RIDER OF THE MONTH

MIKKEL HAARUP IS NO STRANGER IN THE MXGP PADDOCK, THE 20-YEAR-OLD MADE A NAME FOR HIMSELF AS HE ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS IN THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER THE WING OF ANTTI PYRHÖNEN AND THE FACTORY ICE ONE TEAM. Haarup first stepped on the bike at the mere age of three and by nine or ten was already eyeing up a professional career in racing after taking part in some international races outside of Denmark� And he had success, becoming a three-time Dutch Champion in the youth categories as well as the Nordic EMX85 Champion� In 2017, he finished second in the Junior Motocross World Championship before making the move up to the EMX250 class with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing where he began to make a name for himself�

In 2020, the Dane moved to F&H Kawasaki to embark on a new adventure for his first full season in MX2� This was the

last time that MXGP Magazine sat down with Haarup, for what was his first Rider of the Month cover feature in June of 2020� This was just a couple of months after his first podium in MX2 and unfortunately just at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic which changed the world as we knew it�

Now two years later, Haarup sits third in the MX2 World Championship standings, and a lot has changed, with a new prospective and outlook to his racing, some experience under his belt and a strong mentality, after a couple of tough seasons, there’s lots to catch-up on and what a better moment to do it than after he scored his third podium on the bounce in Trentino�

So, we hopped on a video call with Mikkel after the GP to chat about what has happened since the last interview, his success this year and the hardship he had to overcome to arrive to this point�

MXGP Mag: Hi Mikkel, how are you? Where are you right now? And what have you been up to lately?

Mikkel: I’m good� First of all, very good� Things have been going good lately, so I have no reason to complain� I’m in Denmark� And the weather… is not nice, but I’m home in Denmark, and just relaxing�

MXGP Mag: We see on social media that you and your girlfriend are renovating or building a house, how’s that going?

Mikkel: Yeah� So, by the end of the year, when I was doing my contracts and everything, we were discussing what we were going to do� And I said, why not buying a house in Denmark and do everything like practising in Denmark and just have our own home� Matea thought it was a good idea and I found a place that I thought was a good opportunity and a good investment at the same time� So in February, we took over the house, but we’ve had quite a lot of work to do on it because I want it to be nice for us and also just for her to have a house that feels like her own because she moved to Denmark, which for me is nice� But for her is far away from her parents and I thought it would be more fun if we build something together� So, at the moment we are working, well I’m not really working, the builders are working� But we are getting there soon� I think within a month, we probably have the house ready, the floors down, the ceiling …� they’re just doing the bathroom now� So, I actually go and check on it later today� Because yeah, there’s always things you have to go and get, and we are now at that point where I have to go and go get some paint�

MXGP Mag: And in terms of choosing paint or choosing other things, is your girlfriend taking the lead, how much are you involved in these types of decisions?

Mikkel: So, Matea has way better style than me but there’s also the financial� Obviously, I have some decisions to make� But if she tells me that she prefers it that way, then that’s what we do� Just because I believe in her ability to pick out what looks good� I feel like so far we’ve been agreeing on most of the things� There’s not been many things we have disagreed on�

MXGP Mag: Mikkel this is your second solo cover on the MXGP Magazine, your last one was in June 2020, so this is pretty much a follow-up. You are now two years older, how have things changed? Do you feel more mature?

Mikkel: Yeah, I feel old� Actually, there’s a lot of people that come up to me, especially lately, and they go, oh, is this your last year in MX2? Because they think I’m 23� And I think it’s just because I’ve been racing in MXGP and the EMX categories a long time, so people think I am older than I really am� At this point I am only 20 but I feel more mature� And I take advantage of it as well, because there’s a couple of quick guys in the class, and no doubt about that they are quick, but they make a lot of mistakes� And I think I’m at the point where maybe I have a little bit more advantage of having that experience, you know, and it helps a little bit�

MXGP Mag: You mention the EMX classes, how important do you think those classes are for a rider like you to prepare you for the move into the World Championship?

Mikkel: It’s very important because one of the things you learn is also the fact that you don’t need to win every time� I think Ricky Carmichael also mentioned

back when he was racing with James Stewart, he said that most of the time, James was the quickest, but Carmichael was just the clever one and that’s basically what you learn in those small classes, because you’re young, and you want to win� And you’re going to make so many mistakes� And that’s the whole point of it� Some people continue to make those mistakes, and some people manage to be a little bit smart� And that’s typically the guy who wins� And if they can learn that at an early age already in the 85cc, and the 125cc classes, and bring that up into the MX2, I think they’ll benefit a lot from it� Because it’s not all about the speed� It’s also about being consistent and avoiding making stupid mistakes�

MXGP Mag: Last time we did an interview for this magazine, you just got your first podium in MX2, which was in Matterley Basin and now two years later, you just got your third podium on the bounce. Though during this time, going from that podium in 2020 to now the three in 2022, did any doubts start to creep in?

Mikkel: It feels like eternity and a lot of things happened in that period of time� It was very nice when I got the podium back in 2020 but also it came a little bit out of nothing� And even though I knew I’ve had the speed all along, there was a lot of things which still needed to click� So, I wasn’t surprised that I didn’t get as many podiums in that period of time� But I was also a little bit down� Because I still continued to work really hard, I just somehow couldn’t make it work together with the team� It was not like I felt that I had peaked already, you know, I knew that I was going to come back to it� But I was frustrated that I couldn’t figure out what the problem was� It was a frustrating time and a lot of injuries and stuff happened in that period as well� It was just very turbulent, but I’m happy that I continued working really hard for it, because it would be a period of time where you could give up, not quit, but maybe not continue with the same goal� But when it finally clicks, it

MXGP Mag: And now at the position where you are now what advice would you now give yourself to the, to the Mikkel, that was two years ago?

Mikkel: This is a hard one� But I must have done something right� Since I’ve managed to bounce back and find the things that I needed� But obviously, there are some things that you would have wanted to change� So, if I could tell myself to be more relaxed, and then try to enjoy every GP every session and it becomes a lot easier� Because it can be very stressful if you don’t enjoy it, there’s a lot of things happening during the weekend� And if you don’t enjoy going on track and just playing around, then it’s going to be a very long time� And so I feel like I’ve found that last couple of rounds and by the end of last year, I also sort of started realising like I don’t have to do this� I could be home in the in Denmark just racing the Danish Championship or doing something else� Nobody tells you to do it, so if you don’t enjoy it, why do it? And that’s sort of when I realised maybe I should just go out and do my thing because I’ve done my practice, I’ve done the work at home, I am physically fit, so it’s not a problem but to go out and enjoy the GPs, do something different�

MXGP Mag: Like Tim Gajser says ‘happy rider, fast rider’?

Mikkel: Yeah, it’s true� I actually saw that hashtag, is that a thing now?

MXGP Mag: Yes, it’s a thing now and a lot of riders agree with that, you need to have fun with it. But going back to 2020 and 2021, what are some of the important lessons you learned in those two years?

Mikkel: So, after the podium in 2020, I was flying, you know, you get a lot of attention, and you sort of lose focus a little bit on what you have to go and do� And that’s an important lesson� So, when I was on the podium in Argentina, the first thing that came to my mind was, enjoy this moment today but Monday it’s back to work� Because otherwise you lose focus, and it’ll be difficult to continue that thing� I was unfortunate, late in the 2020 season, and ended up being injured for probably half of it� But in 2021 I sort of came in with a game plan to get through the season, don’t stress� And just let the results come when the time comes� And that was one of the things that probably also helped me get to where I am now, just because you need the time, you need the race experience� But if you push too much, trying to get that result on the first weekend to go racing, you’re going to get injured, and you won’t get the time you need on the bike and to get used to the races and passing and all these things to get the experience� So, just to take your time� And I got so much criticism from last season because I was not really pushing and people could see it was not the typical Mikkel� But I somehow knew inside of me that that was an important step in order for me to grow as a rider and be more consistent, because that has been one of the things which has been a struggle for me�

MXGP Mag: And for the last two years, you were with F&H Racing, how did you find it with the team and working with Marc De Reuver?

Mikkel: Learned a lot of things� Before that I was with Antti at Ice One for five years since I was 14 years old, I think, so it was very different for me� And it was the first time for me to be in a team surrounded by teammates who were riding in the same class and practising together with them� At times, it was tough, but I think it was an important step for me just to learn mentally because you’re practising with the two guys

you’re going to compete against on the weekend and if you have a bad day and you’re not able to keep up with them, you feel it and then you need to turn it around and comeback the next weekend and still believe that you can beat them� There are some things I would have changed if I could, but you live and learn, and you cannot make the right decisions all the time� I don’t have parents who have experience in motocross, or a dad or a Grandad that raced GP’s� Not to say that my parents don’t have experience, they do, just not in motocross and there are some things you learn on the way� Other riders are maybe able to skip a couple of mistakes if they have somebody with that specific experience, but that’s just part of it and I think it also makes the success even more enjoyable, because you know, you did it from scratch�

MXGP Mag: Speaking of teammates which you just mentioned, in 2020, we saw both Roan and Mathys have some podium successes, for example Latvia where they were on the podium and for you that weekend was not so great. What was this like mentally to know you can be there with them, but thing’s just didn’t go your way?

Mikkel: It was really hard, because you want to win� You really want to beat your teammates, not because it’s a personal matter but because you’ve been training as much as them, you know you can ride as well as them, but the results don’t come and this is really difficult� And I think that doesn’t matter who you ask, they’re going to say the same thing� But for me it was just not happening, I couldn’t make it click� Ok my teammates were older than me, but this didn’t matter to me, I felt like I could do better and that was probably the reason why I was able to bounce back from it just because I knew I could do better� You want to win, but sometimes you just can’t and it’s not easy but it cannot be easy every time�

MXGP Mag: Ok that’s 2020 and 2021 done. Now for 2022 you have

Mikkel: I love it� There was a lot of things in my mind when I did the signing, and I had a lot of ideas, there were experiences from the previous years that I took into consideration when I made the deal with them� But the first thing I realised the fact that they speak English, you know, everybody speaks English, no matter who he is� So, if anybody is talking behind you, you can understand everything, which is really nice! And that was one of the first things that it meant a lot more to me than I realised�

MXGP Mag: You mentioned before that you’re building a house in Denmark, so is that where you train now and spend most of your time? How does that work with the team?

Mikkel: Immediately, the first thing I said to Steve when I made this contract was, I want to train in Denmark, because I want to have that home feeling� I was so jealous of Tim Gajser, because I could see how happy he was from just doing his thing at home� And that was what I wanted� But it’s hard, because it’s very difficult to find a team that was willing to do it� Because there’s things like parts, bikes and mechanics, and it’s very expensive and very complicated as well� And I had to put down my expectation salary wise as those kinds of compromises require finances to make it happen� But I was okay with that, to me, the most important thing was to have a good feeling and have the right setup because in the end, when you make podiums, you’re going to make enough money… This was a tough decision of course, you need money to live, and you travel a lot and spend a lot of money, but I was willing to take that risk�

made a switch to a new team, you’re with Big Van World MTX Kawasaki. How is the team, how are you settling in and how is the English banter?

MXGP Mag: Have you changed how you approach things this season?

Mikkel: Yeah, I changed, I changed quite a lot of things� I made the move to Denmark and re-did my programme� I spend a lot of time on the bike, but I wouldn’t say if you compare it to what I did before, it’s not like a huge difference, but the way I do it has changed a lot� And my approach in general is very different but maybe that’s not what makes the biggest difference� It’s just about what I believe in and what I feel comfortable with� I think that’s what makes the difference� And then, combined with a very good bike from Steve� Actually, one of the things that I’m happy about as well is that, Steve and his mechanics can just focus on the race bike� They don’t have to worry about me being in the workshop, having to clean my practice bike or just me being in the way� They’ve got 110% focus on the race bike, it’s the team putting in the effort and it’s great for them to have the time to do it�

MXGP: Ok let’s go to Argentina now. You got that podium; it was a huge moment for you and the team who had their last podium in 2016. What was going through your mind as you were stood on the box? Did you feel emotion, maybe a little tear or something?

Mikkel: No tears, just emotions� I was very happy, like it was really hard for me to put it into words, I was happy not only for me but for everyone around me, people at home, people who are close to me, they kept believing in me and because they knew what I was capable of doing� It’s not a win, but still a podium is a podium, and I was happy� You know, finally, you get some results, because that’s what counts� And then just after the podium, I started to think Mikkel don’t get too cocky, don’t get too excited, you know, back to work on Monday� I really had to get into that mindset because it means so much to get these results, but I don’t want to mess it up this time and

MXGP Mag: So, it seems that you and the team really found a good setup that is working. If we fast-forward to Portugal, you got the Fox Holeshot and led the race. How did it feel being in the lead?

Mikkel: I was really nervous� I did the qualifying race the day before and I finished seventh and then Sunday I got the holeshot, I was so nervous, but I was really happy because it makes my work a lot easier� When I realised Tom was on my back and pushing, I didn’t try to fight it too much, I wasn’t trying to hold him back for 30 minutes plus two laps� There was just no way� So, to be a little bit smart, I decided to sort of let him pass and follow him� He’s got the experience; he’s been in that position plenty of times already, so I took advantage of that and I just followed him� And then the nerves slowly passed, but no 100% because I could still feel the shaking in my legs, but by the end of the race I was starting to get better and better and I could push� I pushed him a little bit, but not enough and he’s not a guy who makes big mistakes� It was a very important step for me to come closer to getting a GP victory�

MXGP Mag: How did it feel to follow up that Argentinian podium with another in Portugal and now a third in Trentino. What’s your mindset now?

Mikkel: I’m feeling more confident now, just because I’ve done it a couple of times� I know the setup is good� InTrentino it was not the best weekend and I felt like I could have done better, on Saturday we had technical issues and we know why from my side and the team� So, to get a podium, third one in a row, but knowing that the third was not your best weekend is great� We managed a really good first race and then a really hard fought second race, which I was actually happier about� The first race I felt like I could have done better, I should have pushed and passed Tom, I felt like I was quicker� My nerves were still there, not like Portugal, but you think he’s quick, he’s world champion, I don’t need to pass, but when I look back on it, I should have passed� I watched the video yesterday, I was thinking, I don’t know why I stayed behind, but I’m happy to have the confidence�

MXGP Mag: And you mentioned the second race. It was hard fought, and it was impressive. I mean lap 17 you got the fastest lap of the race, but it was also the fastest lap of the day in MX2…

Mikkel: Yeah, that’s impressive� But that just shows we’ve got the speed and I just need to man up a little bit when I’m in the top positions, because if I believe in myself more, I think we can get even better results� Because I shouldn’t be able to make the quickest lap on lap 17, I know I’m quicker towards the end of the race, but it shouldn’t have been like that� I should have done a quick lap earlier� But I think it’s good� It’s nice to know we’ve got the speed�

MXGP Mag: Three podiums now in a row, how are you feeling heading into Latvia, you feeling any, not pressure, but expectation from yourself after getting three, you know what’s to stop you going for four?

Mikkel: First of all, I’m just happy to get a free weekend now because I felt like we’ve been working really hard� Also, in between the races, I spent a lot of days testing suspension, and just trying to improve on the setup we had, because I know we can still improve on it� So, to have a little bit more rest is good for my body as well, because I felt tired, especially in this last one� So, to get the rest is good� And then for Latvia,

I like the track, the start is tricky and it’s very important to have a good qualifying� That’s going to be a challenge because lately my sprint laps haven’t been very good� That’s going to be the next thing to work on and in the next couple of days I’ll be practising sprints� I know it’s not going to change a whole lot� You cannot just get like to become the champion in sprint laps in two weeks, but I think I can improve on it�

MXGP Mag: How are you finding the two-day format with the qualifying race, after two years with the one-day format because of COVID?

Mikkel: I’m so happy about it, because we use the Saturdays to improve on the bike setup and everything� Mikkel: I am really excited for Oman� I never got to race in Qatar and I haven’t been to any of the countries in the Middle East� I really look forward to just experience it, yes, it’s a little bit short because we have the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, so we cannot stay for a holiday, I wish we could� And also, Indonesia is going to be interesting�

MXGP Mag: And what are your expectations for the rest of the season now?

Mikkel: I am going to give a very boring answer, okay� My goal is to continue doing what I’m doing� Try to be consistent, not make too many mistakes, improve on my results on Saturday and that’s pretty much it and see how it goes�

MXGP Mag: Okay and to wrap this up… The last time we did this interview was two years ago, so what would you like to see happen in the next

HONDA’S PARTICIPATION IN THE FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS AN ILLUSTRIOUS ONE, STEMMING BACK TO THE MID 1970’S WHEN THE TWO-STROKE REVOLUTION STARTED TO TAKE OVER THE SPORT. DURING THAT TIME THE RED CORNER OF JAPAN HAS AMASSED NO FEWER THAN 30 WORLD TITLES, AND WITH TIM GAJSER CURRENTLY LEADING THE MXGP CATEGORY, WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COOL TO UNCOVER SOME OF HONDA’S HISTORY IN THE PAGES OF MXGP MAGAZINE. When the FIM 500cc Motocross World Championship began in 1957, the motorcycles of that era were 4-stoke and mostly still very much experimental� However, as the series progressed by adding a 250cc class to the championship in 1962, it wasn’t long before these 4-stroke machines were under threat as new technology paved the way for new, lightweight machines in the form of new 2-stroke engines, and by 1969 the writing was on the wall for the bigger, heavier motorcycles�

Suzuki was the first to really step into the fray and when Olle Petterson placed 3rd in the 250cc world championship in 1969, from there, there was no looking back as Joel Robert took the fourth of his six titles on a Suzuki the following year in 1970�

That pretty much changed the sport as we knew it, and it wasn’t long before Japan became the major player in the sport, as Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki all joined the band wagon�

New Era

Honda’s own involvement began in 1975, the same year as the 125cc class was formed� In the 500cc class, Dutch legend Pierre Karsmakers contested three rounds of the world championship and despite his 10th in the first race at the USGP at Carlsbad, he followed up with a 2nd in race two, and then 2nd overall at the Canadian GP one week later with two, 2nd place finishes� He also scored a 4th in the final race at Hawkstone Park, the British GP� With those performances alone, he placed 10th overall in the campaign�

At the same time, Honda dipped its toe in the 125cc class, but it wasn’t until the ninth round of twelve, at the USGP at Lexington, Ohio, that Honda really came to prominence when in the hands of Marty Smith, the American became the first rider to win a grand prix for Honda, going 1-1 in spectacular fashion; in short, Honda had arrived and was very much here to stay! Four years after Marty Smith’s triumph at the 125cc USGP, Honda finally got its hands on a world title when Great Britain’s Graham Noyce won the 500cc world championship in 1979� Back then, the HRC moniker didn’t really exist, but this changed in the ‘80s when Honda Racing Corporation fully-backed the 500cc world championship effort� It truly was a golden era of motocross, and one where factory bikes were state-ofthe-art, money couldn’t buy items of racing bling� Hand-built frames, special over-sized fuel tanks to last the 45 minutes race duration, lightweight parts, exotic looking exhaust pipes, lightweight wheels, magnesium crank cases, special suspension … you name it, Honda produced it and the results were there for all to see�

From Noyce’s first title in 1979 to Eric Geboers’ title win in 1990, Honda, with HRC at the helm won a staggering 13 world titles: 10 in the 500cc class, 2 in the 250 class and a 125cc title� When Eric Geboers retired at the end of 1990 as a fivetime world champion, HRC pretty much pulled out of racing, but the legacy continued and those factory bikes were still being leased and ridden by the likes of Georges Jobé, who won two more titles in 1991 and 1992� By now though, Honda teams were privately run, such as Venko Honda in The Netherlands, or Paolo Martin’s Honda team that took American Trampas Parker to the 250cc title in 1991 - albeit with support from HRC in what was now the premier class�

Jan de Groot, the renowned engine tuner guided South African Greg Albertyn to 125cc and 250cc titles in consecutive seasons in 1992/’93 with in-house tuned engines, Marcus Hansson won a 500cc title in 1994 with production-based machinery and Corrado Maddii was the man in charge when Alessandro Puzar won the 125cc title in 1995; this would turn out to be the last 2-stroke title in the 125cc class, which was later rebranded MX2� HRC though, did get semiinterested again when Stefan Everts raced for the British-based team RWJ Honda� Whilst it might not

Photo: Pascal Haudiquert

have been a full HRC bike like those from the ‘80s, Everts’ bikes that took him to the 250cc titles in 1996/’97 were not exactly standard either; they still oozed a certain ‘je ne sais quoi� ’

Two more premier class 250cc world titles were claimed either side of the turn of the century when Frederic Bolley won back-to-back championships in 1999 and 2000, the last for Honda in the 2-stroke era, again with minimal HRC support, and other than the titles won in MX3 by Julien Bill (2011) and Klemen Gercar (2013), Honda’s success had become more and more limited� Sure, there were GP wins and podiums, but with the re-emergence of KTM at the end of the ‘90s, most of the success was about to be headed across to Austria�

Changing of The Guard

As Austria started to gain traction, Honda decided to come back to the table and throughout the early 2000’s, teams such as CAS Honda with the riders such as Billy MacKenzie and Josh Coppins were back in the hunt for GP wins, but more importantly, with more and more support coming back from HRC� Martin Honda also tasted success with Evgeny Bobryshev, shortly before there was a change of ownership of the Honda team structure�

Whilst Honda was flexing its muscles with successes here and there, it wasn’t until Giacomo Gariboldi’s involvement from 2012, that Honda really started to challenge for world titles once again, and that day finally came in 2015 when a Slovenian by the name of Tim Gajser lifted the MX2 world championship at the final round of the season at Glen Helen, USA� Earlier that season he had secured his maiden GP win at Trentino, beating Jeffrey Herlings in a straight-up dog fight� With success, comes more support, and when Gajser moved to the MXGP class for the following season, the world was stunned when he won the opening GP of the season in Qatar with a solid 1-1, and went on to win the MXGP world championship at his first attempt� HRC was back, and in some kind of style�

Gajser joined Honda in 2014 and since then has accumulated four

world titles� His recent win in Patagonia-Argentina was the 350th for Honda since they entered the world championship in 1975, and after Trentino, Round 5, where he secured his 37th GP victory, Tim now enjoys a 33 point advantage over Jorge Prado�

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to witness MXGP first hand, you will notice that HRC’s presence seems to be based around it’s MXGP riders Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans� Two new glass-fronted race units - one for hospitality and one as the workshop - immediately catch your eye, but the reality is, it’s not just about HRC� Next door you will find Livia Lancelot’s Honda 114 Motorsports team where Ruben Fernandez (MXGP) and Hakon Fredriksen (MX2) hang out and go about their working/racing routine� In the same avenue - paddock life sees all manufacturers park together - you will also see the JM Honda Racing set-up as well, the team run by former 500cc world champion, Jacky Martens, who hopes his riders Henry Jacobi and Ivo Monticelli will be regular fixtures inside the top ten� Martens also supports Petr Polak in the MX2 class� Then of course, there is a team with a new title sponsor in the form of Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz - a French-based team which runs with two French riders, Stephen Rubini (MX2) and Benoit Paturel (MXGP)� Rounding out Honda’s presence is JWR Honda - the Johan Westermark Racing team operating with Miro Sihvonen�

Factory Effort

Each and every one of these teams has varying levels of support from Honda, but let’s start with the official HRC team, run by Giacomo Gariboldi� Before moving to Honda, Giacomo was very much part of Yamaha’s programme, but realised that there were limited options further down the road, as he recalls:

‘We did work for 7 years with Yamaha, and it was good, but the main team was (Michele) Rinaldi’s team, so I didn’t see a big future for our team staying there, so this is why we were exploring different opportunities� At that time Honda didn’t have any team in MX2 and so we tried to go for that way, which was not easy because at that time in 2012 when I started with Honda there was not a plan for having factory bikes in MX2, and then everything changed in 2014 because they wanted to come back with a good bike� ’

When Giacomo joined Honda, the goal was to win world championships; the last MX2/125cc title was won back in 1995 with Alessandro Puzar, so when his Gariboldi Racing Team won the MX2 world championship with Tim Gajser in 2015, that twentyyear wait was now over� Mission accomplished maybe, but there was still plenty of work to do� Despite this success, support from HRC was still limited; the bike may have been a full HRC CRF250RW but Giacomo was still operating the team as Gariboldi Racing which meant the day-to-day running of the team was down to him, including organising sponsors� But when Gajser won the MXGP title at his first attempt in 2016, all of that changed, and from 2017 HRC took over the reins and took control of the whole operation:

‘From 2014 - 2016 we had just the factory support, but I was managing the sponsors and the budget of the team myself, and then from 2017 on, it was just everything managed from Japan� Still the same factory bikes but our sponsors are directly signed by Japan, so that’s the main thing that changed� ’

From the outside looking in, the CRF450RW factory bike is a work of art, but how does a factory bike in the modern era compare to the full works bikes raced by HRC riders during the 1980’s when Honda ruled the world?

‘In the ‘80s it was different because the bikes were prototypes; really very, very different from production bikes� But, for example, with these bikes, the ones we have now, we could use the new model one year before it was presented for sale to the public� So, normally we get the bikes one year in advance compared to what is selling, and the engines are different, the frames

We Can’t All Be Factory

Next door to Team HRC is Honda 114 Motorsports, run by two-time WMX world champion, Livia Lancelot� Many were surprised that she went straight into a team managers role when she hung up her boots, but for her it was the obvious step to take, since she had already been running her own team as a rider, but how did the opportunity come about?

‘This all came from Giacomo� He is the one that really saw how I was managing my own structure at the same time I was riding, so he definitely realised how difficult it was, and he is the first and only person actually to really believe that I was able to run the team� He came to me the first time, it was already 2016 when I won the WMX title in Assen; he was talking to me on this weekend and I refused the offer to do one more year of riding because I didn’t want to do two things at the same time, and then he came to me again in 2017; this is where I said okay, I’m in� ’

When the team was formed in 2018, it was widely regarded as a MX2 team; Hunter Lawrence enjoyed success here before heading Stateside and when Mitch Evans was transplanted from 114 to HRC, it was clear to see why Livia’s team existed, and that was to act as a ‘feeder’ team from MX2 to MXGP:

‘We are definitely here to feed HRC; this is why Giacomo wanted to create this team and this is why he asked me to do it because he knew I was able to stay around the riders and help them, give them my experience and this is why we are here� That’s why we signed Hunter Lawrence first before he went to Geico, then we signed Mitch Evans before he went to HRC and it’s the same with Ruben� At the moment, Ruben is still under our tent because it was already full at HRC but they definitely wanted to follow him in his first MXGP season, but this a little bit the goal and this is what we try to do, yes� ’

As for team success, Honda 114 Motorsports has enjoyed 10 podiums

since the team was formed, with 2021 being the most rewarding in terms of box visits, when Ruben Fernandez climbed the podium on five occasions� He even held the championship leader’s red plate as well, so how does it feel watching her riders achieve success now that she is team manager, and how do those moments compare to when she was on the podium as a racer?

‘Honestly, now I am much more happy when I’m on the podium as a team manager; okay, I’ve never been on the podium as a team manager because we haven’t won a GP yet, but a podium today feels almost better than when I was riding because it’s kind of like I was used to it as a rider� When I was riding, it was only the victory that counted and I was only thinking about the title, like I was living for the title every weekend, so winning a GP was just one more step to reaching my goal, which was the title, and today it’s more like I enjoy every moment� So today, when we are on the podium I am definitely happy�

Whilst the first podium of the year for Honda 114 Motorsports has yet to be climbed, MXGP rookie Fernandez has already experienced a top three race finish in Patagonia, and in MX2, his team mate Hakon Fredriksen, who is also a class rookie, has already recorded a season’s best of 6th overall in Lombardia, so both riders are within touching distance of stepping on to the podium� But if wither of them were to win a GP then, according to the boss, ‘if we can win a GP one day and I can jump again on this podium, I will definitely be more happy than the rider that won the GP�’

The Back Up

Over the past few years, Honda has gradually increased its presence in the paddock, and that is plain to see from the support teams that operate in the world championship� Former 500cc world champion Jacky

Martens runs the JM Honda Racing team and 2022 will be his third season riding red, and apart from the succession of injuries he ‘It’s my third year with Honda; we have good support, I’m happy with it� I don’t expect more because the three years I am with Honda I have many injuries� This is the first race in Arco that I have three riders behind the start gate� But, I have a good feeling with them (Honda) and I think they have a good feeling with me, and now I have to show what our potential is� Now with Jacobi and Ivo, I hope in the next races that we can show where we should be, in the top ten, but with Honda I am satisfied�’

As a supported team, information is generally shared with the other teams, so if JM Honda tests any parts that improve the bike in any way, then this will be passed on and vice versa� But where HRC’s focus is to win the world championship, the goal at JM Honda is, as Martens explains, ‘to focus on bringing the riders up, and I think you need to know the place where you are and we can only work hard to get there� Ivo was not on the bike for a few months (since the MXGP of Flanders-Belgium, 1st August 2021) Jacobi got injured just before England and needed a screw in his scaphoid and all together, it’s difficult� But, I keep going� I look forwards and the riders are nice to work with, the team is nice to work with; for sure everything is coming more expensive but as long as we can handle this, we will continue� ’

On a positive note, the JM Honda has proved itself to be one of the fastest bikes out of the start gate, and in the hands of Henry Jacobi, the production-based CRF450R has stormed to three Fox holeshots so far this season, whilst in MX2, Petr Polak has seen his results improve from last year, and he currently sits 17th in the standings� Compare this to 2021, the rider from Czech Rebublic has only failed to score on one occasion in the four rounds that he has contested; last year that number was five! Working on the new CRF250R is also something that Jacky enjoys, and when Polak made it to the first turn in 3rd place in Mantova, this was proof that the

‘Last year he was hardly never in the top 20, now our average result is 14/15th and I think we do good and I like the 250; that I have a bike with good performance in Mantova, is already a big step and with a rider that we need to improve, so we see� I have a good feeling with it and as long as we can we will continue with it� ’

JWR Honda

There is another relatively new member to the Honda family in the form of JWR Honda Racing� Like most team owners or managers within the MXGP paddock, Johan Westermark has grown up with bikes all his life, but even though he rode bikes when he was younger, he never had the opportunity to race himself; his passion for bikes came from watching his stepfather race�

‘From the beginning my stepfather was riding GPs in the ‘70s so I was pretty much in that small, small camper in the beginning of my life every weekend, and then eventually I started riding by myself, but I became a father when I was 17 so I couldn’t race; but the passion has always been there� And in some stupid way (laughing) I ended up back here; I don’t know how, but the roads led here�’

**Johan’s stepfather is Torbjorn Winzell who placed 5th overall in the European 125cc championship in 1974� André Malherbe won the title that year, before the 125cc class was upgraded to world championship status in 1975� He finished on the podium on three occasions, his best result being 2nd overall in Poland�

Johan’s relationship with Honda within MXGP began in 2020, but it’s not the first time the Swede has joined forces with the brand:

‘From the beginning in 2014, I had a Honda team in Sweden and then a couple of years later I started with Yamaha, but they stopped sponsoring in Sweden; that’s why I came back to Honda, so I went home, if you like� ’

At the moment most of his support is through Honda Sweden, where he enjoys good discounts on the bike’s he receives, but he hopes that in the future to have more involvement with Honda Europe as well� As a racing structure, JWR is pretty impressive; it really looks the part, so it’s not surprising that a major manufacturer like Honda is keen to work with them, and if he were to compare himself to any of the other supported teams, he replies modestly:

‘I think I am pretty much the same level as Jacky, maybe just slightly lower because he has been in the paddock for many years, and we are a pretty new team� So, we are a little bit under, but our goal is to be the top team someday� That’s a wish but you never know� We try to develop every year and try to make small things like details, to make it better� ’

Representing JWR in the MXGP class is Miro Sihvonen, a former EMX125 race winner, round winner and championship contender before a couple of untimely injuries kept him on the side lines� He’s a hard-working kid who deserves the opportunity to be in MXGP� In Trentino he scored in both races and hopes to build on that next time out in Latvia� Davy Pootjes is also part of the team, but the Dutch rider is currently injured, hopefully to return soon�

The team remain positive, because as Johan says, ‘we try to be as good as we can� We work hard every day, we are pretty young; all the crew is pretty young, but I hope we can get to be the top team one day� ’

Small but Perfectly Formed

As teams go, the Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz team looks quite a small operation, but as we know, looks can often be deceiving� Former French racer Josse Sallefranque has only been in the MXGP paddock for a couple of seasons, but his passion and drive to succeed are no less than any factory team� The race transporter might not be the biggest, but how Josse presents his team and goes about racing, is more akin to the ‘old school’ way of doing things, as he explains:

‘We don’t have the big structure but for us it’s really important to make all the budget on the mechanics, the bikes and the riders; it’s important on the track, not in the paddock, so we organise ourselves in a different way to maybe some of the other teams� With our budget, the priority is to have the good result on the track and after that, in the paddock� ’

For 2022, the team has decided to run a rider in both MX2 and MXGP� In MX2 Stephen Rubini currently sits 9th in the standings and has already registered a top 5 race finish at the opening round in Great Britain, whilst Benoit Paturel lines up in MXGP� For Paturel, a rider who placed 3rd overall in the MX2 world championship in 2016, his MXGP campaigns have been marred by injury setbacks, and this year has been no exception, and just before the season opener in England, the Frenchman crashed and picked up a collarbone injury� Before that though, his pace, speed and confidence were back to where he hoped they would be� It’s a shame for a talent like Paturel but the season is long, and hopefully he will be fighting for those top five, top ten places in the near future�

Aside from MXGP though, this team also concentrates on the famous French Sand Racing Championship, where the equally world famous Le Touquet Beach Race is the final round� So, how difficult is it to run this team, where does the budget come from to go racing, and where does Josse place the most importance: MXGP of Sand Racing?

‘It’s difficult but for me, MXGP is the best so we work really hard to be here� It’s a dream for us, so now we will work really hard to continue in the future and I hope to continue again and again, season after season and I hope to finish in the top 10� It’s a dream for us to be here and I want to continue for a few more years�

‘For me it’s really important to have the budget from Honda France and Honda Europe, because if I don’t have that then it’s really impossible for me, so we have two goals; one is to finish on the podium in Le

Touquet because it’s a big, big race in France and after that, it’s really important to finish top 10, top 12 in MXGP� Now we also have a new category with MX2, with Stephen Rubini so now we have a new goal which is top 10 in MX2� So, to answer your question, I don’t have the preference between Le Touquet and MXGP but, we have two goals, not one goal� ’

With a team of this size, it’s a brave move running a rider in each class, especially as it’s widely regarded that running a MX2 bike is more expensive than a 450, but for Sallefranque, the opportunity has come at the right time:

‘The new standard Honda CRF250R is really, really good so that makes it easier for us� We also have a good tuner so we found a good solution on the engine, and even if we don’t have a factory bike, we have a good bike to finish top 5, top 7, and when we look at Stephen, this is the place� So, maybe after a good start, I hope he can finish sometimes in the top 3� ’

Back to Racing

As MXGP heads to Latvia after a one-week break, Team HRC currently the MXGP class with Tim Gjaser� Honda also lead the way in the Manufacturers Championship, and for Giacomo Gariboldi, this a position the team has been in before, and whilst things are looking good, they are not taking things for granted: to win, but we all know in this sport that you can get injured any time during the season and it happened before to Jeffrey to be injured, and then it happened to Tim, so you have to accept what happens� In motorsport you know that you are running on blade and sometimes it’s very dangerous, and for sure it gives us more and more motivation to go for the title the following year and we are in the same situation this year�

‘We are leading the championship and we know that everything can change suddenly, so we have to pray that everything goes well until the end� But I’m confident; you have a feeling when everything is going well and hopefully, even if we are at the beginning of the season, I see that all is in place to go for another title� ’

IN THE 80’S MARC VELKENEERS WAS ONE OF THE FASTEST RIDERS IN THE 125CC CLASS, AND DURING THREE SEASONS FROM 1980 TO 1983 HE WAS A TITLE CONTENDER AGAINST FAMOUS RIDERS SUCH AS HARRY EVERTS, ERIC GEBOERS OR MICHELE RINALDI. BUT BEING FAST AND TALENTED WERE NOT ENOUGH TO SUCCEED, AND A COUPLE OF INJURIES DIDN’T HELP HIM TO REACH HIS DREAM AND TO CLINCH AN INDIVIDUAL TITLE.

Born on 5th August 1961 in Heers (Limburg), Marc Velkeneers was only fourteen years old when he started racing mainly in the Netherlands, as it was not possible to race at his age on his home soil considering the Belgian law! As soon as he started racing, he brought back home many trophies, and showed a great potential on sandy tracks during his first junior campaign in 1975� Then and always supported by his father and Lucien Tilkens, the inventor of the famous Cantilever suspensions, Marc entered local championships in Belgium and won races in all classes as he also competed on a 500cc! In 1978 he impressed everyone when he won the 875 Trophy at Orp le Grand (the race format was one heat on a 125cc, one on a 250cc and one on the 500cc) and beat some of the greatest Belgian stars including Roger De Coster, André Malherbe and Georges Jobe! Thanks to this result and a couple of wins in the National championship, the Belgian Federation gave him a chance to enter the 125cc Belgian GP at Lanklaar Dilsen, where he finished both races in the top ten to score his first points in the 1978 World Championship at 17 years old�

For 1979 Yamaha signed him to race the 125cc World Championship, but finally he wasn’t able to enter any round when someone brought up an old rule saying that it wasn’t possible to race GP’s if you hadn’t turned eighteen at the beginning of the year! Racing national and international events during the season to gain experience, he made a thunderous entrance in the 1980 World Championship as he won the third round of the series in Belgium to become the championship leader until mid season, when he broke his ankle during the German GP� Finally, fourth in the series he was again a title contender in 1981, but lost his chances due to a couple of DNF’s, including a double one at the final round in Spain, where he lost a bronze medal�