MX2

Team Ship to Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz rider Stephen Rubini stands in ninth place in the MX2 World Championship points after starting the season on fire at Matterley Basin with 5-10 results and while the French rider has been rather consistent, there have been a few races where he has dropped major points on his top ten rivals. After that British GP performance, Rubini has gone, 16-10, 8-8, 6-13, 9-9.

In the last round of the MX2 World Championships, held in Trentino, Italy, a 9-9 result wasn’t too bad, and many riders would be happy to walk away with two top ten finishes, but not Rubini, who has his eyes set on bigger fish in the MX2 class.

“It was a tough weekend for me” Rubini said. “Earlier this week I strained my right knee, so it was very painful riding in Trentino. I still managed to get some valuable championship points, but it wasn’t easy. At the start of the weekend, we tried the sand tyre which is quite normal when the track is ripped so deep, but once the track compacted and the surface sand had been pushed away it was very hard packed again and felt different to previous years. The first race wasn’t so good for me. I had a good start and went from 6th place on the out-lap down to 13th, but I still pushed hard and came back to ninth, so not too bad. I didn’t start so well in race two, but I was far more aggressive and did not give up. Even though I was in a lot of pain I managed to finish the race in ninth, the same position as race one and I think my lap times were quite good, so I just need better start. “

A round earlier in Agueda, Portugal the Honda rider had a mixed day, with a very well put together sixth place in race one, but a 13^th in race two, which gave him no chance of making a podium finish.

“Apart from the second race overall I had good weekend. For the second weekend in a row, I was in the top ten for the whole weekend and was feeling good and had a great feeling on the bike. I was a bit sick this weekend though and was struggling with my breathing quite a lot. It was quite painful in my chest to race at this level of physical output.  I had a really good Qualifying Race to finish in sixth, then in the Warmup Practice this morning I posted a good lap to give me second place, so I was motivated for the races. The track was a lot more rutted and bumpier which I enjoyed a lot. I pushed hard in race one, but they watered the track so much that I ran out of tear-offs and had to start wiping my goggles and trying to avoid getting too close to the rider in-front because I couldn’t see so well anymore. Unfortunately, I crashed early in the second race and started from last. It was so tough to make passes, but I still managed to get back up to 13th. I was more aggressive on the track this weekend and more aggressive in the early laps and this worked well. We’ve also worked hard on setting up my CRF250R’s suspension to suit my riding style and the engine is also really nice and I’m very happy. It’s a very good bike and very competitive. I just have to build my confidence now. Each weekend I’m getting better, and I think my place now belongs in the top five. I’m going to continue working towards this goal.”

Rubini will of course head to Kegums in Latvia this weekend and many will have their eyes on the young Frenchman as he continues to try and build on what is beginning to look like a very good Grand Prix career.

Photo Copyright: Lovemytraining

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 20 April 2022 – Infront Moto Racing is excited to share the April edition of MXGP Magazine!

The 104^th edition of the monthly magazine features Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Mikkel Haarup as the Rider of the Month with a special feature on the Dane as he opens up about his struggles in the last two years, his new perspective and outlook on racing and his triple podium success in the last three GPs! 

The rest of the magazine includes the monthly Racing Catch-Up of the previous rounds in Patagonia-Argentina, Portugal and Trentino, along with the current standings of the Fox Holeshot competition. 

There’s also a Special Feature on the strong performance of Honda during the 2022 campaign which takes a look at the HRC riders, Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans, as well as Ruben Fernandez and Henry Jacobi who have put Honda at the sharp end of the field! 

In addition, the Vintage Bike section includes Jacky Vimond’s 1986 Yamaha YZ25 while in this month’s Hall of Fame we learn more about the career of Marc Velkeneers!

You can find all this plus more in the 104^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.

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MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 20 April 2022 – With the Easter break finished and batteries re-charged, it’s time for the FIM Motocross World Championship to get back to work as round six is set to take place in Kegums for the MXGP of Latvia this weekend.

Since 2005, when Kegums first made its FIM Motocross World Championship debut by holding the MX3 World Championship round, the Latvian track has built an impressive portfolio. The first official MXGP race to take place at the Motocenter "Zelta Zirgs" circuit was in 2009, with the inaugural event won by none other than Antonio Cairoli in MX1 and Rui Goncalves in MX2.

In the years that followed, Kegums has hosted 14 GPs, including the first ever triple-header in 2020. Along with hosting some of the best Grand Prix weekends, in 2014 the Latvian venue had the pleasure of holding the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations which was won by Team France.

As it stands, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings holds the record for the most victories in Kegums, with six ahead of Cairoli who has five. Though with Cairoli retired and Herlings still recovering from injury, this leaves the door open for new riders to write their name in the history books of Motocenter "Zelta Zirgs".

This weekend, alongside the regular MXGP and MX2 action, we will see further rounds of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and EMX Open classes, as Latvia’s Karlis Alberts Reisulis of Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC and his brother Janis Martins Reisulis will aim for top positions on home soil in the 125cc class. K. Reisulis was one of the podium finishers in Trentino, alongside Alexis Fueri of Fantic Factory Team Maddii who took away the series lead from his teammate Cas Valk who also finished on the box.

Meanwhile in the EMX Open category, Michael Sandner of Raths Motorsports will look to extend his championship lead over Jose Butron of JD Gunnex KTM Racing Team and Raf Meuwissen of Raths Motorsports.

In MXGP, all eyes will be on the home hero Pauls Jonass of Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing who has been working towards a spot on the podium in the last couple of rounds. Despite set-back in the off-season which then translated in a lack of bike time and a tough first few races, the Latvian did not let this affect him. A win in the qualifying race in Argentina was the boost of confidence he needed and since then has delivered a string of top five finishes. In Trentino, Jonass struggled with illness but here’s to hope that he has had the time to fight that and be on top form for his home GP this weekend.

Meanwhile Team HRC’s Tim Gajser will be the man to beat as he will no doubt be full of confidence following his first 1-1 victory of the season in Trentino. That’s now four GP victories for Gajser out of five, which are very strong stats as he aims for the title this season. Having also won the GP in Latvia last year, he is looking like the favourite for this year too.

Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado was not on the form he may have expected in Trentino, after his GP victory in Portugal. He finished third on the podium, just two points ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer who was within touching distance of a spot on the box. Though Prado has been good in Latvia in the previous years, getting his first GP win there in 2019 in MX2 and his first MXGP podium in 2020. Last season he was also on the podium, behind Gajser and ahead of Herlings, so another podium finish is on the cards.

As mentioned, Seewer was within touching distance of the podium at the previous round in Trentino and getting back on the box would be a really positive result for the Swiss who had a couple of tough weeks following his crash in Argentina. Seewer has been on the podium in Kegums once before already, as he placed second overall at the MXGP of Riga in 2020 – so he has what it takes to do it again no doubt.

His teammates Glenn Coldenhoff and Maxime Renaux are another pair to watch with Renaux continuing his strong rookie season having secured his third podium just a couple of weeks ago in Trentino, while Coldenhoff has also been on the rise, producing some very good results. Renaux was also the winner in MX2 at the Latvian Grand Prix last year, so he knows how to lead laps at the Zelta Zirgs circuit, but so does Coldenhoff, having previously won in Kegums in 2015 and 2020.

Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Arminas Jasikonis is unfortunately set to miss the MXGP of Latvia due to sustaining two broken ribs a few weeks ago. The Latvian Grand Prix is the closest thing to a home race that Jasikonis has, with many Lithuanian fans always making the trip across the border to Kegums. While the tall Lithuanian will not line-up, he will be present at the race to support his teammate Calvin Vlaanderen who has been building in the last couple of races. The first heat in Trentino saw Vlaanderen fight through to sixth, while the second race ended in tears with a big crash ending his race. Though he looks promising as we head into the races this weekend.

An exciting name on the entry lists though is Tanel Leok who after retiring from Grand Prix racing at the end of 2020 will make his comeback for the Latvian GP.

2021 MXGP of Latvia Top 3 – MXGP:

1. Tim Gajser

2. Jorge Prado

3. Jeffrey Herlings

Main Photo: MXGP Start in 2021

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser 2. Jorge Prado

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 236 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 203 p.; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 184 p.; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 160 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 141 p.; 6. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 126 p.; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 126 p.; 8. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 125 p.; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, GAS), 94 p.; 10. Jed Beaton (AUS, KAW), 82 p.;

In MX2, things are starting to get interesting, as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle now leads the MX2 Championship standings after a perfect weekend in Trentino where he went 1-1. Meanwhile Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts had a shocking weekend that ended in a costly DNF following a couple of crashes, with the Belgian no doubt fired up to take back the red plate this weekend.

Vialle has been looking strong and much like his old self that we used to see taking Fox Holeshot’s and winning races, but Geerts has the advantage of more GP wins in Kegums (two in MX2 and one in the EMX250 class) compared to Vialle’s one victory. But that doesn’t mean that Vialle cannot make it happen this weekend as he will aim to pull away from his championship rival.

While in the last couple of races Vialle has been the man to beat, he has been challenged by the likes of Mikkel Haarup of Big Van World MTX Kawasaki and Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf. This weekend Haarup will aim for his fourth podium finish on the bounce, as he continues his most successful season in MX2 to date. The last couple of weeks have been important for the Dane who has admitted that his performance during timed practice and Qualifying needs work in order to get that strong starting position for Sunday, which will be vital this weekend with the sharp right first corner.

de Wolf is among the podium favourite for this weekend too, having delivered his second podium of the season in Trentino with a second overall. He fought hard against Vialle and with confidence building since his crash in Argentina, we could see him fight for the top spot this time around.

Kevin Horgmo of F&H Kawasaki Racing is another rider to watch, along with Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini who was on the podium last year in Latvia. Guadagnini needs to deliver some good results as he is yet to make his podium appearance in 2022 – but this weekend could be his weekend.

Looking to represent on home soil will be wildcard rider Mairis Pumpurs who will be the only Latvian set to line-up in MX2 this weekend. There is no doubt that Pumpurs will be more motivated than ever to put on his performance in front of home fans.

2021 MXGP of Latvia Top 3 – MX2:

1. Maxime Renaux

2. Jago Geerts

3. Mattia Guadagnini

Main Photo: MX2 Start in 2021

Bottom Photos: 1. Tom Vialle 2. Jago Geerts

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 208 points; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 194 p.; 3. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 169 p.; 4. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 154 p.; 5. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 150 p.; 6. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 138 p.; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 136 p.; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GAS), 133 p.; 9. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 116 p.; 10. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), 111 p.;

TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC+3)

SATURDAY: 08:45 EMX Open Free Practice, 09:15 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 09:40 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 10:05 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 10:50 MX2 Free Practice, 11:20 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 12:45 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice,  13:25 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 14:45 EMX Open Race 1, 15:30 EMX125 Race 1, 16:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:45 EMX Open 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.

All the photos from the MXGP of Latvia will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

LINKS

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FIM Europe

MXGP of Latvia

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 14 April 2022 – Infront Moto Racing is excited to continue working together with GoPro who will remain as MXGP’s official action camera bringing fans closer to the epic FIM Motocross World Championship events!

GoPro joined the FIM Motocross World Championship back in 2013, giving all MXGP fans the opportunity to enjoy motocross from a variety of new perspectives and angles, all thanks to the creative technologies of the GoPro cameras and mounts. 

During Grand Prix weekends, MXGP uses numerous GoPro cameras mounted on athletes and in the paddock to capture some of the best behind-the-scenes action and unique angles up close and inside of the race. This includes the official GoPro Lap and the 360 GoPro MAX Lap with the GoPro MAX that gives an even better look around each circuit on the calendar. Additionally, MXGP introduced the Paddock Talks and Team Tours on their social channels that are recorded using the GoPro HERO10 Black! And of course, the on-board footage from the likes of Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer and Maxime Renaux and Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez among others, who have allowed fans to view the best action from the races from their point-of-view. 

Additionally, around the circuit you can find GoPro branding and on-site activations giving the brand and their latest products prime TV visibility. 

Infront Moto Racing is delighted to continue working together with GoPro and bring even more exciting content from the FIM Motocross World Championship! 

To learn more about GoPro and their exciting product range, visit www.GoPro.com

LINKS

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PIETRAMURATA (Trentino) 10 April 2022 – The fifth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship saw some explosive action as Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle topped the podium at the MXGP of Trentino with perfect scores across both races.

The new reversed track layout made for some intense racing as the leaders had to work hard for their victories. There was more exciting moments made by the Pietramurata venue, including the impressive triple that was tackled by Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer during the races.

What made the MXGP of Trentino even more special today was the incredible fan support that created a stunning atmosphere here in Pietramurata. The Gajser's corner was the standout today as the crowd of fans created a roar that shook the entire circuit lap by lap and especially at the podium as Gajser celebrated his first 1-1 result of 2022.

MXGP race one was an explosive one, with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff grabbing the first Fox Holeshot from Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer and Team HRC’s Mitch Evans.

Seewer was looking strong in the opening laps as he looked to be closing in on Prado, who fought to not lose grip on the leaders, while Gajser and Coldenhoff got themselves into an intense battle for the win as they traded in who took the fastest sector and lap times of the race, lap by lap. On one occasion, Gajser was fastest in sector one, while Coldenhoff went purple in sector two, then Gajser again in three and Coldenhoff in four – that is how close the racing really was at the front.

After 11 laps, that were full of nail-biting action, close passes and plenty of moments that almost ended in tears, Gajser was able to find a way past the #259 of Coldenhoff to finally get himself into the lead. After doing so, the Slovenian settled into his own pace as he got comfortable in the front, while Coldenhoff had Prado looming in the shadows.

Further down the order there was also some nice battles coming from Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Calvin Vlaanderen who fought his way through the field. After getting a mid-pack start, the Yamaha rider passed F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Jed Beaton on lap seven and then on lap 14 got around Evans to secure sixth in the race.

In the closing stages, Prado started to gain a little on Coldenhoff as Gajser got comfortable in the lead. In the last three laps, Prado tried to pass the factory Yamaha rider, though could not find an opportunity and was forced to settle for third as Gajser won.

In the second race, Prado bounced back with a Fox Holeshot as he led Gajser, Seewer and Bogers. Seewer once again displayed his fearlessness as he jumped the triple to get himself into second, but Gajser was fast to react.

Race one Fox Holeshot winner, Coldenhoff, did not get so lucky in race two, as he went down in the first corner.

Prado’s time in the lead did not last a full lap, as he stalled his bike which saw him drop down to fifth as Gajser took control of the lead. Seewer remained second ahead of Bogers and Renaux who joined the fight for P2. Seewer did crash but managed to stay ahead for the time being.

Further down the field, SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery’s Alberto Forato passed Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass on lap two, and then set his sight forward as he was able to get around Bogers, who crashed, then Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Ben Watson on lap five, before catching up to Prado.

For six laps, Forato consistently applied the pressure onto Prado and showed better speed at times that the Spaniard ahead and even setting the fastest lap of the race on the seventh lap. But it was not meant to be for the Italian who then crashed on lap 11.

In the final laps, we saw Seewer and Renaux locked in a close battle as the Frenchman looked to solidify his spot on the podium after his struggles in Portugal. This was also an opportunity for Prado who also got closer to the pair and joined the fight for second position once again.

On lap 15 Renaux went by his teammate as Prado was looking to do the same, but Seewer managed to keep hold of third by the chequered flag as Gajser won the race.

It was Gajser’s first 1-1 of the season, as he enjoyed the moment on the top step of the podium with the roar of his fans who gathered in huge crowds! Renaux celebrated his comeback to the box with second overall, with Prado down on the third step.

After five rounds, Gajser now has 236 points to his name as he continues to lead the MXGP championship, while Prado is second 33 points behind and Renaux third on 184 points.

Next, we head to Kegums for the MXGP of Latvia on the 23^rd and 24^th of April.

Tim Gajser: “It was a great weekend. I was really excited coming here to Trentino, it’s the first time in two years that I could see this public after being a bit quite here in Pietramurata. It was great. Two good races, second one was perfect, taking a good start and quickly passing in the beginning. I made a comfortable lead and controlled the race. I’m really happy, I want to say a huge thank you to everybody, my team, everybody around me and my fans! I think it’s good to have some changes. You know the track was the same since we came here in 2013. It’s a good change and a big difference, especially in the start going 180 instead of 90 degrees corner. I felt good, overall, there was more lines and I liked it”

Maxime Renaux: “It was really good. This podium feels super special for me because after last weekend doubts starting to come, it was good to bounce back and get back on the podium. I knew the move on my teammate in the second race was really decisive because I was fighting for the podium places and I could make it really smart and smooth, so I’m really happy and I enjoyed that podium so much”.

Jorge Prado: “It was a tough weekend for me. I didn’t show very good speed in the time practice but then once the gate dropped, with my starts I could get my rhythm and I was happy with that, we worked on the bike to find the setting to be competitive, so the team did a great job to figure out how to be as close as possible to perfect. Two races, two difficult races, first race I was stuck behind Glenn and Tim in the first laps, they pulled away but, in the end, I came back to Glenn, but I couldn’t pass him. In the second race, I knew again I couldn’t throw it in the first corner and that start was also good, so I passed Tim and thought ok, but then I stalled the bike, so it was a pity. I thought it could have been a good race because I was feeling recovered, but I stalled the bike, so many guys passed me, and I just couldn’t pass anybody back. I was behind Maxime the whole race and then I saw he passed Jeremy, I tried to do the same, but I couldn’t. It was a tough weekend, but it was nice to have the fans back and the fans from Tim”.

Main Photo: Tim Gajser

Bottom Photos: 1. Maxime Renaux 2. Jorge Prado 

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 34:25.634; 2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:03.684; 3. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:06.765; 4. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:18.420; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:20.781; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:22.039; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:22.756; 8. Brian Bogers (NED, Husqvarna), +0:24.648; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, GASGAS), +0:27.857; 10. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +0:38.700;

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 34:35.096; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:05.170; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:06.048; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:07.175; 5. Brian Bogers (NED, Husqvarna), +0:08.067; 6. Ben Watson (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:14.250; 7. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:20.940; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:27.492; 9. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +0:32.925; 10. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:36.727;

MXGP – GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points; 2. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 40 p.; 3. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 38 p.; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 36 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 32 p.; 6. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 29 p.; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 27 p.; 8. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 24 p.; 9. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 23 p.; 10. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 20 p.;

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 236 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 203 p.; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 184 p.; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 160 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 141 p.; 6. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 126 p.; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 126 p.; 8. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 125 p.; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, GAS), 94 p.; 10. Jed Beaton (AUS, KAW), 82 p.;

MXGP - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Honda, 236 points; 2. Yamaha, 213 p.; 3. GASGAS, 203 p.; 4. Husqvarna, 157 p.; 5. Beta, 126 p.; 6. KTM, 120 p.; 7. Kawasaki, 107 p.; 8. Suzuki, 10 p.; 9. Fantic, 3 p.;

In the first MX2 race of the day, the first Fox Holeshot went to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle who led Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Mikkel Haarup, Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee’s Isak Gifting, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Thibault Benistant and SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery’s Andrea Adamo.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts started in around 11^th, while F&H Kawasaki Racing Team’s Kevin Horgmo crashed on the second lap, falling down to 26^th.

Haarup then set the fastest lap of the race as he looked to get closer to the leader, though Vialle responded by the following lap to go faster than the Dane. Adamo then passed Benistant for fourth, as Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini got around Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Rick Elzinga.

Geerts was making his way forward as he got by Benistant for fourth on lap seven, while Vialle and Haarup continued to trade the fastest laps. Just behind them, Gifting crashed out of second which allowed Adamo through to the position, as Geerts edged closer.

The Belgian managed to close in on the Italian and on lap 17 he moved up to second. Benistant was still there in fifth, while Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf made his way up to sixth by the chequered flag.

For much of the race we witnessed a very close battle between Vialle and Haarup, with Haarup not backing down from the regular winner. On his last push for the win during the last few corners, Haarup went off track and had to abort mission to keep second.

Vialle won race one ahead of Haarup, Geerts, Adamo and Benistant.

In race two, it was again Vialle with the Fox Holeshot, this time ahead of Benistant, Elzinga and de Wolf, while Adamo struggled out of the gate. The Italian later came into pitlane and was left with a DNF after a very strong opening heat.

de Wolf was quick to pass Elzinga for third and then less than a lap later he was in second after getting around Benistant, though the Frenchman did not make it so easy on the Dutchman.

Geerts meanwhile made his way up the order after a top five start, as he caught onto his teammate Benistant. Geerts may have pushed too hard as he fell out of fourth place but got going again quickly in fifth. Geerts then got caught and passed by Guadagnini and Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder, this pushed him down to ninth.

Geerts’ race went from bad to worse as he crashed big once again, this time retiring from the race. This was very costly for his championship lead.

While at the front, Vialle set the fastest lap of the race as de Wolf remained close. But what was impressive was Horgmo’s fastest lap of the race on lap 12 as he looked to put a strong result on his scorecard today.

With just a few laps to go, Haarup was showing incredible pace as he pushed to pass Elzinga in order to get himself on the podium. There were a couple of very close moments, and moments where Haarup almost crashed, but the Dane was able to keep it upright and also get the pass done on the final lap!

Vialle won the race ahead of de Wolf, with Benistant third ahead of Guadagnini and Horgmo.

A perfect 1-1 score gave Vialle his third back-to-back GP victory and also the red plate! De Wolf was second, securing his second podium of 2022 ahead of Haarup who continued to impress everyone with his third GP podium on the bounce.

Vialle now leads the championship and is 14 points clear of Geerts who is second ahead of Haarup who is a further 25 points behind.

Tom Vialle: “It was a great weekend overall. I had two good starts and two good races, for sure it wasn’t easy. In the first race, I was struggling in the beginning to find the flow and was not riding as good as the second race. But Mikkel was pushing until the last lap, I didn’t make so many mistakes and could grab the win which was nice. In the second start, I got another holeshot and again was tough, Kay was pushing but I was a little bit better in the second race. I was happy, I had a good second race and pushed until the end. It was a great weekend, I take the red plate, but the championship is still really long. I just want to do like this every weekend, try to do my own race, the start is important, especially this weekend where it was not very easy to pass so the holeshots helped me a lot”.

Kay de Wolf: “I’m pretty happy to be back on the podium. After Argentina, it was a tough few weeks, but we bounced back and I am happy to be on the podium. I didn’t expect the podium, because I am still not 100% back physically. I didn’t train much after Argentina and we’re still not 100% but we will work on that and be back in the battle for Latvia”.

Mikkel Haarup: “My Saturday started off a little bit tough, but we managed to bounce back in the qualifying which gave us a decent position in the start. First race was great, I had fun battling with Tom, felt much better being up there than in Portugal, there I was more nervous and this time I felt I could push a little bit more but could not find my way around him. Second race, I made it really difficult for myself, had a bad start and was a little bit slow in the first few laps. Managed to make some really nice passes and the pass on the last lap gave me the podium which was good. I didn’t know it actually; I was just pushing to get more points for the championship. But I am happy about the performance. I didn’t expect to do as well, because of the Saturday we had, but I am happy we got the podium”.

Main Photo: Tom Vialle

Bottom Photos: 1. Kay de Wolf 2. Mikkel Haarup

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 34:48.891; 2. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:03.039; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:14.088; 4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GASGAS), +0:21.286; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:25.211; 6. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:26.560; 7. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +0:27.995; 8. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:33.470; 9. Stephen Rubini (FRA, Honda), +0:36.048; 10. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), +0:39.348;

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 35:04.840; 2. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:04.237; 3. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:11.713; 4. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +0:13.537; 5. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:15.172; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:26.172; 7. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:27.820; 8. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), +0:34.234; 9. Stephen Rubini (FRA, Honda), +0:36.037; 10. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:44.064;

MX2 – GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 37 p.; 3. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 37 p.; 4. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 36 p.; 5. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 32 p.; 6. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 25 p.; 7. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 24 p.; 8. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), 24 p.; 9. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 24 p.; 10. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 24 p.;

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 208 points; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 194 p.; 3. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 169 p.; 4. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 154 p.; 5. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 150 p.; 6. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GAS), 138 p.; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 136 p.; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GAS), 133 p.; 9. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 116 p.; 10. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), 111 p.;

MX2 - Manufacturers Classification: 1. KTM, 224 points; 2. Yamaha, 216 p.; 3. GASGAS, 196 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 175 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 164 p.; 6. Honda, 130 p.;

All the photos from the MXGP of Trentino will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF TRENTINO QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1570m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 16° C

Weather conditions: Sunny

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 25,000

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP of Trentino