MX2

The Grand Prix of Qatar and the commencement of the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship is drawing ever closer and Yamaha Factory Racing have published their video presentation for the new season showing off the works YZ450 and 250FM motorcycles to be ridden by Jeremy Van Horebeek and Christophe Charlier.

Shot by award-winning video-maker Mikey Neale the team decamped at the renowned Mantova circuit for the day and also took some time for stylish ‘intro’ images. Yamaha Factory Racing is back in the corporate blue colours for the first time in six years and this sub-four minute movie unveils the race bike liveries in action before wheels start to turn at Losail next week.

Click here to watch the video, meet Yamaha’s hopes for the MXGP and MX2 classes and see the works bikes cutting the sand.

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing

The opening month of this year’s FIM Motocross World Championships will introduce many exciting cities and cultures. Of course in around a week’s time the whole MXGP paddock will arrive in Doha, Qatar, for the opening round of the series.

Doha was for everyone a breath of fresh air as the brilliant weather and friendly nature of the people of Doha. While the serious side of racing was on everyone’s mind the holiday like atmosphere of the warm city in Qatar and the magnificent circuit of Losail really put everyone at ease.

Doha will be no different this year as temperatures are presently around the 27 degrees and we are expecting sunshine when the MXGP starts on February 28.

The bright lights and the night racing is going to once again give the MXGP series a special start and no doubt the whole World will be wanting to watch and see how only the second night MXGP ever turns out.

A week later and after some sightseeing by the riders and team members the MXGP of Thailand will bring us to the Si Racha circuit. This was such a pleasant surprise as everything was in place for a really nice event.

While the city of Pattaya just down the road from the MXGP facility is very different, being known as one of the wildest cities in the World, the Si Racha area is mellow and just like all around the country of Thailand the people are super friendly.

Si Racha is a really well made circuit and for Jeffrey Herlings it was one of the best circuits on the calendar.

“Oh man,” Herlings told us. “I can’t wait until the gate drops in Qatar. It feels like I haven’t raced in years. I last raced in August and I just can’t wait for the season to start. I am so looking forward to being behind the gate and battling with some guys. Qatar is a lovely track, of course the light was not perfect last year, dark in some places, but it will be better this year. Thailand, I loved that track, it was rough, wide and many lines, one of the best tracks on the calendar. I will try and do my best and try and win. In Qatar all eyes will be on me and I will deal with the pressure and try and win.”

A couple of weeks after Thailand the riders fly to Brazil, for the third round of the FIM Motocross World Championships. While the Si Racha circuit is new and really pleasant to watch from the Beto Carrero MX Park in Brazil is known Worldwide as a really professional and beautiful circuit. Its red clay and tropical feel will always be special and by the time the riders have completed their Brazilian stop-off you can be sure they will have experienced a lot more in just a few weeks than most people enjoy in their whole year.

Six years have passed since Yamaha’s factory motocross machinery led the FIM Motocross World Championship field in a distinctive blue shade but now – as the 2014 campaign prepares to launch with the MXGP of Qatar under the lights of Losail next week (February 28th/March 1st) – the works YZ450FM and YZ250FM motorcycles of Jeremy Van Horebeek and Christophe Charlier respectively are being shown for the first time.

Yamaha Factory Racing last adopted the company’s corporate livery for Grand Prix racing in 2007. In the first half of the decade the sight of Stefan Everts terrorising 500cc and MX1 divisions (a title winner every year from 2001 to 2006) also established the ‘Blue Blur’ of the works Yamaha squad.

The production YZ250F is a completely new bike, and now shares many similar characteristics and components with the latest version of its ‘bigger brother’. The same fuel injected engine concept is in place as well as the chassis design and layout. The factory team helmed by Michele Rinaldi will again enter a prototype machine with the 2014 production YZ250F providing an excellent base. In the MX2 class – where the search for maximum power and performance never seems to cease – works racer Christophe Charlier will benefit from the endeavours of YRRD technicians to boost output from the 250cc ‘heart’ of the YZ250F. 2014 is a standout milestone in the story of the YZ and Yamaha’s pioneering four-stroke project that revolutionised the sport at the tail end of the last century.

Yamaha Factory Racing will form part of a comprehensive Yamaha line-up in Grand Prix with also Bike it Yamaha Cosworth (Rui Gonçalves in MXGP and Max Anstie in MX2) and Kemea Yamaha (Petar Petrov and Luke Styke in MX2) for the eighteen round series in sixteen countries.

Get ready, get set, for the gates to drop! We are less than eight days away from the opening round of the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship. If the thought alone doesn’t make your hair stand on end, watch this amazing video which will make your skin tingle and put you in the MXGP mood. 

TEAM Honda GARIBOLDI is proud to announce its new line up for the 2014 season to compete in the MX2 World Championship with 17 year-old Slovenian TIM GAJSER who will team up with 23 year-old Japanese rider KEI YAMAMOTO.

Tim Gajser, probably the youngest top rider in MX2, will take part in his first full World Championship season in 2014. Tim has enjoyed top success on the small bikes throughout his career becoming the European Champion in 65cc, 85cc and 125cc and collecting also the 125cc World title in 2012. Gajser is the hottest prospect in MX today.

Kei Yamamoto, in 2014 will begin his new career on the global motocross scene racing in the MX2 class after winning titles and becoming Champion young rider in Japan in 2005 and 2006 and adding the MX2 Japanese title in 2012 and finishing second in 2013. A big challenge for one of the few Japanese riders seen competing a full season in the World Championship.

For the 2014 season the Team will start a new cooperation and challenge with HRC, Honda Racing Corporation, and will benefit from a full technical support for the Honda CRF250Rs.

The Team will also be engaged in the EMX250 championship with the winner of the 2013 Honda 150 European Championsip, the Italian 15 year-old Filippo Grigoletto with a CRF250R. Grigoletto won the first edition of the very succesful and competitive series on board the CRF150R, and this series will be replicated in 2014 and is already attracting many riders from all over Europe.

For the new season the team has also implemented his staff with the addition of the well known in the paddock and experienced Manola Puletti with the role of team coordinator.

Giacomo Gariboldi, Team Manager: "We are delighted to start this completely new challenge in MX2, we are honored to be part of this project with Honda and HRC and we will work as hard as we can to meet the expectations of all the people who have invested in our team."

Copyright: Photo: Honda Gariboldi Racing

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 17 February 2014 – Youthstream is pleased to announce that IPONE, the French leading motorcycle specific lubricant company, has entered a new partnership agreement with MXGP, the FIM Motocross World Championship, with the MXoN, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations and with the SNX, the FIM Snowcross World Championship that will see IPONE becoming MXGP, MXoN’s and SNX Official & Exclusive Lubricant Partner.

IPONE was started in 1985 with the ambition of meeting the specific requirements of motorbikes. IPONE then extended its range of 100% motorbike lubricants to cater for recreational vehicles, such as quad bikes, snowmobiles, jet skis, etc.

IPONE’s story began in France, but the brand went international at the beginning of the 2000s. IPONE is now distributed in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America, as well as in Canada and Australia.

Since its inception, IPONE has been constantly improving its performance lubricants and its complete range of maintenance products, by continuously investing in competition, with involvement in tough events such as 24 hour Endurance Road Racing, World Superbike Championship, The Dakar and the Red Bull Romaniacs.

Giuseppe Luongo, President of Youthstream: “We are delighted to welcome IPONE as Official and Exclusive Lubricant Partner to MXGP, MXoN and SNX. We know the company well through their long association with major motorcycle championships.  This partnership will truly allow our teams to share their respective expertise and we are looking forward to working hand in hand.”

The company’s Managing Director, Frédéric Olivier, commented on the new partnership with MXGP: "For nearly 30 years IPONE has dedicated its passion to motorcycles, especially motocross. For 30 years we have manufactured and provided the best lubricants, maintenance and care products for the motorcycles. We are working everyday to communicate and share our passion. Therefore we are glad to associate ourselves to this great adventure of MXGP. Known for the quality of its organization, its teams and its partners, this championship conveys values such as surpassing oneself, excellence and its desire of sharing emotions in which we identify ourselves. We are proud to be part of this partnership, let’s meet on races to share those exceptional moments which, MXGP is the only one to provide you."

MXGP and IPONE partnership first takes to the track with the first race, the MXGP of Qatar, on March the 1^st, at Losail.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

IPONE

The stars of MXGP are beginning to surface with the first round of the FIM Motocross World Championship right around the corner. With a mega star-studded line up this weekend in Montevarchi, Italy, for the third round of the Italian Motocross Championship, excitement levels went through the roof.

Making his first race appearance this year, and looking flawless, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin proved he’s a force to be reckoned with this year winning both races. In the MX2, CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Arnaud Tonus made his second Italian Championship appearance and won the MX2 yet again, while his CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy teammate Dylan Ferrandis finished eighth in the Elite as the best placed MX2 rider.

When the gates dropped in the main class, everyone was hooked. Both Kawasaki Racing Team riders Gautier Paulin and Steven Frossard were on the gas with Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek hot on their heels. Paulin managed to lead every lap, while Van Horebeek and Frossard duked it out for second. But as the trio crossed the finish line, it was Paulin who took the win narrowly ahead of Van Horebeek and Frossard respectively. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, who had dominated the previous two rounds, came in contact with Frossard on the first turn injuring his ankle and forcing him to DNF.

In the MX2 it was CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Arnaud Tonus who got off to a great start and went on to lead the race unchallenged from start to finish while his teammate Dylan Ferrandis recovered from a average start to pass Yamaha Factory Racing’s Christophe Charlier mid-race for second place, leaving his fellow Frenchman Charlier to finish third.

Rounding out the day with “Elite” race it was the trio Gautier Paulin, Steven Frossard and Jeremy Van Horebeek who took control yet again. Kawasaki Racing Team riders Paulin and Frossard went one/two around turn one and remained in these positions until the checkered flag. Meanwhile Yamaha Factory Racings Jeremy Van Horebeek remained in striking distance but not quite close enough to make a move, finishing a comfortable third ahead of the Antonio Cairoli who nursed his swollen ankle to a remarkable fourth.

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 14 February 2014 – Youthstream is thrilled to announce that www.MXGP-TV.com (former www.MX-LIFE.tv) has a new look!

New MXGP-TV.com website includes public video playlists, a calendar with countdown for the upcoming events, and for subscribers an access to the LIVE and PREMIUM content of one of the most exciting sports in the world, motocross!

On MXGP-TV.com it is also possible to check directly the news from the free monthly MXGP Mag and stop by MXGP Facebook and Twitter live feeds.

Click here to join the MXGP trip on your computer or any mobile device.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP-TV.com

While it has been a short pre-season, it is interesting how little race time a lot of the MXGP riders have had. While MXGP riders like Antonio Cairoli, Tyla Rattray, Davide Guarneri, Todd Waters, David Philippaerts and Jeremy Van Horebeek have ridden the opening two rounds of the Italian Championships, many of the leading riders are yet to have a single race with just two weeks to go before the FIM Motocross World Championships begin in Doha, Qatar, on March 1.

The French International in Valence has been cancelled due to poor weather in France, meaning many riders who expected to race in that event suddenly had to change their plans. Fortunately on the same weekend there is the third round of the Italian Championships, so along with Italian locals Cairoli, Philippaerts and Guarneri several other MXGP riders have signed up to race.

The Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing team of Rattray and Waters would make their third race of the season as they line-up alongside some riders making their first appearance for 2014, included in that group are Tommy Searle, Gautier Paulin and Steven Frossard. The HRC duo of Evgeny Bobryshev and Max Nagl return from their quick trip to Japan to introduce the new HRC team to the World will make their second race of the season having raced in the opening round of the Italian Championships.

A week later several leading British riders including Shaun Simspon, Jake Nicholls and Tommy Searle will line up at the Hawkstone Park International. This race will also see Rattray and Waters make their fourth race of the pre-season. Also competing will be Bike It Yamaha Cosworth signing Rui Gonçalves. Making his debut for the 2014 season.

In the MX2 class it is a similar story although defending MX2 Champion Jeffrey Herlings isn’t sure what races he will race as of yet. Due to his leg injury the Dutchman missed the opening round of the Italian Championship, which was won by Arnaud Tonus. Herlings is however in the lineup for Montevarchi this coming weekend and is also on the start list for Hawkstone Park.

His Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team-mate Jordi Tixier has ridden the first two rounds of the Italian Championship and is also likely to line-up for round three. He had expected to race in Valence, but might travel down to Italy with Herlings.

Many of the leading MX2 riders have shown some action. As mentioned, Tonus won the opening round of the Italian Championship, and also raced last weekend’s second round and will race the third round in Montevachi, plus the Hawkstone Park International. Tonus will be the best prepared for Qatar it seems.

The Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team of Romain Febvre and Aleksandr Tonkov raced round one of the Italian Championship and expected to race in Valence, it is unknown if they will race in Montevarchi, and they are not on the start list for Hawkstone Park.

MX2 top three man from 2013 Jose Butron is like Clement Desalle and is yet to race, and isn’t on any of the start lists for pre-season events. Another Dutchman Glenn Coldenhoff was to race in Valence, but isn’t on the start list as yet for Montevarchi or Hawkstone Park.

So all in all several of the leading riders have many events as preparation for the MXGP of Qatar and some have nothing. I guess we will see at that opening round which preparation works out the best.

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 13 February 2014 – Youthstream and Milestone announces with the first Development’s Diary the addition of  ‘Motion Capture’ technology included into MXGP, The Official Motocross Videogame.

The main aim of Dev Diary #1 is to highlight two of the biggest plus included into this MXGP Videogame Edition. The first one includes Motion Capture technology, which allows MXGP Players to experience pure simulation thanks to most realistic riders and bikes’ behavior. The second main plus is the inclusion; for the first time ever there will be a Monster Girl, Grace Leslie Rowe, in the game that will give a special touch and authenticity of the Motocross’ atmosphere.

“MXGP is a symbol of simulation, realism and license’s loyalty. Implementing Motion Capture technology is an additional piece to the puzzle that together with the ones related to game’s physics, graphics and chromatics’ choices, which were unveiled in the Gameplay trailer # 1 and released last week, creates the whole product image”, affirms Alessandro Castrucci, Milestone’s Game Director. “Particularly this year, using a female character, as the Monster Girl, will enhance the game’s realism if compared with the previous one; we are also confident she will be appreciated by all Motocross’ fans”, concludes Castrucci.

The Gameplay trailer # 1 is now available on MXGP-TV Youtube Channel, by clicking here.

Developed by Milestone Studio, one of the most recognized racing videogame developers and publishers for consoles and Windows® PC, MXGP, The Official Motocross Videogame will be available from 28^th March 2014 for PlayStation®3, PlayStation®Vita, Xbox 360® and Windows PC®.

Follow MXGP, The Official Motocross Videogame on Facebook and Youtube Channel or check the #mxgpvideogame hashtag.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Milestone