SAINT JEAN D’ANGELY (France) 10 June 2018 – Joining the MXGP and MX2 racing this weekend was the European championship classes of EMX125. An amazing rider turn out in both classes led to 2 groups for each where in the end only 40 Qualified to race in each. Taking the overall victories at the French race was Team Maddi Racing Husqvarna’s Mattia Guadagnini.

The success of the winners was aided by the thousands of French fans cheering them on from the edges of the circuit. The hillsides, packed with passionate motocross fans, came to life as the gate dropped for the races. The atmosphere is unmatched by any race so far this season and the memory of winning in front of the massive crowd will stick with both Boisrame and Guadagnini.

Leading off the start in Saturday’s Race 1 and never looking back was Yamaha Europe EMX125’s Thibault Benistant at what is his only home race of the season. Benistant created a massive lead which continued to grow throughout the race.

Behind Benistant the battle for second position was on with 3 riders duking it out for the spot. Running in 5th during the early part of the race was KTM Junior’s Rene Hofer who came into the weekend with a massive points lead. On lap 5 Hofer started to make passes and by lap 7 the Austrian found his way up to 2nd.

Taking the 3rd spot was Yamaha Europe EMX125’s Rick Elzinga just ahead of Team Maddi RacingHusqvarna’s Mattia Guadagnini. Both Elzinga and Guadagnini passed F4E Racing KTM’s James Scott and MOTOBLOUZ HB Racing’s Florian Miot. Guadagnini had arguably the most impressive ride in race 1 after starting the first lap in 11th but finishing the race 4th.

Today’s Race 2 was held in the morning and the riders where the first on the track after an overnight storm. The already challenging Saint Jean d’Angely circuit pushed the riders and their machines to perform at the highest level today.

Taking the early lead was Guillem Farres Plaza from Spain but after 3 laps in front he was out of the race along with Team VRT’s Tom Guyon who was third on the first lap before moving to second. With the early leaders out of the racing Mattia Guadagnini found himself in the lead.

After only two laps completed the red plate holder Hofer was down and unable to restart his bike. Rick Elzinga found himself in a strong 2 for 5 laps before dropping to 7th and an eventual 15th. Elzinga’s teammate and Race 1 winner Thibault Benistant was up into 5th by lap 4 which was his position on lap 12 of 13. Unable to complete the final lap Benistant lost a position to James Scott but was the first of a handful of riders to complete 13 laps.

On the final lap the leaders crossed the line with Mattia Guadagnini winning the race, MOTOBLOUZ HB Racing’s Matheo Miot 2nd, his brother Florian Miot 3rd, KTM DIGA Junior Racing’s Emil Weckman 4th, and Rick Elzinga 5th. In the overall standings Guadagnini took the top spot with Benistant 2nd, and Florian Miot 3rd.

MXGP France – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1620m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 24°

Weather conditions: sunny

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 37,500

NEXT ROUNDS

The next round of the 2018 EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Championship will take place in Lommel, during the Fiat Professional MXGP of Belgium taking place on August the 5^th.