Just the time to cross the sea after the first round of the Internazionali d’Italia EICMA Motocross Series 2024, held last weekend on the Riola Sardo (OR) track, and it’s already time to move to the Mantova circuit for the second and final round of the the miniseries that opens international motocross competitions in Europe.
The Tazio Nuvolari circuit is ready to welcome more than 100 riders lined up in 125, MX2 and MX1 class to celebrate together the 40 years since the first round of the Internazionali, held right on the sand track which is located a short distance from one of the most beautiful cities in Italy.
In 125 the fight for the victory is between Fantic who will have the red plate on the bike number 716 ridden by the Hungarian Noel Zanocz (Fantic Factory Racing EMX125), the number 555 of the British Cole McCullough and the 97 of Simone Mancini (Fantic Factory Racing EMX125), and the KTM of Gyan Doensen (RaceStore KTM Factory Rookies) who finished the first race of the year second on the podium.
In MX2 the red plate will be on the HRC CRF 250R of Ferruccio Zanchi who surprisingly won the opening round on equal points (45) ahead of Simon Langenfelder on the 250 of the GASGAS RedBull Factory team, with the Spaniard Oriol Oliver (WZ Racing KTM), one point behind the leading duo.
A little further behind, Quentin Prugnieres (F&H Kawasaki) showed excellent speed on the Sardinian sand and precedes Hakon Fredriksen (WZ Racing KTM) at 31. Liam Everts (KTM), teammate of the MX2 World Champion, Andrea Adamo (KTM), will be on the track for the first time this year team, while the Sicilian who was involved in an accident at the start of the second heat in Riola, will be at the start of Sunday’s practice.
The MX1 starting grid is even more prestigious than in Sardinia and in Mantua 7 out of the top ten 2023 MXGP riders will be there, with the participation of two other top-level riders such as Alberto Forato (Honda Standing Construct MXGP) and Jeremy Seewer who will be at the start of Sunday’s practice together with his teammate Romain Febvre with the factory Kawasaki managed by Antti Pyrhönen.
The two Kawasaki riders will face the dominator of the first round, Tim Gajser (Honda HRC), red plate with 50 points who precedes Maxime Renaux (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP) at 42, Febvre himself at 40 and Glenn Coldenhoff (Fantic Factory Racing MXGP), fourth with 35 points ahead of the rookie Jago Geerts (33), riding the official team’s Yamaha.
Also on track are Gajser’s team mate, Ruben Fernandez and the two official Betas of Ben Watson and Ivo Monticelli, of the MRT Racing Team, as well as Jan Pancar (KTM), Alvin Ostlund (Honda), Tom Koch (KTM) and Max Spies ( KTM).
The live streaming of the 125, MX2 and MX1 heats will start at 1.15pm and it will be possible for all FMI members to follow it on Federmoto.TV, this time the live broadcast will also be available on FIM-MOTO.TV
Words: Press Release
Image: Off Road Pro Racing