MXGP

LEON (Mexico), 16 April 2016 – Round five of the FIM Motocross World Championship kicked off today on the man-made track, which was specifically designed and built to host the MXGP here in Leon, where Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser & Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings have the early advantage of pole position heading into race day tomorrow.

Frantic action opened the MXGP Qualifier, which is what we have come to expect from the premier class. Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser got off to a cracking start ahead of Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Tommy Searle, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli. Nagl bobbled a few turns in and dropped back to seventh, while Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev took advantage of a mistake by Cairoli to move into third on the opening lap.

The tricky dirt out here in Leon, a blend of hard soil and straw, which was imported and blended in order to soften and moisten the track compound, caught a lot of riders out. One of the riders struggling with the soil was the defending champ Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre, who kept missing his marks and was pushed back to seventh by Team Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos and a rebounding Max Nagl.

After running second most of the moto, Tommy Searle soon had his hands full as a massive party of talent in the form of Bobryshev, Cairoli, Nagl and Strijbos crept in. Bobryshev managed to drop Searle with a textbook move up the inside, which was replicated by Cairoli and Nagl a lap later.

It was smooth sailing for Gajser who checked out for his second consecutive qualifying heat win. Meanwhile, Bobryshev worked hard to take second with a couple of laps to go only to throw it away with a mistake on the final lap. Cairoli took over second with thanks, followed by Nagl. Bobby managed to recover for fourth while Febvre put in a last lap charge to pass Searle for fifth.

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 24:11.002; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:06.195; 3. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:07.714; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:11.931; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:13.024; 6. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:15.544; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:16.678; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:30.277; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:36.778; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:38.393.

A blur of orange flew through turn one with all three Red Bull KTM riders Pauls Jonass, Davy Pootjes and Jeffrey Herlings leading the way. Pootjes ran in too hot and went wide which allowed his teammate through followed by TM Racing Factory Team’s Samuele Bernardini and Wilvo Standing Construct Yamaha’s Aleksandr Tonkov.

Less than a quarter of a lap in and Bernardini impressively split the KTM’s when he passed Herlings to take over second. As Herlings raised an eyebrow at the surprise performance of the TM rider, Tonkov withdrew with a bike problem, which allowed Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer and Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Vsevelod Brylyakov to slot into the top five.

At the halfway mark, Herlings said “I’m boss” to Bernardini with a committed move up the inside and went after his teammate Jonass who he passed easily a couple of laps later.

Bernardini, who was impressive in the opening laps, began to fade as the freight train of MX2 stars started to pick him off. Seewer took over third followed by Brylyakov and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie, who was all over Brylakov like a rash for fourth.

When the checkers came out, it was Herlings who won and remains unbeaten this year, winning thirteen races from thirteen starts, which is a combination of championship race wins and qualifying heats. His teammate, Jonass, who won the qualifying race here in Leon last year, came home in a sturdy second place twenty seconds clear of Seewer in third. Hats off to Brylakov who managed to hold off the wrath of Anstie and Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Petar Petrov for fourth. Anstie and Petrov crossed the line simultaneously but it was Anstie who was awarded fifth.

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 24:50.878; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:10.962; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:32.100; 4. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Kawasaki), +0:33.372; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:34.178; 6. Petar Petrov (BUL, Kawasaki), +0:34.728; 7. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), +0:43.221; 8. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:46.366; 9. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), +1:07.595; 10. Damon Graulus (BEL, Honda), +1:12.220.

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos of the MXGP of Leon will be available HERE

MXGP OF LEON – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1575m

Type of ground: Intermediate to hard

Temperature: 27°C

Weather conditions: cloudy

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

TIMETABLE

Sunday: MX2 Warm up 10:20; MXGP Warm up 10:40; MX2 Race 1 12:15; MXGP Race 1 13:15; MX2 Race 2 15:10; MXGP Race 2 16:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Leon

Watch all the Qualifying Race Highlights from both MXGP and MX2 today in Leon, Mexico.

MXGP Qualifying Race

MX2 Qualifying Race 

The organizers behind the MXGP of Leon are renowned for their outstanding promotion skills. Just as they have done in the year’s prior, they arranged an awesome welcoming ceremony in the town of Leon at the Calzada Arch where the people responsible for making the MXGP of Leon possible, Youthstream Director Mr. David Luongo, FIM/CMS Director Mr. Tony Skillington, President of RallyMex Mr. Juan Suberville, Mayor of Leon City Center Mr. Héctor López Santillana and Guanajuato Commision Sport's Director Isaac Piña Valdivia all shared their thanks and excitement for the weekend ahead.

As everyone arrived, a traditional Mexican dance was being performed on stage. Most of the riders racing the grand prix this weekend were in attendance and shortly after the speeches where the Mayor explained how proud they are to have the MXGP in Leon and that the team involved with the organization and promotion of the event is the perfect team to grow MXGP every year here in Mexico, they all made their way to the Altacia Shopping center for a signing session which attracted hundreds of buzzing MXGP fans. Fan interaction is important in growing a loyal fan base and the turn out has shown good signs that we are in for yet another mega round of MXGP this weekend. 

Have you ever wondered “is there more to a Monster Girl than just a pretty face and a hot body?” If you have, problem solved! We, MXGP, have come up with an idea in collaboration with Monster Energy where we will select a Monster Girl from each round of MXGP and ask her a few random questions. The ‘interviewed’ Monster Girl and her answers will be featured on our website on every Wednesday following each MXGP round.

We spoke to Bernice at the MXGP of Patagonia Argentina, here is what we asked her:

Q: What is something you can’t do, that you wish you could?

Surf! I have always wanted to but never been able. Would love to get the opportunity to give it a try! 

Q: Name three important qualities a person must have?

Funny and honest! I love people who can have fun in any situation. I also hate liars, so if you can’t tell the truth then I am not for you! 

Q: What’s your favorite type of chocolate? 

Every type!!! 

Q: If you could date anyone in the world, who would it be?

A prince, be great to be a princess for a day!! 

Q: Describe your perfect outfit for a night out…

Monster girl outfit!! A nice dress with some heels, but something comfortable as I love to dance!! 

The timetable for Saturday 16th April here in Leon, Mexico, for the MXGP of Leon has been revised. 

Below is the updated timetable and click HERE to download it. 

Saturday: MX2 Free Practice 12:00; MX2 Time Practice 12:20; MXGP Free Practice 13:00; MXGP Time Practice 13:20; MX2 Qualifying Race 15:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 16:00.

Sunday: MX2 Warm up 10:20; MXGP Warm up 10:40; MX2 Race 1 12:15; MXGP Race 1 13:15; MX2 Race 2 15:10; MXGP Race 2 16:10.

The MXGP class is really warming up to something special in 2016. Defending champion Romain Febvre leading the way, and holding the red plate. MX2 champion Tim Gajser sitting a close second in the MXGP points, just three points behind Febvre.

After four round these two have owned the top step of the MXGP podium, two GP victories each, Febvre going 3-2-1-1-3-1-6-3 in his eight moto’s, and Gajser putting together 1-1-3-5-1-8-3-1 results. Only Max Nagl, who won the opening moto in Argentina has a race win outside these two. If you were a betting man, one of these two would probably be on top of your list.

We all ask is this the new era of Grand Prix motocross, the post Antonio Cairoli era you might say. But then we also have that man in third place in the MXGP points standings, the great Antonio Cairoli.

No current rider in the world has the same statistics as the veteran Italian. Eight world championships, 74 GP wins, and a determination possibly unmatched in GP history. Since 2005 he hasn’t lost back to back championships, winning in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. That is the upside, but there is also a down side to his story.

Since a year ago the Sicilian hasn’t been on the top step of the MXGP podium, a record long run without a victory for Cairoli. He has struggled with injuries since a crash at the Italian GP at Maggiora in June of last year. A pre-season crash saw him pick up another injury, and since that crash he has been slowly coming back to his best form.

Going 6-4-2-12-7-2-2-2 is the worst racing month Cairoli has had since 2004 (apart from being out injured), and while he is only 28 points behind Febvre and the red plate, it will take a mammoth effort from the multiple world champion to fight back.

What is great about legends though is they have something special in their pocket, like a joker card, or a four leaf clover. I think Cairoli could probably be 60 points behind and you still couldn’t write him off, and if MX2 champions from 2014 and 2015 (Jordi Tixier and Tim Gajser) can win their titles after being 100 points behind Jeffrey Herlings, then anything is possible.

I think we might see more questions answered by Cairoli in Mexico this weekend. I get the feeling he will build on his already unsteady season, and going to Latvia at the start of May, he might even be a favorite to win that GP. Kegums is a circuit that Cairoli loves.

We have two present world champions in the front, and one of the greatest of all time sitting behind them waiting for a mistake, and his chance to return to the place he has owned for the last 10 years.

One thing is for sure, the next month is going to tell us a lot about the 2016 MXGP championship, and I for one will be watching with bated breath.

LEON (Mexico), 14 April 2016 – The circuit in Leon was designed and built three years ago by the MXGP track crew. It has a wide variety of obstacles to challenge the riders from tabletops to doubles, a dragons back section, waves, on and off cambered corners, you name it, the track in Leon has it. This weekend the popular venue will host the fifth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship where the defending MXGP world champion Romain Febvre heads in with a narrow three-point lead over the rookie sensation Tim Gajser. Meanwhile in MX2, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings is yet to win here in Leon.

All the action will be LIVE in Mexico and South America on FOX Sports who will also be covering the event onsite. In addition, TV4 a local television channel that broadcasts every episode of MXGP’s Behind the Gate series will also be broadcasting the MXGP of Leon LIVE, and they will also be onsite to film their own exclusive footage.

As always, the rest of the world can tune into www.mxgp-tv.com on Saturday and Sunday to watch all of the action, including the Qualifying Races, LIVE or check the guides below for where you can watch the MXGP of Leon in your respective country.

Also, don’t forget to check out the 26mn Magazine, which is a filmed production that covers all the action, both on and off the track, with highlights from racing in MXGP and MX2, a GoPro on-board lap of the track, as well as the inside scoop from inside the paddock at each round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. The Behind the Gate 26mn Magazine covering MXGP of Leon will be screened on Wednesday April 20th at 08:30 (CET) on Eurosport 2.

MEXICO

FOX SPORTS – LIVE  

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 local time   

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 local time   

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 local time   

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 local time   

MEXICO

TV4 – LIVE  

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 local time     

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 local time   

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 local time   

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 local time   

SOUTH AMERICA

FOX SPORTS – LIVE  

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 (delayed) local time   

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 local time   

BRAZIL 

BANDSPORTS - LIVE 

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 – Local time

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 Local time

USA- CANADA

CBS Sports Network 

Sunday 17 April - MX2 Race 2 – 07.00 pm EST (04:00pm PST)

Sunday 17 April - MXGP Race 2 – 08.00 pm EST (05:00pm PST)

Wednesday 20 April – MX2 Race 2 – 02.00 am EST (11:00pm PST)

Wednesday 20 April - MXGP Race 2 - 1.00 am EST (10:00pm PST)

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2 – LIVE   

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET

Wednesday 20 April – 08:30 CET – Behind the Gate 26mn magazine

MOTORS - LIVE

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:10 – CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET

BELGIUM

PLAY SPORTS – LIVE

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET

SPORZA.BE- LIVE

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET

BULGARIA

BNT - LIVE 

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 20:00 – CET

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 CET

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2 – LIVE  

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET

Wednesday 20 April – 08:30 CET – Behind the Gate 26mn magazine

L’EQUIPE 21 – LIVE

Sunday 17 April – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 CET

Sunday 17 April – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET

ITALY 

PREMIUM SPORTS 2 – DELAYED

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET

ITALIA 2 – DELAYED

Monday 18 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 00:55 CET

Monday 18 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 01:30 CET

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV - LIVE 

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET

MIDDLE EAST - AFRICA 

BeIn Sports - LIVE

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET

ASIA

FOX SPORTS 3 – LIVE 

Monday 18 April – MX2 Race 1 – 01:00 – HKT

Monday 18 April – MXGP Race 1 – 02:00 HKT

Monday 18 April – MX2 Race 2 – 04:00 HKT

Monday 18 April – MXGP Race 2 – 05:00 HKT

THAILAND 

TRUE VISION – LIVE 

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00 – CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00 CET

Sunday 17 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

All the photos of the MXGP of Leon 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 10:20; MXGP Warm up 10:40; MX2 Race 1 12:15; MXGP Race 1 13:15; MX2 Race 2 15:10; MXGP Race 2 16:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Leon

Have you seen the circuit here in Leon? For the first time a Motocross Track it is LIVE on Google Maps!

You can view it by clicking these links below:

https://goo.gl/maps/ySkr7ne77CB2

https://goo.gl/maps/TCA1N2Ww9Ur

https://goo.gl/maps/9Kkk7JKJH852