#usa will be fighting for podiums in the years to come and the fans need to get used to it now otherwise it’s gonna start a whole usa

[anna-pavlova]

twitter gymternet likes to go on and on about how simone has been “working on stuff” any time someone not from the usa gets any kind of attention and it’s so weird because like… everyone else is? do they think everyone else is just sitting at the gym looking at the equipment?

[wanderlustinwonderland18]

Turkkila & Versluis: “Our Main Goal Is The 2026 Olympics”

Juulia and Matthias began their partnership in 2016. In the years before their first joint season, both won national medals as single skaters. Both had competitive careers internationally, and Juulia even competed in the European and World Championships.

Juulia began to reflect on her future as a single skater when injuries dimmed the possibilities. Matthias had also wondered what to do with his career. At Juulia’s suggestion, they went for a try-out in ice dance together. The pair saw potential in the partnership and both gave up single skating.

"Switching disciplines was a big change that required a lot of learning. Once you have a partner, you can’t do anything extra or fix a mistake with a new element during the program. You have to think about your partner all the time.“

They started from zero, and that made the beginning difficult. However, confidence began to grow. In the 2018-19 season, the couple had higher expectations than the previous ones. The new programs were made in the early spring, and the amount of work placed towards competitions was ambitious.

“We wanted to compete at the championships. During the season, we were surprised at how high we placed in our first time at these valued competitions. Our top results came out in the European and World Championships. However, we know that it takes years to reach the top in ice dance. We can’t expect to climb the curve with a straight line up.”

“The goal for the future is to be in the championship podiums. We plan to do this step by step and season by season. Our main goal is the 2026 Olympics. The Beijing Olympics will still be a time of growth for us. The next one is where we want to show our maturity.”

The couple says that Maurizio Margaglio is a great coach. The coaching atmosphere is described as conversational and calm.

“He is a top coach with knowledge on how to rise to the top. He gives us the same tools he himself used in his career. When the competitions are approaching, he gives a lot of feedback. We never have to fear him. He supports us in every situation.”

The couple also trained in Detroit, USA during the summer. The training place is a coaching center where skaters can get private lessons from coaches who specialize in different areas. At the same time, they get to practice with other top teams. Juulia and Matthias discovered the Detroit Coaching Center through choreographer Pasquale Camerlengo. Along with Massimo Scali, he has choreographed their programs in the past seasons.

“We don’t really have fights. We are able to tell each other’s opinions without any disputes. We work really well together. Without courage and mutual trust, this partnership would be nothing.”

Juulia: Matthias is calm and goal-oriented. He knows what he wants.

Matthias: Juulia is very calm and patient. She is ambitious too, even if it doesn’t come out so strongly.

“Although we have different characters and personalities, they intertwine well together. We are able to be ourselves with each other.”

The couple practices together every weekday from nine in the morning to four in the afternoon. There are breaks during the day, where they sometimes do side exercises.

Juulia and Matthias already have a lot of fans. When they return from competitions, they often come across fellow passengers who ask for pictures.

Juulia is studying economics at Aalto University. Matthias is studying physiotherapy at Arkada University of Applied Sciences. Both began their studies in the same year they started ice dance. The students understand that studies are challenging as sportsmen. Juulia has been able to take courses remotely, but courses that require attendance have been left to the future. Matthias also takes advantage of the course offerings on the open university side.

“As energy is expanded, active athletes can eat anything, even a burger. However, fast food does not provide the best energy. You need meals that are as healthy as possible. And you can’t work out unless you eat. For athletes, it is ideal to eat two warm meals a day. Lunch and dinner at the right time, not late at night.”

Matthias likes meat dishes and Juulia likes fish. For snacks, they usually have bananas, yogurt, and rye bread stuffed with eggs.

Believe it or not, Finland’s top ice dancers were not interested in ice dance when they were younger. However, with age and career development, interest arose, and they began to find inspiration in the sport.

“In ice dance, we can express ourselves in ways we can’t in single skating. It’s liberating, relaxing, and fun.”

[sywtwfs]

Who’s Who of the 2017 Grand Prix Series, Part 1: Ice Dance

Instead of weekly previews for each Grand Prix event, this year we will write introductions for each discipline as a whole (time permitting). Here’s Part 1 of our Grand Prix previews, covering the glamorous field of ice dance! Don't forget to check out our pairs and men's previews, and our Youtube playlist of program recommendations for some of the teams introduced in this post (still under construction).

For those not in the know, ice dance is loosely based on ballroom dancing. Skaters are scored on step sequences, lifts, spins, and twizzles. Teams compete with a short dance and free dance; the short dance has a predetermined style of music and step sequence patterns. The theme for the 2017-18 season short dance is Latin, and the pattern dance is the Rhumba.

Ice dance in the past 4 years has seen both the rapid rise of a talented young team and the triumphant return of decorated veterans. There is no doubt right now that the top two spots in the world are occupied by Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, 2010 Olympic Champions and reigning World Champions, and the French team of Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, World Champions in 2015 and 2016. While these two teams battle it out for gold, a whole host of other teams, each with their own individual flair, have a chance at the no.3 position. The Grand Prix series will serve as building blocks for these teams as they set their sights on the Pyeongchang Olympics, only 4 months away. Here’s a look at some of the top teams on the Grand Prix, as well as several other teams worth watching, regardless of their chances at medals.

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TESSA VIRTUE / SCOTT MOIR

Representing: Canada

Ages: 28/30

ISU Personal bests: SD 82.43, FD 117.20, total 198.62

ISU Season’s best: 195.76

Notable titles: 2010 Olympic Champions, 2014 Olympic Silver Medalists, 3-time World Champions, 3-time Four Continents Champions, 2016 Grand Prix Final Champions, 7-time Canadian National Champions

Programs: SD - Sympathy for the Devil/Hotel California/Oye Como Va; FD - Moulin Rouge

Grand Prix events: Skate Canada, NHK Trophy

Legends of modern ice dance, Virtue/Moir have been skating together for 20 years, and it shows in their spotless skating skills, emotional connection, and pristine unison on the ice. Virtue/Moir first burst onto the international scene with a 6th-place finish at the 2007 World Championships, and have since followed up their stellar debut with 7 World medals (3 of them gold), the Olympic title in 2010, and Olympic silver medals in 2014, among countless other accolades. After taking a 2-year break following the 2014 Olympics, they returned to competitive ice in the 2016-17 season, remaining undefeated at every competition they entered and setting new world records for the short dance and combined total score. Starting their third Olympic season with a strong win at Autumn Classic International, a Challenger Series event, Virtue/Moir aim to dominate once again. Barring major mistakes, they are likely to win both of their Grand Prix events and qualify for the Final, where they will face off against their younger training mates, Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron of France. The fight for gold between these two teams is fierce, and while Virtue/Moir currently have the advantage, they are not invulnerable and will need to iron out any remaining technical issues as they aim for the Grand Prix Final and Olympic titles.

Random off-ice facts: Scott opened a skate shop with his uncle and works there when he goes home to visit his family. Tessa has a jewelry line with Hillberg and Berk.

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GABRIELLA PAPADAKIS / GUILLAUME CIZERON

Representing: France

Ages: 22/22

ISU Personal bests: SD 78.26, FD 119.15, total 196.04

ISU Season’s best: 188.25

Notable titles: 2015 & 2016 World Champions, 2017 World Silver Medalists, 3-time European Champions, 2016 Grand Prix Final Silver Medalists

Programs: SD - Shape of You/Thinking Out Loud; FD - Moonlight Sonata

Grand Prix events: Cup of China, Internationaux de France

Papadakis/Cizeron rocketed to prominence in the 2014-15 season following a coaching change to Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon, former Canadian ice dance champions. A talented but inconsistent team before then, Papadakis/Cizeron shocked the skating world by winning the 2015 European and World titles. Gabriella then suffered a concussion and was forced to miss the first half of the 2015-16 season, but the team came back strong in the second half, winning their second straight European and World titles in 2016 by a wide margin. It looked like smooth sailing for the team for the rest of the Olympic cycle, but the return of Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir gave Papadakis/Cizeron serious rivals for ice dance’s major titles. In three direct matchups between the two teams during the 2016-17 season, Virtue/Moir came out on top every time; however, after mistakes from Virtue/Moir, Papadakis/Cizeron defeated them in the free dance at 2017 Worlds, setting a world record score in the process. Papadakis/Cizeron shine in the free dance, where they are known for their abstract, lyrical style, but the short dance is often their weakness. They began their international season at Finlandia Trophy, placing first despite an uncharacteristic fall in the free dance. Papadakis/Cizeron are likely to win both of their Grand Prix events and qualify for the Final, but they will need flawless performances if they hope to win against Virtue/Moir.

Random off-ice facts: Guillaume is a part-time model. He sometimes designs the team’s costumes.

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MAIA SHIBUTANI / ALEX SHIBUTANI

Representing: USA

Ages: 23/26

ISU Personal bests: SD 77.97, FD 115.26, total 191.85

ISU Season’s best: N/A

Notable titles: 2016 World Silver Medalists, 2011 & 2017 World Bronze Medalists, 2016 & 2017 US Champions, 2016 Four Continents Champions

Programs: SD - Mambos by Perez Prado; FD - Paradise

Grand Prix events: Rostelecom Cup, Skate America

The Shibutanis, fondly known as the ShibSibs, are a brother-sister team who have been skating together since they were children. Emerging onto the senior circuit after a promising junior career, they won a surprise bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships, but were unable to meet high expectations in the seasons afterwards. Just when it seemed like their career had stagnated, the Shibutanis resurged with a brilliantly emotional free dance to Coldplay’s “Fix You” in the 2015-16 season, winning their first National title, silver medals at the 2016 World Championships, and establishing themselves as the USA’s top ice dance team. However, technical struggles throughout the 2016-17 season have left them in a somewhat vulnerable position; although they defended their National title and won another bronze medal at 2017 Worlds, it was not without mistakes. The fight for the no.3 spot after Virtue/Moir and Papadakis/Cizeron will be intense, with several teams in the mix and no way to predict how it will all go down. The Shibutanis will face off against the Russian team Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev on their home turf at Rostelecom Cup, and against Italians Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte and Canadians Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier at Skate America. As the Shibutanis have not participated in any pre-Grand Prix competitions, Rostelecom Cup will give us the first look at their new programs.

Random off-ice facts: The ShibSibs have an active social media presence on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. They often post vlogs on their Youtube channel, giving fans a backstage glimpse of skating events.

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MADISON CHOCK / EVAN BATES

Representing: USA

Ages: 25/28

ISU Personal bests: SD 79.05, FD 113.31, total 189.01

ISU Season’s best: N/A

Notable titles: 2016 World Bronze Medalists, 2015 World Silver Medalists, 2-time Grand Prix Final Silver Medalists, 2-time Four Continents Silver Medalists, 2015 US National Champions

Programs: SD - Aguanile/Che Lio/Vivir mi vida; FD - Imagine

Grand Prix events: Cup of China, Internationaux de France

Although they were the USA’s top ice dance team in the 2014-15 season, winning the National title and silver medals at 2015 Worlds, mistakes at both the Grand Prix Final and the World Championships last season kept Chock/Bates far off the podium, and domestically, they’ve been playing catch-up to the resurgent Shibutani siblings. When they’re on, however, Chock/Bates are a powerful and technically competent team that are more than capable of climbing back onto major international podiums. Known for their athletic style and Madison’s in-your-face expressiveness, Chock/Bates are right in the mix for the hotly-contested third-place spot in the world. Like the Shibutanis, they have not yet competed this season, and will debut their new programs at Cup of China, their first Grand Prix event. They will face Papadakis/Cizeron at both Cup of China and Internationaux de France, as well as Bobrova/Soloviev in China and Weaver/Poje in France.

Random off-ice facts: Madison designs the team’s costumes. Both partners own poodles.

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KAITLYN WEAVER / ANDREW POJE

Representing: Canada

Ages: 28/30

ISU Personal bests: SD 76.73, FD 113.83, total 190.56

ISU Season’s best: 173.56

Notable titles: 2014 World Silver Medalists, 2015 World Bronze Medalists, 2-time Grand Prix Final Champions, 2-time Four Continents Champions, 2-time Canadian National Champions

Programs: SD - Beautiful Life/Dirty Dancing 2; FD - Spartacus

Grand Prix events: Skate Canada, Internationaux de France

A veteran team loved by fans for their passion and innovative free dances, Weaver/Poje were often left playing second fiddle to Virtue/Moir in the past. It seemed their time had come in the post-Sochi era, when they emerged as one of the top ice dance teams in the world following silver medals at the 2014 World Championships. However, despite winning the Grand Prix Final two years in a row in 2014 and 2015, technical mistakes at Worlds - as well as the unexpected rise of Papadakis/Cizeron - left Weaver/Poje without their coveted World title. Seeking a change, they switched coaches and began to revamp their skating from scratch in the 2016-17 season. Although they did not qualify for the Grand Prix Final or medal at major international competitions last season, Weaver/Poje are still very much in the mix to challenge for podium spots. They debuted their new programs this season at Autumn Classic International, placing second behind Virtue/Moir. Weaver/Poje will face Virtue/Moir and Americans Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue at Skate Canada, and Papadakis/Cizeron and Chock/Bates at Internationaux de France.

Random off-ice facts: Kaitlyn was born in Texas and moved to Canada in order to compete with Andrew.

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EKATERINA BOBROVA / DMITRI SOLOVIEV

Representing: Russia

Ages: 27/28

ISU Personal bests: SD 76.18, FD 111.76, total 186.68

ISU Season’s best: 181.92

Notable titles: 2013 World Bronze Medalists, 2013 European Champions, 5-time European Medalists, 6-time Russian National Champions

Programs: SD - Latin Lover/Dance/Quand je vois tes yeux; FD - Oblivion/Beethoven’s Five Secrets

Grand Prix events: Rostelecom Cup, Cup of China

Bobrova/Soloviev’s career has seen its share of dramatic ups and downs. European Champions and World Bronze Medalists in 2013, they finished 5th at the Sochi Olympics, missed the 2014-15 season due to injury, and made a strong return in 2015-16 only to miss the 2016 World Championships due to a failed drug test for Ekaterina. Bobrova/Soloviev were eventually allowed to return to competition after WADA clarified their position on meldonium, and the team had solid showings in the 2016-17 season, placing 4th at the 2016 Grand Prix Final, 3rd at the 2017 European Championships, and 5th at the 2017 World Championships. Along with a multitude of other teams, they are in the mix for that no.3 spot, and kicked off this season with a gold medal at Ondrej Nepela Trophy. Bobrova/Soloviev will face the Shibutanis and Canadians Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier at Rostelecom Cup, and Chock/Bates and Papadakis/Cizeron at Cup of China.

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ANNA CAPPELLINI / LUCA LANOTTE

Representing: Italy

Ages: 30/32

ISU Personal bests: SD 75.65, FD 112.07, total 186.64

ISU Season’s best: N/A

Notable titles: 2014 World Champions, 2014 European Champions, 5-time European Medalists, 2015 Grand Prix Final Bronze Medalists, 5-time Italian National Champions

Programs: SD - Kaboom/Skip to the Bip/1008 Samba; FD - La Vita e Bella

Grand Prix events: NHK Trophy, Skate America

Another veteran team, fan favorites Cappellini/Lanotte are loved for their charisma and fun personalities in both competitions and galas. They excel at playing characters in their programs, seen especially in programs such as last season’s whimsical “Charlie Chaplin” free dance. Cappellini/Lanotte were the surprise winners of both the European and World Championships in 2014, and although they have not climbed to such heights again since, they have remained one of the world’s top teams and have consistently medaled at the European Championships for the last five seasons in a row. Unfortunately, Anna suffered a hand injury before this season began, and the team was forced to withdraw from their pre-Grand Prix competitions. They will make their season debut at NHK Trophy, where they will face Virtue/Moir and Hubbell/Donohue; at Skate America, they will compete against Gilles/Poirier and the Shibutanis.

Random off-ice facts: Anna married Italian pairs skater Ondrej Hotarek in 2015. Luca is a proud father.

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MADISON HUBBELL / ZACHARY DONOHUE

Representing: USA

Ages: 26/26

ISU Personal bests: SD 76.53, FD 108.37, total 180.82

ISU Season’s best: 178.80

Notable titles: 2014 Four Continents Champions, 4-time US National Bronze Medalists

Programs: SD - Le Serpent/Cuando Calienta El Sol/Sambando; FD - Across the Sky/Caught Out in the Rain

Grand Prix events: Skate Canada, NHK Trophy

Consistently the third-ranked American team for the last three seasons, Hubbell/Donohue are hungry this season and ready for more. Since switching coaches in 2015 to Dubreuil and Lauzon in Montreal - the same coaches as Virtue/Moir and Papadakis/Cizeron - Hubbell/Donohue have made steady upwards progress, culminating in a surprising third-place finish in the short dance at the 2017 World Championships. With a World medal within their grasp, the team made costly mistakes in the free dance and finished a devastating 9th. They are back this season to show what they’re capable of, winning a gold medal at the season-opening US International Skating Classic with strong performances. If Hubbell/Donohue can back up their captivating chemistry and expressiveness with consistent skating, they may be able to earn a place as one of the heavy hitters of the ice dance field. Hubbell/Donohue will compete against Virtue/Moir at both Skate Canada and NHK Trophy, as well as Weaver/Poje in Canada and Cappellini/Lanotte in Japan.

Random off-ice facts: Zach always brings the same pair of shoes and his lucky bracelet when he travels to competitions. Madison likes to bring her favorite food.

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PIPER GILLES / PAUL POIRIER

Representing: Canada

Ages: 25/25

ISU Personal bests: SD 72.83, FD 110.45, total 182.57

ISU Season’s best: 172.26

Notable titles: 2014 Four Continents Silver Medalists, 5-time Canadian National Medalists

Programs: SD - Bossa Cubana/Gopher Mambo; FD - Film Noir Medley

Grand Prix events: Rostelecom Cup, Skate America

Since teaming up in 2011, Gilles/Poirier have made a name for themselves as the team with unusual and sometimes downright weird programs. Their skating isn’t all just for show, though - in the last few seasons, they’ve steadily risen up the international ranks, medaling at several Grand Prix events and coming close to qualifying for the Final. Consistent performances in the future may establish them as a top-tier team. They started off this season with a bronze medal at Autumn Classic International behind Virtue/Moir and Weaver/Poje. Gilles/Poirier will face Bobrova/Soloviev and the Shibutanis at Rostelecom Cup, and the Shibutanis and Cappellini/Lanotte at Skate America.

Random off-ice facts: According to their ISU biography, Piper enjoys riding elephants, unicycling, and miming on street corners. Paul knows 3 languages (English, French, Spanish). Piper was born in the USA.

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OTHER SKATERS TO WATCH

Charlene Guignard / Marco Fabbri (ITA): Assigned to Rostelecom Cup and Internationaux de France. 6-time Italian National Silver Medalists. Placed 11th at 2017 Worlds. Often just out of the medals at Grand Prix events, finishing 4th or 5th.

Isabella Tobias / Ilia Tkachenko (ISR): Assigned to NHK Trophy and Skate America. Teamed up in 2014. Ilia previously skated for Russia, Isabella for Lithuania. Placed 12th at 2017 Worlds.

Alexandra Stepanova / Ivan Bukin (RUS): Assigned to Rostelecom Cup and Internationaux de France. 2015 European Bronze Medalists, 3-time Russian National Medalists. Finished 10th at 2017 Worlds.

Victoria Sinitsina / Nikita Katsalapov (RUS): Assigned to NHK Trophy and Skate America. 2-time Russian National Medalists. Teamed up in 2014, after some considerable drama with their previous partners. Nikita was the 2014 Olympic Bronze Medalist with former partner Elena Ilinykh.

Alla Loboda / Pavel Drozd (RUS): Assigned to Skate Canada and Internationaux de France. 2-time Junior World Medalists in 2016 and 2017, making their senior debut this season.

Kaitlin Hawayek / Jean Luc Baker (USA): Assigned to Skate Canada and Skate America. 2014 Junior World Champions. An expressive and promising young team, hampered by illnesses and injuries in recent seasons.

Rachel Parsons / Michael Parsons (USA): Assigned to Rostelecom Cup and Skate America. 2017 Junior World Champions, making their senior debut this season. A technically strong team, one to look out for in the future.

Kana Muramoto / Chris Reed (JPN): Assigned to NHK Trophy and Skate America. Teamed up in 2015. Kana switched from singles to ice dance in 2014; Chris previously skated with his sister Cathy. Japan’s most successful ice dance team in recent years. Won silver at 2017 Nebelhorn Trophy.

Shiyue Wang / Xinyu Liu (CHN): Assigned to Cup of China and Skate America. China’s most successful ice dance team in recent years. Placed 16th at 2017 Worlds and won the 2017 Asian Winter Games. Known for their large height difference.

[gymwrites]

Second Thoughts: A Fan Sequel to First Times

[Author’s note: You guys are the best. Thanks for all the sweet messages and for sticking around! Love, Kai]

Links to: Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5 (Part I), Chapter 5 (Part II), Chapter 6 (Part I), Chapter 6 (Part II), Chapter 6 (Part III), Chapter 7, Chapter 8 (Part I), Chapter 8 (Part II)

Chapter 6 (Part I): Rio

The second thought Aly Raisman has when the soft piano notes of Moscow Nights fill the Olympic stadium, is to tell herself to get a grip.

Her first was stolen away by Aliya’s poised steps into her starting position on floor exercise, some distance from where Team USA is tackling beam. She looked ready. Determined. Unassailable.

Aly really should be focused on cheering for Simone. But a tiny gasp escapes her when Aliya’s first pass comes up short, and the Russian has to quickly adjust her footing to keep from stumbling. Madison, who’s standing close by, shoots a questioning look at Aly. Thankfully, the bar champ’s attention is immediately caught by Simone’s unexpected wobble on her layout series, and she joins the rest of the team in yelling out for her to fight to stay on.

Concealing her distractedness is a struggle throughout the team final. Anticipation shivers down her spine whenever Aliya’s name blares through the speakers, or the crowd roars at one of her brilliantly executed turns. Aware of the dozens of cameras zooming in on her every expression, Aly has to constantly force her wandering gaze back onto her own teammates.

Stop it. You’re one hundred percent here to support Simone, Gabby, Laurie and Maddie.

Even as she reassures a flustered Simone that her beam routine was fine, and mistakes happen, and it’s not going to affect the overall score, her mind remains fixed on Aliya.

‘I know you will be strong for your team.’

No one had taught Aly the art of leadership. It came naturally to her, an ingrained sense of responsibility and strong protective instincts lulling her into it. Still, remembering the Russian’s words from earlier today makes her heart swell a little, steels her resolve a little more. Aliya’s faith in her had survived, even after everything. And that was better than nothing.

Glancing up at the massive scoreboard, Aly sees that Simone’s newly added score means their almost insurmountable lead becomes even more so. She envelopes Simone in a big hug (”See! You did great!”), then pulls everyone in for a quick team huddle. She notes with satisfaction how much more relaxed they are, now that all that’s left is floor. But they can’t let their guards down. They need to focus, right through to the end. 

‘And that, ladies and gentleman, was the always elegant Aliya Mustafina, representing the Russian Federation!’ the announcer booms.

Well. Maybe she can afford just one more fleeting look at the Russian, now extending her arm out in a graceful wave to a roaring crowd, a pleased look on her perfect, perfect face.

Unable to contain her pride, Aly ducks her head down and smiles.

-----

The second thought Aliya Mustafina has when the folksy Russian piece Yablochko starts up, and the crowd starts clapping along to the vigorous beat, is to make sure to kill the smile threatening to spread on her face. 

Her first had been to suppress her pleasure at being reminded Aly had chosen not one, but two quintessential Russian songs to round out her competition. She ignores the eye rolls shared between Masha and Dasha. Seda, by contrast, flashes Aliya a toothy, knowing grin.

With everyone else done with their rotations, the American team commands the attention of the entire arena with their boisterous floor routines. That means Aliya can drop her half-hearted act of being totally uninterested. She can watch Aly openly, admire the inhuman level of difficulty packed into her first pass, rejoice a little every time she sticks her tumbles. 

It’s commendable, the way the Americans are competing as if the gold isn’t already theirs. 

Aly’s confident third pass takes her into the corner where the Russians are grimly waiting, arms folded, nervous about whether their vault scores will be enough to overtake the Chinese. Hands thrown back, heart pounding, breath short, Aly somehow finds a split second to make brief eye contact with Aliya. Something lights up the American’s face; something that says Aliya watching this means the world to her. 

Aliya freezes, caught indecisively between breaking out an encouraging smile or keeping her cool. She can feel Masha’s incredulous look boring into the side of her head.

The American spins around to complete the final leg of her routine before Aliya can react either way.

‘I didn’t think you knew.’

Aly’s eyebrow-raising selection of music had, of course, been known to Aliya for some time. With a forced detachment, the Russian had dismissed it as pure coincidence. It meant nothing, she had told herself. But now, knowing it had been a deliberate expression of Aly reaching for a past that once included her... Now, the driving Russian rhythms of the American’s floor routine mean something.

They mean everything.

The stadium erupts again - Aliya hears chants of “Aly! Aly! Aly!” at one point, but she can’t be sure if that’s just her mind playing tricks on her. Then Biles steps onto the podium. She slays the whole thing. And before long, it’s all over. 

A rapid blur of celebrations follow, and a wave of sheer collective relief crashes over Team Russia. The culmination of years of hard work finally paying off brings almost all of them to tears. And amidst all of that, a tiny thread of happiness glows inside their proud captain, one that has absolutely nothing to do with Russia successfully bagging the silver.

-----

The second thought Eythora Thorsdottir has as she watches Team USA jump off the podium after a rousing rendition of their national anthem, is to tell herself the lingering exchange between the captains of the top two finishing teams is completely normal.

She had brushed off her first thought, cloaked as it was in a strange, shadowy unpleasantness she had never felt before. Jealousy? No. She wasn’t that kind of girl.

Most people wouldn’t have picked up on anything unusual. Aly is careful to spend an equal amount of time shaking hands and congratulating each girl on the Russian and Chinese teams, her carefree warmth softening even the most stoic of expressions. Something hard to pin down takes place when Aly Raisman finally reaches Aliya Mustafina, however.

It’s the way their eyes meet long before their hands do. Every handshake before theirs just seems like a warm-up act to the main event. There’s a subtle, shy hesitancy between them; two partners united in presenting a friendly, but appropriately aloof front. 

The smiles reaching up to the corners of their eyes, though, say something different. Their interactions are odd in a way that would have been awkward, had they not come off so... familiar. 

Aliya leans forward to greet Aly with a kiss on the cheek, but she’s stopped in her tracks by the American’s outstretched hand. Instead of causing embarrassment, the cultural mishap sparks smiles from both gymnasts, as if it contains some secret significance. Aliya tactfully points to her left cheek, eyes lowered in silent laughter as a blushing Aly obliges. Aly then whispers something in Aliya’s ear that causes the Russian to chuckle, before giving the American a coy thumbs-up. Both remain oblivious to the mixed looks of dismay, amusement, and delight exchanged between their various teammates.

It all takes place very quickly, but Eythora quietly notes and tucks these tiny odds and ends away. A tinge of worry chips at her. It’s small enough that she can push it to the back of her mind, where it’s easier to forget.

-----

Post-team final press interviews are dull and utterly unavoidable. 

Laurie doesn’t mind so much the repetitive, eye-roll-inducing questions on how she feels about missing out on the all-around finals taking place two days from now. Those are easy to bat away with platitudes about Team USA, doing Team USA proud, it’s all about Team USA. The heavy pieces of gold hanging around their necks are evidence that they’ve conquered all they set out to conquer, so the media can stop trying to squeeze drama out of this nothingburger.

She does mind that the allotted half an hour for interviews drags out to forty minutes, then fifty, then to a full hour. A giant analogue clock hanging over the foyer indicates that dinner time - grilled chicken time - looms ever closer. Meanwhile, the prospect of escaping the insatiable press grows ever dimmer.

Each team is huddled into partitioned spaces throughout the dark, sprawling indoor pavilion just outside the stadium. They are kept busy fending off a merciless barrage of flashing cameras and questions that really shouldn’t be asked. The Netherland girls to the left of the Americans are dealing politely, but uncomfortably with a reporter more interested in badgering them about their bright orange outfits than their flawless execution or historic seventh place finish. Team Great Britain, closest to the exit, shields Ellie Downie from inane comments about how her fall on beam might have cost her teammates a medal - a mathematical impossibility.

Laurie sighs. Even something as magical as competing in the Olympics is shadowed by an unglamorous underside. 

Firmly extricating herself from a buck-toothed reporter wanting to know if ‘it was unfair that Gabby got to try for the all-around final, and you didn’t?’ - seriously? - Laurie scoots out of the glare of the lenses. She needs a moment to reclaim some of the bliss of being an Olympic gold medalist, and let the craziness of it all sink in.

Finding an unoccupied patch near the center of the high-ceiling room, Laurie closes her eyes to shut out the stuffy atmosphere, the harried yells, the thunderous murmur of a dozen languages blending into each other. She starts slowly tracing each of the five Olympic rings embossed into her gold medal with the tip of her finger, concentrating on how the coldness of the metal sends tingles through her nerve endings.

So this is what it feels like to have a dream come true.

“Laurie?”

A timid voice calls out, abruptly pulling the girl out of her zone-out. An equally timid tap on the American’s shoulder follows. Spinning around, Laurie’s eyes come to rest on the last person she was expecting to see - Seda Tutkhalyan. A silver medal hangs proudly off the bright green strap around the Russian’s neck, a large bouquet of flowers clutched tightly in her hands.

“It’s you!” Laurie exclaims, pleasantly surprised. It strikes her as highly curious for the Russian gymnast to have made her way over to this side of the room.

“Da, I.” Seda grins at the enthusiastic greeting. Her previous encounter with Laurie has probably conditioned her somewhat to the energetic outburst. Still, nothing prepares her for when Laurie pulls her into an exuberant hug, almost knocking the wind out of the tiny Russian.

“Oh. Sorry... I think I might’ve killed some of your flowers. I’m just so glad to see you. And so happy that your team got the silver!” Laurie hurriedly steps back and points to the silver medal, then gives Seda a lively double thumbs-up.

“Flower is okay. And thank you,” the Russian replies. Her cheeks flush with embarrassment. “This,” she gestures right back at Laurie’s gold, “very good.” She makes as if to say something else, maybe something a bit more congratulatory than ‘good’, but struggles to find the words. 

Laurie waves a hand and beams at her. “Thanks! Honestly though, I’m glad it’s all over. Well I know there are event finals to go, but still. And for you, of course, there’s the all-around. You’ll be amazing. But for now, we can sleep. And party. Oh, and eat. Chicken!” She knows she’s rambling, but Laurie takes care to at least ramble at a slower speed. 

The girl grins widely, eyes twinkling, a sign their bonding over food had sealed a rare friendship that would last beyond these Olympics.

Laurie expresses the hope of maybe making it a second meal, when the media circus here is over and done with.

Seda opens her mouth to respond, but hesitates. She looks worryingly over her shoulder. Laurie follows her gaze to where the rest of Team Russia is still cornered by an obscene number of reporters. Her face falls.

“Oh. Does your team know that you’re here?” She doesn’t add ‘talking to an American?’, but the question hangs in the air anyway. The last confrontation with Seda’s teammates is still fresh in Laurie’s mind, and she’s not particularly keen on a repeat experience. 

“They talk now. Busy,” Seda finally says when she turns back to Laurie, her thick, glitter-covered eyelashes lowered apologetically, as if she too is remembering how haphazardly their last meeting had ended.

“But you’re not busy? You ran away from all the crazy people?” Laurie pumps her arms up and down in a running motion, swiveling her body towards the direction of the green backlit exit sign. ‘Crazy people’ is a technically inaccurate translation, but for a good section of the international press corp here tonight, it isn’t far off.

This prompts a bright laugh from Seda. “Run. Yes,” she nods, sheepishly. “Not like talk to...” Bringing her hands up, Seda mimics the motion of clicking a camera, making an annoyed face while she’s at it. 

Laurie sighs sympathetically. "Tell me about it. Me too.”

They stand there for a minute or so, each racking their brains on how to carry on this stilted, but very welcome conversation with limited common language. Laurie is the first to blurt out, “Is Aliya mad?”

Seda frowns in confusion. “Mad?”

“Mad, as in angry. Not happy.”

Still puzzled, Seda cocks her head to one side. “Da, I know ‘mad’. But why she is mad?”

“She seemed mad last time, um, when she saw us together. Will she get angry if she knows you’re talking to me now?”

Through a combination of worried expressions and Laurie pointing at the imperturbable Russian leader in the distance, then back at herself, Seda gets it. She shakes her head reassuringly. A tiny, impish smile appears on her features.

“Nyet. Aliya not mad.” Seda pauses for a moment, as if deciding whether to share what’s sitting on the tip of her tongue. “Aliya... She like American.” She utters this so softly, Laurie has to bend her head down to catch it. Even then, she isn’t sure she heard right.

She like American. What does that mean? 

Wait. 

Laurie blinks, catching a peculiar glimmer burnished in the dark, expressive pools of Seda’s eyes. Like a switch flipping, the subtext embedded in that simple sentence makes her breath catch in her throat. 

“Seda. She likes Americans, or an American?” Her excited question spills over in hushed tones.

Seda looks at Laurie in alarm, visibly torn over whether she should say more. Luckily, she doesn’t have to. Her delayed response, and the way she flicks her gaze towards where Aly is explaining the unique team-bonding qualities of winning gold together, says volumes.

“Oh my god. So you know too!” Laurie’s hand flies to her face, stunned. “Aliya, she really...? Still? That makes both of them. Shit!” She almost has to stuff her hand into her mouth to stop herself squealing.

It takes Seda a moment to come to terms with what she’s let slip. At first, she looks worried about having given away such a momentous piece of information. In the end though, the sight of Laurie gleefully bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet causes the Russian to crack a small grin.

“Shit, da.” 

A new determination sets in as the American explains, assisted by a flurry of animated hand gestures, that anyone with eyes could see the gravitational pull between their two team leaders. Seda concurs wholeheartedly: “And people with no eye, they feel. Here.” With a serious expression on her face, she puts a hand over her heart. 

Laurie resists the urge to hug her again.

She tells Seda about how she and Simone had noticed a weird spring in Aly’s step this morning. When their team captain finally spilled the beans about her conversation with Mustafina, Laurie had eagerly asked if that meant things with her old flame were back to... well, how they used to be...  but Aly had mumbled something about how they were ‘just friends and nothing more’. (“Da. Alka say this too. Just friend,” Seda says, with a bemused air of disbelief.)

Laurie also relishes telling Seda about how Aly’s eyes were glued on Mustafina during most of the team final. At that, Seda laughs. It turns out Aliya had given up halfway trying to hide the same thing with Aly. And almost bitten Masha’s head off with the fury of ten storms when she had dared to make a snide comment.

It is painfully obvious to Laurie that the two girls just needed more quality time with each other, away from the restrictive bounds of country and competition. But in a huge rambling space like the Olympic Village, and with so little of the Olympics left, that was never going to happen without a well-planned intervention. It certainly wasn’t going to happen if neither of them are going to make the first move. 

“Seda. We need to do something.” The longer they trade gossip, the more Laurie realizes the wildly simple plan Simone and she had cooked up might not be such a moonshot, now that Seda is involved. “They won’t stand a chance unless something happens. Unless,” Laurie lowers her voice, “we make something happen.”

“Zhdat,” Seda holds her hand up worriedly. “This something, is what?”

Understandably, the girl is more than a little apprehensive over what the American has in mind. She has to contend with the terrifying prospect of aggravating Aliya, should anything go wrong. Not to mention Masha, Dasha, Grebs, and effectively the entire Russian gymnastics establishment.

“It’s just to give them time to talk. We weren’t quite sure how to pull it off. I mean, bring Aly and Aliya...” Laurie brings both hands up and claps them together, and Seda nods in understanding. “And we have to do it soon. But now that we have you...” She trails off, grinning an infectiously wicked grin.

It doesn’t take long to sketch out for Seda what’s involved. There’s some spirited miming and hilarious misses from Google Translate, but the idea is straightforward enough. Laurie has no doubt Madison and Gabby will be on board. The trickiest part will be to keep the rest of Team Russia unawares of the operation, but Seda promises she has that covered. Unlike Aliya, both Masha and Dasha would be sticking to strict training schedules until event finals were over; Gelya knows very little of the whole affair, so will be easy enough to dispatch with.

It was settled, then. Dizzy with anticipation, Laurie takes in a deep breath. “We’re really doing this?”

Seda nods, all hint of hesitation gone. “Da. We do.” They seal their spontaneous conspiracy with a solemn hand shake. And then they giggle uncontrollably for a bit, imagining the uproar it would set off in the gymnastics world if the ultimate goal of their scheming eventuated.

The Russian has to leave soon afterwards, before her absence becomes too conspicuous. The torturous press interviews also come to an end, but sadly, Laurie’s wish for a repeat meal with Seda isn’t to be. That night, they enjoy their frango no churrasco at opposite ends of the giant cafeteria, their teams rowdily celebrating their victories and graciously entertaining requests for selfies from other Olympians. 

The magnitude of their new shared mission, however, lessens the separation considerably.

-----

It’s far too early in the morning to think about how best to respond to the friendly, unsolicited wave the male gymnast standing under a set of makeshift rings just gave her. Aliya guesses American - the red and white stripes from the torso down, and a garish sea of white stars on dark blue covering the top half of his sweaty workout leotard, are a dead giveaway.

Before she knows it, she smiles. And he smiles back. 

Chyort. Aliya swears in her head. She hadn’t meant to. Her brain had reacted on its own, jumping from stars and stripes, to America... to Aly. Luckily, he’s far enough away that it won't be too rude to act like he doesn’t exist. She’s never had issues with appearing rude to strangers she has zero interest in, anyway.

Faint pre-dawn sunlight trickles lazily through the high placed windows, bathing the equipment in a hazy glow. The ungodly time of day means the practice gym - the very same one she had abandoned Aly in a few nights before - holds just her and the other gymnast. 

Aliya steps up to the bowl of chalk, sifting through the powdery substance with her fingers and breaking up the clumpy bits. She breathes in deeply, trying to banish all thoughts from her mind. 

An hour or so is all she needs today. Training exhaustively the day before a huge competition has never been her style. Instead, Aliya plans to have a hearty breakfast, then take a shuttle out with Seda and Gelya to explore Rio’s famed beaches. It had been a brilliant last-minute idea from Seda. 

Surprisingly, and over their coaches’ protests, the girl had insisted - Aliya standing supportively behind her -  that it was just the thing they needed before the all-important final tomorrow. Smiling to herself, Aliya speculates that her many lectures about not letting rigid rules define her might actually be breaking through. And Seda was right. It would be good to get out of the Village, having only glimpsed the city’s lush scenery from behind the thick-paneled windows of a moving bus. 

Aliya pushes herself up onto the low bar, and quickly works up a mild sweat. As she runs through a simplified version of her routine, she remembers how everyone had said it was crazy to add the extra half-twist to her dismount so close to the Olympics...

... which is precisely why she did it. No one ever accomplished anything worth writing home about without taking a risk. 

Something feels off about her swing, though. It’s not the ultra springiness of the practice bars that’s impacting her rhythm. Nor is it her keen senses picking up on the fact that the American had stopped his own workout and was now standing there, shamelessly watching her train.

No, it was her stubborn mind insisting on traveling a well-worn path back to Raisman.

It wonders what the girl is doing right this second. Probably still snuggled in bed, her wild strands of chocolate brown hair poking out in random directions, freckles barely visible under the first rays of a rising sun; the alluring picture of someone who keeps her feet planted firmly and humbly on the ground, never quite believing the praise heaped on her by the world is deserved. Someone Aliya wants to hold, and protect, and love and love and love, until that’s all that every atom in her is doing.

As the flow of her routine takes over, Aliya remembers what it was like waking up next to Aly Raisman.

That one time, the morning of the day four years ago when she boarded a plane that whisked her away from the one person who made living and dreaming indistinguishable - that was it. She had never felt so incredibly lucky and unlucky at the same time, laying next to Aly on her bed, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest. She wanted so badly to wake her, yet knew it would be impossible to tear herself away if she did.

Aliya's feet hit the mat in Rio, mind still mired in London. Maybe waking Aly that morning, and realizing earlier that she was worth giving up everything for, was a risk she should have taken, but didn’t.

Leaning heavily against the bar, Aliya sighs dispiritedly. This whole being friends thing is harder than she had imagined. Hopefully, like everything else, it just needs more practice.

She suddenly spots a moving blur of red, white and blue out the corner of her eye. Her highly tuned intuition senses the American is about to saunter over and try to engage her in some pointless chatter. 

Aliya swiftly hops off the apparatus and grabs her gym bag from the bench. She doesn’t bother to unwrap her athletic tape; she can get to that later. Avoiding any further unintended eye contact, Aliya stealthily strides out through the wide double doors and heads straight for the showers. 

-----

Part II coming soon. It’s been difficult to write, so just wanted to make sure the upcoming Raistafina feels felt right...

[axellings]

Junior World Championships 2017

The season has officially (well, almost officially) drawn to a close, and we’re sure fans are still buzzing with the results of senior worlds. We promise our recap of this past exciting weekend will be coming soon, but first, let’s take a brief look at the results of the Junior World Championships. We’ve seen plenty of young up-and-coming talents achieve amazing things on the junior level, and this competition was the culmination of all their hard work. So without further ado, here’s a recap of what went down in Taipei as the 2016-2017 junior season came to an end.

Podium: Men

In possibly one of the most epic comebacks in junior skating history, Vincent Zhou (USA) came away with the gold in this year’s junior world championships. Down in 5th after the short thanks to anemic GOEs and PCS, it was clear that Vincent would need to up his technical game to have a good chance of fighting his way onto the podium. And up his game he did: with three quads in the free (including a +1.86GOE quad lutz, jesus), he finished 10 points clear of his competitors. Dmitri Aliev (RUS) finished the short program in first after a foot-perfect performance; however, a technical mishap on his only quad in the free brought him down to second--still an impressive improvement over his 6th place finish last season. Finally, placing third was last year’s potato medalist Alexander Samarin (RUS), who finished 3rd in the short and 4th in the free. He managed to place on the podium thanks to his relative consistency and two quads in the free.

Others: Men

A fan favorite since his novice days, Jun Hwan Cha (KOR) looked to be in a good position for the podium after finishing the program in 2nd. However, though he pulled off the first quad sal combination in his free without a hitch, a fall on his second attempt and a subsequent underrotation pulled him down to 5th overall. Nonetheless, Jun Hwan has been steadily building momentum since his junior debut last season, and we have no doubt he’ll be one of the biggest players in the men’s field in the years to come. Another junior who’s been turning heads is Daniel Samohin (ISR), who had to give up his spot at senior worlds after unfortunate circumstances at Euros kept him from advancing to the free skate. After a disastrous short program that left in him 16th, Daniel made an incredible comeback with a nearly-clean free that pulled him up to 6th overall.

Podium: Ladies

With Evgenia Medvedeva continuing to dominate on the senior level, fellow training mate Alina Zagitova (RUS) has truly shaped up into her junior counterpart. With two flaw-free programs, both of which had all the jumps pushed into the second half, Alina easily snatched up the gold to complete her almost-perfect collection. She did not, however, win by as large a margin as one would expect, as Marin Honda (JPN) trailed her by 7 points with her own clean programs and a full set of new personal record scores. Marin’s made leaps and bounds in consistency this season (fingers crossed that it’s not a temporary thing), and while we would have had her at the top of the podium, we’re proud of what she’s accomplished despite her setbacks in the first half of the season. Marin’s compatriot Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) has also come a long way this season, topping off her list of accomplishments with her first junior world medal. Like Marin, she pulled off two perfect programs and renewed her personal best scores in all three categories. It feels like we’ve been watching Kaori skate for ages, and we’re delighted to see how far she’s come.

Others: Ladies

Newly-crowned Korean national champion Eunsoo Lim (KOR) capped off her impressive international junior debut with a fourth place finish here. Eunsoo boasts technical content on par with other more experienced junior ladies in the field, but a couple of technical mistakes in the free and a comparative lack of PCS left her unable to close the gap. Coming in 6 points behind Eunsoo was Yuna Shiraiwa, who managed to end off her rocky season on a relatively good note. Yuna set a new personal best in the short, but her TES in the free took a heavy blow from a fall and 3 UR calls. We hope Yuna will be able to come out on top in her struggles with inconsistency and her current injury over the course of the off-season.

Aside from Alina, the Russian ladies found themselves struggling in this competition. National junior silver medalist Stanislava Konstantinova (RUS) had a stellar junior debut season, but she only managed a sixth place finish here thanks to popped jumps. After missing out on last year’s junior worlds and this season’s junior GPF, Polina Tsurskaya (RUS) was looking to reestablish her reputation here. Unfortunately, several popped jumps in the free and UR calls in both programs dragged her down to a devastating 10th place finish.

Credit for all images [x]

[fitnesshealthyoga-blog]

New Post has been published on https://fitnesshealthyoga.com/more-people-are-doing-yoga-to-survive-in-trumps-america-let-us-not-retreat/

More People Are Doing Yoga To Survive In Trump’s America—Let Us Not Retreat

While our national healthcare hangs in the balance, some people are taking wellness into their own hands—a lot of them out of sheer necessity, and for some, maybe even a little desperation? (Serenity NOW.) But it doesn’t go unwarranted.

We are living in a brand new era, one the likes of which we have never witnessed before, what with politics virtually unavoidable, splashed across all our screens like a reality TV show, invading our feeds and encroaching on our valuable and vulnerable head space. You might say this is a necessary self-torture—we must stay woke! But how do we cope and keep it all copacetic? Engage or disengage? Speak up or bury our heads under our mats?

USA Today reports that the political divide is actually boosting yoga and meditation, especially among liberals.

Yoga and mediation coaches say they are seeing increased enrollment and fewer dropouts from the annual “New Year’s resolution” wave of signups. Part of this is stress relief — the American Psychological Association reports that stress nationwide is on the rise for the first time in 10 years.

But part of it is also meditation as resistance: Liberals see yoga as a place to reflect and recharge batteries for the political fights outside.

“This last election especially felt so tumultuous and so dividing — like there was so much angst and anger on both sides,” said Kristin McGee, celebrity yoga instructor and author of a beginner’s guide called Chair Yoga. “The whole idea of yoga is to unite or to come together and to create a community. … people are trying to find a way to come together, to try to find what is it that makes them feel connected and centered.”

Since the election, McGee said, “more and more people are coming to classes, more people are emailing me and asking me about how they can get started or asking me for private sessions.”

Surprise! People need yoga more now than ever. You may have even noticed an uptick in your own classes. Bent out of shape hardly describes how people felt after the election, and I mean either side. Let’s be honest, it’s been anything but a peaceful transition, and now there’s so much more work to be done to set us in any sort of steady, solid direction.  So it makes sense that yoga is a go-to sanctuary.

It can also be an escape.

Stress is up. So is yoga. But, interestingly, the yoga community was by and large silent when the citta hit the fan over the past few months (or year? has it been that long?). Maybe that’s just good business. After all, if numbers are up, why rock the navasana?

In order to attract and retain customers, staying in the middle of the road with the vague and rosy principle of “one love” seemed to be the chosen path for many yoga teachers. You have studios all but ignoring what’s going on outside their Ganesha-muraled walls—aside from those subtle hints yoga teachers might drop in reference to “all that craziness in the world,” like some sort of wink-wink sugar-coated yoga code. Mega yoga festival Wanderlust chose the hunkydory #cometogether theme this year to be topical and trendy, but it’s more of an opportunistic and superficial marketing strategy than a true call for unity. (At least they’re—sort of—addressing the issues?)

It sure sounds nice to join hands and forget the woes of the world, but please let’s not conflate kumbaya with complacency. Or festivals and feathers with constructive activism.

We are at a unique position as a yoga community to invite even more social responsibility and consciousness.

“…Communities of wellness, communities of yoga have had the privilege of existing outside of those conversations,” Kerri Kelly, founder of a wellness-focused social justice advocacy group called CTZNWELL, told USA Today. But now, “that privilege no longer exists,” says Kelly, adding that, “Who we are as a country has come to the surface and we have no choice but to confront it.”

Confront it, or at least participate in it. (Note: you don’t have to call yourself an activist to be a conscious citizen.) I’m not saying go start your Trump Yoga empire—though isn’t it surprising someone hasn’t capitalized on that already, a la Namasdrake? In other words, stand in tadasana but don’t be a stick in the mud. Practice yoga nidra but don’t go around sleepwalking…you know?

I’m also not saying that your mat has to become a soap box, podium or pulpit. Should yoga teachers or studios mesh with politics? I don’t know. But pretending things are not in a constant state of kerfluffle seems like it might do more harm—on a physical, emotional and cellular level—than good. I realize this is a delicate balance, but these are not delicate times.

It’s encouraging to see more people finding a respite with yoga and meditation, but we’re not doing ourselves any favors by asana-ing around the very real issues we’re facing beyond our mats. Yoga and meditation, indeed, help us tune inward, but let’s not tune out to the point of being culturally and socially tone deaf. Let’s hope the increased practice is bringing us all more clarity individually to lead us to a clearer path forward collectively. Time will tell if it will translate into conscious and compassionate action or inactive apathy.

~

hollypenny is a writer, yoga practitioner and all-around inquisitive gal living in New York City. (For the record, her practice also involves calling her senators on a regular basis. #resist)

——

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[runridedive]

South Africa’s Schoeman & Murray on podium at Super League

The final day of RBC Super League Jersey came to a close in a thrilling showdown, with France’s Vincent Luis taking his second weekend win in the men’s Enduro and being crowned RBC Super League Jersey Champion. Earlier in the day, the crowds were treated to an outstanding sporting display from Katie Zaferes in the Women’s Enduro to see her take the win and ultimately the RBC Super League Jersey Championship title, joining Luis at top of the leaderboard as they head to SLT Malta on 27-28 October.

It was a weekend of unpredictability and fierce competition, with so many athletes arriving in Jersey in peak condition. After the French domination yesterday, which saw both Cassandre Beaugrand and Vincent Luis take the victories in the Triple Mix, today saw the 29-year-old Frenchman claim the double, with South Africa’s Henri Schoeman and Richard Murray in a continuous battle for the Enduro top spot.

Dubbed the most-brutal format of all, these three dominated the lead in the Enduro from the get-go on the chilly Sunday afternoon, leaving Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) and Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) to fight it out for fourth and fifth place throughout the triple swim-bike-run format. The Enduro proved too much for even the best, as World Champion Mario Mola (ESP) was forced to retire mid-race.

Jersey’s very own Oliver Turner needed to stay in the field as long as possible in order to qualify for the Super League Triathlon (SLT) Championship Series, and he didn’t disappoint his home crowd; he had done enough to secure his place this SLT season by completing the first stage of the race.

The men’s Enduro finished with Luis taking gold, followed by Schoeman for the silver and Murray with the bronze. With the points collated form their performances in yesterday’s race, the men’s final leaderboard for the weekend saw Luis be crowned Champion, with Schoeman and Blummenfelt placing second and third overall, thanks to the Norwegian’s strong Triple Mix placement.

“I felt so confident going into today after my race yesterday, but I am so happy it’s done now and that there’s no race tomorrow! I can’t wait to come back to Jersey again and I will do my best to make everyone proud of me”, said double SLT race winner and Super League Jersey Champion Vincent Luis.

Runner-up Henri Schoeman said: “Thank you to everyone for coming out. It’s been really exciting.”

The Women’s Enduro race was a story of American domination. GBR’s Sophie Coldwell once again impressed with a strong swim and first-exit from the water, but Katie Zaferes (USA), Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR), Kirsten Kasper (USA) and Emma Jeffcoat (USA) were on Coldwell’s tail. Zaferes proved too strong for the Brits, and it wasn’t long into the bike when the American and her compatriot Kasper broke away.

There were shining moments from Taylor-Brown, Beaugrand, Coldwell, USA’s Summer Cook, but going into the second and third rounds, the gap only increased between the leading two and the rest of the pack, although Beaugrand stepped up to separate herself from the middle group to go behind the Americans. By the third swim, Zaferes and Kasper were clearly going for first and second, and Zaferes’ failure to put a foot wrong meant she would surely win the gold medal.

The Female Enduro finished with Zaferes taking gold, Kasper silver and Beaugrand bronze. Taylor-Brown put in a solid run to finish just off the podium in fourth. With Zaferes’ second-place finish yesterday, she shot to the top of the women’s leaderboard in Jersey, and took the weekend’s Championship title, with yesterday’s winner finishing second on the overall leaderboard, and Kasper sitting comfortably in third, going into the SLT Championship Series in Malta next month.

Female Enduro race runner-up Kirsten Kasper said: “I absolutely loved the format! It’s definitely challenging but it’s a lot of fun. It was great to be able to work with my fellow American to get away from the field. I was here in Jersey last year – I love it because the fans are great and we owe a lot to them for coming out and supporting.”

Two-time Ironman World Champion and SLT co-founder Chris McCormack said: “What an intense weekend of racing. The purpose of Super League Triathlon is to put athletes out of their comfort zone and push them to their limits; and with brutal eliminations, World Champion dropouts and unpredictable finishes, it did just that. The Jersey crowd turned out in force to cheer on our competitors, and we can’t wait to head to Malta next month to put the athletes through their paces once again.”

Men’s Enduro Top Three: 1. Vincent Luis #29 (FRA) 0:55:48 2. Henri Schoeman #04 (RSA) 0:55:54 3. Richard Murray #07 (RSA) 0:56:06

Men’s RBC Super League Jersey Championship Top Three: 1. Vincent Luis #29 (FRA) 50pts 2. Henri Schoeman #04 (RSA) 42pts 3. Kristian Blummenfelt #02 (NOR) 34pts

Women’s Enduro Top Three: 1. Katie Zaferes #16 (USA) 1:00:37 2. Kirsten Kasper #91 (USA) 1:00:51 3. Cassandre Beaugrand #55 (FRA) 1:01:27

Women’s RBC Super League Jersey Championship Top Three: 1. Katie Zaferes #16 (USA) 46pts 2. Cassandre Beaugrand #55 (FRA) 43pts 3. Kirsten Kasper #91 (USA) 37pts

The post South Africa’s Schoeman & Murray on podium at Super League appeared first on Run Ride Dive.

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New Post has been published on Superbike News

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Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado Triumph at Trentino

The 2018 MXGP of Trentino has concluded at the spectacular Pietramurata circuit! Over 30,000 enthusiastic Italian motocross fans witnessed the best riders of the world championship fighting for the top step of the Trentino podium. Taking emphatic victories were the pair of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders, Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado.

MXGP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings has struggled off the start of nearly every race this season up until this weekend. A top priority of Herlings and his team was to improve his starting and it clearly worked when he took his first Fox Holeshot of the season, the second of his MXGP career in MXGP Race 1.

Behind Herlings on the start was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, and home GP star and Herlings main championship rival, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli.

By the end of lap one Desalle made his way forward past Febvre into 2nd but Cairoli dropped from 4th to 8th which he later stated was due to an issue with his front brake. Once back to normal Cairoli started to charge back to the front passing riders such as his teammate Glenn Coldenhoff and later Gajser among others.

While Cairoli tried to regain positions Desalle kept Herlings in sight the majority of race leaving Febvre in a race of his own. At the finish Herlings won by a little more than 5 seconds over Desalle who had Febvre another 7 seconds behind him. Cairoli took rebounded to finish the race right where he started, in 4th.

In race 2 Cairoli took his 6th FOX Holeshot of the 8 races this season but Herlings was right in tow along with Glenn Coldenhoff making it a perfect start for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team. Another good start was taken by Clement Desalle who led the newly signed Marchetti Racing Team KTM of Benoit Paturel and the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory of Jeremy Van Horebeek. For the first three laps Herlings chased Cairoli but on the uphill just after the finish Cairoli missed his breaking point and expected Herlings to go wide who instead dove to the instead and took the lead.

Following the pass Cairoli briefly lost touch with Herlings before reeling the #84 back in. Herlings consistently put in one fast lap after another to which Cairoli was unable to match. In the meantime Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin spent 17 laps looking for a way around Van Horebeek in 5th and with only 2 laps remain took the spot from the Belgian.

Herlings finished the race 20 seconds ahead of Cairoli to take the overall and reclaim the red plate, winning every race the weekend, and claiming his 70 GP Overall win. Herlings in the press conference said: “I really enjoyed my time here for sure all the fans were rooting for Tony but that is normal, he is Italian, he is a legend in this sport but still they cheered for me which was very respectful. I really like coming here, it was a great 2 days, I enjoyed it a lot and I am looking forward to Portugal in one week time.”

Desalle’s 2-3 finishes topped the 4-2 result of Cairoli for second and third overall respectively. Desalle in the press conference: “It was a good weekend, really consistent and I knew coming here that the start would be important. Overall it is a really positive and consistent result again everything is going good and heading in the right way.”

Antonio Cairoli who finished the MXGP of Trentino in third: “For the championship it is good to finish on the podium always but I know that we could have done better today. Jeffrey was very fast in the second race and I have to say that it was very difficult to beat him with his speed and consistency during the whole race. It was difficult but this is racing and next time we will try to be more consistent.”

MXGP Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 34:45.091; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:05.628; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:12.837; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:27.281; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:31.477; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:42.857; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:46.757; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:48.233; 9. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:55.110; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:56.049.

MXGP Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 34:31.212; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:20.185; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:31.052; 4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:35.707; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:38.637; 6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:39.536; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:40.462; 8. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +1:04.740; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Suzuki), +1:08.638; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +1:09.626.

MXGP Overall Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 42 p.; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 34 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 32 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 31 p.; 7. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 29 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 26 p.; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Maxime Desprey (FRA, KAW), 19 p.

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.

MXGP Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 200 points; 2. Kawasaki, 145 p.; 3. Yamaha, 143 p.; 4. Husqvarna, 133 p.; 5. Honda, 92 p.; 6. TM, 68 p.; 7. Suzuki, 48 p.

MX2 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has been unstoppable so far this year and while the first 6 successful races of the season were thanks to wins Pauls Jonass, his younger teammate Jorge Prado has been on the brink of taking a GP himself.

Today the #61 took both of the MX2 FOX Holeshots and in race 1 led every lap on his way to a dominant win. Prado closest competition in race 1 came from STC Racing Husqvarna’s Henry Jacobi.

Jacobi battled to hold off Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen. For the first 11 laps Jacobi was successful but Olsen finally found a way by the #29. Jonass was then the next rider to catch Jacobi but instead of being passed Jacobi dug deep and instead passed Olsen 3 laps before the finish.

Prado crossed the line 7.6 seconds ahead of Jacobi with Olsen, Jonass, and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington rounding out the top 5.

Race 2 was again led by Prado from the start but Covington followed closely. Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen redeemed himself after crashing out of race 1 on the start by running in third to start race 2.

Jacobi also started well and by the second lap was around Vlaanderen and into 3rd. Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Vsevolod Brylyakov had a break through performance in race 2 after starting in the top five and passing both Vlaanderen and Jacobi to take over third.

Vlaanderen returned the favor of being passed to Jacobi on lap 11. On the following lap Jonass and Jacobi came together sending both riders down. Both riders however were able to get up and finish the race.

At the front Covington pressured Prado one lap after another which was to no avail until the 19th and final lap where Covington took the lead and race win in a dramatic ending. Regardless of the 2nd in race 2 Prado took his second MXGP of Trentino overall victory in 2 years over Covington and Jacobi who took his first ever MX2 podium finish.

Martin Racing’s Michelle Cervellin returned to the MX2 class at home this weekend after missing rounds 2 and 3 with a knee injury. Cervellin lives less than an hour from the Pietramurata circuit and made his hometown fans proud taking 7th overall after his 6th and 11th race finishes.

Jorge Prado commented: ‘It is good for me getting up closer to the leader in the points so it was almost a perfect weekend. Jonass is pretty strong and it wasn’t his best weekend but it is a long championship and there is still 16 races left this season’

Thomas Covington in the Press Conference: “First race was pretty decent for me. I have been struggling so far this season and that was a good ride for me. The second race I got a better start behind Prado and I really just tried to stick with him because he was riding a really good pace. I pretty much just went for it on the last few laps, a couple of times I thought I had him but finally made a pass stick on the last lap. It was an incredible race for me and one that I will always remember.”

Herny Jacobi shared his thoughts on his first Podium: I hope I can stick to this performance and continue to ride like that, I know I’m fast, I just need to finish it. In Valkenswaard I crashed and at Redsand also but I think if I find some consistency I can get some more top fives or podiums.

Pauls Jonass, keeping his red plate said: “I would say that the speed was there all weekend, like in free practice, warm up, time practice, everything went good but just didn’t get the best of starts. In a nutshell, the starts were not there, I made a couple of mistakes and crashed which summed up to going 4-9 in the races for 5th overall. Not the way we wanted the GP to go but we are going to keep working.”

MX2 Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 35:49.470; 2. Henry Jacobi (GER, Husqvarna), +0:07.613; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:10.550; 4. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:11.771; 5. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), +0:12.890; 6. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Honda), +0:18.733; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:30.941; 8. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:38.538; 9. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Yamaha), +0:39.870; 10. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:43.836.

MX2 Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), 35:29.253; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:02.170; 3. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Yamaha), +0:24.692; 4. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +0:30.510; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, Honda), +0:32.592; 6. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:37.204; 7. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:38.459; 8. Jed Beaton (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:41.585; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:57.055; 10. Henry Jacobi (GER, Husqvarna), +0:57.795.

MX2 Overall Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 47 points; 2. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 41 p.; 3. Henry Jacobi (GER, HUS), 33 p.; 4. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, YAM), 32 p.; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 30 p.; 6. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 25 p.; 8. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 25 p.; 9. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 22 p.

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.

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 197 points; 2. Husqvarna, 167 p.; 3. Honda, 131 p.; 4. Yamaha, 123 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 121 p.; 6. TM, 41 p.

[eddiejpoplar]

BMW M8 GTE finishes 7th and 9th in Daytona

At the Daytona International Speedway, Jesse Krohn (FIN), John Edwards (USA), Nick Catsburg (NED) and Augusto Farfus (BRA) finished seventh in GTLM class after 773 laps, sharing driving duties at the wheel of the number 24 car. Their team-mates, Alexander Sims (GBR), Connor De Phillippi (USA), Bill Auberlen (USA) and Philipp Eng (AUT) came ninth with the second car entered by BMW Team RLL. The number 67 Ford GT claimed victory in the 24-hour race.

  Both cars showed great reliability and managed to complete the tough endurance classic without major technical issues in the maiden race appearance for BMW Motorsport’s new GT flagship car. Considering the given Balance of Performance (BoP), it was obvious, even before the start of the race, that the two BMW M8 GTE cars would be out of contention for top positions.

 “Our BMW M8 GTE successfully completed its baptism of fire here at Daytona,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “To finish such a tough debut race with both cars after 24 hours without major technical problems is something we can be more than proud of. Everything has been said with regards to the reasons for the gap in performance compared to the competition. The car couldn’t show its true potential yet. That’s why BMW and IMSA will continue their productive and open talks and have agreed to find an appropriate BoP assessment for the upcoming events starting with Sebring, allowing the BMW M8 GTE to show its true performance for the benefit of the series, BMW and all of our fans.”

Marquardt added: “As a matter of fact we sent a great GT car into action that holds huge potential for the future. Everyone at BMW Team RLL and at BMW Motorsport gave their all to get the most out of this race under these difficult conditions. In the coming race appearances we are set to be stronger, and we want to fight for top positions. The BMW M8 GTE has got all it takes to do so in any case. Many team members in Munich and at BMW Team RLL in North America have worked very hard in preparation for this race over the past months. My compliments go to everyone involved. This was an impressive team effort displaying a lot of passion. I’m particularly happy about the strong debut race of the BMW M4 GT4 in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. The fact that our teams managed to finish second and fourth in the first race of the season shows that we are absolutely on the right track with this car.”

BMW and IMSA have been working together for years in a very positive and constructive manner. The BoP system is an integral part of global sports car racing including the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. BMW and IMSA will continue productive, open talks and have agreed to find an appropriate BoP assessment for the upcoming events starting with Sebring (USA), allowing the BMW M8 GTE to show its performance for the benefit of the series, BMW and the fans.

The spectators were treated to a kind of unusual season opener. The anticipated rain didn’t come on Sunday. Only a heavy shower at the start of the sixth hour brought extra action in the pit lane. In addition, many teams suffered punctures over the course of the 24 hours of racing. Apart from that, relatively few incidents occurred, with only four full-course cautions. Never before were more laps completed at Daytona than in this year’s edition of the race.

In the sixth hour, the four drivers of car number 25 suffered a blow, when the BMW M8 GTE’s right front tyre burst after Auberlen hit debris on the track. Following 30 minutes of repair works, the BMW NA Brand Ambassador was able to rejoin, 17 laps behind the leaders. A strong result was impossible after that early setback. More repair pit stops followed as a result of that incident. Ultimately the number 25 BMW M8 GTE took the chequered flag in ninth after 731 laps.

The drivers of car number 24 delivered a consistent and flawless performance, trying to get the maximum out of the race under the given circumstances. Final-stint driver Edwards crossed the line in seventh.

Difficult race for Turner – Strong US debut for the BMW M4 GT4.

BMW was also represented in the GTD class. The number 96 BMW M6 GT3, driven by Martin Tomczyk (GER), Jens Klingmann (GER), Mark Kvamme (USA), Don Yount (USA) and Cameron Lawrence (USA), completed a total of 733 laps. After several unscheduled pit stops, the Turner Motorsport had to make do with 14th position in class.

The BMW drivers in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge (CTSC) also kicked off their 2018 season in Daytona – and they did so in style. The new BMW M4 GT4 enjoyed an outstanding race debut. The number 82 car finished runner-up in the BMW Endurance Challenge. James Clay and Tyler Cook (both USA) fought back brilliantly for BimmerWorld Racing from 19th place on the grid to climb into second place over the final few laps. The second BMW M4 GT4 in the race also made good progress through the field. Toby Grahovec, Jason Hart and Mike Vess (all USA) from Classic BMW team started the race from 34th place, but then produced a fantastic performance to finish fourth, only narrowly missing out on another podium for BMW. In the Street Tuner class, BimmerWorld Racing’s Devin Jones and Nick Galante (both USA) converted pole position to a dominant class victory in their BMW 328i.

Further reactions to the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

  Bobby Rahal (BMW Team RLL, Team Principal): “It’s been a tough weekend for everybody at BMW Team RLL running a new car for the first time. I’m very proud of the job the whole team has done during the past months – working flat out to prepare the two BMW M8 GTEs for this race. You always have concerns regarding reliability in such a situation but I have to say, that both cars have run very well from that standpoint. To make it to the end in a 24-hour race with a new car is pretty good, I think.”

  John Edwards (#24 BMW M8 GTE, seventh place): “At the Roar and during the race weekend we didn’t have the necessary pace for the known reasons. Having said that it’s good that we managed to score some points for the championship. Our car made it to the finish without major problems. That’s at least a small win this weekend.”

  Jesse Krohn (#24 BMW M8 GTE, seventh place): “For me personally it has been a great weekend. My first race weekend with BMW Team RLL went very well, although there weren’t many opportunities for me to test the car. The hours I had in the car during this race were important for me in terms of getting familiar with it. So all in all the Daytona 24 Hours have been a big step for me getting perfectly prepared for the whole season.”

  Nick Catsburg (#24 BMW M8 GTE, seventh place): “It was great to be part of the race debut of the BMW M8 GTE. For sure it was unfortunate that we were not able to fight for better positions. Nevertheless we gave everything. The car was pretty reliable. We had some tyre damage but we saw that very often in this race. I am impressed how stable the BMW M8 GTE was here. Our time will come.”

  Augusto Farfus (#24 BMW M8 GTE, seventh place): “I think it is a great achievement to have completed the first tough 24-hour race for the new BMW M8 GTE without any significant technical problems. Due to the car’s BoP we were not where we wanted to be, but we showed great team spirit and fought to the very end. A big thank you to the entire team. Now I am looking forward to the next stop of my tour around the world at Bathurst.”

  Connor De Phillippi (#25 BMW M8 GTE, ninth place): “The BMW M8 GTE has very good balance and is a really good car to drive. I think that it is much faster than we were able to show here at Daytona but overall we can be proud of our work. We were able to gather a lot of valuable data for the remaining season.”

  Alexander Sims (#25 BMW M8 GTE, ninth place): “It was good to see that the BMW M8 GTE has a lot of potential. We now need to extract that as we’re obviously not happy with this result. But it’s been a really good car to drive through the race. I think the team did a very good job and we have learned a lot.”

  Philipp Eng (#25 BMW M8 GTE, ninth place): “This was my second start at Daytona – and I enjoy this race a lot. It’s a different way of racing compared to Europe. The atmosphere is a bit more relaxed. I really like it. We had a great car in terms of balance and driveability. I enjoyed every single lap despite the fact that we weren’t there in terms of performance for known reasons.”

  Bill Auberlen (#25 BMW M8 GTE, ninth place): “I had my big moment on Saturday evening when my right front tyre exploded at 170 mph. I was very lucky that the car stayed off the wall and I could avoid a crash. Although we couldn’t fight for to from Performance Junk Blogger 6 http://ift.tt/2DIZhvZ via IFTTT

[wakabahiguchi]

pre-gpf skating hype thread

Seeing as I kind of gave up writing skating event recaps a year or so ago, I thought I’d dip my toes into the pre-thread writing I used to do since it’s the olympic season once again (shudder).

Trying to keep this positive since this season in particular has been rough for many of the athletes. Here’s what I’m looking forward to, including my wishes for the last major international competition before the Olympic Games!

Ladies

Would this qualify for a ‘started from the bottom now we here’ proclamation? Basically, I was mentally preparing myself to live with the fact that Wakaba  wouldn’t make the GPF due to her criminal underscoring during COC. However, I was proven wrong! Wakaba is such an expressive person that she even posted on her twitter twice, reactions of her initially thinking that she didn’t qualify for the GPF and then once again when she realized that she’d made it! Her programs this season are my favorite set of programs this season, and such a step up from her senior debut programs. She’s now getting top-level scores and will hopefully gain momentum during the gpf! I could not be happier for Satoko making the final as well, for a chance to defend her 2 reigning consecutive silver medals! Coming back from injury is never easy (s/h were an anomaly) and I knew not to expect too much from Satoko when she returned to skating. NHK was disappointing but not surprising, and I knew that she was still on the road to recovery. However, she showed up for skate america like her usual self and completely blew me away. Her programs are both Japanese themed which I love, and her skating skills and interpretation of her amazing choreography has also improved from when I last saw her. IDK, seeing her at NHK was pretty normal for me since it was a tad big underwhelming, but finally seeing her shine like she used to during SA made me truly realize how much I missed her skating. Like when s/h finally returned last year at 4cc, I never really understood how much I missed Satoko’s skating until I got to see her once again, and realize what I had been missing out on. 

Since this is not a recap, I’ll just let the chips fall where they may with the other ladies. They are not my favorites, but they seem to be well liked by the judges so we’ll see how it goes. I for one, am rooting for my two Japanese ladies to have wonderful performances for the GPF!

Mens

The first GPF without yuzuru/patrick/javier in years. And now with the absence of Boyang, the field seems kind of empty, honestly. However, I am looking forward to watching Shoma and Nathan in particular, and especially the 3(!) US men! Nathan has really improved in my mind and I’m particularly impressed by his SP, which is to a song I first heard while watching Quantico fun fact. I love the story behind his FS and I’m a fan of using non-western music in programs. I love the addition of rite of spring as well, and how it works with the story his program is based off of. Shoma is returning to Turandot, the program which he kind of bombed at Worlds 2016 when I saw him at boston. I’m hoping he performs it better this season and keeps his awesome cantilever! I always have less to write about for the men because I generally am a fan of them all and less invested in the results. It’s probably my least invested event in terms of how upset I’ll be at the result, which in a way is relaxing because I won’t be a complete mess at the results because someone I like usually does well anyways :) 

Pairs

This event will either be my favorite or least favorite event depending on how the results/competition go. See my last post about how the mens competition is usually pretty chill and not stressful? Opposite for pairs right here. Pairs used to be that kind of competition because I had no expectations for my favorites. they could suck and I’d still be okay because I loved their programs and they weren’t really expected to win much anyways. But now, Sui/Han are coming into the GPF after withdrawing for the past 2 years as reigning world champions and the current world record holders. Not only that, they are top seeded for the GPF for the first time (I think). Sui/Han have been my saving grace this season so far (especially when I thought Waka/Satoko wouldn’t make it to the gpf) and so far, they’ve been undefeated since 4CC 2017. For the first time, they’re coming into the GPF and a major competition as the top favorites which is such an unfamiliar thing to see as a fan of theirs who has watched them struggle so much in the past. The thing is, in my eyes, they are not the judges favorites, nor are they guarantees for gold. However, against all odds, against all injuries, Sui/Han have managed to deliver what they’ve needed to for the past year, and won what they’ve needed to win. They made some mistakes at Shanghai trophy, but I’m glad it was at that competition rather than a bigger one. I’ve been wanting Sui/Han at the GPF for the past 2 years ever since they took the ‘surprise’ bronze in 2015, and now I’m getting that wish. I still can’t decide whether I think that winning/not winning would be better for their OGM chances, but like I said, I’ll let the chips fall where they may. I can confidently say that pairs events make me stressed out the most now, which is unfortunate because it used to be my stress-free event. But regardless what happens, I will never ever drop Sui/Han and I will always root for them to win ALL the things. 

Although I’m sad J/C didn’t qualify, Yu/Zhang certainly skated to deserve their spot as the final qualifier of the GPF. With their near-flawless skate at SA, they’re developing into a top tier team and have the packaging this season to do it. I’m still salty about the pair switch but I do root for them because I like Xiaoyu lol. I hope they can repeat their SA performances and spoil the podium at the GPF! I have always enjoyed Savchenko/Massot’s unique programs and I wish them well. To me, they are one of the judge’s favorites so I’m sure they won’t have any problem scoring big even with a couple of mistakes. I always tend to root for underdogs regardless so a part of me is hoping S/K do well, but maybe it’s just nostalgia. The rest aren’t my cup of tea :^)

Ice Dancing

Basically it’s team USA who I’m rooting for, surprise surprise. Surprisingly, I’m becoming less and less invested in ice dancing because it’s becoming a little too predictable for me when compared with the other 3. Of course, I’m rooting for my sentimental favorites The Shibutanis and Chock/Bates who I’ve become great fans of over the last quad. I’m hoping they put out great programs and one of them gets that bronze medal. I’m also sentimentally rooting for Capellini/Lanotte because I’ve been a fan of theirs since before 2014 and I love their programs. As for the fight for gold, it could go either way. I don’t really care who wins, which is nice to feel I guess. As long as my American teams do well, I’ll be happy :)

Juniors

Haven’t really kept up, but I’m keeping my eye out for Rika Kihira’s 3A’s!

Basically, to conclude, I will be keeping my eye out for the Ladies and Pairs results the most. Mens/Ice Dance will be incredible, but events where the result won’t make me too upset. Pairs has the potential to upset me the most, but we’ll see how it goes. As always, I’m lighting a theoretical candle for my favorites and will probably throw up during the pairs event :) Best of luck to my favorites, and one obligatory “I can’t believe it’s already the winter olympics this year! I can’t believe it’s been 8 years since I’ve been following skating, and 4 years since the worst competition and olympics that I’ve ever seen! I can’t believe this quad has gone by this fast, and how fast some skaters have come and gone versus other skaters who have truly risen!” what a season so far 

[flauntpage]

Donovan Bailey on the 'World's Fastest Man' and Racing Michael Johnson

This article originally appeared on VICE Sports Canada.

On June 1, 1997, Donovan Bailey and Michael Johnson faced off in a one-on-one race at the SkyDome in Toronto to determine the unofficial title of World's Fastest Man. A year earlier, at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Bailey had won the 100-metre gold medal in record time, while Johnson ran a world record time to capture the 200-metre gold, and an Olympic record time when he placed first in the 400-metre. The race was billed as a heavyweight prize fight, but ended up being anticlimactic, as Johnson pulled up with a quad injury, allowing Bailey to easily win the hyped-up event.

Twenty years later, we spoke to Bailey to reflect back on the race, his rivalry with Johnson, where it ranks in his career accomplishments, and more.

[Johnson-Bailey race video via CBC]

VICE Sports: After winning at the 1996 Olympics and setting the world record with a time of 9.84 seconds in the 100-metre, did you feel like you had earned the title of World's Fastest Man?

Donovan Bailey: You don't earn the World's Fastest Man title. Either you are or you're not. I wasn't vying for a title. When you break the world record in the 100-metre, you are that person. Usain Bolt is the World's Fastest Man. There's definitely no argument. I didn't feel like I needed to earn anything. It was something I had done in Atlanta. There was absolutely no argument from my perspective, or from a majority of the world.

Did you feel personally disrespected at all because a lot of talk about the '96 Olympics centered around Michael Johnson being the World's Fastest Man after he won the 200-metre and 400-metre race at the '96 Olympics?

Not really. Bob Costas—the great Bob Costas, who I like a lot—decided that he was going to somehow, with some sort of creative math, figure out that a guy running the 200-metre is faster than the guy running the 100-metre. Economically, it turned out to be a great thing for Michael and myself, but definitely Bob started that and Michael bought into it, and it was probably his mistake that he bought into it.

Did you feel like you were also operating in Ben Johnson's shadow, and had to answer more questions about whether you were clean as a result?

With all the things I've accomplished, you can do your own research, you can do a quick reading of other people who were relatively close (in what they've accomplished) and the credit that's been bestowed upon them. I did it right, I can go to bed very happy at night—I go to sleep very happy at night that I did it right, [and] that I achieved more than any athlete in the history of this country, so that's left up to the people.

Before this one-on-one race, did you have a relationship with Johnson at all?

No, not really. I don't know Michael. I still don't. Michael and I have worked together at the BBC, but I didn't know Michael before the race, we still don't know each other. I definitely respect him for being one of the best speed endurance guys but that's different from the type of races I run. It's like comparing an Indy 500 car with one of the speed cars, the one that goes to the sand dune. It'd be like an Indy car going around the circles efficiently and one with a massive engine that goes very fast and very quickly and runs out of fuel.

So, after the '96 Olympics, how did this 150-metre one-on-one event come together?

It started from Atlanta, and the fact that there were two breakout major stars, one was American, one was Canadian who represented the rest of the world. That's essentially how it started. Michael and I broke world records, and we thought this event would be a good race between the two, so the 150-metre distance was decided. We also knew that because we were big stars, we could certainly fill stadiums. We were filling stadiums individually, and we decided that this would be the biggest thing. What we were doing was putting the two best people in the sport against each other. It's one-on-one. It's truly what professional track and field is.

Did you personally have a problem or concern about running the 150-metre distance?

The 100-metre is where speed is always measured, but I had ran against Michael in the 100-metre and he wasn't even close. We just thought the 150-metre would be good. Like I said, I wasn't vying for any title. It was more about bringing the event to Toronto. We, Canadians, were not getting the Summer Olympics Games—and I don't know when that will ever be—but this was going to be my Summer Olympics since Canada has never hosted one. It was great that Canadians, Torontonians, got to see their very best going against the world's very best at the time.

"Other than Usain Bolt, I'm the fastest top speed runner in the history of the planet."

How was the preparation for this race different for you than other races?

First of all, I've never, ever prepared for any race more than that race. Ever. I had Canada on my shoulders for sure, and like I said, I was representing the world. It was the world against the USA. I had never been prepared moreso for that race than any other race. It was quite difficult, and quite different. I had to lean out a little bit. Also running the corner for the 150-metre took a toll on my body later on in the year at the World Championships. There was a lot of distance. In the usual years, I'd run indoors and run 50s and 60s in practice. I was doing more 150s, 200s and 250s for this race.

How confident were you before the race?

Extremely confident. There was absolutely no way I could have lost that. I'm a better starter than Michael. I'm a better curve runner than Michael. I was on the inside lane which is what I wanted, because I really wanted to gauge where I was based on where his body position was. If you watch the race, you'll recognize that I caught him in three strides out of the box. I caught him already. Which means when I came off the turn, it was probably going to be a 10-metre victory, so I wasn't really worried about it. I was very confident.

Who had more to lose in this race?

I don't think anyone did. Seriously, in reflecting back I don't think anyone had more to lose. Michael and I were trailblazers. Michael and I both gained financially. The race was the highest-rated track and field program outside of the Olympic Games. It was the most watched. It was on pay-per-view. I don't think there were any losers at all. The winners were the fans who got to see the two greatest track and field athletes go head to head.

Were you upset at the configuration of the 150-metre track inside the SkyDome?

Absolutely, because we were training on a regular 400-metre track outdoors, but when we actually got to the SkyDome, it was a lot tighter than a regular track because you couldn't configure it inside a baseball stadium. So yes, I was a tad upset, but I think all of those emotions I had, I absorbed them to motivate me to change my race strategy.

There was talk that the race might be cancelled, that you might drop out at the last minute—was there ever serious consideration to not racing?

[laughs] Oh, never. There was no chance of that. I'm at home, in front of the Canadian fans, in front of the world. There was zero chance.

The race happens, you win handily, Michael pulls up toward the end, and you are interviewed by CBC's Mark Lee immediately afterward and called Michael a chicken for pulling up. If you had to do it again, would you have reacted the same?

I certainly apologize and recognize that you learn sometimes when your adrenaline is that high and someone sticks a microphone in your face you should probably learn to take a deep breath and understand that everyone is watching, including your parents and your kids. You know, I don't know what my reaction would be today. I think that I'm obviously a hell of a lot more media savvy today. These are the things I teach the young kids now that are competing. They need to take a deep breath and understand that it lives on forever. But in actual fact, there was a ton of Canadians who felt that was an on-the-podium moment. They were tired of being the little stepbrother and finally we were the big brother.

When you become the big brother. Photo by Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Did you believe at the time that Michael was injured, and do you believe that today?

I don't know what's in Michael's mind so you have to ask him that. I had passed him 15 metres into the race. I was ahead and there was no chance I would be ran down. Other than Usain Bolt, I'm the fastest top speed runner in the history of the planet. I was never going to get run down by anybody. Within 15 metres, I was ahead, so I don't know what he was going to do (to catch me). Michael is smart enough to know that he was never going to catch me. That was not going to happen ever. I don't know what happened, he said he had a cramp.

After the race, I heard you got a congratulatory call from the prime minister Jean Chretien. Did you hear from anyone else prominent as well?

[laughs] Yes. I actually went golfing with him, but yes, I had spoken to him the year before too at the Olympics. Good guy, real good dude. You know, the professional sports world, it's a small fraternity. I think Isiah Thomas was with the Toronto Raptors at the time, tons of guys, all my basketball and baseball buddies were around, and some Hollywood people. My friends were around, yes. I'm not going to name drop [laughs]. They were all there, they were all together, everyone celebrated. Everyone. . You've accomplished so much in your career. Where does winning the 150-metre race against Michael Johnson rank?

I think when you set up a bucket list, this was definitely not a part of that. The 150-metre race was a show, it was brought on because it was a great marketing thing for Michael, myself, and the sport. I mean it's up there. But certainly being the Olympic champion, winning the World Championships, being the world record holder, having the Canadian record, and I have the indoor record still, there was definitely a lot of things before this. But it's certainly in the top 10.

What about where it ranks on the all-time top Canadian sports moments?

I don't know. I've been blessed. My 100-metre win at the '96 Olympics is considered one of the top two Canadian sports moments in history. I think only the 1972 Summit Series [an ice hockey tournament between Canada and the Soviets] is in front of it. So I don't know where winning the 150-metre would rank in Canadian sports history. I think Canadians as a whole just recognized that sometimes when you step on the world stage, you should step on the world stage with confidence and that's really what I brought. I hope Canadian athletes have more confidence when they step on the world stage.

Have you talked to Michael about the race?

[laughs] No, no. That's a topic that he doesn't talk about. I don't think Michael enjoys discussing the 150-metre.

Is there one question about the race you'd want to ask Michael if you had a chance?

You know what, I wouldn't ask him any one question. I think if there's a hatchet to be buried, the hatchet would be that I totally respect him as one of the best speed endurance guys with his times in the 200 and 400 and that was it. Any time you step into a race, you go in, you prepare, you get the results, and you move on from it.

Twenty years later, how should the Bailey-Johnson 150-metre race be remembered?

The race should be remembered for that fact that Michael and I are trailblazers and trendsetters. We started something that's still prevalent today. Usain Bolt is a top star in track and field, and he's in Brazil and the UK running the 150-metre. None of these things happen if Michael and I didn't step on the track that day. We're definitely trailblazers, stars who were true aficionados and we understood the balance between sports and entertaining the fans.

Donovan Bailey on the 'World's Fastest Man' and Racing Michael Johnson published first on http://ift.tt/2pLTmlv

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Masterful 4-Peat for Team France

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The 71st edition of the unique Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations presented by Fiat Professional is in the books and it was one of the best in recent history. The grassy english hillsides of Matterley Basin was full with thousands upon thousands of diehard motocross fans yelling, jumping, and cheering, all for the world’s best motocross riders.

This weekend was the pinnacle of what a Motocross of Nations event should be with enthusiastic, dedicated, and patriotic riders fighting for their nations glory and pride. The fans resembled the riders in enthusiasm, dedication, and patriotism doing everything in their power to motivate their motocross idols. All of which brought the atmosphere of the emotional and action packed event to an epic level.

Team France of Gautier Paulin, Christophe Charlier, and Romain Febvre were up against strong competition today but handled the challenge with perfection winning their Fourth MXoN in a row. The team was however challenged by the Netherlands returning team of Glenn Coldenhoff, Brian Bogers, and Jeffrey Herlings which for the second year in a row finished second. The final spot on the podium went to, for the first time in 20 years, Team Great Britain made up by Max Anstie, Tommy Searle, and Dean Wilson.

Team France first won the Motocross of Nations in 2001 at Namur, Belgium but they wouldn’t win it again until 2014 in Kegums, Latvia when Gautier Paulin, Dylan Ferrandis and Steven Frossard had an impressive win. Since 2014, France is yet to be beaten, and their win streak continued in masterful fashion today at the Matterley Basin circuit.

MXGP, MX2 The Netherlands Jeffrey Herlings is known as the bullet but it was his teammate, Glenn Coldenhoff, who shot out the starting gate and took the Race 1 FOX Holeshot by less than half a wheel over Max Anstie.

By the second corner Anstie was in the lead and by the conclusion of lap 1 the #4 of Coldenhoff had been shuffled back to 4th. Team Italy’s Antonio Cairoli was in 4th the first few corners but when trying to pass Paulin he tipped over and would remount in 12th. The two riders who passed Coldenhoff on the opening lap where Team France’s Gautier Paulin and Team Switzerlands Arnaud Tonus. Behind Coldenhoff was Slovenia’s Tim Gajser and Australia’s Hunter Lawrence on his 250.

On the third lap Gajser passed Coldenhoff and 4 laps later Tonus. Meanwhile Paulin was keeping Anstie honest at the front but many were on the young Australian rider of Hunter Lawerence who was not only holding his own against the more powerful 450’s but he was out riding many first passing Coldenhoff halfway through the race.

Back at the front Gajser made a pass on Paulin for second look easy as railed an inside line past the Frenchman. Paulin’s teammate Christophe Charlier started the race in 20th but was working his way forward eventually getting up to 14th.

Team USA struggled in the opening race as Cole Seely faced a bike issue and would not finish the race while his teammate Zach Osborne started and finished in tenth. On the final lap Hunter Lawrence found his way by Arnaud Tonus for 4th position as Max Anstie won the race followed by Tim Gajser, and Gautier Paulin.

MXoN Race 1 top ten: 1. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), 36:10.357; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:06.251; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:09.398; 4. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Suzuki), +0:41.407; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:44.978; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:55.596; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +1:00.247; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +1:08.634; 9. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +1:19.761; 10. Zachary Osborne (USA, Husqvarna), +1:31.126

Nations top ten: France, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Australia, Estonia, Slovenia, Sweden, Great Britain, Italy

MX2, MX Open When the gate dropped in the second race of the day the “Bullet”, Jeffrey Herlings, propeled himself to a several bike length holeshot. Just as in Saturday’s Qualifying France’s Romain Febvre followed into the second corner as both Estonia’s Tanel Leok and Australia’s Kirk Gibbs had good starts crossing the line 3rd and 4th.

Team USA again had struggles as Thomas Covington fell and got back up in 35th before falling again a lap or so later. The leader Jeffrey Herlings hit neutral on a jumps and fell hand the lead and advantage to Febvre.

The MX2 riders of Hunter Lawrence and Christophe Charlier battled but then Zach Osborne split the pair and took a position back from Lawrence who had passed him earlier in the race. 2 laps later Lawrence again passed Osborne and his teammate Gibbs while up front Herlings charged down the inside of Romain Febvre to retake the lead. Only a couple laps later Lawrence took 3rd position away from Alessandro Lupino.

Lawrence then fell just after the start straight and before the mechanics area allowing Lupino back by. Lupino didn’t stay in the third spot for long though as Zach Osborne passed him on with one lap to go.

At the finish line Herlings won over Febvre and Osborne with Lupino taking fourth and Kirk Gibbs 5th while Hunter Lawrence came across in 8th taking the MX2 Overall win just behind Charlier and Team Great Britain’s Dean Wilson. Hunter Lawrence not only took the MX2 overall but was also awarded the Ricky Carmichael Award for the best young rider.

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MXoN Race 2 top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 37:59.364; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:13.730; 3. Zachary Osborne (USA, Husqvarna), +1:38.876; 4. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Honda), +1:40.149; 5. Kirk Gibbs (AUS, KTM), +1:44.122; 6. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Husqvarna), +1:49.117; 7. Dean Wilson (GBR, Husqvarna), +2:01.064; 8. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Suzuki), +2:02.897; 9. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +2:07.211; 10. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +2:28.124.

Nations top ten: France, The Netherlands, Australia, Switzerland, Great Britain, Belgium, Italy, Estonia, Sweden, USA.

MXGP, Open As the final race of the day started the hometown hero and team Great Britain rider Max Anstie took the final Fox Holeshot. Once again Romain Febvre crossed the Holeshot chalk in second followed by team Belgium’s Jeremy Van Horebeek.

In lap 2 Jeffrey Herlings found his way by Van Horebeek when the Belgian bobbled and missed the rut. Herlings was then third but up front Max Anstie fell out of the lead on the same jump that Herlings crashed on in race 2 while leading.

Romain Febvre then inherited the top spot as has teammate Gautier Paulin was left to battle with Switzerland’s Arnaud Tonus over 5th. Paulin eventually took the spot only to have Tim Gajser pass him at the halfway point.

Back up front it was a heated three way battle for the lead as Anstie tried to retake 1st position from Romain Febvre. Febvre made a mistake on the finish line jump coming up just short after threw away his goggles. Anstie flew back by into the lead as Febvre tried to retaliate down the start straight.

One lap later the exact same scenario unfolded for Febvre but with Herlings and as the Dutchman jumped passed Febvre waved to his team for new goggles. As he came down the start he took a face full of roost from Herlings and immediately after pulled into pit lane to take new goggles. Febvre rejoined the race in the same position which left it, in third as Herlings tried to real in Anstie.

Anstie and the British crowd boisterously backing him proved to be too much for Herlings and the rest of the competition as he took his second race win of the day to take the MXGP overall win while Herlings took the Open Overall victory.

MXoN Race 3 top ten: 1. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), 37:59.163; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:01.108; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +1:00.011; 4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +1:20.559; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +1:27.401; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +1:36.967; 7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +1:44.854; 8. Dean Wilson (GBR, Husqvarna), +1:51.593; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +2:02.765; 10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +2:07.648

Nations top ten: France, The Netherlands, Great Britain, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, Italy, Estonia, USA, Sweden

At the after race press conference where the Top 3 Teams plus the MX2 Overall Hunter Lawrence are invited Gautier Paulin stated: “The Motocross of Nations is something that you need to live to know how it is, because motocross is an individual sport and you don’t have the same feeling when you ride the MXGP season or similar, racing here you can talk about lines and other stuff. Winning the Motocross of Nations mean a lot to be me but it also means a lot to be able to share it with all the fans and with the French Federation.”

Team Netherlands’ Jeffrey Herlings and Open Overall winner continued: “I think I did a good job and so did my teammates, I am very proud of them and the whole organization to make this happen. We rode pretty good but it’s a little disappointing because I worked hard and I really wanted to go 1-1 but I couldn’t.”

Team Great Britain’s Max Anstie “It was unbelievable, it was awesome. I tried to race as fast as I could and the guys rode amazing, this week has been stressful, probably the most stress of all of our lives but we’ve made the best of we’ve kept solid and it’s an amazing feeling to be on the podium.”

Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations presented by Fiat Professional – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1950 Type of ground: Hard pack Temperature: 17° C Weather conditions: changeable Weekend Crowd Attendance: 72,00

The 2017 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations presented by Fiat Professional was available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

Tim Gajser & Thomas Covington win the MXGP of Leon-Mexico

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Herlings and Covington Take Pole in the Netherlands

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The 18th race weekend of the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship season started today at the sandy and ever changing Assen TT circuit for the MXGP of the Netherlands. The evolving circuit conditions forced riders to adapt throughout the day and the two who proved to be the most prepared by winning the qualifying races were Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington.

Many of the fans are excited to witness an epic battle between the championship hopeful Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and the country’s hero Jeffrey Herlings which is surely in store for tomorrow. The not to miss battle will feature two of the 2017 FIM Motocross Championship’s best riders fighting for the championship and bragging rights alike.

In addition to the MXGP and MX2 racing the Honda 150 European Championship, the Women’s Motocross World Championship and the Veterans’ Motocross World Cup took on the circuit. In the WMX’ racing Larissa Papenmeier led the opening laps but she was passed by Nancy van de Ven for the race win in turn taking second over Team One One Four’s Livia Lancelot.

The Veterans were the first race of the day and while some excelled many struggled, one rider who was riding well and originally took the win was Niko Kalatie. However shortly after the race it was determined that he had jumped on waved yellow flags giving the win to Martin Zerava with Honda Redmoto’s Christian Ravaglia 2nd while 2015 and 2016 winner Mats Nilsson took 3rd.

While the first Honda 150 European race 1 was won by Andrea Adamo as he continues his quest for the title to be decided tomorrow.

MXGP The home GP hero Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings did not disappoint his Dutch fans today as he took the MXGP Qualifying race win. To start the race Herlings nearly grabbed the holeshot just losing out on the early lead to Team HRC’s Tim Gajser.

Behind, running in third, was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin and as Herlings tried to catch Gajser the #21 stay within striking distance. On lap 2 Herlings made a rare mistake in the sand and went down losing the position to Paulin.

Meanwhile the two Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s of Romain Febvre and Jeremy Van Horebeek fought over 4th and 5th. Though Febvre had the advantage the first lap the #89 of Van Horebeek took the spot on lap 2.

Back towards the front it took two laps of battling for Herlings to make it back past the hard fighting Paulin. After the pass Herlings was over 5 seconds back of Gajser but to the cheer of his fans he pushed on and by the 10th lap of 13 the #84 was out front.

At the finish line Herlings won and Gajser fell on the last lap but managed to remount in time to hold off Paulin as Van Horebeek took fourth and Team Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos took 5th after a pass on Febvre.

Herlings in the press conference said: “Actually today was really good. It is pretty awesome to race here, it’s a special event, at the road race circuit so it is very interesting and I like it! We will do our best tomorrow and helpfully we will have some good racing, there is a big chance that two champions could be crowned.”

Herlings’ Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate, fellow Dutchman, and podium finisher last year, Glenn Coldenhoff struggled off the start and came back from well outside the top ten to finish 9th. Coldenhoff in the press conference said: “I’m feeling good here in Assen, I have a lot of fun out here with crowd. I felt like I had a good pace during the qualifying race and I’m feeling good for this weekend.”

In today’s qualifying the MXGP Championship leader Antonio Cairoli came from outside the top ten to run fourth before a mistake dropped him back to finish 10th. The Italian rider anyway comes into this weekend with the immense likelihood of becoming the 2017 FIM Motocross World Champion. Likely being crowned champion in the first race tomorrow Cairoli only needs to score a total of 5 points, which can be accomplished by placing 16th or higher in a single race, to secure his ninth world championship but Cairoli in the press conference mentioned how he wishes to win at his best here in Assen: ““I think this will be the easiest race that I have ever had to win a championship, but it is still a race I’m going to race for the win, that’s always my goal so I will go for it tomorrow. I want to be on the podium and I want to go out to win the title in a good way not just scoring points”

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Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle is last year’s overall winner and he was running in 8th position before a bike issue caused him not to finish. Desalle in the press conference said: “I had a horrible start in the qualifying race but I came back really good and was feeling well with my riding, I was around 7th before a mechanical problem. Tomorrow first I just need a good start to have a good race.”

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 23:49.015; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:18.550; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:21.696; 4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:23.957; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:26.247; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:33.587; 7. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:35.585; 8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:36.304; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:40.188; 10. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:53.744.

MX2 At the beginning of MX2 qualifying the #33 LRT KTM of Julien Lieber shot to the front of the pack. Right on the trail of Lieber was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington who has been improving lately, especially on his starts.

Running third was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen but the two title contenders, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass and Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer didn’t have the same luck off the start.

Seewer was just out the top 5, in 6th on lap 1 while Jonass was back in 27th. Seewer and Jonass both charged forward but both face adversity along the way. For Seewer the challenge came for the hard charging Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Conrad Mewse who decisively took 6th from the Swiss rider. Seewer was able to latch on to Mewse though which helped him to make his way to 5th.

Jonass was on the other hand plagued by errors and went down multiple times before finally finishing in 19th position. At the front Lieber too faced a challenge in the form of his muffler coming loose. Covington took advantage of the power of his Husqvarna to pass Lieber.

Lieber continued to fight however and even with the struggling machine finished in fourth behind the 3 Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory racing teammates of Covington, Olsen, and Mewse. After the race Lieber machine was checked by sound control which resulted in a five position penalty and moved Seewer to 4th and HSF Motorsports Team’s Calvin Vlaanderen took 5th.

Covington’s qualifying race win was his 5th this season and in the press conference he said: “Today went pretty well, I actually didn’t feel very good in the first two practice sessions, I was struggling…but I got off to a good start in the race, second, I followed Lieber for a few laps and then made my way around him and it was a pretty smooth and easy race actually, I’m hoping that I can do the same tomorrow.

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), 25:22.519; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:03.320; 3. Conrad Mewse (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:06.858; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:12.819; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), +0:25.660; 6. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:26.215; 7. Jorge Prado Garcia (ESP, KTM), +0:32.771; 8. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +0:33.524; 9. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +0:10.478; 10. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), +0:35.641

MXGP is acrossed the Atlantic into USA

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Cairoli and Seewer grab wins in Italy

The Fiat Professional Fullback MXGP of Lombardia was as challenging as it was entertaining. In a weekend filled with heat, humidity, and sand all on one of the most physically demanding tracks thus far, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer had the grittiest performances of all, each taking world championship overall victories.

MXGP Home GP wins are rewarding for a rider but even more so when it comes in the most difficult of conditions. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli has now won 2 of 2 Italian GPs and today he did so in style. Cairoli started the day by winning race 1 by 18 seconds ahead of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Jeffrey Herlings. Herlings closed on Cairoli early in the race and attempted to make a pass on the Italian but it would not suffice. Cairoli, feeling the pressure responded and left Herlings to battle with the heat on the way to second.

In race 2 the story was similar but Herlings in his first pass attempt made it by the #222 but only momentarily. Cairoli, after passing Herlings back faced another charge and this time a mistake allowed Herlings into the lead on lap 4. Herlings then opened up a 4 second gap but the heat combined with the energy of battling again slowed Herlings. On lap 10 Cairoli charged his way past to secure his 81st career overall. Cairoli in the press conference said: “I did my best, I gave 100%, everything I had, and we had a good race. I’m happy to see all the people who came to support me and even after 14 years people still come to see me, it’s amazing. I am happy that I have a lot of fans and that motocross is growing in Italy because that is what we are working for. I had the “Sand King” behind me and we tried to keep him there, maybe he was faster in some places than me, but we race 35 minutes and in the end I beat him.”

While many riders tried to conserve energy in race 1 Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie had no option but fight hard through the field after getting stuck in the gate. Anstie came from the dead last start to finish a remarkable 5th. After the strong effort in race 1 Anstie needed a better start in race 2. The Brit crossed the finish line 4 after the first lap but about halfway into the race passed for 3rd. The combination of 5th and 3rd put Anstie 3rd overall in what would be his first ever MXGP podium finish. Anstie in the press conference said: “It’s awesome, it’s amazing, I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time, it’s different in MX2 and you know it’s tough, these guys are so fast. It’s awesome to get my first podium and have Tony there in Italy, the fans are crazy. It’s awesome to stand up there alongside him (Cairoli), I have a lot of respect for all of these guys!”

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre was another rider who made passes in race 1 from 11th one lap 1 to 4th at the finish. His race 2 was equally impressive after he got off to a better start but fell on lap 5, dropping a handful of positions he would again charge back to finish 6th. His effort achieved him the best overall result of his season with 4th.

Max Nagl put the second Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MXGP bike in the top 5 today. Yesterday Nagl grabbed the qualifying race holeshot and with his 4th gate pick. Although today he would start the first lap of both races outside the top 5 he would work his forward to 7th and 4th, scoring 32 championship points and 5th overall.

The other Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider, Gautier Paulin, had a strong race 1 where he both started and finished 4th. However race 2 he would finish 10th combining for 6th overall.

Another rider who had one strong race mixed with another that was subpar is Suzuki World MXGP’s Arminas Jasikonis. Jasikonis qualified 2nd but had issues after the first lap in race 1 today and by the end finished 32nd. But at the start of race 2 the long legged Lithuanian took the lead before being passed later in the race finishing 5th for 12th overall.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser finished 10th overall in his return from injury. The 2016 champion did however run as high as 4th in race 1 before falling and taking tenth.

MXGP Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 35:16.580; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:18.376; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:35.788; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:40.227; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:42.471; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:43.912; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:50.960; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:52.229; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:52.620; 10. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:57.487.

MXGP Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 35:31.111; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:32.821; 3. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:37.107; 4. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:46.221; 5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Suzuki), +0:47.845; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:54.255; 7. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:56.107; 8. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +1:10.955; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Honda), +1:16.702; 10. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +1:34.478.

MXGP Overall Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 36 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 33 p.; 5. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 32 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 31 p.; 7. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 27 p.; 8. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 25 p.; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 23 p.; 10. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 21 p.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 431 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 364 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 361 p.; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 335 p.; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 282 p.; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 275 p.; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 261 p.; 8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 255 p.; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 245 p.; 10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 227 p.

MXGP Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 464 points; 2. Husqvarna, 394 p.; 3. Yamaha, 377 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 361 p.; 5. Honda, 360 p.; 6. Suzuki, 233 p.

MX2 Coming into the weekend Suzuki Word MX2’s Jeremy Seewer struggled in qualifying but turned his luck around to take the GP overall. In race 1 after a top 5 start the Swiss rider passed his way into the lead and by the end he won with a lead of over 12 seconds. Seewer has succumbed to the heat before but in race 2 managed to fend off the challenge taking 2nd and winning his 3rd overall of the year. Seewer in the press conference said: “It is always nice to win, but this is only my third GP win. I tried to save as much energy as possible and it eventually worked out, it feels awesome to win a GP. It’s always good to gain points back but there is still a lot of racing left to go.”

Current points leader, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass, is accustom to having a good start, but in race 1 that would not be the case. Jonass came from 11th on the first lap to 4th on lap 10. The energy spent fighting forward would indeed cost him though, the #41 dropped two positions before the finish to take 6th, losing 10 championship points to Seewer. In race 2 he would resume his holeshot tradition and lead every lap to the finish. Jonass in the press conference said: “All weekend I struggled to find the flow and feeling, the first race I got a bad start and it made it tough, I lost a lot of energy in the first laps just fighting for position. But it’s nice to finish the weekend with a win, after how I felt yesterday it is good step forward and I’m just happy to bring home some good points.”

Yesterday’s qualifying race winner, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington, showed real speed in the sand today. Covington started 9th in race 1 but he charged alongside Jonass to the front. The American eventually edged out Jonass to take 4th. In race 2 Covington improved his start just losing out on the holeshot to Jonass. Finishing 4-3 secured him with 3rd overall in the sand of Ottobiano. Covington in the press conference said: “For me to get a podium in the sand it is an awesome feeling because my first couple years in Europe I really struggled in the sand as we don’t have anything like it in America, but we have made a lot of improvements the last few years. I’m just stoked to be on the podium.”

Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Benoit Paturel would likely lead the championship if charging through the pack had bonus points. Paturel is clearly fast enough to win but is continually hampered by the first laps of racing. The Frenchman started 8th in race 1 then passed 6 riders to finish second. Race 2 would be even more of challenge when he started outside of the top 25 before passing 18 of the best MX2 riders to finish 7th. His mental fortitude and unwillingness to give up scored him 4th overall.

Suzuki World MX2’s Bas Vaessen accomplished the best result of his MX2 career today by far with 5th overall. Vaessen started 14th in race one before finishing 7th which in turn boosted his confidence for race 2. When the gate dropped for the second time Vaessen was 4th and after running 3rd for two laps he returned to 4th to finish out the weekend.

Race 1 holeshot winner, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado Garcia, finished 18th and did not contend race 2 after the heat proved to be to much.

MX2 Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), 34:07.314; 2. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:12.304; 3. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +0:25.676; 4. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), +0:27.353; 5. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +0:30.597; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:31.165; 7. Bas Vaessen (NED, Suzuki), +0:50.633; 8. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:53.425; 9. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), +0:56.816; 10. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +1:01.479.

MX2 Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 34:31.700; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:11.335; 3. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), +0:15.865; 4. Bas Vaessen (NED, Suzuki), +0:36.265; 5. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:43.412; 6. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:46.871; 7. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:51.253; 8. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), +1:00.804; 9. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +1:02.948; 10. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +1:04.931.

MX2 Overall Top Ten: 1. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 47 points; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 38 p.; 4. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 36 p.; 5. Bas Vaessen (NED, SUZ), 32 p.; 6. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 31 p.; 7. Alvin Östlund (SWE, YAM), 29 p.; 8. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 28 p.; 9. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 26 p.; 10. Brent Van doninck (BEL, YAM), 21 p.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 454 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 416 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 343 p.; 4. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 339 p.; 5. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 330 p.; 6. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 263 p.; 7. Jorge Prado Garcia (ESP, KTM), 233 p.; 8. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 212 p.; 9. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, SUZ), 199 p.; 10. Brent Van doninck (BEL, YAM), 195 p.

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 503 points; 2. Suzuki, 431 p.; 3. Husqvarna, 411 p.; 4. Yamaha, 377 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 262 p.; 6. Honda, 172 p.; 7. TM, 118 p.

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Cairoli and Seewer Win the MXGP of Germany

The MXGP of Germany concluded today on the technical Teutschenthal surface. Riding through the rutted soil, in a veteran performance, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli took his 80th career GP overall keeping the red Plate for France, while Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer edged out the competition with his second career MX2 overall.

MXGP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli’s fight back to the top of MXGP is one he is winning, scoring his 80th victory of his career today, Cairoli extended his championship lead to 44 points. To start both races Cairoli took the FOX Holeshot but in the first half of race one he lost the lead after struggling to find the fast lines and he finished second. Cairoli knew coming into race 2 if he would win the race than the overall was his and that is exactly what he did finishing nearly 6 seconds ahead of 2nd place. Cairoli in the press conference said, “I got really good starts today and this is what we have been working on. I’m really happy with the GP win and also extending the points lead this is very good. It’s a very special track for me I’m very happy to race here in Germany and Teutschenthal is one of my favorite hard pack tracks, it is similar soil to the track I train on… I’m already looking forward to the next GP in France there is always so many fans and it’s a nice track.”

The “Bullet”, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings, came out with a bang in race 1 as he passed Cairoli early and led through to the checkered flag. Herlings season is starting to come around but one thing that plagued him early this year was his starts and in race 2 a start outside the top 5 hindered him once again. Making his way forward and into second took much longer in race 2 and Herlings was unable to close the gap Cairoli had built. Herlings in the post race press conference said, “In the first race I was in second pretty quick but in the second one I was around 10th on the first turn and had to work my up to second, I burned to much energy. He (Cairoli) is the eight-time champ for a reason, he’s a great rider and I just couldn’t close the gap.”

Another rider who challenged Herlings in Teutschenthal was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin. Paulin fought for position with Herlings in both races but in race 2 put in a late charge to catch the #84 but by the end it was too little too late for Paulin. Two third place finishes placed the Frenchman back on the podium before heading to his home GP next weekend. Paulin in the press conference stated, “Third and third today is consistent but we didn’t put everything together so we need to keep working to get better.”

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle is becoming a consistent face in the top 5 of MXGP. Desalle had another good weekend of racing as he went 4-4, placing fourth overall and scoring 36 championship points. The number 25 is also 4th in the championship standings coming out of Germany and into France.

Behind Desalle was the second French rider in the top 5, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre who has struggled so far this season but triumphed this weekend comparatively with 7-5 finishes. Febvre showed speed both days qualifying 5th and battling with team mate Jeremy Van Horebeek among others. Van Horebeek who is 5th in the championship standings finished 5th in race 1 and he was in the same position in race 2 until he fell picking himself up 20th and finishing 15th for 10th overall.

Team HRC rider Tim Gajser showed some serious determination and toughness fighting through pain today. The 20 year old Slovenian’s qualifying crash aggravated his already sore body. Gajser after the race said, “This has been a tough weekend. Thinking about it, it has probably been one of the toughest weekends I have ever had.” With the championship in mind Gajser pushed his way to 11th overall with 12-10 finishes.

German rider, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl, was motivated by his home GP fans and after a 10th in race 1 the hometown hero improved his start and finished 8th in race 2 for 8th overall.

MXGP Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 35:19.364; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:01.872; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:23.634; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:25.211; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:29.976; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:34.390; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:39.939; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:46.754; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:47.075; 10. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:57.503.

MXGP Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 35:28.768; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:05.978; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:09.350; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:14.689; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:21.857; 6. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:26.104; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:38.006; 8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:42.990; 9. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Suzuki), +1:04.821; 10. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +1:10.288.

MXGP Overall Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 47 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 47 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 40 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 36 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 30 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 29 p.; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 28 p.; 8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 24 p.; 9. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, SUZ), 22 p.; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 22 p.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 305 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 261 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 260 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 246 p.; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 226 p.; 6. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 221 p.; 7. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 214 p.; 8. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 177 p.; 9. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 163 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 153 p

MXGP Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 332 points; 2. Honda, 295 p.; 3. Yamaha, 272 p.; 4. Husqvarna, 269 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 246 p.; 6. Suzuki, 174 p.

MX2 Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer has struggled with mistakes the past few races but he has had the speed and today it showed as he won his second career overall, the first in Europe. Seewer was 5th on the first lap of race 1 and he came out on a mission passing one competitor after another including his title rival in straight up racing fashion. In race 2 the Swiss rider nearly went down after landing on the back tire of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado Garcia. Seewer in the press conference said, “It feels great to win in normal conditions, especially the first race I could make it happen pretty well. In the second race I was really lucky on the first lap with Jorge (Prado) I’m sorry for that but it was just a race incident, I nearly crashed and lost some spots… I recovered well and managed to win the GP. I’m looking forward already for the next races, also Ernèe, I like that track, I’ve raced there twice and did well.”

A new Suzuki rider found his way to the podium today, Seewer’s Suzuki World MX2 team mate Hunter Lawrence. Lawrence won here last year in EMX250 and he rode the best ever in his MX2 career on his way to 2nd overall today. 4th in race 1 and 3rd in race 2 he battled throughout both consistently moving forward without error. Lawrence in the press conference stated: “It is cool to have a 1-2 for Suzuki, that is awesome for the team and also for myself as a refreshment for all the hard work.”

Rounding out the MX2 podium was red plate holder and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Pauls Jonass. Jonass clearly has his starts dialed, he took both Fox Holeshots, but he struggled to find rhythm or comfort on today’s rutted circuit. Falling off the lead pace both races finishing 2nd and then 5th, the Latvian was surprised he reached the podium. Jonass in the press conference said: “I was really surprised I was still on the podium after the second race because it didn’t go as I wanted. It’s pretty good to get some decent points and the championship still looks pretty good. We will make some improvements this week.”

The two Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing riders of Thomas Covington and Thomas Kjer Olsen swapped luck in Germany. In race 1 it was Covington who faced adversity starting 31st and clawing his way through the pack to 14th. In race 2 Olsen would crash and salvage a 12th place. While race 1 was bad for Covington it was good to Olsen as he took third. The yin and yang continued when Covington charged into the lead and won race 2. After the drama was all said and done Covington took fourth overall while Olsen took 5th.

It was also an up and down story for Husqvarna Maurer-GEP Racing’s Brian Hsu who at his home GP finished 5th in race 1 but 30th in race 2 for 13th overall.

HRC MX2’s Michele Cervellin had one of the best weekends of his career, he qualified fourth yesterday and followed it up with two top five starts and 6-8 finishes today for 7th overall.

MX2 Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), 33:54.226; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:02.337; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:03.596; 4. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Suzuki), +0:04.452; 5. Brian Hsu (GER, Husqvarna), +0:22.865; 6. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Honda), +0:26.631; 7. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +0:27.754; 8. Henry Jacobi (GER, Husqvarna), +0:28.026; 9. Darian Sanayei (USA, Kawasaki), +0:31.982; 10. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +0:41.40

MX2 Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), 34:26.321; 2. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:02.124; 3. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Suzuki), +0:03.834; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:07.585; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:26.607; 6. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +0:29.456; 7. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +0:30.650; 8. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Honda), +0:30.732; 9. Darian Sanayei (USA, Kawasaki), +0:45.179; 10. Jorge Prado Garcia (ESP, KTM), +0:48.821.

MX2 Overall Top Ten: 1. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 43 points; 2. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, SUZ), 38 p.; 3. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 32 p.; 5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 29 p.; 6. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 28 p.; 8. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 26 p.; 9. Darian Sanayei (USA, KAW), 24 p.; 10. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 22 p.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 325 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 288 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 264 p.; 4. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 249 p.; 5. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 220 p.; 6. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 184 p.; 7. Jorge Prado Garcia (ESP, KTM), 175 p.; 8. Brent Van doninck (BEL, YAM), 174 p.; 9. Darian Sanayei (USA, KAW), 142 p.; 10. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 139 p.

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 367 points; 2. Husqvarna, 308 p.; 3. Suzuki, 299 p.; 4. Yamaha, 259 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 216 p.; 6. Honda, 142 p.; 7. TM, 111 p

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Ready to go to Trentino

The 5th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship and the first race in Europe is ready to start this weekend in Italy at the MXGP of Trentino where Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer are back on European soil with the Red Plate.

The first round at this spectacular hard pack track at Pietramurata was back in 1987.

With it being the first race in Europe Trentino will host the first round of the 2017 European Championship EMX 250 of the year. With 86 riders signed up to race the EMX 250 class, it can be sure there will be some bar banging action.

In addition Round 2 of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship will take to Trentino this weekend as well. Courtney Duncan is in the best spot coming into this event as the points leader from her overall victory in Indonesia. Courtney Duncan will have stiff competition though such as Nicky van Wordragen, Shana van der Vlist, Anne Borchers, Livia Lancelot, Nancy Van De Ven, and 40 other women, including the italian native Kiara Fontanesi who will be on a mission to rebound after struggling in Indonesia. The WMX class is sure to provide great battles that you won’t want to miss.

MXGP For Team HRC’s Tim Gajser everything seems to be clicking as he now sits 20 points ahead of second place in the championship. Gajser has been dominant the past 2 race weekends winning every race in Patagonia and Leon. Gajser will try to replicate these results in Pietramurata but as always, he will have competition from the rest of the field.

Some of the strongest competition this weekend will likely come from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli. Cairoli will have the fans of his home country motivating him to win, a feat he accomplished in 2016 and narrowly missed in 2015. Cairoli admits to feeling the pressure but is excited to race in Italy for the first time of the season.

Sitting third in the championship Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle may be an underdog for the win but not one to count out as he has shown flashes of brilliance and impressive speed so far this year. In addition the Belgian won the MXGP of Trentino in 2014 and he was in the top 5 in 2015. At the very least another top 5 finish is well within reach for Desalle.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek comes into Trentino 4th in the points championship and seems to be gaining comfort at each round so far this season. Van Horebeek is definetely a podium contender this weekend.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin showed he can handle pressure after a solid performance in Mexico. Gautier nabbed the FOX holeshot in Race 2 on Sunday and his ability to fight off the advances put him on the podium which will boost his confidence as he strives to improve week after week.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre was second at last year’s MXGP of Trentino and after a less than special Leon the 2015 World champ is hoping for a podium result to get his 2017 season on the right track.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings may be new to the 450 but he is experienced at this circuit where he won last year in MX2 class. Herlings has been improving since the beginning of the season and he looks to continue that trend here in Trentino.

2016 MXGP or Trentino MXGP Top Ten

Antonio Cairoli

Romain Febvre

Tim Gajser

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 156 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 136 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 119 p.; 4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 116 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 112 p.; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 111 p.; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 89 p.; 8. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 78 p.; 9. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 73 p.; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, YAM), 70 p.

MX2 Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer came into Leon with the points lead and battled for the win, but after a mistake in Race 2 he settled for second overall. Seewer maintained the red plate for the first race in Europe but he will be looking to not only battle for the win but to stand on the top step of the podium for his second time this season.

Meanwhile Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass showed he has the mental and physical strength of a champion after fighting through an injury in Leon. Though he was injured he finished fourth overall and he lost miminal points. Coming to Trentino he has had nearly 2 weeks to heel up and with his stellar performances thus far you can bet he will provide a impressive result once again.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Team’s Benoit Paturel is looking to break a trend of fighting through the field. Paturel has the speed but he has recieved bad luck off the starts. If he can start up front the chances of him staying there are very high.

Now 4th in the championship LRT KTM’s Julien Lieber is also looking to break the mold he has found himself in which of third place. Lieber can fight with whomever comes along but he clearly wants to win. For him it may just be matter of time before he grabs a win and what better time than this weekend in Trentino?

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen is fifth in the championship and his consistent results have brought him there. After seeing his teammate win last weekend it may be the push he needs to move even higher up in the field.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington will come to Trentino with renewed confidence after winning his first GP of 2017 in Leon. Covington had a lack luster season until Leon but he will strive to keep the momentum of his win with him for this weekend.

TM Racing Factory Team’s Samuele Bernardini, an Italian hero in MX2, will look to better his 4th place from last year and to reach the podium in front of his home crowd. Look out for 321 TM machine this weekend as he could claim his second podium this year.

2016 MXGP or Trentino MX2 Top Ten

Jeffrey Herlings

Dylan Ferrandis

Pauls Jonass

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 153 points; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 145 p.; 3. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 139 p.; 4. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 139 p.; 5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 127 p.; 6. Brent Van doninck (BEL, YAM), 102 p.; 7. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 84 p.; 8. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 83 p.; 9. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, KAW), 81 p.; 10. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 80 p