MXGP

AGUEDA (Portugal) 3 April 2022 – The MXGP of Portugal concluded the fourth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship after some intense battles in MXGP and MX2 that saw Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado celebrate his first overall victory of the season, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle made it two on the bounce with a back-to-back GP win in MX2.

Meanwhile, Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Brian Bogers made heads turn with his impressive performance just two weeks after dislocating his shoulder and to top it off, he celebrated his first MXGP podium and first trip to the box since 2017 with third overall.

In the first MXGP heat, it was JM Honda Racing's Henry Jacobi with the Fox Holeshot as he led Prado, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff, Bogers and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer as Team HRC’s Tim Gajser got squeezed in 8^th.

Bogers was hot on Coldenhoff’s heels from the get-go and by the the end of the third lap was ahead of the Yamaha rider. He then set the fastest lap of the race, setting a strong pace as he began to close the gap to Prado in first.

Meanwhile Gajser was up in sixth but struggling to find an opportunity to get by Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass. It took the Slovenian a total of six laps to pass the Latvian, but once he did that, it was all guns blazing as he then passed Seewer on lap 13 and then got Coldenhoff on lap 14. He fought hard to get close to Bogers, but in the end, it was not enough.

Renaux was having a steady race down in seventh but dropped it on lap 14 to eventually come home in 11^th behind SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery’s Alberto Forato, Beta SDM Corse’s Jeremy Van Horebeek and Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Calvin Vlaanderen who finished eighth.

Prado went on to win the first heat, as Bogers crossed the line just 1.021 seconds behind him, with Gajser third.

In race two, it was Prado with the Fox Holeshot that time around, as Gajser got a much better start in second ahead of Jonass, Coldenhoff and Seewer. Prado was fast and was doing a good job to keep Gajser at bay, who was keen on not repeating his mistakes from race one.

Gajser then set two consecutive fast laps as he got onto the rear wheel of the Spaniard. As they crossed the line for lap six there was just 0.729 seconds separating them as Gajser was able to dive down the inside of Prado and take over first place.

The Slovenian then pulled away as Coldenhoff pushed Jonass for third. Seewer was right there in fifth with Bogers edging closer.

Beaton started the race in sixth before being caught by Vlaanderen. Behind him a train of Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez, Renaux and Forato started to form, as Renaux lost a spot to Forato and later crashed. Eventually he finished 11^th.

On lap 13 Coldenhoff finally got by Jonass as Seewer dropped two positions to Bogers and Vlaanderen. Bogers then continued his charge forward and on lap 16 passed his teammate for fourth.

Not much changed in the final laps as Gajser won his fourth race of the season, with Prado second and Coldenhoff third.

A 1-2 result handed Prado his first overall win of the season, as Gajser finished second on the box ahead of Bogers who was third. After round four, Gajser continues to lead the MXGP Championship classification with 186 points, 21 ahead of Prado and Renaux who remains third.

Jorge Prado: “It’s great to get back on the top of the box. It’s hard, everybody is riding very fast and in the first races until now it was hard for me to ride like myself, always with a lot of pressure and I don’t know why. It was a long time since I won so when everything goes well, it looks like everything comes easy, the wins come one after each other, but once you get the win, I think it’s the perfect place to be in to relieve pressure. And I think this weekend will change a lot. It’s been hard, especially Argentina but I’m super happy to be here and to go 1-2 for the overall. Second race was tough, but I got the GP win”.

Tim Gajser: “It was a good day. The first race I didn’t have a good jump out of the gate, so I was a bit back and was struggling in the beginning to find good lines. Then about ten minutes into the race I managed to find some nice lines and make some passes, but the front two were already in a quite comfortable lead so it was really difficult to close and pass them. For the second one, I had a better start, I was behind Jorge, tried to find the lines again and then managed to make a pass and had two or three fast laps and control it, so I’m happy”.

Brian Bogers: “It’s amazing. I mean, I am speechless but the way to here was so difficult, even from 2018 when I broke my foot, I was out for nine months and to get back here was really difficult. But we are back and I am feeling good, already the first races were actually good and it’s been going better and better. Now I’m looking forward to the rest of the season".  

Main Photo: Jorge Prado

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser 2. Brian Bogers

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), 34:59.835; 2. Brian Bogers (NED, Husqvarna), +0:01.021; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:02.556; 4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:15.088; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:15.906; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:16.694; 7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:18.114; 8. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:19.865; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:22.798; 10. Alberto Forato (ITA, GASGAS), +0:24.339;

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 35:18.400; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:05.119; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:05.980; 4. Brian Bogers (NED, Husqvarna), +0:11.416; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:14.562; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:15.709; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:26.364; 8. Alberto Forato (ITA, GASGAS), +0:28.735; 9. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:38.354; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:45.595;

MXGP - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 47 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 45 p.; 3. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 40 p.; 4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 38 p.; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 30 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 30 p.; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 28 p.; 8. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 27 p.; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, GAS), 24 p.; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 23 p.;

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.;

MXGP - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Honda, 186 points; 2. Yamaha, 169 p.; 3. GASGAS, 165 p.; 4. Husqvarna, 128 p.; 5. KTM, 100 p.; 6. Beta, 99 p.; 7. Kawasaki, 86 p.; 8. Suzuki, 10 p.; 9. Fantic, 3 p.;

In MX2 race one, Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Mikkel Haarup and Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini were out in front, but it was Haarup who got the Fox Holeshot. Though Guadagnini led very briefly before crashing in the second turn with a few other riders.

Haarup then led the way, as Vialle got by Andrea Adamo of SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery. Geerts was looking good just behind them until he crashed big and dropped to last.

Vialle then worked to close the gap to Haarup. Though the Dane was not going to back down easily and kept the battle going for four laps before the Frenchman was able to find his way into the lead.

Conrad Mewse then found his way into third the following lap, as Geerts fought his way up the order to 16^th. Haakon Fredriksen of Honda 114 Motorsports’ also had a big crash and did not finished the race.  

A rider to watch in the first heat was Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf who started in around eighth. He made some nice passes in the first few laps and continue his progress through the field before catching onto Stephen Rubini of Team Ship to Cycle Honda on lap 10 and then Adamo on lap 14 and eventually Mewse on lap 16.

Haarup put up a fight until the chequered flag, but it was Vialle who won, Haarup was second and de Wolf placed third. Geerts came back to ninth behind F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Kevin Horgmo.

In race two, it was Horgmo with the Fox Holeshot as he led Hitachi KTM Fuelled by Milwaukee’s Isak Gifting, Haarup, Vialle, Geerts and Adamo. As Jeremy Sydow of Diga Procross KTM Racing Team crashed on the opening lap.

Vialle moved into second place by the end of the lap, as Geerts got by Gifting too. The Belgian then set the fastest lap of the race as Horgmo continued to lead.

The Norwegian led seven laps of the race, before Vialle was able to whittle away at his lead and move into first place. Gifting then crashed as Geerts moved into second. Horgmo was pushed to third but had a comfortable gap to Haarup and de Wolf who were behind him.

Geerts though was keen on redeeming himself after the crash in race one, and on lap nine his efforts paid off as he passed Vialle and started to pull away.

In the closing stages of the race Haarup went after Horgmo who saw his third place position at risk, though despite the Dane’s best efforts, Horgmo was able to hold firm.

Geerts ended up winning the race ahead of Vialle, Horgmo, Haarup and Guadagnini.

A 1-2 result gave Vialle the overall victory, while Haarup celebrated his second podium in a row as he took the second step of the box ahead of Geerts who was forced to settle for a third-place trophy.

Though Geerts continues to lead the championship after four rounds and is 16 points ahead of Vialle as Haarup occupies the third position in the championship classifications.

Tom Vialle: “I had a difficult Saturday, I crashed in the qualifying race and was 13^th on the gate which was pretty far, and the start here is not super long. First race, in the first two laps it was a little bit slippery, but I managed to win the race and I was happy with this. Second race I had an ok start, the first lap was really good for me because I passed a lot of riders and went into the lead. Jago passed me and I was struggling for a few laps, but I was happy with the second position, Jago was riding quite good, and I didn’t want to take any risks to try to push to win the second race. Second GP win of the season and I’m happy about today.

Mikkel Haarup: “We got the Fox Holeshot in the first race, and it was really nice, the first one of the season. And then I was leading for a couple of laps, but Tom passed me and I think actually it was pretty good to follow and see how it was, because it was a new situation for me, it was my first time out in front in MX2 and I learned a lot. We started to gain pace by the end of the race but didn’t manage to get the pass. But it was great, the best race for me so far this season and my career. And then second race, I made a mistake, didn’t get a good start but still managed to make some good passes and caught up to the top three guys but couldn’t find the flow to make the pass. But anyway, I was happy with my riding and the result, the best of my career so far”.

Jago Geerts: “I’m really happy about my riding today. In the first race, on the landing my handlebar slipped, and I had a pretty big crash so I needed to come from the back and still finished in ninth position, it was a little bit of damage control. And then in the second heat, I got a pretty good start and after a couple of laps found a good flow, managed to pass Tom and won the heat so, I’m really happy about my speed and the second race. I just need to try to do the same thing and keep working at it race-by-race”.

Main Photo: Tom Vialle

Bottom Photos: 1. Mikkel Haarup 2. Jago Geerts

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 35:34.370; 2. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:01.422; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:17.796; 4. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +0:18.771; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GASGAS), +0:20.506; 6. Stephen Rubini (FRA, Honda), +0:23.784; 7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:27.380; 8. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:27.952; 9. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:34.855; 10. Jeremy Sydow (GER, KTM), +0:35.915;

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), 35:26.631; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:05.476; 3. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:07.587; 4. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:10.050; 5. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +0:25.019; 6. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:28.370; 7. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GASGAS), +0:38.023; 8. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:41.595; 9. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:48.124; 10. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Honda), +1:00.551;

MX2 - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 47 points; 2. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 40 p.; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 37 p.; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 35 p.; 5. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 33 p.; 6. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GAS), 30 p.; 7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 27 p.; 8. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 25 p.; 9. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 10. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 23 p.;

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.;

MX2 - Manufacturers Top Classification: 1. Yamaha, 176 points; 2. KTM, 174 p.; 3. GASGAS, 160 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 137 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 127 p.; 6. Honda, 106 p.;

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

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF PORTUGAL QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1630m

Type of ground: Clay Based

Temperature: 16° C

Weather conditions: Sunny

Weekend Attendance: 25,000

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP of Portugal

Romain Febvre will not be able to return to racing during the upcoming rounds of the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship as the French rider requires further surgery to his broken right leg.

Both Romain and the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP had high expectations for this season but the 2021 MXGP World Championship runner-up needs to wait several more weeks before resuming his riding activities. His recovery had been progressing well during recent weeks as Romain was able to undertake a full physical-training programme. “I was able to go cycling, swimming and working at the gym twice-a-day but I still felt some pain in my leg and had several medical examinations to understand where the problem lay. Finally, I underwent minor surgery to remove some screws that were causing irritation and after this intervention in Luxemburg my surgeon made another scan and discovered that the bone was not healing perfectly,” explained Romain, who is now forced to postpone his comeback.

“It’s frustrating of course but there is no other option than to have further surgery next week; they will open my leg, clean the bones and make a bone graft by taking some bone from my hip. I already told my surgeon that if it’s necessary to put some plate or whatever I want to do it to ensure an optimal recovery,” explained Romain who will reduce his physical training schedule for a few days. “Nobody can tell how long it will take to recover but for sure when they will open my leg they will be able to give me more details. My goal remains the same; to work hard and to return to racing as soon as possible. The team has been strongly behind me since the beginning and I can’t wait to join them at the race track.”

Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP team manager Antti Pyrhönen, himself a former rider in the Motocross World Championship, has personal experience of the situation facing Romain: “We knew that it was a serious leg injury and we have been doing all we can to heal it well but it still needs more treatment, in this case an operation and more time. I had a very similar leg injury myself during my racing career so I know first-hand what Romain is going through. The important thing is that his leg will be 100% when he returns; it will heal completely but it takes time. The team has remained behind Romain from day one and will continue to do so; we look forward to working together to get him back where he belongs at the head of the pack when he is healthy.”

Photo Copyright: Bavo Swijgers 

AGUEDA (Portugal) 2 April 2022 – The qualifying day of the MXGP of Portugal has concluded with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing dominant in MXGP and MX2 as Glenn Coldenhoff and Jago Geerts took victories in the races.

Geerts celebrated his third consecutive qualifying race victory of the season, while Coldenhoff secured his first, delivering a positive result that was much needed for the Dutchman as he looks to put the woes of the first few races behind him.

Additionally, today's action saw the first races of the support classes, who much like the MXGP and MX2, were dominated by Yamaha. In the EMX250 category, Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing's Rick Elzinga continued to dominate after winning the opening race ahead of TBS Conversions KTM Racing Team's Camden Mc Lellan. Meanwhile in the Women's Motocross World Championship it was JK Yamaha Racing's Lynn Valk who came out on top and will look to do the same tomorrow in order to secure the red plate from Ceres 71 Yamaha Racing's Nancy Van De Ven. 

In the MXGP qualifying race, we saw Team HRC’s Tim Gajser take a flying start ahead of Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez, Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass, Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff.

Fernandez was searching for a way to pass the championship leader on the opening lap, though could not make it happen, right before the pair both went down. They both got going, by which point they were way down the order.

This gave Coldenhoff a clear path to the lead, with Jonass and Prado on his heels. On lap three Prado went by Jonass to steal second, while the Latvian came under further pressure from his hard-charging teammate Brian Bogers, who had earlier got by Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer for fourth.

Fernandez’ race then went from bad to worse as he crashed once again. Initially he struggled to get up but walked away from the track moments later, though did not carry on with the rest of the qualifying heat. He may have hurt his hand but will try to ride tomorrow.  

On lap eight and after several attempts Bogers was finally able to get by Jonass for third, as Prado continued to apply the pressure onto Coldenhoff for the win.

Further down the field, Gajser was making good progress as he worked his way up to 13^th. He managed a few more solid passes before the chequered flag fell and will start the races tomorrow from 7^th place.

It was a tough day for Beta SDM Corse riders Alessandro Lupino and Jeremy Van Horebeek as the pair both did not finish the race and will start tomorrow at the back of the grid.

Meanwhile, after successfully defending his position for the entire heat, Glenn Coldenhoff went on to win the MXGP qualifying race, with Prado second and Bogers third. Jonass will start fourth tomorrow ahead of Seewer and Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Calvin Vlaanderen who finished well in sixth.

Glenn Coldenhoff: “It’s been quite a difficult start to the season and a qualifying heat win is always good. The race went well, Tim Gajser was ahead of me together with Ruben Fernandez and they hit each other, so I moved into the lead. I was managing the situation but Pauls was pushing in the beginning, after I had the pressure from Jorge Prado, but managed to keep cool and take the win which is good, especially after the tough start to the season so this is definitely good for the confidence”.

Main Photo: Glenn Coldenhoff

Bottom Photos: 1. Jorge Prado 2. Brian Bogers

MXGP - Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), 25:25.899; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:02.095; 3. Brian Bogers (NED, Husqvarna), +0:04.531; 4. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:10.801; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:14.104; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:23.569; 7. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:25.995; 8. Henry Jacobi (GER, Honda), +0:29.633; 9. Jed Beaton (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:30.338; 10. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:35.536.

In the MX2 qualifying race, it was F&H Kawasaki Racing Team’s Kevin Horgmo who emerged with the holeshot, though Geerts was quick to find his way into the lead in the second turn, as Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini followed him to move into second.

Geerts led Guadagnini, Horgmo, Jeremy Sydow of Diga Procross KTM Racing Team, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle. Meanwhile, Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder started his race with a crash on the opening lap, though managed to salvage 16^th place by the end of the heat.  

Isak Gifting of Hitachi KTM Fuelled by Milwaukee and Big Van World MTX Kawasaki Mikkel Haarup had a nice battle for seventh which lasted the entire race, with Haarup finally getting by the KTM rider on lap seven, though not able to shake him completely until the end.

Sydow then crashed from fourth place, which allowed de Wolf, Vialle and Haarup through. Vialle was looking solid in fifth before he threw away his race too. He got going quickly but fell again on the final lap and finished 13^th.

The battle for fourth intensified between de Wolf and Haarup in the closing stages of the race, with Haarup managing to find a way past the Dutchman briefly, as de Wolf was quick to respond.

Meanwhile Geerts took a comfortable win with a 3.129 second advantage over Guadagnini and Horgmo, who was another few seconds behind, to secure his third pole position of 2022.

Jago Geerts: “The track was good in the qualifying heat, a lot better than in the free and time practice, more bumps and less fast. I am happy about my riding, I felt good all day and I’m just looking forward to the races tomorrow, will try to take a good start and hopefully have two solid races and get a lot of points”.

Main Photo: Jago Geerts

Bottom Photos: 1. Mattia Guadagnini 2. Kevin Horgmo

MX2 - Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), 25:27.663; 2. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +0:03.129; 3. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:05.693; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:21.333; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:22.262; 6. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), +0:24.474; 7. Stephen Rubini (FRA, Honda), +0:25.924; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GASGAS), +0:34.593; 9. Jeremy Sydow (GER, KTM), +0:36.979; 10. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +0:41.534;

TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC+1)

SUNDAY: 09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 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 Portugal will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF PORTUGAL QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1630m

Type of ground: Clay Based

Temperature: 17° C

Weather conditions: Sunny

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP of Portugal

AGUEDA (Portugal) 2 April 2022 – Infront Moto Racing is delighted to share that ticket sales for the MXGP of Latvia on the 23^rd - 24^th of April are now open!

Motocenter "Zelta Zirgs" has been a part of the FIM Motocross World Championship calendar since 2009 officially, though previously hosted the MX3 and European 125cc Championship rounds in 2005 and 2006. Now back for the 13^th time, the MXGP of Latvia promises to bring plenty of action for the sixth round of the series.

Alongside the usual MXGP and MX2 action, the Latvian Grand Prix will also host rounds of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and EMX Open categories.

Don’t miss your chance to witness your favourite riders in action and support local hero Pauls Jonass of Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing as he and the rest of the MXGP stars take on the challenge of the Latvian Kegums circuit! Get your tickets for the event HERE!

Why not upgrade? A VIP option is available! The VIP GOLD Skybox pass gives you access to the most exclusive areas of the venue with the added bonus of the best views and incredible breakfast and lunch! Learn more about the VIP tickets HERE!

AGUEDA (Portugal) 1 April 2022 – The fourth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship heads to Agueda this weekend for the MXGP of Portugal.

This season will be the 23^rd time that Agueda will host MXGP, with the orange clay-based circuit promising to deliver some exciting action to mark its return for the first since 2019.

Want to see the action as it unfolds? Check out the list of channels below that will air LIVE and delayed action of the MXGP of Portugal, along with the 26min Behind-the-Gate magazine, available to enjoy on MXGP-TV.com and via our TV magazine partners following the GP weekend, featuring the best moments from the races and exclusive interviews, plus more!

This weekend, Portuguese channel SPORT TV will be LIVE with the race action, bringing coverage from the circuit, as the TV crew will be onsite at the venue throughout the weekend. 

As always, MXGP fans can follow the races LIVE throughout the weekend, all you need to do is log onto www.MXGP-TV.com this Saturday and Sunday to watch the MXGP, MX2, EMX250 and WMX action from the comfort of your home.

USA CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 12:00 am ET – Delayed

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 01:00 am ET – Delayed

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE

BELGIUM 

PLAY SPORTS OPEN

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE

VRT

Sunday 3 April 2022  – 20mn highlights

ESTONIA

Go3

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE

FINLAND

MTV Max

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00 (Local time GMT+3) - LIVE

FRANCE

AUTOMOTO LA CHAINE 

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 16:00 CET – Delayed

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 00:30 CET – Delayed

ITALY

RAI SORT HD

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 00:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 4 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 01:30 CET – Delayed

RAI STREAMING

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE Streaming

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE Streaming

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 00:00 CET – Delayed

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 00:30 CET – Delayed

LATVIA

TV3 Sport Open

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE

LITHUANIA

Go3

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE

NETHERLANDS

NOS

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE Streaming

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE Streaming

PORTUGAL

Sport TV

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 GMT+1 – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 GMT+1 – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 GMT+1 – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 GMT+1 - LIVE

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE

SPAIN

TV Galicia

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE

Teledeporte

Monday 4 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 01:00 CET – Delayed

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE

RTVE Play

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET – LIVE Streaming

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET – LIVE Streaming

BRAZIL

Bandsports

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – TBC – Delayed

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – TBC – Delayed

ASIA

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

EUROSPORT ASIA

Monday 04 April 2022 – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET – Delayed

Monday 04 April 2022 – MXGP Race 1 – 12:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 04 April 2022 – MX2 Race 2 – 13:00 CET – Delayed

Monday 04 April 2022 – MXGP Race 2 – 13:30 CET – Delayed

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

VIACOM 18

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 GMT – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 GMT – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 GMT – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 GMT - LIVE

PACIFIC

AUSTRALIA

STAN SPORTS

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 GMT – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 GMT – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 GMT – LIVE

Sunday 3 April 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 GMT - LIVE

26min Behind-the-Gate Magazine Partners:

AMERICA

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

USA                             MAV TV                                   During the week after the event

AFRICA

Africa                           AXP                                          During the week after the event

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                       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

Spain                           Movistar                                  Firday after each event at 12am

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

VIACOM 18                                                                 TBC

WORLDWIDE

Worldwide                  Motorvision                               During the week after the event

                                    Redbull TV                               Race Craft and Vlog

TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC+1)

SATURDAY: 09:45 WMX Free Practice, 10:15 EMX250 Free Practice, 10:50 MX2 Free Practice, 11:20 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 WMX Qualifying Practice, 12:45 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:25 Time Practice, 14:00 Time Practice, 14:45 WMX Race 1, 15:30 EMX250 Race 1, 16:25 Mx2 Qualifying Race, 17:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 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

MXGP of Portugal

Antti Pyrhonen has seen it all in the sport of motocross, once as a Grand Prix racer, then team manager of the Ice One Honda and Husqvarna factory efforts and now as the team manager of the Factory Kawasaki team, which includes Romain Febvre and Ben Watson.

Since the move from Husqvarna to Kawasaki, the team has seen a lot of bad luck and development, going from working with a European brand and now a Japanese brand. Also, with Febvre out for the first rounds of the 2022 MXGP season and Watson struggling to find his best form, it hasn’t been easy for the team. Pyrhonen though is positive that everything will be okay soon.

“We all know how professional Romain is, “Pyrhonen said. “He has the heart and will of a lion, so if anyone can come back strong, we know it is him. I see that Ben is super talented. A very technical rider and has a good work ethic. He has everything to have a very successful GP career, but I do see we need to still be a little bit patient with him. It is a new team for him and the Kawasaki factory team, so we shouldn’t build up too much pressure. Let’s go racing and do everything the best possible way and I think if we do that, then he can enjoy his racing, have fun and get his best results. We have no rush to see his best.”

As for racing on green bikes from Japan instead of white bikes from Austria, that has been a challenge, but one that Pyrhonen has enjoyed a lot. The motivation doesn’t change, either do the goals as the team still looks at adding a number one plate to the green bikes sooner rather than later.

“There are many differences. A big change and we have had a hard-working winter. We made everything happen and we are excited for the season and to work with Kawasaki. It has been great, really positive and to work with the Kawasaki factory and learn a new bike. We are super excited. Motivation has always been there, as high as possible and the change to Kawasaki didn’t make the motivation less.”

As for the support from Japan, for Pyrhonen, it has been an enjoyable experience learning the way the Japanese like to work and is looking forward to even more involvement with the Japanese technicians as the whole Covid situation allows more travel.

“Yes, support has been really good, because we are the Kawasaki factory team, the support is really great. Communication with Japan is very intense, and I feel like we are a real factory team now and Kawasaki Japan they will become more involved in the future and when Covid is gone and travel restrictions are gone, we will see them even more. The change to Kawasaki in a short winter was a big change and they did everything to make it as smooth as possible.”

And now with Ben Watson making progress and scoring more points at each GP, and Febvre expected back some time soon, the team will be at full strength and those podium finishes will return, with the possibility of some Grand Prix victories for the green army.

Photo Copyright: Bavo Swijgers

Diga Procross KTM Racing rider, Thomas Kjer Olsen will not start at the Portuguese MXGP in Agueda due to injury.

In the second race of the MXGP in Argentina, Thomas Kjer Olsen collided with an opponent in the air through no fault of his own and injured his hand in the subsequent crash. On Wednesday, Thomas and the team have decided on the advice of the doctor together, not to start at the MXGP in Portugal to let the hand heal completely.

Thomas Kjer Olsen: "Due to my unintentional crash in Argentina, my team and I unfortunately have to do without a start in Portugal. I tried to ride this week, but the pain in my hand was just too much. I hope to be able to return to full training quickly and continue my performance from the last few weeks."

We wish Thomas a speedy recovery and hope that he is quickly back on the bike.