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Bring on Argentina Story Geoff Meyer images Ray Archer and Bavo Swijgers
When the news broke that NeuquĂŠn in Argentina was going to open the 2018 MXGP season, riders, mechanics the media and a lot of fans were excited. The MXGP of Patagonia has been one of the highlights for the series, and we decided to ask some riders their experiences of the event.
Defending World MXGP champion Antonio Cairoli loved the circuit on his first visit in 2016. He enjoyed the layout, and the atmosphere with the large crowd and fast action. “The track is beautiful,” Cairoli said. “It is very fun to ride, and there are several points where you can try overtaking, without taking big risks. There are many lines and that’s good for the sport, so the spectators from home can see some good races; this is a safe and spectacular track. The weekend (last year) was very difficult mainly because of the starts and also the riders were very close together on this track, and you could not make the difference; you had to take some risks to pass the others.” Former MX2 and MXGP champion Tim Gajser loved it last year, and took victory at the circuit. Always performing well on circuits like in Argentina. “I really enjoy the track,” Gajser said. “I know I was riding well (last year). The crowds here were good and it was nice to hear them cheering when I came past them on the last lap. They had made a few changes to the track last year which suited me.” GP veteran and multiple GP winner Shaun Simpson always has difficulties working out what set-up to have, as the dirt changes each year. He does love the country of Argentina and looks forward to going back. “Argentina,” Simpson said. “It is always one of those where you are never sure what type of tire to put on.
It is just a soil that nobody is used to riding on, which creates a bit of uncertainty. It is probably the most unpredictable start to a season we have had in a while for set-up. You can go there and think you have a good set-up and still be searching for a good set-up in the first couple of sessions. It is one I will be looking forward to. It is always well organized, and everybody loves going there. It also has a good atmosphere.” Since 1947 the FIM Motocross World Championships have brought the best motocross riders in the world together for what is the most prestigious championship in the off-road world. Year after year names like Joel Robert, Roger DeCoster, Torsten Hallman, Joel Smets, Georges Jobe, Eric Geboers, Stefan Everts and Antonio Cairoli have broken records, and produces magicical performances. In 2018, we are looking at more records to be broken, as Sicilian legend Antonio Cairoli goes for his 10th world motocross championship, something only done in the past by the GOAT of Grand Prix motocross, Stefan Everts. For Cairoli it hasn’t been easy to get to his ninth championship, and he did it in emphatic style, by beating home the young guns of the sport, Tim Gajser and Jeffrey Herlings. What makes the 2017 title even more exciting was the fact Cairoli had come off two years of injury, and many had written the brilliant Italian off. “For sure we didn’t start as favourite,” Cairoli said after his victory. “With a lot of people talking about it. This is for them. I know what I
can work for, and I know what it takes. We made it, and I am happy about this. An amazing season, one of my best. After 15 years of world championship, I am proud of this. I think we can work to get better in some cases, but I want to enjoy this title.” With that ninth world championship in his trophy cabinet, you can be sure Cairoli still isn’t satisfied. It isn’t even about the record of Everts that drives Cairoli, but his own performances. Back in 2016, in the middle of his injury riddled season, Cairoli told he we hadn’t seen the best of the Italian. At the time, I thought maybe we had, but he proved me wrong, and had great pleasure in telling me after his victory in September. But now its into 2018, a year older and having to face the might of Jeffrey Herlings, who ended this season on fire, and clearly the fastest rider in the MXGP class, but Cairoli knows how to play the mind games, and you can be sure, we will see some very interesting confrontations on the track as the two go head to head in Argentina, Valkenswaard and Redsands. All circuits that will suit Herlings, but also circuits that Cairoli likes. Cairoli knows Herlings will be the man to beat in 2018, he also knows that mind games play a major part in the sport. He has already told many media that it is easy to win with nothing to play for, as Herlings did this year, but a lot more difficult when a championship is on the line. “For sure,” Cairoli said. “Jeffrey (Herlings) has proven he is one of the fastest in the world, even on a single lap, and for sure he sped it up a little more (this year). For some it’s easy to follow, for others not so easy. It is also
the evolution of motocross; the bikes are getting easier to ride. So even a middle rider can be faster, because the bike lets you do that, with the suspension and the evolution of the bike itself. It is easier to go faster for many people.� Whatever happens in 2018, we have Cairoli with his nine world titles, Herlings with his three, Gajser with his two and Jordi Tixier and Romain Febvre with their single MX2 and MXGP titles. It is a class of the champions, and one that will bring us a lot of enjoyment in the near future. Of course, come March 4, when the best motocross riders in the world attempt to start their season with as many points as possible, the world will be watching. Of course, it might be names like Cairoli, Gajser and Simpson who will be in the points, but in a series as tough as the MXGP series, anything is possible.
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Arnaud Tonus - 2018 Story Geoff Meyer images Yamaha
Switzerland’s Arnaud Tonus hasn’t had the winter he would have liked, with a concussion in November causing him some issues and time on the couch. The rider from the Wilvo Yamaha MXGP team is now back to 100% and ready to continue his quest for GP podiums and wins.
Working with Shaun Simpson and Jeremy Seewer has been enjoyable for Tonus, and he knows the experience between the three riders will make it the perfect preparation for another tough season in the MXGP class. We caught up to him this morning as he prepared for some training in Sardinia, before he heads to France for the French International race this coming weekend. Motocross Illustrated: Firstly, how was your winter? Tonus: Well, pretty rough. I had a concussion before the Genève supercross and I had to take some time off. I had a few crashes last year, so this one I took a month, or a month and a half off, so December there wasn’t much riding. I really started my training in January, and we first to Belgium, then we went to Sardinia, and riding with Shaun and Jeremy and trying to push each other. I think it worked out pretty well. I had a shoulder injury, so I missed the Italian race, but now I am back into it and feeling ok. I am just looking forward to the season. I am mentally focused and feeling free. Motocross Illustrated: Speaking about Jeremy, its funny, because you, Shaun and Jeremy are very similar characters, all very relaxed, pretty serious and good guys. That has to be nice with three of you all so similar? Tonus: I think it fits pretty well, like you said. Its never easy in a team to have three riders who have the personalities to accept sharing information, and ride together in practice. There is often ego involved. I think the personalities work well, and I know Louis (Vosters – Team manager) was pretty happy about that. His choice on the rider isn’t just on having a fast guy, but also a guy who will bring personality to the team, and I think it’s worked out well. Motocross Illustrated: I remember speaking to Shaun about you guys doing all the rounds of the Italian championship, but I noticed you guys didn’t do round two. Why did that change? Tonus: I am not sure if I am allowed to speak about it, but there were some problems in the opening round. They
had a penalty in the first one, because they had some issues with the bike and couldn’t make it on time to the race. They still went for it, Shaun and Jeremy and they got the black flag, so after that they were not allowed to the other rounds of the Italian championship. Motocross Illustrated: You mentioned about your concussion. That is something that needs to be taken really seriously, it can end your career or give serious damage. How hard is it to get that off your mind? Tonus: I was not so worried about having a concussion, it was some physical problems I had, like pain in my neck, headaches and stuff like that holding me back. I wasn’t afraid of crashing on my head again, it’s a tough sport and anything can happen at any moment and you have to accept that and deal with it. Concussions in a row wasn’t good for me and the headaches told me I needed to take some time off and recover from it. After that I have been training on vision training and brain training and also eating even better than I was before. Working on those things to make it better to improve on the brain side. Motocross Illustrated: From memory last year, you guys started a bit late, with the team being new and everything. How is it this year? Tonus: It completely different this year, we already started with new bike mid-season. We improved the bike and made some good times at the races and it was a plus. The team is more experienced, and everyone is more organized, like the mechanics and everyone. Motocross Illustrated: Going into Argentina, it’s a great experience for everyone, and of course you guys go there to race, but I also remember you like the culture side of the trips. How do you look at this first round of the championship? Tonus: I am really looking forward to it, also the human experience. The land and the trip, it was special for me, so it’s a plus. Mentally we have two days we have to be sharp in mind, but we have Thursday and Friday we can enjoy the country. Its also a pretty cool track, and you can do nice whips there and its nice to get rid of some of the pressure and enjoying what you do.
Jeffrey Herlings - Pre-Season Story Geoff Meyer images Ray Archer
After a crash in Italy at the season opening International race, Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings got back on track with victory in the Hawkstone Park International. Getting three moto wins and looking as sharp as he was at the tail end of 2017, it could be bad news for his rivals.
We sat down and talked to Herlings about his weekend and what to expect in the coming weeks before the opening round of the MXGP championship, set for Argentina in a weeks’ time. Motocross Illustrated: First, congratulations on yesterday, can you tell me how it went from the start of the day? Herlings: Obviously it wasn’t great like a summer day, but also it wasn’t too bad, like five or six degrees or something. Sometimes throughout the day we had some snow and rain, and you could see the track had a lot of rain, so I have to thank the organizers for getting the track in the condition it was, but it did make it one lined. I think we did good, fastest in practice, three decent starts and won all three motos. I did what we had to do to win. Motocross Illustrated: You didn’t have the same sort of luck in Italy the week before? Herlings: I think after a rough start in Italy, where I crashed in the first corner and I couldn’t ride the superfinal because I didn’t finish the first race. It was a tough start, but I was lucky not to have any injuries from the crash, a good week of training and for me the season started in England. Motocross Illustrated: I had the feeling from following it that you were pretty much in control, even though Glenn (Coldenhoff) rode really well. How was it for you? Herlings: Glenn rode really well. It was one of his best races in a long time. Normally guys like Gautier Paulin and Max Anstie, they could beat him, if you look at results from the last few years, but Glenn beat them all three motos in row and one of his best performances. But like I said, the track was really one lined and I just took my time and I knew it was a 25 minute and if I was leading in the last lap, that was enough. It wasn’t a GP situation; the competition wasn’t that strong with maybe five quick guys. I just did what I had to do and take no risks and the track was a bit dodgy because it was rough and just one line. So, I just took my time and got the win. When I felt like when I found a good place to pass I did and just cruised for the win. Motocross Illustrated: That crash in Italy, I mean first that looks like a really dangerous corner, and the last place you want to crash is in the first corner. It happens quickly, but did you think at all, oh, no, not again? Herlings: It happens in the blink of an eye, but when you are going down its like oh, shit, and then you think, am I alright, ok, I am alright, no pain, but then I got hit in the
back. I stood up and felt ok, but I felt a little pain in my back and had the wind knocked out of me, but after a minute or so, I felt ok, but I was like half a lap behind and just pulled in. If it was a GP it would have been a different story, but then I thought damn, if I don’t finish the race, I then realized I would miss the superfinal. Then I was like, ok, it is what it is. Nothing to win with those races, just things to lose. Motocross Illustrated: Not sure if you watched it yet, but the track for the Italian race looked really rough and pretty dangerous and Antonio, Romain and Jeremy were really pushing hard sometimes and taking some risks. These pre-season races seem pretty dangerous, as you know, a big risk. Herlings: I just saw a little of what the track was like, just Instagram videos, and it seems pretty rough, a lot of lines, but in Hawkstone, it was just because of the weather, if you were in England in July, the track would be completely different, so its just a bit normal (for the pre-season tracks). Motocross Illustrated: You had the photo shoot, saw the photos today. Some really nice images. Do you like doing those, riding in your new gear and getting a bunch of nice images from it? Herlings: I always like to see the results. I mean its two intense days of shooting, but then the next weekend you see all the beautiful shots, and you are like, oh, yes, that is why we do it. Its great for selling the brand, and thousands of people are getting the KTM posters throughout the year and its important to have a good image. We also look after our sponsors. Motocross Illustrated: Ok, you have two weeks now before Argentina. What do you do until you leave for Argentina? Herlings: We will race France next weekend and then maybe stay a while there. We will practice in France this week and maybe after the race. The weather is better down there than in Holland, where its been snowing and raining. So, it is a little safer and then we leave for Argentina, so it will be there soon.
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Thomas Covington - American Hero Story Geoff Meyer images Bavo Swijgers
There is no doubt, the FIM Motocross World Championship has many different characters, from all over the world. It’s those different cultures that make the MXGP and MX2 championships without question the most diverse and interesting motocross series in the world. One of those characters is Thomas Covington from Vernon, Alabama. A very respectable young man, with three Grand Prix victories to his name, and riding for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna factory team. Now Alabama isn’t slow on having famous names, from singers Nat King Cole and Lionel Richie, to world famous sportsmen, Charles Barkley (basketball), Willie Mays (baseball), Jessie Owen (runner), Carl Lewis (runner), plus boxing legends Joe Lewis and Evander Holyfield, and even current heavyweight champion of the world, Deontay Wilder.
birthday for last month. Are you 23 this year? And did you do anything fun? Covington: No, 22. We didn’t do anything too crazy, just went for a meal with friends in Lommel. Just started training again, so no time to party.
Motocross Illustrated: Last year you made big improvements. Do you feel What sets Covington apart from many in the winter you had time to think of his more famous statesmen, is the about that and improve even more? fact he is travelling the world, and Covington: Yes, for sure. I didn’t get seeing a lot of different countries and worse, and because of the injury cultures. It is clear, the education the from des Nations I had time to think young American is getting from his about it all. I focused on other parts current job is something that is a little of myself, and gave me time to get more than just being a motorcycle in the gym, and get stronger. It is racer, its teaching him about life in hard when you are on the bike every general. day to build some muscle. It is cool to work on some other parts of my One of my favourite riders in the fitness and I was able to ride pretworld championship, and a young ty early (after his MXoN injury), so man who has every chance of one day becoming world motocross cham- everything has gone smoothly. pion and joining a short list of Ameri- Motocross Illustrated: When you can greats. say putting on muscle and stuff. Has Hard work, and improvement is what your weight changed, do you feel is important for now, and at 22 years stronger? old, he will get this year and then Covington: Actually, I am probably next year in the MX2 class, before he a little bit smaller than before. I just either decides to go MXGP or head felt last year my shoulders and arms back home and race the AMA series. were a little weak last year and also We caught up with Thomas this morn- my lower back. In the sand, if you ing as he was packing his bags to go don’t have a strong back, you don’t train in the slop of Lommel, and other have much of a chance. I didn’t get all buffed or anything like that. wet and muddy Belgian tracks. Motocross Illustrated: 2018, I mean Motocross Illustrated: Firstly, happy MX2 is starting to look like a small
version of MXGP. There are maybe eight guys who can run up front, and some young kids coming in that might surprise everyone. You have improved, which must feel great. How nice is it to have these guys in the class? Covington: There are quite a few guys who can run up front, but like last year, I think a small group of us will probably break away as the season goes on. It is such a long year, which should be to my benefit, as I haven’t ridden much in the off-season I can build into it. I want to stay consistent, which is something I have lacked in the past. I really want to focus on that and be there for the championship at the end of the season. Maybe in the early rounds I won’t light it on fire, but hopefully I will be when we get into the heart of the season. Motocross Illustrated: Sweden was obviously cancelled last week. It makes the calendar a bit easier now. How do you feel about it being cancelled? Covington: Actually, not really, I always love going to Sweden. The track is difficult, and I have some friends up there, so it’s a bummer for me we won’t be going. I haven’t look at the schedule too much, I just heard it a couple of days ago, and I don’t know if they will try and replace it. Motocross Illustrated: I remember talking to you after Argentina last year and you really liked that place. Everyone likes going there, it’s a really nice track and vibe. How happy are you to go there first up? Covington: We plan on getting there on Wednesday, to ease the time a little bit and yep, it’s an awesome place. I wouldn’t mind staying down there longer. It is a fast, wide open track and that is something I normal-
ly like. I hope me, and my teammate can stay away from each other (last year he collided with Thomas Olsen). Motocross Illustrated: I haven’t spoken to you since the MXoN, how was that experience and do you think it will help you in your career? Covington: For sure, it was an incredible experience, even though it didn’t go to plan. Saturday, I felt pretty good, but then in the final few laps of qualification I tweaked my knee and that mud didn’t help things. But it was a great experience. Motocross Illustrated: Have you changed anything with the team, and how is the bike for 2018? Covington: Team is pretty much the same, it’s a really solid team. Me and Joel Roelants are still working hard. We are on the new bike; the new model came out. I just got on it a couple of weeks ago and it is amazing. It definitely has some power, and it amazes me that they can improve these bikes every year. That doesn’t hurt things out of the start and that is an important part of the races. I don’t want to sound like a Husqvarna sales guy, but it’s pretty awesome. Motocross Illustrated: What are your plans now going into Argentina? Covington: We are in Belgium now, just testing and stuff and trying to get some riding in these heavy, wet conditions. I might go down to Spain where I was a couple of weeks ago and do my last bit of training there before Argentina. Motocross Illustrated: No pre-seasons? Covington: No, trying to build up slowly and get back to speed.
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