MXGP

While KTM might have trimmed down their factory effort in the MXGP class 2016, we will still see minimum 15 factory backed riders lining up on the start line of the MXGP class at the opening round of the MXGP series at Qatar in late February. If Jeffrey Herlings does decide to move up to the MXGP class next year, then it will be 16 and what a magnificent 16 it would be.

Already we will have five former or present world champions in the class. Starting with Italian legend Antonio Cairoli, defending MXGP champion Romain Febvre, 2004 MX2 champion Ben Townley, 2013 MX2 champion Jordi Tixier, and this year’s MX2 champion Tim Gajser. All these champions will race factory bikes and all in different teams. How brilliant is that?

Obviously leading the way is defending world MXGP champion Febvre who will race for the Monster Energy Yamaha team alongside Jeremy Van Horebeek, while Yamaha are still deciding what will happen to Valentin Guillod, who is assured a factory machine by Yamaha.

The Red Bull KTM Factory team who had three MXGP riders in 2015 will go with just two in 2016, and of course their main man Antonio Cairoli will lead the orange army into battle next year. It will be nice to see young Dutchman Glenn Coldenhoff move up. Winning a GP in the MXGP class this year showed he is ready for an even bigger season in 2016 and hopefully he can move into the season without injury, which wasn’t the case this year. Of course Shaun Simpson will race on a factory KTM machine, but will race for a privateer team on the bike.

The Kawasaki Factory team have the services of the one man who probably has deserved a world title, but has come up short, and that is Belgian hard-man Clement Desalle. His team-mate in 2016 is 2014 World MX2 champion Jordi Tixier. Tixier is known to love the 450cc bike and his results might surprise many.

The Factory Suzuki team brings New Zealander Ben Townley back to the FIM Motocross World Championships and this is a really special return for the 2004 MX2 champ. Townley who rode the wheels off his Honda at the 2015 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations will be teamed with another veteran in Kevin Strijbos. The effort by new team owner Stefan Everts in bringing out the best in these two riders will be crucial in their performances.

HRC are going in hard in 2016, with three riders on the all new 450cc Honda. While MX2 champion Tim Gajser won’t be inside the HRC tent, his Gariboldi Honda team are more than capable of making sure his bike is dialed in come Qatar. Also on the red rockets next year are world number one and world number two Gautier Paulin and Evgeny Bobryshev.

The only factory team without a former world champion is Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory team, although their riders are more than capable of producing some surprises, as Max Nagl showed this year. The German will be joined by Italian rider Christophe Charlier, a competitor who has the talent to move up the world rankings with the right backing.

PHOTO: Honda

Ten times World Motocross Champion Stefan Everts has joined Suzuki’s official 2016 Factory Motocross team as the new Team Principal and to celebrate the moment Suzuki has produced a new video filmed on location at Geboers Racing Promotion's Lommel HQ in Belgium. 

Everts (42) assumed duties from Sylvain Geboers last week and will guide the factory MXGP and MX2 teams in future world motocross championships. The new video, produced by leading cinematographer Mikey Neale, features interviews with Everts, Geboers and Everts’ father Harry, himself a former World Champion with Suzuki.

About Stefan Everts: 

• Stefan Everts is the most successful motocross rider in the world championships with an as-yet unsurpassed total of 10 world titles in all three classes - 125, 250 and 500cc/ MX1. 
• Started riding motorcycles at the age of four. 
• Was the second person, after Eric Geboers, to become “Mr 875cc” - winning titles in all three classes. 
• Stefan is the son of four-times World Motocross Champion Harry Everts. 
• In a grand prix career that spanned 15 years (he retired in 2006) he accumulated a total of 101 Grand Prix victories.
• Won his first world title – the 1991 World 125cc Championship – for Suzuki at the age of 18. 
• Is the only rider in history to win world titles for all four Japanese manufacturers. 

About Sylvain Geboers: 

• Sylvain Geboers was one of the leading and most prolific motocross riders in the late 1960s and early 70’s, winning a total of 14 GPs between 1968 and 1972. 
• He finished in the Top-three of the world championship in five consecutive years. 
• In 1971, Geboers also won the Trans-AMA Motocross Championship in America aboard his 500cc RM Suzuki. 
• In his successful racing career, he was twice runner up and silver medallist in the World Motocross Championship (in 1969 and 1970) and three time bronze medallist (third positions in 1968, 1971 and 1972). 
• During his professional racing career, he collected numerous victories for Belgium in the high-profile Motocross and Trophee des Nations events. 
• After his retirement Geboers became Suzuki’s driving force as the factory’s European Motocross Team Manager, helping groom many motocross stars such as his younger brother Eric Geboers, Greg Albertyn, the late Georges Jobe – and Suzuki’s new Team Manager Stefan Everts.

Watch the video below

KTM Marchetti Racing have welcomed Michael Ivanov to the team. The 18 year old Bulgarian, who made his MX2 debut this year, will complete the KTM Marchetti Racing’s line-up of Christopher Valente, Ivo Monticelli and Jose Butron.

Ivanov, Valente and Monticelli will all be racing the FIM Motocross World Championship on KTM 250SX-F’s in MX2 while Butron will be racing the premier class, MXGP.

 Team Manager Elio Marchetti – “Michael is a promising rider and with him the team is complete. The whole team is full of motivation and passion and we’re getting ready for the 2016 season.”

The last two years have been a roller-coaster ride to hell and back for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings. From breaking his femur on the brink of wrapping up his third consecutive MX2 world title in 2014 in a freak crash while racing an 85cc bike for fun, through to his accident riddled season in 2015 which eventually came to an abrupt end at round thirteen of the FIM Motocross World Championship in the Czech Republic, Jeffrey, as one of the fastest ever MX2 riders, has been forced to face the harsh reality of how brutal motocross at an elite level can be.

I bumped into Jeff recently, and as a journalist I naturally felt the urge to ask him a few questions about the complications he has been facing, both physically and mentally, as well as the popular questions such as moving up to MXGP and when we can expect to see him back on the bike.

Dude, how unlucky have you been these last couple of years!

“Yeah, tell me about it! I think in the last 16 months I have been only 5 months on the bike. After I broke my femur in 2014, I got an infection on the bone and I couldn’t ride again until February 2015, and then it was pretty much straight into Qatar.”

You could definitely see how much it meant for you to win in Qatar. 1 -1 for the overall, you were unfit and unprepared but you did it. Another double victory in Thailand, it almost looked as though this was going to be your year of redemption, but by round three it had already started to deteriorate.

"Yeah, I just didn’t have enough time on the bike. I couldn’t test because of my femur through the winter. I wasn’t ready, but I just wanted to race."

How many times did you crash this year? Some of them were so gnarly.

"Man, I had some big crashes this year! It has been crazy. I am so over it. Actually when I crashed in Loket, it was such a small crash, I just clipped the bank and kind of slid out and then when I was getting up Jordi (Tixier) literally took me in the ass” He laughed, “but seriously he hit me and it was all over.”

What went through your head at that point?

“Oh man, I was just over it. I was over everything. On the flight home from the Czech Republic I had pain everywhere, from my broken collarbone in Germany, my finger in Sweden and then my hip. I was seriously over it. I didn’t want to race anymore, I didn’t care about the money, or racing, or anything. Yes, those things are good and are important, but my health is the most important and I was really over it.”

Yeah, I did read some of your rants on Social Media. How are you feeling now?

“It has been hard, but I am good now. I am in a good place. I have learned to listen to the doctors and I will follow their advice. I now know my health is really important. I am also looking forward to being able to ride again. I miss racing. It’s what I want to do.”

So when can you get back on the bike?

"In maybe one month. First I have to see a few doctors and then hopefully I can ride."

Tim Gajser will be making the jump to MXGP, have you considered going up as well?

“I’ve thought about it but I honestly have no idea. I will test the bikes and see, but because I still have a bit of pain in my hip and I am not so strong yet, I will probably stay in MX2 because for me it is easier and with the injuries and everything.”

So if you chose to stay MX2, who do you think your biggest competition will be?

"Probably Dylan Ferrandis, other than that, I think that is it."

Photo: J.P Acevedo

Teenagers Hunter and Jett Lawrence will fly in soon from their native Australia to race next season in Europe with a new youth structure set up by the Monster Energy Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team.

Having won virtually everything this season in Australia, Hunter (16 years old) and Jett (12 years old) discovered Europe when they successfully contested the FIM Junior World Championship. Jett was crowned 65cc World Champion in 2014, while Hunter got a second in the 85 class in 2013 and a third in the 125 class this summer. Both grabbed new titles in Australia this year; 125 and 250 Junior titles for Hunter, and 85 Junior title for Jett, so the family has now accumulated eleven Australian national titles!

Hunter, Jett and their family are now ready to walk in the footsteps of Chad Reed, who came in Europe in 2001 to race the World Championship with Jan De Groot and the Kawasaki Racing Team. Much younger than the Australian legend, Hunter will enter the European MX2 series while Jett will race selected 85cc races all over Europe. Both brothers are delighted at the prospect of this new experience. “Europe has always been my main goal since I first raced the Junior World Championship in Italy. I love the tracks, the different cultures and racing lots of fast riders ...Europe produces so many amazing champions and I have always wanted to have a chance to grow in the environment that the European motocross scene provides. In Australia we don't have the population to get a lot of fast riders on the line; there is usually one or two really fast riders but not half the field like in Europe so that provides more challenges which I love. I believe Europe is a great opportunity to see how far my career can go,” says Hunter, while Jett is also very excited. “I am excited because the tracks are awesome in Europe, and I get to race heaps of fast kids.”

This project wouldn’t have been possible without Jean Jacques Luisetti, team owner of the Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team. “For several years already we have worked on the possibility to bring young hopefuls into the team, to prepare them for the MX2 World Championship. Our friend Ben Townley recommended Hunter and Jett to us; they have amazing riding style, speed and ability despite their young ages,” said the French manager. For Darren, the father of the kids, it’s a great opportunity for the family to take another step. “The opportunity Kawasaki has given our family is a dream come true for us, not only do we get to race over in Europe we get to do it on a brand of bike and team that has worldwide proven success. So to be able to join the Kawasaki factory team is unbelievable and we are really excited to be able to learn and grow with the team to hopefully return a World Championship back to Kawasaki in the future. We can never thank Kawasaki enough for this opportunity, it means so much,” explained Darren who will move with his wife and their three children in Europe to enter this exciting challenge.

Copyright: Photo: Stanley Leroux / Pascal Haudiquert

FUNCHAL, (Portugal) 13 November 2015 - The Motocross Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs Giuseppe Luongo, President of Youthstream, Tony Skillington, Director of the CMS/FIM, and Takanao Tsubouchi, Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers’ Association (MSMA) Secretary General, unanimously decided by electronic message exchange on Friday 6 November to cancel the following decision taken in Ernée on 28 September:

The MXGP and MX2 Qualifying Races will not only decide on the starting positions for the Races but also award points (Position 1: 5 points; pos. 2: 4 pts; pos. 3: 3 pts; pos. 4: 2 pts; pos. 5: 1 pt).

The overall winner of the event will be the rider who gained the highest number of points after the points from the Qualifying Race, Race 1 and Race 2 have been added, irrespective of the number of Races he finished. (Decision now cancelled)

Consequently, the qualifying procedure (without the awarding of any points) and the points scoring system for the two races, Race 1 and Race 2, set out in the 2015 Regulations will remain unchanged for the 2016 season.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

There can be no denying, the return of former MX2 world champion Ben Townley to the MXGP class is massive. While the question marks will remain until it is seen what the New Zealand has for the toughest motocross series in the world, it is important to understand the interest this move has.

Not unlike the arrival of American legend Ryan Villopoto to the MXGP class in 2015, the return of one of the most popular riders of his era will also bring a large audience. Townley might only have a single world title to his name, his talent is unquestionable. Injuries played a major part in the career of the new Suzuki factory rider and you can be sure that he is only returning for one thing, and it’s got nothing to do with financial gain.

“Money wasn’t a factor,” Townley told motoonline.com.au website this week. “I can’t go back to what I was earning at the height of my career and I’m not doing this for financial reasons. I’ve still got a huge desire to achieve being a world champion again and that outweighs the financial factor. At the same time I had to ensure my family wasn’t put in a vulnerable position with this move, but everything stacks up and I’m willing to give it another shot to achieve this goal of mine.”

Townley who is now 30 years old arrived on the GP scene as a young kid, looking to achieve something only Shayne King had done, and that was to win a world motocross championship. It will be a tough transition as the MXGP series is now tougher than it’s ever been, and while his stunning performance at the 2015 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations was impressive, Townley knows as well as anyone that doing 18 rounds of MXGP isn’t going to be easy.

In Sweden in 2002 Townley picked up his first ever GP victory, it was the first sign that he was going to be a force in the MX2 championship in future years. 2003 though and when Stefan Everts decided to race the 125/MX2 rounds to prepare for the MotocrossGP/MXGP class it was goodnight for GP victories for Townley. He did however come out swinging in 2004, on a brand new KTM machine, that saw several engine failures Townley won 21 of the 26 moto’s he finished, he also had six DNF’s, but still won the championship by 116 points over close friend Tyla Rattray.

Now back in the MXGP series and with a fresh mind and a new dream the veteran of motocross looks at trying to get another chance. His dream is the same as it was in 2001 when he arrived as a young teenager, he wants to be FIM Motocross World Champion, it is as simple as that.

The motocross world will be watching Mr. Townley, let us hope you can show them just how good you really are.

Almost a quarter of a century since they were last World Champions together Stefan Everts and Suzuki are once again collaborating to powerful effect as the sport’s most successful Grand Prix rider is now in control of the Suzuki World MXGP team and organisation. 

Everts, 42 years old, has assumed the role of Team Principal after reaching an agreement with Geboers Racing Promotions’ Sylvain Geboers and the two Belgians will now steer Suzuki’s factory programme in the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship with the RM-Z450 as well as the MX2 category and EMX250 European Championship (RM-Z250). Everts will be accompanied in the Lommel-based set-up with assistance from father (and another former Suzuki World Champion) Harry and will not only oversee racing operations involving a skilled and dedicated crew and six riders but also contribute to the development of Suzuki’s RM-Z technology. Everts will heavily promote the Suzuki name at the highest level of the sport and where the team have been championship contenders since the beginning of the century with the RM250 and the RM-Z450 from 2004. 

Everts retired in 2006 with his 10th crown and a record 101 Grand Prix victories. He has since marshalled another manufacturer to world championship success, developed key motorcycle models and evolved junior racing talent with notable spoils. He is now ready to ally with Geboers after winning the first of his titles back in 1991 in ‘yellow’. 

“It is a very big challenge and a big responsibility…but actually I think I am ready for it,” ‘#72’ commented. “I have the age and the knowledge. I have been retired for nine years and thanks to my former job I was able to build up some experience on the other side of the fence. I feel ready! 

“I love this sport so much and I love to travel and be at the races,” he added. “I love finding new talent. I want success with this team. A lot of things need to change, to move and be pushed forward. I’d like to create a really strong team image. On the multimedia side we can work harder and expand our profile more. The interaction with the fans is important.” 

Of his initial link to Suzuki while still a teenager and under the watchful gaze of father Harry he said: “They were my first love. Sylvain is the one who got me into Suzuki. That was where it all started for me. Those were some great years and I respected what Sylvain and Suzuki gave me.” 

Geboers, a Suzuki stalwart across the decades and a name synonymous with the brand, is now into his seventies and will stay in place to assist with the transition and offering advice to Everts as GRP enters a new era. “What we have now is a good opportunity for GRP, Suzuki and Stefan,” he commented. “I think he can be a huge help to riders and knows what it takes to win and become champion. A few years ago we, as Suzuki, lost Roger [De Coster] and therefore a lot of our power. I believe this is now coming back through Stefan and all the experience he has.” 

Suzuki World MXGP will attack the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship with Kevin Strijbos and Ben Townley in the MXGP division. Jeremy Seewer and Brian Hsu will gun the RM-Z250 in MX2 while Bas Vaessen will enter the EMX250 European Championship.

Copyright: Photo: Gary Freeman

The nice story of Team 114 will go on next season, and Livia Lancelot will have new teammates around her in 2016. The World Championship will remain of course the main goal of Livia, who met two new riders in her team: Yvana Demaria and the young Axel Louis.

Rider but also team manager, Livia keeps her legendary strong motivation for next season with the support of her partners. Livia the rider will enter two series: the French and the World Championships. Five times winner of the French series, Livia will of course focus on the World title after being so close to get her second title this season. With a stronger support from Kawasaki, Livia will start training for the Motocross season next week, just after the Supercross experience that she enters this weekend in Lille.

Livia the manager has good news for next season, as she will meet two new riders in her team. Injured this season Gloria Jacquemard will take a break, and it’s Yvana Demaria who will be her new teammate. The daughter of the former World Champion will make her GP’s debut, but her main goal is the French Championship. The team also met a young kid who impressed Livia; only 11 years old, Axel Louis will race on an 85 Kawasaki. With her strong racing experience at the highest level, Livia will provide advices and full support to both riders in a professional team.

Livia Lancelot: “As Gloria wanted to make a break after another knee injury, we reached an agreement with Yvana. I know her as we met in the French series, and I’m pumped that Yvana and her father Yves who has a huge career gave me their confidence. I’m sure that Yvana has a great potential, we’ll help her to get the best results. For the first time in it’s young history, the team welcomes a boy. Axel just started racing an 85, I saw him while training in South of France and I’m sure that he also have a strong potential; he will go for a top ten in the French hopefull series. My goal is to help both riders to reach another level, but for sure I will stay focus on my own goals. Nothing would be possible without my partners and sponsors, and I want to thanks all of them and especially Kawasaki, Bihr and Fox who provides us the best material.”

Yvana Demaria: “Moving to team 114 will change many things for me, and it will be nice to ride in a professional team, to have good material and to share with Livia her great experience. All these keys gave me another motivation, and reinforced my ambitions in this sport. For next season the goal will be to get a podium in the French series, and enter a few GP’s.”

Copyright: Photo: Mediacross

Represented by Max Nagl, Christophe Charlier, Max Anstie and Thomas Covington, Husqvarna have their sights set on reaching the top step of the podium in MXGP and MX2.

Britain’s Max Anstie and American Thomas Covington will form Husqvarna’s MX2 Factory team managed by the experienced Jacky Martens.

A welcome addition to Husqvarna, Anstie – who turned 22 in April of this year – will race his final season in the MX2 class in 2016. Despite a mixed start to his MX2 campaign this year, Anstie proved himself as one of the strongest and fastest riders during the second half of the season claiming nine race wins and ending the championship third overall. With 2016 marking his final season of MX2 competition, the Husqvarna rider will be pushing hard to end it as world champion.

Joining Anstie in MX2 is American Thomas Covington. Securing a debut overall MX2 podium at the penultimate round of the series in Mexico, Covington is a rider with huge potential and sure to deliver promising results in 2016.

Competing for the Husqvarna’s MXGP Factory team, managed by Antti Pyrhönen, Germany’s Max Nagl will fight for the coveted title that agonisingly slipped from his grasp this year. Nagl was the early leader of the 2015 championship until an injury at the 10th stop of the series forced him to miss five rounds. Ending the series sixth overall with five race wins and multiple podiums, Nagl is focused on returning stronger and faster.

France’s Christophe Charlier joins Husqvarna for 2016. A familiar face within the MXGP paddock, the Frenchman recorded a season’s best MXGP result of seventh at round three in Argentina. With the full support of Husqvarna behind him Charlier will look to become a regular fixture inside the top 10 during 2016.

For 2017 and 2018 Max Anstie will move up to the MXGP class and compete for Husqvarna’s MXGP team, managed by Antti Pyrhönen.

Conrad Mewse will compete in the EMX 250 championship for the Husqvarna’s Factory MX2 team. Further strengthening Husqvarna’s roster of young talent, Mikkel Haarup will compete in the EMX 125 class aboard IceOne machinery.

The opening round of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship begins in Losail, Qatar on February 27.

Robert Jonas: “Husqvarna are very pleased to be represented by Max Nagl and Christophe Charlier in MXGP and by Max Anstie and Thomas Covington in MX2 for 2016. Max Nagl delivered some incredible results during 2015 and showed the capability and strength of our FC 450. Unfortunately, his injury prevented him from delivering Husqvarna a world championship but I’m confident he can succeed. We have two very strong riders in MX2 and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can achieve with the FC 250. Everything is in place for a great season of racing.”

Antti Pyrhönen – MXGP Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager: “We have a very strong MXGP team for 2016 in Max and Christophe. Max proved himself as one of the best riders this year. Unquestionably the MXGP class is super-competitive, but it is our goal to do all we can to support Max in his quest to become champion next year. It’s also great to welcome Christophe to the team. He’s a strong rider with a lot of potential. I believe we have the right tools necessary for him to deliver some impressive results. In addition, knowing that Max Anstie will be joining the team for 2017 and 2018 ensures we have a strong base for the future.”

Jacky Martens – MX2 Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager: “I’m looking forward to working with both Max and Thomas next year, as well as with Conrad Mewse in the EMX series. All are great riders and exciting to watch on the track. Max is very experienced and was one of the fastest riders in the final rounds of the 2015 GP series. We will work hard to carry that momentum into 2016 and help him achieve his goal of becoming a world champion. Thomas is another young rider showing lots of potential. His race victory in Mexico showed what he is capable of.”