GP Bits: 2022 MXGP of Italy

Round 7 of the FIM World Motocross Championship from Maggiora, Italy.

Klinger

5/9/2022 3:38pm

Photos: JP Acevedo

To say the mud was sticky would be an understatement.

How heavy is that helmet???

Looks more like a sculpting art project that a dirt bike!

Cairoli just hanging at the races.

Excited fans? Or the beginning of the zombie apocalypse?

Jeremy Seewer was second with 2-2 moto scores getting him on the podium and giving his fans a reason to get a little crazy.

Liam Everts

Liam is on the Diga Process KTM Racing Support team in the MX2 class.

Cool to see Liam running his dad's #72. Also the team is running the 'current' '22 KTM 250 SX-F and opting for the non-vented air box.

The rotor guard is what we see on the factory KTMs as well.

This team utilizes a lot of the same parts as the Factory bikes.

'Standard' non-split factory clamps.

Engine is pretty standard for KTM with stock hangers and everything. Pretty interesting stand hump placement.

XACT Pro shock for the current models.

ODI doughnuts on a Neken bar, plus Domino throttle.

Brand recognition.

Normally we'd see solid guards for a mudder.

XACT Pro Shock.

Foam mud-buildup prevention.

Some modifying to make the hand guards a little more streamline.

More traditional shift pedal than the stock KTM, which is more open and square-ish.

Looks like they are running the ovalized Akro head pipe that is for strength, not performance.

He's stoked.

There was a lot of mud prep in Italy!

Mud-prepped helmet.

Guadagnini with the DT1 helmet prep. Cool to see the MXGP TV mic with the TKO sticker.

Breaking news, this is what Tony is racing in the US!

MX2 rider Thibault Benistant's TLD lid.

This photo is also. For one, looking at the pit board, its like 'duh!' that's the whole point. Second, the dude in front is showing appropriate engagement, and last, the dude's forearm tattoo is classic dedication.

More rider communication.

Thomas Kjer Olsen is out of his medically induced coma and is recovering. Many racers were showing support with this sticker.

Vialle's custom lid with a nod to fallen rider Rene Hoffer.

Gajser showing TKO support.

Seewer likes his trippy custom helmet designs.

Swapping a few letters from his Maxime's name.

Ruben Fernandez has put in some good rides in the MXGP class this year on his Honda 114 Motorsports CRF450R

The 114 Team uses a lot of the same companies as the HRC team, including Yosh for the exhaust.

The shroud graphics, Evans coolant sticker, carbon fork wrap, ti tank, red head cover, and Blackbird seat cover all look just like the HRC machines.

Some teams were running full sand/mud tires but the #70 bike has pretty standard knobbies spooned up.

Factory pegs and case coatings to match.

Back-up stater.

This doesn't look like an external water pump like on the 250s. It is possibly the ECU relocated with a custom metal guard/bracket.

Foam mud prep.

More mud prep.

Support for TKO. Plus, custom shroud extensions, plastic rather than carbon on the factory Hondas.

Carbon wrap isn't enough. They are covering any exposed fork tube with black tape.

Guadagnini is one of the few riders repping the OG ProGrip goggles!

TLD giving a nod to Geerts' Dutch roots.

With the red plate, I'd say this is a sick lit kit/bike kit combo.

Here's a look at one of the privateer MX2 teams, the SM Action Racing GASGAS team with the machine of Andrea Adamo.

They are using Blackbird graphics and seat covers, like a lot of Euro teams. Also, a red KTM vented air box cover. Carbon graphics guards a little overkill? Or probably plastic reinforcement if that is where Adamo squeezes the bike.