MX2

Following the press conference here in Villars sous Ecot for MXGP of France, the jersey that will be proudly worn by the three riders selected to represent France at the highly anticipated 2015 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations was presented.

With France being the defending MXoN champions and this years edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations taking place on French soil in Ernee late September, President of the FFM Mr. Jacques Bolle, Director of Team France Mr. Philippe Thiebant, Trainer of Team France Mr. Pascal Finot and the commentator Mr. Francis Magnanau were extremely proud to present the jersey to the local and international media.

VILLARS SOUS ECOT (France), 30 May 2015 – The steep, blue groove, tight and technical surface of Villars sous Écot was painted well and truly blue today with the domination of Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre and Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s Valentin Guillod as they power slid their way to pole position here at MXGP of France, round eight of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Also making the atmosphere extra special today was the epic victory of Frances own Livia Lancelot who won the opening race here at round four of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship. Meanwhile KTM Factory Juniors thunder from down under Josiah Natzke took his third race win of the season here at round five of the European Championship EMX125.

Coming from a super motard background, Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre was right in his element out on the slick surfaced circuit of Villars sous Ecot. The Frenchman who seems to be hitting milestone after milestone every time he races put in yet another astonishing performance to pick up his first ever MXGP qualifying race victory.

While Febvre claimed the holeshot and went on to blitz everyone in front of his rowdy home crowd, fellow Frenchman Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin backed him up. Paulin was inside the top three around turn one along side teammate Evgeny Bobryshev but stalled it on lap two. After a couple of kicks GP21 managed to fire his machine back up and charged from outside the top five to put in a crowd pleasing performance for second ahead of Bobby.

Also up front around turn one was Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Clement Desalle and Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tyla Rattray but both of them ended up binning it early on and pulled out of the race.

With Rattray and Desalle down and out, Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Jeremy Van Horebeek put the move on the red plate holder Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl to take over fourth which inspired fellow Belgian Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Ken De Dycker to follow in his wake.

After a ton of bar bashing out on the typical French style circuit, the Frenchies Febvre and Paulin lathered the atmosphere in happy dust with their first and second place performances while Bobryshev, Van Horebeek and De Dycker rounded out the top five respectively. 

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 24:33.984; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Honda), +0:06.508; 3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:12.993; 4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:15.117; 5. Ken De Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:19.711; 6. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:21.794; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:26.732; 8. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:26.864; 9. Todd Waters (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:36.365; 10. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Honda), +0:36.887

The hottest name in MX2 right now is without a doubt Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s Valentin Guillod. The extremely flamboyant Swiss rider looked so smooth and fluid out on the track today as he put in yet another awe-inspiring performance for his second consecutive qualifying heat win.

Meanwhile the holeshot was actually snapped up by an ill Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass. With a fever and a stomach bug being an extra challenge for the KTM rider, Guillod followed by Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jordi Tixier and Bud Racing Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Maxime Desprey were quick to barge their way through.

As Guillod checked out, Tixier hounded Gajser for second which he claimed with three laps to go after scrubbing his way through the jump section at the top of the hill.

Gajser took the pass on the chin and settled for third while the battle for fourth between Desprey, Jonass and Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Jeremy Seewer raged on. Desprey, who is a MX2 wild card with his main series being the European Championship EMX250, put in an extremely impressive performance to finish fifth after being passed back by Jonass late in the race.

Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Jeremy Seewer ended up finishing seventh after high siding on the final turn while trying to pin it up the inside of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings.

Speaking of Herlings, the man leading the championship crashed out of fourth on the opening lap while trying to pass Tixier for third. Once he got going again he was buried way back but managed to charge his way into sixth. Putting a dramatic end on an already theatrical race, Herlings bike stopped and wouldn’t restart less than ten meters from the checkered flag.

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), 24:08.603; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:11.205; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:13.741; 4. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:30.070; 5. Maxime Desprey (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:31.260; 6. Julien Lieber (BEL, Yamaha), +0:38.583; 7. Jeremy Seewer (BEL, Yamaha), +0:40.931; 8. Damon Graulus (BEL, Yamaha), +0:41.651; 9. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +0:44.614; 10. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, Honda), +0:57.784.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

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

MXGP FRANCE – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1550m

Type of ground: Clay

Temperature: 19°C

Weather conditions: cloudy

TIMETABLE

Sunday: EMX125 Warm-up 09:10; WMX Warm-up 09:25; EMX125 Race 2 10:30; MX2 Warm up 11:10; MXGP Warm up 11:30; WMX 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 France

VILLARS SOUS ECOT (France), 30 May 2015 – During the MXGP of France at Villars-sous-Ecot President of Youthstream, Mr. Giuseppe Luongo and President of the French Motorcycling Federation (FFM), Mr. Jacque Bolle, signed a contract which unites the two entities for the organization of the FIM Motocross World Championships, MXGP of France, and for the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in France.

The renewal of the contract ensures the organization of an MXGP event every year until 2020, which also include 2020. It has also been agreed that another Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations event will also be held on the French territory before the end of 2020.

Mr. Jacques Bolle, President of FFM, declared: “This contract defines every party’s rights and duties for the organization of great motocross events in France.  Youthstream confirmed its will to tightly collaborate with the FFM, the body delegated to manage motorcycle sports in France.  FFM guarantees a high level of organization in the hexagon and that the affiliated clubs respect the engagements taken.”

Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, the President of Youthstream, is delighted with the partnership between FFM and Youthstream: “The long term partnership with the FFM has brought great improvements to the MXGP of France over the years and today and it has become one of the best in the world.  It’s fantastic for motocross in France that our agreement has been renewed for another five years, and I am sure that our close partnership will help the MXGP and MXoN in France grow even more.  I would like to thank Mr. Jacques Bolle, President of FFM, and all the French organizers who believe and support our common project.”

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FFM

You can win a pair of LIMITED EDITION Alpinestars Tech 10 boots at MXGP of France. All you have to do to WIN is answer this question:
How many components go into the construction of a Tech10 boot? 
A. 2
B. 10
or C. 273

Click here to ENTER: http://a.pgtb.me/kBWm97

HINT! Watch this video:

Here is the first look at Villars sous Ecot for MXGP of France with Team HRC's Gautier Paulin!

You can WIN some awesome prizes this year by participating in the GET, ATHENA Photo Competition.

What you have to do:

1.     Find any ATHENA or GET Logo

2.     Take a photo of it

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

Logo’s can be found 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.

The most voted picture will win and OGIO backpack and can be go on to the final draw to win:

• Two VIP passes to any 2016 MXGP round of your choice
• Go Pro prize pack
• Ogio Prize

Find an Athena or GET logo, snap a pic and upload it to Facebook.

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

VILLARS SOUS ECOT (France), 28 May 2015 – It has been a while since we have seen the circuit of Villars sous Ecot on the calendar of the FIM Motocross World Championship, which makes this race more or less a level playing field for the third time this year.  With France being the number one motocrossing nation, as the winners of the 2014 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, MXGP of France will receive a lot of coverage.

In addition to the broadcasters that have screened the entire MXGP season LIVE, MotorsTV and Be In Sports Max 6, this weekend France’s number one free to view sporting channel L’Equipe 21 will also broadcast the MXGP of France LIVE.

L’Equipe 21 along with another French network, France TV, will be onsite this weekend to provide their viewers with unique footage, interviews and reports during the event.

US and Canadian fans can watch MXGP of France slightly delayed on CBS Sports Network, while the rest of the world can watch LIVE and OnDemand on www.MXGP-TV.com.

In reference to MXGP of Great Britain,  we would like to inform the American and Canadian television viewers that, due to on-site technical issues, their awaited shows on CBS Sports Network couldn't be aired last Sunday as originally planned and we would like to apologize for that. We came up with a backup plan as we are offering the North American spectators a 30-minute feature show about the GB MXGP that will be aired on CBS Sports Network this Sunday at 8.00am EST.

Sign up to www.MXGP-TV.com today to take advantage of our summer OFFER where you can SAVE 30% on our season package, which includes the entire FIM Motocross World Championship and the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations LIVE and On Demand. It also gives you access to unique footage such as our 26mn Magazine ‘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 France will be screened on Tuesday June 2nd at 23:30 (CET) on Eurosport International.

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

FRANCE

L’EQUIPE 21 - LIVE

Sunday 31 May – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 31 May – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

MOTORS TV – LIVE 

Sunday 31 May – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 31 May – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

BE IN SPORTS MAX 6 – LIVE 

Sunday 31 May – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 31 May – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

EUROPE 

EUROSPORT INTERNATIONAL

Tuesday 2 June - 23:30 CET - 26mn magazine «Behind the gate » 

MOTORS TV – LIVE 

Sunday 31 May – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 31 May – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

BULGARIA

BNT - LIVE 

Sunday 31 May – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

ITALY 

ITALIA 2 – LIVE

Sunday 31 May – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 31 May – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

PORTUGAL

Sport TV- LIVE  

Sunday 31 May – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 31 May – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV- LIVE 

Sunday 31 May – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 31 May – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

THAILAND 

TRUE VISION – LIVE 

Sunday 31 May – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 31 May – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

USA

CBS Sports Network - DELAYED

Sunday 31 May : MXGP UK 30mn magazine - 08.00 am EST (05.00 am PST)

Sunday 31 May: MXGP Race 2 – 04.00 pm EST (01.00 am PST)

Sunday 31 May: MX2 Race 2 - 07.00 pm EST (04.00 pm PST)

MIDDLE EAST - AFRICA  

BeIn SPORTS - LIVE 

Sunday 31 May – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 31 May – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 31 May – 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 France will be available here

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX125 Group 1 Free/Timed practice 08:20; EMX125 Group 2 Free/Timed practice 09:00; WMX Time practice 09:45; MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; WMX Time Practice 12:40; EMX125 Last Chance Qualifying Race 13:30; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; WMX Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00; EMX125 Race 1 17:40.

Sunday: EMX125 Warm-up 09:10; WMX Warm-up 09:25; EMX125 Race 2 10:30; MX2 Warm up 11:10; MXGP Warm up 11:30; WMX 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 France

VILLARS SOUS ECOT (France), 27 May 2015 - While we are reasonably familiar with most of the tracks on the MXGP calendar, this weekend the eighth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship will take place in the fresh-ish location of Villars sous Ecot, France. The reason we say ‘ish’ in the previous sentence is because although we haven’t stopped at Villars sous Ecot in a long time, it has in fact hosted three rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship in the past.

The first time Villars sous Ecot let the best motocross riders in the world loose on their clay based, typical French style, tight and compact circuit, was back in 1982 where Belgian André Malherbe was the victor on that day. Four years later, 1986, the world championship returned with French hero Jacky Vimond taking the honors. A further twelve years on, in 1998, the FIM 250cc Motocross World Championship returned for the last time where the legend Stefan Everts won.

The French are some of the most passionate dirt bike fans in the world. They always create an incredible atmosphere, which will only be amplified this year with their country carrying the coveted Chamberlain Cup as the winners of the 2014 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

Also adding to the buzz, the fourth round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship will take place, which is headed by one of the most popular and talented female riders in the world, Frances own Livia Lancelot. Moreover, the fifth round of the European Championship EMX125 will take place where young French star on the rise Kemea Yamaha Yamalube’s Maxime Renaux currently sits second five points shy of KTM Factory Juniors Jorge Prado.

This is the part of the year where the eight times FIM Motocross World Champion Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli starts gaining momentum. TC222 has already got the ball rolling with two grand prix wins after his switch from the 350SX-F to the 450SX-F and is slowly chipping away at the championship points lead.

A podium finish is more than likely not going to be enough for Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Clement Desalle this weekend with the Belgian getting seriously itchy over not having had a grand prix win since MXGP of Germany in 2014. If the MX Panda can top the box this weekend, depending on where Nagl finishes, there is a good chance he could also take the red plate.

As the rider who has led the most laps and had the most race wins, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl will carry the red plate this weekend. The German is currently four points clear of Clement Desalle and will be looking to retain the championship lead.

Surprisingly, the fastest Frenchman of 2015 is the Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube rookie Romain Febvre. Romain is one rider everyone should get really excited about, he only turned 23 on the 31^st of December which makes him the youngest in the class and after nailing his first race win last weekend and with already two podium finishes to his name, it is safe to say the number 461 has a really bright future.

Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin is sure to have an army of die-hard GP21 fans in behind him as he tackles his home grand prix. Hopefully this will give him the push he needs to be challenging for the lead. Meanwhile fellow countrymen Wilvo Forkrent KTM’s Steven Frossard and Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s fill-in Xavier Boog could use some of the crowd’s energy, as could 24MX Honda Racing’s Christophe Charlier who actually won a round of the European Championship EMX250 here in Villars sous Ecot back in 2009.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 295 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 291 p.; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 274 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HON), 237 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 235 p.; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 207 p.; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 145 p.; 8. Ryan Villopoto (USA, KAW), 124 p.; 9. Todd Waters (AUS, HUS), 121 p.; 10. Tyla Rattray (RSA, KAW), 118 p.

2014 MXGP of France, Saint Jean d’Angely MXGP Top 3

1. Clement Desalle

2. Jeremy Van Horebeek

3. Antonio Cairoli

We can’t get over how amazing it is to see ripples in the MX2 statistics. While Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings has been by far the most dominating force in the class with 148 laps led versus Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Dylan Ferrandis, who sits second on the ‘Laps led’ chart with 36, The Bullet has not had it all his way.

Back in April at MXGP of Trentino, Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser took a race and grand prix win over the flying Dutchman. While that was impressive, one of the most memorable races of the season is going to be MX2 race two from the MXGP of Great Britain where Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s Valentin Guillod proved JH84 can be beaten straight up.

This weekend, Guillod should have a good fan base. If he takes the overall again, he will then have the most consecutive grand prix wins in MX2 for 2015.

Meanwhile, it’s a big weekend for France’s own defending MX2 world champion, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jordi Tixier, who is also looking for his first race win this season. As is Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Max Anstie who came so close at his home grand prix last weekend.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 308 points; 2. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 216 p.; 3. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 213 p.; 4. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 205 p.; 5. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 189 p.; 6. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KAW), 189 p.; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 182 p.; 8. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 169 p.; 9. Julien Lieber (BEL, YAM), 167 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, KAW), 158 p.

2014 MXGP of France, Saint Jean d’Angely MX2 Top 3

1. Jeffrey Herling

2. Arnaud Tonus

3. Jordi Tixier

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

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX125 Group 1 Free/Timed practice 08:20; EMX125 Group 2 Free/Timed practice 09:00; WMX Time practice 09:45; MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; WMX Time Practice 12:40; EMX125 Last Chance Qualifying Race 13:30; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; WMX Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00; EMX125 Race 1 17:40.

Sunday: EMX125 Warm-up 09:10; WMX Warm-up 09:25; EMX125 Race 2 10:30; MX2 Warm up 11:10; MXGP Warm up 11:30; WMX 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 France