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MXGP World Championship

Stat Sheet: MX2 Preview

Only one MX2 rider has stood atop the podium before.

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When the MX2 riders roll onto the Qatari soil for the first time, it will mark the start of a new era as well as a new season. Gone are the days of domination, it seems, as there is no clear favourite in the division. Just one rider has stood atop the Grand Prix podium before and only ten guys have stood on the box at all, but whom can we really consider a title contender?

Jeremy Seewer

MX2 Starts

115

MX2 Wins

0

MX2 Podiums

20

One could argue whether Jeremy Seewer is the fastest rider in the class or not, but you cannot dispute the fact that he is the most consistent. A lot of the pre-race chatter is speculation, but his results from last year serve as proof of his consistency. Seewer finished in the top five in twenty-seven of the thirty-six motos that he completed, despite the fact that he was up against a deeper field, and dropped out of the top ten on just five occasions. That may not seem incredible, but I would argue that that alone could be enough to win this title.

Seewer did not win a moto and still lacks that experience, sure, but that applies to a majority of the field. Even on days where he is not quite at his best and gets swallowed up by his competition, one can count on the fact that he will not crash out in a spectacular fashion and at least garner some points. The Suzuki World MX2 rider was the only rider in the class to score points in every moto last year!

Those at the squad have encountered some struggles, such as making the bike competitive with the KTM out of the gate, but it seems that situation improved as the year wore on. In fact, it is hard to think of a time when he really had an awful start! Experience will come into play there too; this is the fourth time that he has competed in the full series. Aside from Thomas Covington, who has been around the same amount of time, no one in the class can match or surpass that.

‘91’ may not be as charismatic as some of his competitors or predecessors, but when you lay out the facts it is difficult to identify a weakness or reason why he should not win this title. The Swiss pilot must first take his maiden race win, then Grand Prix and then the focus will shift to the bigger picture. Perhaps that will help him stay grounded?

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Jeremy Seewer is chasing his maiden victory in his final season aboard the 250F.

Suzuki Racing

Pauls Jonass

MX2 Starts

75

MX2 Wins

1

MX2 Podiums

23

Pauls Jonass arguably has the highest glass ceiling of all the riders in this class, as he has an unfathomable amount of raw speed in his back pocket. The drawback when putting all of your eggs in this basket is that he does have a tendency to crash out in a spectacular fashion. Although he has not been injured as much as a rider like Jeffrey Herlings, he has shocked the world with some mind-blowing incidents.

Perhaps he has matured now? This will be his third season of racing at the highest level, after all. One could put stock in that, of course, but he crashed out of the LaCapelle Marival event just eight days ago. A light concussion was the result of that, which has put a bump in his pre-season plans. That is less than ideal, of course, but he is back riding already, so do not let that alter your expectations too much. Could it be a sign of things to come though?

There are still so many positives to list when describing Pauls Jonass and his programme; he has an incredible amount of raw speed, as mentioned above, and the best bike in the class beneath him. Although he has just a single moto win to his name, he has been in a title fight before and can draw on that experience. Another massive crash cost him a shot at the championship two seasons ago, which again proves that concern is valid. Can a leopard really change its spots? Marc De Reuver is working with him this year in an effort to make that happen.

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Pauls Jonass is fast enough to win, but can he stay upright across nineteen rounds?

KTM/Ray Archer

Benoit Paturel

MX2 Starts

71

MX2 Wins

0

MX2 Podiums

7

The forgotten man! Benoit Paturel finished third overall last year and is undoubtedly a contender, but his quiet demeanour has led most to overlook him in the days prior to the Qatari MXGP fixture. Admittedly he has some work to do, as he finished more than one hundred points down on Jeremy Seewer last year. However, in his defence, he did fail to score points in three motos across the season, so obviously gave up a chunk of ground there. That cannot happen when you are challenging for a title though!

Paturel fits all of the stereotypes of a French rider, as he thrives on a slick surface and is a very technical rider, but the third place that he captured at Lommel shows what he can do in the sand. He dropped out of the top ten on just three occasions too, aside from the motos that he did not finish, so there are elements of consistency there. The Kemea Yamaha rider, who has finished second in just two motos in his career, needs to be in the top five more often though. If he can up the pace ever so slightly, he may just emerge as a dark horse.

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Benoit Paturel has spent a limited amount of time on the podium, so is a dark horse.

Yamaha Racing

Thomas Covington

MX2 Starts

90

MX2 Wins

2

MX2 Podiums

3

Perhaps Thomas Covington should not be listed as a title contender until he has proven a point, but the fact that he has the most wins in this category is intriguing. The American won the MXGP of Mexico seventeen months ago, of course, and even won a moto in the sand last year! That is a sign of just how far he has come, but he’ll have to take another step up in order to contend.

The eleventh position that he acquired in the standings last year really does not look like much on paper, but you must consider that he missed four rounds with injury and had to adjust to the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. Covington has admitted that it took longer than he anticipated to get used to the Austrian bike, so he should be stronger right out of the gate this time around.

That is actually an important point to consider, especially when choosing your Fox MX Manager team. Covington does really well at the flyaway events, make no mistake about it, so should be a heavy favourite to leave the first four rounds with the red plate. That really would not be a surprise, but keeping it attached to his TC250 would be a tall order once he returns to Europe. The first European fixture is the Grand Prix of Trentino and Covington has never finished higher than sixteenth there.

That shows just how wildly inconsistent he has been through his career and that is the area that he must focus on. The fact that he could win at any point is brilliant, but it really means nothing if he cannot crack the top five or ten consistently. This should be the year that it all comes together, as he has three years of experience to fall back on.

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Thomas Covington has won more races than anyone else, but needs to find consistency.

Husqvarna/Bavo Swijgers

Jorge Prado

MX2 Starts

6

MX2 Wins

0

MX2 Podiums

1

The biggest question mark and a talent that could potentially surprise the established stars, but is it too soon? It was just a year ago that Jorge Prado was struggling to crack the top three in the EMX250 series, after all, but then that ride in Assen opened the eyes of the industry. Some impressive outings in Italy earlier this month further confirmed that he does have the potential to contend, but there is so much that goes into being a title candidate.

Prado has never competed in a series that is as long as the FIM Motocross World Championship nor has he raced some of the circuits that the series visits. It is a tall order, admittedly, but there is no way that he can be eliminated from the conversation; he will certainly duke it out for a spot on the podium. Some inconsistent showings, which rookies are notorious for, will undoubtedly hurt his end-of-season total, but he’ll be in amongst it and steal points from those vying for the championship occasionally.

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Jorge Prado is riding a wave of momentum, thanks to some victories over in Italy.

KTM/Ray Archer

Brian Bogers

MX2 Starts

74

MX2 Wins

0

MX2 Podiums

4

It may seem puzzling that Brian Bogers is listed in a feature that revolves around title contenders, but he really was not too far off of Benoit Paturel last year. In fact, it would not take much for him to catapult into title contention. An injury last year caused his final ranking to suffer, just like Thomas Covington, hence why he is underrated. The Dutchman had an average moto finish of sixth from round nine on last year. Once you eliminate guys like Jeffrey Herlings, Max Anstie and Dylan Ferrandis then that puts Bogers right around the top three consistently. That is obviously hypothetical, but those are the results that he is capable of.

What hurdles does he need to overcome? Completing a full season has been problematic, as he missed three rounds last season and two the year before, and the flyaway events seem to be where he is the least comfortable. All of that needs to be ironed out, hence why he is not down as a favourite, but take note of ‘189’ when the gates drop this weekend.

Words: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Suzuki Racing

MXGP World Championship

2024 Spain Intu Xanad̼ РArroyomolinos РMXGP Results

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We will post the 2024 MXGP results of Spain Intu Xanad̼ РArroyomolinos GP all weekend. Get the latest updates to your phone through MX Vice.

MXGP Championship

MXGP Overall

MXGP Race Two

MXGP Race One

MXGP Qualification Race

MXGP Timed Practice

MX2 Championship

MX2 Overall

MX2 – Race Two

MX2 – Race One

MX2 – Qualification Race

MX2 Timed Practice

WMX Race Two

WMX Race One

EMX 250 Overall

EMX 250 – Race 2

EMX 250 – Race 1

EMX 250 – Timed Practice

EMX 250 Practice

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MXGP World Championship

//PEARCY Stats Preview MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos

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Once again, our resident stats guru, Paul Pearcy, provides a breakdown of the MX2 class going into Intu Xanadu. Famed more for its access to a shopping mall and McDonald’s than actual passing, the MX2 contenders will be looking to make their mark. Last year, Simon Laengenfelder reigned supreme and was unstoppable on Sunday, with no rider able to match his pace. If you were a betting man, who would be your winner?

MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos Preview

MX2

Kay de Wolf

Venue Visits: 21’, 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 3rd
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 3rd
  • Qualifying Race Finish: 4th
  • Qualifying Points: 7
  • Race First Lap Position: 6th
  • Race Finishes: 5th in Race 1, 11th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 8th
  • Race Points: 54

Total Points: 61

Simon Laengenfelder

Venue Visits: 21’-23’

  • Race Podiums: 4; 22’, 23’
  • Race Wins: 2; 1-1 in 23’
  • Overall Podiums: 2; 22’, 23’
  • Overall win: 1; 23’
  • Race Laps Led: 34; all in 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 4.667
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 3rd
  • Qualifying Points: 8
  • Race First Lap Position: 5.167
  • Race Finishes: 4.333 in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 4.333
  • Race Points: 113

Total Points: 121

Thibault Benistant

Venue Visits: 21’-23’

  • Race Podium: 1; 23’
  • Race Laps Led: 1, 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 6.667
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 5.5
  • Qualifying Points: 5
  • Race First Lap Position: 12.667
  • Race Finishes: 5.667 in Race 1, 6.333 in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 6.333
  • Race Points: 92

Total Points: 97

Mikkel Haarup

Venue Visits: 21’-23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 9th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 12th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 12th
  • Race First Lap Position: 12.5
  • Race Finishes: 12.333 in Race 1, 9.667 in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 10.667
  • Race Points: 60

Total Points: 60

Andrea Adamo

Venue Visits: 21’-23’

  • Race Podium: 1; 23’
  • Overall Podium: 1; 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 11th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 9.5
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 6.5
  • Qualifying Race Points: 6
  • Race First Lap Position: 11.667
  • Race Finishes: 9.333 in Race 1, 12.667 in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 10.333
  • Race Points: 70

Total Points: 76

Lucas Coenen

Venue Visit: 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 6th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 2nd
  • Qualifying Points: 9
  • Race First Lap Position: 17.5
  • Race Finishes: 6th in Race 1, 26th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 14th
  • Race Points: 15

Total Points: 24

Sacha Coenen

Venue Visit: 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 19th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 24th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 17th
  • Race First Lap Position: 8.5
  • Race Finishes: 9th in Race 1, 11th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 9th
  • Race Points: 22

Total Points: 22

Rick Elzinga

Venue Visits: 22’, 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 10th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 21.5
  • Race First Lap Position: 4.25
  • Race Finishes:13th in Race 1, 10th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 14.5
  • Race Points: 27

Total Points: 27

Jack Chambers

Venue Visit: 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 22nd
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 15th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 15th
  • Race First Lap Position: 24.5
  • Race Finishes:17th in Race 1, 16th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 17th
  • Race Points: 9

Total Points: 9

Oriol Oliver

Venue Visits: 21’, 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 17.5
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 16th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 13th
  • Race First Lap Position: 12.75
  • Race Finishes:17th in Race 1, 17th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 17.5
  • Race Points: 19

Total Points: 19

David Braceras

Venue Visit: 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 16th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14.5
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 15.5
  • Race First Lap Position: 12.75
  • Race Finishes:14.5 in Race 1, 16th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 16.5
  • Race Points: 23

Total Points: 23

Emil Weckman

Venue Visit: 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 17th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 10th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
  • Race First Lap Position: 12.5
  • Race Finishes: 15th in Race 1, 19th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 18th
  • Race Points: 8

Total Points: 8

Bobby Bruce

Venue Visit: 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 20th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 12th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 26th
  • Race First Lap Position: 23rd
  • Race Finishes: 27th in Race 1, 21st in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 17th

MXGP

Jorge Prado

Venue Visits: 20’-23’

  • 1st in Timed Practice: 1; 22’
  • Qualifying Race Podiums: 2; 22’, 23’
  • Qualifying Race Win: 1; 23’
  • Qualifying Race Laps Led: 12
  • Race Podiums: 6
  • Race Wins: 2
  • Overall Podiums: 2; 20’, 21’
  • Overall Win: 1; 20’ (1-1 in 20’)
  • Race Laps Led: 56

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 3rd
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2.5
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 1.5
  • Qualifying Race Points: 10
  • Race First Lap Position: 2.125
  • Race Finishes: 2nd in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 3rd
  • Race Points: 160

Total Points: 170

Romain Febvre

Venue Visits: 20’, 21’, 23’

  • Race Podiums: 3
  • Race Win: 1; 21’
  • Overall Podium: 1; 20’
  • Race Laps Led: 11

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 5.667
  • Race First Lap Position: 8.5
  • Race Finishes: 1.5 in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 3.5
  • Race Points: 81

Total Points: 81

Tim Gajser

Venue Visits: 20’-22’

  • 1st in Timed Practice: 1; 20’
  • Race Podiums: 4
  • Overall Podiums: 2; 20’, 21’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 1.667
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 5th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
  • Race First Lap Position: 3.5
  • Race Finishes: 3rd in Race 1, 3.333 in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 3rd
  • Race Points: 119

Total Points: 119

Pauls Jonass

Venue Visits: 21’, 22’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 8.5
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 3rd
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 9th
  • Race First Lap Position: 7.25
  • Race Finishes: 7.5 in Race 1, 7th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 7.5
  • Race Points: 55

Total Points: 55

Maxime Renaux

Venue Visit: 22’, 23’

  • Race Wins: 2; 22’ (1-1 in 22’)
  • Overall Win: 1; 22’
  • Race Laps Led: 31

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 4th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 5th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 13th
  • Race First Lap Position: 2nd
  • Race Finishes: 1st in Race 1, 1st in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 1st
  • Race Points: 50

Total Points: 50

Jeremy Seewer

Venue Visits: 20’-23’

  • Qualifying Race Podium: 1; 23’
  • Qualifying Race Laps Led: 1; 22’
  • Race Laps Led: 5

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 6.5
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 4th
  • Qualifying Race Points: 8
  • Race First Lap Position: 5.375
  • Race Finishes: 8.5 in Race 1, 5.25 in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 7th
  • Race Points: 115

Total Points: 123

Jeffery Herlings

Venue Visits: 21’, 23’

  • 1st in Timed Practice: 2; 21’, 23’
  • Qualifying Race Podiums: 1; 23’
  • Race Podiums: 4;(Jeffrey has podiumed 100% of the races he has competed in)
  • Race Wins: 3; (Herlings has won 75% of the victories he has vied for)
  • Overall Wins: 2; (100% win rate)
  • Race Laps Led: 27

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 1st
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 2nd
  • Qualifying Race Points: 9
  • Race First Lap Position: 4.75
  • Race Finishes: 2nd in Race 1, 1st in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 1st
  • Race Points: 95

Total Points: 104

Glenn Coldenhoff

Venue Visits: 20’-23’

  • Qualifying Race Win: 1; 22’
  • Qualifying Race Laps Led: 12
  • Race Podium: 1; 22’
  • Overall Podium: 1; 22’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 7.25
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 3.5
  • Qualifying Race Points: 5
  • Race First Lap Position: 5.125
  • Race Finishes: 6th in Race 1, 6.5 in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 5th
  • Race Points: 123

Total Points: 128

Calvin Vlaanderen

Venue Visits: 20’-23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 12th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14.5
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
  • Qualifying Race Points: 2
  • Race First Lap Position: 15.625
  • Race Finishes: 11.5 in Race 1, 12.75 in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 12.25
  • Race Points: 71

Total Points: 73

Valentin Guillod

Venue Visits: 20’-23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 18th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 19.5
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 12.5
  • Qualifying Race Points: 1
  • Race First Lap Position: 14.75
  • Race Finishes: 12th in Race 1, 15.25 in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 14.25
  • Race Points: 62

Total Points: 63

Ben Watson

Venue Visits: 21’-23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 14.667
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 20.5
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 24.5
  • Race First Lap Position: 16.5
  • Race Finishes: 19th in Race 1
  • Overall Finishes: 22nd
  • Race Points: 2

Total Points: 2

Ivo Monticelli

Venue Visits: 20’, 22’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 12th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 9th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 24th
  • Race First Lap Position: 16.75
  • Race Finishes: 15th in Race 1, 13th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 13th
  • Race Points: 28

Total Points: 28

Kevin Brumann

Venue Visit: 23’

Averages

  • Timed Practice: 17th
  • Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 20th
  • Qualifying Race Finishes: 20th
  • Race First Lap Position: 20th
  • Race Finishes: 14th in Race 1, 17th in Race 2
  • Overall Finishes: 15th
  • Race Points: 11

Total Points: 11

Photo: KTM Group

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Between The Races Podcast: Adam Sterry – MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina Recap and Spain Preview

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The Between The Races podcast returns with Adam Sterry, Ed Stratmann and Brad Wheeler, as they review the 2024 MXGP season opener and look ahead to Spain.

The Between The Races podcast is always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Fly Racing, Monster Energy, Fox Racing, Parts Europe, Scott, Bell Helmets, Acerbis, AS3 Performance, Kawasaki UK, KTM UK, O’Neal and Even Strokes for supporting the show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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