MXGP

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 10 November 2023 – Infront Moto Racing is thrilled to announce that tickets for the highly anticipated MXGP of France are now available online!

Get ready as Saint Jean d’Angely gears up to host the FIM Motocross World Championship on the 18th and 19th of May 2024!

An iconic venue since its debut on the World Championship stage in 1984, Saint Jean d’Angely has not only witnessed thrilling motocross action but has also proudly hosted the Motocross of Nations in 2000 and 2011. The 2024 edition will mark the 18th time that this track will be in the MXGP Calendar.

The last time MXGP stopped in St Jean d’Angely was in 2022 for the MXGP of Charente Maritime where Tim Gajser emerged victorious in the MXGP class and Tom Vialle secured the top spot in MX2, setting the stage for their respective Championship victories. Renowned for its electrifying atmosphere, this Grand Prix is a favourite among fans who passionately gather to cheer on their motocross heroes.

Beyond the MXGP and MX2 races, spectators will have the privilege of witnessing the talent on display in the supporting classes, including the EMX250 and the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing.

Don't miss this golden opportunity to immerse yourself in a weekend of thrilling motocross action. 

Grab your tickets now and be part of the excitement! Secure your spot and experience the roar of the engines and the cheers of the crowd at the 2024 MXGP of France Right Here!

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St Jean D’Angely

BEDDINI GASGAS FACTORY JUNIORS INTRODUCED FOR 2024 MXGP

GASGAS is thrilled to reaffirm its commitment to future talent with the introduction of a booming junior program. The MC 250F will be well represented in the EMX250 division from this day forth, as the Beddini GASGAS Factory Juniors will have Valerio Lata and Mads Fredsoe beneath their tent when the new season starts.

The existence of the Beddini GASGAS Factory Juniors serves as proof that the manufacturer remains very dedicated to the stars of tomorrow, as a position on the squad will prepare them to vie for a position on the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing team. Lata has already shown such promise – he sprinted to a moto win in EMX250 earlier this year and secured multiple podiums. Fredsoe will debut in EMX250 after two seasons in the EMX125 class. The duo is keen to get on the gas and unleash their potential when the new campaign fires into life.

In addition to the above, two talented stars have been placed on REVO GASGAS Racing for the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship. Ethan Lane, who has spent an extended period in the United States, will represent the team in the MX2 division. 2024 marks his first term as a professional. Billy Askew has been tipped as Great Britain's next superstar and he too is committed to REVO GASGAS Racing: he will compete in the EMX250 events in the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship. The youngsters will be fortunate enough to learn from their more experienced teammate, Brian Bogers, who will race in MXGP.

The 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship starts in Patagonia-Argentina on March 10. The first round of EMX250 will run alongside round two, the Grand Prix of Europe, on March 24.

Diego Clement (Manager of GASGAS Offroad Commercial): "I'm pleased that our GASGAS development program is taking shape for the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship. We have many talented young stars who are hungry for success and now, with this new structure, there will be a clear path that allows them to dream of racing for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing. We are excited to nurture this talent and watch each rider thrive. Thank you to Beddini GASGAS Factory Juniors and REVO GASGAS Racing for their commitment."

Photo Credit: GASGAS 

After this 2023 MXGP campaign, Team HRC General Manager Marcus Pereira de Freitas gave his thoughts on what has been an up and down season for the team and it’s two riders, Ruben Fernandez and Tim Gajser.

What would you give the 2023 season out of ten?
I think if you asked in January what I hoped for the season, and after what happened in Trentino, you’d get two very different answers. However, considering what happened to Tim, I think overall the season was probably around a seven out of ten. Of course, we go into every championship hoping to win, but Ruben still made a massive step with his results and the victory in Argentina was a moment I’ll never forget. Winning a GP is a great achievement and it really raised everyone’s expectations about what is possible. And credit to Ruben because he kept pushing throughout the whole campaign, getting podiums at rounds one, six, nine and eighteen, showing he never gave up. Then Tim coming back and winning two of the last three rounds was a good lift heading into 2024.

What were your impressions of Ruben’s season, on his riding and how well he integrated himself into the team?
I thought he did excellently. It is never easy coming into a factory team, but he immediately got on with every member of staff and his ability to communicate in many languages and just his personality as a whole is a pleasure to be around. As I mentioned, he won in Argentina and then got three more podiums, finishing fifth in the championship and perhaps if he hadn’t had the crash in Finland, he’d have got even higher. It was an impressive first year and we are very excited about what he can do next time around.

What about the performance of the Honda CRF450R for both riders?
I think we have an excellent platform to give both riders the opportunity to challenge for wins. The team work tirelessly, both here in Europe and back in Japan on the smallest details to try and improve the machine and I think it shows with the level of consistency out on the track. We are always trying to test and make things better and that’s what we are doing already, to make things better for 2024.

Tim’s injury was obviously a massive moment, but how well did you think he did once he came back?
We saw straight away that Tim had the speed on his return when he was fastest in timed practice in Loket. However, then we saw the true affects of the injury when he couldn’t quite put it together in any of the first few races. We knew the motos in Czech would be a lot harder than practice because you simply can’t replicate racing when you are at home. Then there were three sand tracks in the next four, with the other one being Sweden which was almost impossible to pass on, so again, we weren’t expecting too much just because of how little he’d been able to train in the sand. Finally, in Turkey, Maggiora and Matterley, there were three tracks that he liked and he was able to win three motos and two GPs and just show everyone that he is back. The double win in Matterley was a great finish and he gave himself a lot of confidence for this off-season that he is still at the very top of the field when he is on his A-game.

How was the Motocross of Nations?
That was an incredible event to be part of. There were so many fans and the atmosphere was amazing so I’m glad that Team HRC was a strong part of that. Having Tim, Ruben and the Lawrence brothers in our setup was nice and it was a good chance to catch-up with our American colleagues. We stay in touch with them throughout the year, and they had a very good year, but it is always nicer to be able to chat in person and you can share ideas a lot faster and just work much more efficiently. We love hosting those guys and we hope they can comeback at Matterley Basin in 2024. Obviously, Jett showed us what he is capable of, and we can see why he was able to do so well stateside, so that was good to see as well. Both him and Hunter have a very bright future and we’re very glad they’re part of Team HRC.

Thoughts on the 2024 calendar release?
It looks like a similar year to this year, honestly. A lot of the rounds are the same, although in a slightly different order. There were all these rumours about new locations and going here or there, but in the end, it seems we will be familiar with most of the circuits. Of course, there are a couple of TBAs listed so we don’t know everything yet, so planning can’t begin completely but already we are working on logistics for what we do know and making sure we are setup as best as possible.

And what about the hopes for the 2024 season as a whole?
Our main hope is that we can go into the first round with both of our riders 100% fit and healthy. If we can do that, I think we can have a very good year indeed. Tim will of course be looking to win the title back and make it six championships, and Ruben will be even stronger than this year and will be pushing for podiums and victories himself. He is only going to get better and between the two of them, I believe Team HRC will be a strong force at every round of the campaign.

Photo Credit: shotbybavo

Harry Everts is a true legend of our sport. Four Motocross World Championships to his name, a son who has 10 Motocross World Championships and now a grandson who has Grand Prix wins. Despite being born with polio and a sever limp, the first famous Everts dominated the 125cc Championship and also claimed a 250cc World Title

Everts senior recalls his racing days, with his most memorable moments being the intense battles he had with Akira Watanabe, the first and only Japanese MX World Champion. These encounters were undoubtedly the highlights of his racing career in Belgium

“Racing Akira Watanabe,” Everts said. “He was also tough. He could ride on your back wheel for 40 minutes, just stay there, and fighting. On hard pack, he was good, in the sand he was good, but after 30 minutes, he wasn’t so strong. Also in the heat, I was strong. You could see on his face before a race that he wanted to kill you on the track but I was the same on the inside. I saw him in Indonesia this year, he is also friendly, and he now teaches riders and tells them how to stand on the bike like I did. We had so many races and so many moments together.”

Everts also remembers one of his favourite races in his career, at the famous Namur circuit in Belgium where he changed classes. Moving up to the 500cc class he battled for victory, but a huge crash saw him fail in his attempt to win on the bigger more powerful machine.

“I didn’t win the GP, but that track was my favourite track as a kid. It was at that place; it was the first time I ever saw a motocross race. I was looking at the big names like Rolf Tibblin, Adolf Weil, Bill Nilsson, all the very top guys. I was a kid, and it was fantastic, and the public was so big back in those days. I was still riding the 125cc World Championship and I had a wild card to do the 500 GP at Namur. As you know the Suzuki 500cc bike of that time wasn’t so good. It was I think 1979. I know everything that happened that day. I had to start on the second line on the grid, and my start wasn’t so bad. I came to the front, and it was Noyce and somebody else battling. I come up on the citadel right behind them, and I caught them easy, and I thought I could win that heat. I didn’t want to mix it with them, because they were fighting for the world title. I finished third or second, and the second heat I was at the front and crashed, a big crash. I started again, and I came through the field, and I got third overall.”

Of course, Harry is also known as one of the master coaches, having taken his son Stefan to World Championships, but also working closely with riders like Pauls Jonass, Liam his grandson and many more. Now, well into his 70s the enthusiasm has no changed and he is one of the most popular figures in the Grand Prix paddock.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 31 October 2023 – The 2023 edition of Sportel, dedicated to sports media and broadcasting, successfully concluded at the renowned Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. Infront Moto Racing was present to hold discussions on TV rights for the upcoming FIM Motocross World Championship season and engaging with existing partners.

Sportel once again served as the central hub for discussions about the upcoming seasons of MXGP on the television broadcasting front. Long-time TV partner Eurosport, with a contract in place until 2025, seized the opportunity to meet with Infront Moto Racing and expressed their appreciation for the extensive coverage of the MXGP series. Likewise, FOX Mexico and Direct TV 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.

Infront Moto Racing also took that opportunity to meet with traditional partners such as RAI (Italy), NOS (The Netherlands), All Baltics, Motorvision (Germany), MTV Finland. The exchanges and feedback were positives further solidifying MXGP as a sought-after presence in the world of television broadcasting.

In addition to meetings with TV broadcasters, Infront Moto Racing also engaged with its technical partners, such as Cleeng, (MXGP-TV payment service provider), TMG, (antipiracy provider), Eurovision, (SNG provider and coordination), Stream AMG, (OTT technology providers), all of whom were present at Sportel.

The TV Department Director Charlotte Menard, was in attendance and seized the opportunity to explore potential digital and technical service providers, aiming to anticipate and embrace emerging trends and innovations to continually enhance the future of MXGP, ensuring the best possible services for all motocross fans.

In summary, the convention proved highly productive, fostering crucial discussions and laying the groundwork for further negotiations that promise to enhance the global coverage and visibility of MXGP.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Sportel
 

After a horrific injury at the pre-season race in Trentino, Team HRC rider and five-time world champion Tim Gajser was forced to miss most of the 2023 MXGP season with a broken femur. However, after that lengthy rehabilitation, the #243 returned to win two of the last three GPs and give himself a massive boost of confidence as they head into the off-season, where he will now set his sights on the 2024 crown.

Photo Credit: Shotbybavo

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 26 October 2023 – Infront Moto Racing and Monster Energy are thrilled to announce the renewal of their strong partnership for another multiyear term. 

The continuation of the MXGP series' alliance with its most engaging partner marks a significant milestone, solidifying the shared commitment to shaping the future of motocross. Monster Energy remains the primary sponsor of MXGP and retains its status as the Title Sponsor of the prestigious Motocross of Nations event.

The world of MXGP has never been in better shape, with the pinnacle of each season being the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, recognized as the most important annual competition for elite motocross in the world. The event's popularity is nothing short of extraordinary, and Monster Energy has played an instrumental role in its immense success, as demonstrated by the incredible turnout of 102,000 enthusiasts at the last Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Ernée, France.

Since 2011, the successful partnership between Monster Energy with MXGP grew from strength to strength with both partners deeply passionate about motocross and its success in every continent. 

Thanks also to this mutual effort Infront Moto Racing can continue its relentless mission to further broaden MXGP leadership in the motocross scene around the world.

This long-term partnership extension firmly reinstates Monster Energy as the leading and most influential brand in the FIM Motocross World Championship, a presence that spans from the racetracks to the MXGP Paddock and the starting gates, as well as their significant support to MXGP Teams.

Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo: “We are very proud to announce the renewal of our partnership with Monster Energy. On top of being the most exciting and active brand in the world of Motorsports, Monster Energy has also been a very strong partner in the most difficult and challenging times we had to experience, especially during the two years of COVID. We are sharing the same vision of raising the MXGP World Championship to be a global sport and to reach new territories together. I would like to thank Mitch Covington and Dave Gowland for their great collaboration. It is now more than a decade that we work together, and it is always a pleasure to share the same vision of making Motocross bigger and more popular season after season.”

“Motocross is who we are,” says David Gowland, Monster Energy Senior Vice President of Motorsports. “Right from the company’s beginning, the sport of motocross has played a significant role in the trajectory of Monster Energy and that will now continue with the extension and fortification of Monster Energy’s role as the primary sponsor of MXGP, as well as the title sponsor of the storied Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. The history and heritage of MXGP and the Motocross World Championship make it one of the premiere and elite forms of motorsport over the world and Monster Energy stands proud with MXGP and the fans that crowd Grand Prix tracks over the world on any given Sunday.”

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Monster Energy
 

RENEWED AGREEMENT WILL SEE THE PRESTIGIOUS EXHAUST MANUFACTURER SUPPLY THE TEAM WITH ITS PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING PRODUCTS THROUGH 2025

Husqvarna Motorcycles is excited to announce an extension to its highly successful partnership with FMF Racing. With the existing contract extended through to the end of 2025, Husqvarna Factory Racing will continue to benefit from the American company’s performance enhancing exhaust systems for the next two years.

Formed in 1973, FMF Racing celebrated 50 successful years in the offroad industry in 2023. As a brand synonymous with top level dirt bike competition around the world, FMF Racing continues to work closely with Husqvarna Factory Racing to develop its high-quality line-up of components.

Since the partnership began there have been many triumphs. Zach Osborne claimed two AMA 250 Supercross championships while Jason Anderson clinched Husqvarna’s first AMA 450 Supercross title in 2018. Osborne would add another title, the coveted AMA Pro Motocross 450 title, in 2020.

In the demanding world of enduro, Colton Haaker won the 2015, 2016, and 2019 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship with Billy Bolt undefeated in the same series since winning his 2020 campaign. Billy would also find success outdoors in 2021 when he was crowned the inaugural FIM Hard Enduro World Champion

With the technical partnership between Husqvarna Motorcycles and FMF Racing extended for a further two years, Husqvarna Factory Racing’s riders will continue to benefit from the US manufacturer’s high performance exhaust systems in AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross, US Offroad Championships, MXGP with the Nestaan MX team, and in both the FIM Hard Enduro and SuperEnduro World Championships.

Robert Jonas – Vice President Motorsports Offroad: “Husqvarna Factory Racing has enjoyed so much success with FMF Racing throughout the partnership so far, and especially in recent years, so to renew for two more years is really exciting. The build quality of FMF components is as good as it gets with performance to match. Husqvarna Factory Racing competes at the highest levels of supercross, motocross, and enduro, and rely on dependable partners, which is exactly what FMF Racing is. With this renewed agreement, we look forward to the future and I’m sure that more racing success will continue to follow.”

Don Emler Jr. – Marketing Director FMF Racing: “It really is an honour for FMF Racing to continue our close relationship with Husqvarna Motorcycles and Husqvarna Factory Racing. The Flying Machine Factory is celebrating its 50th Year Anniversary and it’s with these long standing and successful partnerships that continue to make FMF the #1 offroad exhaust in the world. This renewal solidifies FMF’s continued support of the sport of motocross and performance. Going forwards, FMF will continue to work closely with the team and supply them with our American-made exhaust systems as they chase race wins and championships all around the world. This is the HOUSE OF POWER!.”

Photo Credit: Husqvarna

Since fifteen years now, Motocross GP Album is the annual reference book of the Motocross World Championships, and for sure the 2023 annual will become a ‘collector’ as the fourteenth previous ones.

All season long the staff of MXGP Album, reinforced thanks to Ray Archer and Lorenzo Resta who joined Stanley Leroux and Pascal Haudiquert, visited the 19 Grand Prix all over the world and didn’t miss any action of this nice season, who ended in October with an exceptional Motocross of Nations.

You will live again this great season with the 2023 World Champions Andrea Adamo and Jorge Prado, but also the incredible MXoN, the fourth title of Courtney Duncan and the European titles of Andrea Bonacorsi and Janis Martins Reisulis. Our staff didn’t miss anything!
All along the 192 pages you will travel with us from GP to GP, but we will also invite you in the rich history of our sport. Twenty years ago Stefan Everts did an incredible performance when he won the same day at Ernée three Grand Prix to end the season with 72 GP wins.

We’ll also do a ‘flash back’ with the Lawrence brothers, who came from Australia in 2016 and raced three seasons in Europe before flying to the US where they won everything this season!

As usual you can pre order the book with two different cover pages, Standard or Limited. 
MXGP Album becomes an even more collector book; to be sure to have one, you have to order it in advance and not later than Sunday 5^th of November on our website (http://www.motocrossgpalbum.com), and you will receive the book on its release early in December.

If you don’t pre order it, we can’t guarantee that MXGP Album will remain available after this date. We decided to produce the right quantity from the start, as it help us minimize the price increase in materials. To overcome this exceptional situation, we had to make choices while keeping the product itself unchanged. So we got creative and found this solution of pre order which is a great way to preserve our DNA: uncompromising quality, without advertising.
So don’t hesitate to order now MXGP Album 2023, and share this information around you! And thanks for your confidence since 15 years now!

About MXGP Album 
Since 15 years now, MXGP Album offer you pictures and quotes about the GP season and the Motocross of Nations all along its 192 pages. Apart from action pictures, this nice book with a hard book cover and a dust jacket invite you in the atmosphere and the emotion of the Grands Prix all over the world. 
Exclusive pictures, selected quotes from the riders, the annual book of the World Championship is back to you after an exciting season.

Photo Credit: Mediacross

Dear MXGP Friends,

What an end of season it was! 

First of all, the comeback of MXGP to Maggiora, one of the most appreciated tracks in the world, where the Italian fans could witness a fantastic Grand Prix. Saturday started with heavy rain that stayed for the whole day, but the two leaders of both MX2 and MXGP classes kept their heads cool and relaxed. Alberto Forato won for the first time in his career the RAM MXGP Qualifying race in front of his home fans and scored a fantastic 4^th position at the Overall GP classification. Jorge Prado finished the work on Sunday with a victory in the first race that brought his first MXGP World Title after a very consistent season! In MX2 Andrea Adamo also secured the World Title in the second race of the day. 

With the victory of both Prado and Adamo, the MXGP World Championship is showing the diversity of talents it has. Both champions are coming from the very base of the pyramid Infront Moto Racing put in place more than a decade ago with the European Championship. It also shows that despite having already a lot of fantastic talents and World Champions in the MXGP class, we have a new World Champion coming from a different country. Jorge Prado is writing the history of his country becoming the first ever Spanish rider to be crowned MXGP World Champion. I want to congratulate both Jorge and Andrea for their great season!

The final Grand Prix of the season brought us to UK, probably the most beautiful track of the World Championship, Matterley Basin. As you may know after our announcement last week, the 2024 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will take place in Great Britain on this beautiful facility, the tickets will be on sale very soon. In UK, Jago Geerts secured his second position in the championship after a fantastic battle through the pack in the last race, setting the final podium with Simon Laengenfelder, who also ended the season with a terrific rhythm. In MXGP, Romain Febvre ended the season on the second position of the Championship in front of Seewer that once again made a very consistent season.

One week off and the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations took place in Ernée. We wrote the motocross history during that weekend. There are not enough words to explain how great it was, especially coming after 2 years of lockdown with Covid and all the challenges we had to face to keep this sport on top of this game. Let’s say that we do this job for this kind of moments. Last time Ernée hosted a MXoN was in 2015, an edition that was already great, and the plans were to organize it again in 2020. Unfortunately, it had to be cancelled because of Covid, so this 2023 edition was very symbolic for us. 

A massive 37 Nations participated to the event, with one of the best line-up ever in the Motocross of Nations history. It was very difficult to predict the final result. Ernée is a natural theatre and give a perfect view of the action to the fans. The event started already on Friday with the traditional balloting for the gate pick and the Nations presentation parade to the public. An immense crowd showed up already on Friday to support their country. 

This year’s MXoN edition made history with a cumulated attendance of more than 100.000 spectators from Friday to Sunday that came to support their nation. We broke the record of attendance during a motocross event, and it was a fantastic moment of communion for all the Motocross community. This is the power of MXoN! The atmosphere was unique, and those who were not at Ernée had the chance to see it during the LIVE broadcast of the races, but also during the new LIVE show called “Inside the Paddock” which was broadcast between the main races on Sunday. 

The French team obtained a clear victory on their home soil. The intensity of the first race was amazing with the battle between Prado and Febvre, and Jett Lawrence coming back from last to 6^th after a crash in the third corner. Team Australia secured a historical second overall position on the podium and Italy finished third with a very young team. Germany ended 4^th, with a strong performance of Ken Roczen, and finally the Belgium team finished 5^th with one of the youngest teams engaged with Liam Everts, Jago Geerts and Lucas Coenen.

During the Motocross of Nations, there are always many announcements, and the presentation of MX2 Triumph bike arrival into the World Championship was probably the most awaited by the community. It is a fantastic statement to our sport to have the arrival of a new official manufacturer into the competition. We are sure that Triumph will help the sport to raise the bar!

I would like to thank all the stakeholders of our sport, the manufacturers, our partners, the media, the FIM and FIM Europe, all our organizers, and finally all the riders and the fans for the fantastic season we had together. 

It is now time to enjoy the short winter break and to prepare the 2024 MXGP Season!

David Luongo

Infront Moto Racing CEO