2012 has been a strange year in the world of professional Supercross and motocross racing. Last season was epic in many respects, where each series, both indoors and out, provided enough tension and excitement to hold everyone over for a while. We still find ourselves thinking about the weekly battles that ensued in the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series amongst five of the best riders to ever throw a leg over a dirt bike (Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, James Stewart, Chad Reed, and Trey Canard). Even though the racing was unscripted, it was more polished and enthralling than a WWE match could ever hope to be. When the riders headed outdoors, the racing continued to deliver.

Contrast 2011’s highs on top of highs, and this season has so far been awash with disappoint, dissatisfaction, and injuries, injuries, injuries. Even Villopoto, this year’s Supercross Class champ, is already out for the rest of the year with a torn ACL. Both Canard and Reed are also out for the rest of the year, while Dungey suffered a broken collarbone midway through SX (which he has since recovered from), and Stewart had enough crashes to last a lifetime. But, there is light on the horizon.

It was only last year during a National race that Beto Carrero hosted a motocross race, but there is no doubt that it will be at the FIM Motocross World Championship level. The first reactions of the teams, international media and everybody who has already visited the track have been very positive, so the scenario seems perfect to host the fifth Grand Prix of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

MX1
The clear dominant of the MX1 class is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cairoli, who is already leading the series with 29 points advantage over second classified Desalle. The Italian obtained his 45 GP win last weekend in Mexico and he is determined to add one more victory to his records on Sunday.

Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Desalle has not been able to be at the top of the podium this season, but he has proved that he has the speed and the rhythm to fight for it. Last year he was on the third step of the podium, but Desalle will give his best to go 1-1 this weekend in Brazil.

Kawasaki Racing Team’s Paulin was third last year in the MX2 Grand Prix of Brazil and he has flown from Mexico willing to obtain another GP victory this weekend. The French rider did not have a good weekend in Guadalajara because after the fourth position in the first race, his Kawasaki failed right before the start of the second heat. Paulin is still third in the point standings.

The fourth place in the MX1 championship is for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s De Dycker, who missed the podium last weekend being tight in points with Philippaerts. The Belgian is doing an excellent job since the beginning of the season and in Mexico he managed to finish third in the first moto, so De Dycker is looking forward to hand KTM his first podium of the season with the Austrian team.

CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Christophe Pourcel is completing the top five of the point standings, but he is just two points behind De Dycker and five behind Paulin. Pourcel was also touched by bad luck in Mexico after having some green fence stuck in his back wheel at the end of the first race, but he is for sure one of the riders to take into account for the overall victory this weekend.

Philippaerts, winner of the 2011 GP of Brazil in Indaiatuba, is looking forward to racing this weekend in Beto Carrero and try to be on the podium once again. The Italian, as well as his compatriot Cairoli, admitted in Mexico that coming to Brazil is always a pleasure and Philippaerts even described it as his second home Grand Prix.

Frossard has travelled to Brazil after not being able to take part in the second race of the Mexican Grand Prix due to the heavy pain on his right knee. The French will do his best to take part in the Brazilian GP, but it will all depend on his just operated knee.

Balbi is one of the favourite Brazilian riders to be fighting among the best MX1 motocross riders, but Wellington Garcia is again fully fit to fight for the top ten positions. In fact, last weekend, Garcia won the first National race after the serious accident he suffered last year in Bulgaria.

2011 MX1 Podium in Indaiatuba
1. David Philippaerts
2. Antonio Cairoli
3. Clement Desalle
2011 MX1 POLEMAN: David Philippaerts

All the Grand Prix Photos available here

MX2
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Herlings keeps on adding GP victories under his records, and so far he has dominated six out of the eight heats disputed so far in the 2012 season. The Dutch rider will take part in Brazil being the red plate holder with 40 points advantage over his teammate Van Horebeek, who is second in the point standings.

Van Horebeek succeeded in being on the third step of the podium in Mexico last weekend and he managed to keep the second position in the point standings. The Belgian admitted that both Herlings and Searle are really fast, but he will do his best to keep on fighting for the top three positions of the championship.

Just one point behind Van Horebeek is Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Searle, who is looking forward to repeating the victory he obtained in Bulgaria. Searle admitted that he is feeling really good and his Kawasaki is better than ever, so he might be able to leave Brazil being second in the MX2 point standings.

His teammate Roelants is fourth in the MX2 championship and last weekend he actually proved that he is fully fit again from the big crash he suffered in the first heat in Fermo. Roelants was on the podium in the first two Grand Prix of the season, so Brazil might be the comeback of the Belgian on the rostrum.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tixier is completing the top five of the point standings of the MX2 class. The French rider is just two points ahead Anstie, so he really needs to make a good performance this weekend to keep the position in the championship.

Assunçao, Vilardi and Lima, who are really equal in the National championship, are the Brazilian riders to look at in the MX2 class.

2011 MX2 Podium in Indaiatuba1. Jeffrey Herlings
2. Ken Roczen
3. Gautier Paulin
2011 MX1 POLEMAN: Ken Roczen

All the Grand Prix Photos available here

TIMETABLE
Saturday: MX2 Free Practice 9:30; MX1 Free Practice 10:15; MX2 Pre-Qualifying Practice 13:15; MX1-Pre Qualifying Practice 14:00; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MX1 Qualifying Race 17:00.

Sunday: MX2 Warm up 9:00; MX1 Warm up 9:30; MX2 Grand Prix Race 1 12:10; MX1 Grand Prix Race 1 13:10; MX2 Grand Prix Race 2 15:03; MX1 Grand Prix race 2 16:03.

LINKS
Youthstream
FIM
Grand Prix of Brazil

Photo: Beto Carrero Track in Brazil

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 17, 2012) – Lloyd Brothers Motorsports, Inc. with support from Foremost Insurance Company, Saddlemen and AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce participation in an exciting fundraiser for the Roadracing World Action Fund. Throughout the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season, the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports team will be volunteering efforts to raise money for the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization which advocates and promotes the use of soft barriers to help prevent rider injuries at racetracks.

The first-prize winner of the fundraiser will receive a 2009 Buell Ulysses XB12XP – AMA Pro Road Racing Pace Motorcycle, donated by AMA Pro Racing, and the second-place prizewinner will receive a new custom Saddlemen seat donated by Tom Seymour of Saddlemen. The motorcycle will be transported, displayed and have tickets sold by Lloyd Brothers Motorsports at each of this season’s half-mile and mile AMA Pro Flat Track races.

“The safety of our competitors is of paramount importance to us, and a key to building the sport of flat track racing,” said Dan Johnsen, Director of Flat Track for AMA Pro Racing. “We are very thankful for the commitment and support that Lloyd Brothers Motorsports has shown to our paddock by taking part in a second consecutive year of fundraising in support of the Roadracing World Action Fund.”

“We are excited to continue to help raise funds for flat track Airfence,” stated Lloyd Brothers Motorsports co-owner Michael Lloyd. “Airfence is invaluable to the safety of racers. We are really hoping that the racing community will continue to rally around this cause so that we can expand the amount of Airfence available for the safety of our racers.”

“Foremost Insurance Company is proud to support the efforts of Lloyd Brothers Motorsports. Foremost Insurance and Lloyd Brothers Motorsports share common interests in not only striving to be the best but also to help create the safest environment possible for our participants and clients,” said Randy Slotten, of Foremost Insurance Company.

There will be 1,000 tickets available. Tickets will be sold at each AMA Pro Flat Track half-mile and mile event for $20.00 each and the winners will be drawn and announced in front of the grandstands at the final race of the season. Donations can also be made via the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports website: http://www.lloydbrothersmotorsports.net/airfence.htm

Winners do not need to be present at the time of the drawing; they will be notified after their ticket is drawn. To learn more about Airfence or to donate directly to the Roadracing World Action Fund, please visit http://actionfund.roadracingworld.com/.

About the Roadracing World Action Fund:

The Roadracing World Action Fund (http://actionfund.roadracingworld.com/) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization which advocates and promotes the use of soft barriers to help prevent rider injuries at racetracks. Since it was founded in 2001, the Roadracing World Action Fund has raised approximately $900,000 in donations used to deploy Airfence.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

Sip your way into summer with our new seasonal drinkware at StarbucksStore.com.

“We are very proud of our new partnership with Lucas Oil and MAVTV,” said Dan Johnsen, Director of AMA Pro Flat Track. “Lucas Oil is one of the most respected names in the industry and we are excited to begin working with them. MAVTV is the perfect platform for showcasing the extremely competitive and exciting racing found at every AMA Pro Flat Track event and we look forward to thrilling audiences across America.”

Lucas Oil produces and markets more than 200 unique heavy duty and high performance automotive and truck lubricants and care products in some twenty-nine countries around the globe, and is growing rapidly country by country, market by market. Founded in 1989 by Indiana natives Forrest Lucas and his wife and partner Charlotte, Lucas Oil Products is deeply involved in many aspects of professional motorsport. Lucas is also now recognized world-wide as the name on the 2012 Super Bowl stadium, and recently completed the purchase of the MAVTV Network that’s now available in over 80 million homes across America.

“MAVTV is a network built on a legacy of speed, danger and endurance and Flat Track motorcycles offer some of the most thrilling racing on the planet,” said Bob Patison, Executive Vice President, Lucas Oil and President, MAVTV. “Both Lucas Oil and MAVTV are very pleased to partner with AMA Pro Racing on a spectacularly unique American series.”

Starting with this month’s doubleheader at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill., 10 rounds of the newly-named AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and Lucas Oil will be aired on MAVTV with select programs slotted to air on both MAVTV and NBC Sports. Whenever possible, broadcasts on MAVTV will be featured in a primetime motorsports timeslot during a weekday, while programs on NBC Sports will air on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

The broadcasts, which will be one hour long, will include highlights of the event’s qualifying heats followed by flag-to-flag coverage of the main event. The following races will be televised:

Date
Race
Network

May 26
Springfield TT
MavTV

May 27
Springfield Mile
MavTV
NBC Sports

July 28
Sacramento Mile
MavTV
NBC Sports

August 12
Peoria TT
MavTV
NBC Sports

August 18
Indy Mile
MavTV

September 1
Springfield ¼ Mile
MavTV

September 2
Springfield Mile
MavTV
NBC Sports

September 8
Knoxville ½ Mile
MavTV

September 30
Santa Rosa Mile
MavTV

October 13
Pomona ½ Mile
MavTV

As part of the agreement, Lucas Oil and MAVTV will have access to at-track marketing assets at each AMA Pro Flat Track round including PA announcements, signage, banners and vendor space within the paddock.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

Antonio Cairoli had a tough second race but he got an eventual overall victory after crossing the finish line third in the second lap. Clement Desalle gave all his best once again this weekend, but had to settle down with a second overall position as he could not keep the lead in the second heat until the chequered flag. David Philippaerts won the second heat and completed the podium in Mexico.

In the MX2 class Jeffrey Herlings dominated both heats, but Tommy Searle proved that he has the speed and the rhythm to be at the top but he was touched once again by bad luck. Jeremy Van Horebeek did two solid motos and he was third overall of the GP.

MX1
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cairoli obtained the second GP win of the season in Mexico after going 1-3 in today’s races. In the first heat, after the first ten minutes the Italian found his rhythm and managed to overtake Desalle and Pourcel and Cairoli pulled away with the victory. At the start of the second heat Cairoli almost crashed and was down to sixth and he then pushed really hard to finish third and obtain the final overall victory.

Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Desalle finished second in both heats and he missed the first step of the podium for just one point. The Belgian rode a consistent first moto, and in the second one he moved from third to first and exchanged the lead with Philippaerts during the last minutes of the race. In the end, Philippaerts imposed an incredible rhythm and Desalle had to settle down with the second place.

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Philippaerts had a really tough first heat, as he suffered a heavy crash at the start of the first race and had to enter the pitlane. However, the Italian did not give up and finished tenth. Philippaerts made an outstanding second heat, moving from sixth to first imposing a superb rhythm, and obtained the third overall position.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s De Dycker ended fourth overall, being tight in points with Philippaerts. This weekend De Dycker obtained the best result of the season after finishing third in the first heat. However, he did not have such a good second race and could only cross the finish line fifth and this is why he missed the opportunity of being on the podium today.

It was one of the best weekends for Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Leok finishing fifth overall thanks to his 6-6 result. In the first heat, the Estonian had to fight really hard to go from an initial twelfth position up to sixth, but in the second one he managed to ride a consistent moto from beginning to the end.

Boog had a bad start in the first heat, but he gave his best to move from 17th up to the eighth position. However, in the second heat he rode second behind Christophe Pourcel during the first laps, but in the end he had to settle down with the seventh place, which have give the sixth overall position.

Strijbos went 5-10 and finished seventh overall tight in points with Boog. Eighth was Barragán and Gonçalves and Christophe Pourcel completed the top ten.

Christophe Pourcel took the holeshot of both heats, but could not keep the lead in neither of the two. In the first moto, he got some green fence stuck on his back wheel and had to pull out while he was fourth, whereas in the second race he was not able to keep the rhythm of his pursuers and crossed the finish line fourth.

On the other hand, Paulin did not have an excellent start in the first race, but he managed to cross the finish line in the fourth position. However, the French rider was not able to start the second heat because his engine failed during the sighting lap.

His compatriot Frossard hit his leg on the ground during the first heat and he could not stand the pain on his still injured right knee and he had to enter the pitlane. The weekend was over for the French rider and he is now a doubt for the upcoming Grand Prix.

Simpson was also another unfortunate rider of the weekend, as he dislocated his left shoulder during the first heat.
Fernandéz, winner of yesterday’s qualifying race, was seventeenth overall today and home rider Martin García achieved his initial goal and he finished nineteenth.

MX1 Race 1 top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:53.481; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:07.664; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:30.519; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:43.925; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:48.259; 6. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +0:53.089; 7. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Honda), +1:07.005; 8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:14.736; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +1:19.620; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +1:34.840;

MX1 Race 2 top ten: 1. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 40:15.650; ; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:01.323; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:05.451; 4. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:11.445; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:14.190; 6. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +0:16.658; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:17.784; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:18.654; 9. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Honda), +0:29.974; 10. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:45.232;

MX1 Overall top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 45 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 44 p.; 3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 36 p.; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 30 p.; 6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 27 p.; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 27 p.; 8. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Honda), 26 p.; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 25 p.; 10. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 23 p.;

MX1 Championship top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 178 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 149 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 134 p.; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 131 p.; 5. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 129 p.; 6. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 105 p.; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 103 p.; 8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 99 p.; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 92 p.; 10. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 79 p.;

MX1 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 178 points; 2. Kawasaki, 165 p.; 3. Suzuki, 159 p.; 4. Yamaha, 130 p.; 5. Honda, 116 p.; 6. TM, 12 p.;

Complete results available at www.motocrossmx1.com/reslists.aspx Photos available at www.motocrossmx1.com/gallery

MX2
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Herlings had another perfect weekend and managed to win both heats with superb authority. In the first moto Herlings was fifth in the opening lap, but he then quickly moved up to the lead in the fourth lap. From then on, the Dutch rider imposed his rhythm even having some problems with his goggles since the very beginning of the race. In the second heat, he had a good start and managed to lead the race from beginning to end, crossing the finish line with almost 25 seconds advantage over the second classified Searle.

Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Searle was on the second step of the podium this weekend in Mexico after finishing second in both heats. The British rider could not start in the front in the first race and he struggled a little bit to climb up to the final second position. In the second race, Searle had a good start but he made a mistake in the first lap and went down to ninth. However, he managed to recover himself really quickly and he achieved crossing the finish line second once again.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Van Horebeek was back on the podium this weekend and he managed to keep the second position of the championship one point ahead Searle. Van Horebeek took the holeshot in both heats and in the first one he managed to keep the lead during the first three laps. The Belgian rider pushed so much to chase Herlings, that by the end of the race he had run out of energy and finished third. Between the motos Van Horebeek was a bit sick due to the extra effort of the first race, but he succeeded in finishing third and going up again on the podium.

Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Roelants was back on the bike this weekend after the big crash he suffered in Italy during the first moto two weeks ago, and with the overall fourth position he actually proved that he is fully fit again. In the first heat Roelants did not have a really good start and he was only sixth, but he rode a solid second moto and crossed the finish line in the fourth position.

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Charlier has obtained the best result of the season this weekend after his injury on his right foot. Charlier was very satisfied with his fifth overall position and he is now looking forward to racing next week in Brazil to try to improve this weekend’s result.

Tixier finished in a consistent fifth position in the first race, but he crashed in the second moto while he was fourth and he went down to eighth. The French rider could not improve such positon and he obtained the sixth overall place.
Nicholls was seventh of the GP of Mexico and he was followed by Anstie, who had been second yesterday at the qualifying race. Coldenhoff was ninth and Lupino completed the top ten.

Ferrandis obtained a really good fourth position in the first race, but he crashed at the start of the second moto and he was out of the race because his bike was badly damaged. The French young rider finished eleventh overall.

His teammate Teillet was riding third in the first race, when he crashed and had to enter the pitlane because he had a severe pain on his left hand. Fortunately, he has nothing broken, but he could not take part in the second heat.

Leib, winner of the MX2 qualifying race yesterday, injured his left hand in the first heat while he was sixth and he was also taken to the hospital. As Teillet, the American does not have anything broken, but he was not able to enter the second heat.
The best Mexican MX2 rider was Luis Ruelas who finished in the eighteenth overall position.

MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 40:55.196; ; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:05.894; 3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:09.001; 4. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:47.159; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:47.666; 6. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:48.714; 7. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:00.731; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +1:19.093; 9. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:24.396; 10. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:27.746;

MX2 Race 2 top ten: . Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 39:06.278; ; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:24.774; 3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:27.163; 4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:36.183; 5. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:51.182; 6. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:05.255; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +1:13.023; 8. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +1:17.628; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +1:25.586; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), +1:30.408;

MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 44 p.; 3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 33 p.; 5. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 30 p.; 6. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 29 p.; 7. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 26 p.; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 25 p.; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 20 p.; 10. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), 20 p.;

MX2 Championship top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 194 points; 2. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 154 p.; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 153 p.; 4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 118 p.; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 107 p.; 6. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 105 p.; 7. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 95 p.; 8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 91 p.; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), 80 p.; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), 76 p.;

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 194 points; 2. Kawasaki, 176 p.; 3. Yamaha, 113 p.; 4. Honda, 109 p.; 5. Suzuki, 93 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 80 p.; 7. TM, 5 p.;

Complete results available at www.motocrossmx1.com/reslists.aspx Photos available at www.motocrossmx1.com/gallery
GP OF MEXICO – QUICK FACTS
Circuit length: 1560
Type of ground: intermediate ground
Temperature: 38° C
Weather conditions: sunny
Crowd attendance: 25000

The Grand Prix has been broadcasted LIVE on MX-LIFE.TV and by clicking here you will obtain the full schedule and coverage of the Mexican Grand Prix.

NEXT GP
After the Mexican Grand Prix, the FIM Motocross World Championship travels to Beto Carrero, Brazil, next week to celebrate the fifth Grand Prix of the season.

LINKS
Youthstream
FIM
Grand Prix of Mexico

Photo: Philippaerts celebrating his heat victory in Guadalajara, Mexico

Race 1

UFO Racing Team rider Klemen Gercar with no. 62 on his back shined in the first race MX3 on Sunday. Klemen Gercar profited from very good start. As many riders noticed yesterday, start is one of the most important parts of race here in Troyan MX track. In the first corner he was fighting for the first place with Michael Staufer. In a big mess was Klemen the fastest and he pushed hard every lap until the end and he could come for victory in the Race 1.

Klemen Gercar right after the Race 1: „I´m very happy that I win. I love the track here and everything. My bike was perfect and aslo the whole my team. The start was really good for me, I was first for all time long. Also I save energy for the second race.”

Just right next to Klemen Gercar in the first corner Michael Staufer was trying to get the holeshot. He was riding in second place in the first lap. Another Slovenian rider Mateuz Irt was attacking him all the time. Finally after several turns Irt took Staufer over and second place belongs to Slovenian rider. Thanks to his fast and good technically ride Irt enlarged the gap in front of third Staufer.

Michael Staufer was a little bit disappointed. He had very good start, fast ride, but he was not able to catch motivated Slovenian riders. Stable and concentrated ride brought him third place in Race one. The same result as in qualifying races.

Yesterday´s qualification winner Martin Michek was fast in the start too. Then in the first corner all the riders closed him. His position after start wasn´t good, but he was fighting in every turn and during the race Martin catchig up third Michael Staufer. At the finish line was gap between Michek and Staufer only one second.

After first four riders was 15 secs gap. Overall championship leader Austrian Matthias Walkner finished on his KTM at fifth place. First laps he was fighting around seventh position, then he pushed harder and moved to the front. In the end of the Race 1 was he faster than Finnish Honda rider Antti Pyrhönen. Antti´s aim was to finish in top five. This year riders are mostly at the same level and not good start for Antti signified sixth position.

Faster of Schmidinger brothers Günter was trying to catch Antti, but Antti defended his position. The result from this fight was seventh for Günter. The next three riders crossed finish line with 10 secs gap to Schmidinger. Top ten riders of Race 1 closed Polish rider Lukasz Lonka, another Czech rider Petr Bartos and second Finnish rider in top Ludvig Söderberg.

Race 2

Afternoon´s Race 2 changed a lot. For that time it was Michek´s turn. He took better start position, got the holeshot and after that everything went better. In the beginning of Race 2 Czech rider Martin Michek was catchig up with Slovenian Mateuz Irt. After 15 minutes of riding Mateuz cashed and lost plenty positions. Michek was ready to come for his first MX3 victory.

Martin Michek: „I am so so happy. This is my first win in this race and also first overall win. In the warp up I had a bad crash, so in the Race 1 I was riding with a pain. I hadn´t good start, but I finished fourth. In the second race I took the holeshot and I was ready to win. Everything went well, motorbike was perfect and I was fast. I am happy.“

Team MiBag Schmidinger World MX rider Günter Schmidinger showed ride of this season. In the first laps he was making nervous Mateuz Irt, the second rider in that time. After Irt´s crash Günter moved to second place and he was closing Michek. Finally Günter Schmidinger ended in the second place and it brought to him also second overall.

Günter Schmidinger: „The battle with Martin was fun. It was also difficult to go faster than Martin. I was trying to ride without mistakes. But finally, I am satisfied and also happy with my podium.“

Ceriel Klein Kromhof, Dutch rider, pushed to his maximum. His performance in Race 2 was great. In the second part of Race 2 he was defending his third in front of Matthias Walkner. Fight wheel to wheel lasted to the end of race. More succesful were Kromhof.
Matthias finished in fourth place. On the other hand he can be peaceful, because he is still leading the overall championship classification. It means for him red plate for next Italian round too. Best lap in that Race 2 belongs just right for Matthias Walkner, Austrian KTM rider.

Antti Pyrhönen´s wish to be in the top five riders this weekend became reality in the second race. He made a good start, better performance and everything was ready for nice result. Every rider wanted to be the best, for this reason he hadn´t it easy. In the end he succesfully defend his fifth and in last lap he took over slower Klemen Gercar.

Klemen´s second race was looking very good. He started around fifth position, but he was moving to the front. It cost him a lot of forces and in last two laps he was loosing positions. He finished sixth, but in overall classification on Bulgarian round he went to podium to second place.

Only one second behind Gercar finished fast rider Mateuz Irt. Due to his mistake after few laps he obtained seventh position. Martin Michek´s teammate Petr Bartos was catching up with another Czech rider Petr Michalec for eight position. Petr Bartos was faster with 2 secs lead. Michael Staufer was in top five in the beginning of the race, but then he started to loose positions. He finished in tenth place.

MX3 Race 1 Results – 1. Gercar Klemen (SLO, Honda), 34:07.490; 2. Irt Matevz (SLO, Suzuki), 34:10.248; 3. Staufer Michael (AUT, KTM), 34:11.869; 4. Michek Martin (CZE, KTM), 34:12.920; 5. Walkner Matthias (AUT, KTM), 34:28.079; 6. Pyrhonen Antti (FIN, Honda), 34:34. 746; 7. Schmidinger Gunter (AUT, Honda), 34:40.048, 8. Lonka Lukasz (POL, Honda), 34:49.768; 9. Bartoš Petr (CZE, KTM), 34:51.125; 10. Söderberg Ludvig (FIN, Honda), 34:52.445

MX3 Race 2 Results – 1. Michek Martin (CZE, KTM), 33:54.039; 2. Schmidinger Gunter (AUT, Honda), 33:55.637; 3. Klein Kromhof Ceriel (NED, Honda), 4. Walkner Matthias (AUT, KTM), 34:09. 807; 5. Pyrhonen Antti (FIN, Honda), 34:14.825; 6. Klemen Gercar (SLO, Honda), 34:15.735; 7. Irt Matevz (SLO, Suzuki), 34:16.261; 8. Bartoš Petr (CZE, KTM); 9. Michalec Petr (CZE, Honda), 34:35.428; 10. Staufer Michael (AUT, KTM), 34:53.110

MX3 Overall Classification – 1. Martin Michek (CZE, KTM), 43 points2. Gercar Klemen (SLO, Honda), 40 p.3. Günter Schmidinger (AUT, Honda), 36 p.4. Matevz Irt (SLO, Suzuki), 36 p.5. Matthias Walkner (AUT, KTM), 34 p.6. Antti Pyrhönen (FIN, Honda), 31 p.7. Michael Staufer (AUT, KTM), 31 p.8. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, Honda), 29 p.9. Petr Bartos (CZE, KTM), 25 p.10. Petr Michalec (CZE, Honda), 22 p.

MX3 Championship Classification – 1. Matthias Walkner (AUT, KTM), 95 points2. Günter Schmidinger (AUT, Honda), 88 p.3. Antti Pyrhönen (FIN, Honda), 87 p.4. Martin Michek (CZE, KTM), 74 p.5. Gercar Klemen (SLO, Honda), 73 p.6. Lukasz Lonka (POL, Honda), 72 p.7. Michael Staufer (AUT, KTM), 53 p.8. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, Honda), 49 p.9. Cedric Soubeyras (FRA, Honda), 47 p.10. Kevin Wouts (BEL, Kawasaki), 47 p.

Bulgarian round of MX3 – QUICK FACTS
Circuit lenght: 1 650 metres
Type of ground: hard pack
Temperature: 22 °C
Weather conditions: sunny

LINKS
Youthstream
FIM
FIM Motocross World Championship MX3 – Bulgary

Photo: Martin Michek in action

Papendal, Netherlands (May 13, 2012) – Alise Post (Saint Cloud, Minn./Redline) claimed the victory in the third round of the 2012 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup today in Papendal.

After making it to an eight-woman main that included strongwomen Caroline Buchanan (AUS), Laetitia Le Corguille (FRA), and fellow American Amanda Geving (Largo, Fla./MCS Bicycles), Post got into the front position by jumping the whole triple in the first straight.

“I was the only one that did it in practice and I hadn’t hit it since,” Post explained. “It was kind of a split decision moment and I needed to do that to get in front and I went for it.”

The jump took Alise out of third or fourth place and moved her to the front, a position she held onto until the finish.

“This is huge for me going into Worlds,” she said. “It’s a big confidence boost.”

Click here to hear Alise talk about her win.

Post’s countrywoman Amanda Geving barely missed out on the podium, crossing the finish line in fourth-place.

The U.S. grabbed another medal in the men’s race when David Herman (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Free Agent Rockstar) powered his way to the bronze medal. The lone American in the main event, Herman finished third to Maris Strombergs (LAT) and Sam Willoughby (AUS).

For complete results from today’s Supercross, visit www.bmx-results.com.

Supercross World Cup
Papendal, Netherlands
May 13, 2012

Women
1. Alise Post (Saint Cloud, Minn./Redline)
2. Carolina Buchanan (AUS)
3. Laetitia Le Corguille (FRA)
4. Amanda Geving (Largo, Fla./MCS Bicycles)

Men
1. Maris Strombergs (LAT)
2. Sam Willoughby (AUS)
3. David Herman (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Free Agent Rockstar)

The MX3 round will be broadcasting program on MX-LIFE.TV and by clicking here you will obtain the full schedule and coverage of the third round FIM MX3 World Motocross Championship of Bulgaria.







TIMETABLE
Sunday: Start Practice + Warm Up MX3 10:30; Official opening ceremony 11:00; Race 1 MX3 13:30; Race 2 MX3 15:55; Prizegiving ceremony 16:30

MX3 Round OF BULGARIA – QUICK FACTS
Circuit lenght: 1 650 metres
Type of ground: hard pack
Temperature: 22 °C

Weather conditions: sunny

Photo: MX-LIVE.TV

MX1
Rodolfo Fernández, who was born in the USA but he moved to Guatemala since he was five, took an excellent start in the qualifying race and he managed to lead the heat until the chequered flag with almost ten minutes difference from second qualified Martin García. Fernández is very excited to taking part in the Mexican GP and he expects to do a good result tomorrow during the main heats.

Home rider Martin García was able to finish second but he admitted that he made several mistakes during the race and regretted not having been able to follow Fernández. García has been twice the national champion and he is the current leader of the Mexican series, so he is looking forward to tomorrow’s races to finish among the top 10 or top 15 best MX1 riders.

Raynear Mejia from the Dominican Republic made a solid race and managed to keep his third initial position until he crossed the finish line. Mejia explained that so far he is enjoying a lot his experience in the World Championship and he was very grateful to his team to have offered him to take part in the fourth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Mexicans Mario Farfan and Donovan García completed the top five of the MX1 qualifying race.

The following MX1 riders decided not line up for the qualifying race: Leok, Barragán, De Dycker, Sebastién Pourcel, Philippaerts, Paulin, Strijbos, Simpson, Desalle, Guarneri, Parker, Tiainen, Karro, Ferris, Boog, Frossard, Cairoli, Christophe Pourcel, Evgeny Bobryshev and Rui Gonçalves.

The MX1 staring list for tomorrow will be as follows: Fernández, Martin García, Mejia, Farfan, Donovan Garcia, Vázquez, Rodríguez, Mendoza, Rosales, Guzman, Cairoli, Boog, Christophe Pourcel, Desalle, Simpson, Philippaerts, De Dycker, Leok, Frossard, Paulin, Guarneri, Barragán, Sebastien Pourcel, Karro, Strijbos, Gonçalves, Ferris, Parker and Tiaien.

Evgeny Bobryshev is almost recovered from his thumb injury but he is now also battling with a cough he picked up at the beginning of the week, which has developed into an illness that will prevent him from riding the Mexican Grand Prix.

MX1 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Rodolfo Fernandez (USA, Yamaha), 24:12.213; ; 2. Martin Garcia (MEX, KTM), +0:09.853; 3. Raynear Mejia (DOM, Kawasaki), +0:12.443; 4. Mario Farfan (MEX, Honda), +1:26.855; 5. Donovan Garcia (MEX, Honda), +1:39.405; 6. Giuzepe Vazquez (MEX, Yamaha), +1:51.534; 7. Samir Rodriguez (MEX, Yamaha), +1:51.827; 8. Diego Mendoza (MEX, Honda), +2:07.279; 9. Jesus Rosales (MEX, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 10. Jose Luis Guzman (MEX, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s);

Complete results available at www.motocrossmx1.com/reslists.aspx Photos available at www.motocrossmx1.com/gallery
MX2
Monster Energy Yamaha’s Leib won his maiden MX2 qualifying race today in Guadalajara and he will be the first one to choose the starting position tomorrow before the main races. The American rode safe today and he is looking forward to repeating a top three result this weekend as he did in Fermo two weeks ago.

Second in the qualifying race was Honda Gariboldi – Esta’s Anstie, who rode a solid race from beginning to end. Anstie enjoyed racing the qualifying heat and he is looking forward to racing tomorrow.

Third qualified was Peruvian Jetro Salazar, who admitted that he is not used to the demanding FIM Motocross World Championship tracks, but that it has been a really good experience so far. He was very satisfied with the third position in the qualifying race, but he knows that it is going to be more difficult tomorrow, but he is looking forward to racing tomorrow in Guadalajara.

Mexicans Ruelas and Oros completed the top five of the MX2 qualifying race.

The following MX2 riders decided not line up for the qualifying race: Butrón, Ferrandis, Charlier, Coldenhoff, Lieber, Roelants, Teillet, Nicholls, Lupino, Herlings, Van Horebeek, Searle, Kullas, Petrov, Guillod, Larsen, Tixier.

The MX2 staring list for tomorrow will be as follows: Leib, Anstie, Salazar, Ruelas, Oro, Vieyra, Aguilar, Sanchez, Nungaray, Mejia, Herlings, Searle, Van Horebeek, Teillet, Ferrandis, Petrov, Lupino, Roelants, Tixier, Nicholls, Coldenhoff, Charlier, Butron, Kullas, Guillod, Larsen, Lieber.

MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Michael Leib (USA, Yamaha), 25:29.932; ; 2. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +0:18.980; 3. Jetro Salazar (PER, KTM), +0:42.938; 4. Luis Ruelas (MEX, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 5. Carlos Oros (MEX, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 6. Brandon Vieyra (MEX, Suzuki), -1 lap(s); 7. Alvaro Aguilar (MEX, KTM), -1 lap(s); 8. Pablo Sanchez (MEX, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 9. Erick Nungaray (MEX, Suzuki), -2 lap(s); 10. Javier Mejia (MEX, Yamaha), -2 lap(s); 11. Ruben Alanis (MEX, KTM), -12 lap(s);

Complete results available at www.motocrossmx1.com/reslists.aspx Photos available at www.motocrossmx1.com/gallery
Quotes from the qualifying winners:

MX1 qualifying winner Rodolfo Fernández: “I’m very happy to be here and be able to take part in this race. In Guatemala we don’t have this track layout but I usually go to the States to take part in the Nationals, so there they have big jumps and I’m used to them, and I’ve also taken part in a couple of Motocross of Nations for Guatemala. From what I’ve heard the riders did not want to race because of the track conditions were not good, my opinion is that the track was ok to race and this is why I lined up. The organization builds the track safe and I thought that the track was in perfect conditions to be honest.”

MX2 qualifying race Michael Leib: “I can understand a little more the decision of the riders but at the same time the track was not absolutely wrong. I didn’t race really hard today but I have a good pick up tomorrow, so I hope to be on the podium as I did in Fermo.”

Quotation from Special Guest:

Two Time FIM Motocross World Champion and member of the Mexican Grand Prix Organizing Committee Sebastien Tortelli: “The riders took a decision not to race as a group, so it was their choice. I think the track was not as bad as they were saying. We are all professionals and I think that was not an entire professional choice, we’ve been working really hard to organize this GP and it is one of the best tracks in Mexico in these days. In the end it’s a question of communication, if they don’t want to race I can understand, but we need to find a solution, but the solution that happened today I don’t think it was the best one. We’ll do our best for tomorrow, as we have more material coming in to make it better. I’m also surprised because yesterday everybody when they saw the track they liked it, and then they came to me today saying that the lay out was not good, so that’s a big change in only one day.”

GP OF MEXICO – QUICK FACTS
Circuit length: 1560
Type of ground: intermediate ground
Temperature: 35° C
Weather conditions: sunny

The Grand Prix will be broadcasted LIVE on MX-LIFE.TV and by clicking here you will obtain the full schedule and coverage of the Mexican Grand Prix.

TIMETABLE
Sunday: MX2 Warm up 9:00; MX1 Warm up 9:30; MX2 Grand Prix Race 1 12:10; MX1 Grand Prix Race 1 13:10; MX2 Grand Prix Race 2 15:03; MX1 Grand Prix race 2 16:03.

LINKS
Youthstream
FIM
Grand Prix of Mexico

Photo: From left to right: García, Fernández, Tortelli, Leib