WMX

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 22 December 2023 – Infront Moto Racing is excited to unveil updates to the 2024 racing calendar for the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Maggiora, one of the most historic motocross tracks in the world, is set to host the MXGP of Italy on the 15th and 16th of June, for the 10th round of the 2024 MXGP series. 

The Italian venue witnessed the triumphant crowing of Jorge Prado and Andrea Adamo in MXGP and MX2 in 2023. The old-school circuit of Maggiora has a rich history dating back to its inaugural event in 1966, and has been the centre stage for many spectacular races since then. 

Showing its importance in motocross, the picturesque Italian track has hosted 3 Motocross of Nations and 12 events of the FIM Motocross World Championship. There’s no doubt that the hilly Maggiora track will continue to deliver a fantastic show for the enjoyment of all motocross fans. The MXGP of Italy will also be featuring the WMX and the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing.
Still in relation to the support classes, there will be a change in the MXGP of Flanders at Lommel. Specifically, the EMX125 presented by FMF Racing and the EMX250 will swap, with the EMX250 category racing alongside the EMXOpen category.

Further updates for 2024 includes the long-anticipated return of the Motocross of European Nations on the 14th and 15th of September 2024 following its regrettable absence in 2023.

The venue that was chosen to host the promising event will be the TCS Racing Park, near Romanian capital, Bucharest. Renowned as one of the best motocross tracks in Eastern Europe, the venue is not new to international events as it successfully hosted the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship in 2023 and is fully geared up to welcome European teams and riders for this prestigious event. 

In 2022, the competition took place in Spain at Talavera de la Reina where Team France emerged victorious in the Motocross of European Nations category and Team Spain triumphed at home in the Women's Motocross of European Nations.

Make sure to save the dates for the MXGP of Italy and the MXoEN in Romania.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe
 

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 12 December 2023 – Infront Moto Racing is excited to announce that tickets for the upcoming MXGP of Spain on March 23rd and 24th are now available!

The Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos circuit will host the Spanish Grand Prix of the FIM Motocross World Championship for the fifth time. Don't miss the opportunity to witness an exhilarating Grand Prix filled with passionate fans cheering for their favourite MX heroes.

In 2023, Jeffrey Herlings made history by securing his GP win #102 in Spain, surpassing Stefan Everts' record. The ‘bullet’ won in front Mattia Guadagnini and local hero Ruben Fernandez. In MX2, Simon Laengenfelder emerged as a perfect winner, with 1-1 finish ahead of Jago Geerts and Andrea Adamo.

Joining the MXGP and MX2 classes is the FIM Women's Motocross World Championship, featuring local hero and 2023 Vice WMX Champion Daniela Guillen, along with the EMX250 class.

Don't miss out on the action at the MXGP of Spain – secure your tickets now!
Bonus: Every spectators will get 20% discount on the MXGP-TV season's package including the 2024 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

Click HERE for more details on VIP Gold Skybox packages and elevate your MXGP experience.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

 Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos
 

Yamaha Motor Europe is thrilled to announce the addition of Dutch sensation Lotte van Drunen to the Yamaha Family for the upcoming 2024 FIM Women's Motocross World Championship season and beyond.

Van Drunen first captured the world's attention in 2018 when she fearlessly competed against male riders in the 65cc class at the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship. Her remarkable talent shone through as she secured a fourth-place finish. She continued to impress in 2019, claiming an incredible third place before transitioning to the 85cc category.

In 2021, van Drunen once again showcased her skills by securing a remarkable third place in the European Championship EMX85 class while competing against her male counterparts. Despite the challenges faced during the highly competitive EMX125 series in 2022, the youngster made her WMX debut after reaching the minimum age requirement, 15, in August and finished an impressive seventh in her first appearance at the final round of the season.

Recognizing the need to ride a 250cc four-stroke to be competitive inside the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship, WMX, van Drunen made a significant switch from a 125cc two-stroke to a 250cc four-stroke at the end of 2022. In 2023, she embarked on her first full season in WMX and immediately made an impact. With four race wins and three podium finishes, including a thrilling victory on home soil in The Netherlands, van Drunen ended her rookie season ranked third in the world, despite being the youngest rider on the gate.

Joining the Yamaha Family marks an exciting new chapter in van Drunen's career. The now 16-year-old, known by her #401, will compete in the WMX World Championship aboard a GYTR kitted YZ250F with support from the De Baets Yamaha Supported MX team. 

Lotte Van Drunen

De Baets Yamaha Supported MX team rider

"I am excited for this new challenge and a fresh start in new colours. I know Yamaha has a strong bike and the best program for their young riders, which fits perfectly with me and my goals to win races and championships. I think this is exactly what I need to take my career to the next level, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve."

Thorsten Lentink

Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Coordinator

"We are thrilled to welcome Lotte van Drunen to the Yamaha family. Lotte's passion, skill, and determination align perfectly with our core values. After an incredible rookie season in WMX this year, we are excited to reach a multi-year agreement with her. We’re looking forward to seeing what she can achieve aboard our GYTR kitted YZ250F together with the De Baets Yamaha Supported Team in the future. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Yamaha Motor USA and The National Sheriff’s Association Factory Yamaha Amateur Team for their support in facilitating her adventure in the USA later this month.”

In keeping with tradition in MXGP, the 2023 FIM Motocross World Champions, namely Jorge Prado from Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing and Andrea Adamo from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, were honoured with rings commemorating their triumphs in MXGP and MX2, while Courtney Duncan of Big Van World MTX Kawasaki also received her Champion Ring to celebrate her WMX World Title.

The World Champions were presented with these unique pieces of jewellery during the annual MXGP Awardsheld on Sunday evening, following the conclusion of the last races at the MXGP of Great Britain, which marked the crowning of this season's ultimate champions.

These one-of-a-kind silver rings are meticulously crafted to symbolize victory, with each ring bearing engravings of the respective year and the name of the Champion, adding a personalised touch. The design and production of these rings are entrusted to the Italian company PR Model, led by Mr. Telemaco Cane, a dedicated motocross enthusiast himself.

The presentation of these rings serves as the final touch to solidify the Championships and marks the culmination of another successful season in the FIM Motocross World Championship.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Dear MXGP Friends,
 

As we are entering the last sprint of the 2023 MXGP season, the last three Grand Prix gave us a preview of what September would look like. 

After Finland, the MXGP went back to Uddevalla in Sweden and its iconic circuit, located alongside the brown cliffs and rocks of the area. This year, the weather brought us heavy rain and the weekend turned to be a muddy race. To race in those conditions is never easy and I would like to thank the organizer and all the people that worked hard on the track to give the best conditions possible to the riders. Jeremy Seewer made a very strong performance and got the win in front of Romain Febvre and Jorge Prado, and in MX2, the German rising star Simon Laengenfelder won the Grand Prix in front of Liam Everts and Andrea Adamo. Besides racing, we announced the renewal of the Grand Prix of Sweden for three more years. 

Then we went back to the Netherlands in Arnhem, a venue that was hosting for the first time the MXGP World Championship. It was a big success, as the fans answered the call to support the Dutch riders after a year without a Dutch Grand Prix. Arnhem offered the best facilities, the organization of the event was very good, and the races were great, too. Febvre added one more GP victory to his book and Everts confirmed he won’t give up the championship until the end! It is very positive to have found a venue that can host the Grand Prix of the Netherlands with a long-term vision and to secure the event in the country.

Then, the first weekend of September brought us to Turkiye and the city of Afyon. As every year, the welcome of the riders and the whole paddock was exceptional. The quality of the infrastructure and the support of the authorities and the city in the development of the Grand Prix in Turkiye is an example to follow. 

The MXGP of Turkiye hosted the last round of the FIM Women Motocross World Champion and Courtney Duncan was crowned as champion and added one more championship to her career! The new generation is coming and pushing hard and I am sure we will see more and more talented women competing in this championship in the future. 

In the EMX250cc it was also an important day for Andrea Bonacorsi as he obtained the title. The Italian rider will certainly move to the MX2 class next year full of confidence. 

In both MXGP and MX2 class, the leaders lost points during the weekend. Tim Gajser won his first Grand Prix of the year after the winter injury that obliged him to stay away for months from the races. Maxime Renaux made his come back to the podium with a third overall position and Romain Febvre finished second and closed the gap with Prado to 67 points. In MX2 it was even closer with Everts’ victory in front of Kevin Horgmo and Jago Geerts. Horgmo went for the first time on the podium and Everts ended up the Grand Prix 48 points away from Adamo with two races to go!

The MXGP season will stay open until the end and the last two rounds will be full of expectations, tension and action. This weekend we are back in Maggiora, one of the most iconic tracks in the World for the MXGP of Italy. For this occasion, we will organize a Legends Parade on Sunday with all the most iconic and popular riders that made the history of our sport. Then we will head to UK and Matterlay Basin for the finale of the championship. 

We will have some days to take a breath before driving to Ernée and witness the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations that will take place on the 7/8 of October. It is already on the way to be the most popular, crowded, exceptional and spectacular motocross event of the history. Be sure to be present, be part of the history! 

See you in Maggiora.
 

David Luongo
CEO of Infront Moto Racing 

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 8 September 2023 – What an incredible season it has been for Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Courtney Duncan who claimed her fourth WMX World title. The Kiwi came back to the top following a dominant season that saw her display all her talent to rise in front of the likes of Daniela Guillen and Lotte Van Drunen.

Duncan began riding motocross at the age of seven, after being introduced to it by her stepfather, and spent as much time as she could after school and on weekends at her own little track in her garden. Duncan made her debut in the WMX Championship in Qatar in 2016 and went on to win two convincing races, propelling her to the top of the podium on her debut. With five race wins and three Grand Prix triumphs to her name, she took fifth place in the standings at the end of the season.

In 2017, she came back to give it her all once again, and after a thrilling season-long battle with Kiara Fontanesi and Livia Lancelot, Duncan came in third place despite missing two rounds and was only two points short of winning the championship. She returned a year later in 2018, however this time she missed the final two vital rounds of the campaign which ended her ambition of becoming champion just yet.

2019 was the year of the consecration for the Kiwi who completely dominated the season with an eye-watering 9 wins out of 10 races, only to miss out on the perfect score at the opening round in Valkenswaard after a crash costing her a podium. She went on to win the WMX Championship with a 30-point lead over the Dutch rider, Nancy Van De Ven.

In 2020, her second title was one that she had to dig deep. After very competitive season, four frontrunners were separated by only 10 points going into the last round with Nancy Van De Ven, Larissa Papenmeier, Courtney Duncan and Kiara Fontanesi.Despite a bad start in the opening race, Duncan managed to fight her way through to take the win while she finished third in the second heat. At the end of the day two riders were tied for the Championship Title, Duncan and Van De Ven. The Title was then decided by race wins and it was Duncan with five races victories over Van De Ven’s three who lifted the crown for the second year in a row.

 In 2021, Duncan entered the season with the mission to go for her third title. She won the first round with a perfect 1-1 to start from the best of ways although she then missed on the podium in the second round, losing her Red Plate to Shana van der Vlist. It then ensued a strong battle and a give and take with Kiara Fontanesi over the double header in Turkiye. Following another win in Spain, Duncan entered the final round in Trentino with a 16-point advantage over home hero Kiara Fontanesi who was keen on going for her seventh world title in front of the Italian crowd. While Fontanesi took a bad start and finished 15th, which blew her chances in the Championship, Duncan finished third to secured the 2021 World Title and become a three-time World Champion.

On the back of a frustrating 2022 campaign that was hindered by injuries, the 2023 Women’s Motocross World Championship began in Sardinia for Duncan who rode well to get a good third place overall on the first round. She then took it up a notch to get a good grasp in the Championship as she went on to win the second round in Switzerland with a solid 1-2. From then on, the New Zealander made sure to be the main performer of the season as she went on to win the next four races in Spain and France with two perfect victories increasing her lead in the Championship to 20 points on the consistent Daniela Guillen. 

Following a long break in the shoes of the solid Red Plate, the penultimate round in The Netherlands were somewhat of an unexpected one for Duncan who saw her perfect podium ratio stopped with a frustrating 4thplace overall. In the meantime, her closest rivals, Guillen and Lotte Van Drunen rode amazingly as the Rookie Van Drunen won her first Overall round of her young career on home soil with a perfect 1-1. Guillen on the other hand, continued her strong outings to get the second place on the podium and reduced the gap with Duncan to 16 points. 

Coming into the last round of the season at Afyonkarahisar in Turkiye, Duncan had the advantage in the Championship as she was leading Guillen by 16 points and Lotte Van Drunen by 23 points but could not lose any focus in these last two races to get her hands on the mighty trophy. 

Duncan showed straight from the first race in Turkiye that she was determined to leave nothing to chance as she displayed all her talent to get in front on the opening lap to fly to a dominant victory. The future Champion stroke a big blow to the confidence of her closest rivals as she virtually had one hand on the Title. All she needed in Race 2 to lift the crown was a P.17 or better. However, the extreme stormy weather conditions falling on Afyon on Saturday evening made the track very difficult to manage and challenging for all the riders in the second race. 

In those conditions, the most important for Duncan was to not lose focus for a second during the entire race and stay on two wheels due to the constant roost coming from the rear wheel of the bike in front and the treacherous terrain. That is where all her experience came into play with a solid start that saw Duncan going into third position and began to manage the race beautifully. With competition in her blood, the champion-to-be was not ready to settle patiently for third as she still managed to make an excellent pass to move up second on lap five. From then on, Duncan managed to safely stay out of danger to bring it home in second place to clinch her fourth title and secure the 2023 Women’s Motocross World Championship.

What a success story it has been for Courtney Duncan, Kawasaki Motors Europe and Team Big Van World MTX who have together clinched four individual WMX World Titles over the last five years and three Manufacturers’ World Titles. The incredible stats do not stop there as the 27-years-old from the South Island of New Zealand has throughout her career won an impressive 23 overall rounds out of 40 and 42 race wins out of 80. 

Courtney Duncan will now be able to enjoy this incredible year and celebrate it surrounded by her family who made the long journey to come and support her in Turkiye. While a well-deserved break now awaits the four-time World Champion, one thing is sure, it’s that the Kiwi rider will start soon to look and work towards next season as she is determined to keep winning and increased her already incredibly successful career.

Courtney Duncan: " What a season, honestly! Four overall round wins and a fourth WMX World Title. I was not too stressed today; I knew what I needed to do and I know how to ride mud. Anything can happen in these conditions but I got a good start and just stayed upright. The conditions were difficult and slippery but it was the same for everyone and I ran it home in second; that was enough for the overall victory and the championship. It's been a really good season with four round wins and we were really consistent; for sure it's a challenge when there are such long breaks between some races after you have started to build momentum but we kept our focus. I feel like we definitely stepped it up this year and my Kawasaki KX250 never missed a beat. This title means so much to me; the first one in 2019 was a sigh of relief, getting the monkey off my back, but I got knocked down last year with my injury and I really wanted to raise the bar this year. It took a lot of hard work but my mom's here this weekend for the first time and to experience one with her is very special so first we'll enjoy this one and then we'll start to work for the next one!"

Courtney Duncan 2023 WMX Champion clip

Quick Facts

DOB: 26/01/1996

BEST RESULT: 4-time WMX World Champion (2019, 2020,2021,2022)

FIRST ROUND RACED: Round of Qatar 2016

FAVOURITE TRACK: Portugal, Agueda

2023 stats:

RACE WINS: 6

PODIUMS: 5

OVERALL VICTORIES: 4

POLE POSITIONS: 3
 

AFYON (Turkiye) 4 September 2023 – The last Round of the 2023 FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship closed in Turkiye and displayed an ultimate thrilling and intense show for the Turkish crowd.

In the end, we witnessed Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Courtney Duncan finished the season in style with an overall win to get crowned FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion for the fourth time in her career in front of her family making the journey to support her and celebrate the title. RFME GASGAS WMX Team’s Daniela Guillen finished this successful season with the Silver Medal while the young Lotte Van Drunen get the Bronze Medal on her first full season.

The dominance of the Kiwi rider showed again in Afyon where she won the second race to win the overall in front of a solid Fantic Racing MX’s Lynn Valk who gets a back-to-back podium. Rounding the podium was Larissa Papenmeier who fought hard to get her first podium of the season. 

In Race 1, it was Courtney Duncan who took the best start and made sure that she had her destiny into her own hands. Duncan powered through to get in front quickly while Larissa Papenmeier made an outstanding start to go 2nd early on. Duncan quickly opened a consequent gap with Papenmeier and increasing it during the race of up to 11 seconds. No one could stop the Kiwi to win the first race and have virtually one hand on the WMX World Title. 

Papenmeier stayed solid the whole race as she had to keep Daniela Guillen at bay earlier in the race. Papenmeier continued the race in 2nd place until the end. Guillen on her part tried to put pressure on Papenmeier but got caught by Fantic Racing MX’s Lynn Valk on lap 2 of 12. Valk capitalised on Guillen’s focus at the front to launch an attack and pass the Spanish rider. However a lap later Valk made a mistake and Guillen took the inside to take back the 3rd place. From then on, Guillen rode the whole race trying to pass Papenmeier without success and settled for 3rd while Valk finished 4th after an intense battle with Lotee Van Drunen.

The third in the Championship, Van Drunen didn’t get the best start and found herself in 7th on the opening lap. The recent winner in The Netherlands managed to overtake Sara Andersen for 6th on lap 2 and then kept charging forward and powered through JK Racing Yamaha Charli Cannon for 5th a lap later. Van Drunen finished very strongly as she pushed to overtake Valk until the last moment. Van Drunen rode faster than everyone towards the end of the race and caught up with Valk. Van Drunen passed Valk in the last lap but Valk answered straight back to take her 4th place back. Van Drunen in the end finished in 5th place while Cannon settled for 7th and Andersen for 8th.

In Race 2, Valk took the fastest start of the pack and controlled the race from the get go. Valk looked impressive as she pulled away quickly and went to win the race very comfortably to get a 4-1 and climbing on the second step of the podium. While Valk was minding her own race at the lead, Duncan started well in 3rdposition on the opening lap knowing that she needed at least a 17th place to win the WMX Title. That fact didn’t stop the future WMX World Champion to fight and push behind Andersen who got a great start in 2nd position. It took Duncan until lap 5 of 10 to catch up with the Danish rider and gets the best drive out of a jump to pass Andersen for 2nd. Nothing would stop Duncan who rode in control of the 2nd position until the end to win the Turkish round and with it clinch the 2023 FIM WMX World Championship in front of all her family coming to celebrate this beautiful moment. 

Andersen managed to hold onto the 3rd place for her personal best finish this season. It wasn’t enough for the podium but Andersen finished at an excellent 4th overall. Behind her was Papenmeier who showed that she was on from again after missing on the last round in The Netherlands. She displayed a great performance after an average start in 7th on the opening lap. The German was determined get her first podium of the season as she charged forward to overake Shana Van Der Vlist and capitalised on Britt Jans-Beken fall to move up into 5th on lap 4. She kept pushing and overtook RFME GasGas WMX Team’s Gabriela Seisdedos to move up to 4th  on lap 9 and finished there to get on the third step of the podium. 

Van Der Vlist ended at the 5th place for 7th overall while Jans-Beken finished 9th after a fall for 9th overall. Seisdedos managed to finish at a good 6th place and her best finish of the season for 8th overall in the end. 

Unfortunately, Cannon didn’t take part in the second race of the Turkish round due to feeling unwell between Saturday and Sunday. MX Fonta Racing’s Kiara Fontanesi didn’t make the journey to Turkiye to focus on the preparation for next season.

Courtney Duncan : “What a season, honestly! Four overall round wins and a fourth WMX World Title. As a little kid I would not even dream of this but get four World Title is so special. It is amazing to give back to the person who believed in you like my family and the team. I’m going to enjoy this. My mum is here so I’m gonna share that moment with with some other family friend. I’m losing the words and I don’t really know what else to say but I am so grateful for this moment.”

WMX - Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), 25:41.482; 2. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:10.062; 3. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GASGAS), +0:12.561; 4. Lynn Valk (NED, Fantic), +0:14.110; 5. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, Kawasaki), +0:14.856; 6. Charli Cannon (AUS, Yamaha), +0:41.945; 7. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:49.249; 8. Shana van der Vlist (NED, Yamaha), +1:09.330; 9. Gabriela Seisdedos (ESP, GASGAS), +1:15.227; 10. Mathea Seleboe (NOR, Yamaha), +1:18.306

WMX - Race 2 – Top 10 Classification:  1. Lynn Valk (NED, Fantic), 26:02.829; 2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +1:15.192; 3. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +1:19.612; 4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +2:29.881; 5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, Yamaha), +2:56.633; 6. Gabriela Seisdedos (ESP, GASGAS), +3:00.906; 7. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 8. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GASGAS), -1 lap(s); 9. Britt Jans-Beken (NED, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 10. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), -1 lap(s)

WMX - Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 47 points; 2. Lynn Valk (NED, FAN), 43 p.; 3. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GAS), 33 p.; 6. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, KAW), 30 p.; 7. Shana van der Vlist (NED, YAM), 29 p.; 8. Gabriela Seisdedos (ESP, GAS), 27 p.; 9. Britt Jans-Beken (NED, YAM), 21 p.; 10. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), 19 p

WMX - Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 270 points; 2. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GAS), 240 p.; 3. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, KAW), 230 p.; 4. Lynn Valk (NED, FAN), 211 p.; 5. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 166 p.; 6. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 157 p.; 7. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 145 p.; 8. Britt Jans-Beken (NED, YAM), 130 p.; 9. Charli Cannon (AUS, YAM), 106 p.; 10. Shana van der Vlist (NED, YAM), 98 p

WMX - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Kawasaki, 292 points; 2. GASGAS, 250 p.; 3. Yamaha, 217 p.; 4. Fantic, 211 p.; 5. KTM, 167 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 82 p.; 7. Honda, 34 p

Main Photo: WMX Championship Top 3 Pictured with FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela and Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo.

Top Photo: Courtney Duncan with Gold Plate of WMX Champion

Bottom Photos: 1. Courtney Duncan 2. WMX Podium Turkiye

All the photos from MXGP of Turkiye will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.
 

MXGP OF TURKIYE QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1725m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 25°

Weather conditions: Sunny/Cloudy

Crowd Attendance: 29,000

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Afyonkarahisar