MXGP

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 30 June 2021 – The 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship continues as we enter round three with the Monster Energy MXGP of Italy.

The Italian Grand Prix returns to Maggiora Park this weekend, a track that has a very rich motocross history dating back to 1966 when the circuit first hosted the FIM Motocross World Championship with the Grand Prix dominated by Paul Friedrichs on the CZ.

The hillside track based in the north of Italy has hosted numerous FIM Motocross World Championship events since then, including the most memorable 1970, 1986 and 2016 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

Following the 2016 edition of MXoN the track closed its doors and after undergoing some work, Maggiora will be revived this weekend as it returns to the MXGP calendar for this year’s Monster Energy MXGP of Italy!

Joining the MXGP and MX2 riders this weekend will be the EMX categories, with round one of the EMX Open Championship as well as the second instalment of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing. Fantic Factory Team Maddii rider Haakon Osterhagen leads the 125cc Championship ahead of Ferruccio Zanchi of Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC and Brit Bobby Bruce from ASA United GasGas, so it will be interesting to see how the action unfolds this time around. Meanwhile the EMX Open class is all to play for as we will get a taste of what this year’s contenders can do. 

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli will enter his home Grand Prix with the confidence of a Grand Prix victory a week ago in Great Britain where he went 1-3 to secure his 93^rd GP win. While Maggiora may not be a circuit that Cairoli feels most suited to, there is no doubt that the support of a home crowd will give him that extra edge.

Of course, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser will be looking to create more success at the iconic track following his win there in 2015, the same year he became MX2 World Champion. There’s no secret that Gajser is extremely strong this season and Maggiora is just another hard-pack track that we’re likely to see him shine at.

Much like Gajser, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre will want to repeat his success in Maggiora too, including his MXGP GP win in 2015, the same year he also became World Champion and of course not forgetting the 2016 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations where Febvre won with Team France for the third consecutive time. Febvre is a strong podium contender for this weekend and his results from the first two rounds just go to prove that. He secured a podium in Orlyonok and missed on a spot on the box by the slimmest of margins in Britain last weekend. He was also close to securing his first race win in Matterley Basin before losing the lead on the final two laps to Gajser. This of course was frustrating for the Kawasaki rider, so there’s no doubt he’ll want to fight back and get back on the podium this time around.

For Jeffrey Herlings of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, the upcoming race weekend is just another opportunity to get back up to speed, as the next few events will be taking place at tracks that are more suited to the sand-loving Dutchman. But of course, Herlings is also another rider who knows how to win in Maggiora, having done so in 2013 and 2014 back during his MX2 career. As it stands it’s Herlings who holds the most GP victories at the Italian track, but could he add a third?

Another rider to look out for is Standing Construct GASGAS Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass as he continues his top 10 success. In Orlyonok the Latvian didn’t have the best of luck as he DNF’d the first race, though that second heat was a real turning point as he place 3^rd which gave him 8^th overall. Then we moved on to Matterley Basin where he got two very solid results 6-6 for 6^th overall. He’s proving to be strong on a hard track so Maggiora could be another opportunity for Jonass to fight for a podium finish.

This weekend’s races will of course be special for other home riders, including MRT Racing Team KTM’s Alessandro Lupino, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Ivo Monticelli and Alberto Forato of SM Action Racing Team who will line up in front of their local fans. Lupino will be looking to add another top 10 finish to his scorecard, while Monticelli and Forato will be looking for stronger results following a tough weekend in Great Britain.

2015 MXGP of Italy – MXGP Top 3:

1. Romain Febvre

2. Kevin Strijbos

3. Todd Waters

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 93 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 78 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 73 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 65 p.; 5. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 61 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 60 p.; 7. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), 54 p.; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GAS), 50 p.; 9. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 43 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 42 p.;

Main Photo: 2015 MXGP Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Antonio Cairoli 2. Romain Febvre

In MX2 it’s all to play for too, with plenty of podium contenders and potential race winners to choose from. Possibly one of the most exciting things to discuss is that Honda 114 Motorsports Ruben Fernandez will enter the third round as the MX2 World Championship leader.

Fernandez has grabbed everyone’s attention with his recent results and the incredible battles that he has delivered. In Orlyonok we saw the Spaniard fight with Tom Vialle of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and his teammate Rene Hofer, while in Britain we were once again treated to some incredible combat between Fernandez and Hofer and then also Mathys Boisrame of F&H Kawasaki Racing and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini.

Fernandez looks strong this year, he’s able to get up in the mix, fight hard and respond when is necessary, which is why he’s been consistently on the podium so far.

While Tom Vialle was forced to pull out of the British GP due to an injury he sustained during the week, it looks like Vialle will be back for Maggiora, though his participating is not yet confirmed. There is no doubt Vialle is keen on getting back racing and claw back as many points as he can in order to have a fighting chance of defending his title.

Rene Hofer has also been on a high, with the Austrian consistently battling at the top end of the field which just goes to prove that Red Bull KTM Factory Racing have got a strong MX2 line-up this season, just like they do in MXGP.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux will enter the Italian Grand Prix confident, following his GP win in Matterley Basin. Renaux had two strong races last weekend going 1-2 and also Maggiora is a track he knows and has ridden before and even won at before back in 2015 when he was an EMX125 rider.

F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Mathys Boisrame and Roan Van De Moosdijk are a threat this weekend, with the pair becoming regulars when it comes to challenging at the top end of the field. Both riders have been consistently finishing together, with Boisrame 3^rd in Orlyonok and 4^th overall in Great Britain, while Moosdijk placed 4^th at the MXGP of Russia and 5^th in Matterley Basin.

And of course, we can’t forget the young Italian talent that is Mattia Guadagnini of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Last weekend in Britain we finally got to see the Italian shine as he took his first race win and secured a second overall on the podium – an emotional moment for sure. Now Guadagnini heads to his home GP with the confidence boost of his win and podium in Great Britain which will no doubt give him the push to keep going and deliver even better results this time around.

Other Local riders to keep an eye out for will be Andrea Adamo of SM Action Racing Team and Gianluca Facchetti of Team Honda Racing Assomotor.

2015 MXGP of Italy – MX2 Top 3:

1.  Tim Gajser

2.  Jeffrey Herlings

3. Jeremy Seewer

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), 36:34.006; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:02.407; 3. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), +0:04.397; 4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:09.087; 5. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:10.791; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:15.057; 7. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:24.453; 8. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:25.214; 9. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:29.094; 10. Isak Gifting (SWE, GASGAS), +0:33.158;

Main Photo: Maxime Renaux

Bottom Photos: 1. Mattia Guadagnini 2. Ruben Fernandez

TIMETABLE (Local Timing GMT+2)

SATURDAY: 09:00 EMX Open Free Practice, 09:30 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 10:00 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 10:35 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 11:10 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 11:45 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 13:10 EMX Open Race 1, 14:00 EMX125 Race 1, 15:10 EMX Open Race 2, 16:05 EMX125 Race 2.

SUNDAY: 09:15 MX2 Free/Time Practice, 10:15 MXGP Free/Time Practice, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Maggiora

The sixth 2021 issue of monthly motorcycle sport magazine with some of the best interviews, features and Blogs from the heart of MXGP, MotoGP and AMA Motocross/Supercross as well as tests and reviews of bikes and products from the motorcycling industry. Here are some of the highlights of OTOR #212:

MXGP: Brawling at the Basin - Photography and Blog perspective from round two of 2021 MXGP in Great Britain and where Tony Cairoli won his 93^rd GP but Honda now head the classes

Beginning with the start - The holeshot device and subsequent ride height system are ubiquitous in more than one racing series. We tracked the origins from MXGP and get the explanation of the concept

The Making Process - How do the experts spot young road racing talent, how do they fast-track them and, importantly, how do they keep it all going? We sought answers in MotoGP

MotoGP: Feeling double Blue - Control to controversy; it rarely feels like a calm day for Yamaha’s MotoGP effort. Expert insight and exquisite images from Assen where the Japanese courted all the attention

Read the full issue HERE!

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team rider Romain Febvre might have missed out on a podium by the slimmest of margins last weekend at the MXGP of Great Britain, but after the opening two rounds of the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship, he sits nicely in third place in the championship points and is just a handful off second placed man Jeffrey Herlings.

The 2015 World MXGP Champion has gone 2-6-7-2 for the first four races of the season, and at times was capable of running with the top guys, Tim Gajser, Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings.

Last weekend after a less than impressive opening race, full of drama and stress, he came back strong and was just a few hundred metres of winning his first race of the season, until Gajser came along and spoilt the party, passing him in the final lap of the race.

“A lot of guys were fast today,” Febvre said. “With a bad start in the first race it was not so easy to come back through the pack; my jump out of the gate was good but I was maybe too far inside and after the first corner I was outside the top ten. I came back strongly to seventh, but then the speed was similar with my rivals, and it wasn’t possible to make the difference. I changed my gate pick for the second race and my start was much better as I got the holeshot and for sure that made life much easier! There was one section on the track where I didn’t find the best line; that is where Tim passed me as I didn’t know which one, he would choose. We exchanged the lead several times during the last two laps and in the end, he won; it’s always frustrating to lead all the race apart from the last two laps but that’s it; we’ll continue to work before Maggiora".

A week earlier he was third overall behind Gajser and Herlings and as has been the case so far this year his starts were good, although a couple of little mishaps cost him any chance of finishing second between the two multiple World champions.

“I had a good start in both races but the second could have been better. I managed to get into third really soon, I saw that I was faster than the other riders but I kind of took my time to look for some lines and Pauls Jonass was in front, he was riding securing the inside line everywhere and at one point I was really close to him, at the last moment he cut his line and went for the inside line and I was there so he took my front wheel and I ended up in the fence. Managed to get the bike and when I stood up, I crashed again, so I lost about 20 seconds. I managed to come back to sixth so it’s pretty good, I didn’t think I was on the podium on the last lap, it’s on your bad days that you can fight for the championship, so I’m really happy to finish sixth in the second race and third overall”.

So now moving onto Maggiora for the Monster Energy MXGP of Italy, a circuit Febvre showed glimpses of his 2015 championship winning form when he won a race at the 2016 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. So, it is a circuit he likes and no doubt he will be looking for another podium finish, or maybe even a victory.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 29 June 2021 – MXGP is thrilled to continue the Fox Holeshot competition, that is running throughout the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship season, together with MXGP partner Fox.

How does the competition work?

During both MXGP and MX2 races, the rider who crosses the white line painted on the ground at the exit of the first corner will be awarded 1 point. At the end of the season, the 2 riders, one per category, with the most Fox Holeshot points will win the mega prize!

During the MXGP of Great Britain, we saw four different riders dominate the starts to each receive the Fox Holeshot plate at the end of the race! In MXGP the award went to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre. Meanwhile in MX2, it was race one winner Maxime Renaux of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing and DIGA Procross GASGAS Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder who were the fastest out of the gate and into the Fox Holeshot first corner.

As it stands, Jorge Prado leads the Fox Holeshot classifications in MXGP with two points with Jeffrey Herlings and Romain Febvre on one point each. Meanwhile in MX2, Tom Vialle, Rene Hofer, Maxime Renaux and Simon Längenfelder are all tied on a single point.  

MXGP Fox Holeshot Classifications

MX2 Fox Holeshot Classifications

Watch the FOX Holeshot Films from the MXGP of Great Britain below. 

MXGP Fox Holeshot Film

MX2 Fox Holeshot Film

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 28 June 2021 – This season MXGP and Athena are bringing a very exciting competition to the FIM Motocross World Championship!

Throughout the year fans have the opportunity to vote for the ‘Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena’ in the MXGP category, with the votes tallied at every Grand Prix. A rider of the GP is chosen during each event in 2021 and the rider who receives the most points by the end of the season will walk away with the ultimate prize and be presented with the special award for ‘Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena’!

Every Grand Prix Sunday a dedicated post is shared on MXGP’s official Facebook page under which fans can comment who their favourite rider of the weekend is, with voting closing after the second MXGP race of the day. 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 Great Britain in Matterley Basin, podium finisher Tim Gajser of Team HRC was once again voted as the best rider of the Grand Prix, receiving 39.5 of the votes. Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass placed second with 18.6% and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings receiving 13.9% of votes.

Tim Gajser now edges out in the competition with two points, though with plenty of Grand Prix’s still ahead in the 2021 season, the door is still open for the ultimate prize! 

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 27 June 2021 – The MXGP of Great Britain has delivered once again, with awesome action in both MXGP and MX2 races that saw different winners in each heat for both categories.

While rain was forecasted for the entire day, this did not stop a healthy crowd of British fans make the trip to Matterley Basin to enjoy some of the most exciting racing that we have had this season so far. And what a show the riders put on for the cheering crowd that lit the whole track alive, making for an incredible atmosphere that MXGP missed by the entire paddock in 2020.

In MXGP all eyes were on Antonio Cairoli of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing who bounced back in incredible fashion, following an unlucky GP in Orlyonok, going 1-3 in the races to secure his 6th GP win here in Matterley Basin. Joining him on the podium was Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Jeffrey Herlings from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing who put together another solid day to get himself on the podium.

In MX2, Maxime Renaux of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing was determined to make up for lost ground in Orlyonok and he did just that with a win and a second to secure his career second overall victory. Mattia Guadagnini of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing placed second overall during what was his second Grand Prix as a factory KTM rider and Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez continued his podium streak to finish third.

In the opening heat it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado who grabbed the Fox Holeshot with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer and Cairoli closely behind. Though Cairoli wasted no time as he jumped into the lead, while Gajser was fighting further down the order.

On the opening lap it was Cairoli, Prado, Glenn Coldenhoff of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing and Herlings, with Seewer, Gajser and Pauls Jonass from Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing just behind.

A few laps later, Gajser had managed to get around Seewer and was closing in on the back of Herlings, while Seewer was coming under more pressure from Jonass. And so was his teammate Coldenhoff, who lost two positions in one lap to Herlings and Gajser as the pair went after Cairoli and Prado.

On his return to MXGP racing, Arminas Jasikonis of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing had a tough opening heat, as he eventually pulled into the pits to retire from the race.

With 2 laps to go Cairoli stretched out his lead to 8.731 seconds over Prado, with Herlings, Gajser and Coldenhoff completing the top 5, as Romain Febvre from Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team chased down Jonass.

In the end it was Cairoli who secured his first race win of 2021, with Prado 2^nd and Herlings 3^rd.

In race two it was Febvre who grabbed the second Fox Holeshot, though much like in the opening heat, Cairoli was quick to get out in front.

The opening lap was exciting, with Prado taking the lead from Cairoli and then Febvre doing the same as Gajser got himself up into third.

Seewer then lost a position to Herlings who took 5^th from the Swiss. Prado also lost another position, this time to Gajser as he got up into second and then it was game on as the Slovenian rode patiently behind Febvre for most of the race.

Gajser worked away at the gap lap by lap and towards the end of the race he was right on Febvre’s tail. Cairoli kept up with the leaders and at one point it looked like both Gajser and Cairoli were in for the chance of stealing the race win from Febvre.

The last two laps of the heat were intense, as Gajser and Febvre traded positions, with Gajser eventually able to make a pass on the Frenchman stick, on the final lap, and edge out slightly to take the chequered flag.

Cairoli topped the podium, with Gajser second and Herlings third. Febvre ended up fourth overall just 2 points off the podium.

Heading into the third round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, Tim Gajser continues to lead with 93 points, as Jeffrey Herlings sits second in the championship standings just 15 points behind and Romain Febvre is third a further 5 points back.

Antonio Cairoli: “Actually, I enjoyed race two more because it was nice with all the passing, and it was nice to be back battling. In the first race I had a really good start and immediately after a few corners I made my way into first place and then pushed as fast as I can. Of course, I was disappointed with last week. I was really not happy about this mistake; we lost a lot of points but of course today was very good and I really enjoyed the track. I ran short of breath during the second race in the last 4 laps, the guys were pushing hard. It was easy to make a mistake, so I thought let’s bring it home and make this 93^rd GP victory happen”.

Tim Gajser: “It was a good Sunday of racing. I enjoyed it a lot. This year they prepared the track a little different, especially in the first race. With Romain and Tony also behind we had a nice race and in the end, I managed to pass Romain on the last lap so it was good”.

“Maggiora is a historical circuit so I’m really looking forward to going there next week, hopefully the weather will be nice, and we will have some nice races”.

Jeffrey Herlings: “It’s our goal this year. We used to go out and try to win but I just want to be on the podium, and it has shown in the past that when you are on the podium almost every weekend you can keep close to the championship. First race was alright, the second race same, nothing impressive, I just don’t have the speed yet, I can do a good lap, but I still struggle with race speed. I’m not far off but I don’t want to throw it away in the beginning. I just want to keep racing and get better and improve week by week”.  

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 36:02.691; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:07.922; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:10.502; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:12.831; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:15.617; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GASGAS), +0:16.646; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:18.008; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:28.312; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), +0:38.199; 10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:39.569;

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 36:18.266; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:01.468; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:15.489; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:21.730; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:24.350; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GASGAS), +0:32.300; 7. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:41.289; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:43.046; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:43.610; 10. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:46.107;

MXGP - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 45 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 43 p.; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 36 p.; 5. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 36 p.; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GAS), 30 p.; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 29 p.; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 28 p.; 9. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 21 p.; 10. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), 20 p.;

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 93 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 78 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 73 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 65 p.; 5. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 61 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 60 p.; 7. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), 54 p.; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GAS), 50 p.; 9. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 43 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 42 p.;

MXGP - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Honda, 93 points; 2. KTM, 87 p.; 3. Kawasaki, 73 p.; 4. Yamaha, 63 p.; 5. GASGAS, 50 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 43 p.;

Main Photo: Antonio Cairoli

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser 2. Jeffrey Herlings

In race one, it was Renaux who took the Fox Holeshot as he edged out ahead of Isak Gifting of DIGA PROCROSS GASGAS FACTORY RACING and F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Mathys Boisrame. Thibault Benistant of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing was keen to move forward as he got himself into 3^rd, with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’ Jed Beaton getting off to a fantastic start in 4^th as he pushed Benistant.

Meanwhile Geerts struggled down the order as he was 12^th, though he managed to get back up into 7^th by the end of the race.

Benistant remained one of the fastest riders out on track as he was pushing to catch Boisrame and Renaux, while also fending off Beaton. Beaton then crashed out of 4^th and eventually came into pitlane before retiring from the heat.

Benistant then crashed also, dropping from 3^rd to 5^th. At that point Renaux had pretty much controlled the race but things got interesting behind him as Fernandez and Guadagnini were having a strong fight for third.

Guadagnini was applying the pressure as he clocked fast laps, lap after lap, though Fernandez was able to respond and that’s when the pair caught up with Boisrame who was second. Fernandez went after Boisrame and was able to make a pass on the corner before the finish line, for the perfect photo finish.

Renaux was the race winner, with Fernandez and Boisrame 2^nd and 3^rd.

In race 2, it was Simon Laengenfelder of DIGA PROCROSS GASGAS FACTORY RACING who secured the Fox Holeshot. Though he didn’t hold the lead for long as Guadagnini and Rene Hofer from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing were quick to jump into P1 and P2.

Fernandez didn’t have the best start as he began the race in 11^th.

Guadagnini then edged out from the rest of the field as Boisrame went after Hofer with the pair having a close battle. Hofer did a great job of fending off the Frenchman, though some laps later Boisrame was able to find a way through into P2, before making a mistake and crashing. He re-joined to eventually finish in 7^th.

Jago Geerts of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing was another rider to crash and had to restart from the back.

Race 1 winner, Renaux was keen on getting back in the action and chase a podium spot as he worked his way up the order as he caught up with Roan Van De Moosdijk of F&H Kawasaki Racing and then Hofer.

5.929 seconds separated Renaux from Guadagnini, as Geerts finally found his way up into the points. And as Renaux was looking like he was working away at the gap to the race leader, Guadagnini responded quickly to keep the gap healthy.  

In the end it was the #101 of Guadagnini who won his first ever MX2 race, while Renaux was 2^nd and Hofer 3^rd.

A 1-2 result gave Renaux the overall win, while Guadagnini got his first taste of a World Championship Podium and Fernandez made it two in a row with a 3^rd overall.

With Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle not lining up for today’s races due to injury sustained during the week, Ruben Fernandez has taken the championship lead, 5 points ahead of Maxime Renaux who is 2^nd and Mathys Boisrame who sits 3^rd on the same points (74).

Maxime Renaux: “I had really good races, we worked with the team to make progress on the starts, and I actually took the Fox Holeshot in race one so I’m happy about that. I had some consistent races, so I’m very happy about the weekend”.

Mattia Guadagnini: “It’s amazing. I just felt really good and really enjoyed racing here, really like the track and also good feeling on the bike, didn’t’ get the best time this morning but I did a good start and first race. I know the start is important and I took a good start, I was second and passed for the lead in the first lap. I just enjoyed the racing, I made my race, and I got the win, so I’m really happy about that. It was an amazing weekend”.

Ruben Fernandez: “I’m happy. To get the red plate is just awesome. I didn’t expect it so just to have it is unbelievable. The day started well with pole position, but I made my races really difficult with two bad starts. In the first race I was able to get second place after a last corner pass on Mathys Boisrame and also, I had a good battle with Mattia Guadagnini and I felt the pressure from behind so I knew I had to push. In race two, was difficult with the start and then I made a mistake on the first lap. I got sixth in the second race, and I was expecting more. It was a tough day but I am on the podium and with the red plate so just have to keep working”.

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), 37:05.389; 2. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:02.590; 3. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:02.737; 4. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), +0:04.269; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:05.951; 6. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:15.108; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:21.278; 8. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:22.675; 9. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:27.678; 10. Wilson Todd (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:44.740;

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 - Top 10 Classification: 1. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), 36:34.006; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:02.407; 3. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), +0:04.397; 4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:09.087; 5. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:10.791; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:15.057; 7. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:24.453; 8. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:25.214; 9. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:29.094; 10. Isak Gifting (SWE, GASGAS), +0:33.158;

MX2 - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 47 points; 2. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), 43 p.; 3. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 37 p.; 4. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 34 p.; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 31 p.; 6. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 31 p.; 7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 28 p.; 8. Wilson Todd (AUS, KAW), 21 p.; 9. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 20 p.; 10. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), 15 p.;

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 79 points; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 74 p.; 3. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 74 p.; 4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 67 p.; 5. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), 66 p.; 6. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 54 p.; 7. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 53 p.; 8. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 50 p.; 9. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 48 p.; 10. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 37 p.;

MX2 - Manufacturers Classification: 1. KTM, 93 points; 2. Kawasaki, 80 p.; 3. Honda, 79 p.; 4. Yamaha, 77 p.; 5. GASGAS, 53 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 43 p.;

Main Photo: Maxime Renaux

Bottom Photos: 1. Mattia Guadagnini 2. Ruben Fernandez

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos from the MXGP of Great Britain will be available HERE

MXGP OF GREAT BRITAIN – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 2240m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 18°

Weather conditions: Cloudy with light showers

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 8,000

NEXT STOP

Next Stop of the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship will mark round three of the series and it'll be held in Maggiora, Italy, in a week time. 

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP of Great Britain