MX2

Córdoba, Argentina, 1st March 2025 - The brand new Infinito Race Track on the outskirts of the city of Córdoba had looked impressive in the week, and it looked even better as thousands of avid Argentine fans packed the hillsides to add an incredible atmosphere to the first day of action at the 2025 YPF Infinia MXGP of Argentina!

Riders were full of praise for the new venue and put on a fantastic show of thrilling racing, with Maxime Renaux claiming his first ever red plate in MXGP with the Qualifying Race win for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP, although he was harassed for most of the race by Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP talisman Romain Febvre!

MX2 also saw some great wide-open action around the fast and flowing circuit, and after an early skirmish with his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Simon Laengenfelder, 2023 World Champion Andrea Adamo claimed the Qualifying Race win to claim the red plate for the first time in well over a year!

A new season is always full of hope, and the dreams of a great spectacle at this new track were realised in front of the huge crowd, which should be even larger for tomorrow’s main Grand Prix races!

After Renaux topped the standings in the Time Practice session with the last of his 12 laps, shown live on MXGP-TV.com for the first time, he lined up on the extreme inside gate next to the second fastest man, Honda HRC’s Tim Gajser.  Renaux used the line well to just claim the holeshot from Team Honda Motoblouz SR Motul rider Kevin Horgmo, while Gajser instantly used an attacking aerial manoeuvre to quickly move past the Norwegian to claim second, followed rapidly by Febvre!

Meanwhile, class rookie Lucas Coenen was involved in a second corner collision and would eventually recover only to 19th for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.  New Aruba.it Ducati Factory MX Team leader Jeremy Seewer started well, chasing Horgmo for 4th until he finally made the move on lap nine!

Febvre was loving the circuit and made a strong move on Gajser to take second at the start of lap three, and closed the gap to Renaux within two more laps, ultimately attacking his fellow Frenchman for the entire second half of the race!

Behind them, Gajser settled for third position nearly 20 seconds behind, as Seewer and Horgmo locked down fourth and fifth despite a late attack from Fantic Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff, who took sixth.

Seewer’s teammate Mattia Guadagnini made it two Ducatis in the top seven, while the other points scorers were Calvin Vlaanderen for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP in 8th, Kawasaki Racing Team’s new recruit Pauls Jonass in ninth, and Honda HRC’s Ruben Fernandez in tenth.

Time and again Febvre attacked Renaux, drawing level on one occasion as the pair blasted down pit straight side-by-side!  The Yamaha man held his nerve, however, as Romain lost drive briefly on the final lap to deprive him of one last attempt!  Renaux took his first Qualifying Race win for nearly three years, and will wear the first Championship leader’s red plate for Yamaha in the MXGP class since Febvre himself in 2016!

Maxime Renaux: “It’s an incredible way to start the season. The race was intense, with Romain pushing all the way, never giving up. I felt strong on the bike, no mistakes, and in control, which is exactly how you want to start. But the season is long, and we need to build rock by rock, staying focused on each race. The red plate is nice to have, a great achievement, but I don’t want to put extra pressure on my shoulders. What matters most is keeping that momentum and fighting for the gold plate at the end of the season.”

MXGP - Qualifying Race – Classification:  1. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), 25:25.836; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:03.559; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:23.000; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Ducati), +0:30.328; 5. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Honda), +0:33.851; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +0:37.058; 7. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Ducati), +0:40.494; 8. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:42.676; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Kawasaki), +0:45.514; 10. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:59.076;

MXGP - World Championship Classification: 1. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 10 points; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 9 p.; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 8 p.; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, DUC), 7 p.; 5. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 6 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 5 p.; 7. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, DUC), 4 p.; 8. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 3 p.; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KAW), 2 p.; 10. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 1 p.;

Main Photo: Maxime Renaux 

Top Photo: 2025 MXGP Argentina Start

Bottom Photo: 1. Romain Febvre; 2. Tim Gajser

All three Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders had their time in the Argentine sun through the day, as Sacha Coenen set the fastest time in Free Practice, while Laengenfelder got the top slot by just 0.163 seconds from the Belgian in Time Practice!  The German backed it up with a solid holeshot, while defending World Champion Kay de Wolf forced his Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing machine into second position ahead of Coenen!

Adamo was fourth, with reigning EMX250 Champion Mathis Valin in fifth for Kawasaki Racing Team, where he would stay until the chequered flag. The Italian was soon on the move with a fast outside move on Coenen to take third, and then surprised De Wolf by carving inside the Dutchman into a sharp right-hander!

Valerio Lata had shown good speed with second in Free Practice for Honda HRC, but a second corner collision with Monster Energy Triumph Racing’s Camden McLellan saw the pair of them lose a lot of time picking themselves off the floor.

As lap two ended, Adamo closed onto the back wheel of Laengenfelder and pulled alongside over the Monster Energy Finish Line jump, holding the German to the outside in a solid move to take the lead!  De Wolf was in no mood to let his predecessor get away, however, and passed Laengenfelder the following lap to put himself into second.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 squad had Thibault Benistant and Karlis Reisulis hold station for most of the race to finish sixth and seventh, while a steady Liam Everts claimed three points for eighth on his Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing debut.  Oriol Oliver and Jens Walvoort did their new BTS Racing Team proud by rounding out the points in ninth and tenth!

At the front, De Wolf closed in on Adamo, as the two previous World MX2 Champions circulated at a scorching pace, with the crowd adding their appreciation to the excitement! Lap six saw Coenen pass Laengenfelder for third as Simon ran wide on landing from a jump, but De Wolf just over-extended himself and tipped over in the corner before the pit straight!

Coenen took the chance to claim second place, while De Wolf salvaged third ahead of Laengenfelder, and Adamo pressed on to take his first Qualifying Race win since Trentino in April last year, and will wear the red plate for the first time since the end of his title-winning season in 2023!

With fantastic weather and the track lending itself to great racing, everybody is looking forward to another stunning day at Córdoba tomorrow in front of the enthusiastic Argentine crowd! The MXGP season is back, alive, and ready to entertain!

Andrea Adamo: “The first race of the season is always important, and I’m happy with how it went. It took me a little time to get comfortable leading, but once I settled in, I found my rhythm and even set my fastest lap near the end. It’s a different challenge being out front, not having anyone to follow, but it’s part of growing as a rider. It’s still too early to say how the season will go, but I feel strong, and starting with a win is always better than being further back. Now, we stay focused, keep improving, and take it one race at a time.”

MX2 - Qualifying Race – Classification: 1. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 24:03.631; 2. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:04.538; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:10.739; 4. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:12.727; 5. Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:16.989; 6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:24.857; 7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:28.854; 8. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:34.032; 9. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +0:37.426; 10. Jens Walvoort (NED, KTM),

MX2 - World Championship Classification: 1. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 10 points; 2. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 9 p.; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 8 p.; 4. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, KTM), 7 p.; 5. Mathis Valin (FRA, KAW), 6 p.; 6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 5 p.; 7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 4 p.; 8. Liam Everts (BEL, HUS), 3 p.; 9. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), 2 p.; 10. Jens Walvoort (NED, KTM), 1 p.;

Top Photo: Andrea Adamo

Bottom Photo: 1.Sacha Coenen; 2. Kay de Wolf 

All the photos from the Liqui Moly YPF INFINIA MXGP of Argentina will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

YPF INFINIA MXGP OF ARGENTINA QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1650m

Type of ground: Dark Soil

Temperature: 29°

Weather conditions: Cloudy/Sunny

TIMETABLE

SUNDAY: 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP Argentina

CORDOBA (Argentina) 1 March 2025 – The brand new Infinito Race Track at Córdoba welcomed the teams and riders through its gates today in preparation for the opening round of the 2025 FIM Motocross World Championships, and the first impressions of the new venue are that it should make for a spectacular occasion to kick start the season!

The pre-race administrations have been made for all riders and their machines, with technical control and signing on all taken care of with the FIM staff present.  Riders then donned their full shiny new race gear for the season’s video and photo shoots to make sure that the TV production and programmes have all the necessary images for the 2025 coverage.

The riders also got up close and personal with the new circuit to know exactly what they will be tackling through the weekend, and there were thumbs-up aplenty from their initial track inspections.  The Opening Press Conference took place, as Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo, FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela and Pablo Eli, +evento Director officially opened the new campaign. Then we saw representatives from all ten manufacturers in the 2025 paddock take part in the Riders’ Press Conference to give their positions heading into the new season, and their positive outlook on the first circuit of the year.

Infront Motor Racing CEO David Luongo:

“We are very proud to kick off the 2025 season here in Argentina, at a brand-new track in Córdoba. After an incredible 2024 season that saw intense battles until the final race, we are looking to raise the bar even higher this year. With races spanning five continents, including a long-awaited return to Australia and a grand finale in the US, this season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Beyond the competition, we are also making significant strides in expanding the sport’s visibility. The Junior Motocross World Championship will now be broadcasted live on the MXGP-TV Platform, giving young riders from around the world a global platform to showcase their talent. Additionally, we are introducing live coverage of timed practice sessions during GP weekends, offering fans deeper insights and bringing them closer to the action. Motocross is a true family, a sport that connects people across the world, and none of this would be possible without the strong cooperation with the FIM that spans over decades, and of course the dedication of the teams, riders, organizers, and federations. We are grateful for their commitment and can’t wait to see what this season brings.”

FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela:

“Starting the season in Córdoba is a fresh and exciting opportunity for the entire motocross community. While Villa La Angostura held a special place in our history, the construction of this new track represents the evolution and growth of the championship.
 The dedication of everyone involved in making this venue a reality has been remarkable, and we are confident it will deliver top-level racing. The 2025 season promises to be one of the most intense in recent years. We are heading into a packed calendar that will take us from Turkiye to China, then back to Australia, before crossing the Atlantic for a final showdown in the United States. The challenge ahead will demand resilience from riders, teams, and even the press, who will help bring these incredible moments to fans worldwide.
In addition to the racing, we continue to refine technical regulations, working closely with Infront Moto Racing and the teams to ensure a high standard of competition. As always, we are grateful for the passion and support of everyone involved and we thank Infront Moto Racing—organizers, partners, and the entire motorsport family. This season is set to be unforgettable, and we can’t wait to get started.”

+Eventos Director Pablo Eli

“Hosting this event in Córdoba is a special moment for us—because it is at home. +Events, together with our new partner Infinito Open, has worked tirelessly to bring this event to life. What you see here today is the result of months of effort, overcoming challenges like extreme weather and long hours to make sure everything runs smoothly. There was some uncertainty at first, as moving to a brand-new track is always a challenge. But since yesterday, we’ve received fantastic feedback from the riders. The first impressions of the circuit have been very positive—it’s a different layout, with new technical aspects, but one that we believe will deliver incredible racing. I also want to express my gratitude to Infront Moto Racing, the FIM, and the local authorities for their continued trust and support in making this event a reality. Thanks to their commitment, along with our sponsors, we are not just organizing a race—we are building something for the future. We are thrilled to be here and can’t wait for the action to begin!”

Photo above (Left to Right): FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela, +Eventos Director Pablo Eli, Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo

Ten Manufacturers Represented in 2025 Riders’ Press Conference prior to the YPF Infinia MXGP of Argentina!

Stretching the capacity of the podium in the Argentine Media Centre were the representatives of all ten manufacturers competing in the 2025 FIM Motocross World Championships, with a stunning line-up of riders giving their views and positions prior to the new season!

Reigning MX2 World Champion Kay de Wolf of Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing, and former World Champions Tim Gajser of Honda HRC, Romain Febvre of the Kawasaki Racing Team, and Maxime Renaux of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP gave out positive vibes for the new circuit and their hopes for the season. They were joined by exciting MXGP class rookie, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Lucas Coenen, Jeremy Seewer of the new Aruba.it Ducati Factory MX Team, Tom Koch of MRT Racing Team Beta, and Andrea Bonacorsi for Fantic Factory Racing.  MX2 riders Camden McLellan of Monster Energy Triumph Racing and Julius Mikula of TM Moto CRD Motosport also took their places on the stage, showing an impressive field of four Italian manufacturers, three Japanese, two Austrian brands and one British bike maker!

Some riders were enjoying their first Press Conference as factory riders, others have battled adversity to be here, while the main title contenders stated their case for being among the favourites.

All in all, the paddock is looking forward to a truly exciting 2025 season across 20 rounds in 18 different countries across 5 separate continents, concluding in the USA with the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations!  MXGP is back in business!

TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC-3 )

SATURDAY: 09:15-9:45 Blåkläder Start Practice MX2, 09:45-10:15 Blåkläder Start Practice MXGP, 10:45 MX2 Free Practice, 11:15 MXGP Free Practice, 13:20 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP OAT Time Practice, 15:25 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 16:10 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

Saturday’s Time Practice, the Qualifying Race, and all four GP races will be broadcasted LIVE on MXGP’s streaming service www.MXGP-TV.com, while results throughout the weekend will be available  HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

YPF Infinia MXGP of Argentina
 

For the first time in the long history of the FIM Motocross World Championship, Kawasaki will be represented this season with a factory effort in both the MX2 and MXGP classes. Prior to the opening round in Argentina we chatted with Antti Pyrhönen, the manager of the Kawasaki Racing Team whose team principal is former Formula 1 champion Kimi Räikkönen.

Since last summer, when Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. officially announced that they would enter the MX2 World Championship the Kawasaki Racing Team, which will guide this new project, had a busy winter to prepare for the 2025 season. “The team structure has grown quite a bit, with a second team which is KRT MX2 alongside KRT MXGP, so this has been a very intense winter for us even if we started our preparation already mid-way through last season. Indeed there has been a lot of planning and a lot of work to implement those plans but everything has been very positive; we have the knowledge and technical ability to progress even further, and we have the capacity to continue to build with both teams. Our progress is very positive,” explained Antti who now has a staff of twenty-two team members entering the new season.

 
Two challenges
The team faced multiple tasks throughout the winter; to develop the new KX250-SR Kawasaki, and to adapt the KX450-SR to the new FIM regulations, in particular the new noise limit (111dB max instead of 114dB). “The 250 development has been challenging; we have endeavoured to create a very professional structure and to approach the development from every angle; at first it was important to know the standard bike, and then step-by-step to develop various directions together with the rider. We are tackling this methodically which means that we can control each step to optimise performance whilst maintaining reliability. For sure it has been challenging, but once again it brings added value to our team as we have been able to commit even more great technical people to our project, and this gives added technical value to both the MX2 and MXGP programmes. Regarding the 450 programme there is a new FIM sound regulation, which is of course very positive as it is very important to reduce the noise for our sport so we can keep tracks open and alive. This aspect is positive; of course this sound regulation affects power a little, but the riders' comment have been very positive right from the beginning,” added the KRT Manager, who has enjoyed full support from factory staff in Japan all winter. “For the 250 technical development and as well for the 450 technical update and monitoring we enjoy a very close cooperation with KMC staff in Japan. Once again they have been present at all our 2025 tests; they were with us at the MX of Nations last autumn and stayed with us as we had some very intensive 2025 testing. The KMC staff came back to Europe for our winter testing on Sardinia, and it was a very intense, close and productive cooperation day-after-day. We are very fortunate that we can work so closely with the factory, giving us the opportunity and knowledge to keep improving.”.
 
A mix of experience and new blood
While Romain Febvre remains for the sixth year in-a-row as the leader of the squad the Kawasaki Racing Team welcome two new riders with French youngster Mathis Valin and former MX2 World Champion Pauls Jonass. Crowned European 250 Champion last season, Mathis will make his GP debut in Argentina. “To work with a young kid like Mathis Valin is absolutely a privilege! It has been really great because it gives an even bigger boost to me and the complete team to see his talent and motivation for everything; he is so excited in every training session! Everybody in the team sees his talent and to have this level of talent is very rare; maybe it happens once every ten years and to be part of his career and to help him is really great for us! As a person he is very respectful; he keeps his feet firmly on the ground but he is also confident enough to work with us, and it's very important that he feels confident. Concerning Pauls he is a really professional rider who knows his job, knows his training, and knows how to do the testing. We are really happy to have him in the team; he’s a great rider with great potential, has a great work ethic and is a real gain for the team. Romain continues to be a huge motivation; he has so much experience whilst retaining a vibrant enthusiasm. Each year we work with him we learn more about each other and our working relationship gets better and better. Of course it’s important for him to manage the season, the pressure and the expectations. Everybody knows what he can deliver but we approach the season working one GP at a time; we know how unpredictable our sport can be and we’ll give our best at each and every race. All of the boys have been really motivated, they know their job and we are super happy to have all three riders in the team; the boys are also standing behind the team and we have a truly great and professional atmosphere in the team. Everybody support each other to reach our common goals,” added Antti, who remains confident in the build-up to the first gate-drop of the GP season. “There is a big effort from everyone, including KME and KMC, and I want to thank everybody for their commitment and effort. Let’s continue and enjoy every moment!”

Photo Credit: Pascal Haudiquert

CORDOBA (Argentina) 26 February 2025 - The long winter’s wait finally comes to an end as the elite riders of MXGP prepare to line up at the brand new Infinito Race Track at Córdoba in Argentina for Round One of the 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship – the YPF Infinia MXGP of Argentina!

The venue, situated on the outskirts of the country’s second biggest city, known as “The Heart of Argentina”, has been specially prepared to host thousands of eager local fans as it lies just thirty minutes’ drive from the centre of the city, situated over 350 Kilometres (590 miles) north-west of the capital, Buenos Aires. It becomes the fifth circuit to host Grand Prix Motocross in the South American nation, which hosts its 17^th MXGP event, and the season opener for the fifth time.

This year’s event promises to be hotter than previous opening GPs in this country, as we are closer to the equator, and with ten manufacturers fielding factory equipment across the two classes, the action promises to match this heat as new stars come to both major classes for glory in 2025.  The YPF Infinia MXGP of Argentina will also see the first ever live broadcasting of Time Practice, for both MXGP and MX2, on Saturday afternoon via MXGP-TV!  It’s essential viewing for keeping right up to speed with who is looking strong at the very start of the year!

In MXGP, Tim Gajser comes to the event as the clear favourite, having won more GPs than anyone else in Argentina (2016, ’17, and ’22), and winning both the Saturday Qualifying Race and Sunday’s second outing last year.  After finishing just ten points away from last year’s world crown, the Honda HRC team leader is just one victory away from the magic half-century of GP wins, which would match the record of the late, great, Joel Robert, currently fifth on the all-time wins list.

The Slovenian would have been expecting a challenge from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Jeffrey Herlings and fast rookie Lucas Coenen, but injury has knocked Herlings out of at least the first round, and a late practice crash for the teenage Belgian has seen him come to Argentina hoping that he has completely recovered.  The winner of more MX2 GPs than anybody last season could surely be a threat to become the first ever teenage MXGP Champion in the current format, but the question of his current condition might only be answered in Saturday’s Time Practice or Qualifying Race.

There will still be plenty of challengers for the crown, however, as Kawasaki Racing Team duo Romain Febvre and Pauls Jonass, each with a world title to their name, have looked strong in pre-season races and are fired-up for the new season.  Jonass won back-to-back MX2 Grands Prix in Argentina in 2017 & ’18, while Febvre took a strong second to open his account here last year. Gajser’s own teammate, Ruben Fernandez, took his sole MXGP victory to date in Argentina two years ago, so he certainly has a chance of repeating that feat this weekend!

Monster Energy Yamaha Racing MXGP field their own ex-World Champion, Maxime Renaux, as well as multiple MX2 silver medallist, and 2023’s MX2 winner in Argentina, Jago Geerts, besides strong Dutchman Calvin Vlaanderen.

The exciting all-new Aruba.it Ducati Factory MX Team brings a strong line-up into its first full MXGP season, as five-time silver medallist Jeremy Seewer leads the iconic Italian brand’s charge, with enthusiastic backup from popular Italian Mattia Guadagnini.  See the bike up-close in the Official GoPro Lap shown online, as well as just prior to the first MX2 race on Sunday afternoon.

Fantic Factory Racing have added strong Italian Andrea Bonacorsi to join Dutch veterans Glenn Coldenhoff and Brian Bogers, and all three are keen to challenge for podium finishes and GP victories.  Yet another Italian brand, campaigning under the MRT Racing Team Beta banner, pitches British former MX2 GP winner Ben Watson with new German teammate Tom Koch, and the feedback on the new bike is very much on the positive side.

The Motul Honda SR Motoblouz Team have brought in Alberto Forato to join Kevin Horgmo in what looks like the strongest non-Factory team on the gate.  Independent riders Jan Pancar of TEM JP253 KTM Racing, JWR Racing Honda new boy Cornelius Toendel, and JK Racing Yamaha’s Isak Gifting cannot be counted out of putting in strong performances as well!

Main Photo: 2024 MXGP Start Argentina

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser, 2024; 2. Lucas Coenen, 2025

2024 YPF Infinia MXGP of Argentina MXGP Top 3:

1. Jorge Prado
2. Romain Febvre
3. Tim Gajser

14 Grand Prix Winners entered in MXGP for Argentina:

• Tim Gajser – 49 GP Wins
• Jago Geerts – 24
• Romain Febvre – 21
• Jeremy Seewer – 13
• Pauls Jonass – 12
• Lucas Coenen – 10
• Maxime Renaux – 8
• Glenn Coldenhoff – 6
• Valentin Guillod – 3
• Calvin Vlaanderen – 2
• Mattia Guadagnini – 2
• Ben Watson – 2
• Ruben Fernandez – 1
• Brian Bogers – 1

In the MX2 class, reigning World Champion Kay de Wolf has elected to race with the #1 plate, and as he continues his career-long relationship with Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing, he certainly looks to be the pre-season favourite to retain his title, despite a minor leg injury affecting his February warm-up race programme.

The tall Dutchman took the overall GP win in Argentina last year with a 2-1 scorecard, and was never to relinquish the red plate he took home from South America.

The biggest challenge could come from his teammate Liam Everts, who returns from the injuries sustained in China last year with his new race number #26 and an all-new look with Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing. However, the Belgian will look to build through the season and increase his GP win tally from his current total of five, two of which came last year.

The real threat to De Wolf might be from last year’s first race winner, and three-time MX2 bronze-medallist Simon Laengenfelder, who stays with the Davide De Carli-ran team, now in orange as part of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.  The German also races with the new number of #27, and has looked in great form in pre-season races.  His big challenge will be to convert race-winning pace to overall victories, of which he has only three despite taking 12 individual race wins in his career.

Simon’s new teammate Sacha Coenen must also be considered a title contender in his third year in the series, especially if he can convert his incredible dominance of the Fox Holeshot Award into more race wins and GP victories.  The young Belgian took more than double the number of holeshots of anyone else in the series in 2024, with 16 compared to Laengenfelder’s seven, and he took his first GP victories in Latvia and Italy.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing stable also sees 2023 Champion Andrea Adamo and second-year French whizz-kid Marc-Antoine Rossi under the management of Joel Smets and hungry for success after they both suffered a troubled 2024 season.

One of the biggest buzzes around the MX2 paddock for 2025 is the addition of last year’s EMX250 title combatants Mathis Valin and Valerio Lata to the GP ranks, each on new Japanese factory MX2 machinery.

Frenchman Valin, the reigning EMX250 Champion, has looked very impressive on the new Kawasaki Factory Racing MX2 bike, and has his eyes set on the podium and more!  Lata joins fellow Italian teenager Ferruccio Zanchi on the Honda HRC MX2 squad, and both riders looked on the pace in pre-season races.

As in MXGP, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 squad is unchanged from the end of last year, and French stylist Thibault Benistant will run the new #9 plates in his last shot at an MX2 title before he hits the age limit for the class.  Dutchman Rick Elzinga also drops a digit to run #4 as he attempts to continue his ascent, that very nearly delivered his first GP win in 2024.  With them again is rising Latvian star Karlis Reisulis, who finished second only to De Wolf in the MX2 division at the 2024 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, and that was after winning the B-Final to put his country in the races!  A fast starter and confident character, he is looking for 2025 to be his real breakthrough season.

In the talent-packed MX2 field, the Monster Energy Triumph Racing team returns for its second season in the class, keeping the entertaining South African Camden McLellan onboard to look for more podium finishes, and bringing in the talented Spaniard Guillem Farres to begin his first full season of MX2 racing with the British manufacturer.

Young Czech hopeful Julius Mikula will start his first season as a full factory rider with the TM Moto CRD Motosport team and joins a long list of talent scrapping for top ten positions or better! Cas Valk, who gave Lata and Valin a hard time in EMX250 last year, also moves to MX2 with the returning Venrooy KTM squad, and could definitely be a surprise contender. 

Quentin Marc Prugnieres has moved to the WZ-Racing KTM team and could be a threat, as could BTS Racing Team duo Jens Walvoort and Oriol Oliver.

So, all eyes turn to Argentina this weekend as the 20-round long MXGP season gets underway to begin the truly global battle to be World Motocross Champion in 2025!

Main Photo: 2024 MXGP Start Argentina

Bottom Photos: 1. 2024 MXGP World Champion Kay de Wolf; 2. Mathis Valin, 2024

2024 YPF Infinia MXGP of Argentina MX2 Top 3

1. Kay de Wolf
2. Simon Laengenfelder
3. Mikkel Haarup

6 Grand Prix Winners entered in MX2 for Argentina:

• Kay de Wolf – 8 GP Wins
• Liam Everts – 5
• Simon Laengenfelder – 3
• Thibault Benistant – 3
• Sacha Coenen – 2
• Andrea Adamo – 2

TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC-3 )

SATURDAY: 09:15-9:45 Blåkläder Start Practice MX2, 09:45-10:15 Blåkläder Start Practice MXGP, 10:45 MX2 Free Practice, 11:15 MXGP Free Practice, 13:20 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP OAT Time Practice, 15:25 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 16:10 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

Saturday’s Time Practice, the Qualifying Race, and all four GP races will be broadcasted LIVE on MXGP’s streaming service www.MXGP-TV.com, while results throughout the weekend will be available  HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

YPF Infinia MXGP of Argentina
 

Almost one year on from Mikkel Haarup scoring Triumph’s first ever podium result at round one of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship, Monster Energy Triumph Factory Racing has safely arrived in Argentina, ready to kick off the 2025 season. With the returning Camden McLellan and new signing Guillem Farres set to compete aboard the proven TF 250-X, the talented duo have the machinery and team behind them to deliver a successful campaign.

In 2024, McLellan placed an impressive ninth overall in the final FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship standings. The South African’s season-best finish of third overall came at round three at the bottomless sand track of Riola Sardo in Sardinia, underlining his speed, fitness, and the capability of his TF 250-X. An unfortunate injury one month later forced him to miss six Grands Prix but once he returned to racing, he became a continual top five threat and picked up two more moto podium results. Now, with a restructured training program and improved race bike for 2025, McLellan is poised to challenge for the MX2 title.

Since joining Monster Energy Triumph Factory Racing in October, Farres has settled into his new surroundings very quickly and soon began fine-tuning his machine with the team in southern Spain. Despite possessing racing experience in both Europe and the USA, 2025 marks Farres’ first full season of racing in MX2. Undeniably, the young Spaniard is eager to impress and ensure his name features at the top of the results on a regular basis throughout the new campaign.

After the 2025 racing season kicks off in Argentina this weekend, the MX2 Motocross World Championship calendar takes Monster Energy Triumph Factory Racing to 17 other countries spread over four continents, with the 20th and final round taking place in Darwin, Australia, on September 21.

Camden McLellan:

“I’m feeling good after a really productive off-season. With the team we’ve done a lot of testing and made some great improvements with the bike. I’ve also changed up my training program, and I now work with Clement Desalle for both on-bike and off-bike training, so I’m looking forward to putting what we’ve done together to the test in Argentina and beyond. As always, the goal for the season is to be up front but at the first round it’s really important to stay calm and not take too many risks as we have a long year ahead of us. I’ve had a really good winter with the team and now I can’t wait to get the new season started.”

Guillem Farres:

“My pre-season testing and training has been really good and I’m excited to get the new season underway. Since I joined the team, everyone has made me feel really welcome and we’ve all put in a lot of hard work over the winter. Once I got comfortable on the bike, which didn’t take too long, I haven’t really changed much at all. We then rode at a lot of different tracks in the sand, mud, and hard pack, and I feel great on the bike. This year is my first in MX2 and I know it will be a tough one with a lot of races and we’ll go to many places that I’ve never been to before. So that’s exciting for me and I know that if I can ride to my potential then the results will come. For the opening round it’s quite good that we’re going to a new track as no one will have an advantage there, and my goal is to put good points on the board.”

Vincent Bereni – Monster Energy Triumph Factory Racing Team Manager:

“Our winter training has been really positive. Camden and Guillem get along really well and that makes for a nice atmosphere within the team. They’ve been working with Clement during the off-season and everything has been really positive. The race bikes have been refined for this year to comply with the new sound regulations, and we’ve also improved things on the chassis side for better handling. The overall package that we had last year was really good, but now it’s even better and the riders are very happy with what we’ve provided them with. All of the hard work is done and now it’s time to go racing. This will be our second season with Triumph in MXGP and with our experience from last year, we’re in a much better position. Everyone involved is excited to start the 2025 season this weekend in Argentina and both riders have everything they need to be running up front.”

Photo Credit : Ray Archer

CORDOBA (Argentina) 25 February 2025 – The 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship begins in Argentina as MXGP arrives in Córdoba for the highly anticipated season opener at the Infinito Race Track on March 1-2.

Check out the full timetable and entry lists for the YPF Infinia MXGP of Argentina below.

TIMETABLE

MXGP ENTRY LIST

MX2 ENTRY LIST

For years the MXGP championship has travelled afar, from its early steps decades ago, into countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Argentina, Mexico, America and Australia, international travel remains an important part of the sports growth. China, Qatar and Thailand have in recent years joined the long list of countries who are involved in Motocross Grand Prix and no doubt, in the future new countries will join in on the party.

Hans Corvers can see why the MXGP championship travels all around the World, from Argentina, Indonesia, China, Australia and USA and he feels that the Japanese companies involved in the sport see that as big value. As the team owner of the Monster Energy Yamaha effort in MXGP, the Belgian businessman is excited for the future with Japan involved in the series. Yamaha are also investing more into the MXGP and MX2 factory teams because of the model Infront Moto Racing developed over the years.

“I think because it is more global,” Covers said. “That is a fact, it is definitely Japan who want this (more factory riders). It was the Japanese so many years ago with Honda who made the bigger program and then Yamaha and then in 2022 we had the MX2 class for Yamaha, with Kemea and then Gariboldi with HRC started their MX2 program and now Kawasaki have an MX2 team and also Triumph. This winter for the first time, we had some Japanese guys coming over to our workshop and they really pushed hard on technical decisions, and they are more and more involved, with Kawasaki, HRC and Yamaha. You see it with Kawasaki, there are more and more Japanese in the paddock, their technical guys.”

Dutchman, Kay Henekkens, the owner of the Nestaan Husqvarna factory team feels that negative comments will be around forever, but he is a believer that the MXGP Championship is a well-run championship and is keen to see the sport continue to grow and the Motocross World Championship remain as strong as it is right now.

“You know,” Henekkens said. “There will always be a group of people who want to complain that the old days was always better, they will complain that there are only 25 riders on the gate, but even in the USA, where there are 40 riders, they still lap up to 10th place or 15th place, so for me, at the end of the day, just to get 15 more riders on the gate, to fill it up and have more lapped riders getting in the way of the fast guys, doesn’t make for me any sense. In general, I think Infront, do a very good, decent job. Can they do better, sometimes maybe, I don’t know. It is a big job.”

So, with huge support from Japan, Austria, the UK and Italy and the MXGP championship continuing to grow and produce Grand Prix racing in important parts of the World, the sport can continue to see a light at the end of the tunnel. While Europe remains a little unstable with their economy, travelling to countries like Australia, Indonesia and China will only make the value of our sport bigger and for now, that is a very important direction.

Photo Credit: Bavo Swijgers / Fullspectrum Media

The Kawasaki Racing Team enters the FIM Motocross World Championship stronger than ever in 2025 as the team will compete in both major classes this year; alongside the rich history of the team in the MXGP class, a new chapter will open as they will also line up in the MX2 class.

Based in Lommel (Belgium), which is considered the ‘heart of European motocross’, the Kawasaki Racing Team has a long experience in racing in the premier off-road series as both the team owner and management have been involved in motorsport for many years.
 
Former Formula1 world champion Kimi Räikkönen, the team principal who has been passionate about motocross since his childhood, is universally respected in the sport as is team manager Antti Pyrhönen, who successfully contested the motocross world championship for more than a decade before turning to team management twelve years ago.
 
Working closely with Kawasaki Motors Ltd, the team achieved outstanding results during the last two campaigns as they celebrated twenty-three GP podiums, six GP victories and twelve moto wins in the MXGP class, the pinnacle of off-road racing.
 
Throughout the winter the team members and Japanese engineers have worked systematically to optimise Kawasaki's commitment to new FIM technical and environmental rules with continued updates and refinement to the KX-SR factory machines, which themselves are developed from the stock bikes available to customers at the worldwide network of Kawasaki dealerships.
 
Testing went perfectly in sunny Sardinia throughout January to prepare for the first pre-season races, prior to the opening round of the FIM World Championship in Argentina on March 1^st/2^nd.
 
It was a busy and intense winter as the team will not only remain committed to success in the MXGP class with Frenchman Romain Febvre – it will be his fourth season with the team – and Latvian Pauls Jonass – a former MX2 world champion – but also extend their portfolio by entering the MX2 class as the official Kawasaki team for the first time with Mathis Valin.
 
After his victorious campaign in the European EMX250 series during his first season with Kawasaki, French teenager Mathis Valin has been promoted to lead this exciting challenge with the new KX250-SR Kawasaki as KRT seek success in both classes to excite and satisfy the hunger of the lime-green community worldwide.
 
Mr Manabu Shinobu: Senior Manager -Marketing Department - Marketing & Sales Division -Kawasaki Motors, Ltd: “The Kawasaki official entry in both MXGP and MX2 for the 2025 season shows our level of commitment to off-road sport. We hope fans globally share in the success that is being anticipated using the same KX models that fans can purchase as the base for the world championship machines being campaigned.”
 
Antti Pyrhönen : Team Manager: “The time we are all working towards is here yet again and the Championship is set to start. I am feeling very calm, our riders have completed an extremely strong winter test program and the team is in a good place”
 
Steve Guttridge: Race Planning Manager – Kawasaki Motors Europe: “The 2025 season lays ahead and both the team and all lime green fans are ready for the gate to drop. Competing officially in both MXGP and MX2 is a huge step forward for our motocross project and we have the riders, staff and machinery in place to make a huge impact.”  
 
Romain Febvre: "We had perfect conditions to work in Sardinia; I also had a perfect physical training schedule in Spain before Christmas and then again n Sardinia. The Japanese engineers were with us in Sardinia; we had successful testing sessions with them, and I must say that the bike now suits me even better! I feel confident for the season ahead; now I can’t wait to be behind the starting gate to finalise our preparation!"

 
Pauls Jonass: “Everything has been going really good so far, good preparation and good testing weeks in Sardinia, it was good to know the bike more and more and work on different things as I have never been riding a Kawasaki before joining the team. It has been great to learn the bike better, to work with the mechanics and everyone in the team before the first races. Of course there is still some work to do, but the season is long. I feel ready to go racing and excited to see how the bike and I react in race conditions."

 
Mathis Valin: “I was welcomed whole-heartedly by the team and I immediately felt comfortable with the team members and the bike. We worked a lot this winter with the team. I also worked hard physically and I feel ready for the new season; I'm happy to be back racing soon to face the challenges ahead."

Photo Credit: ShotbyBavo