MX2

HYVINKÄÄ (Finland), 09 July 2014 – Tackling the second destination within the Scandinavian region of Europe, round thirteen of the FIM Motocross World Championship gets all set to shift some sand at the compact and soft surfaced track in Hyvinkää, Finland, this weekend, July 13.

Prior to last year, the last FIM Motocross Grand Prix held at this particular circuit was back in 1991 when local legend Pekka Vehkonen claimed victory in front of his home crowd.

This year will mark MXGP’s second consecutive return to Hyvinkää this decade, which based on statistics, will more than likely play right into the hands of the current FIM Motocross World Championship leaders and defending champions Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings who both took home double victories in 2013 and have proved on many occasions their skill, speed and stamina in the sand is second to none.

As a special edition to the MXGP and MX2 racing, the little guys tearing up Europe on 65 and 85’s will be racing their one and only round of the European EMX65 and EMX85 championships while the European Championship EMX250 and EMX300 will line up for their semi-final round this season.

MXGP

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli was looking solid last weekend in Sweden admitting he is back into the full swing of things training wise and is starting to feel better on the bike each and every outing.

Meanwhile, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek doesn’t mind a sand race every now and then although he has said to prefer harder surfaces. Given his ridiculous record of podium finishes, a staggering eleven out of twelve, putting your money on Van Horebeek for yet another podium finish this weekend is more or less a safe bet.

This weekend’s underdog will more than likely be Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Kevin Strijbos. Like Van Horebeek, coming from Belgium, Strijbos knows how to get things done in the sand, which will be a solid asset for him and his burning desire to move up a step or two on the podium.

While Team HRC’s Max Nagl is no threat to the championship after being M.I.A, missing in action at five rounds recently due to injury, the German, who is still a free agent for 2015, is out to prove he’s got the goods to be a front-runner next year.

Another still on the come-back from injury, CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Tommy Searle has started to look a little more aggressive out on the circuit lately. While it’s a commonly known fact the Brit doesn’t rate himself as the best sand rider in the world, he knows he’s good enough to be in the top five and with his name on the entry list for the British Championship which is set to take place next weekend at a sandy circuit, you can count on Searle to be cranking laps in the dunes this week in preparation.

Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing's Dean Ferris feels like he's not yet shown his cards. Coming into Hyvinkää the Australian will have had two weeks riding and testing with the team since his arrival from the USA early last week. After standing on the second step of the podium here in MX2 last year, the twenty-four-year-old will be radiating confidence and eager to set in an equally good performance this weekend in MXGP.

Last but not least, it’s not yet known if we can expect to see Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle on the grid this weekend after his gnarly first turn crash in Sweden. While it has been released the Belgian has been given the ‘all clear’ by the docs, the twenty-five year old has gone on to say he is feeling very stiff and second-hand. Maybe the fact he trails his fellow countryman Van Horebeek by twelve, meaning second in the championship is still achievable, will be enough motivation to soldier on.

MXGP World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 527 points; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 482 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 470 p.; 4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 390 p.; 5. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 267 p.; 6. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 265 p.; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HON), 237 p.; 8. David Philippaerts (ITA, YAM), 210 p.; 9. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), 207 p.; 10. Gautier Paulin (FRA, KAW), 205 p.

2013 MX1 Podium

1. Antonio Cairoli     

2. Clement Desalle  

3. Kevin Strijbos

2013 MXGP POLEMAN: Clement Desalle

MX2

Not taking anything away from the rest of the competition in the MX2, but you’d have to have a screw loose to bet against Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings on a sand circuit. While many scratch their head as to what motivates the nineteen-year-old motocross sensation, we can tell you this weekend it’s a perfect score which will allow him to walk away with the possibility of FIM MX2 World Title number three being wrapped up at the following round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Loket, Czech Republic.

Another rider who has the talent to be a threat for the 2015 MX2 title, but is yet un-signed, is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier. At the moment, Tixier lands on the podium 50% of the time with six from twelve podium finishes to his name. After successfully uncorking a bottle of bubbly at the last four rounds of MX2, it would appear Tixier has the ball rolling.

He’s the baby of the MX2 class, at the tender age of seventeen, yet rides with maturity and a skill base beyond his years. A lot of eyes are on Honda Gariboldi’s humble and friendly Slovenian Tim Gajser as he continues to impress with his speed and style, and now his results, too.

There wouldn’t be many hungrier for a podium finish than Valentin Guillod and his team Standing Construct KTM. While he’s managed to win qualifying races, and rip holeshots, the talented Swiss always finds himself up against lady luck. A podium before the season is out will be the cherry on the cake for Guillod, after a long hard fought season of coming so close but yet so far.

Five rounds to make something spectacular happen before moving up to MXGP, the pressure is on Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre. With the team being based right near the world renowned dunes of Lommel, Febvre is not shy of the sand and could well be a safe bet for a podium finish, if he manages to keep the bike rubber side down.

Meanwhile, tearing it up for the locals Sahkar Racing’s Harri Kullas looked keener than ever last weekend in Sweden when he ripped the holeshot in the qualifying heat. An attempt for another holeshot in race one backfired when the Fin plowed straight into the gate instead. Either way, we took notice and he did manage to bank fifteen points over the weekend. If he brings that determined attitude to the line again this weekend, there’s no doubt the youngster will make his home crowd proud.

MX2 World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 544 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 409 p.; 3. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, KAW), 389 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 388 p.; 5. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 372 p.; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 350 p.; 7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 288 p.; 8. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 284 p.; 9. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 265 p.; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 234 p.

2013 MX2 Podium

1. Jeffrey Herlings     

2. Dean Ferris

3. Jordi Tixier

2013 MXGP POLEMAN: Glenn Coldenhoff

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

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY: EMX65 Free/Timed Practice 07:45; EMX85 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; EMX300 Free/Timed Practice 11:10; EMX250 Last chance qualifying race 11:55; EMX65 Race 1 13:05; MX2 Time practice 14:00; MXGP Time practice 14:35; EMX300 Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying race 17:00; EMX250 Race 1 17:40.

SUNDAY: EMX65 Warm-up 08:00; EMX85 Warm-up 08:15; EMX300 Warm-up 08:30; EMX250 Warm-up 08:45; EMX65 Race 2 09:10; MX2 Warm-up 09:40; MXGP Warm-up 10:00; EMX85 Race 2 10:30; EMX300 Race 2 11:20; EMX250 Race 2 12:10; MX2 Race 1 13:15; MXGP Race 1 14:15; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10.

LINKS

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FIM

MXGP of Finland

Finnish rider Harri Kullas of the Sahkar Racing team hasn’t had the best run of luck in recent years. Injuries and problems with arm pump continued to hamper his career, although the always smiling Kullas has made some changes recently that he hopes will help him get back to his best form.

Having finished 11th and 9th in the 2010 and 2011 seasons all was looking good for Kullas until his injury riddled seasons dropped him to 18^th place in the MX2 series in both 2012 and 2013.

Now 21^st in the 2014 MX2 championship points Kullas missed the opening three rounds of the 2014 season due to injury. He also missed the Grand Prix of England and the Grand Prix of France due to an operation on his troublesome arms. We caught up with Kullas and asked him about his past, present and future.

Q: Harri, you are having another tough time with injuries and stuff in 2014. How can you turn it around?

Kullas: I had problems with arm pump a lot. I tried creams and all types of things, nothing helped enough. Some things worked well for a short term, but then it came back. I wasn’t doing so well in the points and I talked to my team and my family and I said I am not in the points anyway, because I missed the first three GP’s and I had an operation and was back on the bike within two weeks time.

Q: You also had a couple of injuries right?

Kullas: Just before the arm surgery I had a small crash and hurt my shoulder and I had some help and it felt good, but it was good timing with the arm pump. So I rested for that and did the arm surgery.

Q: What is the future for you, you must be getting close to 23 or not?

Kullas: I am 22 and it’s maybe my last year in MX2. The past two years I have had injuries and last year wasn’t so good, so I figured I should stay in MX2. I had thought about moving to MXGP because of the bigger bike. I will do my best this year and see what class I do in 2015.

Q: You have been around the GP scene for a while now and had some good years. How tough is it to keep motivated when you have a lot of injuries?

Kullas: I risk my life and train so hard, but if you are not top three or five then you need a good sponsor and I am not top five and I don’t have a big sponsor, so I need to think about my future. I still have something to prove in the Grand Prix series though.

Q: You also race some national championship races in your home country or Estonia right?

Kullas: Racing in Estonia you can earn good money. I raced both classes before Maggiora and won both, I was happy for that, but I want to race the world championship, because there are good riders and it’s the top level.

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 6 July 2014 - The 20th FIM Europe Congress held at the Sheraton Hotel in Crakow was the occasion for the election of the new FIM Europe President. Two were the candidates for the leadership of the Continental Union that groups 47 Federations: Wolfgang Glas from Germany and Wolfgang Srb from Austria. With a large majority, it was Wolfgang Srb to be elected: 63 votes against 12. The Congress counted the largest number of Federations ever present, with 43 FMNs out of 47, for a total of 76 disposable votes and a quorum of 39 (34 federations had 2 votes, 8 federations disposed of 1 vote and one federation had no vote).  

During the Congress there was the election of 8 vice-presidents, too: Nina Birjukova, LaMSF-Latvia, Jean-Marc Desnues, FFM-France, Martin De Graaff, KNMV, The Netherlands, Juhani Halme, SML, Finland, Silvio Manicardi, FMI, Italy, Michal Sikora,PZM, Poland, Jan Stovicek ACCR, Czech Republic, Michel Turk, MUL, Luxembourg. Four judges and two auditors were also elected by acclamation.

Wolfgang Srb approached to the world of motorbikes in the early eighties as a Sporting Steward of the Austrian Federation. “One day Heinz Kinigadner (250cc Motocross World Champion 1984 + 1985) spoke in an interview about the fact that for the first time an Austrian was leading the Motocross World Championship, but the Federation did not send a Jury Member to the races to support him”, recalls Srb when asked about his first steps in motorsport. “To make a long story short: I was asked if I would be interested and I simply said yes. This is how it started.”

His main target is to strengthen the position of FIM Europe within the FIM family. “FIM Europe is not only the biggest Continental Union in terms of affiliated Federations, but also in terms of the biggest number of riders, licences, organisers and events,” Srb comments. “There is an urgent need for a bigger financial support from FIM for European projects. There are plenty of ideas in Europe and we simply want a fair share of the subventions, taking into account that we are the biggest and most active CONU. We need to give more help to developing Federations, who have financial problems. The financial crisis, that has hit the world as of 2008, is still not over.” 

Among his goal, the development and growth of the sport in all disciplines in close cooperation with FIM, Federations and promoters, especially for young riders. “A very good example is the European Motocross Championship, which is organised together with the Motocross World Championship at the same venue and on the same weekend,” says Srb. “We need more training camps for riders as well as national coaches and trainers. We need to find a solution for the European Road Racing Championship.  Another important field of activity is the motorcycle tourism,” Srb adds. “We must become more attractive for all these riders. We need to work in closer cooperation with FIM and other CONUs. In other words: FIM Europe needs to be more active and stronger, but at the same time the management has to work efficient and cost effective. We have to listen to the needs of our affiliated Federations and have to help and support them as much as we can.”

Wolfgang Srb as FIM Europe President will represent the 47 European Motorcycling Federations. “I'm not here to fulfil my personal things, I'm here to listen all the European Federations' needs and to bring their messages to the right people,” said Srb immediately after his election. 

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM Europe

UDDEVALLA (Sweden), 06 July 2014 – It has been a crazy yet entertaining day of racing here at MXGP of Sweden, round twelve of the FIM Motocross World Championship where unique conditions put each and every rider to the ultimate test. While the chewed up circuit was less rutty than we have come to expect from the FIM Motocross World Championship, it was fantastic to see a circuit that allowed the riders to embrace their creativity, race craft and challenged them to challenge themselves to choose lines that are less obvious.

Ultimate physical and mental condition is crucial to the making of a champion and both of our FIM Motocross World Champions, both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders, Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings authenticated that today with their dominating performances on the tricky and demanding circuit in both races to extend their championship leads.

MXGP

It is a bittersweet location here in Uddevalla for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, who has left the bitter aspect in the dust with his impressive double race victory for the 70^th Grand Prix win of his career. Celebrating with a fender-bender wheelie down to the podium the popular Italian said “I’m very happy, I’ve been ill, so I didn’t expect a lot but I have started to feel better and better on the bike over the last week which let me push more while training. I hope to keep going like this and try to be on top every weekend.”

Surprise, surprise, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek mounts the podium for the eleventh time from a possible twelve this year. Although he is yet to win a Grand Prix, the Belgian feels everything is going to plan as he moves up into second over all in the MXGP Championship standings, even though he admitted “It doesn’t feel so good to move up in the championship because another rider has crashed or hurt themselves, but it is what it is and the season is still long, so you don’t know what can happen but considering this is my second year in MXGP, I am pretty proud of what I am doing.”

He has known as a veteran of the class but Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Kevin Strijbos looks to be raising the intensity in each and every outing. This weekend the Belgian said “It was really good out there, I expected a little more after the first moto because I felt good out on the track, I had some good lines, but the second race I had sand in my goggles which made it really difficult to get close to Max (Nagl), but I am still really happy.”

Meanwhile Team HRC’s Max Nagl is making a solid return to racing, although the German appears to struggle to make passes after a bad start, but that could be down to lack of racing. Nevertheless, a good start in race two, after finishing eighth in race one, saw the factory Honda rider bounce back for third landing in fourth overall for this Grand Prix.

CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Tommy Searle is progressively improving and is starting to look hungrier for better results. A fifth and a sixth overall left the Brit rounding out the top five.

Bad luck struck Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle, who was right in the thick of the championship title chase, when he clipped the back wheel of his teammate Strijbos heading into turn one, wiping out in spectacular style and getting pummeled by the rest of the field. While we did see the tough Belgian get to his feet after a good five to ten minutes of laying in agony, he has gone to hospital to be thoroughly checked over.

While Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s surprise contender Dean Ferris made his come back to the FIM Motocross World Championship and while it didn’t go entirely to plan, some fast lap times throughout the sessions over the weekend proved the speed is there, he is just lacking experience and hours on the bike. The Australian admitted “I’m looking forward to Finland where I can wipe the slate clean and try to improve things.”

MXGP Race 1 top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 35:22.421; 2. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:03.481; 3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:07.712; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:11.653; 5. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:15.019; 6. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:37.196; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:39.063; 8. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:42.436; 9. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:50.853; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +1:03.013.

MXGP Race 2 top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 33:52.052; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:04.201; 3. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:09.408; 4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:14.361; 5. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:22.638; 6. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), +0:38.631; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:40.791; 8. Matiss Karro (LAT, KTM), +0:42.619; 9. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:44.496; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:46.857.

MXGP Overall top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 42 p.; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 40 p.; 4. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HON), 32 p.; 5. Tommy Searle (GBR, KAW), 31 p.; 6. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 28 p.; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, YAM), 25 p.; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), 24 p.; 10. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 22 p.

MXGP World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 527 points; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 482 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 470 p.; 4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 390 p.; 5. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 267 p.; 6. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 265 p.; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HON), 237 p.; 8. David Philippaerts (ITA, YAM), 210 p.; 9. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), 207 p.; 10. Gautier Paulin (FRA, KAW), 205 p.

MXGP Manufacturer: 1. KTM, 527 points; 2. Suzuki, 508 p.; 3. Yamaha, 482 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 437 p.; 5. Honda, 372 p.; 6. TM, 235 p.; 7. Husqvarna, 230 p.

MX2

Everybody, including his competition, continues to be left in awe of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and his ability to ride a motorcycle. Not only is Herlings dominating every MX2 race, he is also laying down the fastest lap times of the weekend against his future rivals in MXGP. Respect is coming in from all angles for the Dutch teen-ager as he proves each and every weekend he is the fastest man on the planet. With MX2 world title number three fast approaching, the ridiculously talented KTM rider said “Yeah it was a great weekend, I feel stronger and stronger every week and keep dominating, so hopefully we can keep this rhythm going and hopefully win again next weekend in Finland and wrap the championship up in Loket.”

After seeing the doctor right before race two due to illness, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier decided to grit his teeth and race. Tixier said “I had to push to ride because I knew I needed it for the championship and actually it was good I decided to ride because I managed to finish second on the day, so I am really happy about my weekend, it cannot be better.”

Seventeen-year-old Honda Gariboldi rider Tim Gajser is fast becoming a regular front runner as he uncorks yet another bottle of champagne after posting a second and sixth place score for third overall.

It’s so close he can almost touch it; Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod is forced to settle for yet another fourth. After a hard fought fourth in race one, the super talented Swiss rocketed out of the gate in race two to claim the Fox Holeshot. Despite a good effort, the track was extremely gnarly and difficult to get traction. Any sense of urgency resulted in wheel spin, which saw the youngster drop back to fourth. Nevertheless, he will have another year in MX2 next year allowing each round this season to be written off as experience.

Rounding out the top five, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre’s result doesn’t reflect his speed today. The Frenchman was in fact the second fastest rider on the track, but was a little unfortunate when his third place finish is race one came undone with a gnarly crash in race two while battling for fourth. Despite the misfortune, hats off to Febvre who bounced back after biting the dust reasonably hard, for tenth.

MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 35:00.721; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:43.692; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:50.859; 4. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:53.496; 5. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +0:54.640; 6. Julien Lieber (BEL, Suzuki), +0:55.972; 7. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:58.803; 8. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:00.791; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Yamaha), +1:01.535; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +1:07.030.

MX2 Race 2 top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 35:06.319; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:42.354; 3. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:45.082; 4. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +0:46.541; 5. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +0:49.060; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:49.830; 7. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:50.272; 8. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:01.822; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +1:15.003; 10. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Honda), +1:18.202.

MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 37 p.; 4. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 32 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 30 p.; 6. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 29 p.; 7. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 28 p.; 8. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 27 p.; 9. Christophe Charlier (FRA, YAM), 27 p.; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 23 p.

MX2 World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 544 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 409 p.; 3. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, KAW), 389 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 388 p.; 5. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 372 p.; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 350 p.; 7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 288 p.; 8. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 284 p.; 9. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 265 p.; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 234 p.

MX2 Manufacturer: 1. KTM, 574 points; 2. Kawasaki, 477 p.; 3. Husqvarna, 404 p.; 4. Honda, 360 p.; 5. Suzuki, 354 p.; 6. Yamaha, 317 p.; 7. TM, 6 p.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

All the photos of the MXGP of Sweden are available here

MXGP was available across the board in high definition, and is also globally available to view live and in HD on www.MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks, viewing times can be viewed by clicking on the logo of your chosen broadcasting network.

MXGP SWEDEN – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1530

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 26°

Weather conditions: sunny

Crowd Attendance: 21.000

NEXT MXGP

The next round of MXGP will take place next weekend, July 12, in Hyvinkää, Finland. Also taking place at that round, the European Championships EMX65 and EMX85 classes will race for their European Championship rankings.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Sweden

UDDEVALLA (Sweden), 05 July 2014 – We didn’t expect a summery MXGP of Sweden, but it turned out to be nice and toasty, blanketed with blue skies and a handful of clouds. With multiple changes to the track which has taken on a change of direction so the circuit now runs ‘backwards’, compared to recent years, a few new sections of rollers and a different position for the start and finish lines, round twelve of the FIM Motocross World Championship commenced with Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings heading into tomorrow on pole.

Meanwhile rounds five of the European Championships EMX250 and EMX300 also let it rip here around Uddevalla with race one glory going, for the first time this season, to Wilvo Forkrent KTM’s Adam Sterry in the EMX250 while TM Racing Team’s Samuele Bernardini cleared out for a convincing win in the EMX300.

As for the FIM Veterans Motocross World Cup, the 2012 VMX World Cup victor Darryll King edged out Martin Zerava and Mats Nilsson for the win in race one.

MXGP

Lining up for the MXGP qualifying heat, the riders were faced with what appeared to be a wide sweeping first turn, yet a tricky one as the surface doesn’t hold a lot of traction and the turn gets narrower on the exit. Anyway, the gates dropped and the throttles were wound open, all with hopes of getting there and making it through safe and up front.

Leading the way Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s duo of Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos went one-two around turn one with Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Steven Frossard, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Dean Ferris and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli all up in the mix, too.

While Desalle put his diesel style of riding to good use, remaining steady and consistent to take his second pole position of the year, his teammate Strijbos looked eager for the win. While Strijbos charged hard, coming in on Desalle from all angles, it wasn’t enough at the checkers and he had to settle for second.

Meanwhile, Frossard pushed hard the entire race, too, eating roost off the rear wheels of the two Suzuki’s that led. Also within striking distance Cairoli looked content with fourth pick of the gate not doing anything drastic to move into the top three, eventually finishing fourth behind the Frenchman Frossard.

Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek didn’t quite come to grips with the surface during the race and finished in a distant fifth, while Ferris, who was initially racing up front, made a few mistakes and lost his rhythm to come home in tenth.

MXGP Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 24:26.947; 2. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:00.821; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:03.824; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:11.713; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:24.809; 6. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:28.079; 7. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:28.791; 8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:29.349; 9. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:31.296; 10. Dean Ferris (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:39.493.

MX2

It appears MXGP of Sweden just kick started ‘silly-season’ with loads of riders in talks with possible teams for next year. All were looking hungry, riding with a ton of aggression in attempt to make a statement that they could be the next big challenger in 2015.

When the gates dropped for the MX2 qualifying heat race, many people had to squint as they tried to decipher the number of the rider that led. To the surprise of most it was Sahkar Racing’s Harri Kullas who took a massive holeshot and went on to lead the best part of the first few laps.

Chasing Kullas around turn one, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s young star Jeremy Seewer, followed by the classes normal hot starter KTM Silver Actions Jose Butron and the champ Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings.

With Kullas up front, the young Fin had the weight of the world on his shoulders and actually did a stellar job at holding off the train of stars that followed and even went as far as to pass Herlings back a couple of times while struggling to maintain the lead. Despite the enormous display of heart and effort, Kullas eventually dropped back but still rode amazing to come home in sixth.

Meanwhile when Herlings took over the lead on lap four, it was goodnight nurse to the rest of the competition, leaving the crowd hooked on the battle for second which not only welcomed a feud for second pick at the gate but also a fight of pride as three of MX2’s fastest Frenchmen duked it out.

It was a nail biting race as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier only just managed to hold off CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis who was pushing mega hard all the way to the finish. Meanwhile, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre was also in the mix and came home in a close fourth.

Rounding out the top five with a very impressive performance, the promising young Swiss rider Jeremy Seewer wrapped up his best qualifying race finish of the season.

MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 24:29.561; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:12.183; 3. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:13.259; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:24.296; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:28.335; 6. Harri Kullas (FIN, KTM), +0:34.067; 7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +0:35.253; 8. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +0:42.675; 9. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:43.163; 10. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:46.046.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

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

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition, and is also globally available to view live and in HD on www.MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks, viewing times can be viewed by clicking on the logo of your chosen broadcasting network.

MXGP SWEDEN – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1530

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 26°

Weather conditions: cloudy

TIMETABLE

SUNDAY: VMX Warm-up 08:20; EMX300 Warm-up 08:40; EMX250 Warm-up 09:00; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; VMX Race 2 10:25; EMX300 Race 2 11:10; 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 Sweden