WMX

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 29 May 2024 – The 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship returns after a weekend off to launch into another three-week run of events, beginning this weekend with the Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany at the legendary Talkessel circuit of Teutschenthal!

The compact German valley has hosted a massive 26 MXGP events in its history, with its first being in 1971.  The winner that day was Suzuki star Joel Robert, on his way to the fifth of his six career world titles.  We didn’t return to the Talkessel until 1993, when a rider named after the great Robert, Joel Smets, won the first of his 57 career Grands Prix on his thundering Husaberg.

The venue has been on the MXGP calendar every year since 1999, apart from 2013, when it hosted the Motocross of Nations instead, and the pandemic-affected season of 2020.  Antonio Cairoli holds the record for the most Grand Prix wins at the circuit with five, amassing the most individual race wins as well with nine.  All four of the leading MXGP contenders have seen success in Teutschenthal.  The MX2 class sees the home crowd’s biggest hope for a German winner, with Simon Laengenfelder currently sitting second in the points for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing.  

Riders who lined up at the 2013 Motocross of Nations and will still race in 2024 include two of the Swiss team that day, Jeremy Seewer of the Kawasaki Racing Team, and Team Ship to Cycle Honda Motoblouz SR rider Valentin Guillod. Fantic Factory Racing stalwart Glenn Coldenhoff was also there that day, although from the three, only Guillod got into the top ten.

The EMX250 Championship will return for their fifth round, with Mathis Valin bolting the red plate onto his Bud Racing Kawasaki after his home GP, and he now leads from Cas Valk, who is 23 points behind for Gabriel SS24 KTM, with previous leader Valerio Lata dropping to third for Beddini GASGAS Factory Juniors after scoring only 8 points at St, Jean d’Angely.

Teutschenthal also welcomes the FIM Women’s World Motocross Championship, back for the first time since 2018, when Courtney Duncan took the victory! Home heroine Larissa Papenmeier has won there twice in the past, and she will lean on the local support to lift her from 7^th in the series.  Kiara Fontanesi, winner in 2015, is third in the points behind the flying teenage pair of Lotte van Drunen, who will carry the red plate for De Baets Yamaha, and RFME GASGAS Factory Juniors star Daniela Guillen, who is only nine points behind as they reach the halfway point of the series, this being round four of seven for WMX in 2024.

The 2024 MXGP title race is proving to be the absolute classic that the dazzling line-up promised at the start of the year. The previous two MXGP World Champions, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Jorge Prado for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing, are just five points apart at the top of the standings after the Slovenian won the Monster Energy MXGP of France, while Romain Febvre sits just 24 points further back for the Kawasaki Racing Team after bravely fighting through a thumb injury sustained in Free Practice. 

Jeffrey Herlings of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team is now fourth in the series and 61 points behind the leader, after winning race two at St Jean d’Angely. With the weather forecast showing more rain possible for the Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany, Herlings could be the man to beat at the German circuit.

Of the active MXGP field, Gajser has won the most at Teutschenthal, taking the MX2 trophy in his first title year of 2015, plus MXGP victories in 2019, ’21, and ’22.  Herlings and Prado have each won three at the Talkessel, with the current Champion taking the honours last season. Febvre has only one overall win there, taking the MXGP class in 2015.  His 2024 teammate Jeremy Seewer also won in MX2 back in 2017.

With a 43-rider entry list there should be a full gate in MXGP, with a large swell of local wildcards hoping to perform well in front of the usually large and raucous crowd! Tom Koch is the highest-placed German in the standings for the KTM Kosak Team, and the Schmicker Racing team will also be enjoying its home Grand Prix with its riders Corneliues Toendel and Adam Sterry.

The fight is well and truly still on in MXGP, both at the sharp end and throughout what is sure to be a crowded valley, both on and off the track!

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 348 Points;  2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 343 Points; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 319 Points ; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 287 Pts; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 253 Pts; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 234 Pts; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 223 Pts; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 200 Pts; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 145 Pts; 10. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 130 Pts.

Main Photo: MXGP Start Teutschenthal 2023

Bottom Photos: 1.Tim Gajser; 2. Jeffrey Herlings

The MX2 class has provided some wild racing in 2024, with the first six riders in the standings all taking a race win on either Saturday or Sunday, and so far the Grand Prix victories have gone in waves, with Kay de Wolf taking the first three for Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing, Liam Everts the next two for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, then De Wolf’s teammate Lucas Coenen taking the most recent two rounds.  De Wolf’s consistency has seen him stretch out a 52-point lead in the Championship, and the big home favourite Simon Laengenfelder is the next rider along, scoring well in every race apart from the second one in Portugal, where he crashed and broke his collarbone.

Struggling on with plating over the injury for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing, his speed has been climbing again, and he will be looking to make the most of the home support with the volume of the valley sure to rise with every move forward he makes! Lucas Coenen’s two wins have seen him rise back to third, just 7 points behind the German.

Everts and his teammate Andrea Adamo, the reigning Champion in the class, are fourth and fifth, with the other winner, Thibault Benistant of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2, sadly likely to be out for Germany after hurting his back in a big crash in France.

Everts took the overall win at Teutschenthal last year, although he had a slight piece of fortune as Lucas Coenen suffered a broken chain whilst leading race two, after dominating the first. Both De Wolf and Laengenfelder suffered injuries before last year’s event, so with the top five all healthy, the Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany could prove just as unpredictable as every other round this year!

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 342 Points; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 290 Points; 3. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 283 Pts; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 268 Pts; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 257 Pts;  6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 226 Pts; 7. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 216 Pts; 8. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 211 Pts; 9. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 159 Pts; 10. Camden McLellan (RSA, TRI). 126 Pts.

Main Photo: MX2 Start Teutschenthal 2023

Bottom Photos: 1.Simon Laengenfelder; 2. Lucas Coenen

Don’t miss your chance to watch the Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany this weekend. Get your tickets HERE! and VIP TICKETS HERE 

All the photos from the Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

TIMETABLE 

SATURDAY: 9:10 WMX Free practice, 09:40 EMX250 Free practice, 10:10 MXE Time Practice, 10:30 MX2 Time Practice, 11:00 MXGP Free Practice, 11:55 WMX Qualifying practice, 12:30 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:15 MXE Race 1, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:00 WMX Race 1, 15:45 EMX250 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:10 MXE Race 2, 11:55 EMX250 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Teutschenthal

LUGO (Galicia,Spain) 12 May 2024 - The Round of Galicia in the FIM Women's Motocross World Championship in Lugo delivered a thrilling display of talent, with the lively atmosphere of the forest setting the stage for an unforgettable race. With the crowd spread out all around the woody terrain, fans could follow the race as close as possible and immerse themselves in the races. 

It was the red plate De Baets Yamaha MX-Team’s Lotte Van Drunen who came out victorious after serious and thrilling battles over the weekend.

The race began with F&H Racing Team’s Courtney Duncan getting the best start while De Baets Yamaha MX-Team’s Lotte Van Drunen facing an uphill battle, starting in 6th position, while RFME

Spain National Team’s Daniela Guillen found herself trailing in 12th after a poor start. At the front, behind Duncan it was MXFONTA RACING’s Kiara Fontanesi and Schmicker Racing’s Lynn Valk who surged at the front of the pack with impressive starts, setting the pace for the intense competition to come.

Despite their initial setbacks, both Guillen and Van Drunen quickly made their presence felt. During the opening lap, Guillen displayed a stunning comeback, eventually finding herself in 4th position behind one of her main rivals in the Championship, Van Drunen. Meanwhile, Valk, who had started strong, unfortunately fell back to 8th place.

While Duncan was pacing upfront, one of the highlights of the race came between lap 1 and 3, as Guillen and Van Drunen engaged in a monumental battle for 2nd position. Guillen attempted to overtake Van Drunen, but the red plate showcased exceptional technique to maintain her rank.

As the race progressed, Van Drunen's speed paid off, as she closed the gap on the leaders, Duncan and Fontanesi. In lap 4, Van Drunen executed a brilliant manoeuvre to pass Fontanesi, with Guillen hot on her heels.

However, Guillen's pursuit was cut short when she lost control and crashed out of 3rd position. This setback allowed Van Drunen to solely focused on the race leader Duncan.  

Throughout the race, Duncan showcased her skill and resilience, fending off Van Drunen's relentless attacks. Making sure to show why she is the defending champion, Duncan pulled off a stunning triple jump with few laps to go to maintain her lead and gap on Van Druenen and clinch her first race win of the season

Meanwhile, Papenmeier raced strongly to climb to 5th place in the end. Despite her best efforts, Guillen struggled to pass Fontanesi and ultimately finished outside the podium positions in 4th place with Fontanesi getting a good option for the final podium.

In the end, it was Duncan who emerged victorious, proving once again that she possesses all the qualities of a defending champion.

In race 2, Duncan once again came out of the first turn leading the race with Valk just behind her.  Van Drunen emerged right behind Valk and passed her straight away to chase after Duncan.

Meanwhile, home rider Guillen quickly passed Ceres 71 Racing’s Danee Gelissen on the opening lap to go 4th.

Duncan’s leading gap with Van Drunen was 2,2 seconds with Van Drunen reducing that margin quickly! It took until lap 3 to Guillen to overtake Valk with a nice inside pass for third but was 7 seconds behind leader Duncan.

Sara Andersen and Fontanesi engaged in a great scrap and tough battle for the 4th place over multiple laps with a give and take with the Italian coming on top of that challenge.

At the front end, Duncan managed to keep her distance with the red plate Van Drunen until lap 8 when Van Drunen gained momentum and went wheel to wheel with Duncan. Van Drunen was wearing down Duncan with her relentless rhythm.

Getting to the waves section, Van Drunen jumped better and put too much pressure on the Kiwi who was pushed to the limit, and nearly fell, leaving Van Drunen taking the lead. No one could match her pace and she won the race to get on top of the podium and keeping a firm grasp on her red plate! 

Duncan finished second and level on points in the overall with a 1-2 finished 2nd overall even if the Kiwi definitely wanted more. 

Guillen in the end stayed in 3rd for the remaining of the race to get the 3rd overall place while Fontanesi greatly closes down on Valk for 4th in the last few laps and managed to pass her to finish 4th overall with 3-4.

Lotte Van Drunen: “Wow this is amazing, my rhythm was okay but fighting with Courtney (Duncan) was really tough! I’m so happy and I love this track. So that’s maybe why I rode this good. I can tell that I’m really happy now with this victory”

WMX - Race 1 – Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), 24:30.269; 2. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, Yamaha), +0:02.052; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), +0:11.357; 4. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GASGAS), +0:13.363; 5. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Honda), +0:58.506; 6. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +1:03.916; 7. Shana van der Vlist (NED, Yamaha), +1:11.803; 8. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), +1:44.572; 9. April Franzoni (FRA, Honda), +2:01.381; 10. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), +2:10.494;

WMX - Race 2 – Classification: 1. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, Yamaha), 24:31.523; 2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +0:09.491; 3. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GASGAS), +0:21.603; 4. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), +0:27.391; 5. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), +0:30.897; 6. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:47.192; 7. Shana van der Vlist (NED, Yamaha), +0:52.097; 8. Danee Gelissen (NED, Yamaha), +1:00.129; 9. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Honda), +1:05.179; 10. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), +1:25.832

WMX - Overall Classification: 1. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, YAM), 47 points; 2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 47 p.; 3. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GAS), 38 p.; 4. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 38 p.; 5. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 30 p.; 6. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), 29 p.; 7. Shana van der Vlist (NED, YAM), 28 p.; 8. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, HON), 28 p.; 9. Danee Gelissen (NED, YAM), 23 p.; 10. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), 22 p

WMX - Championship Classification: 1. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, YAM), 141 points; 2. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GAS), 132 p.; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 106 p.; 4. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), 105 p.; 5. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 101 p.; 6. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 93 p.; 7. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, HON), 79 p.; 8. Shana van der Vlist (NED, YAM), 77 p.; 9. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), 67 p.; 10. Martine Hughes (NOR, KAW), 55 p

WMX - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Yamaha, 141 points; 2. GASGAS, 134 p.; 3. Kawasaki, 113 p.; 4. KTM, 109 p.; 5. Honda, 79 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 26 p.;

Main Photo: Lotte Van Drunen

Bottom Photos: 1. WMX Podium Galicia; 2. WMX Start Galicia 

All the photos from the MXGP of Galicia will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF GALICIA QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1550m

Type of ground: Dark Sand Soil

Temperature: 22˚/14˚

Weather conditions: Sunny/Cloudy

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Lugo