Turkey first ran at the Afyon circuit in 2018, and it was the year Jeffrey Herlings was near unbeatable in the MXGP championship. He won Turkey with 1-1 scores, second was Gajser with 3-2. In a surprise, Prado finished sixth overall in MX2 with 3-7 results.

“I had never lost in Turkey,” Herlings mentioned before last years race there. “I won there in 2018, I won there twice in 2019, and I won in 2021 twice, so I have won four of four in Turkey.”

Again in 2019 Herlings was unbeatable, going 1-1 for the GP win, with Gajser in fourth with 6-3 results and Prado won MX2 with an impressive 1-1 score. After missing 2020 due to Covid, Turkey was back in 2021 and we had two GPs in Turkey due to Covid, Herlings won the first one with 1-1 ahead of Gajser, who went 3-2 and Herlings won again a week later with 1-2 scores, ahead of Prado with 2-3 and Gajser 6-1.

No Herlings in 2022 due to injury, while Gajser won with 3-2, ahead of Seewer and Febvre, with Prado sixth overall. Gajser coming back from injury won again in 2023, going 2-1 ahead of Febvre and Renaux. Herlings was again out injured, and Prado finished a very average 10th overall.

In 2024, it was Prado who won with 3-1 scores, second was Gajser with 4-2 and third Seewer with 1-6. Herlings finished with 10-3 for his first ever loss at the circuit.

Tim Gajser has achieved significant success at the MXGP of Turkey at the Afyon circuit, winning the overall Grand Prix in 2022 and 2023 and securing multiple podium finishes there, including second place in 2018 and 2024.

His strong performances at the Turkish event, known for its hot and hard-packed track, have often positioned him well in the championship standings.
Key Moments:

• 2018: Tim Gajser finished second overall at the MXGP of Turkey.
• 2021: He was part of a close championship battle in Turkey against Jeffrey Herlings and Romain Febvre.
• 2022: Gajser won the overall MXGP of Turkiye, ending his season on a high note.
• 2023: He won the Turkish event with a dominant performance, including his first race win of the season.
• 2024: He secured a second-place overall finish at the MXGP of Turkey.

Championship Significance:

• The Turkish rounds often serve as a crucial part of the championship's closing stages.

Track Characteristics:

• The Afyon circuit is known for being a hot and hard-packed XGP of Turkey.

Turkish Motocross - History

Turkish motocross history is marked by the establishment of a dedicated motocross center in Afyonkarahisar in 2016 and the subsequent hosting of significant international events, including the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP) starting in 2018. The sport is gaining popularity, with events like the MXGP of Turkey attracting large crowds and fostering a growing interest in motocross within the nation.

Key Developments

Afyonkarahisar Motor Sports Center: The sport saw a major boost with the opening of this purpose-built track in Afyonkarahisar in 2016.

Hosting International Events: The Afyonkarahisar track hosted the 2018 MXGP of Turkey, marking a significant step in bringing top-tier international racing to Turkey.

FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP): Turkey has since become a recurring host for the MXGP, with events held in 2018, 2019, and the 2021 and 2022 WMXGP of Turkey as well.

Rising Popularity: The sport's popularity in Turkey is on the rise, with the NG Afyon MotoFest, which accompanies the MXGP, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators, demonstrating the growing fan base.

International Exposure

National Riders: The Turkish Federation aims to promote motocross with notable national riders participating in national championships and events, such as Batuhan Demiryol and Sakir Senkalayci.

Economic & Tourism Impact: Hosting major international events like the MXGP of Turkey has a significant positive impact on the regional economy and boosts tourism, with organizers aiming to attract even larger international crowds.

Future Prospects

Continued Growth: The successful organization of events and the positive reception from international teams highlight Turkey's potential to become a significant player in the global motocross scene.

Turkish Motorcycle Federation (TMF): The TMF plays a vital role in promoting and developing the sport, with its goal to elevate Turkey and Afyonkarahisar to world-class status through continued international events.