MXGP

Team Great Britain will go into this year’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Presented by Fiat Professional with a lot of pressure on their shoulders. The home team have a solid line-up in Max Anstie, Dean Wilson and Tommy Searle, and the whole nation will be behind them.

Dean Wilson who has had one of his best seasons ever racing in America, is really excited to be back in Europe, and preparing for the biggest motocross race of the season. Despite some really good results in this event, the Scotsman thinks there is much more to come.

“I don’t think I have shown my full potential at this race” Wilson told us. “I sometimes struggle with the track or whatever. Hopefully this year we can run up front and Team GB gets us on the podium. With a little help from the fans and I am feeling really good on the bike and I am healthy. I mean, you never know. I don’t pay attention to who is getting injured or who is in the teams. I am just concentrating on myself, my riding and my training. We all have to race at the Nations and I can’t worry about what everyone else is doing and just do what we can do and work with my team-mates and help each other. I think we can do well, but we need to concentrate on ourselves and not get involved in all the craziness.”

Tommy Searle who will return to the MX2 class is excited for what is ahead. Having already put on brilliance for his country at this event, it is expected that the big event rider will once again pull something special out.

“I raced it in 2006,” Searle said. “My first ever Nations and I was so young and I can’t remember the race for it was, in fact I can’t remember the weekend at all. To take in the atmosphere, the crowd, the event itself. It’s probably going to be the biggest race I have ever raced at in my career. I literally can’t wait. Also speaking to Mark (Chamberlain), we really do have a good shot of winning this event. It’s not just saying it, I mean Max (Anstie) can win his class, Dean (Wilson) can win his class, and you have me, who I think can win my class. We are all capable and I feel I will be good on the MX2 class and the other two are riding well. It’s exciting to believe we have a shot at doing well.”

Max Anstie, who is in the form of his life and showing great speed in the MXGP class knows that Team Great Britain need to perform at their highest level to have success at their home MXoN. But with podium finishes of late, and two strong team-mates, he is confident of their chances.

“I think we have a good chance,” Anstie said. “Tommy has been spending time on the 250 and we know how good he is on that bike. It’s a little like an American track, so Dean will be at home. We want to battle for that podium position. We have just missed it. It’s a three-rider team and the pace is so high, people are hurting themselves and other teams are getting weaker. We need solid riders. It’s going to be amazing. I am honoured to be part of the team and riding MXGP. From where we were last year, nowhere near as strong as we are now. I am looking forward to Matterley. I am working on things and its coming at a good time. I am excited for France and then two more weeks and Matterley.  I told the team, it’s just another race. We are not stopping until after Matterley. After France, we will ride and train, and the week before MXoN we will be busy but I’m getting ready for it and I will not go there half-hearted and underestimate it. I want to be at the sharp end. If I get a race win great, if I battle back from a bad start, also great."

Now just a week before the MXGP season is over, and all three British riders will spend two weeks together, working on team moral, and making sure they go into this event fully focused on the job at hand.

Copyright: Photo: Ray Archer

(MONACO) Principality of Monaco, 13 September 2017 - Youthstream is proud to announce that FIAT Professional will be the presenting sponsor of the 2017 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Matterley Basin, United Kingdom. The now Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations presented by FIAT Professional is set to take place the 1st of October at the famous and historic U.K. circuit.

With the success of the FIAT Professional MXGP of France, FIAT Professional Fullback MXGP of Lombardia and the FIAT Professional MXGP of Belgium the Italian brand is positioning itself at the forefront of the motocross market. The continued success of the Youthstream and FIAT Professional partnership continues to benefit the world of motocross.

Tickets for the 2017 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations presented by FIAT Professional can be purchased HERE while VIP GOLD SKYBOX packages are available HERE

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Monster Energy MXoN

(VILLARS SOUS ECOT) Pays de Montbéliard, France, 13 September 2017 - The 2017 MXGP Calendar has reached the furthest parts of the globe and this weekend it is only fitting that the last round of the championship be held in the enthusiastic motocross hub of France. The 19th round of 19 will take place at the beautiful Villars sous Ecot circuit for the MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard.

The tricky hard pack surface will be sure to catch a few riders of guard but as in the last visit in 2015 it will provided amazing racing. While Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli is the 2017 champion, he will still want to battle especially against the fit teammate Jeffrey Herlings who has won the last two rounds in a row. While in MX2 the title chase is still very much alive between Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass and Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer who has a 41 point deficit but anything is possible in motocross racing.

Both the final rounds Women’s Motocross World Championship and the European Motocross 250 Championship join MXGP and MX2 for the French Finale. The Women’s class is in an intense four way race for the title with only 5 points between Nancy Van de Ven, Kiara Fontanesi, Courtney Duncan, and France’s Livia Lancelot who has decided to end her impressive professional career this weekend at home.

While in the EMX250 Championship Morgan Lesiardo and Simone Furlotti will be battle over the title as they are separated by 26 points.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli was crowned MXGP World Champion, for the 9th time in his career, last weekend in Assen. The veteran of the sport will have a pressure free weekend of racing but both himself and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings will undoubtedly fight for the win and the pride that comes along with it.

Herlings has secured second 2nd in the championship with his win last weekend in Assen and is keen to finish his season on a high note with another victory. Cairoli finished third here in 2015 while Herlings won the MX2 class overall.

For both Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre this weekend will be a home GP. Febvre won this GP in his 2015 championship season while Paulin has struggled in the past with 12th in 2015 and 23rd in 2009. Paulin currently is third in the points standing just ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle.

Unfortunately for Desalle a crash last week in Assen ended his season. In result of Desalle missing the final round Paulin is guaranteed to maintain his third position in the 2017 record books.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser has a top 5 spot in the championship currently but he is recovering from a crash and heavy hit in Assen. Gajser is expected to line up this weekend but may struggle to maintain his position in the points as Febvre is only 6 points behind. Gajser’s last visit to the circuit in 2015 was a successful one though as he finished 2nd in the MX2 overall.

Frenchman and Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jordi Tixier will be absent from yet another race this season as he sits out the home round, which he finished on the podium at in 2015, to recover from injuries suffered prior this year.

HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev comes into the last race of the season after struggling in Assen, the Russian however has done well in the past at the Villars circuit when he scored 2nd overall in 2015.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 710 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 627 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 571 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 544 p.; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 485 p.; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 479 p.; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 423 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 416 p.; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 398 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 396 p.

2015 MXGP of France, Villars sous Ecot MXGP Top 3

1. Romain Febvre
2. Evgeny Bobryshev
3. Antonio Cairoli

In MX2 the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider, Pauls Jonass, had the chance to take the title last weekend in Assen but he was unable to do so thanks to Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer. Seewer still has his title hopes alive but with only a slim chance it looks as if Jonass will take the top spot. Jonass finished 4th in the 2015 overall while Seewer took 8th.

The two rookies to watch are Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s  Thomas Kjer Olsen who is third the MX2 championship and Jonass’ teammate Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado Garcia after taking his third overall victory of 2017 last week. Since they are both rookies they have no previous result to go off at the circuit and will be looking to make a good first impression.

The fourth rider in the top 5 of MX2 Championship is Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Benoit Paturel. Sadly for Paturel a training crash at this circuit weeks ago caused a season ending injury. The French MX2 rider finished 14th in 2015.

The American Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider, Thomas Covington, has had a strong last few races to put himself into the top 5 of the points. Covington grew up on tracks with hard soil so his riding style may mesh well with the Villars sous Ecot circuit.

LRT KTM’s Julien Lieber is another rider to watch as he is now just 10 points outside the top five and he has shown great speed but mistakes have held him back in the results. Lieber raced the circuit in 2015 and finished 13th.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 735 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 694 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 556 p.; 4. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 504 p.; 5. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 485 p.; 6. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 475 p.; 7. Jorge Prado Garcia (ESP, KTM), 439 p.; 8. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 386 p.; 9. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, SUZ), 352 p.; 10. Brent Van doninck (BEL, YAM), 309 p.

2015 MXGP of France, Villars sous Ecot MX2 Top 3

1. Jeffrey Herlings
2. Tim Gajser
3. Jordi Tixier

All the photos of the MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard will be available here

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX250 Group 1 Free/Timed Practice 08:30; EMX250 Group 2 Free/Timed Practice 09:15; WMX Free/Timed Practice 10:00; MX2 Free Practice 11:30; MXGP Free Practice 12:00; EMX250 Last Chance 13:40; MX2 Time Practice 14:15; MXGP Time Practice 14:45; WMX Race 1 15:25; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:25; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:10; EMX250 Race 1 17:55.

Sunday: WMX Race 2 09:45; MX2 Warm up 10:25, MXGP Warm up 10:45; EMX250 Race 2 11:30; MX2 Race 1 13:15; MXGP Race 1 14:15; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard

Here we are! One of the most awaited moments of the week: MXGP in collaboration with Monster Energy has the pleasure to interview a Monster Girl at every GP. The feature will go up the week after the event.

At the MXGP of the Netherlands, held in Assen we had the chance to talk to the Czech Monster Girl, Alena. Here what we asked:

How long have you worked for monster? Nearly 4 years now, I love Monster it is like a little family especially with my Czech girls – we are friends outside of work. 

What is the best thing about being a Monster Girl? The travel and getting so up close to the sports! I come from a family of Motorsport fans so it is amazing to get the access we do! Not many people get to stand on the startline of the MXGP! It is awesome.

What is the best event to work? MXGP of course! I love the MX and supercross it’s so exciting and the people are so friendly and welcoming.

To get to know more about your favorite Monster Girl, check out our Monster Girls section on http://www.mxgp.com or click HERE, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube

On the famous and spectacular circuit of Assen (Holland), with one race left, the Italian rider is certain of victory in the 2017 MXGP FIM Motocross World Championship. Fiat Professional celebrates the legendary Tony Cairoli, who soars to above the field once again.

Fiat Professional celebrates a legend: Tony Cairoli, once again, soars higher than everyone else winning his ninth world championship title on the circuit of Assen in Holland. This amazing record places the Sicilian rider firmly in the history of this motorsports discipline, just behind the Belgian Stefan Everts who won ten titles in his career.

Nerves of steel, speed and ability to take on adversities and unexpected turns of events: these are the features that have made Tony Cairoli's career so unique and which have driven him to victory in this season which saw him lead the ranking from the very start. With 3 races left, the many-times champion dominated the 2017 edition of the “MXGP of The Netherlands”, totalling the points needed to secure his ninth title and showing the world his extraordinary skills, which combined with dedication and continual commitment make him a genuine champion.

By securing a fourth place in the 18th round of the MXGP 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship of which Fiat Professional is Official Sponsor for the second year in a row, Cairoli has totalled 710 points, demonstrating that his drive to win is as strong as ever. The same determination to reach new goals characterises Fiat Professional, the first brand “born to be professional” entirely dedicated to light transport customers. For these shared values and goals, the brand has chosen the Sicilian many-times champion as its world ambassador.

With over one hundred years of history and a one-of-a-kind heritage of experience in the world of commercial vehicles, the Italian brand has a full line-up, which has been completely renewed in just two years, to provide answers to all transportation mission needs. The "product hero" of the fleet and official vehicle of the 2017 MXGP FIM Motocross World Championship is the tough and reliable Fullback, which is perfect for all activities, trades and leisure activities. Furthermore, the Fiat Professional pick-up truck is accompanying Tony Cairoli in his training sessions and proving to be a loyal team mate that perfectly sums up the challenge attitude of Fiat Professional.

The public in Assen also had the opportunity to admire three vehicles representing the entire Fiat Professional line-up. On show at the circuit were the unstoppable Fullback sporting a particular motocross inspired livery, the versatile Talento in a racing-style livery with the Italian flag and the new Ducato 4x4, which expands the possibility of using the mode for work and leisure, particularly as a result of its permanent all-wheel drive with two transfer cases and automatically operated central viscous coupling. Incidentally, the Ducato 4x4 Expedition 2017, the ideal vehicle for sporty, adventurous lifestyle enthusiasts who demand the best in technological contents, has been very successful in the recent international motor shows.

One hundred and sixty-third issue of this re-designed bi-weekly motorcycle sport magazine, tackling the latest races and issues in MXGP, MotoGP, AMA Motocross/Supercross and World Superbike as well as general motorcycling and accessories with the best blogs and photographs. In OTOR 163: MXGP: Cairoli’s 9^th; the Sicilian brings the baton down on his 2017 symphony with confirmation of true greatness at Assen, one week before MXGP closes the curtain. Words & Pics. Why do it? Riding; asking MXGP athletes why they are constantly on the bike and running risks every week: what are the reasons and the motivations? Word-of-mouth insight. Misano soaker; Blogs, images and perspective from a 46-less Misano but nonetheless another riveting episode of MotoGP that refuses to ebb quietly. MotoGP head game; Speaking with Movistar Yamaha’s Wilco Zeelenberg on handling GP winning talent and extracting the last few gains of performance in Grand Prix.

Read it HERE

Copyright: Photo: OTOR

The Fox Holeshot award runs across the entire MXGP season. The way it works is 1 point is awarded for each race holeshot. He, who has the most points in MXGP at the end of the season will win the grand prize of €10,000 while he with the most points in MX2 will win the grand prize of €5,000.

At the MXGP of the Netherlands taking place in Assen, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl took the FOX Holeshot in Race 1 and Race 2 respectively.

While in MX2 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass took the FOX Holeshot in Race 1 and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Conrad Mewse took it in race 2 for the first time in his career

Watch the MXGP of the Netherlands ‘Fox Holeshot’ films here below.    

MXGP of the Netherlands FOX Holeshot MXGP Film

MXGP of the Netherlands FOX Holeshot MX2 Film

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

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

At the MXGP of the Netherlands held in Assen, GP winner Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Conrad Mewse set the Tag Heuer Fastest Lap in MXGP and MX2 Class respectively.

Please find here below the details for both riders:

Jeffrey Herlings:  1.37:579 at Race 2 Lap 2

Conrad Mewse:  1.36:946 at Race 2 Lap 1

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

Clement Desalle of the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team saw his medal hopes diminished after crashing out of the Dutch round of the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship at Assen.

The 28-year old Belgian, a two-times GP winner this summer, had advanced strongly to sixth place until he crashed on the third lap of the opening GP moto at the rugged sand track built in front of the main grandstand of the famous road-racing facility in the northern part of the Netherlands. He was unable to contest the second race and undergoes medical exams; he is now fourth in the championship standings, twenty-seven points shy of third prior to the season finale in France next weekend.

Antonio Cairoli had a little smile at the press conference, after winning his ninth world title. Many of us in the press room, me included didn’t think the veteran could win in 2017. Many of us thought the young guns of Tim Gajser, Romain Febvre and Jeffrey Herlings would steam roll him.

“For sure we didn’t start as favourite,” Cairoli said. “With a lot of people talking about it, this is for them. I know what I can work for, and I know what it takes. We made it, and I am happy about this. An amazing season, one of my best. After 15 years of world championship, I am proud of this. I think we can work to get better in some cases, but I want to enjoy this title.”

As Tony said, he didn’t really get motivation from the some people, but he did want them to eat their words, as we did.

Throughout the year we talked to some of the smart people in the sport, Pit Beirer and Stefan Everts, and below are some of their comments about the Italian legend. Beirer who re-signed Cairoli in the middle of the injury years never lost faith in Cairoli.

“I think I had an interview on mxlarge,” Beirer said. “I told you I didn’t believe it was the end of the road. I knew he has two bad injuries and they were holding him back. Sport is brutal, you are either there, or you are not there. There is no credit if you are not fit. If you are not 100% then the other guys catch you, you can’t have the smallest disadvantage. I mean of course there is a risk with a rider around 30 that they can go downhill, but I knew if Tony was fit, he would come back strong. That is also why we made a new contact with him, after already one year of struggling with injuries, because I still trusted him, and today he gave us the pay-back.”

Stefan Everts, who has the record for the most world motocross championships (10) and the most Grand Prix victories (101), is starting to feel the pressure of losing his records, but he also enjoys watching a legend at work.

“I enjoy watching Tony,” Stefan Everts said. “He has been off for a few years due to injury or other problems. He is back, it’s like the old Cairoli, also in Qatar you could see it there. If he gets the record I can only congratulated him. It would hurt me a little of course, because I want to be the best ever, but records are there to be broken. You have to accept it, I have no problem if Tony is the guy to beat my record, because I have a lot of respect for him, and he has a lot of respect for what I did.”

“I am pretty impressed all year so far,” Everts told us. “He had a few difficult years, and everyone gave up on him, and he has come back, like his good old days, well actually his good old days are still to come, but he is back like he was before. He is like wine, the older he gets, the better he gets. I think he has his act together and he has shown why he is one of the best. He is the best ambassador out there, and he is a professional guy so it’s good to see him riding like this.”

Copyright: Photo: Ray Archer