MXGP

Husqvarna Motorcycles is pleased to confirm the signing of Thomas Kjer Olsen to a two-year contract that will see the 2019 MX2 World Championship runner-up move into the MXGP division in 2021 onboard FC 450 machinery. Thomas will compete for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing in the IceOne Racing team managed by Finn Antti Pyrhönen.

A well-established MX2 World Championship competitor, 23-year-old Kjer Olsen will continue what is now a four-year association with Husqvarna Motorcycles as he takes his first step into MXGP class competition. Producing numerous stand out performances over recent years including three MX2 GP wins, the Dane has unquestionably proven himself as one of the World Championship’s leading MX2 class riders. Finishing as runner-up in the 2019 MX2 World Championship, Thomas previously finished third in both 2017 and 2018.

Thomas Kjer Olsen: “I’m really happy to continue with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, to be staying with the Husqvarna family and moving to the MXGP class with IceOne Racing. I really admire the team, I know they do a great job and I believe that it’s the best team in the MXGP class. I’ve been with Husqvarna for my whole MX2 career and we’ve shared a lot of success and I have a lot to be thankful for. But I’m excited about this new chapter of my career and to be moving to MXGP. I’ve tried the IceOne FC 450 bike and it’s unbelievable. So light and powerful and as I’m a bigger guy I think it’ll really suit to my riding style. The MXGP class is so competitive and an exciting prospect. It’s full of established racers, many that have moved up from MX2 in recent years. I hope to quickly find my feet and settle into the class. I’m really looking forward to it all. For now, I am fully focussed on the MX2 World Championship. We still have a lot of races to go and then I can look forward to moving over to the new team and begin testing with the FC 450 over the winter months. I’m really excited for 2021 and racing in the MXGP class.”

Antti Pyrhönen - Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MXGP Team Manager: “Of course, we have been following Thomas since he joined the Husqvarna brand in 2017 and we know that he will be a great fit for our team, alongside Arminas Jasikonis. It’s a nice and natural progression to move from the Husqvarna MX2 team into MXGP with us. Thomas is hugely professional, his approach to racing and his results speak for themselves - placing top three in the MX2 World Championship over the last three seasons says a lot about his ability and focus. He is clearly fit, fast and strong and will ride the FC 450 to its full capacity. We have the 2020 season to complete but we are already looking forward to a great 2021 with our young team line-up.”

Photo Copyright: Husqvarna Motorcycles

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 17 September 2020 – Infront Moto Racing regrets to inform that the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina, originally due to take place in November the 21^st and 22^nd, has now been postponed to 2021.

Despite the hard work and efforts carried out by Infront Moto Racing, the FIM and the local organiser, Más Eventos, to put on another fantastic event in Argentina, due to the difficult sanitary conditions as a result of COVID-19, as well as the current travel restrictions, this year’s event is unable to take place.

As a result, the sixth edition of the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina will instead be celebrated in 2021, with Infront Moto Racing and Más Eventos already working closely together to put on an even better event next season. Additionally, they have agreed to extend the duration of their contract to 2022, which means Villa la Angostura, Neuquen is guaranteed on the FIM Motocross World Championship racing calendar for the next two seasons!

Every year the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina is one of the most anticipated events for the whole paddock, not only for its beautiful scenery surrounding the circuit but also for the supportive fans and the epic racing that we always get. The FIM Motocross World Championship looks forward to returning there next year.

Those who have purchased their tickets for this season’s event will be able to either use the tickets to attend the 2021 edition or ask for reimbursement through Ticketek: http://www.ticketek.com.ar/customerservice/.

Click HERE to download the updated MXGP calendar in PDF format

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MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 17 September 2020 – Infront Moto Racing & Milestone are proud to announce MXGP 2020, new release of the beloved series of the official FIM Motocross World Championship, available from December 10^thon PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One and Windows PC®/STEAM.

With MXGP 2020 you can fully experience the excitement of the current MXGP season, competing with 68 riders from both MXGP and MX2 categories on the 19 circuits of the 2020 season. Starting as a rookie, players can choose their path to glory: joining an official team or creating their own.

Besides the Track Editor is back with some great features added in. Thanks to the new Heightmaps feature, players can replicate the real MX tracks configurations, often built on hills and mountains, adding realism and all the challenges that real riders face during races. There will be 4 different terrain types that players can choose and customize - Plain, Quarry, Vineyard and Forest - to create the track of their dream. All new tracks created can be shared online with friends.

To enjoy free-roam riding, alone or with friends*, in MXGP 2020 returns one of the most beloved features, the Playground. Players can test their riding skills in the new setting inspired to Norwegian fjords terrains, and this year they can also free ride together with other 3 friends (feature available after Day 1). And to create more fun in the Playground, the beloved Waypoint mode returns, now allowing races up to 4 players.

MXGP 2020 Multiplayer Mode will be boosted with Dedicated Servers for a lag-free gameplay experience, and Race Director Mode* to create amazing Online tournaments, deciding starting positions, assigning penalties or choosing the cameras to focus on.

Last but not least, MXGP 2020 make feel every rider unique, with more than 10.000 items, all officially licensed from more than 110 brands of the Motocross world. Not only cosmetic customizations: bike performances can be also improved with real life replica of different bike parts.

MXGP 2020 will be available from December 10^thon PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Windows PC®/STEAM.

Click HERE to watch the MXGP Videogame Teaser

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MXGP Videogame

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 15 September 2020 – The 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship continues with the second Italian triple-header in Mantova, with the MXGP of Lombardia, MXGP of Città di Mantova and MXGP of Europe, taking place on the 26^th-27^th September, 29^th-30^th September and 3^rd-4^th of October and Infront Moto Racing is pleased to present the online tickets shops for the three events. 

Last season the MXGP of Lombardia saw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Jorge Prado victorious in MXGP and MX2, with both riders take double race wins to secure the overall victory!

The first time that Mantova hosted the FIM Motocross World Championship was back in 1991, as Parker Trampas took the overall victory in the 250cc class. Other winners at the circuit include Mickael Pichon (2000), Marc de Reuver (2008) Marvin Musquin (2010) Tim Gajser (2016) and Antonio Cairoli (2008, 2010, 2019) just to name a few.

In 2020, we return to the sand track for more MXGP action, featuring the MXGP, MX2, as well as WMX and EMX250 (Lombardia and Città di Mantova) and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing (Europe).

MXGP local hero Antonio Cairoli of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will be looking to edge closer to that title number 10 and extend his championship lead over Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, as the two battle for maximum points in the races. Though with a field stacked full of championship contenders this won’t be easy as the likes of Jorge Prado and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer will want their share of victorious moments! Meanwhile in MX2 Tom Vialle and Jago Geerts will no doubt be challenging for wins, as just 21 points separate the two, though they’ll also need to fend off the likes of Maxime Renaux, Jed Beaton and Roan Van de Moosdijk.

Both Championships are close, and the racing is bound to be even closer, so don’t miss the opportunity to witness some of the best racing of the year and make sure you are there during the GP’s in Mantova!

Get your tickets for the MXGP of Lombardia HERE: https://lombardia.motocross-tickets.com/en/9571-mxgp-of-lombardia/

Get your tickets for the MXGP of Città di Mantova HERE: https://lombardia.motocross-tickets.com/en/53518-mxgp-of-citt---di-mantova/

Get your tickets for the MXGP of Europe HERE: https://lombardia.motocross-tickets.com/en/53528-mxgp-of-europe/

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Mantova

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team rider Clément Desalle is a tough man, there is no doubt about that, and the Belgian veteran is having to use all his experience and knowhow to dig himself out of his current situation. Fighting against neck and back injuries and racing outside the top five isn’t something that Desalle enjoys, but the goal is always the same and his motivation hasn’t changed.

With three rounds of the MXGP championship within eight days, Desalle had to work hard in Italy as his back gave him problems and in a class as competitive as MXGP, racing at 70% won’t bring podium finishes.

“It was a very difficult GP for me,” Desalle said. “As I injured my neck and my back after Latvia and couldn’t train before this GP; I wasn’t even sure I could race the first round in Faenza. I didn’t know what I could expect; we did a good job with our physio before and between the races. In the first race it was OK for the first ten minutes but then the pain returned, and it was impossible to keep the pace. My start was not that good in the second race, but I gained positions in the first few corners to come fifth. But then it was a similar story to the first race; the pain was back, and I couldn’t keep the rhythm. Motocross is a tough sport and we have to deal with injuries; I did my best, but it’s not an easy situation to accept.”

At the final Faenza round Clément Desalle improved his previous Faenza experiences and while his World championship position isn’t where he wants to be, making the right steps will see him come back strong when we return to Italy in a couple of weeks’ time.

“It was much better than the previous rounds; I had less pain in my back, although it’s difficult during the last ten minutes because the pain returns. I’m pretty happy with the day apart from the starts. I had a better feeling than at the previous races, and in the second race I was able to make passes and gain two positions in the second half of the race. It was not an easy campaign in Faenza, but I’m pretty satisfied and now we have two weeks to prepare for the next rounds.”

So, now onto Mantova for another three in a row and hopefully more improvement in his injuries for the Belgian. Down in 10^th place in the MXGP points standings Desalle can make up big ground on a handful of riders ahead of him and come out of Mantova a lot better placed than he goes in.

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!

At the MXGP of Emilia Romagna, the FOX Holeshot’s were once again dominated by the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and Tom Vialle. In MXGP Prado continued to prove that he is a superstar of starts as he led both races as the pack reached the first corner. Then in MX2, Vialle did the same, getting two great starts to lead the way.

As it stands, Prado leads the Fox Holeshot Award standings with 7 points and has a 3-point advantage to Standing Construct GasGas MXGP’s Ivo Monticelli who is second. Meanwhile, Vialle has a nice 8-point lead in MX2, as Jago Geerts of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing sits second with 3 points.

Watch the FOX Holeshot Films from the MXGP of Emilia Romagna below.  

MXGP FOX Holeshot Film

MX2 FOX Holeshot Film

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 14 September 2020 – Infront Moto Racing is excited to announce that Pirelli will continue as an official tyre supplier of the FIM Motocross World Championship until the end of the 2023 MXGP season!

For the next three seasons, Pirelli will continue to be present at all the MXGP circuits around the world, with the same determination and passion as when they started, offering an outstanding product and services to the riders. Along with their tyre service truck, the brand will also receive visibility around the tracks on the race calendar, in the form of various advertising boards and a worldwide visibility.

The Italian tyre manufacturer has been a part of the FIM Motocross World Championship for decades, winning a total of 72 World Titles over the years with Antonio Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings, Jorge Prado, Tim Gajser and other legends including Stefan Everts, André Malherbe, Eric Geboers, Jöel Smets and David Thorpe, just to name a few.

The two main choices of tyres in MXGP is the Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid Soft and the Scorpion MX Soft, with many of the top riders and teams in MXGP and MX2 choosing to put their trust in the product to aim for top results. Across the FIM Motocross World Championship classes a total of around 40 riders all use Pirelli, including top teams such as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Team HRC, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MXGP and MX2, Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing, SM Action MC Migliori J1 Racing, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MX2, F&H Kawasaki Racing and Diga Procross GasGas Factory Juniors, just to name a few.

Just to give an idea of what it takes to support the fastest riders in the world, an average a total of 450 tyres and roughly 250 mousses are used per GP, in order to give the riders, the best grip out on track while they battle for top positions.

During the MXGP of Emilia Romagna, Pirelli riders Antonio Cairoli and Tom Vialle were victorious in MXGP and MX2, once again reaching top results and putting Pirelli on the top step of the podium! Cairoli rode two solid races to take his 91^st Grand Prix victory, while Vialle took an incredible race win in MX2 race two, to secure his second consecutive victory on the hard-pack circuit. Additionally Pirelli dominated the MXGP Podium as Team HRC's Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Jorge Prado finished second and third respectively. 

Learn more about the brand and the technical aspects of producing a championship winning tyre in our Tech Talk episode with Pirelli with Pirelli Global Racing Manager for the off-road platform, Luca Barbetti, hosted by Paul Malin and Lisa Leyland. Check it out HERE!

Main Photo: Antonio Cairoli

Bottom Photos: 1. Tom Vialle; 2. MXGP of Emilia Romagna MXGP Podium

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MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 14 September 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 every round of the MXGP season, the rider that sets the best lap time of the day 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!

At the MXGP of Emilia Romagna, we saw Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer clock the best lap of the day in MXGP, setting a 1.55:105 in race one, lap 4. Meanwhile in MX2, the fastest lap came from Conrad Mewse of the Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee squad who put in a lap time of 1.56:396 in race one, lap 5.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Tom Vialle continue to lead the competition, on three points each.

Find the details below:

MXGP:  Jeremy Seewer 1.55:105 Race 1 Lap 4

MX2: Conrad Mewse 1.56:396 Race 1 Lap 5

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