MXGP Mag #1 September 2013

#1_SEPTEMBER 2013

RACING CATCH UP

2013 MXGP Season Highlights

SPECIAL FEATURE

Youthstream renovates the series in 2014.

05 06 13 14 22 26 28 36 42 46 48

INDEX

COOL SHOT

MONSTER GIRLS

TEAM OF THE MONTH A quick insight to the KTM empire

MXGP MAG: Chief Editor: Marionna Leiva Photos: Youthstream/Zanzani YOUTHSTREAM Media World Trade Center II Rte de Pré-Bois 29 1215 Geneva 15 Airport Switzerland MXGP Mag #1 September 2013 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

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ear MX friends, We, at Youthstream, are proud to be presenting you the first ever issue of the free MXGP Mag; this colourful free online magazine has been created to keep MX fans upto-date with the latest news, backstage info, and what’s going on within the teams and events. MXGP Mag will complete the work of our television coverage, Internet website and MX-LIFE.TV, bringing everybody the opportunity to explore in detail the MXGP world and allowing everyone to discover the up-and-coming stars currently racing in the European Championships,

to read about how a track is built, to get more information on the MXGP World Youth Academy, to find out how an MXGP event is organized or how an MXGP team is managed and much, much more.

MXGP Mag doesn’t want to be in competition with existing e-magazines, our intention is to be complimentary to them and give alternative information. You will find articles written by famous MXGP journalists and photos provided by well-known photographers who travel to every event to bring you the latest MXGP action.

In this first issue you’re going to find out about all the novelties lined-up for 2014, you’re going to re-live all the most exciting moments of the 2013 season and you’ll hear all what this year’s Champions, Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings’, have to say; all this is accompanied by amazing emotional photos of action and celebrities.

Our aim is to bring you as close to the activities as possible, so that you can live and breath your MXGP dream – and you never know, it might be your photo in the next issue cheering your favourite rider on!

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COOL SHOTS

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COOL SHOTS

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COOL SHOTS

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G

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HOLESHOT

GET ATHENA

HOLESHOT AWARD

During the 2013 FIM MX1 and MX2 World Championships GET ATHENA awarded the riders who took the holeshot in the first race of each Grand Prix. Antonio Cairoli took seven out of the seventeen holeshots possible in MX1 and it shows how good he is at his starts because the rider who follows Cairoli in the Get Athena holeshot standings is Kevin Strijbos with three. Clement Desalle obtained two GET ATHENA holeshot awards and Evgeny Bobryshev, Max Nagl, Ken De Dycker and Rui Gonçalves have just one each.

In the MX2 class there are ten riders who were awarded by GET ATHENA but José Butrón ended at the top of the standings with four holeshots. However, Jordi Tixier finished the season with three GET ATHENA Holeshot Awards and Glenn Coldenhoff and Alexandr Tonkov with two. Romain Febvre, Jeffrey Herlings, Christophe Charlier, Mel Pocock, Maxim Desprey, Dean Ferris and Jimmy Decotis obtained one award each.

About GET ATHENA Athena is an international group organized into 3 business divi-

sions (ATHENA INDUSTRIES, ATHENA PARTS, and ATHENA EVOLUTION) and 10 manufacturing plants worldwide.

Specifically, ATHENA PARTS designs, manufactures and distributes products across different brands of the group: high-quality spare parts for motorbikes, scooters, maxiscooters, off road, automotive, both for mechanical and electronic parts (the latter with our brand GET, that offers a range of innovative products for the collection and analysis of data).

RACING CATCH UP

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M MXGP SEASON 2013’S MOST SENSATIONAL MOMENTS

After seven months of trotting the globe, from the bright lights of Qatar to the sand of The Netherlands, the 2013 FIM Motocross World Championship has officially come to a close. As we look back over the year, we reminisce what has been one of the most remarkable FIM Motocross World Championship season’s ever.

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icking off in Qatar, Youthstream stepped out of the safety zone and into the unknown when the decision was made that the first two rounds of the 2013 season would be held in Qatar and Thailand (both countries that had never in the history of motocross held a FIM Motocross Grand Prix) but given the tracks were still frozen by the ridiculously cold temperatures in Europe, it was definitely pleasant to stand trackside in glorious sunshine.

Qatar was spectacular; the circuit was built alongside the world famous Moto GP circuit in Losail and the race was held in the evening under floodlights. It also commenced the trial of the “Super Final”; a race which saw the top 20 MX1 (450cc) and the top 20 MX2 (250cc) riders go head to head at all three overseas destinations (Qatar, Thailand and Brazil).

While Qatar was awe-inspiring in many ways, the performance of the

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night had to go to Monster Energy Yamaha’s Dean Ferris. The charismatic twenty-two year old Australian flew in under the radar to take second overall in his MX2 debut, making him the first Australian to stand on the podium since Andrew McFarlane back in 2005.

wide, flowing circuit of Si Racha held together perfectly and the show went on with both Red Bull KTM Factory riders Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings taking perfect 50 point scores with their 1 – 1 results.

Back to Europe we went, with the Jeffrey Herlings set the theme for next stop being Valkenswaard, the rest of the season, dominating The Netherlands. While the temboth race one and the MX2 cateperatures were freezing, we were gory in the Super Final for his first warmed by the fact that Ken De (but definitely not his last) perfect Dycker was clearly coming out score of the year. Meanwhile, Bel- of his GP slump. After somewhat gian Clement Desalle took the first struggling in previous years, the MX1 red plate of the season, which big Belgian signed with Red Bull actually resulted in being his only KTM Factory Racing and went on red plate this year when he lost it to Antonio Cairoli at the following round in Thailand.

Thailand saw riders go up against the elements; high temperatures, muggy humidity and a random down-pour of rain that was so heavy, it briefly threatened the event. Nevertheless, the beautiful,

Maggiora, Maggiora, Maggiora. A real grass roots style motocross adored by true motocross junkies worldwide – most famous for the 1986 Motocross of Nations.

to show what he is truly capable of, taking victory in race two.

After round four in Trentino, Italy, round five in Bulgaria and round six in Portugal, organisers, teams, riders and supporters packed their bags and headed for Brazil where we saw the defeat of the then unbeaten Jeffrey Herlings.

Everybody knew Jeffrey Herlings wanted to go unbeaten this year, so when he went down in the beginning of the Super Final, KTM Silver Action’s Jose Butron took full advantage. Despite the flying Dutchman having thirty-five minutes plus two laps to catch the speedy Spaniard, he couldn’t make it happen and instead set-

tled for second which was enough to take yet another Grand Prix Victory. Meanwhile, José Butrón was proud and content with his first MX2 Grand Prix Victory as well as with the fact that he was the first MX2 rider to beat Jeffrey Herlings this year.

Patriotic and proud, the French know how to do it! Spectators crowded the hillsides of Ernée, France, for Grand Prix number eight, and they made it very clear that they wanted a Frenchman on top. With crowds roaring, Frenchman Gautier Paulin had the public going wild as he tossed the lead back and forth with Italian Antonio Cairoli. While Paulin had the

upper hand after winning race one, Cairoli responded in race two with the win, painfully snatching the overall from the French fan favourite.

Also at the heart of the French public was their own rising star Rockstar Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Dylan Ferrandis. Despite a number of falls throughout the race, the youngster showed blistering fast pace and took second overall for his first podium finish of the season.

Maggiora, Maggiora, Maggiora. A real grass roots style motocross adored by true motocross junkies worldwide – most famous for the

1986 Motocross of Nations. This year, Maggiora was the perfect combination of old school motocross and modern technology, resulting in an impressive Grand Prix.

People piled into the venue, lining the fences all the way around the track and just like the French, the Italians wanted their Italian motocross legend Antonio “Tony” Cairoli to win. After being defeated by Tony on his home turf the weekend prior, Frenchman Gautier Paulin was out for redemption.

This time, “TC222” flags and merchandise was everywhere; the public was chanting his name, wanting so desperately for their shining star to win. The atmosphere was electric, and so was the racing as Tony threw everything he could at the super strong Gautier Paulin. Despite the pressure, and the challenge, Gautier was on form that weekend, which resulted in a sweet victory in the home country of his closest rival.

Next up were the Grand Prix calendar regulars Uddevalla, Sweden, and Kegums, Latvia, followed by the new addition of Hyvinkää, Finland. The year 2000 was the last time there was a motocross Grand Prix in Finland, so for it to return this year was something very special, it even attracted the attendance of Finnish motorsport super heroes; former motocross world champions Heikki Mikkola and Pekka Venkonen and Formula One superstar Kimi Räikkönen.

Motocross enthusiasts and organisers dream of a freshly built soil based track surrounded by grandstands, a tarmac pit area with top notch facilities such as running water, flushing toilets and clean showers as well as a media centre with plasma screens, high-speed internet and unlimited snacks and refreshments – important for keeping the photographers, film makers and journalists well nourished and alert. And that was the case at the Grand Prix of Germany. Held at the Lausitzring Eurospeedway, this

Grand Prix not only introduced the motocross industry to professionalism, it levelled the playing field with a temporary track, challenging the riders, encouraging versatility.

Clement Desalle was named as a championship contender. It was long awaited, but the Belgian finally took his first victory of the season at the Grand Prix of Czech Republic. “The Panda” – Desalle – proved The Grand Prix of Czech Republic to be back in the game as he went saw “The Bullet” - Jeffrey Heron to win both moto’s in spectaculings – be crowned MX2 World lar fashion at his home Grand Prix, Champion. It’s almost indescribable Bastogne, Belgium. how extravagant the performance of Jeffrey Herlings was this year, It has been said by top MX2 ridthe eighteen year old motocross ers throughout the season “when phenomena won convincingly twen- racing Jeffrey Herlings, a second ty-five from twenty-seven races to is as good as a win” so you could take the world record of fourteen only imagine craziness in Bastogne consecutive Grand Prix overalls as (Belgium) after Herlings broke his well as his second world title, did shoulder in qualifying and wouldn’t we mention he is only eighteen!? be lining up for race one. One MX2 Right from the start of the year rider was finally going to know

what it feels like to stand on the top of the podium. Stepping up to the plate was the Australian Dean Ferris. Not only did Ferris win the overall, he won every single race including the qualifying, proving once and for all he is the real deal.

MXGP Festival is four days in motocross paradise. Held at the most spectacular, spectator friendly circuit of Matterley Basin in Winchester, England, riders from every category MX1, MX2, MX3, EMX250, EMX150, EMX125, EMX85, EMX65, WMX, Veterans and Amatures are given the opportunity to take their claim to fame on a world class circuit. With huge camping grounds and a buzzing atmosphere the

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MXGP Festival embraced just what motocross is all about. While there were many glorious moments, the most glorious had to be Antonio Cairoli winning MX1 race one to be crowned 2013 FIM MX1 World Champion. The twenty-seven year old Italian wonder is now living life in the seventh heaven with seven world titles to his name.

cuit of Lierop, compossing a captivating season finale. Only three weeks after breaking his shoulder blade, the MX2 World Champion Jeffrey Herlings made the last minute decision to return for his home Grand Prix. While the talented teenager did admit he was in a lot of pain, he felt he owed it to his fans to win the GP.

and a very proud moment for all who surrounded and believed in him. What a way to end the season.

After travelling for seven months to seventeen different venues in fifteen different countries the FIM Motocross World Championship has come to an end. For those that are involved the tour has entailed, hours of labour, sleepless nights, The Grand Prix of England was JK SK Gebben Yamaha’s Shaun litres of sweat and the occasionvery special for Standing Construct Simpson fulfilled a lifelong dream at al shed tears, but in contrast it KTM’s Glenn Coldenhoff when the the Grand Prix of Benelux when he has rewarded us with happiDutch youngster took his first ever took his first ever MX1 race win in ness, unbreakable friendship, a Grand Prix victory. race one and followed it up with a sense of satisfaction, success and third in race two for the Grand Prix pride. Like the saying goes, “Life The seventeenth and final round overall. After a pretty rough year, is not measured by the number of of the 2013 FIM Motocross World with the Scotsman’s best perforbreaths we take but by the moChampionship took place in the mance being an eighth overall at ments that take our breath away.” sand of Lierop, The Netherlands. his home Grand Prix in the United Treacherous ruts and gnarly sand Kingdom, the accomplishment of See you all in 2014! waves made up the demanding cir- actually winning was astonishing

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FIM Motocross World Championship

NUMBERS

398.000 Spectators

MX1 CHAMP. STANDINGS 1. A.Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 761 points 2. C. Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 671 p.

3. K. de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 607 p.

4. K. Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 553 p.

5. G. Paulin (FRA, KAW), 539 p.

6. T. Searle (GBR, KAW), 487 p.

7. J. Van Horebeek (BEL, KAW),431p 8. E. Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 348 p.

9. S. Simpson (GBR, YAM), 316 p.

10. M. Nagl (GER, HON), 314 p.

MX1 MANUFACTUERS 1. KTM 2. Suzuki 3. Kawasaki 4. Honda 5. Yamaha 6. TM

788 719 649 538 367 254

points points points points points points

In 2013 the FIM Motocross World Championship has visited seventeen different venues, in fifteen different countries, and has celebrated three overseas Grand Prix – Qatar, Thailand and Brazil.

1570 Journalists MX2 CHAMP. STANDINGS 1. J.Herlings (NED, KTM), 742 p.

2. J. Tixier (FRA, KTM), 607 p.

3. J. Butron (ESP, KTM), 518 p.

4. C. Charlier (FRA, YAM), 490 p.

5. G. Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 472 p.

6. D. Ferris (AUS, YAM), 463 p.

7. J. Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 424 p.

8. A. Lupino (ITA, KAW), 330 p.

9. D. Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 329 p.

10. M. Anstie (GBR, SUZ), 320 p.

MX2 MANUFACTUERS 1. KTM 2. Yamaha 3. Kawasaki 4. Honda 5. Suzuki 6. TM

835 points 640 points 498 points 352 points 346 points 72 points

MXGP YOUTUBE CHANNEL People from 201 countries have watched MXGP videos on MXGPtv Youtube Channel.

Belgium Netherlands Italy France

10,5%

9.1%

6.3%

22%

4,7

MILLION minutes watched on MXGPtv Youtube Channel in the last 4 months.

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Youthstream renovates the series in 2014

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SPECIAL FEATURE

At the end of June the Motocross Grand Prix Commission made official the changes to the 2014 Regulations and one of the most significant modifications was the new name of the main class of the FIM Motocross World Championship, which will be called or named MXGP.

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outhstream has been working for several years to bring the series to a more professional level providing better facilities and expanding the exposure of the championship worldwide, but 2014 Youthstream will mark another turning point in the history of the sport by rebranding the all Motocross World Championships.

In 2014 Youthstream will have

a new championship corporate image, and based on the meeting with the FIM and the Manufacturers last June, Youthstream will rebrand the Motocross World Championship with two new logos’ which will identify the two main categories, MXGP and MX2. On the other hand, and following the current strategy of reaching new and younger audiences, Youthstream will launch a new website, www.mxgp.com,

which will be more fan-orientated with the most spectacular images of each Grand Prix, including exclusive videos, live timing, pictures and content which will be constantly updated during and between the races in order for all MXGP fans to follow from home the action LIVE. Besides, www. mxgp.com will offer a better visibility to all partners of the series and their exposure will besignificantly improved.

In line with the SPECIAL new website FEATURE Youthstream also launches a free monthly e-magazine, MXGP Mag, with the main purpose to keep the fans updated with the most important and recent news of the series promoted by Youthstream providing some backstage content so the readers can find out what is behind a Grand Prix or how all the MXGP circus is built up every weekend but also with portrait, features and exclusive interviews. On the MXGP Mag there will also be exclusive information regarding the MXGP Academy and all the other projects carried out by Youthstream.

Following the new image and the new branding of the series, Youthstream also launches a new online store, www.mxgp-store.com, where the official merchandising of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations – already present at the Nations – and the FIM MXGP World Championship will be available in the near future.

Last but not least, Youthstream together with Milestone, our video game licensee, are developing the new official video game of the FIM MXGP World Championship, which will be called or named MXGP, the Official Motocross Video Game, and which will be launched in April 2014. MXGP will feature the real tracks of the series and the users will be able to race the MXGP class selecting their idol riders or racing against them.

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MXGP SOCIAL

TWITTER, FACEB IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP

@Richardmxbrown @MXGPlife @tommysearle100@JakeNicholls45 @ shaunsimpson24 definitely!

All consistent and all capable of wins! Good luck boys!

@jason2310bike Countdown started to the greatest weekend of mx calendar #wecanbeherosjustforoneday#mxdn @motocrossvice @MXGPlife

@kevinstrijbos Just saw the track from the mxon!! Wish i was there to ride! #readytobattle

@craig_green85 Getting pumped for MXON @ RyanDungey@CRtwotwo @ KenRoczen94 @MonsterEnergy@tommysearle100

@job_dusoleilh Secretly in love with this sport #KTM #mxgp pic.twitter.com/mK7nr2DYWh

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@woffinden108 looking forward to watching the boys today at matterley basin @MXGPlife hoping @ tommysearle100 @JakeNicholls45 kill it #mxgpfest

@AmyLouiseHenry1 @nataliekane44 Good bye #mxgp of Matterly Basin I won’t forget this one for a long time! :D :D #still #buzzing @AmyLouiseHenry1

MXGP CONTEST WINNER Thanks to Pantita Konokporn sending us this image! Pantita was the lucky one to win our MXGP Facebook Competition. She has received a signed Dean Ferris Ufo MX Kit and his replica helmet from M2R. Stay tuned for more giveaways on MXGP Facebook Page!

@jason2310bike @MXGPlife: WATCH VIDEO: @RFebvre461 takes UFO banner down in Loket. http://youtu.be/hek11SiXh88 #mxgp” like a scene from smokey and the bandit

Travel to all MXGP tracks with GoPro! Only on MXGPtv Youtube Channel, you will find GoPro track previews with the top motocross riders from all over the world! Get the best feeling of sharp corners, high jumps and deep sand together with the MXGP riders and GoPro! Click here to watch GoPro Track Previews 2013.

BOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE Visit MXGP Instagram (@MXGPLIFE) and have fun!

DesalleFans-Belgium @dinogallian #mxgp #livingfortheweekend #25 #desalle #kovo3bar Jill&Tony-MotorChef @JCJillCox He WON! “@MXGPlife: WATCH VIDEO: http:// ow.ly/o3xy0 @AntonioCairoli wins the final round of the MotorChef!”

TonyFan-Germany @clairemx34 With @antoniocairoli at the German GP. Was stoked to get my picture taken with the 7 times World champion!! #mxgp

InstagramFan-GB @lukec_98 #mxgp

TonyDrinks-GB @dinogallian #mxgp #antoniocairoli #222 #champion

IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP

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Peeling orange:

A quick insight to the KTM empire

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TEAM OF THE MONTH

KTM have always had a central part in the FIM Motocross World Championship and certainly since the turn of the century where their rapid engine technology and absolute dedication to success has turned the marque into arguably the premium brand on the racetrack.

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think of a group of riders who have carried as much impact on the sport on a global scale in the last decade.

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yperbole aside the sheer weight of statistics justify the current orange shade over Grand Prix. Undefeated in MX1 and MX2 categories with 250, 350 and 450SX-F motorcycles since 2010, the Red Bull band from Mattighofen not only offer the most competitive bikes on the dirt but have either unearthed or lured some of the fastest riders on the international scene. This is especially prevalent in the MX2 ‘development’ class. KTM have ruled the roost when it comes to 250cc four-stroke racing since 2008 and won garlands with their two-strokes in 2000, 2001, 2003. With Langston, Dobb, Townley, Rattray, Musquin, Roczen, Herlings it is hard to

While the factory team is at the heart of KTM’s copious scope in MXGP and clearly the flagship (many riders would rightly regard entering the orange awning as a sign of ‘graduation’ in the sport) the brand carries far more reach into the paddock. 50% of the final top ten in the 2013 MX2 standings managed the feat on SX-F material, from three other squads. Of the 53 riders who picked up points this season 20 were mounted on KTMs. Add the European EMX250 crown (Valentin Guillod) and EMX125 title (Pauls Jonass) and the factory has as much clout in the formative stages of motocross as it does at the top of tree in MX1 where Tony Cairoli has ruled supreme on the 350SX-F for four years.

The innovative 350 is not merely

a foil for the Sicilian to dispatch his rivals. Belgian veteran Kevin Strijbos revitalised his career from the confines of the privateer HM Plant KTM UK team in 2012 with three podium finishes.

BEIRER: “With the best bikes and best riders there isn’t an excuse not to win any more.”

To the frustration of their rivals KTM have come to define motocross Grand Prix in the last four years and naturally have started to carry ‘targets’ on their backs. The side effects of victory and domination can breed power, envy and resentment but the works Red Bull crew remain accessible, grounded and friendly.

Key technical crew like Nazzareno Properzi and Riccardo Bonafede (Cairoli), Jeremy Long (De Dycker), Wayne Banks (Tixier) and Rami Falt (Herlings) as well as Dirk Gruebel (Tech Co-ordinator) are surrounded by yet more voices of experience like Claudio De Carli and Stefan Everts, with Team Co-ordinators Valentina Ragni and Tania Mi-

lani running around keeping all other elements away from the motorcycles efficiently ticking over.

“I would say the best network ever is in place and this means we have a fantastic structure where we can deliver quality work,” explains overseer of the operation, KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer. “Through the success we have been able to have the best riders and youngsters can see that if they stay with us then they can make it up to the top to become world champion. I believe we can supply the best bike in the best team and we don’t miss out on any of the top young talent any

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more because they always come to see us first and this make it easier than before.”

“Not just in motocross but in every business and sport if you think you are totally on the top, that you are the best and nobody can beat you then maybe that will be the last positive thought you’ll have about your team! We are down to earth and we need to work harder than ever for success. I always remind everyone that we shouldn’t go around thinking we are the best and should just concentrate on doing the job well.”

Delving deeper into their work shows just how KTM are get-

ting things right. Of course the Austrians have the reactive power of being able to implement technical changes at base level with a speed of turnaround that would make the Japanese dizzy, but there is also a system clicked firmly into place and stretching right up to Beirer that means constant dialogue and daily face-to-face relationships. From De Carli’s paternal role and continual programme of evolution with Cairoli to his re-motivation of De Dycker to equal his best ever championship finish (3rd). From Everts’ part in developing the ‘next wave’ like Herlings and Tixier and even giving input to adolescents like Jorge Prado, and then

to Gruebel’s savvy in leading the technological march and keeping the race mechanics involved in a collaborative sense.

“I try to bring together people that fit well and the human side is just as important as the technical; I think that is why we have such a good atmosphere in the team,” Beirer continues.

“These guys are friendly to each other and stick together and if somebody changes because they are getting big-headed then I don’t think they could survive on the team.”

“We are not in the paddock to hurt anybody but to turn our hobby into a job and profession

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and we try to do it as well as we can,” he adds. “Sometimes we feel that people might be jealous or don’t like us any more because we win too much but that comes just from doing the job properly.

You cannot always do it right for everybody.”

(450MX and 250SX West Coast) in the past two years. Ironically it seems their biggest challenge yet might come from within their own camp…with the resurgence of Husqvarna meaning two former KTM GP crews turning white and some engineering priorities reassigned from the SX-Fs.

dominant. If some of that emphasis goes into Husqvarna then it will be an interesting and exciting scenario. To have a little bit less ‘orange’ is not a drama. If the power is divided into two great off-road brands then that is OK. There is a lot of motivation to keep KTM at a high standard but to So what for the future? Titles prove again that with passion, the across every discipline (MX3 and “We have the luxury at the moright people and the right effort Women’s have also been owned) ment whereby if we take away you can position another brand and seven teams in the 2013 pad- some elements of our KTM struc- in the off-road world at the front. dock outside of the works effort ture to go to Husqvarna then it This means some fresh wind and mean that KTM still dwarf mowill not hurt too much,” reveals some fresh colours in MXGP at tocross internationally and have Beirer. “We are winning like crazy the end of the day.” made sizeable inroads to the AMA at the moment and nobody ever scene with two key championship planned to be that strong or that Text by Adam Wheeler

MONSTER GIRLS

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MONSTER GIRLS

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MONSTER GIRLS

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M MXGP MAG 2013 MXGP.COM Photo: MEYER

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HALL OF FAME

Motocross Marvels: Roger De Coster

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he January afternoon sunshine cooks the pavement in Murrieta, California but inside the Red Bull KTM workshop Roger De Coster is keeping very cool. The Belgian adjusts his glasses as he finetunes the lathe for a steel component he is cutting.

“It is something I thought would help the mechanics,” he offers by way of careful explanation. Normally you wouldn’t expect to find an icon of the sport getting his hands dirty but you get the feeling that the 69 year old doesn’t warm the seat of his office chair that much in the process of resurrecting yet another brand on the AMA racing scene after historic and defining success with Honda

and then Suzuki for the better part of two decades.

When he first arrived at KTM there was understandably a degree of reverence. De Coster had ‘been there and done that’ to such a degree that it is hard to imagine how he still drums up the energy and enthusiasm after a full lifetime around a single sport.

Technicians would actually remark of their surprise as De Coster would call the shots, and then get hands-on with the job himself of prepping the Austrian machinery so that the likes of Ryan Dungey, Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin would have no second doubts about their leaps of faith to help KTM

crack America.

Over the past two years many keyboard letters have been punched about the De Coster ‘effect’ on the North American racing team’s turnaround – see belief, organisation, determination, preparation, communication and work ethic as some of the qualities he

Photo: Schellevis

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has instilled.

The same descriptions and adjectives have been thrown at the five times 500cc world champion and six times Motocross of Nations winner for an age.

It seems that De Coster draws success and admiration around behind him like a sweeping royal cloak. And plenty of people have ridden on the back…some of the most glittering racing talent to have followed in his footsteps in Europe and also on American soil.

Part of his appeal is the recognition of an enduring legend in practically all spheres of motocross and across MXGP MAG 2013 MXGP.COM

geography (he even won an ISDE medal in 1964, the same edition in Germany that saw another symbol – but of the silver screen - Steve McQueen compete for the USA).

Rider, Team manager, promoter (USGP events in the 1990s), Nations strategist (he brought the USA to their first victory in 1981 and has stuck around since), ambassador and mentor; De Coster appears to have

the ‘set’ and undoubtedly helping Ryan Dungey and KTM to the 2012 AMA 450X Pro Motocross title was one of the last great acts of not only a career but a motocross lifetime.

Text by Adam Wheeler

FIM 500cc World Championships: 5 (1971-3, 75-6) Motocross of Nations winner: 6 (1969, 72, 73, 76, 77, 79) Trans AMA Winner: 4 (1974-77) Grand Prix wins: 36 (all 500cc) Grand Prix rider: 1976-1980 (won final GP in Luxembourg)

PADDOCK TALKS 01

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MXGP

The Best of 2013 01/Harlem Shake with Motocross MXGP Riders in Qatar. 02/The Monster Energy riders having fun on a Tuk-Tuk in Thailand. 03/Mr Nasser Khalifa Al Attya at Maggiora, Italy. 04/Heikki Mikkola and Pekka Venkonen visit the Finnish MXGP. 05/Brazilian Pop Singer Mauricio Manieri and UFC Referee Mario Yamazaki at the Brazilian MXGP. 06/German children visit Searle at Lausitzring. 07/Mr Pier Bottero celebrating his 50th Anniversary in the mxgp paddock. 08/Famous actor Tobias Moretti, main actor of Inspector Rex, at Arco di Trento.

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09 07

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Paddock Talks 14

09/Cairoli wins the final round of MotorChef in Bastogne, Belgium. 10/Miki Ito, Silver Medalist at Moguls Skiing World Championship, at the Finnish MXGP. 11/Mr Luongo, Youthstream’s President and Mr Viegas, FIM Deputy President, with Paulo Gonçalves, Monster Energy Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain rider. 12/Mr Mitch Covington from Monster Energy with Mr David Luongo at Maggiora, Italy. 13/wPaddock Chit-Chat at Lierop. 14/Strijbos and Desalle refreshing in the paddock in Thailand.

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR

Photo: Schellevis

My name is Stephene Dorlizier.

I’m 18 years old from France.

I want to know a place that teaches how to become a reall rider in Motocross.

Thank you very much.

Stephene Dorlizier.

Hi Stephene, Thanks for your interest!

Youthstream has its MXGP Academy, where our professional team together with champions such as Jeffrey Herlings teaches young riders.

You can already join us this winter at the MXGP Academy Training Camp in Spain. For more information contact us by this e-mail - contact@youthstream-media.com.

Best Regards!

Youthstream

MXGP MAG 2013 MXGP.COM

Hi. I’m interested in buying your MXON Monster energy live show in HD. However I’m not at home that weekend. Will I be able to see it the week after?

Thanks, Thomas.

Hi Thomas, Thanks for writing us! You can purchase the Monster Energy MXoN Video Pass on www.MX-LIFE.tv any time you wish. The access expires 7 days after you first watch the content. Enjoy the biggest off-road motorcycles event from home!

See you at the races!

Youthstream

Hi MXGP, where can I see the results from 2013 Championship?

Thanks.

Sebastian Sobarzo.

Hi Sebastian, Please visit the FIM Motocross World Championship official website www.motocrossmx1. com and click on “Results” option in the menu navigation.

Thank you for staying with MXGP! Best Regards!

Youthstream Hello, I wonder how long it takes to deliver the MXoN products to Portugal?

Yesterday I bought a cap on www.MXGP-STORE.com Thanks.

Ivo Manuel Hi Ivo, Thanks for buying on MXGP Store! You will receive the MXoN Cap within 72 hours after your purchase was made.

MXGP MAG 2013 MXGP.COM