MXGP

Since a young age, Tim Gajser had one dream – to become a motocross world champion. Now, at the age of 23, the Slovenian rider not only accomplished that dream when he won the MX2 world championship in 2015, but he has added two more crowns as he claimed the prestigious MXGP titles in both 2016 and 2019.

While the success has been plentiful, there have also been moments when less determined riders might have given up, or chosen a path of less resistance. However, the Team HRC rider has always believed that if you fall down nine times, you need to remount 10 times and it is this attitude that has seen him claim his last title, after two injury-hit campaigns.

Now riding the all-new Honda CRF450RW, Gajser is challenging for the title once again in 2020, and with the mental strength and skill that he has shown throughout his career, it would be a brave man to bet against him.

Nine-times FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli will push for yet another title in Red Bull KTM Factory Racing colours in 2021 for what will be his eighteenth season in Grand Prix and the twelfth on a works KTM SX-F.

The 34-year old Sicilian and his crew, helmed by Claudio De Carli, united with the KTM Motorsport Department in 2010 and instantly delivered the factory’s first title in the premier class with the innovative KTM 350 SX-F. Cairoli remained undefeated until 2014 and then used the latest generation of the KTM 450 SX-F to secure his ninth crown in 2017. In total the KTM/Cairoli package has given the manufacturer six championships in the last decade.

In terms of achievements, popularity, professionalism, longevity and enduring passion for motocross, Cairoli is the reference in MXGP and is still fiercely competitive at a time when the category has vast depth of talent and speed.

Cairoli will again form part of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s MXGP ‘Dream Team’ on KTM 450 SX-Fs alongside Jorge Prado and Jeffrey Herlings; boasting a combined number of fifteen championships.

Tony Cairoli: “I’m really motivated for another good season next year so I’m really happy with the renewal of my riding contract. We’ll see what 2020 has in store but my goal is to aim for the championship and again in 2021. I’m very proud to have been so long with this factory team and I still want to write some pages in the history of KTM motocross.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “It says a lot for Tony as a rider and a person and an athlete that he is still so competitive when MXGP is at a top level. He could have walked into other teams when it was clear he wanted to continue in 2021 but it was important for us to extend his story with KTM and that couldn’t make us any happier. We have no doubt that he has the desire to go for a tenth title either in the season we will eventually have in 2020 or in 2021. It makes us all very proud to have a team with the caliber of Tony, Jeffrey and Jorge. I believe we can be the ones to beat again in MXGP with this strong trio and combined with the whole team and technical crew with Claudio, Davide, Dirk and everybody who makes the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team tick.”

Claudio de Carli, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “Tony expressed his willingness to ride for at least another year and this obviously makes us happy and confirms his truly unique character and attitude for the sport. His final choice to remain with KTM gives us great satisfaction because it also confirms the good job we have been doing responding to his technical requests and the strong bond we have established over many years. Next season Tony will be in his twelfth year with KTM, and with my crew for the eighteenth. I think this says it all! We’re really proud of him and would like to give thanks to KTM for making this next chapter possible.”

Photo Copyright: KTM Factory Racing

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 24^th June 2020 – Motocross riders are athletes who quite literally train for a living and with the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship on hold due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, many of the riders were unable to ride their bikes for a couple of months.

Although they have spent all this time at home, this doesn’t mean that the riders have spent their time doing nothing… In fact, for most riders, training has remained a constant minus the actual riding part of course as many tracks all over Europe were closed. Now though it seems like there’s a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel, as the riders have been able to get back out on their bikes and start working towards the rest of the season.

To get an insight on what the world’s fastest riders have been up to in the past few months, we caught up with a few of them, including their coaches and team managers to get some insider information on how they have been keeping fit!

Check out the full feature in the 82^nd issue of the MXGP Magazine HERE!

Don’t forget you can download the latest issue of MXGP Mag for FREE on Apple Store or Google Play.

Users who have already downloaded other issues on their iOS device can automatically download the new issue by opening the News Stand and clicking on the cover of the MXGP Mag. Whereas those readers using an Android device will be able to download the magazine for free thanks to this app: http://bit.ly/IssuuOnAndroid.

Photo Copyright: Rick Heusschen

As good weather sweeps through Europe motocross riders are doing their hard work and making sure they are ready for the big return to MXGP and MX2.

World MXGP champion Tim Gajser is back in action after racing a national championship race last week, and the Slovenian was excited to be back and seeing a big crowd in attendance for his return. Slovenia is on complete control of the coronavirus and it meant motocross returned in a big way.

“To be on the gate again after a couple of months, it was just the Slovenian championship, but the feeling was the same and we raced. I had a decent day, won the first race and then had problems with the bike in the second race. I had a DNF, but it was great to get on a race and get that feeling back, I enjoyed it a lot. It was amazing, and actually I didn’t know so many people would come, in the end I also did a signing session and it was really good.”

Meanwhile, the MXGP red plate owner Jeffrey Herlings has been riding at home in Holland and enjoying the great weather washing through Europe at the moment. The rider known as “The Bullet” just loves riding his KTM again.

“I am riding now five or six weeks, but we did take two or three months off, because as you know living in Holland everything was closed, tracks, events, everything. Now we are back it is weird not knowing when you really need to be ready and when you need to be in sharp. I mean the goal is still to be World champion. For now we don’t have a plan until a final calendar comes out. I know it is hard to make a calendar with everything that is happening in the World, but hopefully the next calendar is the one that is going to happen.”

Unfortunate news today was the fact Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Pauls Jonass has had an accident and will need some time to recover. The Latvian will more than likely miss his home GP in August.

"Motocross sometimes puts you down. Unfortunately, I got injured in a practice crash while training for the forthcoming MXGP season restart, resulting in three broken ribs and five broken spinous processes. Doctors have recommended an extended period of rehabilitation before returning to riding. Hope to be back on bike asap!"

Whatever happens from now and until the MXGP and MX2 championships are running again, we all hope everyone good health and see you guys at the races again sooner rather than later.

Photo Copyright: Ray Archer

During the ongoing pause in the various FIM Motocross World Championships due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and following on from the initial video in the series (click HERE to see part 1) the FIM and MXGP Promoter Infront Moto Racing are pleased to share the second film that provides an in-depth insight into rider safety equipment.

KTM factory rider and the FIM Motocross World Champion MX2 , Jorge Prado explains in great detail about each piece of equipment – paying special attention to relevant areas from head to toe and the important function of the individual items whilst also revealing his own safety tips. Watch and learn from one of the World’s best MXGP riders and understand the importance he puts on being safe whilst out on track.

New global initiative unites the sporting community to encourage policymakers to safely re-open sporting events and fan participation as soon as possible

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 18 June 2020 - Today #Sport4Recovery, a global campaign to encourage policymakers to safely re-open organised sport, was launched by a group of governing bodies and other stakeholders from across different sport. In addition to communicating with policymakers, the campaign aims to work with the scientific community to highlight the importance of sport for mental and physical health recovery as well as to mobilise athletes and sports fans.

Sarah Lewis, Secretary General of the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the Association of the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF) said: "We believe that sport can serve as a role model for other sectors of society in demonstrating and promoting the organisation of safe and controlled activities and we welcome sports organisations and stakeholders involved in sport around the world to join our movement. After all, organised sport is already staged according to controlled procedures and comprehensive health and safety protocols to ensure the wellbeing of all involved."

“With the cessation of organised sport comes tremendous uncertainty presently for our sector, including the grassroots and youth development level, which has been shaped and grown over decades and provides a key societal function as well as an important economic impact contribution globally, nationally and in local communities," added Patrick Comninos, CEO of the Basketball Champions League.

Therefore, we the undersigned, call on governments to:

1.Recognise the importance of organised sport given its societal, physical and mental health benefits, especially as we emerge from months of lockdown that has restricted the ability of athletes to participate in their livelihoods and fans the opportunity to watch sport.

2.Work with sports governing bodies and other stakeholders to develop and approve detailed protocols to enable the timely re-opening of venues, training and competition.

3.Protect the sports sector from further massive economic and structural damage by actively supporting the development of a sustainable pathway to re-open when it is safe for everyone involved.

4.Ease national and international travel and accommodation regulations for top athletes, teams and officials, in line with health and safety protocols.

5.Consider the needs of each individual sport; support for women’s sports both at the grassroots and top level; and the importance of sport for the disabled.

And in line with the safety principles that are being established for other sectors:

6.Enable spectators to attend live sporting events.

7.Allow amateur sports clubs and facilities to open.

8.Begin to ease national and international travel and accommodation regulations for spectators and fans.

“After months of lockdown, sport is the perfect outlet to help people recover,” said Roberto Re, Leadership and Mental Coach. “Be it watching sports or participating in physical activity, sport encourages physical and mental fulfilment. As countries across the world open up, it is imperative that we create an environment that provides reassurance, particularly for children, that fun and excitement is returning to life. We can and should provide a sense of normalcy after months of uncertainty and for many, boredom”.

“I am fully endorsing #Sport4Recovery and can’t wait to come together safely post-lockdown and for all of us to be at our very best - physically, mentally and emotionally. Opening up organised sports is just the boost we all need, not only athletes, but also fans and passionate about sports, that everyday practice their favourite sport,” commented Filippo Tortu, 100 metres Italian recordholder and finalist at 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha.

#Sport4Recovery is fully committed to working with governments and health authorities to ensure this is done safely - in accordance with the necessary measures such as testing for top athletes, social distancing, defined hygiene measures, as well as monitoring and tracking protocols sanctioned by government authorities.

The founding underwriters of the #Sport4Recovery manifesto are (in alphabetical order): Alliance of European Hockey Clubs (E.H.C.), Basketball Champions League, Basketball Champions League Americas, European Volleyball Federation (CEV), French Swimming Federation, International Basketball Federation (FIBA), International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), International Ski Federation (FIS), Italian Athletics Federation (FIDAL), Italian Golf Federation (FIG), Italian Ice Sports Association (FISG), Infront, Le Five, Lega Serie A, MXGP, and Sporsora.

For more information, please visit www.sport4recovery.org    

Media Contact: info@sport4recovery.org

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Sport4Recovery

Finally, we had some motocross actions last weekend when MXGP World champion Tim Gajser made his return to racing at a local race in his country of Slovenia. The HRC rider posted some videos on his social media and as can be expected, many gathered to see the World Champion in action.

Of course, Gajser is excited to be back and speaking a little while ago, the HRC rider mentioned about the fact the MXGP riders will need to change their whole strategy as the FIM Motocross World Championship returns, running a number of Grand Prix’s back to back to make sure we can get the 2020 completed.

“I think it is good (normally) to have at least one weekend of break,” Gajser said. “Because the season is long, and we have 20 races. We start in March and end in September (normally), so we have three GPs in a row and then a weekend off, and it is good to have a weekend off to recharge the batteries. Right now, with this unusual situation, when we come back we will need to do many races in a row, I know that will be physically and mentally very tough, but we all want to race, so we will handle this.”

Of course, all around Europe training tracks are opening, and MXGP and MX2 riders can prepare for what is looking more and more like an August start. Former Grand Prix rider Marc De Reuver is happy that his F&H Kawasaki riders can now all train together.

“All training track in Holland open this week,” De Reuver said. “So, all my riders can train together. I have been spending some time in Belgium with some riders and Holland with other riders, but now we can all train together and that is great news. I remember when we first went into lockdown and I was sitting on the sofa and I was like, this is rather good you know. Get some rest, but then I realized I have no life without motocross. I am happy we are back training and it is a little like we are back to normal. My feeling is we will also find a way to go back to racing.”

The motocross world is without question excited as the lockdown period gets closer and closer to being completely over and we can not only get back into our normal lives, but also get the sport back on its feet and the wonderful sport of motocross can be run.

Riders like Jeffrey Herlings, Antonio Cairoli, Clement Desalle, Gautier Paulin and many more are preparing to battle each other again, and we all know that all will be doing their best to make sure when that first Grand Prix will be run again, they will all be prepared as well as possible.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 12^th June 2020 – Infront Moto Racing regrets to inform that the 2020 MXGP of China has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The much-anticipated Chinese Grand Prix will however make a return to the MXGP racing calendar next season, with the Chinese Federation (CAMF) and H&H Sports Protection Group LTD committed to host the fantastic event from 2021.  

Additionally, the MXGP of Russia will be moved from the 2^nd of August to a later date in October/November, with a confirmed scheduling of the event to be announced based on the evolution of the pandemic and the possibility of travel.

Infront Moto Racing, along with the FIM and the FIM Europe, is working closely with the local governments, national federations and the local organisers on a daily basis to have a final calendar in the coming weeks to continue the awaited 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship.

Infront Moto Racing’s goal is to hold with 10-12 events set to take place in Europe between the middle of August and the end of October, including the best off road event of the year, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations which is held in Ernèe, France on September the 26^th and 27^th. Then moving further into the schedule between November and beginning of December and following the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 MXGP Calendar will feature the farther stops including selected overseas events. 

The European rounds of the MXGP/MX2 World Championships and the European Championships will be announced by the end of June. We thank you all for your patience and we look forward to making a return to racing the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship very soon.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

First of all I hope all of you and your family, beloved and friends are in good health.

It looks like that slowly we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The last days have been positive in many countries especially in Europe, where the new Covid19 cases are going down drastically. Some countries have already decided to slowly re-open their industries, restaurants and public areas with some restrictions, but it is very promising for the upcoming months. We all hope that the worst is behind us now.

On top of that, the beginning of summertime will see the opening of the beaches, lakes and seaside areas, and the next step should be to allow public events to take place again. MXGP should follow the same dynamic and we are still very confident to be able to run the championship from August. For sure the most important thing is to be able to travel, organize and host safely all the MXGP family and fans at the different Grand Prix.

As you have probably read in the MX press, Infront Moto Racing and the FIM are working closely to possibly adjust some regulations exceptionally for 2020 season. One of them is related to the Grand Prix program during the weekend. For European situated Grand Prix only, the MX2 and MXGP program will be delivered only for Sunday, which means that Free Practice, Time Practice and Races will take place on 1 day. The fans coming for the weekend will not miss races on Saturday, as the whole Saturday program will be dedicated to the European classes or the WMX classes. All the races from all the categories will be live on MXGP-TV.com as usual. Those changes will help the teams, mechanics and staff to have more time to work on the bike between the GP, as we will face some back to back racing weekend for some weeks. This change is not valid for overseas GP as we don’t have European classes.

Regarding the biggest and most important event of the season, the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations in Ernée – France, the preparations are going ahead, the organizer published some beautiful pictures regarding some changes made on the track and we can be sure that everything will be done to host in the best way possible the MX fans from the world. We are in discussion with FIM to adapt the regulations for 2020 season to assure a great show! More will come in the coming weeks about the changes.

Finally, on our social media networks you can find the latest news regarding MXGP, but also a lot of nice videos about the current training programs of the riders, some archives of the past Grand Prix and our weekly MXGP Studio show from home.

We are getting closer to the new beginning and we will all be ready to start our engines!

David Luongo

CEO of Infront Moto Racing