FIM Motocross MX1/MX2
The FIM World Motocross Championship heads to Glen Helen Raceway in California this weekend, the only US round on the 2011 calendar.
This will be the second year that the USGP will occur at Glen Helen, and the action is again expected to be fierce.
Leading the MX1 class is Steven Frossard (Yamaha), who has two wins and finished overall third and fourth in Sevlievo and Valkenswaard.
A for the MX2 class, KTM’s Ken Roczen is dominating with eight points advantage over second classified Jeffrey Herlings (KTM).
Steven Frossard is the MX1 leader thanks to his consistency in the two previous Grand Prix of the season, but Max Nagl, Clement Desalle and Antonio Cairoli are closely following the French rider on his debut in the MX1 class. Mike Alessi will be one of the American representatives in this Monster Energy GP USA.
The MX2 class will see the come back of Marvin Musquin on his KTM after his injury on his right knee. The 2010 FIM MX2 World Champion will race which might be his first and last Grand Prix this 2011 season as he will stay in American for the rest of the season. Ken Roczen will have to defend his leadership from Musquin, as well as from Jeffrey Herlings, who won the GP of the Netherlands two weeks ago.
The Veterans will also be present at Glen Helen, where Matts Nilsson, who is the current leader of the series, will do his best to improve his last year’s third position and take revenge over American Doug Dubach, who won the USGP in 2010.
MX1
Monster Energy Yamaha’s Steven Frossard has been the most consistent rider of the MX1 class and arrives in Glen Helen as the current leader of the Championship. The French was second and fourth in the first two Grand Prix of the season, so he is determined to obtain his maiden Grand Prix victory in the MX1 class this weekend in Glen Helen Raceway.
Second of the MX1 class is Red Bull Teka Factory Racing MX1’s Max Nagl, who was second overall in Valkenswaard after winning the last heat. Last year, the German obtained a third place in the first moto in Glen Helen, but a crash in the second race made him finished tenth overall.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1’s Clement Desalle could not keep the red plate after the Grand Prix of the Netherlands and he is now third in the point standings. Last year, the Belgian finished third in Glen Helen, so he is determined to recuperate the red plate this weekend.
2010 MX1 World Champion Antonio Cairoli is currently fourth in the Championship, but he already showed his extraordinary potential during the Grand Prix of the Netherlands by winning the GP being injured from his left knee.
Last year, the Italian left the American fans amazed after his superb performance in Glen Helen, so he hopes not to deceive anyone and get closer to the leadership of the series.
His compatriot David Philippaerts from Monster Energy Yamaha Team entered the top five after his third overall result in Valkenswaard, but he is only one point ahead of Rui Gonçalves, who has proved to be very comfortable on his new Honda machine.
Up to eleven American riders will take part in the Monster Energy Grand Prix USA in the MX1 class, including Mike Alessi, who finished second overall last year and won the MX1 Qualifying Race on Saturday.
2010 MX1 PODIUM:
1. Antonio Cairoli
2. Mike Alessi
3. Clement Desalle
2010 MX1 POLEMAN: Mike Alessi
MX2
Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Racing MX2’s Ken Roczen arrives in Glen Helen being the current red plate holder after his GP win in Bulgaria and his second position in the Netherlands. For the German will be very special racing this weekend in Glen Helen, firstly because he will be in front of his numerous American fans and secondly because he will have the opportunity to race against his 2010 eternal rival Marvin Musquin.
Second in the MX2 class is his team-mate Jeffrey Herlings, who showed his incredible riding skills on the sand after dominating his home Grand Prix from beginning to end. The Dutch rider was not fortunate last year in Glen Helen, so he is determined to make a good performance and close the eight points gap he has with Championship leader Ken Roczen.
Tommy Searle from CLS Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit has been one of the most consistent riders of the MX2 class, being second and third overall in both Grand Prix’s. For the British rider will also be very special racing this weekend in Glen Helen, as well as for his team-mate Max Anstie, as they both lived in America during the last few years, so for them will be like riding home again.
Bike it Cosworth Wild Wolf Yamaha’s Arnaud Tonus is fourth in the point standings, followed by Gautier Paulin and Zach Osborne, who finished second overall last year.
In the MX2 class there will be up to ten US representatives and Kenneth San Andres from the Philippines will make his debut in the series.
2010 MX2 PODIUM:
1. Marvin Musquin
2. Zach Osborne
3. Steven Frossard
2010 MX2 POLEMAN: Marvin Musquin
VETERANS
The second round of the FIM Veterans World Cup will take place this weekend in Glen Helen. Matts Nilsson, current leader of the series, is willing to improve his third overall position obtained last year in Glen Helen and go out with his second consecutive overall victory of the season. American Doug Dubach and New Zealander Darryll King, first and second respectively last year, will also enter the American round this weekend.
USGP Motcross Timetable
Saturday: VMX Free Practice 8:40; MX2 Free Practice 9:30; MX1 Free Practice 10:15; VMX Time Practice 11:00; MX2 Pre-Qualifying Practice 13:15; MX1-Pre Qualifying Practice 14:00; VMX Race 1 15:10; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:10; MX1 Qualifying Race 17:00;
Sunday: VMX Warm up 8:30; MX2 Warm up 9:00; MX1 Warm up 9:30; VMX Race 2 10:20; MX2 Grand Prix Race 1 12:10; MX1 Grand Prix Race 1 13:10; MX2 Grand Prix Race 2 15:03; MX1 Grand Prix race 2 16:03.
