MXGP

Last weekend’s MX2 victory by Thomas Covington continued a really special relationship between American riders and the FIM Motocross World Championships. All the way back to 1973 when a young Jim Pomeroy captured the Spanish GP victory right up until that timely victory by Thomas Covington the riders from the land of the stars and striped have more than done their share of winning at GP level.

With Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto winning the Grand Prix of Thailand earlier in the year and Thomas Covington winning last weekend they join a select group of American riders who have had GP success.

Thirty three American riders have won Grand Prix’s since Jim Pomeroy took their first at the Spanish GP in 1973. A large portion of those winning the USGP when it visited American soil, but many have found their success on the tough European circuits or in places like Japan, Indonesia and Venezuela.

Villopoto and Thomas Covington joined 1o other American riders to have won a single GP, those being Zach Osborne, Rodney Smith, Chuck Sun, Micky Dymond, Jimmy Ellis, Mike Guerra, Donny Hansen, Ken Howerton, Eric Kehoe, and Marty Moates.

The list of American riders with two GP wins are Ron Lechien, David Bailey, Mark Barnett, Danny Chandler, Bob Hannah, Mike Healey, Mike Kiedrowski, , while Mike Brown, Broc Glover, Johnny O’mara, Jim Pomeroy and Marty Smith won three each.

Three American riders have won four GP’s each, those being Ricky Johnson, Jeff Stanton and Tallon Vohland, while Danny Laporte and Billy Liles won six GPs apiece.

The first ever American motocross world champion Brad Lackey won nine GPs, former 125cc world champion Bobby Moore won 12 GPs and multiple world champion Trampas Parker won 13 GPs. The winningest American rider in the Grand Prix series is another multiple world motocross champion in the late Donny Schmit. Schmit won 15 GP’s in his career in Europe.

Some of the most famous American winners were of course Jim Pomeroy, who was the first American to win a GP, way back in 1973 in Spain. Marty Moates classic 500cc USGP victory at Carlsbad in 1980 was the start of the American dominating of the USGP in the 1980s.

After Moates victory came wins by Chuck Sun in 1981, Danny Chandler in 1982, Broc Glover in 1983 and 84, David Bailey in 85, Ricky Johnson in 86 and Ron Lechien in 89.

Who can forget the very first GP victory for Brad Lackey at the famous Farleigh Castle circuit in England? Back in 1977 the young American racer showed great resolve to take victory and start his own success story in Europe.

Or Danny Laporte and his assault in the world 250 championship in 1982. Starting terribly the American came on strong in the middle rounds, winning in France, England and Holland. It was that run of victories that secured his world title.

Americans have been an important part of the history of Grand Prix motocross and now with Villopoto and Covington showing great speed in 2015 that relationship continues and no doubt more victories will come.

GLEN HELEN (United States), 16 September 2015 – It has been an epic season so far and this weekend one of the most famous motocross tracks in the world, Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California will host the final round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. 

The first time the FIM Motocross World Championship tackled the beast that is Glen Helen was back in 1990 where Belgian Eric Geboers was victorious. The motocross grand prix then returned again for the two years that followed, in 1991 and 1992, where French legend Jean-Michel Bayle headlined. Eighteen years after Bayle’s victory in ’92, MXGP returned where both world champions at that time Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Marvin Musquin won in their respective classes. What is exciting is that both Cairoli and Musquin will be racing this weekend while the winners of the most recent grand prix at Glen Helen, in 2011, Clement Desalle and Ken Roczen will not be onsite as they are both recovering from injuries.

Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre has never raced in the USA and will be looking forward to put in some laps out here in Southern California. It will be interesting to see how he goes on the unfamiliar territory and with a lot of new names and faces on the gate.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM’s Shaun Simpson is one name that is recognized in the USA. Simpson, who raced a round of the American Nationals back in August, has been open about how pumped he is to return to the US for a grand prix. The Scotsman is having a fantastic season and would love to wrap it up with a podium finish here in the States.

Twenty-seven points separate the Team HRC duo of Gautier Paulin and Evgeny Bobryshev. Both Honda riders have been going turn about on the podium but it’s Paulin who has the advantage. If Paulin stays out of trouble he should put a lock on second overall in the championship while Bobryshev is already more than 50 points clear of Simpson in fourth which means third place is the worst he can do this year.

Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Jeremy Van Horebeek is still trying to find the same form he carried last year where he landed on the podium twelve times, eleven of which were consecutive.

As for the other high-flying rookie, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff, this will be his final outing in the world championship on yellow before he switches to orange. With fellow Suzuki riders Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos out injured, it’s up to the ‘259’ to fly the flag for Suzuki which he will have every intention of doing.

Meanwhile, the American fans should be super pumped to see how their home riders will fair against the best in the world. Star Yamaha Yamalube’s Cooper Webb in particular as a member of Team USA will be racing in his first pro race on the bigger 450cc bike.

Click Here to download the MXGP Entry list

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 688 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HON), 566 p.; 3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 539 p.; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 481 p.; 5. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 442 p.; 6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 426 p.; 7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 416 p.; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, SUZ), 393 p.; 9. Todd Waters (AUS, HUS), 344 p.; 10. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 331 p.

After a season long battle, either Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser or Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass will be crowned the FIM Motocross MX2 World Champion. Gajser currently leads the championship by eighteen points over Jonass, who is lucky to be racing after his enormous crash in Mexico last weekend.

After Ryan Villopoto’s success at the MXGP of Thailand at the start of the season, history was made last weekend when Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Thomas Covington became the second American to win a grand prix this year which is the first time we have had an American winner in each class since the beginning of the four stroke era.

Meanwhile Kemea Yamaha Yamalube’s Benoit Paturel landed on the third step of the podium in Leon, which was extra special for the team as their second consecutive podium performance after Paturel’s teammate Brent Van Doninck bagged one at the MXGP of The Netherlands.

Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Max Anstie will be returning to the venue where he made his grand prix debut. Anstie is third in the championship standings and while he has a mathematical chance of winning the championship, the chances are unlikely, but what he can secure is the FOX Holeshot 5,000 Euro prize, all he needs is one more holeshot.

 Click Here to download the MX2 Entry list

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 556 points; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 538 p.; 3. Max Anstie (GBR, KAW), 506 p.; 4. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 475 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 467 p.; 6. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 423 p.; 7. Julien Lieber (BEL, YAM), 418 p.; 8. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KAW), 393 p.; 9. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 356 p.; 10. Petar Petrov (BUL, KAW), 304 p.

All the photos of the Monster Energy MXGP of USA will be available HERE

TIMETABLE

Saturday: MX2 Free Practice 10:30; 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

Monster Energy MXGP of USA

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One hundred and fourteenth 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 114: Andale! MXGP survives Mexico rain; reaction from chaotic scenes and drama in Leon as MXGP hurries to a conclusion. Jonass’ crash, Febvre brilliance and Covington takes his first. More inside. MotoGP Misano motorcycle mania; bike swapping galore in Italy as Marquez judges the rolling clouds at Misano and Lorenzo’s title ambitions take a hit. Fresh Blogging from Gavin Emmett. Robert Jonas: Building the White; In-depth interview with the man co-credited for KTM racing resurrection and now looking to put Husqvarna firmly at the top of classifications around the world. Glorious food: Nutrition in MXGP; OTOR asks about the myths, weaknesses and discipline that Pro athletes need to deal with in order to survive and proper in MXGP (more cautionary tales than you’d think)/

Check it out by clicking here

The gates dropped at round eleven of the FIM Motocross World Championship at MXGP of Leon in Leon, Mexico. Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre set the fastest lap time for the weekend in MXGP while Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s Valentin Guillod set the fastest time over the weekend in MX2.

Both riders have added one point to their TAG Heuer fastest lap score sheets. Right now there is a three-way tie for the TAG Heuer fastest lap in MXGP class with Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre tied with Team HRC’s duo of Gautier Paulin and Evgeny Bobryshev on three points. If either of these riders set the fastest time at the Monster Energy MXGP of The USA this weekend, they will win the luxury TAG HEUER watch.

If you don’t know about this competition, the way it works is; he who sets the fastest lap time in each MXGP or MX2 over the weekend at each round of MXGP this year will be awarded 1 point towards the TAG Heuer sponsored ‘fastest lap’ competition. At the end of the season, the rider who has the most points will be awarded an elegant gift of prestige, a TAG Heuer watch.

If you scroll down on the main page at MXGP.com you will see the TAG HEUER Fastest Lap results grid which is situated directly underneath the FOX Holeshot results grid.

The Fox Holeshot award runs across the entire MXGP season. The way it works is 1 point is awarded for each race holeshot. He who has the most points in MXGP at the end of the season will win the grand prize of €10,000 while he with the most points in MX2 will win the grand prize of €5,000.

At the MXGP of Leon in Mexico, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Dean Ferris and Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl took the FOX Holeshots in the MXGP Class. 

Meanwhile in MX2 Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Thomas Covington took the Fox Holeshot in Race 1 and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Paul Jonass claimed it in Race 2. 

Watch the MXGP of Leon FOX Holeshot films here below:

MXGP Fox Holeshots

MX2 Fox Holeshots

LEON (Mexico), 13 September 2015 – Overnight storms made the conditions extremely tough and technical here at the circuit of Leon for the penultimate round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. The saturated dirt, which is a mix of clay and soil, became very thick and sticky, which kept the riders on their toes as they were faced with the challenge of riding fast but smart.

Consistency wasn’t a problem for Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre who waxed everyone today for a perfect fifty point score, his fourth this season. Meanwhile Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Thomas Covington was the break out star in MX2 after hitting two milestones with his first ever race win and MX2 grand prix overall.

It was business as usual for Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre who upped his stats to fourteen race wins, twelve consecutive podiums, of which seven have been grand prix overalls. The 2015 FIM Motocross World Champion made it look far too easy today when he won the first race with an even bigger gap than the one Ryan Villopoto pulled in the Qualifying Race in Thailand, 45 seconds to RV’s 33.“It’s never easy but this one was really good, I enjoyed the track. This morning it was really muddy but the second race the track was perfect and I had a lot of fun.”

For Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM’s Shaun Simpson it’s simple. The gnarlier, the better. The overnight rain fell completely in favor of Simpson who is having his best ever season in the premier class. SS24 reveled in the rutted up circuit in race 1 for a convincing second place finish but what was really impressive was they way he diced his way through the pack in race two and passed factory rider after factory rider to take another second for second overall. “The track in the second race was how every grand prix should be. There were a lot of lines to pass and I didn’t feel stressed, I felt smooth and confortable. Overall it’s just nice to show I can run up front and I can be on the podium and show good speed, not only in the sand.”

There are only fifty points left to race for this season which means that Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev has already concreted a top three result as he is 58 points clear of Simpson in fourth. This weekend the Russian made ten points on his Team HRC teammate Gautier Paulin and now trails by 27 points which means he is still in the running for second place in the championship.

When Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Jeremy Van Horebeek gets the start he can run the pace which was evident in race two as he went bar-to-bar with Paulin, Simpson, Bobryshev and Coldenhoff in a massive battle for second. Simpson and Bobryshev both ended up nudging him back fourth which is the result he took away this weekend.  Meanwhile Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff rounded out the top five after a mistake-riddled. Nevertheless the Dutch rookie recovered well in both races for two top five finishes.

MXGP Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 36:35.450; 2. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:45.231; 3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +1:14.599; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Honda), +1:22.649; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Suzuki), +1:26.466; 6. Dean Ferris (AUS, Husqvarna), +2:06.200; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +2:08.975; 8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +2:20.819; 9. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), -1 lap(s); 10. Tyla Rattray (RSA, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s)

MXGP Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 35:32.826; 2. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:02.302; 3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:04.883; 4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:06.685; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Suzuki), +0:08.990; 6. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:11.136; 7. Tyla Rattray (RSA, Kawasaki), +0:12.221; 8. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:13.728; 9. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Honda), +0:37.447; 10. Dean Ferris (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:39.006;

MXGP Overall Top Ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 50 points; 2. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 40 p.; 4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 32 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, SUZ), 32 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HON), 30 p.; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 28 p.; 8. Dean Ferris (AUS, HUS), 26 p.; 9. Tyla Rattray (RSA, KAW), 25 p.; 10. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 25 p.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 688 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HON), 566 p.; 3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 539 p.; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 481 p.; 5. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 442 p.; 6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 426 p.; 7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 416 p.; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, SUZ), 393 p.; 9. Todd Waters (AUS, HUS), 344 p.; 10. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 331 p.

MXGP Manufacturer: 1. Yamaha, 696 points; 2. KTM, 672 p.; 3. Honda, 649 p.; 4. Suzuki, 648 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 604 p.; 6. Kawasaki, 394 p.; 7. TM, 126 p.

What better way to head into your home grand prix than as the most recent round winner? Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Thomas Covington hit a couple of milestones today and proved just how versatile he is with a solid ride in race one for fourth, which he followed up with his first ever race win in race two and overall victory. “I am beyond stoked. I didn’t even know I had the overall win until I walked up to the podium and I had to ask where I should stand. It is an amazing feeling.”

Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser didn’t have the best start to the day. The red plate holder binned it big time in race one but only lost one position. A couple of laps later a message was put out on his pit-board “save bike!” which for Gajser, a rider who is a complete animal and uses every ounce of power, made it a nail biting end to the race. Nevertheless he nursed it home for fifth and then rode smart in race two for second place and second overall. He now leads the championship by 18 points over Pauls Jonass.

Kemea Yamaha Yamalube’s Benoit Paturel was visibly pumped to uncork his first ever bottle of bubbles. “It is incredible for me. This year I have progressed step by step and to take my first podium, the sensation is incredible, I think for every rider it’s the same.”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass, mentored by the greatest of all time Stefan Everts, had the craziest weekend. Just when it looked as though the title challenger had hooked a gear, with his race 1 win and 9 point gain on the red plate holder Gajser, it all turned sour when he crashed crossing the Fox Holeshot line (but still took it) and then again a lap later in spectacular style when he was catapulted off his bike. Even though the Latvian lessened his chances of claiming the 2015 FIM Motocross MX2 World Championship title, he can count himself lucky that he walked away from such an enormous crash unscathed.

The biggest key to muddy conditions is to keep the momentum up, which coincidently is the same tact necessary to ride sand. Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Max Anstie was fast in race one where he was second behind Jonass. In race two he crashed out of fourth and only managed to salvage tenth but still rounded out the top five.

MX2 Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 35:48.318; 2. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:04.477; 3. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:26.170; 4. Thomas Covington (USA, Kawasaki), +0:32.672; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:34.821; 6. Harri Kullas (FIN, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), -1 lap(s); 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), -1 lap(s); 9. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), -2 lap(s); 10. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), -2 lap(s).

MX2 Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Thomas Covington (USA, Kawasaki), 34:34.352; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:06.836; 3. Julien Lieber (BEL, Yamaha), +0:22.502; 4. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), +0:24.846; 5. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:25.601; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), +0:45.919; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +1:03.913; 8. Harri Kullas (FIN, Husqvarna), +1:14.447; 9. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), +1:46.917; 10. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), +2:00.450.

MX2 Overall Top Ten: 1. Thomas Covington (USA, KAW), 43 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 38 p.; 3. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 36 p.; 4. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 33 p.; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, KAW), 32 p.; 6. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 29 p.; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), 29 p.; 8. Harri Kullas (FIN, HUS), 28 p.; 9. Julien Lieber (BEL, YAM), 27 p.; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 27 p.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 556 points; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 538 p.; 3. Max Anstie (GBR, KAW), 506 p.; 4. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 475 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 467 p.; 6. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 423 p.; 7. Julien Lieber (BEL, YAM), 418 p.; 8. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KAW), 393 p.; 9. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 356 p.; 10. Petar Petrov (BUL, KAW), 304 p.

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 729 points; 2. Kawasaki, 720 p.; 3. Yamaha, 609 p.; 4. Honda, 597 p.; 5. Suzuki, 468 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 416 p.; 7. TM, 104 p.

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: 1575 m

Type of ground: Intermediate Soil

Temperature: 26°C

Weather conditions: Changeable

Crowd Attendance: 32,000

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Leon

Watch the highlights from the MXGP of Leon: