Team HRC – MXGP
MXGP 2022
Preview Round 14   Belgium

Deep sand next up for Team HRC as Lommel awaits

After the hard-pack of Loket in the Czech Republic, the Team HRC riders will have to adapt quickly for the next challenge, as arguably the toughest motocross track on the planet awaits them in the form of Lommel, Belgium.

Nestled near the Netherlands border, the flat industrial estate which houses the circuit might not give off the impression of a difficult venue to race on, but once you see the bottomless sand layout, it is hard not to be impressed by the riders who are able to negotiate it at such speed. In 2019 Tim Gajser won his first overall there, and he followed that up in 2020 by winning four of the six motos and two of the three overalls, to really show how much his sand riding has improved.

But while Gajser has raced here numerous times throughout his career, teammate Mitch Evans will be taking his first ever gate-drop at this infamous circuit. In fact, it wasn’t until last month when he rode it for the first ever time, but that was on a practice day when the track was still flat. As a result, the Australian will have his work cut-out to get to grips with the conditions in time for the Sunday races, as he looks to continue his recent run of good form.

While a heatwave has hit most of Europe this week, temperatures should be a little bit more bearable by the time the weekend comes around, making things slightly easier for the riders. However, the terrain is still going to be extremely treacherous, and a rumoured new layout will keep everyone on their toes for the first free practice on Saturday morning.

Tim Gajser 243

I’ve had some really good results in Lommel the past few years so I’m going to try my best to get back to that level and get myself on the top step of the podium again. Loket didn’t go my way, but in the end it was a good result for the championship so I can’t be too disappointed. This weekend will be a completely different challenge and I think the racing will be a lot better, because it is so easy to make up, or lose time with just the smallest line choice. I’m feeling confident and I’m looking forward to getting there and seeing just how difficult the track will be!

Mitch Evans 43

I’m actually really looking forward to this GP, because I’ve only ever ridden Lommel one time, and that was last month and it was completely flat, so I’m excited to test myself on raceday when the sand should get really rough. Obviously I know it won’t be easy, but these are the challenges that I need to pass if I want to keep my improvements going, so I’m ready to give it my best. I’ve had to let my hands heal this week, but I plan to do one session before the weekend, just to make sure the settings are good, and then its all system go for the weekend.

Marcus Pereira de Freitas

HRC General Manager - MXGP

It is always a big effort to get ready for Lommel, just because there are so many things we need to prepare for, especially when the previous round is at a hard-pack track. The short week doesn’t make that easy but everyone is still working hard to give the riders exactly what they need. The plan is to do a mid-week session just to run the bike in, and get them back into sand-riding shape because it’s been a while since the last deep-sand race in Sardinia. Both Tim and Mitch had a tough round in the Czech Republic, but they still put in good, strong finishes and we’ll be hoping for more of the same in Belgium this weekend.

MXGP 2022

Rider standings

Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team Constructor
1 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 577 Team HRC - MXGP Honda
2 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 452 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team Yamaha
3 Prado Garcia Jorge 61 SPA 442 Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing GasGas
4 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 410 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team Yamaha
5 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 399 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team Yamaha
6 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 342 Honda 114 Motorsports Honda
7 Jonass Pauls LAT 287
8 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 287 Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Husqvarna
9 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 267 Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing Yamaha
10 Van Horebeek Jeremy 89 BEL 239 Beta SDM Corse MX Team Beta
11 Evans Mitch 43 AUS 235 Team HRC - MXGP Honda
12 Watson Ben 919 GBR 209 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP Kawasaki
13 Tixier Jordi 911 FRA 186 JT911 KTM Racing Team KTM
14 Forato Alberto 303 ITA 177 SM Action Racing Team Yuasa Battery GasGas
15 Jacobi Henry 29 GER 165 JM Honda Racing Honda
16 van Doninck Brent 32 BEL 159 Riley Racing Yamaha
17 Beaton Jed 14 AUS 152 F&H Racing Team Kawasaki
18 Guadagnini Mattia ITA 118
19 Östlund Alvin 161 SWE 86 JK Racing Yamaha Active Yamaha
20 Febvre Romain FRA 74
21 Kjer Olsen Thomas 19 DEN 73 Team Diga-Procross KTM
22 Koch Tom 226 GER 57 KTM Kozak Team KTM
23 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 52 iXS MXGP Team Yamaha
24 Monticelli Ivo ITA 38
25 Roosiorg Hardi 75 EST 32 Sahkar KTM Racing KTM
26 Lapucci Nicholas ITA 31
27 Paturel Benoit FRA 30
28 Lupino Alessandro 77 ITA 18 Beta SDM Corse MX Team Beta
29 Sihvonen Miro FIN 18
30 Charlier Christophe 23 FRA 17 Wildcard Rider Yamaha
31 Zaragoza Jorge 99 SPA 12 Wildcard Rider Honda
32 Rolando Nicolas 144 URU 10 Wildcard Rider Suzuki
33 Villaronga Sergio CHI 6
34 Philippaerts David 15 ITA 6 Wildcard Rider Kawasaki
35 Arco Dario ARG 6
36 Leok Tanel EST 6
37 Jasikonis Arminas 27 LTU 6 Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing Yamaha
38 Martin Humberto VEN 5
39 Trossero Marcos Gabriel ARG 4
40 Toro Lautaro ARG 4
41 Carrasco Agustin ARG 4
42 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 4 hostettler Yamaha Racing Yamaha
43 Zonta Filippo 200 ITA 4 Wildcard Rider GasGas
44 Galletta Pablo 117 ARG 3 Wildcard Rider Yamaha
45 Sterry Adam GBR 3
46 Locurcio Lorenzo VEN 2
47 Cabarcos Francisco 112 ARG 1 Wildcard Rider Suzuki
48 Tropepe Giuseppe ITA 1
49 Kullas Harri FIN 1
50 Drdaj Dusan 188 CZE 1 Wildcard Rider GasGas
Location Information

Dodenveldstraat, 3900 Overpelt, Belgium - View in Google Maps

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