MXGP

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 12 January 2018 - The MXGP of Turkey which is set to take place on September the 1^st and 2^nd in Afyonkarahisar was officially presented to over 120 guests including national and international media as well as national sponsors on January the 9^th. The event was hosted at the famous Çırağan Palace, a former Ottoman Palace now 5 star hotel, located in Istanbul on the European shore of the Bosphorus.

Both national and international authorities were invited to the outstanding Palace’s Ballroom where a press conference was held. In attendance was Youthstream Vice President Luigi Zompetti, FIM Europe President Dr. Wolfgang Srb and Turkish Motorcycling Federation President Bekir Yunus Ucar, Governor of Afyonkarahisar Mustafa Tutulmaz and the Mayor of Afyonkarahisar Burhanettin Coban, all of which took the stage to introduce the event from their unique perspectives.

The whole event was broadcasted LIVE on the local channel Kanal 3 while TRT Sports (Turkish Radio Television) showed a shorter version of the Press Conference to national audience. Aside from media and officials, many national riders were also invited to take part in the event where the important national media and TV broadcasters took the opportunity to make interviews. National motocross riders included Motocross national riders Batuhan Demiryol, Sakir Senkalayci, and the unique national female motocross rider Meri Valimaki, plus 5 time Supersport World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu.

The Afyon Sport Complex is located in a very strategic position that can attract thousands of people from the 4 biggest Turkish cities: Ankara, Antalya, Izimir, only 2 hours far from Afyonkarahisar and the capital city Istanbul which is reachable in 4 hours.

It was also announced together with the FIM Motocross World Championship that many activities are planned during the event on the Afyon Sports complex with the plan to make a festival around the MXGP of Turkey such as: Jet Skiing, Wall climbing, Live Music, DJ Shows, Exhibitions, and Turkish cuisine stands.

Youthstream Group Vice President Luigi Zompetti stated: “A few weeks ago, Youthstream’s representatives made an inspection at the Afyon Motor Sports Center in Afyonkarahisar checking the track and the facilities that will host the MXGP of Turkey on September 2nd, 2018. The inspection was really successful, leaving Youthstream extremely impressed about the quality of the venue and its potential. Youthstream target is to bring the FIM Motocross World Championship in the most important markets of the world and, having Turkey back, add further credibility to our series” commented Mr. Luigi Zompetti, Vice President of Youthstream Group. “In the last years the Motocross World Championship has grown very quickly and in 2018 the MXGP series has reached its best TV coverage and its best calendar ever with 20 events plus the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in the United States. I trust MXGP will create a great promotion for your beautiful country and I am very optimistic about the future of MXGP in Turkey. I really wish to thanks and congratulate the President of the Turkish Motorcycling Federation (TMF), Mr Bekir Yunus Ucar, the Afyon Governor, Mr. Mustafa TUTULMAZ, the Major of Afyon, Mr Burhanettin ÇOBAN and the FIM - Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme for their commitment and support making possible the MXGP of Turkey happen again”

FIM Europe President Wolfgang Srb: “The fact that Turkey is back on the calendar of the FIM Motocross World Championship is important. The sport complex in Afyonkarahisar is as huge as impressive and will be for sure an excellent venue for the World Championship and in the future also for the European Championship”, Dr. Srb commented “Congratulations to the President of the Turkish Motorcycling Federation (TMF) Mr Bekir Yunus Ucar, the Government representatives and all the authorities who made this event possible; and, of course,
also to our promotion partner Youthstream.
One more thing: Turkey has top riders in Circuit Racing; I hope that with this initiative in a short time Turkish riders will also play a strong role in Motocross.”

Turkish Motorcycling Federation President Bekir Yunus Ucar said: “As the President of the National Federation I’m very proud to be here with you all today and I wish to thank you for your presence in this wonderful venue. The venue of the MXGP of Turkey is massive and it is big work for all of us and I use this occasion to thank the Governor who is helping us a lot. I hope that the window that we are opening with the MXGP of Turkey it’s just a start for new opportunities and to make motocross grow in Turkey.”

Governor of Afyonkarahisar Mustafa Tutulmaz continued: “This event is the proof that the province of Afyonkarahisar is growing as a higher level. I’m really proud that our province will be introduced to the world with the FIM Motocross World Championship that will bring great value to the area. I use this occasion to welcome everybody to the MXGP of Turkey”

Mayor of Afyonkarahisar Burhanettin Coban ended: “First I wish to welcome all of you to Turkey and the Turkish Motorcycling Federation who have organised this presentation. I’ve been Mayor since 2009 and this is the first international event we are going to organise on that field. Afyon Sport Complex is the biggest sport complex of the country, famous as being the host of Football teams for Summer Camps. We can’t wait to welcome motocross and its fans to Afyon Sport Complex and it’ll be a pleasure to have them enjoying the many activities the city can offer! A big thanks to the people who believed in us, especially Youthstream, the FIM, FIM Europe, and the Turkish Motorcycling Federation.”

The Conference continued after the speeches in the form of a video presentation of MXGP with scenes from the area and then important information regarding MXGP Coverage for the likes of the national and international Media.

Tickets for the 2018 MXGP of Turkey will be available shortly while the VIP GOLD Skybox packages can be already purchased by clicking HERE!

Watch the Video featuring the MXGP of Turkey Press Conference by following this link: https://youtu.be/heS0bX5Sh5c

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Turkey

Copyright: Photos: Ray Archer

Dave Thorpe is one of the true legends of the sport. Three world 500cc motocross championships to his name, and 22 Grand Prix victories, he is amongst the greatest GP riders of all time, in an era when the 500cc class was very similar to the MXGP class now.

Full of former or present world championships the current crop of GP riders have made sure the GP riders dominate the sport, and keep that impressive MXoN, Chamberlain trophy in Europe. Thorpe believes it is all because of the big three, Antonio Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings and Tim Gajser, with a total of 14 world titles between them and a lot of GP victories.

What has impressed Thorpe in recent times is the depth and action that the MXGP class brings, and he again goes back to the big three and their part in making the GP riders so dominant.

“You know, when you have a very competitive championship like MXGP, and the riders are pushing themselves on, and like I said, when you have Jeffrey, Tim and Antonio, they are really pushing each other to the limit and that is pretty much why they are the best in the world at the moment.”

As for Herlings, a rider who won a lot in 2017, including the USGP, and a round of the AMA Nationals, not to mention a handful of GP victories, he knows that the competition in the MXGP class has made everyone better.

“If you want to race the big boys (MXGP),” Herlings said. “You need to not only be fast, but also smart. I have always shown a lot of speed, but sometimes I have shown weakness and not been smart, and obviously I have lost championships and races because of but the MXGP class, you need to be really good in many things, because it’s the toughest class out there. When I started my GP career I think we had 14 GPs and now we have 20. So, the competition isn’t only getting tougher, but the series is also getting tougher.”

So, going into 2018, while Antonio Cairoli, Tim Gajser and Jeffrey Herlings might be the main three, a long list of GP riders will be pushing harder than ever and the level of the toughest motocross championship in the world will once again rise to another level, and when those GP riders arrive at the RedBud circuit in US for the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, don’t be surprised to see the current trend of European victories continue.

The Honda Redmoto Assomotor team confirm two new signings for the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship, MXGP: Arminas Jasikonis and Petar Petrov.

Jasikonis brings with him a wave of building momentum, on the back of his first full MXGP season in 2017 which yielded three moto top-three finishes and a career-first MXGP podium in Portugal. Riding the Honda CRF450R for the first time, the 20-year-old Lithuanian and ex-national junior champion in his home country will be well-suited to Honda’s all-new for 2017 large capacity motocross machine, and is confident of continuing his ascent of the MXGP ranks.

Joining him under the team’s awning is Petrov who steps up to the MXGP class after several years in the highly-competitive MX2 category. For the 23-year-old Bulgarian though it’s not the first time he’s ridden a Honda, having competed in his first full MX2 season in 2010 aboard a CRF250R with SRS Honda.

The Honda Redmoto Assomotor team will also enter two CRF250Rs in the EMX250 category, continuing with Alberto Forato, who finished an impressive fourth overall in 2017, and 2017 race-winner Mathys Boisramè who won races in France and Russia on his way to finishing ninth overall despite missing nearly half the season.

Testing with the new team line-up has already started in advance of the first round of the new season which takes place in Argentina on 3-4 March 2018.

Alfredo Bevilacqua, MXGP Team Manager: “We’re very happy to welcome Arminas and Petar to the team for the 2018 season. Both riders have proved that they are fast and can fight at the top, so we’re looking forward to building with them the good performances we saw this season. We have a new team but already good relationships are being built which is very important for working well together. Arminas is new to the CRF450R but he is well suited to the bike and I am sure will be very fast on it. Petar knows Honda from some months ago and is fitting very well back onto the new bike. Testing has already started and is looking good, so we are confident for a strong 2018 MXGP season.”

Petar Petrov, MXGP Rider: “I am very happy to be working with Honda Europe and the Assomotor team in 2018. They’ve made some big steps since they started the team and I believe that in 2018 we are having a strong team and can show some great result. I really like the bike and can’t wait to get started with my preparation and looking forward to a good 1st MXGP season.”

Arminas Jasikonis, MXGP Rider: “I’m very happy about this partnership with Assomotor, and very motivated to work for good results for the upcoming 2018 season.”

Mathys Boisramè, EMX250 Rider: “I’m happy to be back with Team Assomotor and Honda Europe. We have come to know each other and I think we will make a good team for 2018. I hope that many of you will follow me for this season in the European Championship. I would also be behind the grid for four MX2 GPs this season.”

Alberto Forato, EMX250 Rider: “It’s great to continue with the Assomotor team. We had some good results last year and finished fourth overall in the championship, so I’m looking forward to building on that with the new CRF250R.”

Copyright: Photos: Honda Racing/ShotbyBavo

Sébastien Dassé, co-owner of the Bud Racing Kawasaki Team, sadly passed away last week and was buried yesterday at a ceremony attended by many riders and members of the motocross industry.

The Bud Racing Team has been involved in the sport for more than ten years, and has achieved many significant results in both the French, European and World Championships, including the MX2 podium of Gautier Paulin (2009), the European title of Brian Moreau last year and the French titles of Livia Lancelot, David Herbreteau, Valentin Teillet, Dylan Ferrandis, Maxime Desprey and Xavier Boog.

Since their debut in 2007 with Marvin Musquin the team has been supported by Kawasaki and in recent years has represented the brand in the European and French championships.

The long and rich history of the team started in 1995 when Stephane and Sébastien Dassé created Bud Racing and start working on engine and suspension development. Each brother was racing motocross, but unfortunately Sébastien suffered a bad crash whilst practicing in 1998; a paraplegic, he then, together with his brother, put all his energy into the development of Bud Racing.

Well-known as one of the best suspension technicians in France, Sébastien worked with many top riders through the years and was with his brother a key piece in the development of the company and the team. His condition suddenly deteriorated last week, and at 37 years old this long-time member of the Kawasaki family tragically passed away. MXGP and Kawasaki Motors Europe wishes to thank Sébastien for the journey, his commitment to the brand and to the sport of Motocross in general, and expresses its sincere condolences to Stephane, the team, his family and friends for their loss.

Copyright: Photo: Kawasaki Motors Europe

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 5 January 2018 - Youthstream and long time television partner Eurosport are proud to announce that the top pan-European TV channel has renewed and expanded their LIVE TV and digital rights for the 2018 and 2019 seasons of MXGP, the FIM Motocross World Championship.

The renewed agreement expands the exposure of both MXGP and MX2 with 4 Races, 2 MXGP and 2 MX2, broadcasted every Sunday on Eurosport 2.

The highly anticipated 2018 MXGP season is set to start on the 4th March at the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina in Neuquen and will conclude on the 30th of September at the MXGP of Italy in Imola. The Eurosport coverage includes also the Monster Energy FIM MXoN which this year is taking place in RedBud, US.

Youthstream Vice President David Luongo: “Youthstream is proud to announce the extension and increase of our partnership with Eurosport for the next 2 seasons, 2018 and 2019. The European fans of the most prestigious Off Road series in the world, the MXGP World Championship, will have the opportunity to watch the large majority of MXGP and MX2 Live! Eurosport will broadcast all the MXGP and MX2 races Live or slightly delayed on the same day, this is a major step forward for the media coverage and the notoriety of our sport. We want to thank Eurosport, the leader of Sport Broadcasting in Europe, for believing in the potential of the FIM Motocross World Championship”

Sebastian Tiffert, Head of Production for motorsport at Eurosport, said: “We are delighted to partner with MXGP for the next two years, giving fans another reason to watch their favourite motorsport series live on Eurosport throughout the season. Reaching an agreement to broadcast the FIM Motocross World Championship adds to our impressive portfolio of motorsport rights which already includes exclusive coverage of Moto GP in multiple European markets as well as pan-European coverage of Formula E and the iconic Le Mans 24 hour race.”

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Eurosport

The Standing Construct KTM team is pleased to announce that Kevin Strijbos has signed an agreement with the team for the 2018 season to contest the MXGP World Championship.

The Belgian rider had a difficult 2017 season due to some injuries but he has ended the season on a high and has proven in the last few GPs that he can still be a top five contender.

After a total of almost 7 years in his former team, Strijbos will race the MXGP World Championship in 2018 on a bike of the factory supported Belgian KTM team.

Kevin Strijbos: ‘I am really happy to sign a deal to ride for Standing Construct KTM. The team has proven in the past, when they were a GP winning team in MX2, to be very professional and well organized as well as having the know-how and the infrastructure to be competitive on the highest level. I had some good offers from other teams but having the guarantee with the Standing Construct KTM team that I will be in a team that gives me together with their factory support all the needs to perform at the highest level made me quickly decide to sign with them. I would like to thank Sylvain Geboers for all the things he did for me, he was the one who brought me into the world of top motocross many years ago and who kept believing in me all these years.’

Tim Mathys / Standing Construct KTM: ‘Kevin has proven throughout his career that he is a great rider and that he's more than capable of getting great results when he feels comfortable on the bike and in the team. He is one of the more experienced riders of the MXGP paddock with still a lot of ambition and we are convinced that we can give him the material and surroundings that he needs to satisfy him. When the news was spread that we would make a comeback in the MXGP paddock I was contacted by a lot of riders but Kevin gave me the most motivated and “hungry” impression. I am confident that together with our experience and for Kevin with a crew that he knows well, we will have a good 2018 season.’

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 04 January 2018 - Youthstream is proud to announce that the fifty-third issue of MXGP Mag is now online. In this issue of the MXGP Mag we feature H&F Racing Kawasaki’s Ruben Fernandez as the rider of the month. Included in the #53 Issue we take you through the team and rider changes for 2018, give you a preview of the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Red Bud, give a recap of the 2017 EMX Champions, and then throw it back to the past with an article on the 1982 Suzuki 500 and Brad Lackey plus a feature on motocross Hall of Famer Pedro Tragter.

Click here to read the fifty-third issue of MXGP Mag or download it for FREE on Apple Store or Google Play.

Those users who have already downloaded the other issues on their iOS device can automatically download the new issue by opening the News Stand and clicking on the cover of the MXGP Mag. Whereas those readers using an Android device will be able to download the magazine for free thanks to this app: http://bit.ly/IssuuOnAndroid

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP MAG

When the news broke that Neuquén in Argentina was going to open the 2018 MXGP season, riders, mechanics the media and a lot of fans were excited. The MXGP of Patagonia – Argentina has been one of the highlights for the series, and we decided to ask some riders their experiences of the event.

Defending World MXGP champion Antonio Cairoli loved the circuit on his first visit in 2016. He enjoyed the layout, and the atmosphere with the large crowd and fast action.

“The track is beautiful,” Cairoli said. “It is very fun to ride, and there are several points where you can try overtaking, without taking big risks. There are many lines and that’s good for the sport, so the spectators from home can see some good races; this is a safe and spectacular track. The weekend (last year) was very difficult mainly because of the starts and also the riders were very close together on this track, and you could not make the difference; you had to take some risks to pass the others.”

Former MX2 and MXGP champion Tim Gajser loved it last year, and took victory at the circuit. Always performing well on circuits like in Argentina.

“I really enjoy the track,” Gajser said. “I know I was riding well (last year). The crowds here were good and it was nice to hear them cheering when I came past them on the last lap. They had made a few changes to the track last year which suited me.”

GP veteran and multiple GP winner Shaun Simpson always has difficulties working out what set-up to have, as the dirt changes each year. He does love the country of Argentina and looks forward to going back.

“Argentina,” Simpson said. “It is always one of those where you are never sure what type of tire to put on. It is just a soil that nobody is used to riding on, which creates a bit of uncertainty. It is probably the most unpredictable start to a season we have had in a while for set-up. You can go there and think you have a good set-up and still be searching for a good set-up in the first couple of sessions. It is one I will be looking forward to. It is always well organized, and everybody loves going there. It also has a good atmosphere.”

Of course, come March 4, when the best motocross riders in the world attempt to start their season with as many points as possible, the world will be watching. Of course, it might be names like Cairoli, Gajser and Simpson who will be in the points, but in a series as tough as the MXGP series, anything is possible.

MXGP would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with this exclusive Video!

See you in 2018 for an ultra competitive MXGP Season!

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 24 December 2017 - Youthstream is proud to announce the release of a special issue of the MXGP Mag. The fifty-second issue of MXGP Mag is a Special Christmas Edition and it features a Hall of Fame Article Collection from all Magazines, the MXGP Mag vintage bike collection, plus a special section with a photo gallery of bikes from the private collection of Youthstream.

Don’t miss this special edition just in time for Christmas!

Click here to read the fifty-second issue of MXGP Mag or download it for FREE on Apple Store or Google Play.

Those users who have already downloaded the other issues on their iOS device can automatically download the special Christmas issue by opening the News Stand and clicking on the cover of the MXGP Mag. Whereas those readers using an Android device will be able to download the magazine for free thanks to this app: http://bit.ly/IssuuOnAndroid

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP Mag