Views
4 years ago

MOTOREX Racing Report 2015 EN

  • Text
  • Championship
  • Racing
  • Enduro
  • Motocross
  • Podium
  • Rider
  • Prix
  • Motorex
  • Overall
  • European
Racing_Report2015_EN_web

EDITORIAL MOTOCROSS Dear

EDITORIAL MOTOCROSS Dear readers and motor racing fans With the 2015 season gradually drawing to a close, it’s a good time for a review. A year ago I was dreaming of a motocross season that would make history. Unfortunately, the duel of the giants did not actually materialise – or at least it was over very quickly. The first year in ages without a motocross world championship title! Are we too spoiled or have we just got used to our partners’ titles? This year shows just how much we should appreciate sporting success and the efforts of our drivers. Every individual does their very best and works hard, but a little bit of luck is always involved and, of course, the competition never sleeps. This year we have lots of partner titles to celebrate once again – after all, we at MOTOREX have done our very best to support them, too. The achievements in motocross and off-road in the USA are especially pleasing – this was were nearly all championships were won. But off-road titles were gained in Europe, too, so fans have plenty to celebrate here. Rather unexpected from the point of view of MOTOREX customers but all the more satisfying for it are the world championship titles in downhill mountain biking and two titles in succession for Gwen Joergensen-Lemieux in the women’s triathlon, which have secured her a place at the 2016 Olympics. All in all, 2015 was a typical MOTOREX year with lots of titles, though this year in unexpected disciplines. This highlights our broad positioning in sponsorship and our partnerships with leading teams in a range of different sports. As far as 2016 is concerned, we can’t wait to see what the future holds: certain key decisions have been made and the overall package will prove successful, just as in normal business life. I very much hope you enjoy reading our latest paddock reports and look forward with you to a successful 2016 season. TONi CAIROLI MXGP NOT THE SEASON OF AN EIGHT-TIME CHAMPION Reigning world champion Antonio Cairoli’s clear goal for the 2015 MXGP world championship was to defend his title, but it was not to be the Italian’s best season. Even during the first races overseas, things did not go as usual for the eight-times champion: having previously won six World Championship titles on the bounce, the 30-yearold was initially forced to chase the pack. The final assault with a view to taking over World Championship leadership was to come at his home race in Italy. But this was not to be, either, with Cairoli falling and suffering a serious arm injury. With immense fighting spirit and pure willpower, the Red Bull KTM factory rider desperately attempted to defy the laws of nature and battled on for his ninth title, but he was eventually forced to admit the hopelessness of his task after several gruelling Grand Prix races. He gave up the World Championship struggle after the Latvian Grand Prix and would not celebrate his comeback until the World Championship final in Glen Helen. With six podium finishes and Grand Prix victories in Spain and the UK, he finished the World Championship season seventh overall. © Photos: S. Taglioni / KTM Images Best regards Ronald Kabella 2

MOTOCROSS MXGP A GOOD FINAL RESULT DESPITE A SERIES OF INJURIES KENde Dycker Although Ken de Dycker had already put the 2014 season behind him on account of his injuries, 2015 brought more of the same for the tall Belgian. Already hindered by injury during pre-season, he suffered a severe shoulder injury at the Grand Prix at the Talkessel in Teutschenthal, putting an early end to his World Championship. Up until then, the 31-year-old had shown signs of his potential, securing several top 10 placings, but he had still remained largely well below expectations. De Dycker then celebrated a surprise comeback at the 69th Motocross of Nations, however. As a member of the Belgian team, he resurfaced with a sound performance, helping his team to third place and taking consolation in a bronze medal and podium finish to round off the season. © Photos: S. Taglioni / R. Archer © Photos: S. Taglioni / R. Archer MORE BAD LUCK WITH INJURIES TOMMY Searle Tommy Searle started the 2015 season with great expectations. The Briton had impressed during pre-season trials and went into the first world championship races bursting with confidence. But at the very first event in Qatar he suffered his first setback of the new season, injuring a nerve in his right hand. This streak of bad luck continued just one week later at the world championship meeting in Thailand where the 26-year-old suffered serious injuries, this time a fractured vertebra caused by a bad fall. Luckily, though, there were no signs of paralysis. Searle would go on to miss more Grand Prix, sustaining further injuries after his comeback, and none of his performances reflected his customary potential. CAREER OVER WITHOUT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN The 2015 season was to be the season for Ryan Villopoto. The American superstar was the first top-class rider from overseas to enter the MXGP World Championship, aiming to finish off his career with the title. But the 27-year-old’s debut was a disaster from the word go, with Villopoto ultimately being forced to accept that he had thoroughly misjudged the situation from the start. To top it all off, he fractured his coccyx at the fourth Grand Prix of the season in Trentino, which proved to be the last time the Kawasaki rider was seen on the track. After months of speculation and rumours, the US star finally broke his silence and announced the immediate end of his career as a result of the injury. RYAN Villopoto © Photos: Sarah Gutierrez / Kawasaki Europe 3

MOTOREX PORTRAIT

MOTOREX MAGAZINE

MOTOREX Magazine - Deutsch

MOTOREX Magazine - Français

MOTOREX Magazine - English

BROCHURES