MXGP

Success comes to those who refuse to give up, to those with goals so big that obstacles and set-backs only serve as motivation. From the top step of the podium to the operating table, Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Shaun Simpson’s season thus far sums up the never ending emotional and physical rollercoaster of being a top motorcycle rider. The gritty Scot put on a mud-riding masterclass at the MXGP of Indonesia, round two of the FIM Motocross World Championship, for his first grand prix win since the MXGP of The Netherlands, 2015. A string of mediocre results – by his standards – followed by a massive turn around in Latvia – at round seven - where he knocked on the door of a podium finish in race one, before being stopped mid-stride when he broke his hand in race two.

Motocross riders are a fearless bunch and almost as soon as he awoke from the operating table – where he had the third metacarpal of his right hand surgically repaired - he was eager to get back on the bike, “like most motocross riders, it only takes a few days off of the bike before I started stressing out and thinking I’ve got to get back on the bike.” He said.

Almost immediately after receiving the thumbs up from the doctor, the twenty-eight-year-old was back in the saddle, “I couldn’t wait to get back on the bike, and as soon as I did, I felt really comfortable. It sounds a bit strange, but I would say we left Latvia with quite a good feeling, mainly because we went into Latvia after doing a lot testing on the bike and it was working so good. I guess that gave me the mental boost I needed for when I got back on the bike, that I knew straight away that the bike was good and where it needs to be. I wasn’t right up to speed and hitting all of my marks right away, but for the most part, I felt really good and closer to 100% than I expected.”

Injuries aside, the MXGP series is cutthroat this year with the talent pool being deeper than ever. But just how hard is it? “Honestly, I think it just comes down to the start.” He elaborated, “For example, other than in Indonesia where I won, Latvia was one of my easiest races this year purely because I got a decent start and one or two guys got caught up with each other on the first lap and I was able to capitalize on that. I settled into a nice rhythm and pulled a nice gap with Herlings, and if I remember correctly, Desalle and Bobryshev. It seems like if you come out of the first turn somewhere between fifth and fifteenth that it’s a bit of a war. Even guys like Van Horebeek, for Example, he’s one of the most consistent guys in the championship and is usually inside the top five, but got a rough start in Latvia and got taken down and ended up finishing in like fourteenth or something like that. So I would say it just comes down to the start and how solid and clean your first few laps are, if you can get that out of the way, you can just get comfortable and go with the flow.”

“It’s crazy, and hard to see from the sideline. It’s not that the guys leading the championship are a lot quicker than everyone else, they are just putting themselves in a good place off of the start and are at the front. Their lap times are a bit quicker, but that is because they are up front and getting laps in. Some have clear track, and it’s definitely less scrappy up front.”

The riders are doing some super-human stuff during the Timed Practice session, how crazy is it out there? “Yeah, you can see even in the Timed Practice session that there isn’t a lot separating these guys, and I feel more than ever that everyone – not just a few guys – but every single rider is capable of going balls out for one lap. I used to feel like – on a good day – I was one of the best guys at putting down a single lap time, but these day,” he took a deep breath, “in Latvia for example, I felt the best I have felt for a long time. I put in a couple of good laps that I was happy with and it was still only ninth fastest! Okay, only 0.7 off of first, but it was still only ninth… That was surreal really. To think I don’t think I can find a place where I can go much quicker. I have never ever felt that before. So for me, I was just happy with that position.”

“I am watching guys just hanging it out, riding within an inch of their life just to get a good time in the practice session. It’s never been like that before. I guess it does give you a mental boost going into the race, but is it that important? I don’t believe so, especially now with the metal gate and stuff like that. It’s strange one, my view has shifted over the years.”

People tend to hail the ‘factory’ teams, is it really that much of a disadvantage to be a privateer out there? “This year I couldn’t say I am at any disadvantage at all because the team is so professional. We are doing everything we can in every aspect to achieve what we need to, and actually on a factory team in some areas you can’t do what we are doing. I have always argued that ‘factory’ isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be other than access to resources and information but I can honestly say that I am not disadvantaged being with Wilvo and the guys there.”

“In saying that, I have felt I was at a disadvantage in the past, at times.” He opened up, “at the end of the day, the biggest issue in the past was only during the week, like working on my own bike and having to develop the bike on my own, but when it comes down to racing in the weekend and out on the track, there is not a lot in it. We are starting at the same gate and going for the same result. Having said that, having a good support network behind you like I have from my team and from Yamaha, the bike, the team, the infrastructure, the hospitality, everything.”

“Family is a word that gets thrown around a lot in motocross with no meaning behind it, I don’t even want to say it because it sounds so cliché, but I feel like I am a part of a family and I can honestly say I have not really felt that in the past, but with Yamaha it really feels that way. Everyone says the word ‘family’ like we are all supposed to be happy, it’s not just that but also the competition within the network is close but healthy. We have MX2 riders and MXGP riders under the same tent at times and we all ride together and push each other to be better, and I think that is what makes Yamaha feel a bit different to other teams.”

As one of the more experienced riders in the team, how hard is it to stay motivated? “What motivates me is being able to stay in the game for the whole season. We are at the halfway mark now and people start dropping out with injuries, unfortunately. I, myself, being one of them this year, it’s crazy to think that I have been out for 5 nearly 6 weeks and there is still half of the season left. There are other guys falling by the wayside now, the field is getting thinner and that’s when you can start picking up points. You just need to keep pushing and grinding away while the others start losing motivation. I normally start getting stronger late in the season, like last year I finally got a race win and Assen, so it’s just things like that that keep me motivated to maintain my intensity and keep pushing on.”

Only days after this interview Shaun made his return to racing at the Fiat Professional FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia, round eleven of the FIM Motocross World Championship. His ‘come-back’ lasted 18-Laps, and those laps were in the practice sessions. The YZ450F mounted rider was the victim of a first turn pile up at the start of the Qualifying Race on Saturday June 24^th, which resulted in a broken arm. He immediately returned back to his base in Belgium and was on the operating table once again come Sunday morning. “Down but not out,” He text the team while his mechanic Valentin Touchet drove him to the hospital. “One team. One goal. I’ll be back stronger!” 

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing

(AGUEDA) Portugal, June 30 2017 - MXGP is right back to racing after only a few days and this weekend the 12th MXGP stop of the year is at the Agueda circuit for the MXGP of Portugal. MXGP last came to Portugal in 2013 where Gautier Paulin won, the 3 years prior it was Clement Desalle on the top step, while Cairoli also has 4 Portuguese wins. The MXGP of Portugal will receive the normal television coverage from its traditional partners and as usual the GP will be broadcasted LIVE to everyone worldwide from Agueda on www.MXGP-TV.com both days.

Plus don’t forget that you can always watch MXGP’s 26min Behind the Gate in Europe on motorsport.tv & MotorTrend two days after each round of the MXGP series. It can also be viewed in the USA/Canada on BeIn and MAV TV, Finland on MTV 3, Croatia on Kreator TV, South America on FOX Sports, Asia on FOX Sports, China on Fox Sports and SINA, and the Middle East and Africa on BeIn.

Check the guides below to find out how you can watch the MXGP of Portugal:

USA- CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 2 July  – MX2 Race 2 – 01:00 pm EST (10.00 am PST) Delayed

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 2  – 02:00 pm EST (11.00 am PST) Delayed

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET time – Live

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 1 – 16:00 CET time – Delayed

Sunday 2 July  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET time – Live

BELGIUM

PLAY SPORTS

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET time – Live

BULGARIA

BNT HD

Sunday 2 July  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 Bulgaria time - Live

Sunday 2 July – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 Bulgaria time  - Live

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET time – Live

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 1 – 16:00 CET time – Delayed

Sunday 2 July  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET time – Live

LA CHAINE L’EQUIPE

Sunday 2 July – MX2 Race 2 – 21:00 CET time – Delayed

Sunday 2 July – MXGP Race 2 – 22:00 CET time – Delayed

ITALY

RAI Sports

Thursday 6 July – MXGP Race 2 –18:00 – Delayed

NETHERLAND

NOS

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET time – Live streaming

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET time – Live streaming

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 2 July  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET time – Live

SPAIN

Open Sport

Sunday 2 July  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET time – Live

UK

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET time – Delayed

Sunday 2 July  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

BRAZIL

BANDSPORTS

Sunday 2 July – MXGP Race 1 –  09:00 Brazilian time - Live

Sunday 2 July – MXGP Race 2 –  10:00 Brazilian time - Live

MIDDLE EAST – AFRICA

BEIN

Sunday 2 July  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 CET time – Live

Sunday 2 July  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 CET time – Live

ASIA

FOX SPORTS 3

Sunday 2 July – MX2 Race 1 – 23:00 Asia time – Live

Sunday 2 July – MXGP Race 1 – 24:00 Asia time – Live

Monday 3 July – MX2 Race 2 – 02:00 Asia time – Live

Monday 3 July – MXGP Race 2 – 03:00 Asia time – Live

CHINA

STAR Sports 2 China

Sunday 2 July – MX2 Race 1 – 23:00 Asia time – Live

Sunday 2 July – MXGP Race 1 – 24:00 Asia time – Live

Monday 3 July – MX2 Race 2 – 02:00 Asia time – Live

Monday 3 July – MXGP Race 2 – 03:00 Asia time – Live

MXGP will available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Here below the MXGP-TV LIVE Program and by clicking here you can check the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

All the photos of the MXGP of Portugal will be available here

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX125 Free/Timed Practice 09:00; EMX150 Free/Timed Practice 09:45; EMX250 Free/Timed Practice 10:30; MX2 Free Practice 11:30; MXGP Free Practice 12:00; EMX150 Race 1 13:30; MX2 Time Practice 14:15; MXGP Time Practice 14:45; EMX125 Race 1 15:25; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:25; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:10; EMX250 Race 1 17:55.

Sunday: EMX150 Race 2 08:45; EMX125 Race 2 09:45; MX2 Warm up 10:25, MXGP Warm up 10:45; EMX250 Race 2 11:30; MX2 Race 1 13:15; MXGP Race 1 14:15; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Portugal

The MXGP Facebook Page is now close to reaching the 2 Million LIKE milestone and to celebrate MXGP is pleased to start a LIKE & SHARE competition where fans can participate and be entered into the draw to win 2 VIP GOLD SKYBOX Passes for the 2017 Edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

The only thing you need to do to enter the draw is to LIKE MXGP Facebook Page and LIKE & SHARE the visual above with the MXGP start at the Fiat Professional MXGP of France.

Winner will be announced after the 2 million reach.

Follow MXGP on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/mxgp, Instagram http://www.instagram.com/mxgp, Twitter http://www.twitter.com/mxgp, and on the official YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/mxgptv

19-year-old Dutchman Bas Vaessen of the Suzuki MX2 factory effort has really shown signs of potential in this year’s MX2 world championship and while he might be down in 18^th place in the MX2 series points, his performance in Italy last weekend was worth a mention.

Going 7-4 Vaessen finished with 32pts and fifth overall, his best result so far in his career and his improvement continues. An eighth-place finish in the Saturday qualification race gave him a lot of confidence for the Sunday races.

“The whole day started a little bit average really,” Vaessen said. “Free and timed practice didn’t go well, I couldn’t find any rhythm or anything but I recovered for the qualifying race which actually went well. I got a good start and then made a couple of passes on the first lap and stayed there. Towards the end of the race I was just trying to focus on myself and my lap times and some people in front of me crashed and I really didn’t want to do that so I came home in eighth place.”

The Sunday was more than a little impressive, and the Dutch rider used his sand skills to place well in both races.

“I had a decent start in the first moto, started maintaining my lap-times and keeping my speed and it seemed like every lap I made a pass. I felt good, I felt under control and I ended up seventh which was a nice result. In the second moto, I had another really good start on my RM-Z250. I made a few passes early on to get into fourth and then I was just trying to keep up with Thomas Covington ahead of me. I kept his speed for quite a long time and near the end I slowed down a little, just to make sure I finished the moto as it was so hot. I finished the race in fourth, which is a career best for me and then that also gave me a fifth overall, another career best.”

A week earlier in the Russian mud the Suzuki rider really started getting to grips with the speed of the MX2 class, holding down a top five in the opening moto early, and claimed his best result of the season (before Italy). A DNF in the second moto though brought him back to ground.

“The first race was amazing; I had a really good start and was running in third position for quite a while, but made a mistake and lost a couple of positions near the end. I still came fifth though, so I was really happy with how I rode on my RM-Z250. Unfortunately, the second race when the conditions were worse was a completely different story. I didn’t have a great start, then I had a couple of crashes on the first two laps, before eventually getting in the mud and having to DNF. The track was a bit of a lottery at that stage and unfortunately, I was out but I was happy with my first race performance. My speed seemed good, I made some good passes and it was nice to fighting at the front of the field.”

Now the youngster heads to Agueda, a circuit that should suit his style and with a little more confidence from the last two weekends, you can be sure he will be looking to once again be amongst the major points.

There can be no denying the winners of last weekend’s Fiat Professional FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia, Antonio Cairoli of the Red Bull KTM Factory team going 1-1 and Suzuki MX2 Factory rider Jeremy Seewer putting together 1-2 results.

Cairoli has always had massive respect for his fans, and its little wonder he has won the two GPs held in Italy this year. Both performances stand-outs in a season that has really put him back at the very top of the MXGP class.

“Thankfully it all came good,” Cairoli said. “I’m pleased and I hope the fans were too. We’ve made it two home GP wins from two this year and this makes me proud, even more so today because I’ve heard a lot of people saying, in the past two years. It’s always very special to win your home GP but it can be quite stressful! It’s very tough because I think that pretty much every fan I spoke to asked me to do it so you feel all this extra pressure and you’re always busy with sponsors and events.

For Cairoli, to win his battle with sand specialist Jeffrey Herlings it as a special victory. Having been struggling with injuries the last two years, and having Herlings slowly closing his points lead, the Italian wanted to show just how good he is, and put the record straight how is the main man in the toughest series in the world.

“To win here, on this technical and rough track, in these tough conditions wasn’t easy but I’m still here in front. I don’t say this because I won but because I know my value, I know how much I’ve struggled during the past two years with injury and how much we’ve worked to be where we are today. I think that today the public was happy with some decent races and good battles. This year I feel good with myself and with the bike, I’m not here to win all the races but for the bigger goal, that of the Championship.”

As for Seewer, to close the points gap on MX2 series leader Pauls Jonass, and get a GP victory made the always professional and friendly riders more than a little happy.

“It is a tough track, got very bumpy. It was tough, really hot all weekend, and the main goal was to fight the heat. I felt really good from the first moment on was on the bike. I felt confident. It’s not my favourite track, its sandy, its sketchy, with kickers everywhere. I am more a fan of the natural, old school tracks, but I made it work and I was one of the fastest all weekend I think. Happy with the GP win, just a tough second moto. It was really on the limit with the heat and the track got really rough.”

Now onto the red clay of Agueda, a circuit Cairoli has won on many occasions, and one that will see Seewer once again go head to head with his biggest rival, Pauls Jonass.

Copyright: Photo: Ray Archer

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce a contract extension with Arnaud Tonus that will see him continuing to race the YZ450F for the next two years, through to 2019.

The twenty-five-year-old Swiss rider is currently in his rookie season in the premier motocross world championship, MXGP. While he is tenth in the championship standings, he has already showcased his potential with a podium finish at the MXGP of Trentino in April, and a Qualifying Race win two weeks ago in Russia. With nine rounds to go in the MXGP series, one of which will be his home grand prix in Frauenfeld-Gachnang, Switzerland, on August 12th & 13th, the Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP star hopes to hit another career milestone with a MXGP race win, and an MXGP grand prix win too. 

Tonus will remain on the Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP team in 2018.

Arnaud Tonus, Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Rider: I am really happy to sign with Yamaha. It was my number one choice since joining with Louis and the team at Wilvo. I have a really good relationship with them and I know how hard they work for me to be happy on the team, I am grateful for that. It made my decision to stay with Yamaha really easy, and I just wanted to move forward with them. On top of that, I have tried the 2018 YZ450F and I can honestly say it's a really good bike and I can see a really solid future."

Erik Eggens, Yamaha Motor Europe MX Manager: "It's a pleasure to have Arnaud onboard for another two-years. He has been testing the 2018 YZ450F already and it he seems very confident with the new bike, so it we feel it is a good move to continue building a relationship with him. I think he has a lot of potential and a good working relationship with the Wilvo team, so I am looking forward to sharing his success over the next two-years."

Louis Vosters, Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Team Manager: "I am really happy to have Arnaud on board and I'm excited for the next two years. Arnaud is a really nice rider to work with, it's been really good this year and he is a really good rider. I am extremely happy that he has signed."

This weekend at the MXGP of Portugal there is one of the most appreciated Quiz going on thanks to the support of Polisport.

All you have to do to go into the draw and WIN Polisport and MXGP Prizes is to guess the MXGP Podium at Agueda.

Awesome prizes for the winner:

Polisport lift bike stand

MXGP3 The Official MXGP Videogame

Access to www.mxgp-tv.com

Click here to PLAY & WIN! 

To enter the competition trough your desktop or mobile phone please click HERE

Competition lasts until Sunday 2^nd July at 17:00

AGUEDA (Portugal) 29th June 2017 – Youthstream and Milestone are proud to announce that the first DLC: MXGP3 - Monster Energy SMX Riders’ and Manufacturers’ Cup is available from today in digital stores on PlayStation®4, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system and Windows PC®/STEAM™ for 4,99€.

Accept the challenge of the MXGP3 - Monster Energy SMX Riders' and Manufactures' Cup and race in the box-fresh Supermotocross competition, organized for the first time in 2016! In this exclusive competition you can choose among 6 of the most important MXGP Championship manufacturers: KTM, Husqvarna, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki and race with your own team in the indoor Arena of Gelsenkirchen.

Maximum freedom: player can select any bike among 250cc and 450cc, as well as among all 4 strokes models to compete in Superpole. The best time in Superpole will let you choose the starting gate you prefer for the last Race which will proclaim the Monster Energy SMX Riders’ and Manufacturers’ Cup final winner!

MXGP3 – The Official Motocross Videogame is developed by Milestone S.r.l one of the most successful racing video game developers in the world.

Follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/MXGPVideogame, Instagram www.instagram.com/MXGP_The_Official_Videogame/, on the official YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/MXGPVideogame, check the #MXGP3 hashtag or visit www.mxgpvideogame.com

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Milestone

(AGUEDA) Portugal, 28 June 2017 - After only a few days since the Fiat Professional FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia, MXGP is making the next stop in Portugal! The 12th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship will be held in Agueda for the 2017 MXGP of Portugal.

MXGP’s last visit to Portugal was in 2013 but this weekend’s racing will undoubtably be of a new flavor as the track has been almost completely changed. The weekend will be hosting not only MXGP and MX2 but the European championship classes of EMX250, Honda EMX150, and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, just days ago scored double race wins at his second home GP of the season. Cairoli’s win in Italy gives him a 67 point championship advantage coming into Agueda however in Cairoli’s last visit to Portugal in 2013 he placed second.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin has been a winner this season already and has found memories from the Portuguese circuit where he won the overall in 2013 and he was second the two years prior. Paulin is also again second in the points after Lombardia.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle went from 2 GP overall wins in a row to finish 7th in Italy. There is something about Portugal that works well for Desalle though, from 2009 to 2013 he won 3 overalls and he still reached the podium the other two times. Desalle’s recent success mixed with his history here may again land him on the top spot.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings was the only rider to really challenge Cairoli in Italy and after coming up just short he will want to prove his speed by winning again in Portugal. Herlings won his past 3 times to Agueda in MX2 and now would like to add a Portuguese MXGP overall to his CV.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser returned from injury last weekend and he had some impressive speed at times. As his injury continues to heal he will most certainly climb the rankings again.

For Husqvarna 8Biano Racing’s Rui Goncalves Portugal will be a home GP. The veteran will look to use his experience to snag a season best result in front of the home crowd.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 431 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 364 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 361 p.; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 335 p.; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 282 p.; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 275 p.; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 261 p.; 8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 255 p.; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 245 p.; 10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 227 p.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass lost a small chunk of his points lead in Italy after a 6th place finish in race 1. Though Jonass still has  a formidable 38 points over the 2nd he will be striving for growing it out again in Portugal.

Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer has been chasing Jonass most of the season but out performed the Latvian the last time out. To propel Seewer toward winning Portugal he has the momentum of his 3rd overall win and the added bonus of gaining championship points on Jonass’ lead.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen holds down third in the championship but only 4 points ahead of LRT’s Julien Lieber. Olsen struggled in the Italian heat with 10-6 finishes and 9th overall. Knowing he can battle for the win Olsen will again try to do so in Agueda. Meanwhile Lieber had his best race result in weeks after scoring 3rd in Lombardia’s race 1. The #33 was in the top 5 consistently earlier this season and is now fighting his way back.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Benoit Paturel had bad starts in Italy reminiscent of the first half of the season, but at the same time charged through the pack. Missing the podium by 1 spot even after the lacking starts last weekend he is a definite podium contender for Portugal.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado Garcia took the holeshot during race one of Lombardia but was later overcome by the heat and did not line up for race 2. Focused on this weekend the Spaniard will look to bounce back.

The HSF Logistics rider, Brian Bogers, is making strides in his racing the past two races with a podium in Russia and battling for the lead in Italy. Watch out for the #189 this weekend.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 454 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 416 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 343 p.; 4. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 339 p.; 5. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 330 p.; 6. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 263 p.; 7. Jorge Prado Garcia (ESP, KTM), 233 p.; 8. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 212 p.; 9. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, SUZ), 199 p.; 10. Brent Van doninck (BEL, YAM), 195 p.

All the photos of the MXGP of Portugal will be available here

TIMETABLE

Saturday: EMX125 Free/Timed Practice 09:00; EMX150 Free/Timed Practice 09:45; EMX250 Free/Timed Practice 10:30; MX2 Free Practice 11:30; MXGP Free Practice 12:00; EMX150 Race 1 13:30; MX2 Time Practice 14:15; MXGP Time Practice 14:45; EMX125 Race 1 15:25; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:25; MXGP Qualifying Race 17:10; EMX250 Race 1 17:55.

Sunday: EMX150 Race 2 08:45; EMX125 Race 2 09:45; MX2 Warm up 10:25, MXGP Warm up 10:45; EMX250 Race 2 11:30; MX2 Race 1 13:15; MXGP Race 1 14:15; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Portugal

Here we are! One of the most awaited moments of the week: MXGP in collaboration with Monster Energy has the pleasure to interview a Monster Girl at every GP. The feature will go up the week after the event.

At the Fiat Professional FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia we had the pleasure to catch up with one of the most famous Monster Girls of the MXGP paddock. Here what we asked:

Do you like to travel? I love it, it is so amazing to see so many cultures and eat the local food. I get to see so many beautiful places as a Monster Girls and have made it a priority to stay longer after the race to see the country. 

What is your favorite GP on the calendar to attend? Italy! I love the races in Italy as they are in my home country, the atmosphere is awesome!

What is your favorite type of music? Anything that creates a good party vibe! I love acoustic music and all drum and base, so there is no normal thing for me to listen to!

To get to know more about your favorite Monster Girl, check out our Monster Girls section on http://www.mxgp.com or click HERE, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.