MXGP

The Official Timetable as well as the Entry Lists for the Monster Energy MXGP of USA, which will take place in Glen Helen this weekend, 10th and 11th Septemeber are online and can be download here below. 

TIMETABLE

MXGP Entry List

MX2 Entry List

One hundred and thirty-eighth issue of this bi-weekly motorcycle sport magazine, tackling the latest races and issues in MotoGP, MXGP, AMA Motocross/Supercross and World Superbike as well as general motorcycling and accessories with the best blogs and photographs. In OTOR 138: Charlotte’s (MXGP) Web; all the tos-and-fros, ins-and-outs and general happenings at the penultimate round of 2016 MXGP from North Carolina. Blog, photos and opinion. Catching up with Clement; the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider returned to the peak of the winner’s circle once more in MXGP last week. We checked in with the talented Belgian. Dropping speed, increasing the need; KTM’s enduro range was another hefty step forward for the Austrians and Fox have come up with perhaps the best kit to get into the trees, rivers & more. Sending it at Silverstone; submerge into the British Grand Prix experience as MotoGP heads to the UK. News, views and some tremendous photography from round twelve. 

Check it HERE

GLEN HELEN (United States of America), 07 September 2016 - FOX Racing offered its support to the promotion of motocross back in 2013 when they became a partner of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Over the years, the brand’s relationship with Youthstream, the promoters of MXGP, has gone from strength to strength which is why the two parties have decided to extend their agreement for another three years.

In the light of this agreement, FOX will continue to equip MXGP’s staff and crew with the innovative ‘tech’ line of clothing that incorporates function, durability and comfort without sacrificing style, and they will also continue the unique ‘FOX Holeshot’ Competition that runs across the entire MXGP season. The way it works is 1 point is awarded for each race holeshot. The one who has the most points in MXGP at the end of the season will win the grand prize of €10,000 while the one with the most points in MX2 will win the grand prize of €5,000.

From 2017 onwards, FOX will be looking to strengthen its presence in the MXGP paddock by offering customers and fans a unique experience through different types of activations.

David Luongo, Youthstream’s Director said: “Youthstream is delighted to continue the partnership with Fox Racing. We are sharing the same vision for the development of our sport and the fact that the FIM MXGP World Championship has an unbelievable potential of growing. We are proud to collaborate with such a global brand for the future in all our events, as the MXGP, the Supermotocross Riders’ Cup and the Motocross of Nations.” 

Matthieu Bazil, Executive Vice President International Fox Head Inc. said, “FOX Racing’s Partnership with MXGP is getting stronger every year. The Holeshot competition became immediately a very exciting, it is an “event in the event”. It is natural for us at FOX Racing to keep investing in making the FOX Holeshot a success.

In the frame of this new agreement, FOX also intends to extend its hospitality capacities and its end consumer activation on site. We are also very pleased to be the chosen equipment provider for the crew working every day at the track and off the track, it validates the quality of the garments we develop for teams and motocross enthusiasts.”

For over 4 decades, Fox Racing has been one of the global leaders in motocross and mountain biking gear and apparel. Fox outfits the world’s best competitive action sport athletes and enthusiasts with products that combine innovation and style, rooted in the brand’s original competitive motocross spirit. The company is based in Irvine, California, with offices, retail stores, and an international roster of sponsored athletes, located around the world. For more information, and to view the full range of Fox products, visit ‪www.foxracing.com. 

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FOX Racing

GLEN HELEN (United States of America), 07 September 2016 – Youthstream is extremely glad to confirm that the final running of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship, held this upcoming weekend at Glen Helen Raceway, San Bernardino, California will be broadcast live in U.S. and Canada on CBS Sports Network.

Fans from every corner of North America will be able to follow a 2-hour TV package that will consist with highlights of moto one and live coverage of the final moto of each class: MX2 and MXGP.

The Monster Energy MXGP of the USA will be aired live by CBS Sports Network on Sunday September 11^th at the following times:

MX2 class at 6.00pm EST (3.00pm PST)

MXGP class at 7.00pm EST (4.00pm PST)

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

CBS Sports Network

Monster Energy MXGP of USA

Gariboldi Honda rider Tim Gajser has really shown what a talent he is. Two world titles in two years, joining a Long list of riders who have been able to do that. When Gajser crossed the finished line for the opening moto of the USGP, he dropped to his knees and celebrated.

“It felt amazing. It’s unbelievable to have won this title – I still cannot really take it all in. Last week in Assen we had a horrible weekend and two horrible races, and I was getting down. I had to regroup in these last few days and keep really believing in myself.”

While he couldn’t win the Grand Prix in Charlotte, he did enough to score the big prize. Pressure in the opening moto in Charlotte didn’t make it easy for him.

“The first race I didn’t have the best start and then I was riding behind Jeremy all the race, so I didn’t find the rhythm. I was really fighting with the bike and didn’t enjoy it at all, but at the end it was just amazing. When I came over here everybody was just waiting for me, so yeah, amazing feeling you know. Yeah, after the first one I went to the truck and I said to myself ‘it’s done’, so I don’t have any pressure. I got a good start and also the first couple of laps riding was good. I was feeling good. I made a small mistake, but then came back inn good rhythm, so I stayed in second for overall second. That was good.

The 19-year-old can look back and know he gave it his all, and there isn’t too much not to like about his 2016 season. A bunch of GP wins and podiums, and that second championship.

“We have had an amazing season, and I was saying to myself ‘we cannot finish the season like this.’ We had to finish it like we have been for most of the season – get back on track, and to win the title here and stand back on the podium again here in Charlotte is just perfect. I want to thank so much Honda, HRC, the team, my family, my Dad – we’ve been working so hard for this for all our lives, and now for the second year in a row we’ve achieved the best possible result – the highest possible win – the World Championship crown.”

Gajser has also injected a new interest in the sport of motocross in his country, and without question he has the loudest fans in the sport at the moment.

“All the fans have been incredible this year – already last year was amazing because we had so much support, but this year it’s been even bigger. We make something with the popularity of this sport in Slovenia, and I’m very proud to be that person who is helping the sport to grow. It’s an honor and a pleasure.”

But the season isn’t over. Gajser has this weekend’s second Monster Energy USGP, and then the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations in Italy, and the EMX Riders Cup in Germany. Not to mention a trip back to America for the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas. He might also be asked to travel to Japan to end his season at the home of HRC. A busy season for a rider who has so many more busy seasons to come.

GLEN HELEN (United States of America), 07 September 2016 – We are well and truly into the final chapter of this captivating season, which has seen some incredible racing over the last seventeen rounds. Both championships were wrapped up last weekend with Honda Gariboldi’s motocross phenomenon Tim Gajser taking the title in the premier class, MXGP, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings finally got what he deserved, the MX2 title, after two years of horrid luck.

This weekend, the book will be shut on the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship at one of the most iconic motocross tracks in the world, Glen Helen Raceway. Ask anyone; American or European, and they will tell you that Glen Helen is a beast of a track with some of the gnarliest hills in the world, which obviously makes for monstrous breaking bumps and sharp acceleration bumps.

With yet another solid line-up of riders, which features some prominent American names once again, we’re in for some good racing here at the eighteenth and final round.

The MXGP class is still as unpredictable as it was at the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship back in February. But if you are a betting man, you’d be likely to put your money on Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac who was completely untouchable at The Dirt Track last weekend where he waxed everyone in both races to take his first ever grand prix win.

It will be the cherry on top of the cake for Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser if he could claim his first ever win on US soil. The newly crowned champ took to the man-made track at the Charlotte Motor Speedway well, just not as good as Tomac. Nevertheless, this weekend will provide a whole new day, with a track that is at the other end of the spectrum, and without the pressure of winning the championship; it will be interesting to see how he does.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli was off the ball last weekend, but you can’t forget he is still the most successful rider on the line with seventy-seven grand prix wins and eight FIM Motocross World Championship titles. Another thing to keep in mind is that Tony set the fastest lap of the weekend last year at the Monster Energy MXGP of The USA here at Glen Helen. 

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek was the dark horse last weekend where he looked better than ever out on the man-made track in Charlotte. If Van Horebeek finds his rhythm out on the hills of Glen Helen, he will be a podium threat.  

On the topic Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing, their recently dethroned champ, Romain Febvre, won the Monster Energy MXGP of The USA last year and will be wanting to finish the season on the box.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle is that guy you can never ever write off. Desalle hasn’t had the smoothest of seasons but he has finally started to gain some momentum over the last few rounds, and has proved once before that he knows how to lay the smack down here at Glen Helen, as the winner of the US grand prix back in 2011. The Belgian will be hoping to round out the season strong.

Like Van Horebeek, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff was cooking on gas at the last couple rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship. The Flying Dutchman was on the podium at his home grand prix in Assen, and was only 1 point shy of repeating that achievement last weekend. He’s hungry, and on the pipe at the moment. Watch that space.

2015 Monster Energy MXGP of USA, Glen Helen MXGP Top 3

1. Romain Febvre
2. Josh Grant
3. Cooper Webb

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 693 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 603 p.; 3. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 565 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 549 p.; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 522 p.; 6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 513 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 382 p.; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 372 p.; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 335 p.; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 322 p.

Last weekends Monster Energy MX2 grand prix of Americas winner Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha’s Cooper Webb won’t be lining up this weekend as he has parked his 250cc as of Sunday, and will be jumping on a 450cc as soon as possible to prepare for the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, and the 2017 season. But never fear, American fans! Geico Honda’s Jeremy Martin will be out to stir the pot in MX2, and will be debuting the red bike.

The champ Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings finally has the world title in hand, and come Sunday, you shouldn’t be too surprised if he comes out firing on all cylinders. While Jeff took the title last weekend, it was a bittersweet day because Webb broke his perfect grand prix win rate. The Bullet didn’t seem to beat up by it, and gave full credit to the speed of the Americans, but chances are he will be out with a vengeance this weekend.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Austin Forkner is a kid who has made a rapid rise to fame with his mind-blowing results at the last rounds of the US nationals and then his incredible performance at the Monster Energy MXGP of Americas last weekend where he took it to the US champ, Cooper Webb, and the world champ, Jeffrey Herlings. It’s going to be awesome to see him rip around the gnarliest track in the world, Glen Helen.

Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer is the 2016 MX2 vice world champion. He cannot be caught, while the battle for third between Kemea Yamaha’s Benoit Paturel and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Max Anstie is still wide open with only 12 points separating the two. Currently, Paturel is third, 12 points clear of Anstie. If Anstie manages to get 12 points back on Paturel and the two tie on points, Anstie will take the bronze medal with the system rewarding the rider with the most race wins, which is Anstie who has won four races, and two grand prix wins, while Paturel hasn’t won either.

2015 Monster Energy MXGP of USA, Glen Helen MX2 Top 3

1. Jessy Nelson
2. Shane McElrath
3. Valentin Guillod

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 689 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 595 p.; 3. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 485 p.; 4. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 473 p.; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 403 p.; 6. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 378 p.; 7. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 372 p.; 8. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 358 p.; 9. Petar Petrov (BUL, KAW), 351 p.; 10. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, YAM), 320 p.

All the photos of the Monster Energy MXGP of USA will be available HERE

TIMETABLE

Saturday: MX2 Free Practice 10:45; MXGP Free Practice 11:15; MX2 Time Practice 13:00; MXGP Time Practice 13:35; MX2 Qualifying Race 15:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 16:00.

Sunday: MX2 Warm up 09:20; MXGP Warm up 09:45; MX2 Race 1 12:15; MXGP Race 1 13:15; MX2 Race 2 15:10; MXGP Race 2 16:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Monster Energy MXGP of USA

Suzuki has strengthened its strategy for the future and through the establishment of the Team Suzuki World MX2 team as a stage for promoting and developing young talent with a fresh set of alliances for 2017 and beyond.

With current rider Jeremy Seewer second-placed in the FIM world championship standings already slated for a final MX2 term in 2017, and EMX250 European Champion race winner Bas Vaessen also confirmed for the Grand Prix class, Suzuki is thrilled to be able to incorporate Australian Hunter Lawrence into the GP structure as a third rider on the RM-Z250.

The Antipodean will bring his highly-rated younger brother, Jet, slated for European Championship duty, while Suzuki’s substantial profile in EMX250 – the feeder class to Grand Prix and the final step on the career ladder for MX2 aspirants – is boosted by the signature of Zach Pichon (the son of former double 250cc World Champion on the RM250, Mickael Pichon) to continue in the category.

Everts had already moved to secure Seewer and Vaessen for a potent 2017 MX2 wing, but the addition of 16 year old Lawrence, a winner in EMX250 in just his first season this year - and before he was hit by a right knee injury that prematurely ended his European campaign - only adds more potency.

“After Jeremy and Bas, we are very honoured to sign Hunter Lawrence,” said Team Suzuki General Manager Stefan Everts. “We had a great opportunity to work together and thinking about the future and what I have seen of Hunter so far, he will fit in perfectly to our programme. After one-or-two years I feel that he can be a really strong contender in the world championship. He was really strong in his first races in the European Championship and he adapted very fast to Euro tracks. So I’m very pleased to have this kid on-board and also his brother [Jet]. We have changed quite a lot with how we are working with the riders and it has already started to pay off in some respects and results; Bas is showing good things and Jeremy is improving a lot. For the Lawrence family I think it was important the trust and resources we could provide and they are really happy to come on-board. I hope this is the next step for us in building up the whole Team Suzuki structure.”

Lawrence is a former 125cc Junior World Championship ‘podiumee’ and national junior number one and was highly sought after in the Grand Prix paddock for his talent and application for a maiden MX2 attempt in 2017; which will be the first of two years in ‘yellow’.

Brother Jet was 65cc Junior World Champ. “For Jet and it’s quite something to have stood out enough for Harry and Stefan; we’re talking 15 world titles between them so there is quite something to be learned there,” the confident youngster said. “My knee is coming along well and I’m cycling and exercising. I think I might be on the bike in mid-September and it will be great to start working with the team and get a good feeling with the RM-Z250 then. It will be a crazy-long season next year and I don't have any expectations; I know how important it is to try to keep healthy and make it all the way through.”

Zach Pichon has caught the eye this season and in 2015 with his initial forays in EMX125 competition thanks to a speed and style that could well be a family trait. The teenager, who turns 16 at the end of the summer, will contest the highly-competitive 10-round European series as well as dates in Holland and the ADAC MX Masters national championship in Germany.

“This is quite a big deal for my family because my father was two-time world champion with Suzuki,” Pichon says. “I like the bike and I feel great on the Suzuki. It was an easy and quick decision to join the team. I am doing more riding and cycling and running this year and working with my Dad he knows how I feel…so we are improving.”

Stefan Everts has many memories of close and intense tussles with Zach’s father and now the story circles around to the next generation. “We meet again after some years!” the Belgian smiles. “And now in a completely different position. I saw Zach when he was a little kid and Mickael and I were racing each other and now I am taking care of his son. It is a really cool story and it is nice to join up like this again. I always had a lot of respect for Mickael; he is a special personality and we have a lot of stories! Zach is a completely different rider and character. I think all the experience around him – with Mickael and I and my father - he will have the help he needs to become a champion. Who knows? Maybe in a couple of years we will see another generation of Everts-Pichon battling on the track!”

The sizeable quota and mix of youth, promise and podium experience at the highest level means the culmination of Suzuki’s long European-based relationship with Brian Hsu. The 18 year old German is optimistic of joining Suzuki’s effort in the United States for 2017. “Brian wants to go to the U.S. so Suzuki is helping him to find a deal there,” Everts concludes. “It was his wish from the beginning and now he has turned 18 I think it is the right time for him to go. We had a difficult year and we wished it could have been better.”

Copyright: Photo: Suzuki Racing

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 6 September 2016 – In what has been the most competitive season in the history of the FIM Motocross World Championship, Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser has locked up the MXGP world title in his rookie year at the tender age of nineteen years old. What’s even more impressive is that the Slovenian star has now gone back-to-back titles in two different classes in the space of twelve months, and he is the first rider to do so since Greg Albertyn, who won the 125cc title in ’92 and 250cc title in ’93.

Just over ten years ago, the name Tim Gajser was recognized in Europe after he finished third in the European Championship 65cc class at the callow age of seven years old. In 2007, the Slovenian entered that same championship and blitzed everyone for his first European Championship title. The jump to the 85cc class didn’t go as smoothly as he had hoped but after one year of racing on the bigger bike he had finally come to grips with it and won the European Championship 85cc title in 2009.

In 2010 he continued to use the European Championship as a stepping-stone to the pro ranks and made his debut in the premier amateur series the EMX125. It only took him a year to make waves on the 125cc, for the next year he finished second in the European Championship. In 2012, the then fifteen year old dominated everything. He added the European Championship EMX125 title to his resume and was also the FIM Junior Motocross 125cc World Champion in that same year.

In 2013 he made his debut in the FIM Motocross MX2 World Championship where eleventh was his best result, at the MXGP of Germany, and after missing a few rounds he finished twentieth overall. In 2014, Honda Gariboldi picked him up and with their support he was the breakout star of that year, his first full season in MX2, with nine top five overalls and an amazing six podium finishes.

After finishing fifth in 2014, Gajser lined up last year as a name to watch, and although things didn’t get off to the best of starts at the opening rounds of the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship which took place in Qatar, Thailand and Patagonia Argentina, he managed to turn things around when he returned to Europe and claimed his first ever MX2 race win and first ever grand prix overall at the MXGP of Trentino. A couple of rounds later, a concussion ruled him out of the MXGP of Great Britain, which left him in eighth position in the championship standings 139 points off of the lead. At the following grand prix in Villars sous Ecot, the MXGP of France, he bounced back and finished second overall.

Proving his worth, Gajser kept the ball rolling at the following three rounds with a trio of grand prix victories, which launched him to second place in the championship standings. After his victory at the MXGP of Sweden things started to crumble ever so slightly as he struggled to crack the top five. Fortunately the eighteen year old was able to regroup heading into the final four rounds where he managed to put in a strong finish to the season, where he clinched his first ever world title.

This year, Gajser, whose nicknames are ‘Tiga’ or GT243, was nothing short of extraordinary. It’s hard to believe he is only nineteen years old as he has demonstrated the maturity of a world war veteran with his whopping 247 laps led, 8 qualifying race wins, 15 main event race wins, 7 grand prix wins, and incredible 15 podiums from a possible 17. There is no rider more deserving of the MXGP crown this year than Tim Gajser, the kid who is revolutionizing our sport.

Click here to watch the video which celebrates Team Gajser 2016 MXGP World Champion

TIM GAJSER - BIOGRAPHY AND CAREER

Name and surname: Tim Gajser       

Nationality: Slovenian                                                  

Date of birth (d/m/y): 08/09/1996                                        

First GP raced: 2012, Grand Prix of Europe, Faenza, MX2               

World Titles: 2

First World Title: 2015, MX2

GP wins: 12 (7 MXGP, 5 MX2)

First GP win: 2015, MXGP of Trentino, Pietramurata, MX2              

Last GP win: 2016, FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia – Italy, Mantova, MXGP                      

2016 position in the Championship: 1/MXGP, Honda Gariboldi     

Other results

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

The gates dropped at the seventeenth round of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship at Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Carolina, The United States of America, where Monster Energy Kawasaki's Eli Tomac set the fastest lap time for the weekend in MXGP while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings set the fastest time over the weekend in MX2.

If you don’t know about this competition, the way it works is; he who sets the fastest lap time in each MXGP or MX2 over the weekend at each round of MXGP this year will be awarded 1 point towards the TAG Heuer sponsored ‘fastest lap’ competition. At the end of the season, the rider who has the most points will be awarded an elegant gift of prestige, a TAG Heuer watch.

If you scroll down on the main page at MXGP.com you will see the TAG HEUER Fastest Lap results grid, which is situated directly underneath the FOX Holeshot results grid.