MXGP Insider No.25: Tixier’s 57 Points

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.

So another round is in the books and once again Jordi Tixier is getting the job done in impressive fashion. Many thought that the deep sand of Lommel would see the Frenchman struggle but he looked good in the first moto before looking even better in the second, going 3-1 for second Overall. He is now 57 points back with four motos remaining and should comfortably make up that deficit in time to win the title… as long as Herlings doesn’t return. I saw and spoke to Jeffrey at Lommel and he was on crutches there, not really moving too freely, but since the weekend he’s posted an Instagram shot of him walking unaided so if I was a betting man, I’d put money on him riding in Mexico. Many people have said that he’d be stupid to risk further injury or that KTM should stop him but I think many underestimate his desire to win and how much this means to him. Not to mention the fact that Tixier seems likely to be joining CLS Kawasaki and KTM would loathe to see that #1 plate on a green machine in 2015.

The main talking point in the MX2 class, though, was the fact that Max Anstie finally got the job done and won a GP. It’s taken longer than expected and he had to overcome adversity in both races to get the victory, but I think (almost) everyone in the paddock was happy to see him on the top step. I was the one who did the infamous interview with him after Qatar when he made the bold statements, so I’m especially pleased to get that monkey off his back.

Elsewhere, it was a good weekend for the British riders as Shaun Simpson put in his best result of the year with a third Overall in some horrendous conditions at the hardest track in the world. Monsoon rain hit the second MXGP moto, making visibility almost zero and causing even more problems than usual at this deep sand facility. He was behind Antonio Cairoli (unsurprisingly) and Ken de Dycker (surprisingly), making it a KTM 1-2-3.

With it being the last European GP, all of the EMX classes were concluded with Samuele Bernardini winning the 300 series, which got better as the year went on, but still needs more riders of better quality for it to become worthwhile title. British rider Albie Wilkie saw off Finnish rider Jere Haavisto in the Honda 150 class, which was significantly better this year than last, and he’ll now be in the Honda MX2 team for 2015 which is a massive prize for any young rider. Unfortunately Steven Clarke who won the highly contested EMX250 class doesn’t have such a prize with his tie-break championship win over Brian Bogers, after they tied on points. He’s too old for MX2 and way down the queue for a MXGP ride, meaning he’ll probably be racing the same series in 2015. With Davy Pootjes injured, Brian Hsu wrapped up the 125 class and now heads to this week’s Junior World Championship full of confidence.

I’ll be with Team USA all week and I expect them to do well, although I don’t think the Euros will make it easy for them. It’s one of my favourite events of the year though and I can’t wait to see the 65s, 85s and 125s take to the new track in Lierneux.