Ray Archer image
Distributed in the uk by
GAIN THE
UPPER HAND THE MOST POWERFUL TRACK WEAPON
When the gate drops for the premier battle, the new KTM 450 SX-F is more than ready to stand up and face its rivals. Packed with the latest technology and refined to be even lighter, faster and more balanced, this 63 hp (46 kW) dirt-ripper has all the credentials to come out on top in any championship fight. Step up your game now!
Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing, and observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations!
And Then There Was One Story Geoff Meyer Images Ray Archer
Motocross as is played out last month at the MotoGP circuit in Assen, is the reason I love this sport so much. The pure emotion from the 50,000 Dutch fans, the emotion from both Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli in victory and defeat, that is what the sport is all about. When Jeffrey Herlings passed Antonio Cairoli for the lead in the opening moto on Sunday, I am not sure I have heard a Dutch crowd go so wild. The Dutch are not known for their craziness, in fact better known as a mild group of people, but last weekend, with their 24-year-old hero bursting past one of the greatest riders in the sport history, it was priceless. For Herlings, it was the just reward for a season of hard work, and amazing class.
When Herlings stopped for his victory celebration it was chaos, orange t-shirts, trophy girls, his parents, and the media circled the Dutchman and as the champagne bottles were opened, Herlings looked a little lost. Completely and utterly overcome by the moment the coolest cat in the paddock, the kid who has risen from those days of something of a spoilt brat was showing so much respect to everyone involved. It was one of those moments when you are glad you were there, and his unbridled battle with Antonio Cairoli was for now over. The two congratulated each other, celebrated together, and for now the war was over. I had spoken to Jeffrey prior to the press conference, seeing around 100 Dutch media I asked if I could call him during the week for an interview. As always it wasn’t a problem, “any time Geoff”. Its hard not to like Jeffrey Herlings the person as much as it is this amazing talent on the bike, the rider who brings something different every single GP. We are on the crusp of something very special, just like the De Coster era of the 1970s, the Everts era of the new millennium and the Cairoli era (which might not be over just yet), we are entering into an era that will take the sport not only in Holland, but around the World to another place. This young phenomenon isn’t even close to reaching his full potential, and while that is scary for his opposition, it means we the fans will be seeing something very special in the next five or six years.
of Dutch press there?
was worth it.
Herlings: I basically lost count, maybe 100, nah, just kidding. We did a lot of interviews, but its part of it, and I enjoy doing it. It does take a lot of energy, but I am in the position that I can promote the sport and try and make a good name for myself. The most important is try and get the sport bigger.
Motocross Illustrated: Tell me, the people around you, Ruben, your mother, Pit, Valentina, your mechanic (Wayne Banks), Dirk (team manager). We hear riders all the time talking about how important that is, and your group has been the same for probably nearly 10 years. How important is that for you?
Motocross Illustrated: I talked to Antonio after the race, and he mentioned that a lot of people came up to him and mentioned that it was their first ever motocross race. He also mentioned what a good job you do in getting those people there. So you are attracting a lot of people to our sport. Herlings: Yes, I try and be a role model, not just for children, but also for the sport. I think it is important because we can grow, we will probably never be like F1 or football, never get that big, but I try and make the sport grow and that would be good. Tony mentioned there were people who never had been to a motocross race before. You know its better for the industry, better for the riders and hopefully more children will get a motorcycle instead of a pair of football boots. More talent will come and its good for many occasions.
Herlings: I think it is very important. I know the people I work with, with KTM for almost 10 years and I have been there for a long time. They are like family to me, and we are loyal to each other and I would walk through fire for them and I know they would do the same for me. It’s a nice way of working and we always have fun together and looking at the results, we do well together. Motocross Illustrated: I am not sure which moto it was and maybe it was just my imagination, but it seemed like you were cruising and then started lapping the top 15 guys and pushed a little harder. Did you see who you were lapping and think about trying to lap as many as possible?
Herlings: In the second moto, I crashed and tried to pass Glenn Motocross Illustrated: I have been to in the first lap, and I was 10th or a lot of GP’s and a lot of Motocross something and had to pass a lot of Nations, and I mentioned it in the of guys to get into the lead, but in press conference, but that crowd was that first moto I lapped up to sixth really like a Motocross of Nations and some big names in there ,and crowd. When you passed Antonio, the that was special. Between the first crowd went mental, and it was MXoN and second moto I didn’t have atmosphere. When you passed him time to focus, because I was doing and you could hear the crowd, what interviews and a lot of people were Records will be broken, and young congratulating me and things like non-motocross fans will be attracted sort of sensation is that? that. So it was hard to focus on the to this media friendly Dutchman, Herlings: It was amazing and especialrace and I think that is why I didn’t who has a passion for victory and to ly that first moto, because I passed crash, because I didn’t have the bring out sport to a better place. him just before the wave section (in perfect focus. I didn’t go over the front of the grandstand), so through I caught up with Jeffrey as he finlimit all weekend long, especially the wave section I couldn’t even hear ished his dinner last night, and as Saturday, because I didn’t want to my bike. Those moments are pricealways, he gave us an insight into crash or anything. We were fastest less and so special. You really have what a weekend it was. Saturday and Sunday and we won, to enjoy that moment and I did. The so that was enough to wrap up the Motocross Illustrated: I know I whole weekend was chaos for me, championship. mentioned I would leave you alone going from interview to interview and on Sunday and give you a call during all over the place meeting people. I Motocross Illustrated: You got to the week, but just for interest, how also had to ride and it was a very busy ride with the number one plate many interviews did you do on Sun- weekend. I did have a great weekend on your bike last weekend, and I day, because I know there was a lot with 1-1 and the championship, so it can imagine it would be nice to go
back there next year (MXoN) with a number one plate on your bike as Motocross of Nations champions. Team Netherlands have a team good enough to win the Nations. You like to break records and the Dutch have never won the MXoN. Is that a goal? Herlings: You know, its difficult, because it isn’t just in my hands. I do think we have a very strong team, but I am honest and I don’t think in a normal situation, that we are capable of beating Team USA or Team France. I think the rest we can beat if everyone goes to plan and looking at the quality of our riders. I would be a dream coming true to after winning the Dutch championship and going undefeated, and also winning the World championship with that many motos and GPs and it would be the cherry on the cake if I can get an individual win at the MXoN and the team victory. I can’t imagine a better year than that. Motocross Illustrated: It is funny the Nations the last three times, you have gone 1-2-2-1-1-2. Isn’t it time you went 1-1? Herlings: Yes, 100%. In Lommel 1-2, Maggiora 2-1 and last year in Matterley 1-2, so it is time to go 1-1. It would be nice to do it in America, against all their top guys, against Roczen, Tomac, and Antonio. Motocross Illustrated: So last question. What did you get up to on Sunday night in Assen? Did you go hard, or take it easy? Herlings: You know, I was so tired from the whole week and weekend and the pressure, I just enjoyed some French fries a good dinner with the friends and family and we partied until about 23.30 and then went to bed. You know, I still have work to do, I still want to win the last GP in Italy and do well at the Nations. I want to finish the season strong and the most important thing was the championship, but everything else is extra and I want to be 100% fit and 100% focused. I didn’t drink, but we had a good time.
Prado 2018 Champion Story \KTM Images Ray Archer
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jorge Prado became one of the youngest FIM Motocross World Champions at seventeen years of age (he is eighteen in January) but also the first ever for Spain in the principle categories of the series. The teenager wrapped a brilliant campaign of fast, consistent and smooth riding mixed with sensational starts (26 holeshots from 40) with his second 1-1 in a row at Imola.
#61 easily won the MX2 Qualification Heat on Saturday and seemed to revel in the jumps and technicality of the Imola dirt. In the first moto he kept pace with Hunter Lawrence and was able to profit from the Australian’s technical problem to claim the win and roll across the finish line to a busy celebration party of his team, family, friends and well-wishers. Prado was a runaway victor in the second outing. The Spaniard’s regularity means he accumulated 17 rostrum trophies, 17 chequered flags from a possible 40 and won 12 Grands Prix with the KTM 250 SX-F. Pauls Jonass missed the Grand Prix due to surgery on the ACL in his right knee. The Latvian had already confirmed his position as No.2 for 2018 and his absence allowed Prado to assume the status of champion before the weekend began. Pauls, who won 5 Grands Prix from the 20 and 15 motos from 40 while appearing on the podium 12 times and led the standings for more than half of the season, is expecting to make the jump into MXGP for 2019. “I knew about being World Champion on Thursday,” Prado said. “And it was a weird moment. I didn’t expect it and thought I’d race against Pauls this weekend…but I still did my best out there today and wanted to show why I won the world title. I really felt I was world champion after that first moto and in the celebration. Overall I so happy with the weekend and the way we ended the season.” Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director, who has worked tirelessly trying to make sure that KTM dominate in the MXGP and MX2 championships feels the hard work, from the people in the team have made this all possible. “We have built this team over years and I feel that everyone in each position is really trying to do his or her best and it looks to be such a strong package. I think all this success is not based on luck or an incident – there is a big ‘machine’ behind it with many working to be ready from the first GP until the last and that means all our partners as well. It is such a strong operation and I think you can feel the spirit and passion when you are in the team: we’ve been working for many years so a rider who comes in can count on that. It is like the last extra ‘horsepower’ that you cannot buy. Even after so many titles I can see the fire in that team and whoever I am talking to, it is a big part of the success so a big thanks to everyone.” “Regarding Jorge, I remember watching him on a 65cc bike and by the second lap I said ‘this is one we need to have for the future...’ but, of course, from there it is still a long way to prove everything. Finally when it says on paper that he is world
champion then it is a big satisfaction for all of us. To have a champion of the future you cannot just sign a guy and expect it to happen the next year; you have to do your job and your homework five-six years beforehand and even then, it is not always guaranteed. So I’m happy and super-proud that we trusted this kid but with such young athletes you also have to talk about the family and I’m thankful that they trusted us to build up Jorge carefully and not in a crazy way. Overall; such a big satisfaction.” Claudio De Carli, MXGP Team Manager: “It has been a fantastic and exciting season. Jorge was great. He overcame the problem of an elbow injury in December - after already making an important part of his preparation - and kept his head down to show great spirit, sacrifice and showed all his strength to take twelve Grand Prix victories. I’d like to thank KTM for all the work done in Mattighofen and all those who believed in this project. For my crew it was a return to MX2 after several years so to immediately pick up the title is fantastic; all the team has worked very well, among them my son Davide who worked with Jorge 24 hours a day, and Tony who took him to his heart and together they worked at their best: we have seen the results. Jorge is a great guy, polite, smiling, a real sportsman and now he is one of the youngest champions in the history of motocross. He won against a high caliber of rider like Pauls Jonass and it was great to see them fight for the whole season, always one step above all the others. We hope to see Pauls back in the saddle as soon as possible.” Robert Jonas, VP Motorsport Offroad: “Jorge has definitely had a great season. He has always been one of the most talented riders… and we’ve known that for some years. He started 2018 in a difficult way with a fractured elbow and almost no time on the bike when he went to Argentina for round one but his confidence grew during the season and finally the championship is a really big achievement. We’re very happy we have him onboard and he still has a very bright future. This year we had a very enjoyable battle within the team and with four riders: it was very nice to watch and very professionally handled by the team management so a big thanks to both of them because it could not have been any better. Jorge’s fight with Pauls was nice to see through the championship and unfortunately Pauls picked up an injury but this happens in the sport and we wish Pauls all the best. We’ll see him strong again next year.”
FLIPPIN’ FAST… SO HANG ON!
DEP 4 STROKE PIPES HIGH TENSILE 1.2 GAUGE MILD STEEL PIPES TOUGH PIPES FOR A TOUGH JOB!
2 & 4 Stroke pipes from DEP MANUFACTURER:
DEP PIPES +44 (0)1622 765353 WWW.DEPPIPES.COM
UK DISTRIBUTOR:
CI SPORT +44 (0)1372 378000 WWW.CISPORT.CO.UK
4 STR OKE www.deppipes.com
Performance Enhancing Products
NEW LIGHTER & BREATHABLE CONSTRUCTION
2019 MOTO GE
Leatt’s pursuit of rider safety starts a
SUPER VENTED X-FLOW MESH
EXCELLENT WET AND DRY GRIP
P U R A
L L I R H T
E G
R R O F O F E HE TTH
EAR
at layer one.
Tougher, more durable and featuring stitched-in tech to take the knocks and bounce back every time. Better ventilation, improved absorption. First Line Protection that redeďŹ nes the aesthetics of the Thrill.
Next Big Thing? Story Suzuki Steve Bauerschmidt. image
A year ago, Jett Lawrence was playing second fiddle to his older brother Hunter, but in 2018, the 15-year-old has proved himself in the motocross world, with some experts believing he has even more potential than his successful older 2018 MX2 World Championship number nine brother. Following his victory at last weekend’s ADAC Youngster Cup Championship in Germany, we caught up with him to talk about his first full season on the Team Suzuki Germany-sponsored RM-Z250. Jett doesn’t fear the competition even though he started this year’s European MX Championship (EMX250) as one of the youngest riders on the grid. While the older riders in the class started as comparatively seasoned racers,
Lawrence should have been at a disadvantage from his small stature alone, but the cheerful youngster wasn‘t restricted by that and has recently impressed the MX paddock with a double win at the EMX250 Championship round in Assen, Netherlands. At the ADAC MX Masters Championship series, because of his age, he could have started in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85cc, but he was aiming for a higher, tougher challenge and made the direct step-up to the highly-competitive ADAC MX Youngster Cup. The title win, which Lawrence achieved at the final round of the championship in Holzgerlingen on September 23rd, showed everyone that the decision to move up was the right one, and took the title graciously, with a manner beyond his young years. “For me it was a completely natural development that I start Motocross,” he says about his start into the sport. “Hunter demonstrated it to me and I followed in his footsteps,” a fact that was also confirmed by father Darren Lawrence, who thinks it is an advantage for his younger son. “In our family, nobody had a history in Motocross, we all started completely from scratch. We never had the plan or any idea to bring our boys into the sport. The initiative came from Hunter, who had the idea when he was seven years old after he saw the American Supercross races on TV. At his first race he was in the very last position, as he always stood there waiting when someone crashed in front of him. Jett was able to learn from his brother. When he started with the sport we already had some experience, from which we benefitted.” When he was eleven years old, Hunter showed so much success that the Australian Federation paid for his participation at the Junior World Championship. Some people there saw the talent of the young Australian and Ben Townley finally got things rolling, so Hunter got contracted in Europe when he was 15 years old. “For us as a family there was no option we would separate,” Darren explains, “So we sold everything at home in Australia and moved to Europe.” Jett’s talent didn’t go unseen either and he was picked-up by Suzuki Germany to participate in the EMX250 Championship and also the ADAC MX Youngsters Cup. “I always hated it when I did not win,” Jett smiles. “I remember one of my first races very well; I cried after the finish as I was not a part of the leading group!” These early periods are now long gone but they may explain the success of the young Australian: Ambition, paired with great skill and talent, lead to big success most of the time and therefore it is not really surprising that the 15-year-old not only achieved an impressive win in the European Championship EMX250, but also won a hardfought title in the ADAC MX Youngsters Cup
Distributed in the UK by
EXTREME RACING ACTION
ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!
WATCH
Saturday & Sunday
LIVE
Available on multiple devices
BUY NOW! Follow MXGP :