MXGP #60 August 2018 by MXGP MAG

RACING CATCH UP

TEAM OF THE MONTH Standing Construct

07 10 16 20 28 34 40 42 46 50 52 56 60 62

INDEX

COOL SHOT

MONSTER GIRLS

HALL OF FAME Alessio Chiodi

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 #60 August 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).

EDITORIAL Dear MXGP Friends,

Giuseppe Luongo President of Youthstream Group

gets on his bike, and that’s to win. In his mind 2nd is What Jeffery Herlings has the first loser, and he acts done at the MXGP events in with this principle at each Indonesia is something un- race. He proves to be the believable and has exceed- essence of a Champion. You ed any prognosis; just 20 may have heard some riders days after the operation to lamenting that it’s difficult his shoulder he came back to pass on certain tracks, to race in Indonesia with Jeffery never says this, he the aim to try to lose the just finds his way to pass least points possible, but anywhere on any track, he then to everyone’s surprise makes something considhe won the MXGP of Inered impossible, possible. donesia in Pangkal Pinang What makes his accomplishand then again the week ments even more valuable later at the MXGP of Asia in is that the overall level of Semarang. What this young riders in the MXGP class man is doing each week has never been so high as it is outstanding - it’s not is today; all the other ridjust his speed, his deterers, from Cairoli to Gajser, mination or his talent, it’s to Desalle, Febvre, Paulin, the combination of these Coldenhoff, Van Horebeek, factors and others which Seewer, Anstie … are exallows Jeffrey to have just tremely fast. As is the situone target every time he ation today only Jeffery can

stop Jeffery, with what he has shown up to today if he doesn’t make a mistake it will be difficult for someone else to take the red plate away from him. Antonio Cairoli is making a great season and every weekend he proves to be a serious competitor for Herlings. It’s good to see the return of Gajser who we are seeing more and more frequently on the podium. It will be very interesting to see the MXGP in Lommel next Sunday where normally Jeffery is the King of sand, but also Tony is very fast on the sand, especially on the track of Lommel; normally both riders should be fully recovered from their injuries so it should be an incredible battle between the two Titans.

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crease in the number of fans coming to the events, the growth in TV, YouTube and MXGP-TV audiences and also the fact that MXGP’s social media platforms have more and more followers. This overall increase in the number of people following MXGP has a great deal to do with the overseas events where MXGP is touching a large number of potential fans, and as a result MXGP’s top riders are rapidly becoming heroes for many young MX fans MXGP is living an extraordi- from around the world. For nary moment, Youthstream is one month around the MXGP events in Indonesia the Naproud of the significant inPrado and Jonass are making things interesting in the overall MX2 World Championship classification, while Covington has been getting right up front causing havoc for the chase for points for the leaders of the Championship. It’s been great to see Vlaanderen often on the podium and also Olsen and Watson constantly getting good results. The end of the season will be something not to miss.

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tional TV, the National media and social media were talking about MXGP, even one of the Indonesian National airline companies tagged their local planes with MXGP logos. The whole MXGP world were very well received by the Indonesian authorities and organizers and were treated like stars and honoured guests. MXGP’s future is bright and we have to continue to go to traditional Motocross countries and at the same time bring MXGP to growing economies worldwide where we can make our sport even more well-known.

COOL SHOTS

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COOL SHOTS

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COOL SHOTS

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Freaky Fa 14

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HOLESHOT

ast Fox Holeshots 15

MXGP has completed its final oversea trips of the season and returned to Europe to fin-ish out the 2018 calendar. In the past month Fox Holeshots have been recorded around the world, from Pangkal Pinang, Indonesia to Loket, Czech Republic and Semarang in between.

with 13 already this season. With the entire field looking to get the early ad-vantage, Prado lost out on the start of race 1. Taking his second Fox Holeshot of the year was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Rac-ing’s Thomas Covington just ahead of Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen who was followed by Prado. MX2 Race 2 saw Vlaanderen score his first Fox Holeshot of the year and take the overall victory along with it.

HOLESHOT

MXGP of Czech Republic The recent MXGP of Czech Republic was held in Loket and quickly became the proving ground for Prado. The weekend started with the 2 of Prado and Jonass tied in champi-onship points and each looking for any advantage.

Prado took full advantage of the A total of 12 Fox Holeshots bestart to put himself in the premier tween the two classes of MXGP position in Race 1 immediately. and MX2 have been taken by only Prado edged out both STC Racing 5 different riders. Leading the Husqvarna’s Henry Jacobi and standings in MXGP is none othYamaha SM Action M.C. Migliori’s er than the defend-ing and nine MXGP of Asia Michele Cervellin by only a few -times World Champion from Red 2nd stop of the MXGP tour in Incentimeters for Fox Holeshot numdonesia was on the new Semarang ber 16. Bull KTM Factory Racing Antonio track for the 2018 MXGP of Asia. Cairoli, while his young teammate Race 2 would again see Prado take Prado’s lack of a holeshot and Jorge Prado leads MX2. the holeshot but by a larger marinability to win in Pangkal Pinang MX2 pushed the Spanish rider to claim gin ahead of Jacobi. Championship rival Jonass struggled at the start MXGP of Indonesia another black plate. At the drop in both races helping Prado to not The first stop of the three most re- of the gate and into the first turn cent races was to Pangkal Pinang, of race 1 Prado led the way by a only take the overall but his first Indonesia. Hosting the MXGP of red plate. The race 2 Holeshot also bike length over his Red Bull KTM Indonesia for the second time in secured Prado the win in the Fox Factory Racing teammate Pauls 2 years the circuit was granted Holeshot competition with 13 more Jonass. In race 2 we again saw much bet-ter weather than the Prado take the holeshot and black than Jonass and only 12 left up for year prior. As the first MX2 Race grabs. plate, this time by an even larger of the weekend lined up to the margin. Prado’s quick starts left start Red Bull KTM Factory Rachim with strong positioning and in ing’s Jorge Prado was by far the MXGP turn race results. most dominant off of the starts MXGP of Indonesia

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The MXGP class has been and continues to be dominated by Red Bull KTM Factory Rac-ing riders. Antonio Cairoli leads the standings with teammate Jeffrey Herlings in second. Upon arrival to Indonesia many were unsure of the situation of Herlings as he fractured his collarbone just before the trip.

first turn the Dutchman lost traction and lost the Fox Holeshot and black plate to Cairoli. Race 2 was just as close with Cairoli, Herlings, and Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer all crossing the line at nearly the same time. Cairoli however had half a wheel on the rest for his second holeshot of the day and 14th of the year.

hind the win of Her-lings. In race 2 Cairoli again jumped to the lead early and took the holeshot over his friend and fellow Italian, Team Gebben Van Venrooy Kawasaki’s Alessandro Lupino. Cairoli’s lead was quickly taken by Herlings but propelled him to successful second place overall.

Herlings returned to racing with a massive Fox Holeshot in race 1 crossing the line nearly 3 bike lengths ahead of his closest competitor. Race 2 had the same outcome across the chalk but by only fractions of a meter. Herlings pair of Indonesian Fox Holeshots took the Dutchman to the top spot of the podium.

MXGP: MXGP of Czech Republic Antonio Cairoli 16 From Semarang teams and riders Jeffrey Herlings 6 returned to Europe for the MXGP Gautier Paulin 2 of Czech Republic at the iconic Romain Febvre 2 Loket circuit. Cairoli took the time Kevin Strijbos 1 between to check in with his doctor Shaun Simpson 1 due to pain from his hand and MX2: discovered he had fractured his Jorge Prado 17 metacarpal in 2 places. Pauls Jonass 4 MXGP of Asia The injury made it even more Thomas Covington 2 With the soft soil of the Pangkal important for Cairoli to take advan- Calvin Vlaanderen 1 tage of the Fox Holeshots during Pinang circuit in the past MXGP Thomas Kjer Olsen 1 arrived to Semarang’s harder red the weekend if he wanted to fight Henry Jacobi 1 clay circuit. The new track featured for the podium. Race 1 saw Cairoli Davy Pootjes 1 get a good jump off the grid and fly Hunter Lawrence 1 a long start with a sweeping left hand turn immediately leading into around the outside of the uphill left turn for black plate number 15. a dragons back section. Off the grid in race 1 Herlings was fastest but upon exit of the

Cairoli’s start in race 1 helped him to manage a strong 2nd place be-

RACING CATCH UP

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EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

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After a one-week hiatus following the FIAT Professional MXGP of Lombardia at Ottobiano, MXGP arrived in Indonesia for the first of two back-toback fly-away GP’s in Asia, the first of which that saw a return to Pangkal Pinang. Fifteen months earlier we were there for the second round of MXGP, an event that was something of a mud-fest and the early signs from when we first touched down in Jakarta on this occasion cast major doubts as to the eventual outcome of Round twelve. But more of that later though! Despite overcast, hot and humid conditions, the welcome was a friendly one with an array of international hotels on-call to house the visiting riders and teams; some chose to remain inside the air conditioned climes of the hotel lobby whilst others either went to the gym or ventured out to see the more local side of the region.

With little or no rain for weeks eading into the MXGP of Indonesia, the ‘weather gods’ decided to pull a major U-turn and by Friday, a series of brief but heavy storms, scattered throughout the week had engulfed the region and in the blink of an eye, the Pangkal Pinang circuit was under water for the second-year running. We all feared the worst, the worst of which being a shortened schedule and maybe even a one-race format, based on our previous experience with this race. With a break in the weather as the storm clouds started to clear on Friday evening, the racing community was invited to the organiser’s dinner at one of the main hotels in the area, which was very well attended, with representation from all the major teams. Red Bull KTM had all riders in attendance, as did Rockstar Energy Husqvarna whilst last years ‘Indo’ winners Shaun

Simpson and Jeremy Seewer were there from Wilvo Yamaha. Also from the blue corner of Japan were Michele Cervellin and Simone Furlotti from Yamaha SM Action M.C. Migliori. Max Nagl from TM Racing Factory, Julien Lieber (Monster Energy Kawasaki), Alessandro Lupino (Gebben van Venrooy Kawasaki) and Bas Vaessen (Honda 114 Motorsports) were also in attendance, along with various team managers and other associated personnel. Following on from the live band and speeches from Youthstream Vice President David Luongo, Tony Skillington FIM/ CMS Director, Syaiful Zachri, Pangkal Pinang’s Chief of Police, Dr. Erzaldi Rosman, the Governor of Bangka Belitung and the Executive Director for KTM and Husqvarna USA Selvaraj Narayana, the audience were kept captivated by traditional dancers before enjoying a buffet of both local and international cuisine. From there,

they headed back to the their respective hotels with thoughts of the impending race. When Saturday came, a wet and sticky racetrack greeted the riders, but much to their surprise it rode better than expected and whilst menacing, dark clouds hovered on the horizon, the predicted rain never came; instead, by the afternoon, we were bathed in glorious sunshine. However, with the sun came a rapid increase in temperatures and if that was the downside then the upside surely had to be a circuit that got better and better as the day wore on. The major surprise came in MXGP Qualifying where back from his recent broken collarbone, Jeffrey Herlings shocked us all by taking the race win whilst his teammate and main rival Antonio Cairoli suffered through an error-strewn race to come home in an eventual second place. A sign of things

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to come perhaps? If MX2 Qualifying was anything to go by then yes! As Jorge Prado guided his KTM to his sixth Pole Position of the season, his teammate and championship leader by nine points struggled to fifth.

In the premier MXGP class, all eyes were on the two KTM’s but despite reducing the points gap from twelve to nine in Race One, Cairoli made life difficult for himself second time out, with a few mistakes and a couple of crashes before crossing Jonass bounced back in Race the line in second with a pretty One on Sunday but dramatically injured left thumb as well. Herfell apart in Race Two and saw lings, broken collarbone and all, his lead cut to seven points; had done the unthinkable; he his only saving grace was that not only won the GP but he kept it wasn’t Prado who did the his slender lead intact. winning. Thomas Covington took the win in Race One, but after Clement Desalle rode solid in placing third in his first outing, Race One to claim third but South Africa’s Calvin Vlaancouldn’t quite deliver in Race deren ‘tripled-up’ with his first Two though and the Belgian ever Fox Holeshot, which he fell short of the overall poditurned in to his first ever race um by three points. Instead, it win. Oh, and by the way, he was Romain Febvre who stood also took to the top step of the alongside JH84 and TC222 on podium as well; another first. the third step of the box for the Congratulations to Team HRC second time in four GP’s. for a well deserved victory. It was also the first South African It was a timely performance win since Tyla Rattray at Lierop from the Monster Energy Yain September 2008, a GP that maha rider as the team were Vlaanderen witnessed as a decked out in new colours as wide-eyed fan. Nice! a result of its close ties with

Yamaha Indonesia whose motto is ‘Semakin di Depan’ which means ‘one step ahead’ and symbolises the spirit of Yamaha Indonesia. Both Romain and Jeremy Van Horebeek took to the track in red and white Alpinestars clothing as their bikes were finished off with a white seat and white tank graphics. It’s always cool to see those kind of ‘one-off’ collaborations, don’t you think? Off to Indo 2 From Pangkal Pinang, riders and teams arrived in Semarang via Jakarta, the largest city in Indonesia. Our final destination on this trip was through the Achmad Yani Airport, a modern airport serviced by well-known local airlines and from there we were whisked away in our shuttles to check out our next home for the next week. Okay, when we say home we actually mean hotel but when you’re on the road as much as MXGP is then wherever we lay our hats, that’s our home, and hotels just happen to be home for about

seven months of the year.

are twelve. Apart from all that though, the biggest difference Because of the close proximibetween the locations of the ty to many tourist areas, some two Indo GP’s was the climate. riders headed east to Bali, Pangkal Pinang to the north some ventured to the famous was much more humid, whereas Borobudur Temple in Yogyakar- Semarang was more akin to the ta to the south, but for those summer temperatures of Euremaining in Semarang for the rope; hot yes, but not as humid. days leading into the GP week- It was much more comfortable end, there were also a number from that aspect which was of well known sites to visit, such nice. The surroundings were as the Sam Poo Kong Temple, also much more modern, with which is the oldest Chinese bigger hotels and more of them; temple in the city, visited by a few shopping malls and about MXGP as part of our Media a million more scooters as well. Event. If you’re into churches though then the Blenduk Church Some of us even learned a new is the oldest church in Central game and it involved crossJava. Just saying! ing the street as quickly and as safely as possible; the best With Indonesia being a mostly teachers of such a craft? The Muslim country, mosques are locals, of course! Do as they do a prevalent part of the island’s and you will just about make it inhabitants, and the most fato the other side of the road mous mosque in the city is the intact. Actually, the car drivGreat Mosque of Central Java. ers and scooter-heads react The city itself is a vibrant one, to what you do, so if you’re in littered with a mix of old and the middle of the road they will new buildings, shopping malls, stop for you or if you’re moving fantastic restaurants and to their right they will move the universities, of which there opposite way. Simple really and

not even a hint of euro road rage to be seen anywhere, or high-viz jackets for that matter. They really are a law unto themselves; quite refreshing actually! If you’ve never had the good fortune to visit this part of the world, just watching how the locals commute is quite eye-opening, and with scooters being the most common form of transport it is not uncommon to see families of four locked together on one scooter; dad driving, mum on the back, kid in between them and another kid between dad’s legs on the front of the seat. The funniest thing we saw was a young mum swerving through the streets in a world of her own with her young son sat on the seat in front of her, leaning forwards over the handlebars on his elbows whilst playing on his I-phone. But if that’s how they roll then we are all okay with that. The more bikes the merrier, right?

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As it was the second Indo GP in the space of about five minutes, there was another welcome dinner at another very swanky hotel in the city centre which was well attended once again and with all the formalities taken care of it was time to go racing once more. A brand-new facility that appeared to be longer than the 1750m suggested on the side of the tin, the Semarang racetrack looked like it had been transplanted from Brazil to Indonesia due to the red clay dirt it was carved out of. An array of huge jumps and a wide, flowing design meant it was going to be pretty high-speed, and whilst first impressions left everybody in a state of ‘drop-jaw’ the way it rode was completely different to how it looked. Why? Well, for a start, when you take a red clay circuit out of the fridge and leave it to bake in the searing heat for not very long at all, and then ask the world’s best petrol-headed,

dirt-scooter riders to spin a few laps, that same clay dirt will eventually go hard, and when it goes hard it occasionally turns blue, and that is not a colour we see a great deal of these days in MXGP. This meant that the circuit was more difficult to master, but if you got it right it paid dividends. On the outskirts of the track you could not fail to be impressed by the amount of local support from traders and vendors; it really was huge. The main road into the circuit was awash with what can only be described as a pop-up mall. It was uniform too in that the organiser had created these huge bays in which traders could operate. You could buy motorcycles, cars, apparel, food; there was all sorts! It was the same inside the perimeter fence as well. There was certainly a lot to keep the fans entertained during the downtime between sessions that’s for sure. The whole thing had a real carnival

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vibe/atmosphere to it, which was really impressive. In a nutshell then … So, what was the heading of this month’s copy? That’s right, ‘Expect the unexpected’, and the two Indo GP’s certainly delivered on that front, the second one maybe even more so. In MXGP, JH84 doubled his lead from twelve to twenty-four points over Cairoli as Tim Gajser found his way back to the podium for the fourth time this year with second overall; his 2-3 nudged Desalle into third by two points. Cairoli, riding with his damaged thumb after ‘Indo 1’ could ‘only’ muster up a fourth place finish, in what was surely a very difficult GP for the nine-time champ. Behind him was his old sparring partner Tommy Searle and the Bike It DRT Kawasaki rider’s fifth place overall was the Brits best finish since his sixth overall in Switzerland in August 2016. Hopefully this will give him the boost he needs to finish off the season in a good manner.

Over in MX2 we almost saw the Red Plate change hands for the first time this year as Prado had managed to cut the lead between him and Jonass to zero. That meant they were all-square at the top of the MX2 standings with Jonass’ race wins keeping him ‘in red’ at least until Loket. Was it just a matter of time before Prado took command or would the defending champ bounce back in Czech Republic?

MXGP of Czech Republic, a glorious part of eastern Europe that was benefitting from the fantastic summer that seems to have engulfed the whole of mainland EU this year. Prague, the capital is a wonderful city in its own right but between there and Loket there are a multitude of equally beautiful towns that have so much history and so much to offer, like nearby Karlovy Vary.

Situated just a few minutes drive from Loket the town is a Oh, and in case you’re wonfamous spa town in the westdering, YES Jorge Prado won ern Bohemia region and the the GP in Semarang, beating place is littered with various his teammate by seven points. hot springs. As you climb the Vlaanderen was on the box winding roads to the elevated again in third whilst Ben Watpart of Karlovy Vary the streets son managed to slash the deficit are lined with the most fabubetween himself and TKO to ten lous buildings and ornate arpoints as they wrestle over that chitecture and the hospitality is bronze medal. equally as impressive. Lock’t and loaded … As we said ‘selamat tinggal’ to Asia, most of us managed to just about get a week off before heading to Loket for the

One of the most famous landmarks in recent history has to be the Grand Hotel Pupp, made famous for the casino scenes in ‘Casino Royale’ and this part of

the town is awash with highend designer brands. The main street is divided by a river with restaurants, bars and cafés making the most of the river location to set-up outdoor dining spots, which is always a hit with visiting tourists. It really is beautiful. As for Loket, this medieval town boasts a rather impressive castle that dominates the skyline as soon as you catch your first glimpse of it as you head along the twisty decent that drops into the town centre. The main street is another film location made famous by the Bond Franchise and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants in which to enjoy a bit of ‘bench racing’ after watching the action on Saturday and Sunday at the ‘Serpentine’ Circuit that overlooks the historic town. Even better is the fact that you can walk from the circuit to the town, especially if you have spent most of the day quench-

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ing your thirst whilst watching the year with a 3-1, he also the action trackside, if you know took collected his first ever what we mean! Red Plate and heads to Lommel for the MXGP of Belgium with Let’s keep this bit short, shall an eleven point lead over Jonwe? ass. It’s the first time that De In MXGP we saw another dom- Carli has held the Red Plate in inant display of riding from MX2 since Antonio Cairoli on Jeffrey Herlings who has only June 1st 2008 where he led dropped three points since his the championship by 1 point return from his collarbone inby over Tyla Rattray after the jury. The Bullet went 1-1 as his British GP at Mallory Park. Red Bull KTM teammate Antonio Although TC222 went to the Cairoli went 2-2 with Tim GaFrench GP the following round jser rounding out the podium with it attached to his Yamawith a 3-3 kind of day for Team ha, he never led the MX2 class HRC. The two Monster Energy again. Yamaha’s of Romain Febvre and Jeremy Van Horebeek tied for Calvin Vlaanderen and Thomas fourth whilst Monster Energy Covington rounded out the poKawasaki’s Clement Desalle lost dium in what was a very hotly eight points to Gajser as he contested GP to say the least. come home in sixth. With another one-week break However, over in MX2 the to look forward to MXGP reyoung Spanish starlet Jorge sumes in Belgium for Round 15 Prado maintained his impresand always we will be there to sive form and took his momen- ensure you don’t miss any of it! tum to Loket where he not only won his seventh grand prix of Ahoj …

FIM Motocross World Championship

Standings MXGP CHAMP. STANDINGS

MX2 CHAMP. STANDINGS

1. J.Herlings (NED, KTM), 633points 2. A.Cairoli (ITA, KTM) , 603 p. 3. C. Desalle (BEL, KAW) ,479 p 4. T. Gajser (SLO, HON) ,450 p. 5. R. Febvre (FRA YAM) , 432 p. 6. G. Paulin (FRA, HUS) 419 p. 7. G.Coldenhoff (NED, KTM) 353 p. 8. J. Seewer (SUI, YAM),319 p 9. J. VanHorebeek (BEL,YAM),312p. 10. M. Anstie (GBR, HUS), 231p.

1. J. Prado (ESP, KTM) ,595 points 2. P. Jonass (LAT, KTM) , 584 p. 3. T. Olsen (DEN, HUS), 454 p. 4. B. Watson (GBR, YAM),427 p. 5. C. Vlaanderen(RSA, HON),414p. 6. T. Covington (USA, HUS), 375 p. 7. J. Geerts (BEL, YAM) , 310 p. 8 M. Cervelli (ITA, HON) ,279 p. 9. H. Jacobi, (GER, HUS), 249 p. 10. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 218p

MXGP MANUFACTUERS 1. KTM 2. Kawasaki 3. Yamaha 4. Honda 5. Husqvarna 6. TM 7. Suzuki

697 498 480 465 443 227 226

points points points points points points points

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

673 569 482 475 326 119

points points points points points points

2018 Facebook Mid Season Numbers

2,411,945 Page Likes 2.5 Million Weekly Reach 5,500 Weekly New Likes 300 Weekly Action on Page 130,000 Weekly Page Engagement +0.8% Weekly Growth Top 5 Countries Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France

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Follow MXGP Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/

TEAM OF THE MONTH

Building Up: Standing Construct KTM 36

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SPECIAL FEATURE

MXGP Mag and everyone in the paddock welcomed the return of Standing Construct KTM to the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2018 and this month the group takes the cover as the featured team of the month. The Standing Construct team is owned and led by none other than Tim Mathys, the founder of title sponsor Standing Construct. Tim’s passion for motocross has also been the main motivation for him to keep working. Leading the team on the track this season is veteran Belgian Kevin Strijbos and Swiss rider Valentin Guillod. The team’s return to MXGP hasn’t been an easy one with both riders suffering injury within hours of another just prior to the opening round in Patagonia, Argentina. However, the Belgian team’s experience,

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work ethic and professionalism, have long been a part of their foundation. Mathys’ team was built off of his passion for the sport which he found while riding in the 90’s, and in 1999 he would create his own construction company after working in the industry with his father. As his construction company grew over the following ten years he decided to sponsor his friend’s son, Damon Graulus in Belgian motocross. From a pee wee to racing full size bikes in the national and European championships Mathys continued his support including the addition of Brent Van Doninck to the team. In 2011 interest to create an MX2 team grew from Mathys, who consulted with Joel Smets, the trainer of Graulus, a 4-time 500cc world champion, and now KTM Motocross Factory

Racing Sports Director. In 2012 Standing Construct entered the World Championship with 2 riders competing in MX2. The following year the team returned to MX2 with the support of KTM and the newly added Dutch rider, Glenn Coldenhoff. “We took Glenn and everyone thought that he could only ride fast in the sand. A mechanic working in my team was a friend of Glenn and he explained what he thought could help Glen so we gave him these things in winter. At the first GP in Qatar he took 2nd and it was one of the most special things in Standing Construct motocross team history,” Tim Mathys remembers. The team at the time was small with only 2 riders and 3 crew members fighting against the factory squads of over 15 crew for

SPECIAL FEATURE

the same number of riders. Later in the same year Coldenhoff won a GP for the team and the success continued into 2013 with Valentin Guillod and Coldenhoff achieving 7 podiums and 3 GP wins. The following 2 years the team took on the role as the Official Yamaha MX2 team but in the same time period Mathys’ construction company grew massively forcing him to sell the Yamaha rights over to Louis Vosters. Working day and night at his construction company after the 2016 season pushed Mathys to decide on returning to the World Championship in 2018. The decision made in May 2017 gave Mathys the motivation to work even harder as he contacted former partners, mechanics and crew with

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nearly all gladly jumping back on board for the new season. For Mathys he sees his team as not only a reflection of himself but also of his construction business, and while the year has been a struggle due to rider injuries, the team itself and the construction business is flourishing.

In the paddock the team is by far one of the cleanest and most organized, in fact KTM noticed it this year and since have added them as a factory supported team for the upcoming years in a long term deal. Also recently announced is the return and signing of current Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Glenn Coldenhoff to the team in 2019.

“It is very important for us what Youthstream is giving us as a team, we have the tools to achieve some really good marketing, some live TV coverage, which is really important for the construction company, a sponsor from outside the industry, to receive publicity and have the name seen. Much of it is thanks to Youthstream that we and our sponsors are live on TV in Belgium and other markets,” Tim Mathys explains.

Building on years of success the Standing Construct KTM team continues to move forward and become more competitive. With Coldenhoff confirmed for 2019 the team will return to MXGP next season with a second rider still in the works. From the humble beginnings of sponsoring a single PW rider in Belgian motocross the team has grown to own one of the largest and best know teams on the World Championship stage.

MXGP SOCIAL

TWITTER, FACEB IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP @EliandJoel Career mode in #MXGP is solid. 19 rounds from the real tracks. AI based on real riders that will are good. Try and win the MX1 or 2 title @ansrmx Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new red plate holder in town @JorgePrado61 #AnswerRacing #MXGP #Sunday #YourAnswer

@motocrossvice Jeffrey Herlings wins the second moto and sweeps the Czech @MXGP! Another brilliant weekend for the series leader.

@jac_malins Brilliant weekend at the @ mxgp Matterley Basin some really close racing But for me the stand out rider of the weekend has to be @ benwatsonmx welldone Ben

@alexlowes22 Looking forward to heading down to the @mxgp this weekend @MonsterEnergy

Jorge Prado took his first ever MX2 red plate at the 2018 MXGP of Czech Republic in Loket!

Valentin Guillod VG92 was riding a bucking bronco for a few meters of MXGP Qualifying, check out his sketchy moment and impressive save! #MXGPIndonesia

@_chilvs_ The @mxgp TV coverage has been exceptionally good these past few seasons. @ pmalin11 and @lisaleylandTV bringing us all the action

@jemali_wilsen24 I am Very Happy @Mxgp is in indonesia #MxGpOfIndonesia Welcome To Indonesia â&#x20AC;Ź

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Catch up with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Squad featuring Jeffrey Herlings, Pauls Jonass and Glenn Coldenhoff

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IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP 43

MONSTER GIRLS

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MONSTER GIRLS

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A 48 Photo: MEYER

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HALL OF FAME

Alessio Chiodi

‘Chicco’

Alessio Chiodi is one of the most successful riders who has ever entered the smallest class of the Motocross World Championship. He retired when he was 35 years old with three 125cc World titles and twenty-seven GP wins under his belt, and remains on the overall podium of the class next to Jeffrey Herlings and Gaston Rahier.

the fifteen races of the season to conquer the 1991 European title.

Moving to the World Championship in 1992 he discovered another competition, but he managed to score points in most of the rounds and he even won one of the three motos at the Italian GP in Ponte Egola. Team mate of Andrea Bartolini the following season he missed the first Born on 17th March 1973, Alessio Chiodi was really young GP’s due to a broken collarbone but won the second heat latwhen he jumped on his first er in San Marino and finished minibike. It was not really his eighth in the series. After two bike, it was his sister’s, but learning years in the 125cc when she got it for Christmas class he fought for the title in he jumped on it and had his first sensations on two wheels. 1994 against American veteran Bobby Moore and Dutch Pedro When he entered his first local races in Lombardia Alessio was Tragter. Very close with Moore just six years old, and one year in the standings after eight rounds and his first GP win in later he celebrated his first wins. He claimed his first title in San Marino, Alessio lost many points when he got a DNF at the a regional championship when following round in Germany and he was eleven and then never finished runner up in the series. stopped training and working, winning his first important title Moving to team Yamaha Rinaldi in 1995, he won four GP that in 1988 with the 125cc Italian season and fought until the last cadet. Three years later he race with fellow countryman entered the 125cc European Alessandro Puzar, who finally Championship and dominated all his rivals, winning twelve of

beat him by three points on a total of 340! In 1996 Alessio lined up in the 250cc World Championship but it was one of his most disappointing experience as he got injured at mid season. Back in the 125cc class the following year with team De Carli he finally claimed his first world title and took his revenge as he beat Puzar. It was a dreaming season for the tiny Italian who had won five GP’s and finished runner up with the Italian team at the 1997 Motocross of Nations. Signing with Husqvarna in wintertime he won two World titles and conquered the Motocross des Nations in Brazil in 1999. King of the 125cc class with 14 GP wins during those two seasons, he achieved another dream when he convinced Husqvarna to send him racing in the US in 2000. However, it was a disastrous experience, as he injured his back in Europe on December ‘99 and later had a wrist injury when he finally raced in the US. Back in Europe

and back to Yamaha for the 125cc World Championship in 2001, he could only finish sixth of the series and did another attempt in the 250cc class one year later. He started the season pretty well with a podium in Spain â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at that time there was only one heat per class â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but got injured later and missed several rounds. He finished the season in a high note as he won for the second time the Motocross of Nations in Spain, an event that most of the top riders skipped except the Italians. Back again in the 125cc class in 2003, Alessio would never be able to race for the title, even if he managed to finish on the top three in the 2005 MX2 World Championship behind Cairoli and McFarlane. That season he also won his 27th and last GP in Spain to become the second all time 125-MX2 GP winner behind Gaston Rahier (later Jeffrey Herlings would break this record).

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After one more season in the MX2 class at the age of 33, Alessio joined again an Italian factory to race in the MX1 class on the Aprilia in 2007 and on a TM in 2008, his last seasons in the World Championship. Afterwards he stopped racing the GP,

but for a couple of seasons he continued racing in Italy where he remains a popular rider, as people never forget how dedicate he was for his sport. Text & Photos: Pascal Haudiquert

1988: 125 Italian Cadet Champion (KTM) 1991: 125 European Champion (KTM) 1992: 11th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (KTM) 1993: 8th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Honda) 1994: 2nd in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Honda). 1995: 2nd in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha). Winner of 4 GP 1996: 16th in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha) 1997: 125 Motocross World Champion (Yamaha). Winner of 5 GP 2nd at the MX of Nations with the Italian team 1998: 125 Motocross World Champion (Husqvarna). Winner of 6 GP 1999: 125 Motocross World Champion (Husqvarna). Winner of 8 GP Winner of the MX of Nations with the Italian team 2001: 6th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha) 2002: 10th in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha) Winner of the MX of Nations with the Italian team 2003: 8th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha) 2004: 5th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha) 2005: 3rd in the MX2 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha). Winner of 1 GP 2006: 12th in the MX2 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha) 2007: 27th in the MX1 Motocross World Championship (Aprilia) 2008: 27th in the MX1 Motocross World Championship (TM)

PADDOCK TALKS

Paddock Talks 01/David Guarneri visited the MXGP paddock in Loket. 02/Summer party at the paddock of the Czech Grand Prix organized by the orange KTM family. 03/Pangkal Pinang welcomed the riders and teams along with journalists and dignitaries at the Swiss Bel hotel. 04/Dr. Erzaldi Rosman, the Governor of Bangka Belitung and Mr Selvaraj Narayana, Executive Director for KTM and Husqvarna USA, were very enthusiastic to welcome back the MXGP series in Indonesia. 05/A very welcoming meet and greet was organized for the MXGP officials, riders and media at the ballroom of the Gumaya Tower Hotel in Semarang. 06/There was a lot of media attention for the MXGP of Asia at Semarang. 06

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Paddock Talks 07/First GP for baby Lupino! 08/The top 65cc and 85cc riders in Europe, the stars of tomorrow! 09/The Strijbos family enjoying the warm weather at Loket. 10/Impressive paddock at the MXGP of Asia! 11/Big Jeffrey Herlingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fan in Indonesia! 12/Antonio Cairoli met for a photo with Youthstream Vice President Mr. David Luongo, Mayor of Semarang Mr. Hendrar Prihadi, S.E. M.M, and Head of Police Deputy of Central Java Mr. Brigjen Ahme Lutfi during the MXGP of Asia. 13/Semarang city was covered by MXGP advertising posts!

Special Feature

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Future Stars 2018 EMX85 and EMX65 Champions Crowned in Loket

SPECIAL FEATURE

MXGP Mag is all about motocross whether it’s the stars of today, the past or the future. Just this month FIM Europe crowned two up and coming motocross stars as champions in the EMX85 and EMX65 classes. The unique championship event was held at the Loket circuit alongside the 2018 MXGP of Czech Republic. 80 riders combined competed in the racing after various regional races were held around Europe to narrow the fields. Of the 80 riders in total only 2 would leave the Czech Republic as European Champions. The 65cc rippers battled on the massive hills in Loket but a fast start from Italy’s Brando Rispoli led the field of small wheeled 2 strokes and with a result of 5-1 Rispoli took the

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overall win and claimed the EMX 65cc title. Brando was born in Grosseto, Italy on July 21st 2007 along with his twin sister Giola. At the age of 4 Brando was riding and only 6 months later entered his first ever race. From the earliest days the family went to the races and Brando couldn’t wait to get started himself. The Rispoli family now resides in Porto Ercole on the Coast of Tuscany where Brando rides and trains. First racing a KTM 50cc Brando won both regional and Italian Championship races before jumping up to the KTM 65cc in 2016. Racing in the Novice class the young rider took 2nd in the Italian Championship and 1st in regionals then moved to the “Cadet” level in 2017 where he took 3rd in Italy and again won the

region. The interest in racing was sparked by Brando’s father Graziano, who competed in both motocross and supermoto. Admiring the trophy’s of his father was one thing but Brando’s passion for racing was truly his own. From the moment he learned how to ride he didn’t want to stop and wouldn’t return to the paddock until his bike had run dry on fuel. “Sometimes when we would come to theses races and everyone was eating or taking a break, I would disappear and practice on the track even more. I love riding, I have always loved it and my family has allowed me to have fun with it and enjoy myself,” Brando Rispoli said. Brando’s idol is none other than the 9-time World Champion from Italy, Anto-

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nio Cairoli. The excitement and the pride of the Rispoli family was clearly evident at the podium where Brando simply explained: “winning makes me feel happy, strong, and confident, it is a great feeling!” His parents are just as happy with his achievement and dedication: “in October of 2017 Brando put an ‘X’ in his school diary, that ‘X’ was an objective he had to reach and on July 21st & 22nd 2018 he achieved that goal in Loket with grit and determination. As parents we are so happy for him and we feel grateful, amazed at his determination and very proud of our son. To do this sport takes a lot of hard work, intense training both in the gym and on the track. You have to train on some very difficult tracks at times full of holes, jumps and canals

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even when its very hot outside, but Brando seems to be having fun with it and he says he can’t stay away from his bikes “Trendy and Nandy”. Brando’s future looks bright and with the added motivation of being the 2018 FIM Europe 65cc Champion the possibilities are endless for the young Italian. EMX85 had tons of talent as well but making a long trip from South Africa to win the title was KTM Kosak Racing’s Camden Mc Lellan. Camden not only made his own personal history but became the first ever South African to win a European Championship. Mc Lellan was born June 7th 2006 in South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg and by the time he

could ride a bicycle without training wheels his family got him an Oset. Camden soon progressed to a KTM mini adventure at around 5 years old and after a while of play riding the family was convinced by now close family friends to let him race at Syringa MX Park. He immediately showed natural talent and was instantly passionate about racing and not just riding. His father, David, grew up watching motocross and passed his passion to the rest of the family including Camden. Though the family is still living in South Africa, Camden now spends as much time as he can in Germany training with Christoph Selent. Mc Lellan is a 5-time South African Junior Champion

SPECIAL FEATURE cross star Ryan Dungey and in 2017 started rachas always been an idol for ing on European soil in the Mc Lellan due to his hard ADAC championship. So training regimen and dedfar in 2018 he has been ication while Red Bull KTM spending time in Germany Factory Racing’s Jorge with his trainer, allowing Prado has become a new him to practice and race role model with his talent even more in turn qualiand ability to win at such a fying him for the EMX fiyoung age. nal. In addition to his new title as the 2018 EMX85 Camden’s trainer Christoph champion he will repreSelent: “I am really proud sent South Africa at this of Camden. Living most of year’s FIM Junior Motothe time far away from his cross World Championship family, he never complains in Australia and he currently leads the 2018 ADAC or anything, which shows that he has his priorities championship. set. He does anything I ask him to do, on and off Camden on his EMX title: the bike which makes it “I’m incredibly happy, I easy for me. The improvecan’t stop smiling! I can’t ments that we made the get ahead of myself though last 12 months show that because there is still a lot we all together are a great of work to do and titles up for grabs before the end of team!” the season.” For Camden the sky is the limit and his goal is to one day Retired American moto-

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become a multi time world champion and just enjoy doing what he loves. The decision to race in the European championship was an easy choice for the Mc Lellan who knew of the high standard of competition in Europe. Mc Lellan’s family explained: “as parents we are so incredibly proud of Camden, he has achieved some much in such a short space of time and more than we expected. We always knew he would achieve great results just did not think it would happen so soon.” Camden’s EMX success seems to be only the start of what could be a long and rewarding path for the South African. With the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship fast approaching be on the lookout for the #407 to fight for even more wins.

JIM POMEROY 1973

BULTACO PURSANG 250 MK6 performances saw the Bultaco American motocross legend Jim Don was a successful racer in privateer catch the eye of the Pomeroy rocked the GP world the 50’s and 60’s and owned a Factory team and he was ofwhen in 1973 he entered his motorcycle shop in Washington fered for the 1973 season that first FIM 250cc grand prix and so it almost a given that ‘Jimbo’ included a handful of grand prix. won first time out. In doing so, would ride dirt bikes in some he became the first American kind of capacity. As a talented His first race in the world to win on his debut and thereamateur though he wasn’t able championship took place on fore the first American to win to race in the Pro ranks of the April 8th 1973 at Sabadell in a grand prix race. He followed AMA so he spent time racing in Spain and Jim arrived one week that up with a solid result in Canada, something that gave before the event to find that race two that also saw him him time and space to hone his none of on his the racenext bikes were claim the overall, to become the craft. The 125cc class in the European Championship usually puts a spotlight ready, but after some help from first ever American to win a GP. big name in motocross. In fact both of the 2015 FIM Motocross World Champions and some kind-hearted fellow racPomeroy raced for Bultaco and When he turned eighteen he thePauls bikes were ready just vice-world champions Romain Gautier Paulin, Tim Gajserers and Jonass it’s his 250cc Pursang MK6 that Febvre, entered the AMA 250cc national in time for Friday practice. In we will feature in this issue of championship series and to won have all won the EMX125 championship on their paths motocross supremacy. his first outing he was a disMXGP Magazine. the opening round of the year at appointing fifth but after some the legendary Saddleback Park changes to tyres and suspenThe American Dream circuit, but decided to switch to sion found himself at the sharp Jim Pomeroy was born into a the 500cc class for the remindend in second to the disbelief of motocross family; his father er of the season. A run of solid

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SPECIAL FEATURE

the entire paddock who at that time looked down on the American scene. The Spanish-built Bultaco Pursang 250 that he raced was a pre-production machine that was well in advance of its production sibling. The body parts were lightweight fibreglass, which included the slender tank, mudguards, air-box and side panels. The chrome moly frame was a factory item given that the stock bikes came with steel, and the forged Mahle pistons from Germany were a thing of beauty. The engine was a single-cylinder 2-stroke 250 measured at 249.29cc with a bore and stroke of 72x60mm. An Amal 32mm carburettor and Femsa ignition finished it off, along with a 5-speed gearbox; the gearbox by all accounts was as sturdy as they come and as a result were much less prone to breaking than those of its rivals, where Husqvarna were still the leading European bike and Yamaha were making history with the Mono-Shock bike of Hakan Andersson; the wheels were made by Akront. As for the power delivery, the Bultaco may not have been as strong or as hard-hitting as other contenders but its strength was the top end which allowed the rider to carry more corner speed, something that Pomeroy loved to do and knew how to do it better than most. It also handled impeccably well. Oh, and the gear shifter was on the right with the rear brake lever on the left.

The History maker When the first race got underway Pomeroy was inside the top five but quickly worked his way to the front, passing title favourites and soon to be world champions Heikki Mikkola and Hakan Andersson, and when the chequered flag fell, the American was still there at the head of the field. He had just won the first race to become America’s first ever GP race winner and the Spanish fans were all over him like he was one of their own. To celebrate his win he crossed the line on the back wheel, with a one-handed wheelie whilst giving the ‘peace’ sign. In the second race Pomeroy fell whilst in third but managed to salvage fourth which was good enough to take the overall victory. However, the Spanish federation awarded the win to a German by the name of Hans Maisch whose family owned Maico saying there was a tie on points and that Maisch

had won on corrected time in the second outing. However, at the end of the 1972 season the FIM had revised its scoring system, so instead of one point for a win, two for second, three for third and so-on, the system was changed to 15 points for the win, 12 for second, 10 for third and 8 for fourth. This meant that Pomeroy was the actual winner with 23 points to the 22 of Maisch but it was two days before the FIM issued an update to the results. Maisch kept the winners trophy and refused to hand it to the rightful owner and it would be THIRTY YEARS before Pomeroy would finally get his hands on it after a group of friends clubbed together to have a true copy of the original made in the same factory that produced it in 1973. Jim’s other success of the year was a second overall in Italy at Serramazzoni one week later and he went on to finish seventh overall in the championship.

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR Dear MXGP, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m planning to go to the Fiat Professional MXGP of Belgium and my son really wishes to have an autograph from Jeffrey Herlings. Any chance to get it? Thanks, Leen Dear Leen , Thanks for your question. Normally Jeffrey Herlings signs autographs during the MXGPs events on Sunday morning and the speaker onsite is going to announce them all. Best Regards MXGP

Hi MXGP, wish to purchase the tickets for the MXGP of Italy in Imola and go there with my family. Is there any discount for teens? Thanks, Agata Hi Agata Thanks for your question. There is a discounted prize for teenagers from 13 to 16 years old. For any additional information on the event check our ticketing page: http://imola.motocross-tickets.com/en/22541mxgp-of-imola/ Regards MXGP Hi MXGP, When the MXGP series will go to Loket in 2019? The event there was amazing! Thanks, Ibrahim Hi Ibrahim The Official 2019 Calendar will be released soon but you can have a look at the release below for more information. https://www.mxgp.com/motocross/news/2019-mxgp-provisional-calendar-update Thanks MXGP

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Hi MXGP, Where I can get the LIVE timing during the Racing GPs? Thanks, Michael Hi Michael, LIVE Timing as well as all the results are available on MXGP. com following this link: https:// results.mxgp.com/mxgp/livestandings.aspx Regards MXGP

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