MXGP Insider No.27: Closing Time

Welcome to our weekly web-exclusive column, Transmoto‘s MXGP Insider. Penned each week by Vurbmoto’s David Bulmer, the MXGP Insider will present the story-behind-the-stories of the European motocross scene.

Right now, I have to be honest and say that not too much is happening in the GP scene. Last weekend was supposed to be the Ukraine GP, but that got cancelled for obvious reasons so really there is a bit of a lull in the schedule before everyone heads to Brazil and Mexico. Well, I say “everyone” when in reality there will be quite a few empty plane seats as teams and riders have decided to split company a little earlier than expected. It is always the danger with having overseas races to finish the season as teams decide that it isn’t worthwhile either financially or logistically to attend these final races at tracks that no one really seems to know too much about. I’ve no doubt they will be decent as I think Youthstream and the FIM have learnt their lessons in that respect, but it is still a worry about trying to fill the gates with good quality riders.

Two riders who I hope will be returning to GP action are Glenn Coldenhoff and Arnaud Tonus as I know both of them are back on the bike already. Glenn has competed in a couple of races while I’ve only seen Arnaud practising but fingers crossed they both get on that plane. Interestingly, another person who hopes they break out the passports will be Jeffrey Herlings who is still holding onto a 57pt lead (he’s also extremely thankful that Ukraine isn’t on the schedule). With those two returning, it should make Jordi Tixier’s job of scoring maximum points much more difficult and with it increasing, Herlings’ chance of retaining the championship. However, while he’ll want them to be fit and healthy for Brazil, he’d no doubt prefer them not to be racing Mexico as he still aims to attend the final GP of the year. At current scoring levels, Herlings will go into Mexico with a 15-25pt lead over Tixier which will mean he’ll have to still score decent points in order to win the title. Only he knows how he’ll be feeling but if he manages to make it to the start line, I can’t fail to see him getting the job done as he’s just that determined. The added pressure that’ll put on Tixier as well could be enough to push him over the edge although credit has to be given as to how he’s handled things so far.

Over in the MXGP class, things are much simpler as Cairoli looks set to take another step nearer to Everts’ crown of 10 world titles. He’s 81 points up on Jeremy van Horebeek so they best have all the t-shirts ready for that first moto and they best have packed a load of them because Cairoli is pretty darn popular over there and they might be “forced” to give a lot of them away. I’m sure it’ll be a pretty cool after-party!