MXGP

TM Racing is very pleased to announce its come back to MXGP. In fact, the Team will take part in the Motocross World Championship Top Class.

The MXGP gathers all the best riders worldwide, as well as all European and World manufacturers. It was 2015 when we last saw TM RACING facing a MXGP with Davide Guarneri, who classified 18th in the overall Championship standings.

The past two years, the Italian Factory based in Pesaro, focused on young racers battling it out in the MX2. Their decision rewarded them with excellent results achieved by Samuele Bernardini. This year the racer won the second heat of the Indonesian Grand Prix, finishing second overall at the end of the GP. Now it is about time to go back to the Top Class and to do so TM RACING decided to enlist MAX NAGL.

The German rider is going to race using a machinery, which is the evolution of the prototype used in 2015. There are going to be several updates in terms of engine, frame and suspensions. The MX 450 FI we will see next year at the MXGP World Championship is going to undergo a constant progress throughout the whole season.

The aim is the continuous development, race after race, in order to have a machinery, which perfectly suits the German rider. His ideal bike.

Marco Ricciardi Team Manager: “Engaging Max in our Team is a great honor. I have a great opinion of Max, talking from a technical point of view and especially for his professionalism and honesty demonstrated for so many years in the paddock. This is the reason why I think he is the right rider for our come back to the Top Class. To tell you the truth, I’m very proud of being part of this evolution and important project for TM RACING. The World Championship enjoys great health; however, some manufacturers even bigger than ours decided to shut down their Teams in MX2 while one definitely retired from racing. On the other hand, TM RACING decided to work its way up and go back to MXGP! Now we have to work hard to provide Max with the best bike ever so that he could stay at the top of the standings. Furthermore, we will do our best to bring Samuele back to the goals and levels achieved at the beginning of the season. I’ve no doubts Samu will be able to recover after the bad accident which affected his season.”

Max Nagl: “I’m very happy to be part of TM RACING FACTORY TEAM. I feel so inspired! TM RACING FACTORY TEAM is a different reality; the team is smaller compared to others and this fits with me. I can’t wait to start developing the new MX 450FI machinery, as well as working side by side with such a highly motivated Team.”

Copyright: Photo: TM Racing

The recently announced change in the MXGP calendar also leads to an update of the European Motocross Championship schedule.

Youthstream announces that the round of the EMX250 championship, scheduled in Valkenswaard, Netherlands will move to Agueda, Portugal and viceversa the round of EMX300 will move to Valkenswaard.

As Valkenswaard will be the opening European event and considering the high rider turnout expected in both EMX250 and EMX125 combining the 2 major classes, this change could lead to an improved schedule that is meant to assure the best outcomes for each event.

The updated FIM Motocross World and European Championships schedule can be downloaded HERE

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 3 November  2017 - Youthstream is excited to announce that the fiftieth issue of MXGP Mag is NOW online. This month team France 2017 are featured after dominating their 4th Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in a row. In the #50 Issue of MXGP Mag we make sure you’re caught up on the events from the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Presented by Fiat Professional in Matterley Basin and we give you a preview of the 2017 Supercross de Paris. Then there is the monthly throwback to the past with an article on the 1973 Yamaha 250 and Hakan Andersson plus a feature on motocross Hall of Famer and legend Ricky Carmichael.

Click here to read the fiftieth 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 fiftieth 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

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FIM

MXGP MAG

The excitement for the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship continues as the calendar was announced last week. With Argentina beginning the series you couldn’t ask for a better start to the new season. The Neuquén circuit is amongst the best in the world, and the whole experience of Argentina brings a really fresh feel, so starting there will be the perfect intro for what is expected to be a drama filled 2018.

Moving into the legendary circuit of Valkenswaard for rounds two, and the old school fans will come out in their numbers. The Dutch sand track will also give Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings the chance to try and win again at his home GP. Winning seven in a row in the MX2 class, then finishing second in MXGP in 2017, you can be sure he will want to once again stand on top of the box in 2018.

Then the circuit moves to another “sand” track in Spain, as we arrive at the Redsand circuit, maybe not as deep sand as Valkenswaard, but it will have that soft feel about it, so expect the Belgians and Dutch to also enjoy this experience.

What a brilliant mix of races for rounds four, five, six and seven as we head to Trentino, Agueda, Orlyonok, and Kegums. Four beautiful facilities, all with their own brand of excitement. Trentino alongside the magic mountains in the north of Italy, Agueda hidden in the Portuguese countryside, Orlyonok, in the mysterious Russia and Kegums, nestled on the outskirts of Riga, in Latvia. All beautiful places and I can’t wait to visit.

Then it’s time for some old school, with the rock-hard circuit of Teutschenthal in the former East Germany, Matterley Basin just a short drive from the birth place of motocross in England, Saint Jean d’Angely, on the coast of France, and a yet to be confirmed venue in Italy.

Two rounds in Indonesia bring us to rounds 12 and 13, and be assured, these two rounds will bring something completely different than anything else in 2018. Pangkal Pinang, that we visited in 2017, and Semarang a new circuit for the MXGP series.

From the new facilities in Indonesia, to the old, as we venture back to Loket in the Czech Republic, Lommel in Belgium, and Uddevalla in Sweden. Tricky circuits, all different, but just as demanding. These three circuits really show the diverse nature of the 2018 series.

Switzerland, Turkey, and Assen, the Netherlands will be three of the favourites in 2018. Frauenfeld has proven to be brilliant for racing, and the new school circuit makes sure viewing is perfect. Turkey will be unknown to us, but previous experiences in Turkey have always been interesting and very different from regular stops like Belgium, Holland and England. Then we have Assen, like Switzerland it’s a fans’ dream race, with 100% viewing and very close action.

The cherry on the top of the 2018 series is the final round at the famous Imola circuit in Italy. What we will get here is unknown, but we are sure the atmosphere will be massive. Antonio Cairoli is a god in Italy, and the Imola circuit has a very rich motorcycle racing history.

Then to finalize the 2018 season we head to USA for the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. The biggest race of the year, held at the famous Red Bud circuit in USA. It doesn’t get any better for the end of season party that is the MXoN.

There are not many motorcycle racers competing at the highest level with nine FIM World Championships to their name – just two in fact – and Red Bull KTM’s Tony Cairoli is one of them. What possessed the man to seek more silverware at 31 years of age? Will he reach that mythical ten? And how will he deal with a super-competitive teammate in 2018?

It will be hard to find a motocross fan that will contest Tony Cairoli’s claim to greatness. There might have been a few, however, that wondered if they would see the Sicilian back in the kind of form that snared six consecutive premier class world titles between 2009-2014. Entering 2017 Cairoli was bubbling after two years of injury frustration (although he still finished as MXGP runner-up while dealing with nerve damage in his back and shoulder) and the influx of riders like Romain Febvre, Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM teammate Jeffrey Herlings; all almost ten years younger than the venerable #222.

Cairoli not only pushed the naysayers away from the fences but did so with some inspirational performances. The comeback from almost last place to win the second moto at round five in Arco di Trento and the excellence in the frying Ottobiano sand for the eleventh Grand Prix of the year are just two instances that come to mind to illustrate that Tony was better, craftier and faster than ever.

As is the case with any sporting ‘giant’ it would have been foolish to dismiss Cairoli’s chances. His skill set in all terrains and race circumstances and sheer depth of experience of a full-time GP career stretching back to 2004 meant his potential was still far too rich. Fit, energized and comfortable on the KTM 450 SX-F after a clear winter period of testing, Cairoli roared back to prominence with twelve podiums and six Grand Prix wins from the nineteen rounds of 2017.

“He is motivated and he has fun and that is the most important thing. He always wants to be better and better and this is the secret,” revealed  David De Carli when asked why Cairoli still has the urge to work and take risks to be at the peak of the sport. Many observers – and even the riders themselves – commented on the demands and stressful competitiveness of MXGP this year. It would take something special to rule the roost and Tony made it happen.

Having known and spoken regularly to arguably the best offroad racer in the modern era (and he’s in some very special company) for over ten years I have to back-up De Carli’s statement. Cairoli – like another famous Italian in MotoGP^TM – does not have to race or doesn’t harbor some desperate career goal out of reach (he is already the second most successful motocrosser ever). He searches the limit out of desire, a love for riding, competition and all aspects of being a top-flight athlete. Cairoli does not shy away from aspects of his job and his lifestyle. He can easily be found in the paddock or the race team and is not locked in his motorhome anxiously waiting for the moments of a Grand Prix weekend that involves firing a button on the KTM 450 SX-F. He embraces being a leader, a champion and, being one of the best at what he does, hitting 32 he’s still not ready to walk away from it, or back off.

“There is not much you can do about age but I think that at 29-30 you are still capable of a good level however the two injuries ‘stopped’ me for two years and I couldn’t work like I wanted,” he said to me at Assen and the Dutch Grand Prix where he reached a new milestone. “I rode less. I trained less. In one way it was good because it gave me more motivation. It is like 2017 ‘saved’ those last two wasted years for me.”

“I didn’t know if I could get over that problem from 2016,” he reflected. “I didn’t really know the extent of the problem. I knew I had snapped a nerve and the doctor said I had to adapt and I might get some strength back but it would never be completely healed. I said: “Ok …” and thought I might have to ride like that for the rest of my life. I kept on going to the gym, kept on doing physio and it slowly got better and better. In the winter I was feeling good and was training more like normal and feeling more relaxed on the bike and with more power. In the end it was good and the winter went well.”

“You know, after you win a title you always think back,” he adds. “It is also a strong point because it means you know how to adapt to a situation and every year you have to work around your rivals and contenders and we have done that well. The winter has always been about trying to improve one area that we felt we were missing the previous season. And, like that, you always grow.”

Cairoli is up to nine titles, seven in MXGP and two in MX2. He is within distance of Stefan Everts’ previously ‘untouchable’ haul of ten and a season or two of the 101 Grand Prix win total. Recently he got married and would even indulge in a test of the Red Bull KTM MotoGP bike at Valencia in the coming days. He claims not to be driven by numbers but 2018 represents the chance to put his name at the top of the record books. Another motivating force will be the presence of a hungry Herlings, who won five of the last six rounds of MXGP and clearly gave Cairoli food for thought.

“Yeah, I’m already looking forward to that,” he says. “When you are riding for the championship it is very difficult to keep the strength and train every week. At the beginning and the middle of the season you push your hardest in training to gain as many points as possible at the weekend and then when you make a gap it becomes risky to train too much on the bike or even the bicycle. So while you are slowing down a bit and avoiding more risk there is a competitor who is flying at 110% because he wants to earn points and win.”

“He [Jeffrey] was pushing for GP wins and bonuses and I know about that because last year I was riding badly but still going all-or-nothing every other weekend. I didn’t have a good speed or condition but I still won some GPs because I went for it without thinking. Jeffrey is a big talent. Very fast. I don’t think his technique is one of the best but he puts in so much work on the bike. He is very strong the whole moto and has a lot of power. He rides more on his strength and energy than technique; I like riders who use their technique and who are cleaner with that but everyone has his own style. I’m also different [to him] with my mentality. I have never said ‘I am the best try to beat me’. I have just tried to show it through my career.”

It is typical of racing and sport that the next challenge immediately follows a previous achievement. Cairoli returned to the top in 2017 but will have to arguably improve again to rule once more in 2018 (there’s the motivator). Regardless of what happens now #222 must be aware of the legacy he is creating. What would a fifteen year old Cairoli – based in Sicily and just a few months before he left for the mainland to chase his ambitions – have said to the statement that he would eventually be lauded as one of the best of all-time?

“Ha, for sure when I was a kid then I was not so good, and it was because I didn’t have anybody to compare [myself] with. I wasn’t like [Ken] Roczen or Herlings who were born close to the ‘capital’ of motocross and had the chance to see many good riders and just by watching others you can grow a lot. I was in Sicily until I was almost sixteen and the only person who I could see was better than me was my cousin, who was doing local races. I learnt from him and watched DVDs of American races but didn’t see a GP until I got onto a 125. It was very difficult because I didn’t know if I had the talent or not until I reached the De Carli team and I was eighteen. It was pretty late. If I had been born in Holland or Belgium then I would have had more skills earlier. It’s OK. I have really enjoyed my career and I regret nothing. About the best? Ha, for sure I would have said ‘no way’. I was top five in the Italian championship but I was nothing special. I wouldn’t have believed you.”

Belief in Tony Cairoli certainly isn’t a problem any more.

Copyright: Photo: KTM Racing

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to strengthen Kemea Yamaha Official MX2's line-up with the addition of the 2017 British MX2 Champion Ben Watson.

The team will place a Yamaha YZ250F in the capable hands of the 20-year-old Brit where he and his teammates, 22-year-old Russian talent Vsevolod Brylyakov and Belgium's teenage sensation, 17-year-old Jago Geerts, will hotly contest the highly competitive 2018 FIM MX2 World Championship.

Ben Watson has been on Yamaha's radar for many years having won multiple national championships in the youth ranks before making the leap into the European EMX250 class in 2014, where he proved his worth by finishing inside the top-three in four races, two of which, he won.

After finishing fifth place in the 2014 EMX250 Championship, Watson entered his rookie season in the 2015 FIM MX2 World Championship where he finished 21st despite missing a number of rounds. Having learnt and developed from his first term in MX2, the promising young Brit lined up competed in three rounds of the 2016 MX2 World Championship before a leg injury at the MXGP of Argentina put him out for the remainder of the year. Fully recovered in 2017, the teenager completed his second season in MX2 where he finished inside the top-ten in eight races and was fifteenth place in the final classification.

The entire Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 team are all set to begin their preparations for the 2018 FIM MX2 World Championship season. The new combination of Watson, Brylyakov, Geerts and the potent YZ250F is an exciting prospect. All of the riders will be based in Belgium, less than 45 minutes from the teams' base in Genk. They will be trained and mentored by former world champion Jacky Vimond with added support from the team manager and legend in his own right, Marnicq Bervoets.

Ben Watson, Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Rider: "I am ecstatic to have received this opportunity. I have worked my whole life to get to the top of racing and to finally feel confident with the team and support that I am getting, it's really exciting for me. It's even more exciting to have a fresh start, and to ride a new bike and be around new people. I have heard so many people talk about how awesome Yamaha's are, and now I finally get to experience it. We are ready for the new chapter."

Erik Eggens, Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Manager: "This is a very exciting agreement. We have been following Ben for many years, right from when he was young and excelling in the youth championships. He has been on the radar for some time and I feel that we can give him the support and stability he needs to achieve everything he is capable of achieving. We look forward to seeing Ben progress and succeed on Yamaha."

Hans Corvers, Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Team Owner: "We are happy to sign Ben. I have been watching him for many years, but really closely for the last 12 months. I have seen that he has some good qualities. He has the speed, he gets good starts but for whatever reason, up until now, something has been missing. I believe that we, the bLU cRU and Yamaha can offer him what he has been missing and this is something I look forward to seeing."

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing

Following the success of the 2017 bLU cRU Masterclass, Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce that 15-year-old Jörgen-Matthias Talviku has been carefully selected as the winner of the 2017 YZ125 bLU cRU Cup.

As a result, the talented young Estonian will join 15-year-old Dutchman Rick Elzinga and 15-year-old Frenchman Thibault Benistant on the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team. The trio will contest the 2018 EMX125 Championship onboard GYTR kitted YZ125 bikes.

Talviku was one of five bLU cRU Masterclass graduates who won his chance to attend the 2017 bLU cRU Masterclass after his impressive performance at the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup SuperFinale, which took place at the most prestigious motocross race of the year, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Presented by Fiat Professional on the weekend of October 1st. After winning the opening race of the weekend, and setting the fastest lap in the final race by more than 5-seconds, Talviku was a wild-card selection for the bLU cRU Masterclass.

The Masterclass took place on October 26th, 27th and 28th, in Latina, Rome. It was an exclusive event that brought together a group of bright young Yamaha Racing talents from both on and off-road racing disciplines. The event ran to a schedule that has been mindfully designed to encourage, nurture and develop aspiring professional riders. It also offered representatives from Yamaha Motor Europe, and the already acclaimed bLU cRU Ambassadors that were in attendance, the chance to observe the promising young riders for more than just their talent and flair on a motorcycle.

After demonstrating a keen willingness to learn and showing maturity in media interviews, and exhibiting a polite and friendly attitude off-the-bike, Jörgen-Matthias has been chosen as the lucky winner of the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup where he will receive full support from the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team, Yamaha Motor Europe and the entire bLU cRU in 2018.

The YZ125 bLU cRU Cup is an official European project designed to support young teenagers with a passion to race. Riders aged between 12 and 16 years-old that race a YZ125 in one of the fifteen FIM-approved national championships may enter. The top-scoring riders registered for the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup in each national championship will be invited to the 2018 SuperFinale which will take place at one of the biggest events of the MXGP season, the final round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Imola, Italy on the weekend of September 30th.  

For more information, or to enter the 2018 YZ125 bLU cRU Cup, click here.

Jörgen-Matthias Talviku, 2017 YZ125 bLU cRU Cup Winner: "It feels amazing. To be the winner of such a big event, it is unbelievable. This was my dream to be in this team and to have the support from Yamaha Motor Europe. Now they have given me a big opportunity to do what I love as a professional. I have no words, I just want to thank Yamaha for this amazing program and the opportunity it has given me. It is incredible. I also want to thank the bLU cRU, Alberto Barozzi, everyone at Yamaha and everyone at MJC Yamaha too."

Alberto Barozzi, bLU cRU Racing Manger: “After an incredible year watching the success of last years’ YZ125 bLU cRU Cup winner, Tim Edberg, it is obvious that the bLU cRU Concept and Yamaha Motor Europe’s strategy to develop the skill and knowledge of young riders is strengthening year-by-year. The level of the riders that attended the bLU cRU Masterclass this year was excellent, which has made it interesting for us to select only one winner. It was not easy, but we feel that Jörgen-Matthias Talviku has the skills and attitude we look for, and that he will be a strong addition to the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team. I wish to thank everybody who attended the bLU cRU Masterclass for the many great moments we shared, and a big congratulations to Jörgen-Matthias, I wish him good-luck for the up-coming season and the year he will spend with the fantastic MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team.”

Steven Frossard, bLU cRU Ambassador & MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 Coach/Mentor: When we interviewed the kids one-by-one, there was one rider that stood out to me and that rider was Jörgen-Matthias Talviku. When we spoke of his future in motocross and his motivation to succeed, I got a tingling feeling on my skin, like 'chicken-skin'. It was not the easiest choice because all of the riders were very good, but I have to admit that I was impressed with his technical ability on the bike at the bLU cRU Masterclass last weekend and also with his attitude off the bike. He is very motivated and driven, and this is important. I am really excited to work with him for the up-coming season and to watch him progress in his career."

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 31 October 2017 – With the off season in full swing, preparations are already well underway for the 20 rounds of the 2018 MXGP FIM Motocross World Championship scheduled.

Youthstream announces that after mutual agreement between both organizers the 2018 dates of the MXGP of La Comunitat Valenciana (Spain) at Redsand and the MXGP of Europe (the Netherlands) at Valkenswaard have been switched. The official dates are now as below:

18 March - MXGP of Europe (NL) in Valkenswaard (EMX125 and EMX250 as additional classes)

25 March – MXGP of La Comunitat Valenciana (ESP) in Redsand (EMX250 and EMX300 as additional classes)

In addition Youthstream reconfirms that the MXGP of Russia will be held on Tuesday, 1st May 2018. The date known as May Day and Labor Day is widely celebrated throughout Russia and since 1992, the bank holiday has officially been called "The Day of Spring and Labor”. With the important national holiday many spectators are foreseen along with additional celebrations onsite.

The full updated 2018 Calendar can be found here below:

Click HERE to download the 2018 updated calendar including the support classes in PDF format.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 30 October 2017 – Youthstream is very pleased to announce the partnership renewal with SEL as the Official Carrier and Official Travel Agent for the 2018, 2019, and 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship seasons.

The agreement was recently signed in Milan, by Youthstream CEO Daniele Rizzi and SEL CEO Pier Carlo Bottero.

SEL will continue to manage the motocross world championship’s logistics for overseas stages, handling motorcycles and equipment for teams, suppliers, and authorized personnel as well as technical equipment for television production and timing and scoring services. 

SEL will also provide, as in the last 3 seasons, travel services to athletes, coaches, mechanics and all MXGP professionals traveling to extra European rounds. Services include flight reservations, accommodation and on-site transfers.

Daniele Rizzi stated: “The partnership with SEL is part of a very broad development project, associating the best stakeholders in the sport business and securing the enormous expansion MXGP has had in the recent past. We are proud to count SEL in again for the next three years. With more development to come and new exciting flyaway events in the making - such as China, a new venue in Indonesia, the return of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in USA just to mention a few examples - we know that SEL has the best tools to address all the freight and the travel needs anywhere we will go. We wish to thank SEL for their ongoing support as we are looking forward to the new season.”    

Pier Carlo Bottero said: "SEL is very proud to renew its collaboration with YS. Over the years we have worked hard to demonstrate that we are a solid and reliable partner capable of offering high quality services. Our goal is to consolidate the trust relationship built with our customers over time by providing 360° assistance for logistics and travel services".

LINKS

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FIM

The 2017 edition of the bLU cRU Masterclass that took place on October 26^th, 27^th & 28^th in Latina, Italy, was one for the memory bank. For the first time ever, Yamaha Racing put together an exclusive event where some of the sharpest young YZ125 riders were able to train and learn with some of their road-racing counterparts in a two-day Masterclass.

The bLU cRU graduates, made up of five off-road racers and eleven on-road racers, some as young as 14-years-old with the oldest being 20-years-old, all have one thing in common; they have high hopes of a successful career in their chosen disciplines of motorcycle racing. The event ran to a schedule that has been mindfully designed to encourage, nurture and develop aspiring professional motocross and road-race riders.

Former vice-world champion and FIM Motocross of Nations winner, with multiple Grand Prix wins to his name, Steven Frossard spent two-days with the five motocross riders on a new motocross track "Le Grugnole" in Nettuno, Italy. The youngsters also had a chance to get to know, learn from, and test their speed against the two riders that could be their future  teammates, MJC Yamaha Official EMX125's Thibault Benistant and Rick Elzinga.

The five motocross riders fortunate enough to attend this year's bLU cRU Masterclass won their place following their inspiring performances at the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup SuperFinale, which took place in front of more than 65,000 fans at the most prestigious motocross event of the year, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Presented by Fiat Professional. The stunning venue of Matterley Basin, England hosted the SuperFinale that advanced the top-three finishers, 16-year-old Arvid Lüning, 16-year-old Frederico Bassi and 14-year-old Kevin Cristino, as well as two carefully selected wild-card riders, 15-year-old Jörgen-Matthias Talviku and 16-year-old Pierre Moine.

After a warm welcome and introduction to the event from the bLU cRU Ambassadors, Steven Frossard and MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team owner and manager Loïc LeFoll, along with the on-road bLU cRU Ambassadors, 2016/2017 Endurance World Champions Niccolò Canepa, David Checa from the GMT94 Yamaha Official EWC Team, GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team's Federico Caricasulo, and Yamaha Motor Europe representatives, bLU cRU Racing Manager Alberto Barozzi and Marketing Coordinator Shravan Krishnan, the motocross protégées were able to meet and mingle with the young R3 bLU cRU Challenge riders at dinner.

On Friday 27^th, the riders leapt out of bed for an early breakfast before heading to the track at 08:00am where they geared up and walked the track with MXGP hero, Steven Frossard. Frossard pointed out things they need to look out for while riding. Corners where it's obvious that the inside line would be faster, and likewise for areas of the track where they'd gain an advantage from the outside line. He explained his thought process while walking the track such as analyzing the compound, looking for certain rocks or soft spots, and areas that will offer the most traction, among many other things. After a track walk, the enthusiastic students made sure to warm-up and stretch their muscles before firing up their YZ125's and hitting the track.

Right from the very first lap on the track, the boys were running an impressive pace with the level barely differing from the fastest Official Yamaha rider. Frossard carefully observed their riding technique and style during the first free practice before pulling the group aside to work on particular sections.

One section pitted the riders against each other on an area of the track where the 'outside berm' was favored. Little did they know, the unused inside line was faster. He made sure they understood by squaring them off against one another. "You take the inside line, and you take the outside line", low and behold, the inside line was faster. This helped the students to open their eyes up to what the circuit has to offer.

After a morning of learning and ripping laps, they were treated to a well-deserved lunch-break before heading out on track again in the afternoon. Another 'free ride' allowed them to get hard on the throttle of their YZ125's, blast berms and throw some whips on the fun jumps. With adrenalin flying high, they were pulled aside once more to tackle a rough and slippery downhill. Frossard revealed the smoothest line and explained why it would be the best line to take by pointing out certain holes, edges, and areas of traction that would make braking more effective. He did the same with the 90-degree corner that followed before putting some florescent cones on the track to make out braking and acceleration points.

Seeing the progress that had been made after a driven day of riding and training, the boys left the circuit pumped and ready to share their experiences and excitement with the road racers, who they eventually teamed up with for a quick run and some fitness training in the gymnasium before another group dinner.

Following a nice typical Italian style dinner at the hotel restaurant, the riders were interviewed in private by the bLU cRU Ambassadors and key Yamaha Racing personnel, to have a better overview of their day-to-day lives, schooling, hunger, desire to race, things that are factors when only one of the five mega talents will be selected as the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup winner where he will be handed a GYTR kitted YZ125 to race inside the 2018 EMX125 championship with the support of Yamaha Motor Europe and a place on the MJC Yamaha Racing Official EMX 2018 EMX125 Championship.

Activities of Saturday 28^th were further brightened by the attendance of one the sport's greatest, former World Champion, Yamaha engine developer and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team Owner, Michele Rinaldi. Michele was impressed by the venue and set-up of the track and also by the speed and talent of tomorrow's stars. He enjoyed watching a 20-minute friendly race before sitting down with the group of youngsters to offer his invaluable knowledge of racing, engine development and ways that they can improve and progress in the world of motocross. This included explaining the significance of being a good sportsman, and that means having a good attitude on a day-to-day basis, treating everyone with respect, and the importance of taking the good with the bad and the happy with the sad. "Hold your head high and never give up, just keep pushing. When you want something with all of your heart, your hunger and passion will get you there."

Michele's advice inspired the gifted youngsters before lunch and their final outing on the track where their technical skills were boosted with more work on bike control, braking, accelerating and line-choice.

At 15:00, the riders and their families packed up and went to the Il Sagittario road circuit in Latina where the motocross kids discovered a new fantasy of perhaps testing their skills on tarmac one-day after witnessing the R3 riders in action and going up-close with the fierce looking YZF-R3 bikes.

Inspired and ecstatic with the experience and knowledge that the bU cRU Masterclass has offered them, the entire group of on and off-road racers were bought together for a small prize giving ceremony where they received certificates congratulating them on their success in racing thus far.

The winner of the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup will be announced on Wednesday 1^st of November. Registration for the 2018 YZ125 bLU cRU Cup will then open.  

Alberto Barozzi, bLU cRU Racing Manager: "This year's Masterclass was amazing. The organization of the event was perfect and in the end all of the people involved, especially the riders and their parents are so happy. The quality of the riders was so high, it was more than what we expected and that is something we are extremely happy with. The bLU cRU ambassadors did an outstanding job. They developed a good relationship with the riders, they were always there for them, not just as a coach and a bLU cRU Ambassador, but as a mentor and friend. This is what we want because there is a chance to race the European Championship for our young riders and this is a dream come true for them, so it's important that the riders and families have a good feeling with Yamaha and the bLU cRU racing program: which provides a starting point for the riders to learn the basics of being a professional and it will help them achieve the goal of possibly racing MXGP one day. I feel that this is the case and this is what we have achieved, in pure Kando spirit. On Wednesday 01 November we will announce the winner."

Loic LeFoll, MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 Team Owner: "I am really happy with how the Masterclass went. We had two fantastic days on the track organized by Yamaha. It is so important for the young riders to have this opportunity to work with the bLU cRU Ambassador, with Steven Frossard and also to ride with my riders as they have already been professional young riders for one year already. I have seen a lot of good things over the past two-days. The riders are already at quite a good level, but two or three riders stood out. It has been nice for me to see the riders for who they are, not only on the bike but also off the bike as well. Their attitude around the other riders, in the gym and at the hotel, breakfast, dinner and their attitude around the team and with their brothers, sisters and parents as well. I am looking forward to next season."

Steven Frossard, bLU cRU Ambassador & MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 Coach/Mentor: "This was one of the nicest experiences I have had. It was so amazing to teach these skillful young riders. These kids are very lucky to have such a great program behind them, the bLU cRU Cup offers them the best opportunity to learn and to progress in their careers. All five of the riders were so motivated and this made my job easy and really fun to do. It is definitely going to be difficult to choose just one rider, but unfortunately we can only choose one. I only hope that the ones that are not selected, they take this experience and they stay with Yamaha, push hard and prove what we know they are capable of. I hope we can work with them again in the future"

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing