The 2017 MXGP season is set to begin for the fifth year in succession at the circuit of Losail in Qatar this weekend. Just like in the past years the race is set to take place Saturday evening on the man-made circuit under the Qatari lights, all races, including the qualifying races on Friday, will be available LIVE and OnDemand on www.mxgp-tv.com.
The track will most likely be unpredictable this year as the track has seen rain for the last week, despite the incredibly dry climate and will most likely set up differently again, we will see which riders will gel with it and excel.
Over the past four years we have seen intense, unexpected, and top level racing here in Losail, which has left us yearning for more. We have had a different winner each year in the premier class. In 2013, when MXGP first tore up the hard packed soil of Qatar, it was Clement Desalle on the top step of the podium. Followed Gautier Paulin rising above the competition to claim the first red plate of the year. Then in 2015 it was dominated by Max Nagl who rode at an untouchable level, and last year the soon to be Champion of Tim Gajser started his season in winning form at Qatar.
This year, once again, it’s anyone guess who could win, it’s a gamble. With that said, the first rider to come to mind is of course the defending MXGP world champion, Team HRC's Tim Gajser who put together an amazing and surprising rookie season last year. The young Slovenian set the world on notice in his debut appearance in the MXGP class here in Losail last year.
This weekend the 84 of Jeffery Herlings will also be lining up for his 450 debut fresh off of an injury. Although Red Bull KTM Factory Racing did state that he will be healthy and fit to race. 2015 Champion, Febvre will be lined up in hopes to regain the FIM Motocross World Champion Title but against stiff competition such as Antonio Cairoli who will be just as motivated. Cairoli has claimed the Championship eight times but has gone the last 2 years without it. This trend could change by a solid performance at the opener this weekend at a venue where the Sicilian has never won.
Another rider to look out for is the 777 HRC Honda of Evgeny Bobryshev who in 2016 performed well at the Qatar opener placing 3rd overall. The Russian veteran looks to improve on his position on the podium in 2017.
Meanwhile Gautier Paulin is one not to forget, as he has made changes in the off season. Now racing for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing he comes in to Qatar with a renewed energy. Also changing teams is the number 24 of Shaun Simpson, who will be racing for Wilvo Yamaha MXGP Official Team. Simpson finished just outside the top 5 at Qatar in 2016 with a 6th place, a result he looks to change for the better this weekend.
Arnaud Tonus returns to the MXGP series after being absent since racing MX2 in 2014, a year where he had some success finishing 6th in the MX2 points. Joining the list of riders to watch is Valentin Guillod riding forTeam Honda Red Moto Assomotor, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP's Jeremy Van Horebeek, Team Suzuki World MXGP's Kevin Stribos, and another MXGP rookie Max Anstie riding the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing FC450.
2016 MXGP of Qatar MXGP Top 3
1. Tim Gajser
2. Romain Febvre
3. Evgeny Bobryshev
Since the defending MX2 champion Jeffery Herlings, along with Max Anstie, have jumped up to the premier class, most don’t know where to place there bets. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has placed their hopes on Pauls Jonass and the MX2 Rookie Jorge Prado Garcia who have now taken over Herlings’spot.
Meanwhile, Team Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer has his heart set on doing better than the fourth place he got last year. Seewer finished second in the championship last year and is one of the favorites to win this time around. While Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Team’s Benoit Paturel will be also be looking to get on the box after struggling last year.
The Americans of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’ Thomas Covington and Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Darian Sanayei also have the potential to finish amongst the top five.
Other notable riders will be Petar Petrov as he will continue to race for Monster Energy Kawasaki after his numerous top 10 finishes in 2016, Brent Van doninck, who reached the podium in 2016 at Assen, racing alongside Kemea Yamaha teammate Paturel, and the Italian TM Racing Factory Team's Samuele Bernardini who finished 8th in the Championship points last year.
New faces to MX2 are those of HRC MX2’s Michele Cervellin & Chihiro Notsuka and Australian Hunter Lawrence for Team Suzuki World MX2.
No matter how you look at it the MXGP of Qatar at Losail Motocross Track should once again be a exciting and difficult opener to the MXGP season. Make sure you keep up with all the action being with LIVE on Friday & Saturday night. You don’t want to miss it.
2016 MXGP of Qatar MX2 Top 3
1. Jeffery Herlings
2. Dylan Ferrandis
3. Pauls Jonass
TIMETABLE
Friday: MX2 Free Practice 15:15; MXGP Free Practice 15:45; MX2 Time Practice 17:15; MXGP Time Practice 18:00; MX2 Qualifying Race 20:00; MXGP Qualifying Race 20:50.
Saturday: MX2 Warm up 14:30; MXGP Warm up 15:00; MX2 Race 1 17:15; MXGP Race 1 18:15; MX2 Race 2 20:10; MXGP Race 2 21:10.
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