MXGP

One hundred and twentieth issue of this bi-weekly motorcycle sport magazine, tackling the latest races and issues in MotoGP, the FIM Motocross World Championship, AMA Motocross/Supercross and World Superbike as well as general motorcycling and accessories with the best blogs and photographs. In OTOR 120 & the last of 2015: The Fives’ Part Two; after our analysis of MXGP a few issues ago Motomatters David Emmett casts his verdict on the MotoGP best performers of 2015. ‘69’s 3 of the best’: at Valencia we cornered Nicky Hayden on the eve of his final appearance in MotoGP and after 213 Grand Prix to ask about the three favourite races of his career. ‘The Fives’ Part Three; MX2 up next. In a series that was impossible to predict 2015 was another vintage for the 250s. Was World Champ Tim Gajser the first pick of the year? Read on. Yamaha Custom Crazy XSR700; there is little doubt that Yamaha have got their act together with a series of desirable models in the last eighteen months. Roland tries the fetching ‘custom’ XSR700. 

Read OTOR Issue 120

The 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship is right around the corner and in 2016 we have even BETTER TV coverage!

BOTH Saturday and Sunday will be LIVE.

This means if you sign-up to www.mxgp-tv.com you will be able to watch ALL of the European Championship Races on Saturday and Sunday LIVE as well QUALIFYING races for MXGP and MX2.

When you buy the season package you will also be able to watch ALL of the races from the 2016 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations LIVE and OnDemand as well as Youthstream’s newest project the Supermotocross Riders Cup that will take place inside the Veltins Arena, Germany on the 8^th of October.

This month we have a SPECIAL where you can SAVE 25% off the season package. This season is going to be epic; you won’t want to miss it!

CLICK HERE!

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 7 December 2015 - Youthstream President, Giuseppe Luongo, visited the KTM factory and headquarters and the racing department of KTM and Husqvarna in Austria, during this occasion he met with Mr. Stefan Pierer (KTM’s CEO), Mr. Pit Beirer (KTM’s Motorsport Director) and Robert Jonas (Husqvarna’s Vice-President Motorsport).  

Mr Luongo and Mr. Pierer had the chance to talk about MXGP’s strategies, youth activities and the new projects like the Supermotocross Riders’ & manufacturers’ Cup in the Veltins Arena in Germany at the beginning of October next year and the MXGP in Charlotte, USA.  KTM and Husqvarna expressed their full support for these projects and for Youthstream’s plans in developing MXGP and the youth activities. Both brands renewed their partnership for advertising at the MXGP and European Championships.

Mr. Stefan Pierer said, “After having celebrated many great successes in recent years, we are very pleased to continue the partnership with Youthstream in the future. The European Championship is the perfect platform to enter and to move up to the world of professional racing. The World Championship has achieved an outstanding level of development in recent years and has now reached a very professional level. As global leader in the offroad segment it is our aim not only to preserve the sport´s tradition, but also to go beyond its limits to develop it even further.“ 

“It’s always a pleasure to see Mr Pierer because we have a very similar vision of how to develop our sport,”Mr Giuseppe Luongo stated, "KTM has been a very loyal partner since the very beginning when Youthstream took the management of the Motocross World Championship and they have also played an important role in the success of the European Championships.  KTM and Husqvarna are investing a lot into our sport, not only in the top teams but also in youth activities, they support the MXGP Academy and many young talented riders are under the wings of KTM and Husqvarna.”

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Enjoying a wealth of success in all forms of Off-road and Motocross racing during 2015, Husqvarna Motorcycles has entered into a long-term, worldwide partnership with Rockstar Energy Drink. This exciting agreement will see all of Husqvarna’s official factory race teams – Motocross, Supercross, Enduro, US Off-Road and Rally – named “Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing”.

This new chapter in Husqvarna Motorcycles’ racing history officially begun in December and the team who will have Max Nagl and Christophe Charlier racing the premier series MXGP while Max Anstie and Thomas Covington sum up the MX2 line up will be expecting to solidify its hard-earned position as a leading manufacture in off-road racing this year.

Both MXGP and MX2 Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teams are based in Beglium and are looking forward to an exhilarating FIM Motocross World Championship season.

The 2015 season has been called the greatest most exciting season in the sports history. Drama, injuries and surprises made the 2015 MXGP series a classic. What might surprise many is the fact most are saying 2016 will be even better.

Multiple GP winner and a veteran of the GP series Rui Goncalves is really excited with 2016. Still riding for Husqvarna but in a new team the rider from Portugal looks at next year being even bigger than 2015.

“There was a lot of expectations from 2015, with Villopoto coming. 2016 will be a really competitive year, a lot of guys moving from MX2. This year a lot of guys go injured and I think in 2016 if everything goes well and less injuries then we have a really one of the best years of GP’s. We race the biggest class, the highlight of motocross. Those MX2 guys moving up make it interesting. It’s a long season and I wonder who can keep it up.”

Another veteran of the MXGP series is Shaun Simpson. The Scotsman is also expecting 2016 to rise to another level. Like Goncalves the KTM rider has seen his share of close battle in both MX2 and MXGP.

“It is hard to imagine that next year will be better than this year, but that is how it’s looking. With the age rule it is pretty much tailors to go that way. I mean these guys know their futures is in the MXGP class. If you look at Gajser, he hasn’t even reached the age limit, but if his goal was to win the MX2 championship and he has already done that, then his next goals seems to be an MXGP title. Why not get up, serve your time and try and get one earlier than you expected. I don’t know if the age rule has dictated the direction the sport is going. I really feel like the MX2 class will eventually be like an EMX championship and the MXGP class will be like MotoGP where it’s the cream of the crop.”

Former world number two Josh Coppins of New Zealand continued to watch the GP scene, and he wouldn’t be surprised to see something special in 2016.

“It is hard to say, had you asked me this question a year ago would I have said Romain Febvre is going to win, for sure not. I think it’s going to be tough for Tony (Cairoli), I think the stranglehold that he had isn’t going to be there. He will still be a contender, can Romain back it up, winning it is hard, but backing it up is harder. The HRC guys will be good. I would probably say it will come down to Romain and Tony again, those two are consistent.”

Now with a couple of months of hard training, and then a handful of pre-season races the 2016 adventure will be on its way. As the three veterans told above, it’s going to be a hell of a ride.

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 04 December 2015 – Ticket sales for the MXGP of Great Britain, which will be held at one of the most loved circuits on the calendar, Matterley Basin have opened.

It could make a perfect Christmas gift too. Why wait? Beat the gate cues by clicking the link HERE to pre-purchase your tickets to the MXGP of Great Britain, round 12 of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship, which will take place on the 19^th of June in the vicinity of Winchester, England.

Early Bird offers can be purchased from HERE but are limited to 1500.

The offers ends January, 6th 2016.

Steve Dixon, MXGP of Great Britain Organizer: "The GP's at Matterley are just getting stronger and stronger. We've now hosted more GP's in the last 20 years than any other track in the UK. Stability and value will always be our goals here. We've won multiple "best track awards" which showed the effort put in by the team who make this event happen. We continue to work with Youthstream who always strive to push the sport forward at the highest level. We're always working on improving every aspect of the British MXGP so you can be sure 2016 will be better than ever, at the same great price. I feel proud to have brought an event that is my passion to my hometown of Winchester, where my love for motorbikes began."

For more information and prices, visit www.MXGP.com/calendar.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Gli immortali (The Immortals) is a film/Documentary designed by the famous Italian singer Lorenzo Jovanotti Cherubini. The movie in which Jovanotti dedicated “Gli Immortali” to his fans explains the fine details and extreme emotion that goes into the preparation of his concert. The film also focuses on six people who are moved by his concerts, six heroes who somehow were looking for a moment of immortality, one of which is MXGP’s eight-time FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli.

Tony Cairoli has always been competitive and is a natural winner. He is a focused individual with a gift. Not only is Tony extremely talented, he is a charismatic guy who is very approachable and maintains an excellent relationship with his fans. The movie captures unique moments Tony experiences before the race, it explains his level of concentration and ability to focus and also shares the experience through the eyes of the people around him such as his girlfriend, Jill, his family, friends and team.

The movie, which was previewed in Milan in front of national media, will be broadcasted on SKY Uno and Sky Arte on Friday 4^th December at 22.00. Don’t miss it. 

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 03 December 2015 - Youthstream presents the twenty-seventh issue of the MXGP Mag, which features an exclusive interview with Suzuki’s new owner the ten-time FIM Motocross World Champion Stefan Everts, a reflection on the awesomeness of the 2015 MXGP season and a deeper look at Youthstream’s latest project, The Riders’ and Manufacturers’ Cup. Read all this and more.

Click here to read the twenty-seventh issue of the MXGP Mag or download it for FREE on Apple Store or Google Play. The iOs and Android versions contain exclusive videos and several photo galleries, and once the MXGP Mag has been downloaded, the reader does not need to be connected on the Internet to go through the content.

Those users who have already downloaded the other issues on their iOs device can automatically download the twenty-seventh issue by opening the News Stand and clicking on the cover of the MXGP Mag. Whereas those readers using an Android device will be able to download the magazine for free thanks to this new app: http://bit.ly/IssuuOnAndroid

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP MAG

Wilvo Forkrent KTM will field an all British line-up in 2016 with double national champion and the UK’s top Grand Prix racer Shaun Simpson joining the set-up alongside Adam Sterry. Simpson, 27 years old from Gauldry, Scotland, will receive direct technical support from KTM factory for the next season as he aims to consolidate his position in the top five in the premier class of the FIM Motocross World Championship as well as his status as a Grand Prix winner. Unbeaten on UK soil in 2015 Simpson’s services were highly sought-after for the next racing campaign and the agreement with the Belgian and Dutch GP victor is a statement of intent by Wilvo Forkrent KTM and Team Owner Steve Turner.

Simpson will spearhead the team’s campaign in MXGP, while Adam Sterry will step up to the full MX2 Grand Prix class for his maiden term at the highest level.

After progressing in facilities, infrastructure, profile and status in the past four seasons Wilvo Forkrent KTM have now strengthened their bond even further with the prolific Austrian manufacturer and racing department from Mattighofen. Simpson is presently the brand’s top ranking athlete in MXGP having finished in fourth position in the standings; the best finish by a Brit in the blue ribbon category this century.

“When it was clear that Steve really wanted me as part of the team and was gaining even more support from KTM then I knew this was the best direction for me and I started to get excited about what we can do together,” said Simpson. “Steve really wants to push the team forward and I know people respect and appreciate that. I wanted the equipment and the resources to take my riding and results to the next level and I have shown that I am capable with two podium finishes and a win since using the factory bike this year. We are already testing with a view towards 2016 and with all the backing and partners in place I am really optimistic for next year already.”

“I’ve wanted Shaun as part of the team for a couple of years but it just wasn’t possible until now. He is a rider that has become better and faster with every season as he has gained more experience,” revealed Turner. “He has proven that he can win and is very consistent. His results in Grands Prix this year have really turned a lot of heads and I was determined to put a deal together which would include factory equipment and am grateful that the factory have shown that they’re as confidence in Shaun as I am. I’m thrilled we’ve got him for two years and we can build the team around a rider that is very professional, extremely popular and has the ability and determination needed to consolidate and improve further his position in the MXGP standings.”

After valuable race experience in 2015 in the EMX250 European Championship, the domestic series and wild-card outings both in MX2 GPs and MXGP Adam Sterry is primed for his first full FIM World Championship term in 2016. “2015 has been hectic but a big challenge and I have learned a lot about leading races, winning races and being in contention for a Championship,” the youngster commented. “Those GP rides have opened my eyes as to the speed and performance of the top riders and I have a good idea about what I need to do for 2016. I know I can learn more from my new teammate, Shaun and am looking forward to the big challenge ahead.”

“Adam showed amazing speed at times throughout the season but struggled to deliver the consistency needed to win a Championship. He also learned a lot about how competitive it is in GP’s with his wild card rides. He’s already working hard and is 100% focussed on being ready, both physically and mentally for his first full season in MX2 GP’s and I’m confident he is going to deliver some great results,” concluded Turner

Copyright: Photo: Wilvo Forkrent KTM 

Last weekend our eight time FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli swapped two wheels for four in order to race the famous Monster Energy Monza Rally Show which took place at the 'Autodromo di Monza' in Italy.

Tony, as we know him, was among many other motorsport legends such as Valentino Rossi, Sebastien Loeb, Robert Kubica, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Paolo Andreucci, just to give you an idea.

In the Masters Show, Tony and his navigator Matteo Romano, in a Citroen SD3 WRC, took victory over the likes of MotoGP hero Valentino Rossi and Thierry Neuville, a recognized and respected name in WRC.

Although Tony won the Masters Show, he did have to deal with some adversity over the weekend when a puncture forced him to retire from the last Special Stage on Sunday. Nevertheless, Tony had a blast tearing up the Autodromo di Monza and it is something he is sure to do again in the future.

Copyright: Pictures: Davide Messora