MX2

LOMMEL (Belgium) 17 October 2020 – The first burst of action in Lommel, Belgium, has concluded with the EMX250 and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing races, that saw Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Thibault Benistant make a return to the top of the box in the EMX250 class, as he looked for every advantage over his championship rival Mattia Guadagnini of Husqvarna Maddii Racing Junior.

Meanwhile in the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing category, it was Guillem Farres of RFME GASGAS MX Junior Team, who took his very first overall victory of the season, with a fifth and a race win!

The European Championship riders were the first to test out the changes made to the circuit here in Lommel, to kick off this weekend’s races. Today’s races, along with the next two rounds coming up, are vital for the EMX pilots as they give their final push for top championship positions, and in the case of Benistant and Guadagnini, fight it out for the title.

As the gate dropped for the opening race of the day, all eyes were on the championship rivals Thibault Benistant and Mattia Guadagnini of Husqvarna Maddii Racing Junior, as Benistant grabbed the holeshot and led Marcel Conijn, Jorgen-Matthias Talviku and Gianluca Facchetti of Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing.

Though Facchetti didn’t hold on to the position, as he crashed out and re-joined the race way down the order and eventually did not finish the opening heat.

Kay De Wolf of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing had a good jump out of the gate, but a couple of corners later dropped it and as a result was way down the order in the beginning of the race.

Benistant, Conijn and Talviku led the opening laps, as Guadagnini fought his way up to fifth and set his sights on Tim Edberg who was just ahead. A few laps later and Edberg crashed out of fourth, which allowed Guadagnini and Hakon Fredriksen of Yamaha SM Action MC Migliori J1 Racing through.

Talviku then took second from Conijn, with Guadagnini doing the same not too long after, to move into the top three. Benistant then led the race by 6.560 seconds.

Knowing how vital every point is at this stage in the championship, Guadagnini continued to push forward as he squeezed past Talviku to take second.

Benistant then responded by setting the fastest lap of the race, a 2:06.072 as he extended his lead to 10.625 seconds. Though Guadagnini wasn’t going to give in easy, as he set his personal best lap of the race towards the end, taking three seconds out of the race leader.

The Italian then worked away at the gap, to shrink it even further, but with just 2 laps to go, made a mistake which was the deciding moment of the race. Eventually, Benistant went on to win the opening race, with Guadagnini finishing second and Fredriksen third.

In the second EMX250 race it was Guadagnini who grabbed the holeshot from Talviku and Benistant. He didn’t hold on to the lead for long, as a small mistake cost him valuable positions and saw him drop down to 6^th.

Talviku then led the race, with Benistant and Oriol Oliver second and third. Guadagnini though was making quick moves as he passed two riders in a single lap to get into 4^th.

On lap 3, Benistant then took the lead from Talviku, with Guadagnini looking to do the same as he set the fastest lap of the race, to bring the gap down to 4 seconds between himself and the pair in front of him. Meanwhile De Wolf was edging closer to Oliver for fourth place.

Guadagnini then caught and passed Talviku, with the Estonian then losing two spots to De Wolf and Oliver. Back at the front though, Benistant had an impressive 14.617 second lead as 9 minutes plus 2 laps remained.

Guadagnini and De Wolf then battled amongst themselves, with the pair coming together at one point, with the factory Husqvarna rider going through on the Italian to steal 2^nd place. And he didn’t hold on to it for long, as he crashed a couple of corners after the finish jump, which allowed Guadagnini back into P2.

With 3 laps to go, Benistant was already 32 seconds ahead, so the battle heated up behind him as De Wolf caught onto the rear wheel of Guadagnini once again. In the end, it was Benistant who was victorious, with Guadagnini holding on to second and De Wolf finishing third.

In terms of the podium, Benistant had the perfect day, taking two race wins as well as the overall victory, along with the red plate as he continues to lead the championship by 24 points over Guadagnini, who was second overall and Fredriksen getting his turn on the podium once again, as he took to the third step of the podium.

Thibault Benistant: “I’m really happy to win both races, it was my goal for today. I don’t think of the championship or winning, I took it race by race and give my best every time. I’m really happy to be back on top of the box. I feel really good for the last round, I have the speed and feeling, and everything is here so we will do the same”.

Mattia Guadagnini: “It was not so good. I had good speed but the first race I had a bad start and made my way to the front, then I was closing down the gap and I made a mistake, so I took second. In the second race, I had a great start and took the holeshot and then made a little mistake and tried to start as soon as possible and made my way to second position again and I was a little bit faster. Then I had a little problem with the goggles, and I had another crash. I tried my best and finished with two place races, but it was not what I was hoping for today”.

Hakon Fredriksen: “The day started pretty good. I had a decent start in the first race, I was like top ten and then worked my way to third and finished there. Then in the second race I got a bad start and crashed on the first lap, so I was dead last and then worked my way up to fourth place and I’m happy with that, just going to charge for the next one and hope for a win”.

EMX250 - Race 1 –  Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), 29:38.518; 2. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:11.720; 3. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Yamaha), +0:20.408; 4. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, Husqvarna), +0:29.392; 5. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:53.802; 6. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), +0:55.832; 7. Marcel Conijn (NED, KTM), +0:56.676; 8. Rick Elzinga (NED, KTM), +1:18.899; 9. Albin Gerhardsson (SWE, Husqvarna), +1:20.550; 10. Pierre Goupillon (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:26.653.

EMX250 - Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), 30:30.524; 2. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:29.958; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:30.496; 4. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Yamaha), +0:45.403; 5. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, Husqvarna), +0:46.847; 6. Marcel Conijn (NED, KTM), +0:55.859; 7. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +0:57.120; 8. Emil Weckman (FIN, Honda), +1:00.340; 9. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), +1:06.708; 10. Tim Edberg (SWE, Yamaha), +1:08.121.

EMX250 - Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 50 points; 2. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 44 p.; 3. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, YAM), 38 p.; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 36 p.; 5. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, HUS), 34 p.; 6. Marcel Conijn (NED, KTM), 29 p.; 7. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), 24 p.; 8. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), 23 p.; 9. Albin Gerhardsson (SWE, HUS), 21 p.; 10. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, HUS), 17 p.

EMX250 - Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 376 points; 2. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 352 p.; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 272 p.; 4. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, YAM), 253 p.; 5. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, HUS), 235 p.; 6. Tim Edberg (SWE, YAM), 212 p.; 7. Lorenzo Locurcio (VEN, KAW), 193 p.; 8. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), 173 p.; 9. Meico Vettik (EST, KTM), 137 p.; 10. Gianluca Facchetti (ITA, YAM), 134 p.

EMX250 - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Yamaha, 405 points; 2. Husqvarna, 402 p.; 3. KTM, 332 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 204 p.; 5. Honda, 47 p.

Main Photo: Thibault Benistant

Bottom Photos: 1. EMX250 Start; 2. Mattia Guadagnini

The opening race of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing category saw Haakon Osterhagen of Creymert Racing who grab the holeshot, as he led RFME GasGas MX Junior Team’s David Braceras and Radek Vetrovsky from JD Gunnex KTM Racing Team.

It didn’t take long for Braceras to take the lead, as he passed Osterhagen on the opening lap. Meanwhile the championship leader, Andrea Bonacorsi of Fantic Racing was down in 20^th.

Vetrovsky then had a big moment as he crashed out of third place. He did not re-join the race. Osterhagen then also crashed out, as he dropped from P2 to P10.

Braceras then held a nice 4 second gap to Florian Miot of KTM DIGA Junior Racing, with Rasmus Pedersen of W-Z Racing just behind in third at the time. Miot then started to close in on the race leader, as he brought the gap down to 1.5 seconds.

The pair needed to be careful as W-Z Racing’s Max Palsson made his way up into third and was all over the back of the two, which meant that there was no room for error. And Palsson continued to apply the pressure for a few laps until he managed to squeeze past Miot for P2.

The battle for second gave Braceras a big more breathing room as he was able to get his head down and focus. Towards the end of the race he had a 6.711 second lead to Miot, who was able to pass Palsson back and that’s how the top 3 remained until the chequered flag dropped.

The start of the second race was a repeat of the first one as Osterhagen claimed another holeshot. He led Scott Smulders of No Fear/Jumbo BT Racing Team, Farres and Cas Valk of TBS Conversions Racing Team who got a fantastic start.

Osterhagen immediately pulled a 4.7 second lead to the group, while race one winner, Braceras, was down in 6^th on the opening lap. Bonacorsi got a much better start in the second heat as he was already up in 3^rd place within the first few laps, as he passed Smulders and Valk.

Farres then took the lead from Osterhagen, as he set his best lap of the race, a 2:11.321, as Osterhagen made a small mistake but managed to keep it on two wheels. Bonacorsi though needed to work on the large gap between him and the top 2.

Further down the order, Braceras was coming under pressure from Palsson for P4, as Farres extended his lead to 9.539 seconds with 10 minutes plus 2 laps on the clock.

And Palsson was charging, as he passed Braceras, though the Spaniard responded immediately. The two then went at it for a little while longer, before Palsson was able to make the pass stick.

Miot then went after Braceras, though the GasGas rider was able to get back around the Frenchman a few laps later towards the end of the race. Meanwhile, Palsson continued his journey forward as he passed Bonacorsi for third place, which also got him on the podium.

In the end though it was Farres who took his first race win of the year, while Osterhagen crossed the line in second and Palsson finishing third.

The EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing saw Guillem Farres take his first overall win, while his teammate David Braceras finished second and Max Palsson third. In terms of the championship, Andrea Bonacorsi continues to lead the series with a steady 44-point advantage over Braceras, while Meico Vettik is a further 12 points down in third.

Guillem Farres: “Right now I still can’t believe it, but we did it, in first race I struggled a little bit because I didn’t get the start that I wanted and after I fought with Hakon. In the second race I was able to take a better start and I was second, I managed to pass Hakon, I went for the first position and I was first for all the whole race. I’m really happy about that.

I’m feeling that I’m being more and more consistent race by race and also more confident is strange that Spanish guys are together on the podium here in Lommel”.

David Braceras: “I’m really happy. In the first race I was able to win. I took a good start and after I took the lead and I went until the end. In the second race I didn’t start really good because I was ninth or something like that then I pushed really hard in the first laps to re-group and be back in the first group and I was able to go fourth. After that I had a little bit of arm pump and I got passed by two riders and I was sixth. At the end I managed to be fifth and take the second place in the overall. I’m really happy for me, for the boys and for the team because we worked really hard to be on the top and now is the time”.

Max Palsson: “First race I did not get a good start and I was far away from the front and in addition I did also one mistake and I crashed. In the second race I messed up in the first corner and I had to re-group again, in the last lap I was able to pass David and get the 3rd place in the overall”.

Andrea Bonacorsi: “Yeah today it was a hard day for me but I still think about the championship and now I’m forty-four points in front so in the next races I want to be super focused and I want to win and be back on the podium. Now I’m ready for the next round”.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. David Braceras (ESP, GASGAS), 30:20.905; 2. Florian Miot (FRA, KTM), +0:05.604; 3. Max Palsson (SWE, KTM), +0:07.386; 4. Meico Vettik (EST, KTM), +0:07.891; 5. Guillem Farres (ESP, GASGAS), +0:13.870; 6. Haakon Osterhagen (NOR, KTM), +0:14.664; 7. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Fantic), +0:15.543; 8. Martin Venhoda (CZE, KTM), +0:21.718; 9. Scott Smulders (NED, Husqvarna), +0:22.185; 10. Kay Karssemakers (NED, Yamaha), +0:35.597.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Guillem Farres (ESP, GASGAS), 31:20.517; 2. Haakon Osterhagen (NOR, KTM), +0:08.231; 3. Max Palsson (SWE, KTM), +0:14.553; 4. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Fantic), +0:19.860; 5. David Braceras (ESP, GASGAS), +0:32.772; 6. Florian Miot (FRA, KTM), +0:34.417; 7. Cas Valk (NED, KTM), +0:36.682; 8. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KTM), +0:43.350; 9. Kay Karssemakers (NED, Yamaha), +0:51.886; 10. Sampo Rainio (FIN, Husqvarna), +0:52.829.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Guillem Farres (ESP, GAS), 41 points; 2. David Braceras (ESP, GAS), 41 p.; 3. Max Palsson (SWE, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Haakon Osterhagen (NOR, KTM), 37 p.; 5. Florian Miot (FRA, KTM), 37 p.; 6. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, FAN), 32 p.; 7. Cas Valk (NED, KTM), 23 p.; 8. Kay Karssemakers (NED, YAM), 23 p.; 9. Andrea Roncoli (ITA, HUS), 18 p.; 10. Scott Smulders (NED, HUS), 18 p.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, FAN), 262 points; 2. David Braceras (ESP, GAS), 218 p.; 3. Meico Vettik (EST, KTM), 206 p.; 4. Max Palsson (SWE, KTM), 188 p.; 5. Pietro Razzini (ITA, HUS), 186 p.; 6. Guillem Farres (ESP, GAS), 173 p.; 7. Andrea Roncoli (ITA, HUS), 164 p.; 8. Valerio Lata (ITA, KTM), 147 p.; 9. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KTM), 141 p.; 10. Saad Soulimani (FRA, KTM), 126 p.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Manufacturers Classification: 1. KTM, 299 points; 2. Fantic, 262 p.; 3. GASGAS, 252 p.; 4. Husqvarna, 235 p.; 5. Yamaha, 165 p.

Main Photo: EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Podium

Bottom Photos: 1.Guillem Farres ; 2. David Braceras 

TIMETABLE (Local Timing CET/GMT+2)

SUNDAY: 09:15 MX2 Free/Time Practice, 10:15 MXGP Free/Time Practice, 12:05 MX2 Race 1, 13:05 MXGP Race 1, 15:00 MX2 Race 2, 16:00 MXGP Race 2.

Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1830m

Type of ground: Sand

Temperature: 12°

Weather conditions: cloudy

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM Europe

Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders

LOMMEL (Belgium) 16 October 2020 – The FIM Motocross World Championship continues this weekend, with round 13 of the 2020 campaign. This time the MXGP and MX2 riders gear up for the deep sands of Lommel, for another trio of races, starting with the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders!

Defending world champion, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, enters the Belgian races with a 24-point advantage to his closest rival, Antonio Cairoli of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, who is chasing his 10^th world title, to match the record of legend Stefan Everts. Though Jeremy Seewer of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing and Jorge Prado from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing are not too far behind – so the title is still all to play for!

Meanwhile in MX2, this weekend will be interesting, as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts will be pushing for top results on home soil! There’s now 42 points separating him and series leader Tom Vialle of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, so still plenty of time for the Belgian to fight for the top spot in the championship.  

In 2019, it was Tim Gajser, Romain Febvre and Glenn Coldenhoff who finished on the podium in MXGP during the Belgian Grand Prix, while in MX2 it was Jorge Prado, Calvin Vlaanderen and Ben Watson who finished on the box – so it will be interesting to see who can make it on top this time around.

Belgian fans can watch their favourite riders in action this weekend and see the MXGP races unfold via Telenet on the Playsport 1 channel, who have already been following the entire season so far and will continue to bring coverage of the upcoming events as we close the 2020 season!

Additionally, there will be local and national TV stations onsite in Lommel, including RTBF, RTV and TVL, while a special review of the races will also be available on TV VRT in Belgium, as the channel will offer a 20 min highlights re-cap of all the action from Lommel over the next 3 GP’s here in Belgium and the rest of the season!

USA - CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 05:00 pm ET Delayed 

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 2 – 06:00 pm ET Delayed 

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 1 – 17:45 CET Delayed

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 18:15CET Delayed

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 2 – 18:45 CET Delayed

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 19:15 CET Delayed

BALTICS (Estonia – Latvia - Lithuania)

TV3 SPORT

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE 

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

BELGIUM 

PLAY SPORTS 1

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE 

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

VRT

Sunday 18 October – 20mn highlights

FINLAND

MTV SPORT 2

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 local time LIVE

FRANCE

AUTOMOTO LA CHAINE  

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET Delayed

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

EUROSPORT 2

Monday 19 October – MX2 Race 1 – 00:30 CET Delayed

Monday 19 October – MXGP Race 1 – 01:00 CET Delayed

Monday 19 October – MX2 Race 2 – 06:00 CET Delayed

Monday 19 October – MXGP Race 2 – 06:30 CET Delayed

ITALY

RAI SPORT 

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 22:45 CET Delayed

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 23:45 CET Delayed

RAI SPORT WEB

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE 

LATVIA

Best 4 SPORT TV 

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE 

NETHERLANDS

NOS

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET Live Streaming

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET Live Streaming

PORTUGAL

Sport TV 5

Sunday 11 October – MX2 Race 1 – 16:00 GMT Delayed

Sunday 11 October – MXGP Race 1 – 17:00 GMT Delayed

Sunday 11 October – MX2 Race 2 – 18:00 GMT Delayed

Sunday 11 October – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00 GMT Delayed

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE 

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 CET LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

SPAIN

TV Galicia

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET DELAYED

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 CET LIVE

ASIA

ESG1

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 1 – 18:00 HKT LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 19:00 HKT LIVE 

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 2 – 21:00 HKT LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 22:00 HKT LIVE

FOX SPORT 2 SEA

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 1 – 18:00 HKT LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 19:00 HKT LIVE 

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 2 – 21:00 HKT LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 22:00 HKT LIVE

FOX SPORT 2 MALAYSIA

Tuesday 20 October – MX2 Race 1 – 05:00 HKT Delayed

Tuesday 20 October – MXGP Race 1 – 06:00 HKT Delayed

Tuesday 20 October – MX2 Race 2 – 07:00 HKT Delayed

Tuesday 20 October – MXGP Race 2 – 08:00 HKT Delayed

FOX SPORT SEA

Monday 19 October – MX2 Race 1 – 09:00 HKT Delayed

Monday 19 October – MXGP Race 1 – 10:00 HKT Delayed 

Monday 19 October – MX2 Race 2 – 11:00 HKT Delayed

Monday 19 October – MXGP Race 2 – 12:00 HKT Delayed 

FOX SPORTS 3 SEA 

Monday 19 October – MX2 Race 1 – 09:00 HKT Delayed

Monday 19 October – MXGP Race 1 – 10:00 HKT Delayed 

Monday 19 October – MX2 Race 2 – 11:00 HKT Delayed

Monday 19 October – MXGP Race 2 – 12:00 HKT Delayed 

FOX SPORTS INDONESIA

Monday 19 October – MX2 Race 1 – 09:00 HKT Delayed

Monday 19 October – MXGP Race 1 – 10:00 HKT Delayed 

Monday 19 October – MX2 Race 2 – 11:00 HKT Delayed

Monday 19 October – MXGP Race 2 – 12:00 HKT Delayed 

STAR SPORT CHINA

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 1 – 18:00 HKT LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 1 – 19:00 HKT LIVE 

Sunday 18 October – MX2 Race 2 – 21:00 HKT LIVE

Sunday 18 October – MXGP Race 2 – 22:00 HKT LIVE

As always, you can enjoy all the races LIVE throughout the weekend, from the comfort of your home, all you need to do is log onto MXGP-TV.com this Saturday and Sunday!

Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders MXGP-TV Schedule

TIMETABLE (Local Timing CET/GMT+2)

SATURDAY: 09:00 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 09:25 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 09:50 EMX250 Free Practice, 10:30 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 11:05 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 11:40 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:10 EMX125 Race 1, 14:00 EMX250 Race 1, 15:00 EMX125 Race 2, 15:55 EMX250 Race 2.

SUNDAY: 09:15 MX2 Free/Time Practice, 10:15 MXGP Free/Time Practice, 12:05 MX2 Race 1, 13:05 MXGP Race 1, 15:00 MX2 Race 2, 16:00 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders

The FIM Motocross World Championship heads to Lommel for the first of the three Belgian stops. 

Timetable & Entry Lists for the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders will be available for downlaod in PDF format below:

Timetable

MXGP Entry List

MX2 Entry List

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Entry List

EMX250 Entry List

LOMMEL (Belgium) 14 October 2020 – Following the Spanish GP, the FIM Motocross World Championship is back in the sand, this weekend, for the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders, the first of three breath-taking races scheduled in Lommel, Belgium.

Lommel, considered to be the heartland of motocross, has played a big part in the motocross world championship for many years, becoming known as one of the toughest sand circuits in the world.

In 1981, the Belgian sand circuit hosted its first Motocross of Nations event, which was a historic day for Team USA who took their very first win at the prestigious event. Though the first motocross world championship race to be held there was not until 1990, that saw Pekka Vehkonen victorious in the 250 class. Other GP winners in the deep sand of Lommel include the likes of Marnciq Bervoets, Stefan Everts, Avo Leok, Ken Roczen, Max Anstie, Jeffrey Herlings, Antonio Cairoli and Tim Gajser, among many others.

Cairoli, Herlings, Max Anstie and Jorge Prado are the four riders who have the most GP wins in Lommel, with each on three Grand Prix victories. Cairoli’s overall victories came in 2010, 2011 and 2014, whereas Herlings won in 2011 (MX2), 2017 (MX2) and 2018 (MXGP) and for Anstie the overall victories came during his MX2 day’s back in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Then comes Jorge Prado who won in MX2 back in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Lommel is a home for many of the GP riders, with the majority of them living in the surrounding areas to the track. Many of the teams are based close by too, so it is fair to say that every one of the riders lining up for the next three races has done plenty of laps around the deep sandy circuit, though this is exactly what will make the racing that much more interesting as the competition will be fierce, as we reach the crucial stages of this year’s FIM Motocross World Championship. This year the track is bound to get an overhaul for the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders with a modified start layout.

The next rounds in Belgium, will also conclude the EMX250 and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing championships, that are currently led by Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Thibault Benistant, who has an 18-point advantage to Husqvarna Junior Racing Maddii pilot Mattia Guadagnini in EMX250. Meanwhile in the 125 category, Fantic Racing’s Andrea Bonacorsi leads the way by 42 points.

In MXGP, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser will enter the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders 24 points clear of his championship rival Antonio Cairoli of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Also having won the MXGP of Belgium last season, with a 2-2 result, Gajser will be among the favourites for this weekend, as he looks to extend his lead even further.

Meanwhile Cairoli, will no doubt aim to continue with his consistent top 5 results. Throughout the entire season we have seen Cairoli battle inside the top 5 which has worked well for him, as he is still in contention of this year’s world title. Though his recurring knee injury has made it hard for him to push further, though despite that he has accumulated 5 podiums, 2 overall victories and 2 race wins so far this season, so it will be interesting to see if he can add anymore over the next three races.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer lost a bit of ground in Spain which has allowed Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado to edge closer to the top 3 in the championship standings. Last season, Seewer was close to a podium finish in Lommel and only missed out by 6 points, after finishing 4^th and 5^th in the races. No doubt coming into this weekend, he will be looking to re-group and get back to the championship chase as he’s now 21 points down on Cairoli, with 6 rounds remining.

Meanwhile, Prado will enter the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders with a big confidence boost and motivation from his overall victory on home soil a week earlier, as he looks to take third in the championship from Seewer. Prado has had an incredible run so far, with a total of 13 Fox Holeshots and 6 podium finishes, the second highest of the class, bearing in mind this is his rookie season. And the young Spaniard knows what it’s like to win in Lommel as he has done in 3 times before, winning in MX2 in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Romain Febvre of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team is another strong contender for the weekend, as last season he was only 1 point off the overall win in Lommel, after winning race 1 and finishing 4^th on race two. Despite missing two races at the start of the 2020 season due to injury, the Frenchman has been making good progress with his comeback and getting settled with the new bike and team as he has made 3 podium appearances this season so far, including his overall GP win in Mantova.

Standing Construct GasGas Factory MXGP rider Glenn Coldenhoff is another threat for the podium in Lommel. He was third overall last time around and has always been known to be strong in the sand. He is also another one of the 7 riders to win an overall this season, having won in Latvia, so clearly, he has what it takes to win once more.

This will also be the home GP to Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle, Brent Van doninck and Honda SR Motoblouz Jeremy Van Horebeek, with the three no doubt wanting to impress on home soil as well, especially Desalle, who recently announced his retirement at the end of the season.

2019 MXGP of Belgium Top 3:

1.Tim Gajser

2.Romain Febvre

3.Glenn Coldenhoff

MXGP - World Championship Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 441 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 417 p.; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 396 p.; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 391 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, GAS), 375 p.; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 346 p.; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 311 p.; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 294 p.; 9. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 263 p.; 10. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 248 p.

Main Photo: MXGP Start Lommel 2019

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser; 2. Clement Desalle

In MX2, there is no doubt that the battle for the win will include the likes of Red Bull KTM Factory Racings’ Tom Vialle, Jago Geerts of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing and Thomas Kjer Olsen, the rider of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing.

Vialle will enter the Belgian GP this weekend off the back of his overall victory in Spain, which is his 5^th of the season so far. He is also 52 points clear of Geerts, which gives him a bit more breathing room, though he cannot afford to relax, as Geerts will no doubt want to impress at his home Grand Prix.

For Geerts his biggest boost will be the fact that he is going to be racing very close to his home for the next three GP’s. Last year Geerts finished 2^nd and in race 1 and then DNF’d the second race due a bike issue and this year he will no doubt aim for more consistent results in order to get to the top of the box on home soil.

Meanwhile, Olsen, has been continuing with his positive progress over the last several GP’s as he scored his 4^th consecutive podium in Spain last weekend. Though he is out of the title chase this season, there is no doubt that the Dane will want to finish the year on a high, as he prepares to enter the MXGP class next season. Last year the MXGP of Belgium was an unlucky one for the Husqvarna rider who DNF’d the first race, and the finished 5^th in race two, which of course cost him vital championship points, though this year without the pressure of the title, we could see Olsen at his best, and maybe even see him take a 3^rd overall win of the season.

Following his success last year, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Watson will no doubt be aiming for top results in Lommel, as he looks to get back on the podium. Watson has been one of the few riders who have been extremely close to the podium this season, and maybe his achievement from last season will give him the boost that he needs to get the job done.

Then there’s also Roan Van de Moosdijk of F&H Kawasaki who will want to show his skill in the sand. Last season the Dutchman dominated the EMX250 class in Lommel, with two race wins, which helped him along his way to claim the EMX title at the following round. 

2019 MXGP of Belgium Top 3:

1.Jorge Prado

2.Calvin Vlaanderen

3.Ben Watson

MX2 - World Championship Classification: 1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 525 points; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 473 p.; 3. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 379 p.; 4. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 372 p.; 5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 347 p.; 6. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 326 p.; 7. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 314 p.; 8. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 279 p.; 9. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 234 p.; 10. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 226 p.;

Main Photo: MX2 Start Lommel 2019

Bottom Photos: 1. Tom Vialle; 2 Jago Geerts

TIMETABLE (Local Timing CET/GMT+2)

SATURDAY: 09:00 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 09:25 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 09:50 EMX250 Group 1 Free Practice, 10:15 EMX250 Group 2 Free Practice, 10:45 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 11:20 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 11:55 EMX250 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 12:30 EMX250 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 14:00 EMX125 Race 1, 14:50 EMX250 Race 1, 16:00 EMX125 Race 2, 16:50 EMX250 Race 2.

SUNDAY: 09:15 MX2 Free/Time Practice, 10:15 MXGP Free/Time Practice, 12:05 MX2 Race 1, 13:05 MXGP Race 1, 15:00 MX2 Race 2, 16:00 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders

It has been nearly 40 years that Lommel started its association with the World Motocross scene and despite holding that very famous Motocross des Nations in 1981, where Team USA won their first of 22 MXoN victories, it wasn’t until 1990 that a Grand Prix was held at the circuit.

Lommel held some 250 GPs in the 1990’s, with Pekka Vehkonen winning in 1990, Marnicq Bervoets in 1993 and Stefan Everts in 1994. Lommel held its first 500cc GP in 1997, with Latvian veteran Avo Leok winning in the rain and mud.

Since that 1997 visit Lommel hadn’t really been a regular stop on the Grand Prix calendar, due to the involvement of the legendary Namur circuit, and also stops in places like Neeroteren, Nismes, Genk, and so many others it seemed that Lommel was generally just a training facility for the GP riders.

It wasn’t until five times motocross world champion Eric Geboers got involved and decided to bring the circuit back to the Grand Prix scene, and of course the fact Namur had been closed. When Lommel returned to the Grand Prix schedule in 2008 it was Spanish rider Jonathan Barragan who put his name on the winners list with an MX1 overall, while Gert Krestinov shocked the world to win the MX2 overall.

Names like Marvin Musquin (2009 MX2), Ken Roczen (2010 MX2) and Ken De Dycker (2009 MX1), joined Barragan and Krestinov as GP winners, but it was the performances of Antonio Cairoli in 2010, 2011, 2012 (MXON) and 2014 that stood out. Cairoli also won the MXoN overall with 1-1 results and more or less owned the circuit in that era.

The sandman Jeffrey Herlings took his first win at Lommel in the MX2 class in 2011 and scored 1-2 results at the 2012 MXoN, but injuries ruled Herlings out of Lommel in 2014 and 2015, with Max Anstie making the most of that and won both those years, scoring 1-2-1-1 in the process. Shaun Simpson added his name to the Lommel winners list with 1-1 in MXGP in 2015.

In 2016 Kevin Strijbos pulled off an amazing victory in the MXGP class, with 3-3 results, beating home Max Nagl and Antonio Cairoli. In MX2 it was again Anstie who took victory number three, as Jeffrey Herlings was again out injured. Second in MX2 was Jeremy Seewer and third Petar Petrov.

In 2017 Herlings now in the MXGP class added yet another victory to his long list of sand wins, beating Antonio Cairoli and Glen Coldenhoff, while Jorge Prado won his first Lommel overall from Pauls Jonass and Julien Lieber.

Again in 2018 Herlings won from Cairoli and Anstie and in MX2, it was Prado from Thomas Covington and Thomas Olsen and last year Prado went 1-1 for the win and Tim Gajser scored 2-2 for the win in the MXGP class.

So, as we enter this weekend’s Grand Prix at the famous Belgian sand track, will Cairoli make it five wins at the circuit (including his MXoN overall) and his first victory at Lommel since 2014, or maybe Prado picks up his fourth straight win at the circuit. In MX2 it seems that the fight will be between Tom Vialle, Jago Geerts and Thomas Olsen, and maybe one of the youngsters can get their first win on the dark sand.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 13 October 2020 - TAG Heuer has been the official timekeeper of the FIM Motocross World Championship since 2014 and together with MXGP are running the fastest lap competition across each season.

The way it works is; at each and every round of the MXGP season, the rider that sets the best lap time in each class, MXGP and MX2, will receive 1 point in the TAG Heuer competition. The rider that has set the fastest lap at the most rounds throughout the year in both classes, and has the most points, will be award with the special prize!

This past weekend, the FIM Motocross World Championship welcomed back the MXGP of Spain for the first time in two years. It was also the first opportunity that the MX2 and MXGP riders had to ride the brand-new hard pack circuit of intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos.

During Sunday’s races, the fastest lap of the day in the MXGP category went to the double race and GP winner, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado, who put on an impressive performance on home soil. Prado clocked the best lap of the day – a 1.54:495 – in the first MXGP race, on lap 11.

Meanwhile in MX2, Jago Geerts of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing, was the fastest rider in the class, setting a 1.56:570 in the opening MX2 race, on lap 4. At the previous Grand Prix in Mantova, Geerts set his best lap of the races on the very same lap of the first race too.

Find the details below:

MXGP: Jorge Prado - 1.54:495 – Race 1 Lap 11

MX2: Jago Geerts – 1.56:570 – Race 1 Lap 4

Check out MXGP.com home page for the Top 3 TAG Heuer Best Lap competition’s rankings.

In less than a month two Motocross World Champions will be crowned and while Team HRC rider Tim Gajser has a 24 point lead over Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Antonio Cairoli  (441 points to 417 points) and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing pilot Tom Vialle with 525 points is 52 points ahead of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory rider Jago Geerts, who is on 473 points, anything can happen as we head down the final stretch of a very tough season for the riders.

Starting at Lommel this coming Sunday on October 18, then October 21 and October 25, before we head south again to Italy and Trentino on November 1, November 4 and November 8. A six-week haul that will truly test all the riders and make sure that a true champion is crowned.

Gajser has looked very consistent of late with 1-2-3-2 in the last four races and going into Lommel this coming weekend, he is in a perfect position to extend that lead over Cairoli, who is struggling with minor injuries.

Second overall in Spain after his Mantova victory the Slovenian is showing a lot of maturity as the 2020 championship goes down this final month of the title race and he hunts for his fourth world title.

“I really liked the track in Spain,” Gajser said. “I didn’t have a good start in either race, but I was still able to finish third in race one and second in race two. The second race, I was especially happy with the line I chose for the second corner as I swept all the way from seventh into second. I then tried to push, had some nice lines, and briefly passed Jorge before he passed me back. We stayed together for quite a lot of the race but then I saw that Romain wasn’t so close behind me, so I finished second, for second overall. The championship gap has increased but my focus for Lommel is to go out there and have fun.”

The MXGP class is far from a two-horse race with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing rider Jeremy Seewer and Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jorge Prado still looking strong as they continue to impress. Prado might be 50 points behind Gajser, but as we saw when Jeffrey Herlings held a 60-point lead, a crash can change the whole complexity of a title race.

Prado might have gone 1-1 last weekend, but unfortunately red plate owner Tim Gajser went 3-2. What we are seeing from Prado though is the massive challenge he is starting to make on Seewer now for third place in the championship.

“My first 1-1 in MXGP,” Prado said. “I felt I was the best out there and I was really excited when I crossed the finish line. The second race was really good. The first laps were intense with Tim and the track was very technical and a lot of ruts. You had to be very precise and smooth, no mistakes. It was an amazing day. I look forward to going to Lommel now.”

So now in October and November, the period the riders are usually resting up from a tough season, they once again go into battle, and you can count on names like Gajser, Cairoli, Seewer and Prado fighting hard to see who will become the 2020 MXGP champion.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 13 October 2020 – Infront Moto Racing is delighted about the extension of contract for the MXGP of Russia until 2023, which confirms the FIM Motocross World Championship in Russia for the next three years.

The Russian MXGP has been an important part of the FIM Motocross World Championship calendar over the last several years, producing a warm atmosphere and even better racing. The continuity of the partnership is great news, as motocross continues to grow in Russia.

This season, the Russian Grand Prix was originally scheduled to take place on the 7^th of June at the Orlyonok circuit, though due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the event was postponed to a later date and then to 2021 instead.

In most recent years, the Russian GP took place in Orlyonok, with the venue hosting the Junior Motocross World Championship back in 2016 which saw Jago Geerts victorious in the 125cc category, while Rene Hofer won in the 85’s and local hero Kirill Vorobyov winning the 65cc category. The following year the venue made its first appearance on the MXGP calendar, as the event was won by Pauls Jonass in MX2 and Clement Desalle in MXGP.

Since then, the Russian GP has been a regular on the racing calendar and will continue to be for the next three years. Infront Moto Racing is excited to return to Russian in 2021 and continue this wonderful partnership with the Organizer of the MXGP of Russia, the Motorcycle Federation of Russia (MFR).

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP is super excited to continue with the FOX Holeshot competition, that is running throughout the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship season, together with MXGP partner FOX.

The way the competition works is; during both MXGP and MX2 races, the rider who crosses the white line painted on the ground at the exit of the first corner will be awarded 1 point. At the end of the season, the 2 riders, one per category, with the most FOX Holeshot points will win the mega prize!

During the MXGP of Spain, it was the home hero, Jorge Prado of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing who dominated the starts, as he went on to claim both FOX Holeshots in the category on his way to two epic race wins, as he led both heats from start to finish.

Meanwhile it MX2, the first FOX Holeshot of the day went to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle who rode strong to take the opening race win, while in the second heat it was Jago Geerts of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2 who led the rest of the field into the first corner.

As it stands, Prado now leads the FOX Holeshot Award standings with 13 points, as he holds a 10-point advantage to Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing’s Ivo Monticelli. Team HRC’s Tim Gajser is in third with two points. The MX2 standings are being led by Vialle who has 14 black plates to his name this season, with Geerts in second with four, followed by his teammate Ben Watson, who has 3.

Watch the FOX Holeshot Films from the MXGP of Spain below. 

MXGP FOX Holeshot Film

MX2 FOX Holeshot Film