MXGP has started their new season, with Febvre winning heat one, and Renaux winning heat 2. But after years in the world of motorcross, I didn’t even noticed after I was looking for the results of AMA Supercross.
MXGP was apparently racing on a circuit unknown to me in Argentina. Previously, people had been riding on the Patagonia circuit for several years. With well-known fights between, for example, Herlings and Cairoli. Partly because of these kinds of memories, Patagonia was one of the more beautiful races on the calendar, but the circuit was also a more AMA outdoor-like style than the tight European tracks.
Now I hear you thinking. Is a circuit adjustment on the calendar so bad? Not necessarily, but from the images of the highlights I could not tell whether we were on a kit circuit in Switzerland or Indonesia or Argentina. If I make you think of Formula 1, images of circuits such as Monaco, Spa, Sao Paulo, Monza or Suzuka will probably come to mind. But MXGP seems to have gone down a path where the top promoter picks a field and plans a kit circuit. The worst example is the boring and extremely dangerous circuit where the final event had to take place in 2024 to crown the Spanish champion in Spain. several drivers were dissatisfied with the fact that the electricity cables were right next to the track and the medical crew was also not professional enough with regard to motocross club locations that know what they are doing.
If we take the small compact calendar of 15 grand prix in 2010 and see which ones have disappeared in 2025, these are the following:
- Sevlievo Bulgaria
- Mantova Italy
- Valkenswaard Netherlands
- Agueda Portugal
- Bellpuig Spain
- Glen Helen USA
- Campo Grande Brazil
- Lierop Netherlands
- Fermo Italy
It means that even with an expansion to 20 grand prix, there are still only 6 original grand prix. Compared to Formula 1, they still have 14 grand prix of 2010 on their current calendar. Formula 1 has even brought back old historic GPs such as the Red Bull Ring, Imola, Mexico City and Zandvoort. So if so-called Formula 1 sells its historic soul with only 6 new locations, what does MXGP do with 14 new ones?
I think it’s a shame that MXGP is going this route. Famous circuits such as Glen Helen or earlier Namur had something iconic. The construction kits of new additional locations remind me of local club competitions where a farmer has lent out his land for a weekend. And given the promotion of MXGP with half a grandstand filled here and there, it seems that the local farmer of my memory does a better job in recruiting audiences than the commercial owner of MXGP has done in for example Indonesia.
I think MXGP should look at the example of Silverstone in F1 and Assen in MotoGP. two iconic circuits that have been adapted to the current speeds of the machines, safety requirements, wishes of the public and local population. An example where this is desperately needed is the well-known Lommel sand pit. Notorious as one of the toughest circuits in the world, where the municipality has been complaining for years about the presence of the track. Most teams are based here, just as Silverstone is the home of F1, Lommel is the home of MXGP… but without help and recognition from MXGP, there may soon be no more Lommel Grand Prix.