MXGP

One hundred and fifty-fifth 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 155: Hard-pack hitters: German MXGP; Teutschenthal saw a first duel between KTM stars Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings and a few other twists that could affect the 2017 championship stories. Redemptive Acts: Gautier Paulin talks; MXGP star Gautier Paulin gives a frank and honest take on his HRC episode, why he almost quit the sport and his powerful resurgence as a Husqvarna athlete. Le Mans lapped-up: MotoGP special; difficult to think of racing without remembering Nicky Hayden…but #69 would have relished the French Grand Prix and another storming episode in the 2017 series. Racing Reverse: WorldSBK & AMA MX; sumptuous photo galleries, Blogs and perspectives from the first round of AMA Pro Motocross at Hangtown and WorldSBK from the kinks and curves of Imola. 

Read it HERE

Ernèe (France), 24 May 2017 – After a one year break MXGP is returning to Ernèe for the 9th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship and the 2017 FIAT Professional MXGP of France. Making a return to the calendar, the last race held at Ernèe was the 2015 Monster Energy FIM MXoN which ended epic fashion with France winning the chamberlain trophy ahead of team USA.

After only a few short days the MXGP paddock is getting ready to race again. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer arrive in France with momentum after both added to wins to their resume in Germany.

The circuit of Ernèe will also host the third round of WMX, EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing, and EMX250 in addition to MXGP and MX2.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, who scored his 80th career win only days ago at the MXGP of Germany is continuing to grow his points lead. Cairoli won here in 2013, the last time the MXGP championship visited the Ernèe circuit. With momentum and history on his side Cairoli will be hard to beat this weekend.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings continued to impress on the 450 in Teutschenthal as he came from 6th to win race one and took second overall. Herlings continues to say the championship is out of reach now halfway into the season but the #84 is only 84 points off of red plate holder, Cairoli. A favorite for the win Herlings also won here in 2013 but for him it was in the MX2 class.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser is a champion, a fighter, and about as tough as it gets. Gajser came into Germany sore and beat up from a violent crash in Latvia however impressed as he jumped to the front of qualifying but crashed out of the race and further irritated his wounds. As Gajser raced Sunday it was clear he was doing so to salvage points. Now only one week later the young Slovenian will have to remain focused and put the pain aside if hopes to come back from his points deficit.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin reached the podium last weekend and will use that momentum along with his home GP crowd to propel him onto it once again. Paulin finished second overall here in 2013, a result that will be hard to match with the competitiveness of the class but the Frenchman is undoubtedly up to the challenge.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle finished 4th overall in Germany and 5th here in 2009, however in 2013 Desalle reached the Ernèe podium. Desalle is looking more and more competitive every week and is now 4th in the points.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek has made his way to 5th in the championship standings but is only 5 points ahead of Herlings. Van Horebeek placed 5th in MX2 during the last visit to Ernèe.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre is coming off of an improved result in Teutschenthal and was part of the winning french team here in 2015. With fond memories nothing to loose, improving results, and it being his home GP Febvre is one rider keep an eye on.

One more rider to watch this weekend is Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jordi Tixier as it is his home GP we may see a career best finish. Tixier finished 6th here in 2013 while in the MX2 class.

2016 MXGP of France MXGP Top 3

1. Romain Febvre

2. Tim Gajser

3. Evgeny Bobryshev

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 305 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 261 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 260 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 246 p.; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 226 p.; 6. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 221 p.; 7. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 214 p.; 8. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 177 p.; 9. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 163 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 153 p.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass lost valuable championship points in last weekend but still has a formidable points gap on the field. Jonass is focused on the championship and knows the easiest way claim it is to win races. With little history at the circuit Jonass will try to take his “holeshot machine” to the podium of Ernèe for his first time this weekend.

Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer had a breakthrough performance in Germany where he avoided the mistakes that had cost him in the past and closed the points gap Jonass. Seewer will be looking to do the same this weekend.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen had an up and down weekend in Germany where he was 3rd in race one but fell in race 2. Olsen is third in the championship heading to Ernee.

When you have been battling for podium finishes and then get 8th overall your left wanting more, thats where LRT KTM’s Julien Lieber is right now. Lieber made a few mistakes in Germany and will hope to eliminate them this weekend, his now 4th in the points.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Team’s Benoit Paturel finally found the recipe for a good start in Germany and what a difference it made. Paturel won qualifying and was battling for the lead in race one. France is home to #6 and if the starts go well for Paturel we may see a new winner in MX2 this weekend.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Stephen Rubini is another french rider who hasn’t had the season he’d hoped for. The #118 has only scored 15 championship points this season and he is looking for a breakout performance at home this weekend.

2016 MXGP of France MX2 Top 3

1. Jeffrey Herlings

2. Benoit Paturel

3. Jeremy Seewer

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 325 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 288 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 264 p.; 4. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 249 p.; 5. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 220 p.; 6. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 184 p.; 7. Jorge Prado Garcia (ESP, KTM), 175 p.; 8. Brent Van doninck (BEL, YAM), 174 p.; 9. Darian Sanayei (USA, KAW), 142 p.; 10. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 139 p.

All the photos of the Fiat Professional MXGP of France will be available here

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX125 Free/Timed Practice Group 1 07:00; EMX125 Free/Timed Practice Group 2 07:45; WMX Free/Timed Practice 08:30; EMX250 Free/Timed Practice Group 1 09:15; EMX250 Free/Timed Practice Group 2 10:00; EMX125 Last Chance Race 10:55; MX2 Free Practice 11:30; MXGP Free Practice 12:00; EMX250 Last Chance 12:55; WMX Race 1 13:40; Race 1 13:55; MX2 Time Practice 14:15; MXGP Time Practice 14:45; EMX125 Race 1 15:25; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:25; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:10; EMX250 Race 1 17:55.

Sunday: WMX Race 2 08:45; EMX125 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

Fiat Professional MXGP of France

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 8th round of the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship which took place in Teutschenthal, Germany on May the 21^s,  Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Antonio Cairoli and Pauls Jonass took the FOX Holeshots in MXGP and MX2 classes respectively in both races.

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

MXGP of Germany FOX Holeshot MXGP Film

MXGP of Germany FOX Holeshot MX2 Film

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 Germany which was held in Teutschenthal the last weekend we had the chance to catch up the german Monster Girl Caroline. Here what we asked:

What is your favorite sport to watch?

I love anything competitive so I love watching Motorsport, MotoGP, MXGP and Supercross are my favourites. 

Do you have a hidden talent?

Well yes, not many people know but I am a qualified nurse! Comes in handy at some events!! 

What is the one thing you can’t live without?

My home, I love to travel but I also love being home in Germany! 

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.

(MONACO) Principality of Monaco, 24 May 2017 - Youthstream is proud to announce that FIAT Professional FULLBACK will be the title sponsor of the MXGP of Lombardia (I). The now FIAT Professional FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia (I) will take place the 24th and 25th of June at the circuit of Ottobiano, Italy.

With the addition of the FIAT Professional FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia (I), FIAT Professional is now the title sponsor of two rounds on the 2017 MXGP calendar. For FIAT Professional the new venue of the MXGP of Lombardia in Ottobiano featuring great facilities and a strategic position, was seen as a great opportunity to sponsor an event within the brand’s home country of Italy. The continued success of the Youthstream and FIAT Professional partnership is proving to be beneficial for Motocross and the World Championship as a whole.

David Luongo, Vice president of Youthstream and Head of Operations stated: “We are proud to have Fiat Professional with us. The Fullback is a vehicle that is very fitting for our sport and Italy is one of the most important countries for motocross fans. With the great results of Antonio Cairoli and the first class venue of Ottobiano, I am sure that this new step in terms of visibility and activations will be a great success.”

Domenico Gostoli, Fiat Professional Head Of Brand continued: "The partnership between Fiat Professional and the FIM Motocross World Championship is based on values such as passion, determination and dynamism, the perfect mix of World of Motocross and FCA Group brand dedicated to commercial vehicles.  After the Title Sponsor in Ernèe, France, we will also be Title Sponsor of the Italian race in Ottobiano. It represents a very important appointment for us, for all Motocross addicted and for Tony Cairoli’s fans who will be at the circuit to support our Official Ambassador".

Tickets for the 2017 FIAT Professional FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia (I) can be purchased here.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Fiat Professional FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia

The French national anthem, The Marseillaise was a revolutionary song, an anthem for freedom, a patriotic call to mobilize all the citizens and an exhortation to fight against tyranny and foreign invasion.

Next weekend at the old-school circuit of Ernèe, then French will again try and fight off the invasion of the foreigners, but this time it will be the best motocross riders in the world they will battle.

In the tough MXGP class, Gautier Paulin and Romain Febvre lead the French charge. Paulin of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team is third in the series points, and just a single point off second place, held by Team HRC rider Tim Gajser.

Paulin is in good form, and of course won a Grand Prix in Valkenswaard a month or so ago. While last weekend in Germany saw, him make a podium, he will be looking to close the points gap on series leader Antonio Cairoli in his home Grand Prix.

“Earning one more podium result is a good reward for the hard work all Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team members are putting in,” Paulin said. “Not getting a good start in moto one I had to push really hard taking some risks in the first few laps. Making some good passes I quickly found myself in third but Cairoli and Herlings had already created a small gap in the lead and it was impossible to battle with them. Then in race two my start was a lot better. Getting a really good pace after the second half of the race I managed to get close to Herlings and we had a good battle for second. Losing a bit of time passing some lappers I ended up getting third again in race two. I’m really happy with my speed and can’t thank all our team enough for their hard work and dedication.”

Romain Febvre isn’t having a brilliant season, but has returned to a little better form recently. His 30 points from Germany last weekend put him in eighth place in the MXGP point standings, and while he would like to be closer to the top of the series points, he knows it will take some improvement to do that. An injury in Germany might cause some problems in Ernèe.

“Yes, it has been difficult from the beginning of the season,” Febvre said. “We made some changed to the bike that were not working for me, but we went back and I can play on the bike better now. I thought it was me, because I made the choice, but in the races, I struggled with the changed and we went back and it was late, but everyone can see now it is going nice. I got a bit stuck in the first race. I was faster than my result shows but I couldn’t make the pass I needed to make, so I was frustrated. In the second race, I was riding pretty good but I caught my foot on a rut and hurt some ligaments in my ankle. I was in so much pain I thought my foot was broken, but I kept riding. Other than that, I feel much better on the bike and I am really happy with how things are going, I just hope my foot will be okay for next weekend.”

Benoit Paturel will be the main stay of the French riders in the MX2 class in Ernèe, and while his form has been up and down, he still holds onto fifth place in the MX2 points standings. Despite a victory in the qualification race in Germany, he struggled on Sunday. He does however look forward to getting home to France and getting at least a podium finish.

“The result is not there,” Paturel said. “I have done my best. I won the Qualifying Race on Saturday. I am really happy about that, and I was second place in the second race today too. That is also not so bad. In the first race, I could not finish because of a small technical issue, but next weekend we go to France for my home grand prix, and I am really excited for that. I will give it everything and hopefully I will be on the box!”

Copoyright: Photo: Husqvarna Racing

The old school track of Ernèe will host the 9th round of the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship. The Fiat Professional MXGP of France kicks off this weekend 27th and 28th May and together with the MXGP and the MX2 Class, the WMX, the European Championships EMX250 and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing will take place.

Timetable and Entry Lists are availabel to be downloded here below in PDF format. 

TIMETABLE

MXGP Entry List

MX2 Entry List

WMX Entry List

EMX250 Entry List

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Entry List

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 Germany taking place in Teutschenthal this weekend the GP winners Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings set the TAG Heuer fastest lap for the third GP in a row while in MX2 is the GP winner Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer who set the fastest lap time for the weekend.

Please find here below the details for both riders:

Jeffrey Herlings: 1:47:999 at Race 1 Lap 5

Jeremy Seewer: 1:48:017 at Race 1 Lap 6

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

Youthstream, the MXGP Paddock and the entire motorsports community is deeply saddened to hear of the loss of MotoGP and Superbike athlete Nicky Hayden.

Nicky Hayden was an avid MXGP fan and friend to many visiting the championship most recently in Valkenswaard during the MXGP of Europe. A true ambassador to the world of motorcycle racing, Hayden will go down in history as not only a champion but as one of the most friendly and like-able athletes in our racing family.