MXGP #63 November 2018

RACING CATCH UP

TEAM OF THE MONTH Team France

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

INDEX

COOL SHOT

MONSTER GIRLS

HALL OF FAME Grant Langston

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 #63 November 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).

3

EDITORIAL Dear MXGP Friends, Despite the weather conditions at RedBud at the beginning of October, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in USA was one of the best MXoN ever. Phenomenal racing, exceptional organization, a huge presence of fans and an excellent worldwide media coverage.

The MXoN is always unpredictable and full drama, this is what makes this event unique and why we all love the MXoN. This year was no exception and I really enjoyed every race because all were full of emotion including the MXGP qualifying on Saturday; what Jeffery did in this race is something unbelievable and I’m sure it will remain in the history of our sport. MXoN translates to: excitement, atmosphere, amazing racing, crazy fans, awesome!

Again, we saw at the MXoN the domination of MXGP and MX2 riders who over the years have turned things around; from being dominated to being dominant. This is thanks to

Giuseppe Luongo President of Youthstream Group

the formula used for the World Championship: to make each event over 2 days, with riders on their bikes for more than 2 and a half hours over the weekend, to make tracks that are very technically demanding and to include a serious youth 125cc and 250cc Championship on the same track and on the same weekend as the World Championship. This work of creating a pyramid and developing the whole system has been done together with the teams and manufactures, organizers, FIM, FIM-E and Youthstream, and now it’s paying off. Naturally we will continue to invest and work to implement this system.

Congratulations to Team France for their 5th consecutive victory of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, and also to Team Italy who made an excellent performance and was very close to the victory bringing home a second position. And my hat goes off to the Dutch Team who showed to be the strongest Team right from the beginning, Herlings and Coldenhoff basically dominated each race, just a

stone in Vlaanderen’s eye during the first race took away their possibility of winning, but even with this handicap they managed to be on the podium. With the Dutch Team being so strong, it will be a great challenge for everyone next year in the deep sand of Assen.

I want to say a big thanks to the Coombs family and the Ritchie family for the great cooperation and great organization because thanks to this close collaboration the event was a real success.

After this successful event we have already received several requests for MXGP/MXoN events in USA, but we intend on continuing our cooperation with MX Sports and we are thinking about returning to US with the MXoN in 2022 or 2023, and a US MXGP is surely in our plans, too.

Last, but not least, a huge thanks goes to the fantastic fans who, regardless of the weather conditions, were there in abundance, supporting their teams in great style uniquely known for the MXoN.

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

COOL SHOTS

8

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

9

COOL SHOTS

10

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

COOL SHOTS

12

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

13

Fox Holesh 14

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

HOLESHOT

hot - MXoN Edition 15

The biggest motocross race of the year is undoubtedly the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations and the 2018 edition at RedBud was one of the biggest ever. Hosted some amazing racing, close battles, and the atmosphere only a Motocross of Nations event can provide each race started with the iconic Fox Holeshots!

Starts are one of the most important parts of any race but especially at the Motocross of Nations as each country fights for the advantage with both 250cc and 450cc riders starting at the same time. Strategy, pure determination, and split second reactions come together on the start in one moment to determine the remainder of the race.

Riders from all different parts of the world, different championships and with different tech-

16

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

niques raced each other for not only the possibility of becoming a MXoN winner, but also a chance to be a new Fox Holeshot winner.

HOLESHOT

The deciding final race of the 2018 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations at RedBud and final Fox Holeshot of the weekend went to the MXoN Overall winner Nevertheless it was the comGlenn Coldenhoff. Coldenhoff’s mon MXGP Fox Holeshot winner strong start was enough of an and now 2018 World Champion advantage on the rest of the field Jeffrey Herlings from the Neth- including his Dutch teammate erlands who took the MXoN race Herlings to take the win his givone holeshot from Antonio Cairoli ing him the perfect score with a qualifying win Saturday and 1-1 as the Italian lost traction on the front of his KTM and fell out finish Sunday. of lead just before crossing the Each one of the three Fox Holeline. shot winners Jeffrey Herlings, Alessandro Lupino and Glenn Taking his second Fox Holeshot of the year and the second MXoN Coldenhoff received a bonus in the form of a 1,000 Euro cheque Fox Holeshot in MXoN race two from the team at Fox in addiwas the Italian teammate of Cairoli, Alessandro Lupino. While tion to the early lead in front of thousand off the worlds most Lupino’s other MXoN start was a miraculous save, this one was passionate motocross fans! even more impressive as it came just one week after he claimed his first black plate during the final MXGP round in Italy.

RACING CATCH UP

18

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

I

IN THE RED ZONE

19

20

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

Just one week after the final MXGP race of the season at Imola, Italy, the best riders in the world traversed the Atlantic for the biggest event on the calendar; the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at Redbud in the United States of America to fight for their countries once again, in the hope of lifting the most prestigious piece of silverware in the world, the Peter Chamberlain Trophy.

There are various ways to get there but the best by far when travelling from Europe is by ‘plane, either into O’Hare in Chicago or via an internal transfer that drops you at South Bend, Indiana, which is by far the closest option. The weird thing about this particular venue though is the fact that with three US

States in such close proximity, we actually passed through all three of them at some point during our trip.

For a start, we landed in Chicago, Illinois, drove on to Mishawaka, Indiana for the hotel where there was also another +1 hour time difference before heading to Redbud in Buchanan, Michigan!

Yip, stuff like that doesn’t happen that often so from that perspective it was already quite a unique experience.

The City of Buchanan was actually named after James Buchanan, who was the fifteenth President of The United States and the community was popularly known as ‘Redbud’ because of the many redbud trees that line many

of the streets throughout the neighbourhood. If you were to drive to Buchanan from the capital city of Washington DC close to the east coast, it would take you just over nine and a half hours to drive the 623 miles or 1003 kilometres, so if you have that kind of time to do so then it would no doubt be a scenic and pleasant journey, taking in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio along the way before arriving at your final destination.

As we arrived on Monday, the day after Imola, the long range forecast was giving out rain but as we know, the weather God’s don’t always get it right, do they? Even still, we erred on the side of caution, just in case. By Tuesday, the temperature was creeping up nicely and

by Wednesday the Mercury was nudging 85˚ with Thursday just a tad cooler. The good news at this stage though was that the track was still in good shape despite some rain prior to the weekend when we were all in Italy for MXGP. As for the circuit itself, the Redbud MX track ticked all the boxes and more; it had the WOW factor, it was long, it was wide, it was technical. Even the perimeter of the circuit consisted of perfectly manicured ‘lawns’ from which the fans could enjoy the racing from. In actual fact, even on Thursday you could see that this race was going to be huge; campers, RV’s, vans, all sorts were already starting to flood through the gates and from the top of Larocco’s Leap you could see thousands of vehicles already in place, setting up, lighting their barbie’s and really starting to get into the swing of things. The atmosphere was already build-

22

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

ing into something special; but then again, this is the Motocross of Nations! This event breeds nothing but craziness from everyone who dares to venture there. Call it passion, call it crazy, call it insane! Call it what you want, but one thing you cannot say is that this race is never boring. Ever!

The track itself dates back to 1972 and has since taken on many modifications, but the one thing that still remains and has been part of the fabric of Redbud since 1991 is ’Larocco’s Leap’, a thirty-seven metre uphill triple made famous by former US National champion, Mike Larocco from over the border in Indiana who was the first rider to jump it. Even more impressive was that he did so on a 125cc as well. Rumour has it though that when the Ritchie’s, who own the venue, wanted to add a huge uphill jump, they called on Mike who basically hit the take off flat out to see how far

he could jump, and then scale back the official landing area by just a few feet. That’s why he was the first to jump it, that’s why he had the ‘bags’ to attempt it on a 125cc, and that’s why it was named after him. For the MXoN though, the track crew decided to add a single roller before the approach, which left a few fans quite bemused. Was it to slow it down or make it safer as a jump with so many different levels of riders from different parts of the world? Who Knows? One thing it did do though was highlight those who have sizeable bean bags and those who don’t. More on that later though!

The Quiet Calm Team France arrived as the defending champions and coming in to what would be their fourth consecutive defence of the Chamberlain Trophy, you could not help but feel there might have been a hint of disarray within the camp, espe-

gest rider, of course, tongues wagged in overdrive, some serious bench-racing ensued and it all added to the atmosphere that was starting to build even weeks before the event.

GP’s before being axed from the team as he arrived in Switzerland? Tixier, who when the team was announced still had NO RIDE? Yes, you heard Dylan Ferrandis, who had correctly! When ‘JT911’ was been on the winning team back announced, it forced him to in 2014, was the nailed-on, publicly announce his plans dead-cert rider for the MX2 When Febvre crashed in Timed for 2019 with VHR KTM and as Class, and many thought that Practice in Turkey and was a consequence his new team Marvin Musquin was 100% later ruled out for the rest stepped up to get him to the guaranteed to take a 450cc of the season, everyone exrace as a matter of national place, whether it be in MXGP pected Musquin would be the importance. But even THAT or the Open Class. WRONG! replacement rider. WRONG did not go to plan. But if there The winner of the July 4th AGAIN! Now, it is unclear if was disarray, you would never weekend AMA national at this have known it. Everything that Redbud venue was sensation- the FFM even asked him to race for France or not, but came out of their mouths was ally overlooked in favour of if they did MM25 clearly appositive; great country, aweeither Gautier Paulin or Ropears to have said ‘no!’ and so some track, happy to be here, main Febvre, who both made can’t wait to race etc, etc …’ the team. To many, neither had when it was announced that and they never even mentioned had a solid season in terms of Jordi Tixier … sorry, did that just come out right? Did we Musquin. results and both the French fans and the neutrals were left just say TIXIER? As in Jordi Tixier, the former MX2 world The funniest moment during flabbergasted when ‘MM25’ champion who this year missed the riders’ press conference was omitted. With the 72nd almost the whole MXGP seahad to be team Puerto Rico.

MXoN being held in America son due to injury and when Travis Pastrana and Kevin and France leaving out who Windham had been dragged many thought was their stron- he came back lasted just two cially with how much drama surrounded this year’s team selection.

23

kicking and screaming out of motocross retirement along with all-rounder Ryan Sipes; US legend and four-time MXoN winner for Team USA Rick Johnson was the rider coach and Gabriel Catala was the team manager. It was clear for all to see that these guys were here to have fun, as well as trying to raise much needed funds for the motocross community in Puerto Rico and actually, the way they bounced off of each other was pure comedy and a breath of fresh air after all the ‘seriousness’ of the teams that were hoping to contest for the win. When RJ was asked about coaching these ‘supremely fit’ athletes, his riders burst into laughter and when K-Dub was asked ‘which part of the comeback process have you enjoyed the most?’ his response was also met with raucous laughter when he said, ‘none of it!’ He was also in fits of laughter when he responded. It was the perfect way to round out this

24

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

year’s press conference.

For some it would be their first ever ‘Nations’; for others The final media opportuniit would be their first MXoN ty and the first time for the on home soil, and there were fans to see the riders was plenty more who could say that the official presentation of it was the first time they had the teams and riders as they ever ventured out of their own were paraded across the start country or to the USA. As dusk straight in the back of pick fell, all the chatter was about up trucks. Puerto Rico were the next two days of racing treated like rock stars and and the impending weather Pastrana even had the cheek that was suddenly looming to perform his own stage dive large. into the crowd and surf briefly. Team USA were hauled out A night to remember last as the host nation and At the bottom end of the circhants of ‘U.S.A, U.S.A’ filled cuit though was quite a unique the air along with the infamous event, which was about to take call for this venue … ‘REDplace and it was arranged by BUUUUUUUUUD …’ six time US champ and threetime MXoN winner for Team All of a sudden, the MXoN had USA, Jeff Stanton. The Michjust burst into life, the atmoigan native lives around forsphere was electric and dety-five minutes from Redbud spite the late evening drizzle and had this fantastic idea and odd rain shower, nothto raise money for the Roading was going to dampen the 2Recovery Foundation. Since spirits of the partisan crowd retiring from racing and ridor the fans who had travelled er mentoring with US Honda, from the rest of the world to Stanton has created a wedwitness this magnificent event. ding business by renovating

one of his barns at his farm and with contacts for tents and marquee’s, catering staff, table and chairs, lighting, music and anything associated with planning wedding’s, he decided to hold a dinner/banquet where he invited as many US riders who had ridden for Team USA over the years. Beneath the tent adjacent to the Pit Bike of Nations mini bike track were around forty riders, past and present and fans had the chance to bid online to share the evening with them, only here the difference was the fans got the opportunity to bid for a place on a table hosted by different riders. So for instance, you could bid to sit on the Jeremy McGrath table, or the Stanton table; how about Ricky Carmichael, Rick Johnson or David Bailey? Brad Lackey, Ron Lechien … they were all there, and you could

chat to them about whatever you wanted; last night’s shenanigans or even the price of bacon on a Tuesday. Either way, it was a fantastic night for everybody involved, a great job by Jeff Stanton and hopefully there were some great memories made for everyone that was in attendance, and no doubt there were some great stories that emerged from the night as well.

As an extra treat, many of those past riders graced the podium during the Opening Ceremony where they shared some of their best MXoN experiences with the fans it was great to see so many of them make the time and effort to turn out on home soil.

Saturday As we left the hotel at stupid o’clock in the morning, we did

so in pouring rain with even heavier showers en route to the Redbud circuit. Having seen the parking area for Media, riders, teams and industry on Friday we all knew that it would be one thing getting into the venue and another one entirely getting out. And it was!

The Ballot was the first thing on the agenda at 09:00 and as always it came equipped with all the tension and drama of an event of this magnitude where the start is everything, especially with the weather and a wet circuit, and for the first time The Ballot was aired LIVE on MXGP-TV with Paul Malin and Jeff Emig providing analysis and comment from team managers as teams were drawn out of the ballot box.

Australia had been drawn as third gate choice with defend-

25

26

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

27

ing champions France picking up Gate 8 and Italy Gate 10.

In the middle of the grid were Great Britain (20), The Netherlands (21) and Belgium (23) and with four team’s still to be pulled and Gates 2, 11, 26 and 29 still up for grabs, the host nation Team USA were still in the ballot bag. When they were pulled out, they were awarded Gate 2, to gasps from all four corners of the Media Centre.

Finally, they had a good gate pick and they got it here at Redbud. The omens were looking good.

Qualifying The Netherlands were the best qualified nation as Glenn Coldenhoff took an Open Class win, Calvin Vlaanderen claimed twelfth and Jeffrey Herlings came from a first turn crash followed by an immediate pit stop for new gloves before resuming at the back, fifty-nine

28

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

seconds off the leader, Antonio Cairoli of Italy. As TC222 cruised to a comfortable win, JH84 climbed to third passing some very established stars along the way, including Gautier Paulin of France on the final lap.

The real drama came though for the host nation USA and Belgium, two of the leading nations in the history of this event and after two qualifying races, MXGP and MX2, both teams were in the drop zone and looking at a B-Final appearance on Sunday mornItaly qualified second after ing. Eli Tomac failed to finish Cairoli won the MXGP Qualify- after a technical issue, Aaron ing Race whilst Michele CerPlessinger crashed and took vellin took fourth in the MX2 eleventh for the USA, whilst Class. Alessandro Lupino was Belgium saw Clement Desalle sixth, and that was crucial in go out with a damaged waterms of the outcome of their ter pump and serious loss of qualifying position because water after a collision with France were third, finishing Switzerland’s Valentin Guillod. on the same points as Italy Their MX2 rider Jago Geerts with five after 4-1 finishes fell to eighteenth, so all eyes from Paulin and Ferrandis. and a mountain of pressure With Tixier taking seventh and was on Justin Barcia and JerLupino sixth for Italy, that was emy Van Horebeek in the Open the deciding factor when those Class race; they both went 2-3 scores were dropped. Germa- respectively and in the end ny, Australia and Spain round- they enabled their teams to ed out the top six with Team qualify ninth and thirteenth.

GB seventh.

Race One – MXGP + MX2 The highlight of this race was As for the track, whilst it was Jorge Prado of Spain! End of! wet, it held up remarkably well, On a 250F, in deep, muddy, no doubt as a result of the sandy conditions, the newly addition of new sand that was crowned MX2 World Champibrought in to mix things up a on led the best riders in the bit and believe it or not, that world for almost half the race. was something else that beBehind him sat Gautier Paucame the topic of conversation. lin (FRA) and Jeffrey Herlings But more of that later as well (NL) and for a while it looked … maybe! Actually yes, in the as if he could even win the Before the event there was a moto. That was until Herlings, lot of negative criticism thrown summary! who actually grabbed the first at Puerto Rico, but after the Race Day FOX Holeshot and €1,000.00, press conference that mood We rolled into the circuit at decided to nudge his KTM into changed and everybody want06:30 Sunday morning, by second gear on Lap Six, and ed them to at least qualify, then, the fans were fully on

by Lap Eight, The Bullet was and they did by making the board with ‘MXoN 72’, the Pit the new leader, passing both B-Final and winning it to take Bike of Nations was a muddy Paulin and Prado. A lap later the final transfer position. success, Team USA took the and Paulin was into second So, the good news was that win which meant Ryan Villopoand from there the top three Puerto Rico qualified. The bad to added another MXoN win remained unchanged. news and therefore the joke to the four he already has was that Puerto Rico qualified from 2006, ’07, ’08 and 2011. The ‘bad luck’ award went which meant that after one Unofficially, RV2 is now a to Tommy Searle (GB) who race each on Saturday, and five-time winner. With Puerto suffered a mechanical issue a reduced (due to weather) Rico winning the B-Final all whilst in fourth, thus handtwenty-five minute B-Final on the fans wanted now was for ing the position to an ‘out-ofSunday morning, K-Dub, Sipes the USA to take their first win sorts’ Eli Tomac, who evenand Pastrana had to race twice since 2011 when RV2 was on tually finished nine seconds more on Sunday! And they the team. behind Prado. Clement Desalle thought this was supposed to As for Larocco’s Leap, Paulin nailed it on his second lap of practice whilst Tomac and Roczen joined him on the final lap of the session. Other than that, no one else attempted it.

Safety overruled the spectacular on this occasion it seems, but then again, track conditions were not ideal.

be fun! Haha! Yeah right.

29

on medical grounds. That left Glenn with a serious amount of work to do. Despite sounding down, he was clearly not out, and ‘The Hoff’ rounded out Turn 1 to pull the second FOX Holeshot of the day to bag himself ‘a grand’ just like his teammate in the first race.

That might have been some consolation, but to go on and lead every one of the fifteen laps on offer and come away with the win by some sixteen Race Two – MX2 + Open seconds was a bonus and it no This was, hands-down the doubt kept The Netherlands in best race of the weekend and it was all about the MX2 riders the hunt, for a podium at least.

He was also popping Larocco’s and how they could influence Leap as well which was imthe overall standings. pressive.

Before the race, Lisa Leyland spoke to Glenn Coldenhoff (NL) As expected, the battle behind him was electric. Jorge Praas they languished in ninth, do once again pulled anothdespite Herlings Race One er great start in second to win. ‘GC259’ appeared to be be the lead MX2 rider, but dejected as their MX2 ridhe was tailed all the way by er and Glenn’s wingman for Ben Watson (GB – MX2) and Race Two suffered a DNF and for the first six laps, Jeremy an eye injury in Race One and could not line up for Race Two Seewer (SUI – Open), Tyler (BEL) and Antonio Cairoli (ITA) were next in fifth and sixth but with Ferrandis coming home as second MX2 rider in seventh, France were leading after Race One. With two riders inside the top ten (2-7) France were on nine points, seven clear of Italy and nine ahead of Belgium who were third. Spain (20) and The USA (22) rounded at the top five.

30

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

Medaglia (CAN – Open) who lasted eight laps before his bike resembled a chimney when he suffered the biggest loss of water whilst in ninth; Hunter Lawrence (AUS – MX2) and Dylan Ferrandis (FRA – MX2) were seventh and eighth.

From Watson to Ferrandis, five riders battled over second place but the big push came from Lawrence who eventually worked his way into second after passing Prado with two laps to go. Prado, Watson and Seewer rounded out the top five, Van Horebeek (BEL – Open) worked his way to sixth ahead of Harri Kullas (EST – Open) and Ferrandis, who crashed to eighth mid-race. Best American was Justin Barcia in ninth whilst his teammate Plessinger made too many mistakes for sixteenth. With Prado going 2-3, he also claimed the MX2 overall class win.

31

Jordi Tixier (FRA – Open) had a very eventful race. Remember when we said earlier about his new team VHR sending him to race the MXoN? Well, they did so, but with only one bike. For the first four laps ‘JT’ was sat in fifteenth, then fell to twenty-third before rebounding back to fourteenth. But then on Lap 10, and with five to go, his bike expired due to over heating. As this happened, Paulin and the rest of Team France were frantically searching the Paddock to see if anyone had a spare bike they could buy, or an engine at least; anything, because time was now very much of the essence.

didn’t know if Tixier’s bike would even be ready in time. And that would be a massive blow to their title defence.

After Race Two, the new standings with all four scores counting, looked like this: 1.

Australia – 34 2.

Belgium – 42 3.

Italy – 42 4.

Spain – 45 5.

USA – 47 6.

France – 49 7.

Estonia – 64 8.

Great Britain – 66 9.

Canada – 84 10. Austria – 92

Race Three – MXGP + Open With just minutes to spare before the waiting zone closed, Jordi Tixier’s crew got his bike to the line just in the knick of time and as the rest of the riders lined up, this final race, as so often happens, dictates the final outcome of the MXoN overall standings.

A quick look down the line up of teammates and you say:

•Australia: two solid guys in Mitch Evans and Kirk Gibbs, but they are not the strongest pairing. They might need a bit of luck if they are to win this thing.

With The Netherlands pickWhen Gibbs fell on the start ing up 36th in Race One with straight that was their shot for Vlaanderen and then failing the win pretty much done.

Their saving grace was that his •Belgium lined up with Desalbike stopped with around ten or to start Race Two, the Dutch twelve minutes to go, which was were effectively ‘unclassified’ le and Van Horebeek and on a going into the final race in normal day this pairing would crucial in getting the bike back 19th with only three scores be just about as good as it gets, to the wash bay and stripped counting. They needed to do but maybe not this weekend. ready for a new engine if one something pretty special to get •Italy was the dark horse going could be found. Miraculously back on track, and they need- in; both Cairoli and Lupino came their search was a success, ed to drop Calvin’s DNS from into the MXoN injured havand as Team France prepared ing crashed in Imola, but they for the third and final race, they Race Two.

32

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

dusted themselves off and were both riding at the very top of their game, especially ‘Lupo’.

•The USA could rely on Barcia and Tomac, but they would both need amazing starts in order to do something special to at least get on the podium.

•France was all of a sudden an uncertainty. Yes, they could drop Tixier’s 32nd from Race Two, but they also needed Tixier to finish, and with that being the case, entered Race Three as the overall leaders (17), with Australia (20) second, Spain third (23), Belgium fourth (24), Italy fifth (28) and USA sixth (26) with worst scores dropped.

champion hounded down The Hoff to take over the lead and go on for a 1-1 and an outright win; maybe Hoff was even thinking the same, but the challenge never came and whilst the race ended in a Dutch 1-2, it wasn’t the way it was supposed to finish.

Coldenhoff was sensational and thoroughly deserved his 1-1 and overall MXoN winner status and it will be a day he will remember for the rest of his life. Crucially, that 1-2 meant that The Netherlands could drop the DNS from Calvin, pick up 36 points from Race One that CV10 was officially classified with, and it was good enough to get Holland on the podium for a third successive Nations, missing the win by just SIX points for third. Herlings took the MXGP Class honours with his 1-2 finishes.

When the gate dropped for the final time, it was Lupino (ITA) who took the final FOX Holeshot of the weekend but he was quickly passed by the very in-form Glenn Coldenhoff (NL). His teammate Herlings started sixth but was soon Up front though was a titanic into second, and the crowd thought it was just a matter of duel between Italy and France who took it in turns to lead time before the MXGP world

the overall classification. Both Cairoli and Paulin faultered, both lost positions at some point, making their task even more difficult than it needed to be.

At the halfway mark, Lupino and Cairoli were third and fourth and Italy led the ‘GC’ but then a mistake from Cairoli and a pass by Paulin on Lupino effectively sealed the deal shortly afterwards. Despite Cairoli’s gallant efforts, Paulin held on for third ahead of the Italian, and with Tixier finishing 15th, which was better than his first outing, the worst score of thirty two was dropped and France were crowned world champions for a fifth consecutive time.

For Tixier it was his first Nations win; for Ferrandis it was his second, but for Paulin it was his fifth straightwin in this event. Britain’s Jeff Smith and America’s Jeff Ward have the most wins with seven, with Roger DeCoster on

33

in his first race we could have seen the 1,2 and 3 heading to Assen on the front of their bikes in 2019.

On home soil, the American fans expected, and whilst they cheered their riders every step of the way, for the first time ever perhaps, there was the realisation that their riders are no longer the dominant force they once were outdoors as they now are indoors, and more than a few fans would have left Redbud scratching their heads Party time wondering how Team USA Despite all the flack and critifinished a disappointing sixth cism aimed at the French Fedoverall at home. Hearing the ineration and the team manager Pascal Finot about the non-se- terviews after the event it was clear that the track conditions lection of Musquin, France did the unthinkable and won again. did not favour them in October with the rain and the addition of Italy came so close to victory the sand, but as many ex-Amerand probably left the US with ican riders and winners of this bitter-sweet emotions; second event pointed out the track was great but first was a real possibility. For The Netherlands, conditions were the same for well, to almost every fan watch- everyone, Americans ride in sand and mud and the coning, they were possibly the ditions were no excuse. Team strongest team and had VlaanUSA, in the eyes of their own deren finished twenty-ninth six and just three riders can say they have won five: David Bailey, Stefan Everts and now Paulin. However, Bailey and Paulin are the only two riders in the history of the event to win five-in-a-row and it’s the first time that has happened since 1986 when Bailey took his last win at Maggiora, Italy, thirty-two years ago alongside Johnny O’Mara and Rick Johnson.

34

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

fans, were just not good enough on this occasion. Hopefully Team USA will send a team to Assen that plays to certain strengths of its riders, and in that sense maybe there will be a recall for Thomas Covington who has had success there during his time in Europe, including a race win in 2016. He also took three third place finishes from four starts in 2017/18 culminating with second overall in 2018 at the MXGP of The Netherlands, the same circuit that will host the 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

What MXoN 72 highlighted though was how strong MXGP is as a series. It is the world motocross championship and it has the best riders in the world racing outdoor motocross twenty weekends a year in both MXGP and MX2, and it looks like that might be the case for a number of years to come.

35

2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations

Standings NATIONS CLASSIFICATION 1. France , 35 points 2. Italia, 37 p.

3. The Netherlands 41 p.

4. Australia, 48 p.

5. GB, 48 p.

6. USA, 49 p.

7. Belgium, 53 p..

8. Spain, 63 p 9. Estonia, 71 p 10. Germany, 78 p.

MXGP CLASSIFICATION 1. Herlings 2. Paulin 3. Cairoli 4. Tomac 5. Leok 6. Desalle 7. Roczen

3 points 5 points 10 points 11 points 31 points 32 points 34 points

MX2 CLASSIFICATION 1. Prado 2. Lawrence 3. Ferrandis 4. Watson 5. Carvellin 6. Geerts 7. Barr

6 points 10 points 15 points 19 points 24 points 31 points 33 points

OPEN CLASSIFICATION 1. Coldenhoff 2. Lupino 3. VanHorebeek 4. Anstie 5. Nagl 6. Kullas 7. Barcia

MXGP Facebook Page 2,566,044 Page Likes: +20% than in 2017 Weekly Growth: 0.7% Best Growth compared to Motorsports competitors Top 10 Countries: Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France USA, Mexico, UK, Malaysia, Belgium

36

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

2 points 17 points 17 points 19 points 19 points 19 points 22 points

TEAM OF THE MONTH

The Fearless French 38

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

SPECIAL FEATURE

Team France is the most dominant motocross nation this decade and has now won the last 5 FIM Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations events in a row and all have been in amazing fashion!

Now 6-time-champions of the event with their statement win at the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at RedBud, the French team take the cover of this months issue of MXGP Mag an easy choice.

It goes without saying that team France and those in charge have had many trying to emulate their results past years after an impressive rise to the top. This year the situation was no different and the team was perhaps even more in the spotlight with the event headed to America’s hillside RedBud circuit in Michigan.

With several talented French riders to choose from the 2018 team was originally announced with Gautier Paulin as Team Captain and MXGP

40

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

rider, Dylan Ferrandis as MX2 rider, and Romain Febvre as the open rider.

The team was undeniably set to be one of the strongest competing in the massively anticipated event but just weeks before French open rider, Romain Febvre, was injured in a crash at the MXGP of Turkey which later ruled him out of the 72nd running of the event. The team managed

by Pascal Finot was now in search of a suitable replacement and with stress levels high a replacement was found in the form of former MX2 World Champion Jordi Tixier.

However, Tixier was a gamble after having a challenging season in MXGP after a combination of injuries and struggling to find a ride left him on the sidelines for countless races. Paulin on the other hand was the almost sure bet as he had propelled the team to the previous 4 wins making him one of the most suc-

cessful MXoN riders in recent history. Ferrandis was also experienced as he was part of the winning French team in the past and since transitioned to race in America including on the very track of this years event.

When the racing started the French showed impressive speed but more importantly experience in producing consistent results. In the first race of three, a combined race between the riders of MXGP and MX2, Gautier Paulin and Dylan Ferrandis took to the track. Paulin was his usual MXoN self fighting in the top 3 and eventually finishing 2nd while Ferrandis ran 6th battling with Great Britain’s Tommy Searle and Italy’s Antonio Cairoli as he eventually finished 7th.

The team looked good as they led the standings at the end of race 1 by a substantial 7 points but not long after Ferrandis was back on the

SPECIAL FEATURE

starting line now with his teammate from the open class Jordi Tixier alongside. Race 2, MX2 and Open, was off and Ferrandis had another strong ride on his 250cc for 8th but Tixier though riding well suffered a mechanic failure and scored a devastating 32 points.

As the last race of the 2018 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations lined up to the starting gate Paulin was back ready to battle as Tixier joined with a new stock motor swapped in the short time between the races. When the gate finally dropped on the deciding race 3 with the 450cc classes of MXGP and Open, Paulin was in the top five where he fought an intense battle against riders such as Lupino, Roczen, Herlings, Cairoli and Nagl.

42

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

All the while Tixier was riding strong yet cautious, as he fought not only the competition but also to keep the new motor alive. Coming to the finish the standings were tight with the worst score being dropped it was a competition between Italy and France as the Netherlands chased both.

Paulin crossed the finish in 3rd and the celebrations began prematurely as Tixier was still completing the deciding final lap and needed to hold his position. However, Tixier came through in a clutch performance solidifying the fifth French victory in five years, their 6th total.

France’s three riders are just the tip of the team Iceberg an impressive staff and organization including Technical Director from the Federation, a Team Manager, an Assistant

Team Manager, a Doctor, a Physiologist, a Chef and more.

Ever since France team restructuring in 2010 the results have been epic with the first win at the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations in Latvia in 2014, then backing it up with wins in 2015 at Ernée, France, 2016 in Maggiora, Italy, Matterley Basin in 2017 and now on American soil against all odds.

The French team fearlessly tackles the competition, shows up time after time and expects to win with no other acceptable outcome. France and their dominance with a variety of riders over the past years will have any Motocross of Nations competition fearing the historic saying, “the French are coming”, for many more years.

Special Feature

MXGP Academy’s Assen Finale 44

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

SPECIAL FEATURE

The penultimate round of the 2018 MXGP season at the Assen TT circuit in the Netherlands held amazing racing but also hosted the special final MXGP Academy of 2018 with different students additional trainers and new initiatives.

MXGP Academy is present at several races throughout the season and helps to educate young riders on the skills needed to become a professional from training and racing to diet and working with media. However, the Assen version of MXGP Academy was unique with women only students taught by both the usual staff and special guest trainers.

Aside from the usual FIM Europe partnership the

46

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

weekend in Assen also partnered with FIM’s Women’s Commission who have put years of effort into planning the event together with Youthstream.

Former WMX champion, now team manager, Livia Lancelot joined with former WMX professional Marielle de Mol as guest trainers.

The special pairing was a perfect fit helping the young female students to see some of the opportunities for women in the sport first hand.

The nearby Drents College also sent 2 young mechanics to take part in another unique MXGP Academy initiative where they where allowed to work side by side with the World Championship teams of Gebben Van Venrooy Ka-

wasaki Racing and Kemea Yamaha Official MX2. The practical experience gave the students unique and rare chance to see what goes into working with the world’s best machines and riders in the most competitive atmosphere.

MXGP Academy trainer Jan Postema speaking about the program with the mechanics, “We see that motorsport and motocross in particular has an increasingly professional approach. Mechanics are indispensable. I, and also the Drents College, believe that good preparation and training are musts for this profession.”

Mark Bouwman of Drents College, “To expose students to the circumstanc-

SPECIAL FEATURE

es, but also to be able to taste the atmosphere of the sport, is a great way to give a first impression.”

While the students of Drents College where working on bikes, 15 young women, invited by the Dutch Motorcycling Federation (KNMV) to MXGP Academy, visited top race teams such as that of trainer Livia Lancelot, Honda 114 Motorsports.

Though similar to the typical weekend program, which covers flag meanings, technique on the track, and parent education, the training was customized to provide the most benefit for the girls and their families.

The Academy also combined

48

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

with the penultimate round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship the aspiring professionals a chance to not only watch and meet their idols in person but to work with and learn from them.

Livia Lancelot on the weekend, “I really appreciated the invitation and I actually really enjoyed the weekend. It was funny to see the girls so focused on what John Van de Berk and I were saying. They were really so attentive and they took everything they could from this. It was really good to be able to talk with them, there were some really good riders that I think can have some great results in the future. I think in a few years one of

them could become a world champion which would be a great victory for MXGP Academy.”

Postema, “We are more than happy to have all these girls involved! It is completely different, the women are very competitive and it is nice to help them out.”

The successful training created an unforgettable experience for all those lucky enough to be involved and could very well lead to more of the same trainings for both women and mechanics in the near future.

MXGP SOCIAL

TWITTER, FACEB IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP @poeliebombarda #julienlieber is all ready focusing on the 2019 season @ mxgp . Training today in Lommel . #MXGP #Lommel #Kawasaki @KTM_Racing 2018 #mxgp stat attack: Only 7 riders led for more than 1 lap during the entire 2018 World Championship. @JHerlings84 posted 465 at the front - that’s 264 laps

@Turkey_Home Afyonkarahisar received a “full marks” from the International Motorcycle Federation (FIM) as it hosted the 18th stage of the World Motocross Championship, picking up the prestigious 2018

@PaulsJonass41 I’m happy to announce that from next year I’ll be a part of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team! My #PJ41 team and I are beyond excited to start this new chapter of my career and move up to

@lisaleylandTV Drop the gate! #MXoN #RedBudMX #MXGP #AlpinestarsProtects

Team France has won the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations for the 5th year in a row! #MXoN #RedBudMX

Watch Travis Pastrana Backflip from his and Kevin Windham’s GoPro point of view at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in RedBud, USA:

@MonsterEnergy Congratulations to Dylan Ferrandis and #TeamFrance for taking the #MXoN win! @mxgp #monsterenergy #mxgp

@MotocrossRace10 The new MXGP 2019 calendar is out: time to call the travel agent and plan ahead for next year... ‬

50

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

Watch the Best Moments from the whole 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship Season:

BOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE

@ddrakes175: Motocross of Nations 2018 was unbelievable. By far the most fun race I’ve been to.

The energy was intense and the people were absolutely incredible!

@gipsy3marco The Dream came true!! @ davidbaileymx #david #davidbailey #alwaystheteacher #teacher #forever#1 #legend

@joeylandriault: What a great time cheering on Canada at Motocross of Nations! Jake and I were lucky enough to run into 9 time MXGP champion Tony Cairoli! #MXoN

@motocross_real : Fastest guy #mxon 2018 @ hoff259 #netherlands Classification 1st, Race Open-MX2 1st, Race Open-MXGP 1st, Fastest lap, Most laps lead

@motomexnews The #mxon soul!! Always the fans put all the energy to cheer up their teams ...

Gracias por compartir sus imĂĄgenes y videos

IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP 51

MONSTER GIRLS

52

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

53

MONSTER GIRLS

54

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

G 56 Photo: MEYER

MXGP MAG 2018 2013 MXGP.COM 2017

G

HALL OF FAME

Grant ‘Zulu’ Langston

Grant Langston only spent three seasons racing the Motocross World Championship because after being crowned 125cc World Champion in 2000, he decided to follow his dream and moved for another successful career in the USA. Like several other young riders coming from different continents, he learned the job in the World Championship and then got the opportunity to continue his career in different series.

Born on 17th June 1982 in Durban, South Africa, Grant had a first opportunity to get a bike when his dad brought one at home, a gift from one of his father’s friend who owed him some money! Grant started riding in the garden, then entered his first race when he was 6 years old and started a successful career in South Africa as he won three Junior and two 80cc

championships in his native country.

With his father Gerald, who has always been behind him, Grant flew to Europe at the end of 1997 and entered the last round of the 125cc European Championship in Italy.

He only scored a single point, but showed his determination and met several people including Harry Everts, who was running a private team at that period. Both parties reached a deal, and Grant moved to live in Belgium with his father to really start his worldwide career.

even if he didn’t really get the results he was expecting.

In fact, he didn’t qualify for his first ever GP in Brazil, but then slowly but surely improved his speed, scoring finally his first points with a 9th position in the penultimate round of the series in France. Only 35th of the World Championship with ten points at his credit, he showed some potential and got a ride with the factory Champ K TM Team. It was an important step for Grant who had all the necessary support to focus only on training and racing.

It was not an easy period for the 15-years-old kid who moved with his father to live in Belgium in a small apartment in what it was another world for him! However, his determination and the pieces of advice given by Harry helped him to grown up,

Alongside Kees Van der Ven, who was the manager of the team, Grant was able to confirm his potential during the 1999 campaign. He only scored a few points during the first rounds, then missed several GP’s due to a broken wrist but came back stronger

57

to score his first top eight result in Portugal and later got his first heat podium in Slovenia. After eighteen months in Europe he finally showed what he was able to do during the German GP when he won the event with two heat wins!

Grant Langston re-signed a contract with the K TM factory and entered 2000 as a true contender for the World title. Scoring some good points during the first two GP’s, he dominated the third round in Valkenswaard and showed to James Dobb and Mike Brown, his main rivals, how strong he was.

The key point of the season was in July, when Grant won two GP’s in a row in Slovenia and Austria to increase his leadership in the series.

Langston was very consistent

58

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

all season long – he had only one DNF at the last GP – and performed very well scoring no less than twenty-four heat podiums – on a total of 32 races – and won six GP’s including the penultimate one in Finland. It was at Heinola, Finland, that Grant was crowned World Champion, obtaining enough points to secure the title against James

Dobb. For Grant it was time to move to the USA and enter another successful challenge, as he won three US titles – two in Supercross and one in Motocross – before retiring a few years later after another important win against a cancerous tumour.

Photos & Text: Pascal Haudiquert

1995: South African 80cc Champion 1996: South African 80cc Champion 1997: 40th in the 125 Motocross European Championship (score 1 point last race Italy) 1998: 33rd in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Kawasaki) 1999: 10th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (KTM). Winner of 1 GP 2000: 125 Motocross World Champion (KTM). Winner of 6 GP 2003: 125 US Motocross Champion (KTM) 2005: 125 East Coast US Supercross Champion (Kawasaki) 2006: 125 West Coast US Supercross Champion (Kawasaki) 2007: 450 US Motocross Champion (Yamaha)

PADDOCK TALKS

01

Paddock Talks 01/Antonio Cairoli is having fun and racing 4-wheels in the off season at the Tindari Rally in Sicily!

02/MXGP and MXoN partner Alpinestars brought an amazing medical truck for the riders of the 2018 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations at RedBud! 03/The paddock still remembers the charming Steve Bruhn.

04/Team USA’s Aaron Plessinger took the MXoN experience to the maximum with his patriotic hairstyle!

05/The organizers of the Swedish MXGP made it to Redbud to support their compatriots!

06/What every rider dreams of holding at the Motocross of Nations!

02

03

06

04

05

60

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

08

Paddock Talks 07/Ryan Dungey may be retired but he couldn’t miss out on supporting team USA at the Motocross of Nations!

08/Former Motocross of Nations team USA legends joined together on the MXoN podium at RedBud! 09/The president of the Italian motorcycling federation became a cook for a day!

10/Fans at the MXoN are always the best!

11/Former MXGP rider Steven Frossard could not miss the 2018 MXoN! 12/2018’s Team Netherlands was on stage and stoked to announce the 2019 event will take place in Assen!

09

07

10

11 12

61

Alessandro Puzar’s 1990 Suzuki RM250 / RH90

was orchestrated by his boss, As far as world chamM Npions Michele Rinaldi: go, none have ever been as Puzar’s rise through the ranks flamboyant as Alessandro Puwas pretty swift and after ‘Already at the time in ’89 I was zar. The Italian whose aggresfinishing eighteenth and twenalready pushing for the 250cc sive, dynamic riding style which ty-third overall in successive because I saw that three classwon him legions of fans all season’s in 1986/’87, by 1988 es were not existing any longer, over the world was renowned he had elevated himself to so it was personally for me, for being in attack mode at all fourth but despite not winning to push for 250cc as the main times; arse back, elbows out any races that year, he was class. It also made everything and head behind the bar pad still regarded as a genuine more simple; instead of two was unique to him. In 1989 he title contender for 1989. With riders inon two trucks was125cc secondclass overallininthe the 125cc ten race wins andusually four overall The European Championship puts a spotlight the nextin different places, have everything in one world championship and it was victories he came away with big name in motocross.

In fact both of the 2015 FIM Motocross World Champions and in one place. To have two riders widely anticipated that he would second in the championship better and I thought remain in the class to hopefully vice-world champions Romain Febvre, Tim Gajsertruck and was Pauls Jonass behindGautier Trampas Paulin, Parker, who that 250cc was going to be the win it in 1990, but a shock move took eight wins and six have all won the EMX125 championship onrace their paths to GP motocross supremacy. future. I thought Alex could to the 250cc class saw him victories, and with his eye on perform really well in 250cc bedominate in his rookie seathe big prize for the following cause he was riding well, really son, and it’s his Suzuki RH90/ year, he was shocked to learn good, and to me he was ready RM250 that we will showcase in that he would be moving up to to go 250cc – and then I told this issue of MXGP Magazine. the 250cc class, something that

62

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

SPECIAL FEATURE

him and then he accepted. It was not easy for him to accept at first but finally he accepted at the end of ’89 to race 250cc in 1990.’

In 1988 Michele ran just one rider, the American Rodney Smith in the 250cc class and with Puzar joining the team in ’89 in the 125cc class, you could understand why Rinaldi was pushing for one premier class.

However, despite Michele’s confidence that Puzar could compete in the 250cc class, the first test in the sand two months before the season did not go to plan, certainly not for Alessandro at least: ‘Sandro’s teammate John van den Berk was way faster than Alex, I don’t know, four or five seconds faster because he was a sand rider. Then I saw Alex stop in the track, in the middle of the field and I thought he had

broke the bike or maybe got injured or something, and so I ran over to him and saw he was crying; crying on his bike saying ‘Michele, why did you push me to go 250cc, it’s too difficult, I cannot race 250cc this year,’ so with that in mind, what happened next was nothing short of amazing, but let’s start with the bike.

Whilst Puzar was racing in the 125cc class his teammate Rodney Smith was riding in the 250cc class but how different were the bikes from one year to the next? For a start, according to chief mechanic ‘Aldo’ Aldini, ‘the ’89 bike was a complete factory prototype. The cases were sandcast. The ’90 was more production based apart from certain parts, but it was still a full factory bike.

‘The wheels were Magnesium on the rear hub only, the front

was standard aluminium, the forks were Showa Factory, USD 47mm and the rear shock was also Factory Showa. The frame was factory, similar to production but different in places – with spars. It was like a production shape but handmade. There was an extra tube/spar to make it more rigid, close to the shock.

With the motor there was a different crankshaft, and the cylinder and cylinder head were special, not production. Only the cases were production. The clutch cover was Magnesium.

We didn’t use any carbon parts but the pipe and silencer were factory from Suzuki; we never made any parts in Italy.’

‘All the bolts were Titanium.

The linkage was different which made it to production years later, but 1990 was a special one. The ignition was full factory Kokusan but the carburettor

63

was nothing special, not factory, from Mikuni.’

‘The gearbox was five speed and the brakes and pump were also completely factory from Nissin. The pump was sandcast.

Alex used standard footrests and the clutch was like production based but with different springs and the plates were also made from a different material.’

As for the power delivery, Puzar preferred something substantial, hard hitting and even though the bike was factory, there was still some room to improve the overall feel of the engine, as Aldo points out:European The 125cc class in the

the bike, especially the suspension. Sandro liked to ride with the shock very low on the back, like 130-135mm sag with him on the bike.

‘I remember Poletti suspension telling me that the bike was too low, and then Puzar won the GP in Maggiora. Then we stayed for two days after Maggiora, the second GP, with the Japanese to make the final set-up of the bike and they came with some different parts.’

despite not winning any races over the next three rounds, Puzar claimed the 250cc world championship in the USA at Unadilla with two rounds remaining. After picking up a slight knee injury at the penultimate round in Venezuela, the new world champ took one month off from riding before returning to action in emphatic style at the final round in Bielstein, Germany with another 1-1 for the sixth time in the season. He won the championship by 106 points from Pekka Vehkonen whilst his teammate John van den Berk picked up third overall.

How the title was won Just two months after he broke down in tears at the side of the For Rinaldi it was his second track, the Puzar that showed up world title Championship on as theteam nextmanager in Austria for theusually first GP puts was a spotlight after he won the 125cc title a different animalFIM altogether big name in motocross. In fact both of the 2015 Motocross World Champions and in 1984 as a rider-manag‘I was able to develop the motor and the Italian went 1-1 for the vice-world champions Romain Febvre, Gautier Tim Gajserer and andPauls whilstJonass he finished the because Sandro wanted as overall.

He won Paulin, again in Italy, yearsupremacy. with both riders on the muchall power possible; Van championship Swedenon and Finland, losing have wonas the EMX125 their paths to motocross overall podium, it would be his den Berk did not like that kind just one race from eight starts. last season with Suzuki before of power because it was too Alex then won two of the next switching to Yamaha for 1992, aggressive for him, but for Puthree GP’s with four more race where he has remained ever zar it was perfect. And then we wins which meant he had won since. worked a lot on the setting of six of the first seven GP’s, and

64

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

SPECIAL FEATURE

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR Hi MXGP, Is the 2018 Monster Energy FIM MXoN still available for purchase on MXGP-TV? Thanks, Ricky Hi Ricky, The 2018 Monster Energy FIM MXoN is included either in our archive package together with all videos footage from the past seasons or the early Bird promo offer that gives the chance to watch all LIVE from the 2019 MXGP Season plus the archive package with a special discount.

More details here: https:// tickets.mxgp-tv.com/en/2396mxgp-tv/?ref= Regards MXGP Hi MXGP, When do we know the first TBA on the 2019 Calendar?

Thanks, Agatha Hi Agatha, Thank you for your question, The first date of the 2019 MXGP Season will be announced very shortly. Please stay tuned to the MXGP digital platforms for more updates.

Regards MXGP

66

MXGP MAG 2018 MXGP.COM

Dear MXGP, I’m about to book two weekend tickets for the MXGP of Great Britain in 2019 at Matterley Basin. But I don’t want to camp… can you come and go or do we have to camp?

Thanks, Amy Dear Amy, thanks for the message!

2 weekend tickets do not require camping, you can come and go as you please during the gates opening hours, we look forward to seeing you at the races.

Best Regards MXGP

Hi MXGP, I just want to say that MXGP-TV is a superior service. Keep up the good work and good service. I’m definitely renewing my subscription!

Thanks, Derek Hi Derek thanks for the message! We are glad to hear that you are enjoying our service and if you would like to renew don’t miss our Early Bird Promo for 2019 that is going now!

Thanks MXGP Hi MXGP, is the 2017 Motocross of Nations available on DVD? Thanks, Richard Hi Richard The 2017 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations coverage can be viewed on MXGP-TV.com as part of the recently introduced archive pass!

Thanks MXGP

MXGP MAG 2013 MXGP.COM