MXGP

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 7 April 2022 – Infront Moto Racing is delighted to announce the contract extension with Actib that will see the MXGP of Portugal part of the FIM Motocross World Championship calendar until 2024.

The MXGP of Portugal in Agueda has been part of the FIM Motocross World Championship since 1985 and since then has hosted 23 amazing Grand Prix’s, including that of last weekend which saw incredible victories from Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado in MXGP and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle in MX2, as well as the first MXGP podium of Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Brian Bogers who made his first appearance on the box since 2017. 

There was plenty to celebrate, as the Portuguese Grand Prix made its return since 2019 before the pandemic hit and the support received by the local community and the fans made for an even bigger and better event than seen before. 

Infront Moto Racing is delighted to continue this collaboration and look forward to more visits to Agueda for the MXGP of Portugal. 

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Frenchman Jordi Tixier is a former MX2 World Champion and also part of the French winning team at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. A rider with a good technique and some solid GP performances over the years.

Now in his seventh season in the MXGP class, Tixier has come close to finishing inside the top ten in the world, when back in 2020 the KTM rider came home 11^th in the season points standings and that gave him more motivation to continue racing at the highest level.

Last season Tixier was struggling, some high moments, however eventually his season ended with injury and 33^rd place in the series. Teaming up with former MX3 World champion Yves Demaria for 2022 has also been a good move for Tixier.

“I got an injury end of last year and it was better to focus on 2022,” Tixier said. “So, my winter was good, and I work with Yves Demaria now, we made some improvements with my riding. Last year, I won a championship in Germany and racing against Max Nagl. The MXGP was tough, I had up and down results and lost some confidence. It didn’t go as I wanted, and I needed to change some things and that is why I started working with Yves Demaria. You know, what he has taught me is my riding, he also helped my confidence, and the most important thing was also the engine, we change somethings there. My corner speed is better now.”

Having been to the top of the mountain in the 2014 season when he was crowned MX2 World Champion and now running as privateer rider has been a journey that has only made him stronger as a person and 2022 is something he is looking forward to.

“You know, the most important thing is having no regrets. I won the Junior World Championship, I was MX2 World Champion, I won the Nations with France, actually this is the best what I could have done. I have worked with great people, and I have a great relationship with the people at KTM. I have my own team now and it is a new chapter in my career. I still have some goals, not the same as before, but I still work hard, and I know good things can still happen. I have to make my practice times the same in the races on Sunday. My family is here, and we have a family team and I also have good sponsors.”

As he mentioned, since the last couple of years, Tixier has started his own team, and running a self-owned team, battling against the almighty factory teams isn’t an easy job, but Tixier is excited and ready for that challenge.

“Everybody sees the good things, but behind the scenes there is a lot of work and obviously with Covid it was a tough two years. The world isn’t going so well at the moment. Finding budget can be tough, but I have a good group of people with main sponsors that help me reach the World MXGP championship. It is tough, but I am always looking for new sponsors.”

Now 13^th in the MXGP championship points and putting together some really strong performances in 2022, the Frenchman can start to really look forward to more top ten results and gaining major points.

Photo Copyright: Polisport 

The fifth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship is geared-up and ready to go in the beautiful setting of the Dolomite Mountains in Pietramurata for the MXGP of Trentino.

Check out the timetable and entry lists for the event below:

TIMETABLE

MXGP Entry List

MX2 Entry List

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Entry List

EMX Open Entry List

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 6 April 2022 – The FIM Motocross World Championship continues this weekend with the fifth round of the series nestled in the stunning Dolomite Mountains of Pietramurata for the MXGP of Trentino!

The Pietramurata venue made its first appearance in the FIM Motocross World Championship back in 1987, with the inaugural Grand Prix won by Massimo Contini in the 125cc category. Since then, the hard-pack circuit has hosted 16 Grand Prix races, which also includes several triple headers in 2020 and 2021.

Trentino has been home to some incredible races and championship showdowns with the last two MX2 world titles of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle (2020) and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux (2021) celebrated at the spectacular venue, along with Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Courtney Duncan’s last two WMX world titles too.

As it stands, Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing are the most successful riders at the Pietramurata venue, with five GP victories each. Though with Cairoli retired and Herlings out with injury, this leaves the door open for Team HRC’s Tim Gajser to level up with the pair, as he sits second with four overall wins. 

This weekend, the MXGP of Trentino will be the perfect setting for a great weekend of racing, with a brand-new track layout ready to test the riders. The Crossodromo “il Ciclamino” will run in a different direction this weekend, with minor changes to accommodate the modification, while the essence of the circuit will remain the same.

Alongside the regular MXGP and MX2 action, we will also see rounds of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and EMX Open taking place on Saturday and Sunday.

What will be interesting to see in MXGP this weekend is whether after breaking Gajser’s winning streak in Portugal Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado can start his very own string of victories. Prado admitted that he has been riding with pressure, but now with his first GP win since Loket last year, finally off his back, maybe that will give him the much-needed boost to carry on with this momentum and ride like his usual self.

Though Gajser has been very strong this season so far, winning three GP’s on the bounce, so one weekend without the GP victory doesn’t rule him out straight away. Pietramurata is a good track for the Slovenian, with the added bonus of his home fans and the famous ‘Gajser corner’ which will no doubt give him an extra push during the races.

But of course, there seems to be a growing threat from the likes of Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Brian Bogers and Pauls Jonass who had a very good weekend in Portugal. No doubt the standout performance goes to Bogers, who after dislocating his shoulder in Argentina just two weeks prior, fought back to a podium position for his first ever visit to the box in MXGP and his first podium in general since 2017. It would be nice to see him carry this momentum and motivation into the rest of the season.

There’s also the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing squad to watch out for. Glenn Coldenhoff had a really positive weekend in Agueda, after winning the qualifying race, the Dutchman had a solid scorecard in the races, going 4-3 for fourth overall, just two points off the podium. Coldenhoff has admitted he has struggled with severe arm pump in the first rounds and is looking to put this behind him and focus on the positive results.

Meanwhile his teammates, Maxime Renaux and Jeremy Seewer have also had their share of ups and downs. After winning his first MXGP race, Renaux didn’t seem his usual self in Portugal as he struggled with crashes and could only manage 11^th overall. But Trentino is a special place for him, a track where he secured his first world title just last season, so there’s no doubt that he will be fired up for the weekend and keen to make up for last weekend.

Seewer also has his own success in Trentino, having won the Grand Prix there last year, his second in MXGP. While the Swiss hopes for another podium finish, he is also realistic having already made huge steps since Argentina where he picked up a concussion. It was not clear whether he would even start his 150^th GP in Portugal, so having delivered a solid result of 6^th overall and a few more days rest, it will be interesting to see what he can do this time around.

Another stand-out performance is one from Calvin Vlaanderen of Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing Team. Vlaanderen along with Arminas Jasikonis missed the Argentinian Grand Prix, and while Jasikonis missed the race last weekend too, Vlaanderen was present and delivered a very solid result of 7^th overall which is also his best result of the season so far.

Honda 114 Motorsports Ruben Fernandez was another rider to watch last weekend, but that didn’t quite go to plan for the Spaniard. Fernandez posted the fastest time in free and time practice but that did not translate into a good qualifying as he crashed twice, the latter one being the one that left him worse for wear. He did however line-up for the Sunday races, though 8^th overall was the best he could deliver. It is clear that his speed is there and hopefully that can translate into a good race too all he needs is the experience and time and now returning to a place where he was on the podium in MX2 last year, should give him an extra bit of motivation too.

Heading into the weekend, focus will be also on the Italian riders, such as Alberto Forato of SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery and Nicholas Lapucci of Fantic Factory Team Maddii  to see what they can do on home soil. Meanwhile Beta SDM Corse rider Alessandro Lupino will miss his home round due to surgery in Portugal last week. 

2021 MXGP of Trentino Top 3 – MXGP:

1. Jeffrey Herlings

2. Glenn Coldenhoff

3. Tim Gajser

Main Photo: MXGP Start 2021

Bottom Photos: 1. Jorge Prado 2. Tim Gajser

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 186 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 165 p.; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 144 p.; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 124 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 109 p.; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 101 p.; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 99 p.; 8. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 97 p.; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, GAS), 82 p.; 10. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, KTM), 73 p.;

In MX2, all eyes will be on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle who secured a back-to-back GP victory in Portugal with a 1-2 result over Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts. Coming into this race weekend in Trentino, both riders have the chance to win the GP, having both won there previously. It will be interesting to see if the memories of securing a world title will give Vialle an extra edge or whether Geerts will be able to bounce back and get back on the top spot to maintain a steady championship lead.

While many expect the fight to be between Vialle and Geerts, it’s also important not to rule out other potential threats in the likes of Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Mikkel Haarup or Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf for example.

Haarup has been on a high in these last two GP’s having score two podiums on the bounce for his best career result. Haarup has what it takes to win, but his lack of experience at the front could be a factor, though he admitted himself that leading in Portugal has already taught him a lot. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see whether the Dane can continue this form into the fifth round as he currently sits third in the championship.

Husqvarna’s de Wolf is another rider capable of getting on the box. At the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina it seemed like the Dutchman could be another name to add to the injured list in 2022, but his surprise return in Portugal really caught attention. A 3-5 result put him very close to the podium and there’s nothing to stop him doing it again in Trentino this weekend.

Just a further two points behind was F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Kevin Horgmo who finished his weekend with 33 points and a Fox Holeshot. Horgmo has consistently battled at the sharp end and after finishing fifth overall in Portugal, he keeps edging closer to a podium every weekend. Last year, Horgmo went 2-1 to win the EMX250 round in Trentino, so he has what it takes to lead laps and win there.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Thibault Benistant made his comeback last weekend and finished his first 2022 GP with 7^th overall. It’s a solid building point for the Frenchman and hopefully we see him improve race by race.

Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini and Simon Längenfelder will need a positive result this weekend after a couple of tough races. Guadagnini looked solid out of the gate in race one, though crashed in the second corner, which didn’t set the best tone for the day. He was able to fight back to 12^th and finish 5^th in race two, but will need a more positive result to stay in the running of a good overall result this season. Längenfelder had troubles of his own managing a 13-9 scorecard which he will no doubt look to improve also.

Local faces to look out for this weekend will be SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery’s Andrea Adamo who will be looking to get back on the box after his first podium in Mantova last month, along with Andrea Bonacorsi of Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing Team who will make another wildcard appearance in MX2.

2021 MXGP of Trentino Top 3 – MX2:

1.Tom Vialle

2. Jago Geerts

3. Ruben Fernandez

Main Photo: MX2 Start 2021

Bottom Photos: 1. Tom Vialle 2. Jago Geerts

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 174 points; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 158 p.; 3. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 132 p.; 4. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 130 p.; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GAS), 115 p.; 6. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 113 p.; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 111 p.; 8. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 106 p.; 9. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 92 p.; 10. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 90 p.;

TIMETABLE (Local Timing CET)

SATURDAY: 07:45 EMX Open Group 1 Free Practice, 08:10 EMX Open Group 2 Free Practice, 08:35 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 09:00 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 09:20 EMX Open Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 10:10 EMX Open Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 10:50 MX2 Free Practice, 11:20 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 12:45 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 13:25 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 14:45 EMX Open Race 1, 15:30 EMX125 Race 1, 16:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

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

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

You can find the complete results HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP of Trentino

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 4 April 2022 – MXGP is excited to continue the Fox Holeshot competition for the 2022 season of the FIM Motocross World Championship, together with MXGP partner Fox.

How does the competition work?

Every Grand Prix race, during both MXGP and MX2 races, the rider who crosses the white line painted on the ground at the exit of the first corner secures the Fox Holeshot and receives one point. At the end of the season, the two riders, one per category, with the most Fox Holeshot points will win the mega prize!

At the MXGP of Portugal the Fox Holeshot awards were presented to four different riders across the MXGP and MX2 categories.

In MXGP, the first Fox Holeshot in race one was taken by JM Honda Racing’s Henry Jacobi, meanwhile in race two Jorge Prado of Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing secured his fourth Fox Holeshot of the season, on his way to his first overall victory this season.

In MX2, the starts were dominated by Kawasaki with podium finisher, Mikkel Haarup of Big Van World MTX Kawasaki Racing securing his first Fox Holeshot in the opening heat, while in race two it was Kevin Horgmo of F&H Kawasaki Racing Team who crossed the Fox Holeshot line first.

As it stands, Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado continues to lead the Fox Holeshot classifications in MXGP, meanwhile in MX2, Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle remain tied on three points.

The Fox Holeshot competition continues next weekend at the MXGP of Trentino!

MXGP Fox Holeshot Classifications

MX2 Fox Holeshot Classifications

Watch the Fox Holeshot Films from the MXGP of Portugal below.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 4 April 2022 – For the 2022 season of the FIM Motocross World Championship, we see the return of a very exciting competition, that is the Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena.

Throughout the season fans have the opportunity to cast their votes race-by-race and decide who becomes the ‘Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena’ in MXGP at the end of this year’s championship.

Votes are tallied at every Grand Prix, with the ‘Best Rider of the GP’ being chosen during each event of 2022. The rider who is voted the most times as the best rider, will walk away with the ultimate prize and be presented with the special award for ‘Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena’!

How to vote:

Every Grand Prix Sunday a dedicated post is shared on MXGP’s official Instagram page under which fans can comment who their favourite rider of the weekend is. This competition is only for MXGP riders and the voting closes at 8pm on Sunday.

The comments are then counted and the rider with the most votes is chosen as the best rider of that GP. 

During the MXGP of Portugal, podium finisher and race two winner Tim Gajser of Team HRC was voted the ‘Best Rider of the MXGP of Portugal’ after receiving more than 48% of the votes ahead of Grand Prix winner Jorge Prado from Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing who was second with 26% and ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux in third.

Tim Gajser continues to edge out in the competition after four rounds, though there are still 15 Grand Prix’s to go, so the competition for the ultimate prize is still wide open!

2022 Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena Standings