#Team Assomotor Redmoto Honda

[motocrossaddiction]

New Post has been published on MotocrossAddiction.com

Honda schiera cinque piloti nel Campionato EMX250 2019

Honda annuncia una nuova line-up di piloti EMX250 per il 2019, completando la scala di progressione del marchio nei ranghi del FIM Motocross World Championship, dalla EMX250 alla MX2 fino alla MXGP.

[sbknews]

New Post has been published on Superbike News

New Post has been published on http://superbike-news.co.uk/wordpress/mxgp-all-set-for-assen/

MXGP All Set for Assen

The FIM Motocross World Championship has reached its penultimate round at the MXGP of the Netherlands in Assen this weekend. The Dutch TT circuit has been transformed into a Motocross Championship venue full of sand. Last year’s Dutch motocross fans witnessed the MXGP Championship being decided as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli took his 9th World Title. This year however the crowd is hoping to see their fellow Dutchman, Jeffrey Herlings, take his first ever MXGP title on Sunday.

Joining the World Championship classes of MXGP and MX2 is the Women’s Motocross World Championship and the European Championships of EMX125 presented by FMF Racing and EMX250. In the fight for the Women’s title is MXFONTA Racing Syneco’s Kiara Fontanesi and the Netherlands’ Nancy Van de Ven after Yamaha has announced the Altherm JCR Yamaha’s Courtney Duncan, who leads the points by 21, will not compete in the remainder of the season due to a foot injury.

In the class of EMX125 presented by FMF Racing MJC Yamaha’s Thibault Benistant has a 33 point lead over the injured KTM Junior rider Rene Hofer, and another 6 over Mattia Guadagnini. While the EMX250 championship was wrapped up in Bulgaria by Honda RedMoto Assomotor’s Mathys Boisrame several other riders are looking for a race win to end their season.

MXGP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings has a massive 95-point lead over his teammate and 2017 World Champion Antonio Cairoli. Only 100 points remain on the table this season and Herlings is positioned better than ever to not only claim his first ever MXGP Championship but to do so in Sunday’s Race 1 and in front of his home crowd.

Cairoli is not one to give up the fight but is also one of the most experienced and patient riders in the world. Rebounding from one injury to another throughout this year Cairoli comes to Assen with the memories of 2017 when he claimed his 9th World title here. Cairoli will be one to watch and see how he performs after a difficult MXGP of Turkey 2 weeks ago where he left with a new injury to his right hand.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle holds 3rd in the points and has reached the podium the last several rounds. Last year’s visit to Assen ended with a back injury for Desalle but the Belgian clearly has a much better outcome in mind this year. Going for another a podium Desalle will look to finish a spot if not two higher than his recent 3rd place results.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser is another rider who has made his way back on the podium recently. Gajser speed has been comparable to Herlings but maintaining it lap after lap is the missing element. Gajser finished 29th here last year and 18th the year prior. The Slovenian will be looking not just to improve but to return to his winning form here in 2015.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre crashed hard at the MXGP of Turkey in a practice session and did not compete. With a broken rib still on the mend Febvre will also sit out the action this weekend. Febvre was second here in 2017 and was on track for another good result before the Turkish crash.

Also to watch this weekend is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff in what is a home GP along with the debut of Team HRC’s Brian Bogers who returns to racing after a preseason injury took him out of contention.

Last to mention but not least is Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie and Todd Waters. Anstie has been fighting for better results lately and could potentially score his best finish this week after reaching the podium here in 2017. Waters meanwhile has moved to Honda Redmoto Assomotor and will compete with the new team in Assen.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 833 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 738 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 619 p.; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 591 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 544 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 514 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 475 p.; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 423 p.; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 404 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 328 p.

MX2 MX2’s championship fight has been building between the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider of Jorge Prado and Pauls Jonass. The young Spaniard and the defending World Champion from Latvia have been on another level this year but a collision in Turkey has brought new fuel into the fire. With two weekend of racing remaining it is anyone’s guess who will be crowned champion. Prado is the statistical favorite this weekend after winning here last year and taking third in 2016 as a rookie.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen has the 3rd spot in the championship standings and won on sand earlier this season in Latvia. Olsen and his teammate Thomas Covington have both been fast and fighting for wins but struggled with consistency. Covington found the winning combination last round perhaps it is time for Olsen to do the same this weekend? Olsen has two 5th place overall results coming from here in 2016 and 2017 while been in the top ten but never the top 5 on the circuit.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 team’s Ben Watson has been working to find the right set up on his new 2019 Yamaha. Work appears to be going in the right direction however as he put in one of the fastest lap times at the MXGP of Turkey. Watson’s Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Teammate Jago Geerts will also line up at home this weekend after missing the last three rounds of racing with a broken collar bone.

Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen will be one to watch in Assen as well, the South African born Dutchman has been impressive this season especially since his win in Indonesia. Riding for the Netherlands at the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Vlaanderen will not only be busy he will be the focus of many fans this week.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 773 points; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 749 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 593 p.; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 551 p.; 5. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 525 p.; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 483 p.; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 346 p.; 8. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 337 p.; 9. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, HON), 305 p.; 10. Henry Jacobi (GER, HUS), 301 p.

[motocrossaddiction]

New Post has been published on MotocrossAddiction.com

Stephen Rubini con Team Honda Redmoto Assomotor nel 2019

Dopo una stagione 2018 tra le fila del Team KTM Silver Action nella classe MX2 e rovinata da tante cadute ed infortuni, il francese Stephen Rubini torna nel Campionato EMX250 per il 2019 in sella alla Honda del Team Honda Redmoto Assomotor. Stephen salirà in ...

[sbknews]

New Post has been published on Superbike News

New Post has been published on http://superbike-news.co.uk/wordpress/herlings-and-covington-start-off-strong-in-sevlievo/

Herlings and Covington Start off Strong in Sevlievo

MXGP’s first day at Sevlievo for the 2018 MXGP of Bulgaria has wrapped with impressive Qualifying race wins from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington in MXGP and MX2 respectively.

Sevlievo, Bulgaria’s hillsides combined with hard packed soil and changing moisture levels challenged all the riders on track. The layout and varying line options added to the racing action. Aside from the constant classes of MXGP and MX2 today was complemented by the FIM Europe racing of EMX250 and EMX300 presented by FMF Racing.

Starting the day with Race 1 was EMX300 presented by FMF Racing at what is the penultimate round of the championship. Jumping to the holeshot and early lead was GL12 Racing’s Mike Kras while red plate holder Brad Anderson slotted into second on his Verde Substance KTM. Erik Willems ran third with Youri van t Ende in 4th. The top 3 remained in their starting positions throughout the race but Vaclav Kovar took 4th from van t Ende on the second lap holding it to the finish while Kras took the race win.

EMX250 Race 1 was the last event on track today following the two Qualifying races of MXGP and MX2. The track had developed massively since the morning practice sessions but the fastest Qualifier from Time Practice, BUD Racing Monster Energy’s Brian Moreau, carried his speed into the race leading from lap one over current red plate holder Mathys Boisrame on his Honda RedMoto Assomotor bike. LRT KTM’s Tom Vialle pressured Boisrame for second but never made the pass while REVO Husqvarna UK’s Mel Pocock collided with another rider sending the Brit down and damaging his bike enough to result in a DNF. At the finish it was a win for Moreau, the first of his EMX250 career.

MXGP MXGP’s points leader Jeffrey Herlings and his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine continued the dominant form from the previous races into today’s qualifying. On the start he jumped to the early lead ahead of Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle.

Last week’s MXGP Qualifying Race winner from Switzerland, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, crossed the finish in 4th position after the first official lap and had Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre just behind.

Cairoli’s fellow Italian and friend, Gebben Van Venroy Kawasaki Racing’s Alessandro Lupino, was 6th but had Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer coming up fast. By lap 2 Seewer was up to 6th and Lupino pulled out of the race.

At the front Gajser was right with Herlings for the first few laps before the Dutchman started to check out. Gajser quickly lost track of the “Bullet” but maintained his gap over Desalle. Cairoli dropped 4th to Febvre on lap six and faded back while the Frenchman hounded Desalle for 3rd.

Cairoli managed to maintain 6th but perhaps saved energy for tomorrow’s point paying races. Febvre on the other hand didn’t hold back but was still unable to get by the #25 from Belgium. Seewer lost 6th to the hard charging Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider of Max Anstie on lap 7 and then lost out to the other Rockstar Energy Husqvarna of Gautier Paulin 3 laps later.

On the final lap Herlings continued his charge and put in the fastest lap of the race to take the race win by over 19 seconds. Gajser took second with a lap time 3 seconds slower while Desalle took 3rd ahead of Febvre and Cairoli.

Jeffrey Herlings: “I felt good on track. I’m really enjoying my time being here and I’m definitely looking forward to racing tomorrow, hopefully I get 2 good starts and we will go from there.”

Team Honda RedMoto Assomotors’ Petar Petrov took 14th in what is his home GP to which he said: “It feels nice, we haven’t been here for about 4 years. It is great to be back and great to be home. It is also nice for the spectators to see the World Championship and good for the sport in Bulgaria.”

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. (NED, KTM), 24:22.681; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:19.787; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:24.281; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:33.807; 5. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:38.814; 6. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:45.959; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:47.883; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:52.810; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:55.022; 10. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:57.569.

MX2 MX2 Qualifying was started with a holeshot by none other than Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado. Prado led Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington with fellow Red Bull KTM teammate Pauls Jonass in 3rd.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen continued the Austrian manufacturers’ sandwich in 4th while Calvin Vlaanderen’s Team HRC CRF250 joined the top 5.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Team’s Anthony Rodriguez was 6th but by lap 2 had Honda 114 Motorsports’ Hunter Lawrence pushing for the position. Meanwhile it was Covington who was doing the same to Prado for the lead and hoping for a mistake from the young Spaniard.

On lap 5 Lawrence found his way past Rodriguez who immediately tried to retaliate but was unsuccessful. Covington was next to take a position but it was from Prado and for the lead. Prado was unable to pass Covington back in the remaining laps giving the American the Qualifying win. Prado maintained 2nd while Jonass took third, Olsen took 4th and Vlaanderen rounded out the top 5.

Thomas Covington: “It was a little more difficult to find a way to pass out there than I expected so for me the only way really was to apply pressure and hope for small a mistake so I could get around him. I’m looking forward to the races tomorrow and I hope to get a good start again, I just would really like to beat Jorge out of the gate, it is not so easy but that is a big goal for me tomorrow, I want to get 2 holeshots and then it comes a lot easier.”

Hunter Lawrence: “It was really good, I liked the track from the start and had a pretty good feeling on it. It should be good for tomorrow, I feel good, hopefully I can get a bit better start and go from there.”

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), 25:08.671; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:02.615; 3. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:04.281; 4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:10.340; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Honda), +0:18.398; 6. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +0:25.301; 7. Anthony Rodriguez (VEN, Yamaha), +0:39.556; 8. Marshal Weltin (USA, Kawasaki), +0:43.879; 9. Stephen Rubini (FRA, KTM), +0:45.777; 10. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:50.288.

[sbknews]

New Post has been published on Superbike News

New Post has been published on http://superbike-news.co.uk/wordpress/romain-febvre-and-thomas-covington-lead-the-way-with-lombardia-qualifying-wins/

Romain Febvre and Thomas Covington Lead the Way with Lombardia Qualifying Wins

The 2018 Fiat Professional MXGP of Lombardia is underway below the sun at the sandy Ottobiano circuit. Today’s unpredictable racing was as exciting as it was impressive with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington claiming their respective Qualifying Race wins!

The summer heat along with the sandy circuit of Ottobiano gave the riders difficult conditions but gave the fans amazing racing! Both the MXGP and MX2 Qualifying races were full of action but adding to the racing of the premier classes was the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship and FIM Europe’s EMX250 Championship.

The Italian fan favorite from the Women’s racing was without a doubt MXFONTARACING Yamaha’s Kiara Fontanesi. Leading the race early was Larissa Papenmeier followed by Fontanesi, Altherm JCR Yamaha’s Courtney Duncan, and Nancy van de Ven. At the end however it was Fontanesi taking the home race win over Duncan, Van de Ven, and Papenmeier with Shana van der Vlist 5th.

EMX250 Race 1 was a perfect performance from Team DIGA-Procross’ Dylan Walsh. Walsh took the holeshot and led every single lap. Behind Walsh was Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Mathys Boisrame, BUD Racing Monster Energy’s Brian Moreau, and ASTES4-TESAR YAMAHA’s Roan van de Moosdijk. With 3 laps complete Moreau crashed while chasing Boisrame and gave third to van de Moosdijk. Later Boisrame closed to the back wheel of Walsh but a strong response from Walsh gave him the race win with Boisrame 2nd, and van de Moosdijk 3rd.

MXGP Starting the weekend many eyes where on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli. From the Italian fans to media and more Cairoli was the center of attention but at the start of the MXGP Qualifying Race it was Wilvo Yamaha MXGP Official Team’s Jeremy Seewer who stole the show. The MX2 overall winner from last year took the holeshot and lead while Cairoli was buried towards the back of the pack.

Chasing Seewer was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre and Standing Construct KTM’s Kevin Strijbos. The opening lap was a struggle for Cairoli who not only had a bad start but also clipped another rider and went down. Rejoining the race in last position Cairoli had to work hard to achieve decent gate pick for tomorrow’s pair of championship races.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle was fourth at the beginning of the race and had both Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing riders, Max Anstie and Gautier Paulin chasing him. First to make a move was Paulin who pushed past his teammate for fifth as Febvre started to pressure Seewer for the lead.

On lap 5 Febvre took over the lead from Seewer and Desalle took 3rd from Strijbos. During next lap Strijbos lost 2 more positions to Paulin and Anstie. Around the same time Cairoli moved past Gajser after a short battle over 16th.

Cairoli continued his charge forward for the next seven laps. With the final turn to go the Sicilian was 9th but with his fighting spirit managed to pass both Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Van Horebeek and BIKE IT DRT Kawasaki’s Tommy Searle before the finish for 7th.

Romain Febvre claimed the qualifying win with Seewer in second and Desalle took third after a last lap battle with Paulin.

Romain Febvre: “I’m feeling very good, I’m getting better and better every week so that’s really important. Today I was good all day long, I was third in time practice and took a good start, it was almost the holeshot and then after three laps I took the lead from Jeremy Seewer.”

Antonio Cairoli: “It was a very difficult qualifying race and I had one little crash and a big one at the end of the waves on the first lap. I struggled a little bit to come back to 7th but I’m already really looking forward to tomorrow.”

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 23:45.610; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:03.260; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:04.700; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:06.325; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:08.975; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:16.010; 7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:20.156; 8. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:20.330; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:20.331; 10. Maximilian Nagl (GER, TM), +0:24.015.

MX2 Just as MXGP’s Qualifying race was difficult for Cairoli the MX2 Qualifying race was a challenge for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington however had the perfect race. Covington scored the holeshot and checkout from the field within the first laps.

Also strong off the start was LRT KTM’s Davy Pootjes in second position. Behind Pootjes was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and then, after a series of passes during the opening lap, Pauls Jonass. By the end of lap 2 Jonass was passed Prado and pressuring Pootjes for second.

On lap 6 both Jonass and Prado where past Pootjes who then lost another pair of spots in the next two laps to Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen and Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Team’s Ben Watson.

On the 9th lap Jonass could be seen restarting his bike and in the meantime lost positions to Prado, Vlaanderen, and Watson. At the finish line it was Covington who took the qualifying race win, his 3rd this season and second in row, with Prado 2nd, Vlaanderen 3rd, Watson 4th, and Jonass 5th. Covington’s Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate, Thomas Kjer Olsen, fought his way up to 9th following a crash on start.

Thomas Covington: “Every weekend this is how you plan for a race to go but it is pretty rare for it to actually happen. Two consistent starts and being strong at the end tomorrow is going to be really important.”

Yamaha SM Action M.C. Migliori’s new rider, Michele Cervellin, took 13th during today’s qualifying which is his 2nd home GP of the season. Michele in the press conference said: “This is home GP… I will try to do my best and tomorrow is for sure going to be difficult with two longer races but we will fight for a good result.”

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), 23:58.093; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:07.842; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, Honda), +0:13.121; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:15.931; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:23.208; 6. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:24.636; 7. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +0:25.513; 8. Iker Larranaga Olano (ESP, Husqvarna), +0:27.659; 9. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:27.869; 10. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:35.619.

[sbknews]

New Post has been published on Superbike News

New Post has been published on http://superbike-news.co.uk/wordpress/fiat-professional-mxgp-of-lombardia-comes-to-life/

Fiat Professional MXGP of Lombardia Comes to Life

MXGP is entering the second half of the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship season this weekend in Italy. For the second time this year MXGP races in the home country of the defending champion, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli! The 2018 Fiat Professional MXGP of Lombardia will take place at the Ottobiano circuit just outside of the city of Milan. The 11th round of 20 this season comes just days after the last racing weekend in France.

The Ottobiano circuit was first used as a MXGP stop last year where the racing was epic with thousands of fans watching the top riders battle each other, the grueling heat, and the technical track. All the same elements are expected this weekend with the addition of an epic battle for title.

Joining the MXGP and MX2 classes this weekend will be the FIM Womens Motocross Championship for its 4th round and FIM Europe’s EMX250 class for the 7th stop on the calendar. The Women of Motocross were last seen racing at the Tuetschenthal circuit alsonside the MXGP of Germany where points leader, Altherm JCR Yamaha’s Courtney Duncan dominated the field. This weekend we can expect close racing with the defending champion and home fan favorite, MXFONTARACING Yamaha’s Kiara Fontanesi, on a track she trains often on. In the EMX250 class the level of competition remains intense with many potential winners and Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Mathys Boisrame as the new points leader.

MXGP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings continues to top the points standings and has grown his lead over the past several races. The sand of Ottobiano is the speciality of Herlings but unfortunately a training crash earlier today resulted in a fractured collar bone. The MXGP point leader’s status for this weekend is questionable as he will undergo surgery to repair the fracture this evening. Meanwhile his Red Bull KTM Teammate, Antonio Cairoli always steps his game up in front of the home fans, making this weekend an especially interesting one to watch. Cairoli took the overall win here in 2017 while Herlings struggled in the heat.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle had a bit of an up and down weekend just days ago in France. Desalle had the speed in race 1 to finish second but then only managed a 6th in race 2 which left him just off of the podium. Still holding 3rd in the points Desalle will be looking to improve on his 7th overall from last year.

Fighting not only for the spot as top frenchman but also for 4th in the championship is Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin. Febvre has a 27 point lead on Paulin and the pair battled last weekend in front of their home crowd. Last year Febvre was 4th at Ottobiano while Paulin took 6th.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser reached the podium last weekend in France and is getting faster week by week. Gajser result from 2017 was 10th overall but in all fairness it was among his first races after returning from injury.

Also to watch out for this weekend is Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie, and Gebben Van Venrooy Kawasaki Racing’s Alessandro Lupino. Seewer won the MX2 class here last year, Anstie was third in MXGP, and Lupino has been riding strong lately plus it is a home GP for the #77.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 486 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 424 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 351 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 323 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 296 p.; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 295 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 267 p.; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 226 p.; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 219 p.; 10. Maximilian Nagl (GER, TM), 177 p.

2017 Fiat Professional FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia Top 3 MXGP: 1. Antonio Cairoli 2. Jeffrey Herlings 3. Max Anstie

MX2 In the MX2 championship Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado comes off a successful weekend in France where he cut into the points lead of his teammate Pauls Jonass and became the winningest rider in Spanish history. Prado however struggled in the heat here last year and didn’t finish while Jonass took 2nd overall behind Jeremy Seewer.

Jumping into the championship fight of the KTM teammate are Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen and his American teammate Thomas Covington who both reached the podium last weekend. Olsen has been the more consistent rider this year but Covington was on the podium here last year.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Team’s Ben Watson has made more passes throughout the season then most due to poor starts. Watson’s speed is clearly there as he routinely has come from near last to finish inside the top five. With a pair of good starts Watson is clear threat to the podium this weekend.

Watson isn’t the only Kemea Yamaha MX2 rider who has been fast lately, the #193 of Jago Geerts has been finding his form recently and was 4th overall in France after an impressive 5-2 finish. Geerts raced here in 2017 but in the EMX250 class where he took 12th.

Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen will also be interesting to keep an eye on this weekend. The South African is 5th in the MX2 Championship standings and has reached the podium 2 of the last 3 races.

Also looking to impress this weekend on home soil is Yamaha SM Action M.C. Migliori’s Michele Cervellin. The young Italian recently made the switch to the Yamaha and the new bike appears to suite him well with his strong performance in France.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 434 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 418 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 328 p.; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 305 p.; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, HON), 259 p.; 6. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 217 p.; 7. Jed Beaton (AUS, KAW), 216 p.; 8. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 211 p.; 9. Henry Jacobi (GER, HUS), 187 p.; 10. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 187 p.

2017 Fiat Professional FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia Top 3 MX2: 1. Jeremy Seewer 2. Pauls Jonass 3. Thomas Covington

[sbknews]

New Post has been published on Superbike News

New Post has been published on http://superbike-news.co.uk/wordpress/jeffrey-herlings-and-thomas-covington-fastest-in-french-qualifying/

Jeffrey Herlings and Thomas Covington Fastest in French Qualifying

The MXGP of France is off to a massively successful start, especially for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington as they won their respective qualifying races.

Aside from the amazing riding from the two winners the event itself was full of amazing fans who filled the French hillside to watch the Qualifying actions. The weather was predicted to rain but the mother nature instead provided sunshine and blue skies along with warm temperatures. The redesigned track and its conditions where in top shape with deep lines and technical sections challenging the top riders.

Joining the MXGP and MX2 racing this weekend is the classes of EMX250 and EMX125 presented by FMF Racing. Due to a massive number of rider entries both classes had to be split into 2 groups for Free and Time Practice then each had a Last Chance Qualifying Race.

The 40 top riders lined the gate for Race 1 of EMX125 presented by FMF Racing first. Leading from the beginning and never looking back was France’s Thibault Benistant on his Yamaha Europe EMX125 machine. Benistant’s lead was massive throughout the race but the battle for second was between 3 or 4 riders at any given point. Taking second place after running in 4th the early stages of the race was the red plate holder, KTM Junior’s Rene Hofer. Taking the 3rd spot was Yamaha Europe EMX125’s Rick Elzinga just ahead of Team Maddi Racing Husqvarna’s Mattia Guadagnini.

The final race of the day was that of the EMX250 class where Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Mathys Boisrame held off his fellow French competitors. First BUD Racing Monster Energy’s Brian Moreau was second but he fell back letting Tom Vialle take over the runner up spot. Finishing third was ASTES4-TESAR Yamaha’s Roan Van de Moosdijk which made him the only non French rider in the top 5.

MXGP MXGP’s Qualifying Race hosted another dominating performance from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings. Choosing to line up on the furthest inside gate, after scoring the fastest lap time in both Free and Time Practice, Herlings took the holeshot and set sail. Herlings led every lap of the 13 recorded and won by 17.9 seconds.

Though Herlings was on his own the battle for 2nd was on between 4 of the best riders in the world championship. Leading the group of 4 was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin. Paulin was massively improved after today compared to a week ago. With the roar of the French crowd behind him Paulin managed a small cushion between himself and those giving chase.

First of the riders in pursuit was Team HRC’s Tim Gajser but just behind him was the former world champion and French fan favorite, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre. Febvre, with the added pressure of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli giving chase, pushed his way past Gajser on lap 9 after great battles.

Cairoli, who had a collision between himself and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Clement Desalle followed the moves of Febvre to take another position from Gajser on the following lap. Desalle eventually finished the MXGP Qualifying race in 19th.

Cairoli would however take third from Febvre on the final lap and close onto the back wheel of Paulin at the finish. Also having a strong Qualifying race was BOS GP’s Evgeny Bobryshev with a 6th place.

Jeffrey Herlings: “The main focus is the start for tomorrow and luckily we got it all dialed in today. Tomorrow we are going to go out, do our best, and like I said focus on the start and work from there.”

Romain Febvre: “I had a good start, that was the main focus, after I made a mistake and stalled my bike losing 2 positions but I passed Tony and then I passed Gajser and was third but then Tony passed me, at the end it was a good day.”

French rider Marchetti Racing Team KTM’s Benoit Paturel managed to finish qualifying in 15th position to which he said: “I feel ok this week, not perfect but I will do my best tomorrow. It is an amazing GP in front of the home crowd, it was a good memory for me in 2016 in MX2 where I finished second after Jeffrey. I am excited to ride tomorrow and I hope to get my best result.”

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 24:35.251; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:17.990; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:19.988; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:27.922; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:34.999; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Suzuki), +0:45.959; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:46.320; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:50.508; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:51.783; 10. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:51.920.

MX2 Breaking up the KTM party at the front of the field today was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington. Covington, who had a strong start to the race in 3rd, by the end of lap 1 was into second past the fast starter of Henry Jacobi on his STC Racing Husqvarna.

Leading on from the end of the first lap was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado. Prado, now known for his strong starting ability, was just alongside Jacobi in the first turn but Jacobi’s line uphill prevailed at first.

Among the most notable action on the start was the 3 rider crash involving Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen, Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Ben Watson, and LRT KTM’s Davy Pootjes. All three took a minute to go again but each rejoined the racing and came through the pack. Olsen recovered to 13th, Watson to 12th, and Pootjes to 20th after another scare on lap 10 cost him a handful of positions.

Back at the front Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass was giving chase to Covington who in turn was looking for a way around Prado. On lap 7, just before coming down the middle section of the track, Covington took the lead from Prado and by the bottom of the hill Jonass was around his teammate also.

The remaining 6 laps Jonass chased Covington and even made some stabs at the leader but none were successful. Across the finish line it was Covington from Jonass, Prado, Jacobi, and Hitachi KTM UK’s Conrad Mewse who made a last lap turn pass on Team Diga Procross’ Iker Larranaga for 5th.

Thomas Covington: “I just really have to focus on my start tomorrow like Jeffrey said and we worked really hard this week to try and improve the bike off the gate, we have just really been working on starts this week and I think it is going to show”.

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), 25:31.406; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:01.740; 3. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:02.339; 4. Henry Jacobi (GER, Husqvarna), +0:21.548; 5. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +0:23.429; 6. Iker Larranaga Olano (ESP, Husqvarna), +0:23.767; 7. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:30.405; 8. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, Honda), +0:32.346; 9. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +0:33.106; 10. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:36.918

[sbknews]

New Post has been published on Superbike News

New Post has been published on http://superbike-news.co.uk/wordpress/jeffrey-herlings-and-jorge-prado-on-pole-in-portugal/

Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado on Pole in Portugal

The MXGP of Portugal is off and running today on the red soil of the Agueda circuit. After rain earlier in the week the track was in prime condition for today’s racing. From Free Practice to the final laps of the day many lines developed and tested the best rider of the FIM Motocross World Championship. For the second week in a row Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado were the best of the field and will each take pole position in their respective classes tomorrow.

Aside from the MXGP and MX2 competitors qualifying races the 2nd round of both the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship and the European 250 Motocross Championship had their first race of the weekend today.

In the Women’s racing Altherm JCR Yamaha’s Courtney Duncan lined up to the gate first after having a time practice lap time 2 seconds faster than the reigning champion, MXFONTA RACING Yamaha’s Kiara Fontanesi. Duncan proved her speed again in race 1 taking the lead early and never looking back. Behind Duncan was Nancy van de Ven and last week’s winner and red plate holder Larissa Papenmeier. In the EMX250 class Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Mathys Boisrame was victorious over Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Racing’s Mikkel Haarup who had a strong ride returning from injury.

MXGP MXGP’s Qualifying racing started with the main contenders of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings 1st and 2nd. Cairoli led Herlings for several laps as the #84 searched for the best lines.

Just behind Cairoli and Herlings was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre and Team HRC’s Tim Gajser. Both Febvre and Gajser latched onto the early speed of the two leaders eventually leaving Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing’s Clement Desalle to race in a lonely 5th.

Desalle’s teammate, Julien Lieber, was the next rider and was first under pressure from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff and later Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin. Paulin found his way past Lieber on lap 7 just as Herlings took the lead from Cairoli.

The next lap Lieber crashed and dropped to 16th while Herlings started to pull away from Cairoli and Febvre started to catch the Sicilian. In the remaining laps Lieber only gained back to position to finish 14th but Cairoli put in a charge to catch Herlings.

At the finish line Herlings took the win 1.5 seconds over Cairoli, Febvre, Gajser, and Desalle. Herlings in the press conference said: “The track was really good, one of the best conditions we have had all year. So far here we have been good, we have been fastest in practice and time qualifying then won the race so looking forward to tomorrow and can’t wait to go racing.”

Last year’s Qualifying Race winner and overall podium finisher in Portugal, Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Arminas Jasikonis, finished 10th. Jasikonis in the press conference said: “It was a tough preseason, we still are not there to really race upfront but we are making steps every weekend and we are trying to get better with the bike and myself also.”

Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer who won the MX2 overall in 2017 finished 7th and said: “I’m trying to learn a lot and just get used to the MXGP class as everyone knows there is just so many good riders in there, with the exception of Tony and Jeffrey all the others are on a similar level and it is tough to battle with them every race.”

Portuguese motocross hero Rui Goncalves finished 20th in what was his first race since October 2017. Goncalves in the press conference said: “It has been a long time since I have been racing, my last race was the MXoN last year and since then I have just been riding a little bit during the week. I felt like with a GP in Portugal I could come and race it, be in front of my public and the crowd that has supported me for all these years, so that was the goal of it. Obviously when you go on track things are different, the guys are fast, the rhythm and speed is quite high. I’m enjoying it, every time I got on track I felt better so I’m just looking to have some fun tomorrow.”

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 24:36.707; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:01.541; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:04.761; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:08.175; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:24.822; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:27.661; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:42.055; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Suzuki), +0:52.023; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:54.046; 10. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Honda), +0:59.735.

MX2 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has been on a roll in both of the MXGP and MX2 classes so far in 2018 and today was no exception. The MX2 Qualifying Race resulted in another race win for the team with Jorge Prado taking the lead and holding it until the finish.

Aside from the dominant win from Prado other young riders impressed such as Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen. Vlaanderen split the Red Bull KTM’s of Prado and Pauls Jonass in second the first lap and a half before a mistake from Jonass 2 laps later repositioned the #10 into 2nd.

Jonass remounted his KTM in 5th not only allowing Vlaanderen through but also F&H Kawasaki’s Jed Beaton and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen. Beaton’s F&H Teammates, Ruben Fernandez and Adam Sterry also ran up front on the first laps but crashes from both took them well outside the top ten.

6 laps in to the race Olsen passed Beaton for third and then the following lap Vlaanderen for second. Also passing Vlaanderen was Beaton, then Jonass, and later Kemea Yamaha Yamalube Official MX team’s Ben Watson. Across the finish first was Prado then Olsen, Beaton, Jonass, and Watson.

Jorge Prado in the press conference said: “This weekend started pretty good, the same as last weekend. I’m happy, I got a good start, made a gap, and kept it to the end so I’m really happy with the race.”

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 24:47.557; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:03.169; 3. Jed Beaton (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:05.141; 4. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:08.010; 5. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:08.830; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, Honda), +0:19.790; 7. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Honda), +0:37.611; 8. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:38.032; 9. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:38.053; 10. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Yamaha), +0:39.582

[sbknews]

New Post has been published on Superbike News

New Post has been published on http://superbike-news.co.uk/wordpress/mxgp-comes-to-agueda/

MXGP comes to Agueda

Just days after an amazing weekend in Italy MXGP has arrived to the 5th round of the 2018 season this weekend at the Agueda circuit for the MXGP of Portugal! The Portuguese GP returned to the calendar last year and provided excellent racing with Antonio Cairoli besting his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Jeffrey Herlings as Arminas Jasikonis took his first and only MXGP podium.

This weekend’s racing will again be one to remember with Cairoli looking to win again especially after just suffering a defeat at his home GP against the strong stars of Herlings. In addition wet weather the past days could make the circuit challenging and potentially lead to a new winner in both the MXGP and MX2 classes.

Not only will MXGP and MX2 race this time out but so too will the European 250 Motocross championship along with the second Women’s Motocross World Championship race of the season. In the EMX250 class Pierre Goupillon leads the points after winning the opening round of the series at Redsand but Tom Vialle also showed speed along with Mel Pocock and Martin Barr who each took a race win in Spain. In the WMX Championship Larissa Papenmeier has the red plate after winning her first race in 8 years at last weekend season opener in Trentino. Joining Papenmeier in Portugal will be Courtney Duncan, Nancy van de Ven, and Kiara Fontanesi among others.

MXGP In MXGP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings comes off an emphatic win against his teammate and rival Antonio Cairoli at Trentino. Herlings’ win on Italian soil not only has given him bragging rights but also the championship leader’s red plate.

Last year Cairoli was the better of the pair on the Agueda circuit and of the 11 times he raced here in his career 5 were victorious, 5 more were podium finishes, and his worst result was 5th way back in 2004. Cairoli remains focused on the long term goal of the championship and has the extra benefit this weekend of Herlings not being a particularly strong mud rider in a time that may require just such a skill.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle who had his season best result of 2nd last week will look to improve on his 8th place from 2017. Desalle has however won the MXGP of Portugal 3 times in his career.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre currently holds down 4th in the championship only 6 points ahead of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin. Febvre just missed the MXGP podium last year with 4th overall while Paulin finished 12th. Paulin’s Portuguese record is hit and miss with 1 win, 2 podiums, a 6th, 9th, and last year’s 12th.

Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer is last year’s MX2 winner from Portugal and so far in his rookie MXGP season he has been impressive as he sits 8th in points.

Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Arminas Jasikonis has struggled in 2018 thus far. His struggles are likely due to his late 2017 injury and lack of prep on a team. Nevertheless Jasikonis is improving week by week and last year took his 1st and only MXGP podium of his career so far.

Also notable is Portugal’s Rui Goncalves’ return from retirement this weekend to race his home GP.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 191 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 181 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 145 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 135 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 129 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 111 p.; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 104 p.; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 83 p.; 9. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 77 p.; 10. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 72 p.

2017 MXGP of Portugal MXGP Top 3:

Antonio Cairoli Jeffrey Herlings Arminas Jasikonis

MX2 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass suffered his first defeat of the season at the hands of his teammate Jorge Prado last week in Trentino. Jonass who finished second in Agueda last year to Jeremy Seewer will be looking to correct his starts after missing out the Holeshot last week.

Jorge Prado on the other hand will look to keep his momentum from Trentino and forget his 2017 MXGP of Portugal where he struggled in the heat scoring 24th in race 1 and not starting race 2. While a repeat is highly unlikely it will be interesting to see how performs.

Others such as Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington and STC Husqvarna’s Henry Jacobi are trying to crash the KTM party. Jacobi had his career best finish and first podium last round.

While America’s Thomas Covington became the first non KTM rider to win a race in the MX2 category of 2018 at Trentino, he is just one of many potential winners in Portugal. Covington does have fond memories from Agueda as he took third here in 2017.

Covington’s Teammate, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen, has been one of the most consistent riders of 2018 finishing on the podium 3 of 4 races with the only exception being 8th last weekend. Olsen finished 4th in Agueda last year.

The 2 British riders, Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Ben Watson and Hitachi KTM UK’s Conrad Mewse are currently 4th and 5th in the championship. This weekend we could see one if not both of them with breakthrough results especially in the wet conditions which Brits commonly excel in.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 180 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 152 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 145 p.; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 105 p.; 5. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 100 p.; 6. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, HON), 99 p.; 7. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 91 p.; 8. Jed Beaton (AUS, KAW), 91 p.; 9. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, YAM), 86 p.; 10. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, HON), 79 p.

2017 MXGP of Portugal MX2 Top 3:

Jeremy Seewer Pauls Jonass Thomas Covington

[sbknews]

New Post has been published on Superbike News

New Post has been published on http://superbike-news.co.uk/wordpress/11-years-making-motocross-nations-returns-matterley-basin/

11 Years in the Making: Motocross of Nations Returns to Matterley Basin

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();

The biggest event of 2017, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations presented by FIAT Professional, is upon us at the amazing and historic Matterley Basin circuit in the UK. The 71st running of the event will bring 39 nations together from countries as far as Brazil and exotic as Thailand or Iran.

The venue is known as one of the best in the world with its grassy hills and natural terrain. The track this year has been updated with new additions and a longer track length sure to give the tens of thousands of fans expected epic racing. Last time the circuit hosted the Motocross of Nations was in 2006 and it provided not only some of the best racing, but also one of the best atmospheres of any Motocross of Nations.

On the topic of atmosphere and supreme racing, last year’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations presented by FIAT Professional in Maggiora, Italy, is not one to forget. Scores of fans filled the hillsides and cheered for their countrymen in the patriotic battle. Last year it was team France who edged out the competition by 1 point but with a swarm of new competitors this year may see a new holder of the Chamberlain trophy.

Multi-time and defending champions Team France again posses a strong team led by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin. The experienced French rider comes off a strong season in the MXGP World Championship where he won the MXGP of Europe in Valkenswaard and took third overall in the championship standings.

Joining Paulin is Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Christophe Charlier. Febvre struggled in the early part of the 2017 season but has finished strong reaching the podium in two of the last four rounds while Charlier fills in for the injured Dylan Ferrandis and Benoit Paturel.

Runner-up in 2016 was team The Netherlands as they lost out by a single point. The 2017 team will again pose as a strong threat to the win with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Glenn Coldenhoff plus MX2 HSF Motorsports rider Brian Bogers.

Herlings has been the man to beat in the MXGP championship during the second half of the season scoring 6 overall victories in 2017. Herlings finished second in the MXGP championship in his rookie year and will take his much improved 450cc experience into the UK. Glenn Coldenhoff and Brian Bogers are not to be counted out either as both have shown the speed required to fight at the top of the standings throughout their 2017 campaign.

Team USA is always in everybody’s bets when speaking of a potential winner. The last time the Motocross of Nations was celebrated in Matterley Basin in 2006 the Americans won in impressive fashion. This year team USA will be composed by HRC’s Cole Seely along with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne and Thomas Covington.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();

Osborne is a prior MX2 World Championship racer and will look to use his experience racing abroad to help him this weekend. Thomas Covington may be an American by blood but he has been riding, racing and training for years in Europe and comes off of several strong results in 2017 including various race wins and two overall victories as recent as Villars sous Ecot.

The home country, Team Great Britain, will indeed have the crowd behind them. The team is made up by Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Tommy Searle plus Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie and Dean Wilson. Anstie has momentum on his side as he was on the podium 3 times in his 2017 rookie MXGP campaign and 2 of them came at the last 2 rounds.

Team Belgium is another podium contender with top riders such as Team Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Van Horebeek and Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Brent Van doninck.

Dean Ferris leads Team Australia and pairs up with Kirk Gibbs and Team Suzuki World MX2’s Hunter Lawerence. Lawerence comes of his career first race win and pole position at the MXGP of Pays de Montbéliard only a couple of weeks ago.

Team Switzerland will be a force to reckon with as well with Wilvo Yamaha MXGP’s Arnaud Tonus, Team Suzuki World MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer, and Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Valentin Guillod. Tonus while returning from injury has an MXGP race win to his name in 2017 and Seewer steps up to the 450cc after finishing second in the 2017 MX2 World Championship.

Some other strong contenders are Italy’s now 9-time world champion, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, who clinched his 9th title 3 races short of the full season and had 2 second place race results in the 2016 MXoN, joined by HRC MX2’s Michele Cervellin and Team Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Alessandro Lupino, Slovenia and Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, who is the 2016 MXGP World Champion, and Danish rider and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen who finished third in his rookie 2017 MX2 season.

TIMETABLE Friday: MXGP Awards 14:00; MXoN Teams Presentation 18:00

Saturday: Free Practice YZ125 bLU cRU 08:30; Free Practice MXGP 10:00; Free practice MX2 11:00; Free Practice Open 12:00; Time Practice YZ125 bLU cRU 12:50; Qualifying Heat MXGP 13:30; Qualifying Heat MX2 14:30; Qualifying Heat Open 15:30; Race 1 YZ125 bLU cRU 16:00; C-Final 17:00.

Sunday: Warm-up B-Final 8:30; Race 2 YZ125 bLU cRU 09:20; Warm-up MXoN Group 1 9:50; Warm-up MXoN Group 2 10:20; B-Final 11:00; MXoN Race 1 (MXGP+MX2) 13:10; MXoN Race 2 (MX2+Open) 14:40; MXoN Race 3 (Open+MXGP) 16:08.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();