MXGP #29 February 2016 by MXGP MAG

#29_FEBRUARY 2016

e l l a s e ement D

S S A R G E H T IS

? R E N E E GR

O T N W O D COUNT

QATAR

RACING CATCH UP

RIDER OF THE MONTH Clement Desalle

07 10 16 24 26 32 36 40 44 48 50

INDEX

COOL SHOT

MONSTER GIRLS

HALL OF FAME Sten Lundin

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 #29 February 2016 The articles published in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of Youthstream. Then content of this publication is based on the best knowledge and information available at the time the articles were written. The copying of articles and photos even partially is forbidden unless permission has ben requested from Youthstream in advance and reference is made to the source (©Youthstream).

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EDITORIAL Giuseppe Luongo President of Youthstream Group

Dear MXGP Friends,

Speedway and local promoter of the event) is very This month I’m going to give professional and powerful, you more details about the and it has a very long expe2 biggest events happenrience in promoting motoring this year: the Monster sports, they promote many Energy MXGP of Americas NASCAR events in their 8 in Charlotte and the Monvenues throughout USA, and ster Energy Riders’ Cup in are able to touch a large arVeltins Arena (Schalke), ray of fans with their strong Germany. contacts with the US media. I was impressed by SMI’s We visited Charlotte in approach to the event; they North Carolina in the midare motivated and, like us dle of January for meetings and our partners, they are and the press conference really hungry to succeed presenting the MXGP of with MXGP in Charlotte. Americas. The SMI group When you see the venue and (owner of Charlotte Motor the track this event is going

to be something very special. Preparations for the Monster Energy Riders’ Cup are going very well; the venue and the area are fantastic for this event. Today KTM Factory, Husqvarna Factory, Yamaha Factory, Suzuki Factory, Kawasaki Factory and TM Factory have confirmed, Honda still needs a little more time but should be confirmed very shortly. The factories will select their best 3 riders to represent their brand for this event, the manufacturers are planning to have the top MXGP and American

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riders they have on their team. Every manufacturer can enter 3 riders with the bike capacity of their choice (250cc – 450cc), plus they can have 1 reserve rider in case of injury (the reserve rider can enter at any moment). Another innovation will be the super pole; every team manager will decide on 1 rider to represent its team to take part in the super pole. So, normally there will be 7 riders representing the 7 manufacturers in the super pole, and the position of that rider will give the team’s gate position (example: first position in the super pole will earn the starting positions 1st, 8th and 15th for that rider’s team, 2nd position will earn the starting positions 2nd,

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9th and 16th for that rider’s team, and so on). Fans will see all riders participating in the 3 races, then, the best 7 results (of the 9 total results) for each team will be taken into consideration for the final result. There will not only be Supermotocross

racing, but also music and dancing, it’s going to be a wild night of motorsport passion and fun; we are working on having a star DJ with music and to finish off the night everyone can ‘dance on the dirt’, it’s going to be something not to miss!

COOL SHOTS

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Photo: Yamaha

COOL SHOTS

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Photo: KTM_ JP Acevedo

COOL SHOTS

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Photo: Husqvarna_ JP Acevedo

RACING CATCH UP

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COUNTDOWN TO QATAR

As a new season of MXGP draws nearer there are as always, a multitude of questions that need answering; it’s the same year-in, year-out. But every year there is always the unknown factor of new talent emerging, riders switching teams and class, and riders who despite their maturing years hope that another year of competing will mean another successful season out on track. Whichever way you look at it, there’s no denying that 2016 has all the makings of another exciting season in both MXGP and MX2. So, let’s break it down for you as the countdown to Qatar begins.

MXGP Starting from the top, and as 2015 seems something of a distant memory for the majority of us, you can bet that for the defending MXGP world champion Romain Febvre that last year still feels like yesterday. The twenty-four year old Frenchman romped to the MXGP title in emphatic style, notching up eight overall victories and fifteen race wins giving his Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Team its first title since David Philippaerts in 2008, and Yamaha’s first since 2009. Unfortunately for Romain, there were doubters who sneered at his success at the expense of his injured rivals but as he stated recently ‘ … in Spain, round six, I was already close to winning my first moto, I was on the podium for the first time so I was so happy but also

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At the season opener last year Febvre posted a modest 6-7, which was good enough for sixth overall, not bad for a rider who spent a portion of the off-season injured, thus hampering his pre-season preparation. But with a solid winter of training and testing behind him RF461 will be looking to pick up where he left off, with his tenth career win. In his MX2 days Febvre placed third overall in 2013/2014 so with a world title under his belt he

will be confident of another podium visit at the season-opener in 2016. Gautier Paulin #21 and Evgeny Bobryshev #777 In the past few seasons HRC has come a long way in terms of results and bike development to the point the Japanese firm is once again considered a worthy contender for world championship glory. The 2015 season is testament to that as Bobby and Paulin recorded twenty-one moto podium finishes between them, with Gautier claiming second overall while his Russian teammate took third, both riders finishing higher than they have ever done in a world championship campaign. One of the surprises of the year was perhaps Paulin’s double-moto victory at Valkenswaard for a well de-

Photo: Yamaha

disappointed about this mistake where I stalled the bike in a small corner but in England I took my chance again, I passed everyone again; everyone was there and I won the second moto; again I was on the podium and then the week after in France and yeah, after that it starts.’

Photo: Bavo Swijgers

served GP victory; the disappointment being that he proved too inconsistent to challenge for more wins, something he will want to rectify in 2016. Paulin has a good record in Qatar taking third overall in 2013, the overall win in 2014 and was on the podium again last year with another third. With a year of racing and continued testing, expect to see GP21 battling for the top spot, especially after a winter of training in the USA under the watchful eye of Aldon Baker. Bobryshev will be relieved to have realised his potential last year and he too will enter the new season in a confident mood. As for HRC, you feel that nothing other than the title will

be good enough in their eyes.

you will.

Max Nagl #12 After switching from Honda to Husqvarna for 2015 Max Nagl was so far under the pre-season favourites radar that noone gave him a look-in, let alone consider him as a title contender. That all changed at Losail at the opening round last year, when the German torched his rivals as he nailed down the perfect debut for a 1-1 overall victory. Had he not picked up an ankle injury whilst thirty points clear at the midway point of the season who knows what could have happened. Should he or could he have won the title last year? Possibly! Is he a contender this year? You betcha. Consider it unfinished business, if

Clement Desalle #25 The MX Panda enters 2016 a new man; a new bike, new team and renewed motivation are the ingredients he has opted for in the quest for his share of podium pie. After six years at Suzuki, Desalle is now Kawasaki mounted and will be looking to impress his new employers. Desalle won here at the inaugural GP back in 2013, whilst ex-Kawasaki rider Paulin took the win here in 2014. The Belgian was second here last year, so whichever way you look at it the omens are good for a Kawasaki / Desalle victory in Qatar. Shaun Simpson #24 2015 was a year of reckon-

Photo: KTM ing for ‘SS24’, equalling his best overall result with fourth in MXGP. However, it was the manner in which the likeable Scot did it that took us all by surprise. A double-moto win to secure the MXGP of Belgium was the standout performance of 2015 and sure, he and his team would have been more than happy with that result. But to go 1-3 at Assen for his second GP win of the season was proof that given the right backing, this kid could be the real deal. And it seems his wish came true, and for 2016 Simpson finds himself over at Steve Turner’s Wilvo Virus Performance KTM team with that all-important factory support from Austria. All he has to do now is take those tools to that

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freshly levelled playing field and see if he can improve on that fourth place. Antonio Cairoli #222 We can’t preview the opening round with mentioning this fella. After claiming six world titles on the bounce TC222 was almost a shoe-in at the start of the season to make it seven-ina-row but it didn’t get off to the best start in Losail, finishing off the podium in fourth place. As the season went on he struggled with set-up that resulted in a switch to the 450SX-F and then to rub salt in the wound he picked up an injury that left him playing catch up until the injury became so painful that he was forced to sit out the remainder of the campaign. A broken arm was the diagnosis. Expect Cairoli to be on fire from round one

in his quest for that ninth world title. And what about his teammate Glenn Coldenhoff? Newly recruited to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, the former MX2 GP winner and victor of last years MXGP of Latvia should not be overlooked. The Dutchman took a third in race one in Qatar in 2014 and will be looking for more of the same on February 27th. Kevin Strijbos #22 and Ben Townley #8 To say Suzuki has had an early Spring clean is a bit of an understatement to say the least. The new owner goes by the name of Stefan Everts, the most successful GP rider in history with ten titles to his name. He has also had a hand in winning

six MX2 titles since 2009, so you could say he knows a thing or two. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maybe this knowledge that sees him favour experience over youth with Kevin Strijbos and the recently un-retired former MX2 world champ Ben Townley. These two, Strijbos and Townley, have sixty-one years on the clock between them but are still as hungry as ever for success. But anyway, age is just a number, right? Strijbos has shown he can still win at the highest level and might continue that trend if he stays healthy. As for BT, his MXoN performance was nothing short of spectacular and the biggest question mark therefore lies at his door: can he achieve those heights in 2016? The Rest And what of the rest? If the Jeremy van Horebeek we saw

in 2014 comes out to play then Yamaha will have a very strong line up indeed, and with the pressure off, the Belgian might be one to watch. As for the rookies, Romain Febvre set the new benchmark for the MXGP newcomers, of which there are a few. Tim Gajser arrives as the MX2 world champion, fully armed with HRC factory weaponry, although via the same Honda Gariboldi team where he claimed his FIM gold medal. Then there is Valentin Guillod; these two riders amassed eight GP victories between them last year so you can be sure they will believe they can cause one or two upsets. Guillod switches teams but remains with Yamaha at Kemea Yamaha Yamalube, and is believed to be receiving factory support as well. And

what of Jordi Tixier? The 2014 MX2 world champ remains green but joins the big boys. Not sure about you guys, but MXGP seems like itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gonna be a heck of an opener and an action-packed year. MX2 Where do we start? With Gajser heading north to MXGP, Pauls Jonass will aim to make that step-up to be numero uno. Six podium finishes and a race win in Mexico en-route to second overall in the championship was impressive in his rookie season and with a year under his belt it will be interesting to see how he goes in Qatar, where he led for a handful of laps in race one. Max Anstie reached a milestone last year with third overall in MX2. There were though, as

Photo: KTM

ever, a few moments along the way including a huge get-off in Qatar that ruled him out of Thailand the following week. But since his arrival in 2011, no other rider has ridden for more teams than Max and in successive years since then, has ridden Kawasaki (’11), Honda (’12), Suzuki (’13), Yamaha (’14) before finding success back at Kawasaki last year. For 2016 the Brit will be relocating again, this time to the Belgian based Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team under the watchful eye of Jacky Martens. The bike will be one of the best on the grid, no doubt about it, so it’s up to Max to see if he can nail the title in his final MX2 season. Jeremy Seewer has emerged

as a very real title challenger and the Suzuki World MX2 rider will be looking to improve on his fifth position of last year. With three visits to the podium expect to see the young Swiss rider to be fighting for the podium from round one.

tar victory on the cards?

One rider who might have something to say about that will be Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Dylan Ferrandis who will want to at least add a win to his grand prix of Patagonia victory from last year. Jeffrey Herlings though will All healed and raring to go once again be the rider to after knee surgery, the fiery beat. Or will he? Two years Frenchman will be a force to without championship success be reckoned with for sure. due to injury, The Bullet will be And then behind him you don’t out to prove he is the master need to look too far to see of MX2 as he chases his third that MX2 is a stacked field. world title. Before last years Riders such as Julien Lieber, season opener he’d been on Benoit Paturel, Petar Petrov, the bike for just three weeks Brian Bogers, Thomas Covafter complications with his ington and Aleksandr Tonkov broken femur from the previous will all be mixing it in 2016, year, yet still took an emotion- and the Losail International al victory. This year, he would Circuit in Qatar is where it all have been on the bike for three kicks off. Believe us! You want months so is another GP of Qa- to miss it.

MXGP in Numbers 520,071 Social network followers are in contact with one of MXGP’s social networks. Average of 219,000 people’s reach per day. MXGP-TV.com 4,048,409 views and more than 7,000,000 page views from 210 countries worldwide in 2015 MXGP.com 6,887,346 views with 20,617,421 page views in 2015 22

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MXGP SOCIAL

TWITTER, FACEB IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP @mxjustin @mxgp “Da Weekend moment” Tony went down in a blind spot, the crowd’s roar was so loud, Tony wanted the win. Desalle was so stylish !!

@kerrieburnie92 Hotel Room booked ready to watch mxgp at Matterley Basin in June!! @mxgp

@BELackey76 Got my tickets to @mxgp@ zMAXDragway Thanks to @ MarcusSMI & everyone involved in making this happen to bring MX back to NC.

@speed‬ .@mxgp is coming to @ zMAXDragwayin Charlotte on Labor Day weekend

@constancehilary Excited to have @mxgp this Labor Day weekend @CLTMotorSpdwy! @ Samuella18‬ ‬‬ @mxgp hurry up and start please

@paulconnor100 ‬‬ @mxgp @Antoniocairoli unbelievable desire to win ! giving it 110 % in every race ,respect!

@MarcusSMI‬ Big thanks to @JeremyMcGrath@JGRMX @mxgp & @ MonsterEnergy

@CLTMotorSpdwy @aliciaedeal @mxgp @JeremyMcGrath@MarcusSMI @ JGRMX we definitely say it’s worth a good thinking! It’s going to be awesome! ‬

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@speedcityUSA Pumped to welcome @mxgp to#WhereRacingLives, Sep 2-4 at @zMAXDragway! Get ready!!

Find out who are the winners of the the 2015 MXGP Social Media Awards!

Watch the season unfold on our 26 minute feature film, Behind the Gate: the 2015 MXGP Season Review.

BOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE

@mrprice_65 #throwbackthursday @mxgp #MX2 #Champion @tiga243 training before the #GP #Lommel

@fmf73 @mxgp is coming up quick! Check out the iceone_racing naglmax12 @HusqvarnaNA race machine!

@90smotocross From the left - Pit Beirer #5, Tallon Vohland #3, Stefan Everts #1, Marnicq Bervoets #2, Werner Dewit #91996 250 GPs. #mx #moto

@titlouve Classe @MXGP HAPPY BIRTHDAY @davypootjes #MXGP #MX2 #KTM #Alpinestars

@tukutafotos Ryan Villopoto MXGP Of Patagonia 2015 #villalangostura#Motocross #MXGP #Tukuta #mxzone @mxgp

IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP 25

RIDER OF THE MONTH

Is the grass greener?

‘The grass is always greener on the other side’ and if the grass isn’t greener then at least for the MX Panda, Clement Desalle, everything else is.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Finally, after a ton of speculation, it has been confirmed that Monster Energy Kawasaki has re-loaded their MXGP championship guns with one of the biggest title threats, Clement Desalle. Desalle, at the ripe age of 26 years old, has been one of the most consistent forces in the premier class for the last six years. At 19 years old, 2009, two years after his debut in MX1, now named MXGP, the Belgian finished third in the championship and in that same season claimed his first two grand prix victories. The following season, 2010, he finished second behind none other than the eight-time FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli.

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In the years that followed, he dropped back to third in 2011 due to an injury forcing him out of three rounds, but then bounced back for two silver medals in 2012 and 2013. Meanwhile, 2014 and ’15 weren’t the best seasons for the man who is on a quest for the gold plate; both saw him withdraw from the championship prematurely due to a broken scaphoid in ’14 and an urgent need for shoulder stabilization surgery in ‘15. Untimely injuries may have hindered Desalle’s results over the last couple of years but that has only made him hungrier for the title. Combine that hunger with a team that is yearning for a world title, having not had one in the premier class since the legend Ste-

fan Everts won in 1995, and Christophe Pourcel in MX2 back in 2006, then you have a massive force to be reckoned with. We caught up with the MX Panda who has been in America for the last two months riding and training. MXGP Mag: Man, you must be enjoying the sun out there! What have you been doing? Desalle: In the beginning of December I came out here, the first two weeks I didn’t really ride, just focused on my condition training and then after two weeks I started to ride. MXGP Mag: Do you always go to the States in the off-season? And why? Desalle: Yeah, I normally

come out here. It’s simple, the weather and the track possibilities are much better. You have better weather and lots more options to work on your physical condition and also for motocross tracks, too. MXGP Mag: How’s the shoulder feeling? When were you able to get back on the bike? Desalle: It’s good, after my surgery I followed the plan of my doctor and it’s going really good now. I could start to ride, let’s say, middle of November. MXGP Mag: After being with Suzuki since 2010, are you excited to be riding with a completely new look this year? Desalle: Yes, I am really excited. It’s a new challenge, new bike, new brand, new team, a lot of new people, it’s only François I know

from the team. I’m really excited and I find it nice to have a new design, to look different on the bike and I’m also one to find new positive things that can help me to go faster. That’s the goal. The saying goes ‘you always know what you sell, but never what you buy’ and what I mean by that is, sometimes you buy something that might be no different, it’s the same, but sometimes you buy something and it’s better, or it could be worse too of course, but you always hope that it’s better. MXGP Mag: How are you finding the bike? Desalle: It’s good, it’s a good bike, I just need to adjust it to suit me. I need to change some settings, but it’s coming good. MXGP Mag: Do you feel a big difference between the

Kawasaki and the Suzuki? Desalle: The first time I rode with it there was not a big difference, you can feel that those brands are similar and work with the same goals. MXGP Mag: Speaking of goals… Desalle: My goal is always to win, of course, it’s been the same for the last couple of years. I don’t feel any pressure from it, but I want to win. MXGP Mag: You won the season opener in Qatar in 2013, are you excited to go back there? Desalle: Yeah, I’m excited to go everywhere actually. I am just excited to start racing again, for the new season and there is going to be a lot of nice tracks this year. MXGP Mag: Which round

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are you looking forward to the most? Desalle: I am going to say every round because every round is important. There is not a particular race that I want to go to but if I was to name one I would say England, Matterley Basin, they have a really nice track there, really well prepared. There is a lot of possibility to pass and it’s fun. MXGP Mag: Last year Ryan Villopoto and the Monster Energy Kawasaki MXGP team didn’t do any pre-season races, are you doing any this year? Desalle: Yeah, I am excited. I think they are important, I don’t feel any pressure at all at those races. It’s like training, it’s good to see if you can make good starts already, it’s also good for

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testing because it’s different, when you race you can feel how the settings on your bike are, you can see what is going good or what needs adjusting, that’s why I think it’s important. MXGP Mag: Are you doing anything different to prepare in comparison to the previous years? Desalle: Not so much, no. Year by year I just try to change a couple of things to improve myself, but since last year, no, I haven’t changed so much. MXGP Mag: In terms of physical training, what do you do? Desalle: I cycle, run, swimming and other exercise. I like to do all exercises. MXGP Mag: Thanks for your time CD!

If the thought of Desalle rocking an entirely new look this season doesn’t take your interest, we don’t know what will. In 2015 he finished on the podium at six of the first seven rounds, three of which he was the red plate holder. Adding to that ammo, throughout his grand prix career, which started at the tender age of 16, he has been a medalist five times and has won nineteen grand prix’ which means he has the second best win rate in the class this year behind Tony Cairoli. It would be silly not to label the new Monster Energy Kawasaki star as a title threat; he is definitely plastered with the phrase ‘watch this space’. Photos: Monster Energy - Ray Archer

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Patagonian Paradise

If, like us you like to travel and you feel like combining that with your favourite past time, then why not make it your mission to head across to Argentina for the MXGP of Patagonia Argentina in April. When MXGP returned to South America last year for the third round of the 2015 campaign it was the first time there since 1995, and we were not disappointed.

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The track itself is just a few kilometres outside the scenic town of Villa La Angostura on the shores of the Nahuel Huapi Lake in the south of Neuquén province. It is nestled in the Nahuel Huapi National Park and is surrounded by mountains, forests and lakes. The town is somewhat of a tourist attraction thanks to the alpine nature of the buildings being constructed from wood, with no shortage of great restaurants in which to dine as well as a number of shops where you can purchase all manner of locally produced items. If you like to take it a little easier then why not do what former MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner did last year, when he visited MXGP to support his buddy Ryan Villopoto, and take in a spot of

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fishing? The lakes and scenery are stunning, even breathtaking and the sunsets are just amazing after a long day whiling away the hours, you’ll be well and truly in ‘without a care in the world’ mode. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? But don’t forget about the racing. Last year the Patagonia Race Track was voted the best track in MXGP and from the moment you see it you’ll realise why. It’s wide, flowing with loose dirt that cuts out but remains fast and flowing for the riders. Add the gorgeous location to that equation, a highly animated crowd and some of the most exciting and action-packed racing; it’s the perfect example of what MXGP is all about and 100% a journey worth making. So what are you waiting for?

There’s still time to book what will be an amazing trip to an absolutely stunning part of the world with a chance to see some great racing from the fastest riders on the planet. Your plane journey will see you arriving first at Buenos Aires before taking an internal flight to Bariloche, which is approximately 70km from Villa La Angostura. It may seem like a bit of a long haul for most, but when you reach the lakeshore in Villa La Angostura, and you switch off while gazing at the glorious peaks of the Andes, you will soon realise it was all worth it. For more information you can visit www.mxgp.com and click MXGP of Patagonia Argentina, which is found on the calendar on the right hand side of the home page.

MONSTER GIRLS

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MONSTER GIRLS

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A+ for the Academ

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MXGP ACADEMY

‘To go where no-ones gone, you’ve go to do what noones done’. The times are a’changin’. These days, to be successful in motocross you need to commit 100%. Whether your will to win consciously or subconsciously came about, whether it was through friends, family or something else, your approach to how you train and act as a rider will ultimately be the deciding factor in your success. But who has all of this information you ask?

That’s easy! The MXGP Academy. Over the winter, the board at the MXGP Academy sat down and discussed how they could make their method widely available throughout Europe. Eventually they came to the conclusion that they need more trainers and that all the trainers need to have had the same education in terms of knowing what it takes to make it to the highest level of motocross; after

all ‘consistency wins championships’. This idea saw the birth of the ‘Train the Trainer’ programme where the first seminar took place in November 2015 in Riga, Latvia. A number of trainers became certified that weekend while new trainers who will be learning in 2016 were introduced. Throughout the year new trainers will become qualified and based in Holland, Germany, Latvia, Romania, Italy, Finland, Denmark and Estonia.

While the method of spreading the word and strategy is being developed, the MXGP Masterclass program for 2016 was confirmed. If you don’t know what the MXGP Masterclass is, it’s basically the ultimate MXGP experience. How does it work? The MXGP Academy speaks to the local motorcycling federation. The Federation is able to select between six and ten promising motocross riders aged between 8 and 12yearrs old. The riders are able to ride the actual grand prix track where they will receive some on-bike training as well. In addition to improving their bike technique and skill set, they will be taught the importance of behavior in front of the media and how to speak well and clear when approached and to top it all off,

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they will have a tour through the paddock, where they will go through the rigs and setups of the factory teams and speak to their heroes such as Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings, to name just two. The MXGP Academy also realizes, it’s not ALL about the kids! They are also educating the parents and supporters too an how to extract the best from their kids and assist them in achieving their dreams. The Master Classes will take place at the MXGP of Europe in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, MXGP of Latvia in Kegums and MXGP of The Netherlands in Assen.

that has been developed by some of the world’s fastest riders and is taught by the former FIM Motocross World Champion John van der Berk, the MXGP Academy has put a certificate system in place where the riders will be tested on their knowledge in terms of safety and the training techniques they have been taught. A number of riders were awarded their first MX Academy certificates, one of which was a female rider, Katja Zund, from Switzerland, which proves that these camps are not only for young talented men, but also for the future female stars, too.

Meanwhile, throughout the winter there have been on-going training camps in the south of sunny Spain where the riders that have travelled from all corners of the globe are receiving advanced on-bike, technical, physical and mental training. Using the programme

With the icy nights becoming a little less chilly, winter is on its way out and we welcome spring. The next training camp for the MXGP Academy will take place in the summer in Tartu, Estonia. Check out the next issue of the MXGP Mag for more info.

S Photo: Manx Norton

44 Photo: MEYER

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HALL OF FAME

Sten Lundin

Ever since motocross began Sweden has long been regarded as one of the main countries in motocross, producing many famous champions from the first European championship race, right through to the mid 80’s. With two world titles and almost ten years where he made it on to the overall podium in the 500cc class, Sten Lundin is one of the most famous athletes ever to come out of Sweden.

Belgium, Great Britain and Sweden were the first countries to be deeply involved when motocross races started to be organized in the 50’s, and after winning their first Motocross of Nations in 1955 the Swedish riders quickly rose to prominence, becoming serious challengers to the best British and Belgian riders in the European and world championships, so much so that when the European championship gained world championship status in 1957, it was Sweden’s Bill Nilsson that claimed the first ever 500cc world title, with another promising young rider Sten Lundin lurking in his shadows.

Sten discovered motocross in his native Sweden, when he first went riding with his 350 AJS street bike in the woods around the family’s home. One day his friends pushed him to enter a local race, and after taking off the lights and license plate he finished second and really discovered the excitement of a motocross race. He was just eighteen years-old but had to wait a few more years to have enough money to buy a BSA Goldstar, one of the most famous four stroke bikes of that time.

signed with the Swedish factory Monark to enter the 1957 world championship.

When he’d saved enough money he entered his first races, got some good results and later in 1954 with the support of the Swedish importer who officially supported him, was able to enter the European championship and many international races alongside Bill Nilsson. They were among the first motocross riders to understand the importance of having a good physical condition, and both worked hard together with some skiers to be stronger and faster. Thanks to some promising results in the European series, Sten

Before the 1960 season Sten worked tirelessly during the winter time with the Monark engineers to build a new bike. ‘The bike was home made, by myself and a team of engineers and technicians from the Monark factory. The construction of the bike took most of the winter, and much attention was paid to every little detail. Everything on the bike was made just for me; the engineers listened to everything I had to say, from the frame geometry to the power band of the engine. We built a very light bike for the time, 128

It took nearly two years for Sten and Monark to build a competitive and solid bike, and after two final podiums and a couple of GP wins in ‘57 and ‘58 Sten became the strongest competitor in 1959, winning in Austria, Italy, Western Germany and Luxemburg. He placed runner up in Switzerland and Belgium, beating Bill Nilsson to take the 1959 500cc world title.

Photo: Husqvarna kg,’ remarked Sten, who finished top six of the 500cc series! Despite the first round in Austria. He finished runner up in 1960 behind yep, you winning GP’s almost every year, the year fifth overall before ending guessed it, Bill Nilsson! Sten wasn’t able to beat Rolf Tibblin his career two years later. though, another Swedish talent who The following season, 1961, was claimed the title in 1962 and 1963. Ten years later Sten, Torsten Hallman the best one of Lundin’s career; and Stefan Enqvist would develop his bike was more competitive Never off the podium, Sten finished a new bike, the HL500 built with a than ever, reliable, and Sten won third in 1964, and it became clear to XT500 Yamaha engine; Bengt Aberg six GP’s and scored the maximum him that it was time to change bikes would go on to take a well deserved number of points to reclaim the if he was to win again, especially as win at the GP of Luxemburg 1976, 500cc title. At this period only half the two stroke machines were bethe first one for a four stroke in ten the rounds plus one other count- coming more and more competitive. years. ed towards the overall standings, He entered his last world championand with four other podiums Sten ship on a Métisse in 1965, winning Text: Pascal Haudiquert was unbeatable and also got the 1955: 3rd in the 500 European Championship (BSA), winner of 2 famous ‘Swedish Sportsman of GP. Winner of the MX of Nations The Year’ trophy. This season the 1956: 4th in the 500 European Championship (BSA) Swedish team just missed a good 2nd at the MX of Nations result during the wet and muddy 1957: 3rd in the 500 World Championship (Monark), winner of 2 MX of Nations, where only one GP team (Great Britain) was able to 1958: 3rd in the 500 World Championship (Monark), winner of finish the race. Turning 30 years-old in 1961, Sten was always one of the most competitive riders against his fellow countrymen, and Sweden was at its best in the 60’s. No less than six 500cc titles went to Swedish riders from 1957 to 1963, and from 1962 to 1965 there were another four or five Swedish riders in the

MXGP MAG 2016 MXGP.COM

2 GP 1959: 500cc World Champion (Monark), winner of 4 GP 2nd at the MX of Nations 1960: 2nd in the 500 World Championship (Monark/Lito), winner of 3 GP 1961: 500 World Champion (Monark/Lito), winner of 6 GP Swedish sportsman of the year 1962: 3rd in the 500 World Championship (Lito) 1963: 2nd in the 500 World Championship (Lito), winner of 3 GP 2nd at the MX of Nations 1964: 3rd in the 500 World Championship (Lito), winner of 1 GP 1965: 5th in the 500 World Championship (Métisse), winner of 1 GP

PADDOCK TALKS

Paddock Talks 01/ Tony Cairoli broke some ribs a few weeks back, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hope he is feeling 100% in Qatar. 02/ There are a lot of people happy to see the former MX2 World Champion Ben Townley has stepped out of retirement to race MXGP this year. 03/Butron will be on his second season in the premier class this year. 04/Tommy Searle has switched back to Kawasaki and appears to be putting in some solid work. 05/Joe Gibbs and Jeremy McGrath are super pumped for the MXGP of Americas, which will take place on labor weekend at Zdragway in Charlotte, United States! 06/2008 FIM Motocross World Champion David Philippaerts is investing in the youth of motocross with his team DP19 Yamaha Racing.

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Paddock Talks

07/The launch of MXGP2 The Official MXGP Videogame is getting closer! 08/Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Max Nagl went 1 -1 at the season opener this year. Interesting to see how he goes this yearâ&#x20AC;Ś 09/Former MX Champions remembering good old times ;-) 10/Glen Coldenhoff receiving some treatment to perform at his best during the pre-season. 11/The charismatic MX2 World Champion always finds the time to take a selfie with his fans. 12/The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory MX2 Racing Team is ready for the 2016 season to begin.

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR

Hey guys, I have an MXGP-TV subscription for 2016 but I was wondering if there was a way to watch the entire races of 2015. Is that possible? Thanks, Marc Dear Marc, Thank you for your question. The whole content from 2015 and even previous years is available for free on MXGP-TV and MXGP-TV youtube channel in the “Playlists” section., MXGP

Hi MXGP I work for a media from New Zealand and I wish to visit Qatar to follow our home heroes. Is the timetable of the event already online? Thanks, Lucas Hi Lucas The time schedule is online on MXGP.com, ‘tracks’ section and from now on all the timetables will be available to download on the event page a couple of weeks before each event. Regards MXGP Hi MXGP, I live in Italy, can I watch OnDemand on MXGP-TV in Italian or is it only in English? Thanks, Jack Hello Jack, MXGP-TV is not yet broadcast in Italian, it is only in English. ! All the best, MXGP

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Hi MXGP For the VIP camping can I use a caravan or dose it have to be a motor home? Thanks, Trevor Hello Trevor, Yes, you can use a caravan in the VIP Camping area. Visit www.mxgp.com for more details. . Best Regards MXGP

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