Infront Moto Racing is delighted to announce that Pirelli will continue the partnership as an official tyre supplier of the FIM Motocross World Championship until the end of 2025!
Over the next three seasons Pirelli will continue to be present at all the MXGP circuits around the world with the same determination and passion, offering outstanding product and services to the riders. Along with their tyre service truck, the brand will also receive a worldwide visibility around the tracks on the race calendar. Additionally, what makes Pirelli unique is that anyone can purchase the same tires found on the bikes of World Champions.
The Italian tyre manufacturer has been a part of the FIM Motocross World Championship for decades, winning a total of 79 World Titles over the years with riders such as Tim Gajser, Jeffrey Herlings, Jorge Prado, Tom Vialle and other legends including Antonio Cairoli, Stefan Everts, André Malherbe, Eric Geboers, Jöel Smets,David Thorpe and many more.
The main choices of tyres in MXGP are part of the Pirelli Scorpion MX range, with the Scorpion MX32 Mid Soft and the Scorpion MX Soft. Pirelli tyres are chosen by many of the top riders and teams in MXGP and MX2 because they trust that the product will deliver top results.
Across the FIM Motocross World Championship classes around 60 riders use Pirelli, such as Jeffrey Herlings, Tim Gajser, Ruben Fernandez, Jeremy Seewer, Glenn Coldenhoff, Maxime Renaux, Ben Watson, Alessandro Lupino, Jorge Prado, Mattia Guadagnini, Brent Van Doninck, Stephen Rubini, Calvin Vlaanderen, Hardi Roosiorg, Valentin Guillod, Alberto Forato in MXGP. And in MX2, Andrea Adamo, Liam Everts, Sacha Coenen, Tom Guyon, Simon Langenfelder, Jago Geerts, Thibault Benistant, Rick Elzinga, Camden McLellan, Cornelius Toendel, Muhammad Alfarizi, Emil Weckman just to name a few.
Official teams that use Pirelli include Red Bull KTM Factory Racing,Team HRC, MRT Racing Team Beta, Fantic Factory Team Maddii, Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing,Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP and MX2 Team, Team Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing, JM Honda Racing, Team Ship To Cycle Honda Motoblouz SR, and many more.
Pirelli dominated the 2022 Motocross World Championship Podium in MXGP with Tim Gajser, Jeremy Seewer and Jorge Prado, and in MX2 with Tom Vialle, Jago Geerts and Simon Langenfelder.
For more news check out our dedicated MXGP/MX2 News page
The seventh round of the FIM Motocross World Championship is heading back to the legendary Maggiora Park this weekend for the MXGP of Italy.
Last season, Maggiora Park made its much-anticipated return to the MXGP calendar, after closing its doors in late 2016. In that time, the well-known Italian circuit was revived and made its World Championship return, re-introducing a beloved old-school traditional circuit with some modernised touches.
The hillside track based in the north of Italy has a rich history having hosted numerous FIM Motocross World Championship events since the late 60’s, including the most memorable 1970, 1986 and 2016 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.
Maggiora stats & facts:
First GP hosted in 1966 and was won by Paul Friedrichs
Host of the legendary 1970, 1986 & 2016 Monster Energy FIM MXoN
10 GP’s hosted in total since 1966 – this year will be the 11th!
Jeffrey Herlings has won the most GPs in Maggiora than any other rider (3 – 2013, 2014 & 2021)
Joining the MXGP and MX2 riders this weekend will be the EMX categories with rounds three and four of the EMX250 and EMX Open Championships. In EMX250, after two rounds Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Rick Elzinga leads the championship with 93 points over Fantic Factory Team Maddii’s Cornelius Toendel and Oriol Oliver of WZ Racing. Elzinga has won both of the first two rounds in Lombardia and Portugal, so it will be interesting to see if he can carry on his winning streak, or whether a new rider will rise to the occasion.
Meanwhile in EMX Open, just a point separates Raths Motorsports’ Michael Sandner and Jose Butron from JD Gunnex KTM Racing Team in the championship standings, after Sandner’s DNF in race one at the Latvian round saw him in danger of losing the red plate. Butron will enter the Italian round following his first overall victory of the season, so it will be interesting to see whether he can repeat his success and take control of the series.
As we head into round seven of the series, news broke that defending world champion Jeffrey Herlings of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will sit out the remainder of the season. Herlings will undergo two corrective surgeries and will instead focus his efforts on being ready for 2023. Meanwhile there is still no news on Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Romain Febvre and his return.
At the moment Team HRC’s Tim Gajser is in the driving season of the championship and after the perfect scorecard in Latvia last weekend and his fifth GP win of the season, the Slovenian will be looking to continue his winning streak and deliver a much more positive result this time around in Maggiora, compared to last year’s 5-6 scorecard for seventh overall.
Gajser has previously won in Maggiora back in 2015 though this was in MX2, and he is yet to win in the MXGP category at the hillside venue. As it stands, Gajser currently leads all of the stats so far in terms of pole positions, laps led, race wins, GP victories and podiums, therefore having him as a top contender for the win this weekend wouldn’t be that surprising.
Of course, his closest title rival and the rider who follows him in all of those stats is Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado. Prado will be looking to bounce back after a disastrous weekend in Kegums. A 12thand 13th in the races saw Prado now drop to 66 points behind Gajser, so maximum points will be needed for the Spaniard in order to not lose grip on his chance to go for his first MXGP championship.
Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass will enter the Italian Grand Prix off the back of a very successful weekend on home soil that saw him battle at the front of the field and challenging Gajser for race wins on his way to his first podium of 2022. In the end Jonass confirmed he needed to “keep his feet on the ground” which was a very mature decision by the Latvian, in order to deliver a solid result rather than risk it all. Now having had a race weekend where he was consistently fighting with the championship leaders, this should give him confidence for the rest of the year and it will be interesting to see how he can follow up with that.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’sGlenn Coldenhoff was among the three riders that were tied on points for the GP victory last season in Maggiora. The Dutchman finished on 40 points alongside Red KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli, with Herlings’ race two victory eventually overruling the scores of the other two riders. Having those memories will be a bonus for Coldenhoff who has been building for a podium finish this season and has been looking strong ever since Portugal where he won the qualifying race and has been close to a spot on the box ever since.
His teammates Maxime Renaux and Jeremy Seewer have also been in the mix at the sharp end consistently. Though when it comes to looking at the numbers, Renaux is currently the most successful rider on the team this season, if we measure ‘success’ by podium finishes, which the Frenchman has three under his belt compared to Seewer’s one. Seewer also revealed that he struggled in Latvia, as did Renaux, so it would be good to see the pair back at the top this time around.
Honda 114 Motorsports Ruben Fernandez is a rider to watch this weekend. The Spaniard secured his first MXGP podium of his career in Latvia, going 3-4 for third overall. Now it will be interesting to see if that first podium will change anything for Fernandez and whether he can follow up with more.
Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Arminas Jasikonis is on the entry list for the Italian Grand Prix and will hopefully make his come back after missing the last four GPs. Looking at the current entry list, Beta SDM Corse’s Alessandro Lupino will also return to racing
Making a wildcard appearance for this GP will be David Philippaerts who is a usual regular when it comes to racing the Italian GP’s.
Home rider Alberto Forato of SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery will be looking to put on his best performance on home soil and continue delivering the strong results that he has been showing so far. He currently sits ninth in the championship standings which is pretty impressive. There are quite a few Italians to watch out for in general this weekend including Fantic Factory Team Maddii’s Nicholas Lapucci and Filippo Zonta among quite a few others who will wildcard this weekend.
2021 MXGP of Italy Top 3 – MXGP:
1. Jeffrey Herlings (40 pts)
2. Glenn Coldenhoff (40 pts)
3. Antonio Cairoli (40 pts)
MXGP – World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 286 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 220 p.; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 215 p.; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 187 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 177 p.; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 163 p.; 7. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 154 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 140 p.; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, GAS), 124 p.; 10. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 120 p.;
In MX2 things are getting interesting at the top of the championship standings as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts took back the red plate in Latvia with a clean 1-1 overall victory, though he remains tied on points with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle. So, it’s back to square one for the pair, as they basically start from zero, which should make for some very interesting racing.
In Latvia, Geerts was on top of his game and keen on making up for lost ground in Trentino where a DNF saw him lose the championship lead. Meanwhile, Vialle struggled to find his rhythm all weekend long in Kegums, so will be looking to bring his A game this weekend and take maximum points. Last year the MXGP of Italy was not the best for Vialle, who after getting injured a few weeks prior, only managed a few laps of the races.
What would be nice to see this weekend is something special from Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini. Last season, Guadagnini had a dream weekend in Maggiora, winning a race and then subsequently winning the GP (his very first one and on home soil) as well as taking the red plate! Of course, expectations are going to be high this weekend, as the Italian is yet to finish on the podium this year and this weekend could be his best opportunity to do it.
The second Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing rider Simon Längenfelder is currently third in the championship, sitting on the same points as Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf and Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Mikkel Haarup. Since his podium in Great Britain, Längenfelder has come close to the podium, but consistency its what’s letting him down lately. Meanwhile, de Wolf has also had some very solid results this year, he’s been on the podium twice but has also had a couple of races, where consistency was the reason why he narrowly missed out on a spot on the box. Either way both Längenfelder and de Wolf are still a pair to watch out for this weekend.
Meanwhile Haarup had a tough weekend in Latvia after an unavoidable crash, on a landing of a jump where another rider had already fallen, took him out of the running for his fourth consecutive podium. Before that, Haarup was running well and had presented himself as a real threat at the sharp end, so hopefully he can bounce back this weekend and see the beginning of another podium streak.
F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Kevin Horgmo had a near perfect weekend in Kegums and continued the team’s success in Latvia, securing his first podium in MX2 with second overall. Horgmo led an impressive 11 laps of the second race, before getting caught by Geerts, nonetheless, the Norwegian showed that he is fast enough, fit enough and most importantly confident enough to lead races which is a huge confidence boost in itself. It will be interesting to see what the next race has in store and whether the result in Kegums will be like a springboard for Horgmo for the rest of the season.
The Italian GP this weekend will also be a home round for SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery’s Andrea Adamo. Since his podium in Mantova, Adamo has struggled to put together two consistent results. Also not scoring points in race two at the MXGP of Trentino didn’t help his overall standings as he currently sits in 8thbehind Guadagnini. A home GP is usually special for any rider, so hopefully that extra boost of motivation to perform well on home soil will see Adamo fighting with the leaders once again.
Gianluca Facchetti of Team Beddini Racing KTM is also on the entry list, along with another local rider Daniel Gimm who will make a wildcard appearance this weekend.
2021 MXGP of Italy Top 3 – MX2:
1. Mattia Guadagnini (47 pts)
2. Maxime Renaux (37 pts)
3. Jago Geerts (34 pts)
MX2 – World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 244 points; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 244 p.; 3. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 181 p.; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 181 p.; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 181 p.; 6. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 176 p.; 7. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 161 p.; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GAS), 153 p.; 9. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), 136 p.; 10. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 121 p.;
TIMETABLE (Local Timing CEST)
SATURDAY: 09:45 EMX Open Free Practice, 10:15 EMX250 Free Practice, 10:50 MX2 Free Practice, 11:20 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 12:45 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:25 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 14:45 EMX Open Race 1, 15:30 EMX250 Race 1, 16:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.
Infront Moto Racing and Milestone are pleased to announce today the release of MXGP 2020, new chapter of the beloved series of the official FIM Motocross World Championship, for PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Windows PC®/STEAM. While the PlayStation®5 release, as recently announced, will be released on January 14th, 2021.
MXGP 2020 is the only game where players can fully experience the excitement of the current MXGP season, competing with 68 riders from both MXGP and MX2 categories on the 19 circuits of the 2020 season. Starting as a rookie, players can choose their path to glory: joining an official team or creating their own.
Official MXGP tracks aren’t enough? The Track Editor* will be back soon with some great features added in. Thanks to the new Heightmaps feature, players can replicate the real MX tracks configurations, often built on hills and mountains, adding realism and all the challenges that real riders face during races. There will be 4 different terrain types that players can choose and customize – Plain, Quarry, Orchard and Forest – to create the track of their dream. All new tracks created, can be shared online with friends.
To enjoy free-roam riding, alone or with friends*, in MXGP 2020 returns one of the most beloved features, the Playground. Players can test their riding skills in the new setting inspired to Norwegian fjords terrains, and this year they can also free ride together with other 3 friends*.
And to create more fun in the Playground, the beloved Waypoint mode returns, now allowing races up to 4 players.
MXGP 2020 Multiplayer Mode will be boosted with Dedicated Servers for a lag-free gameplay experience, and Race Director Mode* to create amazing Online tournaments, deciding starting positions, assigning penalties, or choosing the cameras to focus on.
Last but not least, MXGP 2020 makes feel every rider unique, with more than 10.000 items, all officially licensed from more than 110 brands of the Motocross world. Not only cosmetic customizations: bike performances can be also improved with real life replica of different bike parts.
MXGP 2020 is available for PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Windows PC®/STEAM. On PlayStation®5 it will be available from January 14th, 2021.
Infront Moto Racing is extremely delighted to announce that GoPro will continue as MXGP’s official action camera as they pursue to bring all the best photo and video content from the FIM Motocross World Championship.
GoPro, a manufacturer of the world’s leading action-sports camera, joined the FIM Motocross World Championship back in 2013, and since then has produced some top-quality content, giving all MXGP fans the opportunity to enjoy motocross from a variety of perspective and angles, all thanks to the creative technologies of the GoPro cameras and mounts!
During the race days, MXGP uses numerous GoPro cameras on athletes and in the paddock to capture some of the best action and unique angles up close and inside of the race. This footage appears on MXGPs, GoPro’s and the athletes social media channels and is often used in broadcast.
Most recently, GoPro launched a new addition to their camera line-up, the GoPro HERO9 Black! The new flagship model features “more everything” including a new sensor that delivers 5K video and 20-megapixel photos, next-generation HyperSmooth 3.0 video stabilization and a new front-facing display in order to give the user and viewer an even better experience!
While around the circuit you can find various GoPro advertising boards and activations, including a window giving prime TV visibility of the all-new HERO 9 camera ad! This new advertising window along with GoPro boards were visible during the MXGP Lombardia, and will be present at the MXGP of Spain, Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders and the MXGP of Trentino.
In previous years, fans also got the opportunity to take part in GoPro’s many activities at selected events, getting to test all the latest technology and the coolest gear, as well as participate in some exciting giveaways, which we look forward to welcoming back in the future when it is safe to do so.
Infront Moto Racing looks forward to continuing this wonderful cooperation, with one of the leading brands in the industry, as we bring our fans an even more exciting look of the FIM Motocross World Championship!
What’s new at GoPro”
Click HERE and Meet HERO9 Black. More power. More clarity. More stability. Featuring a 23.6MP sensor for 5K
Furthermore, GoPro has offers the GoPro subscription service, which delivers the best value and end-to-end experience to GoPro users. GoPro subscribers benefit from no-questions-asked camera replacement; unlimited cloud storage of their GoPro photos and video at original quality; enhanced live streaming to GoPro.com with fewer restrictions than other live streaming services; up to 50% on mounts and accessories at GoPro.com, including the brand-new lineup of GoPro Lifestyle Gear;
Another Grand Prix is in the books and now it’s time to look ahead to the next one, as the FIM Motocross World Championship continues its run in Mantova, Italy, with the second GP, the MXGP of Città di Mantova.
The MXGP of Lombardia saw plenty of action as the top riders of MXGP and MX2 battle it out for the top spot, though in the end it was a momentous day for Jeremy Seewer of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racingwho claimed his very first overall victory in MXGP, while Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’sThomas Kjer Olsen made his much awaited return to the top of the box, going on to take the overall in MX2.
With the first Grand Prix of three here in Mantova, complete, it’s time to look ahead to the next one, as the action returns tomorrow with more from the WMX and EMX250 riders, before the MXGP and MX2 races on Wednesday – for yet another mid-week special!
This occasion will be a chance for the defending Women’s Motocross World Champion, Courtney Duncan of DRT Kawasaki to fight back and claim those all-important championship points, following an unlucky crash in the second race just a round earlier. Though Larissa Papenmeier, who won the previous round of Lombardia, Mantova and claimed the red plate, together with Kiara Fontanesi and Nancy Van de Ven from Ghidinelli racing s.s.d s.r.l. won’t make things easy.
In the EMX250 class, no doubt Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Thibault Benistant will be hoping to add yet another overall victory to his growing score, while Maddii Racing’sMattia Guadagnini will be looking for redemption as he aims for the podium on home soil.
There is no doubt that Jeremy Seewer will be keen on putting together two solid results and add another overall victory under his belt, following some nice racing yesterday. In the first race, the Swiss had the perfect run, starting off with a FOX Holeshot and then leading every lap until the finished flag dropped. The second race was much tougher, as he had to fight his way through, while also recovering from a crash, though it was enough to get him on the podium.
Now with the first overall under his belt, the factory Yamaha rider will be more motivated than ever to carry on with his podium success and deliver even better results in the next races.
Meanwhile for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli the next GP will be all about redemption. In the first race the Italian rode strong to finish in third behind Seewer and his teammate Jorge Prado. While the second race was much different. The 9-time world champion crashed twice and could only manage 15th with an injury on his nose.
This was not how he had imagined such race, though in terms of the championship there’s plenty of time to make up for the lost ground. And with the memories of yesterday’s race hopefully behind him, there is no doubt that we will see Cairoli come out with a fighting attitude as he looks to get back that championship lead from Team HRC’s Tim Gajser.
And of course, Gajser is now the new MXGP championship leader as he got his hands on the red plate for the first time this season. An 8-1 result in the races was not enough for the podium, but it was sufficient enough for him to get 5 points ahead of Cairoli in the standings. Of course, having won that second race, Gajser has shown that he is capable of winning in the sand here in Mantova and a good start is all the Slovenian needs for the next races.
Then there’s Prado, who has been nothing short of impressive over the last few races. Once again, his starts were a key to his success as he battled it out for the win with Seewer in the opening race and then led for a while in the second heat. Though with a field stacked full of riders all fast enough and fit enough to win, those victories won’t come easy and he will have to work hard to get back on the top of the box and add a few more wins to his name.
Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing Team rider Glenn Coldenhoff is another rider who can go after the win at the MXGP of Città di Mantova. Yesterday in the opening race he finished strong in 4th behind Cairoli, while in race two he inherited second after some nice battles during the race. As a result, he also made a podium appearance, finishing in second.
Of course, as with this entire season of the FIM Motocross World Championship, a clear winner is hard to predict, and the last few GP’s have really gone to show that anyone can win in this loaded class.
MXGP of Lombardia Top 3:
1.Jeremy Seewer
2.Glenn Coldenhoff
3.Jorge Prado
In MX2, there is no doubt that both Tom Vialle of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Jago Geerts from Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing will be looking to redeem themselves during the races on Wednesday, after not making the podium yesterday.
For Vialle the day started well. He got a good start in the opening race, which he went on to win by a nice 6 second lead over Thomas Kjer Olsen. While the second race was a polar opposite.
The Frenchman didn’t get start and then struggled to come through the field, before being caught by a number of riders which pushed him all the way down to 14th in the race. Though it was an issue with the front wheel of his bike that he struggled with and the reason why he could not give it his 100% in the race. But now as we turn a fresh new page on the racing here in Mantova, there is no doubt he will ensure things are different on Wednesday.
For Geerts, both races were tough. The first one he didn’t get the start he would have needed to battle at the front, though he successfully made his way through the field before crashing out, to eventually finish 11th. Then in the second one Geerts got a better start and was going after Hitachi KTM Fuelled by Milwaukee rider Conrad Mewse for third, before having a crash. He then picked himself up and made good passes to move into 4th before repeating his mistake and crashing once more. Eventually he finished the race 8th – a result he would not be happy with.
Though a new GP is another opportunity to make things better, and that’s what Geerts will expect to do. He is strong in the sand as he has proved this on numerous occasions, he just needs to keep it on two wheels.
Then there’s the podium duo from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, that is Olsen and Jed Beaton. Both riders have come quite far since their tough races in Latvia and it’s clear that the pair in heading in the right direction. For Olsen, he’s now got the confidence back where it needs to be for him to battle in the lead, while Beaton also got a much-needed confidence boost following that win in race two.
Now as the pair ticked off yet another podium yesterday, we can expect to see them challenging at the top end of the field once again on Wednesday as they look to go after more during the MXGP of Città di Mantova.
Meanwhile, Maxime Renaux of Yamaha SM Action M.C Migliori J1 Racing, Mewse and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Watson, will be pushing for more during the next few races as they look for their shot at the podium.
Renaux will be keen to make a return to the podium and so will Watson who stood on the third step of the podium yesterday for the first time this season after coming close, after coming close to a top 3 on numerous occasions.
And of course, Mewse will want to do the same. He had a great second race during the MXGP of Lombardia where he finished 3rd, but it’s that consistency that is needed for the Brit to secure a spot on the box. It will be interesting to see if he can deliver more during Wednesday’s races.
MXGP of Lombardia Top 3:
1.Thomas Kjer Olsen
2.Jed Beaton
3.Ben Watson
MX2 – World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 386 points; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 356 p.; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 295 p.; 4. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 286 p.; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 243 p.; 6. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 228 p.; 7. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 228 p.; 8. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 198 p.; 9. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 185 p.; 10. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 164 p.
The FIM Motocross World Championship is ready to race this weekend for the second of the two Indonesian rounds and for the second year in a row the MXGP of Asia is going to be held in Semarang, Indonesia. The area of Semarang, which is very similar to the one of Palembang, home of 1.5 million people but on a different island, central Java, will welcome the MXGP and MX2 riders this weekend on his amazing red dirt.
Last weekend at the MXGP of Indonesia when the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship visited Palembang it was Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado who walked away with the victories in MXGP and MX2. MXGP
In MXGP it is Team HRC’s Tim Gajser who is in complete control of the MXGP championship, he has momentum on his side after winning the last six GPs and seven in total this season and now that Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli announced he is out after a surgery on his right shoulder the championship chase is wide open for new histories.
While Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team’s Romain Febvre and Jeremy Seewer are looking at making life hard for the red plate holder in Semarang this weekend, they both are looking forward for a GP win. Both made the podium last weekend and expect them to be in amongst the points this coming weekend. Febvre won his first race in Palembang after the MXGP of Sweden in 2017 and he looks confident to repeat it, while Seewer, who now stands third in the championship, 9 points ahead of Paulin, doesn’t have a fantastic memory from Semarang as in 2018 he had a big crash but he keen on line up for a better result.
Also, Gautier Paulin and Arnaud Tonus from Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP team will line up not only to try to return to the podium, after missing it last weekend but for a round win as well. Both love the Semarang circuit and it suits their styles.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass and Arminas Jasikonis will also be looking to work a little harder and get within the top five. Both are well placed in the championship points with Jasikonis sixth and Jonass eight in the standings. Pauls Jonass experienced already the clay track of Semarang in MX2 class in 2018, he felt confident for the whole GP and reached the second step of the podium.
The pair from Standing Construct KTM, Max Anstie and Glenn Coldenhoff have also shown good form in recent time but will want to improve on their championship positions with good performances in Semarang after the 4th and 5th overall results in Palembang. Coldenhoff is the leading privateer rider in MXGP at the moment. 2018 MXGP of Asia MXGP Podium:
1. Jeffrey Herlings
2. Tim Gajser
3. Clement Desalle MXGP – World Championship Top Ten:1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 488 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 358 p.; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 327 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 318 p.; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 304 p.; 6. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 271 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 256 p.; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 246 p.; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 245 p.; 10. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 227 p.; MX2
In the MX2 class Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado dropped one of his very few races last weekend in Palembang, when he was beaten in the second race by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen. Of course, Prado still goes into the 12th round of the championship as a heavy favourite to win and add to his already impressive list of victories in 2019 and his 2018 MXGP of Asia win.
Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Jago Geerts and Ben Watson have had up-and-down results lately, but both are more than capable of not only finishing on the podium, but actually winning a GP. Attendance of Watson at the MXGP of Asia is anyway yet to be confirmed.
In Palembang last weekend it was obvious that a number of MX2 riders are loving the Asian temperatures and atmosphere, as several showed brilliant speed. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jed Beaton, Team SM Action Yamaha Maxime Renaux and F&H Racing’s Henry Jacobi will go into this coming weekend knowing that they can battle with Prado, as most of them did last weekend.
Calvin Vlaanderen from Team HRC made his long-awaited comeback and showed class and resilience when he finished seventh overall and scored a strong fourth place in the opening MX2 race. Expect him to again shine this weekend as he finished top three at Semarang in 2018.
Honda 114 Motorsports’ Mitchell Evans has to withdraw from the MXGP of Asia this weekend as he was struggling in Palembang last week. Evans will be lining up again at the 13th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Loket, Czech Republic. 2018 MXGP of Asia MX2 Podium:
1. Jorge Prado
2. Pauls Jonass
3. Calvin Vlaanderen MX2 – World Championship Top Ten:1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 494 points; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 443 p.; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 334 p.; 4. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 326 p.; 5. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 307 p.; 6. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 246 p.; 7. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 228 p.; 8. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 224 p.; 9. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), 209 p.; 10. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 192 p.
