You could hardly call Sevlievo in Bulgaria an old school circuit, even though it does boast a few old school elements; it’s rock hard and super fast and is pretty much as retro as you’ll get.

We all love a little history though, so methinks Bulgaria, which is brimming with culture and verve, is a welcome start to the 2010 series. Following Sevlievo is a proper old school circuit in Mantova, Italy, then we travel to Valkenswaard in Holland, a historic sand track with a rich past.

They should provide some decent racing. By the time the circus heads to Agueda in Portugal or round four we should have a pretty good idea who the title contenders are. Then it’s onto the hard-packed  Bellpuig in Spain, before we get to revel in the delights of MXGP when it visits the Welsh countryside  for the first time courtesy of Mister Gareth Hockey.

The British GP will be interesting, if only because the circuit hasn’t even been built yet. Let’s just hope Hockey and his crew pulls it off.

Next up it’s a quick hop across the Channel to the classic St Jean d’Angel in France, before the riders point their motor homes in the direction of Teutschenthal in Germany, Kegums in Latvia,  Uddevalla in Sweden. All four are permanent fixtures and vary in their layouts. France is hard-pack with long uphill ascents, while Germany is like a freeway; fast and dangerous. Sweden is probably the most enjoyable for the riders with a good mix of sand and hard-pack.

The last part of the season is, to me, the most enjoyable. Starting with Kegums in Latvia, a circuit which is just plain beautiful. It’s the most ‘American’ circuit we have on the calendar, with its natural terrain and classic landscape, tucked in between Kegums and the deep, deep sand of Lommel is Sweden, and then it’s off to the killer Lommel in Belgium. The most deadly sand circuit in the world always has a great atmosphere thanks to the motocross-crazy locals.

Loket is fast and old school, then it’s a long-haul flight to Brazil, where a new circuit is being built. Everyone loves Brazil, don’t they? After the glamour of South America the riders come back over the Atlantic and are met with the intense physical challenge that is the deep sand of Lierop. Ouch. By this time in the season we’ve usually crowned at least one champion, but, if not, the front runners in both classes can battle it out at the final round in Fermo, Italy for top honours. Sweet.

YOUTH

How times have changed in the FIM World Motocross Championships. The days when older riders like could hang around and stretch a couple of extra seasons out of their illustrious careers have gone.2010 is about youth and raw talent. Any rider over the age of 25 better have a chance of winning a GP, otherwise he is replaced by a young but extremely fast 15-year-old whiz. This year sees the auspicious Jeffrey Herlings join Ken Roczen in the MX2 ranks, and while they may be whipper-snappers not yet older enough to crack open the champagne on the podium, you can bet they’ll be ruffling a few feathers and running rings around the old guard.

PRO CIRCUIT

Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s introduction into this year’s MX2 world Championship will add a bit of spice to what otherwise could be an orange dominated class. Fearsome allies Mitch Payton and Harry Nolte will be looking to piss on KTM’s chips at every opportunity, the only question is whether they have the riders to do it – are Jeremy van Horebeek and Steven Frossard up to the job? Mmm, methinks likely not.

TOWNLEY & ALESSI

The MX1 World Championship  will welcome AMA regulars Mike Alessi and Ben Townley to the fold this season, for a few rounds at least. Both riders will be looking to sharpen their ‘outdoor’ skills prior to their imminent departure west, across the Atlantic, where they’ll take everything they’ve learned at the first three GPs to round one of the Us nationals. It’ll be nice to have the all-round-good-egg that is BT back in Europe for while, and the addition of Alessi on a on a 350cc KTM will add yet another element to an already very interesting MX1 line-up.

KTM 350 SXS-F

Not content with making a great 450cc and an awesome, multi championship-winning 250cc, the powers that be in Austria have decided to throw together a 350cc. in fact, I don’t think “throw together” are the right words because you can bet your life that KTM’s new steed will be a refined, thoroughbred racer. Developed by Stefan Everts and ridden by Mike Alessi (we still don’t know if Cairoli will race it) and Rui Goncalves it brings a bit of fresh thinking to the MX1 starting grid. Will it be able to compete with the 450s? only time will tell. Oh, and while we’re at it, Cairoli on a Katoom! Brilliant.

COPPINS ON AN APRILLIA

Yep, the wily 32-year-old veteran will be straddling the super-sexy but so far underwhelming Aprilia in MX1, and while he might not be a title contender anymore it’s still a very interesting combination of proven talent and speed on thus far unproven hardware. You can never count the indefatigable Kiwi out, so don’t be surprised to see him on the podium a few times this season if he can get to grips with the Italian exotica.

THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX

Another year, another new venue for the British Grand Prix. This time you, and me, will be packing the camping gear and heading to Wales where they have dragons apparently, and Katherine Jenkins irrepressible promoter Gareth Hockey is a man with a plan and if he can pull it off we’ll be in for a treat.

YAMAHA YZ450F

It’s been touted as one of the best productions bikes come out of Japan in years, and it’s certainly one of the most revolutionary, but will it give the likes of David Philippaerts and Ken De Dycker an advantage come round one in Bulgaria? While big Ken is a tad unpredictable (read: inconsistent) Philipaerts is a former world champ and, after his mesmerizing performance at the Motocross of Nations last year, us here at MXlarge HQ expect him to be right at the front of the title hunt providing his YZ450F lives up to its reputation. Expect some bar bashing Italian style. Bravo.

SWAP SHOP

A change is as good as a rest. And it’s all change in 2010 as half of the paddock had swapped shirts (and rides) in a bid to find an edge this year. topping the transfer list is Cairoli and his move from Yamaha to KTM while the likes of De Dycker. Desalle, Barragan, De Reuver, Strijbos, Leok and Coppins have all switched teams in MX1, which should liven things up a bit. There’s been less activity in MX2 but with Paulin, Van Horebeek, Aubin and Tonus all residing in new berths there’s still been enough swapage (that’s a made up word but I like it!) going on during the offseason to make things interesting.

THE BRITS

You’ve got to give them a mention but, Shaun Simpson excluded, I’m not sure where our GP wins are going to come from? The aforementioned Scot is our one great hope this year but it’s going to be tough to register race wins against the technically gifted and blisteringly rapide French kids, and the younger dudes like Roczen and Herlings. Plus Roelants and Osborne. Still, ol’ Simpson is a fighter so we reckon he’ll be right up there. Another one to watch in MX2 is Jake Nicholls. He came of age last season and, with a bit of luck (and confidence) could be challenging for top fives and perhaps the odd podium. Mel Pocock could be good for a top ten too. Then in MX1 you’ve just got Swordy and Church. Two accomplished and tide riders, granted, but don’t expect fireworks.