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Analysis: Guadagnini ready for a full assault on MXGP in 2023

Guadagnini primed to shine next season.

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Although Mattia Guadagnini couldn’t replicate the highs associated with his exceptional 2021 season last campaign, 2022 still provided him with a valuable learning experience that will unquestionably hold him in good stead for the future.


Words: Edward Stratmann | Lead Image: Ray Archer


Having enjoyed a brilliant debut MX2 crusade, Guadagnini really caught the eye early, as he hit the ground running impressively. Taking just four gatedrops to secure his first moto victory on his way to claiming second overall at round two in Matterley Basin, he then backed that up in scintillating style by winning his first overall an his home GP at Maggiora courtesy of his 2-1 finishes.

Strikingly holding the red plate just three rounds into his first MX2 crusade, this underlined what a special talent the Italian is, for he adapted smoothly to the step up in class, just like the former Junior World Champion,  EMX125 Champion and EMX250 runner-up had done when moving up in previous years.

Despite him not being able to maintain this incredible run throughout the season, the fact he secured another overall by triumphing at Loket and banked three more overall podiums served as a testament to his quality.

While it must be said, his form tailed off towards the end of what was a grueling first campaign at the MX2 level, he still did enough to secure fourth in the final standings behind only Maxime Renaux, Jago Geerts and Tom Vialle.

Further upside from his overwhelmingly positive breakthrough term could be found from him playing a massive role in helping propel Team Italy to a memorable Motocross of Nations triumph on home soil alongside Antonio Cairoli and Alessandro Lupino, where his 2-2 class scores were instrumental towards the win.

Coming on in leaps and bounds and relishing working under the De Carli Red Bull KTM Factory awning with Cairoli and Jorge Prado, 2021 was a year to remember for the young hotshot.

Switching to the Red Bull GasGas Factory outfit for 2022, which was ostensibly the same structure as in the previous year, expectations were high that he’d be a legitimate title contender and carry his momentum into the new campaign. But things didn’t go to plan at all for the #101, for he performed well below his capabilities and struggled to stamp his mark in MX2.

Unable to recapture his form, it was strange to him battling for top fives as opposed to fighting for wins and podiums like he was accustomed to. After seven rounds and with him only managing to muster two top five overalls and no moto podiums, the decision was made for him to move up to MXGP for the remainder of the season. Enduring severe issues with his starts and just generally having a hard time piecing everything together, it made sense for the bigger framed pilot to switch to the more powerful bike.

“I had great expectations for this season. I prepared very well with the team, but things in the races have gone wrong too many times. I have made mistakes and also had some bad luck. We are not yet halfway through the season, but realistically it is very difficult to achieve the goals that I had set for myself,” explained Guadagnini.

“I thought that it would be more logical to look forward and prepare for next season, especially as I have so many rounds to adapt to the MC 450F. I talked about it with De Carli and the team, and perhaps this change will be positive for everyone. I thank the team and management for this opportunity.”

Team boss Claudio De Carli then added his thoughts: “Between mistakes and unlucky episodes, Mattia is going through a difficult period. We all know his talent – he can return to doing very well and is still in the top ten in MX2.

“Mattia always works with great commitment and is a mature, determined, professional and very fast rider. We talked about it, for his interest, and among the various possibilities he himself decided to move to the MXGP category. This transition was planned for next season, but we are all convinced that it is a good solution to make the move immediately. In MXGP he will not have to worry about the results. There are thirteen rounds to race, in which he can become familiar with the 450 and thus prepare himself as best as possible for 2023.”

Taking the rarely trodden path to change to the 450 class full-time during the season despite having many years of MX2 eligibility left, all eyes were on him to see how he’d fare.

Image by Ray Archer

Immediately finding his rhythm on his MXGP debut and looking surprisingly comfortable aboard the 450, he cruised to an admirable eighth overall in the brutal deep sand at Sardegna.

Heading to Spain for the following stop on the calendar, the signs were promising that the decision to fast track him into MXGP would be a roaring success. Going 8-5 for sixth overall, it was a weekend littered with upside for the Italian, with him taking a huge step forward in terms of building confidence and feeling more at ease duking it out in the stacked class.

“I am really, really happy about how things are going now. This event started really well for me. Finishing fourth in the qualifying race was really good motivation – it gave me some confidence. I think that I could have got a similar result in the second race, because I was feeling really good, but I did not want to make a mistake. Finishing top five in MXGP after just two races is really, really good. I am so happy about how I feel on my MC 450F,” he gleamed in his post-race comments.

His progress was disappointingly halted at Ernee, however, for a nasty crash in free practice on Saturday forced him to miss the raceday.

Back in action in Germany, sixth in the opening moto at Teutschenthal was another indication that he was finding his groove nicely in the premier class. Disappointingly, in the second moto, a first lap spill ensured he had to fight his way through the field, as he eventually claimed 19th, thus giving him 12th overall on the day.

Showing some solid consistency, Guadagnini then banked three consecutive eighth place finishes in Indonesia and at the first moto in Loket respectively, before registering 11th in the second moto in the Czech Republic.

Another eighth in the first moto at Lommel illustrated how coherently he was adjusting to life in MXGP and how he was handling himself competently on a variety of surfaces. But a 16th in the second race would be the start of a tough spell, as a combination of average starts, untimely errors and misfortune scuppered his results.

Enduring rounds to forget in Sweden, Finland and at St. Jean d’Angely, where he couldn’t make his way into the top 10, he ventured to Turkiye for the finale ready to end the campaign on a high.

That’s precisely what he did, for the 20-year-old showed podium speed, with him producing his finest ride yet. Claiming an outstanding fourth in moto one and fifth in moto two, there was much to admire about his polished day at the office. Mixing it with the frontrunners and relishing the hard pack conditions, the GasGas starlet hit his straps to punctuate his immense talent.

“It was great, I’m really, really happy to end the season in a good way to be motivated for next year. It wasn’t really easy the last few races because I was struggling and also mentally I was not confident anymore so I wanted to reset – to start again,” he told Lewis Phillips in his Fly Racing post race podcast from Turkiye.

“I trained a little bit differently this week, but not really too different, just trying to have more fun. I also had fun today. I was riding more like myself, (with) no pressure. Got two good starts even if I was a little bit outside due to the qualifying crash of yesterday. There were a few races where I was not enjoying it and today, yes, I’m really, really happy. The most important thing is that I enjoyed riding today, which is important for the Nations. I’m happy to finish like this, as I was really hoping I’d finish like this as the last few races had been sad.

“I think I’ve learned a lot this year in just my second season in the World Championship. I’m still gaining an understanding about myself, how I’m feeling during the championship. I’m still learning a lot. For sure next year I will change something, for sure I don’t want to make the same mistakes another year, as I didn’t really enjoy my racing at one point during the year.

“I need to be having fun. A few riders can work like this, but for me not so much. I need to enjoy every moment and this is what I want to do for next year – like this today. What I want to do for next year is to have fun and the results will come easily.”

The hugely popular and charismatic pilot then instantly turned his attention to the MXON at RedBud, where Team Italy headed in as the defending champions. Mixing the ups with the downs on the big stage, the undisputed highlight was his breathtaking opening moto, where he scorched out to an early lead before holding first for almost half the race. Engaging in a captivating duel with Chase Sexton, many heads were turned with his aggressive, entertaining display that ended in a fantastic third.

Ultimately going on to claim sixth overall in his class behind only world class operators Jett Lawrence, Sexton, Dylan Ferrandis, Ruben Fernandez and Calvin Vlaanderen after falling in the second stanza to only get 19th, much encouragement could be extracted from his efforts at the showpiece.

Armed with a recalibrated approach, knowing what he needs to do to perform at his best and having importantly already gained 10 vital rounds of MXGP experience, plus the MXON, aboard a 450, Guadagnini’s primed for a full-time assault on the elite class next year.

With still so much scope for improvement, able to enjoy a full preseason and still only 20, the future certainly looks bright for the gifted rider, who’ll be ready to come out firing at the 2023 season opener in Argentina come March.

Features

Stat Attack: Indianapolis Supercross Review

See now.

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With the tenth round of AMA Supercross in the books, statistics maestro Paul Pearcy has provided MX Vice with some brilliant numbers to tuck into from what was a great night of action. Enjoy

250 Class

Qualifying

  • Top 3
  1. Max Anstie: 49.492
  2. Tom Vialle: 49.492; (Max got top spot because his time came in the first session, while Tom’s time came in the second session)
  3. Pierce Brown: 49.719

LCQ

  • Top 3
  1. Jeremy Martin
  2. Ryder Floyd
  3. Hardy Munoz
  • Laps Led
  1. Jeremy Martin: 5
  2. Hardy Munoz: 2
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Jeremy Martin: 52.413
  2. Preston Boespflug: 53.150
  3. Gage Linville: 53.549
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jeremy Martin: 53.655
  2. Preston Boespflug: 54.259
  3. Ryder Floyd: 54.373

Race 1

  • Top 3
  1. Cameron Mcadoo
  2. Haiden Deegan
  3. Seth Hammaker
  • Laps Led
  1. Cameron Mcadoo: 12
  2. Daxton Bennick: 1
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Haiden Deegan: 49.561
  2. Tom Vialle: 49.660
  3. Cameron Mcadoo: 49.854
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Cameron Mcadoo: 50.830
  2. Haiden Deegan: 51.086
  3. Seth Hammaker: 51.907
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Preston Boespflug: 2.970
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 3.184
  3. Jalek Swoll: 3.287

Race 2

  • Top 3
  1. Haiden Deegan
  2. Cameron Mcadoo
  3. Tom Vialle
  • Laps Led
  1. Haiden Deegan: 12
  2. Jalek Swoll: 1
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Haiden Deegan: 49.493
  2. Tom Vialle: 50.690
  3. Pierce Brown: 50.868
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Haiden Deegan: 51.522
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 52.214
  3. Tom Vialle: 52.580
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Jeremy Hand: 2.040
  2. Coty Schock: 2.315
  3. Max Anstie: 2.634

Race 3

  • Top 3
  1. Tom Vialle
  2. Pierce Brown
  3. Cameron Mcadoo
  • Laps Led
  1. Tom Vialle: 13
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Tom Vialle: 49.844
  2. Chance Hymas: 50.020
  3. Cameron Mcadoo: 50.175
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Tom Vialle: 51.493
  2. Pierce Brown: 51.563
  3. Haiden Deegan: 51.892
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Marshal Weltin: 1.984
  2. Seth Hammaker: 1.997
  3. Nick Romano: 2.233

Overall

  • Top 3
  1. Cameron Mcadoo; (1st win of the season, 80% podium rate this year)
  2. Tom Vialle; (80% podium rate this year)
  3. Haiden Deegan; (40% podium rate this season)
  • Laps Led
  1. Tom Vialle: 13; (Tom is now tied with Austin Forkner for most laps led this season at 37.  34% of total laps raced)
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 12
  3. Haiden Deegan: 12
  4. Jalek Swoll: 1
  5. Daxton Bennick: 1
  • Best First Lap Position Average
  1. Tom Vialle: 3rd 
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 3.333
  3. Jalek Swoll: 4th 

Points

  • Top 10
  1. Cameron Mcadoo: 98
  2. Tom Vialle: 96
  3. Pierce Brown: 87
  4. Haiden Deegan: 82
  5. Coty Schock: 79
  6. Seth Hammaker: 72
  7. Daxton Bennick: 71
  8. Max Anstie: 62
  9. Chance Hymas: 60
  10. Jalek Swoll: 58

450 Class

Qualifying

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence: 48.523
  2. Eli Tomac: 48.554
  3. Cooper Webb: 48.568; (The difference between 1st and 3rd was .045 seconds.)

LCQ

  • Top 3
  1. Kyle Chisholm
  2. Justin Starling
  3. Devin Simonson
  • Laps Led
  1. Kyle Chisholm: 7
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Ty Masterpool: 52.415
  2. Kyle Chisholm: 52.810
  3. Freddie Noren: 53.248
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Kyle Chisholm: 54.223
  2. Ryan Breece: 54.271
  3. Freddie Noren: 54.390

Race 1

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Ken Roczen
  3. Chase Sexton
  • Laps Led
  1. Jett Lawrence: 10
  2. Ken Roczen: 6
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 48.639
  2. Ken Roczen: 49.225
  3. Cooper Webb: 49.581
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 51.023
  2. Cooper Webb: 51.383
  3. Ken Roczen: 51.402
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Aaron Plessinger: 2.774
  2. Eli Tomac: 3.095
  3. Chase Sexton: 3.785

Race 2

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Ken Roczen
  3. Chase Sexton
  • Laps Led
  1. Jett Lawrence: 10
  2. Ken Roczen: 6
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 49.499
  2. Ken Roczen: 49.713
  3. Chase Sexton: 49.849
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 50.735
  2. Chase Sexton: 50.884
  3. Ken Roczen: 50.908 (That’s a difference of .173 in average lap times over 16 laps)
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Ken Roczen: 2.537
  2. Malcolm Stewart: 2.641
  3. Chase Sexton: 2.676

Race 3

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Chase Sexton 
  3. Ken Roczen
  • Laps Led
  1. Ken Roczen: 10
  2. Jett Lawrence: 6
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Ken Roczen: 49.131
  2. Chase Sexton: 49.284
  3. Jett Lawrence: 49.314
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 50.477
  2. Chase Sexton: 50.483
  3. Cooper Webb: 50.594; (That’s a difference of .117 in average lap times over 16 laps)
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Chase Sexton: 2.528
  2. Cooper Webb: 2.885
  3. Jason Anderson: 3.079

Overall

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence; (The only other person to have a perfect sweep at a triple crown was Ken Roczen in 2020 also on a Honda.  Jett has now won 50% of the races this season, with a 60% podium rate)
  2. Ken Roczen; (Ken has a 50% podium rate this year)
  3. Chase Sexton; (Chase has a 50% podium rate this year)
  • Laps Led
  1. Jett Lawrence: 26; (Jett now has 130 laps led, 50.7% of total laps)
  2. Ken Roczen: 22; (Ken has the second most laps led at 49, Just 19% of total laps)
  • Best First Lap Position Average
  1. Ken Roczen: 1st 
  2. Jett Lawrence: 2nd 
  3. Jason Anderson: 4th 

Points

  • Top 10
  1. Jett Lawrence: 210
  2. Cooper Webb: 189
  3. Chase Sexton: 185
  4. Ken Roczen: 175
  5. Eli Tomac: 174
  6. Jason Anderson: 165
  7. Aaron Plessinger: 162
  8. Justin Cooper: 120
  9. Justin Barcia: 109
  10. Dylan Ferrandis: 107

Lead Image: HRC

Love what we do? Please read this article as we try to raise £30,000.

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British MX Nationals

Thank you. It’s been a hell of a ride.

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Since buying back MX Vice in November 2019, it has been challenging. One of those crystal balls would have been handy for navigating some problematic situations. Who would have thought COVID-19 would be a thing?

Those who follow MX Vice know we started from nothing but an idea. A fan who loved the sport created a Facebook page, website, and social media presence that would become disruptive. It has made numerous talented media people who were allowed to run with it for over thirteen years. Being in the UK/Europe has always been difficult; I’ve always believed that if we were a US media company, we would have been embraced and appreciated for our work ethic and the content we produce. We always cast one eye over the US in Europe, and you can’t blame the top European riders for doing the same.

MX Vice has always tried to give people a voice, especially the riders who are not in the limelight and the teams that put so much into the sport. We love people’s passion and sacrifice to improve and challenge themselves. That, for me, was the natural pull, not the money but the passion and sacrifice. We all know we would not be in motocross if it were about the money. I always considered MX Vice the media version of Steve Dixon’s team in MXGP (which I have a huge amount of respect for), where we have always tried to challenge without the factory budgets.

We knew it would be tough this year with so many businesses and brands cutting marketing budgets and reducing costs; this was never going to be good for us. We have just had two incredible months of stats, with January and February bringing in over 1 million people to the website, which is quite bittersweet. As much as the funds are low, so is my energy and health. COVID impacted me more than I could ever envisaged. My health has deteriorated ever since I caught COVID; my immune system is not in a great place, and when I try and work to the standard I set myself, my body breaks on me, and it takes me days to recover. Ed Stratmann has been a revelation since he took the editorial reigns and has pushed MX Vice to new heights, which is incredible given the lack of resources he has had to work with and support from myself. I have been missing from the podcast show to reduce my time, as I am now self-employed and working for two companies to pay the bills.

Every journey ends, and that’s not what we want. Over the past 13 years, we have given it everything, leaving no stone unturned. We’re proud of how we have disrupted, challenged decisions, held organisations accountable, and illuminated incredible stories.

We will have an auction for signed shirts donated by riders, podcast equipment, and memorabilia to pay off the invoices of some contributors. If, however, you want to see MX Vice continue, you can donate here: https://ko-fi.com/mxvice or purchase a shirt or memorabilia. If we meet our target of £25,000, which is currently outstanding to run this year, then Ed and I will continue. However, we fully expect this won’t happen due to the large sum required.

It’s hard out there at the moment. Take care of your health and family, and never lose your passion for the most fantastic sport in the world.

Burf.

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Features

Lit Kit Gallery: MXGP of Patagonia – Argentina

The best from round 1.

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Check out some of the freshest fits, helmets and more from the MXGP of Patagonia – Argentina. Lead Image: Nestaan Husqvarna – Full Spectrum.

Photo credits: Red Bull KTM – Ray Archer / Nestaan Husqvarna – Full Spectrum / Yamaha MXGP – Full Spectrum + Eva Szabadfi / JM Honda / Kawasaki MXGP / Fantic MXGP / Yamaha MX2 – Full Spectrum / HRC MXGP / GasGas – Juan Pablo Acevedo


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