Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer collected his seventh piece of podium silverware at the 19th and final round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Matterley Basin, Great Britain. The Swiss rider, who secured the MXGP Championship bronze medal a week ago, enjoyed the last round of 2023, going 2-4 for second overall. At the same time, Glenn Coldenhoff ended his 2023 season fourth overall in both the Grand Prix and Championship Classification. Thanks to the efforts of the entire Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team, Seewer, Coldenhoff, and Maxime Renaux, as well as Gebben van Venrooy Yamaha’s Calvin Vlaanderen, Yamaha successfully defended the coveted MXGP Manufacturers World Title. 

Going into the British Grand Prix, Coldenhoff and the team spent countless hours analyzing, testing and fine-tuning the Dutchman’s YZ450FM to help him maximize his launch off the line. And, in Race One in Matterley, their efforts materialized as ‘The Hoff’ powered to an incredible holeshot ahead of Jorge Prado, Tim Gajser and Seewer. 

With a clear track ahead, Coldenhoff was exceptional. The Dutchman maintained a blistering pace while withstanding intense pressure from Gajser and Seewer. After 30-minutes at the front of the field, Coldenhoff made a few minor mistakes, allowing Gajser to pass for the lead, with Seewer following suit on the penultimate lap.

Seewer’s incredible speed, persistence, and strategic decision-making saw him push past his teammate for second position. Despite falling short of the win at the flag, he put up an astonishing fight to finish second, while Coldenhoff held off the reigning world champion, Prado, for a secure third.

When the gates fell for Race Two, Coldenhoff again powered his YZ450FM to another holeshot and led the opening three laps ahead of Gajser and Seewer. However, he was shuffled back to fifth place while experiencing some back pain from the heavy landings off the big jumps.

Seewer treated the fans to a spectacular race as he launched massive jumps on his way to second place. He enjoyed a thrilling battle with Romain Febvre. However, a crucial mistake resulted in a fourth-place finish.

Maxime Renaux withdrew from the MXGP of Great Britain after a heavy fall in Qualifying. The Frenchman was cleared of injury but decided to shift his focus to recovering well in preparation for the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations in two weeks, which will take place in Ernee, France, on October 7-8.

The positive progress in India continued as Marc Marquez sent the crowd into a frenzy on his way to third in the Sprint Race while Joan Mir took positives from his strong start at the Buddh International Circuit.

Afternoon rain saw delays hit the Indian Grand Prix, the MotoGP riders getting an extra ‘Wet Session’ to try the new circuit in the changeable conditions. A handful of further delays meant that the Sprint Race would start with every rider on slick tyres as the Indian sun began to set overhead.

As drama unfolded at the front and the back of the field, Marc Marquez and Joan Mir stayed clear at the front and immediately found themselves in podium contention. Swapping positions across the opening laps, the pair kept Bagnaia in second in their sights. Pushing harder with each lap, Marquez soon found himself comfortably in third until Brad Binder appeared in the dying stages of the race. Setting a 1’45.257 on the last lap of the race, the #93’s quickest lap, showed the intensity with which Marquez rode to clinch third. The result sees him return to the podium for the first time since the opening race of the year in Portugal.

Joan Mir’s strong form in India continued as a perfectly timed lap in Q2 saw the double World Champion earn his best qualifying result of the year with fifth. Starting one spot ahead of his Repsol Honda Team teammate, Mir launched well and tussled with Marquez early on. A mistake after a few laps saw the #36 drop down to ninth. As he attempted to rally, Mir suffered a harmless fall at Turn 3 – ending his race. Although unable to take the flag, Mir and his side of the Repsol Honda Team garage are buoyed by the start of the race and will be looking to replicate it on Sunday.

Temperatures are predicted to be similarly intense on Sunday, but everyone is hoping the rain will stay away so the local fans can experience the unrestricted thrill of a MotoGP Grand Prix. Lights are scheduled to go out at 15:30 Local Time on Sunday, September 24.

New Dehli (India), September 24th 2023 – Marco Bezzecchi scores his third victory of the 2023 season (Argentina GP and French GP) on the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team. With today's win, he puts his name at the top of the Buddh International Circuit's roll of honor as the first winner in the history of MotoGP in this country and confirms the third place in the general standings (248 points – P2 among the Teams with 383 points).

From the pole position and third at the first corner, he set a perfect first lap. In P1, in fact, on the pit straight, he maintained the lead of the race until the checkered flag, with a gap from his rivals by more than eight seconds.

He did not take part in the GP, Luca Marini who is flying to Italy after he was the victim of an incident at the start of the Sprint yesterday. He suffered an injury to his left collarbone and will undergo a surgery in the next few hours. He will not race at the Japanese GP, scheduled at the Twin Ring in Motegi, next Sunday (October 1st).

With the sun close to setting, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Ruben Fernandez both put in good rides to finish third and fourth respectively in the MXGP of Great Britain qualification race, putting them in a strong position for the two GP-scoring motos tomorrow.

After going two-four in free practice, Gajser then stormed to first in timed practice, with a laptime 0.8 seconds faster than second, giving him first gate-pick for the afternoon qualifying race. Fernandez also kept up his momentum with a fifth, allowing the pair to have inside slots for the all-important start.

Despite not getting out the gate as well as they would have liked, both riders quickly moved to the front of the field in the first few turns, crossing the line for the first lap in third and fourth position. Gajser was able to set the fastest lap of the race as he closed right up to the two riders in front, but with the shadows lengthening, he decided to make sure he kept his third place and backed off towards the end of the race. Behind him, Fernandez kept things smooth and consistent in all the deep ruts, never coming under any serious pressure from the riders behind as he received the chequered flag in fourth.

While both the #243 and #70 would have loved to be a couple of positions higher, it was still a very strong race and showed that they will be once again challenging for the podium spots on the pristine Matterley Basin circuit, which is hosting this final round of the 2023 MXGP World Championship series.

After a podium in Race 1 and a win after a fantastic scrap in Race 2, Germany’s Valentin Folger has earned the title of 2023 R7 SuperFinale winner.

The second ever R7 SuperFinale saw two thrilling races at Motorland Aragon for the 27 riders participating from all over the globe. The first race of the day had plenty of tense battles throughout the field, but pole-sitter Eric Molina was quick to stamp his authority during his second year at the SuperFinale. The Spaniard pulled a gap early on that proved insurmountable for his rivals after he extended the lead to 6.5 seconds. However, the chasing pack squabbled amongst themselves for the remainder of the unpredictable race. Folger kept it smooth and consistent to push his way into podium contention, and this strategy paid off for the German when he took second place at the chequered flag. Italy’s Davide Conte was thrilled to take a strong third place finish.

It was all to play for in Race 2, and with the temptation of winning the title of ‘R7 SuperFinale winner’ and picking up a brand new R7, the competition was hotter than ever. Molina used his track knowledge to take the holeshot, but this time he was unable to pull away and instead he was forced to battle it out with a huge lead group of riders. Italy’s Nikolas Marfurt looked very strong, but a crash in Race 1 cost him the chance to progress in the points standings. Conte also put in another very impressive display, and the effervescent youngster came close to another podium spot. Eric Molina was urged on by the Spanish fans, but despite his best efforts he could only manage third in Race 2, while Italy’s Tommaso Occhi took a great second place. But it was Folger who shone brightest, setting the fastest lap and carving through for the race victory and the overall win thanks to his haul of 45 points.

The Top 3 overall in the 2023 R7 SuperFinale were Folger (Germany), Molina (Spain), and Conte (Italy).

• Premier-class rookie goes 1-1 to secure his third title of the year
• Chase Sexton takes third in points despite a moto 2 fall
• Hunter Lawrence withdraws following symptoms from hard practice crash

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (September 23, 2023) — At the finale of the inaugural SuperMotocross Playoffs, held at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Team Honda HRC put an exclamation point on what was already an incredibly successful season, with Jett Lawrence taking home the first-ever SuperMotocross 450 Championship and earning the $1 million prize. The squad had already swept every professional AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross title that had traditionally been available, with riders Chase Sexton, Jett Lawrence and Hunter Lawrence collecting the crowns in 450SX, 250SX East, 250SX West, 450MX and 250MX. For 2023 however, organizers added the three-round SuperMotocross Playoffs, which represented an opportunity for Honda’s factory race team to accumulate even more laurels.

Following the first two rounds, the team was positioned well in both classes, with Chase and Jett sitting in first and second in the 450 points standings, and Hunter leading the 250 title chase. However, with triple points being paid in Los Angeles, success was anything but guaranteed. Jett took his CRF450RWE to the first moto win, while Chase finished third. Chase led the first part of moto 2, but a hard fall at about the midway point allowed Jett to move into the lead, which he held to the finish. Although Chase wasn’t able to finish, he still took third in the final points standings. Unfortunately, Hunter Lawrence was forced to withdraw following qualifying practice, having aggravated a back injury incurred during Friday’s free practice.

A native of Landsborough, in Queensland, Australia, Jett did a stint racing as an amateur in Europe before moving to the U.S. to race for the Honda-supported Factory Connection squad. He turned pro in 2020, earning AMA Rookie of the Year honors, and the next year saw him advance to the factory CRF250R with Team Honda HRC. He earned the ’21 and ’22 AMA Pro Motocross Championships, as well as the ’22 AMA Supercross 250SX East Region crown. This year saw him take the 2023 250SX West Region title before moving up to the big class for outdoors and taking the AMA Pro Motocross 450 crown in his rookie season, winning an incredible 22 out of 22 motos. This SuperMotocross 450 crown continues an amazing trajectory for the 20-year-old, whose popularity with fans is exploding.

“On the track it’s a one-man show, but behind the scenes it’s so many people,” Jett said after today’s race. “The team is awesome, and that’s what allows Chase, me and the other riders to have the best equipment we can. That also goes for my trainer O’Show [Johnny O’Mara], my dad was a big key, and also my brother—every day we were grinding to try and be better. To go out and get that [championship] is not only a massive achievement for me; it’s a big thank-you to the people who support me and helped me get to where I am now.”

The timing was perfect for Honda to achieve such unprecedented success, as 2023 marks the 50^thanniversary of the company’s first production motocross bike, the CR250M Elsinore, aboard which Gary Jones rode to Honda’s first AMA Motocross 250 Championship, in 1973.

“Honestly, we were already ecstatic after the completion of the ‘normal’ season, and to expect anything more almost seemed greedy,” added Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing and Experiential Marketing at American Honda. “That said, we were absolutely focused on continuing the trend, especially with this being the inaugural year for SuperMotocross. We’re excited for the future of this series, and we hope it has a long future with many champions. Even if that’s the case though, there will only ever be one first, so it’s nice to put Jett and Honda in the record books in that way. Although I’m bummed that Chase and Hunter weren’t able to end the season as they would’ve liked, I’m super-proud of the entire team for what we’ve accomplished this year.”

The first Indian Grand Prix will go down as a classic, and a highlight of the year for Joan Mir who earned his best result of the season. Marc Marquez showed the potential of the Honda RC213V as he put in an early podium challenge and impressive recovery.

All eyes were on Joan Mir who started in fourth place, Marini withdrawing due to injury, as the lights went out. The #36 maintained his position alongside the Repsol Honda Team machine of Marquez as the pair hunted the riders ahead. Looking comfortable, Mir held his own and settled into a comfortable fifth with Quartararo just ahead of him. Brad Binder would once again in the rear-view mirrors of a Repsol Honda Team RC213V as the South African hunted down Mir. An impressive save in the closing laps meant the double World Champion was forced to concede fourth place to the South African.

Rallying in the closing laps, Mir would end the race just over half a second behind Binder and take fifth place. This is Mir’s best result as a Honda rider and is a just reward for his and the team’s tireless work to improve their fortunes. Now heading to Honda’s home round in Motegi, Mir is aiming to continue this moment and once again show the potential of himself and the bike.

With a belly full of fire and motivation after a return to the Sprint podium, Marquez shot off the line and immediately hooked himself to the back of the leading trio. As Martin and Bagnaia traded blows, the #93 sensed his opportunity and turned up the pace to stay with them. Unfortunately, at Turn 1 on lap five, Marquez fell but there was no waiting around an in true Marquez style, he remounted within just eight seconds and rejoined in 16th place.

From here, he cut through the field and found himself back inside the top ten by lap 14. Steady progress continued and the eight-time World Champion would take ninth at the flag, a solid result considering the fall.

The entire Repsol Honda Team now head directly to Japan for Honda’s home race at the Motegi circuit.

Team HRC has now concluded round ten of the 2023 Superbike World Championship at Motorland Aragón, with riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge crossing the line sixth and sixth, and seventh and eighth respectively in the day’s two races.

First up was the ten-lap Superpole race, a short sprint that really puts the riders’ abilities to the test. From row two of the grid, Iker soon progressed from seventh to sixth. From there, he worked to find a rhythm that would allow him to stick with, and potentially close in on, the riders immediately ahead. Able to maintain consistent pace throughout, Lecuona ultimately crossed the line sixth, securing the same grid position for race 2 as a result.

When the lights went out, Vierge quickly made up two positions from twelfth on the grid. Demonstrating good pace through the first half of this short sprint, with lap times in line with those of the top three, Xavi moved up into seventh place on lap five, a little over a second behind team-mate Iker. Lapping with almost identical times to his team-mate, Xavi crossed the line seventh. Thanks to this result, the Spaniard earned himself a better grid position for the afternoon’s second and final race.

The Superbike riders were back out early afternoon for the second and final Superbike race. From sixth and seventh on the grid, Iker and Xavi did their best to exploit their grid positions. Vierge positioned sixth through lap one, followed closely by Lecuona, eighth. The duo oscillated between sixth and eighth position throughout the eighteen-lap race, before Iker took final sixth place, with Xavi closing just over a second behind him in eighth.

As this tenth round of the 2023 championship concludes, Vierge positions eighth in the general standings with a total of 132 points, Lecuona thirteenth with 114. Team HRC will travel straight on to Portimão, and the Internacional Autódromo do Algarve, for round eleven, taking place from 29 September to 1 October.

MJC Yamaha Official EMX125’s Janis Reisulis locked up the hotly contested 2023 EMX125 title with an impressive victory in the penultimate race of the season, at Matterley Basin, in Winchester, Great Britain.

Heading into the ninth and final round of the EMX125 Championship, Reisulis held a commanding 37-point lead over his closest championship rival, Mathis Valin. With the odds in his favour, all the Yamaha ace had to do was outperform Valin or finish within 12 points of the Frenchman to secure the prestigious title.

When the gates fell for the penultimate race, Reisulis exuded calm confidence. The 15-year-old Latvian powered his GYTR kitted YZ125 to a top-three start and quickly proved himself as the deserving champion as he charged to the lead and flawlessly led every lap to clinch his maiden EMX title with a dominant race win.

Reisulis's remarkable 2023 title campaign boasts a 100% podium record, including 11 impressive race wins, five overall victories, and a total of eight podium finishes. His success also marks the second EMX125 title for the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team.

Now crowned champions, Reisulis, Yamaha and the team eagerly anticipate the final race of the season, which will take place tomorrow, Sunday 24th September, at 09:40 (BST).

Janis Reisulis

EMX125 European Motocross Champion

“It’s hard to know what to say in this moment, but it is really amazing to win this title. Sometimes I look like I don’t show much emotion, but on the inside, I am crying. We worked so hard for this, and I cannot thank everybody enough for all the effort they put in. We did it!”

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser put his stamp on the 2023 World Motocross Championship by taking a thoroughly impressive one-one GP victory at the final round of the season, at the always amazing Matterley Basin circuit in Great Britain.

Ruben Fernandez also finished the season with a great third place in the second moto, as Team HRC’s Honda CRF450Rs went one and three, further proving the strength and speed that this duo possesses when they are both fit and healthy. A finish which also bodes well for the 2024 campaign, which the pair will now prepare for – after the Motocross of Nations – filled with confidence that they will be challenging right at the sharp end of this highly competitive MXGP class next year.

In race one, both riders rounded the first bend well-placed, with Gajser in third and Fernandez a couple of places behind. They were able to maintain those positions for the early part of the race, before Gajser swooped through into second after a mistake by the rider in front. He then began pressuring the leader for the next 15 minutes, trying everything to make a move, before finally getting the job done just before the two-lap board came out. Unfortunately, a couple of mistakes dropped Fernandez to sixth, but it was still a good ride and he knew he had more to give in race two.

Much like race one, the Team HRC duo swept around the first corner in the top five, ready to try and finish this season on a high. The #243 was especially in no mood to hang around, taking only a couple of laps to move into the lead, and quickly pulling out an unassailable gap, as he put in laptimes over a second faster than anyone else. Gajser eventually took the win by almost six seconds, producing his customary whip as he received the chequered flag.

Behind him, Fernandez was involved in a big dogfight for the other podium spots, and on the final lap, he made his move to get third, and fifth overall. Although he wasn’t on the box, it was still a great display of riding and after his third place in Maggiora last week, he can still be extremely proud of how he finished out the year.

Fernandez ended up in fifth place in the championship with one overall victory at the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina and four visits to the podium, while Gajser made it two GP wins, and three moto first places after his return from injury with eight rounds left of the series.

The pair now have a week off before heading to Ernee in France, for the Motocross of Nations where they will both be hoping to another successful weekend as they represent Spain and Slovenia in the MXGP class at this prestigious event.