MXGP #30 March 2016

#30_MARCH 2016

MXGP of

QATAR

e h t r e d n U t h g i l t o sp

t r a t s m a e r D m i T for

RACING CATCH UP

RIDER OF THE MONTH TIM GAJSER

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INDEX

COOL SHOT

MONSTER GIRLS

HALL OF FAME YVES DEMARIA

MXGP MAG: Chief Editor: Marionna Leiva Photos: Youthstream YOUTHSTREAM Media World Trade Center II Rte de Pré-Bois 29 1215 Geneva 15 Airport Switzerland MXGP Mag #30 March 2016 The articles published in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of Youthstream.

Then content of this publication is based on the best knowledge and information available at the time the articles were written.

The copying of articles and photos even partially is forbidden unless permission has ben requested from Youthstream in advance and reference is made to the source (©Youthstream).

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EDITORIAL Giuseppe Luongo President of Youthstream Group

Finally the MXGP World Championship has restarted after a long winter, and the Championship opener in Qatar reached our expectations of exciting races with Tim Gajser dominating and Febvre and Bobryshev well in the game. The MXGP of Qatar is always a special venue, and the racing last weekend showed what an exciting MXGP Championship awaits us.

ple, we wanted to permit the young and talented riders to go into the MXGP class making it really the premium class. Meanwhile leaving space in the MX2 class and teams for the younger riders coming up from the European Championship. Gajser, Febvre, Coldenhoff, Van Horebeek, Guillod, Charlier, Tixier, Searle are excellent examples of how this system is working, and don’t forget Roczen and Musquin, When the decision was takwho are also riders who en to have an age limit of 23 have come up through our years in the MX2 class there system and who are now on were some critics because the top of the Supercross not everyone understood the World Championship. Esplan; but our plan was simpecially Febvre and Gajser

showed the jump from MX2 to MXGP for a talented rider is no problem, on the contrary, it’s a great motivation. Having young fast riders entering into the MXGP class every year constantly brings the level up because with their freshness and hunger-of-success and with the fact that they are not afraid of anyone they break some balances created in the Championship by the older and more-experienced riders. They simply enter from the main road, give full gas and convey a clear message to all the other competitors, ‘Sorry guys, you also have to count on me in your plan’.

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The Championship has only just begun and we are going to see many different results, we are going to see riders who are still not ready due to injuries like Cairoli and Desalle, who should be back up front once they have fully recovered. Van Horebeek made a good race and we know he still has a margin to improve.

The Championship is long we’re bound to see riders that perform better on different tracks and in different circumstances than others, already this weekend in Thailand a different style of track and demanding climate conditions will surely mix up the results.

One thing remains sure

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and that is the 2016 MXGP Championship is one not to be missed.

Herlings monopolized the MX2 class in Qatar and has returned to show that he’s the boss, however Ferrandis showed he has the capacity to cause him some problems and made 2 very

good heat races, but Jeffrey was determined and took the well-deserved victories in both races - but again, it’s a long season ahead and there are some really fast guys in the MX2 World Championship.

Imagine what MXGP will be like next year with Jeffrey added to the list of challengers!

COOL SHOTS

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COOL SHOTS

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COOL SHOTS

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HOLESHOT

2016 FOX HOLESHOT Qatar MXGP 1

With a brand new season of MXGP now upon us, riders from both MXGP and MX2 will be looking to get off to the best possible start, quite literally, because without a good start the chances of gaining a great result out on track can be reduced significantly.

A quick look back to 2015 and our Fox Holeshot champions were Max Nagl in MXGP

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and Max Anstie in MX2, who crossed the line ten and six times respectively. Maybe there is something in the name Max! Whatever, they certainly gave it their MAXimum and walked away with the Fox Holeshot bucks; €10,000 for MXGP’s fastest starter and €5,000 for the fastest clutch-droppin’ MX2 rider.

in the season opener in Qatar? Well, if you were placing your pre-season money on either of those two coming up with the goods you would be mightily disappointed right now as neither Max, nor err, Max were able to find the fast-gating form that kept them up front and out of trouble on so many occasions last year.

But how did things go down

Instead we have a very open

contest after round one, with four riders crossing the Fox Holeshot line in the first four moto’s of the year.

One thing that stood out though was Team HRC’s dominance at the weekend; fastest in all practice and timed sessions, apart from the Warm Up on Saturday, Team HRC completely dominated the starts, with Evgeny Bobryshev edging over the line in the MXGP Qualifying race ahead of Jose Butron and again in MXGP Race 1. In Race 2 the Fox Holeshot belonged to Gautier Paulin and

had he looked over his shoulder he would have seen both his teammates Bobby and Tim Gajser right there behind him, so the Honda’s definitely have some decent legs on them this year. As we head to Thailand should we expect to see the fiery red Honda’s up front again? On round one’s performance, absolutely!

In MX2 again there were two different winners in the Fox Holeshot contest, but this time there were also two different brands in the form of Pauls Jonass on the Red Bull KTM in Race 1, and Dylan

Ferrandis on his Monster Energy Kawasaki in Race 2.

Neither rider was able to fend off the challenge though from Jeffrey Herlings, who once again went on to dominate in typical fashion, eventually bagging a 1-1 for the top step of the podium.

So, to summarise, Honda were a force to be reckoned with in Qatar but it’s anybody’s guess in MX2, but we will update you in due course.

Until next time …

Toodle pip.

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RACING CATCH UP

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SPOTLIGHT ON QATAR

The first round of any sporting championship always draws attention. At least in terms of the athletes, a lot of work goes in during the off-season as the slate from the previous championship is wiped clean and new motivation is welcomed. For MXGP changes in teams, bikes, trainers, and programs generate a buzz of their own, but this article is not really about that. This is more of an insight into the uniqueness of what went on at the opening round of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship in Losail, Qatar and what the novelties of the venue are.

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Before the curtains were pulled open on yet another big season of globetrotting and bar-to-bar motocross action, some of the biggest names in MXGP and MX2 were invited to head out and explore one of Doha’s best tourist attractions, Katara.

Katara is a cultural village that is strategically placed in the vibrant city. It offers an innovative interpretation of Doha’s architectural heritage and its purpose built developments, impressive theatres, galleries and ever changing skyline, which is something extremely stunning, especially when it is all lit up at night.

Doha is an extremely futuristic part of the world and is fast becoming the most hy-

personic part of the Middle East in terms of development and evolution. That alone is a part of the attraction MXGP has to such a location for the opening round of the world’s premier motocross championship and what better way to set sail to the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship than with a super unique night race at the famed Losail International Circuit, best known for its rounds of MotoGP? In addition to the spectacle Losail International Circuit provides and its stunning night race factor (the first of only two night races in the entire FIM Motocross World Championship with the second one set to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, in

the United States of America at yet another widely recognized venue zMAX dragway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, the hub of Nascar, on labour weekend, September 3rd), everyone involved has access to the absolutely impeccable facilities that coexist with the MotoGP circuit. This meant flawless offices, media centre, toilets and showers as well as indoor concrete pit areas and a restaurant. It is easily one of the most luxurious rounds.

Reflecting on last year, a few adjustments were made to the lights allowing both riders and spectators more visibility. 420 light bulbs are what illuminate the track and the slight adjustments that were made did wonders in

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the enhancement of the picture broadcasted via Internet or television. What always happens in terms of television, regardless of track or location, is that it flattens out. The track last weekend in Qatar was anything but flat, it was the gnarliest it’s ever been in the last three years with limited traction making it even more challenging. It could be that the deceptive conditions, which looked grippier than they actually were, were affected by the noticeably warmer climate, or maybe it just came down to general wear and tear, either way, they made for excellent racing the type you would expect from the

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season opener.

With organization that is second to none and a topnotch location, all that it needed to make the event a show-stopper was a night of epic racing. So, did it live up to expectation? You bet your boots. Everything that is to be expected from the opening round materialized. We had a surprise winner in MXGP, which is just an amazing story on its own with Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser putting in a dream debut where he enacted a runaway performance for a double moto victory, the first ever in his career. He also etched his name into the history books

as the youngest ever winner of MXGP on his debut appearance.

Chasing Gajser home for second was the defending FIM MXGP World Champion Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre, which made for golden racing as the two reigning champions went head to head. Another talking point of the weekend was Honda’s ground-breaking start to the year with both of Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin and Evgeny Bobryshev claiming the Fox Holeshots while across the board the trio of Red Riders Gajser, Bobryshev and Paulin all topped the lap charts in

every session but one.

As for the heroes of the 2014 season, the former champ Unfortunately for the curRed Bull KTM Factory Racrent vice world champion,å ing’s Antonio Cairoli and the Paulin, the highlights of his former vice world champ, weekend were topping Timed Monster Energy Yamaha Practice and claiming the Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Fox Holeshot in the second Horebeek, they both collectrace before being forced ed a decent amount of points out with a bike malfunction. with ‘Jereman’ finishing up The Frenchman is already 39 the opener in fourth and points down on Gajser who TC222 rounding out the top leads the championship, which five. is a heart-breaking start to the season. To put things into Meanwhile in MX2, the battle perspective, Paulin is only 8 between the former two-time points clear of Monster Ener- MX2 World Champion Red gy Kawasaki’s Clement Desal- Bull KTM Factory Racing’s le who heroically attempted Jeffrey Herlings and Monto race despite snapping his ster Energy Kawasaki’s Dylan radius two weeks prior, an Ferrandis materialized once injury which required surgical again after both riders sat intervention. out more than half of last

season with injury. Ferrandis has beaten Herlings around Losail fair and square once before and it was predicted that he could be running a pace hot enough to do the same once again. In race one, the Frenchman came close but Herlings still took the victory, which he backed up in race two with total domination.

The current MX2 vice world champion Pauls Jonass rounded off the podium which is a solid start as he heads into round two which will take place in Thailand, a country which bought him one of his fondest memories when he landed on the podium for the first time in his career.

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FIM Motocross World Championship

Standings MXGP CHAMP. STANDINGS

MX2 CHAMP. STANDINGS

1. T. Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points 2. R. Febvre (FRA YAM) , 42 p.

3. E. Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 42 p.

4. J. VanHorebeek(BEL,YAM), 34.

5. A.Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 33 p.

6. S. Simpson (GBR,KTM) 30 p.

7. T. Searle (GBR, KAW), 25 p.

8. K. Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 25 p.

9. G. Coldenhoff(NED, KTM) , 25 p.

10.M. Nagl (GER, HUS), 24 p.

1. J.Herlings (NED, KTM),50 points 2. Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 44 p.

3. P. Jonass (LAT, KTM), 40 p.

4. J. Seewer (SUI, SUZ) , 34 p.

5. B.VanDoninck (BEL, YAM), 31 p.

6. P. Petrov (BUL, KAW), 30 p.

7. A. Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 30 p.

8. S. Bernardini (ITA, TM),25 p.

9. B. Bogers (NED, KTM), 17 p.

10.J. Gettemans (BEL, KTM), 17 p.

MXGP MANUFACTUERS 1. Honda 2. Yamaha 3. KTM 4. Kawasaki 5. Suzuki 6. Husqvarna

50 42 34 25 25 24

points points points points points points

MX2 MANUFACTUERS 1. KTM 2. Kawasaki 3. Yamaha 4. Suzuki 5. Husqvarna 6. Honda

50 44 34 34 18 16

points points points points points points

MXGP of Qatar Facebook Insight

1,238,262 People Reached 432,493 Posts Engagement 203,503 Total Video Views +5,297 Likes 24

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Demographics Largest Audience: Men 18-24 Mobile devices 79% Top Market: Italy Date Range: 24 – 28 February

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MXGP SOCIAL

TWITTER, FACEB IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP @alanmilway Great updates from @mxgp from the guys @motocrossvice keep them coming!

@ilarya94 ‬‬ @mxgp Tomorrow first race of the year!! Finally!!! I missed you!!

@littlechriscam Pumped for the start of the @mxgpseason! Best of luck lads tomorrow!!! @ shaunsimpson24 @tommysearle100@snowymx31 @ MaxAnstie@benwatsonmx

@lukeyboy164 ‬‬ @mxgp well done @JHerlings84this year. ‬‬ @themakx ‬‬ BTW @mxgp thanks for broadcasting the QP’s also this year. It’s a great addition to a great package. @cocoborde ‬‬ @mxgp Goodluck to everybody riders managers organization tv

@stevebradley16 @mxgp is back yippee!!!!! this weekend is going to be epic ‬

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@ brandon24958 @shaunsimpson24 @mxgp@ adamsterry811 @steveturnerraci I’m wishing you all the best of luck boys, 2k16 Strong! @d8nty.net‬‬‬ Yes mxgp back on this weekend lets hope the Brits do well @mxgp@shaunsimpson24 @tommysearle100@ benwatsonmx

Did you miss the first round of the WMX in Qatar? Here you have the highlights!

LIKE & SHARE and enter in the draw to win an Ogio Rig 9800.

Check out the first studio show of the season featuring Jeffery Herlings and Stefan Everts

BOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE

@yamaharacingcomofficial Friday free practice and qualifying - Everything unpacked, ready for Saturday

@bodyclinicuk Best of luck to#TeamBodyClinic athlete @ nataliekane44đ&#x;‡Žđ&#x;‡Ş round one of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Qatar. Natalie

@nikkivannobelen We’re in Dohađ&#x;™‹đ&#x;?ź season ‘16 has started! With the girl@yentlhaazen22ks #mxgp #round1#team259

@poleacamp Good luck to @tiga243 in the first race of the season in mx1 at losail!

Buena suerte a @tiga243 en la primera carrera del mundial de mx1 en losail

@mxinaction mxinaction10 minuter kvar till start, GoGoGo @ alvinostlund161 #mxinaction#mxgp#tv#livestream#qatar#racing#mx#motocross

IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP 27

RIDER OF THE MONTH

Every once in a while there are moments in life that leave us openmouthed in awe at something that might have just happened, and on 26th February 2016 at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, the motocross world witnessed such a thing when Tim Gajser became the first Slovenian to win in MXGP. He is now the youngest ever MXGP winner at 19 years and 173 days. And if a rider was ever more deserving of the title ‘rider of the month’ then this month that title belongs to the riders known as GT243.

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DREAM START FOR TIM

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Tim Gajser arrived in Qatar for the opening MXGP race of the season as the 2015 FIM MX2 World Champion without the pressure or expectation of the previous year. As a rookie, the goal for 2016 was to be chalked off as a learning year but then again, we all saw what Romain Febvre did in his first year in MXGP in 2015, so it’s understandable to think that anything is possible.

So when ‘GT243’ crossed the Monster Energy finish line as a race one winner at Losail, the racing world was in shock from what they had just witnessed; the fact he had just won the opening race of the season was already big news, but the manner in which he did it was even more impressive.

After stalking his senior HRC ‘teammate’ Evgeny Bobryshev for the first seven laps, Gajser sensed his opportunity on lap eight and took it with both hands with a firm-but-fair move

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down the inside on the entry into turn one, and from there he never looked back, winning by an eventual seven seconds to become the first Slovenian to win an MXGP world championship race. To follow it up with an emphatic double-moto win was even more impressive and the Honda Gariboldi rider left Qatar with the championship leaders red plate. It was also his sixth career victory, and first double race win. He also set the fastest lap in both races as well. In terms of debut’s it doesn’t get any better than that.

‘Yeah, that was really good you know because last year I came here feeling the pressure from myself but not from the team, and then the races didn’t go well. So for this year I just said it’s a new season, new beginning, new class and new bike with the CRF450RW which is much stronger – so I just said to myself just go out there, do you what you love to do, ride like you know to ride, like you ride

in practice and then if I ride like that I think I can do good.

The start was key, I tried to make good starts and tonight I managed to make 2nd and 3rd with my starts, then made quick passes and rode like I know.’

Humble beginnings

What Tim achieved in Qatar was a far cry from how it all started; there was no glitz and glam, no bright lights. His father Bogomir was an ex-racer who rode some European championship races in his hey day, and even rode for Team Slovenia at the Motocross des Nations, so it was almost a given that any son of his would ride bikes at some stage.

Tim first learned to ride at the age of two and a half but received his own bike for Christmas aged three. His first race wasn’t far away. ‘Already in the same year I made my first race at three and a half and I think I was third in my first race. And it started like that; my dad was already in motocross racing

some European races and also for the Motocross of Nations for Team Slovenia, so he was quite okay.’

He won his first Slovenian title at four in the 50cc class on a KTM auto, before switching to the 65cc class where he ‘started racing properly’ at 7 yearsold. His first European championship race was 2004, a race Tim remembers fondly.

‘Everybody was there; Robert Justs, Jeffrey Herlings – it was in Slovenia at Slovenska Konjice and my dad organised the race. But it was cool; I was just seven years-old riding 65cc class in 2004. There were two races; one was there the other was in Bulgaria. I think I was 5th overall, Robert Justs was champion, Jeffrey was third I think.’ Shortly afterwards, Tim’s parents separated and he did not ride at all in 2005 ‘… so in 2006 we started again and I finished third and 2007, I was

champion in 65cc. Then 2009 I won in 85cc so it was not so bad.’ He went on to do the double when in 2012 he won both the EMX125 European Championship and the FIM Junior World Championship.

more of an insight into Tim’s character right there; Tim was born a winner and when his chance was gone in EMX250, he immediately shifted his sights to MX2 where the steep learning curve began.

It’s worth pointing out too that Bogomir pretty much sold everything and worked all the hours God sent to help fund Tim’s journey in the belief that one day his kid might just make it. If THAT isn’t commitment, we don’t know what is!

It wasn’t the easiest of introductions and by the end of a frustrating year placed 20th overall, when the opportunity presented itself for a move away from Marchetti Racing KTM and a chance to join Honda Gariboldi with the promise of direct support from Japan, it was too good an offer to turn down. Gajser rewarded his team with 5th overall and six podiums; three second’s and three third’s, including two race wins from the final four races in Brazil and Mexico.

Fast Forward

After winning everything in 2012 Tim tried his hand in the 2013 EMX250 European Championship, but after a poor first round in Portugal where he placed 8th and a disastrous second round in France, decided to move in to MX2 rather than waste a year racing for a championship he felt he could no longer win, and we gain

His first overall win in MX2 came four rounds later on April 19th 2015 at Pietramurata, Trentino, when Gajser

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SPECIAL FEATURE

outclassed Jeffrey Herlings to win the second moto to secure the win in a season that would see four more overall victories and that coveted MX2 world title, three years after winning everything in the EMX125 class.

And Honda was rewarded with its first title in the MX2/125cc class since Alex Puzar’s title-winning season of 1995, and their first since Frederic Bolley’s 250cc title in 2000.

will benefit Tim in the winter as in his words: ‘… actually in winter, there is no winter,’ so you can bet that future MXGP seasons will not be hampered by poor preparation.’

To give you one or two examples, by winning in Qatar Gajser emulated previous premier class debut wins

by Antonio Cairoli, who won on his debut in 2007 at the British GP at Donington Park But despite his meteoric rise with a 2-1, and Gautier Pauto stardom the success hasn’t lin (1-2) at Fermo, Italy in gone to his head and he re2011. Both Paulin and Cairoli mains as grounded now as the took their first premier class day it all began. Rather than win whilst having ridden the blowing his bonus on fast cars, entire season in the MX2 Gajser freed up some of the class; Cairoli at the penulcash to buy his dad Bogo’ a new timate GP having just been piece of track building machin- crowned MX2 World Chamery, and a new home in which pion, and Paulin at the final the whole family can stay on a MX1 GP of the year after beach in Croatia and he plans realising he could not better to build a track close by which his fourth position.

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Gajser’s performance in Qatar eclipsed theirs though having gone 1-1. South African Greg Albertyn also won on his premier (250cc) class debut at Castiglione del Lago in 1993 but not with a clean sweep of moto wins. Even the legendary JMB did not win first time out in the 250cc class after winning the 1988 125cc title, but that was down to the fact he rode practice with a plated broken arm and failed to start the race.

All that remains to be seen now then is whether or not the Slovenian can go on to do what Eric Geboers, Jean-Michel Bayle, Greg Albertyn, Antonio Cairoli and Romain Febvre to name but a few have gone on to do, and that is win the world championship in the premier class at the first attempt.

SPECIAL FEATURE

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The Magic of Mexico

Between the sun, mountains and beaches that make Mexico famous is the quaint city of Leon, an area that has a solid reputation in the leather industry and is now picking up steam in motocross circles too as the home of Mexico’s one and only round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, the MXGP of Leon.

This coming April at the Parque Metropolitano de Leon, one of the world’s most famous locations for all outdoor

activities from bird watching to hiking, mountain biking through to football, ballooning and now motocross, the fifth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship will take place. In terms of information over the Parque Metropolitano, it is an admired piece of land that is spread out over 362 hectares and is inhabited with thousands of different species of birds and plants. Each weekend the park attracts over 15,000 tourists who go out to see the lovely nature or even

enjoy one of the many music festivals, while one of the highlights of the year is the annual Ballooning festival that attracts upwards of 200,000 spectators.

Leon is located in the state of Guanajuato, a region in Mexico that has fast become a popular tourist destination and location of residence for US citizens wishing to live in Mexico. Guanajuato is also the base for loads of major motor vehicle manufacturers and is widely

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recognized as one of the safest and most enjoyable areas inland.

been moved forward to avoid the threat of bad weather and rain storms.

As for the track, it has been designed and built by MXGP’s in-house track crew where they were inspired by the Mexican culture hence the reason the cactus plants that surround some areas have been left. Watering has never been a problem with watering systems in place and water easily accessible from one of the lakes, which were originally built as a water reservoir for the city but have now been turned into a water sports lake inside the park. While over the previous years water has not been overly necessary since the grand prix always took place in the country’s ‘rainy season’, this year it has

Vouching for the MXGP of Leon, the track has seen some immense action over the last couple of years such as Jeffrey Herlings’ brave and awe-inspiring last ditch effort at clinching the 2014 MX2 world title by riding with a broken femur. A race that stole the attention of many as a four-point weight anchored the heart of The Bullet who was, despite his heroic attempt, forced to hand over the crown to Jordi Tixier.

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Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, Pauls Jonass jumped over the moon… well, almost! The MXGP of Leon was also the venue of one of

the most spectacular crashes MX2 has ever seen where Pauls Jonass was catapulted from his bike around 30 feet into the air. Amazingly he came away unscathed, only upset about the crucial points lost in the championship as he was the MX2 Red Plate holder at the time.

With all of that said, the MXGP of Leon which is organized by the world renowned promotion team Rallymex, a promotion team that has over 11 years experience working with worldclass motorsport events such as the FIA WRC Rally World Championship, will take place in Mexico on the weekend of April 17th, so get your taco making kit ready and if you aren’t in Mexico, watch both days LIVE on www.mxgp-tv.com.

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MXGP ACADEMY

EMX250

The Contenders

Photos: WIKRAN DUMKEAW TON

By the time MXGP returns to Europe for round three of eighteen, the riders in both MXGP and MX2 will be well up to speed. However, at the Eurocircuit, Valkenswaard on Easter Weekend, March 27/28, it will be a slightly different story for the riders of the European Championship EMX250 as they enter their first round of the season.

The highly competitive EMX25O class will see Honda J-Tech’s Nick Kouwenberg return in the hope of a successful defence of the title

he won on home soil last year at Assen in The Netherlands, but he can expect some stiff competition from the likes of Denmark’s Thomas Kjer Olsen on his Bodo Schmidt Motorsport Husqvarna who placed sixth, gaining three podiums along the way.

for another crack of the whip in the hope of realising his potential as he chases a potential podium championship finish.

Another rider to watch will be Team Suzuki World MX2’s Bas Vaessen of The Netherlands, who at times last year showed us glimpses of his lightening-fast speed, and if he can keep it up on two wheels then he will be a contender for sure.

It was a tough season for the 19 year-old French starlet Nicolas Dercourt last year having missed the last four rounds due to injury, but the BUD Racing Monster Energy Kawasaki teamster will return Add to the mix the riders that are

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moving up from the ultra competitive EMX125 class and race fans will not be disappointed at the racing that will be on display, as eleven of the top fourteen finishers from last year will be looking to throw their weight around from the very first gate-drop.

his heart out in the premier European championship class, regarded as a stepping stone to MX2, and after placing second last year in the EMX125 division will be looking to impress once more.

Australian Hunter Lawrence of the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team who placed third in the 2015 FIM Junior World Championship.

There are so many names to look out for in the European ChampionThe 2015 FIM Junior 125cc World ship EMX250 class this year with Champion Maxime Renaux will more than 100 requests already The 2015 EMX125 Champion Jorge remain with the Kemea Yamaha placed for the opening round in Prado of Spain has spent a consid- Official MX Team and after growing Valkenswaard at the end of March. erable portion of the winter train- in confidence and stature last year, Looking at the list, it’s hard to pick ing in the USA but history tells us the super fast French wonderkind just a handful to mention with a that the KTM Factory Juniors rider will be another rider that will surely bunch of hyped up names who will be on the pace straightaway be ready to be unleashed in the could also make a splash this year. and will be in serious mood to add tough sandy conditions that Valken- With that said, these are the riders the EMX250 title to his already im- swaard offers. who have already won rounds and pressive collection of silverware. races in the European ChampionOther riders to look out for will ship or FIM Junior World ChamHis KTM Factory Juniors teammate be England’s Conrad Mewse who pionship before, so stay tuned for Josiah Natzke of New Zealand will switches to the Jacky Martens the results of round one to find out once again make the journey from owned Rockstar Energy Husqvar- who’s on the brink of busting out the underside of the world to race na Factory Racing Team and the on the pro scene.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

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MXGP2 -The Official Motocross Videogame Ready! Set‌Go for the new amazing Official MXGP Videogame

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The new Title made by Milestone will be out on March 31st on PlayStation®4, Xbox One® and PC/ STEAM™ The game will include several Features such as Rider and Bike Customization, Stadium Series and MXoN, plus the inclusion of new tracks based on the Official MXGP World Championship An IP (Intellectual Property) that has been already won the hearts of gamers and the MXGP fans alike. From a company that combines passion and 20 years of expertise on two

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wheeled videogames. The official Motocross Championship with massive depth of content and in depth handling. This is the recipe for the incredible MXGP2 – The official motocross videogame that will be out on March 31st on PS4™, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system, and PC/STEAM™ consoles.

For those who pre-order the game two DLCs will be selectable: DLC MXGP2 Cairoli Replica Equipment and DLC MXGP2 - Villopoto Replica Equipment.

The initial focus will, as usual, be the riders and the tracks based on the

official 2015 MXGP season. But Milestone wanted more for this title. Hence, the Italian developer included new features such as Riders and Bike Customization, new graphics and physics, Terrain deformation, Clutch control with pad and much much more to build the best experience ever. “This year thanks to new technologies and a precise work on the reference side, we’ve improved a lot the final look of the tracks and the riders. This trailer represents the work we’ve made this year for the artistic side of the game”, affirms Eli-

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SPECIAL FEATURE

sa Consolini, Lead Artist Milestone. “The high quality of texture placed on the riders’ 3D models and to the tracks, with an amazing work in replicate the silhouette of the track, and great lighting effects will offer a pleasant experience to all the players”, concludes Consolini.

CUSTOMIZATION:

With the rider and bike customization the player is the center of the experience.

In MXGP2 players have the possibility to create their own rider, choosing from several options like Helmet, Goggles, Neckbrace, Racewear and Boots. But that’s not all! The game offers the chance to change the name,

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number and the font of the Racewear and choose the nationality. Then the setup of the bike comes into a virtual garage where some parts like livery, tires, suspension, accessories and exhausts are also fully customizable.

STADIUM SERIES:

One of the additional central elements of MXGP 2 is the inclusion of Stadium Series: a game mode that presents motocross tracks in stadiums. The attraction of this game mode is that the track and jump structure are very technical and spectacular.

In MXGP2 the player can prove his skills in two stadiums types, each with two unique layouts for a total of

four tracks.

MXoN:

Then alongside all the aspects is the much requested Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations a new game mode that involves a selection of 11 most powerful Nations, 3 different classes - MXGP, MX2 and Open – and 6 tracks like: Lommel, Teutschenthal, Kegums, Ernèe (2015), Maggiora and Glen Helen.

These are only few of the features that will be available in MXGP2 – The Official Motocross Videogame. More info will be available soon on www.mxgpvideogame.com, #MXGPvideogame and www. facebook.com/mxgovideogame. Stay Tuned!

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Photo: MEYER

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Photo: C. Lavery

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HALL OF FAME

Yves DEMARIA, The Enigma

Born in Marseille on January 22nd 1972 – the youngest of two children, Yves Demaria was introduced to the world of motocross from an early age. His father, Guy, a carpenter, was a good amateur rider but was never able to make the transition to pro-racer due to a succession of injuries, but continued to work hard in the hope that one day either of his two sons might. He did, however, win the world amateur race, the Coupe de L’Avenir in Belgium as a Team France member.

Patrick, the eldest son was born four years earlier than Yves and was the first to take to riding a dirt bike but as for Yves, his first motocross bike didn’t arrive until Christmas Day, a Yamaha 80cc, aged ten.

The early days were all about riding for fun, riding in the mountains close to his home, but the day eventually came when he would take to the

race track for the first time, aged eleven, something Demaria fondly remembers.

det Championship, which he followed up with the 125cc Junior title one year later. By now Demaria was never in ‘My first race was in 1983 at doubt that one day he would the track of Vitrolles … (Note: go on to compete on the Eric Geboers won the 125cc world stage, and at fifteen GP there that same year for years-old Demaria was alSuzuki; a race that Demaria ready classed as a semi-prowitnessed as an eleven year- fessional rider with the old). ‘The track went up, then Sonauto Yamaha Team. down and then up again and then normally it would go Now riding for Yamaha down again. But I stopped on France, Yves entered his first the top. I couldn’t go down, it 125cc GP in 1989, just over was too steep. I was scared. four years after starting out Those hills were too big, as an amateur at the circuit bigger than where I learned of Faenza where another futo ride. I didn’t ride for one ture star was making his GP month after this,’ reflectdebut, a rider by the name ed the rider who ironically, of Stefan Everts. The winner learnt to ride in the mounthat day was the American tains.

Trampas Parker, who would go on to win the title that Despite his initial fears of year, but more impressive the racetrack it wasn’t long was perhaps Demaria’s own before Yves was racing regperformance, placing 6th ularly, and the following year overall. His first two years in 1984 entered the amateur saw him place regularly inFrench national championside the top ten but it was in ship. Two years later he won 1991 at the French GP where the 1986 80cc French Cahe scored his maiden race

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win at Toulon sous Arroux. He would end the season fourth overall. Le ‘Tefli’, or ‘The Fly’ had arrived.

The following season in 1992 saw Yves switch from Yamaha to Suzuki and shortly afterwards claimed his first overall grand prix victory when he stormed the French 125cc GP at Plomion. He also won the final round at Suzuka in Japan, on his way to another 4th overall in the championship, The following season (1993) and still on Suzuki Demaria was suddenly a contender for the title, but a broken tibia in December ’92 hampered his winter training. Despite his slow start, he was still in the hunt and by mid-season his battles with Pedro Tragter

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were a real crowd pleaser, but he eventually lost out to the Suzuki mounted Dutchman, to place 2nd, winning three more GP’s along the way.

His 1997 season started with Paolo Martin’s Honda squad but he didn’t like the new aluminium frame, so after the Venezuelan GP decided to end the agreement. With Sebastien In 1994 ‘Le Tefli’ moved up to Tortelli and Fred Bolley injured the 250cc class, which was at Kawasaki, team boss Jan de then considered the premier Groot brought Demaria in to class. He had also switched keep the sponsors happy and team and brand, riding for the four days after receiving the Pepsi Honda team with backing call, arrived with his bags in from HRC. Although he would Indonesia and nailed down an claim six of the twelve GPs on emphatic double-race win at offer, he would only place 3rd Bandung. Shortly after, Deoverall. maria signed to race the rest of the year, and the 1998 seaIn 1995 Demaria signed for son. But the injury curse struck Michele Rinaldi’s Chesterfield again, and a massive concusYamaha team alongside Bob sion saw him enter just a handMoore and Andrea Bartolini in ful of races. the 250cc class once more but another broken right leg forced In ’99 he moved up to the him out of title contention. The 500cc class with Corrado following year he placed 4th.

Maddii’s Factory Husqvarna

team. He was lying 2nd over- MX3 class as part of the recov- He moved into coaching in 2008, all when he picked up another ery process and finally claimed won the EMX250 European broken ankle and finished 4th. that elusive first world title. He Championship with Christophe lost out the following year to the Charlier in 2009 before working Despite a tough season in Belgian Sven Bruegelmans due as a coach for Kawasaki Racing 2001 the Skittles Yamaha to a broken ankle whilst leading Team in 2011/2012. mounted Demaria became the championship, but would a winning member of Team go on to win two more titles in He currently works with Valentin France at the MXDN along2006/2007.

Guillod, taking the Swiss rider side David Vuillemin and Luigi to the EMX250 title in 2013 and Seguy, the first victory for He retired at the end of 4th overall in the FIM MX2 World France in this prestigious the 2007 season with a toChampionship in 2015 where he event. But time was runtal of 34 GP victories; 17 in collected three GP wins. ning out and in 2002 he was 125/250/500cc and 17 from his back in the 500cc class. Still time in MX3.

Photos: Pascal Haudiquert searching, at the age of 30, he was signed by the KTM Factory Team and claimed his 1989 – 8th - First season in 125cc World Championship 15th GP win at Castiglione 1990 – 8th 125cc World Championship del Lago but at round three, 1991 – 4th 125cc World Championship he broke his shoulder in the 1992 – 4th 125cc World Championship tough sand of Valkenswaard.

1993 – 2nd 125cc World Championship The following year (2003) and still with KTM he broke his neck at Valkenswaard and missed the whole season, but recovered well to enter the 2004 in the newly formed

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1994 – 3rd 250cc World Championship 1996 – 4th 250cc World Championship 1997 – 6th 250cc World Championship 1999 – 4th 500cc World Championship 2001 – Winner MXdN with Team France 2004 – FIM MX3 World Champion, KTM 2005 – 2nd FIM MX3 2006 – FIM MX3 World Champion, KTM 2007 – FIM MX3 World Champion, Yamaha

PADDOCK TALKS

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Paddock Talks 01/ Tony Cairoli meets the Pope Francesco in Roma before travelling to Qatar.

02/ The USA army based in Qatar came out to support the only American racing the FIM Motocross World Championship, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Thomas Covington

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03/ Impressive Team Suzuki World MXGP’s set-up in Qatar 04/ The first family photo of the year!

05/ Paul Malin going live on MXGPTV.com both Saturday and Sunday at every round this year.

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06/ It’s game on for Team Lupino!

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09

Paddock Talks

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07/ Benoit Paturel gears up for round one after receiving some pieces of advice from former World Champion Jacky Vimod.

08/ Mr. Giuseppe Luongo joined by Mr. Saud Al Attiyah, Losail Circuit Sports Club Chairman, Mr Abdulrahman Al Mannai, QMMF President, and Mr. Tony Skillington 09/ MXGP gives a warm welcome to Fiat Professional 10/ MotoGP rider Maverick Vi単ales went to Qatar to support her girlfriend Kiara Fontenesi 11/ All smiles in the Bobryshev camp after going qualifying on pole 12/Tony Cairoli lights up Qatar with his LED Sidi boots

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QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR Hey guys, I’m Marcus from Chile and I wish to attend the MXGP of Patagonia Argentina. Is there any pre sell available?

Thanks, Marcus Dear Marcus, Tickets sales for the MXGP of Patagonia Argentina are online at the link below http://www.mxgpargentina. com/tickets/ For more details on MXGP Tickets sales do not hesitate to visit www.mxgp.com Best Regards MXGP Hi MXGP-TV, As the qualifying races for the MXGP of Qatar were on Friday afternoon I couldn’t have the chance to watch them LIVE. Is there any possibility to watch them On Demand?

Thanks, Frank Hi Frank Sure! You can connect to www. mxgp-tv.com and you’ll be able to watch all the races LIVE and onDemand.

Regards MXGP

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Hi MXGP, I work for a local Thai Newspaper and last year I was able to download the MXGP official guide for the 2015 season. Is there anything similar for 2016?

Thanks, Joe Hello Joe, The 2016 official guide is online and can be downloaded in Hi-res at the link below. http:// docs.mxgp.com/docs/2016/ YOU-16-5650_MXGP_Official_ Guide_2016.pdf All the best, MXGP Hi MXGP II’m Marc and I wish to attend the EMX300 round 1 which will take place in Valkenswaard.

How can I do to subscribe?

Thanks, Marc Hi Marc thank you for contacting us.

Please contact our sportoffice to have all the details at the this email sportoffice@youthstream. org Regards MXGP

Hi MXGP I have an old account on mxgp-tv.com but I don’t remember the password. How can I do?

Thanks, François Hello François, go to MXGP-TV.com and ask for another password, it will be sent to you automatically. For the username you shall use the same and in case you need some more support do not hesitate to contact contact@youthstream-media.com.

Best Regards MXGP

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