Situated between Eindhoven and the Belgian boarder, Valkenswaard marks MXGP's first sand race this season. The venue has staged 32 rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship since its first in 1974; therefore it is one of the most familiar tracks on the 2019 rostrum. Valkenswaard was the track at which Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP's Gautier Paulin won his last Grand Prix.
That victory was back in 2017 and was one of his most memorable with the Frenchman proving his sand-riding prowess with a 1-2 finish for the overall win. Currently third in the 2019 MXGP Championship Standings and fresh off of the podium at the British Grand Prix three days ago, Paulin is driven to keep improving as he continues to test and fine-tune certain aspects of his incredible YZ450F machine. Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP's Jeremy Seewer has been making solid progress.
The 24 year-old surprised himself with top-five finish in the final race at the MXGP of Great Britain last weekend. As a result, he moved up to seventh position in the MXGP Championship classification, which gave him more motivation for this weekend where he hopes to inch towards a top-five overall finish.Two frantic rounds spoiled by unlucky crashes has left Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP's Arnaud Tonus eager to finish both races strong.
The 27-year-old has proven he is capable of running the pace of the front-runners after posting quick laptimes at the previous two rounds. Ironically, the last time he lined up at Valkenswaard was back in 2017 and on that day he topped the charts in Timed Practice beating even the most famed sand riders. Valkenswaard is renowned for its popularity and hugely animated crowds, which are bolstered by the influx of passionate Belgian motocross fans who cross the border. Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2 will be lining up for the third round of the MX2 World Championship with Ben Watson and Jago Geerts, and as a Belgian based team with two riders who excel in the sand, the team is confident that both riders can improve their current fifth and ninth place rankings.
Joining the MXGP and MX2 World Championships this weekend, the opening rounds of the FIM WMX World Championship and the EMX125 Championship will also take place. Bearing the torch for MXFonta Yamaha WMX this weekend, as the defending World Champion Kiara Fontanesi focuses on improving her physical condition, Larissa Papenmeier will make her YZ250F debut.MJC Yamaha EMX125 will enter the EMX125 Championship with three young riders, Florian Miot, Luca Diserens and last years YZ125 bLU cRU Cup winner, Magnus Smith. All three riders will line up on GYTR kitted YZ125 machines.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP's Romain Febvre will not be racing, although he will be in attendance, and he will star on MXGP's live Studio Show on Saturday 30that 10:20am (CET). It is free to view on www.mxgp-tv.com.
