GP Bits: 2022 MXGP of Lombardia

PHOTOS: JP Acevedo

Euro racers and their three digit numbers... Just how they roll.

Claudio de Carli is a legend in MXGP racing and has long been the Italian side of the Factory KTM effort. Now, instead of two Factory Red Bull KTM teams, there is one factory team for each of the brands. Prado was Tony Cairoli's teammate and is now the solo 450 rider. Big shoes to fill.

Lets take a closer look at his HRC CRF450R.

Classic Honda styling and the red plate looks great on a red bike. One of the most trick but least flashy parts of these bikes is the wiring. All teams pretty much create there own. Honda has things organize and color coordinated.

Super protected extra start button. Very little chance of that guy getting knocked off or damaged.

No telling what kind of factory magic they have working in there. Looks similar to the US team's bikes from the outside. Different engine hangers and Tim likes a rubber tipped shifter. that header is a slightly shape and has I nice double layer of titanium for protection.

The other end of the factory shock. They have some foam in there that doesn't allow for dirt to build up in voids that were created on the latest gen CRF-R.

Don't want to be Fox's boot guy! That's some gnarly grip tape! And the extra airbox venting is impossible to miss and so clean.

Tim's cockpit isn't too cluttered. The stock map switch and an extra toggle on the right. Talon makes the HRC triple clamps but they are not for sale, obviously.

That shock body is beefy as hell! And the candy coated spring with the shock shaft color... drool.

Tim's start RPM light is a little more stealthy than some of the others out there.

Another look.

One more.

That pipe is beautiful and so are the coated cases.

Tim's rear brake setup is surprisingly mellow.

O2 censor wired up for practice.

The Yosh RS-12 system looks so good. On the Honda, it's muffler is long because of Yosh's technology at the front of it where the midpipe attaches.

Tim seems to be particular about his extra traction.

That helmet and google combo is fire!

Looks like he's riding through a war zone!

Moto guys really like wearing their cycling glasses all the time...

Kay de Wolf's FC 250 is all new this year. Let's take a tour.

Kay is a tall kid, as you can see by his choice in bar bend and his seat. They are also running the not-hidden-anymore solid factory clamps.

Maybe they are lighter this way, but some factory teams would swap those allen key bolts for 8mm bolts to use less tools. Those factory lugs are pretty minimal, too.

The 'new' FMF header still looks cool and has a resonator while being as low-profile as possible.

These frame guards are on all the latest gen KTM/Husky/GG bikes. Cool that they integrate brake protection too.

Factory Brembo brakes with a little carbon insurance.

The other end of the system. The billet lug with the cutouts on the caliper carrier is rad. Same that all WP bikes have been running for years, just still cool.

It would be so sick if they came with the billet ignition cover. How long until we see the aftermarket version.

Some people don't like the look of the Supersprox. Love it or hate it, a lot of Euro teams run it. And that chain block has like a radial carbon weave to it.

A little less venting than the US side. Plus a better look at that tall seat!

Kay giving it a little lean.

Is this the moto version of the Hokey Pokey?

Off course everything is stickered, this is moto!

Courtney Duncan is the defending WMX champion on the Bike It MTX Kawasaki Team.

One of a few teams on Japanese bikes with WP suspension. Not the latest, but obviously getting the job done. And a little peek at the carbon subframe.