MXGP

The two riders who are dominating the 2018 MXGP championship. Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings head into Indonesia this coming weekend with the same goal, but they will enter Asia under different circumstances.

With just 12 points separating the two Red Bull KTM Factory riders, we all know that anything can and probably will happen this weekend. Around a circuit both have ridden just once, and with the unknown of weather conditions in that part of the World, it adds another element into the equation.

Herlings carrying a collarbone injury will go in hoping to survive and come out with his red plate intact. The Dutchman knows that it won’t be easy having ridden a lot less (if at all) leading into the two rounds in Indonesia.

“You know,” Herlings said. With this injury, it would have been better to come back in Europe, but I am still going to be in good shape, because my physical work will be the same as always. It isn’t that hot in Europe at the moment, so that will be the same for everyone. Many riders live near Holland or Belgium so it’s going to be tough for everyone, and for sure for me. The first round we just get used to riding again, and we don’t go there to try and dominate like all the other rounds this year. We will just see how it comes and get a fifth if that is all there is. I am very motivated to be back racing and see all the guys. It was painful watching the racing in Ottobiano on television.”

As for Cairoli, just like every year he travels, he looks forward to the experience, and the chance to maybe claw that red plate away from Herlings.

“I like to race far away from home,” Cairoli said. “And also the hot weather I like. I am pretty sure the track will be nice, and we will have good battles.”

So whatever happens in the next two weeks, we can all be sure the two KTM riders will be fighting hard to gain momentum, and whoever comes out of Asia with the red plate will be looking strong to take out the 2018 championship.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team and Yamaha Motor Europe will celebrate their fruitful relationship with Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing (YIMM) and the Indonesian fans by racing the Indonesian rounds of MXGP, in Pangkal Pinang and Semarang, with a special livery dedicated to the Asian market.

Factory Riders Romain Febvre and Jeremy Van Horebeek's special livery will be complete with the 'Semakin di Depan' logo. "Semakin di Depan" is the spirit of Yamaha Indonesia, it means "one step ahead" and is a philosophy that embodies everything that Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing (YIMM) is trying to achieve.

Under the spirit of the 'Semakin di Depan' motto and as an Official Sponsor of the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team, Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team, Yamaha's R3 bLU cRU Challenge, and now with added support to the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team, YIMM is continuously highlighting its dedication to the growth and strength of Yamaha's racing community and the Yamaha Family.

The Indonesian rounds of the Motocross Grand Prix will take place back-to-back on the weekends of July 1st and July 8th at two different tracks and locations in Indonesia. The first of the Indonesian GP's will take place at a circuit that hosted its maiden round last year, Pangkal Pinang, while the second venue is completely unfamiliar, it is a new track in Semarang and it will make its MXGP debut on July 7th and 8th.

Mr. Minoru Morimoto, Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing President: "The increased enthusiasm surrounding MXGP in Indonesia is a solid reflection of the booming off-road market in our country. It is a great honor to support the world's top MXGP riders with our spirit "Semakin di depan" as we feel that the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team embodies this spirit too. We believe that it is this spirit that fascinates the millions of fans in Indonesia, and we look forward to seeing a positive reaction from the fans at the next two rounds of the Motocross Grand Prix as a result."

Mr. Erik Eggens, Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Manager: "Last year the FIM Motocross World Championship returned to Indonesia with one event, and that has already increased to two rounds in 2018, which is a solid indication of how popular motocross racing in becoming in Asia. This is a fantastic opportunity for Yamaha Motor Europe and Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing to join forces and have the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team representing Yamaha Indonesia's spirit "Semakin di Depan" over the next two weekends in Pangkal Pinang and Semarang. This also presents a good opportunity to grow the off-road side of motorcycle racing and awareness, and it is something we are really looking forward to."

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing

PANGKAL PINANG (Indonesia) 27 June 2018 – The FIM Motocross World Championship is onto its second oversea trip of the 2018 season for the 12th round of the year. The racing returns to Pangkal Pinang, Indonesia, for the second year in a row. Prior to the 2017 stop MXGP’s return to the country was long awaited by fans who showed up in the tens of thousands. Weather created unseen and testing conditions last season but this year all the focus will be on the tight championship standings in both the MXGP and MX2 classes.

The MXGP of Indonesia will be held just outside of the city of Pangkal Pinang on one of Indonesia’s Bangka Belitung province Islands. The purpose made track was built with the world’s best in mind and will surely challenge them all. With grand stand sections all around, the viewing for fans will be epic as they hope to witness amazing battles.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli along with Jeffrey Herlings will be some of the closest followed racers this weekend as Jeffrey is looking to make his return after missing the last round at Ottobiano with a fractured collar bone. Cairoli took full advantage at his weekend at home and cut deep into the championship points lead of Herlings but Herlings, being back, will be for sure looking for the win this week.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing’s Clement Desalle has his eye on adding another overall win to his season with the only one so far coming in Russia. Desalle crashed several times in Ottobiano and was lucky to come away from the weekend uninjured. Desalle took third here in 2017.

Closing in on the Belgian of Desalle for third in the standings is Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre who scored his first qualifying race victory at the last stop in Italy. Febvre has been faster week after week but was mending an injured foot the last races. With the break leading up to this weekend chances are good that the injury had a chance to heal. Be on the lookout for Febvre to place highly when the gate drops Sunday.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin is still looking for the winning combination but the pieces are starting to fit. Early in the season his starts held him back from battling up front but with a massive improvement of the gate lately we are bound to see him up front shortly.

Just outside of the top 5 in the points is Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff, and Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer. Gajser holds 6th way ahead of Coldenhoff who has been impressive at various stops this year and was on the second spot of the podium in Pangkal Pinang last year. Jeremy Seewer had some of his best races in the MXGP class in Ottobiano and last year stood on the top step in Indonesia while racing in the MX2 class, with his combination of momentum and good memories from last year we may see the Swiss rider reach his career first MXGP podium this week.

Also not to forget as a strong contender, especially when the track becomes technical, is Seewer’s Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Teammate, Shaun Simpson. Claiming the MXGP of Indonesia was the highlight of Simpson’s 2017 season and one which he would like to replicate against the toughest of competition this weekend.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team will have a complete lineup with Julien Lieber returning to the action this weekend alongside Desalle. Lieber missed the last two rounds with a fractured scapula but he was strong prior and was also 3rd overall in Indonesia last year while riding MX2.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 486 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 474 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 374 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 354 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 334 p.; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 332 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 289 p.; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 255 p.;9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 240 p.;10. Maximilian Nagl (GER, TM), 203 p.

2017 MXGP of Indonesia MXGP top 3:

1. Shaun Simpson
2. Glenn Coldenhoff
3. Clement Desalle

In MX2 the championship situation is similar with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders in the top two spots of the points standings. Jorge Prado has had a pair of strong weekends where he took points out of the lead of Pauls Jonass. Netiher Jonass nor Prado were successful here in 2017 with Jonass taking 7 points for 21st and Prado 3 points in 25th.

Possibly becoming one of the biggest factors in the fight for the title is Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen and Thomas Covington. Covington himself isn’t likely to win the title but his strong performances could alter the action between Jonass and Prado. However Olsen has been the most consistent of the two teammates with multiple podiums and even an overall win. Olsen just missed the podium in 4th last year while Covington was 13th.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Ben Watson will be one to watch this weekend especially if it rains. The brit is no stranger to wet conditions and has been riding at an incredible pace this year which currently puts him 4th in the championship standings. Watson’s main weak spot has been the starts but with a week of practice to improve it will be interesting to see how big of a difference a good start could make for the #919.

Team HRC’s recruit Calvin Vlaanderen has held his own so far this year and now just past the halfway point, he is looking comfortable. The adjustment to the new Honda was a big one for Vlaanderen but it looks as if he has now found his flow on the bike. Vlaanderen took 20th here in 2017.

Also worth noting is TM Racing Factory Team’s Samuele Bernardini after his stunning result in 2017. Bernardini managed to not only take 2nd overall in Indonesia but also claimed the race 2 win in the process.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 474 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 465 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 366 p.; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 339 p.; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, HON), 286 p.; 6. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 254 p.; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 246 p.; 8. Jed Beaton (AUS, KAW), 216 p.; 9. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 206 p.; 10. Henry Jacobi (GER, HUS), 200 p.

2017 MXGP of Indonesia MX2 top 3:

1. Jeremy Seewer
2. Samuele Bernardini
3. Julien Lieber

All the photos from the MXGP of Indonesia will be available HERE

TIMETABLE in Local Time (GMT+7)

Saturday: 09h45 MX2 Free Practice, 10h15 MXGP Free Practice, 12h10 MX2 Time Practice, 12h50 MXGP Time Practice, 14h25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 15h10 MXGP Qualifying Race

Sunday: 10h25 MX2 Warm-up, 10h45 MXGP Warm-up, 12h15 MX2 Race 1, 13h15 MXGP Race 1, 15h10 MX2 Race 2, 16h10 MXGP Race 2

LINKS

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FIM

MXGP of Indonesia

IPONE has teamed up with MXGP for the MXGP of Indonesia!

All you have to do to WIN Amazing prizes is LIKE & SHARE this post and you get the chance to enter the draw to win IPONE goodies, a 2018 MXGP-TV season package, and a copy of MXGP3 the Videogame!

Click HERE and enter the contest. Contest ends on Tuesday, July 3rd!

The MXGP of Indonesia is taking place on July the 1st in Pangkal Pinang and Timetable and Entry Lists corresponsing to the event are avilable to downlaod in PDF format clicking the links below

TIMETABLE

MXGP Entry List

MX2 Entry List

Standing Construct KTM is pleased to announce they have reached a multi-year agreement with leading off-road motorcycle manufacturer KTM that will see the team continue to represent the Austrian brand in the FIM Motocross World Championship as a Factory Supported team in the years to come. The team which is currently in its rookie season inside the premier class, MXGP, has been recognized for its hard work and dedication, that insures that its riders can compete at the highest level and on the best machinery in the toughest and most demanding motocross series in the world. The contract was signed at the Fiat Professional MXGP of Lombardia, in Ottobiano, Italy on the weekend of June 17^th.

Tim Mathys – Standing Construct KTM manager: “I am delighted to have signed a long term deal with KTM as I have experienced once more how great it is to work with them. I think we are one of the highest performing “non-full factory” teams in the MXGP paddock and have proven in the past to be able to get good results on different levels. When the work we do is appreciated by the brand we represent then of course this is a special feeling and is very rewarding. With the extended support we will only become stronger in the future.”

Robert Jonas – KTM Vice President Motorsports Offroad: “Standing Construct KTM has proven to us that they are worth the confidence and support we have given them. We are convinced that with this new and extended contract the team will continue to develop further and will help us to consolidate our presence in MXGP on the highest level.”

MXGP’s favorite gear bags have just gone on sale for the summer!

The well known OGIO brand is used by the MXGP crew, top riders throughout the paddock such as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, and several other teams!

Now at 50% OFF, the special summer sale includes several OGIO bag categories from gear bags to backpacks and is only while supplies last!

Check out the massive deals and get your new bags before they are gone HERE

For more information on OGIO items follow the MXGP - OGIO website http://www.mxgp-ogio.com/en

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 Lombardia that took place on June the 17^th in Ottobiano Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and KTM Silver Action’s Kevin Strijbos took the FOX Holeshot in MXGP while Rockstar Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass took both FOX Holeshots in MX2 race 1 and race 2.

Watch the FOX Holeshot Films

MXGP FOX Holeshot Film

MX2 FOX Holeshot Film

Asia has always been an exotic stop for the FIM Motocross World Championships. With countries like Australia, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia all involved we have seen some classic rounds of the toughest motocross series in the World. Searing heat, thick mud, or dry hard pack circuits, that part of the world has it all.

With news last week that we will visit China and Hong Kong in 2019, the Asian love affair with Grand Prix motocross continues. It is a relationship that started way back in 1991 when American Mike Kiedrowski won the Japanese 125cc GP, the same year another American Jeff Stanton won the 250cc GP of Japan. A year later in 1992 Dutchman Pedro Tragter won the 125cc of Japan. Japan followed the GP scene for a number of years, with Kiedrowski winning a 250cc GP in 1992, Alex Puzar, Yves Demaria and Stefan Everts also added 250 GP wins in Japan in 1993, 1994 and 1995.

While Japan held seven GPs in the 1990s, Indonesia and also played its part, starting in 1995 with French rider Sebastien Tortelli the 125cc Grand Prix, and the Frenchman backed up his success in Asia, with another win in 1996, before Alessio Chiodi won the final 125cc GP in Indonesia in 1997 and Yves Demaria added to his Japanese GP win in 1994, with a victory in Indonesia in the 250cc class in 1997.

Indonesia returned to the premier class 20 years after that victory by Demaria, and this time, in 2017, in the thick mud of the Pangkal Pinang circuit, it was Shaun Simpson who got the win, and Jeremy Seewer won in the MX2 class.

Of course, in recent times, Thailand also joined the Asian partnership, with Antonio Cairoli winning the first one in 2013, the Italian taking the MX1 overall, and in MX2 it was Jeffrey Herlings who took victory in Thailand. Cairoli added another win in 2014 in MX1 as did Herlings in MX2.

2015 and Ryan Villopoto pulled off his only GP victory with a massive win in the searing heat of Thailand and Herlings picked up his third straight Thailand win in MX2. Romain Febvre won in MXGP in 2016 and that man Herlings won again in MX2, taking his fourth straight win in Asia.

Australia held motocross GP’s in 1993, when Andrea Bartolini won the 125cc in the deep sand of Manijump, and Broadford held MX1 and MX2 rounds in 2000 and 2001.

Now in a little over a week’s time, we return to Indonesia, for the two rounds in Pangkal Pinang and Semarang. Both will be exciting affairs as Jeffrey Herlings goes for his fifth win in Asian, and Cairoli his third. No doubt, the warm weather and the tropical conditions will make life tough for the MXGP and MX2 competitors, but that is why this series is considered so diverse and difficult.

Copyright: photo: Ray Archer

The sixth 2018 issue of a monthly motorcycle sport magazine with some of the best interviews, features and Blogs from the heart of MotoGP, MXGP, AMA Motocross/Supercross and WorldSBK as well as tests and reviews of bikes and products from the motorcycling industry. In OTOR #176: Race Pics & Blogs; the best photos and insight from MXGP, MotoGP, AMA Motocross & WorldSBK thanks to the views and keyboards of people in the heart of the paddock. Using the future; 4 reasons why LitPro is still some of the most advanced tech inside off-road racing. We speak to the creators of the ultimate learning tool for MX and their Supercross project. Racing the Paddock; A conversation with Steve Dixon; one of the last innovators and envelope-pushers in MXGP. The Brit talks engines, riders, decisions, budgets, concepts and more. Bagnaia & Kawasaki; we head into the inner sanctum of the World Superbike champions during a race weekend and also get closer to Moto2 championship leader Pecco Bagnaia.

Read the OTOR issue HERE