The 2021 season of the FIM Motocross World Championship is nearing the end, as we enter the final two rounds in Mantova for the MXGP of Lombardia and MXGP of Città di Mantova.
Last weekend, we saw Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux secure the crown in MX2 to become this year’s MX2 World Champion, but the second spot is yet to be decided.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle has moved up to the silver medal position after Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts was forced to DNF race two at the MXGP of Garda.
But the Frenchman is 16 points ahead, which means that Geerts can still challenge for the silver medal during these final two GPs in Italy.
Meanwhile, in the premier MXGP class, things could not get any more tense as the red plate has a new owner and just three points separate Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings.
There are still 100 points up for grabs and it will be interesting to see how things will play out.
Alongside the fierce MX2 and MXGP action we will also see the final round of the EMX2t Presented by FMF Racing as Fantic Factory Maddii Team’s Maximilian Spies will enter the final round looking to wrap up his first EMX title.
Last year’s Champion, Brad Anderson of Verde Substance KTM will look to get back in the driving seat and secure his fourth title as he sits just 16 points behind the leader. In addition, we will also see round nine of the EMX250 series, as Fantic Factory Maddii Team’s Nicholas Lapucci will look to put together two solid and mistake-free races to stay ahead of his championship rival, Kevin Horgmo of SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery.
The MXGP of Lombardia is bound to deliver some incredible racing as Febvre, Gajser and Herlings will be focused on scoring maximum points, in order to have the best chance of clinching the title this season.
This championship fight that we are bearing witness to, is by far one of the exciting ones in the history of the sport and something we have not seen for a while.
And while this championship showdown is going to take centre stage in Mantova, another important moment will be the final races of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli.
The second half of the season hasn’t been easy for the 9-time world champion who lost his chance to stay in the fight for what would have been his 10th title.
But with that pressure off his shoulders, we have seen Cairoli back in the game during the last two GP’s.
During the MXGP of Pietramurata, Cairoli secured his second overall of the season and then at the following MXGP of Garda, was once again competitive inside the top five. It will be interesting to see what the Italian can bring for his final races, especially with the huge support he is set to have around the track!
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer will enter the MXGP of Lombardia off the back of his second career MXGP overall victory.
No doubt this will give him a confidence boost, especially as the MXGP of Lombardia last season was when he got his first ever GP win. Seewer has been on form lately after his struggles in the first half of the season.
Now back to fitness, the Swiss is just four points behind Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado in the MXGP championship standings, so we could see the Yamaha rider go for fourth, to end his season on a positive note.
Of course, Prado will not look to give it up easily as he continues his struggle with a back injury that he picked up a few rounds ago. Despite the damage, the Spaniard has been able to run well inside the top 10 and even lead some laps.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff and Ben Watson will be looking to end their season with a strong result and Mantova could be the perfect place to do that.
Dutchman Coldenhoff secured his second podium of the season at the MXGP of Pietramurata and has previously been on the box in Mantova last year. While Watson has fond memories at the circuit too.
He climbed the podium last season in MX2, as well as becoming this year’s overall MXGP winner at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, as he helped Team GB onto the podium once again!
Then there’s also Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen who won the MXGP of Lombardia last season in MX2 and won a race at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations this season in Mantova too.
So, this is a track he certainly feels strong on, and it will be nice to see if he could end his MXGP rookie season with a podium. His team-mate, Arminas Jasikonis will also make his comeback at the final two races after missing the triple-header in Pietramurata.
The reason why Jasikonis took the time off is unknown, but it will be good to see him back behind the gate.
Making a move to MXGP this weekend is Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez who after a string of podiums in Pietramurata (three consecutive third place finishes) will take on the premiere class in order to gain experience and to see how he matches up with the 450cc guys.
Photo courtesy Honda Europe
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STANDINGS AFTER 16 OF 18 ROUNDS:
MXGP – World Championship Top 10 Classification:
1. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 614 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 613 p.; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 611 p.; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 502 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 498 p.; 6. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 496 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 397 p.; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GAS), 391 p.; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), 287 p.; 10. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 284 p.
MX2 – World Championship Top 10 Classification:
1. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 642 points; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 532 p.; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 516 p.; 4. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), 487 p.; 5. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 477 p.; 6. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 474 p.; 7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 413 p.; 8. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 412 p.; 9. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 404 p.; 10. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 291 p.