MXGP

Hunter Lawrence and Todd Waters are finding it a bit tough at the moment as the two Australian riders try and figure out how they can get back on the podium, as they had done in the past. Both are working hard and coming back from injuries, or sickness, and both now that nothing comes easy in the toughest motocross series in the world.

Last weekend in the Czech Republic, Lawrence and Waters found the going tough, although at least for Honda mounted Lawrence, it was a solid performance under tough conditions. The MX2 performer is looking likely to crack better results very soon.

“It was a good comeback weekend overall really,” Lawrence said. “In the first race I got a decent start around 10th which made the race a lot easier. I passed as many people as I could early on and then found myself behind Jonass for pretty much the remainder of the race. I battled with him for most of it but in the end had to settle for fifth place as it was just too difficult to make a pass stick on this track. In the second race, another rider completely cut across the track on the start straight, turning the opposite direction to the corner which put me right against the berm and ruined my good jump. I think was outside the top 20 and had to come back through the pack, which I did manage to do, all the way to sixth. I’m happy with that though as it is something to build on and even though there was a bit of fatigue towards the end of the races I think that is pretty normal for my first race back. I’m definitely looking forward to improving for the next couple of races.”

As for Waters, he might not be making podiums, but he is finding it easier to deal with the tough pace of the MXGP class. The HRC backed rider doesn’t have a deal for 2019 and knows if he wants to remain in the world championship, he needs to at least find the top ten on a consistent basis.

"I got a good start to race one," Waters said. "And it was nice to battle with Tommy Searle and other opponents around the top-ten, but then I hit a wall in terms of fitness and that carried into the second race as well. The bike was perfect, nothing wrong with it, it was all me. Unfortunately, we’re not where we want to be so we need to train even harder in order to get closer to the type of form we need to be racing at this level. Lommel is one of the toughest tracks on the calendar, so we’ll be riding as much as we can before the weekend and be as ready as possible."

Both will now head to Lommel, where they should be able to put down some solid scores. While Australian riders have a long history with the Grand Prix series, these two young men are really hoping that a top three place, or even a top five place can come sooner, rather than later.

Copyright: Photo: Bavo Swijgers

The 2018 Yamaha YZ125 bLU cRU Cup has attracted a host of young talent from across Europe to the Yamaha Family and the world of professional motocross racing. The YZ125 bLU cRU Cup offers kids under the age of 16-years that race YZ125's in their national championships a chance at pursuing their dreams of becoming an Official Yamaha rider. Up to 40 of the best performing YZ125 riders - in their National Championships - are currently being selected to race the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup SuperFinale.

With the national championships now drawing to a close, a multitude of riders have already been selected to attend the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup SuperFinale that will take place at the final round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Imola, Italy, on the weekend of September 30th.

As one of the strongest nations in motocross, it comes as no surprise that there has been a supreme showing of YZ125 riders in Italy. Talented youngsters Michele D'Anielio, Giulio Guarneri, Giacomo Bosi, Andrea Davoli, Simone Crippa and Filippo Gervasio have made the cut following their impressive performances in the Italian 125cc Championship. D'Anielio, in particular, has been a star rider in the series and managed to put his YZ125 on the third step of the podium.

In Greece, Andreas Andreou has been running an unmatchable pace onboard his YZ125 inside the Greek Championship this year. As the recently crowned Greek 125cc Champion, he has been selected to contest the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup SuperFinale for the second year in succession where he hopes to be the first ever Greek rider to make the Masterclass selection.

Spain has a wealth of young talent coming through with YZ125 mounted riders, Víctor Alonso, Aitor Ferrandis, Francisco Ruiz Portilla, Marc Marti Valero, Gerard Comellas, Jordi Puig Prujà, Toni Ruestes Granolles and Alex Unzueta all proving they have what it takes to compete for a place on the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team next year, which is the reward for one of the three riders that qualify for the Masterclass through their performances at the SuperFinale.

Croatia's Dominik Piskor and Estonia's Allar Pent will make their maiden SuperFinale appearances, while Lukas Behrens from Germany and Rodrigo Luz from Portugal will be joining the rift of young talent at the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup SuperFinale for the second year in succession.

Scandinavia always has an influx of hot talent coming through. This year, there are a total of twenty-four riders entered in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway. Only nine of the twenty-four Scandinavian riders will qualify for the SuperFinale. These finalists will be announced as soon as the selection has been made, as will the finalists for France, Belgium, UK and The Netherlands.

Keep an eye on Yamaha-Racing.com and all of the Official Yamaha Racing Social Media platforms - Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - for news, updates and details.

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing

TAG Heuer has been the official timekeeper of the FIM Motocross World Championship since 2014 and together with MXGP are running the fastest lap competition across each season.

The way it works is: at each and every round of the MXGP season, the rider that sets the best lap time in each class, MXGP and MX2, will receive 1 point in the TAG Heuer competition. The rider that has set the fastest lap at the most rounds throughout the season in MXGP and MX2 classes, and has the most points, will be awarded.

At the MXGP of Czech Republic held in KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington set the TAG HEUER fastest lap in MXGP and MX2 respectively

Here below you have the details:

MXGP: Jeffrey Herlings at Race 2 Lap 9 with 01.45:227

MX2: Thomas Covington at Race 1 Lap 8 with 01.49:205

Check out MXGP.com home page for the Top 3 TAG Heuer Best Lap competition’s ranking.

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 MXGP of Czech Republic that took place on July the 22ⁿ in Loket Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli took both FOX Holeshots in MXGP 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