Preview: 2023 MXGP World Championship
The Grand Prix season starts without the reigning MXGP world champion. The same thing happened last season when Jeffrey Herlings was injured during a photo session. The KTM rider has had himself completely renovated over the past year and he is of course going for his sixth world title. After a year of absence, it will certainly not be easy for 'The Bullet' who can expect a lot of resistance. From whom, we are going to look ahead here.
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Where Herlings appears at the start, the 28-year-old cross rider is the big favorite. No one in this world can beat a fit Herlings, most agree on that. Yamaha's eyes are on Jeremy Seewer and Maxime Renaux, both of whom make no secret of their plans. The 28-year-old Seewer had to settle for silver five times after a long World Cup season. The Swiss has been active in the World Cup since 2014 and has not missed a single match in those nine years! This season, the 22-year-old Renaux was also allowed to compete in the MX2 class, but he decided to switch to the MXGP in 2021 after winning the MX2 world title. The Frenchman finished fourth in his first season and will be a title contender in the coming year. This also applies to Romain Febvre, the 2015 champion. The previous season was cut short due to a serious leg injury, but in 2021 he fought for the title with Herlings until the last round in Mantova. Febvre is ready for the title fight and Jorge Prado says so. The Spaniard has two world titles under his belt, but his main goal remains the MXGP title.
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We will describe the three Dutchmen further below, but they certainly belong in this paragraph. They will have to compete against Ruben Fernandez, who will have to take charge of Honda alone due to the absence of the injured Tim Gajser. The Spaniard is exceptionally fast but also regularly creates very exciting moments, such as the crash last year in Neuquen. From 114 Motorsport-Honda he switched to Team HRC. There he replaces Australian Mitch Evans, who now plays for Kawasaki. Evans has hidden himself expertly in recent months and will start the Grand Prix season 'cold' as Febvre's teammate. A Japanese machine is almost new for Pauls Jonass because in 2010 he rode an 85cc Suzuki. He then ended up on an Austrian machine until last season on a Husqvarna from Standing Construct Racing. This Belgian team has made the switch from Honda and both riders (also Brian Bogers) seem to feel good on the CR450F.
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With factory material from KTM, Alberto Forato could easily score big in 2023. Nevertheless, we put him in this list where we believe he will be accompanied by fellow countrymen Mattia Guadagnini and Alessandro Lupino. The 22-year-old Forato can compete for a podium spot this weekend only to fall outside the top ten the following weekend. The same could easily happen to Guadagnini, while Lupino will have to show himself well for a contract in 2024! Ben Watson does not have that problem, the Brit has a deal for 2023 and 2024 with Beta. Hopefully that will give him more peace of mind and he can firmly establish himself in the top ten.
Belgium Netherlands:
After Jeremy Van Horebeek's retirement, all Belgian eyes are focused on Brent Van Doninck. The rider born in Herentals will also compete for a Belgian team. Under the wings of Jacky Martens, 27-year-old Van Doninck hopes to join the world top. Last season he already managed to show great things on the Yamaha, such as a podium place during the first round in Ernée. In addition to Herlings, the Netherlands has three other big names in the MXGP and all three managed to win a GP last year! Bogers (Lommel), Coldenhoff (Finland) and Flanders (Riola Sardo) sounded the Wilhelmus last season. The three of course have bold plans for the coming season and hopefully they can sing the national anthem again.
Debutants:
Both Kevin Brumann and Mattia Guadagnini will start their first full MXGP season, but they are not real debutants in this championship. This also applies to Valentin Guillod, who has managed to return to the highest level after a two-year absence.
Past Champions:
2007 Steve Ramon
2008 David Philippaerts
2009 Antonio Cairoli
2010 Antonio Cairoli
2011 Antonio Cairoli
2012 Antonio Cairoli
2013 Antonio Cairoli
2014 Antonio Cairoli
2015 Romain Febvre
2016 Tim Gajser
2017 Antonio Cairoli
2018 Jeffrey Herlings
2019 Tim Gajser
2020 Tim Gajser
2021 Jeffrey Herlings
2022 Tim Gajser
By: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
GALLERY: #NiekFotografie & #LeonvdSpank
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