Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme : FIM MX1/MX2 Motocross World Championship

Beto Carrero ready for the Honda GP of Brazil

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:27:00 +0200

The Honda Grand Prix of Brazil is ready to start at the beautiful facilities of Beto Carrero, the biggest amusement park in Latin America. It will be the fourth year in a row that the FIM Motocross World Championship visits Brazil, but it will be the first time that the venue Beto Carrero hosts the Championship. It was only last year during a National race that Beto Carrero hosted a motocross race, but there is no doubt that it will be at the FIM Motocross World Championship level. The first reactions of the teams, international media and everybody who has already visited the track have been very positive, so the scenario seems perfect to host the fifth Grand Prix of the FIM Motocross World Championship. MX1
The clear dominant of the MX1 class is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Cairoli, who is already leading the series with 29 points advantage over second classified Desalle. The Italian obtained his 45 GP win last weekend in Mexico and he is determined to add one more victory to his records on Sunday. Rockstar Energy Suzuki World's Desalle has not been able to be at the top of the podium this season, but he has proved that he has the speed and the rhythm to fight for it. Last year he was on the third step of the podium, but Desalle will give his best to go 1-1 this weekend in Brazil. Kawasaki Racing Team's Paulin was third last year in the MX2 Grand Prix of Brazil and he has flown from Mexico willing to obtain another GP victory this weekend. The French rider did not have a good weekend in Guadalajara because after the fourth position in the first race, his Kawasaki failed right before the start of the second heat. Paulin is still third in the point standings. The fourth place in the MX1 championship is for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's De Dycker, who missed the podium last weekend being tight in points with Philippaerts. The Belgian is doing an excellent job since the beginning of the season and in Mexico he managed to finish third in the first moto, so De Dycker is looking forward to hand KTM his first podium of the season with the Austrian team. CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Christophe Pourcel is completing the top five of the point standings, but he is just two points behind De Dycker and five behind Paulin. Pourcel was also touched by bad luck in Mexico after having some green fence stuck in his back wheel at the end of the first race, but he is for sure one of the riders to take into account for the overall victory this weekend. Philippaerts, winner of the 2011 GP of Brazil in Indaiatuba, is looking forward to racing this weekend in Beto Carrero and try to be on the podium once again. The Italian, as well as his compatriot Cairoli, admitted in Mexico that coming to Brazil is always a pleasure and Philippaerts even described it as his second home Grand Prix. Frossard has travelled to Brazil after not being able to take part in the second race of the Mexican Grand Prix due to the heavy pain on his right knee. The French will do his best to take part in the Brazilian GP, but it will all depend on his just operated knee. Balbi is one of the favourite Brazilian riders to be fighting among the best MX1 motocross riders, but Wellington Garcia is again fully fit to fight for the top ten positions. In fact, last weekend, Garcia won the first National race after the serious accident he suffered last year in Bulgaria. 2011 MX1 Podium in Indaiatuba
1. David Philippaerts
2. Antonio Cairoli
3. Clement Desalle
2011 MX1 POLEMAN: David Philippaerts MX2
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Herlings keeps on adding GP victories under his records, and so far he has dominated six out of the eight heats disputed so far in the 2012 season. The Dutch rider will take part in Brazil being the red plate holder with 40 points advantage over his teammate Van Horebeek, who is second in the point standings. Van Horebeek succeeded in being on the third step of the podium in Mexico last weekend and he managed to keep the second position in the point standings. The Belgian admitted that both Herlings and Searle are really fast, but he will do his best to keep on fighting for the top three positions of the championship. Just one point behind Van Horebeek is Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Searle, who is looking forward to repeating the victory he obtained in Bulgaria. Searle admitted that he is feeling really good and his Kawasaki is better than ever, so he might be able to leave Brazil being second in the MX2 point standings. His teammate Roelants is fourth in the MX2 championship and last weekend he actually proved that he is fully fit again from the big crash he suffered in the first heat in Fermo. Roelants was on the podium in the first two Grand Prix of the season, so Brazil might be the comeback of the Belgian on the rostrum. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Tixier is completing the top five of the point standings of the MX2 class. The French rider is just two points ahead Anstie, so he really needs to make a good performance this weekend to keep the position in the championship. Assunçao, Vilardi and Lima, who are really equal in the National championship, are the Brazilian riders to look at in the MX2 class. 2011 MX2 Podium in Indaiatuba
1. Jeffrey Herlings
2. Ken Roczen
3. Gautier Paulin
2011 MX1 POLEMAN: Ken Roczen TIMETABLE
Saturday: MX2 Free Practice 9:30; MX1 Free Practice 10:15; MX2 Pre-Qualifying Practice 13:15; MX1-Pre Qualifying Practice 14:00; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MX1 Qualifying Race 17:00. Sunday: MX2 Warm up 9:00; MX1 Warm up 9:30; MX2 Grand Prix Race 1 12:10; MX1 Grand Prix Race 1 13:10; MX2 Grand Prix Race 2 15:03; MX1 Grand Prix race 2 16:03.

Fantastic Philippaerts back in the winners circle

Mon, 14 May 2012 08:22:00 +0200

Monster Energy Yamahas David Philippaerts blasted back into the spotlight with a fabulous second moto victory on his works YZ450FM. The Italians success closed the first quarter of the FIM Motocross World Championship at a hot and busy Nicolas España for the inaugural Grand Prix of Mexico. 25,000 spectators travelled to the venue a short distance from the centre of Guadalajara and under sunny skies and hot temperatures this fourth round of sixteen was played out on a difficult track that left little room for error.

DP walked the podium for the first time since the Spanish Grand Prix last summer and won a race for the first time since the 2011 trip to Brazil. Importantly it was also the former world champions first celebration after a seven month recovery from his injury sustained last year.

The weekend began with the riders concerned over the volume of dust across the dry track during the Saturday practice programme. Philippaerts, Steven Frossard and Shaun Simpson along with all the other world championship regulars elected to sit out the qualification heat and entered the gate on Sunday in their positions obtained in pre-qualifying practice. The terrain had been watered and prepared well for the two motos.

Philippaerts was unlucky to collide with Simpson as both held positions inside the top six going through the waves on the first lap of the opening race. Simpson suffered a briefly dislocated shoulder in the fall and Philippaerts restarted from last position and ten seconds behind the pack to fight his way up to a bright and crucial tenth place. Frossard was pushing for ground in the top ten when he again caught his recently injured knee on a bump and was painfully forced to retire from the race and the Grand Prix.

Philippaerts was the sole entrant for the team for the second moto and his part in a thrilling four-rider scrap for the win was electrifying. Clearly growing in confidence as he worked his way to the front from sixth position, Philippaerts had some inventive and effective lines and gave the YZ450FM a maiden victory in 2012. His haul of points has taken him from ninth to sixth in the MX1 standings.

The fitness and condition of Simpson and Frossard will be assessed in the coming days with a view towards round five. Monster Energy Yamaha will now continue their South American adventure and will fly from Mexico City to Florianopolis this week for the Grand Prix of Brazil at Beto Carrero.

David Philippaerts, 3rd:
I'm so happy to win that second moto. Im back! This is important for me because it was a long time since I last won. Mentally it can be difficult to deal with race crashes and results that you know can be better. Im in great shape and its awesome to be back on the podium. I had some bad luck with another crash in the first race. Shaun came across and we clashed together. I had to enter the pits but then restarted last and fought back to tenth. I pushed every lap and it was hard work at this altitude and in this heat but the result was important and it paid off with the podium.

Steven Frossard, DNF:
My feeling in my knee was better for this weekend so I tried to ride. At the beginning of the first race I was good. I moved from fifteenth to ninth and had a group of riders in front of me but coming past the pitlane my leg came off the peg and hit the ground and I had a lot of pain in my leg again. It was too much to handle so I had to stop. I think the problem is that I havent been able to ride much for several weeks and it is difficult to get back in the rhythm. I dont know. I feel a bit better now than I did after the first race so I will wait a few days to see if we can try again in Brazil.

Fernandez and Leib winners of the qualifying races

Sun, 13 May 2012 10:58:00 +0200

The Mexican Grand Prix started today at Nicolas España's track in Guadalajara and Rodolfo Fernández and Michael Leib won the MX1 and MX2 qualifying races respectively. The big crowd present today were not only locals, but people from different parts of Mexico and even South America, as having the FIM Motocross World Championship in Mexico is a unique opportunity for them to see the best motocross riders in the world. MX1
Rodolfo Fernández, who was born in the USA but he moved to Guatemala since he was five, took an excellent start in the qualifying race and he managed to lead the heat until the chequered flag with almost ten minutes difference from second qualified Martin García. Fernández is very excited to taking part in the Mexican GP and he expects to do a good result tomorrow during the main heats. Home rider Martin García was able to finish second but he admitted that he made several mistakes during the race and regretted not having been able to follow Fernández. García has been twice the national champion and he is the current leader of the Mexican series, so he is looking forward to tomorrow's races to finish among the top 10 or top 15 best MX1 riders. Raynear Mejia from the Dominican Republic made a solid race and managed to keep his third initial position until he crossed the finish line. Mejia explained that so far he is enjoying a lot his experience in the World Championship and he was very grateful to his team to have offered him to take part in the fourth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Mexicans Mario Farfan and Donovan García completed the top five of the MX1 qualifying race. The following MX1 riders decided not line up for the qualifying race: Leok, Barragán, De Dycker, Sebastién Pourcel, Philippaerts, Paulin, Strijbos, Simpson, Desalle, Guarneri, Parker, Tiainen, Karro, Ferris, Boog, Frossard, Cairoli, Christophe Pourcel, Evgeny Bobryshev and Rui Gonçalves. The MX1 staring list for tomorrow will be as follows: Fernández, Martin García, Mejia, Farfan, Donovan Garcia, Vázquez, Rodríguez, Mendoza, Rosales, Guzman, Cairoli, Boog, Christophe Pourcel, Desalle, Simpson, Philippaerts, De Dycker, Leok, Frossard, Paulin, Guarneri, Barragán, Sebastien Pourcel, Karro, Strijbos, Gonçalves, Ferris, Parker and Tiaien. Evgeny Bobryshev is almost recovered from his thumb injury but he is now also battling with a cough he picked up at the beginning of the week, which has developed into an illness that will prevent him from riding the Mexican Grand Prix. MX1 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Rodolfo Fernandez (USA, Yamaha), 24:12.213; ; 2. Martin Garcia (MEX, KTM), +0:09.853; 3. Raynear Mejia (DOM, Kawasaki), +0:12.443; 4. Mario Farfan (MEX, Honda), +1:26.855; 5. Donovan Garcia (MEX, Honda), +1:39.405; 6. Giuzepe Vazquez (MEX, Yamaha), +1:51.534; 7. Samir Rodriguez (MEX, Yamaha), +1:51.827; 8. Diego Mendoza (MEX, Honda), +2:07.279; 9. Jesus Rosales (MEX, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 10. Jose Luis Guzman (MEX, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); MX2
Monster Energy Yamaha's Leib won his maiden MX2 qualifying race today in Guadalajara and he will be the first one to choose the starting position tomorrow before the main races. The American rode safe today and he is looking forward to repeating a top three result this weekend as he did in Fermo two weeks ago. Second in the qualifying race was Honda Gariboldi – Esta's Anstie, who rode a solid race from beginning to end. Anstie enjoyed racing the qualifying heat and he is looking forward to racing tomorrow. Third qualified was Peruvian Jetro Salazar, who admitted that he is not used to the demanding FIM Motocross World Championship tracks, but that it has been a really good experience so far. He was very satisfied with the third position in the qualifying race, but he knows that it is going to be more difficult tomorrow, but he is looking forward to racing tomorrow in Guadalajara. Mexicans Ruelas and Oros completed the top five of the MX2 qualifying race. The following MX2 riders decided not line up for the qualifying race: Butrón, Ferrandis, Charlier, Coldenhoff, Lieber, Roelants, Teillet, Nicholls, Lupino, Herlings, Van Horebeek, Searle, Kullas, Petrov, Guillod, Larsen, Tixier. The MX2 staring list for tomorrow will be as follows: Leib, Anstie, Salazar, Ruelas, Oro, Vieyra, Aguilar, Sanchez, Nungaray, Mejia, Herlings, Searle, Van Horebeek, Teillet, Ferrandis, Petrov, Lupino, Roelants, Tixier, Nicholls, Coldenhoff, Charlier, Butron, Kullas, Guillod, Larsen, Lieber. MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Michael Leib (USA, Yamaha), 25:29.932; ; 2. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +0:18.980; 3. Jetro Salazar (PER, KTM), +0:42.938; 4. Luis Ruelas (MEX, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 5. Carlos Oros (MEX, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 6. Brandon Vieyra (MEX, Suzuki), -1 lap(s); 7. Alvaro Aguilar (MEX, KTM), -1 lap(s); 8. Pablo Sanchez (MEX, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 9. Erick Nungaray (MEX, Suzuki), -2 lap(s); 10. Javier Mejia (MEX, Yamaha), -2 lap(s); 11. Ruben Alanis (MEX, KTM), -12 lap(s); Quotes from the qualifying winners: MX1 qualifying winner Rodolfo Fernández: "I'm very happy to be here and be able to take part in this race. In Guatemala we don't have this track layout but I usually go to the States to take part in the Nationals, so there they have big jumps and I'm used to them, and I've also taken part in a couple of Motocross of Nations for Guatemala. From what I've heard the riders did not want to race because of the track conditions were not good, my opinion is that the track was ok to race and this is why I lined up. The organization builds the track safe and I thought that the track was in perfect conditions to be honest." MX2 qualifying race Michael Leib: "I can understand a little more the decision of the riders but at the same time the track was not absolutely wrong. I didn't race really hard today but I have a good pick up tomorrow, so I hope to be on the podium as I did in Fermo." Two Time FIM Motocross World Champion and member of the Mexican Grand Prix Organizing Committee Sebastien Tortelli : "The riders took a decision not to race as a group, so it was their choice. I think the track was not as bad as they were saying. We are all professionals and I think that was not an entire professional choice, we've been working really hard to organize this GP and it is one of the best tracks in Mexico in these days. In the end it's a question of communication, if they don't want to race I can understand, but we need to find a solution, but the solution that happened today I don't think it was the best one. We'll do our best for tomorrow, as we have more material coming in to make it better. I'm also surprised because yesterday everybody when they saw the track they liked it, and then they came to me today saying that the lay out was not good, so that's a big change in only one day."

The FIM Motocross World Championship travels to Mexico

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:16:00 +0200

For the first time in the history, Mexico will host one Grand Prix of the FIM Motocross World Championship. The track is located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, at about 1600m on the sea level and high temperatures are assured for the whole weekend.

All the teams are already in Guadalajara and the bikes and all the material transported from Europe were already at the track on Wednesday, so everything is ready at the Nicolas España's track to host the fourth Grand Prix of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

MX1
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Cairoli is landing in Mexico being the MX1 championship leader with seventeen points advantage over Paulin. Cairoli admitted in Fermo that he is very excited to attend the Grand Prix of Mexico, as he loves visiting new countries and come across different cultures.

The runner up of the championship is the rookie Paulin, who has been having an outstanding beginning of the season. Paulin is seventeen points behind Cairoli, so he can easily cut the distance here in Mexico if he does a good performance in the intermediate ground track of Guadalajara.

CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Pourcel will race in Mexico after having obtained his maiden MX1 Grand Prix victory two weeks ago in Fermo. Pourcel is now third in the championship, but he is just ten points away from Paulin, and he has been one of the most consistent MX1 riders in the last two Grand Prix.

The fourth position in the MX1 class is for Belgian Desalle, who has not had the results he was expecting before the season started. The Rockstar Energy Suzuki World rider was on the third step of the podium in Fermo, so he might be able to conquer the podium this weekend in Guadalajara.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's De Dycker is completing the top five of the MX1 class and even if has not been on the podium in the previous three Grand Prix, he has been fighting for the top positions in all the races. He is only eleven points away from third classified Paulin, so he might enter the top three this weekend if he does a good performance.

Strijbos and Boog are sixth and seventh respectively and Bobryshev, who is almost fully recovered from the injury he suffered in Valkenswaard, is eighth in the championship tight in points with Philippaerts.

Frossard, who injured his right knee in the GP of Bulgaria, missed the GP of Italy, but he has been able to rest and he has now recovered some movement on his knee. The French rider has explained that he might be able to do a good performance this weekend in Mexico.

Home rider Martin García is the Mexican rider to follow in the MX1 class, as he is two times National Champion and he is now leading the national championship.

MX2
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Herlings is the red plate holder in the MX2 class and he is going to take part in the GP of Mexico with thirty points advantage over the second classified Van Horebeek. Herlings has been on the podium in the three previous GP, so the Dutch rider is leading comfortably the series and he faces the Mexican GP with confidence and determination to increase the difference with his pursuers.

After the Grand Prix of Italy, Van Horebeek became the runner up of the MX2 class with five points advantage over Searle. The Belgian rider is having a very consistent beginning of the season and he is determined to conquer the podium this weekend in Guadalajara.

Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Searle dropped down one position in the point standings and he is now third due to his DNF in the first moto of the Italian GP. Searle is looking forward to racing this weekend in Mexico to recover some important points and get closer to the leader of the series.

Fourth in the MX2 class is his teammate Roelants, who also dropped one position in the point standings after Fermo, as he got one DNF's in the first race in Italy and he could not take part in the second heat because he received a big concussion in his head in the first moto. Roelants has travelled to Mexico and he is ready to take part in the GP this weekend and try to be podium again.

Honda Gariboldi Esta's Anstie is completing the top five of the MX2 class and he is very excited to take part in the Mexican GP and improve his position in the point standings. The British rider has been very consistent so far and he is now fighting to be on the podium.

Tixier and Ferrandis are sixth and seventh respectively and they are followed by Nicholls and Kullas. Leib, who was on the podium in the Italian Grand Prix, will be also attending the Mexican round and he is looking forward to being back racing with the top MX2 riders.

Frossard and Leib ready to go again for South American races

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:23:00 +0200

Monster Energy Yamaha will head to the Grand Prix of Mexico this weekend with the Rinaldi division of the squad fully fit and ready for the first FIM Motocross World Championship event to hit Guadalajara and the Nico España circuit.

Steven Frossard has felt a major improvement in his right knee since his anterior cruciate ligament surgery and unfortunate attempt to enter the motos at Fermo for the Grand Prix of Italy two weeks ago. The 2011 MX1-GP runner-up has more movement in the joint and has been bicycling and engaging in further exercise to be able to be more competitive on his YZ450FM for both the Mexican and Brazilian successive events in the next fortnight. The Frenchman will be able to line-up with David Philippaerts – who saw a strong fourth position in the first moto of his home meeting at Fermo taken away after being hit by another rider – and attack this South American segment of the FIM calendar.

Philippaerts in particular will have fond memories of the trip to Brazil as twelve months ago the former world champion celebrated his last victory to-date at the Indaiatuba circuit (host of the '11 incarnation of the Brazilian meet). MX2-GP racer Christophe Charlier will also be in better shape having made his Grand Prix bow on the YZ250FM in Italy (and taking a decent 6th overall) for what was the former European Champion's first FIM World Championship appearance this year since recovering from a broken foot.

In the Steve Dixon faction of Monster Energy Yamaha Shaun Simpson has travelled to Mexico and the ex-British Champion - who has made a solid and consistent start to the season with three top ten results on the YZ450FM – will share paddock space again with exciting American Michael Leib.

Leib was initially drafted into the squad to replace the injured Zach Osborne for races in Bulgaria and Italy but the twenty year old's excellent performance and potential in leading the Grand Prix at Fermo and giving the YZ250F its first '12 GP podium trophy with second place overall has led to an extension of his agreement to be a Yamaha representative. The Californian is expected to suit-up at Guadalajara for the race that will be run in hot temperatures and at an altitude of five thousand metres above sea level and then fly to Brazil and the Beto Carrero facility the following week.

"I'm super-happy to have this shot with such a professional team surrounded by great people," he enthused. "I'm looking forward to this weekend and the Mexican GP and I'm excited to see what happens next. I had a great time in Bulgaria and Italy and I'm looking forward for more to come. I can't thank Steve, Yamaha and Monster Energy enough for supporting me and giving me this chance."

Dixon's other MX2-GP replacement from recent weeks, Mel Pocock, celebrated victory at Lyng in the third round of the Maxxis British Championship last weekend and continues to front the competitive eight round series. The twenty year old impressed in his three Grand Prix outings and is now expected to be a strong challenger for the European EMX250 crown with the six-meeting calendar getting under way when the MX1 and MX2 paddock arrives back in Europe for the Grand Prix of France at the St Jean D'Angely circuit on June 3rd. At that same meeting Arnaud Tonus is hopeful of throwing his leg over the number '7' YZ250F for the first time at a 2012 GP since surgery on his shoulder and wrist due to a pre-season race crash in March.

Faenza will host the penultimate GP of the season

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:54:00 +0200

Youthstream is very pleased to announce that Faenza will host the Grand Prix of Europe, which will be celebrated during the 9th September weekend. Faenza, located in the Romagna region of Italy, is one of the most international tracks in the country, having hosted the FIM Motocross World Championship in numerous occasions in the past.

The last time Faenza hosted the FIM Motocross World Championship was back in 2009 and it was actually the opening round of the season. Estonian Tanel Leok obtained the overall MX1 victory on a Yamaha, while Ken De Dycker on the Suzuki was second and Desalle completed the podium on his Honda machine. Antonio Cairoli, who obtained his maiden MX1 title in 2009, was only fifth in Faenza.

In the MX2 class it was a young Gautier Paulin on a Kawasaki who was on the first step of the rostrum, Jeremy Van Horebeek was second on a KTM and Marvin Musquin completed the top three on his Honda.

Pourcel and Herlings shine in Fermo

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:30:00 +0200

The 17000 people present in Fermo were able to enjoy incredible racing in both MX1 and MX2 classes. Christophe Pourcel obtained his maiden MX1 victory of the season, whereas Jeffrey Herlings obtained his second GP victory this weekend in Fermo.

Although Antonio Cairoli was on the second step of the podium, his second heat victory made the crowd go crazy. Third overall was Clement Desalle and Gautier Paulin missed the podium for just one point due to his sixth position in the second heat.

Steven Frossard decided to take part in the first heat, but the pain on his knee was so intense that he decided not to take any risks and decided to call it a day.

Jeffrey Herlings went 1-1 in Fermo and he is now leading the MX2 championship with 30 points advantage. Michael Leib had a superb weekend and was on the second step of the podium, while Jeremy Van Horebeek completed the top three.

The negative part of the day was the two DNF's of Tommy Searle and Joel Roelants in the first heats; Searle was able to take part in the second heat and finished second, but Roelants suffered a heavy concussion in the first heat and was not able to race the second one.

MX1
CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Christophe Pourcel obtained his maiden GP victory of the season and he is now third in the point standings 27 points behind Cairoli. In the first heat, Pourcel and Paulin exchanged the lead in several occasions. Pourcel even stalled the bike in the last lap, but he managed to start the bike again quickly, catch Paulin and cross the finish line in the first position. In the second heat, he succeeded in finishing second even being bleeding from his nose during the last laps after a rock had hit his face.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Cairoli was only third in the first heat, but he took the holeshot in the second one and succeeded in keeping the lead until the chequered flag. After not having the best qualifying race yesterday, Cairoli was determined to do well today and hand a victory to his home crowd that had been cheering for him until the end. Cairoli is still leading the MX1 point standings with 17 points advantage over Paulin.

The third step of the podium was for Rockstar Energy Suzuki World's Desalle thanks to his 4-3 result. However, the Belgian admitted that he is not fully satisfied with performance today and he needs to keep on working to try to conquer the first step of the podium in the upcoming Grand Prix.

Kawasaki Racing Team's Paulin had an incredible first race and he actually missed the victory because he made a mistake in the last lap and Pourcel overtook him. In the second heat, Paulin crashed in the first corner and had to fight from the back of the pack to end sixth, which made him finish fourth overall.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's De Dycker obtained another solid result in Fermo and completed the top five of the Italian Grand Prix. De Dycker had a bad start in the first heat and started from an initial twelfth position to finish seventh. However, in the second heat the Belgian started third and rode a consistent moto until the end.

Russian Bobryshev is much better from his thumb injury and he succeeded in finishing sixth overall in a track where he does not really feel comfortable. Strijbos, who finished tenth in the first heat after starting from an initial 16th position, was seventh in the second one and obtained a final seventh place.

Philippaerts was ninth and once again he was touched by bad luck; five minutes before the end of the first heat, the Italian made a mistake while he was riding fourth and he went down the floor. He managed to finish ninth but he hit his face heavily and had some vision problems in one of his eyes. In the second moto he finished eighth and obtained an overall eighth position.

Boog was ninth and Leok completed the top ten.

MX1 Overall top ten: 1. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 47 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 45 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 38 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 37 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 32 p.; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 31 p.; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 25 p.; 8. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 25 p.; 9. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 23 p.; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 20 p.

MX1 Championship top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 133 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 116 p.; 3. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 106 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 105 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 95 p.; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 76 p.; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 72 p.; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 69 p.; 9. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 69 p.; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 62 p.

MX1 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 133 points; 2. Kawasaki, 129 p.; 3. Suzuki, 115 p.; 4. Yamaha, 94 p.; 5. Honda, 89 p.; 6. TM, 12 p.

MX2
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Herlings won both heats but it was not an easy victory for the Dutch rider. In the first heat, he was able to keep the lead from the beginning to the finish line, but by the end of the heat Herlings started feeling that his bike was having some problems. In the second moto, Herlings and Searle's wheels touched and the Dutch lost the front break but he managed to go from eleventh to first.

The second overall position was for Monster Energy Yamaha's Leib on his second appearance in the FIM Motocross World Championship this season. The American did an incredible first race moving from 15th to third and in the second moto he led the race until the last three laps, where he was overtaken by Herlings and Searle. Leib is very grateful towards Monster Energy Yamaha for having given him such opportunity and he admitted that his near future is still uncertain at the moment.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Van Horebeek obtained his first podium finish of the season after being second and fourth in today's races. In the first heat, the Belgian was riding comfortably in the second position when he suffered a heavy crash, but he managed to recover himself quickly and finished the race second. Van Horebeek admitted that he struggled a lot in the second moto to finish fourth, as he was suffering a heavy headache caused from the crash in the first moto. The Belgian is now second in the point standings.

His teammate Tixier was fifth overall today in Fermo and he has moved up to the sixth position in championship and he is now only two points behind Anstie. Tixier had some difficulties in the first race and he was only able to finish seventh, but in the second one he obtained a solid fifth place.

KTM Diga Racing's Butrón completed the top five of the Italian Championship thanks to his 9-7 result. The Spanish rider had two really good starts and in the second moto he even led the race during the first meters. Butrón has been riding in the front in Sevlievo and this weekend in Fermo during the first laps, but he is missing a little bit of consistency to fight for the podium finish.

Charlier obtained a solid overall sixth position in his first appearance in the FIM Motocross World Championship after his foot injury and Ferrandis finished seventh overall. The French young rider, who was the runner up of the 2011 UEM EMX2 championship, had a really good start in the first heat and finished fifth, but in the second one he was involved in a crashed at the start and he could only cross the finish line in the 12th position.

Anstie was eighth and Searle and Lupino completed the top ten.

It was a disappointing weekend for Searle, especially after having won the qualifying race yesterday and having so high expectations for this weekend. In the first heat he crashed on the opening lap and his bike was so damaged that he had to pull out and in the second one, Searle's and Herlings' bikes touched at the start and he had to fight from almost the last position up to the second final place.

MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Michael Leib (USA, Yamaha), 40 p.; 3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 30 p.; 5. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 26 p.; 6. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 25 p.; 7. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 25 p.; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 23 p.; 9. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 22 p.; 10. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), 22 p.

MX2 Championship top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 144 points; 2. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 114 p.; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 109 p.; 4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 85 p.; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 80 p.; 6. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 78 p.; 7. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 73 p.; 8. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 69 p.; 9. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), 65 p.; 10. Michael Leib (USA, Yamaha), 61 p.

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 144 points; 2. Kawasaki, 132 p.; 3. Honda, 84 p.; 4. Yamaha, 83 p.; 5. Suzuki, 73 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 60 p.; 7. TM, 5 p.

Paulin and Searle dominate the qualifying race in Fermo

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:26:00 +0200

FERMO (Italy) – The MX1 and MX2 qualifying races, as well as race one of the UEM EMX125, took place today in Fermo under a blue sky and with more than 20 degrees. Gautier Paulin and Tommy Searle dominated the MX1 and MX2 qualifying races respectively, while Tim Gajser obtained a comfortable victory in the UEM EMX125.

The MX1 qualifying race was disputed between Gautier Paulin and Christophe Pourcel, who exchanged the lead during the whole heat, but it was the first one who obtained the final victory. Third was Ken De Dycker and Bobryshev and Sebastien Pourcel completed the top five. Clement Desalle and Antonio Cairoli made several mistakes during the qualifying race and they finished eighth and thirteenth respectively.

Steven Frossard took part in the qualifying race but he crashed and had to stop in the pitlane because he could not stand the pain. Tomorrow he will try to take part in the warm-up, but his presence in the main races is still uncertain. Tommy Searle commanded the MX2 qualifying race almost since the beginning, and his teammate Joel Roelants succeeded in being second, followed by red plate holder Jeffrey Herlings.

MX1

Kawasaki Racing Team's Paulin won the MX1 qualifying race in Fermo, but he had to fight hard with his compatriot Christophe Pourcel to be the first one to cross the finish line. Both riders exchanged the lead in several occasions and they fought for the victory until the end.

Christophe Pourcel started from the fifth position, but he quickly moved up to second and gave chase to the leader Paulin. His lap times were better than Paulin's, so he moved up to the first position and he pulled away. However, Paulin caught Pourcel in the last minutes of the qualifying race, and the CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit rider had to settle down with the second position.

Once again Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's De Dycker made a solid moto and he rode third from beginning to end. The Belgian is obtaining really good results since he is riding for KTM and yesterday Claudio De Carli announced that De Dycker will stay in the MX1 team until the end of the season.

Honda World Motocross' Bobryshev finished fourth in today's qualifying heat, which is a sign that his thumb injury is much better. The Russian will have a good starting position tomorrow, so he might be able to start fighting for the top three places if the pain lets him fight during the 40 minutes and two laps of both heats.

Sebastien Pourcel did a very consistent moto, maintaining the initial fifth position until the end. The CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit rider is feeling better and better every Grand Prix and a proof of that is his top five result in today's qualifying race. Home rider Philippaerts finished sixth and Boog was seventh.

Desalle did a really good start and he rode second during the first two laps. However, the Belgian made a mistake, went out the track and he dropped down to the fourteenth position. In the end, Desalle crossed the finish line eighth.

Cairoli admitted that he has made the worst qualifying race so far, after making two mistakes during the moto and being only able to finish thirteenth. However, Cairoli is feeling good and he hopes to be on the podium tomorrow in front of his crowd.

MX1 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 25:09.523; ; 2. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:01.559; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:33.611; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:38.930; 5. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:44.173; 6. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:48.327; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:52.711; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:57.856; 9. Cedric Soubeyras (FRA, Honda), +1:01.781; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +1:02.912;

MX2

Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Searle started from an initial third position and he quickly moved up to second taking advantage of Van Horebeek's mistake. Searle's lap times were much better than the ones of Nichols, who was leading the race, so the Kawasaki rider took the lead easily and commanded the qualifying heat until the end.

His teammate Roelants did not have a really good start and had to fight hard from the eighth position to finish second. This result gives the Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit rider another good chance to pick a good starting gate tomorrow to fight once more for the podium finish or even for the overall victory.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Herlings finished third in the qualifying heat, but he had to fight really hard from an initial thirteenth position. Herlings proved that he has the speed to do well tomorrow, so if he has a good start, he might be able to obtain the overall victory.

Van Horebeek did one of the best starts of the season so far and he crossed the first corner in the third position, he then moved up to second, but he made a mistake and he went down to the sixth place. The Red Bull KTM Factory rider did not give up and he managed to cross the finish line fourth.

Nestaan JM Racing KTM's Nicholls took the holeshot one more time, but he was not able to keep the lead more than three laps. Nicholls was overtaken by his compatriot Searle during the third lap and later one it was Roelants, Herlings and finally Van Horebeek who managed to overtake the Nestaan JM Racing KTM rider, who finished fifth.

Charlier obtained a solid sixth position on his debut in the 2012 season after his foot injury and Leib and Lupino followed the French rider. Ferrandis finished ninth and Tonkov completed the top ten. Teillet was back on the bike for the qualifying race after his crash in Sevlievo, but he could not finish the heat, so his presence tomorrow in the main races is still uncertain.

MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 25:35.454; 2. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:02.076; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:03.107; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:25.916; 5. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +0:28.877; 6. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:36.322; 7. Michael Leib (USA, Yamaha), +0:38.572; 8. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:43.055; 9. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:44.703; 10. Alexander Tonkov (RUS, Honda), +0:49.181;

Frossard and Charlier get green light for Italy

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:44:00 +0200

Monster Energy Yamaha will welcome back two of their riders this weekend at Fermo for the Grand Prix of Italy and the third round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Steven Frossard has been using a bicycle only several days after an operation on his right knee to remove the anterior cruciate ligament following an incident in the qualification heat for last weekend's Grand Prix of Bulgaria. The 2011 MX1-GP runner-up is ready to attempt practice and qualification on Saturday. The Frenchman will be joined in the Rinaldi-led splinter of the Monster Energy Yamaha by Christophe Charlier. Today the former European Champion rode his factory YZ250FM for the first time since breaking his right foot earlier this month and was free of pain or any discomfort. He is now set to make his debut as a works representative and on the prototype machine.

Both Frossard and Charlier will join David Philippaerts, Shaun Simpson (MX1-GP) and replacement riders Michael Leib and Mel Pocock (MX2-GP) at Fermo to bring the Monster Energy Yamaha crew up to a full rider roster for the first time this season. Zach Osborne and Arnaud Tonus continue their respective recovery and rehabilitations.

Fermo to host the third MXGP of the season

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:41:00 +0200

The beautiful and emblematic track of Fermo, located at the Adriatic coast in Italy, will host the third Grand Prix of the FIM Motocross World Championship and the second round of the UEM EMX125 series. Antonio Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings and Tim Gajser are landing in Italy determined to keep the red plate on their bikes by giving their best in the traditional hard pack motocross track of Fermo.

Good racing is assured in both MX1 and MX2 classes, as there are several contenders to fight for the overall victory this weekend. In the MX1 class, Antonio Cairoli will ride home this weekend after having missed his home GP in the previous two years, but Gautier Paulin, winner of the Bulgarian GP last weekend, obtained his maiden victory in the MX1 class last year in Fermo, so both of them are the clear favourites to be at the top.

In the MX2 class the duel will be between current leader of the series Jeffrey Herlings and Bulgarian GP winner, Tommy Searle. However, his teammate Joel Roelants also proved in Sevlievo that his riding skills on the hard pack have improved significantly.

Last weekend in Bulgaria the young motocross talents took part in the first round of the UEM EMX125, and Tim Gajser dominated both heats with authority. However, Davide Bonini rides at home this weekend and he will be extra motivated to do well in front of his crowd, and Jorge Zaragoza, who had to fight from the back of the pack last weekend in Sevlievo to finish third, might also be able to battle for the victory this weekend.

MX1
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Cairoli arrives in Italy as the leader of the series with nine points difference over his closest pursuer Gautier Paulin. For Cairoli it is very special coming to Fermo this weekend, not only because he will be riding home, but also because he had missed the Grand Prix of Italy the previous two years. The Italian has been working a lot on hard pack this week in order to do his best to hand his home crowd the so expected overall victory of their Italian hero.

Second in the point standings is Kawasaki Racing Team's Paulin, who is also one of the favourites to be on the top of the rostrum on Sunday. The French has admitted that he feels better than ever and a proof of that is the GP victory obtained in Sevlievo last weekend. Besides, last year Paulin won the Italian GP on the 450cc on his first attempt in the main class, so he is quite confident for the weekend.

Rockstar Energy Suzuki World's Desalle missed the podium last weekend, but he is still third in the point standings. The Belgian crashed in the second heat of the Bulgarian GP and now he has a slightly sore ankle, but it will not be an obstacle to fight among the top riders to claim the overall victory.

The fourth position of the FIM MX1 World Championship is for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's De Dycker, who is just four points behind Desalle. De Dycker has been the big surprise of the season so far on his new KTM machine and being able to obtain very solid results in the previous GP. In fact, the Belgian impressed the entire paddock last weekend when he was battling against Cairoli and Desalle for the third position during the second heat.

Christophe Pourcel was second last weekend in Sevlievo, result which made him claim the fifth position of the point standings. Last year, the CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit rider was on the second step of the podium, so Fermo it's a track that suits the French rider and it might be the weekend where Pourcel claims his first overall victory of the season.

Strijbos is in the sixth position of the championship, followed by Boog and Simpson. Home rider Philippaerts is looking forward to this weekend, as he was touched by bad lack in Bulgaria, he crashed in the second heat and he could only finish seventh overall.

His teammate Frossard, who could not take part in the Bulgarian GP as he injured his knee during the qualifying race, will enter the Italian GP after having been operated earlier this week.

2011 MX1 Podium in Fermo
1. Gautier Paulin
2. Christophe Pourcel
3. Jonathan Barragán
2011 MX1 POLEMAN: Gautier Paulin

MX2
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Herlings missed the overall victory last weekend in Bulgaria, but he is landing in Italy with confidence, as he claimed the overall victory last year in Fermo. However, Herlings is aware of the fact that Searle will be very strong this weekend, as he had already proved in Sevlievo last weekend.

Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Searle is second in the point standings, seven points behind Herlings, so his result in Fermo might be decisive to close up the gap with the leader. The British rider obtained the overall victory last weekend in Sevlievo, which has given him extra motivation to face the Italian round this weekend.

His teammate Roelants is just two points behind Searle and last weekend in Sevleivo obtained his first race victory of the season. The Belgian rider has improved significantly his riding skills on the hard pack and, although he does not feel like one of the favourites to fight for the Title, he might be able to be on the top step of the podium.

Other Belgian Van Horebeek is fourth in the MX2 Championship; the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has ridden four solid motos so far and he is looking forward to racing this weekend in Fermo. Last year Van Horebeek was not able to take part in the Italian GP, as he was nursing a shoulder injury, so he will have to adapt himself quickly to the hard track of Fermo if he wants to fight for a podium finish this weekend.

The Honda Gariboldi Esta's Anstie is at the moment completing the top five in the point standings, but he can easily move up if he rides as he did last weekend in Sevlievo. Anstie is finding himself at ease with his new Honda machine and GP by GP he is improving his performance.

Lupino, who is tenth in the championship, is riding home this weekend, so he is focused in doing well in front of his home crowd. While Christophe Charlier will enter the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, after having had an injury on his foot and having missed the first two round of the series.

The presence of Valentin Teillet at the Italian GP is still doubtful due to the heavy crash he suffered last weekend in Bulgaria during the first heat of the GP.

2011 MX2 Podium in Fermo
1. Jeffrey Herlings
2. Tommy Searle
3. Max Anstie
2011 MX2 POLEMAN: Tommy Searle

Frossard to attempt Italian GP after knee surgery

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:25:00 +0200

Monster Energy Yamaha's Steven Frossard will travel to Fermo for the Grand Prix of Italy this weekend and attempt the third round of sixteen in the FIM Motocross World Championship in the wake of successful surgery on his right knee on Monday.

The 2011 MX1 championship runner-up required a procedure to remove a damaged anterior cruciate ligament and is now hopeful of postponing a reconstruction of the joint until the end of the season. After initial estimations that the Frenchman had affected his meniscus after catching his knee on the ground during the qualification heat for the Grand Prix of Bulgaria last Saturday, it was actually the ligament that was causing pain and a lack of movement.

With the knee now 'tidy' Frossard – who has already won the 2012 Italian Elite Championship - is aiming to get his MX1 Grand Prix campaign back on track after a strong start and a podium result several weeks ago at Valkenswaard in Holland for the series opener.

Monster Energy Yamaha MX2-GP star Christophe Charlier will ride his YZ250FM for the first time this Thursday since breaking his foot four weeks ago. Depending on the outcome of the session a judgement will be made on his participation this weekend on the Adriatic coast.

Paulin and Searle hand double victory to Kawasaki

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:24:00 +0200

The sun was shining in Sevlievo today and the 15000 spectators present at Gorna Rositza's track enjoyed incredible racing in both MX1 and MX2 classes. Gautier Paulin and Tommy Searle were on the top of the podium in Sevlievo in their respective classes. Gautier Paulin has obtained the first overall victory of the season since he is in MX1 with Kawasaki Racing Team, while Christophe Pourcel was second and Antonio Cairoli third. Clement Desalle finished third in the first heat, but he crashed in the second one while he was riding fifth and he ended eighth overall. In MX2 another Kawasaki machine was on the first step of the podium thanks to Tommy Searle's victory. Jeffrey Herlings was second and Joel Roelants was third in Sevlievo thanks to his 1-4 result. MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team's Paulin has obtained the first overall victory of the season on his new 450cc machine after being second and first in today's heats. In the first heat, Paulin admitted that he made several mistakes because he is still getting used to the extra power of his bike, but he managed to finish second. However, in the second moto Paulin had an excellent race, and once he overtook Christophe Pourcel in the opening lap, he pulled away until the chequered flag. CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Christophe Pourcel did an incredible first race, getting the lead already in the first lap and dominating it until the end. In the second race, he took the holeshot and led the opening lap, but he admitted that he was surprised by Paulin's speed and had to settle down for the second position. The third step of the podium was for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Cairoli after finishing fourth and third in today's heats. The Italian, who is still leading the championship, suffered from arm pump in the beginning of both heats, so it was difficult for him to keep the speed. Cairoli decided to ride safe, get as many points as possible and he is now ready to improve his riding on hard pack to win on his home soil next weekend. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's De Dycker did not have a good start in the first race and was only seventh, but he got a much better start in the second moto, he fought against Cairoli and Desalle and he moved up to the third position at one point of the race. In the end, De Dycker was fourth in the second moto, which gave him an overall fourth position. For Honda World Motocross' Bobryshev it was not an easy weekend, as his right thumb is still hurting a lot, but he battled against the pain and finished fifth overall. In the first heat, the Russian did not take the first corner really well and was stuck in the eighth position most of the race, but in the second one he had a better start and finished fifth. Boog did a really good start in the first heat and finished sixth, but in the second moto he had to fight from an initial thirteenth position to finish in a solid seventh place, which gave him an overall sixth result. The French was followed by Philippaerts, who was fifth in the first heat but a crash in the second moto made him cross the finish line in the 13th position. Desalle had a consistent first moto and managed to finish third, but in the second heat, while he was fighting for the fourth position, he made a mistake after the finish jump and his handle bar was completely torn. Desalle tried to make a lap, but he had to enter the pitlane to receive some assistance from his team. His 18th position in the second heat made him obtain an overall eighth place. MX1 Race 1 top ten: 1. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 39:09.159; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:05.667; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:07.718; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:08.467; 5. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:20.631; 6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:21.770; 7. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:36.027; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:44.249; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:44.410; 10. Gregory Aranda (FRA, Yamaha), +0:57.539; MX1 Race 2 top ten: 1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 39:17.879; 2. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:02.427; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:23.189; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:26.379; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:29.251; 6. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:29.975; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:31.978; 8. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +1:05.762; 9. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +1:07.483; 10. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +1:08.192; MX1 Overall top ten: 1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 47 points; 2. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 47 p.; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 32 p.; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 29 p.; 6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 29 p.; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 24 p.; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 23 p.; 9. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), 22 p.; 10. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 21 p.; MX1 Championship top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 88 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 79 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 67 p.; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 63 p.; 5. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 59 p.; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 51 p.; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 49 p.; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), 45 p.; 9. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 44 p.; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 42 p.; MX1 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 88 points; 2. Kawasaki, 82 p.; 3. Suzuki, 77 p.; 4. Yamaha, 68 p.; 5. Honda, 58 p.; 6. TM, 1 p.; MX2 Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Searle had a perfect weekend in Sevlievo, as he did not only won the qualifying race yesterday, but he also obtained the first overall victory of the season today. Searle had really good starts in both heats and he managed to lead both races from the beginning. However, in the first moto he lost his front break and had to settle down with a third position. In the second one, he had no opponent and he dominated it from beginning to end. The second position was for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Herlings, who was very satisfied with his performance today, especially taking into account his starting position in both heats. Even starting from the outside, Herlings managed to ride at the front since the very beginning of both heats, and while he took advantage of Searle's mechanical problem in the first heat to finish second, in the second moto he rode second from beginning to end. Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Roelants succeeded in winning the first heat of the day, but the fourth position in the second one made him finish on the third step of the rostrum. Roelants has admitted that riding with Kawasaki this year has made improve his riding significantly, and the fact of having a hard pack specialist like Searle as teammate has helped him a lot to improve his riding on tracks like the one in Sevlievo. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Van Horebeek rode two solid motos this weekend and ended fourth overall. In the first heat he did not have a good start and had to move up from the tenth position to finish fourth, whereas in the second heat he rode comfortably on the third place from beginning to end. Honda Gariboldi – Esta's Anstie completed the top five this weekend thanks to his 6-5 result. In the first heat he did not have a really good start, but in the second one he was already fourth in the first lap. Anstie and Roelants exchanged the fourth position in several occasions during the heat, but in the end the Brit had to settle down with the fifth place. Kullas was more fortunate this weekend and he obtained an overall sixth position, while Ferrandis and Tonkov where seventh and eighth respectively. Nichols, who had a really good start in the first moto, could only finish seventh and twelfth in today's motos and he ended ninth overall. Lupino completed the top ten thanks to his 14-6. Butron was tenth, followed by Leib and Tixier. Home rider Petrov could only finish 14th. Valentin Teillet, who did an incredible qualifying race yesterday finishing second, suffered a heavy crash in the first lap of the first heat and had to be taken to the hospital to have some exams done. Fortunately, Teillet has nothing broken but he feels pain everywhere, so at the moment his presence in Fermo is still uncertain. MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 39:43.795; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:09.286; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:17.680; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:24.904; 5. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), +0:39.615; 6. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +0:44.290; 7. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +0:50.642; 8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:53.251; 9. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:54.123; 10. Michael Leib (USA, Yamaha), +1:09.346; MX2 Race 2 top ten: 1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 39:24.388; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:02.231; 3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:43.372; 4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:52.201; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +0:59.616; 6. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), +1:18.428; 7. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:23.833; 8. Alexander Tonkov (RUS, Honda), +1:26.744; 9. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), +1:29.499; 10. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:29.660; MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 45 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 43 p.; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 38 p.; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 31 p.; 6. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), 28 p.; 7. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 24 p.; 8. Alexander Tonkov (RUS, Honda), 23 p.; 9. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 23 p.; 10. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), 22 p.; MX2 Championship top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 94 points; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 87 p.; 3. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 85 p.; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 74 p.; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 57 p.; 6. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 51 p.; 7. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 48 p.; 8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 48 p.; 9. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), 43 p.; 10. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), 38 p.; MX2 Manufacturers: 1. Kawasaki, 94 points; 2. KTM, 94 p.; 3. Honda, 61 p.; 4. Suzuki, 47 p.; 5. Yamaha, 43 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 38 p.; 7. TM, 4 p.;

Frossard withdraws from Bulgarian Grand Prix

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:06:00 +0200

Monster Energy Yamaha's Steven Frossard will sit out the rest of the Grand Prix of Bulgaria – the second round of sixteen in the FIM Motocross World Championship – after twisting his right knee during the MX1 qualification heat on Saturday.

The 2011 championship runner-up caught his foot on the ground during the 20 minute and 2 lap race and pulled into the pits. Fortunately initial x-rays and a scan in the local hospital revealed no immediate and serious damage but the Frenchman is believed to have affected his meniscus.

Frossard will now fly to Belgium for an operation on Monday and his chances of participation in the Italian Grand Prix at Fermo next weekend will then be assessed.

Searle and Cairoli seal pole in Sevlievo

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:08:00 +0200

Gorna Rositza's track hosted day one of the Bulgarian Grand Prix, where Antonio Cairoli and Tommy Searle clinched the pole for tomorrow's races. The first EMX125 race took also place today in Sevlievo and Tim Gajser dominated it from beginning to end.

The day started with some clouds early in the morning, but by midday the sky was blue and the sun was out. However, when the MX2 qualifying race was about to start, it began to rain, but Tommy Searle succeeded in winning the MX2 qualifying race, while Jeffrey Herlings had to fight from the back of the pack, as he crashed in the first corner.

The rain had stopped when the MX1 riders went out for the qualifying race, but they had to ride smart not to make any mistake. Antonio Cairoli won the race easily and Gautier Paulin and Christophe Pourcel were second and third respectively.

MX1
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Cairoli took the holeshot of the MX1 qualifying race and he dominated it until the chequered flag. The Italian admitted that he struggled a little bit in the time practice, but he rode very comfortable during the qualifying race. Cairoli is looking forward to winning tomorrow in Sevlievo, as he has never been on the top of the podium of the Bulgarian GP since he is in the MX1 class.

Kawasaki Racing Team's Paulin obtained the fourth best result in the pre-qualifying session and he was second in the qualifying race, so he proved that he can easily be on the podium tomorrow. In fact, Paulin started third today, he managed to get the second position already in the first lap, kept Christophe Pourcel's pressure and crossed the finish line second.

Christophe Pourcel got a really good start and he was third already in the first lap. The CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit rider proved that he is feeling much better this weekend and he might be on the podium tomorrow after the two heats.

The fourth position was for Rockstar Energy Suzuki World's Desalle, who did not have a very good start but he managed to get into the fourth position during the second lap. However, once Desalle overtook De Dycker and Aranda, the leading group had already opened a massive gap, so the Belgian rode safe until the end of the race.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's De Dycker did a solid qualifying moto, by starting fifth and keeping such position during the 20 minutes plus two laps heat. However, the Belgian had to battle with Aranda in order to keep his position until the chequered flag.

Boog did not have a really good start, but he managed to finish sixth, in front of Philippaerts and Bobryshev. The Russian is still struggling with a lot of pain in his right thumb, so his goal tomorrow is to get as many points as possible without taking any risks.

It was an unfortunate session for Frossard, who might even miss the races tomorrow. Firstly, he did not have a good start and he then made several mistakes while trying to improve his initial eighth position, and when he was battling with Bobryshev for sixth, he twisted his right knee and had to stop in the pit lane.

MX1 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 23:55.990; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:02.684; 3. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:04.220; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:20.493; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:27.470; 6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:30.890; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:33.555; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:36.452; 9. Gregory Aranda (FRA, Yamaha), +0:38.045; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:40.548;

MX2
Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Searle obtained his first pole position this afternoon in Sevlievo. Searle started third, but he quickly moved up to second, while Teillet was leading the race. After five laps, Searle managed to overtake the French rider and he kept the first position until the chequered flag.

Rockstar Energy Bud Racing Kawasaki's Teillet took advantage of Herlings crash in the first corner and he led the first six laps of the qualifying race with authority. However, he could not stand Searle's pressure until the end and he had to settle down with a second position. In any case, Teillet set really good lap times and he could even fight for the podium tomorrow.

The third position was for Nestaan JM Racing KTM's Nicholls, who once more did a really good start and hold the third position until the end. The Brit has already proved that he can be at the front this year, so if he has a good start also tomorrow, he can also be another contender for the podium.

KTM Diga Racing's Butrón made a really solid race and he kept the fourth position from beginning to end. The Spanish rider, who could not finish any of the heats in Valkenswaard due to some mechanical problems, has admitted that the team have worked really hard to improve the bike and he is now looking forward to show his real potential tomorrow.

Completing the top five was HM Plant KTM UK's Banks-Browne. The young British rider could not show his talent in the sandy track of Sevlievo, but he could be one of the surprises of the weekend and even of the season.

Van Horebeek got a solid sixth position and he was followed by Anstie and Lupino. Kullas was ninth and Ferrandis completed the top ten. Roelants could only finish right after Ferrandis, but he did an incredible race taking into account that he had to enter the pit lane to change his goggles.

Red plate holder, Herlings, was the first one to reach the first corner after the start, but he made a mistake and crashed. He was able to get back on his bike, but he started from the very last position. Herlings had to finally enter the pitlane to change his goggles to end sixteenth of the qualifying race.

Home rider Petrov is still nursing an injury he suffered one week before Valkenswaard and he could only finish twelfth, ahead of Tonkov and Tixier.

Monster Energy Yamaha's Leib obtained the best seventh lap time in the pre-qualifying session, but he could only finish fifteenth in the qualifying heat.

MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 25:05.361; 2. Valentin Teillet (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:02.334; 3. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +0:34.917; 4. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:43.524; 5. Elliott Banks-Browne (GBR, KTM), +0:46.416; 6. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:48.085; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +0:49.867; 8. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:55.115; 9. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), +0:55.469; 10. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:01.903;

Sevlievo to host the second MXGP of the season

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:23:00 +0200

After a week-break, the FIM Motocross World Championship is back to celebrate the second round of the season in the awarded track of Sevlievo, Bulgaria, where Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings will give their best to keep the red plate on their KTM. Besides, the Gorna Rositza track will also host the first round of the UEM EMX125 championship.

In the first Grand Prix of the season, held in the sandy track of Valkenswaard, there was a clear favourite in the MX1 class, the multi-champion Antonio Cairoli. However, this weekend the races might be more disputed, as there are at least up to six riders who can fight for the win in Sevlievo.

In the MX2 class things are very similar, as Jeffrey Herlings did not have any opponent in Valkenswaard, so it is time now for the Dutch rider to defend the red plate on the hard pack of Sevlievo. However, there is another clear favourite to claim the victory this weekend, the British rider Tommy Searle.

The EMX125 Championship starts this weekend in Sevlievo and everything is open to see who starts dominating the series. However, there are already some names which stand out from the 51 entered riders; 2011 EMX125 runner up Tim Gajser, former FIM 85cc Junior World Champion Henry Jacobi or the promising Spanish talent Jorge Zaragoza.

MX1
In 2011 the FIM Motocross World Championship started in Sevlievo, Bulgaria, and the five times World Champion Cairoli had one of his worst starts of the season, finishing ninth overall and with an injury on his knee. This upcoming weekend, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider will arrive at the Gorna Rositza track with the red plate on his bike and his goal will be to be on the podium and to keep the leadership of the championship.

Rockstar Energy Suzuki World's Desalle is second in the MX1 standings, six points behind Cairoli, but he is facing the Bulgarian GP full of great expectations to do well and close up the gap with the Italian. Desalle went 2-1 last year in Sevlievo and he was on the first step of the podium, so he has some extra motivation to claim the overall victory this weekend.

Third in the MX1 point standings is Monster Energy Yamaha's Frossard. The French rider made his debut in the MX1 class last year in Sevlievo and he already won the qualifying race and finished second overall. Frossard has admitted that he feels comfortable in the Bulgarian track, but he needs to avoid making the mistakes he made in Valkenswaard to be on the top of the rostrum.

Another French rider is in the fourth position of the MX1 championship, Gautier Paulin. In Valkenswaard, the Kawasaki Racing Team rider did two solid motos, even after being involved in a tangle at the start of the second race. Gautier is also another contender to be on the podium this weekend, as feels really good on hard pack and last year finished fourth overall in the MX2 class in Sevlievo.

HM Plant KTM UK's Strijbos impressed many people in the paddock after obtaining an overall fifth position in Valkenswaard, so this weekend it is time to prove his riding skills on the hard pack and try to keep or even improve his fifth position in the point standings.

De Dycker, who is currently sixth in the championship, will race in Bulgaria to keep his position in the standings but also to forget his last year's 19th overall result in Sevlievo. Gonçalves is behind the Belgian in the point standings and he has a good opportunity this weekend to improve his position, as he has always felt really well riding in the Bulgarian track.

Simpson is eighth in the Championship, followed by Leok and Philippaerts. Christophe Pourcel was sick in Valkenswaard and he is currently 14th in the standings, so this weekend needs to do well to cut the difference with the top three riders. On the other hand, Bobryshev suffered a heavy crash in Valkenswaard two weeks ago, and although nothing was broken, he has still some pain in different parts of his body, especially in one of his thumbs. This weekend he will have to test his fitness and try to improve his 17th place in the championship.

2011 MX1 Podium in Sevlievo
1. Clement Desalle
2. Steven Frossard
3. Jonathan Barragán
2011 MX1 POLEMAN: Steven Frossard

MX2
The first Grand Prix of the season was an easy weekend for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Herlings, as he was riding home on his favourite track soil, but this weekend he will have to measure his skills with the rest of the MX2 riders on the hard pack. Herlings has admitted that he has been training a lot on hard pack and that he determined to claim the second victory of the season this weekend in Sevlievo.

However, Tommy Searle is very fast on hard soil and he already proved it last year in several occasions; in fact, the British rider ended second overall in Sevlievo, ahead the current leader of the series, Herlings. The Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit rider confessed in Valkenswaard that this year he feels ready to be more on the top of the podium to fight for the Title, so this weekend can be a good opportunity for Searle to cut some points from the Dutch.

The third position in the standings is for Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Roelants, who might be one of the surprises of the season if he keeps on being on the rostrum in the upcoming Grand Prix. Last year it was not an easy weekend for Roelants in Sevlievo, so he will have to prove that his riding skills on the hard pack have also improved to be fighting for the MX2 title.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Van Horebeek started the season really well and he is now fourth in the point standings. The Belgian finished sixth overall last year in Sevlievo, so he might be able to fight for the top positions and keep on being close to the red plate holder.

His teammate Jordi Tixier made his debut in the MX2 class last year in Sevlievo and he finished 16th overall, so this year, being in the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team and having finished fifth overall in Valkenswaard, he might be able to finish close to the podium this weekend. Tixier, who was the 2010 UEM EMX125 Champion, finished 13th in his rookie year in the MX2 class last year, but this 2012 may be the year where he proves his real potential.

Nicholls is currently sixth in the MX2 standings, followed by Anstie and Ferrandis. Teillet is ninth and Pocock, who will ride for Monster Energy Yamaha in Sevlievo and also in Fermo, is completing the top ten.

Michael Leib will be back in the FIM Motocross World Championship riding for Monster Energy Yamaha at the Bulgarian and Italian Grand Prix.

On the other hand, Christophe Charlier will not be able to take part in the Bulgarian GP as it had been foreseen, because his bone in his foot needs some more time to be healed.

2011 MX2 Podium in Sevlievo
1. Ken Roczen
2. Tommy Searle
3. Jeffrey Herlings
2011 MX2 POLEMAN: Ken Roczen

A Mobile Medical Centre for Motocross

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:02:00 +0200

A mobile medical and diagnostic centre was inaugurated at Valkenswaard in the Netherlands for the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship last weekend. The structure was set up by the French company Centre Médical Mobile S.A.S, to provide the racers and their teams with permanent medical assistance. This is the culmination of a project devised and financed by the FIM, the championship promoter Youthstream, and the teams themselves.

The mobile medical unit is mounted on a truck and fitted out with an array of equipment including a digital radiology room, a diagnostic console, and a latest-generation ultrasound system. It will provide reinforcements for the local medical facilities provided by the organisers. The Mobile Medical Centre team is made up of a radiologist specialising in ultrasound and two logistics technicians who will work in close cooperation with and under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer for each event.

In 2012, the Mobile Medical Centre will be operational at 14 events in Europe and Russia counting towards the FIM MX1 & MX2 Motocross World Championships and the FIM Motocross of Nations.

FIM President Vito Ippolito welcomes this development: " This new medical service is one of the FIM's priority projects aimed at improving the safety and care of riders and teams. The Mobile Medical Centre has acquired solid experience among riders and staff over a number of years and will help the Chief Medical Officer to decide whether or not a rider is medically fit to compete."

Photos - Nuno Laranjeira

Frossard "didn't ride well''

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:47:00 +0200

After their impressive team presentation in front of international media and guests on Saturday evening Monster Energy Yamaha picked up their first silverware of the FIM Motocross World Championship at a grey, rainy and cold Valkenswaard for the Grand Prix of the Netherlands. Steven Frossard finished third overall on his YZ450FM and battled with Antonio Cairoli and Clement Desalle in both motos as the trio led the world through the slippery and rough Dutch sand. Frossard jostled for pole position with reigning champion Cairoli on Sunday under bright skies but the weather took a turn for the worse on race day. Starting from third and fourth positions in the gates on their YZ450FMs Frossard, David Philippaerts and debutant Shaun Simpson, in thirteenth, got their Grand Prix campaigns underway watched by 23,000 spectators who braved the elements. The 2011 MX1 vice champion set the pace in the first moto but couldn't get comfortable with his rhythm and several mistakes allowed Cairoli through. Frossard swapped track space with Desalle in the second race and a better performance despite driving rain saw the Frenchman circulate in a smart and steady third position for a strong start to the six month competition. Shaun Simpson rode well and confidently on his first Grand Prix outing as a Yamaha rider and on the YZ450FM. The Scot started badly in the opening sprint but cut a path through to eleventh place. A better launch in the second race positioned the former British Champion in the second half of the top ten and he was just pipped to seventh on the last lap. The 24 year old was eighth overall for an encouraging day. Philippaerts, on his first Grand Prix since last July, was pushing hard in the first moto and grabbed a decent seventh spot for his efforts. A crash through the busy set of turns at the beginning of the second race meant the Italian had to find space and time from the rear of the forty-strong entry. 'DP' made it to fifteenth for eleventh position for the Dutch curtain-raiser. The fledgling standings reflect the final Grand Prix standings and with another two Grands Prix scheduled in April a better picture of the early MX1-GP story will be evident by the end of the month. Monster Energy Yamaha will have a free weekend before back-to-back events in Bulgaria and Italy. Steven Frossard, 3rd : "I didn't ride well in the first moto. I had a few good laps at the beginning but then I had some arm-pump and then pushed a bit too much. I don't know how many mistakes I made! I went outside the track twice. I was very disappointed because I rode like I did a few years ago in MX2 by pushing too much. I turned the day around and I was happier after the second moto because I rode quite close to how I do in training. The track was strange. In the first moto some parts were very bad but then they were graded too much for the second." Shaun Simpson, 7th : "Coming into this weekend my goal was a top ten finish. I took eleventh in the first one and, unluckily, Paulin passed me on the last corner of the second otherwise I would have had seventh. Eleventh and eighth and seventh in the championship is not a bad way to start the championship. I think my starts could have been better and I showed in the second race that with a decent getaway I can hang 'up there'. I'm strong at the beginning of the race and also at the end so now I need to work on that middle section a little bit. I'm looking forward to the hardpack in Bulgaria and Italy now. The team have done good work and I feel good on the Yamaha. In the last three weeks we have made a lot of great little changes and it has made the difference. The team atmosphere is good and I find myself wanting to get back to the truck and wanting to talk to people so I'm all smiles at the moment." David Philippaerts, 11th : "I didn't feel good today and I'm not 100% physically. Those two bad starts did not help me. I broke the clutch in the second race crash. It has not been a perfect day but this is the first race of the season and the first GP for a long time for me. I think Bulgaria will be different both for the track and the condition. We will see what will happen. I'm not so happy with today but we will keep on working. The bike was really good here but the track was bumpy and is a bit special with its demands. The next couple of tracks are good for me so I will hope for better."

Cairoli and Herlings put KTM on the top

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:53:00 +0200

The first motos of the GP of the Netherlands were run in dry conditions, but by the first half of the second MX2 race started raining heavily. However, Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings succeeded in being on the first step of the podium and they handed KTM the first double victory of the season. Antonio Cairoli has won the first GP comfortably, taking the lead in the beginning of the races and crossing the finish line with a significant advantage over his rivals. Clement Desalle was second in both heats while Steven Frossard went 3-3. In the MX2 class Jeffrey Herlings could show once more his potential on the sand and he dominated both heats with great authority. Second was Joel Roelants and third overall was his teammate Tommy Searle. MX1
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Cairoli obtained two solid victories and he was very satisfied with his performance this weekend. The Italian admitted that yesterday had some problems with the settings of the bike but today everything went really well and in both motos he crossed the finish line with more than ten seconds advantage over the second classified. The second overall position was for Rockstar Energy Suzuki World's Desalle who finished second in both heats. The Belgian had really good starts in both motos, but when he got into the second place, Cairoli had already pulled a massive gap from Desalle and the Belgian had to settle down for the second position in both heats. Monster Energy Yamaha's Frossard was not really satisfied with his riding this weekend even finishing third overall. The French took the holeshot in the first heat, but he made several mistakes and he went out the track twice. However, Frossard managed to cross the finish line third and so he did in the second moto. Kawasaki Racing Team's Paulin was fourth overall in his debut in the MX1 class. He had a really good first race finishing fourth, but he was involved in a crash in the start of the second heat and he had to fight hard from behind. Paulin's speed was really good and at some point he even overtook three riders in one lap. In the end he crossed the finish line seventh. HM Plant KTM UK's Strijbos has begun the 2012 season at the front, obtaining an overall fifth place. In the first race he got a really good start and he rode among the top sixth positions during the whole heat, but in the second moto, he struggled a little bit more. After the first laps, Strijbos found himself really comfortable and he moved from an initial tenth place up to the final fifth position. De Dycker got a really solid weekend in his debut with KTM and he ended sixth overall. The Belgian got a comfortable fifth position in the first heat and in the second one he managed to ride fourth during six laps. However, Gonçalves overtook him and later on De Dycker made a mistake which made him go down to eighth. Finally the Belgian crossed the finish line sixth. Gonçalves was only able to finish tenth in the first heat, but in the second one he felt much better and went from seventh to fourth and finished the GP in a seventh overall position. His teammate Bobryshev suffered a really heavy crash in the first moto, which cause him a small concussion and breathing difficulties because the bike hit heavily his chest. Luckily the Russian has nothing broken and he was able to go out in the second heat, but he was only twelfth. Bobryshev was seventeenth in the Grand Prix. In his debut with Monster Energy Yamaha, Simpson finished eighth overall, ahead of Leok and Boog. Italian Philippaerts got a seventh place in the first heat, but in the second one he was involved in a crash after the start and his clutch lever was damaged, which made his riding really difficult. The Italian was able to finish the race in the fifteenth position, so he was eleventh overall. Christophe Pourcel has been sick during the whole weekend and even if he took the holeshot in the second heat, he was only able to obtain an overall fourteenth position. MX1 Race 1 top ten : 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:34.863; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:18.926; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Yamaha), +0:19.932; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:31.610; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:35.025; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:39.092; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:52.810; 8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:59.049; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +1:01.702; 10. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +1:09.215; MX1 Race 2 top ten : 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 41:14.597; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:13.554; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Yamaha), +0:20.857; 4. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:32.973; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:59.751; 6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +1:04.839; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:10.455; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +1:12.160; 9. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:16.549; 10. Matiss Karro (LAT, KTM), +1:17.996; MX1 Overall top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 44 p.; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Yamaha), 40 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 32 p.; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 31 p.; 6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 31 p.; 7. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 29 p.; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), 23 p.; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 22 p.; 10. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 20 p.; MX1 Championship top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 44 p.; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Yamaha), 40 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 32 p.; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 31 p.; 6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 31 p.; 7. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 29 p.; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), 23 p.; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 22 p.; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 20 p.; MX1 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 50 points; 2. Suzuki, 44 p.; 3. Yamaha, 40 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 32 p.; 5. Honda, 29 p.; 6. TM, 1 p.;

MX2<
For third time in a row, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Herlings went out with a double victory in front of the 23000 spectators that gathered together in Valkenswaard this weekend. The Dutch proved once again why he is known as the "King of the Sand" and he crossed the finish line with more than 54 seconds in the first race and 36 seconds in the second one.

Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Roelants impressed most of the paddock today with the overall second position. The Belgian admitted that he was a little bit too nervous in the first heat and he made a mistake in the start, but after some laps, he got really good rhythm and went from eleventh up to third. In the second heat he got a really good start and he overtook his teammate easily after the three first races and Roelants crossed the finish line second.

The third step of the podium was for Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Searle thanks to his second and third places. The British rider admitted that he was really satisfied with his performance today, as he is not a sand specialist rider, so he is now ready to go to Bulgaria to measure his speed with Herlings on the hard pack.

Fourth was KTM Factory Racing's Van Horebeek after finishing fourth in both heats. The Belgian got a really solid first moto, but he started down to the twelfth position in the second heat. However, the Belgian rider found a good rhythm and moved up to fourth in the second half of the race.

His teammate Tixier completed the top five, so the three Factory KTM machines were in the top of the standings. It is the first season of Tixier in the Red Bull KTM Factory team and today has shown that he can be fighting for the top positions in the MX2 class. In Valkenswaard he went 6-7.

Nicholls, who was really good yesterday in the qualifying race, could only be sixth today. The Brit was fifth in the first heat, but a bad start in the second one made him give his best to move from an initial sixteenth position up to the fifth.

His compatriot Anstie was seventh in his debut with the Honda Gariboldi ESTA team and the two Rockstar Energy Bud Racing Kawasaki young French riders Teillet and Ferrandis were eighth and ninth respectively. Mel Pocock, who has been given the chance to race for Monster Energy Yamaha now that two of the official riders are injured, got a really good weekend and completed the top ten.

MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 39:38.886; ; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:54.797; 3. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:59.601; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +1:49.941; 5. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:55.350; 6. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +2:06.414; 7. Alexander Tonkov (RUS, Honda), -1 lap(s); 8. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 9. Valentin Teillet (FRA, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 10. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s);

MX2 Race 2 top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 39:23.774; ; 2. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:36.471; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:55.418; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +2:09.242; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +2:29.886; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), -1 lap(s); 7. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), -1 lap(s); 8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 9. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 10. Valentin Teillet (FRA, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s);

MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 42 p.; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 42 p.; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 29 p.; 6. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 26 p.; 8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 24 p.; 9. Valentin Teillet (FRA, Kawasaki), 23 p.; 10. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), 22 p.;

MX2 Championship top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 42 p.; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 42 p.; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 29 p.; 6. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 26 p.; 8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 24 p.; 9. Valentin Teillet (FRA, Kawasaki), 23 p.; 10. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), 22 p.;

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 50 points; 2. Kawasaki, 44 p.; 3. Honda, 30 p.; 4. Yamaha, 22 p.; 5. Suzuki, 19 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 16 p.;

MX season is a go

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:44:00 +0200

FIM President Vito Ippolito, FIM/CMS Director Dr. Wolfgang Srb and Youthstream President Giuseppe Luongo, welcomed all the media to the 2012 season on Sunday. They all expressed their satisfaction of a bright future in front of us expanding the FIM Motocross World Championship worldwide. Mr. Luongo explained that the FIM Motocross World Championship is growing significantly even undergoing a global economical crisis and the series will be extended to those countries where the markets are growing, such as Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, India, Thailand and the Middle East. So already in 2013 the MXGP will have two events in South America, one in Thailand and another one in the Middle East. Mr. Luongo was also very pleased to announce the expansion of the international TV coverage that reaches Europe, the USA, Canada, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Cairoli and Herlings take qualifying

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 01:15:00 +0200

The 2012 season has finally started in the sandy track of Valkenswaard and Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings have won the MX1 and MX2 qualifying races respectively. The MX1 class was clearly dominated by Antonio Cairoli, but Clement Desalle and Steven Frossard also proved that they can fight for the victory tomorrow. Evgeny Bobryshev had to pull away from the race, as he landed on a wooden stick in the beginning of the race and his bike was really damaged. The MX2 qualifying heat started with a crash in the first corner, where Alessandro Lupino, Petar Petrov and Dylan Ferrandis were stuck. Jeffrey Herlings crashed twice during the race, but he managed to cross the finish line with more than 25 seconds advantage over the second one. MX1
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Cairoli did not have a good start in the qualifying race, but he quickly managed to move up and got the lead already in lap four. The Italian has always had good results in Valkenswaard, so he is ready to start the championship with the red plate on his KTM. The second position was for Rockstar Energy Suzuki World's Desalle, who proved that he is completely recovered from both shoulder injuries after finishing among the top three even having started from the ninth position. Although he has not had really good results in Valkenswaard in previous season, he knows that being on the podium tomorrow is what he needs to keep the distance short with the Italian Champion, and finishing second today behind Cairoli gives him the extra confidence for the races tomorrow. Monster Energy Yamaha's Frossard got the holeshot of the qualifying race and he led the heat during the first three laps, but he then started suffering from arm pump and had to settle down with the final third position. Frossard admitted that he is feeling really good on the bike, so he might be able to stop Cairoli to win the first GP of the season. The fourth place was for Monster Energy Yamaha's Philippaerts, who was back in the MXGP after his injury on both wrists last year. The Italian is fully motivated for this 2012 season and he has showed to his rivals that he is back again determined to get more GP wins and fight for the Title. HM Plant KTM UK's Strijbos made an impressive qualifying race and rode among the top five riders since the beginning of the heat. The Belgian rider obtained very good results in the end of the 2011 and he is now feeling really good on his new KTM machine, so he might be able to round the top five positions this weekend in Valkenswaard. De Dycker was sixth on his new KTM, while Paulin, who admitted that had some problems at the start, finished seventh. Leok was eighth and Boog and Gonçalves completed the top ten. Christophe Pourcel has not shown his potential today and he finished sixteenth, and his brother Sebastien was nineteenth. Bobryshev, who clocked the fastest lap during the pre-qualifying practice, had to get into the pitlane in the first laps of the qualifying race, as he had hit a wooden stick when he was landing from a jump and the bike was completely damaged. MX1 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 25:04.092; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:08.168; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Yamaha), +0:08.684; 4. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:12.345; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:13.620; 6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:16.654; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:17.074; 8. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +0:23.258; 9. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:41.411; 10. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:43.661; MX2
Home rider Jeffrey Herlings set the bar really high for tomorrow after winning the qualifying race with more than 25 seconds advantage over the second qualified, Van Horebeek. But what is even more impressive is that he crashed twice during the qualifying race and both times he managed to overtake all his rivals and pulled a huge gap once he got the lead. His teammate Van Horebeek did also really well in the qualifying race riding second most of the heat and even chasing Nicholls for the lead in the first laps of the session. The Belgian will have the opportunity to choose a good starting gate tomorrow and try to be on the podium after the two heats. Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit's Searle did not have a good start and had to fight from an initial seventh position, but he was finally third ahead of Nicholls and Butrón. Searle has admitted that he is not a sand specialist but he will do his best to be on the podium tomorrow. The big surprise of this qualifying race was the superb performance of Nestaan JM Racing KTM's Nicholls, who had a really good start and led the first five laps of the heat. The British rider could not stand the pressure of Herlings, Van Horebeek and Searle and crossed the finish line fourth. The fifth position was for the young Spanish rider Butron, who managed to ride third during a couple of laps in the beginning of the race. The KTM Diga Racing rider can be one of the surprises of the season if he keeps on getting solid motos as the one he had today. Anstie was sixth, ahead of Roelants, who was fighting for the second position when he made a mistake and went down to ninth. Teillet was eighth, Tonkov ninth and Tixier rounded the top ten. MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 24:42.751; 2. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:25.077; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:33.193; 4. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +0:37.447; 5. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:47.274; 6. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +0:47.550; 7. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:49.222; 8. Valentin Teillet (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:52.637; 9. Alexander Tonkov (RUS, Honda), +0:59.340; 10. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +1:01.713;