MXGP

Clement Desalle could be back on his Rockstar Energy Factory Racing RM-Z450 Suzuki in a matter of weeks if a check-up on his wrist scheduled for tomorrow (November 4th) turns out positively for the Belgian. 



The winner of four Grands Prix in 2014 has been frustratingly inactive on the bike since needing to curtail his season at the Czech round in July for surgery on his left wrist to fix a broken scaphoid. Desalle recently started some cycling and will dive into his winter training programme once he receives the ‘all clear’ from specialists. 



“My wrist has been feeling good and we’ve been following our plan without any problems,” he says. “I started doing some light mountain-biking last week and I still miss a bit of strength and flexibility in the wrist, but I hope I will get the green light from the doctor to begin riding again in a few days. 



“I will try the enduro bike and then slowly work-up to the motocross track,” he added. “It doesn’t make much sense to go full-gas right from the beginning. It has been a long time without any riding so that’s what I want to concentrate on now.” 



Desalle has already mapped-out a schedule for the off-season that will include just over a week at the Portuguese ‘boot camp’ that Suzuki run each December and then several weeks riding and training in California. The last time the 25 year old jetted to the United States prior to a Grand Prix season, back in 2011, he won three of the first six rounds. “I have a friend over there with a house and I went for the same training back in 2011 but I had bad luck then because I became sick as soon as I arrived,” he says. “Nevertheless the weather should be good and I’ll use my friend’s knowledge for the best tracks to go to. I asked Sylvain [Geboers, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP Team Principal] if I could use a stock bike while I was out there but the team are actually going to send my one, so that’s great.” 



Desalle has been Tony Cairoli’s closest and most consistent challenger for the premier class title since 2010 and was one of just five Grand Prix winners in 2014. Entering his sixth year with Suzuki he is expected to be one of the protagonists again, along with the likes of Gautier Paulin, Max Nagl and Jeremy Van Horebeek. Only fair then to ask for his prediction on how AMA Champion Ryan Villopoto will fare against the best MXGP has to offer. “I don’t want to say that he’ll win but then I don’t want to say he’ll struggle…honestly, we won’t know until the races start and many things can happen,” he opines. 



“For sure he is a good rider but I’m not scared by that. For me he is just another good guy in MXGP. I think it is important to focus on yourself and not to look too much to one side and worry what the other guy is doing. 



“I think he will have to adapt to some very different tracks. It will not be easy,” Desalle added.

Copyright: Photo: Team Suzuki

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 03 November 2014 - Youthstream presents the fourteenth issue of MXGP Mag which features a quick look at the official 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship calendar, an exclusive interview with Ryan Villopoto and the guys at Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team, a feature on the Wings for Life foundation and their remarkable effort and commitment to assisting injured riders in their recovery and life after motocross, a recap on MXGP 2014’s FOX Holeshots as well as a flash back at the legend Jean Michel Bayle.

Click here to read the fourteenth issue of MXGP Mag or download it for FREE on Apple Store or Google Play. The iOs and Android versions contain exclusive videos and several photo galleries, and once the MXGP Mag has been downloaded, the reader does not need to be connected on the Internet to go through the content.

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

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As Wilvo Forkrent KTM continues its progression within the MXGP paddock, the World Championship team is delighted to announce the signing of French MX of Nations winning team member, Steven Frossard for 2015. 

After finishing 5th in the 2014 World Championship, Frossard rounded off his season in style with two great rides at the MXoN to help his French team take the title. Now #183 will launch his assault on the MXGP Championship on orange machinery after agreeing terms with the British outfit.

Commenting on his appointment, Frossard said: "I am pretty happy with my 2014 season. My goal was to take part in the most GPs possible and score some strong results; which I did. Winning the Nations on top was a great feeling. Only a few people have bet on me for next year and Steve Turner is one of them. I will give it my best and prove that with a unified team we can overshadow the factory teams.”

Frossard will partner 24 year-old British rider Jake Nicholls in a two-pronged attack for the KTM-backed team. Nicholls, who had an injury-blighted year in his rookie season in MXGP, is now back on his bike and determined to make amends in 2015. 

"I'm really pleased to be onboard again with Steve and the Wilvo Forkrent KTM team for 2015,” said Nicholls. “I felt so cut short this year after getting injured in July and missing the rest of the season. I had gelled well with everybody and we were making real progress, so it's great to have another season ahead to carry on from where we left off. The team is already working hard for next year and we are well ahead of schedule with the bike which is a great position to be in."

Also staying with the team is young British star Adam Sterry who has recently put pen to paper after agreeing a two-year deal. The youngster consistently impressed throughout the 2014 season finishing 3rd in the MX2 British Championship and taking three European MX250 podiums on his way to finishing 3rd overall. Sterry will contest the same two Championships in 2015 before stepping up to MX2 GPs in 2016.

Commenting on his renewal, Sterry said: "I had a great season and made a lot of progress this year. I am really happy to stay with Steve and the team. I've already tested next year's spec bike and it’s awesome. I've got another couple of weeks off and then I will be hard at it again in preparation for next season."

Team Manager, Steve Turner said: “We have a quality line-up for next season and there is a buzz about the team in anticipation of what might be. Having a rider of the caliber of Steven is a big step for us. It puts more pressure on us as a team to perform at an even higher level and we’re certainly up for the challenge. Jake is looking forward to spending time with his new teammate, who instead of seeing as a threat, sees as someone he can learn from as he continues his development in the MXGP ranks. With Adam completing the line-up, I feel we have a great mix of youth and experience within the team and I am obviously pretty excited about the forthcoming year."

Copyright: Photo: Wilvo Forkrent KTM

While the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship season finished just a month ago with the always popular Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, several riders are already preparing for the 2015 season.

American Ryan Villopoto and his new Monster Energy Kawasaki team-mate Tyla Rattray have been in Europe checking out the Kawasaki work-shop and putting everything into place for their assault on the MXGP championship owned by Antonio Cairoli.

Rattray did some laps around the Plomian circuit in France and while Villopoto isn’t yet able to ride due to his recovery from an injury not yet finalized, he is picking up as much information as possible in his quest for a world title in 2015.

With many riders changing teams for 2015 you can count on a lot of laps being done in the winter as names like Gautier Paulin, Max Nagl, Tommy Searle, Rui Goncalves, Romain Febvre and many more get used to their new teams and bikes. Goncalves who signed with the Ricci Racing Husqvarna team just last week is excited to be entering 2015 with a good set-up.

“I know how KTM and Husqvarna work,” Goncalves said. “They are doing the work behind the scenes, and I know the bike will be good before our team even touch it. We will do some testing in January in Italy, and I will have a bike back home in Portugal. I can’t wait for the new season to start, I am excited about it.”

Of course British rider Searle rode for KTM in his MX2 days and will enjoy the time together with his new team-mates Antonio Cairoli and Ken De Dycker. As De Dycker found out working with the Italian brings a new motivation and some extra speed.

Searle battled hard with Cairoli in the 2008 FIM MX2 World Championship, often coming together on the track in a real tough fight. Now as team-mates Searle will want to learn as much from the Italian and also want to show KTM that their faith in him was well deserved.

One of the highlights of 2015 will be the move by MX2 riders Glenn Coldenhoff and Romain Febvre to the MXGP class. Both have stepped up to the bigger class for 2015 were quickly signed by factory teams. Coldenhoff will race for the factory Suzuki team and Febvre for factory Yamaha.

“I am lucky that I have something for 2015 in MXGP,” Coldenhoff said recently. “It’s tough to get into that class with a good team and it was one of the main reasons that I decided to race for Suzuki. The chance to ride a factory Suzuki gives me a chance to be competitive. I am looking forward to that challenge.”

With an already super competitive field in MXGP the young guns will have to be ready for anything as they battle to make the top ten, although both have won a GP in the MX2 class and many insiders see them as a major part of the future of the MXGP series.

The leading British team in the FIM Motocross World Championship and also on the domestic UK off-road motorcycle racing scene, Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM UK, are pleased to announce a stellar roster of athletes for their international and national campaigns in 2015.
 
Once again providing important representation in the premier class of Grand Prix, ‘MXGP’, is 2014 British Champion Shaun Simpson who pushed up into the top five of the standings this year and also claimed a podium finish at Lommel for the Belgian round in August. The 26 year old will steer the 450SX-F in search of more GP acclaim and wear the number one plate in native competition as he tries for back-to-back title glory. Contesting the MX2 class of the FIM series will be one of the UK’s most exciting young prospects in the form of Ben Watson. The 17 year old will make his full-time debut at the highest level after capturing chequered flags in the hotly contested feeder class, the EMX250 European Championship, during 2014. Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM UK is pleased to welcome Bulgarian Petar Petrov to the fold and to complete the team’s slate for MX2. Still only twenty years of age, Petar already has five years of Grand Prix experience and drew closer to his first podium finish in ‘14.
 
The racing operation will cover a comprehensive calendar that stretches from February to October and involve travel on four continents. It will be managed by Revo’s Mark Yates with owner and Team Principal Roger Magee overseeing the project.
 
“This year we found a formula that worked for us and we delivered results consistently every week whether we were at a GP or winning British Championship rounds. We had a couple of rough moments at the end, such as the shoulder injury in Brazil and the bad luck at the [Motocross of] Nations but overall it was a successful and rewarding year,” said Simpson who brought international recognition to the team, a third British title in four years and also dominated the recent Weston Beach race with Watson also on the podium at the popular Weston-super-Mare spectacle. “As soon as it became clear that we wanted to continue working together in 2015 then we talked with Roger and chatted about some ideas on how we could make a stronger push for next season. I’m happy it is all sorted and the winter is already planned out! I’m settled in an environment that I know and trust and we are clear on our goals for next year already.”
 
“2015 should be good, something totally different and I’m looking forward to it,” said Watson. “I had some options to move for next year but I wanted to stay around a team and people that I knew as I felt it would be the best platform for me in my first year in GPs. I hope to have a good winter now and then just do the best that I can.”
 
“I’m looking forward to trying the KTM. They have such a good record in the class and I think the slightly bigger and longer chassis – as well as that engine power – will be good for me,” said Petrov. “I still have to show what I can do in Grand Prix. I had small injuries this year and they seemed to stop me getting up to a level that I know I am capable of. I was top five a couple of times but couldn’t string it together and then hurt myself at a charity race unfortunately that finished the season. Anyway, I’m looking forward to working with the guys and having a strong push in 2015.”
 
“2014 was another season in the evolution of the team where we increased our status across the board,” says Magee. “Shaun was doing the business in MXGP, Ben made a big impression in EMX250 and we all feel that he is ready to jump into MX2 with both feet, and then we also had Natalie Kane going for the title in MXW until her injury. So it is important that Shaun and Ben have a good and stable run into fresh challenges in 2015 and we also look forward to seeing what Petar can do on the 250. He is a big guy but strong and hard-working so he is a considerable asset. We have changed a few things behind the scenes. Thanks to the invaluable and continued support of our partners and key backers like Hitachi and Revo I feel we can be even more optimistic about our possibilities next year. It’s only November but I feel excited about the upcoming season already.”
 
“I’m thrilled to be able to take on the role of Team Manager and I appreciate the faith and trust that Roger has put in me for taking the team forward into 2015,” commented Yates. “Revo have not only been a major sponsor this year but also a valuable technical resource and facility. I feel that Revo - along with Sam Yates - has clearly shown the dedication and ability to form part of the title name of the team and this goes a long way for Revo as a brand. Along with the full support of Shaun, Petar, Ben and the rest of the team I am looking forward to the challenge and plenty of success in the forthcoming season.”
 
“On behalf of Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM UK I would like to congratulate the team for their tremendous success over the past four years,” says HCMUK CEO John Jones. “We look forward to seeing their winning formula in action again in 2015 and wish them many more future successes.”
 
Simpson, Watson and Petrov will spearhead of the crew’s racing strategy in 2015 but the squad is also amplified and bolstered by the presence of James Cottrell (who will be hoping to put the injury frustrations endured in 2014 behind him and lead the assault in EMX250) and Curtis Trimble (providing representation in 85cc British and Irish national championships as well as selected European and Dutch rounds). Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM UK is also currently negotiating with James Dunn – depending on the former EMX250 star’s recovery from a leg injury.
 
The 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship consists of eighteen Grands Prix in sixteen different countries and begins at Losail, Qatar on February 28^th. The eight round Maxxis British Championship is slated to launch on March 15^th although the full list of venues is still to be confirmed at the time of writing.

KTM Racing has announced that Jeffrey Herlings, the most talented rider in the World Championship Motocross paddock has been signed to ride as a Red Bull KTM factory rider until the end of the 2017 season.

In 2009 Jeffrey rode for JM Racing KTM, his first step to becoming a full factory rider with the KTM team. His opportunity came to move into the MX2 KTM Factory Team at the end of 2009 when, shortly after his fifteenth birthday he had his first factory ride.

Herlings, a Red Bull athlete, rode his first full MX2 season with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in 2010 and became the youngest ever MX2 GP winner riding in front of his home crowd at Valkenswaard in April of that year.

Since then he has amassed an impressive total of two MX2 World Championship titles (2012 and 2013), 43 GP wins and in 2014 had an unbeaten streak of 18 race wins. He also won all the GPs in which he started in 2014 however an untimely injury prevented him from competing in the next three GPs of the season.

Jeffrey showed immense courage and determination, and the respect of the entire world of motorcycling to return to the final round in Mexico, attempting to seal his third title by racing in the final round while riding with a still injured leg.He finished the championship in second place conceding only in the final race of the season. 

Jeffrey Herlings: “I’ve now had five seasons with KTM and I’m very happy that Pit (Beirer) is giving me a chance to stay with the team for another three years. The team has done a great job and I hope we can continue with good news and good wins in the future.”

Pit Beirer, Head of KTM Motorsport: “We are very pleased to have reached agreement with Jeffrey to ride for the factory team through to the end of 2017. Anyone who is a follower of the sport recognizes that he is a rider of passion and exceptional skill and we are very proud that he will be on our bikes and in our factory team in the coming seasons.”

Copyright: Photo: KTM Racing

Husqvarna Motorcycles are pleased to announce their official line up of riders for the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship.

For the coming season, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing will again represent the brand in the MXGP category with Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing contesting the MX2 class.

In a revised line up of riders for 2015, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing is happy to welcome Germany’s Max Nagl as an exciting new addition to the team that will also retain the services of Australian Todd Waters.

At 27 years of age, Nagl has been one of the top performing riders in MXGP since 2008 and will be Husqvarna’s main hope to deliver winning results and championship success in 2015. Runner-up in the 2009 MX1 series and a winning member of Germany’s Motocross of Nations team in 2012, Nagl also claimed five MXGP race wins in 2014. Agreeing a two-year contract Max will compete on the FC 450.

Remaining with Husqvarna for 2015, Waters will put an injury hit 2014 season behind him. Arriving in Europe to compete in his first MXGP season with IceOne Racing, the 24-year-old Australian showed great promise during the opening rounds of the series. Scoring a sixth place result at the GP of Thailand and regularly placing inside the top 10, Todd was one of the top performing rookies of the series. In 2015 Waters is focused on making amends for his misfortune. He’ll also compete on the FC 450.

Adding a third rider to the fold, Great Britain’s 20-year-old Nathan Watson will compete in the MXGP class at all European rounds of the series.

After a solid season focused solely on the MX2 World Championship, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing – managed by former 500cc Motocross World Champion Jacky Martens – will see a revised structure for 2015. The team – while continuing to act as Husqvarna’s factory representative in the MX2 category with Aleksandr Tonkov – will also field Australian Dean Ferris as a supported rider in the MXGP category.

Always an exciting rider to watch, Tonkov – the 21-year-old Russian – has been impressive this year in what was essentially his first season of competition with factory backing. Knocking on the door of a breakthrough result, Tonkov has the ability and now the experience to become a regular podium contender in 2015.

Impressing Husqvarna as a last minute replacement for IceOne Racing’s injured riders, Dean Ferris has been offered the opportunity to stay in MXGP with support from Husqvarna through the Wilvo Nestaan set-up in 2015.

Further strengthening Husqvarna’s presence within the MXGP paddock, Ricci Racing will receive official Husqvarna support for 2015 with riders Rui Goncalves (MXGP), Christopher Valente (MX2), Michael Ivanov (MX2) and Filippo Zonta (EMX125).

Antti Pyrhönen (Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager): “I’m looking forward to the new season ahead. It’s great to have Max as part of our team for 2015. He’s extremely professional in everything he does and I believe that we can offer him exactly everything he needs to bring Husqvarna to the very top of MXGP. It’s great to see Todd back riding again. He’s very focused on the year ahead and will be exciting to watch. Finally we’re very pleased to bring Nathan onboard for 2015. He showed excellent potential during his 2014 performances with us. It’ll be good to see him develop as a rider next year.” 

Jacky Martens (Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager): “With Aleksandr racing in MX2 and Dean competing in MXGP as a supported rider, 2015 is already looking very exciting for us. Aleksandr has a lot of fighting spirit on the track and is ready to step things up. We are also very pleased to provide Dean the opportunity to stay in MXGP with Husqvarna. We believe he can fight for the podium.’’

Max Nagl: “It’s always exciting to embark on a new chapter in racing and I’m very much looking forward to joining Husqvarna and Red Bull IceOne Racing for 2015. They are a very passionate and hard working group of people and like myself are focused on winning races. Ending the 2014 MXGP season on a high with race wins and podium results has given me a great boost of confidence heading into the winter. I know that the championship will be tough next year – the competition will be tight. Also we have six overseas races to contend with – but I believe that we can do a very good job.” Prepared and ready for the next season - find out how Max feels about his new team by clinking here.

Todd Waters: “I’m excited for 2015. It’s my opportunity to set things right from this season. Although 2014 started out very positively things just didn’t go to plan when I suffered some serious injuries to my leg, hip and collarbone. But getting back on a bike as allowed me to put all that bad luck behind me and focus on what’s ahead. I feel like I’ve got a tight bond with the team, I feel settled in Europe and no longer have any nerves entering the races. My goals for 2015 are simple. I want to be at the front of the pack, running inside the top five and pushing for the podium. With IceOne Racing and Husqvarna these results are possible.” Check the video here.

Aleksandr Tonkov: “2014 has been a very useful season, we learned a lot also in terms of training. Together with the Team we modified many things and we found a good setting during the season, because we were a bit behind in terms of setup at the beginning. It was nice to feel that everything we changed started working for me; at the MXoN it was already a different story, it was the highlight of my season. I think it’s better late than never, so we’re really looking forward to 2015. Starting with this good knowledge-base will be very helpful to be where we all want to be”.

Dean Ferris: “I’m really grateful for the opportunity of staying in MXGP for 2015 that both Wilvo Nestaan and Husqvarna have given me. I really enjoyed my return to MXGP in 2014 and it’s fantastic to know that it will continue. The Wilvo Nestaan team are very enthusiastic and motivated for the year ahead and I know that with the FC 350 we can achieve great results.”

Robert Jonas, Head of Husqvarna Motorsport: “We are very excited about the new season and I think we have a very strong rider line-up, especially in MXGP. After a tough 2014 season in MXGP I truly believe that with Todd, Nathan, Dean and Rui we will be in a position to fight for some really good results. With Max on board nearly everything can be possible. We’re very pleased to see Todd back fully recovered and ready to attack the new season. Also, we’re very proud to have Max joining us. Our MX2 factory rider line-up is not as big as in 2014, we are putting all hopes in Aleksandr. Being the ‘number one’ rider in the team seems to give him a boost, which we already experienced at the MXON in Latvia. Both of our factory teams, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing and Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing, are doing a fantastic job and the 2015 race season in general promises to be a very exciting one. We can’t wait to see our riders placing their Huskies behind the start gate.”

Copyright: Photo: Husqvarna Racing

After premiers in Patti, Sicily, and Rome, Tony Cairoli The Movie launched in The Netherlands, home to Jill, Tony’s long-term girl friend. Tony himself was onsite at the Dutch premier which packed the cinema of Eindhoven with more than one thousand fans eager to show their support. Tony said, “I am glad to see that there are so many young people among all these fans.”

Although Tony and his girl friend, Jill Cox, were also present at the premiers in Patti and Sicily, the premier in Eindhoven was the first time they would watch the film spoken in English, as the first premiers were both spoken in Italian. Tony said, “I prefer the English words as the text in English is nicer than in Italian.” Tony admits the team have done a great job on the film, “It is really worth while watching.”

And indeed it is, as Cairoli speaks about how it started, from no money and lack of good bikes and material, Tony Cairoli The Movie reveals on how hard it was for a boy from Sicily to race in northern Italy.

It is also a touching story. To hear how much Tony loves and cherishes his parents Paola and Bendetto, who both have passed away, and how he shows his appreciation for all that they have done for him. Everything that has made him who he is, and has guided him to the success he is today.

Following the screening in Eindhoven, a party was held at a nearby discotheque where the fans were able to party with the legend who quite happily signed autographs and posed for photo’s, everything that makes him one of the most loved riders of our time.

For a complete list of all the showings go to www.livingfortheweekend.mx/tickets.

Copyright: Photo: Jan Boer

Brought to you by the creators of the successful Dutch motocross film Living for the Weekend, Tony Cairoli: The Movie is a powerful reflection of one of the most sensational athletes in the world, our very own eight times FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli and his journey through the mud, sweat and tears to be classed as one of the greatest motocross riders in history.

Last night the highly anticipated film premiered in Antonio’s hometown of Patti, Sicily, where hundreds of fans came out to enjoy the exclusive documentary. From here, Tony Cairoli: The Movie will hit cinemas across Europe screening in many of Europe’s hotspots such as Rome, Eindhoven, Hasselt, Koln, Lille, Madrid and Porto.

The movie will be released in more than forty-five different cinemas across the globe, with more than two hundred and fifty screenings, making it THE most successful motocross movie ever.

The audio of the film is available in either English or Italian with subtitles available in seventeen other languages. Later this year the movie will be available on iTunes and Google Play, or DVD after the 15^th of December. To pre-order the DVD click HERE.

To watch the trailer, click HERE.

To buy cinema tickets, click HERE.

Earlier this week, the three Belgian riders that took the world by storm when they won the 2013 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in front of a highly energetic and enormous crowd in Teutschenthal, Germany, were honored for their outstanding achievement by their countries very own King.

Looking sharp and dressed to the nines, the trio that made up the 2013 belgian team, Jeremy Van Horebeek, Clement Desalle and Ken De Dycker, were exclusively invited to the king’s castle in Laeken, Belgium, where King Philippe, King of Belgium, offered a warm greeting and shook the hands of the MXoN stars in credit of their great success.