MXGP Mag #6 March 2014

#6_MARCH 2014

Into the light:

MXGP

reborn in

Qatar from the inside out

HALL OF F AME

Joel

Robe r

t

RACING CATCH UP

TEAM OF THE MONTH HRC TEAM

07 08 15 16 26 30 38 42 47 50 54 56

INDEX

COOL SHOT

MONSTER GIRLS

HALL OF FAME

Joel Robert

MXGP MAG: Chief Editor: Marionna Leiva Photos: Youthstream/Zanzani/Honda YOUTHSTREAM Media World Trade Center II Rte de Pré-Bois 29 1215 Geneva 15 Airport Switzerland MXGP Mag #6 March 2014 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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O D E: M E N I L OFF

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EDITORIAL

Giuseppe Luongo President of Youthstream Group Dear MXGP friends, Finally the MXGP season has started, as always the winter break is too long!!!

Once again we found the best organization in Qatar; an outstanding track with spectacular racing and the traditional warm welcome from the Qatari people. It was the first time for the Women’s Motocross World Championship to go out of Europe, and they have all been enchanted.

It’s great to see the excellent atmosphere between everyone in the paddock, the presence of the HRC

dinary performances. The 17-year-old American, Thomas Covington, racing for the first time in the MX2 class had an exceptional 2nd race, finishing 3rd, and Max Anstie The MXGP races were amazing and with only well- showed his potential by leadknown names within the top ing the 2 races but unluckily had technical problems and 20 every rider had to fight was not able finish either of hard to gain each position. the races. All this will proPaulin fought hard for his well-deserved victory, while vide for thrilling action all Nagl had a great come back. year long.

Cairoli, still recovering from A great show, great racing, an injury to his ankle was and a great sport! up there with the top with Frossard very close.

Without a doubt a superb In MX2 Herlings once again season awaits us with many riders ready to battle to condemonstrated his power, quer the thrones of Cairoli however Ferrandis, Febvre and Herlings. and Tonus gave extraorand Husqvarna teams bring back more colour making the starting grid more prestigious than ever.

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COOL SHOTS

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COOL SHOTS

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COOL SHOTS

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F

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HOLESHOT

FOX HEAD HOLESHOT

MXGP of QATAR

If the power of the holeshot was ever in evidence it was at Qatar in both of the MX2 races as Jose Butrón on the Silver Action KTM hooked two perfect starts to romp ahead down the start straight and into turn one comfortably in the lead. In doing so he not only set himself up for a run at an overall podium, scuppered when he tagged the back of Thomas Covington in race 2, but he took both of the two Fox Head Holeshot points available and will take the black plate for his KTM in Thailand. Butrón

clearly has his starts nailed right now and the other riders will have to step it up in round two to stop him running away with another double haul.

Strijbos was close in race two but was denied by a stunning move from the far right of the start gate. Matiss Karro on the 350cc Wilvo Forkrent KTM used a wide sweeping line into In MXGP it was far less clear turn one to swing around the cut. Race 1 was a dash to the outside of the field to snatch holeshot line that was decided the second of the day’s points by the smallest of margins, too and tie with Strijbos for the close to call with the naked eye lead in the classification. Both it was the slow motion holeshot riders will hold the coveted camera that caught the Rockstar black plate for Thailand and Energy Suzuki World of Kevin will be looking to add to their Strijbos sneak it by a wheel rim totals to retain it for Brazil at from 24MX’s Xavier Boog. the end of March.

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A

ANOTHER

LOOK INSIDE

The opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Losail, Qatar is one of the most breath-taking rounds of the entire series. It’s one of those experiences you have to see to believe and being there really makes you appreciate what is involved in pulling off the outdoor night race!

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Getting there is a pretty interesting topic all on its own, with motocross enthusiasts all of a sudden turning into expert problem solvers and professional packers. Finding ways to get motorcycle parts and gear or media equipment through airports without extra costs, weight or problems makes for great talk over coffee or a bit of light humor on those late nights in the paddock.

ies which had been packed and sent from Europe oneweek prior. Given that the MXGP round in Qatar is hosted at the renowned MotoGP circuit of Losail, the facilities were absolutely impeccable, with plentiful and immaculately clean showers, spacious pit garages to set up and even the heaven of an air conditioned restaurant serving food prepared by professional chefs.

Upon arrival to the immaculate paddock of Losail, both Youthstream and the MXGP teams had to unload their crates of exotic racing good-

Each team was allocated one of the garages in which to set up shop; the very same garages that are used for MotoGP, and Youthstream utilized If there is one thing seriously

the circuit’s first class media center and outbuildings for their offices. Come Thursday, the race bikes had been put together and the teams begun adding their finishing touches. Being in a country with a completely different culture, one that is less familiar with motocross and MXGP, riders, teams and organizers found themselves bound by common interest, all finding the time to acknowledge each other or enjoy each others company at some point in the race weekend and it gave a real sense of family down in the pits.

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noticeable at the ‘fly-aways’ it’s the calmness in the paddock, riders are not bombarded in the same way they are in Europe which makes them much more relaxed and approachable. Around lunch on Thursday, Youthstream organized a media opportunity which gave some of the top MXGP and WMX riders the chance to join the media on a old wooden Dhow Charter.

The charter sailed out onto the Corniche Bay; a refreshing turquoise colored harbor located in the center of Doha with skyline views of the old and new Doha cities. The combination of MXGP stars in front of a stunning backdrop of hazy desert blue skies, skyscraper filled skylines and cool

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water left the photographers of MXGP in a photographic paradise.

year since the first ever MXGP race in Qatar, the QMMF had taken the constructive criticism of last year seriously With the arrival of Friday and made the venue for 2014 evening, the ‘firsts’ of MXGP nothing short of outstanding.

2014 commenced. Round one What stood before us were of the FIM Motocross and 32 new lighting poles, towerWomen’s Motocross World ing over the track and holding Championships, the first and 420 2000watt lights between only round of MXGP to be held them powered by 10 generaat night as well as the only tors (350kVA), illuminating the round to run a Friday/Sattrack in ways nobody thought urday race format. Given the possible. Highly acclaimed unusualness of the situation motocross photographer Masthe night program was bound simo Zanzani agreed, “It was to be brilliant and it didn’t fail absolutely amazing. The light to impress. As the sun began and the way it reflected off the to set the spring temperatures riders was incredible, if you of Losail dropped to perfect took four shots in one corner, race conditions and the new every shot looked different but and improved lighting systems still bright, just different posiburst into life. Exactly one tioning of the shadow.”

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While the photographers on site found themselves inspired by the opportunity to snap new and unique shots, what was really spectacular was the way it was broadcast on TV. With the coverage spanning the globe, this was the best way to launch the new and improved “MXGP” programs. Both the visuals and the great entertainment on track proved to be a hit with audiences, with social media exploding with positive feedback over the quality and competitiveness of the racing.

With captivating races as the icing on the cake, it’s clear the level of MXGP has been raised to another level. Monster En-

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ergy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin is one of the favorites to beat the current FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli. Paulin started the year off in the best way possible taking the first overall victory of the season ahead of Team HRC’s Max Nagl who has made a solid return after spending 2013 plagued with health problems. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli nursed an ankle injury to third place, but claimed the title ‘the king of bling’ when he lit up Losail with a pair of his trademark fluorescent yellow Sidi boots and a custom painted Airoh helmet both incrusted with LED lights.

Meanwhile the biggest surprise came in MX2 when CLS Kawa-

saki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis defeated the reigning two-time FIM MX2 World Champion Jeffrey Herlings to take the first MX2 race victory of the season. Herlings, never one to stay down, bounced back in moto two to take the win and the overall for his sixteenth consecutive MX2 Grand Prix win.

Right now those steel flight cases decorated in team colours are on their way to Thailand, filled with the bikes, tools and equipment of the top motocross teams in the world and ready to be unpacked to take on the next MXGP challenge, round two of the FIM Motocross World Championship from Si Racha.

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FIM Motocross World Championship

Standings

MXGP CHAMP. STANDINGS

MX2 CHAMP. STANDINGS

1. G. Paulin (FRA, KAW), 45 points 2. M. Nagl (GER, HON), 43 p.

3. A.Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 42 p.

4. S. Frossard (FRA, KAW), 40 p.

5. J. Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM),32 p 6. T. Searle (GBR, KAW), 29 p.

7. C. Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 27p 8. K. Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 27 p.

9. E. Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 25 p.

10. J. Roelants (BEL, HON), 22 p.

1. J.Herlings (NED, KTM), 47 p.

2. D. Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 40 p.

3. R. Febvre (FRA HUS), 34 p.

4. A. Tonus (FRA, KAW), 33 p.

5. J. Butron (ESP, KTM), 31 p.

6. A. Tonkov (AUS, YAM), 31 p.

7. G. Coldenhoff (NED, SUZ), 29 p.

8. J. Tixier (FRA, KTM), 28 p.

9. DT. Gajser (SLO, HON), 24 p.

10. C. Charlier (FRA, YAM), 21 p.

MXGP MANUFACTUERS 1. Kawasaki 2. Honda 3. KTM 4. Yamaha 5. Suzuki 6. Husqvarna 7. TM

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45 43 42 32 29 17 16

points points points points points points points

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

47 47 34 29 24 21

points points points points points points

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MXGP SOCIAL

TWITTER, FACEB IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP

@HondaRacingCRF Fantastic victory in the opening #Qatar #MXGP for Max Nagl, and a strong 8th for an injured @EvgenyBobryshev. The CRF450RW is fast @kevinstrijbos Injury was not to painful.

Overall it was a OK weekend with the little bike time I had. Should go better every week!! #2014 #mxgp @amylouisedargan Some great racing tonight in all classes, an exciting start to the season! Hope you guys enjoyed it #mxgp @DanDunes818 GoPro: #MXGP of Qatar 2014 track preview with Gautier Paulin & Tyla Rattray - Crazy POV’s.. Video Link>>> http://ow.ly/u7G4Z

@AndrewMckinstry Where did Thomas Covington get that speed from! What a rider USA have on there hands! #mxgp

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@karamalxxx st caught up on yesterday’s racing and it’s fair to say @ MaxAnstie should have gone 1~1 but you’re a winner in all our eyes #MXGP @mrcape1 Grande show #Motocross #mx2 #mxgp su #italia2 dal #Qatar! Grazie @albyporta sempre sul pezzo! @stesplusg And congrats @JHerlings84!

Let’s continue with the perfect season! #mxgp #MXGPQatar The season kicks off and MXGP Facebook launches a new fun game. Guess top 3 winners of the MXGP and MX2 classes to win various MXGP prizes through the whole season.

Every MXGP event, our Facebook Page will award the lucky ones with different surprises. Eventually at the end of the season the person with most correct guesses will win the Grand MXGP Prize.

Click here to submit your guess for the second MXGP in Si Racha and win the MXGPTV access to watch MXGP of Thailand and MXGP of your choice for FREE. Stay tuned with the MXGP Facebook Page for more information.

@Chadders177 Time for @tommysearle100 @shaunsimpson24 + @ JakeNicholls45 to deliver in mxgp

MXGP Season has started with super exciting races both in MXGP and MX2 classes! Check out the first MXGPtv Youtube Playlist 2014 from the MXGP of Qatar. Find out who got to celebrate at the first Grand Prix this year and who was not that lucky on the track.

Click here to watch the playlist today.

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

@livemx Sidi boots with leds #tony #cairoli #mxgp #qatar #2014 #race #mx#motocross #follow #followme #picoftheday #fluo #ktm #redbull @foxheadeurope Congrats @meg66rutledge for putting in a dominant performance in Qatar last night and taking the overall win in the WMX! @foxheadaustralia #wmx #mxgp#winning

@alnakib87 #tickets #vip #controltower #mxgp #doha #qatar #losail

@zambio95 #mxgp #eurosport #forzatony

@marticolombo222 DETAILS #details #are #important #antoniocairoli #tonycairoli #222#motocross #mx #mx1 #mxgp #qatar

IN THE WORLD OF #MXGP 27

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GETTING TO KNOW TEAM H CHALK AND CHEESE

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TEAM OF THE MONTH

HRC

Honda has been increasing its support of Motocross Grand Prix steadily over the past three years, and this year the return of the HRC name marks the latest chapter. Evgeny Bobryshev and Max Nagl couldn’t be more different characters, but Honda’s works MXGP riders have both got what it takes when it comes to twisting the throttle. We take a look at what makes them tick and what drives two athletes at the top of their game.

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“I have a goal, I have a mission.

I want to win, and I’m a bit like a fighter in that moment.” Evgeny ‘Bobby’ Bobryshev is an intense guy. The more irreverent of the Team HRC pairing, he is every bit the epitome of focus on the bike.

“For the races, I just change my personality when I’m at the gate, when I’m on the track. You know it’s racing, it’s my life.”

Max, by his own admission, is less the fighter and more the strategist. “When it comes to my approach to Motocross, I am the typical German! Very organised, but sometimes in some ways I’m too extreme. Too organised. I always want to have my planning many months before.

“But it’s also how I’ve always been taught by my Dad to approach the sport – I’m trying so hard in this sport for the title and of course I also want that everyone around me also always tries their best so together we’re always doing the very best we can

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and have the best direction.”

overthinking and just switch off.

As chalk and cheese as Max and Bobby may be, the pursuit of the sport that dominates both their lives is relentless and treated equally seriously. But lifting the mask of each reveals very different approaches to the same goal.

“Before races, about 40minutes before the start, I again start to think about the lines, the track, looking at MX2 before and then put it all together for the race.”

Max’s approach? “Normally the Sunday after a race you’re thinking a lot about the race you’ve just done and on Monday too, but then by Tuesday you start training again and more or less forget and focus on the next race, unless you had a really good or really bad one, then it stays with you for longer.”

Bobby takes up the story. “You know, I would say when I’m not thinking about the racing I’m relaxing as much as I can. For sure when you get closer to the races then you get a bit nervous, but away from racing, I try not to put myself down because of thinking too much. You think intently for a few hours after each race, but af- A little back-story helps underter that I then try to just chill out stand Max’s mentality towards the with the team, having fun. sport.

“For sure after practice, we have 20minutes to get everything in the right place, look at the track sections to figure out where I might be losing time to make improvements for the race, but after that I just want to get away from

“It all started because my Dad, as well as racing had a bike shop with motocross bikes – he was a mechanic and first was preparing them and then started selling them. When I was three years old I started in BMX because my Dad

always liked that I do some kind of sport. He brought me to BMX cycling and I really liked it. When I was four I got my first 50cc and started riding in the fields behind his workshop.

“I went to his shop many times and every time I did I saw this little 50cc standing there and for sure I wanted to ride it, so every day I asked him to give me a ride.”

“When I was eight years old I started racing on the 50cc, but I was still racing BMX too at the same time, so we had many times the problem of BMX and motocross on the same weekend. So my Dad said, ‘ok, now you need to make a decision for either Motocross or BMX.’ He told me, ‘we won’t do this for fun – we do it 100 per cent, or nothing.’

“So I chose motocross, and throughout all the years he was pushing me hard. It was not easy. After school I never went

with friends – the first thing was straight to the motocross track and start training. So it wasn’t easy, but it was worth it in the results.”

With such an intense season on the track, relaxation away from the races is an essential part of maintaining the right mental attitude.

“In the time between races,” says Bobby, “it’s mostly training for me. When I have a day off, I just like to spend time with my family and friends all together.

I like to do things that take my mind off racing and can really relax me. So I can switch off and recharge, not thinking too much about the coming races.

“Away from bikes, I like a lot to jetski in the summer. I used to own one when I lived in Russia, but now that I’m in the Netherlands, it’s a bit difficult to have that as there’s no place to easily go and ride. I like also quad

biking. With friends in Russia, we pack a bag of food and go all day riding off-road. In Summer I go back to Russia for one week so it’s good to do crazy things with friends!

“A lot of people think Russia is quite crazy. For us we were born already in that situation. If you look back to say the 90s I would say it was very difficult in Russia. Now it’s a bit more calm, but even still the mentality of the people is still quite explosive, especially in places like Moscow.

People in Russia like to go wild, and it’s fun. They like to do crazy things!”

“To completely cut away and relax,” continues Max, “I actually go to my home in Belgium or in Germany. When you enter my house, you wouldn’t think that I was a motocross racer because there’s not one picture of me from motocross, not one trophy, nothing at all from motocross.

It’s just a normal family house. I

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want to keep it totally natural, because if the house is full of motocross stuff it’s always around you and you can never switch off and stop thinking. When I’m at home, it’s private and relaxing.

ready and we play a lot of squash and wakeboarding together when we’re both finished at the track.”

Returning to his approach as a fighter with the track as his ring, Bobby explains his analogy. “I like “In the past I was just totally watching mixed martial arts comfocused on motocross – training, bat. One of my favourite fighters racing, training racing all the is Fedor Emelianenko, the Russian time. But that makes you really mixed martial arts multiple chamtired, so in the past two years pion. I like to watch him fight a lot.

I’ve tried to start some other kind He’s not like other fighters – he’s of sports to give me a little bit of a very calm at the ring but when break between training.” the fight starts, he’s a machine.

Jeff Monson is another in this “I’ve started with wakeboarding, category.” because that’s something totally nothing to do with engines and “It means something to me as fuel! But it’s still good for training I have the same approach. It’s upper body and balance. I started the same in racing as in fighting playing squash too. Squash you – when you do your job on track, can also see as good training, you don’t really have any friends but if you do it just for fun then out there.” you can play it in a different way.

Maurizio, my practice mechanic, “I believe in God so I have always and I are really good friends ala cross with me around my neck,

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and I feel safe and calm with it because I’m wearing it every time I’m on the bike. Fedor is the same, and I think this gives him his calm approach. I like that.”

“Religion is an important part of life to me. I’m not going every week to church, but I believe and it’s important to me. It’s always been like this for me since I was born as my parents also believe the same.”

“I like Villopoto’s style. Stefan too in his time. I like to watch them race and learn from them. Completely different riders, completely different style of racing but both so fast. Time has changed things in motocross since the days of Stefan, for example. Bikes are improving, riders are improving, so every year motocross is a little bit different and the style is changing. But in all time you will always get the crazy guys and the

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calm guys. Like if you compare me and Max, Max is more smooth and clean but I’m a bit more aggressive.”

they test it, the numbers. For sure race car is just unbelievable.” when I stop with Motocross I want to be more involved with cars and “In the past, since I was a kid, I’ve car racing on the track.” always looked up to a German motocross rider called Bernd EckenWhen it comes to shared passions “I try to do a car race every year bach and Michael Schumacher. We though, apart from motocross of when my season has finished would always get up in the middle course, cars are high up on both in sports and saloon cars as a of the night to watch the overseas of their lists. wildcard to a support series to the Grands Prix, my Dad and I, and I DTM Championship in Germany. always thought that was he was “I love cars – they’re my weak Normally, you get the chance to do doing, and the fans he had espepoint” enthuses Bobby. “I really a wildcard race just once and they cially in Germany, was amazing. So enjoy the technical side of them. I give it stars from tennis, football I really wish him well right now.” really love big engine cars. I know etc, but they are always usually they’re eating too much fuel really, pretty slow. But in my race I could Chalk and cheese, two riders but it’s fun sometimes to twist follow the field and was battling with very different mentalities the throttle! And in Russia fuel is with them, and the organisers and approaches, but united by a cheap so it’s ok…!” were so happy about this because shared passion and desire within it was my first time in a race car, Team HRC. A formidable partner“Almost every day I’m spending that they said any time I want to ship too; surely key ingredients in some time searching the interrace I can come back.”

Honda and HRC’s recipe to take net for cars to enjoy, for fun and the CRF450RW to success on the because I’m very interested” says “It’s a different world racing on world stage. Time will tell, but the Max, with his self-confessed Ger- the road to motocross, but I also new partnership is off to a very manic attention to detail. “And not love this. The speed you can take strong start in 2014. just looking at the cars, but at all on the asphalt. And the difference the details. How they make it, how between a good road car and a Text: Tom Tremayne, Honda Racing

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MotoGP comes t

With MotoGP still in the clutches of the European winter, two of its stars took advantage of a lull in their schedule to drop in on the paddock and catch the action from Losail.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

to MXGP

It is no secret that Nicky Hayden, the 2006 MotoGP World Champion, has a love of the dirt with his early career on the flat track ovals of the USA, but did he ever add some MX into his formative training?

Championship and Qatar now?

Nicky Hayden: “We were coming from Sepang testing and we are testing here this week so I was going to be here anyway because there wasn’t enough time to go home, and it just happened to Nicky Hayden: Of course I did work out, it was pretty cool I some motocross, a little bit in went to the first supercross the winter when the flat track and now the first Motocross so yeah it’s great. I’ve been to was closed we used to go to World Motocross some years do some motocross just for training and stuff but never ago in Belgium but it’s always too competitive, some local great to watch in person, so races a few times, but nothmuch better than on the TV.” ing national or anything.

MXGP Mag: It’s a bit different as a spectator sport to MXGP Mag: So what brings MotoGP, isn’t it? you to the MXGP World

Nicky Hayden: “Yeah, we walked round a bit and actually from here (the VIP club) you can see everything; I watched the start on the big screens, it has been good racing both classes came right down to the wire, I wish there was another American or two out there!

MXGP Mag: You’re here as a guest of Tony Cairoli, how did you guys get in contact?

Nicky Hayden: Yeah, he’s a MotoGP fan, my friend here is Dutch, Tony’s girlfriend is Dutch, so he set up the passes for us, I’m quite a big fan, you know, 7 time world champ it’s pretty impressive.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

MXGP Mag: It really is, asa racer whose won a World Championship, what do you think is the secret of his success?

Nicky Hayden: I couldn’t say, I mean, all the guys are good, they’re fast, but he’s a 7 times world champ, they don’t just give those away, you’ve got to earn those, he definitely finds an extra gear late in a moto so it’s impressive.”

Motocross has always been a sport that you can pick up and do anywhere in the world in any weather without the need for huge race tracks and perfect sunshine, and for that reason it’s long been a favorite training tool for riders in all disciplines as nothing beats time on the bike. For Randy De Puniet, the Suzuki MotoGP test rider, motocross has always been a part of his training.

Randy De Puniet: Yeah, I rode a lot in the past but I stopped 3 years ago because of an accident and I was not allowed to touch a dirt bike, but now I’ve started again, I love motocross and I enjoy it a lot and it’s nice

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to train on a dirt bike.

MXGP Mag: What do you think takes more guts, pinning the throttle on a MotoGP bike or hitting a triple?

Randy De Puniet: It’s easier to keep it full throttle and to wait and to arrive at 350 kilometers an hour than to jump a triple where you are maybe 7 meters and 25m long, it’s not the same sensation. If you ask an MX guy to ride at 350kmph he will tell you it is crazy and it’s always like that.

One universal factor in all the race paddocks and sport events in the world is that every French athlete has some connection to or has trained alongside the others and De Puniet is no exception when it comes to the current crop of fast French MX riders.

Randy De Puniet: I know Gautier because we have the same trainer and he had a good season last year, he had a bad crash in the middle of the season but he came back fast and he had a good preparation this

winter and I think he’s ready to try to beat Cairoli, this guy is a monster because he is so competitive and he is a very good and very tough guy, it will be difficult to beat him but I think he’s prepared to do that and I really hope he will be world champion this year. In MX2 we have Jordi Tixier and I know Christophe Charlier because I trained with him 4 years ago and also Dylan Ferrandis, too, we have a good level in motocross.

MXGP Mag: As you’ve trained with these guys and ridden a lot of Motocross yourself you’re in a perfect position to answer the question of what’s tougher, a 30 minute moto or a 40 minute MotoGP race?

Randy De Puniet: Motocross, it’s more difficult!

That’s some seriously high praise for the strength and physicality of the current crop of MXGP riders who know just how tough life can get and with the season just getting started in Qatar and Thailand the real tests of fitness and endurance are about to begin.

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MONSTER GIRLS

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MONSTER GIRLS

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MXGP ACADEMY

MXGP Academy

Thai Talents Training with MXGP Academy

Here is some food for thought, “If you do what you have always done. You will get what you have always got”. Motocross is evolving in ways no one would have thought possible 10 ten years ago, travelling to new and exciting places, experiencing new cultures and more importantly increasing the global awareness of our great sport. With the level of competition continually rising the tools have been put in

place to guide and develop the younger generation of racers, especially in country’s that are not typically recognized for the depth of their motocross talent.

Last year MXGP travelled to Thailand for the first time which may have seemed like a strange move to some but Thailand, although never producing a top contender in the FIM Motocross World Champi-

onship, has been successful in creating an outstanding circuit that quickly became a favourite among MXGP’s top riders.

With that world-class facility now in place and with the help of Youthstream’s MXGP Academy, Thailand has the perfect training ground for their up and coming stars. Thai riders now have access to top training tips from former riders such as Jan Postema, as well

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as the inside info on what it takes to be a MXGP athlete.

“The MXGP round in Thailand last year really opened the eyes of the Thai MX community.

It has really given them a boost and now the Thai riders are eager to learn and prepared to make sacrifices in order to reach a better level,” said Jan.

including throttle control, line selection, body position, braking, passing and jumping. Jan has also been shedding some light on the crucial role fitness plays in top level motocross. “I have been really trying to explain to the Thai riders the importance of fitness. Motocross is an extremely demanding sport and good cardiovascular Since the beginning of the year health and physical strength Postema, as one of the MXGP will help a rider not only to Academy trainers, has been control his bike, but also to travelling around to Thailand make good decisions and react to give young Thai motocross quicker”. stars a shot at turning their dreams of top flight internaRound two of the FIM Motional competition into reality. tocross World Championship The MXGP circuit of Si Racha takes place at Si Racha, this has hosted the classes where weekend and the Thai riders Jan has gone over the cruwho are taking part in the cial techniques with the riders MXGP Academy program will

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have the chance to ride the GP track during the week as well as meet and talk to their favourite MXGP heroes. For those that prove to be fast enough they will attempt to qualify for a FIM Motocross World Championship wild card place and it will be interesting to how they have improved and if they can finally bank some MXGP points.

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Foto: P. Capart

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HALL OF FAME

Joel Robert,

the legend!

D

uring the 1960’s our sport bore witness to the exploits of a true legend, a man whose records stood for nearly 40 years and established the level for greatness in Motocross.

Joel Robert, the original icon of Belgian MX, racked up 50 GP wins in the decade of free love and it was only with the advent of Stefan Everts that his career records were broken.

Since retiring he took to the role of team manager for the Belgians at the Motocross of Nations helping them to a rich run of form in those years, Joel Robert to this day remains one of the greats of Belgian motocross Born on the 24th of November 1943 in Grandieu, Joel was only four years old when he got his first bicycle and it was just three years of pedal power before he got his first motorcycle. It was his destiny from the day he was born, as his father

always said “he will be a motorcycle rider”. Fernand was there from the start to help his son climb on the bike and ride at around the garden, which was vital in the first few years as the 7 year old Joel was too young to start racing.

A few years later in an age long before google had all the answers Joel faked his entry papers to get into his first MX race, before waiting a little bit longer to turn 16 to get his first genuine Belgian licence.

First on a Zundapp and later riding a Greeves, Joel was a fighter from the start and he moved to England with the support of the British factory to get more race experience.

Joel had no driving licence and didn’t speak English but he always found a way to get to the races including travelling by train with his bike in his luggage.

He entered his first Grand Prix in 1962 and always got to and from the races with the help of some friendly support, thanks to his friends, rivals, mechanics and journalists. “It was all great experiences and you know you’re stronger when you succeed like that” admits Joel who spent two seasons as a privateer, learning his new trade.

Thanks to his good results in the 1963 season CZ, the Czech manufacturer, offered him a factory contract.

With his new bike underneath him Joel didn’t wait long to celebrate his first win and after a stunning series of successful GPs he claimed his first title in 1964 to become the first Belgian World Champion since René Baeten in 1958. The following seasons weren’t as successful for Robert, who missed out on several titles due to injuries, mechanical failures and mistakes.

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However, Joel never lost his self confidence and finally beat Torsten Hallman in the last GP of 1968 in Austria to clinch his second World title, then in 1969 he found a new rival in his way in the shape of Sylvain Geboers who he eventually got the better of.

the zenith of his career and re- After his racing career ended he tired from the sport a few years stayed involved in the sport; with his later. “I probably didn’t stop in Moto club he organised trial races, time, as after my last title I had a charity race – the youngster Cup some physical trouble. It’s true in Jamioulx – and the “12 hours of la Chinelle” a famous endurance that I never really worked on my physical condition as for me race, all the while taking care of the training on my bike was enough Belgian team at the Motocross of to win. I was always looking for Nations. Now 70 years old Joel is the best lines, playing with my just a fan of the sport and a regular Geboers moved to Suzuki at bike on the jumps, and even on visitor to the European Motocross the end of that season only the starting grid I was some- events, enlivening the paddock with to have his former team mate times smoking a cigarette. That his legendary good humour. make the move to join him a was my way of life and I have no few months later and so it was regrets” Text and Photo by P. Haudiquert that once more the two Belgians battled for the title until 1964 250 cc Motocross World Championship – 1st (CZ) the last GP, where Robert 1965 250 cc Motocross World Championship – 2nd (CZ) took the top honours to cap 1966 250 cc Motocross World Championship – 2nd (CZ) of a hugely successful period 1967 250 cc Motocross World Championship – 2nd (CZ) where he won 5 Motocross 1968 500 cc Motocross World Championship – 1st (CZ) World Championship titles in a 1969 500 cc Motocross World Championship – 1st (CZ) row.

The last of his titles as well as his 50th Grand Prix win came in the 1972 season and they were to be his last taste of the top step as he was past

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1970 1971 1972

Winner of the Motocross of Nations (Team Belgium) Winner of the Trophy of Nations (Team Belgium) 500 cc Motocross World Championship – 1st (Suzuki) Winner of the Trophy of Nations (Team Belgium) 250 cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (Suzuki) 500 cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (Suzuki) Winner of the Trophy of Nations (Team Belgium)

PADDOCK TALKS

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01

Paddock Talks 01/The MXGP riders enjoyed a Dhow trip along the Doha Corniche before taking part in the MXGP of Qatar.

02/Losail hosted for the first time a round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship. 03/The MXGP teams could use the permanent facilities of Losail’s international circuit such as the paddock boxes. 04-08-11/ Mr Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Special Advisor to the Emir, visited the MXGP of Qatar and had a wonderful time watching the races.

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04

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05 07

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11 10

Paddock Talks 08

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05/The National papers gave a great coverage of the MXGP of Qatar. 06-07/Antonio Cairoli was wearing a special edition of his Sidi Boots and Airoh helmet during the night race at Losail. 09/ The MXGP of Qatar had a beautiful VIP Lounge where special guests such as Nicky Hayden or Randy De Puniet could follow the MXGP races. 10/BeIn had a LIVE Studio at the track from where they broadcasted the MXGP of Qatar. 12/Chit-Chat with Tyla Rattray in Qatar.

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QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR Hi MXGP, Hello, where can I get an entry form for the Uddevalla VMX event?

Regards, Chris (Team Strecker Yamaha) Dear Chris, Thank you for your e-mail. Regarding the entry forms please contact Youthstream’s Sport Office at the following e-mail: sportoffice@youthstream.org.

All the best, Youthstream

Hi MXGP, Here is first episode of Klemen Ger ar #62 Ep in his first MXGP season. LINK: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJF8wPAaqio&hd=1. Can you please share it?

Hi MXGP, Cheers, Do you give the MXGP-Videog- Jan ame away?

Cheers, Dear Jan, Joel van Leuvem That’s a very nice video! We are always keen to receive Hi Joel, riders’ videos and share Thank you for your interest in them with our favourite the Official MXGP Video Game. motocross fans! The video is online on MXGP-TV, For any video game promotions and offers please follow Facebook Page and MXGP the Official MXGP Video Game Twitter. All the best luck Facebook Page (URL: https:// to Klemen this year at the www.facebook.com/MXGPVid- MXGP. eogame) or the Official MXGP Best Regards Video Game Website (http:// Youthstream mxgpvideogame.com/).

Enjoy the game!

All the best, Youthstream

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Hi MXGP, I’m interested in buying the VIP Package for MXGP of Great Britain. What is included in the offer?

Thanks.

Janetina Diana Dear Janetina Diana, We would like to offer you to purchase our famous VIP Gold SkyBox Package that includes exclusive track and start view from the SkyBox Terrace where our staff will be serving beverage and snacks, and we will make sure your MXGP experience is the best. The package also includes SkyBox Restaurant with an open bar.

This is the experience that you will never forget! Click here to buy it today.

Best Regards!

Youthstream

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