MX2

LUGO, (Spain) 12 May 2024 – The Circuito Municipal Jorge Prado hosted the MXGP of Galicia for the sixth round of the MXGP World Motocross Championship this weekend, and the new venue to the series made an instant impression as a packed gallery of fans enjoyed an action-packed Grand Prix in sunny conditions, that couldn’t have been more of a contrast to the previous week’s mudfest in Portugal!

After losing the red plate at the previous round, home hero Jorge Prado delivered the goods for his local supporters and for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing. The hometown hero, who grew up near to the circuit, and after whom the venue is named, achieved the same perfect weekend as he did on the previous visit to Spanish soil back in March. The two race wins and misfortune for Team HRC’s Tim Gajser means that the reigning champ will once more bolt the red plate onto his bike for the next round in France!

In what is turning into another fantastic season of MX2 action, four riders finished a frantic day’s racing with just one point separating them! With a dominant second race win from Lucas Coenen to seal his first overall victory of the year, it was the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team that deservedly took the winner’s trophy back to their transporter, as well as the red plate for his teammate Kay de Wolf.

After a stunning victory in Saturday’s RAM Qualifying Race swung the momentum back towards home heroPrado, he found his perfect recipe once more with a clear Fox Holeshot Award in race one, ahead of Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre, and the Spaniard proceeded to pull away and deliver the win that all of his fans wanted to see.  

Although Gajser was initially third, a sweet move from Calvin Vlaanderen on his Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP machine moved the Slovenian back, even putting Valentin Guillod ahead of him on the Team Ship to Cycle Honda. Not long after Gajser blasted through the middle of them to reclaim third, he then dropped the bike in the corner before the wave section and had to fight back to 6^th, further hampered by another off-track excursion that could have been a lot worse than it was!

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing man Jeffrey Herlings fought his way up to fourth ahead of Febvre’s teammate Jeremy Seewer, but the top three of Prado, Febvre and Vlaanderen held their positions to the finish.

In race two, there was confusion for Prado and Herlings as their gates failed to drop, so a red flag was waved to force a restart.  With Vlaanderen tasting a chance at the podium, it was the Yamaha that hit the first corner in front, but halfway around the first full lap he soon fell prey to a swift move up the inside from Prado.

Gajser had started outside of the top ten, but charged through the pack to lie third by the end of the first full lap, and on lap seven he charged past Vlaanderen into second position. For the next ten laps he stalked the reigning champion in a fascinating duel of unstoppable force versus immovable object, until finally the chase was too much and the Slovenian fell in a tight left-handed corner. He managed to salvage third in the race for fourth overall.

As the track got rougher, Herlings was able to keep his speed up and pounce on those who couldn’t. With aggressive moves on Seewer, Fantic Factory Racing rider Glenn Coldenhoff, Febvre, and finally Vlaanderen, “The Bullet” worked his way into third, and was close enough to take advantage of Gajser’s fall to inherit a solid second. He even caused Prado to look over his shoulder during the final lap, and ironically the two riders who got stuck in the gate before the red flag went on to finish first and second! The result was enough to put the KTM man into second overall, his best of the year so far, with Febvre third overall.

Sadly for Vlaanderen, he crashed in a rut immediately after Herlings went past him, and finished the race in seventh to claim fifth overall.  Prado’s 43^rd career GP win means that he leads the series again, by just two points from Gajser.  Febvre lies a further 29 points behind in third, then 21 further back is Herlings, now 52 back from the leader.  It’s well and truly still on for St. Jean!

Jorge Prado: “My goal coming into the weekend was to win, win as much as I could and it just went perfect going 1-1-1 again! I’m in a good form this year and I hope we can keep it until the end of the season. I’m so happy! It was hard because I did a lot things around racing and it was a tough weekend but once I was on track, I was on it and full focus. Yesterday after a bad start I got to the front but today with good starts I was at the front from the beginning so that made it easier. Super happy with my riding and my effort, I just want to thank the whle Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing team and we’ll keep it going! “

Jeffrey Herlings: “It’s my best result so far although it was unfortunate last weekend as it could have been a GP win. I mean it’s not bad at all. Okay I missed my start in the first race but managed to finish 4^th. But then I had a decent start in the second one but got passed by couple of guys early on but I try to get better with the starts and it’s coming on. The speed is coming back, I feel I had the speed today in the end to work the track a bit. Not everything went together as I didn’t win but step by step I’m coming back and very happy with the podium”

Romain Febvre: “I’m happy to be on the box for sure. The first race I thought I had something for Jorge (Prado) but he was fast. I didn’t do so many mistakes and I was happy with second. Second starts were not the best actually but the first two laps went really good but then I lost a little bit my rhythm and got a bit disappointed but Vlaanderen’s crash put me on the podium so mixed emotions but we get back to work. Next weekend is my home GP so let’s go for that!”

Main Photo: Jorge Prado

Bottom Photos: 1. Jeffrey Herlings; 2. Romain Febvre 

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 - Top 10 Classification 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), 34:11.687; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:02.036; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:02.599; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:16.658; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:23.255; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:27.707; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +0:43.667; 8. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +0:45.774; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Honda), +0:52.013; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, Fantic), +0:58.586

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 - Top 10 Classification : 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), 34:04.763; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:02.880; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:10.110; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:18.797; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +0:23.497; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:28.722; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:41.101; 8. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:53.755; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +1:01.502; 10. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Honda), +1:04.467

MXGP Overall - Top 10 Classification: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 50 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 40 p.; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 35 p.; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 34 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 31 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 30 p.; 8. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 25 p.; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 23 p.; 10. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 21

MXGP - World Championship - Top 10 Classification: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 298 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 296 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 267 p.; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 246 p.; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 217 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 193 p.; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 191 p.; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 179 p.; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 120 p.; 10. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 115 p

MXGP - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Honda, 311 points; 2. GASGAS, 298 p.; 3. Kawasaki, 280 p.; 4. KTM, 258 p.; 5. Yamaha, 229 p.; 6. Fantic, 185 p.; 7. Beta, 108 p.; 8. Husqvarna, 44 p.;

The MX2 class once more brought us two fantastic races, with the top positions in doubt right to the end of both encounters, and multiple overtaking moves available around the fast and spectacular Lugo circuit.  

Fresh from his RAM Qualifying Race win, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 star Thibault Benistanttook his first Fox Holeshot Award of the season in race one, with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo of Sacha Coenen and Andrea Adamo on his tail! Their teammate Liam Everts was not far behind either, diving past Simon Laengenfelder, who was riding with a plated collarbone for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing and was purely out to salvage some points in his quest for the title.  

Adamo was in the mood to take advantage of his good start, and a slip by Benistant gave him the half-chance he wanted to make the move mid-way around the first full lap.  De Wolf was on the charge and fired past Everts along the start straight, then after three more laps made a clean pass on Sacha Coenen! His teammate Lucas had to charge from even further back and would have to settle for fourth at the flag.

In an intense battle that saw the series leader employ a triple jump into the waves that was previously reserved only for the 450s, De Wolf finally got the better of Benistant with a similar move to the one he’d used on Everts. After the very next corner, the Frenchman suffered a big over-the-handlebars crash that amazingly caused no damage to either him or the bike! He was able to hold on for fifth behind Everts and Lucas Coenen, but all eyes were on De Wolf as he charged after Adamo!

The series leader hauled in the reigning champ, and very nearly overcooked it on the final lap in the waves section that he was so fast through! Ultimately it was the Italian that took the race win by 0.732 of a second

Race two saw more intense battling, but this time it had nothing to do with the leader, as Lucas Coenen moved rapidly to the front around the opening circulation past Fox Holeshot taker Everts and fast starter Mads Fredsoe. Once again, De Wolf was buried in the pack and had a lot of work to do.  And a lot of work he did do!

While Sacha Coenen fought hard with Team HRC’s Ferruccio Zanchi and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 charger Rick Elzinga, De Wolf closed in after passing Zanchi on lap three.  He was able to hunt down and pass Elzinga by lap eight, and Sacha Coenen for third by lap thirteen, with Adamo and the Monster Energy Triumph Racing machine of Mikkel Haarup in tow! 

Benistant was also not far off their pace, but had to settle for sixth in the race for fifth overall.  Haarup was able to claim fifth in the race after a crash had limited him to ninth in race one.  Adamo had to accept fourth for the second step on the overall podium, but De Wolf tore after Everts, trying to not just get on the podium, but claim the overall win if he made the pass on the KTM man!

His chase fell agonisingly short, but after three straight wins followed by three straight fourth places, plus the injury for Laengenfelder which restricted the German to 7-9 finishes, the Dutchman’s Championship lead has increased to 44 points.  Everts’ third overall puts him 18 behind Laengenfelder, and back ahead of Benistant, who heads to his home Grand Prix next weekend!

Overall though, Lucas Coenen was rightfully happy with his first Grand Prix win of the year and only the second of his career, and lying fifth behind Benistant means that he still has a long season to take advantage of his speed if he can only keep from crashing.  It’s certainly still possible!

So after six rounds the contrast of the big hitters in MXGP in a titanic championship battle, and the all-out warfare of MX2 making it tough to predict a winner every time, makes this Championship one to savour as it heads to the fine slopes of France next weekend!

Lucas Coenen: “I’m back! Not 100% yet with the shoulder but I’m battling a bit with it but we’ve done a great job today. In the first race I was a bit mad at myself that I couldn’t pass someone but second race I knew that the start was going to be vital. I went 3^rd and then quickly first then made a gap and controlled it. I’m very happy with this second race and we’ll keep on going for the rest of the season like this and let’s see where we will be”

Andrea Adamo: “I messed up the start in the second race, like they were passing me right and left and I didn’t understand what was happening and then got into my rhythm again! I made some good passes and followed Kay (de Wolf), at some points I felt I was a bit faster but with lapper it’s never easy to manage and lost ground to him. In the end, second overall, same point as the first it’s good and we’ll try to step up again for the next one. I’m happy and it was a solid day!”

Liam Everts: “Today I wasn’t on form really and missed the edge but put myself in good position in both races with good starts and a Fox Holeshot. So I’m happy to leave here with some consistency and on the box again. Big thanks to the whole team and let’s for the next one in France”

Main Photo: Lucas Coenen

Bottom Photos: 1. Andrea Adamo; 2. Liam Everts 

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 1 - Top 10 Classification : 1. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 34:23.923; 2. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:00.732; 3. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:08.044; 4. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:14.344; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:23.543; 6. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:25.794; 7. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:32.078; 8. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:33.797; 9. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:38.384; 10. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, GASGAS), +0:59.661;

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification : 1. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), 34:49.474; 2. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:02.658; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:05.026; 4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:15.030; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:17.888; 6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:21.302; 7. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:39.731; 8. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:45.215; 9. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:55.051; 10. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +1:11.415;

MX2 Overall – Top 10 Classification : 1. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 43 points; 2. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 43 p.; 3. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 42 p.; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 42 p.; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 31 p.; 6. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 29 p.; 7. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 28 p.; 8. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 26 p.; 9. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 26 p.; 10. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, HON), 21 p

MX2 - World Championship Classification : 1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 292 points; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 248 p.; 3. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 230 p.; 4. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 226 p.; 5. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 223 p.; 6. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 211 p.; 7. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 190 p.; 8. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 182 p.; 9. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 141 p.; 10. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 126 p

MX2 - Manufacturers Classification : 1. Husqvarna, 312 points; 2. KTM, 298 p.; 3. GASGAS, 250 p.; 4. Yamaha, 248 p.; 5. Triumph, 207 p.; 6. Kawasaki, 119 p.; 7. Honda, 103 p.; 8. Fantic, 72 p.; 9. TM, 17 p

MXGP OF GALICIA MXGP/MX2 HIGHLIGHTS: https://youtu.be/PAaBF8nvKX0

All the photos from the MXGP of Galicia will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF GALICIA QUICK FACTS:

Crowd Attendance: 33,230

Circuit length: 1550m

Type of ground: Dark Sand Soil

Temperature: 19˚

Weather conditions: Cloudy

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Lugo
 

LUGO (Galicias,Spain) 11 May 2024 – At the scenic and brilliant new venue of Lugo for the MXGP of Galicia, today’s RAM Qualifying Races provided some amazing competition to get the weekend underway! In front of a loud and enthusiastic crowd that turned out mainly to cheer for their hometown hero, the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing star Jorge Prado did not let his supporters down, with a stunning victory that involved passes on two of his main rivals. That was after the first World Championship chequered flag at this circuit was waved for Thibault Benistant of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team, but it was so nearly a very different story!

In a fascinating morning of action on a circuit that only local boy and reigning MXGP World Champion Pradohad any prior knowledge of, the world’s fastest Motocross riders were soon cutting their lap times down to get the best possible gate pick. Some riders took their time to gradually reduce their lap times as they learnt the circuit, but the pack looked close on the timing charts in both classes heading into the afternoon’s RAM Qualifying Races.  And all of them were able to come out in full attack mode when the gate dropped!

World Championship leader Tim Gajser put down his marker for Team HRC with the fastest time in Free Practice, with Prado in second. Then in Time Practice it was the turn of Jeffrey Herlings to show his hand for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, flying to the pole position lap, only half a tenth of a second ahead of Gajser! 

Herlings used the inside gate to good effect and led into the first corner, but Gajser cut a stunning line out of turn two to grab the lead! The Dutchman was not rolling over, however, and made a brilliant pass to take it back, before the Slovenian used a big, 450-only triple jump into the wave section to retake the advantage that Herlings would not get to take back.

Meanwhile, Prado had been battling with the fast-starting Calvin Vlaanderen, who had fought the Spaniard back to keep third for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP. A decisive move on the second lap allowed Prado to clear the #10 rider and chase down Herlings, and Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre followed him through immediately!

From there, Prado built his momentum with the crowd urging him on through every twist of the throttle! Five laps later, he drove past the KTM talisman to take second, and Febvre would also get past Herlings a lap later. With the fastest lap of the race, Prado closed in on Gajser, and squeezed into the lead just after crossing the finish line to start lap seven!

From there, the lead positions were set until a small mistake from Febvre three laps from the end allowed Herlings to regain third, as Vlaanderen recovered to claim fifth ahead of the Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jeremy Seewer.

The result for Prado, a race where he moved forward better than at any time before in this Championship, was probably more important than just the one-point gain over Gajser, and the series lead is now just 13 points for the Slovenian heading into tomorrow’s main Grand Prix races!

Jorge Prado: “It wasn’t too bad of a start but I think I was around 4th or 5th in the first two laps and there were good battles with some of the guys too but once I made few passes and got to Jeffrey I knew I had to pass straight away. I was checking out the rhythm see how he went. As soon as I saw that they slowed down a bit I made my attacks. I got to Gajser after, made the pass and controlled the race so yeah, I really enjoyed the ride”

MXGP - RAM Qualifying Race – Classification: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), 23:56.718; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:00.631; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:07.465; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:13.756; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:14.672; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:15.933; 7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +0:32.929; 8. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:36.028; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Honda), +0:43.118; 10. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, KTM), +0:43.829

MXGP - World Championship Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 261 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 248 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 227 p.; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 206 p.; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 194 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 162 p.; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 157 p.; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 149 p.; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 108 p.; 10. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 95 p

Main Photo: Jorge Prado

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser; 2. Jeffrey Herlings

Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing again saw their riders at the top in MX2, as Kay de Wolf and Lucas Coenen finished 1-2 in both Free and Time Practice, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s defending Champion Andrea Adamo coming to the line in third.

A terrible start for the red plate holder De Wolf left him buried in the pack, while the holeshot went to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing flyer Sacha Coenen! Returning from injury was Team HRC rookie Ferruccio Zanchi, and all the pent-up aggression bore fruit as he held 2nd from title chaser Simon Laengenfelder, himself racing after surgery on a broken collarbone sustained in Portugal! The German on the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing machine looked in fine form despite the injury, and would finish in fifth position.

Thibault Benistant moved forward into second place by the end of the first full lap, but behind him there was a three-bike pile-up involving Sacha’s teammates Liam Everts and Adamo, as well as Mikkel Haarup for Monster Energy Triumph Racing! There was no catching Sacha Coenen who looked in total command for almost the entire race.  Zanchi also held firm in third. Kay de Wolf was charging through the pack and would eventually get to seventh, losing just two points to Laengenfelder.

On the last few laps, everything changed! Lucas Coenen had been hassling Laengenfelder, and finally moved up to fourth as they took the 2-Lap board, then immediately dived on Zanchi to take third! With half a lap to go, there was heartbreak for Sacha Coenen who crashed in the wooded section out of the lead, and then dropped the bike again as he tried to get going! 

Restarting just in front of his brother, Lucas was merciless in getting through to second with his best ride for some time. Sacha would have to console himself with third and forget about what might have been.  He could be a serious threat on Sunday!

It was Benistant, however, who took his first Qualifying victory for well over a year, and with Everts unable to get back into the top ten, the Frenchman reclaims third in the Championship standings, while De Wolf holds an advantage of 28 points and a mission to get a better start tomorrow!

Thibault Benistant: “I was quite patient all the race actually and I was feeling good. I still feel a bit tight but I took a good start which I wanted for a long time. It’s really nice to start at the front and kept pushing until the end and Sacha (Coenen) made a mistake so I can say I was a bit luck yin the end..but I stayed on the wheels and I won so I’m very happy!” 

MX2 - RAM Qualifying Race – Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), 24:15.094; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:11.495; 3. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:13.108; 4. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:15.460; 5. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:20.181; 6. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:24.142; 7. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:26.524; 8. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:31.410; 9. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +0:34.755; 10. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, GASGAS), +0:36.321

MX2 - World Championship Classification: 1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 250 points; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 222 p.; 3. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 195 p.; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 188 p.; 5. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 180 p.; 6. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 168 p.; 7. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 164 p.; 8. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 154 p.; 9. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 126 p.; 10. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 112 p

Main Photo: Thibault Benistant

Bottom Photos: 1. Lucas Coenen; 2. Sacha Coenen

​WATCH RAM QUALIFYING RACES HIGHLIGHTS HERE 

All the photos from the MXGP of Galicia will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF GALICIA QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1550m

Type of ground: Dark Sand Soil

Temperature: 22°

Weather conditions: Sunny

TIMETABLE 

SUNDAY: 09:40 EMX125 Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 WMX Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Lugo
 

Based at its impressive workshop near the Lommel track in Belgium, the new enterprise will come under the responsibility of existing KRT Manager, Antti Pyrhönen, while team staffing will evolve and expand according to the extra demands of an additional championship.

Initially utilising the direct relationship that the team has with the KMC factory engineers in Japan - including their wealth of design knowledge and engineering insight relating to the production KX250 machine - the KRT MX2 team will be working on an all new specification across the coming months gearing towards a fully developed race machine for 2025 season.

With no decision at this time being made on who may ride for the team, KRT are targeting those with both podium potential allied to the skill to provide accurate feedback during the important pre-season testing phase. 

Speaking of the new challenge, Antti Pyrhönen, KRT MXGP Manager,
was in characteristically optimistic mood.
“When I discussed with our Team Principle, Kimi Räikkönen, the possibility to raise our game to another level and enter MX2 he immediately saw the potential and agreed this was our next logical step. We have built up an incredible working relationship with Kawasaki in Japan and we are determined to repay their trust in us by making an impact with this new project”.

For Kawasaki Motors Europe, Race Planning Manager, Steve Guttridge, emphasised the potential of the new initiative in terms of guiding young talent to the very top.
“Having both MXGP and MX2 run by our factory team offers Kawasaki the opportunity to offer young, very talented riders a dream seat in MX2. Being inside KRT means they can also be well prepared for future MXGP duties within a familiar team environment. We want to win World titles with home grown talent; the structure that Antti and Kimi have built alongside our factory staff offers just that”.

Concluding, Shigemi Tanaka, General Manager, Marketing & Sales Division, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. commented.
“This is an important step for Kawasaki and it reflects our long established ethos of growing and encouraging talent from green shoots to green wins. It is fundamental to our off road philosophy to provide not just hardware in terms of competitive KX machinery but also the “software” historically manifested by our legendary Team Green race and rider support programme.
The best way to lead is by example, so the establishment of this factory attack on MX2 honours within the highly professional and proven race-winning structure of the Kawasaki Racing Team will provide a stable base for rider and championship success. We hope youth riders will see this as something to aspire to and, in turn, to graduate from MX2 experience and success towards MXGP, the very pinnacle of motocross.”

Photo Credit : Kawasaki

In the most gruelling of racing environments, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP's newest recruit, Andrea Bonacorsi, made a splash at the fifth round of the MXGP World Championship in Agueda, Portugal, powering his YZ450FM through the mire to start his MXGP career on the cusp of the top-five!

A damp and drizzly week leading into the Portuguese Grand Prix turned torrential just two laps into the opening MXGP race on Sunday afternoon, transforming Agueda's distinctive orange soil into an unforgiving quagmire of mud and muck. The combination of deep ruts and slippery sections tested the skills of even the most seasoned MXGP riders in the world. For 'Bona', as a newcomer to the MXGP class, his 450cc debut could not have been under more challenging circumstances.

{Go inside the MXGP of Portugal raw and unfiltered with Bona during his MXGP debut and the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team as they storm to a season-best double podium finish with Rick Elzinga and Thibault Benistant finishing second and third, respectively.}

"Moving up to the MXGP class was the biggest decision of my life," Bonacorsi explained. "The Hutten crew were like a family to me, and after Race Two in Arco where I showed that I can run up front, it was difficult to move to MXGP. But when I thought about it, I love riding a 450. The bike! I love it. It suits me much better because of my physique and how big I am, so I can enjoy riding a lot more on the YZ450FM, and I know I can show what I am capable of in the MXGP class on this bike for sure!" he flexed.

Following a strong showing of speed and potential in practice and qualifying, the heavens opened during MXGP Race One, with rain continuing to fall heavily on and off throughout the day, turning the spectacular Agueda circuit into an ugly brown mud bath. With each lap, the track changed, becoming more unpredictable and demanding. The deep ruts turned into tyre traps, threatening to swallow the bikes with every attempt to navigate them. Maintaining balance and finding the perfect line became an unavoidable risk, where a single wrong move could result in a mistake or loss of valuable time. Many riders did not survive; however, the rookie, Bonacorsi, handled it like a veteran, finishing his first-ever MXGP race in sixth.

Race Two required not only physical strength but also mental fortitude. The brutal conditions had the potential to shake the confidence of even the most experienced riders. Remaining focused despite reduced visibility, Bonacorsi showed he could adapt quickly; although he made a few mistakes, as did most of MXGP's elite, he charged home in eighth to secure sixth overall.

"I have to be happy with what I achieved in my first GP as an MXGP rider," Bonacorsi smiled. "I mean, to make the switch from MX2 to MXGP here, with not the easiest track conditions and I still managed sixth overall, I'm very happy with that."

"Andrea's first MXGP race with the team and on the YZ450FM was impressive," Yamaha Motor Europe's Off-Road Racing Manager Alexandre Kowalski applauded. "It was quite impressive that he was this strong and consistent in such challenging conditions. I am looking forward to seeing him confirm his place in, hopefully, drier conditions in races to come. But this was a good debut for him, a good start to his MXGP career, and good for the team as they build their relationship together."

Photo Credit: YAMAHA

LUGO (Galicia, Spain) 9 May 2024 – In the second of three straight weekends of incredible action, the MXGP Motocross World Championship comes to you from a brand-new venue in north-western Spain, the home town of one of the brightest stars in the series, near the city of Lugo for the MXGP of Galicia!

The last time we were on Spanish soil, reigning MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado enjoyed a perfect weekend of pure domination for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing and he will be happy with nothing less than a repeat of that event, when he won all three races at intu Xanadu Arroyomolinos in March and never saw a competitor ahead of him!   

Since then, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser has taken over the lead of the MXGP World Championship, while Romain Febvre for Kawasaki Racing Team and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing talisman Jeffrey Herlings all took advantage of the mud in Portugal to further their causes. The Slovenian sits just 12 points ahead of the Spaniard heading to the Circuito Municipal Jorge Prado. Yes, the track is even named after the Champ and his home town fans will surely make the atmosphere red hot at Lugo!

The MX2 World Championship is being led by teenage Dutch star Kay de Wolf for Nestaan Husqvarna Fartory Racing, but Liam Everts has charged up to 3rd in the standings for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing with his perfect weekend in Portugal and will be looking to continue his surge towards the top! Title chasers and hard-pack lovers Thibault Benistant and reigning Champion Andrea Adamo will also be relishing the chance to get stuck into some Spanish soil!

Local station TV Galicia, who is broadcasting the series all year, will be LIVE and onsite to follow their local heroes, and our regular television partners worldwide will continue their outstanding coverage of the incredible action from this series.

Below you can find a list of TV channels that will air LIVE and delayed action of the MXGP of Galicia, as well as the 26-minute Behind The Gate magazine show featuring the best moments from the races, exclusive interviews and more.  All of this footage will be available on MXGP-TV.com and via our TV magazine partners following the Grand Prix.

As always, MXGP fans can follow the races LIVE throughout the weekend. All you need to do is log onto www.MXGP-TV.com Saturday and Sunday, from wherever you are in the world.  Come and join us for what is building up to be an incredible 2024!

USA CANADA
 

CBS Sports Network

Sunday May 12 th 2024  – WMX Race 2 – 20:00 ET – Delayed

Sunday May 12 th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 21:00 ET – Delayed

Sunday May 12 th 2024 – MXGP Race 2 – 22:00 ET – Delayed

LATIN AMERICA 

Direct TV 

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

BRAZIL
 

Bandsports

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

MEXICO

FOX SPORTS Mexico

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

EUROPE
 

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

BELGIUM 
 

PLAY SPORTS OPEN

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

ESTONIA
 

Go3
Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

FINLAND
 

MAX

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 – Finnish timing - LIVE 

FRANCE
 

AUTOMOTO TV LA CHAINE 

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

LA CHAINE L’EQUIPE 

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 16:20 CET – Delayed

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:10 CET - LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1&2– 18:00  CET – Delayed

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

ITALY

RAI SPORT 

Monday May 13th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 00:50  CET – Delayed

Monday May 13th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 01:50 CET - Delayed

RAI SPORT Play

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE Stream

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

LATVIA
 

TV3 Sport Open

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

LITHUANIA
 

Go3

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

NETHERLAND
 

NOS

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE`

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE Stream

SLOVENIA
 

Sport TV1

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

SPAIN

TV Galicia

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

ASIA

Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand
 

EUROSPORT ASIA

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)
 

VIACOM  - Jio Cinema

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 17:30 IST – Streaming

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 18:30 IST – Streaming

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 20:30 IST – Streaming

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 21:30 IST – Streaming

INDONESIA

CHAMPIONS TV

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

VIDIO

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00  CET – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET - LIVE

PACIFIC / AUSTRALIA
 

STAN SPORTS 

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 21:00 AEST – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 22:00 AEST – LIVE

Sunday May 12th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 00:00  AEST – LIVE

Monday May 13th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 01:00 AEST - LIVE

26min Behind-the-Gate Magazine Partners:
 

AMERICA 

Latin America             Direct TV                                 Thursday after each MXGP 8:30pm 

Mexico                        FOX Sports                              Thursday after each MXGP 8:30pm 

USA                             BEiN USA                                 TBA 

EUROPE 

Albania                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Austria                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Baltics                          TV3 Sport Open                      Thursday after each MXGP

Belgium                       Play sports                              tba

Belgium                       SPORT TEN                              tba 

Bosnia                         GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Croatia                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Finland            MTV                                        During the week after the event

Hungary                      GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Kosovo                        GP1                                        Thursday after each event at 20:15

Montenegro                GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Northern Macedonia  GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Portugal                      SPORT TV                                Tuesday after the event         

Romania                      Look Sport                               Wednesday after each event

Serbia                          GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Slovenia                      Sport TV                                  Tuesday after the event 

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)
 

VIACOM 18                                                                        Wednesday after the event 

INDONESIA                  Champions TV 

                                    Moji 

                                    Vidio

AUSTRALIA

Australia                      Stan Sport                               Wednesday after each event

WORLDWIDE

Worldwide                  Motorvision                            During the week after the event

Worldwide                  Redbull TV                               Race Craft and Vlog 

Worldwide                  YouTube – MXGP TV               16 days after the event 

MXGP of Galicia LIVE MXGP-TV.COM Timetable 

TIMETABLE 

SATURDAY: 08:20 WMX Free practice, 08:50 EMX125 Free practice Group 1, 09:20 EMX125 Free practice Group 2, 09:50 WMX Qualifying practice, 10:30 MX2 Time Practice, 11:00 MXGP Free Practice, 12:30 EMX125 Qualifying practice Group 1, 13:05 EMX125 Qualifying practice Group 2, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:00 WMX Race 1, 15:45 EMX125 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:40 EMX125 Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 WMX Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Lugo