MXGP musical chairs: bus full of stars!
Now that more and more places in the MXGP are being filled for 2019, it is also becoming clear how many riders are still looking for a seat. Among them are notable big names and also two Belgian drivers: Jeremy Van Horebeek and Kevin Strijbos.
A few weeks ago it was suggested that Jeremy Van Horebeekwould sometimes be fished up at KTM. However, this track was never confirmed. The two-time GP winner finished fourth in Turkey, but his sporting future is very uncertain. “I enjoyed the weekend in Afyon. What's more, I'm enjoying every moment I can ride at the moment because I don't know whether the next three races will be the last of my career or not,” said Van Horebeek. Still a remarkable statement for a 28-year-old rider, who has never finished outside the top 7 in the past five years.
Less than 12 months ago Max Anstie in his first MXGP year the big star of the Motocross of Nations in his own country. Anstie reached the podium twice quite recently (Ottobiano and Lommel). Overall, however, he fell below expectations, mainly due to two consecutive concussions. To date, the British chatterbox also has no job security for 2019. To keep all options open, Max is currently asking questions about a return to the US. In 2010 he already rode Supercross for Star Racing and in 2009 he was active in the Nationals. In an interview with Vital MX Anstie spoke candidly about his season and how crazy the transfer situation is for next year.
Anstie's compatriot Shaun Simpson is also looking for a solution for 2019. Simpson had two difficult years with many injuries and is now 30. In a very competitive transfer market, Simpson currently has few trump cards. In addition, due to the dissolution of the Suzuki factory team - Husqvarna, KTM and Wilvo Yamaha MXGP who opt for a team with two riders - there are simply far fewer good places. The fact that Assomotor-Honda would change tack and focus entirely on the 250 classes from now on does not provide any relief either. During a podcast conversation On MX Vice, Shaun indicated that he is not completely worried. The Scot therefore expects that he will be at the start of all GPs next year.
Veteran Kevin Strijbos previously indicated that he would like to add another year at the highest level. 'the Kid' has also had a complicated 2018. Although Strijbos has a lot of experience and a big name under his belt, the financial considerations on the team side are so important that it remains to be seen how much weight these arguments (still) carry. At the same time, due to the age limit in MX2, new talents are also moving to the premier class.
It was three years ago Jordi Tixier himself the proverbial 'jeune premier' who came to the MXGP with an MX2 world title in his pocket. The same Tixier is in serious trouble after just as many disastrous seasons and is even without a team. Yet the Frenchman did at times show his potential on the 450. If the prospects are not very rosy for the above riders, then this is even less the case for Txier who has been in the corner where the blows are falling for a while. Jordi has yet to turn 26, but the end of his World Cup career is already looming.
After before Max nagl was no longer a place at Rockstar Energy Husqvarna in the 2018 season, the German found shelter with the factory TM team. Despite a new engine to be developed, Nagl did what was expected of him. The 31-year-old former vice world champion put the Italian manufacturer back on the map with, among other things, a seventh place in the Ottobiano GP. Yet Nagl, who suffered a hand injury in mid-July, has not yet signed a contract extension. On the contrary. TM broke up with MX2 rider Samuel Bernardini and given the required budgets for the Italian brand's Moto3 project, there is a real chance that motocross will be put on the back burner for 2019.
Plagued by injuries Petar Petrov a shadow of itself this year. The sympathetic Bulgarian has already shown in a few guest appearances on the 450 that he has the body and style to score well in the MXGP. However, Petrov is currently on 'the bus' for next year. It remains to be seen whether he will quickly find a stop or whether he will have to remain seated...
Strijbos' teammate Valentin Guillod is also still looking for a seat for 2019. The spectacular Swiss finished a creditable ninth in his first MXGP year two years ago. Since then he has mainly seen black snow. Just like Anstie, Guillod is looking for a solution in the US. Finally, Marchetti Racing Team would also include KTMs Jose Butron have to look for another seat. The Spaniard seems a shadow of his former self. Working on an unremarkable season, his best performance this year was a 12th place in Latvia.
In addition to the current MXGP riders, there are also MX2 pilots who have reached the age limit of 23 and therefore have to switch next year. The future of Pauls jonass en Thomas Covington is insured in any case. For many others it is a matter of waiting anxiously. We think of the unfortunate Vsevelod Brylyakov. The Russian character man was just gaining steam when he got injured. Ex-AMA riders Anthony Rodriguez en Marshal Weltin have shown what they have to offer in recent months, but a small miracle is needed for them to compete in the MXGP world championship next year.
There is one bright spot in this gloomy overview Jean-Jacques Luisetti indicated that BOS GP was considering using a third engine. A third place next to Evgeny Bobryshev and Tommy Searle would (could) be a godsend for one of the above passengers on the bus. For those who run or want to start an MXGP team, it's lukewarm war for talent then again a good thing. After all, the law of supply and demand means there are bargains to be had. Although the increased logistics costs due to an increasingly global and extensive calendar put a significant damper on the festive spirit.
To be continued!
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Van Hool (intro photo), shotbyBavo, Pascal Haudiquert, Davide Messora, Paul Weyten
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