MXGP

Standing Construct Honda MXGP is delighted to announce the signing of Italian sensation Alberto Forato for the upcoming 2024 MXGP season. The 23-year-old talent is set to campaign a Honda CRF450R alongside Pauls Jonass in the highly anticipated 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship.

Forato first made waves on the world stage in 2013 in the European Championship EMX150 class, where he competed on a Honda CRF150 and finished as the championship runner-up. Since then, his remarkable talent has propelled him through the ranks.

Starting his 450 career in 2021, “Alby” has demonstrated consistent improvement each year. After finishing 18^th overall in his first full season in MXGP, he has progressed impressively, and finished 11^th in 2022.

Continuing his upward trajectory, the charismatic #303 achieved four top-five race finishes in 2023, which includes a thrilling third-place finish in Race 1 at his home Grand Prix in Maggiora. 

He was also one of only six riders to win a Qualifying Race and ended his 2023 campaign ranked seventh in the world.

Alberto Forato: 
“I’m happy to be back with the Honda family and to join the Standing Construct Honda MXGP team. It’s so important to have a solid team behind you and a strong bike, so I’m really looking forward to the new challenge and seeing what we can do in 2024.”

Tim Mathys:
"We are pleased to welcome Alberto Forato to the team for the 2024 MXGP season. We’ve been watching him in MXGP over the past two years, and his progress has been nothing short of impressive. He will be a great addition to our team, and we look forward to seeing what he, together with Pauls Jonass, can achieve!"

Tim Gajser and Ruben Fernandez joined a whole host of Honda athletes from a multitude of motorsports at the annual Thanks Day, held at the Motegi Mobility Resort in Japan this past weekend.

The MXGP pair were joined by fellow motocross stars, Jett and Hunter Lawrence who were invited to celebrate after their highly successful 2023 season when the pair won multiple titles across the 250 and 450 classes for the Honda Racing US team in America. And these four met up with more of their off-road and road colleagues for what is one of the biggest events on the motor-racing calendar.

Fresh off his F1 World Championship, Max Verstappen made the trip, alongside fellow F1 drivers Sergio Perez, Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Riccardo, but perhaps the biggest name was MotoGP star Marc Marquez, who was bidding an emotional farewell to his Repsol Honda team after an amazing career under the HRC awning.

Each discipline got to showcase their machinery in special displays around the circuit, with the motocross riders having a super-pole competition on the specially designed track near the impressive Honda Collections Hall. MXGP’s Gajser took the victory and wowed the crowd with a signature whip on the finish line and he also led the way ahead of all the F1 drivers in the highly competitive karting qualification, taking pole-position into the race. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to keep the lead after some aggressive bumping from the chasing pack, but both him and teammate Fernandez enjoyed some fun laps against the best drivers in the world.

They then headed back to the motocross track for a special race that included MotoGP star Joan Mir, Trials rider Gabriel Marcelli and two-wheeled riders across various other disciplines for a race on-board Honda 125Fs, which provided yet more entertainment for this enthusiastic crowd. The four-man team format saw riders hand the bike over after a lap of the circuit, with Jett Lawrence’s crew getting the win in a good-natured race.

Saving the best for last, every bike and car, then took to doing a lap of the Motegi road-circuit, before performing a customary burnout on the start straight in front of the massive crowd. It was a great finale to a great event that truly showcases the strength and depth of Honda Racing Corporation.

Tim Gajser 

“I had a lot of fun this year at this event. In the past, I’ve been the only motocross rider, but this year having Ruben, Jett and Hunter with me, really made it enjoyable. We all got on so well and the racing activities were a lot of fun. It is always cool to meet the other riders and drivers because although we do different sports, we all share the love for racing and machinery and know what each other sacrifices to get where we are today. Thank you to everyone who came out over the weekend and thank you to all the Honda fans worldwide who support us. We really couldn’t do what we do without all of you.”

Ruben Frnandez

“This was my first trip to Japan and I had a great time! I got to spend a day looking around Tokyo, which was awesome and then we had the trip up to Motegi for the Thanks Day. A lot of the other riders are Spanish, so I was able to speak with Marc (Marquez), Joan (Mir), Gabriel (Marcelli) a lot and that is always good. It was also cool to get to know the Lawrence brothers outside of the race environment. We had a lot of fun racing, but also just enjoying being around all the cool bikes and doing the stuff that got us interested in the sport to begin with. I really hope I can come back next year and do this again, and hopefully see even more of Japan.”

LIVERPOOL (United Kingdom), 4 December 2023 – Upholding the tradition of hosting the Annual MXGP Organisers Meeting during the FIM Awards, this year's gathering unfolded at the Holiday Inn Express in the heart of Liverpool. Organisers for the upcoming 2024 MXGP season gathered to get prepared were invited to prepare another exhilarating season.

The day commenced on a high note with a captivating video recapitulating the highlights of the MXGP 2023 season, showcasing the thrilling actions of the riders throughout the year. Marionna Leiva, Infront Moto Racing’s Marketing Director, set the tone for the event by introducing the key officials, including Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo, Infront Moto Racing COO Daniele Rizzi, as well as department managers from Infront Moto Racing and together with FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela, MXGP Race Director Ingo Partsch, FIM Technical Director Andrew Summers, and FIM Medical Director David McManus, among others. Most of the organisers were present and the day unfolded as a series of meetings as everyone geared up to deliver another spectacular season ahead.

Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo welcomed all officials and organisers to the event and shared his gratitude for all the work carried out by everyone over the 2023 MXGP season:

“It gives us great pleasure to welcome you here in Liverpool during the FIM Awards, a tradition we have now every year. Reflecting on the past season, we are immensely proud and happy. It marked a sort of 'year zero' post-COVID, with most countries lifting restrictions, and public attendance surged at many races. TV audience figures also saw a significant increase, the largest in the last 20 years, reaching over 52 million viewers. This boost is crucial for the sport's popularity. I want to express my gratitude to each one of you. Despite facing one of the toughest periods in the last 50 years with COVID, the World Championship kept going due to your solid and consistent support. Without your commitment, the championship would have faced a disastrous situation. Thank you for staying on board, for saying 'yes' to the races, and for putting in the effort and sacrifices needed to make each race possible. 
Looking ahead, I am optimistic about the future. We have a long journey together, collaborating keep develop the sport because we are always striving to improve. A special thanks to FIM for our longstanding partnership for over 40 years. Our cooperation has been crucial in the growth of this sport, and I am grateful for our fantastic collaboration. Wishing all of us a fantastic 2024 season! Enjoy the day and the evening festivities. Thank you very much."

FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela then address all the attendees:

“The FIM team and I would like to thank Infront Moto Racing and all the organizers for the great collaboration that has increased enormously, and which is improving the way we work together. This step brings up all the benefits on the sporting side, the marketing side and the image which also impacts on the local and national markets. That is why we always try to improve and get better and better, so we are there to support organizers to step into that direction. When we find that collaboration and that symbiosis between the three bodies that make these events a reality, things get much easier. Thank you all for being present”

Following the warm welcome speeches, the MXGP presentation delved into key departments, shedding light on crucial focus areas for the upcoming season. Each department was covered with updates and important aspects, ranging from paddock requirements, infrastructures, circuit preparations, and TV/media metrics to marketing strategies. The complete overview set the key elements that will shape the 2024 season.

The spotlight then shifted to the notable venues of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship, showcasing their exceptional contributions. Additionally, the presentation of the 2024 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at Matterley Basin added excitement to the room.

FIM Race Director Ingo Partsch, FIM MX Technical Director Andy Summers, and FIM Medical Director David McManus then took centre stage to outline critical points regarding the FIM's onsite efforts at each event. Expressing gratitude to organizers for their collaboration, they emphasized the high standards of preparation expected and provided guidelines to ensure every event runs smoothly.

The meeting concluded with an introduction of the new MXGP official ticketing partner WeezEvent.

Photo Credit: FIM

The weekend culminated with the 2023 FIM Awards, where champions received their medals from FIM President Jorge Viegas on the grand stage. Among the honoured champions were 2023 MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado, MX2 World Champions Andrea Adamo, Women’s Motocross World Champion Courtney Duncan who could not be present but addressed a video message to the attendees, 125cc Junior Motocross World Champion Mathis Valin, and 85cc World Champion Dani Heitink, 2023 SNX World Champion Aki Pihlaja alongside FFM President Sebastien Poirier who collected Team France's 2023 Monster energy FIM MXoN winning award and other outstanding figures in motorcycle sport.

The FIM Awards concluded with a video unveiling the brand-new logo that will celabrate their 120th Anniversary in 2024 which will be used from 1st of January 2024 onwards.

Overall, the meeting achieved great success, gaining positive feedback from organisers and addressing essential details to ensure full readiness for the upcoming 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship season.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM
 

Members of one of the world’s biggest bike racing nations were given an extraordinary experience on Wednesday when four of the top riders from Honda’s MXGP and WorldSBK teams joined them to ride through the streets of Jakarta in one of the first ever celebrity-fan events of its kind.

Dubbed ‘The Ultimate Ride’, the event was enabled by lubricant manufacturer Motul and saw five-time MXGP champion Tim Gajser, MXGP race winner Ruben Fernandez and WSBK riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge ride alongside hundreds of fans on motorbikes of all shapes and sizes.

The star appearances on the city streets brought bikers, clients and distributors from all around Indonesia together with the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) riders to celebrate their combined ability to unite the biking communities.

The event was also supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the Ministry of Youth and Sports as an effort to promote local tourism in Indonesia globally and support the growth of the motorsport industry in the country.

Lecuona and Vierge both joined Honda’s factory Superbike team last year and continued to be regular points scorers in 2023. Vierge is particularly well known by local fans in Jakarta, having finished on the podium in the Motul-sponsored Indonesian round of the championship this year. Gajser joined the MXGP field riding a Honda in 2016 and won the championship in his debut season. He won again in 2019, 2020 and 2022 but missed much of this year through injury, although he returned to win two of the final three rounds. Fernandez debuted in 2021 and took his first race victory this season.

The event took the group of riders through Central Jakarta from the Thamrin 10 parking area to Senayan Park shopping centre. Fans also got the chance to speak to their heroes at a meet and greet event following the ride – resulting in thousands of social media posts and online videos. 

Tim Gajser:

"It is always a pleasure to come to Indonesia. We always get such a nice greeting when we get here and this time in Jakarta has been no different. It was a really fun event that Motul put on for us, riding along the streets with all the fans in the parade was something that I won’t forget because it was such a unique experience. It was also nice to share it with our WorldSBK colleagues Iker (Lecuona) and Xavi (Vierge), who were great company for the few days, and hopefully I can get to see them in action at a race in the future.Unfortunately, I missed the two Indonesian GP’s this year through injury but coming here almost made up for that, and I can’t wait to come back to Sumbawa and Lombok in 2024 to try and win in this wonderful country again. Thank you to Motul and for everyone who we met along the way"

Ruben Fernandez:

"I wasn’t sure what to expect coming here for this event but Motul did an amazing job organising the parade and the meet and greet with the fans, and just the whole event was really cool. I’ve enjoyed my time coming to Indonesia previously, so I knew to expect a lot of really passionate people, and that was once again the case when we were out on the bikes. I was told over 700 bikes joined us for the parade, but it felt like more given the noise everyone was making. It was also cool to be riding with Iker and Xavi, who are fellow Spaniards, and who I now consider to be friends after this event. A big thanks to everyone involved in making this event happen and to all the Indonesian people for their hospitality"

December is here, and MXGP is thrilled to launch the countdown to Christmas with the 2023 MXGP Advent Race Calendar!

In the spirit of the season, MXGP continues the tradition, unveiling the most thrilling and epic races from the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship over the next 24 days at 5pm every day!

Each day until Christmas, a new race will be unlocked for your viewing pleasure on MXGP's YouTube channel, and the exciting news is that it all starts today!

Our journey kicks off with the MXGP Race 2  in Spain where Jeffrey Herlings got his GP win number 102. The Dutch showed incredible control and speed to get the best of Jorge Prado, Jeremy Seewer, Mattia Guadagnini and Ruben Fernandez.

Stay tuned, as this action-packed race will be out shortly RIGHT HERE

Be the first to catch the excitement by subscribing to the MXGP YouTube channel. Click HERE to subscribe and be part of the thrilling adventure of our 2023 Advent Race Calendar!"

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 1 December 2023 – Infront Moto Racing is delighted to announce that tickets for the MXGP of Sweden, set to be held in Uddevalla on 10th and 11th of August are now available for purchase.

Uddevalla's iconic circuit has been a staple on the FIM Motocross World Championship calendar since 1958, boasting a rich history of unforgettable races. As a regular stop since the early 2000s, this historic track is gearing up for its 26th event, promising yet another weekend filled with thrilling racing action.

In addition to the usual MXGP and MX2 races, fans will also witness exciting racing in the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and EMX250 categories.

Seize the opportunity to witness the world's best riders in action, creating unforgettable moments over a weekend packed with excitement. Secure your tickets now.

As an extra perk… buy a weekend ticket for the MXGP of Sweden and enjoy a 20% discount on your MXGP-TV.com season package, including the Monster Energy FIM MXoN! Act fast and secure your spot for an adrenaline-packed experience!

Want to go VIP in Uddevalla? Get your VIP Gold Skybox pass!

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Uddevalla

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 30 November 2023 – Infront Moto Racing is excited to launch the online sales for the VIP Gold Skybox, an exclusive package designed for the European rounds of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship. 

MXGP fans can now elevate their racing experience with the pass VIP Gold Skybox, immersing themselves in the heart of the action for an unforgettable weekend like never before. 

The VIP Gold Skybox pass unlocks access to the most coveted areas:

• The MXGP Venue

• The vibrant MXGP Paddock, where the excitement begins, providing an immersive experience surrounded by riders, teams, shops, and a host of engaging activities. 

• The VIP Gold Skybox Restaurant, strategically positioned near the track, offering a delightful culinary experience while keeping an eye on the LIVE broadcast and results. 

• The one and only Skybox Terrace, located behind the starting gate, providing unmatched views of the waiting zone, starting grid, and podium. 

• It also includes the VIP Gold SkyBox Car Parking Pass.

Indulge in a delicious breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings at the VIP Gold Skybox Restaurant, followed by a superb lunch. Gourmet afternoon snacks and an open-bar service throughout the day ensure an unparalleled level of comfort, with a selection of coffee, tea, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages.
 

Wanna go to a Grand Prix with your Camper!? Get a thrilling VIP experience with the VIP Gold Camping pass which allows you to park your camper/motorhome close to the paddock throughout the weekend.

A brand-new online ticketing page welcomes MXGP fans to secure their passes at https://sites.weezevent.com/mxgp-vipgoldskybox/

Don't miss the chance to enhance your FIM Motocross World Championship experience like never before. Click HERE to secure your exclusive VIP Gold Skybox pass on the MXGP online ticket shop and get closer to the action!

Thinking about VIP tickets for the 2024 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nation? No worries, the VIP tickets for the 2024 Monster Energy FIM MXoN at Matterley Basin will be launched later on this year. Stay tuned! 

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

VIP Gold Skybox
 

Dear MXGP Friends,

October marks usually the beginning of the Winter break for MXGP. But this year, it has been very busy. First, the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations is still in the head of everybody. The most exciting and popular Off-road event on the planet made history this year. A massive crowd came for it, the organization was top class, and the racing was, as always very open. Team France won the title on his home soil and will defend it on the very much appreciated Matterley Basin track in Great Britain. 

October was a busy month for our teams at Infront Moto Racing as we are already stepping into the 2024 season with the finalization of the calendar, the site visit of the new track and some very important event related to the development of our sport. 

The first one is the annual meeting of the Sportel in Monaco. It is the most important Sport Media Rights meeting of the year, where the sport holders meet with the Worldwide TV Broadcasters to bring their sport on TV. We participate since the very beginning in the early nineties to this fair as TV exposure as always been our priority to make MXGP more popular. Long-time TV partner Eurosport, with a contract in place until 2025, seized the opportunity to meet us and expressed their appreciation for the extensive coverage of the MXGP series. Similarly, FOX Mexico, Direct TV Latin America and IEG in Indonesia were enthusiastic about their partnership and eagerly anticipated offering their viewers thrilling motocross races in the upcoming MXGP seasons, reaffirming the global interest in MXGP. Also, traditional partners such as RAI, All Baltics, Motorvision, MTV Finland further solidified MXGP as a sought-after presence in the world of television broadcasting.

The second important fair this month was the EICMA in Milano where all the motorcycle industry is regrouped during a week. All the bikes manufacturers, gears producers, partners of the MXGP are present during this event and it is always very nice to meet after the season to plan 2024 and discuss about the future development of the sport. EICMA was also the occasion to unveil some teams line up of next year. The participation of new manufacturers like Triumph or Fantic brought the number of Official Manufacturer to 9 which is the highest number in motorsport! With some new coming in the year to come, MXGP will continue to bring excitement and great racing to the fans!

We will be heading to Liverpool in 2 weeks’ time for the annual FIM Gala to celebrate our World Champions.

Finally some ticketing are already open for next year like MXGP of France and the seasonal pass for MXGP-TV.com! 

I wish you a great reading of the #122 issue of the MXGP Mag! 

David Luongo
CEO INFRONT MOTO RACING

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup, following an outstanding season filled with exceptional talent. In the face of intense competition, 16-year-old Italian Giorgio Orlando was selected as the champion of this year’s YZ125 Cup, while two Danes, 13-year-old Bertram Thorius and 11-year-old Willads Gordon, claimed the highest honours in the YZ85 and YZ65 categories respectively.

The bLU cRU is open to all Yamaha YZ riders aged between 8 and 16 years and is free to join. You can sign up for the 2024 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup by clicking here. 

This year's YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup attracted an unprecedented 538 young riders from across Europe, illustrating the program's growing popularity and its pivotal role in discovering and showcasing the future stars of MXGP. After an incredible year racing at national level, the competition reached its climax at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, which was held in front of a staggering 102,000 fans at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Ernée, France.

From the pool of 115 talented YZ riders that raced at the SuperFinale, 16 riders, including the standout female in each class, were selected to participate in the bLU cRU Masterclass, held over two-days at Motocross des Costières in France. This exclusive event provided a unique opportunity for these young riders to learn from MXGP legend Gautier Paulin, former WMX World Champion Nancy van de Ven, and bLU cRU Rider Coach Brian Jorgensen, all while showcasing their skills in pursuit of victory in the 2023 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup.

The exceptional level of talent displayed at the Masterclass made the selection of the winners a challenging task, but ultimately it was Orlando, Thorius, and Gordon who stood out in their respective categories for the selection committee, which was comprised of the three coaches, Brian Jorgensen, Nancy van de Ven and Gautier Paulin.

In the YZ125 class, Italian sensation Orlando demonstrated exceptional speed, skill, and determination, earning him a coveted spot in the JK Yamaha Supported MX Team. Orlando will compete in the 2024 EMX125 Championship aboard a GYTR kitted YZ125.

In the YZ85 category, Danish star-on-the-rise Thorius, who was the winner of the YZ65 Cup in 2021, showcased his talent and incredible transition to the YZ85, securing the top spot and garnering additional Yamaha support for his 2024 EMX85 season. Likewise, fellow Dane Gordon emerged as the YZ65 class winner and will also benefit from enhanced Yamaha support for his upcoming EMX65 season.

After the resounding success of the 2023 YZ Cup, Yamaha is pleased to announce a new opportunity for young talents to join the bLU cRU. In 2024, 120 riders will win a place on the gate at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, which is provisionally scheduled to take place at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in the United Kingdom.

For those eager to be part of this incredible experience, the journey starts now. Click here to join the 2024 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup. 

Thorsten Lentink: Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Coordinator
“This year’s YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup was impressive. Again, we’ve witnessed incredible growth and an exceptional level of talent. While selecting the winners was not an easy task, after analysing the finalists together with the Yamaha Racing committee and the three coaches, we are delighted to confirm Giorgio Orlando, Bertram Thorius and Willads Gordon as the winners. These three riders have shown great potential, both on track and off. For Giorgio, next season will be an exciting step in his career as he will take full advantage of his opportunity to join the JK Yamaha Supported MX Team to contest the full EMX125 season aboard a GYTR kitted YZ125. We look forward to having him inside the MXGP paddock next year and to see what he can achieve. At the same time, it is a pleasure to continue building our relationship with Bertram and Willads, both of these riders have followed the path of the bLU cRU for the past few years and we are delighted to provide them with extra support for their 2024 campaigns. On behalf of Yamaha Motor Europe, I would like to congratulate everyone who contested the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup this season. It was arguably one of the best seasons to date, and every single rider can be very proud of what they achieved! I’d also like to thank all of the bLU cRU families, whose unstinting support allows these young riders to showcase their talent on the world"

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 24 November 2023 – Infront Moto Racing is thrilled to announce that ticket sales for the MXGP of Portugal have officially launched today. The Portuguese Grand Prix is set to unfold on 4th and 5th of May 2024.

The historic circuit of Agueda will host the FIM Motocross World Championship for the 25th time. Seize this opportunity to cheer for your favourite riders and witness the exhilarating competition at the MXGP of Portugal.

Recalling the 2023 event in Agueda, Jeffrey Herlings secured his 101st GP win in MXGP, triumphing over Romain Febvre and Jorge Prado. In MX2, Jago Geerts dominated with maximum points, leading Kay de Wolf and Roan Van De Moosdijk.

In addition to the MXGP and MX2 races, fans will enjoy thrilling action from the supporting classes, featuring the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and EMX250 categories.

Don't miss out on this great Grand Prix and get your tickets HERE

You can also go full out with a VIP ticket RIGHT HERE

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Agueda