MXGP world champion Romain Febvre knows the pressure will be on to defend his title this season.

Third in the MX2 class in 2014, the French rider caught many by surprise when he lined up in the MXGP class in 2015 and proceeded to dominate.

“Febvre’s 2015 World Championship title in his rookie season fills all of us here at the Yamaha family with the pride of accomplishment, of a job well done, and sets a very high goal in the new year for everyone who is dedicated to impeccable professional achievement in motocross,” said Yamaha Motor Europe N.V. CEO Eric De Seynes.

As in previous years, the racing at Qatar will take place on Saturday evening on a man-made circuit at the floodlit venue, with qualifying on Friday.

Over the last three years, there have been breathtaking and unpredictable rounds of epic racing in Losail, featuring a different winner each time in the premier class.

Back in 2013, when MXGP first let loose on the hard packed soil of Qatar, it was Clement Desalle who was victorious. The following year Gautier Paulin rose to the occasion to claim the first red plate on offer, while last year it was well and truly dominated by Max Nagl.

This year, once again, making a prediction for the season dominator is similar to picking winning lottery numbers. It’s a gamble. With that said, the rider to mention first is of course the defending MXGP world champion, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Febvre who put together a downright spectacular rookie season last year.

The young Frenchman, who recently turned 24 on December 31, didn’t set the world on fire in his debut appearance in the MXGP class here in Losail where he went 6-7 for sixth overall, but in his defence he had spent time over the winter period injured.

This weekend, the rider with No.461 on his bike will also be lining up fresh off of an injury.

Meanwhile, another hotshot lining up fresh off of an injury is the eight time FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli who will be hungrier than ever to reclaim the title. Cairoli recently bruised some ribs but on a brighter note it has been announced that he has extended his contract with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing to 2018.

And then there is Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl who flew in completely under the radar last year and ended up being the surprise performer when he waxed everyone in both races where he completely dominated. After his performance of last year, Nagl, who remains on the same team, should be a solid bet for the win.

Another two riders worthy of mention are Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin and Evgeny Bobryshev. Paulin, in particular, has never been off the box here in Qatar over the last three years, and is looking to come out stronger than ever after spending the winter in the United States of America with acclaimed trainer Aldon Baker.

Clement Desalle’s transition to Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team is another one to look out for. However, he had to undergo surgery a couple of weeks ago on his left arm, so he is a question mark for this weekend.

Meanwhile, Bobryshev has been showing some excellent pre-season form over the last three weeks, as has Wilvo Virus Performance KTM’s Shaun Simpson and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Jeremy Van Horebeek; all three riders look like they could be in for a slice of podium pie.

Over in the yellow corner, the most successful rider in the history of the FIM Motocross World Championship, Stefan Everts has taken the reins at Suzuki World MXGP and has recruited two of the most seasoned riders in the class, Kevin Strijbos and the former MX2 World Champion Ben Townley.

Townley is fresh out of retirement after having a long run of injuries which saw him temporarily hang up his boots. Both riders feel as though they have unfinished business and are out to get it done this year.

Last but not least, the young guns. Honda Gariboldi’s 2015 FIM MX2 World Champion Tim Gajser will be the youngest rider in the class as he makes his MXGP debut while Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Valentin Guillod has been forced up by the age rule. Nevertheless, both riders are super flamboyant and quick on 450’s and shouldn’t have too much of an issue finding their place in the premier class. Another young gun to keep an eye on is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s newest recruit Glenn Coldenhoff, while Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Tommy Searle is looking pretty fierce these days too.

Since defending MX2 champion Gajser has jumped up to the premier class, most bets will once again be on Jeffery ‘The Bullet’ Herlings (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

Although Herlings has developed a nasty track record of getting injured, we have seen him bounce back time and time again to the blistering pace he had before each of his injuries. Judging by his pre-season form, and also the fact he is unbeaten around the circuit here in Losail, this weekend should be his to lose.

Meanwhile, his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team-mate Pauls Jonass has his heart set on going one better than the second place he got last year while Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Dylan Ferrandis, like Herlings, will be looking to get through a season injury-free with any hope of topping the box. It’s worth mentioning that Ferrandis is the only rider to beat Herlings around this Losail Circuit.

Wilvo Standing Construct Yamaha Factory Racing has hired Aleksandr Tonkov to get the job done for the guys in blue while Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing has taken on renowned grand prix winner Max Anstie.

Losail will also host the first round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship this weekend.

Yamaha MX Fonta racing’s Kiara Fontanesi, who made history claiming his 4th World title in a row in 2015, is determined to claim what it would be her first ever victory in Qatar. However, Team One One Four’s Livia Lancelot, who was last year’s winner in Qatar, will do her best to challenge the reigning champion.

All the eyes are also set on New Zealand’s sensation Courtney Duncan, Ireland’s Natalie Kane, who finished second in Qatar in 2014, and 2015 MXGP of Czech Republic winner Nancy Van De Ven.

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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