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Monster Energy MXoN

Saturday Report: MXoN

Reflecting on day one.

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First blows were exchanged today, as the practice sessions and qualifying heats were completed at Matterley Basin. The first exchange actually occurred off of the race track, funnily enough, as the ballot that decides gate position in the qualifying races took place in the media centre. Exhilarating action raged on following that.

Proceedings begun with the MXGP qualifying race, which was arguably the most exciting part of today. Tim Gajser claimed the holeshot and then took off to take the race win, as no other rider even got close to him, but the battle for the runner-up position was arguably one of the best of the year. Gautier Paulin held the position the entire race, despite the fact that substantial pressure was applied by both Antonio Cairoli and Max Anstie.

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Gajser dominated qualifying, but check out Cairoli's line here.

ConwayMX

Antonio Cairoli tried everything imaginable to get around him and even pulled alongside at points, but just could not make it stick. There are a considerable number of switchbacks on this track that make for some great racing. Cairoli actually had a superb line on the first lap that could have been considered risky, as he cleared the triple out of turn three from the outside. Whilst everyone else doubled, because of the amount of traffic, he cleared the new obstacle, railed the berm and made up a considerable amount of ground. No other rider put themselves in a position to capitalise on that line on the opening lap.

Although it was Cairoli who featured heavily in the battle with Paulin, it was Max Anstie who almost stole the position right at the end. Anstie was in amongst that battle at the beginning, before getting passed by Cairoli early on, but then found another gear and made a spectacular pass on the nine-time world champion. Anstie was extremely close to Paulin on the final lap, but a backmarker cut across him in the air and into his path.

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Anstie is fine and will be ready to fight for the win tomorrow.

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I’m feeling good,” Anstie commented exclusively after the race. “The boys done well today and I was having a really nice race. I don’t know who it was, but a lapper ended up getting a little bit squirrely and we ended up hitting each other in the air. I’m all good and it didn’t really affect me. I just got back up and still managed to hold onto fourth, but my gloves were a bit muddy. We are looking forward to tomorrow,” he concluded. Team Great Britain will start from fifth, thanks to the fact that he salvaged a fourth.

Speaking of Anstie, he was one of the first guys to triple in the middle of the rhythm section. A majority of riders are hogging the inside before going double, double, double and then single. Anstie, on the other hand, committed to tripling in to begin with, before adapting to the conditions and going double, triple and then double from the inside. That was a line that a handful of big names adopted as the qualifying races wore on and should be the main line if it is dry tomorrow. Tripling in is obviously quick, but going to the outside offsets that somewhat.

Further down the order one would find Cole Seely, who had a rather encouraging ride whilst en route to ninth. Why was it positive? Well, firstly, he managed to move forward to that position and secondly he beat Glenn Coldenhoff! Seely managed to do that despite a mistake at the midway point, so the fact that he has the Dutch rider covered is a huge advantage for Team USA. Osborne has Bogers covered also, based on his showing in that heat, so effectively the USA are looking like a stronger trio than The Netherlands. They will require luck on their side, of course, but there is some hope.

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Osborne is the man to beat in the MX2 class at Matterley Basin.

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Speaking of that MX2 qualifying race, Osborne had a remarkable ride. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing star completed the first lap in sixth, thanks in part to the fact that Team USA had the thirty-seventh pick of the gates, but charged forward at an incredible rate. The speed that he showcased in the latter portion was particularly impressive, as the table below highlights.

Zach Osborne

Hunter Lawrence

Difference

Lap 4

2:27.949

2:28.995

-1.046

Lap 5

2:31.217

2:30.200

+1.017

Lap 6

2:31.746

2:32.970

-1.224

Lap 7

2:28.704

2:31.838

-3.134

Lap 8

2:27.408

2:31.562

-4.154

Lap 9

2:28.591

2:30.407

-1.816

Lap 10

2:29.413

2:31.384

-1.971

Could Zach Osborne win a moto outright on a 250F tomorrow? It is certainly possible, but Team USA have a bit of a conundrum on their hands. The MX2 rider is typically put on the inside, but Osborne is arguably the strongest on the team and is poor out of the gate anyway. Would you not place him, a rider who has proven that he can tear through the pack at an unprecedented rate, on the outside and then let Cole Seely or Thomas Covington start comfortably inside of the top ten? However, on the other hand, by doing that the chances of Osborne winning one of his two motos are slashed considerably.

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Lawrence has made his presence known over the last month.

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Hunter Lawrence was just a handful of turns away from winning the qualifying heat in what is expected to be his final event on a Suzuki. Lawrence took a great start, which has been difficult for him to do this year, and immediately stretched out a lead that was more than ten seconds at one point. “I pulled another holeshot, which obviously I was really happy with and then I put my head down to build a good lead,” he said in a press release. “I tried and gave everything I had but I’m a bit annoyed to have lost it on the last lap. I almost made the pass back right at the end but I couldn’t get it done. Zach Osborne was riding really well though and fair play to him. I hope tomorrow I can go out and ride like I did today and give team Australia a good couple of results.

A lot of questions were asked about Tommy Searle, but he took to social media to explain that he simply rode tight. Tomorrow is a new day and, seeing as he had a handful of flashes of brilliance today, he should be fine. Searle needs to have just one good result in order to back up his teammates and that should come in the MX2 and Open moto, which features the weakest field. Darian Sanayei, who sits alongside Searle beneath the Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki awning, was particularly impressive, as he fell on lap one and still charged past the British rider to take sixth.

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Wilson took a while to get going, but showed good speed once he did.

ConwayMX

Is it still likely that Great Britain will finally hop onto the podium again? Of course, as Dean Wilson showed good speed in the Open qualifying heat. Wilson took a while to get going and find his flow, which actually seemed to happen in practice also. Although he charged to fourth, in what was a positive showing, he still crossed the line forty-five seconds down on the eventual winner, Jeffrey Herlings. Herlings dominated proceedings all day and appears to be unstoppable aboard his Red Bull KTM.

We did a pretty good job and qualified second, as you said,” Herlings said in the post-race press conference. “It is all about tomorrow. I think my teammates did a good job. Glenn was a bit off today, but if he gets a good start then he can improve himself. Brian did a really good job; the guy is good, but he is nothing like a guy like Zach. We just have to accept that, although he is a good rider, he probably won’t win the MX2 class. For me, I did what I had to do. Hopefully tomorrow I can do the same thing and my teammates will be up front as well.”

Coldenhoff was the weak link on the Dutch team, as Herlings said, but should be much stronger tomorrow. Although the Dutch were tipped by many to win, France once again pulled out a consistent day and a trio of scores that could not be beaten. The USA join those three as the favourites for a spot on the podium, but then Great Britain and Australia are right there also. The latter was particularly a surprise, as Kirk Gibbs rose to the occasion and shone in his qualifying heat. The KTM-mounted rider did slow towards the end, admittedly, but his pace was good for quite some time.

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Nagl is not expected to race tomorrow, much like one year ago.

ConwayMX

What other noteworthy points emerged on day one at the Motocross of Nations? Max Nagl took the holeshot in the MXGP heat, immediately dropped back and then later withdrew with a suspected hand injury. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider is not expected to compete tomorrow, so Team Germany will be left with just two riders for the second consecutive year. They have qualified, however, so things are still looking brighter than a year ago.

That is all from Saturday and what was an action-packed day at Matterley Basin. A substantial amount of rain is expected overnight, so conditions should be sloppy in the morning, but things should be dry in the motos. There will be lengthy ruts though and an extremely technical circuit, which should prompt some great racing. Could it really get much better than today though?

Words: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: ConwayMX

Monster Energy MXoN

Joel Roelants appointed new Team Manager for Belgium

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I (Joel Roelants) am delighted to announce my appointment as the new Team Manager for Belgium. It is a tremendous honour to lead this team and collaborate with a highly talented generation of riders. My commitment is to elevate Team Belgium’s performance and strive for podium success in the years ahead.


Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Bavo Swijgers


While I acknowledge my relative youth in this position, I am driven and motivated to guide this collective effort to new heights. I extend my sincere gratitude to the dedicated individuals behind the scenes who volunteer their time to support our team, as well as our valued sponsors for their unwavering commitment.

I express my appreciation to the Belgian supporters and acknowledge the tireless efforts of the teams working diligently to ensure our riders represent our country with utmost pride. Together, let us embark on this journey towards excellence.

Best regards,
Joel Roelants

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Monster Energy MXoN

The MX Vice Show Episode #155 with Zach Osborne

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In the latest MX Vice Show, Zach Osborne talks to Ed Stratmann and Brad Wheeler about his brilliant career in Europe and America, some of his awesome stories from his time in the GP paddock, his inspirational journey to the top, his future plans, training Jack Chambers, Steve Dixon, launching his new training service, the upcoming 2024 AMA Supercross season and more.

The MX Vice Show is as always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Parts Europe, Scott, Acerbis, Fly Racing, AS3 Performance, ARMA nutrition, Holeshot Motorhomes and Even Strokes for their support of The MX Vice Show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Find out more about Holeshot Motorhomes including the Commander motorhome for motorsports HERE!

Lead Image: AMA Supercross

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Australian Motocross

The MX Vice Show Episode #152 with Lee Hogan

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In the latest MX Vice Show, former Aussie motocross star Lee Hogan talks to MX Vice Editor Ed Stratmann about his commentary and media work, his role as Factory Honda Junior Team Manager, the state of play in Aussie moto and supercross, training young riders, his excellent career, MXoN memories, how thankful he is for all those who support him and much more.

The MX Vice Show is as always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Parts Europe, Scott, Acerbis, Fly Racing, AS3 Performance, ARMA nutrition, Holeshot Motorhomes and Even Strokes for their support of The MX Vice Show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Find out more about Holeshot Motorhomes including the Commander motorhome for motorsports HERE!

Lead Image: Lee Hogan

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