Coney Island Dog
Get the real lowdown at the latest MXGP round from the only American media outlet with someone on the ground at every 2023 FIM World Motocross Championship event….
The Bullet is Back
After Switzerland where Jeffrey Herlings went uncharacteristically backwards, many were beginning to wonder what was up with the Dutch rider. Throw in a seventh place in the qualification race and start crash in race one at Trentino and you’d be wondering if his season was already unravelling a bit. However, an old-school charge through the field, passing all his major rivals in race two stopped that kind of talk dead in its tracks. While he did still lose points in the standings, he knows there is plenty of points still on offer and when he really drops the hammer, he is still the fastest dude on the track.
Prado is a Lucky Boy
We saw a few weeks ago in SX where Chase Sexton jumped on a red cross flag while leading, and Cooper Webb knew it so cruised to second place, knowing the Honda rider would be penalized. On the finish line jump in Trentino, Prado jumped on waved yellows (not allowed to jump on) but somehow escaped FIM punishment. At the time Rebuen Fernandez was in second, but it would be Max Renaux who’d eventually miss out on the win this time around, and in a championship race that sees Prado 17 points ahead of the French rider, the gap would be down to nine if the correct penalty was implemented.
No Cairoli, Missing Gajser = Big Crowds
With no Cairoli racing and no Gajser bringing his massive Slovenian contingent across the border, the thought was that the crowds wouldn’t be too large for what is a very compact track at Pietramurata. However, with large queues on the way into the track and a chaotic parking situation (welcome to Italy), the circuit was overflowing. And thankfully they got to witness an Italian win, with Adamo lighting up MX2, and Mattia Guadagnini doing his best in MXGP. Fair play also to the Swiss group who came over as well, because they did their best to cheer on Seewer/Guillod in both races and there were enough flares going off between them to be seen from space. Overall, it was a good crowd and a fun atmosphere in probably the most scenic location you’ll ever watch a motocross race.
KTM Does it Again
It seems that whoever KTM signs up to their MX2 programme, turns them into immediate race winners. The latest in a long line of Orange 250cc winners is Andrea Adamo, and hot on his heels is Liam Everts (son of Stefan). Adamo gave the crowd something to cheer about, putting in two consistent rides and getting the necessary passes made to secure his first ever win. Everts joined him, for what was his first ever podium, having got good starts and riding two strong races. Adamo’s win puts him into second place in the championship and while he probably isn’t quite on Geerts’ level yet, if the Belgian continues to make mistakes, he’s currently first in line to take advantage of it.
Mention to Rene Hofer RIP, who was another KTM rider who also won his first MX2 round in Pietramurata in 2021, but then tragically lost his life in a skiing accident.
Main image: KTM Images
