MXGP

Australian Kyle Webster (JM Honda Racing) got caught up in a first corner pile-up in Sunday’s race one which resulted in a shoulder injury. Further examination showed that Kyle re-injured his right shoulder that got banged up last month. On a more positive note team manager Jacky Martens confirmed Benoit Paturel’s return to racing on Sunday at the third and last MXGP round in Lommel.

While Webster’s shoulder doesn’t require surgery the verdict is still harsh because the MXGP rookie will be ruled out for the rest of the season. Luckily Kyle’s recovery process should be quite straight forward. Webster is expected to meet with his surgeon Dr. Claes in four weeks team for a new check-up.

Team mate Benoit Paturel has been working hard to bounce back after the back injury he sustained at the last Latvian MXGP round. The former GP runner will return to world championship action this Sunday.

Kyle Webster: “I went into the doctor’s office thinking that it wouldn’t be that bad. Certainly because it didn’t hurt all that much. To hear that my shoulder was banged up again was a bitter pill to swallow. It’s super hard to have this happen two times in a row when I came here to fill in and got the chance to race at the highest level. Of course it’s very disappointing for everyone but this is also a part of motocross. I’m not going to dwell on it. We’ll stay positive and come back stronger!”

Jacky Martens, team manager: “It’s almost unbelievable how much bad luck Kyle has had in such a short time span. His riding was looking better and better in preparation for Lommel. To say this is a bummer is a huge understatement! The hardest part of all is that he won’t be able to show what he’s capable of in the world championship this season. With Benoit Paturel getting back at it this is surely a bittersweet kind of moment. Benoit has been going well in practice and he’s been grinding away to be as fit as he can be. Obviously he’s excited to be on the bike again but the race on Sunday will be just a matter of getting gatedrops and preparing for the final triple header in Trentino". 

Photo Copyright: JM Honda Racing

LOMMEL (Belgium) 20 October 2020 – The European Championship have concluded another race day here in Lommel, Belgium, this time for the round of Limburg.

It was a special day for Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Thibault Benistant who clinched the EMX250 title in style with a race win in the second heat, and an overall victory. This gave the Frenchman the best opportunity to celebrate his gold plate on the top of the box as he claimed his sixth-round win of the season.

Meanwhile in the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing category, Andrea Bonacorsi of Fantic Racing edged closer to his maiden EMX title, as a race win helped him maintain a healthy 38-point advantage on David Braceras of RFM GasGas MX Junior Team, who celebrated his first overall podium victory with a 1-2 result, keeping the championship chase alive.

This season Thibalut Benistant showed great form, which all began at the Latvian triple-header, where the Frenchman swept the podium at all three rounds after he missed the podium in Valkenswaard by 1 point. His closest rival, and this year’s vice champion, Mattia Guadagnini of Husqvarna Junior Racing Maddii then responded with his own string of race wins and podiums in Mantova, as he won the rounds of Città di Mantova, Europe and then also the round of Spain.

The championship chase came down to the wire here in Lommel, with Benistant having the perfect day during the first round of Flanders, as he secured two strong race wins. Guadagnini was looking to respond and give it his best shot for today’s races though it didn’t work out. Despite winning the opening race, while having a close battle with the series leader, the second race was much different for the Italian, who crashed out of the race and did not score any points.

And while the focus was on who the winner will be this season, the third spot of the championship also opened up, after an unfortunate crash side-lined Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf, who was absent from the races today. The third-place medal ended up going to Hakon Fredriksen of Yamaha SM Action MC Migliori J1 Racing, who in the second half of the series was showing some strong results, finishing on the podium a total of five times, three of those times consecutively. During today’s races, the Norwegian put in an impressive performance, finishing the races in fourth and then second, which also put him on the second step of the box.

Though with Guadagnini unfortunately not scoring any points in the second race, this left another spot on the podium up for grabs. And it was Jorgen-Matthias Talviku who confirmed his second podium of the season, with a third and a seventh-place finish in the races, to also secure fifth in the championship this year, a brilliant position to build upon as he plans to enter the series once again in 2021.

Thibault Benistant: “Of course it’s amazing to win another European Title, all the season I tried to stay focus because I knew that you cannot win every race so I worked really hard with the team, with Yamaha and with everybody to get the best result every race and finally we did it and I’m really happy about that. Of course, I’m looking forward to next season and now I have some news goals. Going to the MX2 class and I need to be really focused on that.

Haakon Fredriksen: “I started the season only in Latvia because I wasn’t in Valkenswaard; I just worked hard all the season and once I got the possibility I took it. Today I’m happy about my riding, I got the third overall in the championship and I’m really satisfied about that. My favourite moment of the season was the race win in Mantova, I really enjoy that, and I had a special feeling”.

Jorgen-Matthias Talviku: “I’m really happy about today and I really enjoied the track, but today the first race for me has been quite tough so in the second one I pushed really hard to get this result and be on the podium 3rd today. I’m also really happy for the 5th place I get in the championship. For the new season I want to keep in the EMX250 Championship and I’ll work a lot in the wintertime and do everything I need to be ready and focus next year. I want to thank my manager, my team and my trainer, the Estonian federation and my family because it has been a fantastic year for me!”.

EMX250 - Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), 29:57.541; 2. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:09.329; 3. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, Husqvarna), +0:19.802; 4. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Yamaha), +0:20.573; 5. Marcel Conijn (NED, KTM), +0:27.386; 6. Gianluca Facchetti (ITA, Yamaha), +0:29.752; 7. Albin Gerhardsson (SWE, Husqvarna), +0:32.004; 8. Lion Florian (GER, KTM), +0:34.492; 9. Anthony Bourdon (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:50.292; 10. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +0:52.331.

EMX250 - Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), 30:34.916; 2. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Yamaha), +0:07.820; 3. Tim Edberg (SWE, Yamaha), +0:14.687; 4. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), +0:29.301; 5. Marcel Conijn (NED, KTM), +0:37.160; 6. Albin Gerhardsson (SWE, Husqvarna), +0:44.335; 7. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, Husqvarna), +0:53.340; 8. Rick Elzinga (NED, KTM), +0:57.739; 9. Maximilian Spies (GER, Husqvarna), +1:07.822; 10. Lorenzo Locurcio (VEN, Kawasaki), +1:09.185

EMX250 - Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 47 points; 2. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, YAM), 40 p.; 3. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, HUS), 34 p.; 4. Marcel Conijn (NED, KTM), 32 p.; 5. Albin Gerhardsson (SWE, HUS), 29 p.; 6. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), 27 p.; 7. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 25 p.; 8. Lion Florian (GER, KTM), 23 p.; 9. Gianluca Facchetti (ITA, YAM), 23 p.; 10. Tim Edberg (SWE, YAM), 20 p.

EMX250 - Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 423 points; 2. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 377 p.; 3. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, YAM), 293 p.; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 272 p.; 5. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, HUS), 269 p.; 6. Tim Edberg (SWE, YAM), 232 p.; 7. Lorenzo Locurcio (VEN, KAW), 211 p.; 8. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), 178 p.; 9. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), 160 p.; 10. Gianluca Facchetti (ITA, YAM), 157 p.

EMX250 - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Yamaha, 452 points; 2. Husqvarna, 442 p.; 3. KTM, 366 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 222 p.; 5. Honda, 47 p.

Main Photo: EMX250 Championship Podium

Fom left to right: Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo, Maddii Racing's Team Manager Marco Maddii, Thibault Benistant, Hakon Fredriksen and FIM Europe President Martin De Graaff.

Bottom Photos: 1. EMX250 Start; 2. Thibault Benistant

In the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing category, it was David Braceras of RFME GasGas MX Junior Team, who took the top step of the podium for the very first time this season and he did so with a second and a race win. For Braceras, this was his fifth podium of the year, and his second race victory, which also helped him keep the championship chase alive, as the Spaniard whittled down on the lead of Fantic Racing’s Andrea Bonacorsi who now heads into the final round on Saturday with a 38-point advantage.

In the first race, the Spaniard had to work hard to fend off the championship leader, for quite some time, and would eventually drop a position after eight laps, as Bonacorsi carried out with his charge for the win.

Bonacorsi finished second overall today, after a confident race win in the opening race, which saw him get a good start and work his way around Braceras for the victory. The Italian then struggled in the second heat with the start and finding his flow and would finish down in fifth. Despite that, it was his fifth podium of the year and he now has one hand on the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing title, as we head into the final round of the championship in four-day time.

Today’s podium saw a new face in the mix, as Haakon Osterhagen of Creymert Racing celebrated his first top three of the season. The Norwegian started well in the opening race, though eventually dropped to eight after a brief moment off track. The KTM rider was able to make up for it in the season heat though, where he really showed his skills in the sand to finish the race in second place.

There’s now just one round remaining, and the door for the championship is still open, as Braceras has a shot of going after the title. Third in the championship is Meico Vettik, who has two podium finishes under his belt. Though he cannot afford to relax as Pietro Razzini is just a further eight points adrift and could get himself a medal this season. He showed his strength today as he challenged for the win in the opening race, which he finished fourth. So in terms of the championship nothing is concrete and the next few races will be interesting.

David Braceras: “I still cannot believe it, I really worked hard with my team and the dream came true. The day started really good, I was fourth in the time practice and in the first race I took the holeshot. I was able to lead almost all the race when five minutes to the end Andrea did catch me and passed me and I finish second. In the second race I started second and I pushed really hard. I’m really happy to take the overall here in Lommel and I’m feeling really good for Saturday, but I don’t think about the Championship right now and I’m only focused on the races, we’ll see what will happen on Saturday”.

Andrea Bonacorsi: “I started quite good, for sure better than last Saturday…in the time Practice I was sixth and in the first race started third and I was riding confident, I was able to pass the two riders in front of me and go for the victory. In the second race I started around tenth place, but I wasn’t riding really good, so I tried to do my best and got the fifth place. I’m quite happy about the result of being second overall and we’ll see what will happen in the last race on Saturday. I’m ready for Saturday, I don’t want think too much about the Championship and I want to be super focused for the race and ride good and get a good result”.

Haakon Osterhagen: “I’m feeling really strong in the sand, I train all the winter for that but unfortunately the season hasn’t been like I was expecting, and I struggled a lot. In the first race I started second and after somebody push me out of the track so I had to push really hard to re-group and get an eight that was the maximum I could do. In the second race I started really good and I took the holeshot and I was leading from some laps as well; after though Braceras passed me and I tried to follow him. I had some issues but luckily, I was able to be 2nd and get the third overall. I’m feeling really good and I’m feeling really strong in the sand. I’m looking forward to the next round”.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Fantic), 30:13.254; 2. David Braceras (ESP, GASGAS), +0:06.282; 3. Max Palsson (SWE, KTM), +0:06.532; 4. Pietro Razzini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:12.286; 5. Andrea Roncoli (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:13.833; 6. Florian Miot (FRA, KTM), +0:16.353; 7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, KTM), +0:18.642; 8. Haakon Osterhagen (NOR, KTM), +0:23.314; 9. Saad Soulimani (FRA, KTM), +0:35.363; 10. Martin Venhoda (CZE, KTM), +0:41.924.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. David Braceras (ESP, GASGAS), 31:16.907; 2. Haakon Osterhagen (NOR, KTM), +0:02.521; 3. Scott Smulders (NED, Husqvarna), +0:09.650; 4. Meico Vettik (EST, KTM), +0:14.087; 5. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Fantic), +0:14.655; 6. Florian Miot (FRA, KTM), +0:18.198; 7. Andrea Roncoli (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:25.085; 8. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KTM), +0:31.194; 9. Pietro Razzini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:36.763; 10. Nikita Kucherov (RUS, KTM), +0:42.723.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. David Braceras (ESP, GAS), 47 points; 2. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, FAN), 41 p.; 3. Haakon Osterhagen (NOR, KTM), 35 p.; 4. Florian Miot (FRA, KTM), 30 p.; 5. Andrea Roncoli (ITA, HUS), 30 p.; 6. Pietro Razzini (ITA, HUS), 30 p.; 7. Max Palsson (SWE, KTM), 25 p.; 8. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, KTM), 23 p.; 9. Nikita Kucherov (RUS, KTM), 21 p.; 10. Scott Smulders (NED, HUS), 20 p.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, FAN), 303 points; 2. David Braceras (ESP, GAS), 265 p.; 3. Meico Vettik (EST, KTM), 224 p.; 4. Pietro Razzini (ITA, HUS), 216 p.; 5. Max Palsson (SWE, KTM), 213 p.; 6. Andrea Roncoli (ITA, HUS), 194 p.; 7. Guillem Farres (ESP, GAS), 176 p.; 8. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KTM), 161 p.; 9. Valerio Lata (ITA, KTM), 156 p.; 10. Saad Soulimani (FRA, KTM), 140 p.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Manufacturers Classification: 1. KTM, 341 points; 2. Fantic, 303 p.; 3. GASGAS, 299 p.; 4. Husqvarna, 273 p.; 5. Yamaha, 167 p.

Main Photo: EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Start

Botto Photos: 1. David Braceras; 2. Haakon Osterhagen

TIMETABLE (Local Timing CET/GMT+2)

WEDNESDAY: 09:15 MX2 Free/Time Practice, 10:15 MXGP Free/Time Practice, 12:05 MX2 Race 1, 13:05 MXGP Race 1, 15:00 MX2 Race 2, 16:00 MXGP Race 2.

MXGP of Limburg – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1830m

Type of ground: Sand

Temperature: 16°

Weather conditions: cloudy with some showers

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM Europe

MXGP of Limburg

LOMMEL (Belgium) 19 October 2020 – The FIM Motocross World Championship is back with another mid-week special, this time with the MXGP of Limburg as we continue with the Belgian triple-header here in Lommel.

The previous Grand Prix offered plenty of unexpected surprises, that saw Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin back on the podium, as he took a race win in the opening MXGP race, while in MX2 Ben Watson of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2 did exactly the same. Though it was Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle who dominated the podium, as the pair took the overall.

Local hero, Jago Geerts of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing finished second overall and this time around will be pushing for even better results on home soil.

This upcoming GP is a special one, as it will see the final round of the EMX250 Championship, as well as the penultimate stage of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing series. Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Thibault Benistant is close to securing his EMX250 title, as just a couple of races separates him from the gold plate, while in the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing category it’s Fantic Racing’s Andrea Bonacorsi who is pushing for the championship win, as he holds a nice 44 points lead with two rounds to go.

Belgian fans can watch their favourite riders in action over the coming days and see the MXGP races unfold via Telenet on the Playsport 1 channel, who have already been following the entire season so far and will continue to bring coverage of the upcoming events as we close the 2020 season!

Additionally, there will be local and national TV stations onsite in Lommel, including RTBF, RTV and TVL, while a special review of the races will also be available on TV VRT in Belgium, as the channel will offer a 20 min highlights re-cap of all the action from Lommel over the next 2 GP’s here in Belgium and the rest of the season!

USA - CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 07:00 pm ET Delayed 

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 2 – 08:00 pm ET Delayed 

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

BALTICS (Estonia – Latvia - Lithuania)

TV3 SPORT

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

BELGIUM 

PLAY SPORTS 1

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

VRT

Wednesday 21 October – 20mn highlights

FINLAND

MTV SPORT 2

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

FRANCE

AUTOMOTO LA CHAINE  

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET Delayed

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

EUROSPORT 2

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 2 – 23:30 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 24:30 CET LIVE

ITALY

RAI SPORT 

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET Delayed

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

RAI SPORT WEB

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE Streaming

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE Streaming

LATVIA

Best 4 SPORT TV 

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

NETHERLANDS

NOS

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE Streaming

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE Streaming

PORTUGAL

Sport TV 5

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 1 – 16:00 GMT Delayed

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 17:00 GMT Delayed

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 2 – 18:00 GMT Delayed

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00 GMT Delayed

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

SPAIN

TV Galicia

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET DELAYED

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

ASIA

FOX SPORT 2 SEA

Thursday 22 October – MX2 Race 1 – 07:30 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MXGP Race 1 – 08:30 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MX2 Race 2 – 09:30 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MXGP Race 2 – 10:30 HKT Delayed

FOX SPORT 2 MALAYSIA

Thursday 22 October – MX2 Race 1 – 20:30 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MXGP Race 1 – 21:30 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MX2 Race 2 – 22:30 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MXGP Race 2 – 23:30 HKT Delayed

FOX SPORT SEA

Thursday 22 October – MX2 Race 1 – 09:00 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MXGP Race 1 – 10:00 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MX2 Race 2 – 11:00 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MXGP Race 2 – 12:00 HKT Delayed

FOX SPORTS 3 SEA 

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 1 – 18:00 HKT LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 19:00 HKT LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 2 – 21:00 HKT LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 22:00 HKT LIVE

FOX SPORTS INDONESIA

Thursday 22 October – MX2 Race 1 – 09:00 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MXGP Race 1 – 10:00 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MX2 Race 2 – 11:00 HKT Delayed

Thursday 22 October – MXGP Race 2 – 12:00 HKT Delayed

STAR SPORT CHINA

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 1 – 18:00 HKT LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 1 – 19:00 HKT LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MX2 Race 2 – 21:00 HKT LIVE

Wednesday 21 October – MXGP Race 2 – 22:00 HKT LIVE

As always, you can enjoy all the races LIVE throughout the two days, from the comfort of your home, all you need to do is log onto MXGP-TV.com this Tuesday and Wednesday!

MXGP of Limburg MXGP-TV Schedule

TIMETABLE (Local Timing CET/GMT+2)

TUESDAY: 09:20 EMX125 Free Practice, 09:50 EMX250 Free Practice, 11:05 EMX125 Qualifying Practice, 11:45 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:10 EMX125 Race 1, 14:00 EMX250 Race 1, 15:00 EMX125 Race 2, 15:55 EMX250 Race 2.

WEDNESDAY: 09:15 MX2 Free/Time Practice, 10:15 MXGP Free/Time Practice, 12:05 MX2 Race 1, 13:05 MXGP Race 1, 15:00 MX2 Race 2, 16:00 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Limburg

LOMMEL (Belgium) 19 October 2020 – One down, two more to go, as the FIM Motocross World Championship continues the fun in the sand, here in Lommel, Belgium, for round 14 of the series, the MXGP of Limburg!

Things will be interesting over the next two days, as we reach the closing stages of the EMX250 and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing championships here in Lommel. The round of Limburg tomorrow will see the final round of the 250 European Championship and there is no doubt that Husqvarna Junior Racing Maddii rider Mattia Guadagnini will be pushing until the very end to steal the title from Thibault Benistant of Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing who leads the championship by 24 points heading into the races. Benistant will only need to finish at least one position ahead of Guadagnini in the first race to secure the championship. Meanwhile Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay De Wolf is comfortable in third position.

In EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing, Fantic Racing’s Andrea Bonacorsi could also claim the title tomorrow as well, as he enters the races with a 44-point advantage to RFME GasGas MX Junior Team’s David Braceras who is second and Meico Vettik who still has a chance to go after that second spot in the standings, as just 12 points separate the pair with two rounds remaining.

Following his second consecutive GP win in the deep sand of Lommel, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser will no doubt be looking to do the same on Wednesday. Following yesterday’s races, the Slovenian has now doubled his championship lead to 48 points over Antonio Cairoli of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, who had a tough two races and finished the day 9^th overall. Of course, the Italian will be keen to make up for lost ground, in terms of the championship, at a circuit which he has been successful at several times before.

Gautier Paulin of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing impressed many yesterday, as he took his first race win since Valkenswaard 2017. The Frenchman also revealed that he had been struggling with a back injury this year, which came as a shock to many in the paddock. This was an incredible achievement and now with that confidence and motivation boost of the win and the podium finish, it will be good to see what Paulin can show us on Wednesday and Sunday.

The battle is also heating up between Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and Jeremy Seewer of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing, as the pair are currently tied on 429 points for third in the championship. With five rounds remaining, both will be keen on finishing the season off with a medal, and hopefully add some more race wins and even GP victories to the mix.

Missing from the MXGP of Limburg will be Standing Construct GasGas Factory MXGP’s Glenn Coldenhoff, who after a nasty crash in the MXGP time practice session, suffered three vertebrae compression fractures. Thankfully, the GasGas rider felt movement in his body.

Marchetti Racing Team KTM’s Brian Bogers had a strong ride yesterday, as he consistently battled within the top 5, even going on to score a 4^th place finish in the opening MXGP race. The second race was a bit tougher for the KTM rider, though he still finished in 6^th overall on the day, with more can be expected for the upcoming races.

And of course, the next few GPs will be important for the home riders, such as Clement Desalle of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team and Jeremy Van Horebeek of SR Honda Motoblouz, as they all reach for top positions.

Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders Top 3:

1.Tim Gajser

2.Gautier Paulin

3.Jorge Prado

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 488 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 440 p.; 3. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 429 p.; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 429 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 383 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GAS), 375 p.; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 352 p.; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 312 p.; 9. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 263 p.; 10. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 248 p.

Main Photo: MXGP Start, Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser; 2. Gautier Paulin

In MX2, it will be interesting to see if Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Watson can repeat his success from yesterday and add another race win and a third podium finish, as he looks to end his MX2 career on a high. And those things can be expected from the Brit, who looked incredibly strong on track all day, and was the fastest rider of the day, after setting a lap time of 2.05:428 on the third lap of race one.

His teammate, Jago Geerts, will aim for a clean run at his home track on Wednesday, to go after the top spot of the box and maximum points, which is exactly what he needs to catch Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle who leads by 53 points. Though Geerts worked hard on his set-up during the races on Sunday and revealed that by the second race, which he won, he was feeling great; this is a very good way to enter the next lot of races. 

For Vialle the starts, as always, were on point on Sunday, though during the races he struggled to hold on to the lead in both heats which was the main issue. Despite that though, his consistency paid off as he took to the top step of the podium for the sixth time this season. It was a special victory for the Frenchman who has been getting stronger in the sand throughout this season.

Meanwhile the chase for the third spot in the championship standings, same as in MXGP, are very close in the MX2 category. As it stands Yamaha SM Action MC Migliori J1 Racing’s Maxime Renaux and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Racing’s Jed Beaton are tied on 407 points, so the next few races will be important for the pair. Both have been running really well recently, comfortably battling within the top five which has really made things interesting.

Isak Gifting of DIGA PROCROSS GASGAS FACTORY JUNIORS has been impressive lately. He moved from the EMX250 Championship to finish the remainder of the season in MX2, and so far, his results have been really good. During the last five GPs, the Swedish pilot has consistently battled in the top 10, in fact he has finished inside the top 10 in 8 out of 10 races. He was 8^th overall during the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders, so it will be good to see him continue this positive streak into the next races.

And of course, Rockstar Energy Husqvara Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen and Roan Van de Moosdijk of F&H Kawasaki Racing will make things interesting during the next few races. Olsen is on the rise following a slow start to the season with injuries, while Van de Moosdijk will want to show off his skills in the sand and aim for fifth podium of the season.

Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders Top 3:

1.Tom Vialle

2.Jago Geerts

3.Ben Watson

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 569 points; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 516 p.; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 407 p.; 4. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 407 p.; 5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 381 p.; 6. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 357 p.; 7. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 355 p.; 8. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 287 p.; 9. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 249 p.; 10. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 234 p.;

Main Photo: MX2 Start, Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders

Bottom Photos: 1. Tom Vialle; 2. Jago Geerts

TIMETABLE (Local Timing CET/GMT+2)

TUESDAY: 09:20 EMX125 Free Practice, 09:50 EMX250 Free Practice, 11:05 EMX125 Qualifying Practice, 11:45 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:10 EMX125 Race 1, 14:00 EMX250 Race 1, 15:00 EMX125 Race 2, 15:55 EMX250 Race 2.

WEDNESDAY: 09:15 MX2 Free/Time Practice, 10:15 MXGP Free/Time Practice, 12:05 MX2 Race 1, 13:05 MXGP Race 1, 15:00 MX2 Race 2, 16:00 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Limburg

Timetable and Entry Lists for the second Belgian stop, the MXGP of Limburg, are available for downlaod in PDF format HERE below: 

Timetable

MXGP

MX2

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing

EMX250

LOMMEL (Belgium) 19 October 2020 - TAG Heuer has been the official timekeeper of the FIM Motocross World Championship since 2014 and together with MXGP are running the fastest lap competition across each season.

The way it works is; at each and every round of the MXGP season, the rider that sets the best lap time in each class, MXGP and MX2, will receive 1 point in the TAG Heuer competition. The rider that has set the fastest lap at the most rounds throughout the year in both classes, and has the most points, will be award with the special prize!

The Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders introduced some new changes to the circuit here in Lommel, which made things interesting for all the riders who have put in plenty of laps at the track during their training days, as they were racing a completely new layout.

During Sunday’s action, the Tag Heuer Best Lap in the MXGP category was set by Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, who clocked a 2.06:10 in the opening race of the day, on the third lap.

Meanwhile in MX2, it was the opening race winner, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Watson who was the fastest rider of the day, as he put in an impressive lap time of 2.05:428 in MX2 race one, lap three.

As it stands, Gajser leads the Tag Heuer Fastest Lap Award with three points, while in MX2 it’s Jago Geerts of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing who is the leader, with four points.

Find the details below:

MXGP: Tim Gajser – 2.06:10 – Race 1 Lap 3

MX2: Ben Watson – 2.05:428 – Race 1 Lap 3

Check out MXGP.com home page for the Top 3 TAG Heuer Best Lap competition’s rankings.

MXGP is super excited to continue with the FOX Holeshot competition, that is running throughout the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship season, together with MXGP partner FOX.

The way the competition works is; 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 Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders the starts were dominated by three riders across the MX2 and MXGP categories. In MXGP, JM Honda Racing’s Dylan Walsh got a flyer in the opening race, as he led the rest of the field into the first corner and for the next half a lap. While in the second heat, it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado, who claimed his 14^thFox Holeshot of the 2020 season.

In MX2, the starts were ruled by Tom Vialle, who put his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine out in front in both of the races. Despite getting great starts, the Frenchman struggled to hold on to the lead, as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Watson and Jago Geerts got him for the win in both heats.

As it stands, Prado leads the MXGP Fox Holeshot standings with an impressive 11-point advantage to Ivo Monticelli, as he has 14 holeshots in his back pocket already. Meanwhile in MX2, Vialle is on 16 points, with Jago Geerts in second, a further 12 points back.

Watch the FOX Holeshot Films from the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders below. 

MXGP FOX Holeshot Film

MX2 FOX Holeshot Film