I have received from my fans all around the world has been amazing, so a huge thanks to them, the IceOne team and all our sponsors.”

Aleksandr Tonkov: “It’s so disappointing to know that I’m out for the rest of 2015. I will do all I can to recover as quickly as I can but I can’t push things too fast. Thanks to all my fans.”

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 01 July 2015 - Youthstream presents the twenty-second issue of the MXGP Mag which features an article on the girlfriends of some of the worlds fastest riders, and an inside look at the strategy behind building Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s MX2 race winning machines. We also touch base on the craziness that has occurred in the most recent rounds of MXGP, Italy and Germany and we reflect on the career of John Van Der Berk. Read all this, and more.

Click here to read the twenty-second issue of MXGP Mag or download it for FREE on Apple Store or Google Play. The iOs and Android versions contain exclusive videos and several photo galleries, and once the MXGP Mag has been downloaded, the reader does not need to be connected on the Internet to go through the content.

Those users who have already downloaded the other issues on their iOs device can automatically download the twenty-second issue by opening the News Stand and clicking on the cover of the MXGP Mag. Whereas those readers using an Android device will be able to download the magazine for free thanks to this new app: http://bit.ly/IssuuOnAndroid.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP MAG

UDDEVALLA (Sweden), 01 July 2015 – After a weekend off, the FIM Motocross World Championship will be back on track this weekend in Uddevalla for the eleventh round of the series.

Dating back to 1958, the circuit, which is described as hard pack with loose pebble-like topsoil, has hosted the Swedish round of the FIM Motocross World Championship twenty-one times. Impressively, fourteen of those twenty-one have been consecutive with this weekend, the MXGP of Sweden, being the fifteenth year in a row.

Also joining the FIM Motocross World Championship this weekend, rounds six and four of the European Championship EMX250 and EMX300 will take place. J-Tech Honda’s Nick Kouwenberg claimed the red plate in Germany and will be eager to maintain his tight lead over Kemea Yamaha Yamalube’s Damon Graulus in the premier European class, EMX250. Meanwhile, the EMX300 points leader, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Racing’s Yentl Martens will be aiming for his third round win and/or fourth consecutive podium finish.

There is no rider more deserving of the MXGP red plate, at this moment in time, than Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre. The rookie has completely taken control of what is shaping up to be the craziest championship ever. With three consecutive MXGP round victories to his name, Febvre will head into this round with a nine point advantage over Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna’s Max Nagl who underwent surgery on his ankle last weekend and is yet to confirm if he will be racing or not.

Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin is not shy in admitting his sole goal is to win races. So far, the flamboyant Frenchman has three race wins he can be proud of and one grand prix victory. While for many riders, that would be a dream come true scenario, Paulin knows he is capable of a lot more and if he rides as smooth and aggressive as he did in the final race at the MXGP of Germany, great things are bound to happen.

After missing more than half of the season due to a thumb and wrist injury, The Kid, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos is back and more lethal than before. What appears to be working in Kevin’s advantage is his crouching tiger approach to the races. Kevin is a very calculated rider, he hits his lines and he is patient, which with the choppiness and technicality of the tracks this year, his tact is definitely working to his advantage.

Meanwhile, fellow Belgian Jeremy Van Horebeek is starting to stabilize after a rocky start to the season. The Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube rider was looking solid in Germany despite having a pretty weird crash in the second moto. Luckily the number 89 was quick to rebound from that mishap and still managed to take home fourth overall. If he can minimize his errors this weekend, a podium finish could be on the cards.

The same can be said for Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev who is actually riding a lot faster than his results reflect. Coming out of turn one at pointy end of the pack has to be the ultimate goal for the Russian.

Mental strength, determination and heart for racing motocross are assets that are carrying the eight-time FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli right now. It has been inspiring to see Tony’s grit over the past couple of rounds as he has raced through the pain of a broken arm. Hopefully the free weekend has done the champ a world of good but we will just have to wait and see.

Speaking of Red Bull KTM, the team has lost one but re-gained another with Keeno, Ken De Dycker, out with a broken shoulder. In better news, Tommy Searle has been spotted out throwing some insane whips in the United Kingdom, therefore we can only assume he will be back on the gate this weekend.

The MXGP of Sweden is the home race of last years surprise performer, 24MX Honda Racing’s Filip Bengtsson. Filibang, as he is known to his twitter fans, is more than capable of running the pace. Hopefully with the full support of the amazing Swedish fans, the Swede can pull something special out of the bag.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 369 points; 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 360 p.; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 352 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HON), 324 p.; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 306 p.; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 291 p.; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 227 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 194 p.; 9. Todd Waters (AUS, HUS), 192 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, SUZ), 169 p.

2014 MXGP of Sweden, Uddevalla, MXGP Top 3

1. Antonio Cairoli

2. Jeremy Van Horebeek

3. Kevin Strijbos

Most bench racers would have predicted Tim Gajser to be one of the championship contenders this year. The young Honda Gariboldi rider is capable of winning at any time, even with Jeffrey Herlings on the gate. After claiming his third MX2 round victory in Germany, Gajser has jumped to second in the championship, 100 points shy of Herlings.

Given a good start and Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Max Anstie will always challenge for the race win. Give him two good starts and Max, who is undoubtedly one of the fastest riders in the class, is a good bet for the grand prix overall.

The current pace Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s Valentin Guillod is running at the moment, even with four broken bones in his foot, suggests that he could be in line for a third grand prix victory this weekend.

Meanwhile, as the defending MX2 world champion, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jordi Tixier is always expected to be in the mix. The talented Frenchman has threatened a race win here and there but hasn’t quite managed to seal the deal.

Keeping the bike on two wheels has been the biggest foe for Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s Julien Lieber. After a super impressive start to the season, the small statured Belgian has hit a few potholes on his way to the top, but the good news is things are starting to look up.

The scrub is almost more important to kids these days that railing ruts and nailing berms, all those things that used to be fast, yet awesome. Although scrubs are arguably one of the most impressive techniques in our sport, if mastered, the risk almost outweighs the benefits. While someone crashing off of a scrub is almost more likely than not as it pushes the laws of physics, no one would have thought it would catch out one of the most talented MX2 riders to walk the planet, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings.  Regardless, JH84 still carries the torch in MX2 and was lucky to come away from that incident with just a broken collarbone, which he had plated immediately. KTM Racing is yet to confirm whether the Dutchman will be racing.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 398 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 298 p.; 3. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 297 p.; 4. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 288 p.; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KAW), 286 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 275 p.; 7. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 256 p.; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, KAW), 248 p.; 9. Julien Lieber (BEL, YAM), 243 p.; 10. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 205 p.

2014 MXGP of Sweden, Uddevalla, MX2 Top 3

1. Jeffrey Herlings

2. Jordi Tixier

3. Tim Gajser

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

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX300 Free/Timed practice 08:20; EMX250 Group 1 Free/Timed practice 08:55; EMX250 Group 2 Free/Timed practice 09:30; MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; EMX250 Last Chance Qualifying Race 11:50; EMX300 Race 1 13:20; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; EMX250 Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00.

Sunday: EMX300 Warm-up 08:30; EMX250 Warm-up 08:45; EMX300 Race 2 10:00; MX2 Warm up 10:40; MXGP Warm up 11:00; EMX250 Race 2 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 Sweden

Once again a bunch of riders had success over the weekend as they prepared for the Grand Prix of Sweden this coming weekend. Shaun Simpson, Max Anstie, Tim Gajser and Filip Bengtsson enjoyed success as they contested races in England, Germany and Sweden.

For Simpson of the Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM team, it was his fifth victory of the season in the British Motocross Championships as he went 2-1-1. Simpson now has an 84 lead in the standings.

The Defending MX1 champion in England was just too strong for his rivals, although he did get some serious hurry up from another GP rider in Steven Frossard. Frossard posted 1-2-2 results but lost out due to Simpson having a stronger third moto. Simpson was more than happy with his victory.

“I knew I had to win the last moto to have the overall, and when I crashed I knew that I would have to give everything I had to make that happen,” Simpson said. “What started as a difficult day turned into a really satisfying one; I wasn’t going to give up. I think that last moto showed a lot about how we go racing.”

In the MX2 class in England Max Anstie scored 1-1-1 results to take the victory ahead of Steven Lenoir 2-2-8 and EMX250 championship leader Steven Clarke who scored 3-5-3 results for third overall.

Reigning Swedish MX1 champion Filip Bengtsson of the 24MX Honda team made a strong return to race action last weekend at the third round of his domestic series in Västerås. Bengtsson dominated the event with a double moto win. He was joined on the podium by Filip Thuresson and Viktor Björklund. Bengtsson mentioned how happy he was go to into his home Grand Prix with the victory behind him.

“I’m pleased with my victory and how the weekend went in general. If you’ve been away from racing for a while it always takes a little adjustment! In many ways this was the perfect practice before Uddevalla. Today the track was very slippery and fast, quite tricky conditions actually. Then there was the heat which was pretty remarkable for Sweden. It reached 35° C today, but I know my fitness is good so I felt fine. The qualifying moto and time on the bike on Saturday gave me some extra race rhythm as well. It’s been great to get this race under my belt ahead of my home GP!”

In Germany at the beautifully prepared Aichwald circuit Tim Gajser won the latest round of the German MX1 championship ahead of Glenn Coldenhoff and Pascal Rauchenecker. The young MX2 rider moved up a class to show just what a talent he is.

"That was a perfect comeback to the series,” Gajser said. “I am familiar with the track from my time in the ADAC MX Junior Cup. That´s why I came to Aichwald thinking I could win again. I felt great, and the large crowd around the track pushed me all the way to the finish."

All the GP riders who races last weekend will now head to Sweden for the next round of the MX2 and MXGP championships.