MX2

VALKENSWAARD (Europe), 25 April 2015 – A storm was expected to rain on the parade at MXGP of Europe, round five of the FIM Motocross World Championship, but it never amounted. Instead, the event held on the familiar black sand of Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, created it’s own storm with Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin finally coming to the party to claim his first qualifying heat victory since MXGP of Italy 2013, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings was the unsurprising victor in MX2.

Round one of the European Championship EMX300 and the second rounds of the EMX250 and EMX125 also took place today with Yentel Martens, the son of former FIM Motocross World Champion Jacky Martens, winning the opening moto in the EMX300 and Wilvo Forkrent KTM’s Adam Sterry and KTM Factory Juniors’ Jorge Prado Garcia winning the first races in the EMX250 and EMX125 respectively.

The track was described as unusual here today in Valkenswaard as the typically soft surface shaped up to be considerably harder and choppier than expected. While the deceiving and technical circuit caught out a few people, one of which was the MXGP red plate holder Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Clement Desalle, it was taken in the stride of Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin who holeshotted for an unchallenged victory.

With Desalle crashing out of contention on lap two, Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM’s Shaun Simpson was left to try his hand at fending off Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli. It was a good effort from Simpson who managed to keep the eight-time world champion at bay for a portion of the race before making a mistake over the dragons-back and opening up the door.

Cairoli took full advantage of Simpson’s slip-up and moved up into second where he stayed for the remainder of the race. Meanwhile Simpson kept up his solid performance in third, but threw it away with two laps to go.

Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre and Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev, who bickered over fourth for most of the moto, were able to get around the downed Simpson to qualify in third and fourth respectively, while Simpson recovered for fifth.

Sixth went to Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tyla Rattray who had to fly the flag alone this weekend with his teammate Ryan Villopoto forced to sit out due to a fractured coccyx. Meanwhile Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl fought hard the entire race but struggled to make passes stick and had to settle for seventh while Dutchman Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff put in his best qualifying heat result with eighth. 

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Honda), 24:56.603; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:12.841; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:19.537; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:23.192; 5. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:24.465; 6. Tyla Rattray (RSA, Kawasaki), +0:35.748; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:40.379; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Suzuki), +0:52.663; 9. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:56.409; 10. Filip Bengtsson (SWE, Honda), +0:59.931

As the dark skies that blanketed the venue here in Valkenswaard begun to fulfill their threats of rain, the gates dropped for MX2 with Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Aleksandr Tonkov ripping the holeshot ahead of The Sand King Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings.

Early on in the race, Tonkov surprisingly challenged the Dutchman for the lead but it was short lived with Herlings making a pass that would stick on lap two and never looked back. In the mean time, on that same lap Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser cartwheeled over the dragons-back in spectacular fashion and was forced to retire with a seriously bent up bike.

Meanwhile Herlings put his flawless sand skills on full display for a convincing qualifying heat win, while Tonkov scrambled with Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jordi Tixier for second. Although Tixier was a tough challenger who was relentless on his mission, he lost the battle and was forced to settle for third.

In the meantime, fourth went to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass, a rider that only qualified inside of the top ten once in 2014, while Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Max Anstie rounded out the top five.

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 25:10.873; 2. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +0:24.361; 3. Jordi Tixier (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:28.072; 4. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:33.452; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:41.023; 6. Jens Getteman (BEL, Honda), +0:50.035; 7. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:54.420; 8. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +0:56.298; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), +0:59.163; 10. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Honda), +1:12.328

Click here to obtain the complete results.

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

MXGP EUROPE – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1550m

Type of ground: Sand

Temperature: 16°C

Weather conditions: cloudy with some shower

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.

TIMETABLE

Sunday: EMX300 Warm-up 08:35; EMX125 Warm-up 08:50; EMX250 Warm-up 09:05; EMX300 Race 2 09:35; EMX125 Race 2 10:25; 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 Europe

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Antonio Cairoli rips a lap of Valkenswaard here at MXGP of Europe, round five of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings went into the Grand Prix of Italy looking to get the GP win he missed in Argentina a couple of weeks prior. The Dutchman had a disappointing DNF in the opening moto at the third round in Argentina.

Herlings didn’t get the win though in Italy, instead having to settle for second overall as young Slovenian rider Tim Gajser pulled the surprise victory. Herlings did win the Saturday qualification race and his Sunday score of 1-2 wasn’t too shabby either.

We caught up with the KTM Factory rider and asked him about the disappointment of not winning a GP in Argentina and also Italy.

Q: Jeffrey, after the problems you had in Argentina you must have been happy to win qualifying on Saturday in Italy?

Herlings: I had to stay out of trouble, when I have a good start and stay out of trouble I should win. I had some issues in Argentina obviously with that opening moto crash. On Saturday in Italy my start was good and I felt comfortable and the bike felt good. I knew I needed two solid starts on Sunday to win.

Q: You had a lot to deal with on the Saturday with the weather didn’t you?

Herlings: On Saturday the weather was different, with the rain it is a slippery track, and even worse when it rains. The track looked good though, I was happy with how it looked.

Q: How did you feel on the Sunday?

Herlings: Obviously disappointed not to win, but that is racing. The start was not good in the second race but overall we had a good Sunday. We won the qualifying on Saturday and the first moto pretty easy. I had a really bad start in the second moto but I worked my way up to the front then I had a stupid crash that was my fault. I picked up some points so I look forward to next weekend. I am not sure I would have caught Gajser. For sure I could have been close but obviously he did a great job. Hopefully I can take the win in Valkenswaard in front of my home crowd. I’ve already won there five times in a row. So that’s what we are hoping for.

Q: Now onto your beloved Valkenswaard.

Herlings: Yes, I love that place. I have ridden so many laps there and if I win I get six in a row, which I don’t think has been done before. I go there for the win, but after Argentina and Italy I really need to stay out of trouble and get better starts.

This weekend at MXGP of Europe there is an awesome prize package up for grabs. All you have to do to ENTER is answer one super simple question on Facebook and you could be the lucky WINNER of an IPONE prize package which contains a bunch of IPONE lubricants, two IPONE beanies, a copy of MXGP The Official Motocross Video Game as well as an access code to MXGP-TV to watch MXGP LIVE and OnDemand.

To WIN this weekend, just answer this simple question:

Dylan Ferrandis won a race at MXGP of Patagonia Argentina. Which race was it?

1. Race 1
2. Race 2

Click HERE to SUBMIT your answer & be in the draw to WIN!

The first IPONE quiz took place at MXGP of Trentino. We had a lot of entries with the lucky winner being Jamey Richards from the United States.

Answer the question and get yourself in the draw to win this weekend. Good luck!

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands), 23 April 2015 – On the verge of the fifth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, MXGP of Europe, at the world-renowned sand circuit in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, Youthstream has reached an agreement with Dutch promoter LDP International b.v. and RTL Nederland for the broadcasting of the 2015 MXGP World Championship.

RTL Nederland will broadcast the entire FIM Motocross World Championship along with MXGP’s 26mn Magazine ‘Behind the Gate’ series. RTL also screens Behind the Gate in Luxembourg. The broadcasting deal was initiated by promoter for MXGP of the Netherlands, August 29^th. in Assen, LDP International b.v.

Dutch sponsors HSF Logistics, Wilvo, Nestaan and the State of Drenthe have all assisted in having popular television network RTL Nederland onboard to support and broadcast the entire FIM Motocross World Championship. Mr. Lee Van Dam, promoter of MXGP of The Netherlands said, “We believe that a successful MXGP event can only happen with the support of a channel such as RTL who will broadcast all MXGP events. RTL are a big part of the publicity program for MXGP of The Netherlands, which will take place in Assen on August 29^th and 30^th. We would just like to say a big thanks to Youthstream and our sponsors for making this contract with RTL possible.”

In addition to RTL’s broadcast, Omroep Brabant will be on site in Valkenswaard to provide their fans with live reports and coverage. Meanwhile NOS will be screening the MX2 highlights in support of Dutch motocross extraordinaire Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings. International fans in the US and Canada can watch MXGP of Europe slightly delayed on CBS Sports Network.

Also, don’t forget to check out the 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 Europe will be screened on Tuesday April 28^th at 23:30 (CET) on Eurosport International.

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

EUROPE 

EUROSPORT INTERNATIONAL

Tuesday 28 April - 23:30 CET - 26mn magazine «Behind the gate » 

MOTORS TV – LIVE 

Sunday 26 April – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 26 April – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

BULGARIA

BNT - LIVE 

Sunday 26 April – 10:20 CET – EMX 125cc Race 2

Sunday 26 April – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

FRANCE

BeIn SPORTS - LIVE 

Sunday 26 April – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 26 April – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

ITALY 

ITALIA 2 - LIVE

Sunday 26 April – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 26 April – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

PORTUGAL

Sport TV- LIVE  

Sunday 26 April – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 26 April – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV- LIVE 

Sunday 26 April – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 26 April – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

THAILAND 

TRUE VISION – LIVE 

Sunday 26 April – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 26 April – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 

USA

CBS Sports Network - DELAYED

Sunday 26 April: MXGP Race 2 – 06.00 pm EST (3.00 pm PST)

Sunday 26 April: MX2 Race 2 - 10.30pm EST (07.30 pm PST)

BRAZIL 

BANDSPORTS - DELAYED 

Sunday 26 April – 15:00 local time brazil – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 26 April – 16:00 local time brazil – MXGP Race 2 

MIDDLE EAST - AFRICA  

BeIn SPORTS - LIVE 

Sunday 26 April – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 

Sunday 26 April – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 

Sunday 26 April – 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 Europe will be available here

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX300 Free/Timed practice 07:10; EMX125 Group 1 Free/Timed practice 07:45; EMX125 Group 2 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; EMX125 Last Chance Qualifying Race 11:50; EMX250 Last Chance Qualifying Race 12:30; EMX300 Race 1 13:20; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; EMX125 Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00; EMX250 Race 1 17:40.

Sunday: EMX300 Warm-up 08:35; EMX125 Warm-up 08:50; EMX250 Warm-up 09:05; EMX300 Race 2 09:35; EMX125 Race 2 10:25; 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 Europe

VALKENSWAARD (Europe), 22 April 2015 - The first sand race of the year always sends motocross enthusiasts into frenzy. It’s always so exciting, even though the odds continue to fall year after year in favor of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s team of champions Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings, both named as the fastest sand riders in the world. Even though these two are the most popular choices for the grand prix wins in their respective classes MXGP and MX2, the excitement comes with speculation, or in hope, that there may be a dark horse for a change who will miraculously come in and surprise everyone.

This weekend, April 26, MXGP of Europe will take place on the familiar sand of Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. It will mark round five of the FIM Motocross World Championship and is expected to be just as crazy and animated as the previous round in Trentino.

Thousands of Dutch fans will rock out in their orange attire to support their local, but also worldwide legend, ‘The Bullet’ Jeffrey Herlings, while MXGP is likely to be the most incredible race of the year with only one point separating the top three in the championship, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Clement Desalle, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli.

Also adding to the buzz this weekend, three European Championship classes will take place. The EMX250 and EMX125 will be taking on the second round of their series’, again with maxed entry lists, while the sweet sound of more than thirty 300cc two-strokes will line up for round one of the European Championship EMX300.

With three overalls from the first four rounds of MXGP this season, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl is obviously the one most eyes are on. For anyone that may be questioning his sand skills, Nagl lives in Lommel. Speed in the sand will not be an issue for the number 12 with Valkenswaard being practically in his back yard.

Another rider living in close proximity to Valkenswaard is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, who is more than likely the safest bet heading into this weekend given his strike rate in the sand. TC222 is without a doubt one of the best sand riders in the world and he has won every grand prix raced in Valkenswaard for the last five years, meaning this weekend the Italian will be looking to make his success rate at Valkenswaard six in a row.

Leading the championship by one point, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Clement Desalle will also be a challenger for the overall in the sand of Valkenswaard. After all, he is Belgian! Enough said.

And then there is Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto who seems to be cutting laps in the sand more often than not. Amidst the enormous amount of hype surrounding the American, one of the most raised topics is his ability in the sand and how it will compare to that of the Europeans who are practically born and bred on sandy rough circuits. This weekend we will find out.

Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre will also be fast as he is based in Lommel, too, and would have done his fair share of laps around soft and rugged tracks, as will fellow rookie and Dutchman Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff. It may be also wise to make mention of Febvre’s Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube teammate Jeremy Van Horebeek who we are still waiting to see on the box this year. Although there is speculation Van Horebeek has tweaked his knee, if it is not a serious injury he should be a threat in the sand here in Holland.

Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin was one of the fastest riders around the track in The Netherlands last year with his race one victory as solid evidence. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, a crash in race two saw him break his collarbone and forced him out of the next four rounds of the season. Surely this year, if he can score points in both races and come away unscathed, he will be stoked.

Last but not least, Team Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM’s Shaun Simpson will be one to keep a look out for. We saw what he can do on his day when he won the final round of the 2013 MXGP championship in the deep sand of Lierop. Simpson will also be on the MXGP Studio Show this weekend with Paul Malin and Adam Wheeler, so we may even get a little extra insight, in terms of expectations for this race, out of the kid before the gates drop.

2014 MXGP of The Netherlands MXGP Top 3

1. Antonio Cairoli

2. Jeremy Van Horebeek

3. Kevin Strijbos

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings. The name says it all. The local lad is unbeaten around Valkenswaard having won the last five MX2 grand prix’ here with back to back wins. His speed in the sand is just mind blowing, so it’s almost a definite that The Bullet will be looking for his sixth consecutive grand prix win here at the Eurocircuit. 

We can also be certain Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser will be pinning it out there in the sand fresh off of his first MX2 grand prix win. After achieving that milestone, something he has dreamed of since he was a little boy, there is no doubt Gajser will be extra confident and motivated for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile Monster Energy Kawasaki’s duo of Dylan Ferrandis and Jordi Tixier are also super quick in the loam. Ferrandis proved his skills in the sand at the 2014 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations where his ability to hold it wide open on the soft terrain assisted Team France in the amazing MXoN victory while teammate Tixier uncorked a bottle of fizz here last year as the bronze medalist.

As for the dark horses, Team HSF Logistics KTM’s Brian Bogers could knock on the door of the top five if he rides to his ability, as could Kemea Yamaha Yamalube Racing’s Brent Van Doninck.

2014 MXGP of The Netherlands MX2 Top 3

1. Jeffrey herlings

2. Romain Febvre

3. Jordi Tixier

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

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX300 Free/Timed practice 07:10; EMX125 Group 1 Free/Timed practice 07:45; EMX125 Group 2 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; EMX125 Last Chance Qualifying Race 11:50; EMX250 Last Chance Qualifying Race 12:30; EMX300 Race 1 13:20; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; EMX125 Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00; EMX250 Race 1 17:40.

Sunday: EMX300 Warm-up 08:35; EMX125 Warm-up 08:50; EMX250 Warm-up 09:05; EMX300 Race 2 09:35; EMX125 Race 2 10:25; 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 Europe

It’s an old but still golden location where round five of the FIM Motocross World Championship will take place and its name should be familiar to you, but if you are new to the world of motocross, Valkenswaard is the name of the circuit that will host the MXGP of Europe in The Netherlands.

Situated next to the Eurocircuit road course, between Eindhoven and the Belgian boarder, Valkenswaard marks the first of the sand races on the 2015 calendar. Renowned for its popularity and hugely animated crowds, which are bolstered by the influx of ever passionate and crazy Belgian motocross fans crossing the border, along with the usual die-hard Jeffrey Herlings fans, rounds of MXGP in the sands of Holland are integral parts of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

The circuit of Valkenswaard was our feature circuit in the most recent issue of MXGP MAG, to READ, click HERE. 

The Fox Holeshot award runs across the entire MXGP season. The way it works is 1 point is awarded for each race holeshot. He who has the most points in MXGP at the end of the season will win the grand prize of €10,000 while he with the most points in MX2 will win the grand prize of €5,000.

At the MXGP of Trentino Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing's Max Nagl took the Fox Holeshots in MXGP class

Meanwhile in MX2 Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s claimed both Fox Holeshot awards.

Watch MXGP of Patagonia Argentina ‘Fox Holeshot’ fims here below.

Fox Holeshot award - MXGP

Fox Holeshot award - MX2