MXGP

ASSEN (The Netherlands), 29 August 2015 – The sixteenth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship couldn’t have started any better for Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff who had the fans going mad as he dominated the qualifying race here at his home grand prix, MXGP of The Netherlands, to go pole for the first time this year. Meanwhile in MX2, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Harri Kullas put in a similar performance to qualify first in MX2.

The penultimate races in the European Championships EMX250 and EMX125 also took place at this insanely awesome track and venue today with Kemea Yamaha Yamalube’s Damon Graulus and KTM Factory Juniors Jorge Prado being victorious in their respective classes.

The FIM Veteran’s Motocross World Cup took place where Sweden’s Mats Nilsson edged out New Zealand’s Darryll King by one point for the overall while the defending champion Martin Zerava finished up third.

VMX Race 1 Top 10: 1. Mats Nilsson (SWE, Yamaha), 24:55.655; 2. Darryll King (NZL, KTM), +0:14.503; 3. Klaas Hofstede (NED, Husqvarna), +0:41.429; 4. Brian Wheeler (GBR, Yamaha), +1:09.268; 5. Leons Kozlovskis (LAT, Suzuki), +1:11.049; 6. Martin Zerava (CZE, Suzuki), +1:16.821; 7. Tjipko Dijkstra (NED, Honda), +1:46.350; 8. Alexander Wiik (FIN, KTM), +1:48.192; 9. Michele Dal Bosco (ITA, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 10. Phil Mercer (GBR, KTM), -1 lap(s)

VMX Race 2 Top 10: 1. Martin Zerava (CZE, Suzuki), 24:47.128; 2. Darryll King (NZL, KTM), +0:08.476; 3. Mats Nilsson (SWE, Yamaha), +0:16.804; 4. Klaas Hofstede (NED, Husqvarna), +0:42.375; 5. Leons Kozlovskis (LAT, Suzuki), +0:46.096; 6. Alexander Wiik (FIN, KTM), +0:53.171; 7. Phil Mercer (GBR, KTM), +1:19.460; 8. Brian Wheeler (GBR, Yamaha), +1:48.379; 9. Pascal Bal (BEL, KTM), +2:08.169; 10. Tjipko Dijkstra (NED, Honda), -1 lap(s).

VMX Championship Classification Top 10: 1. Mats Nilsson (SWE, YAM), 45 points; 2. Darryll King (NZL, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Martin Zerava (CZE, SUZ), 40 p.; 4. Klaas Hofstede (NED, HUS), 38 p.; 5. Leons Kozlovskis (LAT, SUZ), 32 p.; 6. Brian Wheeler (GBR, YAM), 31 p.; 7. Alexander Wiik (FIN, KTM), 28 p.; 8. Phil Mercer (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Tjipko Dijkstra (NED, HON), 25 p.; 10. Heigo Lauren (EST, YAM), 18 p.

Flying the flag for The Netherlands, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff bought the grandstands to life when he pulled the holeshot and checked out for his first ever MXGP Qualifying Race win.

No prisoners were taken in the battle behind the young Dutchman as Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Jeremy Van Horebeek, Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM’s Shaun Simpson and Team HRC’s dangerous duo of Gautier Paulin and Evgeny Bobryshev all went bar-to-bar. Simpson was the first to drop out of the scrap when he ran hot up the inside of Van Horebeek, clipped him and went down. Van Horebeek was punted off line, which allowed Paulin to capitalize and go through into second.

Paulin then fronted the battle for second but Van Horebeek remained relentless on his mission and eventually pulled the trigger through the waves and made a pass. Bobryshev, who had company in the form of Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre, put in a solid charge but burnt himself out in the process and ended up crawling home in sixth.

Meanwhile, Febvre kept Paulin honest and pushed him to the finish while Simpson mounted an impressive come back and rounded out the top five.

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Suzuki), 24:09.280; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:06.192; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Honda), +0:07.504; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:12.089; 5. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:17.662; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:24.581; 7. Tyla Rattray (RSA, Kawasaki), +0:37.423; 8. Dean Ferris (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:45.246; 9. Todd Waters (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:48.266; 10. Nathan Watson (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:50.780.

With the drop of the gate it was only a matter of seconds before the crowd was on their feet as Holland’s young star on the rise Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Davy Pootjes edged Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Harri Kullas out for the holeshot. Heading into turn two, Pootjes slammed the door on Kullas and gapped it briefly. A lap or so in, Pootjes hard work went up in flames when he high-sided and handed Kullas the lead. Kullas then took charge and that was that. He rode as cool as a cucumber for his first ever qualifying race victory. 

Behind the flying ‘151’ of Kullas, all heck was breaking loose with guys going down all over the show. Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s title contender Valentin Guillod crashed spectacularly out of fourth on lap two which was then mimicked by Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM’s Ben Watson who crashed out of second in the same place a few laps later. Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube’s Julien Lieber was the next to fall victim to the gnarly track after running third for half of the race while Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Jeremy Seewer rounded out the list of fallen riders when he tucked the front end and fell from second with three laps to go.

Bad starts made life difficult for Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Max Anstie and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass, but both managed to find their flow to finish inside the top three with full credit going to Anstie who made an unreal charge at Kullas for the win but ran out of time.

Jonass rounded out the top three while Kemea Yamaha Yamalube’s Brent Van Doninck put his sand skills to good use for fourth while Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Thomas Covington was on his game today and finished fifth.

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Harri Kullas (FIN, Husqvarna), 24:19.618; 2. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:03.049; 3. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:19.977; 4. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), +0:23.484; 5. Thomas Covington (USA, Kawasaki), +0:32.505; 6. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +0:38.199; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:39.541; 8. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:40.577; 9. Julien Lieber (BEL, Yamaha), +0:42.766; 10. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:49.062

Click here to obtain the complete results.

All the photos of the MXGP of The Netherlands will be available HERE

MXGP OF THE NETHERLANDS - QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1520 m

Type of ground: Sand

Temperature: 24°C

Weather conditions: Sunny

TIMETABLE

Sunday: EMX150 Warm-up 08:00; EMX125 Warm-up 08:15; EMX250 Warm-up 08:30; EMX150 Race 2 09:30; EMX125 Race 2 10:20; MX2 Warm up 11:10; MXGP Warm up 11:30; EMX250 Race 2 12:00; 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 The Netherlands

Check out how awesome the venue is here in Assen for round 16 of the FIM Motocross World Championship, MXGP of The Netherlands. 

Catch up with the fastest Dutchman on the track this weekend Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe's Glenn Coldenhoff

The typically tranquil town of Assen was bought to life this evening as the world’s fastest motocross riders rode their race bikes through the center of town. At the end of the parade, each rider was bought to the stage one-byone and asked a few questions by the host. There was a live band, which added to the already electric atmosphere and made the signing session that followed even cooler.

After such a warm welcome, we look forward to what the racing will bring on this unique weekend at the MXGP of The Netherlands

Steven Frossard is now back in his native France as he enters his next battle to recover from the back injury he suffered after crashing during the first moto of the MXGP of Lombardy last weekend.

The Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team rider underwent surgery on his back at the Civic Hospital of Brescia in order to consolidate a failure in one of the dorsal vertebrae in his back already on the evening of the crash last Sunday. This operation was successful but Steven had still not recovered full feeling in his legs, and as soon as possible he was transferred to the famous Hospital Jean Mermoz in Lyon. Dedicated and well-known specialists began working with him since his arrival, helping him in the recovery process. The medical staff is currently working to reduce the pain in his legs and back in an effort to help him to regain the mobility of both legs. Steven is displaying his usual fighting spirit, even though he knows that he enters a long recovery period.

François Lemariey (team manager): “The entire team is of course behind Steven, and we know that he is now in one of the best environments to recover from the injury. We want to thanks the medical staff in Brescia who did their best, and all the people who have shown their support for Steven. We know that it’s now a question of time, and we all hope that Steven will be back soon on a bike.”

Copyright: Photo: Kawasaki Racing Team

As we embark on the final European round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, MXGP of The Netherlands in Assen, Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube have welcomed Monster Energy onboard as a sponsor for the MXGP series curtain call.

This evening at the Yamaha rig in the paddock, the team announced that Monster Energy will now be a sponsor of the team. Both riders Jeremy Van Horebeek, the 2014 FIM Motocross vice World Champion and Romain Febvre, the 2015 MXGP red plate holder, will be wearing Monster Energy painted helmets for the final leg of the championship. From 2016 Monster Energy will return as the title sponsor of the team.

Dutch motocross has many riders who have had major success on the FIM Motocross World Championships. From the 1970’s until current hero Jeffrey Herlings the Dutch fans have had something to cheer about. From Gerrit Wolsink in the 1970’s the Dutch Motocross history began to grow. A handful of World Motocross Championships and more than a hundred GP victories have led the Dutch to the forefront of world motocross on many occasions.

Gerrit Wolsink was the original Dutch hero, winning 13 GP’s in one of the toughest eras of the 500cc class. Racing against names like Roger De Coster, Heikki Mikkola and Brad Lackey, Wolsink finished third in the 1975 and 1977 World 500cc championships and second in 1979. He was also known as the King of the 500cc USGP held at the Carlsbad circuit in America, winning four times at the famous circuit.

Kees Van Der Ven was the big bike rider in Holland in the 1980’s. While he never won a motocross world championship he did win 18 GP’s and finished second in the 1980 250cc championship behind Georges Jobe, then backed that up with third in 1981, 1982 and 1983, he then backed that up with third in the 125cc world championship in 1984. He also finished third in the 500cc championship in 1987.

Dave Strijbos won his world motocross championship in the 125cc class in 1986, he was in fact the first Dutchman to ever win a world title and along with John Van den Berk led the golden era of motocross in Holland. He won 27 Grand Prix’s and Strijbos also finished top three on many occasions. Second in the 125cc class in 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1992 and third in 1993.

John Van Den Berk picked up two motocross world championships, taking his first in 1987 in the 125cc class, and then following that up with victory in the 250cc title in 1988. Van Den Berk also won nine GP’s, seven in the 125cc class and two in the 250 class. Like his fellow countrymen he finished with consistent results in world championship battle. Second in the 125cc class in 1986, followed by first in 1987 (125cc) and 1988 (250cc), and third in the 250cc class in 1989 and 1990

Pedro Tragter scored his 125cc world championship in 1993. The blonde haired rider was very consistent at the start of the 1990’s, finishing third in 1991, third in 1992 and third in 1994. Tragter won seven GP’s in his career.

Current king of Dutch Motocross Jeffrey Herlings with 47 Grand Prix victories and two world MX2 championships is very much the most successful Dutch motocross racer ever. Herlings currently out injured has been a bright light for the local scene. Many see him as the rider to one day break the records of Stefan Everts, although two years of injury and bad luck have seen his championship tally drop.

Of course now it’s up to Glenn Coldenhoff, Davy Pootjes and Herlings to continue the fine record of Dutchmen in the FIM Motocross World Championship. Coldenhoff already with two GP victories in 2014 and 2015 could be the man to stand on top of the podium in Assen this weekend.

ASSEN (The Netherlands), 28 August 2015 – We have a very unique event on our hands this weekend for round sixteen of the FIM Motocross World Championship. The MXGP track crew have taken on the monstrous task of building a sand circuit in less than one week at the world renowned TT circuit Assen. The event is receiving a lot of support from the local television networks and media representatives such as RTL7 who has followed the entire FIM Motocross World Championship.

Check the guides below for how you can watch. For those who will be tuning into Italia 2, the FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion Kiara Fontanesi will be commentating.  

Also don’t forget to check out our feature series ‘Behind the Gate’, which is a filmed production that covers all the action, both on and off the track, with highlights from racing in MXGP and MX2, a GoPro on-board lap of the track, as well as the inside scoop from the pits at each round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. The 26mn Magazine covering MXGP of The Netherlands will be screened on Wednesday September 2nd at 11:00 (CET) on Eurosport International.

Check the guides below to find out how you can watch MXGP of The Netherlands:

EUROPE 

EUROSPORT INTERNATIONAL

Wednesday September 2nd - 11:00 CET - 26mn magazine «Behind the gate » 

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 30 August  – 15:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 15:30 CET – MXGP Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 18:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 19:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 – DELAYED

MOTORS TV 

Sunday 30 August  – 19:30 CET – MX2 Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 – LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 20:30 CET – MX2 Race 2 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

BELGIUM

VRT - DELAYED 

Sunday 30 August  – 15:30 CET – MXGP Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 17:45 CET – MXGP Race 2 – 10mn highlights

Telenet - LIVE 

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

BULGARIA

BNT - LIVE 

Sunday 30 August  – 16:45 local – MX2 Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 17:05 local  – MX2 Race 2  - LIVE

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 30 August  – 19:15 CET – MX2 Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 19:45 CET – MXGP Race 1 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 20:15 CET – MX2 Race 2 – DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 21:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 – DELAYED

ITALY 

ITALIA 2

Sunday 30 August  – 15:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

PORTUGAL

Sport TV5 - LIVE  

Sunday  30 August  – 00:10 CET – MX2 Race 1 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 01:10 CET – MXGP Race 1 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 02:10 CET – MX2 Race 2 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 03:10 CET – MXGP Race 2 - DELAYED

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV - LIVE 

Sunday  30 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

ASIA

FOX SPORTS  3 HD – LIVE 

Sunday 30 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

THAILAND 

TRUE VISION – LIVE 

Sunday  30 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

USA

CBS Sports Network - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  : MXGP Race 2 – 12.00 pm EST (09.00 am PST)

Sunday 30 August  : MX2 Race 2 - 01.00 pm EST (10.00 am PST)

BRAZIL 

BANDSPORTS - DELAYED 

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

MIDDLE EAST - AFRICA  

BeIn SPORTS - LIVE 

Sunday  30 August  – 13:00 CET – MX2 Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 14:00 CET – MXGP Race 1 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 16:00 CET – MX2 Race 2 - LIVE

Sunday 30 August  – 17:00 CET – MXGP Race 2 - LIVE

AFRICA

Sport TV Africa 2 – LIVE

Sunday  30 August  – 00:10 CET – MX2 Race 1 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 01:10 CET – MXGP Race 1 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 02:10 CET – MX2 Race 2 - DELAYED

Sunday 30 August  – 03:10 CET – MXGP Race 2 - DELAYED

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 The Netherlands will be available HERE

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX150 Free/Timed practice 08:10; EMX125 Free/Timed practice 08:45; EMX250 Free/Timed practice 09:20; VMX Free/Timed practice 09:55; MX2 Free Practice 10:25; MXGP Free Practice 10:55; EMX150 Race 1 12:40; EMX125 Race 1 13:20; MX2 Time Practice 14:00; MXGP Time Practice 14:35; VMX Race 1 15:15; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:00; EMX250 Race 1 17:40; VMX Race 2 18:30.

Sunday: EMX150 Warm-up 08:00; EMX125 Warm-up 08:15; EMX250 Warm-up 08:30; EMX150 Race 2 09:30; EMX125 Race 2 10:20; MX2 Warm up 11:10; MXGP Warm up 11:30; EMX250 Race 2 12:00; 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 The Netherlands

Building a sand track in less than one week is a monstrous task, but the team at MXGP like challenges and bringing unique races to the calendar.

Check out how the sand circuit at the world-renowned TT circuit of Assen is coming together in the video below: