MXGP

SAINT JEAN D’ANGELY (France) 19 August 2022 – This weekend Saint Jean d’Angely will make its grand return to the FIM Motocross World Championship with the MXGP of Charente Maritime.

The MXGP of Charente Maritime promises to deliver some exciting racing, especially in MX2 as home hero Tom Vialle of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing is looking to chase down his championship rival and the current leader Jago Geerts of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing!

Fans in France will have plenty of TV coverage to choose from with LIVE action on Automoto TV la chaine, with Maxime Martin on-site to deliver LIVE commentary, along with 4 hours of coverage from 2pm on La chaine L’EQUIPE, as well as LIVE and delayed action on Eurosport2. Additionally, France 3 will also be on site in Saint Jean d’Angely.

The MXGP of Charente Maritime is not one to be missed! Check out the full list of channels below that will air LIVE and delayed action, along with the 26min Behind-the-Gate magazine, available to enjoy on MXGP-TV.com and via our TV magazine partners following the GP weekend, featuring the best moments from the races and exclusive interviews, plus more!

As always, MXGP fans can follow the races LIVE and uninterrupted throughout the weekend on MXGP’s very own streaming service, all you need to do is log onto www.MXGP-TV.com this Saturday and Sunday to watch the MXGP, MX2, EMX250, YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Superfinale action from the comfort of your home.

USA CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 10:00 ET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 –11:00 ET – LIVE

BRAZIL

Bandsports

Sunday 21 August – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 00:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 22 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 –01:30 CET – Delayed

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

AUSTRIA

MORE THAN SPORT

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

BELGIUM 

PLAY SPORTS OPEN

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

VRT

Sunday 21 August 2022  – news sports 20mn

ESTONIA

Go3

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

FINLAND

MTV Max

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 (Local time GMT+3) - LIVE

FRANCE

La chaine L’EQUIPE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 15:00 CET – Delayed

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

Automoto TV la chaine

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 00:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 22 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 –01:30 CET – Delayed

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

GERMANY

MORE THAN SPORT

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

ITALY

RAI SPORT HD

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 22:00 CET – Delayed

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00 CET – Delayed

RAI Play

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE Stream

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 00:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 22 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 01:30 CET – Delayed

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

LATVIA

TV3 Sport Open

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

LITHUANIA

Go3

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

NETHERLANDS

NOS

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE Stream

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

SPAIN

TV Galicia

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00 CET – Delayed

Teledeporte

Monday 22 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – TBC Delayed

Monday 22 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – TBC Delayed

RTVE Play

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE Stream

SWITZERLAND

MORE THAN SPORT

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

MENA (Middle East North Africa)

The Saudi Sport Company

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

ASIA Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand

EUROSPORT ASIA

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 00:30 CET – Delayed

Monday 22 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 –01:30 CET – Delayed

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)

VIACOM SPORT 18

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 21 August 2022  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET – LIVE

PACIFIC

AUSTRALIA

STAN SPORTS

Sunday 21 August – MX2 Race 1 – 21:00 (Australia) – LIVE

Sunday 21 August – MXGP Race 1 – 22:00  (Australia) – LIVE

Sunday 21 August – MX2 Race 2 – 00:00 (Australia) – LIVE

Sunday 21 August – MXGP Race 2 – 01:00  (Australia) – LIVE

26min Behind-the-Gate Magazine Partners:

AMERICA

Direct TV                     Latin America                          Thursday after each MXGP 8:30pm

USA                             MAV TV                                   During the week after the event

AFRICA

Africa                           AXP                                          During the week after the event

EUROPE

Albania                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Austria                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Baltics                          TV3 Sport Open                      Thursday after each MXGP

Belgium                       SPORT TEN                              tba

Bosnia                         GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Croatia                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Finland                        MTV                                        During the week after the event

Hungary                      GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Kosovo                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Montenegro                GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Northern Macedonia  GP1                                          Thursday after each event at 20:15

Portugal                      SPORT TV                                Tuesday after the event        

Romania                      Look Sport                               Wednesday after each event

Serbia                          GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Slovenia                      Sport TV                                  Tuesday after the event

Spain                           Movistar                                   Friday after each event at 12am

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)

VIACOM SPORT 18                                                      TBC

WORLDWIDE

Worldwide                  Motorvision                            During the week after the event

MXGP of Charente Maritime LIVE MXGP-TV Timetable

WEEKEND TIMETABLE (Local Time CEST)

SATURDAY: 08:20 EMX250 Free Practice, 08:50 bLU cRU 125 Free/Time Practice, 09:30 bLU cRU 85 Free/Time Practice, 10:10 bLU cRU 65 Free/Time Practice, 10:50 MX2 Free Practice, 11:20 MXGP Free Practice, 12:45 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:25 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 14:55 bLU cRU 65 Race, 15:30 EMX250 Race 1, 16:25 MX2 Qualifying, 17:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 08:50 bLU cRU 125 Race, 09:50 bLU cRU 85 Race, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Saint Jean d’Angely

The St Jean d’Angely circuit first appeared on the Grand Prix calendar back in 1984, when Heinz Kinigadner won the 250cc Grand Prix and it wouldn’t return on the calendar until 1989 when Dave Thorpe won a 500cc GP. Due to this circuit’s heavy involvement over the last 20 or so years, those two rounds in the 1980s don’t seem to have much significance in the importance of this track to our sport.

One of the biggest days in the track’s history was the 2000 Motocross of Nations, when Team USA, led by Ricky Carmichael captured the biggest motocross event in the World. Carmichael was reaching his peak and the French fans swarmed the facility as Team France battled the might of America.

Back when Youthstream (now Infront Moto Racing) began their amazing journey to build the Grand Prix series in 2004, with more countries involved, and bigger events, Giuseppe Luongo knew St Jean d’Angely had to be on the 2004 calendar. On that day in June, it was Belgian legend Stefan Everts in MX1 and Tyla Rattray in MX2 that took victory.

The following year New Zealander Ben Townley mastered the French circuit, winning ahead of his best friend and countryman Josh Coppins, with French favourite Mickeal Pichon in third place. Italian David Phillippaerts won the MX2 class. As has been the deal with the French Federation for some time, St Jean d’Angely and Ernee would share the French GP and in 2006 it was Ernee who held that event, while St Jean waited its chance to return in 2007.

In 2007 it was back the St Jean and Josh Coppins would win in MX1 and Antonio Cairoli in MX2. The huge French crowd were brought alive a year later in 2008 when Frenchman Sebastien Pourcel won ahead of Coppins in MX1, while British rider Tommy Searle won the MX2 class.

After the French GP headed to Ernee in 2009, it returned to St Jean d’Angely in 2010 and David Philippaerts added the MX1 overall victory to his 2005 MX2 win, while in MX2, Marvin Musquin would put another French name on the victory circle. St Jean stayed on the calendar in 2011 and again French flags were waved in victory, with Steven Frossard winning the MX1 class and Searle scoring the win again in the MX2 class.

In 2012 Cairoli won MX1 ahead of two Frenchman in Christophe Pourcel and Gautier Paulin and Jeffrey Herlings added his name to the victory list at this circuit, beating Tommy Searle and Jeremy Van Horebeek. Clement Desalle won in 2014 in MXGP and Herlings won again in the MX2 class. In 2016 Romain Febvre won MXGP and Herlings scored his third straight win at St Jean d’Angely.

Moving to the MXGP class in 2018 Herlings scored his fourth win at this hillside circuit and in MX2 Jorge Prado took the win. Tim Gajser would win the MXGP class at St Jean d’Angely in 2019 and Prado did the same in MX2. Not since that 2019 event has the series returned to St Jean d’Angely, so riders, and everyone inside the MXGP paddock is excited to visit this historical circuit this week and reignite what has been a great relationship with Grand Prix motocross.

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 17 August 2022 – This weekend, the MXGP of Charente Maritime will see the return of Saint Jean d’Angely to the FIM Motocross World Championship calendar for the penultimate round of the 2022 campaign.

All eyes will be on the title battle between Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle who enter the second of the French GPs with a 15-point difference in the championship standings. Could the home GP give Vialle the boost he needs to take back control of the lead? We’ll find out at the MXGP of Charente Maritime!

The round in Saint Jean d’Angely will also decide the EMX250 Champion that is currently to be decided between series leader Rick Elzinga of Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing and Cornelius Toendel of Fantic Factory Team Maddii who enter the final round separated by 40 points.

Additionally, the MXGP of Charente Maritime will also host the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale that will see more than 100 riders of Europe's top-performing YZ125, 85 and 65 riders go head-to-head for one of the biggest junior races of the season that will also give them the chance to win an invite to the bLU cRU Masterclass that will see them being coached by former Factory Yamaha rider Brian Jorgensen and some of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory riders.

With Team HRC’s Tim Gajser securing the MXGP title last weekend in Finland, this means the focus shifts onto the other medal places still up for grabs in these final two GPs!

For Gajser though, these next two races will hopefully be far more enjoyable rather than the stress-filled Finnish Grand Prix and the last couple of races where he hasn't performed as well as he would have hoped. Now with the gold plate solidified on the front of his Honda machine and with great memories from Saint Jean d’Angely from 2019, where he won the Grand Prix, we will hopefully see the Slovenian back to his old winning ways.

Last weekend was also a big one for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MXGP who made history with the first ever Yamaha 1-2-3 on an MXGP podium. Glenn Coldenhoff finally made his comeback to the top step of the podium for the first time since 2020 and was able to celebrate it with his teammates Jeremy Seewer and Maxime Renaux by his side, as they finished second and third overall.

Following his success in Finland, no doubt Coldenhoff will be feeling confident and hungrier than ever for further victories. The Dutchman also moves to third in the championship but cannot afford to relax as Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and Renaux are not too far behind.

For Renaux this weekend will be an opportunity to make up for his result in Ernée a few months ago where he only managed 8^th overall after winning the Spanish Grand Prix the week before that. There is no doubt that Renaux has some unfinished business and will be looking to give his home fans a result to cheer about!

Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP's Romain Febvre will also be looking to bounce back after an unlucky weekend in Finland that saw him crash in the races and miss out on a podium spot. The Frenchman has been building his strength since coming back at the German Grand Prix and is keen on a podium finish before the end of the season, which he can certainly achieve this weekend on home soil. 

Jorge Prado will also be looking to bounce back after finishing 11^th overall last weekend in Finland. Prado knows and expects to be performing at the sharp end, but the second half of the season has been challenging for the Spaniard no doubt and with two GPs left on the calendar, hopefully, we can see him back on the box before the end of the season. He also has the motivation of winning the GP at Saint Jean d'Angely back in 2019 (in MX2) so hopefully, that will give him a much-needed boost too.

In terms of the championship, Honda 114 Motorsports Ruben Fernandez and Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Calvin Vlaanderen are separated by just 7 points in seventh and eighth position. Vlaanderen will no doubt be looking to score top points to close in on the Spaniard, while Fernandez will be keen on putting on a good performance for his French-based team.

2019 MXGP of France (Saint Jean d’Angely) MXGP Top 3:

1. Tim Gajser

2. Arnaud Tonus

3. Romain Febvre

Main Photo: MXGP Start from 2019

Bottom Photos: 1. Maxime Renaux 2. Romain Febvre

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 674 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 570 p.; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 525 p.; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 517 p.; 5. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 506 p.; 6. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 391 p.; 7. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 359 p.; 8. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 352 p.; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 325 p.; 10. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 272 p.;

There is no doubt what the focus will be this weekend and that is the MX2 Championship chase. 15 points separate Geerts and Vialle, with Vialle entering his home GP with the confidence of winning in Finland.

It was a huge win for the Frenchman who didn’t start his weekend on a good note after crashing in the qualifying race. Though he turned things around by Sunday and was able to put in a 2-1 result which put him back on the top of the box and Geerts dominated the last three rounds on the bounce.

This weekend will be “make it or break it” for the two title hopefuls, as even the most minor mistakes cannot be afforded – which for us, the fans, will make the racing even more interesting!

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Thibault Benistant will be looking to repeat his success of the previous French Grand Prix and get back on the box this time around after a couple of tough races. The last time Benistant was on the podium was back in Czech Republic and with St. Jean d’Angely being a hard-pack track, this will no doubt favour Benistant, who we all know is a skilful hard-pack rider, so we can expect him right there in the mix with Geerts and Vialle.

Ship to Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz’ Stephen Rubini will be another rider to watch out for this weekend along with Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Mikkel Haarup and Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf who are in a close battle for 6^th in the championship standings as they are separated by 20 points.

The likes of Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Roan Van De Moosdijk and F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Kevin Horgmo can also be expected to make things interesting this weekend.

2019 MXGP of France (Saint Jean d’Angely) MX2 Top 3:

1. Jorge Prado

2. Jago Geerts

3. Thomas Kjer Olsen

Top Photo: MX2 Start from 2019

Bottom Photos: 1. Jago Geerts 2. Tom Vialle

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 676 points; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 661 p.; 3. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 535 p.; 4. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 476 p.; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 434 p.; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 410 p.; 7. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 390 p.; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GAS), 383 p.; 9. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 358 p.; 10. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 257 p.;

WEEKEND TIMETABLE (Local Time CEST)

SATURDAY: 08:20 EMX250 Free Practice, 08:50 bLU cRU 125 Free/Time Practice, 09:30 bLU cRU 85 Free/Time Practice, 10:10 bLU cRU 65 Free/Time Practice, 10:50 MX2 Free Practice, 11:20 MXGP Free Practice, 12:45 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:25 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 14:55 bLU cRU 65 Race, 15:30 EMX250 Race 1, 16:25 MX2 Qualifying, 17:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 08:50 bLU cRU 125 Race, 09:50 bLU cRU 85 Race, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Saint Jean d’Angely

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 16 August 2022 – Five is the magic number for Team HRC’s Tim Gajser who secured his fifth FIM Motocross World Championship title at the MXGP of Finland.

The 2022 season has been filled with ups and downs for the Slovenian, who battled illness halfway through the season, though this did not stop him in racking up wins, podiums – and most importantly those vital championship points to be the only rider to ever hold the red plate this season.

2021 saw Gajser narrowly miss out on the chance to fight for the crown at the final race of the season in Mantova, after a penalty ended his hopes prematurely. Though Gajser turned that heartbreak into motivation and there was no doubt that he was going to bring his ‘A game’ after the short winter break.

Gajser started the 2022 season with an overall victory in Great Britain and followed that up with two more wins before his winning streak was broken at the MXGP of Portugal by Jorge Prado, who was his closest championship rival at that point. Three more consecutive wins followed in Trentino, Latvia and Maggiora before illness took its toll and Gajser struggled at the next few GPs.

Like last year, Germany was a turning point that saw the HRC rider back on the top step with another victory in Indonesia but then again, Gajser fell off the podium radar, though still managed to score decent points to stay well ahead of his competition.

A comfortable championship lead meant that pressure was not a factor for the Honda rider who took a sensible approach for the next races before he was able to wrap up the title early in race two at the Finnish Grand Prix in Hyvinkää.

Not only did Gajser lead the championship from the very first round, but he also tops the charts when it comes to the race statistics. With two rounds remaining of the 2022 campaign, Gajser has led the most laps (184), won the most races (13) and Grand Prix (8) as well as made the most podium appearances (11) and has had the most pole positions (4). Let’s see if he can add to those stats in the final two GP’s.

The journey to five titles…

Tim Gajser started his motocross journey at a tender age of three and by the time he reached his seventh birthday (2006) he entered the EMX65 Championship where he finished third. The following year, Gajser claimed the title in the same category and then repeated his success two years later in EMX85.

In 2010, he made his debut in the EMX125 Championship and by 2012, at the age of fifteen, dominated the class to win the EMX125 Championship title and become the FIM 125cc Junior Motocross World Champion that season too.

From the EMX125 class Gajser made the jump into the MX2 World Championship where he finished in 20^th and was picked up by Honda Gariboldi (now known as Team HRC) for the following season where he made a big improvement to place fifth overall with some solid results that included six podium finishes.

2015 was a big year for the Slovenian who claimed his very first world title in the adult division to become the MX2 World Champion that time around. Though he struggled in the beginning of the season, Gajser was able to turn things around when the series returned to Europe to get his first MX2 race win and GP victory at the MXGP of Trentino, Italy. He then fought an injury during a couple of the races, though was able to come back strong and clinch that title by the end of the season.

In 2016, Gajser made the move up to the premier MXGP class, where he was nothing short of extraordinary. The Slovenian won a total of 15 races, 7 Grand Prix’s and took a total of 15 out of a possible 17 podiums. Having showed maturity and strength all season long, Gajser made history to take back-to-back titles in MX2 and MXGP.

Photos: Gajser celebrates his titles in 2015 (left) and 2016 (right). 

The 2017 season was a tough one for Gajser, as he lined-up at the opening round in Qatar as the defending champion, but a year full of crashes and injuries made it hard for the Slovenian to fight back, which forced him to settle for fifth that time around. Then 2018 was another blow, as he entered the season with a big injury, which meant he had to skip the opening round and focus on recovery. That year Gajser finished without any victories, though still managed fourth place in the championship standings.

The following year, 2019, Gajser regained his strength, and it was consistency which helped him win his third title. He won a total of 16 races, 9 GP’s and made 15 podium appearances. After winning the title that season, he was ready to defend his number one status in 2020 and he was able to do just that!

While some might feel pressure to defend the title, Gajser made sure he wouldn’t let it phase him. While the first GP did not deliver the result he had hoped for by the end of the campaign he racked up 15 race wins, 14 podiums and 5 Grand Prix victories.

Photos: Gajser celebrates his titles in 2019 (left) and 2020 (right).

Fast forward to 2021, the season that will no doubt remain in the minds and hearts of any motocross fan for decades to come, as we all bared witness to one of the most exciting title fights in the history of the sport that saw Jeffrey Herlings, Romain Febvre and Tim Gajser go head-to-head for the crown that went down to the very final race of the season.

While at the opening few GP’s Gajser was looking solid and held the championship lead, the second half of the season was a turning point after a shoulder injury put a huge roadblock in the Slovenian’s title hopes.

While Gajser was able to recover and fight back to remain competitive, a mistake, that was out of his control, saw him penalised and ultimately ended his title fight earlier than he would have wanted. Gajser finished the season third behind Herlings and Febvre…

Congratulations to Tim on your fifth FIM Motocross World Championship title!

Watch the Champions clip HERE!

Quick Facts…

DOB: 08/09/1996

BEST RESULT: 5-time World Champion (4 MXGP, 1 MX2)

FIRST GP RACED: 2012 MXGP of Europe, Faenza

FIRST GP WIN: 2015, MXGP of Trentino, Pietramurata, MX2

TOTAL GP WINS: 41

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

The 17^th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship returns to St Jean d'Angely this weekend for the MXGP of Charente Maritime. It will be a busy weekend that will also see the final round of the EMX250 category as well as the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup!

Take a look at the timetable and entry lists below:

Timetable

MXGP

MX2

Additional classes:

EMX250

YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup 125cc

YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup 85cc

YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup 65cc

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 15 August 2022 – For the 2022 season of the FIM Motocross World Championship, we see the return of a very exciting competition, that is the Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena.

Throughout the season fans have the opportunity to cast their votes race-by-race and decide who becomes the ‘Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena’ in MXGP at the end of this year’s championship.

Votes are tallied at every Grand Prix, with the ‘Best Rider of the GP’ being chosen during each event of 2022. The rider who is voted the most times as the best rider, will walk away with the ultimate prize and be presented with the special award for ‘Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena’!

How to vote:

Every Grand Prix Sunday a dedicated post is shared on MXGP’s official Instagram page under which fans can comment who their favourite rider of the weekend is. This competition is only for MXGP riders and the voting closes at 8pm on Sunday.

The comments are then counted and the rider with the most votes is chosen as the best rider of that GP. 

At the MXGP of Finland, the newly crowned MXGP World Champion Tim Gajser was voted as the Best Rider of the Grand Prix after collecting 37.9% of the votes compared to Riley Racing’s Brent Van Doninck who received 22.4% and Jeremy Seewer of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing who received 8.6%.

With two rounds remaining, Tim Gajser is well ahead of his competition with 10 points compared to Seewer’s three. The Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena will continue at the MXGP of Charente Maritime next weekend!

2022 Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena Standings

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 15 August 2022 – MXGP is excited to continue the Fox Holeshot competition for the 2022 season of the FIM Motocross World Championship, together with MXGP partner Fox.

How does the competition work?

Every Grand Prix race, during both MXGP and MX2 races, the rider who crosses the white line painted on the ground at the exit of the first corner secures the Fox Holeshot and receives one point. At the end of the season, the two riders, one per category, with the most Fox Holeshot points will win the mega prize!

At the MXGP of Finland, the Fox Holeshot awards were won by Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts who dominated both starts, while in MXGP the first race saw Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Romain Febvre lead the way after the first corner as he secured his first Fox Holeshot of 2022, while in race two the black plate went to the race and Grand Prix winner Glenn Coldenhoff of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing.

Only two Grand Prix’s remain of the FIM Motocross World Championship and Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado looks like he is on track to secure another 2022 Fox Holeshot Award with 15 points, while in MX2 the competition is a little tighter as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle leads with 9 points but Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder is not far behind with seven points and Geerts with five. Four Fox holeshots are still up for grabs, so anything can happen!

MXGP Fox Holeshot Classifications

MX2 Fox Holeshot Classifications

Watch the Fox Holeshot Films from the MXGP of Finland below.