MX2

FRAUENFELD (Switzerland) 8 April 2023 – The MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS has started in the best way with the RAM Qualifying Races ruled by Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing's Jorge Prado once again in MXGP while in MX2 it was Monster Energy Yamaha MX2's Thibault Benistant. 

Waiting four long years to come back to Switzerland, the riders did not waste any time to get into full gears on the brand-new track of Frauenfeld. The return to hard pack has been really competitive today as we already saw many exciting battles throughout both races in MXGP and MX2.

Alongside the FIM Motocross World Championship races, we also witnessed the first races of the WMX and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing's classes which were domintated by Big Van World MTX Kawasaki's Courtney Duncan and Yamaha Europe MJC's Janis Martin Reisulis

Following the RAM Qualifying Races, many fans were able to join and cheers for the stars at the Paddock Show that hosted the winners of the qualifications Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team's Thibault Benistant and Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing's Jorge Prado along with special guests Jeremy Seewer, Kevin Brumann and MX2 Red Plate holder Jago Geerts.
 

Aware of sounding incredibly repetitive, the MXGP RAM Qualifying Race was once again dominated by Jorge Prado for his third consecutive qualifying win. However, it was not an easy day for the Spaniard as following a good start he found himself 2nd for the majority of the race in-between Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre leading the way and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings 3rd. After a first lap where the three men where all together trying to get the lead from each other, we saw Febvre taking the edge on Prado to lead the way at the end of the first lap while Herlings would stay a bit behind in third.

Staying patient, a couple of seconds of Febvre, Prado would finally find a way to pounce on the very last lap in great fashion and over a couple of turns to take the lead off the Frenchman. Febvre who looked like he was going to win his first RAM Qualifying Race could not contain Prado and settled for 2nd.

Herlings kept a strong pace all throughout the race to confidently keep an important 3rd place, synonym of 8 points for the Championship. He had to keep at bay during the whole race the duo Monster Energy Yamaha factory MXGP Team’s Maxime Renaux and SM Action Racing Team Yuasa Battery’s Alberto Forato, 4th and 5th respectively after lap 1. Forato looked very comfortable on this track as he was in touching distance of Renaux all way through and finally made a move to get to 4th with 3 laps to go and would not lose this advantage. Forato ended 4th and Renaux 5th. 

One of the story of the day was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Jeremy Seewer who didn’t have a quick start and found himself 10th on lap 1. The home rider quickly got to 8th on lap 2 but fell down while trying to chase Alessandro Lupino 7th at that time, moving down to13th. Lupino made few mistakes later on to finish 15th. However Seewer, probably helped by the immense support from the Swiss fans came back on the chase and steadily moved up through the ranking order overtaking the likes of Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini, De Baets Yamaha MX-Team’s Benoit Paturel, his teammate Glenn Coldenhoff who finished 10th, and fellow countryman Ship to Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz’s Valentin Guillod who rode strongly to end up at a promising 8thplace. Seewer found himself 7th on the last lap to overtake another good performer, Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha’s Calvin Vlaanderen. Seewer finished a sensational comeback on his home ground with the 6th place, in front of Vlaanderen 7th. 

Another really good rebound was the one of Team HRC’s Ruben Fernandez who found himself 17 after lap 1 to steadily move up to 9th place showing along the way the qualities that made him a GP winner in Argentina.

Jorge Prado: “It was a good day of racing. I had a very good start but then I lost the lead and got a bit tense over a couple of laps. After I took my time behind Romain as it was difficult to get very close but on the last lap, I knew I had the place so I went for it so I’m super happy. I had a great rhythm and it’s another important win!”

MXGP – RAM Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), 23:59.039; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:03.046; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:04.539; 4. Alberto Forato (ITA, KTM), +0:08.089; 5. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:16.951; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:17.852; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:20.138; 8. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +0:30.617; 9. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:36.792; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:41.214;

Main Photo: Jorge Prado

Bottom Photos: 1. Romain Febvre  2. Jeffrey Herlings
 

In MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, we saw the established order changing with the win of Thibault Benistant. The first lap saw TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team’s Jan Pancar take the lead in front of Roan Van de Moosdijk of Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing and Benistant. Pancar could not hold the lead for long. Benistant overtook Van de Moosdijk in the first lap to clock the fastest lap and put pressure on Pancar and pass him in lap 2. Benistant kept the lead until the end displaying a very strong and confident performance.

For Pancar, it was not the same story as he moved down the table to get to 8th on lap 8 and keep this place until the end but the Slovenian rode the whole race in the top 10 to get 3 important points counting for the Championship. Van de Moosdijk who was 2nd between lap 4 and 6 was not able to keep this position first against his teammate Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf and then the Red Plate holder Jago Geerts from Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2 Team. De Wolf in the end finished 2nd while Geerts 3rd. Van de Moosdijk ended at a good 4th place.

Behind them, RedBull KTM Factory Racing’s Andrea Adamo was the best of the rest as he climbed from the 9th place on lap 1 to 5th on lap 8 as he passed Pancar on lap 4 and WZ Racing’s Mikkel Haarup on lap 7 for 5th to keep this place until the end. Haarup displayed some quick pace in the first half of the race going to 4th on lap 5 but slowed down in the second to move down to 7th in the end. 
Finishing 6th between them was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Liam Everts who started poorly to get 13th after lap 1. But the Belgian showed his qualities on this compact track to steadily take the better of many riders in front him.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team’s Rick Elzinga rode consistently within the top 10. The Rookie rider shows that he has the pace as he finished 8th while David Braceras also showed his quality going from 12th in lap 1 to 8th between lap 6 and 7 although he had to settle to 10^th taking the last point of the day.

Simon Laengenfelder did not get to the points as the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing rider could not do better than 12th while Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Lucas Coenen crashed early on the race and had to give up on lap 4. Both riders missed on important points for the Championships and will get ready to make up for it on Monday. 

Thibault Benistant: “It was my first win of the season in qualification and I’m very happy. I made few passes in the first few laps and I felt good on the bike and the track. I hope I can do the same on Monday.”

MX2 – RAM Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), 24:21.806; 2. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:12.665; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:13.113; 4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Husqvarna), +0:18.307; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:19.414; 6. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:19.820; 7. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KTM), +0:23.776; 8. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:39.157; 9. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:45.456; 10. David Braceras (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:46.320;

Main Photo: Thibault Benistant

Bottom Photos: 1. MX2 Start; 2. Jago Geerts

TIMETABLE 

MONDAY: 09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX125 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.
 

MXGP OF SWITZERLAND PRESENTED BY iXS QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1500m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 9°

Weather conditions: Cloudy/Rainy

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Frauenfeld

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 5 April 2023 – The FIM Motocross World Championship third round is coming back to Switzerland after 4 years and it will mark the first stop of the season in Mainland Europe. MXGP is heading to Frauenfeld for the MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS on the 8^th and 10^th April, being Easter day of break on the Sunday 9^th. 

The riders will come back to a brand-new circuit at Frauenfeld which will add to the challenge as they will have to adapt to the new design. The Swiss track has hosted the MXGP series three years in a row between 2016 to 2018 and it was pretty successful for KTM in the MXGP class as Antonio Cairoli won in 2016 while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings won back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.

Along with MXGP and MX2, the supporting classes will also be competing in Switzerland with the second round of the FIM Women's Motocross World Championship and the first round of the season for the FIM Motocross European Championship EMX125 presented by FMF.

In WMX, RFME GASGAS WMX Team’s Daniella Guillen won her first GP of her career in Sardinia with a 2-1 and showing a strong and skilful riding throughout the weekend. Other riders to watch will be the young Lotte Van Drunen who started the season incredibly by winning the first race of the season and finishing second overall while Ceres 71 Racing’s Nancy Van de Ven showed that we can count on her to be competing for the top spot again this year as she finished second in race 2, despite a crash on race 1 and DRT Kawasaki’s Courtney Duncan going 4-3 and the third place overall.

In EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing, it will be really open this year with many new riders coming to the category for the first time. This first round will be a good time to get some clues on who will be fighting for the top spots this season.

This season, the circuit of Frauenfeld will be hosting MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS for the 4^th time in its history. The last edition was 4 years ago and Jeffrey Herlings was the one who took the victory in front of Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Romain Febvre and Clement Desalle. The Dutchman was on his way to win his first World Title in the MXGP class. 

Coming into the third round of the season, we are already seeing that this season is going to be very competitive with many riders showing great skills and determination throughout the first two rounds. Herlings is coming to Switzerland with plenty of confidence as he won the last GP in Sardinia, winning his 100^th GP along the way. The ‘bullet’ is showing that he is already up to speed after missing the 2022 season and being 2^ndoverall in the Championship standing. 

The Red Plate holder Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado has been riding superbly so far, taking the maximum points in RAM Qualifying Races in Argentina and Sardinia and winning 2 races out of 4, the Spaniard is on a great form and is determined to win his first GP this season. Having won the last edition in Switzerland in MX2 will certainly help him in his quest to keep the Red Plate.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Glenn Coldenhoff, 2^nd on the last podium in Sardinia with a 5-1 has shown that he is finding his rhythm on his new bike while his teammate Maxime Renaux and Romain Febvre, 3^rd and 4^th in the Championships respectively, both showed loads of quality ridings since the season started and will definitely fight for the top spots this season even if they both narrowly missed the podium so far in 2023.

After winning his first GP in Argentina Team HRC’s Ruben Fernandez was not at his best during the MXGP of Sardegna as the Spaniard crashed few times and could not find a way to ride back up the ranking order. He will surely look for redemption in Switzerland and be prepared to display a great performance this weekend.

Riding at home this week, Jeremy Seewer from Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team is the rider who will want to get back to the top after combining high and lows so far this season with 17-3 in Argentina and 7-6 in Sardinia. The swiss was often fighting for the first places but crashed too many times to remain consistent. Riding in front of his fans could be the perfect opportunity to really kick-start his season.

The other home riders Team Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz’s Valentin Guillod and JK Racing Yamaha’s Kevin Brumann will be the ones to be carried by the home crowd and could use that to get some great opportunities to score big points. Guillod with two top 20s so far has shown some glimpse of his potential and could capitalise on riding at home while Brumann could really kickstarts his first full MXGP season this weekend at Frauenfeld.
 

Championship Standings

1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 100 points;
2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 93 p.;
3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 78 p. ;
4. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 78 p. ;
5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 75 p.;
6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 65 p.;
7. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 63 p.;
8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 57 p.;
9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 56 p.;
10. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 55 p.;

2018 MXGP of Switzerland MXGP Top 3:

1. Jeffrey Herlings
2. Romain Febvre
3. Clement Desalle        

Main Photo: MXGP Start MXGP of Switzerland 2018
Bottom Photos: 1. Jeffrey Herlings, 2. Jeremy Seewer

In 2018, it was Jorge Prado who clinched the victory in Frauenfeld in front of Standing Construct Honda MXGP’s Pauls Jonass and Hunter Lawrence. With none of these riders still present in this category, the 2023 edition of the MXGP of Switzerland will see a new MX2 winner.

The start of the 2023 campaign in MX2 has seen the near total dominance of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team’s Jago Geerts so far. The Belgian won the first 2 GPs with a perfect 1-1 in Argentina and 2-1 in Sardinia, along with topping both RAM Qualifying Races. However, like Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team’s Thibault Benistant fighting with Geerts in Argentina, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf showed his great potential in Sardinia as he went 1-2 and could have been the one to win the GP. Benistant also got to the last step of the podium for the second time this season. This demonstrates that de Wolf and Benistant are up there with Geerts and could be the ones to upset the Belgian’s lead so far.

Just behind the trio are teammates Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Andrea Adamo and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Simon Laegenfelder, 4^th and 5^th respectively, who also have shown that they can compete at time with the front three. Adamo is consistent so far with 2^nd place overall in Argentina and 6^th in Sardinia while Laengenfelder improved on his 7^th place on the first round by going 3-7 in Sardinia and getting the 4^thoverall. 

The other riders who could well battling for the top points will be F&H Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team’s Kevin Horgmo, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Roan Van de Moosdijk and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Liam Everts who are 6^th, 7^th and 8^th in the Championships respectively and have all found themselves fighting at the top at one point during the first two rounds. They all could use their experience of this beginning of the campaign to find the ways to move up in the Championship standing after Switzerland.

Championship Standings

1. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 117 points;
2. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 87 p.;
3. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 86 p.;
4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 83 p.;
5. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 79 p.;
6. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 68 p.;
7. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, HUS), 67 p.;
8. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 61 p.;
9. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 52 p.;
10. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), 40 p.;

2018 MXGP of Switzerland MX2 Top 3:

1. Jorge Prado
2. Pauls Jonass
3. Hunter Lawrence

Main Photo: MX2 Start MXGP of Switzerland 2018
Bottom Photos: 1. Jago Geerts, 2 Kay de Wolf

TIMETABLE 

SATURDAY: 08:00 EMX125 Free Practice Group 1, 08:25 EMX125 Free Practice Group 2, 08:50 WMX Free Practice, 09:20 EMX125 Qualifying practice Group 1, 09:55 EMX125 Qualifying practice Group 2, 10:30 MX2 Free Practice, 11:00 MXGP OAT Free Practice, 12:10 WMX Qualifying Practice, 12:45 MXGP Wildcard Free/Qualifying practice, 13:45 MX2 Time Practice, 14:20 MXGP OAT Time Practice, 15:05 WMX Race 1, 15:45 EMX125 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 17:20 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

Monday: 09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX125 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Frauenfeld
 

The third stop of the FIM Motocross World Championship season will be held in Frauenfeld which will host the MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS after 4-year break. 

Together with the MXGP and MX2 categories also the second round of the WMX and first round of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing will be held

The provisional Entry Lists for the event can be found here below: 

It's Time! The MXGP of Sardegna in Riola Sardo marked the second round of the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship and it was once again Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado who set the fastest lap time over the weekend in MXGP while in MX2, it was the winner of the Grand Prix Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2 Team’s Jago Geerts who set the fastest lap! 

Only Jorge Prado marked points so far in MXGP with 2 points while Jago Geerts and Thibault Benistant are level with 1 point each.

Here below you have the details:

MXGP: Jorge Prado at Race 1 Lap 3 with 01.52:210

MX2: Jago Geerts at Race 2 Lap 2 with 01.50:374

In order to remind fans of what the competition consists of; at the end of each event, the fastest rider in MXGP and MX2 will obtain a point. The rider with the most points in each class at the conclusion of the Championship will receive a prize from ACERBIS, which will be awarded at the MXGP Awards.

Scroll Down the main page at MXGP.com to see Acerbis Best Lap leaderboard situated directly underneath the FOX Holeshot results grid

MXGP is glad to continue the running of the FOX Holeshot competition trough the second round of the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship season together with MXGP Partner FOX.

The MXGP of Sardegna,was held in Riola Sardo this weekend and it was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MXGP Teams’s Jeremy Seewer and Kawasaki Racing Team's Romain Febvre who took the FOX Holeshot in MXGP Race 1 and Race 2 respectively. In MX2, it was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MXGP Teams’s Jago Geerts and WZ Racing’s Oliver Oriol who too took the FOX Holeshot in Race 1 and 2 respectively.

The way it works is that 1 point is awareded per MXGP and MX2 Championship race. The first rider who crosses the white line painted on the ground at the exit of the first corner will be given a point. At the end of the season the 2 riders - one per category - with the most FOX Holeshot points will win a mega prize. 

Scroll Down the main page at MXGP.com to Check the FOX Holeshot results grid.