The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team will field one of the strongest rider line ups for the 2020 MXGP season. Between the three riders, Jeremy Seewer, Gautier Paulin and Arnaud Tonus, they have accumulated around 95 pieces of Grand Prix silverware as a result of more than 35 Grand Prix race wins and 18 Grand Prix victories throughout their careers. Their road to the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team has been at least 10 years in the making, and each rider's story features struggles as well as success.
Tonus’ return to racing has been impressive. After a couple of years racing in the USA, Tonus returned to Europe and ‘home’ to the Yamaha family in 2017, where he was the cat among the pigeons in the 2017 FIM MXGP World Championship. He lined up with the number ‘4’ stuck firmly to his YZ450F and managed to make his first podium appearance in the premier class at round five, which he followed up with his maiden Qualifying Heat win in Russia, and an exhilarating GP race win in front of his home crowd in Switzerland.
In 2018 Tonus injured both shoulders in two different off-season incidents, and was forced to undergo a double shoulder reconstruction which side-lined him for the entire 2018 MXGP season. After taking a heart-wrenching full year off, the talented Swiss rider reasserted himself in the 2019 FIM MXGP World Championship with a startling six podium finishes to finish fifth overall.
"The last few years have been really tough for me," declared Tonus. "I've dealt with a lot of injuries and suffering, both physically and mentally. At one point I almost thought about stopping my career because I was just over it. It's pretty amazing to see it from where I was to where I'm at right now. I'm super, super thankful."
Paulin is easily one of the most famed riders on the gate. The 29-year-old Frenchman already has an incredible list of achievements that includes 12 Grand Prix wins. He has stood on the podium 56 times. In that time, he has won 19 races. In addition to his individual achievements, the French phenomenon has had the honour of representing his nation at the prestigious Monster Energy Motocross of Nations on ten occasions, each time playing a vital role in the teams' success, that includes five gold medals, in 2014, '15, '16, '17, and ’18, and two silver medals, in 2009, and '11.
In 2011 he stepped up to the premier class formerly known as 'MX1' and now named 'MXGP', where he won the opening round in Fermo, Italy, onboard a Yamaha YZ450FM, and took the same bike to victory at the 2011 Motocross of Nations in Saint Jean d'Angely, France, where he was the captain of the 'Home Team'.
After moving on to face new challenges in racing from 2012 through to 2018, Paulin made his return to Yamaha in 2019 with a satellite team and instantly stunned on his production YZ450F, aboard which he celebrated four podium finishes and fell a slender 8-points short of the bronze medal.
His immediate success meant that he was fast-tracked into the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team for 2020, where he believes that even a one percent improvement in the bike can be the difference between winning and losing.
"I know what I want and, actually, I can really have what I want right now," explained Paulin. "Being back with the factory team is a big step and it brings with it that extra one percent, which in racing is big because we're all at 100 percent. Being on the top step of the MXGP class means being involved every single minute of your life, to be the best."
And last but by no means least is the 2019 MXGP runner-up, Seewer. Over the past four years, the young Swiss rider has been the ‘bridesmaid’ but never the bride.
Throughout his Grand Prix racing career, he has led 127 laps, won 15 races, including qualifying races, celebrated five Grand Prix victories and 32 podiums. After finishing eighth in his rookie season in the premier class, the ‘91’ was drafted into the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team where he was able to ride the works version of his trusted YZ450F.
His enormous improvement since lining up on the YZ450FM was evidenced by his six podium appearances on his way to finishing second overall in the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship, which raises the age-old question; what will it take to go one better?
"After being vice-world champion, of course, there is only one more thing to achieve," says Seewer. "It's super tough out there to win. There are so many guys who are world champions, so many guys winning Grands Prix, so it's a huge amount of work and a big story behind to actually become a world champion. I visualise what it would be like to be on the top, to be world champion. And I think it must be one of the most amazing feelings, just to be the best at what you do."
KTM Diga Junior Racing spin-off Globe powered by Diga Racing enters the EMX125 series with a bang. The recently founded Belgian team has signed the talented young Frenchman Florian Miot. Florian, 16, is the younger brother of Matheo Miot.
In spite of strong results last season the French and Italian 125cc champion found himself without a team at the end of 2019. However Florian continued to train in preparation for the 2020 season. Back on KTM “FloFlo” is faster than ever. He dominated the Berck beach race in October by winning all three motos.
The youngest of the Miot brothers already made his marks internationally too. He grabbed a first podium in his rookie EMX125 year, 2018 and won the Motocross of European Nations with Team France in 2017. Stronger and more experienced “FloFlo” and the Globe powered by Diga Racing outfit are looking forward to go racing together.
Florian Miot: “I’m really happy and relieved that we have made this deal with Globe powered by Diga Racing. We knew the people involved and it’s great to be surrounded by professional people in a relaxed atmosphere. I learned a lot about racing in the last two seasons in EMX125 and I want to take all this knowledge into this new challenge!”
Dirk Saelen: “We’re pleased to have Florian (Miot) on board as the first rider for Globe by Diga Racing. This new team structure will focus on logistical and technical support for EMX riders. It’s awesome to hit the ground running with a talented and dedicated young rider like Florian. He already trained on the KTM so we’re convinced he’ll adapt easily to his new environment.”
Florian Miot will make his Globe powered by Diga Racing debut with the EMX125 Presented by FMf racing series on February the 29th in Matterley Basin, England.
Team BUD Racing Kawasaki will again be behind the World Championship starting gate this season with four riders in four different classes, continuing their traditional blend of experience and youth.
After a successful return to MX2 last year the team has renewed its confidence in Mitchell Harrison as the youthful American starts his second season in Europe. Last year he had to learn both new tracks and Motocross World Championship in general after his previous career in the USA and he will line up at Matterley Basin – first of the 20 GPs on March 1st – with more experience. At selected GPs he will be joined by Pierre Goupillon, back with the team after a first collaboration in 2018; the main goal of the young French rider will be the European EMX250 Championship.
Belgian Amandine Verstappen, the reigning French women’s champion. Is a newcomer to the team. Amandine will race her KX250 Kawasaki for the first time in Great Britain at the opening round of the WMX world series. Having recorded her maiden GP victory last year she will also defend the French Championship.
In the long tradition of Marvin Musquin, Dylan Ferrandis and Brian Moreau, who each started their careers with BUD, it’s now Quentin Prugnières that the team has signed on a long-term deal. The French Hopefuls champion last year, the youngster from the island of la Reunion will contest the French Junior and European 125 championships.
All this investment would not be possible without the team’s loyal partners, especially Kawasaki who has backed the team since 2007! Alongside their long-term sponsors BUD is proud to welcome new partners Champion lubricants, PRO and Boomerang.
2020 also saw the return of Thierry Van Den Bosch as trainer to all of the riders; the multiple Supermoto world champion is back in motocross after a successful experience in road racing. “I’ve been working with Pierre Goupillon since November and everything is going well; we knew each other already as I had worked with him previously in the French national team and we have been working together intensely for two weeks each month. Mitchell arrived in Europe two weeks ago; he had to rest before coming back to Europe due to a minor injury but now we start our racing programme, we’ll have three more weeks to prepare for the first GP in Matterley Basin where our four musketeers will all be on track as the MX2, EMX125 and WMX championships each kick off there.”
The first issue in 2020 of a monthly motorcycle sport magazine with some of the best interviews, features and Blogs from the heart of MXGP, MotoGP, AMA Motocross/Supercross and WorldSBK as well as tests and reviews of bikes and products from the motorcycling industry. Here are some of the highlights of OTOR #195 and the opening publication this year: MXGP: Prado, Febvre, Watson & the Spanish GP; exclusive stories with three protagonists of 2020 MXGP chatting recovery, rivalry, last chances and new chapters. Plus a look at the newest GP on the slate. So spin around to this: Helmets; a revealing journey to the ground-breaking facility of MIPS in Sweden explains why riders should think carefully before their next purchase. MotoGP: Four essential 2020 Qs & the MM93 shoulder; pressing questions for 2020 MotoGP as the first test nears, and we take a trip to Cervera and the champion’s hometown for an injury update. Supercross: Is this Barcia’s year? A revealing interview with the Yamaha star on how adversity, support and experience could finally come together to allow the #51 to make a 450SX title play.
MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 29th January 2020 – Youthstream is delighted to announce that long-running partnership with PROGRIP and MXGP will continue for the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship season.
Following many great years of working together, PROGRIP and MXGP are excited to continue growing together for another race season as they help motocross to new heights on the world stage.
The Progrip product range is not limited to the production of the best grips in the industry, as the company name would suggest, but they also produce a wide array of goods that includes their very own line of racewear, goggles, helmets, protection and other accessories.
With over forty years of experience, their extensive knowledge, attention to quality and detail and the use of the finest raw materials is the reason why today, the products are loved and used by many of the World Championship teams and riders.
This season you can expect to see the 9-time World Champion, Antonio Cairoli, as well as Clement Desalle, MXGP World Champion Romain Febvre and MX2 rider Jago Geerts all using Propgrip products.
The brand will also be supporting Women’s World Championship rider, Shana Van der Vlist, as well as the entire Team Maddii Racing, MX-Team SDM Corse and Ghidinelli Racing SSD SRL squads, among many others.
Team HRC rider Tim Gajser will head into the 2020 MXGP championship with a lot of momentum. His 2019 season saw him win his third Motocross World championship and score his 24th Grand Prix victory. A stellar season and one the propelled him into legendary status. Only a dozen or so riders in the sports history have done better statistically, and the Slovenian isn’t about to slow down on his progress.
Last weekend in the opening International of the season Gajser scored 1-1 results and as he continues his preparation for the opening Grand Prix, set for the Matterley Basin circuit in England, his confidence builds.
On his victory last weekend, he saw many improvements, but also knows that when the first round of the FIM World Motocross Championship comes around, the winning becomes more difficult.
Gajser continues to try and find new ways of getting better, and with a handful of MX2 riders moving up from the 250 class, he knows that the competition in the MXGP class is only going to get tougher.
“Every year some riders from MX2 come to MXGP and it makes it bigger and even more good riders. Already we have the great names, but this year even more good guys and the motivation you need to improve, and I always say it could be better. Even winning the races and the titles, I always feel I can do better. Last year I changed many things and I was super happy with that, so basically we try and stay with the same program, but you can always improve and I tried to improve some things and we try and do that every year, that is the goal.”
So now onto England in a month's time, where he will hope he can battle the likes of Antonio Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings and Glenn Coldenhoff, in what many people are saying will be the toughest season ever in Grand Prix racing.
The Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team reveals its new livery before the opening race of the season in Sardinia.
For the first time since a while the team will line up this season two current GP winners in the FIM Motocross World Championship. Clément Desalle and Romain Febvre will enter the first round of the Italian International series this weekend, and for both riders who had to take a break last season due to injuries winter preparation went perfectly. Both enjoy riding the latest version of the KX 450SR, and will now enter two pre season events before the opening Grand Prix in Great Britain (March 1st).
Youthstream is pleased to announce that ticket sales for the MXGP of Patagonia Argentina, are now open!
Neuquen has been a regular stop on the MXGP Calendar since 2015, quickly becoming a favourite among riders for its picturesque views and awesome fan support. The Neuquen circuit has seen some exciting racing throughout the years, having hosted the season opener of the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2018 and 2019.
This season, MXGP will return to beautiful Argentina for the third stop of the championship, with the GP bound to be as exciting as ever. With plenty new faces moving up through the ranks into the MX2 and MXGP classes, as well as the return of Antonio Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings, Clement Desalle and Romain Febvre, to battle with the best such as MXGP Champion Tim Gajser, Jeremy Seewer, Gautier Paulin, Glenn Coldenhoff and many others, the racing is bound to be intense.
Last season it was Red Bull KTM Factory’s Antonio Cairoli who secured the double race win, with Tim Gajser in second and Jeremy Van Horebeek in third. Meanwhile in MX2, it was Jorge Prado who was victorious over Thomas Kjer Olsen and Mitch Evans who finished third. With Prado and Evans making the move to MXGP, it will be interesting to see who will challenge for the podium in Patagonia.
Don’t miss out on some of the best race action as the world’s best riders head to Neuquen in Argentina for round three of the 2020 campaign.
Get your tickets HERE! And join us for an unforgettable weekend in Argentina!
A bit more than 1 month before the start of the FIM Motocross World Championship we are pleased to release a provisional EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and WMX entry lists for the MXGP of Great Britain!
The European 125cc Championship and the Women’s World Championship will be joining the MXGP and MX2 riders at Matterley Basin as we kick off the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship in Winchester, Great Britain on February the 29th and March the 1st.
The provisional entry list of the EMX125 class is looking impressive with a total of 84 entries looking to qualify for the main races on Saturday and Sunday. Of course, with only 40 available gates, the competition is bound to be fierce. Looking for a good start this season will be Liam Everts, who after finishing 8th in the Championship in 2019 will be keen to improve upon his previous result and challenge for the title.
Also hoping for a good start and debut will be the Italian, Marchetti Racing Team's Valerio Lata. In 2019, Lata was crowned the EMX85 Junior World Champion and this season will see him move up into the EMX125 category. And previous EMX85 Junior World Champion (2017), Eddie Jay Wade, will also be looking to make a good impression in front of his home crowd. Another local star that will line-up in the fierce youth class is Joel Rizzi. Rizzi finished 13th overall, last season and often challenged for the top 3, so it will be interesting to see what he can do in 2020.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s World Championship, Courtney Duncan will be hoping to defend her title, while Larissa Papenmeier, Nancy Van de Ven and Amadine Verstappen are sure to put on the challenge. Of course, let’s not forget that 2020 will see the return of the 6-time WMX World Champion, Kiara Fontanesi, who missed the 2019 season, as she prepared for the arrival of her baby daughter, Skyler. Despite that, she has been working hard all off-season and is another rider that we can expect to see mixing it up at the front of the field at Matterley Basin.
The line-ups for the EMX125 and WMX classes are looking extremely strong and it is sure to be a great weekend of racing as we kick things off for the 2020 MXGP season.
You can find the EMX125 Entry List by clicking HERE
Today, KRT the world-leading racing team, and Alpinestars, the world-leading manufacturer of professional racing products, are announcing the addition of the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team to Alpinestars’ global roster of MX athletes.
The collaboration will see Alpinestars supporting the Team’s title contending riders, Romain Febvre and Clément Desalle, for the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship, seeing both racers head to toe in Alpinestars helmets, gear, and boots. French rider Romain Febvre has already been riding in the Alpinestars helmet, and Belgian rider Clément Desalle has chosen to use the S-M10 helmet as well in 2020.
Gabriele Mazzarolo, Alpinestars President:“Like Alpinestars, the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team is founded on performance and passion. Alpinestars’ full range of rider protection is inspired by the company’s rich history of competing at the very highest levels of MX racing and draws heavily on R&D combined with feedback from world-renowned motocross and MotoGP riders. We are really happy to be working even more closely with KRT and protecting the team with the Tech 10 boot, full body protection and our most innovative Supertech M10 helmet.”
Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni, KRT Team Owner:"We are proud and happy to expand our partnership with Alpinestars, the world-leading manufacturer of professional racing products. We have worked with this iconic brand for many years. When I hired the team eleven years ago, they were already providing boots to our riders! This company never stops to develop new products and new technologies. For the upcoming season both Clément and Romain will race with Alpinestars boots, riding gear and helmets. Our strategy has always been to be loyal to our partners. I want to thank Gabriele who has always supported us regardless of the results on the tracks, it’s a real pleasure to work with such a leading company in motorsports.”
