MXGP

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands), 03 May 2014 - After yesterday’s qualification race press conference here at round six of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo and MXGP of Belgium Organizer Mr. Eric Geboers made the official announcement that MXGP’s round of Belgium, which is set to take place on the weekend of August 03, will be at the world renowned sand track Lommel.

Mr Giuseppe Luongo begun the conference saying: “It is a tradition to work with Eric Geboers, we have worked together many times dating right back to the years of Super Cup. Now, after approximately eight months of negotiation, we have reached an agreement with Eric where we will shake hands in the agreement of a five-year contract with the Belgian sand circuit Lommel.”

Mr. Eric Geboers agreed: “In Lommel we have a good team and they are voluntary but they work well and now they have ten years of experience, both working with me and with Youthstream, so it was the obvious choice to make an agreement with the circuit of Lommel.”

Mr Geboers continued: “This will mark the third five-year contract with Youthstream and my team, and even though there have been some problems in the past, Giuseppe and I have always found a solution, and for that reason we have chosen to keep working together to make the best of the race in Belgium, in the deep sand of Lommel. And of course I would like to finish in saying thanks to the town of Lommel, the province of Limburg and also the Belgian Government for their support.”

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands), 03 May 2014 – Offering a hard and choppy base with sandy topsoil, Valkenswaard set a very tricky and challenging stage for round six of the FIM Motocross World Championship, which kicked off today with the qualifying heat dominance of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s dynamic duo Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings.

MXGP

The MXGP class had their work cut out for them right from the get-go when the reigning world champion Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli got off to a cracker of a start. Chasing the Italian around turn one, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin led two of Belgium’s hottest sand riders, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek and Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Kevin Strijbos.

While Cairoli appeared to find his rhythm immediately, Van Horebeek and Strijbos were ganging up on the Frenchman Paulin, who soon subdued to the pressure of Van Horebeek. With Van Horebeek going through to take second, Paulin was dropped back to third and forced to juggle his modes of attack or defense, while Strijbos remained relentless in fourth.

Although all three kept each other honest, it was Van Horebeek to cross the line nine seconds back from the red plate of Cairoli, while Paulin held off the Belgian Strijbos for third. Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle found a way around Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev and Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Tyla Rattray late in the race to finish fifth while Bobryshev rode steady to take sixth with Rattray coming home in seventh.

MXGP Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 24:47.567; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:09.375; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:11.446; 4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:14.663; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:37.726; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:43.907; 7. Tyla Rattray (RSA, Husqvarna), +0:46.394; 8. Joel Roelants (BEL, Honda), +0:48.898; 9. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:53.139; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, TM), +1:04.094.

MX2

With a gigantic roar of the crowd, the gates dropped to the advantage of CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Arnaud Tonus who claimed the holeshot ahead of two of MX2’s freshest faces, Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod and Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser. With Tonus in the prime position and the king of sand Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings sitting well outside of the top five, the fans got on their feet in anticipation of yet another Herlings vs Tonus show down.

Although the idea of a massive battle between the red plate holder Tonus and the reigning MX2 world champion Herlings sounded great in theory, it turned out to be somewhat of an anti-climax as Herlings wasted no time in slicing his way through the pack to take over the lead on lap two. While Herlings unsurprisingly went on to check out, Tonus was forced to deal with a bout of pressure from his Swiss counterpart Guillod who was charging hard in third yet doing his best to keep the 2012 EMX125 champion Gajser at bay.

While the top four proceeded to run away, a huge battle was unfolding as Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre, CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier engaged in a three-way for fifth. After dicing the position back and forth for the majority of the race, it was Tixier who eventually rose to the occasion and took control of the position.

Twenty-minutes plus two laps on, the real Jeffrey Herlings confirmed his attendance, stamping his authority in the sand once again by winning by over twenty-seven seconds over Arnaud Tonus, Valentin Guillod and Tim Gajser. Jordi Tixier edged out a persistent Romain Febvre for fifth while Dylan Ferrandis dropped back to finish a comfortable seventh.

MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 24:38.409; 2. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:27.919; 3. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +0:33.531; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:34.371; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:37.604; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:43.509; 7. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:56.064; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +1:05.112; 9. Damon Graulus (BEL, KTM), +1:06.603; 10. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +1:08.314.

EMX

Round three of the European Championship EMX125 and the opening round of the European Championship EMX150 also took to the gnarly Valkenswaard sand with two local heroes both winning the first races of their respective classes.

Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes did his home fans proud, wining his fourth EMX125 race of the year ahead of Diga Racing’s Tomass Sileika and SV Racing MX Team Russia’s Ivan Baranov, while in the EMX150 another Dutch sensation in the form of Rick Elzinga dominated ahead of Finnish duo Jere Haavisto and Matias Murto.

WMX

The third round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship also got underway with their first race of the weekend. After winning her home round in Arco di Trento, Italy, Chiara Fontanesi was in tip-top shape here today passing Natalie Kane in the early phase of the race to run away with her second victory this season. Meanwhile Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Meghan Rutledge recovered from a bad start to charge her way to second, dropping the red plate holder, Kane, back to third.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

All the photos of the MXGP of The Netherlands will be available here

MXGP NETHERLANDS – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1500

Type of ground: Sand

Temperature: 14°C

Weather conditions: sunny

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.

TIMETABLE

SUNDAY: WMX Warm-up 08:20; EMX150 Warm-up 08:40; EMX125 Warm-up 09:00; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; WMX Race 2 10:30; EMX150 Race 2 11:15; 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 the Netherlands

After the press conference here at round six of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, Fox Head Europe took the opportunity to launch their new limited edition Fox gear which they had intended for their Fox rider Rockstar Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff to wear during his home Grand Prix.

The NYC Limited Edition 360 Given Racewear, as debuted at the last round of Monster Energy Supercross in NYC by Ryan Dungey is now available! After a career-best start to the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship MX2 factory Suzuki racer Glenn Coldenhoff was due to present the Limited Edition at his home MXGP of Valkenswaard this coming weekend. Sadly after suffering an accident in practice last week Glenn cannot compete this weekend in the unique Limited Edition gear, but check out this edit to see how he was looking forward to his home Gran Prix!

Click here to watch the video.

After finishing last season on highest of highs, with his third overall in the FIM Motocross World Championship and winning the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations for his nation, Belgium, Ken De Dycker (known to his fans as Keno) knuckled down with 100% belief that if he worked hard in the winter, season 2014 could be his best yet.

While all was running smoothly, the big Belgian’s progress soon came to halt when a freak accident while training in Lommel sidelined him with a gnarly break in his wrist. After months of visits to doctors, surgeons, physiotherapists and more doctors he was finally given the OK to ride which was once again short lived when the pulleys on his elevator at home broke with him on top, crashing to the floor and breaking his foot.

Initially, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider was not signed in to ride here in Valkenswaard (The Netherlands) for round six of the FIM Motocross World Championship, and it was unknown until 06:30 this morning when his mechanic was seen pushing his bike through technical control. Upon hearing the news that the big number nine will be out on the track, we caught up with him to get the scoop on what has inspired him to line up sooner than expected.

Can you tell me about the accident that happened late last year?

Yeah, it was December 21 and there was one guy behind a jump and he was just getting on his bike. I came over the jump and landed luckily on his bike and not on him, so that is what happened which broke my wrist.

Was it one of those crashes when you knew right away something was broken?

Yeah I stood up and walked over to my bike, and then I had a bad taste in my mouth so I knew it wasn’t good.

Oh man, you must have been guttered...

Yeah sure I was guttered but more because I didn’t expect it to take so long, because normally if you have a normal broken wrist it’s like one month or something and then you can ride again, but now for me it’s like already four months or something so it took a lot longer than expected.

After MXoN last year you must have been pumped for season 2014 to get underway, what were you aiming for before this setback?

Yeah, top three was for sure the goal. Last year I finished third in the championship, so this year I wanted to be better and I knew that if I trained hard during the winter it would be possible.

I can’t believe you broke your foot in an elevator accident. How is that for bad luck!

Yeah that was really unlucky, but maybe it was actually for the better because the day before, I had just started riding and already after three or four laps I couldn’t hold on any more because of the pain in my wrist. So maybe it was good to have that extra time to allow my hand to heal a little more.

Rumor has it, you got geared up for our photoshoot (with MXGP.com) yesterday and said, “Oh I am in my gear, I am on my bike, I feel good, I want to ride”…

Yeah we had to do the photoshoot, so I was in my gear, with my boots on and everything, so I came back to the tent and jumped on my bike and I felt like I could bend my ankle and brake OK, so I felt like it was possible to ride. I asked my team and they said yes if you think you can ride, you can ride! So then I went somewhere to ride in the evening and I did a few laps. My ankle felt OK, but the power of my hand is still not 100% but I think the only way it can get stronger is just by riding.

Your fans are going to be so pumped you are lining up today! Do you feel somewhat ready?

No I don’t feel ready, like last Thursday I had an injection in my hand in a nerve so that is still healing, but I think that it is good enough to start. I haven’t done much training, especially with the bike, like since 21 December but I think it’s good to ride and I think my hand can only get better from riding.

What are your expectations?

I don't know, I just want to go riding and I think that’s the best for me, just to be here, for sure also for the team and the fans and the sponsors. I was already really bummed this week because last week the doctor said “yeah you can go riding” and then I saw him again and he said “no maybe you should wait” so now I feel a little bit nervous that I will damage it more, but I want to ride (smiles).

So now obviously you can’t get the result you wanted to have at the end of the season, so it’s back to the drawing board. What are your goals?

I think I have to see it ride by ride because like I said my hand is not 100% and neither is my fitness so now I just have to ride and then ride like two or three times during the week and see. In this sport you never know what can happen.

PHOTO CREDIT: KTM

Youthstream would like to express their gratitude to Kawasaki Motors Europe for their ongoing support to the MXGP series, which includes their supply of utility vehicles for practical use on and around the circuits of MXGP.

Kawasaki’s 4x4 Mules and Quads offer Youthstream an extra pair of hands in setting up and maintaining the infrastructure of MXGP. They are extremely versatile, easy to operate and maneuver around the track and paddock. No job is too big and no terrain is too tough for these utility vehicles to handle, which makes them the perfect partner for Youthstream’s logistics crew.

Kawasaki is a leading brand in motorcycling and is the title sponsor of three teams that have genuine shots at the titles in both MXGP and MX2. Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team hosts two of the hottest talents in MXGP, Gautier Paulin and Steven Frossard, while CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy flies the flag for Kawasaki in MX2 with their young stars Arnaud Tonus, Dylan Ferrandis and Thomas Covington. CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy also has two heavy hitters racing hard in MXGP, Tommy Searle and Alessandro Lupino, while in the European and FIM Women’s Motocross Championship’s Kawasaki sponsors Bud Racing Kawasaki with Jorge Zaragoza and Meghan Rutledge and Team One One Four with Livia Lancelot.

The 2013 season was not a good one for Frenchman Xavier Boog. Boog was injured after a crash during the GP of Finland and was forced to miss the remaining of the GP season. Two ligaments in his right knee were damaged, which meant his season was over. However, the mental scars of the injury made it tough for Boog to gain confidence in the early part of this season.

Slowly though, he is coming good and is now eighth in the MXGP series points with 96 points, just 11 points off seventh placed man Todd Waters who is now out for the season.

“It wasn’t a good start to the season. But it is coming better. I think my results in the first few rounds had something to do with my confidence. After my accident last year I was lacking confidence, but slowly it comes back.”

In Bulgaria two weeks ago Boog scored 6-11 for seventh overall. It wasn’t the perfect performance, but considering the conditions of the second moto, when rain made it a lottery, he did well.

“I like Sevlievo, it is a circuit French riders usually do well on. For sure I was pleased with how the first moto went. I had a good position on the gate and my initial jump was also good. Because the start is so tight here it can be tricky as well and I lost some places. But my riding was okay, a lot better than during the qualifying race on the Saturday, so it felt good to pick off some riders and I came 6th.

“The second moto was a bit frustrating honestly. I knew there was something to be done in those conditions but to fight without goggles made it much more testing! Either you come too close to the rider in front of you and you get mud in your eyes, or you risk leaving too big a gap so that it messes up your rhythm. But all things considered it was a positive weekend, certainly for my position in the championship.”

Now it’s onto Valkenswaard for the likeable Frenchman and another chance to work his way up the series points. While French riders don’t always enjoy the sand circuits, Boog is very open minded about what he expects from Valkenswaard.

“I like to ride everywhere and I don’t need to think about the track, just go for it. My goal at the start of the season was to be top ten, and make some good results, so until now it is going ok. I know it will improve for sure.”

With a little luck and some better results Boog can remain in the top ten and fulfil his pre-season goal.

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands), 01 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, Bandsport, NOS and MotorsTV.

Omroep Brabant will attend the Dutch MXGP with their TV crew to report live and film a special feature over the entire event, while MotorsTV, the channel that screens the entire FIM Motocross World Championship live, will have their Dutch commentator onsite to record the Dutch commentary trackside.

The sixth round of the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, 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, while FOX Sports will cover Asia and Australia while Mediaset will screen the final race of both MX2 and MXGP LIVE in Italy from 16:00 – 18:00 (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).

MXGP-TV’s 26mn Magazine features 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 the GoPro 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 at 22:30 (CET) 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)                      

CBS Sports Network

Premiere on Sunday 4 May 

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

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

Replay on Sunday 11 May 

Race 2 MX2                                                   4.00am (EST) / 1.00am (PST)  

Race 2 MXGP                                                5.00am (EST) / 2.00am (PST)            

Eurosport 2 

Race 1 – Race 2 MXGP (DELAYED)              18:00 (CET)

Tuesday 6 May:

26mn Magazine                                               22:30 (CET)          

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY: EMX150 Free/Timed Practice 08:00; 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; EMX150 Race 1 13:20; 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 08:20; EMX150 Warm-up 08:40; EMX125 Warm-up 09:00; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; WMX Race 2 10:30; EMX150 Race 2 11:15; 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 the Netherlands

VALKENSWAARD (The Netherlands), 30 April 2014 - It is expected that round six of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, will be flooded by a tsunami of Dutch fans dressed in orange. Coincidentally, orange is not only the color worn by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Dutch phenomenon Jeffrey Herlings, it is also the countries national color, representing passion, pride and royalty.

Also tackling the sand of Valkenswaard this weekend, the women of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship will be lining up for their third round this year with HM Plant KTM UK’s Natalie Kane running the red plate as championship points leader for the first time in her career.

Meanwhile Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes will lead the European Championship EMX125 into round three this weekend, where the Dutch youngster will go for his third consecutive overall this year in front of his home crowd, while the smaller EMX150 class will also be taking to the track to compete for round one of the European Championship EMX150 on CRF150’s kindly set up and supplied by Honda.

MXGP

The odds were up against the reigning world champ Antonio Cairoli in Bulgaria, yet it was him who prevailed and further extended his MXGP points lead. While we have come to expect the unexpected this season, it raises the question is there anyone who can stop or even slow down the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider as heads straight for FIM motocross world title number eight?

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin is probably the most likely to stop Cairoli from claiming a new World Title. The stylish Frenchman has proved he’s got the pace and the ability, but so far has been burdened by bad luck.

Like the Dutch, Belgian’s are also amazing in the sand and they aren’t shy in saying they dig a good sand race. Having grown up in the sand and given his huge amount of progress this year, it could finally be Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek’s time to shine.

Meanwhile Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s duo of Belgians Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos, who have done their fair share of laps in the sand, are consistent top three threats. Belgian fans will be betting on Strijbos for a podium this weekend after his fourth here last year, which was then followed up by a second overall in the sand of Lierop (The Netherlands) later that season.

It will be a bitter sweet round of MXGP for Team HRC as they come in confident in Bobby’s (Evgeny Bobryshev) ability to put Honda on the box, especially after his third place here in Valkenswaard last year. Meanwhile on the same note, the team will be guttered to miss their biggest championship threat Max Nagl who had surgery on his wrist late last week after being a victim of a freak accident at a training track in Holland.

Also falling victim to the same wreck as Nagl, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Todd Waters wound up with two broken bones in his leg which required immediate surgery, a fractured hip and a broken collarbone. It is said the friendly Australian will have to sit out eight weeks but has opted to remain in Europe and attend all the rounds of MXGP as a spectator, “It’s good to stay here and go to the races, at least then I can see the tracks, see how they cut up so I know if I ever have to race there, I can say yeah! I know this track, I have been here before”.

On a happier note, CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Tommy Searle, who was knocking on the door of the top five at the opening round of MXGP in Qatar but was quickly sidelined at the following round in Thailand after an enormous crash over a massive jump broke his wrist, will make his return this weekend.

2013 MX1 Podium

1. Antonio Cairoli

2. Ken De Dycker

3. Evgeny Bobryshev

2013 MX1 POLEMAN: Antonio Cairoli

MX2

Dressed in orange, not only for his country but also for his team, motocross royalty Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings will be the one to watch. The nineteen-year-old Dutch sensation’s skills on a sand track have never been doubted, he has proved time and time again he is one of the best sand riders to ever walk the planet, although his form of late has been firmly challenged which makes us wonder can someone foot it with him on his own turf?

Red plate holder CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Arnaud Tonus has gone on the record to say he is going into this weekend believing he can win, which is great news for the fans and also the best attitude to have as a racer. Although winning against Jeffrey Herlings in the sand may have been touted as impossible, if we have learnt anything this season, it is that nothing is impossible.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier finally turned things around in Bulgaria when he took home two thirds for third overall. Now with his first podium finish of the season under his belt, and with the confidence of second here last year, it will be interesting to see what Frenchman can do.

BikeIT Yamaha Cosworth’s Max Anstie has made some bold statements this year in saying “I realized I could win when I was about 10 years old and I raced Jeffrey (Herlings) in the sand. I know I’m the fastest. There’s no one that can do the things I can do” which could make for some exciting racing this weekend with the animosity between Anstie and Herlings going way back to their 85cc days.

Meanwhile young guns CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis and Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s duo of Aleksandr Tonkov and Romain Febvre can also be surprise contenders this weekend. Ferrandis was hauling in the sand of Lierop last year, when he took second overall behind the king of sand, Jeffrey Herlings.

Kemea Yamaha Racing’s Petar Petrov will also be coming in hot. The Bulgarian rode amazing in front of his home crowd two weeks ago, battling in both races from the back of the pack to come home with an outstanding sixth overall. After spending the last ten years living in Belgium, the Bulgarian has definitely honed his sand skills and could have a shot at his first ever podium finish this weekend.

While MX2 championship threat, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Glenn Coldenhoff took a devastating blow this week when a crash while training tore the ligaments off his knee. The Dutchman went immediately to a specialist who later confirmed he needed immediate surgery. “I am so disappointed. I had maximum points in the Dutch championship and was third in the MX2 World Championship with Valkenswaard next. It would have been a good season, but now I have to focus on coming back from this”.

2013 MX2 Podium

1. Jeffrey Herlings

2. Jordi Tixier

3. Jake Nicholls

2013 MX1 POLEMAN: Glenn Coldenhoff

All the photos of the MXGP of The Netherlands will be available here

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY: EMX150 Free/Timed Practice 08:00; 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; EMX150 Race 1 13:20; 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 08:20; EMX150 Warm-up 08:40; EMX125 Warm-up 09:00; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; WMX Race 2 10:30; EMX150 Race 2 11:15; 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 the Netherlands

Matiss Karro hasn’t had the best of starts to the 2014 MXGP Championship, although the Latvian rider is for sure capable of causing some surprises. Holding down 17^th place in the MXGP series points it’s been a season of so much prospect, but so little return as the KTM rider has shown good speed, but crashed on many occasions.

Karro who has 54 points to his name, started the season with six points in Qatar but this was due to a machine problem.

“I felt really good, the team was working hard on the bike this year in the winter and the first GP’s were good. We had some problems with the bikes, but we sorted that out. I need to sort out my riding to get good results in both motos. In Qatar the bike broke in the opening moto, and the second moto I took the holeshot, which surprised me. The bikes are running really good this year. I didn’t end the race that well, but it was ok.”

The second round in Thailand and his speed was again there, but an accident that wasn’t his fault saw him again struggle to put together two good motos.

“In Thailand I had a bit of a problem in the qualification race and Sunday I had to start from the outside. First race I had a first turn crash, bent the bike up, the bars and the exhaust. The second moto was okay, but I struggled with the warm weather.”

Off to Brazil and once again Karro causes a sensation as he was close to the front in the opening moto, but those silly little crashes cost him again.

“In Brazil the first moto I almost holeshot, but crashed and finished 20th, second moto I was second of the start, and finished in 10th I think, which was a good result for me. It was my first step towards my goal. Italy wasn’t my type of track and I got two top 15 results for 13th overall, which was my best result.”

Fortunately at Bulgaria a little under two weeks ago Karro showed he could run inside the top ten and his lap times were consistent enough to see him finish among the major points.

“In the qualifying race in Bulgaria I felt good, but crashed out which left me with the last gate pick for the main races. In the first race I didn’t feel great and I just rode an ok race for 14th. In the second race, the track was really bad, the sort of muddy slippery conditions which I don’t like but I was going good in the early laps and started to feel confident. I found some good lines and made some passes to get to 8th behind Waters and Nagl and I thought I would stay behind them for a good finish, but Nagl started to make mistakes and I passed him and then caught up with Waters. I passed him for 6th but we both went for the same rut and went down and then the front brake stuck on and I crashed twice and only just managed to finish. Sometimes I ask why it always seems to happen to me just when I am going to have a great result but I know I rode good which gives me confidence for the next race.”

Now onto Valkenswaard this weekend where Karro will try and continue his progress up the MXGP points ladder.