MXGP

Team Suzuki World MXGP rider Ben Townley is confirmed to race at the opening round of the 2016 MXGP World Championship at Qatar at the end of the month, after sustaining a knee injury in the international race of Valance last weekend. 

“I twisted my knee in the Super Final and it didn’t feel good so I decided to retire from the race,” said Townley. After a small check up, he was advised to give his body time to rest and not ride for a couple of days. “I’m going to ride Monday and Tuesday again to prepare for the MXGP of Qatar,” Townely added. 

The Kiwi is looking forward to Qatar. “ I’ve been preparing myself for over nine months now. I started at that time to be ready, if I had the opportunity to race again that I got. I’m very much looking forward to lining-up at the start and just race,” Townley said. “I don’t have any expectations, Stefan and I have discussed this a lot and my personal goal is to get the best possible starts I can, and that I can ride within myself so I can build up from there on.” 

General Manager Stefan Everts is also pleased with Townley being given the go-ahead to race. “I’m happy that it was only a minor injury. Now we can have the whole MXGP team in Qatar. We have a great new race set-up and I’m excited to start the season,” said Everts. 

The MXGP season will kick off at Losail International Circuit in Qatar on February 27th.

Copyright: Photo: Ray Archer

Launched in 1998, Sina Sports is the largest and most established sports digital media platform in China. The sports industry continues to experience significant growth in China, where Sina Sports is the number one destination for Chinese sports fans to follow their favorite players and teams, providing fans with  a diverse range of sports content including live games, original programming, highlights, news, and more. In 2016, Sina Sports will promote the FIM Motocross World Championship in China on its comprehensive digital platform.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Sina Sports

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 18 February 2016 - Tickets have now opened for the all NEW Supermotocross Riders’ & Manufacturers’ Cup which is set to take place inside the VELTINS-Arena, Germany on October 8^th 2016.

A Youthstream delegation recently visited the venue to go over the details of this all new and exciting event. Following the visit, Youthstream are confident that the Supermotocross Riders’ & Manufacturers’ Cup will be one to remember. Track design, the building of the track, spectator facilities, entertainment, and the organization were all topics of a fruitful discussion where it was obvious that everything is falling into place.

Click HERE to purchase your ticket in advance.

What is Supermotocross? It is a new concept of off-road racing where the world’s fastest MXGP and MX2 riders will team up and race for the glory of their manufacturer on a motocross track built by the world’s best track designers inside a stadium.

The football field, home to FC Schalke 04, will be removed from the stadium in order to protect the pitch. More than 25,000 cubic meters of dirt will be trucked in and built on a removable hard base surface. The idea of the tracks layout will be to make for safe and fluid racing without compromising the ‘WOW’ factor. This means you can expect big battles, fast paced racing and some decent airtime in terms of jumps.

All of the fastest motocross riders in the world will be there and ready to go bar to bar inside the floodlit stadium in a battle for brand supremacy. All 7 manufacturers will take part, KTM, Husqvarna, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and TM. Each brand will line up 3 riders who will compete for a massive cash prize.

Does it sound amazing?

Get in quick and take advantage of our EASTER SPECIAL where you can buy your tickets at a DISCOUNTED price. There are four different types of tickets available to purchase, each zone has a different view of the track. All tickets include a free return trip with VRR public transport (2nd class) in the VRR zone (or city/fare zone). For more info visit www.vrr.de.

Here are the ticket types:

TRACKSIDE TRIBUNE

Experience the SMX trackside and watch the world’s best riders go flat out on the straights and get some big air while jumping the most exciting jumps of the circuit. These seats are located on the side of the track and offer a clear view of the finish line and of the circuit’s longest straights, plus a clear view on the most thrilling parts of the course: the first corner, where the SMX Pro class riders will try to take the holeshot 3 times!

Remember these are numbered seats!

SOUTH BANK

Sit comfortably behind the start area and watch a night filled with the most exciting racing. These seats are located right behind the start gate area, from which the world’s leading riders will take off to a flying start and try take the holeshot at turn one, on which you will have a clear view.

Remember these are numbered seats!

UPPER TRIBUNE

The highest seated area of the VELTINS-Arena will offer a comprehensive view of the action packed SMX track. These seats are available all around the arena’s length and are located at the highest point of the arena itself.

Remember these are numbered seats!

NORTH STAND

This is the only standing area available for the event. Buy a ticket for this zone and you will be able to move freely from one side to the other of the stand. While standing here it seems like the bikes are running towards you as this is where the start straight heads to!

Remember these are standing places, no seats available.

But, if you want to have the ultimate Supermotocross Riders’ Cup experience keep an eye out for the VIP Packages and Paddock tickets which are not yet on sale, but will be soon.

EASTER DISCOUNT ends March 28^th.

Watch the SMX trailer by clicking HERE and don't forget to follow this link http://www.mxgp.com/tracks/veltins-arena or visit our FACEBOOK page for more details.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

SMX

Tickets Shop

VELTINS-Arena

VELTINS-Arena Tickets Shop

While names like defending world MXGP champion Romain Febvre, and multi-time world champion Antonio Cairoli are the two favorites for this year’s MXGP title, there will be a long list of riders looking at trying to shock the world. Two riders have come through their winter preparation with a lot of confidence and really strong teams behind them.

HRC Factory rider Evgeny Bobryshev is riding probably better than ever, and after spending the cold European winter in the warmth of California, he feels like he has made the right changes to enter the 2016 title race with a very good chance of improving on his third place in 2015.

“I have more flow on the track now,” Bobryshev said. “The bike helps a lot, to ride this new style, we made some changes. We improved the engine, we also have the FMF pipes and that helps a lot. Also from Japan they developed new parts, which helps the power. We have better shifting with the timing and the bike is always pulling.

One things Bobryshev knows he has to look out for is making a mistake. While he might have ridden on the edge in the early part of his career, he now knows that being consistent and riding at 80% is a safer and more productive avenue.

“Now is the time the guys are pushing,” Bobryshev said. “They want to take it to the limit and at the moment the competition is really strong. Sometimes the take-off in the jumps are many ruts, and that makes it tough and dangerous, and at the moment it’s easy to make a mistake because everyone is on the limit to win.”

If anyone knows about staying fit and not taking risk it is Scotsman, Shaun Simpson. Simpson from the Wilvo Virus Performance KTM team has probably finished more GP’s than anyone else in the last two or three years, and his consistent approach to his career could be his biggest attribute in 2016.

“The ultimate goal for everyone is to be world champion,” Simpson said. “I think I am in there with a shout. I am excited at the prospect at that at the moment and I feel so comfortable on the bike and the pace I am riding. The boxes are getting ticked at the moment and I just need to keep it on two wheels and make no mistakes before the main race in Qatar in two weeks’ time.”

Like all the riders in the MXGP class the thought of lining up in Qatar is something that gives him a buzz. Always open for something new the Scotsman will be looking at riding at his best and starting the season with some momentum.

“It will come down to who brings their A-Game to Qatar,” Simpson said. “I mean some won’t be mentally strong, some guys have some silly little injuries and you just need to stay focused and believe in yourself and I know if I turn up with what I have to give I will be there or there about. I mean if you tried to pick the top five from Qatar you could be totally wrong. The younger guys from MX2, these guys are going to be interesting. I just try and concentrate on myself and I am not a spring chicken anymore and I know it’s not just about Qatar or Thailand. You need to be there every single weekend, and that is what pays off and I am looking at the long haul.”

For sure both Bobryshev and Simpson will enter the limelight if they can produce victory in Qatar, but both have their eyes set firmly on the big prize at the end of the championship in September.

PHOTO: Ray Archer

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 16 February 2016 - After many successful years together Youthstream is pleased to announce that Vertex will remain a loyal partner of the MXGP series for another two years.

Vertex is a worldwide leader in high performance pistons. The company is based in Italy where they have a team of highly skilled employees using modern equipment to research, develop and produce high performance cast and forged pistons, which are shipped globally, satisfying the needs of motorcycle enthusiasts and professional racers worldwide.

As a result of the partnership with MXGP, Vertex will receive visibility around the track and in the paddock which extends to MXGP’s millions of loyal viewers via Social Media, MXGP-TV and television broadcast.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Vertex

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team star Clement Desalle underwent surgery today after suffering a fracture of the left radius in a crash during the weekend's Valence International Motocross.

Desalle was on his way to a fifth consecutive victory in the French event until his crash during the Superfinal. He had already won both MX1 races, leading from start-to-finish after securing the holeshot and setting fastest lap each time. He was again challenging for victory in the Superfinal until he crashed at the completion of the fifth lap. He immediately felt pain in his left arm, and the medical examination revealed that the radius was broken. During the night he was moved back to Belgium, where the well-known Doctor Claes examined the injury this morning and carried out surgery this afternoon.

Clement Desalle: “Of course I’m devastated at the moment; it’s such a shock for myself and the team. Everything was perfect; I won both MX1 motos and we made some good adjustments to the bike as the track was wet, slippery and muddy after the showers during the week. I didn’t take any risks, but when I saw that there was an opportunity to pass Simpson for the lead I took another line in the corner before the finish jump to pass him. When I stood up I realised immediately that my arm was broken.”

François Lemariey (KRT team manager): “Everything was going perfectly until the last race. It was so nice to see Clement riding the bike perfectly on such a difficult track; we had worked all weekend with the technical staff to adjust the settings and Clement felt comfortable on the bike. Of course we wish our riders a speedy recovery; once more we have seen that motocross is a tough sport. A participation at the opening GP in Qatar is uncertain at this time."

Copyright: Photo: Ray Archer

‘The grass is always greener on the other side’ and if the grass isn’t greener then at least for the MX Panda, Clement Desalle, everything else is.

Finally, after a ton of speculation, it has been confirmed that Monster Energy Kawasaki has re-loaded their MXGP championship guns with one of the biggest title threats, Clement Desalle. Desalle, at the ripe age of 26 years old, has been one of the most consistent forces in the premier class for the last six years.

At 19 years old, 2009, two years after his debut in MX1, now named MXGP, the Belgian finished third in the championship and in that same season claimed his first two grand prix victories. The following season, 2010, he finished second behind none other than the eight-time FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli.

In the years that followed, he dropped back to third in 2011 due to an injury forcing him out of three rounds, but then bounced back for two silver medals in 2012 and 2013. Meanwhile, 2014 and ’15 weren’t the best seasons for the man who is on a quest for the gold plate; both saw him withdraw from the championship prematurely due to a broken scaphoid in ’14 and an urgent need for shoulder stabilization surgery in ‘15.

Untimely injuries may have hindered Desalle’s results over the last couple of years but that has only made him hungrier for the title. Combine that hunger with a team that is yearning for a world title, having not had one in the premier class since the legend Stefan Everts won in 1995, and Christophe Pourcel in MX2 back in 2006, then you have a massive force to be reckoned with.

We caught up with the MX Panda who has been in America for the last two months riding and training.

Click HERE to read the interview.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco), 12 February 2016 – Youthstream and Milestone are pleased to announce the DLC MXGP2 - Cairoli Replica Equipment and MXGP2 - Villopoto Replica Equipment are available for PlayStation®4, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system and Windows PC®/STEAM™ .

The two DLCs contain the following customizations:

DLC MXGP2 - Cairoli Replica Equipment

•  Airoh Aviator Helmet
•  AXO Motion 3 Racewear
•  Sidi Crossfire TC222 Limited Edition Boots

Watch Antonio Cairoli Replica Trailer HERE

DLC MXGP2 - Villopoto Replica Equipment 

•  Thor Verge Helmet
•  Thor Core Orbit Racewear
• Alpinestars Tech10 Boots

Watch Ryan Villopoto Replica Trailer HERE

DLCs may vary depending on retailers availability.

For those who won’t preorder, the DLC will be available for purchase at Day1 at the following prices:

• DLC MXGP2 - Cairoli Replica Equipment e DLC MXGP2 - Villopoto Replica Equipment for 1,99€.

More details on http://mxgpvideogame.com/preorder/

MXGP2 – The Official Motocross Videogame is developed by Milestone S.r.l., Italy’s leading videogame developer for consoles and PC, and the world’s foremost developer of videogames dedicated to the world of motorcycling.

Follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/MXGPVideogame, on the official YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/MXGPVideogame, check out #MXGPVideogame, or visit the site www.mxgpvideogame.com.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Milestone

As a new season of MXGP draws nearer there are as always, a multitude of questions that need answering; it’s the same year-in, year-out. But every year there is always the unknown factor of new talent emerging, riders switching teams and class, and riders who despite their maturing years hope that another year of competing will mean another successful season out on track. Whichever way you look at it, there’s no denying that 2016 has all the makings of another exciting season in both MXGP and MX2. So, let’s break it down for you as the countdown to Qatar begins.

Click to read this feature.

Team Suzuki World MXGP General Manager Stefan Everts talks about taking over Suzuki’s factory GP squad, winter training and pre-season races before the MXGP World Championship gate drops at Qatar on February 27th. He says moving back to Suzuki, where he won the first of his 10 world MX titles, was a decision that changed his life.

What a couple of crazy months it has been. My life has changed completely, but I don’t regret my decision for a second. I’m still very happy and motivated and so far everything is falling into place. What has made the whole process extra difficult, is the early start of the GP season. Everything has been under pressure time-wise. We are in full preparation with our riders, we go training with them in Spain and France, because of the weather it is impossible to stay in our region. Also, the mechanics are waiting on the spare parts. We have been participating in some international pre-season races and we are testing more things on the RM-Z450 and RM-Z250. Moreover, the crates for the oversea races have to be packed and shipped. So many things to do in such a short period has made it extremely tense and buzzy. Luckily, we have a great team and a great crew with loads of experience, so we are getting there. 

I’ve also been away from home a lot, joining the riders and the team on the training sessions. We went to the RedSand MX Park in Spain for a few weeks in January. Riding went so good and the riders where very happy. I’m also really happy with how they are training together, pushing each other to do better, learning and sharing their experience. It makes me happy to see that we can have such a strong team spirit. It’s pushing all riders to the next level in their skills. 

You can see that the guys like it: Kevin’s speed this winter has been really good. His confidence grew over the past few months and he is happy and satisfied with his RM-Z450. Also Ben is doing good. He had a little shock therapy with the Belgium and Dutch sand the last couple of weeks, but he is picking-up fast and he grew so much the last couple of days. I’m happy to be captain of those two guys in my first year as General Manager at Team Suzuki World MXGP. 

They say, time is going by fast when you are having fun and this is really true. Our first race as a team is already in the history books. We went to Hawkstone last weekend and it was a good test for the team. Overall I was happy, even though we had a little technical issue with Kevin, but it taught us a lot about the riding style of Kevin and Ben. They are both so different. For the first time we saw some big differences in setting-up the bikes. We really collected some vital data at the race in Hawkstone; and the guys did good there. BT rode well and is up there with the top guys, speed-wise. Only his fitness needs to improve but I’m sure that this will come in the next few weeks. 

Our final stop before the big MXGP season start in Qatar will be Valence. It’s our last rehearsal. And we also have the pleasure to welcome Yamaguchi-san from Suzuki Japan for this race. He and the crew will fine-tune the bike for the best possible results. Hopefully we will have a miracle with the weather, so we can have some sunshine for the race. But we are ready for anything. 

Personally I’m also very excited to go to Qatar. The first GP is always special. The whole family comes back together again, riders in new gear, new team set-ups and Qatar is special, racing under the lights. It adds some class on TV and the images afterwards. Plus, we made some changes on our overseas set-up and I’m very happy with the final results. Just watch and see! 

S72