MXGP

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 5 December 2018 – Youthstream is excited to announce that the first round of the 2019 MXGP and MX2 FIM Motocross World Championship season will take place at the amazing Patagonia-Argentina circuit of Neuquen. The first round will take place as previously announced on Sunday the 10^th of March with bikes racing for the first time of the new season in Qualifying on Saturday.

MXGP’s return to Patagonia Argentina’s beautiful Neuquen circuit is exciting for the riders, fans, and industry members as amazing GPs have taken place at the venue since first hosting the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2015. Serving as the second round of 2017 and then the opening round of 2018 the previous years have resulted in stunning racing amongst the hillsides lined by thousands of South American motocross fans.

Year after year the soil and design of the circuit along with the unique atmosphere have made Patagonia a favorite of many. 2018’s MXGP of Patagonia- Argentina set the tone for the entire season where Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings fought a brilliant battle to an intense finish. 2019 will once again host the superstars of motocross world championship in a new battle for not only the first win but also the first championship leader red plates!

Will Herlings maintain his dominance, will Cairoli rise to the challenge, or will another MXGP hero such as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Clement Desalle or Team HRC’s Tim Gajser regain winning form? The next championship story is yet to be written but it will all start in Patagonia Argentina this March!

David Luongo, Vice President of Youthstream: "It is great news to be back in Argentina for the opening Grand Prix of the season. The circuit of Neuquen is for most of the riders, the most beautiful track of the championship and its location in the middle of Patagonia is breathtaking. We really want to thank David Eli from Mas Eventos along with the local and national authorities making this Grand Prix possible, we are sure that it will be a great success and will bring a lot of attention and exposure Argentina.”

Tony Skillington, FIM/CMS Director: “After the announcement of the hosting of the 2019 edition of the MXGP of Patagonia - Argentina, it is with a great pleasure that this news will be received by all involved as this venue has been a favorite to many riders and teams to be able to compete on this fantastic track in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.”

Cr.Omar Gutierrez, Governor of the Province of Neuquén: "The FIM Motocross World Championship is an international event that is already part of the identity and DNA from the people of Neuquén. Sporting important events like this one have an enormous touristic, social and economic importance, guaranteeing a strong global insertion to the province of Neuquén".

David Eli, Organizer of the MXGP of Patagonia - Argentina: "We are pleased to confirm that in 2019 we will celebrate the fifth edition of the MXGP in Villa La Angostura, Neuquén province. In addition to celebration for having obtained for the fourth consecutive year the title as the best circuit in the calendar, where the local fans and the majestic landscapes of the region give it a unique imprint; we will have the honor to open again the season of the motocross world championship. Returning as host to this international event, is the merit of enormous effort and teamwork that we have been doing from our company (+Eventos) together with the Government of Neuquén and the city of Villa La Angostura."

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 04 December 2018 - MXGP’s Annual Organizers meeting has taken place this weekend in Andorra at the Arthotel of Andorra la Vella. The special annual event serves as meeting for all the Organizers of the upcoming FIM Motocross World Championship events and gives a chance for the newest Organizers to learn from the successful strategies of their long time and experienced counterparts in a very positive atmosphere.

Youthstream’s Director of Communications and Marketing Services, Marionna Leiva, opened the event by introducing those present, which included Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, Youthstream Vice President David Luongo, Youthstream Directors Mr. Nikos Gounaris, Mr. Daniele Rizzi and Mr Didier Henriod, FIM representatives such as FIM/CMS Director Mr. Tony Skillington, FIM Race Director Mr. Ingo Partsch, and FIM Medical Director David McManus, in addition to various organizers of the 2019 MXGP rounds, among all a delegation from Shanghai representing the MXGP of China attending the event with a great willing and motivation to host MXGP in 2019.

The meeting included a presentation detailing Youthstream’s departments to the Organizers with some important points to follow and tips to help them host successful events in 2019. Following the introduction and important notes, the new and returning venues were presented starting with the MXGP stop of China in Shanghai, Indonesia in Palembang, Sweden in Uddevalla, Hong Kong, and finally the 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at the famous Assen TT Circuit of the Netherlands.

Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo joined on stage where he welcomed everyone and spoke highly of how the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations showcased the ability of MXGP riders who developed their talents through the demanding World Championship races and tracks. Mr. Luongo also spoke of the importance of the Youth program in order to grow the professionalism of riders and the continued cooperation between Youthstream, the FIM, and the local Organizers.

Mr. Giuseppe Luongo: “We are all here because we love the sport. We create a future, there are a lot of young kids in the European Championship and MX2 who are very fast and they push the level of MXGP to be as strong as it is now.”

Mr. Luongo also expressed his joy of being able to host the Organizers in a meeting during the off season as part of the MXGP family and continued by mentioning the need to improve the championship through focusing on the details. Additionally highlighted was the growth of the spectator numbers and the massive improvement of longtime facilities along with the quick success of new venues.

FIM/CMS Director Tony Skillington: “2018 was a fantastic and exciting season, I was happy to be a part of it. What we can see all around is the growth, the professionalism, the dedication to do hard work. I, in my youth, was an organizer and I am very appreciative of the hard work, time, and effort that people go through to put on the quality events that they do.”

Afterwards Organizers from both the MXGP of Russia and the MXGP of China each took the microphone to say a few words with the representatives from Shanghai expressing the honor they felt to be a part of this event in Andorra. Pleased with the ability to both learn and share valuable information they continued to say how excited they are to present Shanghai to the world. 

The entire event was also held on the eve of the Annual FIM Awards ceremony held at the Sports Arena in Androa La Vella where the 2018 FIM Champions from various two-wheeled disciplines where gathered to be rewarded during a stunning Gala dinner.

In front of all special guests, media and Federations’ representatives MXGP World Champion Jeffrey Herlings, MX2 World Champion Jorge Prado, WMX World Champion Kiara Fontanesi, Junior Motocross World Champions Bailey Malkiewicz and Caden Braswell, plus Snowcross World Champion Adam Renheim went on stage to receive their FIM Medal.

With the meeting concluded and the organizers informed and well prepared, the 2019 season is now one step closer to the highly anticipated first gate drop this March!

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Roger Magee of Hitachi KTM UK has often done wonders for his riders. On many occasions Magee has picked up a rider when it seems his chances of good results are not that there, and he has transformed them into winners. Having brought riders like Shaun Simpson, Ben Watson, Kevin Strijbos and many more to the GP scene, under his KTM UK banner, Magee knows that his MX2 rider, Conrad Mewse has all the potential to be a contender, and as early as 2019.

“He still has some work to do on the mental side,” Magee said. “But I do see progress. This year if we were at a track that had been watered a lot, he struggled early and the pack is then gone, and by the end of the race he is often one of the quickest on the track. He is very similar to a lot of riders we pick up, riders who are maybe struggling with other teams, where things were not going well. Similar to Strijbos in 2012 when he wasn’t looking that great and it seemed his career was nearly over, then he did well with us, won the British championship and I think finished sixth in the World, and eventually got back on the factory Suzuki team. Same with Simpson, he had some good years, then back in the doldrums, came back to us, won two British championship and a couple of GP rounds. Conrad has had a year to settle down in the team and 2019 we expect him to do well.”

Mewse who in his junior days beat guys like 2018 MX2 World Champion Jorge Prado, and 2017 Monster Energy FIM MXoN MX2 overall winner Hunter Lawrence, is more than capable of running with the likes of Prado in his professional career. Progression has somewhat been slow for the young British rider, but he too expects 2019 to be his come-out season, a where he once again wants to be a contender.

“I am not setting my sights too high,” Mewse said. “I haven’t even finished in the top ten yet, and missed six rounds this year. I am looking at going out there and getting inside the top ten, inside the top six, on a regular basis. Put in some consistent rider and finish inside the top five in the championship. I am doing a lot of training at the moment, flat out in the gym, doing a lot of cardio. We are getting back on the bike, just once a week and having a bit of fun and not pushing too hard. January we will do some solid riding and training overseas, getting the bike set-up, and be fully prepared for that first round of the GPs.”

So now with a few months to prepare and with good health on his side, don’t be surprised to see the rider with 426 on his bike race closer to the front, and possibly even make some podium appearances. A strong off-season and some work on his confidence could see Mewse once again producing the results we all expected when he arrived on the GP scene a few years ago.

Copyright: Photo: Nuno Laranjeira

The month of December is upon us quickly, meaning it is time for the holidays, and all the annual traditions!

Every December MXGP has an Advent Calendar with some of the best MXGP content showcased on our social media during the lead up to Christmas.

This year the tradition continues with our 2018 Advent calendar featuring the best Issues of MXGP Mag since its first publication in September 2013! Each one of the 24 days leading up to Christmas will host an exciting MXGP Mag edition full of amazing article, photo, bikes, and more. The MXGP Advent Calendar starts this weekend so be sure to follow us on social media for daily content starting from tomorrow December 1st!

Yamaha Motor Europe is dropping the gate on their 2019 YZ125, YZ85 and YZ65 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup registrations! Since 2015, the YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup has been the best opportunity for young MX riders to find their feet in the world of professional racing. Yamaha Motor Europe are widening the field in 2019 by adding the 85cc and 65cc classes to the mix!

If you're riding a YZ125, YZ85 or YZ65 in your national championship, you're eligible to join the bLU cRU. Forty riders from each class will be invited to finish the season by riding in the 2019 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Assen, the Netherlands. The top three riders from each class competing at the SuperFinale will be joined by two wild card riders from each class at the m at the end of the season.

The bLU cRU Masterclass is an event specifically designed to give young riders a taste of what the racing world can throw at them as well as being a place to receive expert tuition from Yamaha Racing superstars: bLU cRU ambassadors. They'll compete, learn, grow and develop over three days of intense training and competition. At the end of the three days, one YZ125 rider will be chosen to compete in the 2020 season for a Yamaha Motor Europe N.V. supported team, and the 65 and 85 riders will carry concrete technical support for the next season.

Please follow the instructions at the following links, YZ125, YZ85, YZ65 and sign up as soon as possible. Make sure you meet the requirements and... jump into the bLU cRU experience!

Following those announcements regarding Kevin Strijbos and Vsevolod Brylyakov, JWR Yamaha Racing is pleased to confirm that an agreement has been reached with Anton Gole. Gole will compete in the premier MXGP class in the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship.

Anton Gole will make his premier-class debut next season and is excited for the challenge that lies ahead. Back-to-back injuries have thwarted his efforts in the MX2 class over the last twelve months, but he is now back to one hundred percent and preparing for a taxing campaign that will include the full Swedish Championship. Gole will also compete in the MX1 class in his homeland the JWR Yamaha Racing outfit.

Anton Gole: "I am so happy to finally announce my deal with JWR Yamaha Racing. I have known Johan for a couple of years now and I think he is a very driven guy with big dreams and high goals, so I am really excited to join his team. I’m also going to step up to the MXGP class for next year, so to have Vsevolod Brylyakov and Kevin Strijbos as teammates will be awesome. I hope to learn a lot from them. It is going to be a tough challenge to ride in the big-boy class, but I feel really good on the YZ450F and I am really looking forward to it."

Johan Westermark (Team Manager): "It is important to stay true to our roots, being a Swedish team, hence why I am extremely excited to help Anton Gole move forward with his career and embark on a journey into the MXGP class. Gole has been extremely impressive over the last couple of years, especially when healthy, and I really think he will make a fantastic addition to JWR Yamaha Racing."

JWR Yamaha Racing is ecstatic to confirm that they have signed six-time Grand Prix winner, Kevin Strijbos, ahead of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship. The 33-year-old is ready to join the squad following an injury-riddled term that left him fourteenth in the final series standings.

Strijbos and JWR Yamaha Racing are committed to all of the European rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship and will also strive to compete at the two Chinese stops, Shanghai and Hong Kong, that will act as rounds five and six. GYTR will support the effort and steed that he will pilot across the globe. Strijbos will also take advantage of the new workshop, based in Belgium, that the squad will have at their disposal.

The 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship is set to begin on March 10 at a location that has not been announced. The series will then tackle events in the United Kingdom and The Netherlands. JWR Yamaha Racing will stay true to their roots when the new season begins too; Kevin Strijbos will chase glory in the MX1 class in the Swedish Championship.

Kevin Strijbos: "I'm really happy to join the JWR Yamaha Racing team. It is a young dynamic team and I will try to help them with my experience if needed. I'm also looking forward to riding the Yamaha 450F, as I have heard a lot of positive things about the bike. I cannot wait to ride it! It seems the circle will close; I started my first MXGP season on a Yamaha 125 in 2001 and it looks like I will also close it on a Yamaha. Of course, I will do my best next year to get the best results possible."

Johan Westermark (Team Manager): "It is a huge step forward for JWR Yamaha Racing to tackle seventeen rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2019 and I cannot think of a better rider to do that with. Although Kevin struggled with injuries this season, it was quite clear that he still has the speed to run at the head of the field and contend for positions inside of the top five. We look forward to giving him the tools to do exactly that."

The 2018 MXGP season was amazing and we are ready to get back into racing and kick off the new season. As part of the preparation Youthstream is proud to launch the sales of the VIP Gold Skybox experience for 2019!

The MXGP VIP GOLD SKYBOX passes will let you experience the FIM Motocross World Championship in style with access to exclusive areas of the venue with the best viewing along with a glamorous breakfast, lunch buffet and continuous refreshments!

The MXGP racing is always epic but 2019 will be a whole new level with Jeffrey Herlings defending his first MXGP title while Antonio Cairoli goes for his tenth world championship and young stars like Pauls Jonass enter the mix. There is no better way to have an amazing weekend than to go as a VIP GOLD SKYBOX guest starting with the simple parking of your car in convenient VIP areas to watching the racing from inside the Skybox alongside the worlds best riders, top industry members and more.

Get your VIP GOLD SKYBOX pass for 2019 now by clicking HERE to enjoy all the services:

• MXGP Paddock access - be where all the riders are during the weekend
• SKYBOX Terrace access - located behind the start gate (front-row views of the Waiting Zone, Starting Grid and podium)
• Beverages and snacks during the whole weekend
• Divine breakfast and gourmet buffet lunch in the SKYBOX Restaurant - with a view of the track from your table
• VIP Gold SKYBOX Car Parking Pass

Make your MXGP Event unforgettable. Be a VIP Gold Skybox Guest! 

The current MX2 World Champion Jorge Prado, and 2004 MX2 Champion Ben Townley have a lot in common. A world championship each, both under the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing colors and both had a dream to enjoy their racing.

Prado, who rides for the Claudio De Carli team has watched many MXGP races this year, and even more video highlights from the 450 class. He knows one day he will race against current MXGP Champion Jeffrey Herlings, and knows that if he wants to be competitive, he needs to learn from the master.

“Well,” Prado said. “Every time I watch every single rider, I try and get the best out of it. Jeffrey was the best guy this year and that is why he won. He has some things that are very good and I try and learn from those things, because one day I will be racing with him. I don’t know, it is hard to say. I mean, he is strong, very fit guy and his speed is very good. He has the perfect package at the moment and at the moment he is the best guy, so everything he does is good.”

Townley, now retired also watches his share of highlight reels from the MXGP championships as he sits on his couch at home in New Zealand. The former MX2 champion is amazed at what Herlings can do on a bike and is excited any time he watches the Dutchman go around.

“It is incredible,” Townley said. “You don’t see it very often in life where somebody is clearly that much faster at times than what you would call the best riders in the World. It does become fascinating and he is so mentally strong and the diversity at times, to continue to ride at that level and he has done that year after year with injuries and its very impressive what he can withstand with the pain. He obviously has an amazing determination internally. He grew up having such a strength in sand and was very good at that, but now he rides like that over all the conditions. I am sometimes lost for words what he is able to do on a motorcycle. It is very impressive.”

Comparing eras is a dangerous thing, but Townley has raced against the great Stefan Everts, and knows a little more than most about the qualities of the Belgian legend. A wow factor is something Townley has had watching both riders’ race.

“I think there is a difference there, with the WOW factor. Stefan was very calculating with what he did. He made it look so easy at times, with the way he was able to move the bike and his technique was amazing in that time. With Herlings, it’s just raw speed. He just flies past riders. When you talk about that WOW, I remember watching the highlights package from Lommel and he was coming up to lap some top GP riders, some experiences riders, and seeing the difference on how he approached a section and go through it, that was a WOW moment for me. He was able to go through a section with so much ease and that was just talent.”

So now, with an off-season to prepare for 2019, we all know that Herlings will come into the new season even better prepared and an improved version of the 2018 Jeffrey Herlings. Now that is something to look forward to, not just for Prado and Townley, but for all of us.