RACE REPORT Sunday, Sep 22nd 2024 

Round 4 – Switzerland 

E-Xplorer 2024    Round 4 

Tosha crowned FIM E-Xplorer World Cup champion, while Francesca secures 2nd place.

Team HRC has concluded the final day of the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup with an outstanding performance. In this decisive fourth round, the team faced a narrow gap with their rivals, battling until the very last second to secure the best result in this inaugural season.

The day began with the qualifying session, where Francesca Nocera was still feeling the effects of her fall on Friday. Despite the pain, her determination on the track was admirable, although she couldn’t perform at her best. On the other hand, Tosha Schareina once again demonstrated his dominance, setting the fastest time on his CR Electric Proto, further proving the team’s potential.

In the first race round, Francesca finished in 5th place, limited by the aftereffects of her crash. However, Tosha delivered a spectacular comeback after a poor start, overtaking all his rivals and claiming victory in the first race. This achievement earned valuable points, keeping the team’s championship hopes alive.

The second race followed a similar pattern, with Francesca once again finishing in 5th position. Tosha secured 2nd place, facing some challenges but remaining strong in the fight for crucial points.

In the final race, Tosha gave it his all, taking the victory and securing first place in the overall men’s standings of the World Cup. Team HRC finished the competition in 2nd place overall in the team category, a significant achievement in their debut year with the CR Electric Proto.

In the individual standings, Tosha Schareina was crowned FIM E-Xplorer World Cup champion in the men’s category, while Francesca Nocera secured a commendable 2nd place in the women’s category, closing out an almost perfect season.

Throughout the year, Team HRC consistently led the standings, showing remarkable performance and leaving a strong mark in this new category of motorcycling. This project with the CR Electric Proto is just the beginning of what promises to be a bright future for the team in the coming seasons.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our entire technical team and sponsors for their unwavering support throughout this season. The commitment of everyone involved has been key to achieving these results, and while we know there are areas for improvement, we are confident that this is the path forward.

Ruben Faria

Team Principal

It was a day full of highs and downs, very intense. We started the Swiss rounds with two heavy crashes, but Tosha managed to recover. Unfortunately, Francesca wasn’t able to perform at her best due to the pain she was in. Not being able to give her all, we lost some very valuable points, but that’s racing. Tosha did his part and finished first, securing the E-Xplorer World Cup title.

I want to thank the entire team for all the hard work throughout the season. This was the first year of the project, but the work we’ve done has been outstanding. We will continue working hard to develope the bike and keep growing in this new adventure.

Tosha Schareina   ⁶⁸

I’m absolutely thrilled to have secured the victory as the men’s World Champion in E-Xplorer. The team should be proud of all the hard work they’ve put in this season. I want to extend my congratulations to Francesca for never giving up and finishing the race after her fall on Friday.

The CR Electric Proto has performed incredibly throughout the entire year, and the team has given their all—they should be proud.

Francesca Nocera   ⁴⁴³

Here we are at the end of the day, the end of the weekend and the end of the season. Didn´t went as we planned but anyway i tried my best, my goal for this weekend was to finish

the race and i did it.

I want to say thank you for all the HRC Team, it´s been a pleasure.

LIAM EVERTS ON THE PATH TO RECOVERY AFTER SUCCESSFUL SURGERY IN CHINA2024 MXGP news

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX2 Grand Prix winner Liam Everts is on the mend after surgery at the Huashan hospital in Shanghai to repair a broken C5 vertebra.

RACE REPORT Saturday, Sep 21st 2024 

Round 4 – Switzerland 

E-Xplorer 2024    Round 4 

Team HRC remains in first place ahead of the final round of the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup.

The action kicked off in Switzerland with the first race of the final round of the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup, and Team HRC experienced a day full of highs and lows on the track. With a passionate crowd and an outstanding atmosphere, the day started with morning practice sessions and the qualifying round that would determine the starting positions for the riders in this decisive event.

Francesca Nocera, who had suffered a fall during practice the previous day, was unable to finish the qualifying round due to lingering pain from the crash. Despite the team’s efforts and her determination, the discomfort kept her from completing the session.

Tosha claimed the top spot in qualifying, securing his choice of position on the starting grid.

At 1:30 PM, the first of three races began. Francesca continued to experience pain from her fall and, although she couldn’t perform at her full potential, she managed to finish in 5th place, earning valuable points for the Japanese team and showcasing her fighting spirit on a challenging day. In contrast, Tosha delivered an outstanding performance in the first round. He had a strong start, maintained the lead throughout the race, and crossed the finish line in first place, adding 25 crucial points to the team’s tally.

The second race brought better results for Francesca, who secured 4th place, showing improvement despite the difficulties. Tosha, while unable to repeat his victory, still managed a solid 3rd place, contributing more important points to the championship.

In the third race, Francesca continued to struggle with pain and finished in 5th place once again. Meanwhile, Tosha remained competitive for the top spots and closed the day in 2nd place.

The atmosphere in Crans-Montana has been electric, with spectators fully engaged, creating an energizing vibe that spread to everyone present. The Swiss crowd cheered on the riders at every turn, and the Team HRC riders felt the support from the very start.

Tomorrow’s schedule will mirror today’s, with practice, qualifying, and three races that will decide it all in this thrilling conclusion to the World Cup. With three rounds already completed, the team is gearing up for the final day, knowing that every second on the track will be crucial in determining the championship. Both Francesca and Tosha are ready to give their all to secure the best possible result in this last round of the season.

Ruben Faria

Team Principal

A challenging first day in Crans-Montana. Tosha started strong in both the qualifying and the first race. However, in the last two races, he struggled to find the right feeling but still managed to finish second. Francesca, still sore from yesterday’s fall, hasn’t been able to perform at her best. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but there’s still one more day. We’ll fight until the end and continue defending our first place.

Tosha Schareina   ⁶⁸

We had a difficult day in the third round in Switzerland. I take it the second place in the male. We are going to try to take the first place tomorrow. Not easy for us, the track was destroy, but we will give 100% tomorrow.

Francesca Nocera   ⁴⁴³

Day 1 done, yesterday I had some problems and today it was a bit hard to ride but we managed to finish the race. It was crucial to earn as many points as possible today, and tomorrow we’ll aim to secure the championship. We remain in first place overall, but we can’t afford to relax.

E-Xplorer 2024 Friday, September 20th 2024

Practice Round 4   Switzerland

Team HRC aims to secure first place in the E-Xplorer World Cup

Team HRC, the official team of the Japanese brand Honda in the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup for electric motorcycles, is in Switzerland to face the final and decisive round of the season. Led by Valencian rider Tosha Schareina and Italian rider Francesca Nocera, the team arrives at this event atop the overall standings, with the firm objective of maintaining their dominance in the competition.

The FIM E-Xplorer Championship, known for its innovation in high-performance electric motorcycles, has reached its climax in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, following the first race in Osaka, Japan, and a second in Norway. Here, Team HRC will aim to secure the championship title due to the cancellation of the final event in India, which was set to take place in November.

Today, September 20th, practice sessions took place, consisting of two rounds for each rider. These sessions were crucial for the team to fine-tune the Honda CR Electric Proto. The bike has proven to be highly competitive throughout the season.

The Swiss track, which is known for its complexity, featuring steep slopes, enduro and motocross sections, and natural obstacles like logs.

During practice, Francesca Nocera suffered a fall that caused moments of concern for the team. Fortunately, after being checked by the medical staff, it was confirmed that the fall will not have serious consequences and that Francesca will be able to participate in this weekend’s races.

With the final round in Switzerland scheduled for the coming days, from September 20th to 22nd, the team is motivated and ready to face the challenge. The Swiss track will test the riders not only in terms of speed but also in technical skill. The enduro and motocross sections of the circuit will be key in determining the winners of this final round, which will crown the world champion.

Team HRC understands the importance of this event in securing their lead in the overall standings. Every point counts, and both the technical team and the riders are focused on continuing to be the leading figures in the championship. Teamwork, meticulous preparation, and the excellent relationship between the riders have been key elements in the team’s success so far, and all signs point to them continuing in this direction.

Ruben Faria

Team Principal

Third and fourth rounds of the E-Xplorer Cup: we currently hold a 17-point lead over second place, but it means nothing as this weekend’s scoring is double, with 150 points at stake.

Francesca suffered a fall during the second round of practice and was unable to finish the session, but she is expected to race tomorrow without any issues. 

The CR Electric Proto has evolved in the right direction thanks to the joint effort between engineers and riders, the bike has significantly improved since the last round in Oslo.

All that’s left is to give our best over these two days and finish the championship in the best way possible.

Tosha Schareina  ⁶⁸

After a few months here we are in Switzerland, super excited to be here with the HRC Team, we´re in front in the championship and we try to keep this position in the last round of FIM E-Xplorer World Championship. We are really enthusiastic to get on our
CR Electric Proto and test out this circuit in Crans-Montana.

Francesca Nocera  ⁴⁴³

Finally back racing, finally i am back on the bike after my injury, feeling good , feeling ready to go. We are energized to finish the season in first place but there’s still a battle ahead in this weekend’s race. . The track seems really funny and really can´t wait to go and ride the CR Electric Proto.

MXGP Academy 2024 programme continued in Kenya

The MXGP Academy continued its 2024 activities with a three-day training session running from 02-04 August at Amhuri racetrack in Nairobi – Kenya where sixteen local riders were in attendance and received instruction from thirteen MX Trainers.

The training event for youngsters included:

• 2 x 45-minute track sessions.
• Riders’ education to obtain the MX-A certificate.
• Parents education: workshop “How to communicate with an MX rider.”  

Further European sessions are planned on dates still to be decided at Madrid in Spain and Riga in Latvia. In addition, another overseas MXGP Academy is scheduled for 15-17 November in Thailand, Asia. A third overseas MXGP Academy is also scheduled for Columbia, Latin America, on a date to be announced.

Supported by the FIM and MXGP promoter Infront Moto Racing, the MXGP Academy aims to give young Motocross racers professional training and development opportunities while providing education resources and guidance for their parents and trainers.

MORE INFOS HERE

ABOUT THE FIM (www.fim-moto.com) 
The FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme) founded in 1904, is the governing body for motorcycle sport and the global advocate for motorcycling. The FIM is an independent association formed by 121 National Federations throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in motorcycle sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 
Among its 50 FIM World Championships the main events are MotoGP, Superbike, Endurance, Motocross, Supercross, Trial, Enduro, Cross-Country, Speedway and E-Bikes. Furthermore, the FIM is also active and involved in the following areas: public affairs, road safety, touring and protection of the environment. The FIM was the first international sports federation to impose an Environmental Code in 1994.

Mathis Valin joins the Kawasaki Racing Team

Current leader of the 250 European motocross championship, Mathis Valin will join the Kawasaki Racing Team next season to compete in the FIM MX2 World Championship. The French youngster, who is enjoying an impressive first season on a KX250 with Bud Racing Kawasaki, will lead the factory effort in this class.

After a successful career in the 125 class, in which he won the Junior World Championship and collected a silver medal in the European Championship last year, Mathis, who celebrated his eighteenth birthday recently, started his rookie season in the 250cc class with Bud Racing Kawasaki by racing to victory in the Junior category of the famous Enduropale du Touquet; since then he has added the French Elite title and is leading the European EMX250 Championship after seven rounds.
 
Trained by Thierry Van den Bosch, a former Supermoto World Champion, Mathis has already won two rounds and five motos on a variety of different surfaces such as hardpack at Madrid, the mud of Saint Jean d’Angely and the deep sand of Lommel.
 
For his official entry to the MX2 World Championship next season with factory KX250 machinery, the Kawasaki Racing Team has reached an agreement with Team Bud Racing to allow the young prospect to enter his new challenge in the best conditions. Mathis will move to Belgium at the end of the season to start working with the KRT staff and to prepare his first attempt in the highly-competitive MX2 GP class.
 
Mathis Valin:
“It’s a dream came true! If anyone had told me earlier this year that I would be joining the Kawasaki Racing Team at the end of the season I wouldn’t have believed them. I’m happy and proud to join the team; I think that my results helped me to earn this position and now the goal will be to carry on working hard to continue getting good results. It’s a big change for me but already this season I have left my parental home so moving to Belgium, in a team where there are already some French guys, will be OK. When I was offered this opportunity to join KRT there was no hesitation; initially the plan was for me to stay two years with Bud in the European Championship, but, as I’m currently leading the series, it’s already time to move up to the MX2 World Championship next year and I will do my best to end this current season with some more successes.”
 
Shigemi Tanaka (General Manager, Marketing & Sales Division, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd):
« In Mathis we have a great example of the Team Green principle of nurturing talent and developing it within a structured and sympathetic environment. We are super excited to be re-entering the MX2 class with a factory team in 2025 and all the parts of a complex jig-saw are gradually falling into place. Mathis is a crucial part of this emerging team structure, and we hope that Kawasaki fans and young riders across the globe will both follow his progress on the new KX250 complete with the very latest engine and chassis technology identifying with him while he demonstrates the core values of our Team Green philosophy. »
 
Antti Pyrhonen (KRT Team Manager):
“We are very excited about this new opportunity with Kawasaki to enter the MX2 class and for sure it will be a different challenge. We will work next year with a young rider; it’s always interesting to educate them in training, riding and race tactics as well as everything else outside of racing; we need to support them with their living situation, travelling and so on. We are really excited about that, we have the experience to do it plus it’s a great compliment that Kawasaki give us the opportunity to enter the MX2 category because this way we can build the Team Green spirit from a young age all the way through to the premier MXGP class.
 
Mathis has impressed us; if you watched his career in recent years he already showed incredible speed in the 125 class, was successful in that class and immediately won races in the EMX250. He’s a young rider but he has already the winning mentality and that opens even greater opportunities to continue in the future. And it’s nice that he’s coming from the Kawasaki family; it’s been a great effort from everyone and I want to thank not only the Kawasaki factory in Japan for this opportunity but also Steve Guttridge at KME and Stephane Dassé from Bud Racing for their big efforts behind the scenes to make this possible.”
 
Steve Guttridge (Race Planning Manager, Kawasaki Motors Europe):
« Bud Racing does a  fantastic job of bringing up the young pilots and has a famous history of developing French talent through to their professional career. So to join up all the dots and bring Mathis through into KRT at the first opportunity as we establish an MX2 seat within the factory team is perfect. All the young riders can now see that there is a ladder into a factory team with Kawasaki when they achieve their targets. Mathis gets on very well with the KX250 and is leading the EMX. He likes the base bike so there is one less thing for him to get used to as he moves to a different team set-up. »
 
Stephane Dasse (Bud Racing Team Manager):
“For sure it’s a great opportunity for Mathis to move to KRT next season, even if our plan was to keep him with us for another year. He adapted so well to the 250 that he immediately achieved top results, and Kawasaki will now give him the chance to move to the MX2 World Championship so we let him move on! For sure it’s great to see that our work with him is paying off, and to see that there’s a strong connection between Bud, KRT and Kawasaki.”

Maxime Renaux & Thibault Benistant Back for MXGP of Switzerland!

The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP and MX2 teams will be at full strength this weekend at the 17th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Frauenfeld, Switzerland, with both Maxime Renaux and Thibault Benistant making their long-awaited returns.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Maxime Renaux returns after withdrawing from the second round of the season in Madrid, Spain, to undergo another operation on his problematic right foot. After months of rehabilitation, the 24-year-old Frenchman has finally been cleared to ride again. Although he hasn’t been back on the bike for long, Renaux is eager to return to racing. Despite lining up as last year’s MXGP of Switzerland winner, he approaches this weekend with no expectations, focusing on gradually rebuilding his race intensity and endurance while minimizing risk.

Renaux’s return adds to what will be a busy weekend under the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP awning as he joins teammates Calvin Vlaanderen, Jago Geerts, and Andrea Bonacorsi. However, Vlaanderen’s participation remains uncertain after sustaining a left-knee injury at the MXGP of The Netherlands last weekend. The 28-year-old South African will have his knee examined by specialists this week to determine the best course of action, and whether or not he can ride.

Click the image above to watch our latest episode of Inside MXGP featuring Lotte van Drunen and her sensational win on home soil at the MXGP of The Netherlands! 

In contrast, Bonacorsi is feeling fitter and stronger than ever. After securing his second-best result of his rookie MXGP season with seventh overall at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend, he is determined to keep the momentum going. 

Geerts, another returning rider, has similar expectations to Renaux. The 25-year-old Belgian, still racing his way back to full fitness after injury, plans to take each weekend race-by-race. 

The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team is also back at full strength with Thibault Benistant’s return. The 22-year-old Frenchman, who won last year’s MXGP of Switzerland, is looking forward to being back on the track. While he is not yet 100% and has only recently resumed training, his goal this weekend is to gradually regain race intensity and endurance, focusing on steady progress rather than immediate results. 

Rick Elzinga returns to Switzerland with fond memories, having secured his first EMX podium here in 2016. However, he remains cautious of the track’s difficulty in overtaking, which could play a crucial role this weekend. Elzinga’s goal is to push his limits and seize any opportunity to improve his speed. 

Karlis Reisulis will make his debut on the Swiss circuit. Although new to this track, Reisulis is enthusiastic and focused on enjoying the experience. His aim is to showcase his potential and ride without regrets.

Lastly, MJC Yamaha Official EMX125’s Dani Heitink and Jarne Bervoets will line up for their third consecutive round and the penultimate round of the EMX125 Championship. Heitink, who narrowly missed the podium in the last two rounds, is aiming to secure a spot on the box this weekend, while Bervoets, still nursing a thumb injury from Sweden, will use the weekend to gain more experience in the class.

Maxime Renaux

« The recovery is going well. Obviously, it was not easy to undergo another surgery for the injury from 2023, but we had to because the first surgery was not correct. I still need more time to get back to 100%, but it’s already much better than it was in 2023. I’m feeling good on the bike, even though I’ve only had two weeks of riding, so I know I’m coming into the Swiss GP without a lot of hours on the bike, but I feel like I have enough to go racing. I’ll just dive in the deep end and build from there. There are no expectations going into the weekend; I’ll line up aiming to race clean, without too much risk, just to get some racing under my belt. 2025 starts here, so this is a starting point for my 2025 season prep. I won in Switzerland last year, so I’m going there with good memories, and I look forward to being back. »

Andrea Bonacorsi

« I didn’t race there last year, but the track was looking really nice! It looks pretty technical, and I love that, so I’m looking forward to racing there. The last time I raced in Switzerland was in 2018, so it’s been a really long time, but I always enjoyed it. The goal is to keep building on the progress we made in Arnhem. »

Jago Geerts

« It’s quite a small track and difficult to pass, but most of the time, you have good grip and a lot of ruts, so normally, it’s quite a fun track to ride. Last year, my speed was good, but I had a big crash, so we’re trying to avoid that this year. I don’t really have a specific goal for the weekend—I just want to have a good feeling on the bike, and the results will come after. »

Thibault Benistant

« The recovery went quite well, although it took some time. We waited the minimum amount necessary, but I’m definitely not at 100% yet. Still, I feel good on the bike and really enjoy riding again. I like the track—it’s full of ruts and bumps, which I actually enjoy. My only expectation is to have fun being back on track. »

Rick Elzinga

“I got my first EMX podium in Switzerland. It was in the EMX125 class back in 2016, so it brings back some great memories. The track is quite hard to pass on though, so I hope they make some adjustments to the track to create better passing opportunities. My main goal this weekend is to maximize my potential and keep pushing myself to reach new heights. »

Karlis Reisulis

« It’s my first time ever racing in Switzerland. I haven’t been there before, but my brother Janis was there last year, and he said that while it is not the biggest track on the calendar, it is actually quite fun to ride with some nice lines and ruts. My goal is the same as always: to have fun, enjoy riding the bike, enjoy the track, and enjoy the environment. I hope I can put on paper what I’m capable of—no regrets. »

Romain Febvre and Kawasaki together for two more years

Romain Febvre and the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP, who have already enjoyed a highly-successful partnership in the FIM MXGP World Championship since 2020, will continue together for two more years.

Since he joined Kawasaki five years ago Romain has been the most successful rider in the long history of the Kawasaki Racing Team in the MXGP class, earning series silver medals in both 2021 and 2023. Last season was one of major success as the Frenchman, who will turn thirty-three years of age in December, won six GPs and mounted the podium at thirteen rounds of the series! He started 2024 with the same dynamism, collecting six podiums from the first seven rounds until a thumb injury during the French GP forced him to miss several rounds and to surrender the battle for the world title. Already back on the podium last weekend at Lommel in Belgium in just his second race since his comeback, Romain has once again showed how competitive he remains on the KX450-SR that he has developed together with the KRT team and the Kawasaki engineers. Thanks to this successful co-operation he will enter the 2025 and 2026 MXGP World Championships with high goals and his legendary fighting spirit.
 
Romain Febvre: “I’m delighted to continue for two more years with Kawasaki; we know each other really well and I’m confident that we will again fight for the title, as we did this year until the injury which forced me to miss several rounds. Injuries can sometimes impact your motivation, but I showed in both 2022 and this year that I can fight for wins and podiums when I come back. For sure I might not have continued my career if I was not racing at the front of the pack, but my motivation is still there as I started racing motocross later than most of my rivals. We have signed a new two-year agreement; for me that was important as I want to be fully-focused on racing next season. Everyone knows how comfortable I am on the KX450-SR, and how I share the same goals with the team, so let’s go for two more campaigns.”
 
Shigemi Tanaka, General Manager, Marketing & Sales Division, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. « For Kawasaki and our off-road retail and racing ambitions, this is great news. Romain knows and fully understands the race-winning potential of KX machinery and we are delighted that we will continue to have him not just at the start gate and on the podium but also as a key part of the development of current and future KX models that will appear in Kawasaki dealerships.”
 
Antti Pyrhönen (KRT team manager): « We are really proud to continue the co-operation with Romain; he is extremely important for us. Romain has already been with the team longer than any other rider; he knows the team, he knows the bike, and he represents the values of Kawasaki in the best possible way … he is hard-working and lets the results do the talking. This is his character; he is a real fighter and we could not be happier that he will stay two more years with the team. Age is not a factor; indeed I feel Romain is forever young. He still has an incredibly high motivation and his performances have been getting better-and-better over the years; we saw this at the start of the season when he scored six podiums in the first seven GPs, That was the best start of his entire career and there is no doubt that he has the same hunger as ever. »
 
Steve Guttridge (Race Planning Manager, Kawasaki Motors Europe): « Romain now has a long history with Kawasaki; he is truly a part of the family. For him to stay with us shows the commitment on both sides to continue the mission to win the World Championship. He has always told me that he loves the bike; he gels with the Kawasaki and for him the bike is most important. That is the common denominator to achieve our common target of winning the MXGP World Championship. »

(Kawasaki Racing)

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING AND NESTAAN-MX EXTEND SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPMULTI-YEAR CONTRACT WILL SEE CURRENT MX2 LEADING TEAM CONTINUE IN THE FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP INTO 2025 AND BEYOND

Husqvarna Factory Racing is delighted to announce the extension of its successful partnership with Nestaan-MX. The new multi-year contract will see Nestaan-MX continue as « Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing » in the FIM Motocross World Championship, ensuring an exciting future for both organisations.

Under the leadership of dedicated team manager Rasmus Jorgensen – who is now in his fifth year with the team – Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing is currently enjoying a fantastic season with MX2 riders Kay de Wolf and Lucas Coenen, as well as Mattia Guadagnini in MXGP.

De Wolf and Coenen currently occupy the top two spots of the MX2 championship with a combined nine wins from thirteen championship rounds so far. Furthermore, a combined tally of fifteen podiums between current MX2 Red Plate holder Kay de Wolf and second-placed Lucas Coenen, means Husqvarna currently leads the manufacturers’ standings by sixty-six points.

Husqvarna Factory Racing is excited about the continued collaboration with Nestaan-MX, under the ownership of Kay Hennekens, and the expert leadership of Rasmus Jorgensen who has been instrumental in driving the team’s success on and off track.

Rasmus Jorgensen (Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager): « It is a big honour for us to continue writing this story with the Husqvarna brand. Our relationship with the factory has only grown in the last five years, and this is another big milestone for us. 2024 is going really well so far, with excellent support from Kay and all of our partners. I want to thank Kay for his leadership, all my crew members and also all the management at the Pierer Mobility AG as well. Our team is young, but I feel we have set high standards. The plan is to keep pushing for 2025 and beyond. I’m very excited! »

Pit Beirer (Motorsports Director): “We are more than happy to keep Nestaan onboard and continue to push for wins, points and podiums. This partnership extension reinforces the shared vision of Husqvarna Factory Racing and Nestaan-MX, focusing on continued success and the development of future champions. Both teams are excited to build on their established foundation and look forward to achieving new heights together. »

The complete rider roster and array of works KTM SX-F machinery in both GP classes has yet to be confirmed for 2025 but the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing crew will again operate from Austrian and Italian bases for the best training, preparation and competitive network. Team Managers Harry Norton and Davide De Carli will bring their energy and technical expertise to the outfit in pursuit of another premier class crown and yet more acclaim in the MX2 division.

The De Carli team was integrated into the Red Bull KTM family for the 2010 world championship campaign where they won the first of nine titles for the company (in all classes) and the maiden #1 plate with the KTM 350 SX-F. Davide and his staff have continued competing and winning, earning their seventh ‘gold medal’ with Jorge Prado in MXGP last year and are currently vying for their eighth in the premier class.

Davide De Carli, Team Manager: “This is like ‘back to the future’ for us! It’s good to ‘return’ to KTM and to bring two strong structures together again. We have never stopped pushing for wins and podiums at the very highest point of the sport, regardless of the rider, but we have also helped the younger or more inexperienced racers find their way in GPs. It is a line we are excited and motivated to follow. We want to deliver more titles for KTM.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “It is awesome for us to bring Davide, Claudio and all their staff back into the orange. Their record as a team is almost unbeatable and we know very well their working style and the passion they have for the sport. Taking De Carli back into Red Bull KTM colors means we are in an even stronger position for MXGP.”

Jago Geerts Returns for MXGP of Flanders

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jago Geerts will make his long-awaited return to action this weekend at the 14th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Lommel, Belgium. 

Geerts fractured his left elbow and right clavicle during qualifying at the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, the MXGP of Argentina, at the start of March. This resulted in two successful operations and an extensive recovery period.

After consulting with various medical teams, all have confirmed they are satisfied with the healing of the bones and are confident that Geerts is fit enough to return to racing. Ahead of the MXGP of Flanders, Geerts will need to pass a mandatory medical examination by the FIM Doctor before he is officially declared safe to race. 

Before his injury, Geerts had a strong off-season and was eagerly anticipating the start of his first full season in the premier class, MXGP. This weekend, as the #93 makes his MXGP class debut once again, the main focus will be for the home hero to ease into things without feeling any pressure or expectation.

Jago Geerts

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP rider

“I finally got the green light from my surgeon yesterday confirming that my elbow is fully healed. Also, it has been feeling good when I ride, so I am looking forward to being back. Even though it’s my home GP this weekend, I don’t feel any pressure. The result this weekend is not important. What is important is that I am on the gate, racing and enjoying it, so the goal is to have fun on the bike and enjoy the weekend.”

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2024 FIM Vintage Motocross World Cup Cancelled

Following consultation with all key stakeholders, it has been decided to cancel the 2024 FIM Vintage Motocross World Cup, which was scheduled to be held at the Foxhill circuit in Great Britain over the weekend of 13-14 July. 

The FIM, the ACU and the local organiser would like to express its sincere appreciation to all parties who had pledged their support for this event and look forward to working with all concerned regarding planning for 2025. More details will be announced in due course.

Karlis Reisulis Joins Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team for Remainder of 2024 Season

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to confirm that Karlis Reisulis will step up to MX2 with the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team for the remainder of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship season.

Reisulis, alongside Rick Elzinga, will race a YZ250FM in MX2 following his impressive performance at the EMX250 round in Latvia, where he led several laps and finished second overall. 

The 18-year-old Latvian, who has celebrated nine EMX podium finishes with Yamaha since 2021, will make his debut as a factory rider at the MXGP round of West Nusa Tenggara, Lombok, Indonesia, on June 29-30.

Both Reisulis and Elzinga will be joined by Thibault Benistant when the Frenchman is fit and ready to return to racing.

Karlis Reisulis

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider

“It’s an honour to have been given this opportunity to step up to MX2 on a factory Yamaha. I have dreamed of achieving this my entire life, so it really is like a dream come true. For me, it’s unreal to know I will finally be racing in the World Championship. I really want to thank Yamaha and everyone involved for this opportunity. I like the factory YZ250FM a lot. I felt good right from the first moment, and I think this will give me confidence as I take on the next chapter.”

Alexandre Kowalski

Yamaha Motor Europe Off-Road Racing Manager

“We are pleased to give Karlis this opportunity to step up to MX2. The MXGP of Italy saw several EMX250 riders competing in MX2, demonstrating that the European Championship series is doing an excellent job of preparing the riders for the next level. We look forward to seeing Karlis on factory material and how he performs in MX2. It will be important for him to enjoy the experience while using it to refine his skills. I believe it will help him mature as a rider and could be the springboard he needs to take the next step in his riding. We look forward to seeing what he can achieve.”

Few Americans make the journey to Europe to race motocross, perhaps due to language barriers, cultural differences, unfamiliar tracks, and logistical challenges. However, an opportunity arose for Towers, and he took the plunge. « It’s exciting to experience these big changes, » he said, « moving from outdoors in the U.S. to outdoors in Europe is already a big step, not to mention transitioning from supercross. »

The adjustment period has been intense, as he only switched his focus from supercross to motocross at Thanksgiving – November 28th. « Everything still comes at me a little fast, and there’s a steep learning curve, » he admits. With just three days on his new GYTR-kitted YZ250F, Towers needs to adapt to multiple new countries, new food, and new cultures—a true immersion into the European way of life. « It’s really a big culture shock, especially living in France where they don’t speak English. It’s very challenging, but fortunately, I have great people around me who speak both French and English, which has helped a lot. »

Towers has been drafted into the VRT Yamaha Official EMX250 team to fill in for the injured Janis Reisulis. « The bike is awesome! » he raved, « I’ve loved it since day one. We’re going to keep building, keep getting better, and keep dialing in everything. It should be awesome. » In terms of bike changes, Towers’ new mechanic Scott Lillis said, « It’s been pretty easy getting the bike set up for Gavin, » Lillis said, « We only changed the handlebars really, but he runs the same suspension front and rear, same gearing—pretty much everything else is the same. »

The race format in the MXGP series also differs significantly from what American riders are accustomed to in the AMA Supercross and Motocross Championships. The MXGP series features a two-day format per event, with each race, or moto, being longer than those in the American series, whereas the Promotocross series in the USA is typically one-day. « For Europe versus America, it’s it’s just different. Like the Europeans that go over to the U.S., they’re going to struggle for a little bit at first. No matter how good you are. Yes, it’s still racing and you’re still riding a bike, but it’s just different. You know? Like here in Europe, this is a whole weekend event; in the U.S., it’s a Saturday only, so it’s different. »

While hard-pack tracks on either side of the Atlantic are similar, the sand in Europe is said to be brutal. A lot of interest surrounds how Towers will fair in the sand, « In the U.S., I would say I am decent in the sand, but over here, it’s a different challenge—more bottomless, so I guess we are going to find out how good of a sand rider I actually am. » He laughed.

After an impressive debut at the MXGP of Germany, where he went 6-2 to finish fourth overall, narrowly missing the podium by a single point, Towers’ next test will be in the sand at the ninth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Kegums, Latvia, this weekend – June 8-9.

2025 Kawasaki KX250: Be Next

For 50 years (and counting), Kawasaki’s KX motocrossers have been built to dominate the racetrack and push racers toward the top step of the podium.

The next step in that progression is the new 2025 KX250, which receives upgrades in a number of key areas for better racetrack performance while equipping it for its factory KRT MX2 Championship debut in the coming season.
 
In terms of the radically updated spec, the engine power feeling at low speeds and throttle control when exiting corners are both improved for 2025 as a result of a symmetrically aligned intake and exhaust and optimised downdraft intake.
 
Already known for being a nimble, well-handling machine, the KX250 (and cross country KX250X) are now even more agile with updates to the frame and suspension, many of which are similar to those that the KX250’s older sibling, the flagship KX450, received for 2024. These updates – combined with new features such as ODI Lock-On grips and smoother new bodywork – allow the rider to move around on the bike more easily and are destined to translate into faster lap times.
 
Racers will be delighted with the new tech features, including Power Modes and Kawasaki Traction Control, which are easily selectable from a new switch box located on the left handlebar. Additionally, smartphone connectivity allows riders to connect with their machine to adjust engine mapping directly from their smartphones using Kawasaki’s unique Rideology App tuned specifically for the KX.
 
Of course, an “attention getter” is the new engine configuration. Finger-follower valve actuation stays, as does a downdraft-style intake, and dual injectors but these are now joined by a new design of piston plus a revised intake and exhaust layout (with the silencer moved further forward for better mass centralisation) and a single-shaft primary balancer for an all-around stronger package with enhanced control and greater low to mid-range urge.
 
The symmetrically aligned intake and exhaust deliver a strong over-run and smooth low-rpm torque characteristics.  A redesigned intake offers a much straighter route for air-fuel mix to enter the cylinder, while a centrally positioned exhaust port lines up with the intake for high airflow efficiency; both contributing to increased performance.  The optimised downdraft intake also adds to low-end performance while a single-shaft primary engine balancer contributes to smoother power delivery and reduced vibration.
 
There is even a completely redesigned airbox to maximise the potential of the KX250’s dual injectors and match the new downdraft intake.  Complementing the significantly increased low-end torque and the smoother power delivery, throttle response is more linear.
In terms of gear changing, a hydraulic clutch offers more direct feel and lighter lever action plus less play as the clutch heats up during heavy use. The single-shaft primary engine balancer contributes to the smooth power delivery and reduced vibration, which improves throttle control, especially when exiting slower-speed corners.
 
Chassis-wise, the KX250’s new frame is based on that of the 2024 KX450, and updates for 2025 to suit the new intake and exhaust layout help to deliver improved handling.  The smooth bodywork is designed to facilitate rider movement and control plus fine-tuned suspension and brake components further contribute to the KX250’s light, agile handling thanks to its optimised rigidity balance.
 
High-performance Showa ø48 mm inverted coil-spring forks and New Uni Trak rear suspension offer race-ready suspension performance while the Ergo-fit choice of four handlebar positions and two footpeg positions allows riders to tailor their riding position to suit body size and ergonomic preference.
 
The cross-country KX250X benefits from the same swathe of updates for the 2025 season. In addition, cross-country-specific tuning for the suspension, matched to a 21”/18” wheel combination fitted with enduro-type tyres and convenient standard features like a side stand make the new KX250X even more attractive for cross-country competitors.
 
Motocross or cross-country, Kawasaki is as focused as ever to create and provide the most rider friendly, race winning package possible. It was a tough call to make the best better but we are confident that the 2025 KX250 moves the class to the next level allowing aspiring and time served riders the unique ability to fulfil their ambition to “Be Next”. 
 
KX250 / KX250X 2025 model year colour: Lime Green

UfoPlast – FastCross by Night 2024
Press Release

Saturday 14nd September 2024 marked the rebirth of Arsago Seprio, a track full of history that was able to return to the forefront of the international scene thanks to the success of FastCross by Night. A return in style supported by the five thousand persons who crowded the renovated track in Lombardy, finding consensus and positive thoughts on one of the most anticipated events of the entire motocross season.

The new ownership of UfoPlast strongly believed in the rebirth project of FastCross in the version “ by night “ and renewed its trust also by making a strong contribution for the 2024 edition.

The aim is in fact to offer a first-rate show in a succession of a unique races and sensations. A mix of witnesses from the glorious past and new things to be discovered, studied ad-hoc for the occasion in order to ensure those sensations that remained glued to the walls of the soul, in a combination between past and present. The event that wants to bring motorcross among the people with the same spirit with which UfoPast since 1977 and FastCross since 1984 have faced this wonderful challenge.

FastCross circuit looks widely towards the future and to do so in practice decided to give space to minicross. A first new to underline for edition 2024 and, in the same time, a golden opportunity for the young talents of the tricolor Cross. The riders of year ’85 will have the chance to compete with each other and, during the day, will then be involved in some moments alongside with top riders.

Focus will also be directed towards the public who has always known how to light up the electrifying atmosphere in Arsago Seprio. The show will be guaranteed by the changes made to the new layout of the track: a part of it has actually been inserted in the hill area, in an innovative aspect that is very usable for enthusiasts who will be able to watch the race in a pleasant way, while remaining close to the heart of the action.

A first series of news for an event that can overlook the sporting context and combine different generations, all of them connected by unforgettable emotions. Chills, smiles, joys and overwhelming passion that have remained in the heart of people, on which the organizational machine of UfoPlast – FastCross by Night is working with dedication to offer a day full of adrenaline and fun.

We invite you to follow us on our social media channels to be always updated on news that will follow over the next weeks. Along the way the riders’ names will be announced as well as the special guests present on the track and much more.
A huge commitment that will culminate on Saturday 14th September, in the second edition of UfoPlast – FastCross by Night.

FASTCROSS

Gavin Towers Joins VRT Yamaha Official EMX250

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to welcome American Gavin Towers to the VRT Yamaha Official EMX250 team as a replacement for Janis Reisulis, who is side lined due to injury.

Hailing from Pennsylvania, USA, Towers is best known for his performances in the AMA Supercross 250SX futures class in which he has celebrated six phenomenal podium finishes. With the support of Yamaha Motor USA, Star Racing and Monster Energy, Towers has gained an opportunity to test his skills against the best motocross riders in the world. 

Having signed a deal to campaign a GYTR-kitted YZ250F in the remainder of the EMX250 Championship, Towers will make his EMX250 debut at the fifth round of the series in Teutschenthal, Germany, on June 1-2. 

Gavin Towers

VRT Yamaha Official EMX250 Rider
“I’m so happy for this opportunity. I’ve always wanted to come and try out racing in Europe, and when the opportunity came about I had to jump at it. Some close people in my corner helped me get this together and I couldn’t be happier about it. It means a lot to me to come over here and have these amazing people help me out. My expectations are to go out and learn as much as I can. It’s going to be quite an adjustment but I’m ready for it!”

Thorsten Lentink

Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Specialist

“We are delighted to have Gavin join us from America, especially during this tough season where we have, unfortunately, lost a few of our stars through injury. With the support of Yamaha Motor USA, Star Racing and Monster Energy, we have made it possible to give this young, talented rider the chance to gain some experience on the world stage through the European Championship EMX250 series, with the view of understanding his potential for the future. The plan is to let Gavin find his feet on the VRT Yamaha Official EMX250 team and the GYTR kitted YZ250F in the EMX250 series before making some wildcard appearances in MX2.”

The Kawasaki Racing Team will extend its remit in 2025 by entering the MX2 category as well as competing in the MXGP Championship.

Based at its impressive workshop near the Lommel track in Belgium, the new enterprise will come under the responsibility of existing KRT Manager, Antti Pyrhönen, while team staffing will evolve and expand according to the extra demands of an additional championship.

Initially utilising the direct relationship that the team has with the KMC factory engineers in Japan – including their wealth of design knowledge and engineering insight relating to the production KX250 machine – the KRT MX2 team will be working on an all new specification across the coming months gearing towards a fully developed race machine for 2025 season.

With no decision at this time being made on who may ride for the team, KRT are targeting those with both podium potential allied to the skill to provide accurate feedback during the important pre-season testing phase. 

Speaking of the new challenge, Antti Pyrhönen, KRT MXGP Manager,
was in characteristically optimistic mood.

“When I discussed with our Team Principle, Kimi Räikkönen, the possibility to raise our game to another level and enter MX2 he immediately saw the potential and agreed this was our next logical step. We have built up an incredible working relationship with Kawasaki in Japan and we are determined to repay their trust in us by making an impact with this new project”.
For Kawasaki Motors Europe, Race Planning Manager, Steve Guttridge, emphasised the potential of the new initiative in terms of guiding young talent to the very top.

“Having both MXGP and MX2 run by our factory team offers Kawasaki the opportunity to offer young, very talented riders a dream seat in MX2. Being inside KRT means they can also be well prepared for future MXGP duties within a familiar team environment. We want to win World titles with home grown talent; the structure that Antti and Kimi have built alongside our factory staff offers just that”.

Concluding, Shigemi Tanaka, General Manager, Marketing & Sales Division, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. commented.

“This is an important step for Kawasaki and it reflects our long established ethos of growing and encouraging talent from green shoots to green wins. It is fundamental to our off road philosophy to provide not just hardware in terms of competitive KX machinery but also the “software” historically manifested by our legendary Team Green race and rider support programme.

The best way to lead is by example, so the establishment of this factory attack on MX2 honours within the highly professional and proven race-winning structure of the Kawasaki Racing Team will provide a stable base for rider and championship success. We hope youth riders will see this as something to aspire to and, in turn, to graduate from MX2 experience and success towards MXGP, the very pinnacle of motocross.”

(Source & photo : Kawasaki Racing)

After being awarded an initial 10-year deal in 2021, SX Global underwent a change of ownership in 2023, with the arrival of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori, well-known sports business professionals.

Starting from 2024, the FIM WSX will enter new territories, breaking ground in the sport across multiple continents. Events will feature star-studded rider rosters, including the return of two-time champion Ken Roczen as he looks to defend his FIM WSX title.

Jorge Viegas, FIM President, said: “The FIM believes that SX Global has the expertise and know-how to deliver a first-class World Supercross Championship long into the future. Their vision is highly impressive, and the long-term success of this series is in safe hands.”

SX Global Co-Owner, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, added: “I would like to pass on my sincere gratitude to the FIM, particularly President Jorge Viegas and the FIM Board, for entrusting us with the next 10 years of the FIM World Supercross Championship. We look forward to continuing to expand and promote the FIM WSX, as we seek innovative and exciting ways to bring the sport to the loyal existing fanbase, while welcoming new audiences from across the globe.”

SX Global will officially unveil plans for the upcoming 2024 FIM World Supercross Championship in the coming weeks.

FIM WSX OFFICIAL WEBSITE

ABOUT THE FIM (www.fim-moto.com) 
The FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme) founded in 1904, is the governing body for motorcycle sport and the global advocate for motorcycling. The FIM is an independent association formed by 121 National Federations throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in motorcycle sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 
Among its 50 FIM World Championships the main events are MotoGP, Superbike, Endurance, Motocross, Supercross, Trial, Enduro, Cross-Country, Speedway and E-Bikes. Furthermore, the FIM is also active and involved in the following areas: public affairs, road safety, touring and protection of the environment. The FIM was the first international sports federation to impose an Environmental Code in 1994.

A one-off event for 2024, it is open to riders aged thirty-five to sixty-five who will compete in a single Evo Open class for two-stroke motorcycles manufactured from 1989 to 2004 with an engine capacity of between 125cc and 550cc, giving riders the opportunity to chase the dream and run away with the title of FIM World Cup Winner over just one weekend. 

Run alongside a round of the British Motocross Championship, the simple format will give competitors from all over the world two practice sessions– one free and one timed – followed by an opening fifteen-minute plus one lap race on Saturday plus another two thrilling similar raceson Sunday. The winner will be decided by the the overall score after the three races, all this for an attractive entry fee set by the Organisers: Langrish Motorcycle Club & RHL Activities.

Foxhill was the setting for a string of epic British Motocross Grands Prix in the 1990s with riders of the calibre of Stefan Everts, Alessio Chiodi, Sebastien Tortelli and Yves Demaria all winning there. Set in a steep-sided valley, the track is rated by Everts – the most successful Motocross racer of all time – as one of his favourites as he led Belgium to victory there in the 1998 FIM Motocross of Nations.

For more information regarding the Entry Procedure, Supplementary Regulations prepared by the FIM and ACU, please click below.

ENTRY FORM AND INFORMATION

SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS

2024 REGULATIONS HERE

YZ bLU cRU SuperFinale to be Held at MXoN for Second Consecutive Year

The 2024 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale will take place alongside the biggest motocross event of the year, the Motocross of Nations (MXoN), at Matterley Basin in the UK from October 4th to 6th.

The SuperFinale is a culmination of a season’s worth of racing taking place across Europe as part of Yamaha’s YZ125, YZ85 and YZ65 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cups, with the promising young talents accumulating points throughout the season and the top 40 riders in each class invited to race at Matterley Basin for the biggest and most-watched event of the season, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. 

2024 has already been a record-breaking year for the project with 754 riders aged between eight and 16 registered from 29 different countries, an increase of 40% on 2023, and for the first time Yamaha are pleased to welcome a truly international field with riders from the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and Brazil set to take on their European counterparts in the SuperFinale. In addition, Yamaha is proud to confirm that the number of female entrants has also grown year on year. 

Yamaha’s award-winning bLU cRU program forms the foundation of the Yamaha Racing pyramid and is designed to cultivate the next generation of young riding talent in road and off-road racing. It creates a professional environment featuring coaching, technical support, and mentoring from some of the biggest names in racing to encourage, develop, and nurture the stars of tomorrow while providing an uninterrupted career path from national to world championship level, with over 600 youngsters benefitting from the scheme in 2023.

At the SuperFinale, after racing in front of the world’s media and thousands of enthusiastic fans, the top three riders from each class and two carefully selected wild cards from each category will receive an invite to the prestigious bLU cRU Masterclass at the end of the season. The Masterclass is designed to give riders a taste of the professional racing world as the aspiring youngsters receive expert training and advice from Yamaha’s bLU cRU Ambassadors. 

At the end of the two-day Masterclass, one YZ125 rider is chosen to join a Yamaha-supported team and contest the EMX125 Championship in 2025, emulating riders such as 2022 YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup winner Nikolai Skovbjerg, who raced in the 2023 EMX 125 Championship and has moved up to the EMX250 championship in 2024. Riders from the YZ65 and YZ85 categories will be selected to receive additional Yamaha support and GYTR parts for the following season. 

Matterley Basin, situated in England’s rural south, is an iconic and familiar sight for motocross fans around the globe having played host to countless MXGP rounds and twice putting on the Motocross of Nations in front of huge crowds, most recently in 2017. The event’s slot in October could prove extra challenging for the budding champions with rain and mud a possible feature around the 2.1km track, this would be a complete contrast to last year’s SuperFinale in the dry at Ernée, France.

Coverage of the three classes will be available on the MXGP website, and video highlights will be published on the Yamaha Racing YouTube channel. Updates can be found on the Yamaha Racing social media channels and website.

Andrea Bonacorsi Moves Up to MXGP for Remainder of 2024

Reigning EMX250 Champion, Andrea Bonacorsi, will step up to the premier class with the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team for the remainder of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship season, replacing Maxime Renaux who is currently sidelined through injury.

Bonacorsi, alongside Calvin Vlaanderen, will race a YZ450FM in the premier class following his impressive 450cc debut last year, where he finished third in the Open class at the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations in Ernee, France. 

The recently turned 21-year-old Italian steps up to the premier class off the back of his best result in his MX2 debut season last time out in Trentino, where he claimed third place in Race Two. Bonacorsi is now fully focused on testing his new YZ450FM, as he looks forward to making his MXGP debut at the fifth round of the Motocross World Championship in Agueda, Portugal.

Andrea Bonacorsi

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP rider

“I’m looking forward to moving up to the 450 class. It wasn’t an easy decision after showing that I can run up front in MX2 in Trentino, but I feel like the 450 suits me much better, and my potential is much higher on this bike. My goal will be to learn the bike as quickly as possible and to improve weekend by weekend like I was already doing in my rookie season in MX2. So, for me, the approach will be the same, just in a new class.”

Alexandre Kowalski

Yamaha Motor Europe Off-Road Racing Manager

“After a challenging start to the season with Jago (Geerts) and Maxime (Renaux) side-lined through injury, we needed another rider to join Calvin (Vlaanderen) on the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team. As a rider who is perhaps better suited to the 450 due to his height and weight and after a long chat in the winter in which he expressed his wish to move up, Andrea Bonacorsi was the clear choice. ‘Bona’ raced a YZ450FM at the Motocross of Nations last year, and he was impressive, finishing third in the Open class on his 450 debut. He has just turned 21, and we have already seen what he is capable of. We have full confidence in his ability and believe he will make a great addition to the team. 

While we look forward to having Bona onboard and seeing him progress throughout the season as he builds in confidence and experience, we also look forward to the eventual return of Jago and Maxime, and wish them the absolute best in their recoveries.”

Team HRC part company with Roan van de Moosdijk

Fill-in rider Roan van de Moosdijk and Team HRC have mutually ended their relationship after further check-ups on the Dutch rider’s knee have revealed that it would be unwise for the #39 to race in the immediate future. Instead, v/d Moosdijk will take all the time necessary to recover from this issue, and then hopefully come back to the MXGP world championship where he can then give it 100%.

Everyone at Team HRC wishes v/d Moosdijk all the best in the future and thanks him for the professional attitude he brought to the team in the couple of weeks he spent under the awning.

NEWS: Roan van de Moosdijk joins up with Team HRC

Dutch rider Roan van de Moosdijk has joined Team HRC in a replacement deal for the injured Ruben Fernandez. The Spaniard injured his knee in a first-turn incident at the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina and has since undergone surgery, which will leave him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future. As such, Team HRC decided that bringing in another rider was the right decision, and with v/d Moosdijk available and ready to race, the deal was swiftly put in place so that he could line-up at the third round of the 2024 MXGP World Championship in Riola Sardo, Sardinia.

After an injury-hit 2023 campaign v/d Moosdijk was still able to finish within 20 points of fifth place in the MX2 championship, including two podiums and one race win. But with the age-rule meaning he had to move up to the MXGP class this year, and with rides at a premium, the rookie wasn’t able to make his debut in the first two rounds of 2024, and has instead kept training in the hope of getting an opportunity to impress at a later date.

However, that opportunity has arisen quicker than even he expected, with Fernandez getting injured in the first turn of the first qualification race of the year, and although the #70 did try to make it to the line at his home GP in Spain a couple of weeks later, it just wasn’t meant to be. This has opened the door for the 2019 EMX250 champion, and although the single-week of preparation on a brand-new machine isn’t the ideal way to make your debut in the toughest motocross championship in the world, the talented 23-year-old will give it everything he has to establish himself at the top of the MXGP class.

Team HRC has had a great deal of success spotting and nurturing young talent, with Tim Gajser and Fernandez both showing that the Honda CRF450R is a great platform to make that big step up from the MX2 class, and now it is v/d Moosdijk’s turn to make that leap, starting on April 6-7 in the deep sand of Riola Sardo.

Roan van de Moosdijk  39

When I heard about this opportunity, I knew I had to take it with both hands. The chance to ride for Team HRC doesn’t come along very often and I am hopeful that I can show everyone what I am capable of, in what will be my full-time debut in the MXGP class. It certainly won’t be easy to get up to speed on the Honda CRF450R straightaway but seeing how well Tim (Gajser) has been riding it, I know that it is a very competitive bike and I’m excited to get started and get comfortable on it. Thanks to everyone that has supported me, to get me to this moment, and I can’t wait to get to Riola and get lined up for that first gate-drop.

Marcus Pereira de Freitas

HRC General Manager – MXGP

We are very excited to have Roan join us for this next stage of the season. Obviously with the nature of Ruben’s injury, there is no exact timeframe for his return so Team HRC decided that it would be a good idea to have another rider fill-in, and when we started those conversations, we looked at Roan and knew right away that he would be an excellent rider for our team. We had to work quickly because there are a lot of races coming up in a short amount of time, so a big thank you to all our sponsors who were very supportive of the decision and to everyone who helped make this happen so swiftly. Riola Sardo is a very tough race to make your debut in, and Roan obviously won’t have long on the bike but we are excited to see how he does over the weekend and then also once he has settled in.

 MXGP of Spain MXGP 2024    Round 2 

Fernandez out for Spanish GP and beyond as Gajser and Zanchi prepare for round two

Team HRC’s Ruben Fernandez will not be on the gate for the second round of the 2024 MXGP World Championship, as he has not recovered from the leg injury sustained at the first round of the series, however teammates Tim Gajser and rookie Ferruccio Zanchi will be there to make sure that two-thirds of the team will be in action for this Spanish GP, held at the Arroyomolinos circuit near Madrid.

Five-time world champion Gajser will be hoping that he can continue his early-season form that saw him win the qualifying race and the second moto at round one in Patagonia-Argentina, and sees him just three points off the top of the world championship standings. The Slovenian looked excellent across the whole weekend and will now try to turn that speed into an overall victory at a track that he hasn’t always had the best of luck.

Unfortunately, Spanish teammate Fernandez will not be lining up next to him because of the torn ACL injury that he suffered in the first turn incident of the Argentina qualification race. It is a massive shame for him, because not only is this his home GP, it is also a race that he stepped up onto the podium for last year and he was really excited to try and do the same again in 2024. The #70 will now have surgery on Tuesday to fix the problem, with the decision having been made that this was the best course of action, in order to get him back fit and healthy and racing as quickly as possible.

After his sixth overall in South America, 17-year-old youngster Zanchi is raring to go once again, as he looks to try and better his performance at Villa La Angostura. He came through the pack excellently in both races, but now the aim is to try and start a little bit closer to the leaders and see how his pace matches up with those riders who have several year’s more experience than the Italian. While the team are still trying not to put too much pressure on his shoulders, his great start to 2024 is raising the bar and growing expectations and after a couple of weeks of testing, it’ll be a good chance to make an even bigger impact in this exciting MX2 class.

Tim Gajser  243

It was important to get off to a strong start in Argentina and I did just that, winning two of the three races and riding well on what was a tricky track. Now, it is important to maintain that in what will be another difficult challenge in Spain. I’ve had mixed emotions there before, but there should be a lot of fans attending and I always enjoy riding when we have an enthusiastic crowd so it is a race that I’m looking forward to.

Ruben Fernandez  70

Unfortunately, I just haven’t been able to recover in time to race the MXGP of Spain this weekend. It is a big disappointment because obviously it is my home GP and I love racing in front of all the fans here. However, after trying to ride a small amount on Wednesday, and then having a doctor check-up on Thursday, it was decided that surgery to repair the ACL would be the best approach, and one that would see back to pain-free racing in a positive timeline. A big thank you for all the support I’ve received and I hope to see you at the track, even if I won’t be lining up on the gate.

Ferruccio Zanchi  73

I was very happy with how I rode in Argentina so my confidence is high for Spain this weekend. We came away from that first round with a lot of things to work on, but also a lot of things went right which is a good place to be for race one. Now, having had a weekend off, we hope that the changes we’ve made will be an improvement and I can do even better at Arroyomolinos. It should be an exciting weekend an I’m looking forward to it a lot.

Marcus Pereira de Freitas

HRC General Manager – MXGP

Mixed news this week, as we got the verdict that Ruben wouldn’t be able to race at his home GP. He did everything possible to be healthy for riding but in the end, it just wasn’t possible in the condition he is in. It is a big shame, but we still have Tim and Ferruccio who are both very eager to do well in Spain and are coming in with a lot of confidence from their performances in Argentina. It should be a good GP, with a lot of crowd and hopefully some good weather so Team HRC will be ready!

MXGP Women’s Academy returns at MXGP of Spain

The new Motocross season starts with exciting news about the return of the MXGP Women’s Academy on Friday and Saturday, 22-23 March 2024. As the 15 participants get ready to embark on this journey in Intu Xanadú, Spain, during the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship opening round, and get 360-dergee knowledge about Motocross, the organising team is excited to bring more talented young girls to this dynamic discipline. To get new athletes and talents, who could be future motocross stars. 

With support from the FIM, Infront Moto Racing and the MXGP Academy this event has been created to promote gender inclusivity in sport and encourage female participation in Motocross. Therefore, in addition to training and masterclass sessions for riders, the MXGP Academy intends to organise workshops, seminars, and panel meetings for parents, trainers, and Federation representatives involved in Motocross. The first MXGP Women’s Academy was held back in 2018, in Assen, and is finally returning to the annual calendar. 

We are happy to announce that 2022 FIM WMX Champion Nancy Van de Ven is joining the MXGP Academy Team with Martin van Ganderen and Jan Postema.

FIM Women’s Commission Director, Janika Judeika said: « I am extremely proud that we are reintroducing the MXGP Women’s Academy after a five year absence. In previous years, Motocross has showed a huge increase in women’s interested in this discipline. Riders are now more and more visible to the world, and motocross is becoming more inclusive. The female participants will show what they can do on track and share their knowledge in practical and theoretical sessions. At the same time, parents will have their own educational programme. We are so fortunate to have Nancy Van de Ven, 2022 FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion, to join the Academy and teach the new riders alongside motocross experts Martin van Ganderen and Jan Postema. Such events bring true excitement about the bright future for Motocross. »

MXGP Academy coordinator and coach, Martin van Genderenadded: “It is the first time in 2024 that we are organising an MXGP Academy weekend training, within a series of seven events in Europe. I’m happy that the season opens with an MXGP Academy hosting fifteen girls, in 65 and 85cc, from Spain. It is the second time that we organise such a training camp only for a group of female participants, all coming from Spain this time. I am also happy with the new addition to the team, our new trainer, former women’s world champion, Nancy Van de Ven. She has worked hard to obtain her diploma as an MX trainer and has now joined us at the MXGP Academy. We, therefore, look forward to this new collaboration and are confident of its success.”

MXGP Academy coach Nancy Van de Ven stated: « I am really excited to start training the girls in Spain, but it will take some time to get used to fulfilling a different role than I did before as a rider. I have earned my first MX-trainer’s diploma and am currently pursuing my second. (Level-3). The MXGP Academy has big ambitions, that will give young girls the same opportunities as boys. I’m glad I can contribute significantly to this, and I’m looking forward to the first official training at the MXGP Academy weekend in Spain ».

The MXGP Women’s Academy will take place on the 22-23 March at its Xanadú – Arroyomolinos during the Spanish MXGP round.

Jago Geerts Withdraws from Argentine Grand Prix Due to Injury

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jago Geerts has been ruled out of the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Villa la Angostura, Argentina, after sustaining an arm injury in yesterday’s Qualifying Race. 

After falling at turn one, Geerts fell again after hitting a sharp kicker that consequently threw him over the handlebars on lap two. The talented rookie, who set the seventh fastest lap in Timed Practice, suffered severe pain in his left arm and went straight to the Bariloche Hospital for closer assessment. There, it was confirmed that his left clavicle and elbow were fractured.

Geerts will now travel home to Belgium, where he will consult with a specialist to determine the best course of action for his recovery. 

Entering its landmark 10th year of collaboration with Kawasaki in the exhilarating world of motocross, Dixon Racing Team (DRT) proudly gears up for the 2024 FIM MXGP World Championship Series. Under the seasoned leadership of Team Owner and Manager, Steve Dixon, whose remarkable 35-year tenure in the MXGP paddock reflects a profound dedication to the sport, DRT stands poised for another thrilling season of motocross.

In an exciting development for the 2024 season, Bike It, the premier distributor of motorcycle parts and accessories in the UK, reinforces its enduring commitment to DRT by assuming title sponsorship of the Bike It Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team. This strategic partnership underscores the mutual pursuit of excellence in the motocross industry. DRT thanks long-time supporters Big Van World, as they transition from their title sponsorship role. With Bike It becoming the title sponsor, DRT continues working with partners MTX Discs and Sprockets, who are distributed by Bike It.

As DRT embarks on another thrilling season, steadfast partnerships with SWP Concrete and Stebbings Car Superstore form the bedrock of its operational success. These alliances exemplify the collaborative spirit and shared vision necessary to sustain a motocross team at the pinnacle of the sport.

The 2024 season heralds the return of Jack Chambers to the MX2 class, his determination undimmed by setbacks endured in the previous year. Benefiting from rigorous training regimens both in America, under the guidance of esteemed coach and former DRT rider Zach Osborne, and in Europe alongside his new teammates, Chambers epitomises the tenacity and spirit emblematic of DRT’s ethos.

Complementing Chambers’ seasoned prowess are the promising talents of British riders Bobby Bruce and Billy Askew, who join the DRT roster in the MX2 and EMX250 classes, respectively. Leveraging DRT’s legacy of nurturing British talent and its storied success on the Grand Prix circuit, Bruce and Askew embody the next generation of motocross excellence.

DRT sends our best wishes to Courtney Duncan, whose partnership with DRT and Kawasaki yielded an impressive four WMX World Championship titles in five years. Duncan’s remarkable achievements serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of excellence cultivated by DRT and its collaborators.

The global motocross phenomenon, the Motocross of Nations, will return under Steve Dixon’s watch to the award-winning Matterley Basin Circuit this October. Because of this, Steve and DRT have been able to re-invest back into British Motocross by supporting Bobby Bruce and Billy Askew.

Steve Dixon, Team Owner / Manager – 

“I feel 2024 is going to be a really great year for the team. I can’t believe it’s already been 10 years with Kawasaki! And 35 years in the paddock – you would think the passion has dwindled, but I continue to be driven and determined year after year. It’s great to have Bike It back on board as the title sponsor this year, they are really pushing hard in the motocross industry this year so we are happy to be there with them for it. 

We have a really strong team this year, they are all getting along really well and helping each other grow as people and riders. They will definitely be the ones to watch. Obviously I’m also looking forward to bringing back the Motocross of Nations on the 4-6th October at our home track of Matterley Basin. It’s a long way away but it will come around sooner than you think! I want to thank all our sponsors who through an ever increasingly difficult climate help us keep the wheels spinning and heading for those chequered flags.” 

VRT Yamaha Official EMX250 Revved Up for Thrilling 2024 EMX250 Campaign 

After a strategic restructuring of team operations towards the end of 2023, Yamaha is all set to tackle the hotly contested 2024 EMX250 Championship with the VRT Yamaha Official EMX250 team and its three talented riders- Ivano van Erp and brothers Karlis and Janis Reisulis.

Under the expert guidance of owner Mikael Vrignon and managed by former Enduro World Champion and motocross star Pierre-Alexandre “Pela” Renet, the VRT Yamaha Official EMX250 team is gearing up for a thrilling campaign. Their mission? To conquer the EMX250 championship while upholding Yamaha’s Manufacturer’s Title.

Drawing upon Yamaha’s illustrious history of nurturing champions, the VRT Yamaha Official EMX250 team aims to guide its three riders along the path blazed by Yamaha’s current Factory MXGP and MX2 stars: Maxime Renaux, Jago Geerts, Thibault Benistant, Rick Elzinga, and Andrea Bonacorsi, all of whom have climbed its pyramid.

In 2023, Van Erp and K.Reisulis stepped up to Yamaha’s Official EMX250 team, diving into the fiercely competitive EMX250 class as talented young rookies. Despite facing challenges, both riders made notable debuts, with Van Erp securing a race win and overall victory in Latvia. However, the young Dutchman’s momentum was halted by a fall while leading at his home race in Arnhem, The Netherlands, while K. Reisulis rebounded from an early injury to conclude his inaugural term in EMX250 on the podium in Great Britain.

Now recovered and eager to bounce back, both riders are set for their second year in EMX250 aboard the GYTR-kitted YZ250F, where they both hope to frequent the podium.

As for J. Reisulis, his name requires no introduction. The 15-year-old Latvian asserted himself as a dominant force in the EMX125 championship in 2023, amassing an impressive tally of 12 race wins, six overall victories, and a flawless 100% podium record to clinch the EMX125 title in his debut season with Yamaha.

Following his extraordinary season aboard the YZ125, J. Reisulis has been promptly elevated to the VRT Yamaha Official EMX250 team, where he will campaign a GYTR kitted YZ250F in the EMX250 Championship during his rookie season.

The 2024 EMX250 Championship will unfold over 10 rounds within the FIM Motocross World Championship, from March to September. Each round comprises two races of 25 minutes plus two laps, with the combined results determining the overall standings. This series serves as a pivotal pathway for emerging talents aspiring to climb the ranks to MX2 and, ultimately, MXGP.

The EMX250 Championship will kick-off alongside the MXGP of Spain in Madrid on the 23rd and 24th of March. 

Thorsten Lentink
Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Specialist
“This year, we’re entering the EMX250 season with renewed energy and focus. With a fresh team and bike, we’re ready to tackle the challenges ahead, while helping our talented young riders make their mark. We’re confident we’re going to the gate with an amazing set-up, and three very strong riders who have come up through our 125cc program. For Karlis and Ivano, going into their second year in the EMX250 class, we have high hopes, while for Janis, the main priority will be to build in his rookie year and gain experience. We’re looking forward to it, and on behalf of Yamaha Motor Europe, I’d like to wish the team and riders the best of luck this season!”

Final 2024 FIM Sidecar Motocross World Championship calendar

The FIM and the championship promoter, APO Multimedia are delighted to announce the final FIM Sidecar Motocross World Championship calendar for 2024.

Date-FMNR-Venue-Country
21 April-FMP-Alqueidao-Portugal
12 May-KNMV-Heerde-The Netherlands
26 May-FFM-Plomion-France
02 June-ACCR-Kramolin-Czech Republic
16 June-PZM-Gdansk-Poland
30 June-FMB-Lommel-Belgium
14 July-FFM-Iffendic-France
21 July-DMSB-Strassbessenbach-Germany
15 September-DMSB-Rudersberg-Germany
22 September-FMI-San Remo-Italy

GUADAGNINI TO MISS MXGP SEASON OPENER IN ARGENTINA FOLLOWING TRAINING INCIDENT

#101 GUADAGNINI FORCED TO SIT OUT MXGP ROUND ONE

Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team rider and MXGP talent Mattia Guadagnini will not participate in the opening round of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship in Patagonia-Argentina, due to injuries sustained in a crash during pre-season training in the South of France.

Guadagnini was promptly transferred to the nearest local hospital for check ups, where he was diagnosed with a fractured shoulder blade, and soft tissue injuries to his lower arm. The latter required minor surgery, which was successfully carried out this morning. The medical team has conducted comprehensive functionality tests, revealing no damage to nerves or tendons, with positive forecasts for a full recovery of the arm. However, the timeline for this recovery remains undetermined at this stage.

Guadagnini is expected to be discharged from the hospital within 48 hours, with plans to return to Belgium for further assessments and a second opinion on his injuries to establish a clearer recovery timeframe. As a result, participation in the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina has been ruled out, with further examinations required to provide an indication of when he might return to racing.

Rasmus Jorgensen, Team Manager of Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing, stated: « This is a setback for Mattia and the team, but we are relieved that his injuries are not as severe as initially feared. Our focus now is on his recovery and ensuring he receives the best possible care. We appreciate the concern and support from the MXGP community and will provide updates as we learn more about Mattia’s condition and expected return to racing. »

Further information regarding Guadagnini’s recovery progress and expected return to competition will be shared in due course. The team wishes Mattia a swift and full recovery and looks forward to his return to the MXGP circuit.

EVERTS TO MISS ARGENTINA GRAND PRIX OPENER AFTER SUCCESSFUL HAND SURGERY

2024 MXGP news

MX2 Grand Prix winner Liam Everts will sit out the first round of the 2024 MXGP series at Neuquen in Argentina on March 9-10 to recover from an injury to his right thumb, sustained in a light training crash in Belgium this week.

The highly rated Red Bull KTM Factory Racing athlete suffered the fall while in prep for the first of twenty Grands Prix in the 2024 series and underwent an operation on Thursday to get the fracture set and plated. The 19-year-old requires a month of convalescence before he can get back on the KTM 250 SX-F and could be in contention for the second fixture of the year in late March.

Harry Norton, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “Tough news for Liam and the team but we all know these setbacks can happen. The operation went well and now we need that four-week period for him to feel strong and to get full use of his hand. Argentina is out, but we are hopeful that his recovery goes to plan and Liam can start his championship in Madrid.”

Immersive film celebrates one-hundred-and-twenty years of the FIM

Marking its one-hundred-and-twentieth anniversary in 2024, the FIM is proud to release a unique film documenting its twelve decades in existence and its ground-breaking advances in the world of motorcycling that extend far beyond competition into areas as diverse as safety, technology, the environment, sustainability and inclusivity.

Presented by Swiss actress and model Lauriane Gilliéron who wears period-appropriate clothes in each of the six scenes, ‘FIM 120 Years’ was premiered at the weekend’s 2024 FIM Commissions Conference in Lyon, France, to rapturous audience applause. Illustrated with superb period photographs and rare vintage video, in just over eight minutes it documents one-hundred-and-twenty years of progress, achievements and passion.

Scene one: “Paris 1904, that’s where it all began…”
The story begins on 21 December 1904 in the Ledoyen restaurant in Paris. Following a race called the Coupe Internationale de Dourdan in the south of Paris three months earlier when racing conditions and technical regulations caused problems with interpretation, the managers of the participating clubs from Germany, Austria, Denmark, France, Belgium and Great Britain met and formed an international body to establish clear rules.

The result of this meeting was the formation of the FIM although, initially, it was called the Fédération Internationale des Clubs de Motocyclistes (FICM) until 1949.

Scene two: “We launched a movement, we started a family, we paved the way…”
Fast-forward to London in 1912 where the then ten member countries came together, marking the beginning of a new chapter that ran for twenty-seven years and saw membership grow to thirty National Federations. During this period a number of momentous occasions occurred and the time-travelling Gilliéron takes the viewer through several of these, including the first-ever International Six Days Trial – later to become the International Six Days of Enduro as we know it today – and the 1936 Speedway World Final at Wembley Stadium, the first official FICM World Championship which was won by Australia’s Lionel van Praag.

Scene three: “At the end of the war, we set off again…”
With peace restored following the Second World War, the FIM continued its mission with the first major landmark the inaugural Motocross of Nations in 1947, staged in the Netherlands and contested by teams from the home nation along with Great Britain and Belgium. Just two years later this was followed by the first-ever FIM Circuit Racing World Championship Grand Prix and the Internationale des Clubs de Motocyclistes became the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).

Scene four: “So many milestones…”
Documenting a period of intense change and development in motorcycle sport, Gilliéron details the evolution of FIM World Championships starting with Motocross in 1957 and continuing chronologically with Ice Speedway, Trial, Endurance Racing, Superbikes, Enduro and Rally-Raid.

Following the creation of the first Continental Union with Latin America in 1975, the FIM had grown to fifty-one member countries by 1980 and this figure was continuing to increase.

Scene five: “Respect for the environment and social inclusion…”
The FIM is committed to finding safer and sustainable solutions for motorcyclists from all walks of life by investing in advancements in subjects including fuel, tyres, personal safety equipment, sound reduction, electric power and event organisation. It was the first International Federation to implement an Environmental Code and has a very strict Anti-Doping Code and works tirelessly to promote inclusivity for female motorcyclists through the FIM Women in Motorcycling Commission.

Scene six: “Together, we’ve come a long way. Together, we’ll go even further…”
The only governing body for motorcycle sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee, today the FIM Family oversees more than fifteen-hundred events every year and numbers one-hundred-and-twenty National Federations and six Continental Unions, all joined together by a shared passion and united by the single goal to advance motorcycling globally.

Jorge Viegas, FIM President, said:“This is a fantastic film that does a brilliant job of detailing the one-hundred-and-twenty years of history of the FIM. From a restaurant in Paris in 1904 with just six countries all the way through to the present day with new headquarters being constructed in Switzerland, one-hundred-and-twenty National Federations and six Continental Unions – we have certainly come a long way.

“On behalf of the FIM I would like to thank everyone involved in the making of this film and, of course, everyone who has played their part in our continued success over the last one-hundred-and-twenty years.”

KTM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE JUNIOR E-MOTOCROSS SERIES REGISTRATION FOR 2024 IS NOW OPEN

With the full support of KTM, the Junior e-Motocross Series returns for 2024 and today, registration has officially opened for youngsters who race a KTM SX-E 5 to secure one of 40 spots on the start line. Proving to be incredibly popular since its inception in 2021, the five-round, e-motorsport competition caters for young motocross riders between six and eight years old and takes place alongside selected events on the MXGP World Championship calendar.

Continuing to utilize a one-day format for each round in 2024, riders on KTM SX-E 5 or equivalent machinery will begin each event with a timed qualifying session to decide the gate pick for two races. Then, when both motos are complete, the points are tallied up with the top three riders climbing onto the MXGP podium to celebrate their achievements.

The MXGP of France on May 19 hosts the season-opener with the remaining four events taking place during the summer. A variety of classic circuits feature on the calendar and each race will take place in front of thousands of fans in attendance, and thousands more watching on mxgp-tv.com at home.

By attracting a truly international line-up every year, the Junior e-Motocross Series can only be described as a huge success. Entries for the 2024 edition are now open and all 40 spots on the start gate are expected to be filled quickly. The only requirements each competitor needs to be in with a chance of securing a place are to commit to at least three rounds and be aged 6–8-years-old with their age taken on January 1, 2024.

Every young rider who competes on a state-of-the-art KTM SX-E 5 will receive a cool selection of clothing from the KTM PowerWear range. With every item designed with the same winning intent as the KTM motocross models, the pit wear and accessories will ensure young riders dress with a professional appearance when they’re not on track.

For more information on the 2024 Junior e-Motocross Series and to register for a place on the start gate, please visit – www.junioremotocross.com

Riann Neveling – Head of KTM Global Marketing: “This year marks the fourth edition of the Junior e-Motocross Series and each one so far has been incredibly successful. The feedback we receive regarding this series is always very positive and I have no doubt that this will continue in 2024. We know that the format works and this will continue this year, but of course, the most exciting part for every young rider is the opportunity to race on a real MXGP track on the same day as their racing heroes. This series allows KTM to show its commitment to e-mobility research and development, and with many of the riders in last year’s series choosing to compete on the KTM SX-E 5, it shows that our bike is competitive. We’re a few months away from round one and I’m sure the 2024 Junior e-Motocross Series will be another huge success.”

Calendar – 2024 Junior e-Motocross Series

Round 1: 19 May – MXGP of France – St. Jean d-Angely

Round 2: 2 June – MXGP of Germany – Teutschenthal

Round 3: 20 July – MXGP of Czech Republic – Loket

Round 4: 21 July – MXGP of Czech Republic – Loket

Round 5: 25 August – MXGP of Switzerland – Frauenfeld

PEELING BACK THE LAYERS OF CALVIN VLAANDEREN

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19 FEBRUARY 2024

DARK HORSE, CONTENDER OR PRETENDER ?

Born in the vibrant beachfront city of Cape Town, South Africa, and now a long-time resident of The Netherlands, Calvin Vlaanderen’s story is one of determination, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. The tall, polite, and refreshingly down-to-earth South African, who immigrated to The Netherlands to pursue his dreams at the tender age of 15, has already established himself among the elite of MXGP. However, despite his obvious talent, evidenced by his collection of 12 podiums, which includes two GP wins, Calvin has been without a ‘factory’ ride for the past four years.

In a sport predominantly dominated by European powerhouses, Calvin stands as a rare face from the southern tip of Africa who has made it against the odds. What sets him apart from other non-Europeans who have ventured before him, aside from his incredible work ethic, undeniable confidence, and his natural ability to ride a dirt bike on any surface, is a stroke of fortune in the form of a Dutch passport. « I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, and I moved to The Netherlands when I was 15 to pursue my career in motocross, » he shared. « My dad is a South African-born Dutchman, which makes me half-Dutch. I got a Dutch passport when I was around four years old. » 

Calvin, the youngest of three siblings, was born a twin to his brother Damon, who is two minutes older than him, developed a passion for motorcycles thanks to his father. Reflecting on his childhood, Calvin recalls, « When we were small, my dad said to my brother and me, when we can ride a bicycle without training wheels, that he will buy us a PW50. The day we did, he bought us a PW50, and we went to the park to ride. » 

From that day, Calvin was hooked, and as he grew to a lengthy 187cm tall, the thrill of race wins became a familiar sensation. Reflecting on some of his most memorable moments, a subtle smile appeared on his face. « Winning a race in the Junior 125cc Motocross World Championship in 2013 was a highlight for me, » he remembers. « I finished second overall that weekend, and then after that, of course, my two Grand Prix wins in Indonesia and Sardinia were really special. » 

The latter of the victories that Calvin referred to, in the dunes of Riola-Sardo, Sardinia in 2022, was perhaps the most exciting of his achievements. It was the moment in which the South African ace secured his first-ever MXGP-class win after powering his Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Supported MX Team-backed YZ450F to a thrilling double moto victory. However, while it stands out as one of the most iconic maiden Grand Prix wins in history, Calvin’s journey into the 450 class, MXGP, was not without its challenges.

“When I moved up to the 450 in 2020, my main goal was to get a factory ride as soon as possible,” he explained. “But I didn’t have a great rookie season, and I am quite realistic with where I am at and what I am able to achieve, and what options I have in terms of teams. So, I knew at the end of 2020, that I was not worthy of a factory ride.”

Facing a tough first season and the realization that a factory ride was not immediately within reach, Calvin remained undeterred and kept his determination intact.

In 2021, Calvin elevated his game and achieved positive results, proving to himself that he was deserving of a factory ride. However, despite his efforts, the offer he had hoped for didn’t materialize. “It’s always in the back of your head that you want to prove you’re good enough to be a factory rider,” he added. “I felt like I proved I was good enough in 2021, so it was tough waiting for an offer that didn’t arrive. It was something I had to go through mentally, and it was something I just needed to accept.”

Accepting this disappointment presented a mental challenge, but instead of allowing it to deflate him, he saw it as motivation to push forward. He remained focused, worked tirelessly, and steadily climbed the ranks over the next four years.

“I just put my head down and kept working hard and moving forward. My full focus was on just getting better and better, and I feel like I have done that over the past four years. Each year, I have gone better and finished higher up the ladder. I knew that eventually, my time would come, and I would get a factory ride, which is where I am now, and it’s where I believe I can be a World Champion.”

Factory rider aspirations are common in motocross; however, only a small percentage of riders take the honour of a factory seat, particularly in the premier class. Calvin’s never-give-up attitude underscores what is possible. “I think the turning point between 2020 and 2021 was down to a few things,” he revealed. “I think we improved the bike, but I also think mentally, you are a year older and a bit more mature. I also went into 2020 fresh off an injury, and I was on a new team. They were new to MXGP, so they didn’t have a lot of experience, and I was also new to the 450, so I was inexperienced as well. But I stayed with that team, and we all worked hard, so going into 2021, I had a good winter and felt great on the bike, and I felt like I knew what to expect, whereas, in my rookie season, there was just a lot to learn.”

Through perseverance, learning from setbacks, and constant improvement, Calvin has earned his place on the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team in 2024. “For me, the team behind the rider is really important”, he explained, “although the rider does all the work on the track, the team basically does all the work off the track. So, trust is important. It’s important to trust the people you’re working with, and so is the knowledge and experience they bring to the table. I feel like these points are the biggest difference when it comes to being a factory rider, and this is where we have made a big step for this year.”

While Calvin’s achievements are undoubtedly impressive, the number #10 remains humble and modest, choosing to deflect the traditional measures of success. « I’m not only proud of what I have achieved. I wouldn’t say my results are what I am most proud of when asked either. I am much prouder of who I am and how far I’ve come. Coming from South Africa, I’ve grown up far away from home, and I’ve sacrificed a lot. » He recognizes and takes pride in his growth; both as a professional athlete and as a person off the track.

With the firm belief that the measure of success extends far beyond race results, Calvin is a great role model for the next generation of MXGP stars. “If I were to share one piece of advice with the younger generation, I would tell them to enjoy the journey and have fun. In the end, when you look back at your younger self, it’s not just about winning, but the path that leads there. »

Now, as a factory rider, Calvin believes he has the best opportunity to become a World Champion. He has reached a point where he can see his potential for greatness. He has embraced the journey, knowing that his time and opportunity have finally aligned, and he is determined to make the most of it.

Kawasaki Racing Team 2024: Rider Interview – Romain Febvre

Romain Febvre and the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP enter their fifth season together confident that they can secure the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship title they so narrowly missed in 2021 and 2023.

Romain, you must feel completely at home in Green as you enter your fifth season with the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP?
Yes, for sure … and everything is going perfectly. This winter we only had to concentrate on some small adjustments to the bike so it was much easier than last year when we had to understand a completely new bike. And of course it makes everything much easier when you have already been working with the same people for a couple of years.

Last year you spent a lot of time testing; could you focus more on your training and physical preparation this winter?
I had a very good winter preparation and, even though I haven’t peaked yet because the season will be long, I’m very happy with my physical condition. We didn’t need to spend too long with testing as we already knew the bike, but every year there’s some new parts to test; we always need to keep on top of development as the level is very high in MXGP but I would say that the main novelty this year was the chassis as we now use the production one. We started testing straight away at the end of last season, and we soon found the best settings.

Last year you spent a lot of time developing the bike, doing the fine tuning; did you enjoy this aspect of the job?
It’s always nice to be involved in the development of a new bike as you can request what you want; for sure it can sometimes take time for the new parts to arrive, so you also have to adapt your style to the bike at times, but the final result was very satisfying. Sometimes last year I was looking for solutions; it was a good experience and it’s great to see that the new chassis is really good for me, especially in the sand. I’m very happy with the bike.

Last year you had one of your best season, so you must be confident for 2024?
As always it is most important not to get injured during the season; last year I had the concussion in Spain and missed that GP, but apart from that I had no other injuries. It’s important because you can continue to progress from race-to-race and stay consistent. You keep your rhythm, you can train physically, and from race-to-race you improve your results. That’s what I did last year; I had the speed and it was a really good season so everything is in place for another great campaign. (Source & photos : Kawasaki Racing)

Kawasaki Racing Team 2024: Rider Interview – Jeremy Seewer

Jeremy Seewer begins a new chapter in his Motocross GP career this year; after six FIM medals in ten seasons of GP racing the twenty-nine year old Swiss joins the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP in search of the elusive Gold.

Jeremy, a new bike, a new team, a new adventure for you?
Yes of course; you can’t start from zero on so many occasions in your career with a new bike that you need to get used to, with new people around you, with everything new but it’s been a good journey so far. There have been some ups-and-downs, which is normal, but I’m enjoying it and I’m happy!

You’ve been racing nine years in yellow and six in blue, now in Green with a new motivation?
I don’t really function that way; I’m not a guy who has to see new motivation in everything new, but of course it’s nice to discover new directions. Some of them are way better and sometimes you wonder why you never did them before; why nobody previously pointed you in that direction as it seems so natural. There can also be some other things which might feel more negative and I need to work on that, but for sure I’m really motivated to make everything work. Of course it’s easier to stay in your comfort zone because you know the package, you know you can win races, and you know what to improve to advance. But when you change like now, you have a new motivation but you start everything from zero. It’s more of a risk to move to somewhere new – it would be easier to stay where you are – but I’m happy and proud with what I have done and I think it’s the right direction for my career. Many people tell me that Green suits me, and when I see myself on some clips I say ‘wow, that looks nice’.

You stayed so long with previous brands that, as you say, you have to start from zero?
It’s not easy. Let’s say to 90% it’s straightforward because we top riders can ride fast on any bike, even a stock bike from any brand; I can ride fast and enjoy it but then to carry the speed to GP level is another story. To find the last 10% and then the last 5%, the final 3%, that’s where it gets more complicated and then you really need time to test and set up the bike, suspension, engine, chassis, brakes, everything; you have so many options in a factory team to make it right for you. In a few weeks I will know where I am; honestly the feeling is already good but racing up-front at the very top level will be the final confirmation.

You can learn from new people around you, but you also bring to the team all your experience?
Yes of course, it works both way. They show me new things and it can take some time to work together, but then I bring a lot of experience, especially on the riding side; we each bring our strengths and we can put the pieces of the puzzle together.

The season will be long; do you have a plan?
I’m not planning too far ahead; at the moment I’m just focused on setting my bike up and doing some pre-season races without any pressure. I’m just trying to enjoy it, to go through this normal process, fixing the evolution on the bike and then looking forward to the first races.

Physically you feel ready ? Did you have a good winter ?
Yes! Physically I had a really good winter; I kept working on that and tried to improve; trying to work harder but also to regroup better and I don’t think I have ever previously been in such good shape. That’s super positive. (Source & photo : Kawasaki Racing)

Defending Champions Yamaha Motor Europe Aims to Unleash Full Potential in 2024 MXGP Season

As the reigning MXGP and MX2 Manufacturer’s World Champions, Yamaha Motor Europe is gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship campaign. Building on Yamaha’s previous success and with a dynamic new team structure in place, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP and MX2 teams are primed to harness the untapped potential of their six factory riders as they gun for both individual and brand glory.

Leading the charge for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team is former MX2 World Champion Maxime Renaux, who is preparing for his third season aboard the YZ450FM. Despite facing an unlucky setback in 2023, the 23-year-old Frenchman has kept his head up and remains determined to build on his impressive track record of eight Grand Prix victories and 30 podium finishes while vying for the MXGP crown in 2024.

Joining Renaux on the gate is his former MX2 teammate Jago Geerts. The 23-year-old Belgian brings a wealth of talent and potential as he transitions to the YZ450FM, boasting 55 podium finishes, 24 Grand Prix wins, and five MX2 championship medals. Already showing signs of confidence, Geerts aims for consistent progress in his rookie MXGP season.

Rounding out the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP roster for 2024 is Calvin Vlaanderen. Over the past three years, Vlaanderen has demonstrated remarkable progress in MXGP, securing the top spot among satellite riders for the past two seasons. With Yamaha’s full support, the 27-year-old South African aims to build on his twelve podium finishes and two Grand Prix wins, striving for even greater success.

In MX2, the new Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team will feature a familiar line-up of Yamaha stars Thibault Benistant, Rick Elzinga, and Andrea Bonacorsi. 

Benistant, with three MX2 Grand Prix victories and twelve podium finishes to his credit, has been labelled a clear title contender. Now entering his fourth season in the class, the 21-year-old French prodigy is bursting with confidence and looks forward to lining up at the season opener with a clean slate and a new opportunity to go for gold. 

Gearing up for his second MX2 season, Elzinga aims to use the year of experience gained to contend for podium finishes. The 22-year-old Dutchman showed flashes of brilliance in his debut season and is poised to make further strides in 2024. 

Meanwhile, Bonacorsi, the reigning EMX250 Champion, is ready to take on the challenge of competing at the highest level in 250cc racing. Already showing his impressive strength aboard his YZ250FM, the 20-year-old Italian is eager to establish himself as a front runner in the pro ranks.

With a packed schedule of 20 Grand Prix events and 60 races in the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2024, the teams are all set for an intense year of racing. Over the next three weeks, all six riders will put the finishing touches on their pre-season preparations before making the journey to Argentina for the season opener on March 9th and 10th in Villa la Angostura.

Alexandre Kowalski 
Yamaha Motor Europe Off-Road Racing Manager
“We’re looking forward to the upcoming season and the chance to defend Yamaha’s manufacturers’ world titles in MXGP and MX2, particularly with our new team structure that aims to get the most out of our six factory riders. While our line-up for 2024 remains familiar, with all six riders having been part of the Yamaha Family for the past few years, we’re looking forward to the MXGP debut of our MX2 star Jago Geerts in his rookie season. Alongside him, Calvin Vlaanderen, who has achieved remarkable results as a satellite rider and has long been on our radar, will step up to the challenge. Both Jago and Calvin will join forces with our current Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP title contender, Maxime Renaux, who is determined to fight for the crown. At the same time, MX2 holds its own promise of excitement this year, with Thibault Benistant, Rick Elzinga, and Andrea Bonacorsi leveraging the same team setup that propelled them to European Championship success. Thibault’s goal is crystal clear: we believe he has the best shot at contending for the title, while Rick and Andrea can utilize this season to steadily progress towards consistently challenging for podium finishes. Overall, we have full faith in our teams and the strength of our riders this season, and on behalf of Yamaha Motor Europe, I would like to wish them the best of luck in 2024!”

Few hours are missing before the official start of the new 2024 season. The debut of our new sports project linked to Fantic Motor and the young riders of the European Championship will make its debut on Sunday 4 February at the Riola Sardo track for the first round of the Internazionali D’Italia championship. All the riders of the Fantic Factory racing EMX125 will be present, Simone Mancini #97, Noel Zanócz #716, Douwe Van Mechgelen #518. We are waiting for you in Sardinia!

EYES ON THE (MXGP) PRIZE ONCE MORE AS RED BULL KTM GET SET FOR 20242024 MXGP news

Reigning champions in at least one of the two principal classes of the FIM Motocross World Championship for the eighth year in a row, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will charge into the fresh MXGP season with the same four-rider line-up as 2023 and with the latest generations of the KTM 450 SX-F and KTM 250 SX-F ready for action.

Pre-season races, tests and the final phases of preparation lay ahead for Red Bull KTM in the build-up to the Grand Prix of Argentina on March 10th and the first of 20 events that will culminate with the final round at an unconfirmed location on September 29th.All eyes will be on the progress of reigning MX2 world champion Andrea Adamo as the 20-year-old Italian aims to be the fourth rider since the beginning of the last decade to go ‘back-to-back’ with MX2 titles, and following in the tracks of Marvin Musquin, Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado. As in 2023, Andrea will be chased by 19-year-old teammate Liam Everts who excelled with four GP victories in his maiden term as a factory KTM MX2 racer. The Belgian will be prioritizing more silverware to match his impressive consistency and skills for the championship chase in 2024. Sacha Coenen is again the third representative with the KTM 250 SX-F and the many flashes of speed and potential will be backed up by even more promise for the 17-year-old Belgian in ’24.In the MXGP class Jeffery Herlings has a clear mission. Four wins with the KTM 450 SX-F in 2023 cemented his status as the most successful Grand Prix rider of all time: all 103 of his record-setting wins came with Red Bull KTM 250 SX-F and 450 SX-F technology. The 29-year-old Dutchman will undoubtedly add to that tally as he pursues a sixth world title and third in the MXGP category.Red Bull KTM will be present in the opening two rounds of the 2024 Internazionali D’Italia in the coming weeks as well as the Spanish Championship and International meetings in France and the UK in the run-up to MXGP round one.

ANDREA ADAMO

 
Andrea, no #1 for you in 2024?
No! I’ll stick with the #80 because I’m not a big fan of the 1 for now. Let’s see in the future if we can do it in MXGP.
 
What is the main improvement you want to make for 2024?
Well, to be honest, a little bit everywhere. I felt I was quite complete with my riding in 2023; by that I mean I wasn’t bad in many areas but also not super-good in some! Things like starts, speed, consistency, physical was quite OK. So, the goal is to raise the level of everything in general.
 
Is it another personal goal to boost the wins?
For 2024 I have the same attitude as I did last year. For sure I have a championship on my shoulders and that means the mentality is a bit different, but I will try to enjoy my racing and give the best every race. Keep it consistent, keep it safe, fight for the podium and go for it.


LIAM EVERTS

 
Liam, you had the consistency in 2023, so what’s the main point for improvement in 2024?
To be even more so! I had a few races last season, like in Portugal, where I threw away a lot of points so I really need to minimize those more and manage the harder weekends better. Of course there are always improvements riding-wise and also with my personality and my mentality. I think if I can sort out that side of my racing and my season then the results will come along also. That’s my big goal.
 
Is there anything you wanted from the team for the 2024 KTM 250 SX-F?
Erm, the only real request I had for the guys and for the bike was a bit more work on the sand set-up. Even though I won the GP in Arnhem, I felt like I missed something there and that there was a lot more potential. We’ve been working in that way with the suspension and to be able to use my technique more and we’ve made some gains, which is great.
 
At least two more new tracks to discover in 2024. Is it important or part of the fun to master new venues?
It’s cool. With tracks that you know then you are well aware of turns, sectors or areas where you feel there can be improvement or where you had decent speed in the past. New tracks are always a challenge and that ‘reset’ happens for everyone so the field is level. Places like China are far from home but that’s part of the world championship!
 
SACHA COENEN

 
Sacha, 2023 was a classic rookie season: lots of speed but also lots of mistakes. What was the number one lesson for you?
I think just to get used to the bike and to work out the best set-up. Also, the format of the Grand Prix; it felt like the weekends were long!
 
Did you want some more fitness and conditioning for this season after discovering the demands of MX2?
Yes, I wanted to build more strength because my size meant handling the bike for the full GP motos was not that easy, but we also worked on the bike and the set-up to help with that and to make it easier to get near the limit.
 
If you had to pick, which one of your teammates will give you the strongest challenge this year?!
I don’t really mind! The truth is that I want to beat all the riders out there, especially my brother [Lucas]! He’s a reference for me at the moment.
 
JEFFREY HERLINGS

 
Jeffrey, the record was a big, big achievement in 2024 but you had to reset again after the crash in Germany. Will it be a mistake for your rivals to count you out?
It’s hard to say what they think of me but I’m sure they know when I am fit then I’m capable of winning races and I’ve shown that consistently in the last fifteen years. I won four last year and had multiple podiums. When I’m fully fit and strong then I can win…even though it is easier said than done!
 
Any wishes for the latest version of the KTM 450 SX-F?
We’re testing some parts and going through some things now because in the second part of 2023 I was obviously off the bike, so I didn’t really have the chance. Right now, it is going good and I’m very happy with the bike. I was already happy last season, but I think now we are improving. We still have some things to look at. We’re in positive shape. We will only know how good we are once the races start but, based on how I feel at the moment, it’s shaping up nicely.
 
This is your 15th season with Red Bull KTM: a home from home?
Yeah! It’s crazy. Fifteen years with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and even the season before that I was on a KTM doing the European Championship. Fifteen years: I don’t know how many people or riders can say they have been so long with the same team! It’s pretty special. I’m really happy to be here this year and next year. I’m only 30 years old in 2025 so let’s see! I hope I can keep the partnership going. We’re happy and that’s good.
 
Harry Norton, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “It is almost ‘go time’ for us so it’s cool to show our bikes and colors for 2024 and to talk about our goals for the season. We have the same rider line-up and it will be a second year for the team staff after some changes for 2023. The consistency and experience should help us to be better prepared for these 20 Grands Prix. Jeffrey set his personal record in 2023, which was also cool for the KTM SX-F bikes, but we know how hungry he is for that title again and to keep chasing success. While he is on the track and has that focus then we know he can set the bar. Andrea, Liam and Sacha each have their own expectations for MX2 and they know what is possible after those results in 2023 and all the education of leading Grands Prix and dealing with pressure. They can only be better and faster for 2024, and we’re really looking forward to how they progress. We are about to start the year with some pre-season races and a bit more testing but round one will rush-up quickly. Before we start, I just want to thank the team and everyone back at the workshop for the work and the effort to get where we are. Let’s bring home what we can!”

MXGP 2024 Friday, February 2nd 2024

News

Three is the magic number as Team HRC gear up for 2024

Team HRC are entering into the new motocross world championships with three riders on-board their Honda machinery as Tim Gajser and Ruben Fernandez are joined by young Italian, Ferruccio Zanchi, for what is a return to the MX2 class for this prestigious manufacturer.

Five-time world champion Gajser needs no introduction, as the Slovenian looks to add to his trophy-haul after an injury-hit 2023 campaign. The #243 did return later in the year and ended up winning two of the final three rounds, but his eyes have been firmly set on this year for some time and he will be looking to continue his winning ways, on what is a brand-new Honda CRF450R.

Both him, and teammate Fernandez have been strenuously testing the new machine over this winter period, making sure it is ready for all the challenges that a 20-round MXGP season can throw at it, and after considerable riding time, both are extremely happy with the results and are excited for the first gate-drop on March 9-10.

Fernandez is especially looking forward to heading down to Argentina again, and the fabulous facility in Villa La Angostura, as the #70 was victorious there last year, in what was his first-ever MXGP win. It was an important moment and one that really boosted the Spaniard’s confidence for the rest of the season, and now he’s once again feeling good as this season looks to get underway in the South American country.

It was a big step for Team HRC to be re-joining the MX2 class, but also a crucial one for the brand to be racing competitively on the smaller 250cc machines, and Zanchi was seen as the perfect prospect to lead this new venture for 2024. The Italian already has a couple of wildcard MX2 rounds under his belt, and was successful in the EMX250 class last year, and will now step-up full time in what is a completely blank slate for him and the bike. Both parties know that it won’t be easy to come in and challenge straight away, but both have put in a lot of work over this off-season to be ready for what awaits. This is seen as a long-term project to try and get back to the level that saw Gajser win the MX2 title in 2015, but everyone involved knows there is a lot of potential, and with the expertise and winning-mentality that Team HRC possesses, it will only be a matter of time before they are back where they belong.

So with two new bikes and one new rider, 2024 is shaping-up to be a very exciting season for everyone involved, but before the world championships get underway, there are two warm-up races in Riola Sardo and Mantova for trio to put their respective machines through their first competitive paces and make sure everything is ready for Argentina in just over one month’s time.

Tim Gajser : I can’t wait for this season to get underway. I found my form at the end of last year and since then we’ve had a new bike which is great to ride and I’m looking forward to going out there and showing it. The off-season has been good, with a lot of extra stuff but I’ve been able to get in the riding I’ve needed to do and basing myself in Sardinia for a month or so has worked out well so that I can really train how I need to. The team have been working hard alongside me to help get everything to where it needs to be, and now we are just looking to get to that first gate drop and getting this 2024 season started.

Ruben Fernandez : I’ve been really impressed with this new bike and it’s been fun getting it setup how I want it and working how I want it for the season ahead. Obviously, I started off 2023 by winning in Argentina and it would be great to start 2024 off with a bang as well, but the goal is to have more strong moments, and be consistently challenging up the front. The fact we have two Spanish GPs now, with one close to my home is great for me and I’m really looking forward to the new round in Galicia, and there are actually a lot of races I believe I can do well at.

Ferruccio Zanchi 

This is such a great moment for me. It is what every young rider wants to achieve when they first get on a motocross bike – to ride for Team HRC. However, this moment is just the start, and I know that the real work starts now. It is a great honour to be the person they chose to lead the renewal of this CRF250R programme, but I know that I need to give it 100% effort to make sure that this year, and the coming years will be successful for both myself and the machine. I want to thank all the people close to me who helped make this possible and I’d also like to say hello to all the Honda fans around the world who I’ll now be representing on the track. I look forward to meeting you and hopefully I can do you proud in the races.

Team HRC to enter FIM E-Xplorer World Cup

Team HRC, Honda’s works racing outfit, will enter the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup from the 2024 season, which starts with the team’s home round in Osaka, Japan, 16-17 February.

The FIM E-Xplorer World Cup is an endurocross discipline featuring exclusively electric motocross bikes. The series therefore becomes the battleground for Honda’s CR ELECTRIC PROTO, which made an impressive competitive debut at Round 8 of the All Japan Motocross Championship at the end of last year against its established 450cc internal combustion counterparts.

Competing for Team HRC aboard the CR ELECTRIC PROTO will be four-time Italian MX Champion and three-time Italian Enduro Champion Francesca Nocera, who will ride alongside her duties for the Honda Racing RedMoto World Enduro Team in the Enduro World Championship, and Tosha Schareina. Having been signed to the Monster Energy Honda Team only last year, his Dakar Rally debut as a works rider got off to a flying start with a victory on the Prologue. The Spaniard is well versed in both motocross and enduro, so alongside Nocera the pair are strongly positioned to mount a championship assault.

Nocera and Schareina will pair up against nine other teams, each comprising a male and a female rider under the series’ regulations. New for 2024, there are two categories of competition, with the larger Hyperbikes (prototype 7kwh-max machines using a standard MX wheelbase) joined by a lighter-weight GT class, based upon regular production models and weighing below 112kg.

Team HRC’s duo will campaign the CR ELECTRIC PROTO in the premier Hyperbike class across a series of 10min qualifying rounds, three intense 10-minute races and a play-off series of sprint relays for the best four teams each weekend.

Ruben Faria

Team Principal

“I am very excited to be in another Team HRC project, heading into a full season of electrified competition using the Honda CR ELECTRIC PROTO. We saw that when the machine made its competitive debut last year in Saitama it was very fast at the hands of Trey Canard – two out of three holeshots and more than capable of running at the front, ahead of the established 450cc competition. That was a very encouraging debut, as well as a valuable development platform, so we are all keen to bring those learnings to the track in 2024 in the E-Xplorer series. The competition will be intense I’m sure, and this is the best place to continue developing our approach to sustainable, electrified two-wheeled motorsports. With Francesca and Tosha we have two very strong riders. 

“Obviously this project is very different from Rally-Raid, but my career started in Motocross, followed by Enduro before finally Rally, so this is an area that I like and where I feel comfortable. Tosha and Francesca have extensive experience in Motocross and Enduro and I think they have the skills for this new and innovative electric motorsport series, E-Xplorer.”

Tosha Schareina  ⁶⁸
“It’s incredible really from the Sonora Rally last year where I got my first works Honda bike, the CRF450 Rally, then to have become a works rider for the Dakar, and now to be a works rider on the CR ELECTRIC PROTO! I know the team well and feel very comfortable with them, and we work very well together. The challenges of E-Xplorer are of course very different, but I am looking forward to adapting and to getting on the electric machine alongside Francesca. The series is new but already the CR ELECTRIC PROTO showed it was capable of matching the performance of the petrol bikes so I think it’s an exciting time to be working with HRC on developing such a capable electric machine.”

Francesca Nocera  443“I have won a number of titles in Italian motocross, and recently have come back to Enduro and finished third in the world last year, so for me to be able to blend the two disciplines is very exciting. I am riding the Honda CRF in the World Enduro Championship and the CR ELECTRIC PROTO in E-Xplorer so will have a very good feeling of how these two versions of the machine, and the electric and internal combustion worlds, compare and I am very excited to get to racing it. We have a great and proven team, the bike is clearly strong, and Tosha will be a great teammate, so I am feeling confident in this new adventure.”

(© FIA)

Among the headline findings of the survey, undertaken by the United Against Online abuse campaign, was a concern among the 22 sporting federations and NGOs which participated that abuse is driving sports stars from competition.

Organisations including FIFA, UCI, ITF, World Athletics, World Netball, FIM and the FIA contributed to the new research examining the extent and impact of online abuse.

Their responses paint a clear image of a challenging and aggressive social media environment.  Three quarters of federations said that sports stars regularly face threats of harm against themselves or their families, with 90% saying that this is likely to lead to them quitting the sport.

Respondents also set out their solutions, with 95% saying that social media platforms have a key role to play in tackling the problem, either voluntarily or under obligation.

The statistics come in the wake of a spate of high-profile online abuse cases, including those against former England midfielder Eni Aluko, world tennis No.8 Daria Kasatkina, Chelsea forward Lauren James and recently-retired World Cup rugby referee Wayne Barnes.  In fact, one of the main triggers for the FIA’s launch of UAOA was the abuse suffered by an FIA female steward from Spain at the time of the Mexican Grand Prix in 2022.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Founding Partner of UAOA and President of the FIA, said: “Online abuse is a persistent issue within the sporting world. A number of international federations have voiced their concerns via our barometer survey and in regular discussions we have held since the campaign launch in 2022. The survey findings highlight the importance of united anti-abuse efforts across sporting ecosystems and beyond.

“As part of the UAOA campaign, the aim of our coalition is to rid our sport of the scourge of online abuse. Together we seek to bring about behavioural and regulatory change to create a safer, more harmonious environment free of abuse, hate speech and harassment. We already have the support of a number of sporting bodies and governments and are in discussions with other stakeholders to grow our support base.”

The United Against Online Abuse campaign is leading the way in these efforts. Drawing together international federations, governments (from Albania, Belgium, France, Greece, Malaysia, Slovenia, Spain) and NGOs (including Peace and Sport), the group has carried out extensive research into online abuse and hate speech, alongside its research partner Dublin City University (DCU). The coalition recently onboarded three DCU scholars, who will continue to bolster this research and strengthen industry understanding of the issue.

Professor David Hassan, Principal Investigator for the UAOA Research Study, said: “This research provides us with a baseline for our work going forward. Now that we have established the extent of the problem across sporting federations, we are well placed to address this issue and tackle its root causes, alongside other researchers, governments, and campaign groups.

“In conversations with IFs like the IOC and FIFA, there is a common desire to gain a better understanding of the cause and effect of online abuse. That is one of the main goals of our research scholarship programme in collaboration with DCU. The findings of that research will inform our strategic approach going forward.”

Coalition members have been united in their desire to join forces to rid sport of online abuse. Several members reiterated that commitment in their responses to the UAOA barometer survey.

Dame Liz Nicholl, DBE, President of World Netball, said: « At World Netball, our vision is to make netball a sport that is open to all, and this stretches to the online space. We want all of the Netball Family to feel included and respected on social media. There is no space for abuse.

“It was important for netball to be part of this UAOA initiative, and we look forward to helping to make social media safe for all those within our game; from the fans to our officials, and of course our athletes at every level.”

Jorge Viegas, President of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), said: “The FIM is proud to be an UAOA partner and to be part of this initial step so that we can gauge and analyse the findings in order that we can better protect our riders and motorcycling sport in general from online abuse.

“By co-operating and collaborating with other sporting federations, our united approach is one of the best ways to limit this kind of abuse. From the results of the survey, we can now look to strengthen certain areas and ensure that we focus our efforts for the next part of this important process.”  

Boban Totovski, General Secretary of the International Esports Federation said: “The International Esports Federation is built on respect, not rage. Whether you’re a pro player or a weekend warrior, let’s spread positive vibes and make Esports a community, not a battleground. Level up your sportsmanship, not your toxicity. Remember, the real victory is respect, not burning books. Let’s make Esports a place where everyone feels welcome.”

Coalition members will meet to discuss next steps at a Conference in Paris this May.

https://www.fim-moto.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/2024/Official-UAOA-2024-Barometer-Full-Report-Finding.pdf?t=1706783286

2024 NESTAAN HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING LINEUP BREAKS COVERGUADAGNINI, DE WOLF, AND COENEN PREPARE FOR 2024 MXGP AND MX2 CAMPAIGNSThe Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team is excited to unveil its formidable rider lineup for the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship season, featuring Mattia Guadagnini campaigning the premier class of MXGP, alongside Lucas Coenen and Kay de Wolf in MX2.Boasting a unique combination of seasoned experience and raw youthful talent, the team is poised for MXGP and MX2 golds and podiums, right from the very first gate drop of the season.

The most recent signing to the ‘Husky’ factory team is Mattia Guadagnini. Despite only being 21 years old, the Italian boasts a wealth of career experience, having previously claimed a double EMX125 crown in 2019.Better still, Guadagnini has previously held the red plate, and won multiple Grand Prix in MX2. Graduating to MXGP has proved a little more challenging experience however. With his first full season hampered by injury following a heavy crash at the 2023 MXGP of France. Now back to full fitness, and with a brand new 2024-spec FC 450 underneath him, Mattia is refreshed and ready to give it his all, in the upcoming 20 rounds.In the hotly contested MX2 category, the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team are proud to present a formidable pairing: Belgian sensation, 17 year old Lucas Coenen, and 19 year old Dutch prodigy Kay de Wolf. Both riders are on a meteoric rise, with de Wolf entering his fourth MX2 season after securing the red plate, as well as five podiums and a victory last year in Latvia. Lucas Coenen, is embarking on his second full season, having finished an impressive fifth overall last season; highlighted by three podium finishes and a spectacular win in Indonesia.With just over a month to go, Mattia, Lucas, and Kay are currently working through an intense schedule of pre-season testing, before the first MXGP of the year goes live in Argentina on the 10th March. #101 – Mattia Guadagnini: “I’m very excited to get back to racing this season. I felt like I made a good start in 2023, but then with the injury in France everything had to stop until I could heal. Now I’m feeling strong again, and all the preparations are going well. For sure it will be a long season, but I have the best team around me, where everyone shares the right attitude, I’m very excited to get started!” #96 – Lucas Coenen: “It is a big deal to be part of a factory team, and especially with Husqvarna! The 2024 colours and everything are super nice, and the bike is also really fast. After the last GPs and the MX of Nations, I just wanted to be straight back out [on the bike]. But now, after such a long winter, it’s great to be out testing again. We have pre-season races now, but my focus is on the first race in Argentina, and see what others have!” #74 – Kay de Wolf: “Being part of such a significant group with multiple factories and brands, especially on the Husky side, is truly special for me, and I’m really hungry to start the new season. I had a challenging 2023. I took time out to focus on being ready for this season, and now I’m feeling positive and really looking forward to starting racing again. My aim is to work on consistent performances and improve at each race!” Rasmus Jorgensen (Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager): “I’m super proud to be managing and representing the Husqvarna Factory Racing team. I’m a fan of the brand, and I’m so proud of the overall look of the team and its rider line up. I can honestly say that every one of our team members are extremely passionate about their profession in the sport. This already gets us a long way. It’s a very nice challenge to enter the premier class with Mattia. He is a laid back guy who enjoys the smallest things in life, but at the same time a hardcore racer who goes for it. With our FC 450, it’s a great package for sure. We also have two highly competitive MX2 riders under the same tent and so far this is going well. Again, I’m so proud of the overall look of the team and its rider line up. We will continue to work hard and never give up on the ultimate championship goals.”

INTERVIEWS

With just over a month to go until the start of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship season, the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing Team has unveiled their rider lineup; boasting  an exciting mix of raw talent and experience. Headlining the premier class in MXGP for the team is 21 year old Italian racer Mattia Guadagnini, while young guns Kay de Wolf and Lucas Coenen are set to take MX2 by storm.

For Guadagnini it has been a rollercoaster 18 months – stepping up from MX2, and bouncing back to full fitness after a spill at  the 2023 MXGP of France. Similarly both de Wolf and Coenen are laser focused on bringing home the golds on their 2024 Husqvarna machines.

Read on for their thoughts on the challenges ahead, as well how the preparations have been going over the winter. First up is Mattia, and keep scrolling to hear Kay Lucas’, and Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team manager Rasmus Jorgensen’s thoughts….

Hey Mattia, new team, new vibe – and a new 450 beast – how great is that?

Mattia Guadagnini: It’s great to be with the Husky team, Life is good, and I’m enjoying the new environment. The transition to Belgium has been smooth, though I’m still adapting to the weather and track conditions. Overall, I’m quite happy and motivated by the fresh experiences and changes.

Talk a little more, from a rider’s perspective, about the excitement ahead of the 2024 season?

Mattia Guadagnini: I’m really excited about the upcoming season. Last year, I adjusted to the new bike and MXGP class quickly, and I  even achieved a podium before an injury sidelined me. Now, I’m hungry to get back to racing, and after a productive winter, I’m focused on being fully prepared for the season’s start.

Fans got to see your first day shredding on the FC 450 back in November last year; you looked very fast and strong?

Mattia Guadagnini: For sure! I’m feeling great on the bike now, and we’re working hard to prepare for the long season ahead. There’s still some work to be done before the first race, but overall, everyone at Husky is doing a fantastic job. I’m really impressed with our teamwork, and I’m confident it’s going to be an interesting season.

What has been your focus in the offseason in terms of training and preparation?

Mattia Guadagnini: At first I had to get used to riding again after being injured for several months. Although I returned for a few races, another minor injury set me back. After spending a long time off the bike, I have worked hard to regain my confidence. We’ve since begun training under a new fitness program also, improving my connection with the bike. I’m approaching this step by step; I’m just super excited to line up for the first gate now!

Aside from aiming for outright wins, what are your goals for this season?

Mattia Guadagnini: The first goal is, of course, to have fun and enjoy what I’m doing. It’s just about having good feelings and good vibes. We are on the right track now, and we just need to keep it this way. The Husky team is a young team, with young mechanics, and the people are also really fun. Of course, there is plenty of serious work but always in a fun way. It’s also not too heavy. I think it’s the right way.

How much pressure do you put on yourself to perform at the highest level?

Mattia Guadagnini: I’m really calm and focused, and always try to enjoy the moment, enjoy the races, and enjoy life. I think I am pretty good at not putting too much pressure on myself, taking it as it comes. But when you get behind the gate, you need to be ready.

What have you learned so far from being in the Husqvarna Factory team?

Mattia Guadagnini: Each team is unique and brings new experiences. Being a professional rider for a few years, I’ve adapted to various ways of working. The training approach here at Husky is a little different, but I enjoy it. Our team is very diverse compared to before, when it was mainly Italians. Currently, only my mechanic and I are Italian. This change is interesting; it allows us to learn from each other all the time.

As a professional competing at the pinnacle in the world championship – what advice can you share for fans and amateurs of Moto?

Mattia Guadagnini: I think that the best thing is to enjoy what you are doing, of course. I’m enjoying it, and I’m a pro rider! So for an amateur rider or for just people that are having fun, they should just do that! For the kids when they first start, they really need to enjoy, not let the parents put pressure on them or themselves. It’s a long process from when you start to maybe become a professional rider. Not many people can do it. I was also not sure if I could make it, and now I’m here. So get out there and have fun!

That’s a great mentality to have – it seems like you’re really enjoying what you have right now?

Mattia Guadagnini: Yeah, I am also learning it. It doesn’t come easy. I’m trying my best. It’s a few years where I’ve really tried to look at life as the best way to enjoy it. I’m still really young, so I think I still have a lot to learn. But it would not be so fun to just reach your dream, and then see it pass, and then you say you could have enjoyed it more. So I just want to take the best out of it and don’t have any regrets after my career and that I did my best!

New season, new bike, new challenges! How are you both doing?

Lucas Coenen: I’m feeling way better than last season. In 2023 I was thinking more about the others. This year I don’t even think about them. I just go my way with my brother and try to help him also. He helps me too and we are stronger together. But yeah I just need to not make the same mistakes as last year, find some good things and we will be good.

Kay de Wolf: I’m really looking forward to starting racing again, a little bit of excitement and nerves, as always, but I’m really looking forward to it and finally we can start again. The winter took so long for me, I always feel the same way at the end of every winter –  that I want to start racing again!

Tell us about your expectations for the upcoming season in MX2?

Lucas Coenen: I was learning a lot last year. Bad luck sometimes happens also but that is racing! For me this year, I just need to work on my consistency and learn as much as I can. I’ll try to just do my own thing and not focus so much on what other riders are doing. I think this is the best way.

Kay de Wolf: I agree with what Lucas said. I think just like we did last year, I need to be as consistent as possible. I’m really looking forward to this season, I’m really excited. For sure there will be a lot of learning again this winter, but so far so good! So hopefully we can get some good results and start fighting for the title!

How has your off-season training been leading up to the 2024 MX2 season?

Lucas Coenen: It’s all about having fun and keeping active. It sounds very distant from the MX track – but I have played some golf over the winter. It has actually taught me to have more patience, which is something that I need to work on for my racing. Of course the gym training and getting on the bike as much as possible is important, but it’s all about balance.

Kay de Wolf: I took quite a long off season break this year, which is something I hadn’t really done since 2021. I haven’t had a big holiday since 2021 because at the end of 2022 I started working with Reuben on my fitness and riding straight after the final event. This winter I have been riding a 450 in training, and now I’m feeling really good, physically I’m feeling really strong. We have done a lot of physical training, made my back stronger, worked on my ankle a lot because that was a weak point – so I’m in a good spot now!

How excited are you to continue to be a part of the Husqvarna team. What does this mean to you?

Lucas Coenen: I want to maintain this balance of enjoyment and focus. Of course it’s also an opportunity to have a great time, but being a part of a factory team like Husqvarna is a dream; and representing this brand, with its distinctive colours and style, is amazing. The bike’s speed is impressive so I just want to do the best I can, to keep this dream a reality for as long as possible.

Kay de Wolf: This will be my sixth year with the team and I’m really looking forward to it. I was signed at the end of 2018 – so it’s been a long journey with the team but amazing! The entire team is such a special crew! The headquarters are also really close to my home town, so I’m actually still living at home. To be a part of the Husky side of one of the biggest groups of manufacturers in motocross is very special, and I can’t wait to get the season started.

How would you describe the overall team dynamics and atmosphere as the 2024 season approaches?

Rasmus Jorgensen: I can honestly say that every one of our team members are extremely passionate about their profession in the sport. We have two highly competitive MX2 riders under the same tent. For the moment our main focus is to do the best work possible, and prepare for the long season ahead!

How excited are you and the team to be in MXGP (with Mattia) this year?

Rasmus Jorgensen: Very Excited! It’s a very nice challenge to enter the premier class. Obviously Mattia was already on an Austrian bike for the last few seasons, which makes the switch on to our FC 450 easier. It obviously brings a new element on race days – running MXGP and MX2 side by side – with the overlap of races, but I’m certain that we will manage this without any problems.

What qualities do Lucas and Kay bring to the MX2 team?

Rasmus Jorgensen: To have two potential title contenders in the same class is obviously great for our team. So far we have had zero issues in 2023, but Lucas was a rookie. 2024 it will be a full reset. You always want to beat your team mate, and I’m sure in this case it’s the same. As a team we are trying to give them both the tools and attention required to win. The MX2 class is stacked and very exciting. It’s going to be an interesting season.

What key updates have been made to the MX2 FC250 and FC 450 MXGP machines?

Rasmus Jorgensen: Our teams in Austria are constantly working to improve our Factory FC250’s and FC 450. We will see once the final testing is done, but I’m very confident that we will have a better package than previous year.

What impresses you about Mattia as a rider and an athlete?

Rasmus Jorgensen: Mattia’s youth career was very impressive. I’ve followed him since he was on the 125cc. He is a very laid back guy who enjoys the smallest things in life and at the same time a hardcore racer who goes for it. I find that pretty cool!

Finally, Is there a message you would like to convey to the fans and supporters of Husqvarna Factory Racing as the team enters the 2024 season?

Rasmus Jorgensen: I’m super proud to be managing and representing the Husqvarna Factory Racing team. I’m a fan of the brand, and I’m so proud of the overall look of the team and its rider line up. We will continue to work hard and never give up on the ultimate goals. Keep pioneering.  

To finish off their pre-season programme, the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team will compete in the opening round of the 2024 Spanish Championship, at Talavera de la Reina on February 3rd and 4th. Following this, the Husky squad will head across the Atlantic for the first round of the FIM Motocross World Championship with the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina on March 10th.

« The 2024 MXGP Calendar Welcomes the MXGP Of Galicia

The FIM and Infront Moto Racing announce an update to the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship Calendar.

Scheduled for the 11th / 12th May, the MXGP of Galicia in Lugo will host its first-ever MXGP Grand Prix held at the spectacular Jorge Prado Municipal Circuit. The birthplace of our current MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado will welcome the best riders in the world. In addition to featuring the MXGP and MX2 classes, the event will showcase the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship and the EMX125 presented by FMF Racing.

This event will also be the second Grand Prix in Spain in 2024 and as a result of this exciting addition, the MXGP of Spain at intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos has been brought forward to 23rd / 24th March. The MXGP of Spain will keep the same supporting classes, the WMX and the EMX250.

Building on the success of past events in Spain, and with local heroes such as Jorge Prado, Ruben Fernandez and Daniela Guillen, these two Grand Prix staged by leading national Promoter Last Lap promise to deliver amazing racing and great atmospheres fuelled by the passion of motocross enthusiasts from Spain and around the world. » (Source : FIM)

NEW TEAM MANAGER HARRY NORTON PRIMED TO LEAD RED BULL KTM TOWARDS MORE MXGP GLORY2024 MXGP news

Preparation for the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship is already well underway and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will aim to defend their MX2 title and push for more MXGP spoils with the same rider line-up but under new management. Stepping up from his Technical Co-ordinator role, Harry Norton has assumed the position of Team Manager and the 29-year-old Australian will guide the efforts of the crew and Jeffrey Herlings, Andrea Adamo, Liam Everts and Sacha Coenen with KTM 450 SX-F and KTM 250 SX-F machinery in the 20-round series.

Norton arrived in Austria in 2019 after a long association with KTM and KTM Australia in his native country where he worked at a local dealership and then also around the national racing scene. His passion for dirtbikes and competition meant he was eager to break through to the hub of the factory’s motorsport activities in Europe. His easy-going manner and technical proficiency allowed him to forge an immediately beneficial relationship with rookie Tom Vialle; the Frenchman won a Grand Prix in his first season and the pair scooped two MX2 world championships in the following three years.

Norton quickly assumed an instrumental role inside the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing organisation and was seen as the natural successor to Dirk Gruebel in 2023 as Team Technical Co-ordinator. The crew underwent a major revamp with three new riders and a wholesale reset of technical staff as KTM looked to the future. Norton was able to marshal the squad to a fifteenth MX2 crown with the KTM 250SX-F thanks to the positive first step with Adamo, and also help Herlings reach a new all-time win record of 103 Grand Prix triumphs in the MXGP category and with the KTM 450 SX-F.

Harry’s positive growth and growing influence means he will take the reigns of the MXGP operation for 2024, backed by Gruebel, Team Co-ordinator Valentina Ragni, Team Trainer Joel Smets and other figures such as new Technical Co-ordinator Stefan Simpson.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will be competing in MXGP pre-season events in Spain, Italy, France, Holland and the UK before the season begins in Argentina on March 10th.

Harry Norton, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “People have asked me how I feel about this, and the answer is simply: excited. It was a dream to work for this team, and to make it as one of the key figures and to have such an input into how we go racing is next level for me. I’ve had some of the best possible influences around me, such as Dirk, Peter [Tillerkvist], Robert [Jonas] and Pit [Beirer], and I want to thank them for their help and for sharing their experience. We’ve got another big season ahead and with the same goals we always have. We have a strong team and we’ll work with the same passion and the same dedication to achieve what we can.”

Robert Jonas, Vice President Offroad Racing: “Harry has reached this position based on qualities that we really appreciate and we really value. He is passionate about the sport and dedicated to the brand: he already has a long KTM history and made a huge change to travel across the world and chase his professional dreams. He not only has the technical knowledge but has shown a high willingness to learn and can evaluate situations very well. What is also important is his character: Harry is open, friendly and calm and these are essential qualities for a race team that needs good organisation, a good atmosphere and to face the drama that sport can bring. We really believe in him. 2023 was already a test of what he can do and now he’s directing one of our most successful Red Bull KTM teams. We are confident that he, Valentina, Dirk and all the guys have a strong 2024.”

The 2024 Yamaha YZ bLU cRU Europe Cup Proves Popular with Bumper Entry

Registration remains open for the 2024 Yamaha YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup, and a bumper entry of 500 riders have so far signed up to compete. Entries close at midnight CET on Tuesday 28th February, so don’t miss your chance, click below to add your name to the list.

REGISTER

Yamaha’s award-winning bLU cRU program has grown in popularity since its launch in 2015, and the increasing success is evident in the latest registration figures. More than 500 riders from 29 countries across Europe have signed up as they aim for the ultimate goal of the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, and many more are expected to join ahead of the closing date.

Particularly noteworthy is the increasing presence of female participants, which aligns with Yamaha Motor Europe, InFront Moto Racing and the FIM’s commitment to promoting inclusivity within the sport. Female riders now make up almost 10% of the entry, and it is hoped that number will continue to grow.

As in previous years, the Yamaha YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup will see riders aged from 8 to 16 years race throughout Europe competing for a place on the start gate at the Yamaha YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, which is provisionally scheduled to take place alongside the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) at the legendary Matterley Basin track in the U.K.

In 2023 the young bLU cRU riders showed off their skills in front of an enormous crowd of 102,000 at the MXoN – a truly unforgettable experience for all involved.

With the new racing season starting imminently, now is the time to grab your spot for the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup if you haven’t already. Registration will close at midnight (CET) on Tuesday 28th February.

What is the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup?

In 2015 Yamaha Motor Europe introduced the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup offering young motocross riders the best opportunity to find their feet in the world of professional racing. Following its success, in 2018 Yamaha expanded the program to include kids that race YZ65 or YZ85 in their national championships. 

In 2022 the program was recognised for its contribution to the support and development of young riders and won with the FIM Award for the Future.

The philosophy for all three YZ Cup categories matches FIM Europe’s MXGP Academy, where the emphasis is placed on rider education and sportsmanship. Consequently, an alliance was formed, and as of 2019, the name of the YZ bLU cRU Cup has changed to include this new partner. 

Now with three classes, 120 riders have a chance to win a place on the gate at the 2024 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, and three talented youngsters have a chance to become a Yamaha-supported rider in 2025. 

Forty riders from each class will win a place at the 2024 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale that will take place at the biggest and most-watched motocross event of the year, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. From the SuperFinale, two wild card riders will join the top three finishers in each class at the bLU cRU Masterclass, an event specifically designed to give young riders the advice and coaching needed to progress their riding.

9/1/2024

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MXGP of China makes a grand return to the 2024 MXGP calendar

The FIM and Infront Moto Racing are delighted to announce the latest update in the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship Calendar.

The MXGP of China will make a thrilling return to the MXGP Calendar on the 15th and 16th September 2024. As in 2019, the event will be held in Shanghai. The organizer is Shanghai Hehui Sports Culture Development Co., Ltd, part of the same Group owning the Just1 brand.
The group is dedicated to develop sport in the country as well as aiming to boost the local social and economic landscape through the hosting of globally acclaimed events.

The much-awaited event is scheduled to take place on September 15 and 16 which coincide with the popular Moon Festival holiday, offering locals a thrilling weekend of motocross action along with a traditional festival.

In 2019, the MXGP of China amassed 25,000 fans who witnessed the spectacular races. Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado emerged victorious in the MXGP and MX2 categories, respectively, delivering an unforgettable show for everyone present.

The addition of the MXGP of China in Shanghai to the 2024 MXGP calendar is an exciting new date and venue that will further expand the influence of motocross worldwide.” (Source : FIM)

Jeremy Seewer joins KRT alongside Romain Febvre

Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP newcomer Jeremy Seewer will enter the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship with high expectations following successful winter tests together with Romain Febvre.

The Kawasaki Racing Team will line up a strong duo next season; Romain and Jeremy won nine of the nineteen GPs this year and collected twenty podiums between them! Both ended the season on the final series podium with a silver medal for the Frenchman and bronze for the Swiss rider who has already contested the FIM Motocross World Championships for more than a decade.

Runner-up in the MX2 class in 2016 and 2017, Jeremy moved up to MXGP in 2018 and has already collected four series medals in the premier class; three-times silver (2019, 2020 and 2022) and one-time bronze. With thirty GP podiums, eight GP victories and eleven moto wins during the past five seasons he is the most consistent rider of the series and he hasn’t missed a single GP since 2014, finishing all bar nine motos during his 187 GP appearances! After spending his entire MX2 career with one brand he has raced the last six MXGP seasons with another before joining Kawasaki for the coming season; the amiable twenty-nine-year-old Swiss rider will make his racing debut on the KX 450-SR during the International series in February.

Jeremy Seewer: “I’ve been racing a long time with the same brand but I feel very welcome at Kawasaki where everyone has been very open and receptive to me; I think it’s a brand where I can fit in well. I’m looking forward to a long-term relationship and hope for the best; the main goal is to win as often as possible, to have success together, to enjoy working with great people and have fun doing it.”

Steve Guttridge (Race Planning Manager, Kawasaki Motors Europe): “I’ve always been a big fan of Jeremy because of his unreal technical ability on all the bikes I’ve seen him race in the past, both at MX2 and MXGP levels. Along with his obvious driven and professional mentality, it puts him into the very top few competitors in the world and in any conditions that the MXGPs can throw at him! So, to finally welcome him into our KRT MXGP team is indeed a super-exciting situation! Everyone at Kawasaki wishes him a very warm welcome and success throughout the fast-approaching 2024 season”.

Antti Pyrhonen (KRT team manager): “We at KRT, together with the riders, are working very hard to realise our potential in the coming season. Both Jeremy and Romain knows what they want; they know what they are aiming for and they will receive our utmost support for the task ahead. The 2024 KX450-SR has already proven its potential to be a winning bike in early tests after yet further development by Kawasaki’s R&D department. We are excited for the task ahead and will leave no stone unturned to achieve our goals.”

(Source & photos : Kawasaki Racing)

« The 2024 FIM Junior World Championship will land in Heerde in The Netherlands

The FIM and Infront Moto Racing are pleased to announce that the 2024 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship will be held at the Circuit Kamperweg Heerde in The Netherlands, on 14th July 2024.

The venue is a superbly professional and permanent facility in the centre of the country, some 50km north of the MXGP circuit at Arnhem. In 2008 the Junior World Championship was held in Heerde, with Jeffrey Herlings crowned as the 85cc World Champion. The race is a showcase for the future stars of Motocross, with past winners including the likes of Tim Gajser, Jorge Prado, Maxime Renaux, Pauls Jonass, and Jago Geerts. It is a great stepping stone to make it into the professional world of Motocross and experience competition with a similar feel to an MXGP weekend.  You can be certain that there will be factory scouts watching the progress of the best riders as well!

After a massively popular event at the TCS Racing Park near Bucharest in Romania in July 2023, the move to the classic woodland sand circuit at Heerde should bring another huge entry of riders to compete in the biggest dedicated Junior racing event of the season.

The Romanian meeting saw the French flyer Mathis Valin crowned as Junior World Champion in the 125cc ranks and Patricks Cirulis of Latvia won the 65cc World Cup. Dutch rider Dani Heitink, who also won the Dutch Masters, was the Junior World Champion in the 85cc class, and he moves up to the 125cc class for 2024.

The home crowd will be looking to encourage their team to go one better than they did in Romania, when they finished a close second to the victorious Italian squad.

Team France were 3rd ahead of the USA and Latvia in 2023, so there is a genuine international World Championship atmosphere at this incredible event, and with fervent local support it promises to be a spine-tingling weekend of action! » (Source : FIM)

Il 2024 segna l’inizio di una nuova ed entusiasmante avventura per il Team SDMCORSE che, dopo diverse stagioni nella classe MXGP, torna a lavorare con i giovani.
Nuova importante collaborazione con Fantic Motor che al nostro Team ha affidato il “FANTIC FACTORY RACING EMX125“ ed i propri talenti nell’ottica di un programma di crescita nella famiglia Fantic che li possa portare fino alla classe regina. 
Protagonisti di questa nuova squadra tre giovani piloti, che già si sono distinti nel campionato Europeo, il campione italiano junior Simone Mancini #97, l’ Ungherese Noel Zanócz #716 ed il giovanissimo Belga Douwe Van Mechgelen #518.
Il programma gare vede la partecipazione in sella alle Fantic XX125 del Campionato Europeo, Internazionali d’Italia e Campionato Italiano.

Daniele Marchese: ”Siamo onorati che Fantic abbia scelto noi per questo difficile compito in una categoria dove sono sempre stati protagonisti. Il nostro team ha avuto modo gia in passato di lavorare con i giovani e gli ultimi anni di esperienza nella MXGP credo ci abbiano permesso di crescere ulteriormente e portare un ulteriore valore aggiunto nella crescita dei giovani“.

Vi aspettiamo in pista! 

The 2024 marks the beginning of a new and exciting adventure for our Team SDMCORSE which, after several seasons in the MXGP class, returns to work with young riders.
New important collaboration with Fantic Motor who has entrusted our Team with the « FANTIC FACTORY RACING EMX125 » and their talents with a view to a growth program in the Fantic family that can take them up to the premier class.
The protagonists of this new team are three young riders, who have already distinguished themselves in the European championship, the Italian junior champion Simone Mancini #97, the Hungarian Noel Zanócz #716 and the very young Belgian Douwe Van Mechgelen #518.
The race program sees participation on the Fantic XX125s of the European Championship, Internazionali d’Italia and Italian Championship.

Daniele Marchese: ”We are honored that Fantic has chosen us for this difficult task in a category where they have always been protagonists. Our team has already had the opportunity to work with young people in the past and I believe the last few years of experience in MXGP have allowed us to grow and bring further added value to the growth of young people“.

We are waiting for you on the track!

Yamaha Reveals 2023 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup Winners

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup, following an outstanding season filled with exceptional talent. In the face of intense competition, 16-year-old Italian Giorgio Orlando was selected as the champion of this year’s YZ125 Cup, while two Danes, 13-year-old Bertram Thorius and 11-year-old Willads Gordon, claimed the highest honours in the YZ85 and YZ65 categories respectively.

The bLU cRU is open to all Yamaha YZ riders aged between 8 and 16 years and is free to join. You can sign up for the 2024 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup by clicking here. 

This year’s YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup attracted an unprecedented 538 young riders from across Europe, illustrating the program’s growing popularity and its pivotal role in discovering and showcasing the future stars of MXGP. After an incredible year racing at national level, the competition reached its climax at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, which was held in front of a staggering 102,000 fans at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Ernée, France.

From the pool of 115 talented YZ riders that raced at the SuperFinale, 16 riders, including the standout female in each class, were selected to participate in the bLU cRU Masterclass, held over two-days at Motocross des Costières in France. This exclusive event provided a unique opportunity for these young riders to learn from MXGP legend Gautier Paulin, former WMX World Champion Nancy van de Ven, and bLU cRU Rider Coach Brian Jorgensen, all while showcasing their skills in pursuit of victory in the 2023 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup.

The exceptional level of talent displayed at the Masterclass made the selection of the winners a challenging task, but ultimately it was Orlando, Thorius, and Gordon who stood out in their respective categories for the selection committee, which was comprised of the three coaches, Brian Jorgensen, Nancy van de Ven and Gautier Paulin.

In the YZ125 class, Italian sensation Orlando demonstrated exceptional speed, skill, and determination, earning him a coveted spot in the JK Yamaha Supported MX Team. Orlando will compete in the 2024 EMX125 Championship aboard a GYTR kitted YZ125.

In the YZ85 category, Danish star-on-the-rise Thorius, who was the winner of the YZ65 Cup in 2021, showcased his talent and incredible transition to the YZ85, securing the top spot and garnering additional Yamaha support for his 2024 EMX85 season. Likewise, fellow Dane Gordon emerged as the YZ65 class winner and will also benefit from enhanced Yamaha support for his upcoming EMX65 season.

After the resounding success of the 2023 YZ Cup, Yamaha is pleased to announce a new opportunity for young talents to join the bLU cRU. In 2024, 120 riders will win a place on the gate at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, which is provisionally scheduled to take place at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in the United Kingdom.

For those eager to be part of this incredible experience, the journey starts now. Click here to join the 2024 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup. 

Thorsten Lentink: Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Coordinator
“This year’s YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup was impressive. Again, we’ve witnessed incredible growth and an exceptional level of talent. While selecting the winners was not an easy task, after analysing the finalists together with the Yamaha Racing committee and the three coaches, we are delighted to confirm Giorgio Orlando, Bertram Thorius and Willads Gordon as the winners. These three riders have shown great potential, both on track and off. For Giorgio, next season will be an exciting step in his career as he will take full advantage of his opportunity to join the JK Yamaha Supported MX Team to contest the full EMX125 season aboard a GYTR kitted YZ125. We look forward to having him inside the MXGP paddock next year and to see what he can achieve. At the same time, it is a pleasure to continue building our relationship with Bertram and Willads, both of these riders have followed the path of the bLU cRU for the past few years and we are delighted to provide them with extra support for their 2024 campaigns. On behalf of Yamaha Motor Europe, I would like to congratulate everyone who contested the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup this season. It was arguably one of the best seasons to date, and every single rider can be very proud of what they achieved! I’d also like to thank all of the bLU cRU families, whose unstinting support allows these young riders to showcase their talent on the world stage. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2024!”

The fast and fearless teenager (who turned 17 years old on November 9th) will continue his professional development under the watchful gaze of former world champion Joel Smets, Team Co-Ordinator Harry Norton and the rest of the Red Bull KTM factory crew; a squad that have won seven of the last eight MX2 titles.

2024 will be the Belgian’s second term in the FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship. 2023 was his debut season and he achieved ten top ten moto results with a best overall classification of 6th at the Swedish Grand Prix. ’23 was a classic learning experience for the rookie with impressive speed and excellent starts often countered by small slips and several disruptive injuries. Coenen completed his education through his longest competitive year to-date and with a vast array of tracks, terrain and conditions to master as part of the MX2 elite.

For 2024 Coenen will form part of a strong Red Bull KTM roster. 2023 MX2 World Champion Andrea Adamo and 4th placed finisher Liam Everts will also contest the MX2 division with the KTM 250 SX-F while Jeffrey Herlings will steer the KTM 450 SX-F in the MXGP category. The ’24 FIM Motocross World Championship begins with the Grand Prix of Argentina at Neuquen on March 10th.

Sacha Coenen: “I’m really looking forward to next year already as well as the future seasons. This year was a big learning experience for me but great for building a relationship with the team and the guys. It was difficult at times and I couldn’t always deliver the results I wanted but we had some good races, I tried hard and had some nice starts as well. I want to have a good winter, working more with my Dad and brother, and look for more consistency next season. Then we’ll see what we can do on the track.”

Robert Jonas, Vice President Offroad Racing: “Confirming Sacha and the Coenen family again to be part of our factory racing program was an important step in the first phase of this off-season. It means both the team and Sacha can plan ahead and work on progress and goals. 2023 was encouraging and also tough for him but that’s part of the process for succeeding in MXGP. Of course, we think he has enormous potential and is still so young. Our MX2 team had another exceptional year and we know all three riders will only be faster and better in 2024 with that race mileage in the pocket. »

LUCAS COENEN COMMITS TO THE NESTAAN HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING TEAMCOENEN SIGNS LENGTHY EXTENSION TO RACE ABOARD THE FC 250.

Lucas Coenen has extended his contract with Husqvarna Factory Racing and will continue to race in the MX2 class in the coming years – this multi-year deal confirms his commitment to the Pierer Mobility Group and his bid to become Belgium’s next world champion.

Coenen burst into the FIM Motocross World Championship at the start of this year and impressed pundits with his raw pace. ’96’ led ninety-one laps, won five motos and had a single Grand Prix victory. Fifth was his final ranking in the championship standings – a brilliant result for a rookie who confirmed the fact that he will be a title contender for years to come.

The Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team will field Kay de Wolf and Lucas Coenen in the MX2 class in the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship, which starts on March 10. Mattia Guadagnini will represent the squad in the MXGP division aboard an FC 450.

Lucas Coenen: « I am really happy to continue my relationship with the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing. Our first year together was very successful – we have a base to build on in 2024 and that is going to be very important. Thanks to everyone for their support. I cannot wait for the new season to begin on March 10. »

Rasmus Jorgensen (Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager): « We are so pleased to continue with Lucas – he is a superb talent and will be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come. All of us at the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team are committed to giving him the support that he needs to achieve his goals. »

KTM GP ACADEMY: ‘RIDE TO MXGP’ PROGRAM TAKES SHAPE FOR 2024 THANKS TO FRESH ALLIANCES WITH RACESTORE KTM FACTORY ROOKIES AND GABRIEL SS24 KTM2023 MXGP news

The KTM GP Academy will tackle the 2024 racing season with the purpose of helping young riders reach the limits of their potential and to go as far as they can with their career goals at the top of motocross. ‘KTM GP Academy: Ride to MXGP’ will benefit from the co-operation between established teams and the KTM Motorsports department to amplify and boost the scheme.

European Championship EMX125 and EMX250 and the FIM Junior World Motocross Championship (125 category) will be the prime breeding ground for the new-look KTM GP Academy: Ride to MXGP. Together with the ‘Racestore KTM Factory Rookies’ team and Gabriel SS24 KTM, KTM will be providing support and guidance through these crucial learning stages for riders to make their way to the FIM Motocross World Championship, and perhaps entry to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.

Similar to the KTM GP Academy in MotoGP™ – where series such as the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, FIM JuniorGP and KTM Junior Cup powered by ADAC – filter the best and the brightest into consideration for KTM teams in Moto3™, Moto2™ and MotoGP, ‘Ride to MXGP’ is in the formative stages of carrying the same emphasis and 2024 will be an important launch pad.

Racestore KTM Factory Rookies will be helmed by former KTM Factory Racing Grand Prix rider and Motocross of Nations Team Italy Manager Thomas Traversini. Thomas has been collaborating closely with the Italian Federation in a mentor and coaching role and his knowledge and dedication makes him an ideal figurehead for Paolo Menacci’s Racestore team. The crew will identify and work with promising teenagers and the fettled KTM 125 SX at the foundation level of ‘Ride to MXGP’: the extremely popular EMX125 championship. The riders will be Gyan Doensen and Nicolo Alvisi.

Gabriel SS24 KTM is led by former MXGP winner and multi-British Champion Shaun Simpson.The Scot finished 4th in the 2015 MXGP World Championship from a satellite team set-up and with a production KTM 450 SX-F as well as claiming four GP wins and four national titles. Well-spoken, knowledgeable and passionate about the sport, Simpson will now be looking to help promising Dutch teenager and ex-EMX125 European Champ Cas Valk for his second year in EMX250 where he’ll ride the KTM 250 SX-F. The following frontier is MX2 Grand Prix competition.

A roster of Grand Prix winners and world champions have come through KTM’s previous proactive approach to talent development. Names like Jeffrey Herlings, Jordi Tixier, Pauls Jonass, Jorge Prado, Rene Hofer and more have worked their way up the ladder to crest the peak of MXGP. Solidification of the ‘Ride to MXGP’ program means that KTM are making a large investment to smoothen the pipeline for the best juniors spotted at national and continental level to become even better.

Thomas Traversini, Racestore KTM Factory Rookies, Team Manager: “I’m really pumped for this new project to come in 2024 with Racestore and KTM. We have two high-level riders and everything will be on-point for the beginning of the season. It’s a development idea that I’ve wanted to happen for quite a few years and I’m very proud to be involved. I’m ready to work, and I will put 100%, and more, to help it succeed.”

Paolo Mencacci, Racestore KTM Factory Rookies, Team Principal: “I am very happy to start this new adventure with KTM and the young riders involved in EMX125.I’m very proud that we are now an official KTM team and have an important role to play. I want to say ‘thank you’ to Thomas Traversini who has decided to work with us and I know with him and with all the team together we can achieve some important goals.”

Shaun Simpson, Team Manager Gabriel SS24 KTM: « 2024 is going to be an exciting year for us at Gabriel SS24 KTM. We have been building up to this point for three years, and now have the resources and riders to compete at the top level. We are delighted to welcome Cas Valk to the team in what will be his second year in the EMX250 championship. Cas is already a veteran on the EMX podium, and is a serious title contender for the 2024 season. A massive thank you to KTM and Simon Gabriel for putting their faith in me in what will also be my debut year as a full-time manager. We are excited to see what the future will bring.”

Robert Jonas, Vice President Offroad Racing: “Our work with young talented riders has had a lot of success in the past and now we have a firmer direction with the KTM GP Academy: Ride to MXGP for spotting junior riders and helping them to get better, faster, stronger and smarter. I want to thank everyone who has supported and backed us, both at HQ and especially Simon and Shaun and Paolo and their teams and with Thomas now coming onboard and back to the KTM family! 2024 is the first season and phase of the project, and it will be fascinating to see what the environment can produce. We know some riders progress very quickly and others need time, and motocross can be a difficult sport with many setbacks. The GP Academy should be a positive initiative to keep supplying our Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team in the future. We want to underline our commitment to the sport and to continue placing ‘orange’ right at the heart of the elite.”

Yamaha Reaches Multi-Year Deal with WMX Prodigy Lotte van Drunen

Yamaha Motor Europe is thrilled to announce the addition of Dutch sensation Lotte van Drunen to the Yamaha Family for the upcoming 2024 FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship season and beyond.

Van Drunen first captured the world’s attention in 2018 when she fearlessly competed against male riders in the 65cc class at the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship. Her remarkable talent shone through as she secured a fourth-place finish. She continued to impress in 2019, claiming an incredible third place before transitioning to the 85cc category.

In 2021, van Drunen once again showcased her skills by securing a remarkable third place in the European Championship EMX85 class while competing against her male counterparts. Despite the challenges faced during the highly competitive EMX125 series in 2022, the youngster made her WMX debut after reaching the minimum age requirement, 15, in August and finished an impressive seventh in her first appearance at the final round of the season.

Recognizing the need to ride a 250cc four-stroke to be competitive inside the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship, WMX, van Drunen made a significant switch from a 125cc two-stroke to a 250cc four-stroke at the end of 2022. In 2023, she embarked on her first full season in WMX and immediately made an impact. With four race wins and three podium finishes, including a thrilling victory on home soil in The Netherlands, van Drunen ended her rookie season ranked third in the world, despite being the youngest rider on the gate.

Joining the Yamaha Family marks an exciting new chapter in van Drunen’s career. The now 16-year-old, known by her #401, will compete in the WMX World Championship aboard a GYTR kitted YZ250F with support from the De Baets Yamaha Supported MX team. In addition, the Dutch prodigy will receive further support from Yamaha and is set to make her debut in blue at Mini O’s in the United States later this month. There, she will race SX Women, SX 250B, MX Women and MX 250B with the support of Yamaha Motor USA and The National Sheriff’s Association Factory Yamaha Amateur Team.

Lotte Van Drunen

De Baets Yamaha Supported MX team rider

« I am excited for this new challenge and a fresh start in new colours. I know Yamaha has a strong bike and the best program for their young riders, which fits perfectly with me and my goals to win races and championships. I think this is exactly what I need to take my career to the next level, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve. »

Thorsten Lentink

Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Coordinator

« We are thrilled to welcome Lotte van Drunen to the Yamaha family. Lotte’s passion, skill, and determination align perfectly with our core values. After an incredible rookie season in WMX this year, we are excited to reach a multi-year agreement with her. We’re looking forward to seeing what she can achieve aboard our GYTR kitted YZ250F together with the De Baets Yamaha Supported Team in the future. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Yamaha Motor USA and The National Sheriff’s Association Factory Yamaha Amateur Team for their support in facilitating her adventure in the USA later this month.”

The Sicilian joined Red Bull KTM Factory Racing late in 2009 and made an immediate impact in his first season in 2010; winning the MX1 (now ‘MXGP’) title with the KTM 350 SX-F and then added a further four crowns consecutively. He then claimed the 2017 championship with the KTM 450 SX-F and has been a popular ambassador for the squad, the company and the sport for twelve years and to his Grand Prix retirement at the end of 2021.

Tony transitioned into a Team Manager role for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2023 and has now decided to take his post-racing career in a different direction.

KTM and everyone at the Pierer Mobility Group wish to thank Tony for his energy and his excellence and for the unforgettable motocross memories.

Yamaha Motor Europe Introduces VRT & Confirms Exciting EMX Line Up for 2024

Yamaha Motor Europe is delighted to announce that VRT will spearhead its official EMX250 team operations through to 2025, underlining its commitment to developing emerging talent. In addition, Yamaha is pleased to confirm a contract extension with the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team for an additional year.

In 2023, Yamaha achieved tremendous success in the European Motocross Championship, securing both the EMX250 and EMX125 titles thanks to the exceptional skills of riders Andrea Bonacorsi and Janis Reisulis, respectively. The brand also ended the season at the top of the Manufacturer’s Championship standings in both classes, showcasing the competitiveness of its GYTR kitted YZ250F and YZ125 motocross bikes.

In 2024, Yamaha Motor Europe will again support two strong European Championship teams, each featuring three talented young riders.

In the EMX250 ranks, Yamaha has retained Karlis Reisulis and Ivano Van Erp in their Official EMX250 team, now titled VRT Yamaha Official EMX250, and is poised to welcome the reigning EMX125champion, J.Reisulis, as the 15-year-old talent takes another step up the Yamaha Racing pyramid.

Additionally, Yamaha and the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team are pleased to introduce a refreshed line-up for the EMX125 Championship. The team is excited to welcome the current FIM Junior Motocross 85cc World Champion Dani Heitink, as well as the Junior 85cc World Championship runner-up Jarne Bervoets. Adding further momentum to its EMX125 racing efforts, the team will be completed by promising French talent Mano Faure.

Both the VRT Yamaha Official EMX250, led by Mikaël Vrigon and managed by Pierre Alexandre Renet, and the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team, owned by Loic Le Foll and managed by Nicolas Nogé, are diligently working to provide the best support, equipment, and guidance for their young riders to reach their potential in 2024.

Thorsten Lentink

Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Coordinator 

“We are happy to present a strong line-up of riders and teams for the upcoming year, which aligns perfectly with our ‘step-up’ structure strategy. The MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team has been an integral part of our EMX racing efforts for the past seven years, and we couldn’t be happier with their outstanding efforts in 2023. We are also excited to welcome VRT into the Yamaha family and look forward to working together.

In the EMX250 category, we have two experienced riders, Ivano van Erp and Karlis Reisulis, who have shown great potential throughout the 2023 season. We are confident that they will continue to make progress and take the next steps in their careers. As for Janis Reisulis, the newly crowned EMX125 champion, it will be crucial for him to have a strong learning season and gain valuable experience on our brand-new YZ250F.

In the EMX125 category, we have a young and talented line-up with huge potential. Both Jarne Bervoets and Dani Heitink will be participating in the EMX125 category for the first time, transitioning from the 85cc class. We are excited to see their growth and development as they take to the GYTR kitted YZ125. Additionally, young Frenchman Mano Faure, has a bit more experience in the EMX125 class, but has shown potential and is an exciting addition to the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team. Our goal for all riders is to take each race as it comes and focus on continuous improvement throughout the season. »

NESTAAN HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING ENTER MXGP WITH MATTIA GUADAGNINI

MATTIA GUADAGNINI LEADS THE FC 450 PUSH IN MOTOCROSS GRANDS PRIX.

Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Mattia Guadagnini ahead of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship. The signing underlines this squad’s intent to compete in the MXGP class when the new season fires into life.

Guadagnini enters Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing at twenty-one years old with a lot of experience. In three professional terms he has held the red plate in the MX2 division, won Grands Prix in the same class and leaped onto the MXGP podium! The trajectory that ‘101’ is on is obvious – Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing will work quite closely with him to unlock another level of performance. 

This latest signing completes the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing squad’s line-up, as Mattia Guadagnini will be the sole representative in the MXGP class. Kay de Wolf and Lucas Coenen will charge towards the MX2 title aboard FC 250 machinery.

Mattia Guadagnini: « I am really excited about making a step forward in my career with Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing – the commitment from everyone on the team has given me a massive boost. I am just as eager to make the move to Belgium; I feel that is necessary to battle for consistent podiums in the MXGP class. »

Rasmus Jorgensen (Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager): « It is very exciting to add Mattia to the team. It is often overlooked just how young he is and what he has achieved in his short professional career thus far – it will be fun to nurture that talent. We have three of the brightest stars in Europe under our tent. 2024 cannot come soon enough. »

Robert Jonas (Vice President Off-Road Racing): « It’s brilliant to support Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing as they move into the MXGP division with Mattia Guadagnini. Guadagnini has shown superb potential in recent years: I am certain that Rasmus Jorgensen, along with the rest of the team, will extract the most from him and put the FC 450 onto the podium soon enough. »

FIM MXGP/MX2/ Women’s World Championships
2024 Provisional calendars, 12 October.

The FIM and Infront Moto Racing are thrilled to unveil the provisional 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship Calendar, featuring a line-up of exciting locations.

With a total of 21 events planned for 2024, the season will culminate with the prestigious Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at Matterley Basin, United Kingdom, from October 4th to 6th.

The FIM Motocross World Championship will kick off on March 10th with the MXGP of Patagonia Argentina in the picturesque Villa la Angostura, followed by the MXGP of Europe at a soon-to-be-confirmed location on March 24th.

Exciting back-to-back Grand Prix events are scheduled for Sardegna and Trentino, leading into a thrilling triple-header in Portugal, Spain, and France that will mark the comeback of Saint Jean d’Angely. Early June will witness another triple-header, featuring the Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany, Latvia, and a Grand Prix location that will be confirmed, rounding out the first half of the season.

Continuing the tradition from the previous year, the MXGP paddock will travel to Asia in late June for a thrilling double header in Sumbawa-Indonesia, and Lombok- Indonesia.

The championship will then return to Europe, with events in the Czech Republic, Flanders (Belgium), Sweden, The Netherlands, and Switzerland. The popular MXGP of Turkiye in Afyonkarahisar will be followed by an event in early September that is yet to be announced, leading up to the grand finale of the 2024 MXGP Season at the MXGP of Italy, hosted at a venue yet to be confirmed.

Together with the MXGP and MX2 Championship Calendar also the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship and European Championship categories are released.

Last by not least the most important event of the season, the Monster Energy FIM MXoN will be held in Matterley Basin, Great Britain, on October the 4th, 5th and 6th.

Infront Moto Racing’s commitment to showcasing beloved motocross tracks remains unwavering to the sport’s dedicated fan base.

Infront Moto Racing extends its gratitude to the FIM, FIM-Europe, event organisers, national Federations, teams, partners, and all stakeholders for their collaborative efforts in assembling the 2024 MXGP calendar, which is poised to deliver 20 thrilling rounds of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship.” (Source : FIM)

Yamaha Restructure Operations in FIM Motocross World Championship for 2024 Season

In a strategic move to build a strong foundation for the future, Yamaha Motor Europe announces the restructuring of its operations in the FIM Motocross World Championship for the 2024 season and beyond.

Starting in 2024, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team will be based in Genk, Belgium and will be managed by the highly experienced Hans Corvers. With an impressive track record of success, including 68 race wins, 99 podium finishes, 35 Grand Prix victories, and the MX2 world title with Maxime Renaux in 2021, Corvers will enter his 28th year with Yamaha at the helm of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team.

Both the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP and MX2 teams will field three riders. Leading Yamaha’s premier class efforts will be long-time Yamaha rider Maxime Renaux. Renaux will be joined on the gate by Jago Geerts, who steps up from MX2 to write the next chapter in his career, and Calvin Vlaanderen, the best performing satellite rider in MXGP who has earned a well-deserved opportunity to race with factory support.

In the MX2 category, the Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250 Team will step up to the World Championship in 2024 as the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team. Since its debut as an official Yamaha team in 2020, the Wim Hutten managed outfit has celebrated significant success, including 18 race wins, 24 podium finishes, and EMX250 titles with Thibault Benistant in 2020, Rick Elzinga in 2022, and Andrea Bonacorsi in 2023.

Yamaha and the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team have retained Thibault Benistant and Rick Elzinga for 2024 and will add to their line up this year’s EMX250 Champion, Bonacorsi, as he takes the next step up the Yamaha Racing pyramid.

This restructuring is designed to strengthen Yamaha Motor Europe’s presence in the FIM Motocross World Championship by providing a fresh platform to fully maximize the potential of Yamaha’s MXGP and MX2 riders.

Yamaha Motor Europe would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to Louis Vosters for his dedication to the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team over the past four years. His passion and commitment have been truly inspiring, and we wish him all the best with his future endeavors.

Paolo Pavesio
Marketing & Motorsport Director, Yamaha Motor Europe
“I would like to start by expressing my sincere gratitude to Louis Vosters and his team. We have worked together for eight successful seasons, during which I have always appreciated his dedication to our sport. I am also happy that Louis’ future challenge will keep him not too far from Yamaha. Looking to the future, we felt this was the right time to make the next step with our Motocross World Championship structure. In line with our step-up philosophy, we have taken this opportunity to promote two teams that have already brought Yamaha great success. On top of four riders’ titles, the YZ250F machines managed by the Kemea and Hutten Metaal teams have won seven of the eight Manufacturers’ titles between 2020 and 2024, which is an incredible feat. By stepping up a class, both teams will be reunited with riders in whose success they played a major part, and with whom they can now continue the journey. I am confident that, under the direction of Hans Corvers and Wim Hutten, the two teams are more than equal to the new challenge that awaits them in MXGP and MX2 respectively.”

Alexandre Kowalski
Off-Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“Obviously, our focus now is on finishing an incredible 2023 season on a high, but we’re also preparing for the future. Again, we have followed our long-term strategy of the step-up program, which rewards success with promotion to the next level of the Yamaha racing pyramid. Following an impressive stint in MX2, where he’s been a regular championship contender aboard the YZ250FM, Jago Geerts will move up to the MXGP class with the same team in 2024, where he’ll be reunited with former teammate, Maxime Renaux. Joining them in the premier class will be Calvin Vlaanderen, who earned his place as a Yamaha Factory rider with impressive performances racing for the Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha MXGP Supported Team over the past four seasons. In MX2, former EMX250 champions, Thibault Benistant and Rick Elzinga, will again lead our assault on the championship title. For 2024 they will be joined by Andrea Bonacorsi, who steps up to MX2 as the reigning EMX250 champion. We are pleased to have put together such a strong rider line-up for the 2024 season, especially as all six factory riders come from within our own ranks, and we are confident that, once again, we will be at the forefront of both classes next year.”

24 Young Riders Enjoy Yamaha YZ bLU cRU Camp in Westerhausen

The fourth annual YZ bLU cRU camp organised by Yamaha Germany was held at MC Westerhausen with 24 youngsters creating memories that will last a lifetime while benefiting from the advice of motocross stars such as Gautier Paulin, Mike Stender, and Gerrit Heistermann on the 12th-13th of August.

The sun was shining, and conditions were ideal for the two-day annual camp that is now in its fourth consecutive year, with an invitation open to all of the German YZ bLU cRU European Cup riders, and many took the opportunity to attend and learn from some of the best in the business, while also having some fun along the way.

MC Westerhausen was the perfect venue for the event, not only because of the challenging but enjoyable nature of the track but also because all of the bLU cRU classes will race there during the 2023 German Championship season.

Open to riders aged 8-16 years of age, the group of participants consisted of nine YZ65 riders, ten from the YZ85 class, and five YZ125 competitors. The bLU cRU program is designed to provide a structured platform for young riders from national cups all the way to the world championship level, and while competition is key, the friendly atmosphere at the camp was evident for all to see, with each of the young riders joined by their families at the camp.

Technical workshops from Paulin, a five-time MXoN Winner, former European MX Champion, and MXGP runner-up, alongside German MX Champion Stender, plus TYK racing rider Heistermann were some of the highlights of the event, as the star riders passed on their knowledge to the young rippers, giving them tips on such elements as training, nutrition, and race preparation.

Another aim of the weekend was to prepare the riders for the possibility of racing in the YZ European Cup SuperFinale in case they qualify. The popularity of the Yamaha Motor Europe YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup continues to grow apace, with a record number of 536 young riders from 28 countries taking part in the unique pan-European race series on Yamaha YZ65, YZ85, and YZ125 machinery.

The top 40 riders in each category will then be invited to race at the SuperFinale, which in 2023 will take place at the FIM Motocross des Nations in Ernée, France, on the 6th-8th of October. The top three finishers and two wildcards from each class at the SuperFinale will earn a place at the prestigious Yamaha bLU cRU Masterclass at the end of the year.

At this event, the selected riders are put through their paces under the watchful eye of Yamaha’s factory MXGP and MX2 riders before the winners are chosen. One YZ125 rider will receive the ultimate prize of a ride with a Yamaha Motor Europe-supported team in the 2024 EMX 125 Championship. In addition, one rider from each of the YZ65 and YZ85 categories will be selected to receive additional Yamaha support and GYTR parts for the following season.

While the aim may be to prepare the young riders for their shot at a chance to become professional riders, it was also about giving them an experience they would never forget, with several fun activities taking place over the weekend. These included a PW50 race to crown the “2023 King of the Blue Melon” and a gathering around the campfire on Saturday afternoon with grilled marshmallows and racing stories the order of the day.

All of the families also enjoyed meals together with a superb atmosphere in the SHR Motorsports Team hospitality, and each rider at the camp also received a free 3m x 3m marquee thanks to Weber Werke GmbH, a supporter of the German YZ bLU cRU Cup. The weekend ended with a special prize-giving ceremony, and the hope is that everyone who attended the two-day event will have learnt some valuable racing lessons and made some amazing memories that will stay with them forever.

Sebastian Klein    
Yamaha Germany – Manager RVPP & MX
“Again, we really enjoyed this fourth national YZ bLU cRU camp at MC Westerhausen. This beautiful track in the Harz region was very well prepared, and it is also one of the last rounds in the German championship, where all the bLU cRU classes will race later this season. The fact that Gautier Paulin showed up as a “surprise” was fantastic, and he, together with the other trainers, Mike Stender and Gerrit Heistermann, did a great job in teaching the kids and helping them to improve. I want to thank the SHR Motorsports Team for providing their hospitality unit and everybody involved who helped to make this camp a great time for all the bLU cRU riders and their families.”