MXGP World Championship
Analysis: Riola Sardo
Breaking down Riola Sardo.
The first round of the Internazionali d’Italia series was not quite as exciting as previous years, seeing as the first MXGP round is still three months away, but it was a welcome slice of race action that was made better by the fact that it was actually live streamed. The Italian series is the only European pre-season race that has that and, truthfully, the series would fade into the background without it.
The live stream actually came at a cost this year, as fans were not allowed at Riola Sardo and the promoters needed a way to claw some money back. Viewers were down compared to previous years, because of that, but it seemed that around £5000 was pulled in by the new service. Not too shabby and probably more than they made from the in-person spectators in past years. The on-track action was not too exciting, in all honesty, but there were enough interesting stories with different riders debuting in new colours and some returning from injuries. Let’s dive into some of the most interesting points.
MX1 |
1st Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing): Seeing a handful of Grand Prix riders sat behind the starting gate again really got adrenaline running through my veins, then it quickly disappeared when Prado took the holeshot and got to work. That confirmed a fear entering the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship – Prado could be the one to make this thing boring. Those starts put him in such a good position that he is always going to ensure that his competitors are at a disadvantage. The only way to better that is to be a lot better than him, but then passing him is a challenge in itself.
Romain Febvre did actually look better than him in the early stages of that MX1 moto – he had a faster lap time to boot – but then that did not work out for him in the end. Look, this was a nothing race. It just feels like there is a chance that Prado could be the third or fourth fastest rider at some rounds this term, but his starts will carry him through and ensure that he never gives up too many points. Do you want to know what gets forgotten about too? Prado had a broken femur, broken collarbone and COVID-19 last year. Prado had a rough go.
2nd Glenn Coldenhoff (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP): Speaking of rough times being forgotten, the last time that Glenn Coldenhoff was on a racetrack was a scary situation. It’s great that he is even in a position to ride at this level now, just four months on from that crash, let alone log a strong result! There were so many unknowns with this being the first race since his injury and first race on the YZ450FM. If Riola Sardo had gone poorly, like he had finished sixth or seventh, then it would have been understandable taking the aforementioned changes into consideration. This was an encouraging start.
3rd Thomas Kjer Olsen (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing): Olsen had a try-out on the FC 450 in the middle of last season, before putting pen to paper with IceOne, and the reports were that he was strong right off the bat. It all sounded so positive. That information eliminated the shock factor from this result. It was actually interesting to talk to Olsen about his off-season prep, because he said this is the first time that he has logged winter laps alone and not had a guy like Thomas Covington or Jed Beaton to push him. There was a bit of mystery about where he would stack up, because of that.
4th Jeremy Van Horebeek (Beta SDM Corse): Everything that Van Horebeek had said about the Beta in January was so clear to the naked eye at Riola Sardo. It looked like he was on a mountain bike! It seemed nimble and easy to manoeuvre in rough conditions – Van Horebeek looked the most comfortable that he has had in a while too. I would be intrigued to see how it performs on hard pack now, especially a hilly track like St. Jean. It has already been said that the raw power is something that needs to be improved, as the Beta is mellower to suit enduro, but expectations have already been exceeded here. This is good.
5th Alvin Ostlund (JK Racing Yamaha): There was a bit of Ostlund hype in the hours after Riola Sardo, which are words that I never thought I would type. It was a good day that exceeded expectations, but then would you have thought that he would be any further down the order? Beating Alessandro Lupino was impressive, but then the MRT rider had arm pump like Romain Febvre below. I think that Ostlund should beat everyone else, bar those two, because he was a solid MX2 guy. Not too flashy, but solid. Last up to tenth in the Super Final was very impressive though.
6th Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team): Riola Sardo was really good for Febvre, in my mind, as he looked faster than Prado at the beginning of the first moto and then won the Super Final. Good, right? Apparently not. Febvre was hammering out motos in Sardinia on Monday, because he was so pissed, so the bar was obviously quite high. Arm pump was why he faded in the first MX1 moto, but that is nothing to be too concerned about. It impacted a lot of other riders out there as well! Something that slipped under the radar is that Febvre actually had COVID-19 in the off-season, so there is that.
MX2 |
1st Jago Geerts (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2): Jago Geerts had a quiet day. It was not too flashy and there was nothing to necessarily write home about in a positive or negative manner. It is a shock that he was not more dominant – it was a weak field. Maybe that is a good sign though and he is a bit more in control now? Slicing potatoes may be therapeutic. Speaking of the weaker field, Maxime Renaux dislocated his shoulder in time practice and Thibault Benistant broke his collarbone prior to the race. Difficult start for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2! The Geerts win was a bright spot.
2nd Nicholas Lapucci (Fantic Factory Maddii Team): I am kind of blasé to Lapucci killing it at the Italian races now. Lapucci does well on the domestic scene, wows people and then that just does not translate to international competition. Rinse and repeat! Is anyone keeping track of how many classes Lapucci has ridden in too? The guy is 22 years old and has ridden in MXGP, MX2, EMX Open and will now hit EMX250. Keeping up with his career is a task in itself. Anyway, that Fantic looked really good and has me wondering whether it will be a clear advantage in EMX this year.
3rd Tim Edberg (Ghidinelli Yamaha): Nice performance from Edberg and one that will help bring him out of the shadows a little – there is no doubt that he is criminally underrated in the EMX250 discussions. In need of proof that this ride was legit? Look at the best lap times from the MX2 riders in their individual moto:
#193 |
1:48.689 |
#211 |
1:48.650 |
#26 |
1:50.771 |
#101 |
1:48.317 |
#303 |
1:52.579 |
#80 |
1:51.733 |
4th Mattia Guadagnini (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing): Mattia Guadagnini is Mattis Guadagnini. Did he have the fastest lap of the MX2 moto? Yep. Did he have a harsh crash that he was lucky to walk away from? Yep. That should be how his rookie term goes, which is fairly normal. I predict that there will be many flashes of brilliance, a couple of DNFs and not much in between. It is hard to imagine Guadagnini going 8-8 in a quiet ride, you know? The opposite would apply to Benistant, another rookie, who will probably stack points and sit under the radar a lot of the time.
Words: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Ray Archer
MXGP World Championship
Brian Bogers to join Fantic Factory Racing MXGP From Riola
MXGP World Championship
2024 Spain Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos – MXGP Results
We will post the 2024 MXGP results of Spain Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos 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
MXGP World Championship
//PEARCY Stats Preview MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos
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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