MXGP

Yamaha Motor Europe N.V are pleased to confirm that Arnaud Tonus will enter his third year with the Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Team where he will contest the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship on board a YZ450F.

Having missed the entire 2018 MXGP season due to a shoulder injury he sustained at the start of the year, Tonus is excited to shift his focus to 2019 where he hopes to redeem himself with a top-five result in the 2019 FIM MXGP World Championship. The 27 year-old injured both shoulders in two different incidents in the off-season, and underwent a double shoulder reconstruction earlier this year. He has not been able to ride for more than six months, but was recently given the green light from his surgeon to start training again, and has already been out on the bike.

The Swiss rider said that he feels good onboard his YZ450F and is excited to return back to his best as he rebuilds his strength and confidence. Remaining with the Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Team will see the super talent remain under the same structure that saw him achieve a podium finish at the MXGP of Trentino in 2017, a Qualifying Race win in Russia and a MXGP race win at his home Grand Prix in Switzerland.

Whether or not Tonus will return to racing this season is yet to be decided. More information will follow, when available, on all of the official Yamaha Racing social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, and Instragram.

Arnaud Tonus, Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Rider: "It's amazing for me because I have formed such a great relationship with Louis and the team at Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP, and even better is that the YZ450F, the material and all of the equipment we use there is top level. I am really happy with the way the team works and the atmosphere there, I really feel like these guys are my family, so I am really excited to stay with them for another year, and to completely go for it."

Erik Eggens, Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Manager: "We are happy to continue with Arnaud for another season. This season has been difficult for him, but we feel that he still has a lot to offer and to prove, so we would like to give him another opportunity. He was very strong before the start of the season where we believe he was one of the fastest riders in the field. He needs stability to excel and we believe he has that with Louis and the team at Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP, so I hope that they can achieve their goals next season, and celebrate the success both Arnaud and the team deserve. With this news, we will give Arnaud the time he needs to rebuild his strength and return to 100% before he lines up to race. We are fully behind Arnaud in this time, and whether he lines up this year, or we don't so see him until next year, he will have our full support and we look forward to seeing him on the gate."

Louis Vosters, Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Team Owner: "I am really happy that Arnaud has signed with us and Yamaha for 2019. Arnaud is a very talented rider, a technical one with many great skills. He has the mentality of a top sportsman and is a good character as well, so that is really positive and is something really nice for the Wilvo Yamaha team to have onboard."

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing

The Dutch federation has announced their team for the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at RedBud, USA. The Netherlands’ team will be extremely competitive with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings in MXGP, Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen in MX2, and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff in Open.

The Dutch team is third to be announced in as many days for the event this 6th and 7th of October at RedBud, Michigan, USA. Many more teams are expected to be announced shortly.

More information about the venue can be found HERE https://www.mxgp.com/tracks/red-bud

Additional Links:

Tickets: https://mxon.motocross-tickets.com/en/22471-motocross-of-nations/

KNMV: https://knmv.nl/

FIM: http://www.fim-live.com/

Event Website: http://redbudmxon.com/

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced the American team that will fight for the chamberlain trophy at the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. The strongest American riders have been selected and committed to the event which is expected to be one of the biggest in history with Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Eli Tomac in MXGP, Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Aaron Plessinger in MX2, and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia in Open.

The 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will take place this 6th and 7th of October at RedBud, Michigan, USA.

More information about the venue can be found HERE https://www.mxgp.com/tracks/red-bud

Additional Links:

Tickets: https://mxon.motocross-tickets.com/en/22471-motocross-of-nations/

AMA: http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/

FIM: http://www.fim-live.com/

Event Website: http://redbudmxon.com/

Copyright: Photo: AMA

The German team for the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at RedBud, USA has been selected. Team Germany will be led by Team HRC’s Ken Roczen in MXGP who will be attending the MXoN for the very fisrt time since 2013, with STC Husqvarna Racing’s Henry Jacobi taking on MX2 and TM Racing Factory Team’s Max Nagl in the Open class.

The team will join together this 6th and 7th of October at the highly anticipated Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations for an ultra competitive weekend of international racing on American soil.

More information about the venue can be found HERE https://www.mxgp.com/tracks/red-bud

Addition Links:

Tickets: https://mxon.motocross-tickets.com/en/22471-motocross-of-nations/

FIM: http://www.fim-live.com/

Event Website: http://redbudmxon.com/

Julien Lieberm new comer of the MXGP class will contonue to fly the green flag of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team alongside fellow Belgian Clement Desalle. A knee injury late in the 2017 campaign prevented Julien from testing the factory KX450F-SR Kawasaki for his rookie season in the highly competitive MXGP class until fairly late in the winter but he followed up an impressive debut at the opening round in Argentina with many more top ten placings before injury at the British GP in early June forced him to miss two rounds of the series. The twenty-four year old's results since his return to action have not quite matched his early season form but he has continued to display dedication and, his future now secure for next season, will enter the final quarter of the series fully motivated to end his debut MXGP season on a high note.

Julien Lieber: “I’m very happy to continue with the team next season; they do a great job, carefully analysing rider feedback as we strive to advance together in the same direction. There is a good relationship in the team, not only with the mechanics and the management but also with Clément and I can’t wait to test the new bike and start working for next season. This first year for me in MXGP has been pretty difficult as I had first to recover from surgery before testing the bike, but I already did some good races earlier in the season and, even if the results are not quite as good since my injury in Great Britain, everyone in the team remains behind me and for sure that will help me to be stronger in the coming races.”

Thierry Chizat Suzzoni: “Since the beginning of the season we’ve been satisfied with the performances of Julien, even if he was unlucky to be injured in Great Britain. But it didn’t change our opinion; we know that his riding style is suited to the 450 class and he will be able to work with us all winter long to develop the new bike. There’s a great cooperation between both riders and we all know how important it is to work in a good atmosphere; they share information and advice to deliver the best results to the team and our partners. It’s also great to see that we’ll continue working with all our main partners; we have worked with Monster Energy for five years now, and it is a delight to continue this relationship and also with famous brands such as Motorex, Thor, Pro Circuit, Alpinestars and Dunlop, each of whom will help us to reach another level. Kawasaki has unveiled a brand new KX450 so we face a busy winter to prepare for next season but we have an excellent team and partners to be ready for the next challenge."

Copyright: Photo: Kawasaki Racing

F&H Kawasaki rider Adam Sterry made big progress in Lommel last weekend and is finally starting to show more of the form many expected from him. The British rider started the weekend with a very solid performance in the Saturday qualification race. The Kawasaki rider was more than pleased with his start to the weekend.

“It was the most solid day of the season for me so far,” Sterry said. “I show good speed all day and I was really happy with the second position in the timed practice session; I didn’t get such a good start in the qualifying race but made my way to sixth, not so far from Vlaanderen. To be honest I felt I had a little bit more speed, but I didn’t really see where I could pass him and sixth is OK for a qualifying race; it would have been stupid to take risks and crash and hopefully I can improve my starts tomorrow. I’m just happy to be making advances; the team is doing a great job on the bike and we can work closer together since I moved to the Netherlands three months ago. Sand has always been my favourite; the more difficult the track, the more excited I am."

Sterry then finished ninth overall on the Sunday, and while it wasn’t where he wanted to finish, it was at least consistent with 8-9 scores for the two races. With the burning heat caused everyone minor problems, it was a mistake in the start of the second moto cost him dearly.

“With the speed I had this weekend the results could have been even better, but it’s been a decent weekend and we are taking it one step at a time; we’ve been advancing each weekend since I got back on the bike. In the first race I had a pretty good start in the top ten, but in the second one I hit the gate as someone next to me anticipated the start and it is difficult not to react also in such circumstances; I was nearly last and used so much energy in the first ten minutes to pass people that I had nothing left to catch Vlaanderen and Mewse in the last part of the race. It was a solid weekend - I'm happy with that - and something to build on again; I'm happy to be back near the front, where I belong.”

Now onto Switzerland and another chance to get his name higher up the MX2 points standings. While he is 14^th in the current points, there are not that many points between Sterry and 10^th place in the championship.

The multi time and defending Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations winning country of France has announce the riders who will race the 2018 event at RedBud, USA this October.

The team announced by the French Federation of Motorcycling (FFM) today will be again led by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin in MXGP with Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Dylan Ferrandis riding MX2 and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre rounding out the squad in the Open class.

The group will be managed by Pascal Finot and have MXoN veteran, Paulin, as the team captain. The 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will be held the 6th and 7th of October at the famous American circuit of RedBud.

More information about the venue can be found HERE https://www.mxgp.com/tracks/red-bud

Addition Links:

Tickets: https://mxon.motocross-tickets.com/en/22471-motocross-of-nations/

FIM: http://www.fim-live.com/

FFM: https://www.ffmoto.org/

Event Website: http://redbudmxon.com/

While the Grand Prix in Limburg is still fresh in our mind, the riders are already preparing for the next event in the calendar, the MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS. While Red Bull KTM Factory riders Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado head to the Frauenfeld circuit with the red plates, local rider Jeremy Seewer is also excited to return to his home GP.

“Last year we had a bit of luck with the rain we had,” Herlings said. “Because most likely this year they need to water it a lot and rip it, to get some lines. Switzerland isn’t one of my favourites, but we then head to Bulgaria, which is a nice track, and also Turkey is meant to be a nice one. For me it doesn’t matter where we go, but for tracks I didn’t fit, like Russia, Arco and Loket, I won all three of them and I didn’t like those tracks, so we will see. Yes, I look forward to it.”

Prado, who has enjoyed the Frauenfeld circuit in the past can’t wait to fly high in the big jumps and increase his championship points lead. With his lead in the MX2 championship already 28 points, the Spanish rider will want to really put pressure on his closest rival, Pauls Jonass as the MX2 championship goes into the final few rounds.

“It is a nice track,” Prado said. “It is a track I enjoyed last year, and the second race was really good. I had a small crash but was pulling away and I felt really good there. This year I can see I have improved on hard pack track and I am I am looking forward to that a lot.”

Home rider, Jeremy Seewer is having a great season in his debut year in MXGP, and he knows that racing in front of his home crowd might bring him a special performance and give his fans something to enjoy. Holding down 8th place in the MXGP points standings, Seewer will want to get a little closer to Glenn Coldenhoff in seventh place, and a good result in Switzerland will help him do that.

“I know the area because I was racing there almost every year for the Swiss Championship on a track that is just a few kilometres away,” Seewer said. “So the ground will be the same and it is a similar grassy type of soil as Matterley Basin in the UK. We might have some good motocross tracks in Switzerland, but not many that can host a Grand Prix and all the set-up! I expect some decent soil that is quite sticky and grippy and not too hard. I hope we’ll have some nice ruts and it will be technical.”

So now, with just Switzerland, Bulgaria, Turkey, Holland and the final round in Italy, both the MXGP and MX2 championships are really getting into the serious rounds. Lets see if Herlings and Prado can remain the front men, or guys like Antonio Cairoli and Pauls Jonass can come back.

Copyright: Photo: Ray Archer

MXGP keeps running the FOX Holeshot competition trough the rounds of the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship season together with MXGP Partner FOX.

The way it works is that 1 point is awarded per MXGP or MX2 championship race. The first rider who cross the white line painted on the ground at the exit of the first corner will be given a point. At the end of the season, the 2 riders – one per category - with the most FOX Holeshot points will win a mega prize.

At the Fiat Professional MXGP of Belgium that took place on August the 5^th in Lommel Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Glenn Coldenhoff took the FOX Holeshots in MXGP in Race 1 and Race 2 respectively while his teammate Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado took both FOX Holeshots in MX2.

Watch the FOX Holeshot Films

MXGP FOX Holeshot Film

MX2 FOX Holeshot Film

Max Anstie is fighting hard, for what could be a do, or die situation as he goes looking for a team in 2019. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna ride has been told he won’t be needed in 2019, and with not a lot of riders available, these last few races are very important to show what he is capable of.

A podium finish in Lommel last weekend was the start of something good for the British rider, and Anstie knows that only hard work will see him get the type of ride he wants next year.

Max Anstie said. “I am just focusing on my job and my team are putting everything into me and my team-mate and for sure Rockstar Energy Husqvarna racing are doing all they can, but no, I don’t have anything planned for next year, and we see what happens next year.

As for being on the podium in Lommel, Anstie was as excited as anyone to enjoy the moment, and he was more than happy with his two races and fighting hard in the deep sand of Lommel.

“It is always nice to be back up on the podium. It was a tough one. They made me work for it. In the first one I didn’t get a great start, and I couldn’t catch Romain (Febvre). In the second race I had a better start and got around a few guys, like Glenn and he was riding good, and then I crashed and had to do it again and was eating sand. Since Loket I didn’t do much, because I had a cold and that set me back, for sure with the heat.”

As for returning to the podium, something he has done just twice in 2018, it is a dream, and being consistent is the only way of doing it, but in the toughest motocross series in the World, Anstie knows that being lucky is sometimes as important as anything. Good starts are critical for the British youngster.

“You know, of course I want to be on the box, but it’s hard getting on the podium. I know these two guys (Herlings and Cairoli) are here all the time but it’s not easy. The amount of work we do, and I can go from getting a good start and being up there, and if I get a bad start I am battling for ninth or 10^th place. The gap from third to 10^th, it’s tough. You can be battling with really good guys in 10^th, but you can also be battling for third with the same guys in another race. Of course I want to be back up here and do the best job I can, and try and be on the box, but there are a lot of guys who want to be on the box.”

With a weekend break Anstie can recover from his sickness, and start preparing for the Grand Prix in Switzerland, which will be held in two weekends time.

“Now we go into Switzerland and I have done well there before, so I am looking forward to it and try and get on the podium again.”

With his confidence up, and a podium behind him, you can be sure Anstie will be looking to remain at the pointy end of the race, and hopefully find the team he feels comfortable with.

Copyright: Photo: Husqvarna Racing