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Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha’s Gautier Paulin is confident he’s as prepared as possible to assist Team France to a sixth-straight Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations crown this Sunday in the Netherlands.

The Frenchman, who will represent his country for the 11th time in his career, says he’ll be racing for the team this weekend as he dons the number one plate.

The French team has endured a tumultuous lead-up to the MXoN, first with Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing) bowing out with injury before the federation excluded Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle over a logo dispute.

“I’m prepared for Assen,” Paulin stated. “I feel good, we have been working hard to prepare the bike and we have made some changes to the suspension and the team have been working hard to give me the best bike they can.

“We haven’t stopped since it’s the end of the World Championship season, we have kept pushing to be good in Assen in such tough sand conditions. This weekend is a unique event, we don’t just ride for ourselves, we ride for the team. We will do our best to be up front.”

Paulin will be joined by Maxime Renaux (Yamaha) and Jordi tixier (KTM) in the three-rider squad this weekend.

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This weekend’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) at Assen in the Netherlands will be broadcasted via a live stream, allowing Australian and international viewers to watch the highly-anticipated race as it happens.

MXGP-TV, Youthstream’s very own live streaming service that broadcasts the entire MXGP World Championship, will offer a complete weekend package for approximately $42 AUD, while a delayed telecast will be played on Eurosport (channel 511) via Foxtel on Monday, 30 September, from 6pm AEST.

Team Australia will field Dean Ferris (Raceline Recover8 KTM), Kyle Webster (Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing), and Regan Duffy (Raceline KTM Thor) in the MX1, MX2 and Open categories, donning numbers 10, 11 and 12 respectively.

Team Holland is tipped as the favourite on home soil with a powerhouse squad of Jeffery Herlings (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Glenn Coldenhoff (Standing Construct KTM) and Calvin Vlaanderen (Honda HRC), while Team France, consisting of Gautier Paulin (Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha), Maxime Renaux (Yamaha) and Jordi tixier (KTM), will be vying for a sixth-straight crown.

2019 Motocross of Nations schedule – Saturday, 28 September:
MXGP qualifying heat – 10:20pm (AEST)
MX2 qualifying heat – 11:20pm (AEST)
Open qualifying heat – 12:20am (AEST – Sunday, 29 September)

2019 Motocross of Nations schedule – Sunday, 29 September:
B final – 6:50pm (AEST)
Race one (MXGP/MX2) – 9pm (AEST)
Race two (MX2/Open) – 10:30pm (AEST)
Race three (Open/MXGP) – 12am (AEST – Monday, 30 September)

Image: Foremost Media.

Recently-crowned Pirelli MX Nationals MXD champion Regan Duffy says there’s no additional pressure from Team Australia has he makes his Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) debut this weekend at just 17 years of age in the Open category.

The Raceline KTM Thor rider was drafted into the squad just two weeks ago following the withdrawal of MX2 World Championship regular Mitch Evans (Team Honda 114 Motorsports), the Queenslander currently recovering from a list of ongoing injuries sustained throughout the year.

Duffy, who was racing the Australian Junior Motocross Championship this time last year, dominated in the MXD category in 2019, and made a glowing performance at the Manjimup 15,000 aboard the 450, where he defeated a number of the country’s top premier class contenders.

“It’s going to be tough,” Duffy stated to MotoOnline.com.au. “From what I’ve heard, there are two jumps that you get a break on, and the rest is deep sand and getting drawn into the dirt. I like the long motos and I’ve always been pretty good with that, hopefully I can just keep my head and ride like I know how to.

“It’s going to be a good experience, and I’ve got no pressure or anything – the team knows I’m there filling the spot, so it’s not like they want me to go out and get a top five as Mitch probably would – it’s cool like that.”

The Western Australian will join three-time MX Nationals MX1 champion Dean Ferris (Raceline Recover8 KTM) and Kyle Webster (Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing) in the green and gold at Assen in the Netherlands.

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has signed 17-year-old Rene Hofer for the 2020 MX2 World Championship, as dual world champion Jorge Prado graduates to the premier class.

The Austrian, who will race alongside Tom Vialle next year, impressed with three wildcard MX2 appearances in 2019 in what was his first full year of competition aboard the KTM 250 SX-F, while he was ranked fourth in his maiden EMX250 campaign.

“I’m super excited,” Hofer stated. “We’ve really worked for this over the last couple of years and my dreams are coming true right now. We were not sure if it would happen for 2020 but I showed some good speed in the second half of the season and also that I could compete in good positions in MX2.

“I felt confident in the class from the very first time, even if the weekend routine is pretty different from EMX. I’m so grateful to be able to have the chance to ride for the most successful team in the GP paddock and to have the best racing people around me as well as being able to learn from Tom.

“I’ve trained with him a few times now and he’s a really nice guy. He had an unbelievable rookie season and I think we can put in some solid preparation work over the winter to be ready for 2020. I turn 18 next year and I know I am ready for this step. For sure the result in Imola was very good but I will be hungry for more and I will bring in the very best effort from my side.

“I cannot forget to thank all the people who have helped me reach this stage of my career and who have helped shape me as a rider and as a human. I cannot wait to start work for 2020 but first I need to focus on this weekend!”

KTM’s vice president of off-road Robert Jonas added: “Rene has quickly moved up through the levels of the sport and he made sure that it was hard to ignore his progress in 2019 and his first with the 250 SX-F. After two seasons in the 125s and just one in EMX250 he was already pushing for a grand prix opportunity and showed us what he can do.

“We really like the mentality and the determination of this kid and we’re proud to be able to bring another rookie into our factory team for 2020. He’s Austrian and some might think this would be an advantage but it also comes with pressure, and we wanted to make sure that Rene would be able to handle this chance.

“I can remember this situation from my own experience and we have no doubts about Rene. 2020 will be a learning year but, together with Tom, it means we have exciting and youthful talent behind an amazing strong MXGP line-up.”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will field Prado alongside multi-time world champions Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings in MXGP next year.

Image: Foremost Media.

Team Australia’s Kyle Webster will be equipped with a Team Honda 114 Motorsports CRF250R at this weekend’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN), the same specification bike piloted by compatriot Mitch Evans in the MX2 World Championship.

The Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing rider, who will make his MXoN debut at Assen, arrived in the Netherlands a week ahead of the event, allowing him to sample the bike on European soil.

The Western Australian will utilise the full package on offer, including KYB suspension, which after testing with the team has injected confidence into him for the prestigious race.

“I will be using their bike for the race this weekend,” Webster told MotoOnline.com.au. “It’s definitely a very strong bike – it’s just a bit different to my bike in Australia. I feel this one has more bottom end power and mine has more top end – they just have so much stuff on theirs. I am using their whole bike, suspension and all.

“I was feeling so average for a couple days [after arriving], just being tired and lethargic. It was such a cool experience going to the test track with them and seeing how they work. I feel much more confident after riding the bike a couple of times this week and getting used to it.”

Webster will joined on the Australian team by triple MX Nationals MX1 champion Dean Ferris (Raceline Recover8 KTM) and Regan Duffy (Raceline KTM Thor), who’s replacing Evans after the Queenslander withdrew due to ongoing injures.

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Calvin Vlaanderen is sensing the pressure of Team Holland being tipped as the favourite for this weekend’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN), which will be staged at Assen in the Netherlands.

The Honda HRC rider, who will be joined by powerhouse contenders Jeffrey Herlings (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Glenn Coldenhoff (Standing Construct KTM), is confident he can withstand the mounting pressure of winning in front of a home crowd.

Finishing this year’s MX2 World Championship with a ranking of eighth after missing a number of rounds due to injury, Vlaanderen was ultimately chosen for the MX2 spot on the Dutch team over Roan Van De Moosdijk (F&H Kawasaki) as the federation initially named the two riders as possibilities.

“I am extremely excited for this years’ Motocross of Nations,” Vlaanderen stated. “It is a massive honour to get picked for the Netherlands at this race, and even bigger because the event is in Assen, where there will be huge home support.

“With myself, Jeffrey and Glenn we have a really good chance at winning the event but we know that comes with big pressure, so now that is probably the biggest thing. However I think I have shown this year that I can cope with that, and that I am a good sand rider and that I can keep pushing until the very end, and that will be my main target.

“It won’t be easy racing against 450s but I am confident with my Honda CRF250RW and I think we’ll have a good setup for this race. Also a big thanks to all the fans who have shown their support after it was announced I was in the team, it makes me extremely proud to have you cheering me on.”

In 2018, Team Holland was primed for victory following dominant performances by Herlings and Coldenhoff, however an eye injury denied Vlaanderen of finishing race one and ruled him out of race two. Still, the squad finished second in the classification.

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Team USA’s Zach Osborne insists travelling to Europe to prepare weeks in advance of the 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) has been worthwhile, as he and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Jason Anderson have spent considerable time acquainting themselves with a selection of notoriously sandy circuits.

The Assen event will see sand trucked into the road racing venue, making for a unique track will test the world’s best riders this weekend in the Netherlands.

Osborne and Anderson were recently joined by MX2 challenger Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Yamaha Yamalube Star Racing), as the American squad endeavours to claims its first Chamberlain Trophy since 2011.

“It’s a real honour for me to be competing for Team USA at the Motocross of Nations this year, and something I’ve been focusing on for a while,” said Osborne. “Coming over to Europe early to get set-up and ready for the race has been great – a lot of fun and very worthwhile.

“Assen is going to be tough, but I think we have a pretty strong team. We have three guys who really want to be here, they’re enthusiastic about the event and I think that’s half the battle. The track is certainly unique, but I feel like I’m as ready as I can be. I’m focused on making it happen and looking forward to racing for my country.”

Saturday will see the opening practice sessions and qualification races take place, while Sunday will play host to the motos for the MXoN crown.

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The 2020 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship calendar has been released, confirming no venue changes will be made in the upcoming year.

Remaining at 12 rounds, the series will once again kick off at Hangtown in mid-May before travelling across America, finishing up at Ironman at the end of August.

“For well over four decades the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship has defined American motocross, providing the ultimate showcase of grit, talent and determination each and every summer,” said MX Sports Pro Racing president Davey Coombs.

“We’re proud to present a schedule that features the most dynamic collection of venues this country has to offer, many of which have been a part of this sport since its inception, and one that also brings us to nearly every major region of the continental US, which provides an opportunity for most of our fans to make the pilgrimage to a world-class motocross National.”

2020 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship calendar:
Rd1 – 16 May – Hangtown Classic
Rd2 – 23 May – Fox Raceway National
Rd3 – 30 May – Thunder Valley National
Rd4 – 6 June – Florida National
Rd5 – 20 June – High Point National
Rd6 – 27 June – Southwick National
Rd7 – 4 July – RedBud National
Rd8 – 18 July – Spring Creek National
Rd9 – 25 July – Washougal National
Rd10 – 15 August – Unadilla National
Rd11 – 22 August – Budds Creek National
Rd12 – 29 August – Ironman National

Image: Foremost Media.

Three-time Pirelli MX Nationals MX1 champion Dean Ferris has declared he’s willing to mentor youthful Australian teammates Kyle Webster (Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing) and Regan Duffy (Raceline KTM Thor) at Assen’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) this weekend in the Netherlands.

Webster, 23, and Duffy, 17, will represent the country for the very first time at the prestigious event this Saturday and Sunday, while Ferris, a former MXGP World Championship regular, will do the honour for the sixth time in his career.

While the pair are inexperienced on the world stage in comparison to Ferris, the Raceline Recover8 KTM rider is confident that sharing his knowledge, along with the years of experience of team manager Michael Byrne and Gary Benn, will allow the Western Australian duo to smoothly race through the weekend.

“I’m pretty familiar with everything that goes on over there and the whole scene, so for Regan and Kyle, I’ll help out wherever I can,” Ferris explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “We’ve got Gary Benn and Byrner as well – they’ve been there and done that.

“I know they’re young, but they’re eager and there are some old fellas to look out for them. I think it’s awesome – they’re young and have a lot of energy, so it’s definitely a good team that we’ve got.”

Webster, one of the country’s most elite sand riders, was named in the initial three-man squad to contest the MXD category, while Duffy was called in to replace Mitch Evans (Team Honda 114 Motorsport) in the Open class – his selection coming after a glowing Manjimup 15,000 performance aboard the 450 while also claiming the 2019 MXD crown.