MXGP

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands) 8 March 2020 – The weekend at the sand pit that is Valkenswaard has come to an end, as Red Bull KTM Factory riders Jeffrey Herlings and Tom Vialle dominate the MXGP and MX2 classes at the MXGP of The Netherlands. KTM Factory now leave round two of the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship with two red plates as they lead both championships.

Coming into the weekend, all eyes were on Herlings and what he could do on a sandy circuit and in front of his home fans and one of the biggest questions is who would join him on the podium.

In race one, it was Red Bull KTM Factory’s Jorge Prado with the FOX Holeshot closely followed by fellow KTM factory rider Jeffrey Herlings and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP rider Jeremy Seewer. Just a couple of moments later though, Seewer made a mistake and crashed out of the race.

A lot happened on the first lap, as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Arnaud Tonus and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider Pauls Jonass also came together with both riders going down, loosing quite a few positions. Also getting caught up in a bit of drama was SM Action M.C Migliori – J1 Racing’s Henry Jacobi and the Standing Construct GasGas Factory rider Glenn Coldenhoff. Both riders crashed out and were left with a lot of work to do. Meanwhile Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider and qualifying race winner, Arminas Jasikonis was in seventh position, making his way through the field.

On the official first lap of the race, it was Prado who led the way followed by Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, Herlings and Jasikonis. SS24 KTM MXGP privateer Shaun Simpson got off to a good start and was running in an impressive fifth place.

Gajser didn’t wait long and made a swift move on the MXGP rookie, Prado. Herlings also followed, brining Jasikonis with him, pushing the young Spaniard down a further two position. A few laps later and Gajser had already ran away with it, extending his race lead to 7.425 second over Herlings who was being chased down by the #27 of Jasikonis.

With the top three making a run for it, the battle was then on for fourth place. Simpson was clearly feeling good out on track and was taking time out of Prado who was ahead of him. He may have pushed a little too hard though, as he took a pretty big fall, finishing the race in 25^th.

Having a good ride in the race was the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP rider Gautier Paulin who was in 5^th, before making a pit-stop for goggles, losing a position to the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing’s Clement Desalle. With fresh goggles, the Frenchman was able to catch the Kawasaki rider and muscle his way through to move back into P5. Both riders finished the race in 5^th and 6^th respectively.

With just a few laps to go, Herlings was pushing to find new lines and improve his lap times, but by this point Gajser was already 13.967 second ahead, as Jasikonis continued to follow in third. In the end Gajser took the first race win, as Herlings was forced to settle for second, and Jasikonis finishing third.

Coldenhoff made a good come back from the back of the field, as he placed 9^th ahead of Red Bull KTM Factory’s Antonio Cairoli who rode a steady race, despite his struggles with his knee injury.

Then it was time for race two, and the second time around it was Herlings with a flying start, to secure the second FOX Holeshot of the weekend. Cairoli, Gajser and Jasikonis followed in tow, while Jonass had another unlucky start to the race, going down in the opening lap.

Gajser wasted no time in this race, knowing that he couldn’t let Herlings run away just yet, he made a quick move on Cairoli and put his head down to chase down the Dutch rider. Not long after Jasikonis also found his way past the 9-time world champion to move up to P3. Pushing not to lose the guys ahead, Jasikonis was improving his sectors as it was clear that he was set on making sure he was stood on that podium at the end of the race.

Getting another good start in the second MXGP race was Shaun Simpson who was down in 5^th, ahead of the PAR Homes RFX Racing pilot Evgeny Bobryshev and Team Honda SR Motoblouz rider Jeremy Van Horebeek.

All the while, Gajser had his sight set on the win, as he took a chunk of time out of Herlings, with just 2 seconds separating 1^st and 2^nd. While it was obvious that Gajser was keen to secure a win here in Valkenswaard, he may have been pushing a little too hard at times, as he made several mistakes in one lap, losing around 2 seconds on the leader.

Keen to make up for the crash in race one, Simpson was moving quick and it paid off as he was able to catch and pass Cairoli for P4, pushing the KTM Factory rider to 5^th.

As Herlings continued to lead the way with two laps to go, it looked like Gajser had found a second breath of air and by the following lap had already halved that gap between him at 1^st place, and that’s when the race for the win was really on.

Though Gajser pushed hard, it wasn’t quite enough, and it was Herlings who took the second race victory, to take the overall win in front of his home fans in Valkenswaard. Gajser finished second, with Jasikonis able to hold on to third, despite a big crash and a pit-stop to change his goggles.

Shaun Simpson finished in a strong 4^th position, followed by Cairoli and Van Horebeek as well as Glenn Coldenhoff who finished the race in 7^th.

Red Bull KTM Factory, Jeffrey Herlings: “It’s been a great weekend for the whole Red Bull KTM Team, it was very demanding but I’m very pleased to win my 9th overall here in Valkenswaard. We had great battles, my team did a very good job, I’m so glad to be on top at my home GP. Everything so far is better than last year, I’m really happy but it’s a long season and many things can happened that I think the most important thing is to stay consistent and that’s my goal for this year”.

Team HRC, Tim Gajser: “Overall I’m super happy, especially with what happened yesterday and also with the gate pick that I had for today, it was difficult to make a good start but I managed to make two solid ones in top 5. First race was nice as I was able to make quick passes in the beginning and a little gap to control the race. In the second race I was behind Jeffrey and we were really pushing. In the second lap I got roosted and could see properly but anyway I tried to stay with him. Overall I’m super happy and already looking forward to Argentina”.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory, Arminas Jasikonis: “The last race was really tough. The last 15 minutes were difficult in my mind, not physically. I had quite a big crash but that didn’t stop me, I stopped for goggles because it was so difficult with lappers. Overall it was a tough race, but it was worth it for a podium. It’s been a long way for me and thanks to all my team, they always kept believing in me, they gave me a chance, and this is a little pay back for their hard work but for sure I will keep going for many more”.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 35:32.235; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:21.202; 3. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +0:44.398; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +1:07.180; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +1:12.199; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +1:18.522; 7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +1:43.255; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +1:52.652; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GASGAS), +1:53.811; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +2:12.575;

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 34:37.958; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:22.846; 3. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +1:35.368; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +1:41.290; 5. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +1:50.139; 6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), -1 lap(s); 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GASGAS), -1 lap(s); 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 10. Harri Kullas (EST, Honda), -1 lap(s);

MXGP – Top 10 GP Classification: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 47 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 47 p.; 3. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 40 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 30 p.; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 28 p.; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 28 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GAS), 26 p.; 8. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 26 p.; 9. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 26 p.; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 18 p.

MXGP - Top 10 GP Championship Classification: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 94 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 85 p.; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 68 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 60 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 58 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GAS), 56 p.; 7. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 53 p.; 8. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 47 p.; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 42 p.; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 39 p.

MXGP Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 94 points; 2. Honda, 92 p.; 3. Yamaha, 66 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 60 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 56 p.; 6. GASGAS, 56 p.

Main Photo: Jeffrey Herlings

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser; 2. Arminas Jasikonis

Meanwhile in MX2, it was Red Bull KTM Factory's Tom Vialle who claimed the first FOX Holeshot in MX2. Then came his Red Bull KTM Factory team-mate Rene Hofer, followed by the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider Jed Beaton. Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 riders Jago Geerts and Ben Watson were down in 6^th and 7^th, looking to charge forward and end the weekend with top results.

In the first few laps, SM Action M.C Migliori – J1 Racing’s Maxime Renaux was already making his way forward as he chased down Beaton for second. Shortly after Beaton was then locked in battle with Geerts, who was keen on taking third place from the Australian. Vialle continued to lead with Renaux in second, as Beaton and Geerts were left fighting for who will fill that third spot in the race.

PAR Homes RFX Racing rider Josh Gilbert got off to a good start in the opening MX2 race, as he rode in 11^th ahead of Mitchell Harrison of BUD Racing Team.

By lap 4, Vialle had already formed a 5.969 second lead over Renaux and Geerts who had finally moved into third. The following lap, Hofer and Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milawaukee rider Conrad Mewse were both able to pass Beaton, who was followed by F&H Racing’s Roan Van De Moosdijk.

At the same time, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider Thomas Kjer Olsen was also making his way back into points following a pile-up at the start of the race. From virtually last, Olsen was back in 19^th, wasting no time to take as many positions as he could so salvage vital championship points.

Meanwhile at the front, Geerts had managed to pass Renaux for second and was 6 seconds down on the race leader, with Vialle next on his agenda. By lap 9, Geert was taking some time out of Vialle, as the leader started to make his way through traffic. Back markers began to play a huge part, as Geerts was able to hammer down and catch Vialle and just 2 laps later was on his tail chasing him for the win.

With 2 minutes + 2 laps to go, the race for the win was on and all to play for. Geerts managed to catch and pass Vialle, winning race one here in Valkenswaard.

In race two, it was once again Vialle with a perfectly timed start, as the young Frenchman crossed the white chalk line first to take the second FOX Holeshot in the Netherlands. The KTM Factory rider was followed by Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee rider Bas Vaessen who got a fantastic start, behind him was the Diga Procross GasGas rider Jeremy Sydow and Honda 114 Motorpsorts’ Nathan Crawford.

Meanwhile, Geerts was extremely unlucky and crashed out in the start. He was left winded and had to get going again in last, about a minute behind the riders ahead. As Geerts got going, Crawford came under attack in 6^th and ended up losing two positions Simon Laegenfelnder of Diga Procross GasGas and Beaton.

While in second, Renaux made a mistake and went down, going from 3^rd down to 8^th. As Mathys Boisrame of F&H Kawasaki Racing inherits Renaux’s position in the race. But that didn’t last long as Sydow chased down the Kawasaki rider and the two began their battle, with both riders swapping positions quite a few times before Boisrame was able to retain the position.

By lap 3, Vialle was already leading by an impressive 13 seconds, before Vaessen had an issue and was forced out of second place. A heart-breaking end to his race in which he was looking really strong in. Boisrame moved up into second, with Beaton moving up a position, pushing Sydow down to 5^th.

In lap 6, Geerts had already made some progressed as he moved into the top 20. Boisrame then went down out of second place, while Vialle made a mistake of his own, but that didn’t change the results as the young Frenchman was 45 seconds ahead in the race.

As Mewse pulled in for fresh goggles, this allowed Watson to move up into 6^th. Laengenfelder also took a position from Sydow moving into third. Renaux then came after the GasGas rider and took another position from him, pushing him to 5^th.

With 4 minutes and two laps to go, Geerts was already up into 13^th and a couple of laps later was inside the top 10. For the next 3 laps the Yamaha Factory rider put his head down and pushed hard passing Boisrame and Sydow on the last lap finishing the race in an impressive 7^th place.

But it was Vialle who took the race win and with it secured the overall Grand Prix victory here for the MXGP of the Netherlands. To make the victory even sweeter, he also took the red plate from Geerts, becoming the new championship leader going into the Argentinian GP in a couple weeks’ time. 

Red Bull KTM Factory, Tom Vialle: “I’m really happy with this weekend, I felt really good on the track already yesterday. Today I had a good first race, I got the holeshot and was leading almost the whole race until Jago passed me and in the second race I got the FOX holeshot again and was leading the race. It was really good and I was feeling really good on the bike. First time I take the red plate so I’m really happy about that”. 

SM Action MC Migliori – J1 Racing, Maxime Renaux: “It was a good weekend in Valkenswaard, I finished second overall, my second podium in MX2 class, the last one was in Imola in 2019, so really happy to start the season like that. Really happy about the team and the bike, as well as the starts, so everything went really well today. Just need to keep going and dig deep for the championship now that the season has started”.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2, Jago Geerts: “It was still a pretty good weekend for me. 3^rd overall is not so bad. In the first race I didn’t get the best start but in the end I could pass Tom and win the race. But in the second race I had a good start, I was in second, then on the second corner I had a really big crash and hurt my ribs a little bit. I started from last and I still came back to 7^th so still some solid points and was still a good weekend”.

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), 35:04.291; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:13.869; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:33.897; 4. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), +0:38.788; 5. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:42.149; 6. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +1:00.429; 7. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +1:05.699; 8. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), +1:17.659; 9. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +1:20.651; 10. Mitchell Harrison (USA, Kawasaki), +1:52.323;

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 36:15.446; 2. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:56.527; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +1:05.861; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +1:09.024; 5. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +1:14.697; 6. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +1:15.229; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +1:30.616; 8. Jeremy Sydow (GER, GASGAS), +1:36.043; 9. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +1:54.210; 10. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +2:00.410;

MX2 – Top 10 GP Classification 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 47 points; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 40 p.; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 39 p.; 4. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 37 p.; 5. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 34 p.; 6. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 26 p.; 7. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 25 p.; 8. Jeremy Sydow (GER, GAS), 20 p.; 9. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 18 p.; 10. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 16 p.

MX2 – Top 10 Championship Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 87 points; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 82 p.; 3. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 74 p.; 4. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 61 p.; 5. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 53 p.; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 52 p.; 7. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 51 p.; 8. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 48 p.; 9. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 48 p.; 10. Jeremy Sydow (GER, GAS), 35 p.

MX2 – Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 90 points; 2. Yamaha, 88 p.; 3. Husqvarna, 75 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 63 p.; 5. GASGAS, 38 p.; 6. Honda, 29 p.

Main Photo: Tom Vialle

Bottom Photos: 1. Maxime Renaux; 2. Jago Geerts

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos from the MXGP of The Netherlands will be available HERE

MXGP OF THE NETHERLANDS – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1630m

Type of ground: SAND

Temperature: 11°

Weather conditions: cloudy with showers

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 26,500

Next up the FIM Motocross World Championship heads to the beautiful Patagonia, Argentina for round three of the series in two-week time. 

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP of the Netherlands

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands) 8 March 2020 – Infront Moto Racing regrets to inform that due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the MXGP of Trentino, Italy, foreseen on April the 4^th and 5^th, has been postponed to July the 18^th and 19^th 2020.

Considering the very difficult situation in Italy with regards to the coronavirus and the fact that the Italian government has forbidden the organisation of public events in Italy until the 3rd April including the difficulties of travelling in the northern regions of the country, in agreement with the FIM, the local organiser and the local authorities of Trentino the 2020 MXGP of Trentino in Italy will be postponed. Infront Moto Racing, the FIM and the local organiser have evaluated an alternative date and can now announce that the MXGP of Trentino has been rescheduled to take place on the 18^th and 19^th of July 2020.

The aim of Infront Moto Racing and the FIM is to make the FIM Motocross World Championships and FIM-E Motocross European Championships run with all the events programmed. The rest of the MXGP Calendar up to now stays unchanged while the development of the situation in every country is being followed in a daily basis monitoring.

In agreement with the organisers of other MXGP rounds and local authorities, Infront Moto Racing is prepared to postpone other events if that becomes necessary.

In a difficult moment like this we ask everybody for a great sense of responsibility and not to listen to rumours created but just to rely on official communications which will be done by Infront Moto Racing and the FIM.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands) 7 March 2020 – The Qualifying races have concluded at Valkenswaard and with it the first day of actions for the MXGP of the Netherlands.

In MXGP, it was the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider, Arminas Jasikonis, who was victorious in the qualifying race, following an impressive performance that saw him battle with Red Bull KTM Factory rider, Jeffrey Herlings. Meanwhile in MX2, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Jago Geerts continued his winning momentum from Matterley Basin, going on to win the MX2 qualifying race here in Valkenswaard.

Also joining the MXGP and MX2 riders in the deep sand of Valkenswaard was the supporting EMX250 and WMX classes. In EMX250 it was Bastian Boegh Damm of W-Z Racing who was dominant from start to finish, leading every lap of the opening European race. Following a flying start, the Dane rode comfortably in first, crossing the line with a 22.743 second lead over Isak Gifting who finished second. It was Jorgen-Matthias Talviku who was in second for the majority of the race, until lap 9 when Gifting made a move on the Estonian, pushing him down to 3^rd where he finished. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider Kay de Wolf finished 4^th, ahead of Lion Florian.

Also lining up in the European 250cc class was the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing series leader, Liam Everts of Liamski KTM, who finished 7^th in the group.

The Women’s Motocross World Championship race one saw a new winner, as Kiara Fontanesi rode her way to first position around the rough sand of Valkenswaard. A good start and a strong ride secured Fontanesi her first victory of the season. Close behind, 0.912 seconds to be exact, was home rider Nancy Van De Ven who tried her best to put on a great performance for her home fans, finishing in second, while Larissa Papenmeier followed in third position. 

As the first EMX250 and WMX races concluded then it was time for the world championship riders to line-up for their qualifying races of the weekend.

In MXGP qualifying race it was the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP pilot Gautier Paulin with a flying start out of the gate, closely followed by Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jorge Prado. Gajser made a quick pass on Paulin, moving into the lead a few moments later.

As Gajser led the way on the opening laps, Prado was in second after passing Paulin and battling with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider Pauls Jonass, who was being chased down by his team-mate Arminas Jasikonis.

By lap two, the racing in the top 6 was extremely close, with Herlings losing two positions to the two Husqvarna factory riders, Jonass and Jasikonis, meaning that there was no room to relax. But it wasn’t long before the Dutch rider reacted, passing both riders back and setting his sights on higher positions, with Prado and Paulin ahead.   

On lap 6, disaster struck Honda’s Tim Gajser who was forced out of the race due to an electrical issue, meaning that he would have to line-up last on the gate for tomorrow’s races. This allowed the MXGP rookie Jorge Prado to take the lead, with Herlings on his tail pushing for the race win. Meanwhile Jasikonis was already moving quick, moving past his team-mate Jonass and then Paulin, to go after Herlings and Prado.  

With the end of the race nearing, Herlings put a charge on for Prado, with both riders pushing each other to the limits on the pit-lane straight, but it was Herlings who came out on top. Sensing a good opportunity, Jasikonis moved swiftly to pass the Spaniard and follow Herlings in front.

With four laps to go the battle for the win was on, as just 1.407 seconds separated both riders. But Jasikonis was absolutely flying and it was clear that he was on a mission, passing Herlings just a lap later and becoming the new race leader.

In the end it was Jasikonis who secured his first qualifying race of the 2020 MXGP season, followed by Herlings in 2^nd and Prado crossing the line 3^rd.  Jonass finished the race in a strong 4^th, while Shaun Simpson of SS24 KTM MXGP had an impressive ride to finish 5^th. Home rider, Glenn Coldenhoff of Standing Construct GasGas Factory MXGP finished 6^th ready to battle for his first podium in Valkenswaard during tomorrow’s races.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory’s Arminas Jasikonis: “It’s been a long time since my last qualifying race win back in 2017, it’s just my second one but I’m really happy to see the hard work paying off already. It was a really fun race, it’s been a big mix up with some good battles, overall the track is not the easiest of the season and it’s quite rough, so it’s easy to make mistakes but I managed to ride quite good so I’m happy about that and let’s see how we do tomorrow”.

Red Bull KTM Factory, Jeffrey Herlings: “Arminas was really fast. Also this morning in time practice I had to make a few attempts to get to the pole position and then into the race straight, because in the morning I didn’t really warm up too good and by qualifying I just got arm-pump straight away in the second lap, I think maybe my suspension was a bit too hard, so overnight we will make some changes and tomorrow will be a bit better. It was good to get second and I’m happy about my riding, but I’ve got to be honest AJ [Arminas Jasikonis] was faster”

“Tomorrow we go for 9 wins here in Valkenswaard, that’s our goal but the other 39 riders next to me will be with the same goals so it will be difficult but hopefully it’s going to be a good day”.

Standing Construct GasGas Factory MXGP, Glenn Coldenhoff: “It’s a shame because in 2018 I had the same points as the third and that’s definitely disappointing as I’ve never reached the Podium here, I want to change that around this weekend and get a podium, I felt good out there but I got out of balance and my start wasn’t good, I think I had to start from like 15^th place and managed to come back to 5^th and in the last lap had a small issue with Pauls Jonass, I went down and lost a position but in the end I finished 6^th, it’s good for the races, I felt good, I felt strong so I’m looking forward to tomorrow”

MXGP Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), 24:57.401; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:01.155; 3. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:18.997; 4. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:20.402; 5. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:25.324; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GASGAS), +0:30.564; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:32.631; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:36.289; 9. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:40.917; 10. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:46.861.

Main Photo: 1. Arminas Jasikonis

Bottom Photos: 1. MXGP Start; 2. Jeffrey Herlings battling with Jorge Prado

MX2 qualifying race saw Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Jago Geerts out in front, as he got a fantastic start and led the way from early in the race. Out of the start he was closely followed by F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Roan Van de Moosdijk, Red Bull KTM Factory rider Tom Vialle and Hitachi fuelled by Milwaukee rider Bas Vaessen.

Van de Moosdijk came under pressure early in the race, with a mistake from the Kawasaki rider allowing Vaessen to move through into 3^rd. As Geerts continued to lead, with Vialle on his tail, the two had already made a run for it, gapping the Vaessen and Moosdijk.

Team Maddii Racing Husqvarna rider Alberto Forato had an unlucky race as he crashed out of 12^th and would not re-join the race.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory MX2 rider Jed Beaton was on a charge, as he passed Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Rene Hofer and then Van de Moosdijk to move into 4^th place. Unfortunately, just a few laps later the Australian crashed, dropping down to 7^th place, where he would also finish the race. His team-mate Thomas Kjer Olsen also didn’t have the best of luck, as he crashed out of 8^th place and did not carry on with the qualifying race.

Meanwhile Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider Ben Watson was making his way through the field following a mid-field start as he passed F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Mikkel Haarup for 9^th place, ahead of BUD Racing Team’s Mitchell Harrison and F&H Racing’s Mathys Boisrame.

With 3 laps to go, Hofer moved past Van de Moosdijk to secure P4 in the race. But in the end it was Geerts who took the his first qualifying race win of the season, finishing an impressive 14.408 seconds ahead of Vialle and Vaessen who rode strong to P3. Hofer followed in 4^th after making a pass on Van de Moosdijk with a few laps to go.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Jago Geerts: “I felt good on track all day and in the qualifying I got the holeshot. I rode a solid race for the whole thing and I won the qualifying, it’s my first qualifying heat win and I’m really happy with that and really looking forward to battle tomorrow. I just want to do good tomorrow, a couple of good starts and we’ll see, I just want to ride good and hopefully we end up on the podium again”.

F&H Kawasaki Racing, Roan Van de Moosdijk: “Last week it was quite tough, I didn’t have the feeling on the track all day but it’s my first full season, so I want to keep improving each weekend. Last weekend I was 8^th and now I was 5^th in the qualifying race so I just go race by race and give it all. I didn’t race here [Valkenswaard] for 4 or 5 years so it’s nice to be back and of course podium will be great tomorrow, but I will be happy with top 5”.

MX2 Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), 25:01.872; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:14.408; 3. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), +0:18.592; 4. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), +0:25.977; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:28.003; 6. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:28.979; 7. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:34.953; 8. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Honda), +0:50.818; 9. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:59.728; 10. Mitchell Harrison (USA, Kawasaki), +1:18.975;

Main Photo: Jago Geerts

Bottom Photos: 1. Tom Vialle; 2. Bas Vaessen

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos from the MXGP of The Netherlands will be available HERE

MXGP OF THE NETHERLANDS – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1630m

Type of ground: SAND

Temperature: 9°

Weather conditions: sunny

With the qualifying races done and dusted, we now look forward to tomorrow’s action as we gear up for more intense battles for the MXGP of the Netherlands podium!

Follow the second round of the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship on MXGP-TV!

TIMETABLE in Local Time (CET)

SUNDAY: 08:45 WMX Race 2, 09:25 MX Warm-up, 09:45 MXGP Warm-up, 10:30 EMX250 Race 2, 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

MXGP of the Netherlands

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands) 7 March 2020 – Infront Moto Racing is proud to announce that Just1 and MXGP have extended their partnership for the new season of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

JUST1 Racing, a top helmet manufacturer based in Italy, was founded by Tony Amoriello in 2011 and has been part of the MXGP since the very beginning, showcasing their brand to audiences worldwide. The brand is also part of the H&H Group, who organised the very successful MXGP of China, and due to its success, the Chinese Grand Prix made a return to the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship calendar.

JUST1 Racing have already won three Motocross World Titles – 2013 with Klemen Gercar (MX3) and 2015 and 2016 with Tim Gajser (MX2 and MXGP), as well as the Women’s World Championship title with Courtney Duncan in 2019. This season you can expect to see some of the top MXGP and MX2 World Championship wearing JUST1 products (helmet, goggles and full gear) including Wilson Todd (MX2) and Courtney Duncan (WMX) racing for DRT Kawasaki Team, KSRTmx’s Kevin Strijbos, Yamaha SM Action - M.C. Migliori’s Henry Jacobi (MXGP), Maxime Renaux (MX2) and Andrea Adamo (EMX250), Marchetti Racing Team KTM’s Brian Bogers (MXGP), Kevin Horgmo (MX2), Twan Van Assen (EMX250), Valerio Lata (EMX125), JK’s Racing Yamaha’s Jere Haavisto (MX2), Glenn Meier (EMX250), Christopher Mills (EMX250), Manuel Iacopi (EMX Open), Lynn Valk (WMX). Besides, these riders will be using Just1 googles: Honda 114 Motorsports’ Nathan Crwford (MX2), Bailey Malkiewicz (MX2) and Axel Louis (EMX250), and Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Thomas Covington (MXGP).

Infront Moto Racing are happy to continue this partnership with JUST1 Racing and look forward to many more successful seasons.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Just1 Racing

The Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team will line-up only one rider at Valkenswaard this weekend as Romain Febvre is still recovering from a practice incident prior to the MXGP of Great Britain.

Romain, you have to miss another MXGP and must be disappointed?
Yes of course, as I will miss this race and we don’t know yet if I can make it for Argentina. To miss the start of the season is disappointing, especially after working so hard this winter. I was practicing when I hit my knee; I didn’t even crash. Now I need to get healthy.

We imagine that during the last two weeks you had many medical consultations and visited several doctors.

For sure I had a lot of check-ups both before and after England; I visited several different doctors. Nothing is really bad with the bones, nothing is broken, the cartilage and the ligaments are OK but when the two bones – femur and tibia – touch each other it’s really painful. My knee has been damaged in the past and now, when I have a big impact, that can be really painful. I have inflammation of the bones, not the ligaments or muscles; there’s no liquid inside and we don’t really know how long it will take. There’s not so many options apart from anti-inflammatory treatment and rest. Even injections are not necessary; it can’t help to solve the problem and I just have to be patient.

You have to wait to race but can you still train?
Actually I can do a lot of things, almost everything except riding. I can even go cycling; it’s strange but I can’t extend my leg as that’s when I feel the pain. When you ride you have to extend the leg in almost every left corner; that why I can’t ride even with a knee-brace. It’s now two weeks that I haven’t been able to ride; I hope I will recover as soon as possible.

Mentally it cannot be an easy time
Yes, for sure it’s tough, but that’s how it is. Thankfully I have strong support from the team.

VALKENSWAARD, THE NETHERLANDS (06 March 2020) – Infront Moto Racing is honored to announce that a new partnership has been formed with Yamaha Motor Europe that will see Yamaha become the official service vehicle supplier of the FIM Motocross World Championship from 2020 through 2022.

The two-year agreement will see Yamaha provide Infront Moto Racing with a fleet of seven off-road utility vehicles that will be used by the MXGP Promoter to assist their logistics team in the running of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Included in the fleet will be four Yamaha Kodiaks and three Yamaha Vikings.

Yamaha’s Kodiak quads and Viking side-by-sides offer added assistance in setting up and maintaining the infrastructure of MXGP. They are extremely versatile, easy to operate and manoeuvre around the track and paddock. No job is too big, and no terrain is too tough for the Kodiak and Vikings to handle, which makes them the perfect partner for Infront Moto Racing’s logistics team.

Yamaha Motor Europe’s Marketing and Motorsport Division Director Paolo Pavesio was joined by Infront Moto Racing’s CEO David Luongo, as well as Yamaha Motor Europe’s RVPP Division Manager Ton Van Geenhuzien and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Gautier Paulin to present the newly formed partnership at the second round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. The announcement was complete with a photo opportunity next to Yamaha Motor Europe’s YXZ1000R display unit.

Looking to inspire and increase brand-awareness ahead of Yamaha’s YXZ1000R European Cup, a series that sees drivers compete nationally for their place at the YXZ1000R SuperFinale which will take place at the end of October in Portugal, a YXZ1000R display unit will be placed trackside in a highly visible location at all European rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

David Luongo, Infront Moto Racing CEO: "The link between Yamaha and MXGP has existed for many years. Yamaha always has been a very pro-active manufacturer, engineering and developing great bikes, innovating technology but also investing in the youth and future talents. They helped a lot with the development of the most popular off-road championship in the world. This agreement is a new step of the great relationship and the shared vision both Infront Moto Racing and Yamaha have of our sport. Our track crew will be delighted to use the premium material and vehicles provided by Yamaha to deliver the best services possible during the MXGP Grand Prix."

Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha Motor Europe Marketing and Motorsport Director: “I am very happy to see how the partnership with Infront Moto Racing has grown a lot in the past years, and to be honest since we share the same vision it has been quite natural to support each other. Of course our main target at MXGP events remains to prove our racing commitment and the quality of our products, however MXGP has also become the place where our support to young riders touch is highest point thanks to the YZ FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale we are organizing during MXoN events.

To further grow this partnership, we are very happy to support Infront Moto Racing track operation becoming Official Supplier with our ATV and Side by Side, as well using MXGP events for specific promotions around these products you will discover over the season”.

Ton van Geenhuizen, Yamaha Motor Europe Recreational Vehicles Division Manager: “Our intensified partnership with Infront Moto Racing feels like coming home and gives us a great podium to show our proven off road ATV’s and Side by Sides to off road minded people every MXGP race weekend. Not only the quality of our products will be a great support to Infront Moto Racing logistic activities, but I am sure people whom will use them will like their rides on our vehicles with balanced ergonomics and easy rideability. You might say they win every race weekend when they start their Yamaha.”

Main Photo: From left to right: Gautier Paulin, Paolo Pavesio, David Luongo & Ton van Geenhuizen

Bottom Photos: 1.Paolo Pavesio & David Luongo; 2. Gautier Paulin & Jeremy Seewer

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Yamaha Racing

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands) 6 March 2020 – This weekend the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship heads to the deep sand of Valkenswaard for round two of the Motocross World Championship.

For the second stop of the busy MXGP calendar, Valkenswaard will once again host the fastest riders in the world, with action from MXGP, MX2, WMX and the opening round of the EMX250 championship!

Good news for the Dutch fans, as popular channel NOS and Infront Moto Racing have extended their partnership for another year. NOS has been bringing coverage of MXGP events since 2017 and during the 2020 season will bring more LIVE footage throughout the race weekends.

This weekend alongside NOS, Omroep Brabant, Omreop Zeeland will also be onsite to bring exposure of the races, while for Belgian motocross fans we will have TV VRT and RTBF here in Valkenswaard.

Here is where you can watch the MXGP of the Netherlands:

USA - CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 2 – 12:00 am ET Delayed

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 01:00 am ET Delayed

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 1 – 21:00 CET Rerun

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 2 – 21:30 CET Rerun

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 22:00 CET Rerun

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 22:30 CET Rerun

BALTICS (Estonia – Latvia - Lithuania)

TV 3 Sports 2

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET Live

BELGIUM

PLAY SPORTS 1

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET Live

FINLAND

CMORE Sport 2

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00  Live local time

CMORE Sport 3

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 19:25  Rerun

CMORE MAX

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 22:05  Rerun

FRANCE

AUTOMOTO LA CHAINE 

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET Live

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 2 – 13:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 22:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 22:30 CET Delayed

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 1 – 23:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 8 March – MX 2 Race 2 – 23:30 CET Delayed

ITALY

RAI SPORT

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET Live

RAI SPORT WEB

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET Live streaming 

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET Live streaming 

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 1 – 23:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 23:30 CET Delayed

LATVIA

Best 4 Sport

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET Live

NETHERLANDS

NOS

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET Live

PORTUGAL

Sport TV 3

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 1 – 22:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 23:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 00:00 CET Delayed

Monday 9 March – MX2 Race 2 – 01:00 CET Delayed

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET Live

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET Live

ASIA

FOX SPORT SEA

Monday 9 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 Delayed

Monday 9 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 Delayed

Monday 9 March – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 Delayed

Monday 9 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 Delayed

FOX SPORTS 3 SEA

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 Live Local Time

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 Live Local Time

Sunday 8 March – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 Live Local Time

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 Live Local Time

STAR SPORTS CHINA

Monday 9 March – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 Delayed

Monday 9 March – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 Delayed

Monday 9 March – MX2 Race 2 – 14:00 Delayed

Monday 9 March – MXGP Race 2 – 15:00 Delayed

FOX SPORTS INDONESIA

Monday 9 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 Delayed

Monday 9 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 Delayed

Monday 9 March – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 Delayed

Monday 9 March – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 Delayed

BRAZIL 

Bandsports

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 09:00 am Brazilian time Live

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 12:00 am  Brazilian time Live

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 1 – 16:00 am Brazilian time Rerun

Sunday 8 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 am  Brazilian time Rerun

The entire MXGP of The Netherlands including Saturday’s Qualifying races will also be streamed LIVE worldwide from Valkenswaard on MXGP’s own online TV service, www.MXGP-TV.com, and as usual fans can also watch the 26min Behind the Gate special feature via our TV partners or MXGP-TV on the Tuesday after each event.

26 min Behind the Gate

USA – Canada: Motortrend // MAV TV

Croatia: Kreator TV

Finland: MTV

France: Automoto la Chaine

Portugal: Sport TV

Slovenia: Sport TV

Spain: Movistar

Latin America: FOX Sports

Brazil: Bandsports

Asia: FOX Sports

Africa: Sport connect

MXGP of the Netherlands MXGP-TV Schedule

TIMETABLE in Local Time (CET)

SATURDAY: 07:50 WMX Free Practice, 08:15 EMX250 Group 1 Free Practice, 08:40 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 09:05 WMX Qualifying Practice, 09:50 MX2 Free Practice, 10:20 MXGP Free Practice, 11:10 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 11:45 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 12:25 MX2 Time Practice, 13:00 MXGP Time Practice, 13:45 WMX Race 1, 14:30 EMX250 Race 1, 15:15 MX2 Qualifying Race, 16:00 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 08:45 WMX Race 2, 09:25 MX Warm-up, 09:45 MXGP Warm-up, 10:30 EMX250 Race 2, 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

MXGP of the Netherlands