MxLarge Story
Top Eight Things So Far In 2012
News Tuesday 12th June 2012 By Geoff Meyer
Until now the 2012 FIM World Motocross Championships in MX1 and MX2 have really been exciting. Its little wonder the Motocross World are watching with baited breath as to what will happen next. Be it the clashes of the big bikes or the dynamic action of the MX2 class everyone involved has been caught a little off guard to how exciting it’s been.
Here are my top eight things of the season so far.
Antonio Cairoli. What can be said about this guy? He is our role model and hero all rolled into one. Breaking records and daring to even look at the records held by Stefan Everts. While his rivals are fighting hard and bashing handlebars the Italian is keeping it safe, riding inside his limit and until now has around 40 points on the second placed rider (Clement Desalle). Cairoli is still a work of art and until somebody moves into the MX1 class with his experience and skills we might see him dominate this class like Everts did from 2001 until 2006.
Herlings versus Searle. Everyone loves a good fight and these two have gone to war on and off the track. It’s what sport is all about and despite the slaps on the hand and the fines this is just what the sport needs to elevate it to another level. Both riders are a credit to the sport and while Herlings outburst on television last weekend was a negative in this year’s title race, its little surprise he is on the edge of exploding.
The teams, riders and media. This year’s series has been tough. We have had enough rain, and really warm weather to make anyone sick of standing out at the track, but the complete paddock should be rewarded for making this FIM World Motocross Championship special. It's been a while since we had such a season with so much great racing and high drama and the media have been there to catch it all.
The French invasion on MX1. Paulin, Pourcel and at times Frossard have really added some spice to the MX1 class in 2012. Both Paulin and Pourcel are so beautiful to watch on the bike and their on track clashes have really made for great viewing. It’s been more than a decade since a Frenchman has won a World MX1 Championship (Pichon in the 250cc days) and while I can’t see them beating Cairoli, they sure are going to give it 100% in trying.
The British invasion on MX2. I can’t believe what an idiot I am. I was thinking the British Motocross scene was down and out, with riders like Brad Anderson and Billy Mackenzie sitting in Australia and Dean Wilson in America, but hey, then comes a bunch of hungry riders that want their respect. Between Tommy Searle, Max Anstie, Jake Nicholls, Mel Pocock, and Elliot Banks Browne we have seen a sudden surge by the Brits into the MX2 class and the word amazing would be an understatement.
MX-Life.tv. Ok, so Mexico was terrible, but what this is doing for the sport in general is just awesome. Youthsteam, have worked hard to make this work and continue to improve their marketing of the sport. Look out for 2012 because there are changes on the way. The exposure MX-Life.tv gives is only going to make things better in the future and while it is a slow process to get to the outside World this form of coverage can only make that journey quicker.
KTM. They already have control over the FIM World MX1 and MX2 Championships, and are now working on taking control of the AMA series in America. Doesn’t matter how much I love an underdog the effort and financial input of this company has taken the sport to another level. Pit Beirer is a big part of this and he should be rewarded for his service to the sport in some way.
Kawasaki. They sat in the shadows of Rinaldi Yamaha, Geboers Suzuki and Red Bull KTM for a number of years, but with the help of people like Harry Nolte, Tommy Searle, Gautier Paulin, Christophe Pourcel and of course Steve Gutteridge the Green machine is back in business. Battling KTM for the manufacture championship in both MX1 (presently 306 points each) and MX2 (14 points behind KTM) says enough when you consider their budget is a whole lot less.
Here are my top eight things of the season so far.
Antonio Cairoli. What can be said about this guy? He is our role model and hero all rolled into one. Breaking records and daring to even look at the records held by Stefan Everts. While his rivals are fighting hard and bashing handlebars the Italian is keeping it safe, riding inside his limit and until now has around 40 points on the second placed rider (Clement Desalle). Cairoli is still a work of art and until somebody moves into the MX1 class with his experience and skills we might see him dominate this class like Everts did from 2001 until 2006.
Herlings versus Searle. Everyone loves a good fight and these two have gone to war on and off the track. It’s what sport is all about and despite the slaps on the hand and the fines this is just what the sport needs to elevate it to another level. Both riders are a credit to the sport and while Herlings outburst on television last weekend was a negative in this year’s title race, its little surprise he is on the edge of exploding.
The teams, riders and media. This year’s series has been tough. We have had enough rain, and really warm weather to make anyone sick of standing out at the track, but the complete paddock should be rewarded for making this FIM World Motocross Championship special. I can’t remember a season with so much great racing and drama and the media have been there to catch it all.
The French invasion on MX1. Paulin, Pourcel and at times Frossard have really added some spice to the MX1 class in 2012. Both Paulin and Pourcel are so beautiful to watch on the bike and their on track clashes have really made for great viewing. It’s been more than a decade since a Frenchman has won a World MX1 Championship (Pichon in the 250cc days) and while I can’t see them beating Cairoli, they sure are going to give it 100% in trying.
The British invasion on MX2. I can’t believe what an idiot I am. I was thinking the British Motocross scene was down and out, with riders like Brad Anderson and Billy Mackenzie sitting in Australia and Dean Wilson in America, but hey, then comes a bunch of hungry riders that want their respect. Between Tommy Searle, Max Anstie, Jake Nicholls, Mel Pocock, and Elliot Banks Browne we have seen a sudden surge by the Brits into the MX2 class and the word amazing would be an understatement.
MX-Life.tv. Ok, so Mexico was terrible, but what this is doing for the sport in general is just awesome. Youthsteam, have worked hard to make this work and continue to improve their marketing of the sport. Look out for 2012 because there are changes on the way. The exposure MX-Life.tv gives is only going to make things better in the future and while it is a slow process to get to the outside World this form of coverage can only make that journey quicker.
KTM. They already have control over the FIM World MX1 and MX2 Championships, and are now working on taking control of the AMA series in America. Doesn’t matter how much I love an underdog the effort and financial input of this company has taken the sport to another level. Pit Beirer is a big part of this and he should be rewarded for his service to the sport in some way.
Kawasaki. They sat in the shadows of Rinaldi Yamaha, Geboers Suzuki and Red Bull KTM for a number of years, but with the help of people like Harry Nolte, Tommy Searle, Gautier Paulin, Christophe Pourcel and of course Steve Gutteridge the Green machine is back in business. Battling KTM for the manufacture championship in both MX1 (presently 306 points each) and MX2 (14 points behind KTM) says enough when you consider their budget is a whole lot less.
Stanley Leroux Design
