News & Events

The Motocross Grand Prix will be organized from 2013 until 2020 (excluding 2016 – the year of the MXoN in Maggiora), and the MXoN will be held in 2016 and 2021. The historical track of Maggiora will be used with all the necessary modernization; all the new infrastructure and accommodation necessary will be built to welcome the riders, teams, media, VIP, industries and fans following the actual and future standards of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

‘For us it’s dream come true,’ Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, President of Youthstream Group, said. ‘Special thanks go out to Mr. Stefano Avandero and Paolo Schneider for their belief in the potential of Maggiora and their partnership with Youthstream. I have a special attachment to Maggiora because aside from organizing many major events there, such as GPs and the Masters of Motocross, I was the organizer of the well-known MXoN in 1986 in Maggiora, which was won by the American Dream Team; this event is still considered the greatest MX event in history. At that time I was the organizer and promoter of the event together with the local club and FMI at only 26 years old.’

Mr. Luongo continued by saying: ‘The circuit of Maggiora together with Glen Helen (USA) are the best Motocross circuits in the World, they are really ‘the typical’ Motocross circuits and I am sure that with all the modern improvements we will bring, it will be something exceptional. The project of Mr. Avandero and Mr. Schneider is superb because it’s not only based on creating the greatest venue for Motocross in Europe but also creating a venue to welcome other big entertainment shows, and at the same time to bring back the media’s and public’s interest to this region and revenue to the community. With this achievement we have really found the best compromise for Motocross which is a traditional circuit and all the modern facilities, I hope this can be the example for many other circuits in the future.’

‘The Motocross of Nations in 2016 will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Motocross of Nations in Maggiora in 1986, and we hope that fans from all over the world will come for this unique moment,’ Mr. Luongo added.

Before finishing, Mr. Luongo wanted to clarify a point, ‘This project will not close the door to other GPs in Italy because we know Italy is a strong sporting country and if there are other organizers in the future interested in a second Grand Prix of Italy, we will for sure take this in serious consideration. ‘Naturally Maggiora and the other eventual GP in Italy will always be organized with the support of the Italian Motorcycle Federation (FMI), which we thank for all that they do for our sport.’

Dr. Wolfgang Srb, FIM CMS Director, stated, ‘the history of the FIM Motocross of Nations is very rich and colorful. There have been exciting races, great battles and unforgettable moments. But one edition of the most important Motocross event of the world stands above all the others: the legendary race of 1986 in Maggiora. The American dream team, composed of David Bailey, Ricky Johnson and Johnny O’Mara, is remembered for one of the greatest performances the sport of Motocross has ever seen. The moment when Johnny O’Mara on the 125cc bike passed the ruling 500cc World Champion David Thorpe will stay forever in the memory and in the heart of every fan in the world.’

‘The return of the FIM Motocross World Championship and the FIM Motocross of Nations to Maggiora is one of the best news I have ever heard. The venue is as magic as unique and will attract fans from all over the world. Big thanks and congratulations to all who made this dream come true!’ Dr. Srb concluded.

Paolo Schneider explained: ‘this agreement is something we are really happy and really proud to achieve; since I was a little kid, I used to go to Maggiora and saw there all the major events of the 90′s; the atmosphere was unique every time and especially the track was in my opinion the best in the world. Not long ago I was talking to my best friend Stefano and said “could you imagine the possibility to bring back to this place the best kind of races in the world? Let’ s try it!”’

‘As soon as we talked to Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, Mr. Wolfgang Srb, Mr. Daniele Rizzi, Mr. Nikos Gounaris and all the other members of Youthstream, we found them really nice and kind people with a great and genuine passion for Motocross,’ Mr. Schneider added. ‘They immediately said that our project was a great one and from there they really put the best effort to make this deal done. These past months we made a great amount of work but it is still not finished; from now we have more than one year to put together this ambitious project and for sure we’ll make our best to create something unforgettable.’

If we imagine combining all the great History Maggiora already has with his old track with new facilities, structures and services, the result should be exceptional. To conclude we are very thankful to Giuseppe and Youthstream for giving us the possibility to organize in Maggiora great events such as FIM Motocross Grand Prix and FIM Motocross of Nation. It will be a pleasure to work tightly together. A special thank goes also to the Major of Maggiora, Giuseppe Fasola, and all the local administration that have been very supportive and determined to concretize this project together,’ Mr. Schneider concluded.

Stefano Avandero stated: ‘Less than one year ago, coming back from a typical riding day, Paolo and myself were dreaming about the possibility to see again some races on the glorious track of Maggiora. Just the idea to bring back the FIM Motocross World Championship and the FIM Motocross of Nations is something really difficult to describe in words, specially the 30th anniversary of the 1986 MXoN in 2016.’

Mr. Avandero added: ‘our biggest goal for this project is to replicate and recreate those special moments and those unique feelings that the Motocross of Maggiora has always delivered through all its history. The entire project is based on the idea of creating a new environmental friendly space with a variety of services, in order to accommodate also others events. Working together with Youthstream is a dream and a great opportunity, we are sure that with a specific readjustment of the existing site, always respecting nature, we will create an area perfect to welcome others outdoor events during the rest of the year and a even more spectacular track of the original one, mixing some of the old school features with new modern obstacles.’

Mr. Giuseppe Fasola, Major of Maggiora, said: ‘I’m really exited about this agreement between Youthstream and Schava. For us it is a great opportunity in many ways; we’ll have the opportunity to brig back the name of Maggiora to the highest level in the motorsports industry and at the same time to completely readjust a neglected area that will be available for the citizens and for us for many different uses. This project will bring a lot of induced consumption and working places for our surroundings, which is nowadays something important to consider. The definition of the approval for the entire project is designated; in the next moths we’ll take care of all those little missing aspects.’

HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK concluded the 2011 British Motocross championship with a double podium as Tom Church and Jake Nicholls took third overall in each of the MX1 and MX2 classes for the final round of the series at Hawkstone Park yesterday.

In the MX1 class Church entered his final British Championship weekend determined to end on a high note. After qualifying his KTM 350 SX-F in third position, the 29-year-old racer gated into third in the first race. Kristian Whatley managed to get by on lap two of the 20-minute plus two lap moto, and Church concluded the race in the final spot of a four-way train from the front at the chequered flag.
In the second race Church got another good start and was in second by the end of lap one. In a three-way battle for the lead with Brad Anderson and Martin Barr, Anderson went down and Church was looking comfortable in second position. However, a charging Anderson caught the KTM pilot with four laps to go and Church was forced to settle for a still strong third position.

In the final moto of the day Church holeshotted the race and put his all in as he stretched a lead over the chasing pack. It was looking like a perfect win for the KTM-ace, when in the last three laps Anderson reeled him in and he was forced to settle for a respectable second place, which confirmed a podium finish for his final British MX1 championship outing before his retirement next year.

In the MX2 class, after qualifying second, Nicholls didn’t get the best of starts into eighth by the end of lap one, while teammate Jordan Booker also had a disastrous first lap after crashing in the second turn. Nicholls managed to fight his way back to fifth place, while Booker went down again at the top of the notorious Hawkstone hill and was unable to complete the race.

In race two Nicholls, who is recovering from illness, got a good start and lead from the first lap. The 20-year-old racer put on a hard fight with Arnaud Tonus, who eventually got the better of him, in an exciting battle throughout the race to finish in second place. Booker gated into eighth place and settled into a steady rhythm to finish in ninth position.

In the final race of the day Nicholls gated in third and set about chasing Tonus while Booker also got a good start into sixth position. Nicholls had some issues mid-race and was forced to settle for second place again and third overall, while Booker had a race-long battle with Kayne Lamont, which he succeeded in to take sixth place and a strong ninth position overall.

Tom Church #4: MX1 3rd Overall
“It’s been a good day, but also a tough day because the track rode really fast and everyone was pushing so hard. I managed to get on the podium at the end of it and it’s good to end on a high note. In the last race I really wanted to win it and I tried so hard, but I just didn’t have enough in the tank, although I’ve really enjoyed today. The team has been great. I was really lucky to get this ride, unfortunately with Graeme being injured, but it all worked out and they’ve done a really good job and my mechanic has worked really hard. We’ve still got a few more races left with the supercross though, which I’m looking forward to. I’d like to say thanks to the team and I’m glad we’ve had some good results. It would have been nice to get a win and I’ve loved riding the 350 SX-F, but I’m looking forward to the beach race next weekend at Weston then the British supercross series before I finish.”

Jake Nicholls #45: MX2 3rd Overall
“I got ill this week, as I’ve been carrying a bit of a chesty type bug with a sore throat, so I didn’t ride from Tuesday and I was a bit tight coming into today. In the first race I got a bit of arm pump and didn’t feel good at all, as I struggled to get my breathing and rhythm right. In the second one I managed to give Arnaud a bit of a fight and ended up second. Then in the third race Arnaud got out front and I tried to chase him, but he got away a bit. When I tried to push I struggled to breathe and then halfway in I had a bit of a bike problem. I lost a lot of time so I aimed to keep Bryan (Mackenzie) behind me, although I really wanted to push Arnaud to the finish. It’s been a really good three years and I’d like to thank Roger and his family, as well as my mechanic Wayne, as everyone has been really good to me. Thanks also to Fox and Shift as well as everyone in the team, the sponsors and so on, as it’s been good. Finally special thanks must also go to HM Plant, Red Bull and KTM UK for their sponsorship over the past number of years. It’s a shame I have to move on but I’m looking forward to my new challenge.”

Jordan Booker #114: MX2 9th Overall
“Qualifying was good, in fact the best it’s been all year, as I was seventh after superpole. In the first race I got to a bit of a bad start off the gate, and collided with Jake, but I came out about top 10. I then washed out in the second turn and was dead last. I put in the lap of my life and got from last to 15th in one lap and then at the top of Hawkstone hill I cleaned out a hay bale and went straight over the bars. Someone clipped the back of my head when I was down, so it was quite eventful! I have been feeling a little bit dazed since that. In the second race I had an eighth place start and dropped back one for ninth, but I wasn’t feeling great. I had a good sleep before the last one and came out guns blazing. I gated in seventh and got to sixth. I had a really good battle with Kayne Lamont. We were bar bashing and probably passed each other 10 times and I held onto sixth. I’d like to say thanks to all of the HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK team, as well as all the sponsors for everything this year. I’d also like to say a big thanks to Mark Stokoe for hooking me up with everything I’ve needed for this year too. I can’t thank everyone enough, a huge thanks to Roger Magee for giving me the opportunity to ride for him, as it’s been the best year of my life racing at the Grand Prix events. I’d also like to thank Tom Church for all his help both on and off the bike all year, even before he joined the team and I wish him all the best for the future.”

Roger Magee: HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK Team Manager
“It’s been a bitter sweet sort of day at the last round of the British Championship today. Jake was able to put it on the podium for his last ride with the team this year and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for the last three years, as it’s been good. We’ve enjoyed his progress since he came to us in 2009 and we wish him all the best for next year, even though we’ll be competing against him. Jordan finished the season well with a really stonking sixth place in the last race. He’s shown the potential that he has and hopefully he can continue that progress next year. With Tom it’s been his last British Championship race, which has been pretty emotional for everybody. To get the holeshot and lead the race in the last one he gave it his all and I’d like to thank him for his input since he joined the team earlier in the year. I’d like to wish him all the best in the supercross series, and I’m sure his life will change a lot in January when he becomes a father.”

For a full set of results please copy and paste the following link: http://www.mylaps.com/results/showevent.jsp?id=723284

HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK are pleased to confirm that they have agreed terms with Kevin Strijbos to compete in the 2012 MX1 World Motocross Championships on board the successful 350SX-F machine. As a measure of confidence in the team and rider, full factory support with engines and WP suspension will be provided for Kevin’s maiden season for the Austrian marque. Strijbos will also compete in British Championship events as well as selected races in his native Belgium.

The arrival of the Belgian in the British team marks an important new phase for the crew with the 26 year old former Grand Prix winner having finished as runner-up in the FIM MX1 World Championship in 2006 and 2007. “I’m really excited to ride on the SX350F with the factory engines and suspension in 2012,” said Strijbos who finished fourth at the final round of the 2011 season in Italy. “I know that I can do really well in the GPs next year as my results at the end of 2011 have shown. I have just had a minor knee operation and will commence my training again in six weeks time. I am really disappointed in not being able to come to Hawkstone Park today [for the final round of the British Championship], but my doctor has advised against travelling for the next few weeks”.

Team HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK owner Roger Magee commented: “I am really pleased to have agreed terms with Kevin for the 2012 motocross season. His ability and professionalism has impressed me for many years and I feel that the team can look forward to more visits to the podium next year with the key additionalfactory support that is necessary to compete at this level in World Motocross. To have a former GP winner in the team has been a great boost to all of thepersonnel – especially as Kevin won the last MXGP to be held in Northern Ireland at Moneyglass in 2007! My thanks also to Kevin’s manager Koen Monu for the professional manner in which our negotiations were conducted.”

Managing Director of KTM UK Shaun Sisterson: “We at KTM UK are extremely pleased to have a rider of Kevin Strijbos’ ability in the team for 2012. The factory support that he will receive from KTM will hopefully assist him to win at the highest level on the 350SX-F. There were a number of riders in contention for the MX1 offer of factory support but we felt that Kevin was the most suitable to fulfill our aspirations.”

HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK will confirm the remaining MX1 and MX2 riders in the team for 2012 during the coming weeks.

So the final round of the championship. Luke trailed the leader, John, by a mere 3 points having produced a strong performance in the latter half of the season to reduce the deficit from 47 points making his title hopes tantalising achievable.

The track looked velvety smooth and unspoilt before the 44 colourful pilots began to carve away the dirt creating lines and burms during practice and qualification. Luke began as he had intended producing an astonishing qualifying lap almost 2½ seconds clear of the field.
He had thoroughly prepared his mind thinking only of 3 wins to be sure of victory.
As the 15 second board turned it was eyes down and the race was underway. An awesome start saw Luke lead the way around the first bend and he was gone. Confident and focused he consistently produced fast laps and took the win by over 12 seconds ahead of his rival. Now the points in the championship were equal.
It was the second race that attracted the attention of the growing crowd. Luke once again was away in first but this time John was chasing hard, determined not to let his title continue to slip away. By half race distance John was on Luke’s case and made the pass. Round the next corner Luke passed him back and so the sequence continued with both of them only focused on each other using all their experience and every tactic to maintain their advantage. The last lap and John was in front, but not for long. Luke had a better line up the hill and regained the lead but John went wide and fast on the downhill and took it back. Out of sight they went side by side. The crowd waited anxiously for them to reappear. All eyes focused on the brow of the hill and Luke was slightly in front and he took the chequered flag. What a battle and what a result. It was congratulations to Luke. A short lived celebration as we learnt Luke had been given a 1 minute penalty for allegedly overtaking on a yellow flag on the last lap. This dropped him to 2nd place and his head dropped too, feeling unfairly penalised.
Friends, fans and total strangers who congratulated him on an epic victory now helped to rally round to pick him up, give him back the determination and spirit needed to go out for a third time and repeat his performance.
The last race of the day was billed by the commentators as THE race of the championship. The winner would be crowned Red Bull Champion. The crowd line the track eager to witness another spectacle and they were not to be disappointed, a treat lay in store for them.
Luke sat motionless focused on the gate. It dropped and once again he was first to leave and at the front of the pack. Not far behind tracked his rival determined to stay close. By lap 3 there was nothing in it, then John made a mistake and Luke had a 4 second advantage. Luke knew he could take no rest. John was on a mission and could see his target ahead. With 2 laps remaining John sneaked past and took the lead. Luke tried to stay with him but John appeared to edge in front. The race was not over Luke was not going to let go of his dream; he took an almighty leap down the hill and was back pressurising for the lead. They were jumping, turning, racing side by side. The pressure was immense, their ability stretched to the limit, trying desperately to out think each other. The spectators had their favourite and both were encouraged with shouts and waves as they passed by.
One lap to go and Luke was hounding his rival. It was John who made the costly error as he took a glance behind him and crashed in the whoops at the bottom of the hill. Luke completed the lap and took the chequered flag to an overwhelming applause from the crowd. Justice was done. A second title to Luke ‘Red Bull Pro National Two Stroke Champion 2011’
Congratulations from all the team. A truly amazing day. Well done you deserved it.

Rider comments- “This was the championship myself and the team wanted this season. The team were fully supportive of me even after the disappointing outcome of the second moto. I never gave up and I was rewarded with the title. I thank the people who believed in me this season, without them none of this would have been possible!”

The fifth round of the championship moved to the historic circuit of Hawkstone Park. As had proved to be the norm this season, unsurprisingly Luke produced the fastest lap to head qualification.

With a quick turnaround the riders chose their gate position, once all 46 riders had assembled it was a matter of seconds before the race was away.  Luke exited the first corner in the top 5.  He rode well with his usual gutsy determination but was unable to catch the hole shot rider who had capitalised on a clear track. Luke finished in a comfortable 2^nd place.

The next race in his enthusiasm Luke span on the concrete start and gated mid pack. He desperately tried to recover from his poor start, with an exciting display as he picked off slower competitors with some remarkable manoeuvres, but all too soon the chequered flag appeared and he finished once again in 2^nd position.

There were sadly some lengthy delays due to serious injuries and it was quite a wait for the final race of the day. To add to the very rough and gnarly track a heavy downpour created a further test for the final race of the day. Luke was round the first corner in the top 3. It was a case of knowing your limitations, pushing hard but staying safe. The top 3 were much of a muchness as they stayed in that order from start to finish, unable to make an impression upon each other for fear of disaster. Luke finished the day with a 2^nd overall, just one point behind the winner. He had gained valuable points in the championship, now 23 points adrift of the leader.

RED BULL PRO NATIONALS

DESERT MARTIN

3/4^TH SEPTEMBER 2011

The penultimate round was the following weekend. We made the lengthy journey to Northern Ireland and the fabulous GP circuit of Desert Martin which had been superbly prepped for the days racing.

Practice and qualification commenced on the dot of 9 with the sun making an appearance now and again! With the beautifully primed track it was difficult for riders to gain time and the top 3 all finished on the same second.

The sun was still out when the first 125cc race began.  The top 3 were soon stretched apart, Luke finished an easy second 40 seconds ahead of third, but the leader of the championship had a poor result in 6^th place. Luke had gained a precious 7 points. He was well aware he must ride with his head today to close down that lead.

The second race and the showers had started. Despite Luke’s speed and aggression he finished another easy second and gained 4 more points in the race. Then the rain started, heavy and persistent.  The flooded circuit was going to be a proper test for bike and rider. Luke rounded the first bend in the lead.  Unfortunately a spectacular crash saw Luke demoted to second place, he regained his composure and was soon closing again on the leader.  The first two riders left the rest of the field and by mid race were half a lap in front. The track became increasingly littered with machines that refused to start, fallen riders exhausted by the conditions, yellow flags waving and competitors wearing a thick coat of mud were barely recognisable.  Luke finished a courageous second still managing to maintain his speed and his goggles and understandably euphoric gaining a further 9 points on the lead.

He finished the day in a worthy second spot, but more importantly had closed the gap to 3 points. The final showdown in 3 weeks will be a real nail biter…. Culham get ready!!

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The final round of the British championship approaches this week-end at Milton Park. Luke is leading the series by 43 points so fingers crossed for a successful day of racing and we can bring you the news of a newly crowned British 125cc Champ!

HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK is pleased to announce the success of its junior riders this year with Ryan Houghton winning the British MXY2 title at the last round in Duns, Scotland and Ben Watson finishing fourth overall in the Junior Motocross World 85cc Championship.

In the ACU British MXY2 class Ryan Houghton has ridden consistently throughout the five-round series, as well as winning round three at Milton Park to take the title. It’s not been an easy season, but Ryan was able to do just enough for the win as the championship went down to the wire at the final round of the series at Duns in Scotland just over oneweek ago.

In race one of the final Houghton suffered with a technical problem and was forced to nurse his bike round to collect two valuable points in 19th place. The 15-year-old youngster knew he had to beat his arch-rival Adam Sterry in race two to take the championship, and he did so with a 24 second lead to take the series win and was crowned 2011 British MXY2 Champion.

In the FIM World 85cc World Motocross Championship held in Cingoli, Italy on the 14th August, Ben Watson put on a strong showing for Great Britain to finish just off the podium in fourth position.

The 14-year-old youngster raced against some of the World’s best big wheel young guns to gain some impressive results. After qualifying in pole position in his group, Watson finished in eighth in the opening race of the day after recovering from a bad start. The talented KTM-pilot had a more enjoyable outing in the second heat to finish fourth and with it secured an impressive fourth overall, to help KTM also win the manufacturers award.

Roger Magee: HM Plant Red Bull KTM Team Manager
“Ryan came on board with the team at the beginning of the year. He’s been on the pace since round one and we’re glad to have secured the MXY2 championship at the last race, as it went right down to the wire. Even though he had a technical problem in the first heat, he certainly did the business in the second one. We’re glad to have the championship for KTM in 2011. Congratulations also to Ben Watson who on the Saturday of the 85cc World Championship in Cingoli showed he had the potential to get on the podium with his pace in his qualifying group. Unfortunately on the Sunday he suffered from a couple of not so good starts and he had to get back through the pack for eighth in race one and fourth in race two to take fourth overall. Despite being younger than a lot of the riders there, we think he has shown the potential to probably graduate to the European 125cc Championship next year.”