MXGP #106 June 2022 by MXGP MAG

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MXGP MAG Chief Editor: Marionna Leiva Photos: MXGP INFRONT MOTO RACING MEDIA World Trade Center II Rte de Pré-Bois 29 1215 Geneva 15 Airport Switzerland MXGP Mag #106 June 2022

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AME F F O

The articles published in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of Infront Moto Racing.

L A I R O T I D E

David Luongo CEO of Infront Moto Racing

Dear MXGP Friends, Half of the season is now behind us. After Spain, France and Germany, three events with the biggest crowd attendance of the season, we saw three different overall winners in the MXGP category with Maxime Renaux in Spain, Jeremy Seewer in France and Tim Gajser in Germany. TG243 is increasing his gap with Seewer as we are heading to Indonesia-Sumbawa, for the comeback of the MXGP in this beautiful country after two years of COVID-19 restrictions. In MX2, we are going to have a strong battle between Jago Geerts and Tom Vialle, who seem to be on another level this year. A lot of things have been said the last couple of weeks after what happened during the French Grand Prix. Communication is always very important, so during the following days in Germany, we met with the manufacturers, the teams and the riders, and we were able to tackle many subjects and we had the opportunity to talk with open mind about MXGP. We agreed that at each Grand Prix, starting from Germany, there would be one rider from each class acting as the representative of MXGP and MX2 in order to exchange

WE WERE ABLE TO TACKLE MANY SUBJECTS AND WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH OPEN MIND ABOUT MXGP their feedback with IMR and FIM officials during the Grand Prix weekend. It is important to mention again that Infront Moto Racing is the promotor of the MXGP World Championship and that during the last 2 years of pandemic, our only effort, despite the fact to be in a very difficult financial situation, was to organize a decent and complete championship. We managed to deliver 18 races in 2020 and 19 in 2021 to allow riders first, but also mechanics, media and partners to be able to maintain their work and continue to follow this sport. The last two years have been terrible, but the sport continued to go on and in 2021 we witnessed one of the most exciting seasons ever. Now that the world is opening again and that we are able to

host public again, we also have to think about the organizers. Without them, it would not be a championship, without the fans coming to events, motocross would still be an amateur sport, and without the Overseas Grand Prix, it would be a European Championship. It is true that we are living a very difficult moment. The cost of transportation, flights and fuel are hitting the sky, but we need to find solutions to continue to go on and improve, as we did in the past during the Covid-19, one of the worst times for our sport. Now we are finalizing the preparations in Sumbawa to offer the best Grand Prix ever performed in Indonesia. MXGP is growing very fast in Indonesia and the passion and investments of the local authorities to build the track and the facilities is already showing the event will have a great success. The track turned to be one of the best of the season, with a lot of elevation. I would like to thank FIM, FIM Europe, all our organizers, the MXGP partners, the teams and the riders for their collaboration. See you in Indonesia!

S T O H S L COO

T O H S E L O H X FO

THE BATTLE CONTINUES…

WE’VE JUST PASSED THE HALFWAY MARK OF THE 2022 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON, WITH THE SPANISH, FRENCH AND GERMAN GRAND PRIX’S. WHILE THE FIGHT FOR THE MXGP AND MX2 TITLES CONTINUES, SO DOES THE FIGHT FOR FOX HOLESHOT’S AS RACE-BYRACE WE ARE REMINDED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD START WHICH MAKES THE BATTLE FOR FOX HOELSHOT’S MUCH MORE INTENSE.

Before we head off to Indonesia for our second overseas event of the season, let’s take a look at who dominated the starts during the last three GP’s. MXGP of Spain: The Spanish Grand Prix was the playing field for home hero Jorge Prado of Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing, who was unmatched out of the gate as he claimed both Fox Holeshot’s. This in turn put him in the perfect position for the races as he battled at the front, though a couple of mistakes crept in which proved to be costly and as a result we missed the Spaniard from the podium. Meanwhile in MX2, the Fox Holeshot awards were a little

more disputed, with fresh new faces joining the competition. Wildcard rider and current EMX250 Championship leader Rick Elzinga from Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing was the leading rider into the first corner in heat one, while in the second race it was Liam Everts of Diga Procross KTM Racing! Monster Energy MXGP of France: After Spain we headed straight to Ernée for the first Grand Prix at the hardpack circuit since 2015. And once again, in MXGP, Prado was the man to beat as even from an outside gate pick, the Spaniard was able to put his factory GasGas ahead of everyone else! As a result, he was able to get back on the box and pick up some very valuable points for the championship as he began to edge closer to the top three.

In MX2, the qualifying race winner, Simon Längenfelder of Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing got off to a flyer in race one as he led the way before being caught by home hero Tom Vialle of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. In race two, Vialle claimed the second Fox Holeshot on his way to a third consecutive Grand Prix victory and in front of his home fans. Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany: The final of the three backto-back races was the German Grand Prix in Teutschenthal. This time around we saw Tom Vialle dominated both starts in the MX2 races, though a bike failure cost him a podium spot as well as the red plate, which was a real heartbreak for the Frenchman. In MXGP, race winners Tim Gajser of Team HRC and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer were the recipients of the 19

Fox Holeshot in races one and two. Gajser ended his weekend with the overall victory, while Seewer finished second, going on to prove how important a good start can be! After 11 rounds, Jorge Prado and Tom Vialle continue to lead the Fox Holeshot Classifications with eleven and eighth points each. But there is still plenty of races on the calendar and we look forward to seeing who will win next time around at the MXGP of Indonesia!

MX2

MXGP

Tom Vialle

8 Jorge Prado

Simon Lanfenfelder

5 Henry Jacobi

Kevin Horgmo

2 Tim Gajser

Thibault Benistant

2 Glenn Coldenhoff

Mikkel Haarup

1 Pauls Jonass

WATCH THE VIDEO

P U G H N ATC I C A C R

N I N O I T C A Y N K A C M A R B E O G T & K E C C A N B A R F , N I SPA 23

MXGP OF SPAIN Let’s begin with the MXGP of Spain at the hard-pack circuit of intu Xanadú-Arroyomolinos, which hosted MXGP for the third year in a row after holding two fantastic events in 2020 and 2021 – with the 2022 edition being no exception! AND JUST LIKE THAT WE ARE JUST OVER HALFWAY OF THE 2022 SEASON OF THE FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER THREE INTENSE BACK-TO-BACK RACES IN INTU XANADÚ ARROYOMOLINOS, ERNÉE AND TEUTSCHENTHAL. THE LAST THREE GP’S HAVE THROWN SOME SURPRISES ALL OF WHICH WE WILL CATCH YOU UP ON, AS THE NAME OF THIS FEATURE WOULD SUGGEST…

It was a busy weekend for the likes of Jorge Prado, Ruben Fernandez, Daniela Guillen and more of the home heroes who started their weekend on Friday with some exciting media activities, which included meeting with the local authorities from Arroyomolinos and Madrid! And there was plenty more to keep the Spanish riders busy, apart from racing, they all took time for their fans, taking part in numerous signing sessions, that saw queues upon queues of fans lined

struggle with illness that he picked up before the Sardinian Grand Prix.

up in the paddock waiting to meet their favourite riders, take plenty of selfies and pick-up some signed memorabilia. But with all the frenzy that comes with a regular MXGP race weekend, pre-covid and now post, it was time to focus on the racing and there was plenty of action from the MXGP, MX2, EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing, WMX and Junior e-Motocross riders which made for one mega action-packed weekend! The Spanish Grand Prix was not an easy one for most riders as we reached scorching temperatures in the intense Spanish sun. This was a real test for everybody, but of course that did not get in the way of some excellent battles. In the main classes, we saw Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux finally secure his first MXGP overall victory after stint of podium finishes on what

so far can only be described as an impressive rookie season for the Frenchman. What was even more striking was the fact that he did it with two races wins. Alongside him on the podium was his teammate Glenn Coldenhoff, who secured his second podium in a row after finishing third in Sardinia and then Spain – two completely different circuits, but the same brilliance. And last but certainly not least was Brian Bogers of the Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing squad who climbed the podium for the second time this season – showing that his third overall in Portugal was no coincidence! While Renaux, Coldenhoff and Bogers relished in the taste of the 958 Santero Wines bubbly, home Hero Prado and Championship leader Tim Gajser had a tough weekend, as both failed to make it onto the podium. Prado was looking solid in the beginning of both races as he claimed both Fox Holeshot’s, though small mistakes crept in which proved to be costly in the end. While Gajser continued to

In MX2, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle added to the French assault, as he also went 1-1 to win the overall in Spain for the second time (first time in 2020). Second on the box was Simon Längenfelder, with the Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing rider finally making his comeback to the podium since his clean sweep at the British Grand Prix. Occupying the third place was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts who had a hard day. A big crash in race one, left the Belgian feeling second hand for the second heat, though he pulled through to get himself on the box, but it was less than what he expected as he ended up losing the red plate to Vialle. Alongside the regular action we also had plenty of thrills from the Women’s Motocross World Championship as well as the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and MXE (Junior e-Motocross) riders. In WMX, we saw the return of Courtney Duncan and it was a memorable comeback indeed. The 25

Kiwi went 1-2 in the races to stand on top of the box alongside home hero Daniela Guillen who impressed the Spanish crowd with her incredible performance in race two as she fought her way into the lead and dominated the heat! Third on the podium was Nancy Van De Ven who extended her championship lead heading into the final round in couple of month time. In the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing category we saw Ivano Van Erp make his return to the top after a couple of tough races, while Marc-Antoine Rossi celebrated his first trip to the box alongside Janis Martins Reisulis. And last but certainly not least was the MXE youngster who battled the Grand Prix track on their mini electric bikes! Timoteï Cez was the overall victor as he also took the early lead in the series ahead of Elias Eder and Logan Rodas Liberal. MONSTER ENERGY MXGP OF FRANCE From the sizzling heat of Spain, we packed up and headed for Ernée as the legendary circuit made its much-awaited return to the calendar! Big things were expected from the French Grand Prix in Ernée, as the venue has been front and centre to some of the biggest moments in the sport, hosting the first GP in 1990, then the 2003 GP which saw Stefan Everts claim the triple-crown along with the 2015 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations that saw Team France dominate on home soil. The Ernée circuit was packed with tens of thousands of eager French fans who made sure the vibes were at an all-time high throughout the weekend, no matter the result or the weather! The exhilarating atmosphere delivered on the promise of a great weekend that was not dampened by the rainy weather, though we did get treated to a good old fashioned mudder… at least on Saturday. In terms of the racing, we saw some exciting battles between the top runners in MXGP and MX2! In MXGP, Jeremy Seewer, Jorge Prado, Glenn Coldenhoff and Tim Gajser fought closely in both races. In both races, the

Yamaha riders battled closely with Prado and after eventually getting around the Spaniard, Seewer took the race win in the first heat, while in the second one it was Coldenhoff who was able to hold off Seewer until the chequered flag. Overall, it was a big day for Seewer who climbed the top step for the first time since the 2021 season, with Prado second and Coldenhoff third – making his third consecutive trip to the box! In MX2, it was a dream result for Vialle who was surprised to make it onto the box after a 1-3 result. The home crowd urged him as he led the way in race one but had to work harder in race two. While Vialle was third in race one, Benistant filled the spot in the lead as he fought off his teammate Geerts who was looking to take every point from Vialle as he could! Vialle stood on the top step as the La Marseillaise was sung by the French crowd, with Geerts second ahead of Benistant who finished third on the box, making it two Frenchie’s on the podium. Alongside the regular FIM Motocross World Championship races we also saw rounds of the EMX250 and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing categories which were won by Rick Elzinga as he took more points away from his closest rival Cornelius Toendel who was second, while Yago Martinez celebrated an emotional trip to the box – his first ever, marking a proud moment to his tough career. In the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class, Cas Valk went 1-2 to win the overall ahead of Karlis Alberts Reisulis, while local rider Alexis Fueri was forced to settle for third. Again, we also had the Junior e-Motocross riders race the same track as the MXGP stars for their second round of the series. That time around, Birthday boy, Berry Cameron was the overall winner, as the commentator asked the French crowd to sing him a Happy Birthday on the podium, while Austin Edwards finished second ahead of Noé Mathais. LIQUI MOLY MXGP OF GERMANY After the French Grand Prix, there was no time to relax, and we packed up and went straight to Teutschenthal for the Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany. Before the weekend started, it was important 30

to get into some regular GP festivities. First started off with a family photo of the MXE riders who lined up on the start line, to show off and celebrate the biggest number of entries in the series to date! The parents got involved too and got the chance to stand proudly behind their youngsters to pose for the memorable moment. And that was not all, as on Sunday before the opening race of the day we witnessed the traditional opening ceremony that we see every year in Germany, with kids from the local club and community presenting the German flag on the start line as the anthem played to the large crowd of fans that packed the hills of Teutschenthal. Another exciting activation for the weekend was the Monster Energy trials show that really brough the adrenaline levels up a notch for the real thrill seekers! In terms of the racing, the big news came from the Kawasaki camp as they announced the return of Romain Febvre! All eyes were on the Frenchman and his first race back was very impressive. With only two weeks on the bike, Febvre was able to post the seventh fastest time in time practice, finished sixth in qualifying and then went fourth and seventh in the races for fifth overall. While a returned rider was celebrated, MXGP sadly lost another, with Maxime Renaux crashing big on the opening lap of the MXGP qualifying heat which left him with broken T1, T2, T5 and T7 vertebrae. Renaux was second in the series but with the Frenchman now out, this means Seewer and Prado are the closest rivals for Gajser. And if one heart break for the French riders was not enough, the second MX2 race dealt another! Vialle was looking solid as he was placed in second before his bike cut out and would not fire back up. This forced the KTM rider out of the race but most importantly he lost vital championship points to Geerts who took over the championship lead by the end of that heat. Though a silver lining of the weekend for the French fans no doubt came from the incredible performance

of Thibault Benistant who went 3-1 to win his first ever Grand Prix in the MX2 category ahead of his teammate Geerts while Mikkel Haarup made his return to the box to claim his fourth podium of the season! While in MXGP, Tim Gajser made his return with a bang! The Slovenian struggled in the last few weeks as he failed to mount the podium at the last three GP’s, though in Germany he was looking to break that negative streak. Instead, he grabbed the Fox Holeshot in race one, led the entire race until the chequered flag, while in race two he finished second which handed him his first overall since the MXGP of Italy! In the second race, Seewer did exactly the same as he got the better jump out of the gate than the rest of the field and led every single lap to claim his second race with of the season, and second race win on the bounce! Seewer was second on the box ahead of Prado who continued his healthy podium streak. Gajser now holds a 101-point lead over Seewer who takes over second, while Prado is now third just 18 points adrift. In the support classes, Rick Elzinga won the EMX250 overall as he extended his championship lead to 20 points, while in the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class it was Alexis Fueri finally got back on top, while Cas Valk was forced to settle for second as Ferruccio Zanchi celebrated his first podium of the season on the third step. And again… last but certainly not least, we were treated to some cool action from the cutest but most fierce Junior e-Motocross riders! This time around Timoteï Cez won the overall, ahead of Austin Edwards and Cameron Berry who now took the red plate. WHAT’S NEXT? Now the riders will have a small break before making the second overseas trip, this time to Indonesia for the MXGP of Indonesia which will head to a brand-new venue on the Island of Samota-Sumbawa… which you will be able to read about in the next MXGP Mag issue! ;)

FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

RESULTS

Best Rider of the Year Sponsored by Athena Every Grand Prix Sunday a dedicated post is shared on MXGP’s official Instagram page under which fans can comment who their favourite rider of the weekend is. This competition is only for MXGP riders and the voting closes at 8pm on Sunday. The comments are then counted and the rider with the most votes is chosen as the best rider of that GP.

Most Voted Rider: Tim Gajser Average of Reach: 70000 People Average of Views: 40K Average of IG Stories Impressions: 60000

L A I C O S P G X M @remimx97 #Mxgp #mxgpfrance#timgajser https://www.instagram. com/p/CecCyI2rZm9/ @geradine_6 Es war großartig, ein mega Erlebnis bei der #mxgpacademy dabei sein zu dürfen und hinter die Kulissen der ganz großen MX-Sportler sehen zu dürfen. Vielen Dank an alle die mir das ermöglicht haben und das Wochenende zu einem unvergesslichen Erlebnis gemacht haben.

Message for TKO | MXGP of Spain 2022: The entire MXGP paddock is still thinking of you TKO💪🏼 We’re all sending you all the best wishes, stay strong and we hope to see you back with us soon 🧡

@motonews Meanwhile in France 🙈🌧 . #mx #mxgp #mxgpfrance #ernee #mx2 #motocross

@nuria_ladykiller_nemesis Mundial Motocross🖤 #mxgp #monster #racing #monsterenergy #motocross #moto #motorcycle #mx #gp #mundial #world #granpremio #renaux #jorgeprado #motorgirl #motogirl #kawasaki

@dr.ggabriella GP of France 🤘🏻 #mxgp #mx #motocross #ernee #france #mxgpfrance #motorsport #raceday Qualifying Highlights | MXGP of Spain 2022: Don’t miss all the best battles of the MXGP and MX2 Qualofying Races of the day in the News Highlights!

@livemotocrossmagazine Liam Everts joined Paul Malin and Lisa Leyland this morning for the MXGP Studio Show. Head over to livemotocross.com to watch the show.

@mx1onboard Francia, siempre un auténtico espectáculo. @addict.ride Un Addict Rider au MXGP 🔥 d’Ernée avec le beau et confortable Sweat Crew ✨ Merci Jé pour ta photo 😉🤘🙏

@jdeitenbach44 It‘s always a pleasure to do it with my dad 🎤 Great weekend at the @ mxgp in the „Talkessel“ Thank you @msc_ teutschenthal see you next year 😀

Dunlop EP.4 | A tour of the Dunlop truck | MXGP 2022: 👀✨ Take a look at the Dunlop truck which travels to every MXGP race on the calendar, offering tyre support for the teams and riders in the paddock!

P G X M # D OF ORL W E H IN T

@mxlightfr Merci au @motoclubernee pour la confiance accordée une nouvelle fois sur cette réalisation des trophées pour le @mxgp de France 2022. 43

R E S T L S R I N G MO

H T N RE MO E D I RF TH O

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B E F N E I L A T I M T ! O P R U G N I V GI

One of the main protagonists for this championship battle and Vice World Champion of last year was none other than Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Romain Febvre. THE 2021 SEASON OF THE FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WAS ONE FOR THE BOOKS, AS WE ALL BARED WITNESS TO ONE OF THE MOST DISPUTED TITLE FIGHTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THAT WENT DOWN TO THE VERY LAST RACE AT THE MXGP OF CITTÀ DI MANTOVA.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Last season, Febvre was by far in the best shape of his career and quickly became a title threat as he fought closely with Jeffrey Herlings and Tim Gajser. At the MXGP of Garda we saw Febvre take the championship lead and he held onto the red plate until the very last race of the year, as he and Herlings lined-up for MXGP race two levelled on points. Ultimately a small mistake cost the Frenchman the title, no doubt a tough pill to swallow in the moment, but what would

he had very limited bike time coming into the race.

come later was nothing in comparison. While it was no doubt tough mentally, for Febvre, the team, his close friends and family to accept defeat but dwelling on that fact would not have been productive either and instead shifting the focus onto winning the title in 2023 became the goal. As the off-season kickedoff, a number of Grand Prix riders, which also included MX2 World Champion Maxime Renaux, and the 9-time World Champion Antonio Cairoli, entered the iconic Paris Supercross event. For Febvre it was an opportunity to enjoy the event and race in front of the French crowd, but a big crash ended his 2023 season, before it even had the chance to start.

Numerous problematic surgeries came next followed by more complications that took Febvre out for more than six months which was not only difficult physically but even more mentally. With just two weeks on the bike, Febvre made his much-anticipated return in Germany and the results were very positive, considering the circumstances. In time practice, the Frenchman posted the seventh fastest time and followed it up with a strong qualifying heat where he placed sixth, which gave him a fairly good gate pick for the races. Starts were key in Germany and in the opening race, Febvre was able to start in front. He battled with Jeremy Seewer before being passed by the Swiss to finish in fourth. Then in the second race, he managed to bring it home in seventh to place fifth overall – which was impressive since

MXGP Mag sat down with Romain at the German Grand Prix in Teutschenthal to speak about the intensity of the 2021 season, his tough come back from injury and the motivation that kept him going in the darkest moments of his rehab. MXGP Mag: Romain, first of all, welcome back, how does it feel to be back in the paddock after so long? Romain: “It’s good to be back, a little bit strange because we need to get used to the routine of racing life again, so preparing stuff and seeing everyone in the paddock. It’s nice, it’s like a part of the family because I’ve been here for 10 years now, so it’s nice to see everyone and be back here in Germany”. MXGP Mag: You’re with Kawasaki again this season, but with a completely different crew. How are you finding it? Have you spent a 51

lot of time with them and how different is it from last year? Romain: “It’s a completely new team, just the bike is the same. It’s been a big change for sure, obviously I haven’t been to any races this year yet, so we haven’t spent so much time together racing or practicing because I haven’t been practicing for long. We have to learn a few things about racing and practicing and they also have to learn more about the bike and the crew, as we have new people, so everyone needs to adapt to their job. It will take some time, but I think they are getting used to it already. It’s been a big change, the team I was in last year was almost 15 years old and running the same bike every year, so they had knowledge of the bike and they had a procedure in the team, but I think so far it’s going good”. MXGP Mag: Ok you mention that you didn’t spend so much time with the team practicing because you were injured, but have they leaned on you to take some knowledge or advice since you have more experience with the bike than them? Romain: “They’ve been learning the bike and for sure it can always be difficult but sometimes I can teach something about the bike and also because I have both of my mechanics from last year, which is good because they bring some of the knowledge about the bike, since they know it and have been working already six years on that bike. They are helping the other mechanics which is good for the team and everyone”. MXGP Mag: This year you have a new teammate Ben, you guys have had a nice relationship as friends for quite a few years now, it must be nice to have him on the team? Romain: “I was really happy when I heard that Ben was 54

joining the team. I know him now for a long time, and already we had the same trainer for two or three years, so I was used to training together like on the bike and also outside. He’s a nice person so for sure it’s always nice to have a teammate that you like and spend some time together”. MXGP Mag: Now let’s rewind to the 2021 season, it was a really intense championship as you were fighting so closely for the title with Jeffrey and Tim until the very last race, just how intense was it for you? Romain: “It was a nice battle and I think everyone who watched and was in the paddock was really happy to see that because it was very close until the end. Only one could win, we knew it from the beginning and yeah, I didn’t make it happen. But still, after one week I was happy of what I had achieved because I think I reached the best level I have been at in my career so far. The bike was good, I was physically on point, I didn’t have any trouble in the year and it was one of those years where you feel like everything goes right and then it goes so easy and so smooth and it was also really enjoyable. Among me, Tim and Jeffrey, it was really close until the end and we had a good battle, but this year it’s completely the opposite. It’s how it is, that’s racing and hopefully we can have the same battle next year”. MXGP Mag: Not to dwell too much on it, but how hard was it to have that title within reaching distance but not getting it in the end? Romain: “It’s hard. You are the first loser and to be that close, especially because I came there with the red plate. It’s really hard to accept but I did my all, I made one mistake in the last race, but that’s how it is. I tried my best and like I said, I felt I was in the best shape in my career. I tried everything and it didn’t work out and, in the end, in that moment,

you are really sad and mad and there’s nothing that can make it better. But after a week or something, you realise what you achieved and you have to accept sometimes that you lose, that’s it, and you try again next year”. MXGP Mag: I guess once the off-season kicked off your focus was to put that behind and instead work for the 2022 campaign. But then as we know you entered the Paris Supercross and unfortunately picked up a really nasty injury… What do you remember from that moment? Romain: “I was really happy to go to Bercy because it’s in France and it is always crazy and nice with the public. Obviously, I was going out of a good season, and I was feeling good. I was there just to enjoy myself. I was enjoying it so much and then I crashed… The pain wasn’t that crazy, but I felt I broke my leg and I knew before they took my boots off, I said I broke my tibia and fibula, but I didn’t know how bad it was. When I saw the x-ray at the hospital, I knew it was going to be long… I was not operated on that night because the doctor said we had to figure out how to fix it first. They did the operation the following morning and they did a really good job because my tibia bones were broken between 10 and 15 places, it was like a puzzle. MXGP Mag: and then you also had some complications? Romain: “We had some more complications. We had to remove some screws and do some bone transplantation. It’s always hard hearing the doctor say that it’s going to take longer and longer every time. But at the end I had to deal with that. At some point, I was really close to say “maybe that’s over” because with so many bad moments and you think “do you want to continue to do that? And what if you have another bad injury, do you want to live through that again?” But that’s when it goes bad, then when

you see the light and it’s getting better, you forget.” MXGP Mag: This injury was very complicated with a lot of setbacks which must have been hard and in those moments when you feel like giving up almost, what was it that kept you going and kept you motivated? Romain: “As soon as it gets better and you have some good news from the doctor you say, ‘maybe in two weeks I can go cycling or whatever, and you’re like that’s good!’ And then once you are cycling, you’re like oh yeah, I’m close maybe to ride … and it goes like this, and you forget about saying to stop. It’s just in the moment, in the really bad moment. And then once you are on the bike, you say, I love to do that. And maybe it’s the age too, when you race all your life it’s difficult to stop. And when you feel like you can get in a good shape and still get some nice results, that helps.” MXGP Mag: I guess to recap; how many surgeries did you have and what were the complications because you also had to take a bone graft? Romain: “I had my first surgery and they put a pin through my tibia bones, from the knee till the bottom. After they made some screws on the top, close to my knee and close to my ankle to stop the pain. And then on the fibula I had a plate with some screws to fix the fracture, because the fibula was broken clean in one piece, so it was easy – that was the first operation. And then the second one, I just removed some screws from the top, close to my knee and that was maybe one month and a half, because then they said the bones of the tibia can grow together again with the pressure of your legs. Then I had a problem and an infection with the screw on my ankle, so they removed that. And then after three and a half, almost four months, they saw that the tibia was growing everywhere but not on the face 60

and they said that was not good, and after a certain amount of time, if it was not growing, then it would never grow anymore. We made another operation to take some hip bones and put it there. It was quite a big operation and I asked how long it was going to take and they said the bone was still broken so maybe eight weeks… I felt like I was never going to see the end of that. But straight away I felt less pain and directly it gave me good vibes to continue”. MXGP Mag: I guess one positive of spending so much time at home, you got to see those early stages of your daughter’s growth, and you saw moments that maybe you must have missed if you were training and racing fully as you would have been. How are you finding dad life? Romain: “For sure it’s good to spend some time with the family, especially with my daughter now, because she is growing so fast and you can see every step which is really nice. But also, too much time at home, because I’m not the guy that would sit and do nothing, I cannot do that. Even injured, I could not do that. It was really hard as at some points I could not do much, even working out and stuff, so it was tough.” MXGP Mag: It must have been a shock to the system to be at home for so long since you’ve been travelling to the GP’s for so many years… Romain: “Yeah. I had some previous injuries and when it’s like maybe one and a half months or two maximum, then it’s not too bad. But in like six and a half years, it’s been a while. It was nice to be home, but for sure it’s definitely nice to be back in the paddock.” MXGP Mag: During the time that you were not able to ride, how were you keeping fit and what rehab did you need to have? Romain: “In the beginning, maybe the first month I could not do so

much because I had a lot of pain. Then I could not push on my legs or put any weight for six weeks, so obviously I wasn’t doing much. And then after I could go cycling quite early after that. I did a lot of gym and sport. But the biggest thing was to ride… I tried a few times, one time before England, I remember because my goal was to race in England and I told the team, even if I can ride one week before, I will just go and try. And that’s what we tried, I only did one lap and said, no way I can do that.” MXGP Mag: Ok now let’s put this behind us and look at the positives. You are here in Germany, what are your expectations for the weekend? Romain: “Obviously, I have no expectation about results

because I never went to a GP this year, so I don’t really know with the level and how they are riding. And in the two weeks that I had some practice, I didn’t see many riders, I was alone most of the time, so I cannot really compare myself. And I don’t want to have any target for results because I could be disappointed as I’m not where I should be in my physical condition. Just to be here, finish the race, in good shape, not completely exhausted and to have good speed and not too far from the top, then I know the race condition will come after a few races”. MXGP Mag: And for the rest of the season, are you looking to use these next races to get up to speed and

be ready to fight for the title in 2023? Romain: “Yeah, that’s the goal. Because like you said, championship is gone. So, just to get back to my level where I was, is really the goal until the end of this year. And maybe I can do some podiums and win some races, some GP’s, then for sure I will take that, but the main goal is to reach my level from last year and then start preparing for next year.” We’re just at the halfway mark of the 2022 season and with a positive first GP back, it will be interesting to see what progress Febvre can make before the end of the season, as he sets his sights on a mega title fight in 2023!

E L R A U I T C A E E SP F

E E

O T N R U T E R : S T R E V E ÉE N R E

THE CIRCUIT OF ERNÉE IN FRANCE HAS BEEN HOSTING EVENTS SINCE 1972 BUT IT WASN’T UNTIL 1990 THAT THE CLUB WELCOMED THE FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. BUT THERE IS ONE RIDER WHO STANDS ALONE ON THE ALL-TIME WINNERS LIST AND OVER THE YEARS, THIS RIDER PRETTY MUCH MADE THE RAYMOND DEMI CIRCUIT HIS HOME. STEFAN EVERTS HAS BEEN VICTORIOUS AT ERNÉE ON FIVE OCCASIONS, THE FIRST OF WHICH WAS 2001 IN THE 500CC CLASS. HE THEN DID THE UNTHINKABLE WHEN HE WON ALL THREE CLASSES ON THE SAME DAY IN 2003, AND IN HIS FINAL SEASON AS A PROFESSIONAL RACER, EVERTS WON HIS FINAL GP HERE IN PERFECT STYLE WITH A 1-1 TO CELEBRATE HIS 101ST GRAND VICTORY IN 2006. WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM RECENTLY TO GET SOME INSIGHT ABOUT SOME OF THOSE MOMENTS, BUT BEFORE THAT, A QUICK TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.

WATCH THE VIDEO

After winning his seventh world title in 2003, Stefan Everts had already decided that he would line up at the final round of the season with the aim of entering all classes. Back then, the world championship was run by Dorna, the same people who run MotoGP, and that meant running grand prix events in the same way, with three classes racing one race per weekend. After struggling to get into his rhythm at the first couple of rounds where he was racing only the Motocross Gran Prix class, Everts hatched a plan with team boss Michele Rinaldi to allow him to race the remainder of the season in the 125cc class as well - this race was directly before his preferred race category, but it gave him the chance to get rid of arm pump, and therefore be able to push from the very first lap. It proved to be a game changer. Suddenly, Everts was not only winning the 125cc race, but he was rushing from the podium to get ready for Motocross GP, where he would win again. From Round 4, Everts was unstoppable in the premier class, winning 8 GP’s in a row, and in the 125cc class, he won first time out (round 4), had a 4th next time out before winning the next six. With the title already wrapped up, when he arrived for the final GP in Ernée, fans all around the world waited to see what happened next. Picture the scenario: The one-race format in 2003 was coming to an end, and the dawn of a new era beckoned, that of MX2 and MX1. Everts was about to become the first rider in history to attempt to start three GP’s, let alone win all three. The chance of winning all three, was a once in a lifetime opportunity; lose the first race, that possibility is dead in the water. After that, it doesn’t matter. WIN the first TWO races though, and that is a different scenario completely, but then … THEN the pressure is really on. Okay, you could argue that Stefan’s only intention was only

to enter all three classes, but when you’ve won seven world titles, and already the greatest rider in history at that time - Joel Robert had won six titles - then you know that Everts is only going there to make history … again! In morning warm up on Sunday, Everts rode his YZ250F in the 125cc practice, and completed a few laps at a pretty rapid pace. He then went out in the MXGP class, but chose not to go out for the 650cc warm up, the other category on the bill that day. The first race of the day was the 125cc class, and on his sighting lap, Everts went as fast as he could, to re-adjust from having just jumped off the 450cc he rode in the MXGP warm up session. He needed to attack the lap to judge his speed for the jumps, where to get on the gas on the exit of the turns, etcetera, etcetera … Race one and BOOM! The win was in the bag. However, there was no rushing back to get ready for the MXGP race: No, no! Instead, he had to go through with the podium ceremony, the trophies, the red plate, the national anthem and post-race TV interview. Only when he’d finished all of that could he even think about returning to the Paddock to get ready for his second race of the day, the Motocross GP class, switching from a 250F to a 450cc. When the riders came out for the sighting lap, Everts had managed a very quick turnaround, regrouped and just when you thought he would take a few extra minutes to catch some breath, and remain in the waiting zone … out he came with another flying sighting lap. This time to re-adjust to the 450cc power, having just raced the 250cc. Gate drops, BOOM! Race win number two. Suddenly, Stefan Everts had just got our attention, if he hadn’t already. Of course, winning meant doing the whole podium thing again before hurrying off to the paddock to get ready for race three, the 650cc class. This time however, the ‘72’

did not come out for the sighting lap. Was he okay? Had he changed his mind? No! This time he didn’t need to re-adjust as the power between his 450cc and ‘650cc’ machine were very similar. This time he could enjoy a few extra minutes whilst the rest went on the sighting lap. Gate drop … and Everts was a little laboured in the beginning, but he was still involved in a tense threerider battle for the lead, until Joel Smets had a small crash and fell out of contention. And then there were two; Everts and Javier Garcia Vico. Everts then fell and at that moment it looked as though the dream was over, but the Belgian re-grouped, found himself back on the rear wheel of the Spaniard before taking the win in what was a dramatic and tense race. Everts crossed the line as a winner, history had been made once again, Everts was headline news all over the world. To witness it, was something very special. That the same venue would be the scene of his final GP, and his 101st victory after clinching his tenth title at home in Belgium with three rounds to spare … what a way to bow out! Anyway, before we shed some tears, here’s what the great man had to say when we caught up with him in Germany. MXGP Mag: In 2006 you raced your final GP at Ernée, explain the emotions going into the final race of your career. You’d already decided that it was going to be your last year competing, so going into the final round, what emotions were you expecting, if any, because you’d already won the championship at that point? SE72: Yeah, I decided already in 2004 that I would retire in 2006 … MXGP Mag: Based on if you make it ten titles or something else? SE72: No, I just woke up one day and said I stop in 2006 and IF I win in 2004, and IF I win in 2005 and IF I win 2006, I can finish with ten championships, and I never came back to that decision. Okay, everything went as, I wouldn’t say planned, but just everything went good and we finally won the

championship in Namur, so I was quite relaxed, then I wanted to get those 100 GP wins … but Josh Coppins came in between there in Ireland (laughing) but then we went to Ernée and of course, it was very emotional; not only for me but also for my fans. There were a lot of big coaches full of fans going there to see me race for the last time. Yamaha had planned something nice with the chequered flag on my bike and Acerbis made the special gear and we had the white tyres, so it was a really nice ending of my career, also doing it with a doublewin. I remember going to the start line for the last time, there were tears in my eyes; it was emotional. MXGP Mag: How about your family? How was it for them seeing you race for the final time? We assume that they were all there, right? SE72: Everyone from the family was there, yes! My mum didn’t go to so many GP’s anymore in the last years, but of course she had to be there at the last one and she was there, and my dad, yeah, he was there for most of the GP’s. Liam was also there, he was only two years old … MXGP Mag: And he held the red plate on the podium? SE72: (laughing) … yeah, he started off with the plate like this (Stefan indicates Liam’s hands were down by his knees) and then finally he ended with putting it all the way above his head. MXGP Mag: Every time you went out on track, from free practice, time practice and your first race, you felt oaky; it was only the last time you went out, for your final race that the emotions hit you? Before that, it was business as usual? SE72: Yes, pretty much. MXGP Mag: And what about the GP itself, was it an easy victory? SE72: I don’t know actually; I saw recently on some things on YouTube that it wasn’t that easy. 72

Josh Coppins was riding well and good, but I don’t know if it went down to the finish line or not. But I don’t think so; I think at one point I had it in my own hands. But it didn’t go so easily. Every GP you have to win is not easy, and for some people, especially if you are striking for many wins, they easily say ‘oh, it’s easy for you, you’re so good …’ but it’s not, you know? Every time you go out you’ve got to prove yourself and make no mistakes and be focussed, and you have to put the puzzle together every race you go out there! And when you miss one piece, you don’t have the win. If you have a lot of experience, it helps of course, and it makes it a lot easier but still, even after 100 GP wins, for me it was still a case of going ‘can I do it again? Can I prove it again to myself and put the puzzle together?’ MXGP Mag: What about the bike itself; you’d been with Yamaha since 2001, so how was that bike, that year? Was it the best Yamaha you had ridden or would you say the one from 2001 or 2003 for instance was better, or did all of them bring something to the table? SE72: I think they all had something, you know? When I came from the Husky to the Yamaha it was the prototype Yamaha that we had, the 500cc or whatever we called it; it was a big step forward for me coming from the Husky. Then in 2003, they came with this new steel frame and that was another big step forward, but after one year I already felt I was pushing the limit with that bike, and then 2006 they came with this new aluminium frame, and for me, this was one of the best bikes I had in my career; together with my 2006 Honda, those are my two best favourite bikes where man and machine was one, and you have to add the track to that, and then you have magic. With those bikes I felt I could bring magic, especially for myself and my own feeling. And the Yamaha when I tested it at the end of the season before, I was like ‘damn, that’s a good bike!’ MXGP Mag: So, you already knew at the end of 2005, you knew it would be a good bike …

SE72: But … I was like, ‘stay calm, we will see when we start racing GP’s because that’s another thing!’ Testing is one thing but racing is another thing, and in the past I had already misjudged things; like f***, that’s a good bike, I’m gonna be good on that one. And then it didn’t go good! And then I struggled. So, this time I said let’s see how it goes in the races, and I won every race almost, apart from two or three moto’s, but even in the pre-season international races, I won everything. It was so good, and I felt so good on that bike. It was a completely new bike; new chassis, new engine, I remember also the cable clutch. My starts were so good! I did so many holeshots that year. MXGP Mag: When you won all three races here at Ernée in 2003, you had already won your seventh title; you’re a big James Bond fan and all your fans arrived wearing tuxedo’s like ‘007’. Did you have anything planned for title number ten and Ernée in particular in 2006? SE72: Yeah, I’ve been a Bond fan since I’ve been alive; James Bond has been a hero for me, and I know it’s just a movie thing but anyway, you have to dream away and when I came to that seventh championship it was like ‘007, finally!’ so I kind of motivated my fans to do something around that theme, and they did, which was cool. MXGP Mag: How was the party after your last GP? You probably didn’t have too much time to celebrate did you, with the Motocross of Nations coming up? SE72: We planned to do a big farewell party, ‘The End’ they called it. Normally we would do the world championship party the day after we won it on Monday, and we were always full gas with ‘Praga Khan’ (a Belgian electro musician/DJ). So, we decided we would plan it a week after the Nations and it would be something special, so we had to wait after the racing for the parties. And then I did a great MXoN (Stefan went 1-1 in his last ever professional race at Matterley Basin) so there was even more reason to celebrate (laughing), but we got back from

Matterley on Monday and the same evening I was already building up my museum. We had a big tent/marquee and we made the theme like ten years, from the ten championships, the best trophies and outfits and the nations stuff, and it was really nice. We did this at my home track, Neeroeteren from 12:00 midday until 00:00 midnight. It was a whole day of celebrations, with things to do and I wanted to show the museum to the people. The best comment I got from it … it was dead silent! No-one spoke; they just looked and took it all in. MXGP Mag: Liam just raced in Ernée for the first time in MX2; surely, he has seen the races from there before (2003/2006) on video maybe, did he go there with any kind of expectation, did you have any expectation or was that all just media hype? SE72: Not at all! He didn’t go there with the higher pressure of okay, ‘my dad did this and my dad did that!’ Not at all. He’s just focussing on his career and that’s it. Actually,

we didn’t speak about it once, of the past what’s happened there But people will bring it up and then we have to speak about it, but privately, we didn’t speak about it. Once in a while he might be watching a race and ask ‘hey dad, what did you do here, why did you do that there, what year was that when you were riding that Kawasaki …?’ so he knows already a lot, he knows his stuff. He’s been studying a bit those things. Like the new generation, they don’t know that much anymore from the past, but me as a kid, I knew everything; André Malherbe, three times world champion, Eric Geboers, five times, Georges Jobé, five, Gaston Rahier, three times … MXGP Mag: Harry Everts, four … SE72: Yeah, laughing … but I knew a bit my history, you know? MXGP Mag: But Ernée, good memories … SE72: Yeah, and as far as Liam, it was his first time there, he did pretty

good. When we got to the track I told him, ‘that’s a track for you, man … but not yet! Not yet, it will come.’ It’s so technical, lines, ruts, up hills, the traction; it’s an Everts style track. MXGP Mag: When our TV camera’s follow Liam on track, it is uncanny how similar his riding style is compared to yours. Is this something you’ve taught him or is that just his style? SE72: It’s mainly how he rides; when I first put him on a motor cycle I told him ‘watch where you put your feet, focus on your feet like this, and also on your elbows and arms like this; position, where you sit … but the feet is what I told him from day one. And I think the style he has, you can’t teach someone style; you’ve got it! That’s nature, it’s inside you and you can’t change that. But it’s funny, when I see the son from Marnicq Bervoets (Jarne), I see things from Marnicq in there; when I see the son from Joel Smets (Greg), I see the same from him. But that’s what you give forward, the DNA you pass forward and that’s nice to see.

E E M M A A N F N F O I T L L AC SE H

GORDON TITLE ‘CROCK’ CROCKARD GORDON CROCKARD HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MAIN PROTAGONISTS OF THE 250CC MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CENTURY, FIGHTING FOR GP WINS AND PODIUMS DURING THREE SEASONS. HE IS THE UNIQUE IRISH RIDER TO HAVE EVER WON GP’S, AND TEN YEARS AFTER HIS RETIREMENT, HE REMAINS ONE OF THE MAIN ACTORS IN THE MXGP PADDOCK. Born on 16th December 1978 in Newtownards, Northern Ireland, Gordon did his first race when he was eleven years old in his native Northern Ireland at Comber Grass track. It was not a surprise to see him racing motocross, as his father David was himself a former pro rider who raced GP’s in the 60’s and 70’s, entered six Motocross of Nations with the Irish team and claimed an Irish title in 1976! Five years after his debut Gordon became the youngest ever Irish champion, and in 1996 he got a podium result at the famous Cup de l’Avenir in Belgium. In 1997 he had the opportunity to race his first GP during the French round at Brou, and later one he scored his first points at Roggenburg, one of his favourite tracks. However, an injury at the end of the season stopped his progression, as he broke two collarbones, toes, chipped elbow, torn ACL and more.

Joining team CAS Honda in 1999, he was back to the GP’s and had the opportunity to race all the series with a final thirteenth position. Thirteen, his favourite racing number, that he would keep during most of his Pro career! With more experience, he entered the 2000 season ‘on fire’ as he won the first round of the series in Spain where he beat Fred Bolley, Mickael Pichon and Pit Beirer to just name a few. Claiming other podiums and another GP win in Belgium, Gordon was missing consistency to fight for the final podium, but that season was definitively a good one as he also claimed his first British title. The GP format changed from two motos to one in 2001, and even if he was physically strong, it was with the single moto format that Gordon got the best results of gus career, as he was in contention for the silver medal all season long. Pichon was unbeatable that season, but Chad Reed and Gordon 81

fought hard and only two points separated them after the last GP in Austria. Winner of two GP’s, he was the one and only one who beat twice the Frenchman that season to finish third in the series. In Great Britain, he defended his national title after a tough battle against Carl Nunn until the last heat of the series. Signing with KTM factory to race the 250cc class alongside James Dobb in 2002, he got two podiums, but he wasn’t so successful on the orange bike and went back to Honda in 2003 for the third and last season with the one moto format per round. It was also the first season with the MotocrossGP class mixing 250cc two strokes and 450cc four strokes, and even if he was one of the eight riders who were able to join podiums that season (Germany and Austria), Gordon missed several rounds due to injuries and finished eleventh. In Great Britain he conquered his third national title, and then he would never do one full campaign in the World Championship again. He did his last GP appearance in 2007, and then he crossed the Atlantic to race the GNCC with BMW in 2008. After that new experience he went back racing in UK but a terrible crash during a pre season race at Hawkstone Park forced him to stop for a few months. He got his last World Championship podium at the age of 34, when team Ireland won the B final at the 2014 Motocross of Nations! After his retirement Gordon started his own motocross school, and later he joined Honda Europe to coordinate the EMX150 European championship. Since several years, he is the Honda Europe Off Road Racing manager and he can share all his years of experience with the current teams and riders. Text and Photos: Pascal Haudiquert 82

1996:

2nd at the Cup de l’Avenir

1997:

31st in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha)

1998:

Winner at the Cup de l’Avenir

1999:

13th in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Honda)

2000:

6th in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Honda). Win 2 GP’s British Open Champion

2001:

3rd in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Honda). Win 2 GP’s British Open Champion

2002:

7th in the 250 Motocross World Championship (KTM)

2003:

11th in the MotocrossGP World Championship (Honda) British Open Champion

2004:

33rd in the MX1 Motocross World Championship (Honda)

2005:

28th in the MX1 Motocross World Championship (Yamaha)

2006:

13th in the MX1 Motocross World Championship (Honda)

2007:

21st in the MX1 Motocross World Championship (Honda)

S K L A T K C O D PAD

MXGP Academy riders receiving advice from former World Champion John Van den Berk

FULL HOUSE at the Monster Energy MXGP of France!

Hands up if you’re having fun… We didn’t have to ask the MXE riders twice as they enjoyed another weekend of racing in Germany.

Not sure what was happening here… but our MXGP-TV camera crew caught it!

Mattia Guadagnini pictured with the MXE riders in Spain.

When a four-time 500cc World Champion Joel Smets gives you advice… you listen to every word! 

Monster Energy trials crew put on a show in Germany.

Gautier Paulin enjoyed the Monster Energy of France in Ernee and of course received plenty of media attention!

Nacho Cornejo caught up with Lisa Leyland on MXGP-TV.

10 Scott riders signed autographs in Germany! 11 MX2 podium finishers, Thibault Bensitant and Tom Vialle pictured with the French Motorcycle Federation President!

Photos: Pascal Haudiquert

E L R A U I T C A E E SP F

STEFAN EVERTS 1991 RM125 SUZUKI 88

IF YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF STEFAN EVERTS THEN YOU HAVE LIVED A VERY SHELTERED LIFE; EITHER THAT OR YOU ARE NEW TO MOTOCROSS. EITHER WAY, THE BELGIAN IS NOT ONLY A MOTOCROSS LEGEND, HE IS ALSO THE GOAT OF THE FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, HAVING WON TEN WORLD TITLES AND 101 GRAND PRIX VICTORIES, WINNING TITLES IN 125CC, 250CC, 500CC AND MX1. EVERTS FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CAME IN 1991 AND IT’S HIS RM125 SUZUKI THAT TOOK HIM TO THAT FIRST TITLE THAT WE WILL FEATURE IN THIS ISSUE OF MXGP MAGAZINE.

‘We did testing together, but Donny was always riding together with his wife Carrie, so we had a different programme. At the time, Stefan was more or less the same speed as Donny but was so smooth at that time,’ whereas Stefan remembers it slightly differently, and he certainly wasn’t eyeing up a world championship in 1991, as he recalls:

go for the world championship, but then we went to the first GP in Arco and I won the first moto and I was like ‘woah!’ Ok, now I’m a title contender! And then the second moto I crashed at the start because they still had that chicane there, but I still came to 6th or something and I still made the podium, but from there on I started to believe that I could be world champion for that year. Donny was really good with the starts and he didn’t make any mistakes and he won a lot of moto’s and I couldn’t get close to him to battle or get a fight with him, or beat him, until (round 4) we went to Hungary, Kaposvar.’

‘The end of ’90 I got one of my first podiums, my second podium in Switzerland, so things started going well, and I started to have for one time, a good speed to ride with Donny and the fast guys, and then we went into the winter and we trained with Donny and did some pre-season races and so-on.’

That’s when things pulled a 180. Everts had been fast, all weekend, even setting the fastest time in Time Practice, and then before the first race, the Belgian pulled an ace from under his sleeve; to say it might have changed the status quo is a bit of an understatement, but Everts took a gamble, and it paid off:

‘I went actually not with the expectation that we were gonna

‘I woke up that day and felt strong and I had the fastest lap time. Then

was improving, although the two riders would rarely be at the same track at the same, as Nolte explains: Introductions over, Stefan Everts took three years to wrap up his first world championship. The journey began in 1989 where he claimed 15th overall in the 125cc class, his best result being 3rd overall (4-4) in Czechoslovakia. He followed up with 3rd in 1990, where he again notched up another podium. This time it was a 2nd place in Switzerland with a 2-2, coming home behind America’s Donny Schmit who had already been crowned world champion for that year. Schmit was also Everts teammate, so in terms of learning his craft, the Belgian was in very good company indeed. The bike for 1991 was pretty much the same as that from the previous title-winning year, but during testing, Schmit’s mechanic Harry Nolte, could already see that Everts

me and Donny had this argument on the start line, because Donny was always really early there (to the start) and already fixing his gate, and I just went there and I said ‘I’m gonna pick that gate!’ and then he was f***d up! So, the war already started before the gate even dropped. Anyway, we went into that first moto and I took a good start and he couldn’t battle me; I won fair and square, and then the second moto he had a big crash. The pressure was coming and he ended up in the hospital with a broken thumb and I think his shoulder or the collarbone as well. But then the new challenger was ready, that was Bob Moore! So, Donny was out and then it was Bob who I had to go against, and that was also a tough battle for some GP’s.’ After winning in Hungary, Everts now led the championship by 5 points over Schmit - at the start of the weekend he trailed the American by 18 points, but there were still eight GP’s remaining. Everts won the next two rounds in Switzerland and Belgium but struggled in England at Nantwich, allowing Moore to close the gap once again. Moore won again in Ireland after Everts fell in race one, but the real test would come in the fly away GP’s in Guatemala and Brazil, where it would be hot and humid: ‘After Ireland, me and my dad did some really hard training weeks, he said ‘we’ve got to step it up now’, so we went to Lommel. It was 35˚ and the sand was like the Sahara, and we did forty-five minute moto’s, only for lap times; no-one else was there, only me and my dad, just training, training. It was tough for me; mentally it was tough but then we went to the South American GP’s and I took 80 points! I won all four moto’s. And there I took a big step towards the title.’ The penultimate round of the series was in Germany and Everts hoped to wrap the title up in front of his army of fans, but he was denied by a hard charging Pit Beirer, and his rival, Moore. At the final round in Suzuka, Japan, Everts needed just 6 points to be world champion, but it wasn’t going to be easy, as he remembers: ‘I got sick there and I was all weekend on the toilet; luckily, they had one moto on the Saturday and one on Sunday because it was so humid there, and to do two moto’s there would be impossible for the riders.’ ‘Winning the title was a big moment, but when I crossed the finish line, I expected

a lot more from that moment, but actually not much happened, you know? I was like ‘okay, is that it?’ but I was so exhausted because I was so empty from the whole week being sick, I couldn’t eat anything, and I just managed to finish just right with the points because Bob won and I think I was 6th, so I had enough to be champion, and then the next day (race two) I broke my engine in the first or second lap; I jumped on a rock and the oil came out and I didn’t finish the last moto. But anyway, coming home was ‘pfffff … media, fans, flowers … that’s when it hit me!’ With two titles in two years, Suzuki had proved it had a good package, first with Schmit and then with Everts. Of course, it goes without saying that both rider and machine were equally matched, but looking back now, how did Stefan rate his 125cc title-winning bike? ‘The bike was good you know; I think we were one of the only factory bikes in the paddock. Suzuki at that time was really strong in the paddock because when I remember 92

the picture from Arco, on the start line I think it was Bartolini, Tragter, Donny, me, Yves Demaria, Pit … and there was a few more, maybe nine Suzuki’s from fifteen. Those days they came out with this new model and they were a nice step ahead from the rest. Our bikes were good, they were fast. I can’t remember now how fast, because when you go to the 250cc, 500cc, 450cc, with the power of those bikes you almost laugh now at the power of the 125cc, but it was good!’ The Bike Both Stefan and Donny’s bike (before he got injured) were identical, the only difference being the suspension set-up preferred by both riders. Both ran factory Showa, front and rear. According to Harry Nolte, who started the first four GP’s with Schmit, but when the American crashed, was drafted in to work with Stefan for the remainder of the season, until Schmit returned at the final GP - the engine was factory, but the cylinder head was standard, and modified in-house in order to obtain the optimum compression ratio.

The exhaust pipe, silencer and piston were all factory items but whilst ‘the CDI was special, the stater and everything was stock.’ The gearbox, crank and clutch were also standard but the cases were sandcast and the 38mm magnesium carburettor was supplied by Mikuni. The chassis was not factory, but not exactly standard either and holding everything together was an array of titanium nuts and bolts; the bike was full-titanium bling. There was a factory swingarm but this was married to a standard linkage, and keeping things rolling were the factory, magnesium hubs. The spokes were also factory. Bigger radiators and Nissin brakes completed the set-up. On the way to his first world title, Stefan Everts claimed 10 race victories and 10 podiums, with five of those being overall wins, and whilst it may have been the first title for Everts, it was also world title number 24 for Japan in all classes, and the 12th success in the 125cc division. This was also the only title Everts would win on a Suzuki.

S N R O O I T T I S E ED E U QO TH T ❝

When and where will take place the Motocross of Nations this year?

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I would like to buy an MXGP tee-shirt for my wife, where can I find it online? ? Eric

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Hi Eric , I would like to buy an MXGP tee-shirt for my wife, where can I find it online? Best Regards MXGP

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We were with friends at the Monster Energy MXGP of France, and someone took some photo, where we can find it? Hugo Hi Hugo , Hello Hugo, we hope you enjoyed the GP, you can take a look at the photo gallery from the event here: https://www.mxgp.com/ photos?race_category=All&year_ filter=2022&country_filter=All Regards MXGP

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Jeanne

Dear Jeanne , The Motocross of Nation this year will take place 25th of September in USA to the amazing track of RedBud! you can already book your ticket by clicking HERE: https:// redbud-mxon.motocrosstickets.com/en/22471motocross-of-nations/ Best Regards MXGP

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I would like to watch live MXGP of Indonesia where can I buy it ?

❞ Hello Piera : You can buy a GP pass to watch all the races on MXGPTV in this link: https://www. mxgp-tv.com/subscribe Thanks MXGP

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where can I find the latest issue of the magazine? Vince

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Hi Vince you can check out the latest issue of MXGP Magazine HERE: https://issuu.com/mxgpmag! Thanks MXGP

MXGP #106 June 2022

Articles inside

RIDER OF THE MONTH

RACING CATCH UP

HALL OF FAME