MXGP

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherland), 27 March 2016 - Early morning lashings of rain made for a sloppy start to the third round of the FIM Motocross World Championship but by mid-morning the rain had cleared and was replaced with overcast skies, which made for near perfect conditions here in Valkenswaard where Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl looked in his element as he took his first pole position of the year in MXGP, while the king of sand Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings did what was expected of him and blitzed the field for his third consecutive qualifying heat win of the season in MX2.

It was an epic start to the European Championship EMX250 season as the rookie, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Conrad Mewse, held off a last minute charge from the Australian rookie, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Hunter Lawrence, for the first race win. Meanwhile the European Championship EMX300 Presented by FMF Racing also had their first moto, which was won by the home soil hero Mike Kras.

Also flying the flag for Holland, Nancy Van de Ven had the fans going mad on the fence line as she capitalized on an error from the early race leader and WMX red plate holder Courtney Duncan and ran away for a convincing race win here at round two of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship.

Tight and unpredictable racing is to be expected from this awesome venue in Valkenswaard, which always attracts thousands of enthusiastic motocross mad fans who come here knowing they’re in for some gnarly bar-banging action.

As expected, it didn’t disappoint as the MXGP veterans who have cut their fair share of laps around this historic sand track, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl and Team Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos led the way around turn one. Adding some youth to the mix, Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser looked more relaxed than usual in third as he led a freight train of heavy hitters, Wilvo Virus Performance KTM’s Shaun Simpson, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s duo of Antonio Cairoli and Glenn Coldenhoff.

There was no doubt precision was the key today with a lot of tricky edges surfacing in the black sand. Initially, it was Strijbos who was on form as he ripped around the outside of Nagl at the end of lap two and instantly pulled a gap while Gajser did the same thing half of a lap later.

Honda Gariboldi’s new prodigy did a great job at holding off MXGP’s finest before a few little errors allowed Nagl back through with Simpson also capitalizing on a bobble or two, for third.

Although he lost a couple of spots, most eyes remained on the rookie, Gajser, as the defending champ, Febvre, and the legend, Cairoli, knocked at his door. Amidst all the commotion for third, the race leader Strijbos hit a massive kicker on a down hill section of the track and crashed. Nagl then inherited the lead while Strijbos dusted himself off in sixth.

As the nail biting race came to a close, Nagl had his lines dialed and pulled away to win by seven seconds over Simpson who had to deal with a fired up Febvre who attempted to work his magic for the runner-up position.

At the checkers Febvre had to settle for third while Gajser held off the wrath of Cairoli who rounded out the top five ahead of his teammate and crowd favorite Coldenhoff.

The early race leader and man fastest in Timed Practice, Kevin Strijbos, finished up in seventh.

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), 24:56.988; 2. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:07.932; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:09.667; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:11.580; 5. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:12.967; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:15.594; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:20.399; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:23.972; 9. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:37.081; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:37.329.

A unique ‘S’ bend first corner always makes for an interesting start which seems to work in favor of Wilvo Standing Construct Yamaha’s Aleksandr Tonkov who replicated what he did last year and took the holeshot. Right off the bat Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s sandman Jeffrey Herlings was in a dangerous position exiting turn one, second place, and he made light work of the Russian as expected.

Unsurprisingly ‘The Bullet’, Herlings, made the square edged sand circuit look silky smooth as he cruised home for his third consecutive pole position of the year.

Meanwhile, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass was all over Tonkov like a rash but couldn’t find an opening, which allowed a couple of riders to creep up on him. One of which was the Belgian who hit a career milestone at the MXGP of The Netherlands last year, Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Brent Van doninck. Van doninck was looking fierce as he balanced his attack and defense mechanisms, pressuring Jonass while holding off HSF Logistics Motosport’s Calvin Vlaanderen.

In the latter stages of the race silly mistakes started to get the better of Jonass, which saw Van doninck eventually nail third with an easy pass on the entrance of the waves. Unfortunately, a lap later, it was all over for Van doninck when his bike went pop. That gave Jonass third place in the MXGP of Europe MX2 Qualifier behind Herlings and Tonkov while Vlaanderen faded back but maintained fourth ahead of Team Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Petar Petrov.

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 24:40.006; 2. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Yamaha), +0:36.003; 3. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:37.167; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), +0:50.171; 5. Petar Petrov (BUL, Kawasaki), +0:56.259; 6. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:58.111; 7. Roberts Justs (LAT, KTM), +1:14.439; 8. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Yamaha), +1:16.347; 9. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, Honda), +1:28.825; 10. Freek van der Vlist (NED, Kawasaki), +1:30.866.

All the photos of the MXGP of Europe will be available here

MXGP EUROPE – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1550m

Type of ground: sand

Temperature: 12°C

Weather conditions: changeable

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

Monday: EMX300 Warm-up 08:15; WMX Warm-up 08:30; EMX250 Warm-up 08:45; MX2 Warm up 09:00; MXGP Warm up 09:20; EMX300 Race 2 09:50; WMX Race 2 10:40; 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 Europe

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands), 27 March 2016 - We were super pumped to log onto Instagram today and find out that we have hit 200,000 followers. It is insanely cool to have reached this figure especially since at the start of 2015 we had 40,000 followers, which means we have had a growth of 160,000 in less than one year.

Over the last 12 months we’ve loved sharing our photos and videos with you and the rest of our fans and we have also enjoyed seeing the posts and pictures you have posted with the hashtag #MXGP. So to all of our loyal fans, we want to say a massive thank-you!

Instagram: @mxgp

Facebook: @mxgp

Twitter: @mxgp

Youtube: @mxgptv

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP Instagram

Tipping dusk here in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, on the heels of the MXGP of Europe, Yamaha Europe hosted a media presentation inside their impressive new hospitality unit where Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo and Yamaha Motors Europe Marketing Division Manager Mr. Paolo Pavesio joined Yamaha stars Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre and Jeremy Van Horebeek, Wilvo Standing Construct Yamaha’s Aleksandr Tonkov and Alvin Ostlund, Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Benoit Paturel, Brent Van Doninck, Valentin Guillod and Maxime Renaux, DP19 Yamaha Racing’s Roan Van de Moosdijk and Morgan Lesiardo and Altherm JCR Yamaha’s Courtney Duncan, to explain Yamaha’s principle and strategy in developing and supporting Yamaha riders across the board.

Over the last years Yamaha Motors Europe have developed a great relationship with Youthstream, which continues to get stronger and stronger. Yamaha and Youthstream share the same principles in terms of rider development which they both believe starts at a young age. This idea has inspired the all new YZ125 cup which will have the final race at the Supermotocross Riders’ and Manufactures Cup inside the VELTINS-Arena, Germany on the weekend of October 8^th where the winner will earn himself a place on a factory backed Yamaha team to race the European EMX125 Championship in 2017.

Like Youthstream, who have a pyramid system that starts with the European Championships EMX65 and 85 and works up to the EMX125 and 300cc with the EMX250 being the final step in the amateur ranks before MX2, and MXGP being the peak of the pyramid, Yamaha have a similar system starting from the national championships working up to the YZ125 cup and then the European Championships followed by MX2 with MXGP being their peak. Because of the vision the two companies share, the relationship between Youthstream and Yamaha will continue to blossom. Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo said, “I want to thank Yamaha for the good partnership and for what they do for motocross and MXGP. The pyramid we have built is very important. We have a very similar vision so it was quick and easy to partner with them.” 

Both Youthstream and Yamaha are excited to provide these wonderful opportunities for young riders and are looking forward to what the future brings for the worlds fastest youths as they climb the motocross pyramid.

Suzuki’s Grand Prix Motocross pedigree is celebrated in a new video from Team Suzuki World MXGP with old rare footage mixed in with the new 2016 MXGP racing team managed by legendary 10-times World Motocross Champion Stefan Everts. 

Geboers Racing Promotion, the long-standing company behind the Suzuki’s factory racing team, is a well-known and respected name in the world of motocross. 

Sylvain Geboers has been at the head of the successful motocross team for many years, himself winning championship titles in several classes. For 2016, Team Suzuki World MXGP has grown in strength with Everts taking over as General Manager and guiding the team forward. He is joined by his father, four-times World Motocross Champion Harry Everts; and among the three of them, they have a vast unparalleled knowledge and experience to guide Suzuki’s Factory effort forward into the future. 

In the spirit of these events, and to celebrate the GRP pedigree and Suzuki’s racing successes, Team Suzuki World MXGP has produced a brand new video: ‘The Dawn of Glory – 2016 Suzuki World MXGP’ in a year that that has seen change and also it is the start of something new. 

The team has worked hard over the past few months, together with Team Suzuki World MXGP riders Kevin Strijbos and Ben Townley, in improving the bike and getting ready for 2016. Now in the hours leading up to the third round of the World Championship, that will take place in the deep ruts and though sand of Valkenswaard in Holland this weekend, the team is ready to show the changes that have been made and bring back the glory for Suzuki.

Watch the video here below.

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands), 26 March 2016 – As the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship touches Europe’ soil for the first time of the year, at Valkenswaard, The Netherlands for the MXGP of Europe on March 27/28, the event race schedule will also include the beginning of the European Motocross Championship (EMX).

In particular, the demanding dark sanded Eurocircuit, will host this weekend the opener of the EMX300 class Presented by FMF Racing that together with the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class represent the absolutely top two-stroke racing offer of the continent.

Both classes, from 2016 are honored to receive the presenting sponsorship of FMF Racing, world leader in aftermarket power exhaust systems for dirt bikes and ATV’s.

FMF Racing has been at the top of the business for more than 40 years, long before the modern four-stroke era. While FMF Racing has developed a phenomenal range in four-stroke exhaust systems, and is the official exhaust for MXGP teams as HRC Honda and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, the Southern California-based brand built its legacy in the two-stroke generation and continues to offers a strong selection of products for such technology.

“Two-Strokes are easy to work on, inexpensive to own and a blast to ride.  That’s why at FMF Racing we still ride every chance we get and support those that help promote the 2-stroke movement.  When we became the Official Exhaust of the MXGP series, supporting the EMX300cc two-stroke and the EMX125cc two-stroke classes was a must. We look forward to this weekend for the sound and smell of two-strokes at first round in Valkenswaard,” said Don Emler Jr, FMF Racing’s Marketing Director.

Two-Stroke racing has returned to premier international level for initiative of Youthstream, with full backing of FIM Europe. Both entities strongly believe in the crucial role two-stroke plays in the development of the young riders in preparation for the jump to the big, more challenging and powerful four-stroke motorcycles.

Since their inception both classes have become increasingly popular, offering as well highly entertaining racing.

The EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class was first mainstreamed in 2011 and has been the stepping stone for riders such as the 2014 and 2015 MX2 World Champions Jordi Tixier and Tim Gajser, as well as the 2015 MX2 vice World Champion Pauls Jonass among many more.

As for the EMX300 Presented by FMF Racing class, it has proven fitting a relevant spot of the racing spectrum as bigger two-strokes bikes are in solid demand for their affordability and the reduced maintenance. This class represents an extraordinary opportunity for talented riders with a smaller budget to still race on a top continental level.

Both championships have attracted increasing attention and interest over the years with the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class receiving more than 100 entries for the opening round, which will take place in Latvia on the weekend of May 1^st, while the EMX300 Presented by FMF Racing has doubled in size for 2016 with 50 riders entered.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Europe

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands), 25 March 2016 – Get EGGcited this Easter as the third round of the FIM Motocross World Championship will take place at the historic sand track of Valkenswaard, The Netherlands on Sunday 27^th and Monday 28^th where both days will be broadcasted LIVE on www.mxgp-tv.com.

This weekend in particular will be huge for Dutch fans as their motocross extraordinaire The Bullet Jeffrey Herlings will go for his 50^th MX2 grand prix win, and will also strive to remain unbeaten on the circuit of Valkenswaard, the same track he won his first ever MX2 grand prix at the tender age of 15 years old, in 2010.

Because this event, the MXGP of Europe, has great potential for the Dutch riders, Jeffrey Herlings, Glenn Coldenhoff and Davy Pootjes, to name a few, to do well, there will be a lot of extra coverage from the national media and broadcasters. NOS, a channel that follows MX2 and Jeffrey Herlings in particular, will be onsite to film exclusive footage, as will Omroep Brabant. RTL will also be screening the MXGP of Europe as well as the rest of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship season in both MXGP and MX2.

In addition to the jaw-dropping racing we are expecting to witness, Antonio Cairoli, Jeremy Seewer and Josh Coppins will be joining Paul Malin and Lisa Leyland on the MXGP Studio Show which will be LIVE on www.MXGP-TV.com and FREE to view on Sunday 27^th March at 11:30 (CET).

How to watch the racing this weekend? Check the guides below for which channels are broadcasting the MXGP of Europe in your country or tune into www.MXGP-TV.com where both days, Sunday and Monday, will be LIVE and that includes ALL of the European Championship races as well as the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship races.

Also keep an eye out for the next episode of ‘Behind the Gate’, a filmed production that covers all the action both on the track and off, providing you with an exclusive look at what goes on inside the paddock at each and every round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Behind the Gate, MXGP of Europe will be screened on Eurosport 2 on Wednesday 30^th March at 08:30 (CET).

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2 – LIVE

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET

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

MOTORS - LIVE

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET

BELGIUM

PLAY SPORTS – LIVE

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET

VRT- DELAYED

Monday 28 March – 20mn highlights

BULGARIA

BNT - LIVE 

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2 – LIVE  

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET

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

L’EQUIPE 21 – LIVE

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET

ITALY 

PREMIUM SPORTS 2 – LIVE

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV - LIVE 

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET

MIDDLE EAST - AFRICA 

BeIn Sports - LIVE

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET

ASIA

FOX SPORTS  3 HD – LIVE 

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET

THAILAND 

TRUE VISION – LIVE 

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET

USA - CANADA

CBS Sports Network – DELAYED

Thursday 31 March - MXGP Race 2 – 07.00 pm EST

Thursday 31 March - MX2 Race 2 - 8.00 pm EST

BRAZIL 

BANDSPORTS - LIVE 

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET

BOLIVIA  

EBO TV - LIVE 

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET

Monday 28 March – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 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 Europe will be available here

TIMETABLE

Sunday: EMX300 Free/Timed practice 07:45; EMX250 Group 1 08:20; EMX250 Group 2 09:00; WMX Free Practice 09:45; MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; WMX Time Practice 11:15; EMX250 Last chance Qualifying Race 12:30; EMX300 Race 1 13:20; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; WMX Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00; EMX250 Race 1 17:40;

Monday: EMX300 Warm-up 08:15; WMX Warm-up 08:30; EMX250 Warm-up 08:45; MX2 Warm up 09:00; MXGP Warm up 09:20; EMX300 Race 2 09:50; WMX Race 2 10:40; 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 Europe

Fox is stoked to share its latest project #NEVERGIVEUP featuring the Honda MXGP rider, Tim Gajser; the guy who never stops believing, never stops trying and never gives up. Tim poured his heart out talking about his true passion of life - Motocross and what makes it one of the toughest sports in the world.

Today, 24.3, marks a very special day for the young Slovenian and his family. It brings with it a lot of memories and emotions to the Gajser Family and for that very reason, No. 243, that Tim has worn through out his MX career, means much more than just a number.

Fox teamed up with Sebastien Zanella from Desillusion Mag for the project, who brought onboard his vast experience of shooting documentaries for a number of different sports and his artistic expertise added a distinct flavour to the project.

"We want to change the game and come up with unique videos in the MX world. And also more importantly make it appealing to everyone outside this world. In #NEVERGIVEUP we wanted to tell the story of The Rookie, Tim Gajser; a little part of his life that shaped this young man into one of the most talented riders and nicest guy in the MX scene right now" said Johann Bondu, Marketing Director, Fox Head Europe.

At age of 19yrs only, Tim Gajser made his debut in the premiere class of Motocross World Championship earlier this year in Qatar. Though still a Rookie, he dazzled everyone by clean sweeping the event. With the first GP of Europe just around the corner, Tim is focused to gain his second win of the season and take charge of the points lead.

About Fox Racing:

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 24 March 2016 – Following the announcement at the MXGP of Thailand that the FIM Motocross World Championship will return to Indonesia in 2017, Youthstream Vice President Mr. Luigi Zompetti is in Indonesia to inspect the venue where the event will take place.

Earlier today, March 24^th, Mr. Zompetti went to Jakarta in order to meet the Indonesia Republic’s Minister of Youth and Sport Mr. Imam Nahrawi, who expressed his satisfaction to host such a worldwide prestigious event such as the FIM Motocross World Championship for the next 3 years.

"The Government appreciate the opportunity to host this major Championship for the next three years, from 2017 until 2019. We expect this momentum to give encouragement to the young riders in the country," said Mr. Nahrawi, “Local and national media will pay a special attention to this event and make it amazing because will be broadcasted and enjoyed all over Indonesia.”

“The area where the event will be hosted is one of the main tourist areas of Pangkal Pinan”, said Pangkal Pinang Major Mr. Irwansya. “Viewers can watch the Motocross World Championship with panoramic beach view," he added. “We aim at increasing the number of tourist arrivals, with a huge target audience.” 

“Youthstream is very pleased to be here. Indonesia is a big country and a very important market of over 230 million people,” said Mr. Luigi Zompetti, “the motorcycle market is growing fast here and therefore is very interesting for industries, manufacturers and sponsors.”  

Mr. Zompetti will be visiting the area of Pangkal Pinang where the event will be hosted in the next days together with an Indonesian Delegation.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM