On Track Off Road No.184

WHAT WON’T
CHANGE?
Format – Two motos per class
is a time-honoured format and
was only ditched (to much
derision) from 2001-2003 in
an effort to streamline the
sport to increase the chances
of mass appeal through television.
Youthstream experimented
with a ‘Superfinal’
in the 2013 overseas Grands
Prix that mixed the top riders
of MXGP and MX2 for the
second race but what should
have been a simplification of
motocross actually created
confusion and posed questions
over the safety of 450cc
and 250cc motorcycles tackling
the same obstacles at
the same time. Expect four
motos to remain in place even
if it remains cumbersome for
live television coverage and
the packages that broadcast
networks will be prepared to
take.
Rules – There will be questions
over the innovation
aspect of MXGP (especially
with other series like MotoGP
making a big push behind
electric bike racing in 2019)
but the FIM and Youthstream
have always been resolute
that the motorcycle should
not take priority over the capabilities
of the rider. Expect a
dim view of more electronics
and other aspects that could
inflate the costs of racing even
further, but perhaps the Infront/Youthstream
axis could
start to develop ideas like live
telemetry for the benefit of
TV/entertainment purposes,
much in the same way AMA
Supercross has started to do.
MXGP & THE FUTURE
Calendar – A pan-global
twenty-round series is unlikely
to be reduced. Even more
exploration of non-European
markets could be on the cards
and the continuing search to
re-introduce MXGP to Japan,
South America, the Middle
East and the biggest nut to
crack: north America.