MXGP

Graeme Irwin and Conrad Mewse will lead the way for Roger Magee’s KTM UK-backed team for a full-on assault in the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship and the ACU British Motocross Championship.

Magee’s team is no stranger to victory and the new rider line-up, announced at the International Dirt Bike Show at Stoneleigh Park on October the 28th, is a formidable pairing for chasing more silverware. Founded in 2005, the outfit is the most successful in the British series and has won an incredible 11 titles – the majority with KTM and the most recent coming this year, courtesy of Ben Watson as British MX2 champion on the KTM 250 SX-F.

Reigning British MX1 champion, Graeme Irwin, 25, moves to KTM for a chance to participate in the MXGP Championship for the first time along with defending the no.1 plate in the UK series. The Carrickfergus-born rider is relishing the chance to compete in Grand Prix and to ride the World Championship-winning KTM 450 SX-F.

Graeme Irwin said: “My goals for the season are to retain the British championship and to start the year in MXGP in the top 15 and progress to the top 10. I‘m really excited to ride the 450 SX-F as Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings have been so strong this season and KTM is a brand is constantly pushing their products forward; they’re the market leader for a reason. I will go to California in a couple of weeks and start riding over there. I’ll focus on my physical training and attack it hard in January. I prepared myself this year like I was going to be riding in GPs and I’ve raced some guys who are already in that class. I’ll move to Belgium to make sure my training is the best it can be for this season. Bring it on!”

Conrad Mewse will be tasked with the team’s MX2 attack in both Grand Prix and the British championship. Since his 2013 World and British 85cc championships titles, the 18-year old has had a rapid rise through categories and the #426 competed his first season of Grand Prix this year, finishing 16th overall with 225 points. 

Conrad Mewse said: “I’m looking forward to starting a new page in my career and returning to KTM. It feels like I’m coming back home as I’ve had a lot of success with the brand in the past. I’m hoping together we will be able to fulfil some of my future goals and the KTM 250 SX-F is no doubt a weapon – their bikes have never disappointed me. Next season will also be my first season in the British Motocross Championship. I’ve not raced a British series since my 65 and 85cc days, so it is going to be a learning curve for sure. There’s going to be a lot of races with doing MX2 in both Grand Prix and the UK, but I’ve had a month off and I’m fully recovered from this season. The plan is to train hard over winter and come out of the blocks fast.”

Helping to make sure Roger Magee’s squad is more READY TO RACE than ever, they will also receive increased Factory support from KTM for 2018. 

Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

Copyright Photo: Hitachi KTM UK

MXGP’s 52 min season review video for the 2017 championship is online now and it is one not to miss!

The 52 minute long recap takes you through the entire 2017 season and all its best racing moments. From the MXGP of Qatar to the final GP in Villars Sous Ecot and everything in between, you can find it all in the season review. Watch the celebration of the 9th title of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Antonio Cairoli as well as the first Championship victory of red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Pauls Jonass.

Check it out here below!

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 26 October 2017 – In the past few days Youthstream representatives attended the 28^th edition of Sportel Monaco, which is a convention in the world for sports marketing and media where sports-rights and media coverage are discussed and decided. Youthstream hosted a booth representing MXGP, the FIM Motocross World Championship, where many meetings took place and where television broadcasters could express their interest in screening MXGP on their respective networks.

At the conclusion of the well known convention it is evident that MXGP has growing interest for 2018. Newly renewed agreements include those of MTV - Finland, La Chaine L’Equipe 21 - France, FOX Sport Asia, and Sport TV in Slovenia who has strengthened their partnership with MXGP.

Current major broadcasters such as RTL Netherland, Motortrend, Telenet from Belgium, Band Sport – Brazil, motorsport.tv, and Greenlight TV all expressed their happiness with the current coverage and production while NOS (Netherlands) and RAI (Italy) both expressed their commitment and desire to add more coverage.

Chinese networks, Sina Sports and Tencent groups met with Youthstream as well to develop the Chinese market, especially since the announcement of the MXGP of China in 2019.

At this year’s edition of Sportel there was also a very strong presence of the main social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube in addition to TV Broadcasters. Youthstream held meetings with the various platforms where it was clear that the video content which MXGP produces is quickly becoming the trend.

As a result of the time spent at Sportel, Youthstream is proud of what MXGP was achieved in 2017 and is honored to extend their collaboration with a lot of top sports broadcasters into 2018.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Photo - from left to right: Sport TV Slovenia representative Marko Bogovac & Youthstream Director Didier Henriod

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 26 October 2017 - The MXGP and MX2 world champions are awarded with several trophies throughout their season from race wins to red plates, but one of the most unique rewards after a long and hard fought season finishes, is the championship ring.

This annual awards given by Youthstream to the MXGP, MX2 and Monster Energy FIM MXoN Presented by Fiat Professional Champions have been handed out since the 2015 season and have been coveted ever since.

The rings are made of silver to symbolize victory, each customized with the year, and for MXGP and MX2 the Champion’s names are also inscribed. Since the beginning the rings have been created and customized by Telemaco Cane of PR Model with great attention to detail.

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LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce Tristan Charboneau and Nicholas Lapucci will join Roan van de Moosdijk on the ASTES4-TESAR Yamaha Official EMX250 team in 2018.

The trio of promising young riders are set to complete a highly potent line-up for the ASTES4-TESAR Yamaha team where they will race GYTR kitted YZ250F's inside the extremely competitive 2018 European Motocross Championship, a series that is considered the last stepping stone in Amateur racing before joining the pro ranks, MX2 or MXGP.

After an exciting display of potential in 2017, despite two unfortunate injuries, 18-year-old Dutchman Roan van de Moosdijk will remain on the team for a second term where he will be joined by American ace Tristan Charboneau and Italian hopeful Nicolas Lapucci.

Charboneau is a familiar name to the European Championship and has already proven his worth on numerous occasions. The 20-year-old American toasted his first EMX250 race win in Russia this year and authenticated his speed with a dominating performance at the Portuguese round of the EMX250 championship where he won both races for his first EMX250 round victory. Upholding his winning ways, Charboneau went on to win races at the MXGP of Switzerland and at the final round of the EMX250 championship in Villars-sous-Ecot in France.

Lapucci scored points in four EMX250 races this year. His second-place finish in the opening race at the MXGP of Lombardia-Italy was the most eye-catching and that has proven that the stylish Italian is capable of fronting the field.

With the support of Yamaha Motor Europe, ASTES4-TESAR Yamaha Official EMX250, and the 2008 MX1 World Champion David Philippaerts, the whole team is eager to start their off-season preparation, which is set to begin in November of this year, 2017.

Erik Eggens, Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Manager: "I am happy with the 2018 line-up for the ASTES4-TESAR Yamaha Official EMX250 team. Tristan, Nicholas, and Roan are all young and talented riders with an enormous amount of potential, and having them on the Official EMX250 team is completely in line with Yamaha’s philosophy to support and develop the next generation of motocross stars. Because of their age, they have time to develop their skills as riders before taking the next step which will be to race MX2. The three riders will be trained and mentored by David Philippaerts, and with the support of the ASTES4-TESAR Yamaha Official EMX250 team and Yamaha Motor Europe, they will have all of the tools necessary to achieve all that they are capable of achieving. That is something exciting."

Fabio Tognella, ASTES4-TESAR Yamaha Official EMX250 Team Owner: I am so happy to have an American on the team, it's a new experience for us and something extremely exciting. We already know that Tristan is a very good and talented rider, he won two rounds of the EMX250 Championship last year and it has just been unlucky that his overall result was not better. We believe in him and we believe that with our team and a YZ250F he will be able to achieve what he is capable of. The same can be said for Nicholas. He is a very nice guys with a lot of speed and talent, and like Tristan, just some unfortunate things have prevented him from getting good results, but on our team, I believe he will fight for the top. Last but not least, Roan. I can't explain how happy I am to have Roan stay with us for another season. He is like a member of the family. His entire family are fantastic and a pleasure to work with, and we are so very happy to have them onboard for another season. With these three riders, I believe we have a very strong team and I am looking forward to the 2018 season."

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 25 October 2017 – Youthstream is very pleased to announce the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship calendar; the series will travel to 20 different locations in 16 different countries around the world plus the most awaited event of the year, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations set to be held in the USA.

With the full cooperation of the FIM and FIM Europe, Youthstream is proud to release the new calendar of the premier MXGP and MX2 World Championship as well as the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship, the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship, FIM Veterans' Motocross World Cup, and the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations which is taking place at Red Bud, USA. In addition the calendar of all of the European Championships is released with a total of 11 rounds of EMX250, 9 EMX125 rounds and 6 for the EMX300 showing the success of the European series.

2018 will start with a bang at the beloved Neuquen circuit, Patagonia - Argentina, then head to the MXGP of La Comunitat Valenciana at Redsand in Spain, later include a return to Turkey, for the MXGP of Turkey in Afyon, after last visiting the country in 2009, host a new Indonesian round in Semerang in addition to the round of Pangkal Pinang, and the season will conclude with the brand new MXGP of Imola in Italy at the world famous Autodromo.

The series will also return to various tracks such as the 2017 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Presented by Fiat Professional host Matterly Basin for the MXGP of Great Britain, and Orlyonok, Russia after a successful first MXGP of Russia among others.

See below the full 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship calendar as well as the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship, FIM Junior Motocross World Championship, FIM Veterans' Motocross World Cup, and the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

In addition the Yamaha 125cc, EMX65, EMX85, EMX125, EMX250 and EMX300 dates are available here below.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

When you are born in Lommel, can you do another sport than Motocross? Jacky Martens is one of those kids who dreamt to become a champion and he did it even if he had to wait many years before celebrating his 500cc World title at the age if thirty. 

Born on the 3rd of July 1963, Jacky did his first race when he was 16 and had to wait several years before winning his first international race during the 1983 Cup de l'Avenir. 

Read the FULL article HERE

The well-established KTM Diga Junior Racing squad is proud to announce an exciting three rider lineup for the 2018 EMX series. EMX250 star Miro Sihvonen and Tomas Kohut will campaign the highly competitive KTM 250 SX-F, while emerging EMX125 rider Emil Weckman looks forward to his first full season on the KTM 125 SX.

After a rollercoaster injury-marred 2017 that saw the team claim one EMX250 round with Miro Sihvonen and strong international results with Tomas Kohut the Belgian team decided to streamline their organisation. Even though the Dirk Saelen-managed crew maintains a strong focus on developing and guiding talented young motocross riders KTM Diga Junior Racing will support fewer riders than before. Placing the bar higher to concentrate on high potential talent is the next logical step. 

Sihvonen, who just turned 19, hit the ground running this year. The fast Finn dominated the opening round of the ADAC Youngster Cup and rode to a podium in Trentino  and an impressive double moto win in Valkenswaard before he injured his shoulder in the ADAC Youngster Cup race of Jauer. Miro has learned a lot from his breakthrough season and aims to come back strong next year! Without a doubt the leading KTM Diga Junior Racing rider should be a strong title contender in the MX2 feeder class.

Two severe pre-season knee injuries knocked Tomas Kohut,18, completely off course. However the affable Slovakian returned strong without standout results in international races and flashes of speed in the few EMX250 rounds he competed in. For 2018 Tomas wants to establish himself as a top-10 regular.

Multi-year signing Emil Weckman, who just happened to turn sixteen today, completes KTM Diga Junior Racing’s lineup. The double EMX150 champion is one of the brightest up and coming riders in Europe. Admittedly the young Finn had a complicated first EMX125 season switching classes and was forced to move from a different team to KTM Diga Junior Racing during the season. The energetic and enthusiastic teenager put his head down and started to make headway near the end of the season when he adapted well to the KTM 125 SX. Weckman eventually might be joined by a second 125 rider as the team considers running a strong second EMX125 contender. Riders who think they have what it takes can reach the team here.

Dirk Saelen, KTM Diga Junior Racing team manager: “We’re thrilled to continue working with three talented young guys who have a great potential. Each of them has had his own challenges this season but we strongly believe in them and every elite athlete has experienced his or her sheer amount of adversity. Especially in motocross that seems to be what fuels any great performance!
We also know how quickly things can change. This season Miro Sihvonen left Valkenswaard with the red plate and a 20-point lead over the second. In the end Miro finished 11th due to injury. For sure his goal is to fight for the top-three overall. Tomas Kohut was very unlucky in the sense that he couldn’t carry the pre-season momentum with him once he started riding again. We know what he’s capable of and we can’t wait to help bring out the best from his riding. Last but not least we’re very excited to start our longerm partnership with Emil Weckman and his family. Emil already showed us what he’s made of on a few occasions. Not only does he have great skills on the bike Emil is also a fierce competitor who never gives up. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Weckman regularly inside the top-5 next year.  On one hand our riders grab the limelight and we’re really pleased to have Miro (Sihvonen), Emil (Weckman) and Tomas (Kohut) with us again. On the other hand none of this would be possible without the loyal support of our sponsors, volunteers and of course our team staff. Their dedication and commitment speaks volumes about the quality of their work. Perhaps this is my biggest pride in a season where it was tough to reach our sporting goals. Regardless of what happened on track everyone put in a first-class effort. Thank you!”

Copyright: Photos: Eric Laurijssen

RedSand, the host of the 2018 MXGP of La Comunitat Valenciana taking place the 24th and 25th March 2018, is beginning to take shape and on Monday the track crew went to work moving soil and making the layout for the GP.

The current layout will be modified and rebuilt until January in an attempt to find the best combination of turns, jumps, technical areas, etc.

RedSand’s main goal is to have a complete track with lap times around the 2 minute mark. The circuit is set to open this November to the public and it will also be the first chance for riders to arrive and start their preseason testing.