MXGP Mag #16 Januray 2015

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#16_JANUARY 2015

The count-down to Qatar

RACING CATCH UP

RIDER OF THE MONTH Alessandro Lupino

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INDEX

COOL SHOT

MONSTER GIRLS

HALL OF FAME Ricky Johnson

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 #16 January 2015 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, made by determined athletes, it’s immensely physically demanding of which we are proud to keep it 2014, which has ended only clean from doping. In a Europe a couple of days ago, was an which is still struggling to get out excellent year with exceptionof the financial crisis, the interal racing in all the categories; national press often bring people from the European Championship right through to the MXGP to become pessimist, but our class. Many young and talented message is different; we need to see the future with more optiriders have come up from the Continental Championship, been mism, we believe in our work and in our capabilities and we need spotted by professional teams to keep our vision wide because and have earned themselves a place in one of the main classes. in many parts of the world the In Italy, Antonio Cairoli was once economy is healthy and Motoagain elected Sportsman of the cross can be developed there. year, in front of many prestigious names from major sports 2015 will mark a milestone in the history of Motocross; Qalike Football, MotoGP, Cycling tar, Thailand, Argentina, Braand Formula 1, and the MXGP of Maggiora had a record num- zil, Mexico, USA plus Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Great Britber of TV audience, more than ain, France, Germany, Sweden, any other motorsport. Just a few years ago it was a dream to Latvia, Czech Republic, and Belgium - never before has the reach achievements like those.

Motocross World Championship touched so many important As usual we will not relax with countries with events, not to these achievements and our mention the worldwide TV covgoal remains unchanged; that erage … In the MXGP class we is to develop Motocross worldwide, and until Motocross is not will see famous riders; KTM with present everywhere in the world Cairoli, De Dycker and Searle; Honda with Paulin and Bobryas is today in Europe, USA and shev; Yamaha with Van Horebeek Australia we will not cease to and Febvre; Suzuki with Desalle, work in this direction.

Strijbos and Coldenhoff; Kawasaki with Villopoto and Rattray; Motocross is a fantastic sport Happy New Year to everyone!

Husqvarna with Nagl, Waters and Watson; TM with Guarneri, plus Butrón, Philippaerts, Simpson, Nicholls, Lupino, Ferris, Frossard and Gonçalves. They all will guarantee us the greatest off-road show on the planet.

The increasing number of impressive venues and growing number of quality of riders shows that MXGP is in very good health and gets stronger by the year; this is thanks to the strong partnership created between and the great work made by FIM, Youthstream, the organizers, industries, manufacturers, teams, riders and media over many years. Even if, at times, some of the stakeholders may have not completely agreed with a decision taken, however working together has moved us all forward and made our sport stronger; time shows that we are heading in the right direction. We could have never arrived to where we are today without the support of all the MXGP fans, and we thank you all for helping us bring MXGP to a higher level year after year.

May 2015 bring you good health, love, happiness, prosperity and, of course, MXGP racing like you have never seen before!!!!

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RACING CATCH UP

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THE COUNT-DOWN

TO QATAR

It’s easily the most exciting time of year as we launch into 2015 and creep closer to the start of what is expected to be the best season of MXGP in the history of the FIM Motocross World Championship. With silly-season more or less over, all the pieces of the puzzle are starting to fall into place.

All 18 rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship have been announced and most teams have chosen the baskets in which they’ll be putting their eggs.

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As the bench racers sit valve bouncing on their sofas, we’ve compiled a list of the officially announced teams and what you need to know about the hottest riders.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MXGP Antonio Cairoli Ken De Dycker Tommy Searle Notes: Cairoli will be gunning for his ninth FIM Motocross World Championship this season while teammate Ken will be hoping to bounce back from a wrist injury which ruined his 2014 season.

Meanwhile Tommy has jumped ship from Kawasaki although he is no stranger to the on-goings at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing having ridden for them back in

2008 when he finished second in the FIM MX2 World Championship.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX2 Jeffrey Herlings Pauls Jonass Notes: The two-time FIM Motocross World Champion and legend in the making Jeffrey Herlings has a huge point to prove this year. The Dutch star has been a dominating force over the previous few years yet last year saw him struggle as he faced injury after injury. 2013 125cc World Champion Jonass makes the move up to the factory team as his progression in the KTM family continues.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team Ryan Villopoto Tyla Rattray Notes: This could be the most exciting line-up on that the team, commonly referred to as KRT, have ever had and there is so much buzz surrounding team green this year with the multi time American supercross champion and legend in his own right Ryan Villopoto joining the squad. Villopoto is a threat for the MXGP title and the world is desperately eager to see what sort of challenge he will bring to the eight-time FIM Motocross World Champion Tony Cairoli. As for ‘ratterz’, Tyla is the 2008 FIM MX2 World Champion and this isn’t his first rodeo though the South African will be hoping for a

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better year than the last one. zuki World is one of the only teams to keep the same line up Monster Energy Kawasaki from 2014 (and 2013) which Jordi Tixier seems like an obvious move with Dylan Ferrandis both riders looking extremely fast Thomas Covington and comfortable over the last two years. It’s worth noting that Notes: Jordi will be the tarthere will be a yellow rookie in the get in MX2 this year, as he shape of Glenn Coldenhoff on the will be running the big fat third works machine, and judging number one. Meanwhile one by some videos coming out of Belof his biggest challengers gium he’s holding his own against could in fact be his teammate his more experienced team mates. and fellow countryman Dylan Ferrandis, winner of race Yamaha Factory Racing one at the MXGP of Qatar Jeremy Van Horebeek last year. As for Covington, Romain Febvre this year will be interesting for the young American as Notes: No one will be under eshe comes in with a lot more timating JVH89 after being the experience and expectation most consistent rider in 2014 after completing a full season and racking up a phenomenal last year in which he finished eleven consecutive podium finseventeenth. ished. For Febvre, the 2014 MX2 bronze medalist, he will be one of Suzuki World MXGP the main rookies to look out for Clement Desalle and Yamaha could do with a good Kevin Strijbos wingman for Van Horebeek to help Notes: Rockstar Energy Susee off the Kawasaki and KTM

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hordes.

Team HRC Gautier Paulin Evgeny Bobryshev Notes: Gautier’s performance at the 2014 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will be forever burnt in our memories.

The Frenchman stomped the competition that weekend with his impressive form. His capabilities have never been in doubt but luck is the only thing that has stood in the flying Frenchman’s way.

Bobryshev keeps his place in the factory team after missing almost half of 2014 with a broken leg and as ever will be hoping he can stay injury free in the build up to the opening GP. Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing Max Nagl Todd Waters Nathan Watson Notes: Max Nagl’s name is

scribbled down as one of the MXGP title threats this year after his end of season domination last year which saw him win five of the 12 final races. Waters is another rider back from a horrific injury and he has a point to prove while Watson will ride all of the European GPs after an impressive role as a substitute rider in 2014.

TM Racing Factory Team Davide Guarneri Samuele Bernardini

Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing Dean Ferris Aleksandr Tonkov

Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM Shaun Simpson Petar Petrov

Standing Construction Yamaha Yamalube Valentin Guillod Julien Lieber

Notes: Ferris showed some impressive speed in the few rounds he raced last year, he was just inches from a podium in Finland, while Tonkov turned many a head with his remarkable performance at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in the open class, can he do the same in 2015 on the 250cc machine?

Notes: As the most successful privateer last year, Shaun Simpson is still on a mission to prove he’s a top-five guy while Petrov moves from his long association with Yamaha to a fresh bike and team.

Notes: A change of colour for the team which was previously known as Standing Construct KTM. The team has now gone blue and homes two of MX2’s hottest contenders. Last season was Guillod’s first full season in MX2 in which he proved he is capable of being on the podium. There is no doubt the super fluid Swiss rider will be on point come Qatar.

For Lieber it’s the third new bike

Notes: Davide Guarneri is one of the most experienced riders on the line while Samuele Bernardini, last year’s EMX300 champion gets another shot at MX2 as a reward for his dynamic efforts on the 2 stroke last year.

Wilvo Forkrent KTM Steven Frossard Jake Nicholls

Notes: As we reported in the last issue it’s crunch time for Frossard who is always a mystery at this time of year, he has the speed to win yet has lacked some consistency over the previous few years. Nicholls will be back on at the races for the first time in 6 months and looking for top 10 finishes.

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in 2 years as he has gone from Factory Suzuki to satellite KTM and now to leading the Yamaha MX2 charge.

Marchetti Racing KTM Jose Butrón Ivo Monticelli Notes: Butrón is another of the MXGP rookies to keep an eye on in 2015. The Fox Holeshot champion from MX2 knows how to get his bike to the sharp end of the pack.

Honda Gariboldi Tim Gajser Jorge Zaragoza Notes: This team of young hotshots is sure to shake things up in MX2. Gajser is labeled as one of the only guys capable of beating a healthy Jeffrey Herlings while Zaragoza, fresh out of the EMX250 ranks, will more than like-

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ly be one of the fastest rookies.

Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki Max Anstie Mel Poccock Notes: A change of flavor for the team previously known as BikeIT Yamaha Cosworth. After more than twenty years on blue, team owner Steve Dixon is throwing caution to the wind this year.

Although, it’s common knowledge that regardless of the color, the team will work hard to make sure the bike is capable of winning races. Should things pan out this year, we can expect to see Max, back in green for the first time since 2011, on the box more often than not.

24MX Racing Christophe Charlier Filip Bengtsson Notes: Another interesting

squad with Charlier yet to live up to lofty expectations despite winning motos in MX2 over the last 2 seasons, while Bengtsson was one of the most talked about riders last year as he flew in under the radar on a number of occasions, leading laps and sticking it to the household names of MXGP in his wildcard rides.

Honda J-Tech Jens Getteman Vsevolod Bryliakov Notes: Getteman drops down to MX2 to revitalize his career, the lanky Belgian has had a torrid run on injuries but the J-Tech squad could be the place for him to regain his form. Bryliakov will be back for a full year with the Honda team after a misfiring start to 2014 saw him without a ride. Expect the Russian to regularly push inside the top 10.

Team Assomotor Honda Alessandro Lupino Kei Yamamoto Notes: You can read all about Lupino and the team elsewhere in this issue while Yamamoto gets his dream to stay in Europe and will be out to prove he has what it takes on the 450cc Honda.

DP19 Racing Team David Philippaerts

Gralus and rookie Paturel will have strong support from the experienced team.

KTM Silver Action Viacheslav Golovkin

HSF Logistics Motorsport Brian Bogers Robert Justs Calvin Vlaanderen

Notes: After losing their star rider, Jose Butrón, the Silver Action team have a big hole to fill, let’s see if Golovkin can step it up and score points on a regular basis in MX2

Notes: These guys could be the team to watch, with great success and pedigree from the European championships the team has everything in place to make a big splash in the MX2 pond in 2015.

MX Racing Team Rui Gonçalves Christophe Valente Anton Lundgren Michael Ivanov

Notes: He’s back and the team will stay the same in the big class with Philippaerts once CEC Scandinavian Racing again on Yamaha and out to spoil Sports the party for the factory teams. Artem Guryev Maxim Nazarov Kemea Yamaha Racing Team Damon Graulus Notes: Ivo Steinbergs and his Benoit Paturel team continue their support of Notes: Kemea Yamaha are now talent from the east and will focusing on the next generation run Guryev and Nazarov in of talent for the blue brand and MX2.

Notes: Run by GP veteran Ilario Ricci, the newly formed MX Racing team will be Husqvarna mounted in 2015. Gonçalves will spearhead the challenge and the Portuguese rider has lots of experience on this type of bike after some very successful years on KTM machinery. MX2 will be a busy place with Valente, Lundgren and Ivanov all lining up.

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MXGP OFFICIALLY APPROVED TEAMS Villopoto Ryan Rattray Tyla

MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI RACING TEAM RED BULL ICEONE HUSQVAR- Max Nagl NA FACTORY RACING RED BULL KTM FACTORY RAC- Antonio Cairoli ING SUZUKI WORLD MXGP Clement Desalle

Kevin Strijbos

TEAM HRC

Evgeny Bobryshev

Gautier Paulin

YAMAHA FACTORY RACING

Jeremy Van Horebeek

Romain Febvre

Todd Waters

Nathan Watson

Ken De Dycker

Tommy Searle

TEAM SUZUKI EUROPE MOTO- Coldenhoff Glenn CROSS TM RACING FACTORY TEAM Davide Guarneri

Seewr Jeremy (MX2)

WILVO NESTAAN HUSQVARNA Dean Ferris FACTORY RACING 24MX HONDA RACING Christophe Charlier

Aleksandr Tonkov (MX2)

BELOGORIE RUSSIA RACING

Maxim Nazarov

Guryev Artem (MX2)

DP19 RACING YAMAHA

David Philippaerts

Samuele Bernardini (MX2)

Filip Bengtsson

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MA- Shaun Simpson CHINERY REVO KTM MARCHETTI RACING TEAM José Antonio Butrón KTM MX RACING TEAM Rui Gonçalves

Ivo Monticelli (MX2)

TEAM ASSOMOTOR HONDA

Alessandro Lupino

Kei Yamamoto

TEAM CASTROL POWER 1 SUZUKI MOTO-BASE WILVO FORKRENT KTM

Dennis Ullrich Steven Frossard

Petar Petrov (MX2)

Ben Watson (MX2)

Jake Nicholls

MX2 OFFICIALLY APPROVED TEAMS HONDA GARIBOLDI Tim Gajser Jorge Zaragoza RED BULL KTM FACTORY RAC- Jeffrey Herlings Pauls Jonass ING TEAM MONSTER ENERGY KA- Tixier Jordi Ferrandis Dylan WASAKI CEC SCANDINAVIAN RACING Eddie Hjortmarker SPORTS HONDA JTECH Vsevolod Bryliakov Jens Getteman HSF LOGISTICS MOTORSPORT Brian Bogers Calvin Vlaanderen KEMEA YAMAHA RACING Benoit Paturel Damon Graulus TEAM KTM SILVER ACTION viacheslav golovkin MONSTER ENERGY DRT KAWA- Max Anstie Mel Pocock SAKI SAHKAR RACING Karel Kutsar STANDING CONSTRUCT YAValentin Guillod Julien Lieber MAHA YAMALUBE MX RACING TEAM Christopher Valente Anton Lundgren

Covington Thomas

Roberts Justs

Michael Ivanov

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MXGP SOCIAL

TWITTER, FACEB IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP ‫@‏‬ryan_villopoto2 ‬‬ Happy New Year! Day 1 of 2015 and I’m back on the bike. @thormxofficial @dc_ moto @alpinestars @kawasakionline #mxgp

@MarchettiRacing ‬‬ The MXGP and MX2 rider are ready for the first race of 2015 season!!! #marchettiracing #ktm #MXGP...

Congratulate Jeffrey Herlings (@jherlings84) for winning the 2014 #MXGPSMA Best Tweet Award!

Winning Tweet: “Pain is temporary. Glory is forever.”

‫@‏‬24MX_Honda Happy birthday to @Honda150EC coach and #mxgp icon Mr. @GordonCrockard

@stefanotaglioni ‬‬ ‬‬ E’ Cairoli lo sportivo del 2014 di SportMediaset ‬‬

‫@‏‬lisaleylandTV Its official: Presenting the FIM Motocross World Championship again in 2015.Can’t wait 2 catch up with some familiar faces!#MXGP #Presenter

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@GohanBlog ‬‬ Petite session sur le jeu MXGP ! Sympa :) #mxgp #ps4 #playstation4

Right before entering the 2015 year, MXGP launched the very first MXGP Social Media Awards where various riders were nominated for 7 different nominations.

Check news on www.MXGP. com and find out winners of the 2014 MXGP Social Media Awards. Click here to find the final award results.

Name 3 skills we have to learn to take a perfect holeshot when the start gates drop! Send your answers by commenting on the 2014 FOX Holeshot Award video. Click here

BOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE Tag your #MXGPselfie to win gift voucher on MXGPSTORE.com!

@paulsjonass141 Awesome 3 days riding endure in France with @ StefanEverts. #MXGP

@bobryshev777 #workhard #playhard

@ryanvillopoto Getting into the spirirt of things with my Monster Energy Kawasaki family! #teamgreen #MXGP

@jeremyvanhorebeek 5 years of waiting since I broke my noce in 2009!!

Today I did the surgery because it’s all about 2015 and I will have 37% more air through my nose! Happy boy! @JordiTixier Wishing everyone Awesome holiday time! #MXGP

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Where have you been:

Alessandro Lupino

Way back in April this year a young Italian rider was ripping up a practice track near his home, he’d recently moved from his regular 250cc machine up to the MXGP class with his CLS Monster Energy Kawasaki Team and was busy getting comfortable on the bike. With a decent debut under his belt from the weekend before at the Grand Prix in Arco Di Trento he was looking forward to turning his season around on the MXGP bike after a difficult start in the MX2 class, but then with no warning his season was over.

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A broken ACL and collateral ligament in his knee after a self-confessed silly mistake meant immediate surgery and a long rehab was the only viable option for the 22 year old if he was to be able to continue his career.

“I went the next day (after Arco Di Trento) to the doctor in Italy and they said many riders can ride again with a knee like this but it’s quite dangerous but for sure I had to do the surgery so in that moment I thought “this year was my unlucky year.”

On the 250cc it was not really good and the 450cc we have just started and it’s better to stop now and take good time to recover because if I did it in October or November when the season is done then maybe also 2015 would not be good. So that was the best decision.”

Fast forward 3 months and

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things were about to change for Lupino, from the crushing disappointment of the injury he was about to set out on a path that would help secure both his future in the sport and his career once racing is over.

“In August I got a great opportunity, I am really proud to be a policeman and do my job. For Italy it is one of the most important things and it was great news. When I got injured I went back to school for two months to study and in January I will have an exam and then I will be a real policeman in motocross and for me I am proud of that, proud to be a policeman. We are in the sporting group of the police and we are paid to be at the races, so I will do all the Italian championships next year because they like us to be there, but my job is to do results and that’s what they want, to bring the police image on the podium. Like (Manuel) Monni was

before, he was still a policeman while racing but now we focus only on sport and do the best we can and when our career is done we can choose to stay in the sporting group or be in the normal police. It’s also a good thing because in this sport nothing is certain, you don’t know if you can do it until you are 40 or 30 years old, so the police is also a security for my life.”

This new venture was not something born out of the injury and the enforced lay off from riding, for Lupino joining the ranks of the legendary Fiamme D’Oro was something he had been thinking about for a while.

“I got this opportunity last year (2013) in September, there was the possibility to do it and so I was thinking also before this, but then I got injured and got more time to do it. Maybe if I was racing, I wouldn’t have had

time to do the school so it would not be possible, so with the injury it was easier but it was already in the plan.”

“We have a lot of books to study as we are fully qualified policeman, if something happens on the road we have to use what we know to solve it. We spent a lot of time shooting with guns and I am really good at that!

They said that they never saw anyone shoot like that on their first go, because at 25 meters I can do 15 shots in the centre!”

August. Then I started looking around and there were some options and in August there were other things coming up and I had a lot to think about.

Then I found Honda Italy with Assomotor, they were doing Supermoto and I went to them and they are good guys who want to work hard, and we said “why don’t we try?” and I am really happy about my decision.

For them it is a little bit difficult in the beginning, even in the last weeks when we were riding they were surprised With his support of the police about many things but everybehind him there was just one thing is new. But we are lucky thing missing from the packbecause we have Andrea Bartolini on the team, so he does age and that was a team to work with for his first full cam- what he needs to do, help the paign in MXGP… team and help me to improve the bike because he is a tes“I was looking to stay with Kater as well, he is still a pretty wasaki because I really like the good rider because he is only team but in the end we couldn’t a few seconds behind me so find a solution, that was in he can still be competitive. So

with him we can go straight in a good direction and not loose time.”

“For the suspension I am very happy because we use Solva and I used Solva a few years ago with De Carli and they are still at the top level of suspension but they went out of racing for a few years so Roland Solva wants to come back to GPs and is coming up with new stuff which is pretty good, especially on the front, and that is an important thing on the 450cc.

We have Tommasini on the engine, he is young but works a lot on the bike and did a lot of Supermoto engines but he is now doing motocross, and we have GET for the ECU and all of that which is great. I think with the Honda you don’t need to do a lot because the frame in unbelievable, it’s like riding a bicycle, and when we have good suspension and a good engine

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the bike can be competitive for sure.”

One thing is for sure, he is not regretting the move to MXGP and the bigger bike and is relishing the challenge of mastering MXGP properly in 2015

“I mainly use longer gears so I don’t use the limit on the throttle, I use the torque and on the 450cc that helps a lot, when I went the first time on the 450cc everyone said “you will see, you will feel so tired, your arms will be the power” and after Arco Di Trento on Sunday I said “I am not tired at all!”. I was a lot more tired when I rode the 250cc because if you understand the bike and you know how to ride, you spend a lot less energy than with the 250cc

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and that is what I was feeling in Arco di Trento. If you don’t take the rhythm with the bike then she will destroy you, but if you get a good feeling and put a long gear and you don’t use a lot of throttle then it’s a lot less aggressive and you can ride more and that is what I feel.”

Championship, so I look at that.

I think after an unlucky year you get a good year as it’s about what you have inside, our desire, your energy to race stays inside you for one year and it’s not released with racing, so the following year it is a lot stronger, that’s what I think.”

Lupino is not a rider to rest on his laurels as his work over the summer months has shown, now he is back training and riding. His focus is 100% on 2015 and he is confident that the setbacks he has suffered won’t hold him down any longer.

MXGP Mag spoke to Lupino for almost an hour and in that time barely covered all of the experiences that he has gone through in 2014, the emotional and physical rollercoaster that is motocross was at one point threatening to eject him from the ride, but he clung on and found a new direction that will surely lead him back into the racing spotlight in the coming season.

“My Italian mates Philippaerts and Cairoli both had this injury, Tony in 2007 and he came back stronger and he won 6 titles in a row and even Philippaerts after his injury won the World

Photos: Enzo Tempestini

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Ringing in the chan New Year

MXGP Mag: There are not a massive amount of rule changes for 2015 but we are going up to 40 riders in both start gates, what’s the thinking behind that decision?

Tony Skillington: “This is to allow for the situation when we go to For 2015 it’s a case of “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” and with that certain countries when we are not getting full grids. The idea is in mind there is much less to to expand the number that we report for the coming season. can take in, to take in more and Overall the rule modifications MXGP Mag caught up with the newly re-elected Director of the I think for the coming season were a resounding success, FIM CMS commission, Tony Skil- it’s going to be interesting to especially when we lost the see especially in the early races dreaded green fencing that was lington, to see what the future what the numbers are going previously used to mark the holds in store.

2014 was a year of sweeping changes for MXGP, from the rebranding of the series as a whole and re-envisioning of the future of the classes to the 5 minute shorter and more intense races, it was a season that shook up race weekends and created a fresh, fast paced programme.

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boundary of the race track, and so this year we had a season free of races ruined in a moment as rear wheels were free from the snare of the clingy fencing.

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nges for the

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to be like. But for all of us the appetite is to have more bikes, I think that increases competition, it increases standards, people have to move out of their comfort zone and try harder and push harder to succeed and that can only be a good thing.”

MXGP Mag: Can you expand a bit on the logic behind the increase?

Tony Skillington: “When we talk about MXGP with the numbers at 30 we were limiting ourselves to those numbers because we wanted to try and get the best quality in there, Giuseppe Luongo was the leading light behind the move to 40 because he felt that with more spaces available we’d get more riders interested in it, at the same time we are trying to keep the quality and the quality over the quantity is still the most important thing from a promo-

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tional point of view. Having 15 riders circulating and 15 riders at a completely different level is something you have to careful to avoid.”

MXGP Mag: Is there a dialogue with national federations about entries?

Tony Skillington: “In general riders come through their teams, it’s only in the overseas events where a national federation has riders of a calibre that are good enough to participate in the GP and that’s where it gets a bit tricky as their idea of what’s good and our idea of what’s really good is a bit different. At the same time there is an advantage to having those guys there, if they are a national champion, a national winner in their own country it’s good from them to test the water and see how they are going. For instanc,e there is a big difference going somewhere like

Qatar and mixing their riders and going to the USA next year which will be very exciting or going to Australia maybe in the future as they have some very good riders which will be a good match up.”

MXGP Mag: There is a mention of noise as a continuing issue to address.

Tony Skillington: “Yes, the other thing that we have done is to include post-race noise controls and the penalty for that is 5 positions dropped for failure and the penalty for not respecting waved yellow flags or the medical flag is 10 positions.”

MXGP Mag: What about the long game for rules and for the series from the CMS point of view, where is the focus going to be?

Tony Skillington: “I think that there is a great amount of work to be done in relation to rider’s

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welfare and medical treatment and that side of it. How the treatment works after they leave the circuit, communication with local hospital clinics and their insurance that they purchase which I think is a huge area for improvement. I want to see us get to the stage where there is clear guidance as how to the insurance kicks in when someone has to go to a clinic in a foreign country and they need to pay for their treatment. We have a lot to learn in that respect. But also every year we get a new crop of youngsters into the game which is fantastic and I think in many cases and the parents may know some of the rules, not all of the rules, and of course we, the FIM, are the big bad boys, but I want to be in a position where we can remain open to anybody who has a son or a daughter participating in the event, whether it comes from a team manager or mum or dad that we can stand there

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and explain openly, not aggressively but informatively as to how things work, we have a bit of a PR job to do on that side.”

With small but relevant changes for 2015 the MXGP series will build on the success of last year, the vibrant and busy European paddock will continue to grow and the 6 fly away races will surely be enhanced by the open and inclusive start gate alterations. As Tony Skillington said, there is still a lot that can be developed in the World Championship but the Motocross commission is dedicated to the sport as a global whole with MXGP as the icing on the cake. So with that in mind let’s take a quick look at the man who now heads up the rule making body for our sport.

MXGP Mag: How long have you been involved in motocross?

Tony Skillington: “I organised 3 GPs in the early 90s in Cork where I live, and I have been

involved in every single part of that even before that, for a long time.”

MXGP Mag: Did you ever race?

Tony Skillington: “I did, I raced as well. I got as far as racing in the Irish championship in the senior grades you know, I finished 10th one year but I was no Stephen Russell, I wasn’t at that level but I thoroughly enjoyed it and I still ride bikes, that’s the most important thing.”

MXGP Mag: Has motocross always been a part of your life?

Tony Skillington: “I bought my first bike when I was 11 years of age and pushed it 12 miles home! I bought a Villiers engined Dot, it was a pile of dirt.

When it would start sometimes it would run backwards so when you dropped the clutch it would try and break you in half!”

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Champion of cham

With the depth of young talent across the globe continuously getting deeper and deeper Youthstream and the FIM Europe have taken it upon them to form the ultimate training tool for any aspiring young rider. Combining years of passion and experience with inside tips and advice from some of the worlds greatest ever motocross riders, Youthstream and the FIM Europe proudly present the

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MXGP Academy.

Leading the Academy, and ultimately guiding young riders to the premier MXGP series is the two-time FIM Motocross World Champion John Van Den Berk.

Having been around the MX block a few times John knows how to get the best out of any young rider and is enthusiastic about making the MXGP Academy the best training school in the world.

mpions

Recently, MXGP Mag caught up with the champ John Van Den Berk to dig a little deeper into the MXGP Academy program and find out what it is all about.

MXGP Mag: 2014 was the first year for the MXGP Academy, what changes will be made to enhance the program in 2015?

John Van Den Berk: “In 2015 we will be focusing a little more on the education

MXGP ACADEMY

aspect as well as on-the bike training. When I say ‘education’ I mean things like flag signals, good sportsmanship and behavior, fitness and nutrition.

We will also create some kind of workshop for the parents of young riders so they can learn how to communicate with their rider to bring out the best in him. It will be a good support system. Also we will be training a lot of trainers across

Europe specifically in the areas of Europe where the Grand Prix take place. That way the kids have easy and fast access to the MXGP Academy program.”

MXGP Mag: As mentioned in previous issues of MXGP Mag, there will be an MXGP Academy winter stage from December through to March. When exactly does the winter program start?

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John Van Den Berk: “The winter training started Monday 29th December.

Bikes can be provided if necessary however there is a limit on how many bikes are lent out.”

MXGP Mag: What does a week at the MXGP Academy look like?

John Van Den Berk: “The winter camps focus mainly on on-the-bike skills and training. We also do fitness, things such as warming up, cooling down and some circuit training.”

MXGP Mag: From your perspective what is the aim of the academy?

John Van Den Berk: “One of our main goals in 2015 is to grade the riders. As the riders learn and develop they will be tested

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just as they are in school.

So for example a rider will be asked questions about the rules, food, beverage as well as technical issues such as things that may go wrong with the bike. Riders who demonstrate they have good knowledge and answer the questions correctly will be awarded. The aim is to create a well-rounded rider, not just someone who can only ride a bike well. He needs to be fit and smart!”

MXGP Mag: Where will the winter camps take place and why?

John Van Den Berk: “The location of the MXGP Academy winter stage is close to Malaga, Spain. We have selected this location because the weather is nice most of the time and there are a lot of different tracks around

the area.”

MXGP Mag: What language is spoken?

John Van Den Berk: “Most of the time we speak English however we can use the parents for translation if rider is quite young.”

MXGP Mag: Is there an age restriction or can anybody attend?

John Van Den Berk: “We are still yet to finalize this and we will do so as soon as possible.”

With 2015 being a massive year for motocross, now it is the time to jump onboard and ride the wave of MXGP’s great evolution.

For more information or to enroll in the MXGP Academy contact secretariat@ mxgp-academy.com

MXGP’s most magic 46

MXGP MAG 2015 MXGP.COM

SPECIAL FEATURE

c experience 47

SPECIAL FEATURE

Picture this, the engines are roaring, the gates are about to slam to the ground, you breathe in that sweet smell of burning fuel as you watch the best motocross riders in the world prepare for a moment they may have waited for their whole lives. The gates drop with a thump and you are so close to the action you may have to duck the roost, but anyway you’re smiling because you are one of a handful of MXGP fans to get that close.

While soaking up the adrenaline of an MXGP start you casually sip your fine wine as your eye gets drawn to the snack table, which has been tempting you all day long.

As the riders blitz their way

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around the track each going bar to bar for valuable MXGP points you follow on one of the many flat screen televisions or watch live since you are standing in the most stunning and spectator friendly location that the track has to offer, the Skybox Terrace, even though you know you have the freedom to stand amongst the crowd if you felt the need to be a part of the raging fence line fans.

With so much incredible racing to absorb, you have worked up an appetite which has put you right in the mood to enjoy a fully catered gourmet meal in the VIP Skybox Restaurant which always stands in a meticulously selected place in the

heart of the MXGP paddock.

Inside the restaurant you are able to enjoy both hot and cold buffet style gourmet dishes that include a wide variety of local and foreign delicacies.

While savoring your meal some of the loveliest waitresses will be there to make sure you are enjoying every minute as well as keeping on top of the important things such as keeping your glass full.

How amazing would that be?

You can experience all this and more as a VIP Gold Skybox ticket holder! So what are you waiting for? Tickets can be purchased via the ‘VIP’ button, which is located on the menu bar at the top of the screen on www.mxgp.com.

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HALL OF FAME

Ricky Johnson,

the first US superstar!

Many American riders have superstar status in the USA, following the footsteps of legendary Ricky Johnson. Winning many races and titles in the 80’s, Ricky was a hard worker and a fighter, but also a great showman who had fans all over the world. Racing mainly in the States and flying every year over the oceans to race the Motocross of Nations and the main supercross events, such as Tokyo, Paris Bercy, etc., he became a worldwide superstar and remains twenty years later a legend.

Born in El Cajon, California, as several of his main rivals, Ricky Johnson raced some of the best riders in American motocross and supercross history like Broc Glover, Jeff Ward, Mike Barnett, David Bailey, Johnny O’Mara, Ron Lechien and many more. That helped him to dominate the sport as some of his rivals did but with seven US titles, which includes two super-

cross crowns, four GP wins at the US Grand Prix and four Motocross of Nations success, ‘RJ’ remains one of the greatest US athletes.

Ricky was only three years old when he got his first mini bike from his father and since that day he started a promising career. He received the support of Yamaha when he turned 16 and got his pro licence to compete in the 125cc AMA nationals. Racing against Barnett and O’Mara he ended the series with a heat win during the last round in Carlsbad. Moving into the 250cc class in 1982, Ricky was already one of the main guys in that competitive class fighting at 17 years old for the title with Glover and Hansen. Coming into the final round in contention for the title, he lost his chances when he jumped too high and too far on a jump shattering his wheel! It was Ricky, always fighting in every corner, on every jump, with this

enthusiasm that the fans love! His riding style, but also his cool attitude, his devotion to the fans and his image developed by sponsors such as Fox Racing made him a superstar.

Suffering a fractured hip in 1983, Ricky had to wait 1984 to claim his first title in the 250cc AMA Motocross Championship. That year he also took part at both the Trophy (250cc) and Motocross (500cc) of Nations, coming back home with two team’s world titles. But it was in 1986 when he joined team Honda and legendary manager Roger De Coster that his career reached a high, as he clinched the AMA supercross and 250cc motocross titles, missing the third one, 500cc motocross, by only six points! He also won that year his first US Grand Prix and another FIM Motocross of Nations. In 1987 he was one of the fastest US riders; he missed the supercross

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title due to some finger troubles but clinched the 250cc and 500cc motocross crowns, and a second FIM Motocross of Nations. 1988 was the peak of Ricky’s career with another supercross and motocross title, another US GP win and another Motocross of Nations triumph! Ricky had no break at that period, travelling worldwide during wintertime to race supercross all over the planet, winning other trophies and new fans every weekend.

At the start of the 1989 season Johnson looked better than ever, but during a practice session he tangled with another rider who jumped on his arm and broke his wrist! It was a bad injury and Ricky will never got back to his former speed even though he won some more races later that same season. He soldiered on for a few more seasons but the injury proved too debilitating. He announced his retirement at the beginning of the 1991 season. At the time of his retirement from motocross racing at age 26, he was the all-time leader in supercross victories.

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Ricky was a racer and couldn’t stay home so he moved to off-road and stock car racing where he won many races, including the famous Baja 1000. He also founded the Torc

series in 2009, won some other titles and is still at 53 years old one of the top off road car racers.

Text and Photos: Pascal Haudiquert

1982 250 US Motocross Championship (2nd) 1984 250 US Motocross Champion 250 US Supercross Championship (3rd)

Member of the US Team winner at the Trophy of Nations (Varberg)

Member of the US Team winner at the Motocross of Nations (Vantaa) 1985 250 US Motocross Championship (3rd) 1986 250 US Motocross Champion (Honda) 250 US Supercross Champion 500 US Motocross Championship (2nd) Winner of the 500 US Motocross Grand Prix

Member of the US Team winner at the Motocross of Nations (Maggiora) 1987 500 US Motocross Champion 250 US Motocross Champion 250 US Supercross Championship (2nd) Winner of the 250 US Motocross Grand Prix

Member of the US Team winner at the Motocross of Nations (Unadilla) 1988 500 US Motocross Champion 250 US Supercross Champion 250 US Motocross Championship (2nd) Winner of the 250 US Motocross Grand Prix

Member of the US Team winner at the Motocross of Nations (Villars) 1989 500 US Motocross Championship (3rd) Winner of the 250 US Motocross Grand Prix

PADDOCK TALKS

02 01

Paddock Talks 01/Antonio Cairoli had some days off at the Maldives before the tough season starts.

02/Glen Coldenhoff is super motivated for his rookie season in the MXGP class.

03/David Philippaerts presents his new rider Andrea Zanotti who will be part of his DP19 Racing Yamaha team in 2015.

04/Romain Febvre training on his new Yamaha.

05/First action images of Gautier Paulin training on his Honda.

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06 05

04

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09

08

Paddock Talks

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06/Rui Gonรงalves had some testing days with his new Husqvarna and he is set for a good season in 2015.

07/Tim Gajser passed his driving license a few days ago.

08/The whole Suzuki factory team had some training days in Portugal.

09/Catch up with the 2014 MXGP Season Pit Chats 10/All the 2014 FIM Motocross World Champions, Lisa Leyland and Ryan Villopoto send their best wishes to all the MXGP Fans!

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QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR Hi MXGP, I would like to know where I can buy tickets for the MXGP of Italy?

Thanks, Julie Marcela Hi Julie, Thanks for your e-mail. The MXGP of Italy ticketing has just recently been announced on www.MXGP.com. Please click here (http://bit.ly/1tSCdO3) to see the tickets for the Italian Grand Prix.

All the best, Youthstream Hello MXGP, I was wondering if I can already buy MXGP VIP GOLD SKYBOX tickets to Teutschenthal.

Regards, Thanks, Manuel Lauche Hello Manuel, We are glad to inform you that the 2015 VIP Ticketing is now available on www.

MXGP.com. Please click here to see VIP tickets for the 2015 MXGP Season.

Regards Youthstream

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Hey guys, Just tried to buy the early bird special and I got all the way to the payment confirmation screen but it then said ‘the webpage is no longer available’ so I’m just trying to figure out how to tell if I’ve got the package or not Thanks, Johny McPherson Hi Johny, First, thank you for enjoying the 2015 MXGP Season LIVE on www.MXGP-TV.com.

Because of the high volume of Early Bird Offer in the first days we faced technical problems that were solved immediately. The users that received such messaged shouldn’t worry since the payment was still successful. See you in the 2015 Season!

Best Regards Youthstream

Hello MXGP, Could you please tell me what TV channels will be broadcasting the 2015 Season?

Thanks, Josh Beel Hello Josh, We have just recently uploaded the 2015 TV Broadcasting listing and mapping on the “Inside MXGP” section www.MXGP.com. to check it out.

Best Regards Youthstream

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