MXGP

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 6 July 2014 - The 20th FIM Europe Congress held at the Sheraton Hotel in Crakow was the occasion for the election of the new FIM Europe President. Two were the candidates for the leadership of the Continental Union that groups 47 Federations: Wolfgang Glas from Germany and Wolfgang Srb from Austria. With a large majority, it was Wolfgang Srb to be elected: 63 votes against 12. The Congress counted the largest number of Federations ever present, with 43 FMNs out of 47, for a total of 76 disposable votes and a quorum of 39 (34 federations had 2 votes, 8 federations disposed of 1 vote and one federation had no vote).  

During the Congress there was the election of 8 vice-presidents, too: Nina Birjukova, LaMSF-Latvia, Jean-Marc Desnues, FFM-France, Martin De Graaff, KNMV, The Netherlands, Juhani Halme, SML, Finland, Silvio Manicardi, FMI, Italy, Michal Sikora,PZM, Poland, Jan Stovicek ACCR, Czech Republic, Michel Turk, MUL, Luxembourg. Four judges and two auditors were also elected by acclamation.

Wolfgang Srb approached to the world of motorbikes in the early eighties as a Sporting Steward of the Austrian Federation. “One day Heinz Kinigadner (250cc Motocross World Champion 1984 + 1985) spoke in an interview about the fact that for the first time an Austrian was leading the Motocross World Championship, but the Federation did not send a Jury Member to the races to support him”, recalls Srb when asked about his first steps in motorsport. “To make a long story short: I was asked if I would be interested and I simply said yes. This is how it started.”

His main target is to strengthen the position of FIM Europe within the FIM family. “FIM Europe is not only the biggest Continental Union in terms of affiliated Federations, but also in terms of the biggest number of riders, licences, organisers and events,” Srb comments. “There is an urgent need for a bigger financial support from FIM for European projects. There are plenty of ideas in Europe and we simply want a fair share of the subventions, taking into account that we are the biggest and most active CONU. We need to give more help to developing Federations, who have financial problems. The financial crisis, that has hit the world as of 2008, is still not over.” 

Among his goal, the development and growth of the sport in all disciplines in close cooperation with FIM, Federations and promoters, especially for young riders. “A very good example is the European Motocross Championship, which is organised together with the Motocross World Championship at the same venue and on the same weekend,” says Srb. “We need more training camps for riders as well as national coaches and trainers. We need to find a solution for the European Road Racing Championship.  Another important field of activity is the motorcycle tourism,” Srb adds. “We must become more attractive for all these riders. We need to work in closer cooperation with FIM and other CONUs. In other words: FIM Europe needs to be more active and stronger, but at the same time the management has to work efficient and cost effective. We have to listen to the needs of our affiliated Federations and have to help and support them as much as we can.”

Wolfgang Srb as FIM Europe President will represent the 47 European Motorcycling Federations. “I'm not here to fulfil my personal things, I'm here to listen all the European Federations' needs and to bring their messages to the right people,” said Srb immediately after his election. 

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UDDEVALLA (Sweden), 06 July 2014 – It has been a crazy yet entertaining day of racing here at MXGP of Sweden, round twelve of the FIM Motocross World Championship where unique conditions put each and every rider to the ultimate test. While the chewed up circuit was less rutty than we have come to expect from the FIM Motocross World Championship, it was fantastic to see a circuit that allowed the riders to embrace their creativity, race craft and challenged them to challenge themselves to choose lines that are less obvious.

Ultimate physical and mental condition is crucial to the making of a champion and both of our FIM Motocross World Champions, both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders, Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings authenticated that today with their dominating performances on the tricky and demanding circuit in both races to extend their championship leads.

MXGP

It is a bittersweet location here in Uddevalla for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, who has left the bitter aspect in the dust with his impressive double race victory for the 70^th Grand Prix win of his career. Celebrating with a fender-bender wheelie down to the podium the popular Italian said “I’m very happy, I’ve been ill, so I didn’t expect a lot but I have started to feel better and better on the bike over the last week which let me push more while training. I hope to keep going like this and try to be on top every weekend.”

Surprise, surprise, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek mounts the podium for the eleventh time from a possible twelve this year. Although he is yet to win a Grand Prix, the Belgian feels everything is going to plan as he moves up into second over all in the MXGP Championship standings, even though he admitted “It doesn’t feel so good to move up in the championship because another rider has crashed or hurt themselves, but it is what it is and the season is still long, so you don’t know what can happen but considering this is my second year in MXGP, I am pretty proud of what I am doing.”

He has known as a veteran of the class but Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Kevin Strijbos looks to be raising the intensity in each and every outing. This weekend the Belgian said “It was really good out there, I expected a little more after the first moto because I felt good out on the track, I had some good lines, but the second race I had sand in my goggles which made it really difficult to get close to Max (Nagl), but I am still really happy.”

Meanwhile Team HRC’s Max Nagl is making a solid return to racing, although the German appears to struggle to make passes after a bad start, but that could be down to lack of racing. Nevertheless, a good start in race two, after finishing eighth in race one, saw the factory Honda rider bounce back for third landing in fourth overall for this Grand Prix.

CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Tommy Searle is progressively improving and is starting to look hungrier for better results. A fifth and a sixth overall left the Brit rounding out the top five.

Bad luck struck Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle, who was right in the thick of the championship title chase, when he clipped the back wheel of his teammate Strijbos heading into turn one, wiping out in spectacular style and getting pummeled by the rest of the field. While we did see the tough Belgian get to his feet after a good five to ten minutes of laying in agony, he has gone to hospital to be thoroughly checked over.

While Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s surprise contender Dean Ferris made his come back to the FIM Motocross World Championship and while it didn’t go entirely to plan, some fast lap times throughout the sessions over the weekend proved the speed is there, he is just lacking experience and hours on the bike. The Australian admitted “I’m looking forward to Finland where I can wipe the slate clean and try to improve things.”

MXGP Race 1 top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 35:22.421; 2. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:03.481; 3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:07.712; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:11.653; 5. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:15.019; 6. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:37.196; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:39.063; 8. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:42.436; 9. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:50.853; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +1:03.013.

MXGP Race 2 top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 33:52.052; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:04.201; 3. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:09.408; 4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:14.361; 5. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:22.638; 6. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), +0:38.631; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:40.791; 8. Matiss Karro (LAT, KTM), +0:42.619; 9. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:44.496; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:46.857.

MXGP Overall top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 42 p.; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 40 p.; 4. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HON), 32 p.; 5. Tommy Searle (GBR, KAW), 31 p.; 6. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 28 p.; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, YAM), 25 p.; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), 24 p.; 10. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 22 p.

MXGP World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 527 points; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 482 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 470 p.; 4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 390 p.; 5. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 267 p.; 6. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 265 p.; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HON), 237 p.; 8. David Philippaerts (ITA, YAM), 210 p.; 9. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), 207 p.; 10. Gautier Paulin (FRA, KAW), 205 p.

MXGP Manufacturer: 1. KTM, 527 points; 2. Suzuki, 508 p.; 3. Yamaha, 482 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 437 p.; 5. Honda, 372 p.; 6. TM, 235 p.; 7. Husqvarna, 230 p.

MX2

Everybody, including his competition, continues to be left in awe of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and his ability to ride a motorcycle. Not only is Herlings dominating every MX2 race, he is also laying down the fastest lap times of the weekend against his future rivals in MXGP. Respect is coming in from all angles for the Dutch teen-ager as he proves each and every weekend he is the fastest man on the planet. With MX2 world title number three fast approaching, the ridiculously talented KTM rider said “Yeah it was a great weekend, I feel stronger and stronger every week and keep dominating, so hopefully we can keep this rhythm going and hopefully win again next weekend in Finland and wrap the championship up in Loket.”

After seeing the doctor right before race two due to illness, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier decided to grit his teeth and race. Tixier said “I had to push to ride because I knew I needed it for the championship and actually it was good I decided to ride because I managed to finish second on the day, so I am really happy about my weekend, it cannot be better.”

Seventeen-year-old Honda Gariboldi rider Tim Gajser is fast becoming a regular front runner as he uncorks yet another bottle of champagne after posting a second and sixth place score for third overall.

It’s so close he can almost touch it; Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod is forced to settle for yet another fourth. After a hard fought fourth in race one, the super talented Swiss rocketed out of the gate in race two to claim the Fox Holeshot. Despite a good effort, the track was extremely gnarly and difficult to get traction. Any sense of urgency resulted in wheel spin, which saw the youngster drop back to fourth. Nevertheless, he will have another year in MX2 next year allowing each round this season to be written off as experience.

Rounding out the top five, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre’s result doesn’t reflect his speed today. The Frenchman was in fact the second fastest rider on the track, but was a little unfortunate when his third place finish is race one came undone with a gnarly crash in race two while battling for fourth. Despite the misfortune, hats off to Febvre who bounced back after biting the dust reasonably hard, for tenth.

MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 35:00.721; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:43.692; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:50.859; 4. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:53.496; 5. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +0:54.640; 6. Julien Lieber (BEL, Suzuki), +0:55.972; 7. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:58.803; 8. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:00.791; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Yamaha), +1:01.535; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +1:07.030.

MX2 Race 2 top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 35:06.319; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:42.354; 3. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:45.082; 4. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +0:46.541; 5. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +0:49.060; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:49.830; 7. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:50.272; 8. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:01.822; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +1:15.003; 10. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Honda), +1:18.202.

MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 37 p.; 4. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 32 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 30 p.; 6. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 29 p.; 7. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 28 p.; 8. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 27 p.; 9. Christophe Charlier (FRA, YAM), 27 p.; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 23 p.

MX2 World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 544 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 409 p.; 3. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, KAW), 389 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 388 p.; 5. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 372 p.; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 350 p.; 7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 288 p.; 8. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 284 p.; 9. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 265 p.; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 234 p.

MX2 Manufacturer: 1. KTM, 574 points; 2. Kawasaki, 477 p.; 3. Husqvarna, 404 p.; 4. Honda, 360 p.; 5. Suzuki, 354 p.; 6. Yamaha, 317 p.; 7. TM, 6 p.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

All the photos of the MXGP of Sweden are available here

MXGP was available across the board in high definition, and is also globally available to view live and in HD on www.MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks, viewing times can be viewed by clicking on the logo of your chosen broadcasting network.

MXGP SWEDEN – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1530

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 26°

Weather conditions: sunny

Crowd Attendance: 21.000

NEXT MXGP

The next round of MXGP will take place next weekend, July 12, in Hyvinkää, Finland. Also taking place at that round, the European Championships EMX65 and EMX85 classes will race for their European Championship rankings.

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MXGP of Sweden

UDDEVALLA (Sweden), 05 July 2014 – We didn’t expect a summery MXGP of Sweden, but it turned out to be nice and toasty, blanketed with blue skies and a handful of clouds. With multiple changes to the track which has taken on a change of direction so the circuit now runs ‘backwards’, compared to recent years, a few new sections of rollers and a different position for the start and finish lines, round twelve of the FIM Motocross World Championship commenced with Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings heading into tomorrow on pole.

Meanwhile rounds five of the European Championships EMX250 and EMX300 also let it rip here around Uddevalla with race one glory going, for the first time this season, to Wilvo Forkrent KTM’s Adam Sterry in the EMX250 while TM Racing Team’s Samuele Bernardini cleared out for a convincing win in the EMX300.

As for the FIM Veterans Motocross World Cup, the 2012 VMX World Cup victor Darryll King edged out Martin Zerava and Mats Nilsson for the win in race one.

MXGP

Lining up for the MXGP qualifying heat, the riders were faced with what appeared to be a wide sweeping first turn, yet a tricky one as the surface doesn’t hold a lot of traction and the turn gets narrower on the exit. Anyway, the gates dropped and the throttles were wound open, all with hopes of getting there and making it through safe and up front.

Leading the way Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s duo of Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos went one-two around turn one with Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Steven Frossard, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Dean Ferris and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli all up in the mix, too.

While Desalle put his diesel style of riding to good use, remaining steady and consistent to take his second pole position of the year, his teammate Strijbos looked eager for the win. While Strijbos charged hard, coming in on Desalle from all angles, it wasn’t enough at the checkers and he had to settle for second.

Meanwhile, Frossard pushed hard the entire race, too, eating roost off the rear wheels of the two Suzuki’s that led. Also within striking distance Cairoli looked content with fourth pick of the gate not doing anything drastic to move into the top three, eventually finishing fourth behind the Frenchman Frossard.

Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek didn’t quite come to grips with the surface during the race and finished in a distant fifth, while Ferris, who was initially racing up front, made a few mistakes and lost his rhythm to come home in tenth.

MXGP Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 24:26.947; 2. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:00.821; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:03.824; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:11.713; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:24.809; 6. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:28.079; 7. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:28.791; 8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:29.349; 9. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:31.296; 10. Dean Ferris (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:39.493.

MX2

It appears MXGP of Sweden just kick started ‘silly-season’ with loads of riders in talks with possible teams for next year. All were looking hungry, riding with a ton of aggression in attempt to make a statement that they could be the next big challenger in 2015.

When the gates dropped for the MX2 qualifying heat race, many people had to squint as they tried to decipher the number of the rider that led. To the surprise of most it was Sahkar Racing’s Harri Kullas who took a massive holeshot and went on to lead the best part of the first few laps.

Chasing Kullas around turn one, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s young star Jeremy Seewer, followed by the classes normal hot starter KTM Silver Actions Jose Butron and the champ Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings.

With Kullas up front, the young Fin had the weight of the world on his shoulders and actually did a stellar job at holding off the train of stars that followed and even went as far as to pass Herlings back a couple of times while struggling to maintain the lead. Despite the enormous display of heart and effort, Kullas eventually dropped back but still rode amazing to come home in sixth.

Meanwhile when Herlings took over the lead on lap four, it was goodnight nurse to the rest of the competition, leaving the crowd hooked on the battle for second which not only welcomed a feud for second pick at the gate but also a fight of pride as three of MX2’s fastest Frenchmen duked it out.

It was a nail biting race as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier only just managed to hold off CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis who was pushing mega hard all the way to the finish. Meanwhile, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre was also in the mix and came home in a close fourth.

Rounding out the top five with a very impressive performance, the promising young Swiss rider Jeremy Seewer wrapped up his best qualifying race finish of the season.

MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 24:29.561; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:12.183; 3. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:13.259; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:24.296; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:28.335; 6. Harri Kullas (FIN, KTM), +0:34.067; 7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +0:35.253; 8. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +0:42.675; 9. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:43.163; 10. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:46.046.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

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

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition, and is also globally available to view live and in HD on www.MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks, viewing times can be viewed by clicking on the logo of your chosen broadcasting network.

MXGP SWEDEN – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1530

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 26°

Weather conditions: cloudy

TIMETABLE

SUNDAY: VMX Warm-up 08:20; EMX300 Warm-up 08:40; EMX250 Warm-up 09:00; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; VMX Race 2 10:25; EMX300 Race 2 11:10; EMX250 Race 2 12:00; MX2 Race 1 13:15; MXGP Race 1 14:15; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10.

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MXGP of Sweden

Following a crash in Maggiora, Italy, Joël Roelants suffered from a major fracture of the vertebral column, with permanent damage to the spinal cord. The vertebrae that were damaged have been skillfully stabilized during two surgical operations, one in Turin and one at the university hospital of Leuven, Belgium.

Although Joël is recovering well from the performed surgeries, the prognosis for the functional recovery of the nerves is not positive. Joël is a fighter and, together with his family and his girlfriend, he is already preparing for a different life, which will offer him the challenges he needs and will take on. The medical team will of course fully support Joël in these challenges.

Joël is grateful to all the people who sympathized with him and has a positive outlook on the months to come, which will undoubtedly be difficult. Joël is certain that he will remain the enthusiastic guy he has always been.

Strengthened by his immediate environment and an excellent medical staff, he promises to remain the central figure of a strong team.

Joël Roelants is a 25 year old Honda MXGP rider living in Grobbendonk (Belgium). The 2014 season should have been the year of his comeback in the MXGP class. Together with his father, Joël started his own J-Race Racing Team at the beginning of the season.

Official J-Race website: www.J-Race.com

Official J-Race Facebook page: www.facebook.com/JRaceOfficial

Official J-Race Twitter account: @JRaceOfficial

Copyright: Photo: J-Race Racing Team

UDDEVALLA (Sweden), 04 July 2014 – Youthstream is very pleased to announce the provisional calendars of the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championships, 2015 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations and 2015 FIM Snowcross World Championship.

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