Vital MX GP Bits: 2024 MXGP of France 4

France delivers with great racing, great visuals, mud, drama, and more...

ML512
5/20/2024 9:32am
gpbitsfranceA.jpg?VersionId=t2U
Place Holder
French rounds of MXGP always draw a solid turnout. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Oh, we feel bad for the mechanics. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
At one point in the weekend the conditions were epic... Juan Pablo
Place Holder
And the battles... Juan Pablo
Place Holder
...And then it all went to hell. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
The champ's machine. The MXGP GasGas Factory machines have a little more edge to their look. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Prado raced US Supercross on a spring fork but is on an air fork back in the GPs. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
He's also on a different frame than he was in the USA. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
WP went away from a separate needle adjustment high and low-speed compression on their works shocks this year, to a more traditional combined high and low-speed comp. Similar to their production shock and those found on Showa and KYB shocks. This has been a world-wide change for KTM group factory equipment on the motocross/Supercross side. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Hmmm, a slightly shaved seat for Prado? Juan Pablo
Place Holder
The housing for the data logger on the GasGas also has a RPM starting dash built in. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
The little touches from Renthal. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Old school tape measure, love it. Also, the white radiator louvers pop! Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Prado was mud prepped... Juan Pablo
Place Holder
While he was a bit better in the muddy conditions in France, they still aren't his strong point. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Oil cooler is routed into the bottom of the case and the oil cooler cap on the MXGP KX450s. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Considering how strict the MXGP sound regulations are, it's impressive to see PC's exhaust pass with a stout outlet. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Romain Febvre was on point in front of his home crowd. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Romain was robbed, period. Want to learn more? Check out our MXGP pod from this round: https://www.vitalmx.com/videos/features/mxgp-podcast-show-2024-france Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Place Holder Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Thibault Benistant had a scary crash over the weekend, resulting in a fractured neck. Rumor is we'll see an American aboard his bike for the remainder of the season. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Lucas Coenen supported Benistant on the podium during his win celebration. Juan Pablo
 
Place Holder
Dixon Racing is the support Kawasaki effort in MX2 at the moment, but with an official factory MX2 team coming next year under the KRT tenet, it'll be interesting to see what DRT does. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
The team is still using their in-house made triple clamps but has switched from WP suspension to production KYB components for 2024. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Their engine mounts are also made in-house. The bikes lack skidplates and run Suter clutches. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Again, at one point, the conditions were epic. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Until... Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Lucas Coenen has had a rough start to the season and is finally putting it back together with a perfect weekend of 60 points. Winning the qualifying race along with both motos. He's now third in points but 59 points adrift the championship leader, his teammate Kay de Wolf. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Kay de Wolf holds onto the red plate but Coenen took 10 points out of his lead in France, with 13 GPs remaining.  Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Mattia Guadagnini's MXGP ride with Nestaan Husqvarna is Husky's first factory 450 effort in GPs since Standing Construct in 2022. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Unlike Prado, he's running windowed engine hangers. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Most of the MXGP Austrian machines run the larger front axle option. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Hmmm, Mattia is running a different version of the works air fork, we need to get a better look at future rounds. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
No extra airbox venting here. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
The Akrapovic carbon fiber chain guide is sealed up tight, so no unwanted debris gets in. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Kevin Horgmo was one of two MXGP riders penalized and it cost him his first career top five in the class. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Jeffrey Herlings was impressive in the second moto and his pass on Febvre was straight a WFO moment from The Bullet. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Can he continue it? Juan Pablo
Place Holder
Juan Pablo
Place Holder
After some penalties were handed down and Tim Gajser's position improved from these actions, he took the GP overall win and the points lead back from Jorge Prado. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
It's Tim vs Jorge, with Romain on the outside looking in...and Jeffrey praying for some luck. Juan Pablo
Place Holder
See you all at the next GP. Juan Pablo
Related:
GP Bits
2024 FIM Motocross World Championship
France
GP Bits 2020
4 comments

View replies to: Vital MX GP Bits: 2024 MXGP of France

c50 151304125 3648843435151899 7304637123573734595 o 1 1633386443
YZed250
6 months ago

Does Mattia Guadagnini's FC450 have modified peg mounts? 
Left peg looks high. 

c50 86305890 1251495582
Snapper
6 months ago

"Mattia Guadagnini's MXGP ride with Nestaan Husqvarna is Husky's first factory 450 effort in GPs since Standing Construct in 2022." Not exactly, it was IceOne in 2021.

2
c50 IMG 1717 1632064395
ML512
6 months ago

Pauls Jonass and Brian Bogers were Factory Husqvarna MXGP for 2022 with Standing Construct. Construct did a one-year deal as the factory Husky MXGP program before switching to Hondas in 2023.

DSC 3575
AverageWeekendWarrior
6 months ago

I love the looks, soil and vibe of French GP. I've been in St Jean d'Angely in 2011 on MXoN and I would love to come back there.
Prado's bike with trimmed seat looks oldschool but Gaudagnini's Husky is fire. The best looking bike out there.

MX GP Bits always delivers great shots and interesting stuff. Thank you! 

1