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MXGP MAG
Chief Editor: Marionna Leiva Photos: MXGP
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MXGP Mag #134 2025
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HALL OF FAME
GIRLS
DEAR MXGP FANS, FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL THE BEST FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR AND A GREAT FESTIVE SEASON.
As 2024 has just come to an end, it is a great time to look back at this incredible season. This year has been a great journey for the MXGP family. Infront Moto Racing delivered 21 World Class events, 20 MXGP Grand Prix and the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations covering 3 continents.
Together with our organizers, we welcomed more than 680.000 spectators onsite to witness the best show on earth. Through the year, more than 3.000 riders participated to the World Championships (MXGP, MX2, WMX, JWC) and the different European Championships. We had also the pleasure to host more than 2.200 different media and journalists who came to cover the racing weekends and our TV production delivered more than 16.000 hours of broadcasting worldwide which have been seen by 48 Million people. Thanks to the partnerships we have with major TV Broadcasters (Eurosport, CBS, L’Equipe, Stan Sport…) MXGP continue to grow its popularity in Asia, North and South America, and Australia.
Last but not least our presence on the most popular socials networks platforms, including our constantly growing MXGP-TV Youtube channel, keep allowing us to show more behind the scenes footage and free contents which have connected the MXGP riders with more than 5 millions followers!
I would also like to use this editorial to thank all the partners of MXGP, the FIM, the FIM Europe, all the National Federations where a Grand Prix took place, the manufacturers, the teams, the riders, the media for this fantastic season.
Finally, I would like to thank our fans for making MXGP so exciting and to create this unique atmosphere that makes motocross one of the best events to attend live in the World.
For sure 2025 will bring us new challenges but also fantastic moment to live together.
Happy New Year!
David Luongo CEO of Infront Moto Racing
COOL SHOTS
COOL SHOTS
COOL SHOTS
TOP 10 MOMENTS THAT DEFINED THE 2024 MXGP SEASON
LET’S FACE IT: NARROWING THE 2024 MXGP SEASON DOWN TO JUST TEN STANDOUT MOMENTS WAS NO EASY TASK. BUT IF WE HAD TO PICK, THESE ARE THE EPIC HIGHLIGHTS THAT LEFT FANS SPEECHLESS, TRACKS ROARING, AND THE MOTOCROSS WORLD CRAVING MORE. BUCKLE UP AS WE RELIVE THE DRAMA, GRIT, AND GLORY OF ONE UNFORGETTABLE SEASON!
1. JORGE PRADO’S INSPIRED HOME WIN IN GALICIA
The Spanish crowd was electric as hometown hero Jorge Prado faced a rare holeshot loss to Jeffrey Herlings in the RAM Qualifying Race. As Tim Gajser and Romain Febvre duked it out, Prado unleashed a masterclass in overtaking, proving he’s more than just a start expert. His victory was a moment of national pride and a defining chapter in his 2024 story.
2. MUD MAYHEM IN PORTUGAL
The heavens opened, and the battlefield turned muddy in MXGP Race 1 at Agueda. Jorge Prado struggled to find his rhythm, while Tim Gajser and Jeffrey Herlings treated fans to an all-out slugfest. Romain Febvre and Pauls Jonass added to the chaos, turning the race into a spectacle of survival. A true testament to the riders’ grit and adaptability. (Video 4)
3. MX2 SEASON OPENER FIREWORKS IN ARGENTINA
The RAM Qualifying Race in Patagonia set the tone for the thrilling MX2 season ahead. Andrea Adamo led from the start, but it was the fierce rivalry between Lucas Coenen and Kay de Wolf that stole the show. With breathtaking passes and relentless battles, this race was a preview of the fireworks to come.
4. SACHA COENEN’S BREAKTHROUGH IN LATVIA
The Latvian Grand Prix turned into a rollercoaster for Nestaan Husqvarna teammates Kay de Wolf and Lucas Coenen, who hit the deck five times between them in Race 2. Sacha Coenen seized the opportunity, clinching his first Grand Prix race win and overall victory—a moment he and his fans will never forget.
5. SWEDISH PANDEMONIUM AND ISAK GIFTING’S GLORY
In Sweden’s MXGP Race 1, the “Vikings” brought the noise as Isak Gifting led for seven glorious minutes on home soil. Though the eventual champion clawed back from a mediocre start to secure victory, Gifting’s brief moment of glory united the crowd in a frenzy of national pride.
6. MX2 CHAMPIONSHIP DRAMA IN FLANDERS
The Lommel sands were unforgiving, and MX2 Race 2 became a pivotal clash in the title fight. With four riders—Sacha Coenen, Kay de
Wolf, Rick Elzinga, and Simon Laengenfelder— taking turns at the front, the eventual champion delivered a gutsy recovery after a crash. The sheer intensity of the race proved why MX2 is a hotbed of talent and drama.
7. CHINA’S TITLE-SHIFTING THRILLER
MXGP Race 1 in China saw the championship pendulum swing dramatically. Jorge Prado reclaimed the red plate after a disastrous race for Tim Gajser, while Romain Febvre delivered one of his finest performances for a Kawasaki victory. The race reshaped the title chase and raised the stakes heading into the final rounds.
8. LOKET’S EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT SHOWDOWN
The Czech Republic’s Loket circuit delivered one of the most thrilling races of the year. Jeffrey Herlings overcame two early crashes to claw his way back, while Jorge Prado and Tim Gajser engaged in a fierce duel for the win. For Gajser, it was a sweet first GP victory on Czech soil, cementing his legendary status.
9. MONSTER ENERGY FIM MON RACE 3.. JUST EPIC
The grand finale at Matterley Basin was nothing short of legendary. Eli Tomac set the pace early, battling Jorge Prado, while
Tim Gajser and Hunter Lawrence tangled in a fight for supremacy. Enter Jett Lawrence, who carved through the pack to join his HRC teammate Gajser in an unforgettable duel for the ages. Australia’s first-ever MXoN victory capped the season in spectacular fashion, leaving fans dreaming of 2025.
10. JEFFREY HERLINGS’ MASTERCLASS IN FLANDERS
The Lommel circuit—a brutal test of endurance—became the backdrop for one of Jeffrey Herlings’ greatest performances. After colliding with a lapped rider, Herlings found himself 17 seconds behind Jorge Prado. What followed was nothing short of miraculous: a
breathtaking comeback that showcased why Herlings is one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Bonus Moments: We told you it was super hard so here you have two more… the ones that sealed the deal for Kay de Wolf and Jorge Prado in Castilla La Mancha More Highlights from an Epic Season
11. KAY DE WOLF CLINCHES MX2 TITLE IN CASTILLA LA MANCHA
MX2 Race 2 in Castilla la Mancha was all about Kay de Wolf’s crowning moment. With a stellar holeshot, de Wolf fended off a determined Lucas Coenen while Thibault Benistant and Andrea Adamo added their own spice to the mix. This race was a fitting end to a championship-winning campaign for de Wolf.
12. JORGE PRADO’S HOME SOIL TRIUMPH
MXGP Race 2 in Castilla la Mancha was the ultimate moment for Jorge Prado as he secured his title in front of an adoring Spanish crowd. Despite pressure from a relentless Dutch rival, Prado held his nerve to deliver the victory that the fans had been waiting for all season. The celebration was pure joy as the champion soaked in the adulation of his home nation.
From roaring crowds to mud-soaked battles and heroic comebacks, 2024 delivered a season for the ages. These moments remind us why we love MXGP: the sheer unpredictability, the drama, and the incredible athletes who leave it all on the track. Here’s to more unforgettable memories in 2025!
MXGP & MX2 TIME PRACTICE LIVE
MONSTER GIRLS
MONSTER GIRLS
TEAM OF THE MONTH
NO LOOKING BACK
DE CARLI RACING has been at the forefront of the FIM Motocross World Championship for the best part of thirty years, winning no fewer than fourteen world championship titles. Whether it was Alessio ‘Chicco’ Chiodi, Antonio Cairoli or Jorge Prado, this team knows a lot about winning. More importantly, they know how to win, and as its latest world champion heads to America for new a new challenge, the De Carli family will look to the Coenen brothers and Simon Laengenfelder to keep that championship flame burning bright.
From 2004, Antonio Cairoli was the bedrock of De Carli Racing and as long as the Sicilian continued to win, the future of this Italian team was secured. However, team owner Claudio De Carli, also knew that as the ‘222’ got older, he needed to look to the future and as a result, has always had a very keen eye in spotting the next generation. Sure, talented riders such as Max Nagl, Ken DeDycker and Glenn Coldenhoff brought the team plenty of podium success, but with a team mate as prolific as Cairoli, winning a world title was always going to be difficult.
So, when De Carli had the opportunity of bringing Jorge Prado into the team from the Dutch side of Red Bull KTM at the end of 2017, the Italian maestro knew exactly what he was doing, and in a move that proved an instant success, the team was rewarded with back-to-back MX2 world titles in 2018 and 2019. With nothing left to prove in MX2, the Spaniard moved up to the premier MXGP Class, and after picking up a bronze medal in 2022, Prado went back-to-back once again, winning the MXGP World Championship in ’23 and ’24.
ALL CHANGE
With Prado opting to race in the USA from 2025, De Carli Racing faces some familiar challenges once again. If we cast our minds back to 2009, Cairoli had just wrapped up his third world title, and his first in what was then known as MX1. However, the team announced soon afterwards that it was moving its entire Red Bull set up from ‘blue’ to ‘orange’ to form one of the most high-profile teams in the modern era.
Fast forward to the end of 2021, and De Carli, in agreement with KTM Group, then announced the
move from KTM to GASGAS, which on paper might not sound that much of a big deal, but in reality, it is a huge logistical undertaking. Everything from office letterheads to team clothing, the signwriting on the side of race and support trucks and the inside and outside of the team workshops all needed rebranding. At the end of 2024, those changes are happening once again, as the team prepares to line up in KTM colours for 2025.
As fans of MXGP, once the MXoN is over, it’s easy to think that the ‘off-season’ is a quiet time for the teams and riders, and with no racing on the agenda, some time out, a holiday, maybe a few days of testing here and there over the next five months, it seems like a pretty good deal, right? Whilst a tiny element of that might be true, the reality is so much different. In fact, the bigger teams such as De Carli Racing barely take any time off at all. After the ‘Nations, testing for the new season will begin almost immediately as the riders are still up to peak race speed and fitness, the best time to carry out optimal testing. It’s also when the weather in Europe is still reasonable enough in order to carry out these tests. When phase one of the testing is completed, the workshops need replenishing, and that means taking stock of all spare parts; do they need to order new parts, ship back any old parts which might be surplus to requirements. It is a logistical process that never ends, and one which Davide De Carli is right in the middle of right now, as he explains: ‘I’m good. Some busy moments, but yes, all good.’
When reminded that it’s better to be busy than not busy, his response hints at just how full his plate is right now:
‘No, but really busy, eh? Believe me! The season starts more early for us, because we have the rebranding from GASGAS to KTM and yeah, we didn’t stop. So, after the season we have to prepare the workshop here in Roma, the workshop in Belgium, the trucks, the vans … everything! But seems to be good because some weeks ago we finished the workshop in Roma, it’s looking beautiful back to orange, and now we are waiting the brothers.’
As for the move back to KTM, we asked if it was nice coming back home to KTM after being with GASGAS the past 3 years, to which Davide replied:
‘I mean for us, the support stays the same, nothing changed; only the colour changed. This was a decision coming from the top. They want to value KTM on the top like it was in the past, so we have to come back stronger, this is why they make this decision and so, it’s nice to come back to the “mum”, let’s say, yes.’
Before we talk about the Coenen’s, we cannot ignore the fact that 2024 was another outstanding season for De Carli Racing, because not only did Jorge Prado go back-to-back in the premier class, he did so in quite dominant fashion:
• 355 Laps led (50.6%)
• 17 Race Wins
• 16 Podiums
• 11 GP Wins
• 6 RAM Qualifying wins
All of this led to the team’s fourteenth world title and whilst the 2023 title came on Italian soil for the Italian team, this one was landed at home, in Spain: A Spanish rider winning on a brand originally produced in Spain, all of which must have been quite special. But, where did those stats come from in 2024?
Davide explains:
‘I think Jorge was also one year older, which helped a lot. He gained some experience, but after he won the title in ’23, he went straight to the US. I think this helped for the speed and the intensity, and he brought this to Europe. I think this was also a little bit the key, but also one year older and more experience. We improved a little bit more with the bike and in the end was an incredible season
because he started really fast. In the first races he was winning, winning, winning, then we had some weak moments with the mud where we lose a lot of points.’
‘In Maggiora we had one DNF and in Arco di Trento on Saturday we had a little issue with the bike, and then after that he kept winning, but it was not easy because he was always in the back (behind in the points) and always searching for points; he had no chance. He needed to win. And in the end, the season was nice for this reason also, because it was also one of the best season for Tim. He was really constant, he was always on the podium and was really difficult to beat him, but in the end, Jorge managed to make an impressive season. Impressive.’
‘Also, he didn’t feel the pressure when he went racing the three races in Spain. He won the GP in Spain with the people in the front (in front of the
home crowd) is not so easy, but winning the title in this mood is fantastic. Prado won all four of his titles with us. 2018, ’19 and then ’23 ’24, so we won two titles with the KTM 250 and two titles with the GASGAS. And also, you know what, is also something special. Okay, Jorge now is leaving but also GASGAS, now we move to KTM, so is like a nice story behind, you know? A Spanish rider with a Spanish brand and in three years we win two titles, and now GASGAS is not anymore in the MXGP Class, and we move to KTM, it’s a nice ending.’
BROTHERS IN ARMS
A nice ending and a new beginning. The 2025 season sees De Carli maintaining the services of Simon Laengenfelder in MX2 as the German hopes to turn his three bronze medals into gold, and joining him will be Sacha Coenen, who moves from the Dutch side of Red Bull KTM in his quest for more success. The young 18-year-old Belgian was the winner of two GP’s in 2024 on his way to 8th overall in the championship, and had it not been for a persistent leg injury late on in the season, might have placed higher in the final standings.
Sacha is now back on the bike and looking forward to getting to grips with his new surroundings, so how is he feeling on the bike and about his move to De Carli and all that it entails? ‘The riding is going better and better, so that’s good. I stopped riding in Switzerland after the second moto, and then I think I started back like 2 months after that, so about two weeks after the Motocross of Nations.’
The move to a new team means the brothers will now spend their time between Belgium (the northern team base) and Rome, where the main workshop is located. As a kid growing up in Europe, if you have any ambitions of making it big then KTM/De Carli have been the benchmark teams, and if you ever get the opportunity to ride at either, then you already have something about you. The move south to Italy is something which Sacha is looking forward to:
‘Yeah, I’m really looking forward to starting with this team, as we always dreamed to be there because when you look at Tony Cairoli in the past and everything, we always wanted to go in this team, like since we were young, so for me, it’s a little bit of a dream come true. It’s really nice to be there, there are a lot of nice tracks. Malagrotta, their home track is also good because it’s always prepared and you can have bumps there, everything, so for me it’s good.’
Reflecting on his 8th overall in 2024, Sacha is optimistic about his new challenge and even though the season might not have gone according to plan, he doesn’t look back in regret, far from it. Instead,
he is already looking towards the future and how the team can help him get to that next level:
‘There was a lot of positives this year and also a lot of negatives, because the year was better but (there were) a lot of mistakes I would say from me, and also the team. So, for me was quite difficult because I had a lot of good riding moments and I had some technical issues so, it was a lot disappointing. I got two GP wins but for sure, I wanted more, so I’m a bit disappointed I would say. I think De Carli is a lot more professional, so for me it’s also good because I’m a winner and they also want to win, so with my brother, my dad and me, we always want to win, so for me I think it’s a good combo to win a lot more than this year.’
I’M A WINNER AND THEY ALSO WANT TO WIN, SO WITH MY BROTHER, MY DAD AND ME, WE ALWAYS WANT TO WIN, SO FOR ME I THINK IT’S A GOOD COMBO TO WIN A LOT MORE THAN THIS YEAR.’
As for the boss, Davide De Carli believes Sacha is in the right place in order to get the best out of his new signing, a rider who he first noticed back in 2021, in the EMX125 class, as he recalls:
‘I first saw him in Maggiora in ‘21. We had one (support) race EMX125 and they were racing for BUD Racing, and I saw one small guy on the 125cc that impressed me. I think he won one moto (he finished 2nd in race one), but he surprised me straight from the start. He was really low in the handlebars, so much style on the bike. And also, Luca, later on with the 250cc when he was racing in EMX250 was riding really good, so already at that time when they were riding 125cc I spoke to Robert Jonas about this, so I think I was one of the first ones who spoke to KTM.’
‘With Sacha, if we make really good work this winter to be more constant and less up and down during the season, then this can be really good; and I think we can develop together with KTM a really good machine, which for sure can help. And then the kid is still growing. He is also one more year in the business, so it will get better, also with some tips from us, working together as a team and as a small group that will help a lot.’
Perhaps the biggest off-season ‘new signing’ news was that surrounding Lucas Coenen. The oldest of the twins by around two minutes, ‘LC96’ pushed his Nestaan Husqvarna teammate Kay De Wolf all the way to the final round of the championship, coming home 2nd overall in just his second term in the class. On paper, Lucas topped all but one of
the stats lists, but unfortunately for him, that stat was ‘Championship Red Plates’, which for his teammate, turned to gold at the final round in Spain.
During the season there was a lot of chatter which stated that Lucas was headed for MXGP, whether he won the MX2 title or not. From inside the paddock, it was all but confirmed that that would be the case, but what wasn’t known was which team he would line up with. All was revealed after the MXoN at the beginning of October, proof once again that De Carli might just have a very good eye for spotting up and coming talent, and the kind that could potentially bring another world title to the most successful team in the paddock. For Davide De Carli, having both twins is particularly pleasing, as he points out:
‘I think it’s easier with two in one, I mean something that is new and never happened before in the history, to have twin brothers in the same team, in the factory team. I’m really happy and really looking forward because I always wanted them in my team, but unfortunately, you know, with the situation that we had in the past with the riders that we had before, we couldn’t change nothing so we had to wait a few years and now it’s possible so I am really happy.’
When it comes to Lucas though, Davide sees something special:
‘He has the racing inside. He is really competitive, he has really good technique how he rides the bike, and he’s not scared from no-one. So, let’s see. It’s a big challenge, he’s a really young guy going in the 450cc class and the goal for me, I will be really happy if he goes top five this year. Then we see race by race, but is also important now this winter how we work, if we work in the right direction, he has big potential to do good.’
BIG BROTHER
Looking back in 2024, it would be really easy to point the finger at where things went wrong for Lucas Coenen, and why he came up short in his fight for the MX2 world title. But that is for the ‘bench racers’ who weirdly get-off on that sort of stuff. The reality though is so much different, and as is often the case, there is so much going on behind the scenes that we are never privy to. Whilst he might have been race-ready and fast at the start of the season, set-up issues and a series of injuries held him back; a wrist injury from Argentina, and a broken shoulder blade picked up whilst training in Malagrotta, which initially went undetected.
When everything came together though, there was no stopping him:
‘If you look at the end of the season I improved and felt better and better and we started dominating, but I look now to the future, because the past is the past. I know what the mistakes were; mistakes from my side and mistakes with the suspension so, we can’t change it, I learn from that, and I get better, so I mean, no regrets.’
The obvious question though: Why MXGP? Why not stay in MX2, win a title and then move up? The reply is as straightforward as you would expect from this confident teenager:
‘Because I am a type of person who likes to improve always; like everybody saw, in EMX125 I went 3rd, I didn’t do also good scores in the beginning of the season, always there. Then I moved immediately to
EMX250 and people said the same (why move up), and I went 2nd in the championship, and then I went immediately to MX2; was also too early for some people and I won my first GP, and now this year I was going for the title, I didn’t get the opportunity … I mean, I got the opportunity to fight for it, but I didn’t get it, and I’m the type of person who doesn’t want to stop on a note like that. I just want to go over it, it was the past; now it’s the future and I know I’m 18, but in my head, I am like the others. So, for me, I feel mature and also, people were not sure about
COMPARED TO THE 250CC I AM FIGHTING A LOT SO I’M QUITE NERVOUS, BUT WHEN I HOP ON A 450CC, I FEEL MORE FREE, MORE FLOWING
my decision, but I was sure about myself! So, I said ‘I am sure, if you guys are sure also in the team … that’s all! If you guys are sure, I’m sure, we go for it. And that’s what happened. I like the 450cc; I have a 450cc type of style. Compared to the 250cc I am fighting a lot so I’m quite nervous, but when I hop on a 450cc, I feel more free, more flowing. Also, I love the bike, to be honest.’
Surprisingly, Lucas had already mentioned to his dad of his intention to move to a 450cc as early as the MXGP of Sardegna, early April of this year, brought about by a combination of things, in particular due to his difficult start to the season.
‘Everything went wrong in the beginning, and I said already, next year, because you know in the beginning of the season, after two or three races the team’s already speaking. But then they didn’t speak, so I was like to my dad, ‘I think already next year 450cc could be; that’s what I want, you know, to look
at my goal and to improve and then I was looking forward to it and then when we started talking was after Indonesia, and then at the end of the season, we were like … they were sure, I was sure, but we didn’t sign it until after the Nations.’
Towards the end of the season, Lucas was selected to race the 450cc in the MXGP class for Team Belgium at the MXoN, and prior to the final GP in Spain had ridden the bike a couple of times. Then the team line-up changed, forcing him back on to the 250cc, but his first impression of the bike was exactly how he’d imagine it to be:
‘I know I am not an aggressive type of rider; I like to ride high gears like I did with the 250cc, but with the 250cc it’s different; you need to rev it more because otherwise you’re not going to go so fast. I mean, you can go fast but on the straight you need to be right at the end (of the power), but on the 450cc you can shift it more
and fool around more, so I knew already before it was suiting me and like I say, when I’m sure about something, I’m sure about it and I don’t go back on it, you know?’
‘When I feel something, it’s the right way, so now I know I just need to work on my body because 450cc is not 250cc and all those 450cc boys they are fit, mentally good and you can’t be inconsistent. You need to be there every single weekend in and out, and every time good. I know it’s gonna be tough but I believe in it 100%, the team have a lot of experience, they can bring me a lot of technical information, and how to manage the race, so I think all I can bring from the last races I did in 250cc, if I do that with those things in 450cc, I think we can be good.’
As the calendar year draws to a close, both Sacha and Lucas have different reasons to be happy within their new surroundings. For Sacha, the atmosphere within his previous team was often tense, stating that ‘I didn’t have the best relationship with the team I would say, and I am honest with this, so in the team, I was not so close to Andrea, Liam and Jeffrey, so I was almost all the time in the camper with my brother and I was only going to the team to take the bike and go riding. This year will be a lot different because we are together in the team and also with Simon we have a good relationship, we are not bad to each other, so for me, it’s a lot different this year.’
For Lucas, it’s all about his new environment:
The feeling is really good, I feel like they are more of a family type of people because it’s Italy, so it fits more my style because I like the way you, I don’t know how to tell it but, I have always a fun side and joke, you know, so Italian’s are a little bit type of style which suits me good, you know what I mean? I’m not a type of really serious guy so I like to enjoy and have fun, but when it’s racing, it’s racing, but I like to make the difference, you know?’
As for the boss, he’s still coming to grips with the fact he has another very young team to guide to the top, maybe even the youngest. When we point out the Laengenfelder, at twenty years-old is the veteran of the team, De Carli replies with, ‘Mama Mia! The last time we had three riders below twenty years? It’s true, eh? With Prado, Rossi and Simon we were really young, we were the youngest team, but now even more! And now, even with the one 18-years-old on the 450cc. I think it is the first time. Maybe when my father did the team in the beginning with Federici and Camerlengo, but I’m not sure!’
Whichever way you look at it, for De Carli Racing 2025 has the makings of being another successful season, as both MX2 riders have the potential to be title contenders at the very least. With Lucas, we have one of the most talented, flamboyant riders joining the premier class, and if we get end of season 2024 Lucas, then the MXGP class could be in for a bit of a shake-up.
Photos: S.Taglioni/MXGP
PAVING THE PATH TO EXCELlENCE: MXGP’S ANnUAL GATHERING IN PALMA DE MALlORCA
THE ANNUAL MXGP ORGANIZERS MEETING RUNNING ONCE AGAIN ALONG FIM AWARDS, AND THIS TIME IN PALMA DE MALLORCA, SHOWCASED THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND CELEBRATION THAT DRIVES THE FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FORWARD. AGAINST THE STUNNING BACKDROP OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS, THIS EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER KEY STAKEHOLDERS, FROM SEASONED ORGANIZERS TO MOTOCROSS LEGENDS, SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED 2025 SEASON.
As motocross continues to grow globally, events like this meeting underline the importance of aligning goals, sharing innovations, and honouring the achievements that make MXGP a leading international motorsport. This dual-purpose event highlights not just the operational excellence required to run a world-class championship but also the human side of motocross—the dedication, passion, and unity of its community.
BUILDING THE FUTURE TOGETHER
The meeting began with a nostalgic recap of the 2024 season, showcasing breathtaking moments that reminded attendees why MXGP remains the pinnacle of motocross. Marionna Leiva, Marketing Director of Infront Moto Racing, welcomed distinguished attendees, including Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo, COO Daniele Rizzi, and representatives from the FIM, led by FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela.
David Luongo’s address encapsulated the essence of the gathering: collaboration and innovation. Reflecting on a record-breaking 2024 season that spanned 20 Grand Prix events and the Motocross of Nations, he highlighted MXGP’s extraordinary reach—50 million TV viewers, over
700,000 on-site spectators, and more than 2,600 riders across all classes. These accomplishments are a testament to the hard work of organizers and the passion of fans worldwide.
“Motocross is more than a global championship; it’s a family,” Luongo remarked. “Together, we navigate challenges and celebrate successes, continually elevating our sport.”
Antonio Alia Portela echoed this sentiment, emphasizing unity and the need for continuous improvement. “This collective effort strengthens the MXGP brand,” he noted, calling on organizers to uphold the high standards expected by teams, riders, and fans.
This collaboration is not limited to racing logistics. Discussions ranged from paddock operations and infrastructure enhancements to marketing strategies and digital engagement, reflecting a holistic approach to preparing for the 2025 season.
PREPARING FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL 2025 SEASON
From logistical advancements to new venue introductions, the meeting left no stone unturned. Presentations highlighted upcoming stops in Córdoba, Argentina, and Darwin, Australia, as well as the much-anticipated Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at Ironman Raceway, Indiana, USA. The addition of Ducati to the manufacturer lineup further signals MXGP’s dynamic evolution.
FIM officials, including Race Director Ingo Partsch and Medical Director David McManus, outlined operational enhancements aimed at maintaining MXGP’s reputation for excellence. They provided detailed guidelines on safety protocols, track standards, and event management, ensuring that every element of the championship reflects its world-class stature.
CELEBRATING CHAMPIONS AT THE FIM AWARDS
The weekend culminated in the FIM Awards, a glittering celebration of motocross excellence. Hosted at the Palma Convention Centre, the ceremony honoured champions across all categories, blending tradition with contemporary style.
Before the awards ceremony, fans were treated to an unforgettable experience at a special signing session organised by the FIM on Saturday afternoon. Held at the foot of the magnificent Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca, this event provided an incredible opportunity for fans to meet their favourite champions up close. The stunning cathedral served as a grand backdrop, perfectly framing the celebrations of an unbelievable season. Adding to the excitement, attendees were also thrilled by a freestyle Moto show, showcasing incredible skill and entertaining the crowd.
With the evening coming, the prestigious endof-season ceremony saw this year’s FIM World Champions receive their gold medals by FIM President Jorge Viegas.
Among the awardees were our motocross and snowcross champions:
• MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado: The 23-year-old Spaniard clinched his second consecutive MXGP title and fourth world championship overall, having previously secured MX2 titles in 2018 and 2019. Prado’s 2024 season was marked by exceptional consistency and dominance, achieving 11 Grand Prix victories and 17 podium finishes out of 20 races. His remarkable performance solidified his status among the sport’s elite.
• MX2 World Champion Kay de Wolf: The talented Dutch rider finally flourished throughout the 2024 season, leading the championship from the opening round in Argentina. De Wolf secured seven Grand Prix wins and maintained the red plate as the series leader, demonstrating remarkable consistency and maturity under pressure.
• Women’s Motocross World Champion Lotte Van Drunen: The young Dutch sensation dominated the WMX category at only 17, showcasing exceptional skill and determination. Her performances have inspired a new generation of female riders, highlighting the growing competitiveness of women’s motocross.
• 125cc FIM Junior Motocross World Champion Noel Zanocz: The Hungarian prodigy displayed outstanding talent in the junior ranks, capturing the 125cc title, signalling a bright future ahead especially as he also won the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing European title this year.
• 85cc FIM Junior World Champion Levi Townley: Hailing from New Zealand, Townley exhibited exceptional prowess in the 85cc category, securing the world championship and marking himself as a rider to watch in the coming years and maybe following his father’s steps (MX2 World Champion Ben Townley).
• FIM SNX World Champion Magnus Reiten and FIM Women’s Snowcross World Champion Malene
Cottew: Both athletes excelled in their snowcross class, demonstrating versatility and excellence across varied terrains from Turkiye to Norway.
Additionally, Team Australia was celebrated for their historic victory at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, a testament to their exceptional teamwork and skill that brought them closer to the Chamberlain Trophy every year until this year where they finally grasp their chance to write their names into Motocross history.
LOOKING AHEAD WITH OPTIMISM
As the MXGP family prepares for another thrilling season, the 2025 Organizers Meeting underscored the importance of unity, innovation, and excellence. With new venues, manufacturers, and champions to celebrate, the future of motocross has never been brighter.
This meeting serves as a reminder that motocross is not just about the races; it’s about the community that makes it all possible. From the deep sands of Lommel to the rocky terrains of Trentino, MXGP continues to inspire fans worldwide, proving that this sport is as much about grit and determination as it is about camaraderie and celebration.
Here’s to an unforgettable 2025 season, driven by passion, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Photos: FIM / MXGP
by Lisa Leyland Journalist at Lorem Ipsum
I’VE BEEN IN THIS ROLE FOR MANY YEARS NOW, AND I LIKE TO THINK OF MYSELF AS THE “EYES AND EARS” OF THE PADDOCK.
Hi I´m Lisa Leyland and I´m the TV Presenter/ Reporter for the FIM Motocross World Championship.
Whenever there’s a story unfolding, I’m always eager to get to the bottom of it and give you all the inside scoop on what’s really going on. Plus, I get to travel the world, experience different cultures, and meet new people along the way. But where did it all begin for me, and how did I end up in this world?
I studied TV and Media at university and have worked in television since I graduated. My first major project was on a travel show, where I worked alongside a cameraman who also worked in motocross. He asked me if I’d be interested in a presenter position, as they were looking for someone new. I sent them my showreel, had an interview, and was offered the role! It wasn’t easy at first, though, as I was new to motocross. I had to learn the sport quickly and earn the trust of the people in the paddock, so they’d feel comfortable talking to me. I also had to build trust with the viewers. My first GP in Faenza, Italy, was far from easy, but over 10 years later, the rest is history!
During a race weekend, I follow every single race on track—everything from the European Championship to the WMX, and of course, the premier classes, MX2 and MXGP. I work on the live and pre-recorded 26-minute highlight program Behind The Gate, and I also help with the social media content. On Thursdays, I film a “welcome” segment, either at the track or in the surrounding areas, to introduce everyone to the region we’re in. Fridays are for paddock talks—casual, pre-recorded interviews with riders to check in on how they’re feeling ahead of the race weekend. Saturdays are a busy day: I co-present the live Studio Show with
Paul Malin, who I’ve known for years. He knows how I work, and we always have a laugh over something random—British humor at its best! Saturdays also include live coverage of the qualifying races, where I film pre-grid interviews at the start of the races and flash interviews with the winners afterward.
Sundays are always the busiest day for me—and for everyone in TV! We have many hours of live coverage, often starting early in the morning. It’s my job to interview the riders both before and after their races, and during the races, I’m in the pit lane talking to team personnel. I’m basically in everyone’s face, both on good days and bad. While I understand that sometimes people might not feel like talking right away, it’s my job to capture the raw emotions of the sport as they happen, as that’s what the viewers want to see!
Having been in the sport for so many years, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing many riders from the beginning of their careers in the Europeans, and in some cases, all the way through to their retirement. I’ve been there for their injuries and their GP victories. This sport is full of highs/lows and some intense emotions, and I’m really fortunate that the teams and riders feel comfortable sharing those moments with me.
With 20 events around the world, the MXGP World Championship understandably takes up a lot of my time! But I’m lucky to still love my work and enjoy what I do. Yes, it can be tiring, and jet lag hits hard at times, but I’ve made lifelong friends, and my job has really help shape me into the person I am today.
Looking forward to seeing you all again very soon in 2025!
2004 HONDA CRF250R
AS THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MX2 CLASS IN THE FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS TO A CLOSE, WE CAN REFLECT ON HOW THE EVOLUTION FROM 2-STROKE TO 4-STROKE MACHINERY CHANGED THE LANDSCAPE OF RACING FOR EVER. AT THE TIME, THERE WAS A LOT OF NOISE – QUITE LITERALLY – SURROUNDING THIS SHIFT TO NEW, GREENER TECHNOLOGY, AND WHETHER YOU LIKED THEM OR NOT, 4-STROKES WERE HERE TO STAY. AS WE ROUND OUT 2024, LET’S GO BACK TO 2004 WHEN HONDA UNVEILED ITS TAKE ON MX2 WITH THE CRF250R, THE BIKE THAT WE FEATURE IN THIS ISSUE OF MXGP MAGAZINE.
By now we know that Yamaha was the first to the table with the YZ250F back in 2001, and that Kawasaki and Suzuki had joined forces to create a one-off ‘strategic alliance’ where the green corner of Japan developed the chassis, whilst Suzuki produced the engine. Of course, KTM had been experimenting since 2003 too, but its SX-F, whilst very, very quick, was just too temperamental and problematic to risk a full season, in the hands of Erik Eggens. The SX-F was abruptly parked for the remainder of the campaign until it was ready to race in 2004. As for Honda, a brand associated with ‘bulletproof’ quality, the early success of its CRF450R meant that when it was time for the 250cc to make an appearance, it would more likely than not, prove to be a winner. But, was it?
As we have previously explained, the benchmark for a 250F was the Yamaha, and with its choice of opting for DOHC technology being mirrored by the ‘strategic alliance’, it was therefore deemed the way forward, and that when Honda came to the table, it too would run double overhead cams, right? Wrong!
So, let’s get into it then, shall we?
The first-generation Honda CRF450R from 20022004 was already proving to be a global success on the basis that whether you were a novice weekend warrior, or a fully-fledged pro, this bike had something for everyone. Easy to ride, great handling, power as and when you needed it, it was typically Honda.
Ever since the mid-nineties, Honda had switched from a steel frame to the twin-spar aluminium frame we still see today, although today’s version is significantly smaller, lighter and narrower. By the time we reached 2002/’03, the CRF450R was now in its third generation of ‘ally’ frames and there was every reason
to assume that the new 250cc would be based along the same lines. Whilst that remains true, what we hadn’t foreseen was a significant upgrade.
Honda used the development of the the CRF250R to start from a blank canvas, and so while the chassis may have looked the same, it was actually quite significantly different. And just like that, the fourth generation of the aluminium frame had arrived. This new chassis wouldn’t arrive on the 450cc though until 2005.
With a lighter and more compact motor, the 250’s frame proportions could be redesigned correspondingly smaller, and in actual fact, Honda had even managed to create a chassis which was even lighter (1kg) than the CR250R 2-stroke, hence creating the next step forward in chassis design for its future motorcycles. Whilst the CRF250R shared the same frame weight as the Yamaha, both bikes were still around 1kg heavier than the Suzuki and Kawasaki.
The CRF250R, like its bigger sibling, came with a SOHC Uni-cam engine and was designed to run in excess of 13,000rpm, and at the time, Honda’s engine development engineer, Mr. Akifumi Nomura stated that this layout had ‘helped us to run four valves in a lighter cylinder head, and offers the advantage of a narrower included valve angle than is possible in a DOHC configuration.’
With lightweight titanium intake valves, further weight-saving gains were made with the inclusion of the magnesium ACG cover, clutch cover and cylinder head cover, and for those who were hoping for a quick getaway after a fall, riders were keen to learn that the bike came equipped with a lightweight, compact internal automatic decompressor system,
designed to enable easy start-up, whether the engine was hot or cold. Like the other 250F’s, the Honda also came equipped with a 37mm Keihin FCR carburettor.
As for the ergonomics, the new CRF250R was fitted with Renthal 971 handlebars, unlike the standard steel ‘bars offered up on the other Japanese machines, and this was something of a winner immediately, as the overall feel from within the cockpit was one of comfort and familiarity. The bike was easy to start and in terms of its overall handling was pretty much as expected as well. Again, this was a Honda we were talking about and when Honda decide to do something, nine times out of ten they do it right.
As for the power delivery, whilst it was smooth, it wasn’t maybe the hardest-hitting in that department, but just like the CRF450R, the power that was produced meant that this bike had something for everyone. The overall feel was that compared to the Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki, this bike needed to be worked a little harder (if you were a top rider), because once you got into that mid-top power band, then this is where it really clicked. But as a first offering, most riders were not disappointed with this all-new CRF250R. In total, from 2004 to 2024 we have seen six generations of the Honda CRF250R.
In its debut season in 2004, the best placed Honda CRF250R rider was Great Britain’s Carl Nunn, who placed 8th overall in the MX2 world championship. It took nine rounds before we saw a Honda place inside the top three in a race though, the American Jeff Dement posting 4-3 at Neeroeteren, Belgium which also saw the first podium in MX2.
Best overall finish though belonged to Finland’s Jussi Vehvilainen, whose 6-3 netted him 2nd overall at Namur.
In 2009, we could have been looking at Honda’s first world champion in the MX2 class, as Marvin Musquin took 3rd overall at the opening round at a muddy Faenza in Italy at round one, an event which was cancelled after the first race. Proving it was no fluke, the Frenchman took his and Honda’s first MX2 GP victory at the very next round in Bulgaria (1-3), which was also the first race win for the red brigade, and by round six the ‘25’ had taken over the championship leader’s Red Plate. However, when he showed up to round seven in Great Britain, that red plate was on the front of a KTM.
Instead, the wait for success went on, and it wasn’t until Tim Gajser in 2015 that Honda could celebrate its first world title in MX2, and as we head into 2025, Honda will be hoping that its continued recent investment in the class will bring more success for the CRF250R.
CRF250R HISTORY 2004 - 2024
Race Finishes:
12 x 1st – 31 x 2nd – 37 x 3rd (80 top three finishes)
Overall Podiums
8 x 1st – 12 x 2nd – 28 x 3rd (48 podium finishes)
entire life, as his father was a Husqvarna racing Motocross on a Swedish bike, and after
sixteen years old. He was already very tall –
season on a high note with fourth positions in both Belgium and Luxembourg. He was the winner of the famous ‘Coupe de l’Avenir’ in Belgium, and once more was selected for the Nations. Runner up at the MXdN, Team Belgium won the Trophée des Nations – raced on 250cc bikes – for the second year in a row. 1971 was a copy of the previous season, with similar results, and Jaak was only twenty years old when he signed with Yamaha, who were making their official debut in the Motocross World Championships.
While teammate Hakan Andersson raced the 250cc class, Jaak represent the brand in the 500cc series, and earned Yamaha their first podium finishes, ending the season with his first Grand Prix win at Ettelbruck in Luxembourg! Last but not least, Jaak won both the MX and Trophée des Nations with Team Belgium! The 1973 season – the first one with two points-scoring heats per GP – was a great one for Yamaha, who clinched the 250cc World title with Andersson and a bronze medal in the 500 class with Jaak, who also won the Belgian championship, the Trophée and MX des Nations!
OF RIDERS IS A BELGIAN BY THE NAME OF JAAK VAN
Deeply involved with the Japanese engineers to develop the famous monoshock rear suspension system, invented by Belgian Lucien Tilkens, Jaak got six podium results in 1973 and another six in 1974, this time with two GP wins, in Great Britain and Luxemburg. Fifth in the 500cc World Championship in both ‘74 and ‘75, with two further wins at the Trophée des Nations, he was forced to move to KTM when Yamaha stopped its factory investment due to the 1975 oil crisis. Once more, he was involved with the factory’s engineers to develop a new bike, as KTM had no experience of the 500cc class.
ten back then), and was selected for the Belgian team to race the 1969 Motocross des Nations alongside Sylvain Geboers, Joel Robert, Roger DeCoster and Jef Teuwissen. It
Nations for the first time since 1951! In 1970, Jaak raced all the 500 GPs, scoring points in nine of the twelve rounds and finishing the
All season long Jaak improved his results, clinching GP podiums in Canada (round 9) and Belgium (round 11) and finally dominating the last race of the 1976 season in Luxemburg with a double win. Seventh overall, he was also part of yet another pair of Nations victories! He wasn’t able to win another GP from there, despite winning a final race at Wohlen in Switzerland at the end of ‘77, but scored top ten finishes until 1981. He did add a fifth win at the MX des Nations in 1977 and an eighth victory at the Trophée in 1978!
the local authorities, to reward him for his investment into the sport.
2001
1969: 23RD IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (HUSQVARNA)
WINNER OF THE MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM
1970: 9TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (HUSQVARNA)
2ND AT THE MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM
WINNER OF THE TROPHÉE DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM WINNER OF THE CUP DE L’AVENIR
1971: 9TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (HUSQVARNA)
2ND AT THE MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM WINNER OF THE TROPHÉE DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM
1972: 4TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (YAMAHA). WIN 1 GP
WINNER OF THE MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM WINNER OF THE TROPHÉE DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM
1973: 3RD IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (YAMAHA). WIN 1 GP
WINNER OF THE MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM WINNER OF THE TROPHÉE DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM
1974: 5TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (YAMAHA). WIN 2 GPS WINNER OF THE TROPHÉE DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM
1975: 5TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (YAMAHA) 2ND AT THE MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM WINNER OF THE TROPHÉE DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM
1976: 7TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (KTM). WIN 1 GP WINNER OF THE MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM WINNER OF THE TROPHÉE DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM
1977: 7TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (KTM). WINNER OF THE MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM
1978: 8TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (KTM) 3RD AT THE MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM WINNER OF THE TROPHÉE DES NATIONS WITH TEAM BELGIUM
1979: 9TH IN THE 250CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (KTM)
1980: 10TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (KTM)
1981: 8TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (KTM)
1982: 11TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (KTM)
1983: 10TH IN THE 500CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (KTM)
14TH
1 Noel Zancocz moves to EMX250 with JM Racing Honda in 2025.
2 Beta MRT Team continues with Ben Watson and adds Tom Koch to the team in 2025
3 Agueda returns to MXGP calendar on May 3-4 after 2024 epic muddy 2024 event!.
4 Ducati names Mattia Guadagnini as Seewer’s teammate.
5 Matterley Basin to host MXGP of Great Britain on June 21-22, 2025.
6 Pauls Jonass joins KRT and starts preseason training under Stefan Everts.
7 New team, new bike, new number for Liam Everts who joins Nestaan Factory Husqvarna with #26 for MX2 title chase.
8 Valerio Lata becomes HRC’s new MX2 rider after stellar EMX250 season.
9 Van Venrooy KTM returns with Cas Valk’s MX2 debut in 2025.
