MXGP

FIM Europe

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Friday, June 20, 2025

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Infront Moto Racing

Read more about WORLDWIDE TV COVERAGE – TUNE IN TO THE MXGP OF GREAT BRITAIN

MXGP MAGAZINE #139 IS OUT! FEBVRE’S FURY, TRIPLE-HEADER THRILLS & ROOKIE REVELATIONS

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 20 June 2025 – Infront Moto Racing is excited to present the latest edition of the MXGP Magazine! Issue #139 brings another dynamic collection of racing insights, exclusive features, and behind-the-scenes stories from the heart of the 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship.

This month’s Rider of the Month is none other than Romain Febvre, who continues to impress with consistency, determination, and podium-worthy performances. The Frenchman’s grit and experience have made him a central figure in this year’s MXGP title fight and his story is as compelling as his results.

In our Racing Catch-Up, we relive the adrenaline-charged triple header that took the championship through Ernée, Teutschenthal, and Kegums. From home heroics to milestone victories, the European stretch delivered raw emotions and key shifts in both MXGP and MX2.

Our Special Feature turns the spotlight on the rookies of the season, the rising stars making waves in their debut Grand Prix campaigns. Who’s adapting fastest to the world stage, and who could become the next household name?

In our Vintage Bike feature, we take a nostalgic ride back to 2010 with Clement Desalle’s Suzuki RMZ450, a machine that helped shape one of the most respected careers in MXGP history. This month’s Hall of Fame proudly celebrates Rob Herring, a key figure in Great Britain’s legendary win at the 1994 Motocross of Nations.

Also in this issue, Jack Martino who is behind the hospitality in the MXGP Paddock gives us in the Blog, his personal take on the changing dynamics of the paddock and the challenges behind the scenes of the Championship.

All this and more are waiting for you in MXGP Magazine Issue #139, available for FREE on the Apple Store and Google Play. Read it HERE.

Users who have already downloaded previous issues on iOS can find the new edition by opening the News Stand and tapping the latest cover. Android users can access the magazine for free via the Issuu app.

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Issue #13 8

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MX2

Date:

Friday, June 20, 2025

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Infront Moto Racing

Read more about MXGP MAGAZINE #139 IS OUT! FEBVRE’S FURY, TRIPLE-HEADER THRILLS & ROOKIE REVELATIONS

MATTIA GUADAGNINI, INJURED DURING TRAINING, OUT FOR THE MXGP OF GREAT BRITAIN

The Aruba.it-Ducati Factory MX Team rider suffered an injury while preparing for the next round of MXGP that is held this weekend at Matterley Basin in Great Britain.

Without even falling, Mattia Guadagnini suffered a torn calf muscle that will require a two-week recovery period. Guadagnini should be able to return to competition for round 13th of the FIM Motocross World Championship, which will take place on July the 13th at the Iitti-Kymi Ring in Finland.

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Thursday, June 19, 2025

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Ducati Corse

Read more about MATTIA GUADAGNINI, INJURED DURING TRAINING, OUT FOR THE MXGP OF GREAT BRITAIN

DAVE THORPE – BRITISH LEGEND

There is no doubt, Dave Thorpe is the King of British motocross. With three World 500cc championships to his name, not to mention 22 Grand Prix victories, Thorpe is one of the sports all time greats. When you consider his oppositions was names like Eric Geboers, Andre Malherbe, Georges Jobe, Kurt Nicoll, Hakan Carlqvist and Graham Noyce, you know his championships came after big fights and tight struggles.

“I can always remember going to the races with my dad as he rode locally,” Thorpe said of his younger days. “My little bike would be on the back of the trailer. I'd watch him race and then after I’d get to ride a little bit and that was really my treat. You work all your life to be somewhere and when you finally get there and realise that the history books will say that you’re a World Champion, no one can take it away."

A funny story which started the fire to really burn was a day Thorpe attended a training school with MXGP paddock legend, Roger Harvey, who is now an important part of the HRC team, of which Tim Gajser has won five World motocross championships. Thorpe remembers chasing Harvey around at that training day. Harvey was a top ten GP rider in the 125cc class, and the experience showed Thorpe, even at a young age, he had the speed.

“At the end of the day we got to ride the whole track which I'd ridden lots before and Roger (Harvey) rode with us, when he came past me, I wondered if I could keep up with him. At the time, Roger was doing 125cc Grand Prix, so I set off behind him and lost a little bit, gained a little bit and we went over the finish line, he carried on, and I thought, I'll carry on with him. And then I thought, I wonder if he knows I’m here. Then when we started to come back through the trees, I saw him having a little look, so he knew I was there. We carried on around, I kept up with him and then we got to the finish line again, he carried on but I’m not going to lie my tongue was on the tank!"

Of course, a big part of the career and victories for Thorpe was the stunning HRC factory machines. Bikes that were truly ahead of their time and a level above all the other factory machines in the GP paddock.

“It was without doubt the bike that was four or five years ahead of its time and HRC built a bike that in the wrong hands was an animal, the power was quite frightening at times. I was forever just making my bike more mellow, because I used to rev the bike a lot. If you look at André, Eric and me, we all had the same opportunity in testing, but we kind of all went in different directions, my bike was a four speed; theirs were always a five speed. At that point I realised that if I worked really hard away from the bike, I’d got some pace and that’s where I thought that I'd love to be world champion.”

And now, long into retirement, the name Dave Thorpe still reminds us all, what a legend of the sport he was. As big as his motocross success was, it is now the modest and polite manner of the British legend that makes him some admired by everyone in the sport.

Photo Credit: Adam Duckworth/Honda

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Wednesday, June 18, 2025

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Geoff Meyer

Read more about DAVE THORPE – BRITISH LEGEND

IT’S ALL BACK TO THE BASIN FOR THE MXGP OF GREAT BRITAIN!

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 18 June 2025 – The 2025 FIM Motocross World Championships fire back into action this weekend for round twelve, the MXGP of Great Britain, at the sprawling Matterley Basin venue near the southern city of Winchester, roughly 125 km south-west of the capital, London!

One of the favourite circuits for both riders and fans alike, Matterley is hosting its 14th MXGP event this weekend, and its first round in the summer months since 2021, and while British fans enjoyed the FIM Monster Energy Motocross of Nations at the venue last October, one of three such events here, the individual challenges in both MXGP and MX2 are just as enthralling and unpredictable at a high-paced circuit which has seen many close battles over the years!

The winner in that most recent summer event was a certain Antonio Cairoli, and the nine-time World Champion will line up again this weekend, in his second race of the year for the Aruba.it Ducati Factory MX Team. At the circuit where he clinched his seventh title in 2013, the Sicilian has won at Matterley more than anyone else, with six GP wins in total, one ahead of the tally of his former Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Jeffrey Herlings. The Dutchman won here for the last time in 2020 as he looks for his third GP victory in a row.

Still leading the Championship table is French fighter Romain Febvre, who holds a 26-point advantage for Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP and needs to stop the leakage of points to his teenage chaser Lucas Coenen, who has finished second overall at each of the last four GPs for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Former MX2 Matterley winner Glenn Coldenhoff holds third in the series for Fantic Factory Racing MXGP and is a big fan of the Hampshire circuit. Home hero Ben Watson, off the back of his best result for MRT Racing Team Beta, will once more try to break into the top ten or better for his local fans!

The pendulum of momentum in the MX2 class has swung in several directions over the last four GPs, and although the Latvian round was won by Sacha Coenen, it’s his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Simon Längenfelder who has taken his strongest position yet at the head of the series, with a 27-point advantage over 2023 World Champion Andrea Adamo. Reigning World Champion Kay de Wolf won race two in Latvia to bring himself just ten points adrift of Adamo in third for Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing, and has good memories of winning the MX2 class here at the Nations last year.

The EMX250 European Championship holds its ninth round at Matterley Basin, and Latvian star Janis Reisulis leads the series for VHR VRT Yamaha Official EMX250 by 37 points, and returns to the circuit where he clinched his EMX125 title in 2023. JM Honda Racing’s Noel Zanocz is second ahead of Francisco Garcia on the Venum BUD Racing Kawasaki. Dirt Store Triumph Racing’s Billy Askew will be hoping for a repeat of his top three race finish at Trentino in front of his home fans and leads the charge of a dozen Brits hoping to get amongst the top scorers this weekend!

The EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing series will be on round ten at Matterley, and Racestore KTM Factory Juniors rider Nicolò Alvisi leads the standings by 28 points from MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 pilot Mano Faure, who has won the last two rounds. Filippo Mantovani holds third for the KTM Beddini Racing Team, while top Brit Drew Stock is coming off his first win in the British Championship for Lifeline Madison Yamaha to lead a pack of seven home riders aiming for 125cc glory!

The United Kingdom, where the sport of Motocross was invented, has seen 118 Grand Prix events on 29 different circuits, and with the weather forecast looking fantastic for this weekend, the 2025 edition could be one of the best of them all! Don’t be missing it!

MXGP World Championship leader Romain Febvre has seen his points lead drop to just 26 in recent weekends, as his main contender Lucas Coenen has finished second overall in each of the last four GPs, while the Frenchman has finished third overall in the last two. The Belgian has also won three of the last five Qualifying Races to help his advancement in the points chase.

Neither rider has tasted victory at Matterley Basin, with Febvre taking just three podium finishes, a third place in 2023 his most recent, at a track which saw the end of his title defence in 2016, and his day at last year’s Motocross of Nations was also one to be forgotten. Coenen only took 11th overall in his only GP appearance here in 2023, but looked fast at the Nations before a crash broke his collarbone in his last race on a 250. Third-placed rider Coldenhoff took MX2 victory here back in 2013 but hasn’t climbed the British podium since. Maxime Renaux, fourth in points for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP, won the MX2 class in his title year of 2021, as well as an EMX125 overall win back in 2015, and second in the Open class at last year’s MXoN.

Fifth in the Championship is Ruben Fernandez, who has just passed his injured Honda HRC teammate Tim Gajser in the standings, and he was third in that Open class last year after a fine second in race two. He also climbed the podium here in MX2 in 2021.

Besides Cairoli and Herlings, the only other rider lining up in MXGP this weekend who has victories at Matterley Basin is Jago Geerts, who has been rising in stature for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP, and took his final MX2 GP victory here in 2023 to add to the trophy from 2020. Aruba.it Ducati Factory MX Team rider Jeremy Seewer, tenth in the series behind Herlings, has climbed the podium at each of the last two MXGPs at Matterley, and even won here in EMX250 back in 2013, so he could be a dark horse for a top finish while all the attention is on his erstwhile teammate Cairoli. His other teammate, Mattia Guadagnini, took second overall in MX2 here in 2021, and it’s just the sort of hardpack that the popular Italian loves.

Motul Team Honda Motoblouz SR rider Alberto Forato won at Matterley in EMX250 in 2019, and he is in need of a good result, while his teammate Kevin Horgmo returns from injury after a win in a French Championship race last weekend.

British rider Adam Sterry is the next home rider in the standings after Watson, and the Chambers Racing KTM rider also won in EMX250 here back in 2015, so he’ll be looking to get amongst the points again, as will Lexa MX riders Josh Gilbert and John Adamson. Wild card riders Jamie Carpenter of the Crendon Tru7 Honda team, and privateer Honda man Max Broadbelt will also enjoy their first MXGP experience on home soil!

It’s tough to predict a winner from the leading contenders, and the Matterley circuit allows the 450cc machines to truly show their power, so expect this one to be anarchy in the UK!

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 530 Points; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), 504 Points; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 362 Pts; 4. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 347 Points; 5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 338 Pts; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 305 Points; 7. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, FAN), 300 Pts; 8. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 284 Pts; 9. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 279 Pts; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, DUC), 253 Pts;.

Main Photo: MXGP Start Matterley Basin, 2023

Top Photo: Tony Cairoli

Bottom Photos: 1. Ben Watson; 2. Jeffrey Herlings

The MX2 World Championship saw its fifth overall winner in 11 rounds, last time out in Latvia, as Sacha Coenen finally did his speed some justice with a victory for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, although it came at the expense of his teammate Simon Längenfelder, who crashed on the final lap to lose the GP win. However, with such a poor GP for another Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider, Andrea Adamo, the German actually retook the Championship lead and left with an advantage of 27 points, the largest lead for anyone all season. His team will be hoping that he can hold this positive result in his mind instead of that last mistake at Kegums. The re-attachment of the red plate should help!

Längenfelder should be confident heading to Matterley Basin, however, as he is the only rider lining up in MX2 this weekend with a GP win to his name at this track. He took a double race victory here at the start of the 2022 season, as well as a race win in 2023 on his way to second overall.

Third overall in that 2023 GP was Adamo, while Kay de Wolf just missed the podium despite finishing second in race two. The Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team leader sits ten points behind Adamo, and is looking to rebuild his title defence from Matterley onwards. His teammate Liam Everts took an EMX125 maximum here in 2020, and is also facing a battle to get back into title contention. He also has young Coenen behind him now in the series, as Sacha’s Latvian win pulled him away from Thibault Benistant in the series. The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider should be strong on the hardpack surface this weekend, but has yet to shine in Hampshire so far in his career.

Camden McLellan will ride out from a packed Monster Energy Triumph Racing rig on the British manufacturer’s first home GP, but the seventh-placed rider in the Championship will be hoping for a repeat of his Trentino race-winning performance.

Van Venrooy KTM Racing’s lone wolf Cas Valk is ninth in the Championship behind the Honda HRC rider Valerio Late, and the Dutchman, like Herlings a 2024 British Champion, took the overall win here in EMX125 in 2022 and has just 12 points to catch up to the Italian, who had a disastrous zero weekend in Latvia. The Gabriel SS24 KTM Factory Juniors rider Oriol Oliver, who won at last weekend’s British Championship round, will look to get the British fans behind him at the home race for his team, and should advance into the top ten of the series ahead of the injured Ferruccio Zanchi.

The MX2 World Championship has been impossible to call all season long, and with many riders loving the circuit, these races should continue to entertain throughout the Grand Prix weekend in England!

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, KTM), 515 Points; 2. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 488 Pts; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 478 Points; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, HUS), 419 Pts; 5. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 389 Pts; 6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 378 Pts; 7. Camden McLellan (RSA, TRI), 324 Pts; 8. Valerio Lata (ITA, HON), 265 Pts; 9. Cas Valk (NED, KTM), 253 Pts; 10. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, HON), 220 Pts;.

Top Photo: MX2 Start Matterley Basin 2023

Bottom Photos: 1. Sacha Coenen; 2. Andrea Adamo

All the photos from the MXGP of Great Britain will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

Get your TICKETS HERE

SATURDAY: 08:00 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 08:30 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 09:00 MXE Time Practice, 09:20 EMX250 Free Practice, 09:50 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 10:30 MX2 Free Practice, 11:00 MXGP Free Practice, 11:50 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 12:30 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:15 MXE Race 1, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:00 EMX125 Race 1, 15:45 EMX250 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:40 EMX125 Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 Race 2, 12:20 MXE Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

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FIM Europe

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Wednesday, June 18, 2025

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Infront Moto Racing

Read more about IT’S ALL BACK TO THE BASIN FOR THE MXGP OF GREAT BRITAIN!

GIUSEPPE LUONGO INTERVIEW: "THE GOAL IS TO HAVE AN MXGP IN USA"

Without doubt the greatest Grand Prix promoter of all time is Giuseppe Luongo. Having started his promotional career way back in the 1980’s, with his Masters of Motocross series, which pitted the best Grand Prix riders against the best AMA riders will go down in history as a major change in the way people saw European motocross.

A little in the background now, Giuseppe has handed the reigns to his son David, who makes sure the MXGP championship runs to plan and is organized to the high standards that his father created way back in the 1980s.

We are always grateful when Giuseppe is kind enough to answer our questions and give an insight into how he see’s the sport in 2025 and some of his plans for the future.

MXLarge: We are in the middle of a very exciting 2025 season, with veteran Romain Febvre and rookie Lucas Coenen fighting for the championship. Two very different riders. What is your opinion of the fight so far and what have you enjoyed the most about the first half of the GP season?

Luongo: The first part of the season has been incredibly intense, and we have seen amazing racing in each Championship. In MXGP the competition between Lucas and Romain has been a highlight of the Championship so far, it shows that talented riders who make their experience in each European Championship class and in MX2 can then be immediately competitive at a high level in MXGP creating surprises in the main category. This has been the case for many other stars in MXGP like Lucas, Gajser and Herlings, and Romain is also a great example as at 34 he is still very fit and proving to be competitive for the title.

MXlarge: And now Jeffrey Herlings comes back with win number 109. Seems he will maybe never stop winning. How important is it to have Jeffrey racing, because he has been a huge help for MXGP to be where it is now, as far as Worldwide exposure?

Luongo: Jeffrey is unique. Considering all the records in GP victories and race wins together with all the injuries he’s had in his career, he shows he’s a man who makes and will continue to make the history of our sport. The contribution of the riders with their amazing victories and the arduous moments they fight to overcome brings our sport to be adored by the fans and helps it to be become more and more well-known worldwide giving MXGP more recognition, importance and value.

MXLarge: We have so many good riders coming up, Coenen brothers, De Wolf, Everts, Langenfelder, Adamo. The MXGP class will look very different in a couple of years and these guys will be the stars. Obviously, we all love the USA vs Europe conversation and for years GP riders have been a little better. How excited are you to see this young group of GP riders coming up against the likes of the Lawrence brothers, Haiden Deegan and those talents in America, whenever they might meet?

Luongo: All Motocross fans dream to see MXGP riders and American riders confront each other and race together, unfortunately for the moment it’s only possible at the MXoN, but we are working hard to have an MXGP in USA one day to be able to see all these stars battle it out on the race track all together.

MXLarge: On that Europe vs America, is there any update on some extra races between the two different motocross Worlds? I know there was talk a year or two ago, but has that progressed at all?

Luongo: The goal for both sides of the Atlantic is to have an MXGP in USA, and we are all working hard on this. There are many details and hurdles that need to be overcome but I remain positive. It’s difficult to give a precise date, but it will happen and hopefully in the near future.

MXLarge: Assen back on the calendar in 2027. How did that come about and with USA running the event more often, can you tell me any future MXoN dates after 2027? Could Assen be a regular base for the MXoN?

Luongo: Yes, with Assen we have a contract for the 2027 MXoN, clearly if we have the success which we are hoping for we think it will be possible to see Assen with more MXoN events in the future. Concerning future years, what I can tell you is that the MXoN is a very successful event and obviously desired by many organisers. It’s important that we bring this special event to countries which can assume in all kinds of weather conditions and to be able to hold a successful event in terms of spectators, infrastructure, racetrack, and of course, financially.

MXLarge: We lost Indonesia this year, which is obviously disappointing for nearly everyone in the GP paddock and of course for Indonesia itself. Are you in negotiations for a return to Indonesia and we keep hearing about Thailand maybe returning?

Luongo: Yes, we are in negotiation with many non-European countries including Indonesia and Thailand, and sure in a close future we will see other countries returning to the MXGP Calendar.

MXLarge: We saw on Tim Gajser’s social media that you and he had a meeting, or maybe ran into each other on holidays? How did that come about, where was it and is there anything you can tell us about the meeting?

Luongo: My encounters with riders away from the events are important to understand the riders’ needs and expectations, and also for me to explain to them IMR’s goals and strategies for the championship. At the events we are all very busy, there is the stress of the race and it’s difficult to find the time to openly talk about problems and strategies, therefore I am always very open for any rider who wants to see me.

MXlarge: Do you have any exciting news for us about new countries joining the series in the near future, or any changes to might interest the motocross fans?

Luongo: We will have news for the next year’s calendar, but it’s still too early; as I told you we are talking with several overseas organisers, by September we will have decided where we will be going in addition to Argentina, China and Australia.

MXLarge: We have the three big series, the AMA SX and MX and of course, MXGP, but it seems the World supercross series is working hard to grow and build a better series. I spoke with Kurt Nicoll, who mentioned he would love to see GP riders racing this series in their off-season. Do you have an opinion on another major series. Would it be good for the sport, or disrupt AMA and GP events?

Luongo: I believe in the free competition, and when somebody offers a better series than another it will be for sure more successful, I have done this with Masters of Motocross at the end of the 80’s and we have done this with MXGP since more than 25 years, and in America with their AMA Supercross and AMA Nationals it works very well. The manufacturers demonstrate that they believe (and it’s also my belief) that the best Supercross in the world is in America and the best Motocross in the world is MXGP, and the contracts of the manufacturers with the riders are very clear that they pay their American riders to make the AMA Supercross and the AMA Nationals and they pay the riders from the rest of the world to make MXGP. Motocross and Supercross are two entirely different sports; MXGP riders are specialised in Motocross, and SX riders are specialised in Supercross. I believe having MXGP riders participating in a Supercross series in their off-season would be detrimental to MXGP riders. Already today there are many complaints of not having enough recovery time. Professional riders at this kind of level need to have the time out during the off-season to physically recover and prepare themselves for the next season. If they were to race 12 months a year there would be a high risk of injuries not recovering completely, a high risk of burning the riders out causing an intense and shorter career for the riders and a lower performance of the riders as a whole. I believe riders need to prioritise one sport or the other (Motocross or Supercross) in order to be at the highest level of competition needed for world class sports.

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Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Author:

Geoff Meyer

Read more about GIUSEPPE LUONGO INTERVIEW: "THE GOAL IS TO HAVE AN MXGP IN USA"

THE HOME OF BRITISH GP

The Grand Prix of Great Britain has been on the GP calendar since 1957, the first official year of the FIM Motocross World Championships. British tracks and riders have been a major part of our history, and it was at the Hawkstone Park circuit where that first GP was held. The event was won by British legend and two-time World Motocross Champion Jeff Smith riding a BSA.

Since that very special day more than 60 years ago the British GP has visited many amazing circuits and seen some very special GP winners. Hawkstone Park was the mainstay for the 500cc Grand Prix after that 1957 debut, and for eight years the best big bike riders competed around the tough sand track. Riders like Bill Nilsson and Rolf Tibblin scored victories at Hawkstone, but it was Smith who finished that early Hawkstone Park era with wins again in 1963 and 65.

Hawkstone Park would drift in and out of the FIM Motocross World Championship series in the 500cc class, as circuits like Farleigh Castle and Donington Park were visited. Many legends have won at these circuits, but none more popular than the British legend and three-time 500cc World Champion, Dave Thorpe.

Thorpe would win GPs at home in 1984, 1988 and 1989, although one of his greatest performances was in 1985 when he didn’t even win the GP. Crashing in the first corner with Mervyn Anstie (father of former MXGP rider Max Anstie) Thorpe got up in last place and rode all the way to first. Completely worn out from the charge he was eventually repassed by Andre Malherbe, as the Belgian won the GP.

The 250cc class was also loaded with memorable moments, from the first victory at the Ipswich circuit by another British legend Dave Bickers in 1962, to Stefan Everts dominating at the Foxhill circuit in 1995, 96 and 97.

The 250 class ran at several different circuits between 1962 and the late 1990’s, with Donington, Hawkstone Park and Foxhill being the three circuits that brought big crowds and an exciting atmosphere.

The 125cc class didn’t see a British Grand Prix until 1975, and it was Belgian legend Gaston Rahier who won at the Pembrokeshire circuit. Several different riders won in the class between 1975 and 1999, but one of the biggest wins was that of local rider Paul Malin who took victory at the Foxhill facility in 1995. A massive crowd arrived at the circuit and the win by Malin was the only time a British rider won a GP in that era.

In the new millennium the British GP spent a few years trying to find a home. Foxhills had aged out and was no longer a GP facility while Hawkstone Park had also disappeared from the GP calendar. Sure, some cool events at places like Isle of Wight, Matchams Park, Donington Park, or Mallory Park were in, but it wasn’t until Steve Dixon built a circuit at the Matterley Basin area in 2006 that the British GP came into its own again.

It was a magnificent circuit that attracted attention worldwide and remains a favourite for the riders, media and spectators. Antonio Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings and Tim Gajser have all had major success at the circuit, with Cairoli winning five times, those victories coming in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2021. Herlings has four wins at Matterley, two in the MX2 class and two in MXGP, those four victories coming in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020. Tim Gajser has three, in 2016, 2022 and 2023.

Rather incredible, apart from that very first Grand Prix win at Matterley Basin by Stefan Everts and a win by Clement Desalle in 2013, the only other winners in the 13 year history of the MXGP class at Matterley are Cairoli, Herlings and Gajser.

Matterley Basin MXGP Winners

2006 Stefan Everts

2011 Antonio Cairoli

2012 Antonio Cairoli

2013 Clement Desalle

2014 Antonio Cairoli

2015 Antonio Cairoli

2016 Tim Gajser

2018 Jeffrey Herlings

2019 Antonio Cairoli

2020 Jeffrey Herlings

2021 Antonio Cairoli

2022 Tim Gajser

2023 Tim Gajser

Matterley Basin MX2 Winners

2006 David Philippaerts

2011 Ken Roczen

2012 Tommy Searle

2013 Glenn Coldenhoff

2014 Jeffrey Herlings

2015 Valentin Guillod

2016 Jeffrey Herlings

2018 Pauls Jonass

2019 Thomas Olsen

2020 Jago Geerts

2021 Maxime Renaux

2022 Simon Langenfelder

2023 Jago Geerts

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MX2

Date:

Friday, June 13, 2025

Author:

Geoff Meyer

Read more about THE HOME OF BRITISH GP

MXGP OF CHINA ORGANIZERS VISIT LATVIA AND STRENGTHEN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 13 June 2025 - During the 2025 MXGP of Latvia, Infront Moto Racing welcomed a delegation comprising representatives from the organizer of the MXGP of China in Shanghai. The visit provided an opportunity for the delegation to observe and study the event, and was marked by in-depth exchanges between the parties.

Mr. Zhu Yaguang, General Manager of Hehui Sports, the official organizer of the MXGP of China, introduced the progress of the new track construction and the overall preparations for the 2025 MXGP of China.

Mr. Sheng Qunhua, Party Secretary of Shanghai Fengxian District Haiwan Town People's Government, noted that Haiwan is a nationally designated “Sports and Leisure Characteristic Town.” The establishment of the new circuit and the MXGP’s landing in Haiwan will significantly elevate the development level of the town.

Mr. Lyu Jiang, Minister of Shanghai Fengxian District Party Committee Publicity Department and leader of the delegation, emphasized the district’s hope to strengthen collaboration with both the FIM and Infront Moto Racing. Centered around MXGP, the district aims to attract more high-end events and industrial resources, jointly advancing the development of Fengxian as an “International Outdoor Sports City,” and creating a new global landmark for extreme sports that integrates competition, training, business, and culture.

David Luongo, CEO of Infront Moto Racing gave high praise to the MXGP of China and expressed his anticipation for deepened cooperation. He hopes such collaboration will help bring more premium international brands into the Chinese market, set a new benchmark for global partnerships within the MXGP framework, and contribute to the rapid development of motorcycling in China.

FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia said:
“Promoting the sustainable development of motorcycling worldwide has always been FIM’s mission and vision. China continues to demonstrate strong potential in the construction of youth training systems, the standardization of event organization, and the alignment with international regulations. FIM will further deepen its strategic partnership with the CAMF, launching multi-level cooperation in technical support, talent development, and competition systems. Together, we aim to build broader pathways for Chinese riders to reach the world stage, and to advance the global motorcycling sport toward greater openness, diversity, and mutual benefit.”

Infront Moto Racing expressed its great appreciation for the strong attention and support from the MXGP of China. This meeting is seen as a significant step toward promoting the growth of motorcycle sport both in China and around the world.

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