MXoEN

The Grand Prix of Great Britain is one of the longest running GPs on the calendar. Starting way back in 1957, the first official year of the Motocross World Championships. It was Hawkstone Park where that first GP was held, and the event was won by British legend and two-time World Motocross Champion Jeff Smith riding a BSA.

Since that very special day nearly 60 years ago the British GP has visited many amazing circuits and seen some very special GP winners.

Hawkstone Park was the mainstay for the 500cc Grand Prix after that 1957 debut, and for eight years the best big bike riders competed around the tough sand track. Riders like Bill Nilsson and Rolf Tibblin scored victories at Hawkstone, but it was Smith who finished that early Hawkstone Park era with wins again in 1963 and 65 (no British GP was held for the 500s in 1964).

Hawkstone Park would drift in and out of the FIM Motocross World Championship series, and in-between the 500cc class, circuits like Farleigh Castle and Dodinton Park were visited. Many legends have won at these circuits, but none more popular than the British legend and three time 500cc World Champion, Dave Thorpe.

Thorpe would win GP’s at home in 1984, 1988 and 1989, although one of his greatest performances was in 1985 when he didn’t even win the GP. Crashing in the first corner with Merv Anstie (father of current MXGP rider Max Anstie) Thorpe got up in last place and rode all the way to first. Completely worn out from the charge he was eventually repassed by Andre Malherbe won went on the steal the GP victory.

The 250cc class was also loaded with memorable moments, from the first victory at the Ipswich circuit by Dave Bickers in 1962, to Stefan Everts dominating at the Foxhills circuit in 1995, 96 and 97.

The 250 class ran at several different circuits between 1962 and the late 1990’s, with Donington, Hawkstone Park and Foxhills being the three circuits that brought big crowds and an exciting atmosphere.

The 125cc class didn’t see a Grand Prix until 1975, and it was Belgian legend Gaston Rahier who won at the Pembrokeshire circuit. Several different riders won in the class between 1975 and 1999, but one of the biggest wins was that of local rider Paul Malin who took victory at the Foxhills circuit in 1995. A massive crowd arrived at the circuit and the win by Malin was the only time a British rider won a GP in that era.

In the new millennium the British GP spent a few years trying to find a home. Foxhills had aged out and was no longer a GP facility while Hawkstone Park had also disappeared from the GP calendar. Sure, some cool events at places like Isle of Wight, Matchams Park, Donnington Park, or Mallory Park were in, but it wasn’t until Steve Dixon built a circuit at the Matterley Basin facility in 2006 that the British GP came into its own again.

Since 2006 Matterley Basin has been the home of the British Grand Prix where names like Antonio Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings, Clement Desalle, Tommy Searle, Glenn Coldenhoff, Tim Gajser, Valentin Guillod, and Pauls Jonass have all had success.

Not to mention the circuit also held the 2006 and 2017 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations event, the first was where Stefan Everts had his swansong from the sport with a victory over James Stewart and of course just over a year ago when Max Anstie shocked the world and went 1-1, putting Great Britain on the podium.

(GDANSK) Poland 7 September 2018 - Some of Europe’s best motocross talents are in Gdansk, Poland for the 2018 edition of the Motocross of European Nations. Racing will take place Sunday follow tomorrow’s practice and qualifying sessions along with the Opening Ceremony where teams will be presented this evening!

One of the oldest cities in Europe, Gdansk, is just aside the Baltic coast and it is the center of Poland’s shipping and trade with a population of half a million people. The riders will not only fight on the Gdansk soil in front of Europe’s motocross fans and locals but will do so for both individual and national pride.

Gdansk’s Motocross Circuit is no stranger to hosting events with many National, European Junior, Quad, and FIM World Sidecar Championships taking place over the years. Last year’s MXoEN took to this very same facility after missing it the 12 years prior. The success of last year’s event along with the local support and favorable weather forecast will likely lead to one of the best events of its kind in many years.

The Motocross of European Nations is structured with 3 classes: 250cc, 125cc and 85cc. Each team competing is made up of four riders: one 250cc rider, one 125cc rider, and two 85cc riders. 14 nations will compete this year on the track of Gdansk each having the goal of winning the 2018 MXoEN crown or the 2018 Women’s Motocross of European Nations title.

Teams to look out for this weekend include the defending Champions of France with MX2 rider Maxime Renaux in 250 and Tom Guyon in the 125 division. Joining Renaux and Guyon are Xavier Gazal and Maxime Grau aboard the two 85cc machines. 2017 Champions, Italy, look strong as well with Gianluca Facchetti, Mattia Guadagnini, Matteo Luigi Russi and Valerio Lata.

Another strong, well rounded team, and perhaps a black horse, is that of the Netherlands with Roan Van de Moosdijk, Rick Elzinga, Kay de Wolf, and Kay Karssemakers. Other well known riders to look out for are Czech Republic’s Petar Polak and Tomas Pikart along with Norway’s Kevin Horgmo.

Some of the best women will line up this weekend also with the Dutch duo of Nancy Van de Ven and Shana Van de Vlist going against Italians Kiara Fontanesi and Giorgia Montini among several others

Weekend Timetable

Saturday:

Free practice EMX125/EMX250 10:00 - 10:30

Start practice EMX 125/EMX250 Immediately after the Free Practice-5 min

Free practice EMX85 11:00 - 11:30

Start practice EMX85 Immediately after the Free Practice-5 min

Free practice WMX 12:00 -12:30

Start practice WMX Immediately after the Free Practice-5 min

Qualifying Heat EMX125/EMX250 14:30

Qualifying Heat EMX85 15:30

Qualifying Heat WMX 16:30

Sunday:

Warm Up Qualified Nations WMX 09:00 – 09:15

Warm Up Nations EMX 85 09:25 - 09:40

Warm Up Nations EMX125/EMX250 09:50 - 10:05

WMX of European Nations RACE 1 11:45

MX of European Nations RACE 1(EMX85) 12:45

MX of European Nations RACE 2(EMX125/EMX250) 13:45

WMX of European Nations RACE 2 15:00

MX of European Nations RACE 3(EMX85) 16:00

MX of European Nations RACE 4(EMX125/EMX250) 17:00

Follow the Live Timing by clicking HERE

Watch the full Results HERE

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM Europe

MXoEN GDANSK