Antonio Cairoli MX1 Champion | Nagl dominates in Brazil | Dean Ferris breaks femur
With an enormous roar from the insanely passionate and fiery crowd in Trindade, Brazil, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli added another FIM Motocross World Championship title to his legend at MXGP of Goias in Brazil. Although it came easier than he had first anticipated with his only remaining title challenger, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek crawling to the finish in race one after injuring his ankle in qualifying yesterday, it has still been a hard earned season for the twenty-eight-year-old Italian.
Out of the thirty-one gate drops used to crown Tony 2014 FIM MXGP World Champion, the happy-go-lucky guy from Patti, Italy, had a near fifty percent win rate, winning fifteen of the thirty-one races. Out of the first fifteen rounds of MXGP, Tony landed on the podium a whopping twelve times. The three times he was not on the podium he still finished inside the top five. He also wrapped up nine MXGP round victories this season, extending his career total of Grand Prix wins to seventy-two.
It has been ten years since Tony’s first Grand Prix win, which he obtained on his rookie season riding for De Carli Yamaha back in 2004, a season in which he finished an impressive third overall. The following year, in 2005, he claimed his first world title in MX2, and now, nine years on, he has racked up a stifling eight FIM Motocross World Championship titles and is the second most successful rider in history, behind Belgian Stefan Everts who has ten titles to his name.
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MXGP of State of Goias at Trindade, Brazil – Round 16
The first ever MXGP of Goias wraps up the penultimate round of the season in incredible style. It was vibrant, it was crazy, it was wild and compelling, as the boisterous Brazilian fans packed into the all-new MXGP venue to witness and celebrate round sixteen of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
Erupting the crowd into total pandemonium, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli locked down the 2014 MXGP World Title upon crossing the line in MXGP race one, while Team HRC’s Max Nagl was in a league of his own this weekend, dominating both races for his first Grand Prix victory since back in 2010
Meanwhile, in MX2 the racing and dynamic has never been better. With Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings out, a multitude of riders line up with a legitimate chance of winning their first ever MX2 race or races as well as the potential Grand Prix. This weekend both Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre and Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser took, and devoured, their first slices of the MX2 race win pie, while it was Romain Febvre who dug the deepest this weekend to reach his second career milestone in one day, with his first ever Grand Prix victory.
MXGP
Team HRC’s Max Nagl was nothing short of a blur out on the vibrant red clay as he flat out dominated every race this weekend, including the qualifying heat on Saturday, to pick up his first MXGP overall since way back in 2010.
The jump-riddled circuit here in Trindade is the ultimate playground for a rider like Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin, who enjoyed every moment of air-time as he made his way to second overall and his third podium finish of the season.
It’s hard to say which fans are the most passionate about Antonio Cairoli, the Italians or the Brazilians? Other than Italy, or a neighboring country, there is no better place for Tony to have claimed his eighth FIM Motocross World Championship title than in Brazil. Today was the second time the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star has picked up a world title on Brazilian turf, the first time was back in 2010 at the circuit of Campo Grande. Although the thousands of screaming fans were able to cheer him up slightly, the Italian legend battled blurred vision all day after getting dirt in his eye yesterday. With the irritation in his eye clearly bothering him, he battled on to finish fifth and third for third overall and his thirteenth podium finish of the season.
Meanwhile Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Steven Frossard let a little beam of podium potential shine through today with his impressive performance in race one which saw him come home for second. Because luck, or having two good races, is hard to come by for the Frenchman, any shot of the podium was thrown away when he lost the front end on a slick spot early on in race two. Nevertheless, he managed to bank fourth.
As for CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Tommy Searle, two solid performances allowed him to take home his third top five finish of the season in fifth.
In other news, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek showed his true grit when toughed out race one with his swollen ankle to tie up second overall in the MXGP championship. With his position of vice world champion secure, the Belgian didn’t line up for the second race today in order to let his injury heal. Also, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Dean Ferris startled everyone with his speed today. Unfortunately, while on his way to what could have been his first ever MXGP podium finish, he had an ugly crash which made those that saw it cringe. The friendly Australian was taken to hospital with a suspected broken femur.
MXGP Race 1 top ten: 1. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), 35:17.310; 2. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:10.116; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:14.667; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:17.619; 5. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:22.261; 6. Dean Ferris (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:25.973; 7. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:52.568; 8. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:56.271; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Yamaha), +1:00.048; 10. Milko Potisek (FRA, Yamaha), +1:04.374;
MXGP Race 2 top ten: 1. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), 35:57.355; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:13.227; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:29.125; 4. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:37.228; 5. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), +0:41.043; 6. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:41.586; 7. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:56.529; 8. Milko Potisek (FRA, Yamaha), +0:59.244; 9. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +1:01.221; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +1:09.221;
MXGP Overall top ten: 1. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HON), 50 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, KAW), 40 p.; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 36 p.; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 36 p.; 5. Tommy Searle (GBR, KAW), 32 p.; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 32 p.; 7. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), 25 p.; 8. Milko Potisek (FRA, YAM), 24 p.; 9. David Philippaerts (ITA, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Matiss Karro (LAT, KTM), 20 p.;
MXGP World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 705 points; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 596 p.; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 530 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 484 p.; 5. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 392 p.; 6. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 382 p.; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HON), 357 p.; 8. Gautier Paulin (FRA, KAW), 315 p.; 9. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), 270 p.; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, YAM), 258 p.
MXGP Manufacturer: 1. KTM, 705 points; 2. Suzuki, 648 p.; 3. Yamaha, 618 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 594 p.; 5. Honda, 507 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 326 p.; 7. TM, 311 p.;
MX2
Stand up and take a bow, Romain Febvre! It has taken almost an entire season but Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s gritty Frenchman has finally done it. Despite battling illness, Febvre was impressive this weekend, particularly in race one when he sealed the deal on his first ever race victory. Race two was not so straightforward as he was forced to battle an overwhelming sense of queasiness that saw him vomit while riding, but nonetheless, he kept looking forward and fought to the finish to be rewarded with is first ever Grand Prix overall.
Everyone loves a good rivalry, and the number one rivalry this year is definitely between the three Frenchman, Febvre, CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier. With no easy pick which of the three will be the best on any given day, today it was Febvre who finished with one point more than the flamboyant Ferrandis who took two seconds for second.
After ringing his bell in qualifying yesterday, Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser hit a career milestone today with his impressive victory in race two. While the young Slovenian said in the press conference, “Our goal for this year was just to be in top ten but it has gone better than we thought”, the seventeen year-old sensation has impressively notched his first ever MX2 race win to his belt and has also made history as the first Slovenian to ever win an MX2 Grand Prix race. Despite crashing in race one and only taking seventh, his win in race two was enough to land him on the podium for the fourth time this year.
With the MX2 title still in his sights, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier did enough to take valuable points today with a fourth and fifth for fourth overall.
While rounding out the top five, Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod was running a blistering pace all day as he and his new teammate Julien Lieber blew the socks off a lot of people when they ran in second and third for the majority of the first race. Despite their speed, a few costly errors in both races deprived them of better results. Guillod ended up coming home in fifth, while Lieber on his Standing Construct KTM debut was forced back to ninth.
MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), 35:34.479; 2. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:02.137; 3. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:02.639; 4. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +0:13.881; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:14.553; 6. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +0:15.809; 7. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:16.274; 8. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:20.578; 9. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +0:23.075; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:28.319;
MX2 Race 2 top ten: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 36:03.755; 2. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:06.015; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:09.099; 4. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:10.731; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:16.660; 6. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +0:18.557; 7. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:19.338; 8. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:19.840; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Yamaha), +0:24.029; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Suzuki), +0:31.721;
MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 45 points; 2. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 44 p.; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 39 p.; 4. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 33 p.; 6. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, KAW), 33 p.; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 27 p.; 8. Christophe Charlier (FRA, YAM), 27 p.; 9. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), 25 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, YAM), 21 p.;
MX2 World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 594 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 571 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 534 p.; 4. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 511 p.; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 487 p.; 6. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, KAW), 422 p.; 7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 412 p.; 8. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 384 p.; 9. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 345 p.; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 328 p.;
MX2 Manufacturer: 1. KTM, 750 points; 2. Kawasaki, 616 p.; 3. Husqvarna, 550 p.; 4. Honda, 497 p.; 5. Yamaha, 463 p.; 6. Suzuki, 460 p.; 7. TM, 6 p.;
HRC Report
Max Nagl and his Honda CRF450RW were unstoppable on the red clay of the Goias track this weekend as the popular German took a clean sweep of victories.
Yesterday’s performance saw him charge into a commanding lead of the qualifying race and never look back, and today was much the same. In race one he took the holeshot and then made it his race, storming to an emphatic third moto win of the year. Setting his own blistering pace at the front, the super-consistent German also set the fastest lap to complete the domination.
The start of race two was in fact the only time this weekend in a race that Max didn’t lead. Rather he was second for the first few corners, until a decisive move saw usual service resumed as No.12 again rode into the distance to seal a double win and the overall victory – his first of the season, the first of the season for Team HRC, and fittingly at the Grand Prix title-sponsored by Honda Brazil.
Max Nagl – “I just had a perfect day – I didn’t make any mistakes and I could control the race from the front so I’m really happy about today! From the beginning we had a really good setup and already from Saturday morning we were in a good direction and I was feeling really comfortable.
“Actually this morning I was a bit nervous because I know everyone expected me to win today because I was so good yesterday, but as soon as we started I was just feeling so well with riding, and very comfortable and confident again.
“After Lommel the team and I have done a really good job in testing and have been able to improve the bike again. Also after Lommel I took a lot of rest and that really helped me so now I’m physically much better again.
“Today we were just that little bit better than everyone else, and that makes me really proud. I was so happy because all the work is paid off with this – it’s so good!”
Keisuke Inomoto Team HRC Team Principal – “Today was a very good day! The first moto was a perfect story – good start, great riding and Max could manage the pace from from the front. In the second, only at the start was he in second but this was no upset – he was very confident and rode very cleverly to take back the lead and take another victory. Overall this weekend is a great result for the team – it’s great to have taken the first win for HRC in this new era, and even more fantastic to have won everything this weekend! I also want to congratulate Tim Gajser for his first MX2 moto win today – it’s been a wonderful weekend for HRC, Honda and the CRF!”
Roger Harvey HRC General Manager – MXGP – “What a great weekend! You can’t top that – Max was fastest in qualification, fastest in both races today and won them both – he ticked all the boxes this weekend. He was pushed a little more in the second race but he’d got enough in the tank to respond. In general you can’t wish for a better day. It’s great for all the team and to have done it here in Goias where Honda Brazil has such a big presence is fantastic. We all know that when Max gets out of the gate well he can be dangerous, and that’s exactly what he did today. A really, really good weekend and a great result for all the hard work that all of the team have put in all season.”
Husqvarna Report
Frenchman Romain Febvre and the Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team have secured their first overall MX2 victory, topping the overall podium at the penultimate round of the 2014 MXGP series in Trindade, Brazil.
Entering round 16 of the series severely under the weather, Febvre shrugged off his flu-like symptoms by taking victory in Saturday’s MX2 qualification race. Feeling comfortable on the hard pack, jump filled circuit, the Husqvarna rider started strongly in race one on Sunday and quickly took control of the lead. Despite some pressure in the closing stages, the Frenchman kept his cool to secure a debut race win. With thoughts of a potential overall victory on his mind, Febvre made a cautious start to race two as he settled into the slippery conditions. Digging deep, he methodically worked his way from seventh to third and in doing so secured the overall win.
For Febvre’s teammate Aleksandr Tonkov the weekend was one of mixed fortunes. Third place in qualification showed he was right on pace but numerous small mistakes during race day proved costly. Ninth in race one, the Russian slipped back to 12th in race two.
Looking to build on his strong run of form from the four previous European rounds of the MXGP series, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Dean Ferris’ weekend ended abruptly in race two. Sixth in qualification the Australian put himself in a prime position for a solid performance. Gating second in race one, Ferris delivered a brilliant ride to eventually place sixth. Moving into contention for an overall podium by holding down a top five position during race two, Ferris’ GP ended when he crashed heavily. Hitting the ground at speed Ferris sustained a broken right femur
The 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship concludes with round 17 at Leon, Mexico on September 14.
Romain Febvre: “This is an incredible moment for me. I won my first race and took my first overall result – it’s fantastic. I’ve been really sick and I honestly didn’t expect to show this form. During the races I could hardly breathe, I was even sick – it was really hard. Race one was perfect – a start to finish victory. Maybe nerves got the better of me at the beginning of race two or maybe it was the sickness because I was slow to get going. I had to dig deep at the end of the race but when I crossed the finish line in third it felt amazing to know I was the overall winner. A massive thanks to the Husqvarna, the Wilvo Nestaan team and my family for helping me achieve this important result.”
Antti Pyrhönen (Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager): “This is a very unfortunate end to our season. Dean fell and broke his right femur in the second moto and will undergo surgery to fix the break. We will release an update on Dean’s condition following his surgery.”
