Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
The Italian Tire Manufacturer Mathematically Confirmed the 2018 MXGP Title at the Bulgarian Grand Prix, Bringing their World Championship Haul to 70 in the Sport Since 1980
The High Performance SCORPION™ MX32™ Range Continues to Remain the Undisputed Leading Tire Manufacturer of the Prestigious International Off-Road Competition.
MILAN, Italy (August 27, 2018) – Pirelli has become FIM Motocross World Champion for the 70th time in the sports history. At the end of the Grand Prix of Bulgaria held last weekend, the Italian tire manufacturer has mathematically conquered the MXGP World Title after previously having obtained the MX2 Title just one week ago at the Grand Prix of Switzerland. The MXGP and MX2 success brings the total number of World Titles to 70 since 1980, thanks to the high performance of its championship proven SCORPION™ MX32™ tires.
Pirelli mathematically obtained the MXGP World Championship title with three Grand Prix rounds still to run and had wrapped up the MX2 class with four rounds left in the season. This was possible thanks to the results of Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli in MXGP and Jorge Prado and Pauls Jonass in MX2; all Red Bull KTM riders using Pirelli tires.
Pirelli’s commitment and success in the FIM Motocross World Championship is renowned and the Milanese brand is the only tire manufacturer able to boast a Hall of Fame of 70 World titles in this Championship. Pirelli is very much present in the history of the sport and has a strong association with the Motocross Champions of the last 40 years; winning numerous titles with the most important representatives of such discipline. Most noticeably 7 World Championships with Belgian legend Stefan Everts, 6 with the Italian Antonio Cairoli, 9 (3 each) with the Belgian riders André Malherbe, Eric Geboers and Jöel Smets and 3 more with British rider David Thorpe. The most recent were conquered with the Dutchman Jeffrey Herlings (three) and twice with the Slovenian Tim Gajser, just to name some of the athletes that over the years have decided to rely on Pirelli.
Besides the relationships with the riders, the collaborations that Pirelli has managed to establish with the motorcycle manufacturers has been crucial as well. As many as 20 world titles were won with KTM, 16 with Yamaha and another 16 with Honda, 10 with Suzuki and 3 with Husaberg and 2 with Cagiva; demonstrating the ability of the Italian company to produce tires for any manufacturer. In particular, from 2008 until today, Pirelli has reached 16 World Titles with KTM: six consecutive titles with Antonio Cairoli in MX1 and three with Jeffrey Herlings in MX2, besides the ones with Ken Roczen, Marvin Musquin, Jordi Tixier and Pauls Jonass.
From the beginning of the 2018 season, Pirelli riders have already won 53 out of 54 races (26 out of 27 in MXGP and all in MX2).
Piero Misani, Pirelli’s Business Unit Moto Director, commented on this important result: “We are very proud to have reached this extraordinary goal. For Pirelli, the FIM Motocross World Championship is a top activity in which we have always believed in and continue to do so and that has seen us for almost 40 years the undisputed leader among tire manufacturers. During the years, we have had the chance to witness and contribute to the exponential growth of this championship, which today features a large number of both riders and manufacturers, and most of all, a great global media visibility. This World Championship is an exceptional stage for us to create brand awareness in some countries, which are very important for our business, and at the same time, a perfect proving ground to develop the tires with which we are increasing over the decades our silverware alongside the greatest Motocross champions. I wish a season finale full of satisfaction to our four riders who compete for the world titles in MXGP and MX2!”
Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli’s Head of Moto Racing Activities, stated: “70 titles in less than 40 years I think perfectly summarizes the value of the work done by Pirelli over this time in developing off-road tires. The SCORPION™ MX range, and in particular the SCORPION™ MX32™ tires, are now a recognized and appreciated trademark all over the world by those who practice motocross at a competitive or amateur level. As with on-road products and with regard to our commitment to the FIM Superbike World Championship, even in the development of off-road tires our philosophy remains the same because the FIM Motocross World Championship riders use strictly standard tires that any motorcyclist can regularly buy. This approach to racing and to tire development has been, and continues to be, the strategy that has allowed us to get the preferences of riders and motorcyclists around the world”.
Jeffrey Herlings took another step towards the MXGP title in Sevlievo with a double moto victory. The Dutchman, equipped like all Pirelli’s riders with SCORPION MX™ 32™ Mid Soft, is looking to be a solid bet for the championship thanks to a 73-point margin. There was an excellent performance by Tim Gajser, who finished second behind Herlings. Good finishes also came for Antono Cairoli, still second in the standings, and Romain Febvre, who finished in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
The MX2 class overall win went to Jorge Prado for his fifth consecutive victory in the last five races. Pauls Jonass was second despite a slip in the second moto and remains the first of Prado‘s pursuers in the championship with a deficit of 30-points. Third place belonged to Hunter Lawrence, who headed Thomas Olsen, fourth at the end of the day.
Mathys Boisrame took victory in the 10th round of the EMX250 European Championship by grabbing the European title with one race still remaining.
Below are the MXGP and MX2 Championship overall results and standings from Bulgaria. Riders on Pirelli tires are highlighted in bold.
Championship overall:
MXGP
1. HERLINGS Jeffrey (NED) p.783
2. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA) p.710
3. DESALLE Clement (BEL) p.581
4. GAJSER Tim (SLO) p.549
5. FEBVRE Romain (FRA) p.544
6. PAULIN Gautier (FRA) p.483
MX2
1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA) p.739
2. JONASS Pauls (LAT) p.709
3. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN) p.555
4.WATSON Ben (GBR) p.515
5. COVINGTON Thomas (USA) p.480
6. VLAANDEREN Calvin (RSA) p.462
Race results:
MXGP race 1
1. HERLINGS Jeffrey (NED)
2. GAJSER Tim (SLO)
3. DESALLE Clement (BEL)
4. FEBVRE Romain (FRA)
5. PAULIN Gautier (FRA)
MXGP race 2
1. HERLINGS Jeffrey (NED)
2. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA)
3. GAJSER Tim (SLO)
4.DESALLE Clement (BEL)
5. FEBVRE Romain (FRA)
MX2 race 1
1. JONASS Pauls (LAT)
2. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)
3. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN)
4. COVINGTON Thomas (USA)
5. LAWRENCE Hunter (AUS)
MX2 race 2
1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)
2. LAWRENCE Hunter (AUS)
3. JONASS Pauls (LAT)
4. WATSON Ben (GBR)
5. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN)
GP Overall:
MXGP
1. HERLINGS Jeffrey (NED)
2. FEBVRE Romain (FRA)
3. DESALLE Clement (BEL)
4. COLDENHOFF Glenn (NED)
5. ANSTIE Max (GBR)
MX2
1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)
2. JONASS Pauls (LAT)
3. LAWRENCE Hunter (AUS)
4. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN)
5. WATSON Ben (GBR)
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ABOUT PIRELLI
Founded in 1872, Pirelli is among the largest global tire makers, and focuses its business on the high end, premium product segment where it is a world leader. Present in over 160 countries, Pirelli has 22 manufacturing sites and employs approximately 38,000 people around the world. Successfully competing in motorsports since 1907, Pirelli is currently the exclusive supplier of the Formula 1 championship, the Superbike world championship, and many other championships around the world.
Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA) services NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) member countries through its Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) facility and research and development center at its Rome, Georgia headquarters, its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Silao, Mexico and its New York City, Montreal and Mexico City sales and marketing offices. The company manufactures, distributes and markets original equipment and replacement tires for export and domestic car/motorcycle applications (US, CA, MX) and Agro/Heavy Truck platforms (MX).
