MXGP

SAINT JEAN D’ANGELY (France), 31 May 2014 - During the press conference today at MXGP of France, Mr David Luongo Director of Youthstream, Dr Wolfgang Srb FIM/CMS Director, Mr Gilles Spitalier MXGP of Mexico Event Manager and Mr Manuel Lopez Tourism Board Director of Leon presented to the national and international media the plans and effort which has already gone into and continues to go into MXGP of Mexico.

MXGP of Mexico will take place on the weekend of September 14 and marks the final round of the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship. The management and authorities behind MXGP of Mexico Mr Spitalier and Mr Lopez shared some information over the location and facilities.

Parque Metropolitano de Leon is one of the world’s most famous locations for all outdoor activities from bird watching to hiking, mountain biking through to football, ballooning and now motocross. The park is spread out over 362 hectares of land and is inhabited with thousands of different species of birds and plants. Each weekend the park attracts over 15,000 tourists with the annual Ballooning festival attracting upwards of 200,000 spectators.

Mexico’s round of the FIM Motocross World Championship takes place in the state of Guanajuato a region in Mexico which has become the base for many major motor vehicle manufacturers and over the past few years has seen a rapid increase in US residents. Fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico, Guanajuato welcomes millions of tourists every year proving the area is safe and enjoyable, the perfect location to host the final round of MXGP.

As for the track, “the track was created by Youthstream’s track crew with creative inspiration from us to make the track have a Mexican flare,” Mr Gilles Spitalier said, “most of the circuit is all ready for action with only a few finishing touches from MXGP’s track crew yet to be done. Watering systems will be in place with water easily accessible from the onsite lake which was originally built as a water reservoir for the city but has now been turned into a water sports lake inside the Parque Metropolitano de Leon,” Mr Spitalier added.

After the presentation of the venue and the region that will host the MXGP of Mexico by Mr Spitalier, Mr Manuel Lopez shared his thanks, “We are proud to partner with Rallymex and be a host of a great event such as the one I have seen and witnessed here today at MXGP of France. We have the ambition of becoming the motorsport capital of South America and I think we will accomplish that with these great events such as WRC (World Rally Championship) backed by FIA and now MXGP backed by the FIM and Youthstream. So we are very proud to receive this opportunity and we look forward to seeing everyone there”.

Mr David Luongo said: "For us at Youthstream, it is very important for the World Championship to spread out across the world, not just to stay inside Europe. So of course it was a good decision for us to go to Mexico. After the presentation of all this information, we feel confident that MXGP of Mexico will be fantastic and a great success.”

Dr Wolfgang Srb agreed, “We are so happy to see everyone from the town, the state and the country standing fully behind this event, so we have no doubt at all this event will be one of the best of the year. The FIM Motocross World Championship is all about diversity. Every weekend or second we see a different event, a different track, a different climate, different foods and different languages, different soil, sand, clay, hard pack, mud, hot, cold, this is it, this is what makes up the FIM Motocross World Championship and at the end of it we can say that the winner is the best in the universe. We can be sure there is no better rider in the world than our FIM Motocross World Champion!”

Watch here below where the MXGP of Mexico will take place

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Mexico

Take a GoPro lap of the track here in Saint Jean d'Angely and check out all the highlights from todays races in the videos below:

GoPro lap of St Jean d'Angely:

MXGP Qualifying race:

MX2 Qualifying race:

EMX125 Race one:

WMX Race one:

SAINT JEAN D’ANGELY (France), 31 May 2014 – Fans and spectators literally piled in to make the most of their MXGP experience this weekend filling up the hillside and paddock here in Saint Jean d’Angely to witness the practice and qualifying races for round nine of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Dominating the premier MXGP and MX2 classes from start to finish, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s duo of world champions Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings swept their races for first pick of the gate in tomorrow’s program.

Also joining the MXGP of France program, rounds four of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship and the European Championship EMX125 took place with Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu winning the EMX125 after moving quickly into the lead on lap one and going on to take home a convincing win ahead of the red plate holder Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes and TMX Competition’s Dan Houzet. Meanwhile in the WMX race one, fans couldn’t be more pumped for their star Team One One Four’s Livia Lancelot who took the holeshot and completely dominated here on her home turf for her second race win of the season. Yamaha Mx Fonta Racing’s Chiara Fontanesi rode a solid race for second while Team Dragon Moto’s Stephanie Laier rounded out the top three.

MXGP

Right from the drop of the gate Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli had his orange KTM350SX-F pinned to claim the holeshot and the title of ‘the carrot’ while Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle and Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek took the tile of ‘the hares’ chasing the speedy Italian from start to finish in that order.

In one of the best qualifying races of the season, behind the trio that top the championship standings Cairoli, Desalle and Van Horebeek, all heck was breaking loose. Initially Sebastian Pourcel occupied fourth place onboard his KTM, holding off a bunch of hotshots like CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy MXGP’s Tommy Searle, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Kevin Strijbos and Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Tyla Rattray.

Four laps in, Strijbos started a game of carnage dominoes when he moved into fifth and was pressuring Pourcel for fourth before coming into a corner too hot and dropping it. Later that lap, Pourcel who is a 2014 MXGP of France wild card, caught an edge just after the finish line and also binned it. Another lap on, Rattray had made an aggressive move on Searle to take over fifth and like the previous top fivers Strijbos and Pourcel, crashed.

Meanwhile, one of the French favorites Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Steven Frossard was feeding off of the energy of all his buzzing fans, charging hard to catch right up to the trio up front. While back in the battle for fifth, which saw Searle, Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev and Hitachi Construction Machinery UK KTM’s Shaun Simpson all riding wheel to wheel, it was Simpson who threw all caution to the wind in a hair-raising move down one of the fastest hills to pass both Bobryshev and Searle within the space of about 30 meters.

As the race came to a close, the top four in the order of Cairoli, Desalle, Van Horebeek and Frossard remained tight yet none were close enough to make a move, while Simpson was the victor in the fifth place saga just ahead of Bobryshev who also found a way around the Brit Searle for sixth. Searle ended up settling for seventh with an amazing ride from Team 2B’s very own French star Milko Potisek for eighth.

MXGP Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 24:12.057; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:04.213; 3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:06.522; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:09.654; 5. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:45.352; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:45.599; 7. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:48.952; 8. Milko Potisek (FRA, Yamaha), +0:50.632; 9. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), +0:53.263; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:55.703.

MX2

‘The Bullet’ Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings hauled out of the gate to take the holeshot only to surprisingly be passed by Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s local kid Romain Febvre. With Febvre nailing that factory Husqvarna up the inside of the red plate holder, Herlings responded impressively jumping the difficult double on the exit of turn two to take back the lead.

Having Herlings in the lead so early in the race is never ideal for the competitors in MX2 as the Flying Dutchman typically goes on to check out, which he did. Nevertheless the battle for second was still epic with Febvre and CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Arnaud Tonus bickering for the position the entire race.

After battling neck and neck for second with a brief challenge early on from Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod, it was Tonus who managed to take the position on lap three and resist the persistent attack from Febvre.

In the end Febvre, despite his impressive effort, was forced to settle for third ahead of Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod and fellow French sensation Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier. The third of the three flying Frenchmen CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis crashed hard on the first lap but eventually recovered to bring home seventeenth.

MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 24:14.610; 2. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:10.729; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:15.317; 4. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +0:25.614; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:27.757; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:33.102; 7. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +0:53.947; 8. Damon Graulus (BEL, KTM), +0:59.691; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +1:00.923; 10. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), +1:05.541.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

All the photos of the MXGP of France 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 FRANCE – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1580

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 21°

Weather conditions: sunny with variable clouds

TIMETABLE

SUNDAY: WMX Warm-up 08:15; EMX125 Warm-up 08:30; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; WMX Race 2 11:10; EMX125 Race 2 12:00; 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 France

Last week Mr Luigi Zompetti, Youthstream Vice President and Mr. Ignacio Verneda, FIM Executive Sport Director attended the official launch of the newly constructed motocross circuit in Leon, Mexico. The brand new circuit in Leon has been constructed inside one of Mexico’s most beautiful attractions ‘Parque Metropolitano de Leon’.

Parque Metropolitano de Leon is one of the world’s most famous locations for all outdoor activities from bird watching to hiking, mountain biking through to football, ballooning and now motocross. The park is spread out over 362 hectares of land and is inhabited with thousands of different species of birds and plants. Each weekend the park attracts over 25,000 tourists with the annual Ballooning festival attracting upwards of 200,000 spectators.

Joining both the municipality of Leon and the state of Guanajuato authorities, Youthstream and FIM representatives were assured that all production and preparation for final round the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship is right on schedule. The state of Guanajuato confirmed that Rallymex, a promotion team with over 11 years experience working with high level events such as the FIA WRC (World Rally Championship) will be the assisting promotion team for MXGP of Mexico.

During the official presentation our representatives were also reassured that the team equipment and motorcycles while in transit from the airport to the track in Leon will follow the same procedures and protocols as the FIA Rally World Championship with extra protection supplied by the Mexican Federal Police.  As for the park, paddock and MXGP track, it will also be fully fenced and extra secure with security services guarding it 24 hours a day thanks to a security service provided by the state and city of Leon.

Mexico’s round of the FIM Motocross World Championship takes place in the state of Guanajuato on the weekend of September 14. Guanajuato has become the base for many major motor vehicle manufacturers and over the past few years has seen a rapid increase in US residents. Fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico, Guanajuato welcomes millions of tourists every year proving the area is safe and enjoyable, the perfect location to host the final round of MXGP.

As for the track, most of the circuit is all ready for action with only a few finishing touches from MXGP’s track crew yet to be done. Watering systems will be in place with water easily accessible from one of the five onsite lakes inside the Parque Metropolitano de Leon.

In the meantime, MXGP of France will take place this weekend in Saint Jean d’Angely and will welcome the attendance of MXGP of Mexico’s organizer as well as some local authorities from the city of Leon and some Mexican media. On Saturday 31 May at 18:45 the people as mentioned will present MXGP of Mexico to the national and international media here at MXGP of France. 

ST.JEAN D’ANGELY (France), 29 May 2014 - Youthstream presents the ninth issue of the MXGP Mag with the best moments of the MXGP of the Netherlands, Spain and Great Britain, and a special feature on former tennis world number 1, Kim Clijsters and her visit to the MXGP of the Netherlands. In this new issue you will also find a special feature on Jeremy Van Horebeek and we will go back in time remembering the achievements of MX Legend Dave Thorpe.

Click here to read the ninth 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 ninth 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

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP Mag

SAINT JEAN D’ANGELY (France), 29 May 2014 – The 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship will receive live and delayed coverage worldwide via prominent TV networks Eurosport, CBS Sports Network, FOX sports, Mediaset, BEIN Sport, BNT, Bandsports and MotorsTV.

Residents of France can view both MXGP and MX2 races LIVE on MotorsTV and LIVE and in HD on BeIN Sport starting at 13:00 (CET). Local television channel France 3 Poitou Charentes will be in attendance on both Saturday and Sunday to provide their viewers with live reports and news coverage.

The ninth round of the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship in Saint Jean d’Angely, France, will be broadcasted in the UK and Europe on MotorsTV. BEIN sport will cover parts of Europe as well as The Middle East, North Africa and South Africa while FOX Sports will cover Asia and Australia while Mediaset will screen the final race of both MX2 and MXGP LIVE in Italy at 16:00 and 17:00 (CET) on Italia2. CBS Sports Network will cover the United States and Canada screening the second races of both MXGP and MX2 starting at 6pm (EST) and 3pm (PST).

Don’t forget to tune into MXGP-TV’s 26mn Magazine which is a filmed production featuring rider interviews with MXGP-TV host Amy Dargan, all the best moments of the weekend both on the track and off, highlights from racing in MXGP and MX2 as well as a GoPro on-board lap of the track at each and every round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Following each round of MXGP, the 26mn Magazine will be broadcasted every Tuesday night with the 26mn Magazine from MXGP of France being screened at 23:30 (CET) on Tuesday 3^rd of June on Eurosport.

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.

Italia 2

Race 2 MX2 (LIVE)                                         16:00 (CET)          

Race 2 MXGP (LIVE)                                      17:00 (CET)   

MotorsTV

Race 1 MX2 (LIVE)                                         13:00 (CET)

Race 1 MXGP (LIVE)                                      14:00 (CET)

Race 2 MX2 (LIVE)                                         16:00 (CET)          

Race 2 MXGP (LIVE)                                       17:00 (CET)   

CBS Sports Network

Premiere on Sunday 1st June

Race 2 MX2                                                       6.00pm (EST) / 3.00pm (PST)  

Race 2 MXGP                                                    7.00pm (EST) / 4.00pm (PST)            

Eurosport

Tuesday 3 June

26mn Magazine                                                 23:30 (CET)          

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

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY: EMX125 Group 1 Free/Timed Practice 08:35; EMX125 Group 2 Free/Timed Practice 09:10; WMX Free Practice 09:45; MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; WMX Time Practice 11:15; EMX125 Last chance qualifying race 12:20; MX2 Time practice 14:00; MXGP Time practice 14:35; WMX Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying race 17:00; EMX125 Race 1 17:40.

SUNDAY: WMX Warm-up 08:15; EMX125 Warm-up 08:30; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; WMX Race 2 11:10; EMX125 Race 2 12:00; 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 France

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 28 May 2014 – Up there amongst some of the best modernized old favorites Saint Jean d’Angely gears up to host round nine of the FIM Motocross World Championship and is all set and ready for the halfway hype. Halfway? It seems like the year has gone by in a blink of an eye, it’s amazing we are about to embark on the second leg of the journey but as we do we will travel to the west of France to find a typical French style track, fast and flowing, hard packed clay surface with a lot of elevation most famous for the 2000 and 2011 editions of the FIM Motocross of Nations in which Team USA was victorious on both occasions.

MXGP

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli redefined strength last weekend when he came from “the worst two weeks you could ever have” were his words to take a win and a second for the overall at MXGP of Great Britain. After his awe-inspiring display of heart and courage the Italian seven-time world champ validated what we all had assumed that he is the strongest player in this game.

After raising the intensity in his riding over the last couple of rounds, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle continues his quest to dethrone the MXGP red plate holder Antonio Cairoli.

More than a few people will be betting on Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek to top the box this weekend especially after openly saying during the press conference in Matterley Basin “I’m looking forward to going to France, I really like the track there!” MXGP’s competitors are going to have their work cut out for them this weekend with the Belgian adding extra confidence to his propulsion.

Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Tyla Rattray had his season best finish in Matterley with fourth overall. The South African 2008 FIM MX2 World Champion said, “ This result is the confidence boost I needed. This weekend is MXGP of France and I will keep pushing to improve. With a top five result secured my next goal is to get on the podium.”

Fifth place last weekend at MXGP of Great Britain was about all the fan favorite CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy MXGP’s Tommy Searle could expect after his five round hiatus. “A fifth overall is not so bad for my first race in twelve weeks but I know we can do a lot more. We need now to move forward and work with the team and try to improve my feeling with the bike for the coming races,” the Brit said.

Meanwhile Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Frenchman Steven Frossard could be the hottest prospect this weekend for a few reasons. 1. He was literally hauling last weekend in Great Britain when blitz past Desalle to take over second and charge after a brisk and agile Cairoli for the win but couldn’t get quite close enough. Still a respectable effort for second in race one. 2. He has won an FIM Motocross World Championship round in St. Jean d’Angely before, back in 2011. 3. He will have a ton of roaring fans rooting for him. 

In other news, Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev is basically breathing fire after the frustration of being forced to sit Matterley Basin out due to visa denial. This weekend in France he will be back on the gate and ready to take back those lost points. Meanwhile local hero and French motocross legend Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin is still out with injury with his return yet to be confirmed.

MXGP World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 351 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 323 p.; 3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 316 p.; 4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 250 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, KAW), 205 p.; 6. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HON), 166 p.; 7. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 164 p.; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 159 p.; 9. Joel Roelants (BEL, HON), 153 p.; 10. Xavier Boog (FRA, HON), 145 p.

2012 MXGP Podium

1. Antonio Cairoli

2. Christophe Pourcel

3. Gautier Paulin

2012 MXGP POLEMAN: Christophe Pourcel

MX2

Fireworks can be expected in MX2 this weekend with three fiery Frenchmen all about to enter the ring in a battle of pride.

As the best placed Frenchman in the championship standings Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre has had a pretty impressive run so far. It has been seen this kid is a fighter and this weekend will be no different as he sets his sights on a home Grand Prix podium.

Meanwhile Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier sits fourth, ten points shy of his fellow countryman Febvre. Currently the vice world champion Tixier was expected to set the world alight this year but instead he has been struggling to step up to the plate. It will be interesting to see if the support from his fans can bring out the Tixier we’ve been anxiously awaiting.

Another super fast Frenchman with a super sweet style CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis is one of a handful to have won a race this year. Last weekend he was frustrated with his result, so if he can successfully channel that frustration into his two races this weekend, a podium is definitely achievable.

Seemingly confident stating he always has good results in St Jean d’Angely CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Arnaud Tonus was happy with his speed last weekend as he matched the lap times of Jeffrey Herlings in the second moto. The Swiss rider finished up MXGP of Great Britain saying “I’m happy with my riding and my speed. Next weekend we’ll move to St Jean for the French GP; it’s a kind of home GP for me and I always got good results there.”

The youngest rider in the class and quite possibly the hottest future prospect Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser continues to turn heads uncorking his first bottle of champagne last weekend in Matterley. At the ripe age of seventeen the Slovenian couldn’t even take a sip but spraying it all over two of the best ever MX2 riders in the world would have been just as sweet.

Last but not least, all aboard ‘The Bullet’ express. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings will undoubtedly be the hot favorite this weekend with his confidence soaring sky high. The only thing going up against the nineteen-year-old MX2 legend is the speed of the French on their home soil although the Dutchman has proved before and will more than likely prove it again he is phased by no one.

MX2 World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 344 points; 2. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, KAW), 305 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 263 p.; 4. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 253 p.; 5. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 248 p.; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 209 p.; 7. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 197 p.; 8. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 184 p.; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, SUZ), 176 p.; 10. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 173 p.

2012 MX2 Podium

1. Jeffrey Herlings

2. Tommy Searle

3. Jeremy Van Horebeek

2012 MX2 POLEMAN: Tommy Searle

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

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY: EMX125 Group 1 Free/Timed Practice 08:35; EMX125 Group 2 Free/Timed Practice 09:10; WMX Free Practice 09:45; MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; WMX Time Practice 11:15; EMX125 Last chance qualifying race 12:20; MX2 Time practice 14:00; MXGP Time practice 14:35; WMX Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying race 17:00; EMX125 Race 1 17:40.

SUNDAY: WMX Warm-up 08:15; EMX125 Warm-up 08:30; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; WMX Race 2 11:10; EMX125 Race 2 12:00; 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 France

Year in and year out the French probably have more riders in the FIM World Motocross Championships than just about any other country and in 2014 their stocks are high with experienced riders and young talent.

In the past names like Jacky Vimond, Jean Michel Bayle, Frederic Bolley, Mickael Maschio, Mickael Pichon and Marvin Musquin brought success to the tri-colours, and while they haven’t had a motocross world champion since Musquin back in 2010, their riders continue to fight for GP wins and moto victories.

With next weekend’s Grand Prix of France just around the corner we thought it might be a good idea to check out their top men in both MXGP and MX2.

In the MX2 class the French seem to be the leading nation, despite not holding down the top spot in the points series they have three riders in the top five in the series standings. Top of the points for French riders is Romain Febvre of the Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team has been very consistent. Scoring 263 points to date and holds a 10 point lead in the series points to fellow froggy Jordi Tixier.

Tixier who started the season terribly (unlike Febvre who podiumed the opening round in Qatar), has come on strong and is now on 253 points and has scored two podium finishes in Bulgaria and Holland, but will need to continue to podium in any hope of keeping his place in the Red Bull KTM Factory team.

Dylan Ferrandis holds down fifth place in the series points and is one of only two riders who had the speed to beat series leader Jeffrey Herlings in 2014. In that glorious performance in round one in Qatar the Kawasaki mounted rider picked up his first ever moto victory and shocked the world with his speed and attitude. Like the Frenchmen ahead of him in the points, he is fighting hard for the top three in the MX2 Championship and with 248 points is just 15 points behind third placed Febvre.

Unlucky Christophe Charlier hasn’t had the season he hoped for and while he remains in the Yamaha Factory team, he will need to really pick up his pace and points tally to remain a factory rider. He is down in 21^st place in the points after missing a handful of rounds due to injury.

In the MXGP class there are again a handful of riders from France that have the speed to fight for podiums. Unfortunately their best hope Gautier Paulin is out injured after suffering a broken collarbone after his crash in Valkenswaard earlier in the month. The Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team rider also suffers from a broken thumb when another rider hit him while he was still on the ground.

When Paulin will be back is still undecided, he holds down fifth place in the series standings with 205 points. He did win the opening GP of the season in Qatar and has won four motos this year. At the time of his injury he looked likely to be the biggest rival to Antonio Cairoli for the 2014 MXGP Championship.

While Paulin is suffering from injury now, the next best Frenchman, Steven Frossard has fought injury it seems his whole career. He is seventh in the series points with 164pts, and is yet to really show his best form. A second place in the opening moto in England last weekend might just be the start he needs and he loves the St Jean d’Angely circuit, having won there in 2011 with 1-2 results.

Xavier Boog is 10^th in the MXGP series points and deserves a lot of credit for his return to racing. Like Frossard he has suffered from many injuries and it has taken him time to recover. Slowly he is coming back to his best form and it is possible he will be a podium contender in France this coming weekend.