MX2

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 3 February 2023 - Infront Moto Racing together with the FIM are pleased to share the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship Regulations which were approved by Infront Moto Racing, the MXGP Manufacturers and the FIM.

The regulations are defined by the Motocross Commission, composed of Messrs. Antonio Alia, Chairman (FIM Motocross Commission Director), David Luongo (Infront Moto Racing CEO), Biense Bierma (MSMA Secretary General) and the Permanent Bureau composed of Messrs. Jorge Viegas (FIM President) and Giuseppe Luongo (Infront Moto Racing President) who unanimously approved the 2023 FIM MXGP / MX2 / Women’s / Junior World Championships and MXoN Regulations on January 26, 2023. 

Being a pioneer back in 2010 when we launched the Qualifying Races as part of the weekend format of the FIM Motocross World Championship, MXGP is excited to present a significant update to the Saturday’s qualifying heats which will feature a brand-new scoring points system from now on.

First of all, the top ten qualifying riders from both classes MXGP and MX2 will score points as follows: the rider who wins the Qualifying Race will receive 10 points, the 2^nd will receive 9 points and so on, in a sliding scale down to 1 point for the 10^th position.

Points gained during the Qualifying Race will count for the MXGP and MX2 Championships standings, as well as Manufacturers’, but they’ll not be considered for the GP overall results. The Grand Prix overall results will still only count the points coming from the combination of the two main races.

After the Qualifying Race on Saturday, the Championship points leader will display the front red number plate on the bike with white numbers during both races on Sunday.

Another important update is about the number of MXGP riders admitted to an event as we’ll open the opportunity to participate to more than 40 riders to the MXGP category. The wildcard riders will compete in an additional qualification time practice where the fastest will be able to join the OAT riders in the main MXGP Qualifying Race. Two additional riders will remain as reserve riders and can step in, whenever one of the qualified riders cannot participate.

Additionally, MXGP will officially present its brand-new Paddock Show, where fans will be able to meet stars of the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship series closer than ever. The paddock show will feature interviews, giveaway, music and much more, and will give fans the possibility to have an exclusive paddock experience the whole weekend. In order to celebrate the Winners of the Qualifying Races, top qualifying riders as well as the red plate holders will be part of the Paddock Show held on Saturday after the races.

Moreover, in order to support the participation of riders in these challenging times, the entry fees foreseen for wildcard riders participating in the MXGP and MX2 classes have been significantly reduced while the freight allowance for the non-factory teams attending the overseas rounds will increase to cover all their transportations’ needs.

All of these novelties are made with the aim to always develop the MXGP series. Allowing more riders to participate and travel overseas the MXGP World Championship will get more and more global while the new format featuring riders who earn points in Qualifying Races will offer heightened competition for the greater enjoyment of every motocross fans who will witness even more motocross action during the race weekend.

All Qualifying Races on Saturdays will be also broadcasted exclusively on MXGP-TV throughout the season.

Please find the complete 2023 FIM MXGP / MX2 / Women’s / Junior World Championship and MXoN Rules HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 1 February 2023 - Infront Moto Racing would like to announce updates to the 2023 calendar of the FIM Motocross World Championship and the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

The Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations previously scheduled on October 22^nd in Ernée, France, will be brought forward to October the 6^th,7^th & 8^th. This decision was tough to take but thanks to FIM, Infront Moto Racing, FFM, and the Motoclub of Ernée we were able to take the right action. The great collaboration between Infront Moto Racing, MX Sports and Feld was key to align with worldwide racing calendars, after the end of the racing season in the United States had to reshuffle.

The updated date foreseen for the MXoN will allow the best riders based and competing in the USA series to participate to the event, as the desire to create the top conditions for an epic MXoN show is crucial for the greater enjoyment of the fans. The Monster Energy FIM MXoN is the most important Off Road event of the season with the aim to offer the best experience for motocross fans, with the best riders from all over the world.

David Luongo, Infront Moto Racing CEO: “The date change of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations to the 7/8th of October occurred to ensure the best show to Motocross fans, because with the calendar modifications of the various championships around the world it appeared that some riders and Federations would have difficulties in attending the biggest Off Road event of the year and we had to find a solution. Our objective is always to deliver the best show possible to the public and therefore I would like to thank the Motoclub d’Ernee, the FFM and the FIM to have reacted positively and rapidly to this change. Now we can all focus on making the 2023 edition of the MXoN as one of the best events ever in the history of Motocross”. 

Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports Pro Racing, producers of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship Series: "After many great talks with Infront Moto Racing we strongly agree with the complicated decision to change the date of the 2023 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Ernée, France, to earlier in October. Due to an unexpected scheduling conflict at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the new SuperMotocross World Championship playoffs and Finals, the date of the final round was moved from October 14 to September 23, which meant that the AMA season would end nearly a month before the MXoN was set to be run at Ernée. We believe that the Monster Energy FIM MXoN is extremely important to the entire global motocross community and fans deserve and expect to see the best riders from each nation compete together this one time every year. 

"Moving the date closer to the end of the AMA schedule will help secure the participation of a very strong Team USA, as they seek to successfully defend the Peter Chamberlain Trophy for the first time since 2011," added Feld Motor Sports' Dave Prater, Vice President-Supercross. "Last year's winning Team USA lineup of Eli Tomac, Chase Sexton and Justin Cooper have all expressed interest in returning to defend their title. This change of date also helps ensure that other AMA-based riders like Hunter and Jett Lawrence of Australia, Germany's Ken Roczen, French heroes like Dylan Ferrandis, Marvin Musquin and Tom Vialle, Japan's Jo Shimoda, Sweden's Fredrik Noren and more would then be available to participate in the '23 MXoN, if chosen by their respective home countries."

"Infront Moto Racing, Feld Motor Sports, and MX Sports Pro Racing are committed to working together to make sure we can deliver the best events for the crowd and also help to make sure the fans at Ernée will get to watch the best riders in the world compete in the 2023 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations," added Coombs. "And when the event comes back in the near future to the U.S., we will all work together to continue to make the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations the exceptional competition that it always is, as well as a huge annual celebration of motocross for fans from all over the world." 

Infront Moto Racing also wishes to give a special thanks to the organiser, the Motoclub Ernée for their great cooperation and responsiveness towards this update.

Consequently, the rescheduling includes a date change of the MXGP of Great Britain which will be held in Matterley Basin and will also be brought forward to September the 30^th and October the 1^st, along with the supporting classes of EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and EMX250.

Meanwhile, the Motocross of European Nations is set to take place on October the 14^th and 15^th with the venue to be announced.

Importantly, together with the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, also the Yamaha YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Superfinale will be held on the weekend of October the 8th. All the tickets already bought for the Monster Energy FIM MXoN will of course be valid for the new date. Tickers are available HERE with a special offer running until February the 28^th.

Infront Moto Racing would like to thank the FIM, FIM-Europe, the organisers and federations along with all the parties involved in MXGP for the commitment to bring another impressive season of racing!

Click HERE to download the updated 2023 calendar

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Recently Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo was invited at the KNMV Motorsport Gala which took place at Studio 21 in Hilversum. During the prestigious event WMX World Champion Nancy van de Ven and EMX250 Champion Rick Elzinga were invited to receive exclusive awards for their achievements. van de Ven received the Hans de Beaufort Cup, the most prestigious Dutch prize in motorsport while Rick Elzinga was given the award for talent of the year.

Since 1947 the Hans de Beaufort Cup is given to Dutch riders who deliver a world-class performance and are ambassador of the sport off track, van de Ven not only got eventually a very much deserved WMX title, but also the Hans de Beaufort cup, as the first solo lady.

Nancy van de Ven: “I didn’t see this coming. But, when the band started playing Natural Woman I thought ‘no, it couldn’t be for me’. But it was!”

The EMX250 Champion Rick Elzinga, who will make his debut in MX2 in Monster Energy Yamaha Factory team,  received the Ben Major Trophy for talent of the year during the gala by Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo: “Champions are the core of our sport. They give young riders a dream and a purpose. That’s why successes need to be celebrated with evenings like this. Rick you really deserve this award.” David Luongo said.

Rick Elzinga: “It was great to become European Champion, I have always worked for this. The team, my family, the bike, the feeling… Everything has to be right to put down such a season. The next step is of course to become World Champion. Hopefully I can do that in the future.”

Photo credits: Carla Gorter/KNMV

Dear MXGP Friends,

In less than two months the 2023 MXGP World Championship season will start! We cannot wait to start the engine on the exceptional track of Villa la Angostura in Patagonia, Argentina. I have no doubt that the upcoming season will be very exciting and unpredictable. All the stars of the championship are now preparing themselves to be ready for the 12th March and the first GP!

January has been a busy month for us, as we were able to publish an updated calendar of the upcoming 2023 season. The comeback of the MXGP of Switzerland is the great news of the month! After several years missing in the calendar, thanks to the tremendous work of the organizing committee of the Swiss Grand Prix leaded by Willy Laederach and all the support of Infront, we have been able to bring back the FIM Motocross World Championship to Switzerland. The patriotic Swiss fans of Jeremy Seewer and Valentin Guillod will be able to cheer for them! This Grand Prix will have the particularity to be organized on 3 days. The Saturday program will take place as usual, then the Easter Sunday will be a day off and finally the racing on Monday. We will put in place some activities in the paddock on Sunday for the fans who are present onsite the 3 days. Then Riola Sardo in Sardinia has also been confirmed as the first Grand Prix of the season in Europe, on a track that the whole paddock knows very well as most of them are training right now in Sardinia.

December and January are the months we receive the surveys and the reports about the MXGP audience on TV and the different economic impact analysis of the events on the countries, regions, and the cities where a GP takes place. It is always very rewarding to understand how much interest a Grand Prix brings to a region and a country. In Europe, most of the time, we talk about more than 20.000 people traveling for the GP weekend and using the facilities, hotels, restaurants of the region, visiting some touristic places and having a great time during the Grand Prix. Concerning the TV audience, we reached an impressive 44 million of unique TV viewers on the different broadcasters which are showing MXGP Worldwide (the data are presented by Nielsen, the world sports data analyst’s leading company). This represents more than 15% increase compared to 2021 season.

The fans of MXGP are also young and very dynamic people, our social networks continue to grow with more than 3 million fans on Facebook, 1.2 million followers on Instagram and more than 15 million views on YouTube during the last season with 50% of MXGP audience between 18 and 34 years old! The new MXGP-TV pass for the upcoming season is already available with an Early Bird promotion. MXGP-TV will also receive some extra program in the upcoming season, giving more focus on our legends and riders to enlarge our offer other than LIVE sport.

On the novelties side for the next year, the freight allowance for the private teams that come to the overseas will increase. We clearly witnessed during the last years, especially during the Covid time, a big increase of the costs for the transportation. This situation is clearly affecting all of us. On another way it is also very clear that the MXGP World Championship has to go worldwide and to continue to develop our favorite sport in new markets where fans are growing, too. It was important to adapt our support to the situation. Therefore, we are sensibly increasing the support for the private teams and riders, this will allow a better and more comfortable participation to the overseas Grand Prix for the teams. The beauty of motocross has always been the fact that the man counts more than the bike and we always had great stories of riders coming from the pack and winning races or having great results from a private structure. In the upcoming days, more novelties will come and I will be able to present them in my next editorial.

The wintertime has also been the occasion to renew some very important historical partnerships. On TV, we already renewed some important markets like Motorvision, TVG and USA with CBS SN. More will come in the upcoming days.

I would like to thank all the MXGP partners, the FIM, FIM Europe, the manufacturers, the media and last but not least all the MXGP fans.

I wish you a great 2023 year.

David Luongo, CEO of Infront Moto Racing

The Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team is full of excitement, because the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship is a little over a month away and thus another opportunity to pursue gold awaits. The three-rider team will consist of Kay de Wolf, Roan van de Moosdijk and Lucas Coenen when the new term begins.

Kay de Wolf is about to embark on his third season as an MX2 rider and has his sights set on making a step forward aboard his FC 250. De Wolf has already finished on the Grand Prix podium eight times in his young career and, in addition, he has won two motos in the MX2 division. There have been many highlights since he first joined the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team and '74' is keen to add to that list in the not-so-distant future.

Motivated to achieve similar success is Roan van de Moosdijk. Moosdijk, who is from The Netherlands, has spent a year aboard the FC 250 now. Although he missed a lot of the previous season with an injury, he still climbed onto the box at the season finale and established momentum that is set to serve him so well when the new season begins with the Grand Prix of Patagonia-Argentina on March 12.

New to the squad and the MX2 class is Lucas Coenen, a generational talent from Belgium. Coenen captured the attention of motocross fans across the globe whilst competing in the EMX250 class last term – he won seven of the last eight motos and confirmed that he will be an immediate force with support from the elite Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing squad. There is a wealth of experience under the team tent and Coenen will be able to rely on that to advance his progress.

The 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship will start in Patagonia-Argentina on March 12. Before then, the team will compete in various pre-season races that have been selected to give the riders optimum prep for the new season.

Download high-res images from the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team shoot.

Watch the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team video from the pre-season shoot.

Kay de Wolf: "I am really happy at the moment. The off-season has been great – I have had a lot of time on my FC 250 and I feel good. I cannot wait to start racing and have another solid season with the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team. It will be good to implement everything that I have learned through the winter."

Roan van de Moosdijk: "It feels great to work with the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing crew for the second season in a row! I am really happy with the improvements that we have made during the off-season and I cannot wait for the gate to drop again. Seeing as this is my final year in MX2, the team and I will do everything to get the maximum out of it."

Lucas Coenen: "I am looking forward to the new season. I was in EMX250 last season, so this is a massive change and I am very excited. I will get to do a lot more races and learn as much as possible. My FC 250 is really, really good. I am counting down to the first race in Patagonia-Argentina and cannot wait to start my MX2 career with Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing."

Photo credit: Husqvarna Racing

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 13 January 2023 - Infront Moto Racing is pleased to announce the 2023 MXGP calendar update.

The second round of the 2023 season will be held in Riola Sardo as the MXGP of Sardegna will take place on March the 25^th and 26^th. In 2023 the venue will be hosting the third MXGP race in its history. The first time Sardinia appeared in the calendar was in 2021 while in 2022 Calvin Vlaanderen clinched the victory in MXGP as in MX2 the race saw a tight battle with Tom Vialle winning in front of Jago Geerts.

The third event of the 2023 season sees the return of Switzerland as Frauenfeld gets ready to welcome back the MXGP of Switzerland since 2018 but this time the circuit will be completely brand new, creating an added challenge for the riders.

The last time MXGP set foot in Frauenfeld Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado clinched the win in MXGP and MX2 respectively, each on their way to winning their 2018 World Championship.

After being in the MXGP calendar from its first appearance in 2016 until 2018, the popular Swiss venue is making a comeback, to the delight of local heroes such as MXGP Vice Champion Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer, as well as Valentin Guillod and Kevin Brumann.

Being the GP set the Easter weekend, the Saturday program remains unchanged while the Sunday program is shifted to Monday, leaving the Easter Sunday as a day’s break.

Further update to the calendar features the MXGP of Finland, which is now confirmed on July the 30^th and will return to Hyvinkaa for the second year in a row after the success of the 2022 comeback where Glenn Coldenhoff and Tom Vialle won in MXGP and MX2 respectively.

Moreover the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders will host the supporting classes of EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and the unique round of the EMX Open while the MXGP of The Netherlands will be hosting the supporting classes of the EMX250 and the WMX.

Click HERE to download the 2023 MXGP Updated Calendar

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 23 December 2022 – Infront Moto Racing is glad to share the provisional Officially Approved Teams list for the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship!

The provisional list gives a rundown of every team that are officially engaged in the 2023 racing season, along with the riders who will represent them. So far, it features 24 teams that will compete in the upcoming MXGP and MX2 Championships.

The 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship will kick-start with the spectacular MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina on the 11^th and 12^th of March. Villa la Angostura will host a Grand Prix for the 7^th time since making its first appearance on the MXGP racing calendar in 2015.

The fastest riders in the world are ready to battle for the ultimate title! The 2023 season is already on the best track to deliver another epic Championship!

The 2023 Provisional MXGP & MX2 Lists can be viewed in its entirety below:

Click HERE to download the complete List 

Click HERE to downlaod the MXGP List

Click HERE to download the MX2 List

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 21 December 2022 – Infront Moto Racing is happy to share the December issue of the MXGP Magazine!

The 112^th issue of our monthly magazine is now available! This month’s cover features Team owner Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni as the magazine will contain an article on the announcement of Triumph being part of the 2024 Motocross World Championship season.

The December issue also includes a special feature on the MXGP Organizers Meeting & FIM Awards that happened earlier this month in Rimini as well as another special feature covering the Italian helmet brand Airoh’s 25^th Anniversary at the EICMA.

This month’s Hall of Fame is dedicated to James Dobb’s 2001 KTM125 SXS while the December’s Vintage Bike introduces Jean Claude Laquaye.

You can find all of this and more in the 112^th issue of MXGP Mag, which you can download for FREE on the Apple Store or Google Play. Read it HERE

Users who have already downloaded other issues on their iOS device can automatically download the new issue by opening the News Stand and clicking on the cover of the MXGP Mag. Whereas those readers using an Android device will be able to download the magazine for free thanks to this app: http://bit.ly/IssuuOnAndroid.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP Mag 112

The greatest motocross rider of all time, Stefan Everts is obviously part of a very famous motocross family, with his father Harry himself a four-time World champion and now Stefan’s son, Liam signing for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.

Having raced for a handful of factory teams himself, Stefan Everts knows the pressures and expectations of having a Factory ride, however, he feels his son is more than ready to accept the challenge and make the most of his chance inside the Factory system.

“I am very proud and happy he got his chance now,” Stefan said. “It wasn’t an easy ride for him until now; some injuries and some up and down periods and of course, being the follow-up of his father and grandfather… He is a hard worker with a lot of passion and heart, he put a lot into it, and of course, he wants to reach his goal and become a World Champion one day. I am really happy that he has a Factory team behind him to go to the next level. Of course, he needs to show and prove he is worthy of such a ride, but I am sure he will continue to make his progress, like he did the past year, and let’s see where we end up.”

As a 10-time World Champion, the experience that Stefan has can’t always be relayed to Liam, but the relationship between the two makes sure that Liam’s entry into the major league of MX2 Championship could be a little easier than that of many other Factory rookies riders.

“Of course, sometimes when we are racing, I see things coming and how it will end up, but that is a lack of experience and he still needs to improve a lot of things on the bike, but he has only done one GP season. Some kids learn fast, and some learn a little bit slower, and he is taking his time. He really learns step by step and I keep seeing him making progress. I believe that is a good way to move forward."

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team has a handful of multiple World champions in their personnel, including Antonio Cairoli, Joel Smets, and Heinz Kinigadner and while that gives a lot of experience, it is still up to the riders in the team to make the transition from a middle of the field rider to a Grand Prix winner or podium finisher.

“The guys who are there, plus the backup team, with all the championships they have won, are one thing but at the end of the day, Liam is on the bike himself and he needs to turn the throttle, make the right decisions and go fast. You can have a million championships on the side, but in the end you have to do it by yourself!”

So, while many will be looking at the famous names inside the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, look out for that young man Liam Everts, taking in as much as he can from the more experienced former champions and hopefully also scoring some major points in his first season as a Factory rider.

Photo copyrights: Gino Maes

As 2022 is coming to an end, Infront Moto Racing is delighted to introduce all the amazing work and preparations conducted behind the scenes by everyone across our departments to allow riders, teams and fans to have the best MXGP experience throughout the season. From the logistics and transportation of the materials to the track preparations and the building of every facility, along with all the departments constantly working together during racing weekends to assure the smooth conduct of every GPs.

Thanks to the cooperation with all parties, the FIM, organizers, sponsors, media, teams, volunteers and all the IMR crew efforts the 2022 season of the FIM Motocross World Championship offered the most thrilling battles on the tracks and many epic races, to the delight of motocross fans around the world.