MXGP #55 March 2018

RACING CATCH UP

RIDER OF THE MONTH Jeffrey Herlings

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INDEX

COOL SHOT

MONSTER GIRLS

HALL OF FAME Bobby Moore

MXGP MAG: Chief Editor: Marionna Leiva Photos: Youthstream YOUTHSTREAM Media World Trade Center II Rte de Pré-Bois 29 1215 Geneva 15 Airport Switzerland MXGP Mag #55 March 2018 The articles published in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of Youthstream.

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

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

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EDITORIAL Giuseppe Luongo President of Youthstream Group

Dear MXGP Friends, What a start to the season!

The organization, the weather, the welcome, the landscape and the racing in Argentina – it could not have gotten any better.

The atmosphere created by teams, riders, the organization, media and fans was something very special and everyone returned home with extraordinary memories of this epic first round of the 2018 FIM MXGP & MX2 World Championships.

The MXGP of Argentina was more than what we were expecting and the MXGP races were nothing short of amazing; Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli wrote one of the best

pages in the history of our sport, they were both in it for the win and they gave it all they had. Jeffrey won the GP but they both scored 47 points each, with one 1st and one 2nd per heat each – they each reached the best results possible because the points paid them both back for the great battle they had, and frankly after such a stunning fight, it’s fair they scored the same points.

This was the best way to start the Championship, and we’re bound to see many of these kinds of thrilling races throughout the year.

Desalle also showed to be in excellent condition and scored a well-deserved 40 points, he finished two

times 3rd followed closely by Van Horebeek, Febvre and Paulin, who were very constant in their racing and proved to be ready for the Championship. Simpson made an impressive race and the youth, Lieber and Seewer, both showed strong potential.

Yes, we will have another fantastic MXGP Championship and the diversity of the tracks will be surely hold some surprises for us all.

What we don’t have to forget is that as the level is so high a good start is essential to get a good result, if Cairoli and/or Herlings don’t get off the gate well at some races, it will be very interesting to see if they can make their way past the troop of the other fast competitors.

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onboard GoPro camera for the track presentation with Paul Malin explaining precisely the most interesting sections of the race track for the fans to be able to understand better. We have received loads of compliments from fans around the world for the excellent covWe are seeing some innovative novelties this year in erage supplied via MXGP-TV, where the number of visthe TV production, MXGPitors on MXGP-TV and our TV and social media where other media platforms have we have made a lot of inincreased by 50%. MXGP-TV vestments to present our sport event better with new has now become the crucial tool for the professionals graphics during the presentation and the new 360° and for fans to really feel In MX2 Jonass immediately showed to be the man to beat, he made a perfect weekend, winning everything. Who were also very impressive were Olsen, Lawrence, Watson and Sanayei.

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inside MXGP and follow every aspect.

Now we are preparing for the 1st round in Europe, in Valkenswaard (Holland), where the European 125cc and 300cc Championships will be racing their first round of these European Championships; there are a lot of riders entered so we hope the weather will be fine so that everyone attending can enjoy the weekend. After the first MXGP round in Argentina we are very ready for another weekend of legendary MXGP racing!

COOL SHOTS

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COOL SHOTS

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COOL SHOTS

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HOLESHOT

First Foxes of 2018 After what seamed like an endlessly long off season, MXGP is back to racing and the first gate drops of the year are in the books. Returning for the new season is the all-important Fox Holeshot standings; the Fox holeshot is often the most important single part of the race and can be the difference between a win and fighting for 12th. When the 2017 Fox Holeshot champions were crowned many others where already working to perfect their starting form for 2018. At the MXGP of Patagonia Argentina we got the chance to see the first Fox Holeshots of the new year.

MXGP Last year the MXGP Fox Holeshot standings were dominated by the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machines and so far in 2018 the same can be said. Defending MXGP World Champion Antonio Cairoli carried his momentum from the previous season over to round 1

of 2018. Cairoli’s form and timing was flawless as the gate dropped on Sunday. Both times the veteran Sicilian was the fastest off the steel starting grid and had the power of his KTM 450cc Factory Edition propelling him ahead of the rest of the field. The holeshot proved to be crucial for Cairoli in race 1 because while he was out front Herlings had to fight his way forward through other riders in a charge that would come up just short. Cairoli has now gone 2 for 2 in 2018 and is already outfoxing his young competitors before heading to European soil.

MX2 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing was the dominant team among the MX2 Fox holeshot standings in 2017 just like in the MXGP class. However, the tone that has been set in 2018 thus far has a different ring to it. Of the 2 black Fox Holeshot plates in MX2 at the 2018 MXGP of Patagonia Argentina neither would

belong to Red Bull KTM squad or any factory team for that matter.

Instead, when the gate dropped in MX2 race 1 the #96 of Honda 114 Motorsport’s Hunter Lawrence claimed the first black plate, which helped him finish his first race in 2nd for his privateer Honda team.

At the drop of MX2 Race 2 it was a KTM first to the Fox Holeshot line, the #46 of Davy Pootjes riding for LRT KTM just edged out defending MX2 World Champion Pauls Jonass and his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing bike.

Next stop is the MXGP of Europe in Valkenswaard, Netherlands.

MXGP: Antonio Cairoli 2 MX2: Hunter Lawrence 1 Davy Pootjes 1

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RACING CATCH UP

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UP AND RUNNING

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With the winter off season well and truly behind us and the pre-season international races complete MXGP packed its bags, loaded the crates and headed south to Argentina for the opening round of the MXGP campaign. In the past three years that we have ventured to Patagonia the climate has been somewhat cooler as autumn started to take hold. However, this year the curtain raiser basked in glorious sunshine as we arrived some three or four weeks earlier with summer still very much intact.

circuit, the MXGP and MX2 pilots got suited and booted as they carried out their media obligations with ‘mug shots’ for the TV graphics the first requirement on the ‘to do’ list. In the early evening, the first official signing session of the year took place in Villa la Angostura where a live band performed for the crowds who flocked to get a glimpse of their racing heroes. Signed posters and selfies were the highlight of the day for those who got close enough to inhale the aftershave of the best ‘dirt scooter’ riders in the world.

The lakes and mountains remained as glorious as ever though and riders, fans and teams alike couldn’t have wished for a better venue to kick things off. With the longhaul flight out of the way, the opening Friday of the season was as busy as ever. At the

If you were Pauls Jonass The Patagonia Racetrack or Antonio Cairoli then Satnestled in the forest a handful urday’s Qualifying Races of kilometres away from the couldn’t have been scripted picturesque chalet town of any better, as both the deVilla la Angostura was once fending champions led every again prepped to perfection, single lap to record their first although the volcanic rockwins of the season. Ben Watlike surface was a little firmer son was the surprise package

this year due to a combination of our past visits and the summer sun drying up the dirt, but with arguably the best watering system around, the track crew had everything under control. Even the heavy, three-hour downpour in the early hours of Sunday morning didn’t do anything to dampen the circuit or the atmosphere and as usual, the South American contingent who were made up of fans from Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay were as enthusiastic and as vocal as ever.

in MX2 as the Kemea Yamaha rider took his best ever quali’ position with third, whilst in MXGP the surprise was the rare mistake of Jeffrey Herlings who fell from second whilst trying to pass Cairoli.

The Dutchman had to settle for seventh after ‘arm pump’ got the better of him late on in the race.

When it came to Sunday’s races there were some very notable performances, particularly in MX2. The first Fox Holeshot of the new season was bagged

by Shift athlete and new Honda 114 Motorsports signing Hunter Lawrence, but by turn three he’d been replaced up front by Bike It DRT Kawasaki rider Darian Sanayei.

The American’s lead lasted for two glorious laps before Lawrence regained control; the Australian led for the next nine laps. A ‘poor’ start from

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Jonass saw him methodically work his way through from third; he passed Sanayei on lap five and then chased down Lawrence before taking the lead on lap twelve. From there the Red Bull KTM rider never looked in any doubt and crossed the line for the win.

Lawrence and Thomas Kjer Olsen rounded out the top three with Ben Watson fourth, for his best ever finish. Even more startling was Henry Jacobi’s performance in fifth for STC Racing Husqvarna.

unlucky not make the overall podium for the first time after a technical issue robbed him of third and a finish in the first outing. He will no doubt be a contender as the season unfolds. The final podium place went to Lawrence who edged out Watson by a single point after recording a 2-6 scorecard. He also set the Tag Heuer fastest lap.

In MXGP it was Cairoli who secured the first Fox Holeshot of the season before turning it into a race win. Put like that, Race Two saw normal business it sounds like it was a walk in resumed as Jonass led all the park, but it was anything nineteen laps to secure a dou- but. After finding his way past ble-moto victory and claim the Monster Energy Kawasaki’s first ‘red plate’ of the season. Julien Lieber and Monster En‘TKO’ claimed second which ergy Yamaha’s Romain Febvre, paired with third in his first Jeffrey Herlings found himrace meant that the Rockstar self in second position by the Energy Husqvarna pilot took fourth lap. Ahead of him was second overall. Third in the TC222 and the lead Red Bull race went to Sanayei who was KTM rider had every inten-

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tion of staying there and for most of the race he looked as comfortable as you’d expect the defending champ to look.

However, the final few laps amongst the lappers almost let Herlings in but the Dutchman failed to capitalise and in the end, it was he that got caught out on the final lap, leaving Cairoli to take the win. Desalle came home third ahead of the two Yamaha’s of Febvre and Jeremy Van Horebeek.

Race Two was the best race of the day. Once again it was TC222 who grabbed the Fox Holeshot before doing what he did in Race One, the Sicilian gradually pulled clear as he left his rivals to duke it out behind him. And they did just that. For the first nine laps, Desalle, Van Horebeek, Herlings and Febvre jostled for position until Herlings finally clicked. On lap eight, his pass on Van Horebeek was argu-

ably the pass of the race, the one that had it not been made when it was could have possibly changed the final outcome.

The Bullet leant on JVH with muscle and authority with an outside pass in one of the tightest turns on the track which set him up for a pass a lap later on Desalle.

This was lap nine, and with nine to go Cairoli was nine seconds clear of Herlings. To cut a long story short, JH84 reduced that gap to nothing and as Tony and Jeff crossed the Monster Energy finish line to start their final lap, Herlings charged past Pit Plane with one thing on his mind; the win! As TC222 started to brake for the first turn, Herlings hooked another gear and out-braked his teammate, ran wide, so wide in fact that he almost entered Villa la Angostura! TC passed him back but by turn four, the ‘84’ was past

the ‘222’ with an audacious outside move. Herlings led for the first time and all he had to do was bring it home and that’s exactly what he did.

So, what did we learn from Patagonia? We learned that Cairoli led every single lap in Qualifying, Race One and Race Two … except the final lap, the one that would secure him his first Argentine GP victory. From that end, Herlings led just one lap all weekend.

He just made sure it was the one that mattered. As a result, Herlings left South America with a share of the points but he will head to round two, at Valkenswaard with the championship leader’s red plate on the front of his Red Bull KTM for the first time since September 11th 2016, his last race in MX2 at Glen Helen, USA. Looks like we might be in for a rowdy atmosphere next time out. See you there!

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FIM Motocross World Championship

Standings MXGP CHAMP. STANDINGS

MX2 CHAMP. STANDINGS

1. J.Herlings (NED, KTM), 47points 2. A.Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 47 p.

3. C. Desalle (BEL, KAW),40 p 4. J. VanHorebeek(BEL,YAM), 34p.

5. R. Febvre (FRA YAM) ,34 p.

6. G. Paulin (FRA, HUS) 30 p.

7. S. Simpson (GBR, YAM) 24 p.

8. J. Lieber (BEL, KAW) ,22 p.

9. M. Nagl (GER, TM), 21 p.

10. G.Coldenhoff (NED, KTM),21 p.

1. P. Jonass (LAT, KTM),50 points 2. T. Olsen (DEN, HUS), 42 p.

3. H. Lawrence (AUS, HON), 37 p.

4. B. Watson (GBR, YAM),36 p.

5. J. Beaton (AUS, KAW) , 27 p.

6. V. Brylyakov (RUS, YAM) , 24 p.

7. H. Jacobi (GER, HUS), 21.

8 S. Sanayei (USA, KAW),20 p.

9. J. Geerts (BEL, YAM) , 20 p.

10. C. Vlaanderen(RSA, HON), 19 p.

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

50 40 36 30 19 13

points points points points points points

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

50 42 38 36 34 10

points points points points points points

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Special Feature

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Head Strong

SPECIAL FEATURE

Motocross is know as one of the toughest sports in the world and for good reason as it requires extreme precision, strength, cardio, skill, reactions, and more. One of the most important but overlooked aspects of the sport is the mental side.

Not only does motocross take a physical toll on the body with injuries, but it also requires extreme mental strength and health.

As in many professional sports athletes cannot simply win by being the most physically fit or having the best equipment. First and foremost athletes must believe in themselves and trust their skills, preparation, team, and more. At the top level of motocross in the world trainers and team managers alike

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work together to achieve mental health and strength for their riders.

In the life and career of a professional motocross racer they will experience ups and downs from race wins to injuries.

Without doubt motocross racers are a different breed of athlete and their ability to bounce back physically and mentally from what at times can be traumatic experiences is unparalleled.

We decided to talk to some of the most respected trainers, former riders, and team managers in the paddock for their thoughts on mental strength.

Trainer for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Rasmus Jorgensen, who

works closely with Thomas Kjer Olsen among other riders said, “I think that mental strength doesn’t come alone, it comes with the right preparation, but at the same time it is a bit of a strange subject because if you have 80 riders in the GP paddock, you have 80 different mentalities of how they approach things from riding, training, eating, to normal life.

If you want to be at the top level of this sport everything is connected. It can be tricky because you cannot say that if you do it like this or think in this particular way it will work for everyone. It is really a difficult subject because what works for TKO (Thomas Kjer Olsen) maybe doesn’t work for Jeffrey (Herlings). However, I am a firm believer that hard work, struc-

ture and intensity in the training, when combined, give a good mentality towards everything. If you really tell yourself that now is the time and know that you have done everything right then the mentality comes with it. For sure if you come to the race and know that you have been slacking on training then automatically your mentality is weaker than the other guys. This sport is very unique in many ways, it is probably the toughest sport on the planet on the mental side but also physically. I really believe in what I do and the riders need to trust that and believe in it too, if they trust and believe in my program then we will have success, but if there is any doubt, then it is difficult, and I think it like that in many things including other sports but this

sport is just really unique.”

When we asked Rasmus further what role he thinks confidence or for that matter over confidence plays into a riders results or training, he stated, “Sometimes it is more important in my role to calm them down, and I have dealt with that many times with TKO. If you are doing training or whatever and everything is clicking, whether it is in the off season or it can be even in the middle of the season, when a rider wins a GP and everything is just perfect and they feel like they can walk on water, it is my job to say that now is the most critical time to be really focused because when you believe that you can do anything, it is also more common to make a big mistake or to lose concen-

tration for just a second and it can all go wrong. I try to put a lot of focus on that, like I said before have a good program, good intensity, good structure and just stick to the program, when things are going well don’t change anything, don’t be cocky, keep both feet on the ground, and just do your job.”

One of the most interesting perspectives we found on the topic was that of former racer, 5-time world champion and now the KTM Motocross Factory Racing Sports Director Joel Smets. Joel has slightly different belief of others in the sense that he wants his riders to be realistic instead of confident or hard on themselves. Joel said, “Mental strength is of course important not only in motocross

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but in every sport and even everyday life in business. For me the key to mental strength is often being realistic, goal setting is also very important but always then it comes back to being realistic. If you come up to a race never underestimate the opposition, try to be ambitious but don’t over do it. In all aspects if your are realistic in your approach, that is going to make you mentally very strong. This is how I used to work myself and it is also how I try to teach my riding in the coaching because I do not believe in some, let’s say, mental games like talking to yourself and making yourself believe that you are stronger than you really are, I believe in realistic but ambitious. For example with Jeffrey (Herlings) last year he did not come into the season with realistic goal setting or a realistic approach, he didn’t know the class, ok, he knew the riders of course because he had been compet-

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ing against them before in the past, but still it is a new class and you have to get familiar with it, with the aspects of a different competition and you need to give yourself time.

A rider can be rather confident and well prepared but still mentality doubting about himself, so that is a mistake that Jeffery learned from a lot.

The struggle Jeffrey had to go through, sometimes you have to learn the hard way and sometimes you really have to hit the window to get a wake up call. That is what happened to Jeffrey last year and we talked quite a bit about it in the winter, so he is not going to make the same mistake and I think Jeffrey’s approach this year is more realistic and he is mentally stronger.”

When we asked Joel whether he thought last year was a necessary set back for Jeffrey’s long term career he said, “I said straight away after the

first GP with the injury and stuff like that for the long term, Jeffrey was only 22 at that stage, this is going to be good for his career. At that stage of course you get upset and realize that fighting for the championship will be difficult, but giving up one and try to win more is better rather then staying confused and not learning from it and I do think he learned from it but we will see.”

Through the interviews it quickly became clear that mental strength is one of the most influential parts of racing, having too little can leave a rider content with 9th when they could achieve podiums, but at the same time having too much confidence can hinder a rider from realizing the need to improve or train harder.

However, on thing is for sure, motocross and especially motocross at the MXGP or MX2 level requires a rider to be headstrong.

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BOOM! The Bullet is Back 32

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SPECIAL FEATURE

This month, in the first edition of MXGP Mag since the start of the 2018 MXGP season, we feature the multi-time MX2 World Champion and 2018 MXGP title contender Jeffrey Herlings. With one race completed of the 19 planned for the new season Jeffrey Herlings has already made his first statement with a showing of resilience and undeniable will as he fought his way to win the first overall in Patagonia, Argentina, over reigning MXGP World Champion Antonio Cairoli.

From the start of the 2017 season all eyes were on the young Dutchman moving from the MX2 class he dominated on multiple oc-

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casions to the MXGP ranks.

Jeffrey nicknamed as the “Bullet” is one rider many, including himself, expected to win the 2017 MXGP title.

However, just weeks before the start of last year’s campaign Herlings suffered a major setback in the form of a hand injury and as last season started Jeffrey not only fought through pain but once physically recovered he would also fight through the realization that he had underestimated his new competition.

As the 2017 season progressed not only fans but Jeffrey himself began to question his ability to win.

(Read more about Jeffrey’s mentality from Joel Smets in our special feature “Head Strong”)

Little by little Jeffrey improved his season from top 5’s to podiums, eventually fighting for wins and even the title at the conclusion of 2017. Expectations are again high to start the new 2018 championship especially after seeing the strength of Herlings prevail in the later stages of last year.

Everyone from fans to industry insiders, journalists and more have been dreaming of a season full of battles between the 2 MXGP titans, Veteran and 9-time world champion from Sicily, Italy, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and young gun and the pride of the Netherlands, Jeffrey Herlings.

In fact, we could witness those battles at a few races, such as Ottobiano or Lommel last year, but everybody would have liked to see them throughout the whole 2017 season.

This year, though, has started in a very promising way, what we all witnessed in Patagonia, Argentina, a few days ago was nothing short of spectacular fulfilling our dreams. In both races Jeffrey found himself outside of the top five on the start and had to work his way through some of the fastest riders in the world toward his rival, Cairoli who took double Fox Holeshot’s.

In race one Cairoli led every single lap as the

charge from Herlings fell just short. However, in race two, the tenacity and speed of the Bullet proved to be just enough to catch and pass the #222 of Cairoli on the final lap for the overall victory showing Herlings determination and fight to the end mentality.

We had the chance to catch up with Jeffrey after the overall win for an interview about his weekend and his thoughts on 2018: “I was like 10 seconds behind Tony I think, with 10 minutes plus 2 to go and to close that gap wasn’t easy, it was tough, but for some reason I made it happen.

Tony was riding outstanding, so to pull that off …

I don’t know how I did it.

I actually gave up on the win. I was like 10 seconds down with 10 minutes to go, and then I got into a flow and I was catching him little by little, then the steps got bigger and bigger and I was like, ahh 4 minutes to go or something, I’m only 5-6 seconds down, I still can give it a push and that’s what I did.

To make that happen was amazing. I just had to send it, anywhere I could, because it was the last lap and by the time I got to his rear wheel it was basically the last lap. So I just had to pass wherever I could. I passed him next to pit lane and then he passed me right back and then 2 turns further he tried to block me a little bit and to defend his inside line, but I could

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still ride around the outside and get him passed.

From where we came from last year, staring of the season with a broken hand, that wasn’t fun. I had to be in pain for the first 4-5 rounds and then once I got healthy you know the results came by itself. So we are in a much better position. Last year I think we went home with like 15 points or something maximum, and now we go home with 47, so it is good.”

We asked Jeffrey if he feels he has the advantage this year starting healthy considering how close it was at the end of last season to which he replied, “Yeah definitely, obviously we are

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in a much better position right now, but it’s just the first round, and it’s important to win the first one but it doesn’t mean a thing.

It’s 18 more races and 19 in total. So we have to be there every round and not just this one.”

lot from that time and I’ve been watching my food, like I said, everything I put in my mouth I’m watching, every training I did was really thought about and we had a really good winter, no injuries, so I’m very happy with that.”

Herlings also mentioned his offseason training many times and when we asked him if he made any changes he said, “I went to Aldon Baker, as many people know, in the summer time for a few weeks and I learned a lot about how they train and I picked up some good things from that, obviously he did many good things in my eyes, but I’ve been learning a

Jeffrey’s new mentality, updated training regimen and desire to win in 2018 are evident and we for one can’t wait to see what he will continue to bring to the table this season along with his rival Antonio Cairoli. Strap in folks because 2018 has just begun and it is already proving to be a battle royal between the “Bullet” and Antonio Cairoli!

MXGP SOCIAL

TWITTER, FACEB IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP @GateDropMx What a return for MXGP amazing racing in the premier class in Argentina. Herlings might just have had the best ride of his career! Roll on Valkenswaard for round two of Herlings v Cairoli! #mxgp

@RockstarHusky Argentina was a blast, bring on Round 2... #Husky1903 #OneTeamNoBorders #ElevatingTheSport #RockstarHusky #MXGP

@alexlowes22 Fair play @JHerlings84 just shows never giving up attitude gets rewarded, also good start to the year for @ tommysearle100 after being taken out at T1 solid ride back to 13th after 9th in the 1st moto #MXGP

@KTM_Racing A reminder of why we love #mxgp & #motocross. Sensational racing today in #argentina and not only a double win with both @JHerlings84 & @PaulsJonass41

@Mxjustin Happy Birthday to our super cool #MXGP TV Presenter @lisaleylandTV

@supercrossking Happy International Women’s Day to all the women involved in #motocross, #supercross , #arenacross and #MXGP . #MX #Moto #Motocross #thisIsMoto ‬

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Jeffrey Herlings had an impressive Race 2 in Neuquen, Watch his overtakes’ actions

Check out the first Studio Show of the season presented by Lisa Leyland and Paul Malin and featuring Hunter Lawrence and the 9-times World Champion Antonio Cairoli.

Witness the last 2 laps of MXGP of Patagonia Argentina MXGP Race 2 featuring the insane battle between Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings

BOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE

@Benjaminlopezz28 @jorgeprado with a fall and a bad start #KTM #MXGP2018 #MXGPArgentina

@phoxfotografiachos Some more of the World Motocross #VillaLaAngostura #motocross #mxgp @shaunsimpson24 Made it back to Belgium after a great weekend with the whole @wilvoyamahamxgp crew.

maritocalo @hoff259 @mxgp @mxgpargentina @turismovla #argentina #motocross #mxgp #mxgpargentina

@revistasmotos Jeffrey Herlings (MXGP) and Pauls Jonass (MX2) gave the first blow of the season in Villa La Angostura

IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP 39

MONSTER GIRLS

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B 50 Photo: MEYER

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HALL OF FAME

Bobby Moore

The last US rider to become World Champion

rope to race the Cup de l’Avenir in Arsago Seprio (Italy) and signed for an Italian team to compete in the 125cc World championship! “Don’t ask me why, but since a very early age I wanted nothing more than to be a World Champion. It was just something deep down in my heart that I wanted to be a World Champion and to do that I had to go to Europe and race there,” he always explained.

Born in July 1969 in Santa The first seasons were not Rosa (California) Bob Moore really easy for him as he got started riding mini-bikes as injured twice in 1987 and a child, tossing his bike in the back of his father’s truck. Rid- 1988, but his determination offered him a KTM ride and in ing his bike after school until sunset nearly every day, Bobby 1989 he was able to show his real potential. had a very successful career in the mini bikes, but wasn’t Moore became German moas comfortable when he had to move up to larger bikes due tocross champion and he reached the podium at four to his small size. However, in 1984 he moved successfully to rounds of the 125cc World Championship but he was still the 125cc class, winning the 125cc West Supercross Cham- missing consistency to be a title contender. Based in Itpionship on a Suzuki. aly, he became very popular While most of the riders would thanks to his friendly attitude have signed for a factory team with everyone. In 1990 he showed some improvements in the US, Moore surprised everyone when he came in Eu- when he won his first heats in Without any doubts Bobby Moore has been the most European of the American riders who crossed the Atlantic Ocean to enter the Motocross World Championships. The enthusiast Californian rider had to wait nine seasons to finally clinch a World title in 1994, and he remains the last US rider to have been crowned.

the Czech Republic, Germany and Ireland, and won his first Grand’s Prix also in Germany and Ireland. Runner up behind fellow countryman Danny Schmit, he raced for the world title against Stefan Everts during the ‘91 season, finally missing the World title by only nine points after winning five heats and two more GP’s!

Moving to Yamaha Rinaldi and the 250cc class in 1992, he had another great season but once more he found Donny Schmit on his way! Both were teammates in the Yamaha team, and for the third year in a row he finished second.

The factory Suzuki team hired him for 1993, but he never felt really comfortable on that bike and finally got injured in Great Britain.

Back to Yamaha Rinaldi and the 125cc class in 1994, Bobby finally reached his old dream after a nearly perfect season. It was not an easy one, as Italian Alessio Chiodi was a strong rival! Winning half of

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the first six rounds of the season, Moore was leading Chiodi by ten points at mid season and both had equal chances to get the title; none of them was really performing at the Dutch round, got the same results in San Marino (1/2 for Bobby, 2/1 for Alessio) and before the tenth of twelve rounds our American rider was leading the Italian by only seven points!

Stronger than ever, Bobby was outstanding in the last rounds winning both heats in Germany and scoring his fifth GP win of the season in Foxhill, Great Britain, just one year after being seriously injured on this track. Going to the final round in Belgium with a strong advantage of 36 points, he only needed to score five points to be champion. But that was not at all his idea to just secure some points, and he ended the

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season with the perfect score (1/1) to finally get the title he was looking for since nine long seasons!

Moving then in the 250cc class, he would never be as successful due to another injury even if he won three heats. Back in the 125cc class in 1996 he had

an up and down season due to some other injuries, but never gave up and ended his career in 1997 with another GP win – the twelfth one – and another top ten result for his twelfth and last season in a World Championship.

Text and Photos: Pascal Haudiquert

1986: 9th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Suzuki) 1987: 7th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Honda) 1988: 8th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (KTM) 1989: 4th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (KTM) 1990: 2nd in the 125 Motocross World Championship (KTM). Winner of 2 GP 1991: 2nd in the 125 Motocross World Championship (KTM). Winner of 2 GP 1992: 2nd in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha).

Winner of 1 GP 1993: 11th in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Suzuki) 1994: 125 Motocross World Champion (Yamaha). Winner of 6 GP 1995: 8th in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha) 1996: 8th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha) 1997: 7th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha).

Winner of 1 GP

PADDOCK TALKS

Paddock Talks 01/KRT’s team manager François Lemariey showing the new Kawasaki logo which reminds us of the former logo of the Japanese manufacturer.

02/Opening press conference at the MXGP of Patagonia/Argentina with the main protagonists of the 2018 season.

03/Ingo Partsch, FIM race director, giving some indications to the teams and riders before the season started.

04/Amazing media opportunity in the centre of Villa la Angostura.

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01

02

03

05

Paddock Talks

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05/Jorge Prado got huge support in Argentina!

06/Official group photo of the 2018 MXGP and MX2 riders.

07/Official Honda riders from Brazil took part in the MXGP of Patagonia – Argentina.

08/New GoPro Fusion!

09/Dakar rider Adrien Van Beveren didn’t want to miss the first MXGP of the season.

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HÅKAN CARLQVIST

1983 YAMAHA 500 OW64

showrooms in 1982 as an Håkan Carlqvist will always And this was just the proall-new model. Despite its be remembered as one of duction bike. all-new design, it originalthe original hard men of ly weighed in around 3kg world motocross and his After finishing third in heavier than its predecesnever give up attitude won the 500cc world champisor! Not only was it heavy, him an army of fans all onship in 1981, Carla’s but also it suffered badly over the world. The winform dipped the following with vibration and it was ner of two world titles, his season where he placed also difficult to turn. The first came in the 250cc seventh. However, after a 5-speed gearbox had been class in 1979 racing for successful winter season replaced with a 4-speed Husqvarna. His second was of testing where according and whilst the engine was probably his most memto Lin Jarvis, the eventuvery powerful, it was evorable though as it was al off-road racing boss, ident that major changes clinched the final there were ‘no more than The 125ccatclass in theround European Championship usually puts a spotlight on the next needed to be made in orof the season in the preusual’ concerns in terms big name in motocross.

In afact both 2015 Motocross World Champions deroftothe keep its FIM fan base mier 500cc class aboard of reliability, withand the first on side.

For 1983 some Yamaha, and it’s his 1983 tests being completed in vice-world champions Romain Febvre, Gautier Paulin, Tim Gajser and Pauls Jonass of those major changes Yamaha 500 OW64 that we Japan at the end of the have all won the EMX125 championship on their paths to motocross supremacy. included modifications to will feature in this issue of previous season, followed the clutch, the frame, the MXGP Magazine. by the rest of the tests in wheels and some suspensouthern France and Italy sion components which re1981 saw the last year of in the new year.’ Carla’s sulted in the bike weighing production for the YZ465 teammate was the Finn in at around 8kg lighter. as the new YZ490 hit the Jukka Sintonen with Minoru

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Tanaka as the front man in charge of racing activities, and the man also responsible for hiring Lin Jarvis to work alongside him in 1983, before the Brit took over fulltime in 1986.

But how different was the production Yamaha to the Factory OW64 that Carlqvist raced? Put simply, the difference was vast and according to Gary Benn, who at that time was Neil Hudson’s mechanic, ‘the Factory bikes of the ‘80’s were completely different from production and I would say that not one thing was the same or would fit!’

38mm. The ignition, piston, 4-speed gearbox and clutch were also full Factory.

The frame was totally Factory spec and there was no direct comparison with production whatsoever and the same applied to the swingarm in terms of material used, dimensions and weight. Everything was hand-crafted. Other Factory items that ‘money could not buy’ were the exhaust

pipe and silencer, which were also made in-house at YMC in Japan. The front forks were conventional 43mm KYB and these were married to an ÖHLINS rear shock which Carla had been instrumental in developing from the very beginning.

Handlebar technology was on the rise around this time so it was no surprise to see Renthal ‘bars sitting in the clamps. The rims were supplied by Takasago Excel

Exotica The Factory bikes of the 80’s were truly a work of art and things of absolute beauty and the Yamaha 500 OW64 was no different. Despite its air-cooled engine, where Honda and Suzuki had switched to liquid-cooled ones, everything else was pure exotic.

With a bore and stroke measurement of 92mm x 75mm the overall cubic capacity of the engine was 498.5cc and was a YPVS reed valve unit, and it goes without saying that it was a full Factory bit of kit. The carburettor was a magnesium Mikuni 40mm unit compared to the standard YZ490 which was

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and were married to Factory hubs. Disc brake technology was not far off but the ’83 bike came with drum brakes, although even these were given a factory makeover with the lever brackets made from magnesium and carbon.

Of course, no Factory bike from that era would not be complete unless it glistened with ‘bling tastic’ metal parts and the OW64 oozed Titanium and Magnesium where possible. According to Gary Benn, ‘the 500cc class weight limit was 102kg and I think the bike was very close to that limit due to the amount of Titanium and Magnesium parts

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that were used.’ Given the fact that no productions parts would fit the Factory OW64 and that the filter was the only standard item, the Yamaha 500 OW64 was about as Factory as it got.

The only thing we don’t know about the OW64 is how much horsepower it kicked out as that kind of information was reserved for the privileged few back in Japan … or privileged one it seems. Even today, team managers, assistant managers and race technicians associated with this project have no knowledge of the ‘bhp’ thirty-five years on. It seems that some things were on a ‘need to

know basis’ and this was one of them. What we do know though from speaking to Gary Benn is that ‘Carla always wanted a lot of brutal horsepower which is why in the early years he had quite a few bike problems; he was very aggressive and strong but I also think he was a very technical rider and one that understood the technical part of the bike as well. He was also very methodical with his approach to his racing.’

We also know from speaking to Lin Jarvis, who took over the running of the motocross effort full-time in 1986, that ‘Carla was a very demanding rider; demanding

to his Japanese engineers and also to the suspension technicians. He wanted things the way he had requested. That said, when he was on the bike in the races he gave it 100% no matter what.’

In the 1983 season, Håkan Carlqvist took eight race wins and won six of the twelve GP’s on offer. He also took one second and one third overall, meaning a total of nine podiums during the campaign.

As the 500cc class entered the final round at St Anthonis in The Netherlands on August 21st 1983 Carlqvist led André Malherbe by seventeen points. He just need-

ed to stay out of trouble and ride smart and that’s exactly what he did. Malherbe won the GP with a 4-1 but Carla’s 6-4 for fifth overall meant the title was his by seven points.

With Håkan’s renowned temperament and his no compromising approach to perfection, it’s a wonder that ‘The Super Swede’ could find a rider/mechanic relationship that would last long enough for them to be successful, but according to Lin Jarvis, in Tommi Jansson he found the perfect partner: ‘Where Carla was hot tempered and very aggressive on the track, Tommi was

quiet and reserved, the perfect antidote for his fiery rider.’ And this is something that Gary Benn also reflected on when he also stated, ‘To me Håkan was a good friend and a gentleman, but had a short fuse if something went wrong; but give him his space for couple of minutes and he was calm again. I think that is why him and Tommi got on so well; Tommi was very quiet and calm and spoke very few words, but he understood Carla and how he worked.’

Carla’s win was the first Yamaha world title in the 500cc class since Heikki Mikkola in 1978 five years earlier, but in the twostroke era Yamaha won just

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three 500cc titles: Mikkola won two, back to back in 1977/78 with Carla’s being the last Yamaha 500cc 2-stroke title.

At the end of 1983 Yamaha stopped its Factory effort in the 500cc class but because Carla had won in ‘83 they still built bikes for him to race as he was world champion. The last real factory Yamaha 500cc was the YZM in 1988 and 1989, and even though Yamaha fielded some great riders like Jacky Vimond, Kurt Ljunqvist and Leif Persson, there would be no more world titles in the two-stroke era and Yamaha would have to wait until 1999 when Andrea Bartolini claimed the 500cc title on the all-new evolutionary YZ400F sixteen years later in 1999.

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As a tribute to the late, great champion, Gary Benn also shared a couple of stories that help to sum up Håkan’s character: ‘One funny story after he picked up a pre-season injury to his hand which resulted in pins protruding from his hand, I think it was ’82. There was a lot of swearing in Swedish coming from the machine room where he was trying to grind the pins down in the hope that he could put on his glove and try to ride, but he didn’t realise at the time that the pins got hot and transferred heat to his hand! We all thought it was funny but at the time, he didn’t!’

‘Even later when I was Team Manager in the early

‘90s we employed Håkan as a rider mentor/trainer but I think he was very frustrated at times: ‘We were testing in the south of France with the young riders and Håkan wanted the riders to get to the inside rut after a steep drop off but they said it was too hard to do. So, he grabbed one of their bikes, turned his peaked hat around so it was facing backwards and only wearing shorts, a T-shirt and shoes, got the inside rut after the steep drop off and railed the inside rut before giving the bike back to make them try again.’ *Many thanks to Lin Jarvis and Gary Benn for the extra information relating to this article

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR

Dear MXGP, I was looking for some information for tickets to the MXGP of Turkey. Can you help me on that?

Thanks, Thomas Dear Thomas, the tickets for the MXGP of Turkey are on pre sales. You can have a look at the link below. https://turkey.motocross-tickets.com/23901mxgp-of-turkey/en/ Best Regards MXGP

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Hi MXGP, I heard about archive videos on MXGP-TV. Can you please advise how to have it?

Thanks, Matthes Hi Matthes Thanks for your interest. MXGPTV for the very first time released an archive including all actions and other various video footage since 2010 until 2017.

You need to register to MXGPTV and then you can purchase it at the price of 4,99. m/calendar.

Regards MXGP

Hi MXGP, I was thinking of going to visit the GP in Trentino as I’ll be in the surroundings on holiday for the first time. Is it possible to purchase the tickets onsite? Is the price different?

Thanks, Susanna Hi Susanna Thanks for your question. Good news that you’re going to Trentino. I recommend you to purchase your ticket in advance online as we still have some special prices and in order to avoid some queue onsite. You can follow this link to have more details: https://trentino.motocross-tickets.com/6841-mxgpof-trentino/en/ Regards MXGP

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