Triumph Shines in first Enduro GP!

Triumph Factory Racing made a solid statement in their maiden EnduroGP appearance over the weekend, with Mikael Persson landing back-to-back podiums in the Enduro1 class at round one of the 2025 FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Portugal.

It was a milestone weekend for the British manufacturer, proving that their all-new TF 250-E is already competitive at the highest level of enduro racing.

Despite atrocious weather conditions in Fafe—torrential rain, heavy mud and fog—the team adapted quickly. Persson powered through to finish third in Enduro1 on both days while also securing ninth and seventh overall respectively, putting him eighth in the EnduroGP standings after round one.

“That’s round one done here in Portugal! I had two fantastic days, finishing third in class after a really positive weekend,” Persson said. “I was pushing hard to finish a bit higher up overall today, so I’m pleased with P7. I’m really happy for the team – we’ve worked so hard this preseason so it’s great to start the season on such a positive note!”

Jamie McCanney showed solid form across the weekend, narrowly missing the Enduro1 podium on day one before backing it up with a consistent fifth-place finish on day two. Photo: Future7Media

Teammate Jamie McCanney also showed solid early-season form. He missed the Enduro1 podium by just one position on Saturday, coming home fourth in class and tenth overall. Sunday proved more challenging as he struggled to find rhythm, but still managed fifth in class and twelfth outright.

“So we’re finished here at round one of EnduroGP, and we have definitely been put through our paces this weekend! It’s been a tough return, especially carrying a small injury, but I’m happy to have posted some good test times across the two days,” McCanney said. “It’s been a great start for the team with Miki putting the new bike on the box twice, and we have a lot to build on going forward.”

The weekend kicked off with Friday night’s Super Test, where Triumph’s new enduro models—the TF 250-E and TF 450-E—were unveiled in action with a demo lap by legends Jonny Walker and Ivan Cervantes. From there, the real racing began with Persson clocking a solid seventh in the slippery night test. McCanney, starting later in worsening conditions, ended up 23rd.

Team manager Paul Edmondson was thrilled with how the squad came out swinging on debut. “We’ve just completed the first EnduroGP of the season, and to say we are a new team with new bikes, we have had an incredible weekend,” he said. “Mikael coming back from injury to get two podiums is amazing and Jamie managed fourth and fifth in class which was great. We’ve gained some valuable race time and I can’t wait to see what the boys can do in Spain next month!”

With one round down and the TF 250-E already proving its capability in the mud and mayhem of Fafe, Triumph heads into round two in Oliana, Spain (2–4 May) with confidence and momentum.

 

Mikael Persson also impressed in the overall standings, finishing inside the top ten on both days and proving the TF 250-E is already a serious contender. Photo: Future7Media

DUST BOWL AT CAMP COKER BULLET GNCC ENDURO

Cairoli To Fill In At MXGP of Trentino

Tony Cairoli, the nine-time MXGP World Champion, will fill in for the injured Mattia Guadagnini at the MXGP of Trentino on April 12-13 in Pietramurata, Italy. Cairoli, who is already one of the Ducati lead test riders, will race alongside current team rider Jeremy Seewer at the Italian Grand Prix after Guadagnini was injured in a training crash last week in Sardinia

 

Antonio Cairoli will fill in for the Ducati Factory team at the MXGP of Trentino on April 12-13.

“I enthusiastically accepted Ducati’s request to race in MXGP at Pietramurata as a replacement for Mattia Guadagnini, to whom I extend my best wishes for a speedy recovery,” Cairoli said. “Even though I wasn’t expecting to return to racing so soon this year, I will use these few days that separate me from the Trentino GP to train and be in the best possible condition on 12 and 13 April. It will also be the perfect opportunity to greet all my fans and Ducati’s fans on the occasion of the launch of the production Desmo450 MX”.

EnduroGP 2025 Highlights | Portugal

Gajser Stays On Top of MXGP

Five time World Motocross champion Tim Gajser of the HRC effort, put in a strong second-place finish in race two, to get himself onto the MXGP of Sardegna podium, and continue his excellent start to this 2025 world motocross championship season.

His 5-2 performance might not have been similar to his two victories in Spain and France in rounds two and three of the championship, but his consistency has seen him extend his championship points after winning the Saturday qualification race.

On the Saturday, Gajser put in excellent rides to finish first in the MXGP of Sardegna’s qualification race. Coming into the Saturday, Gajser had won five the last six gate-drops, and he made it six from seven, with a come-from-behind performance that shows he sand skills are up with the best in the world. The #243 was fastest in timed practice, but didn’t get the best jump, especially compared to teammate Fernandez, who roared out of the gate and crossed the holeshot line in first place.

While Fernandez tried to pull away, Gajser made a number of moves to get himself into third place by the end of the first lap as the Honda pair made-up two of the three podium positions. Midway through the moto, Gajser passed his teammate for the lead and while the #70 did slip to third, it was still an excellent ride for the Spaniard, and one that should give him a lot of confidence for the longer motos tomorrow.

Gajser then tried to pull out a gap, but unbeknownst to him, the second-place rider was staying within striking distance. On the last lap, as lappers blocked the Slovenian, he suddenly realised how close it was up-front so increased his speed and held on for the win – his second qualification victory of the season, also moving him to 39 points ahead of his nearest rival in the championship standings.

“It was a good day in the sand, being fastest in timed practice and then coming through the field in the qualification race to win that. I didn’t get the best start, but I made a lot of good passes on the first lap to get into third. Ruben was riding well in the lead, so it took a few laps to get past him, and then I thought I had a comfortable gap to second but in the last lap I heard a rider behind and had to push to stay in the lead. Still, I felt comfortable and I enjoyed myself so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Both motos on Sunday, the Slovenian didn’t get the best of starts as he had to avoid fallen rivals, but he made his characteristic first-lap passes to put himself in a position to challenge for the top honours. In race one, he wasn’t able to find the rhythm on the deep-sand Riola Sardo circuit, and could only work his way into fifth position.

This left him leaving a big effort in race two and that’s exactly what he was able to deliver, receiving the chequered flag just 0.6 seconds behind the winner. Overall though, third step on the podium and increasing his lead from 29 points to 34 points over the course of the weekend is what the Honda HRC rider is aiming for and he now heads to Trentino – his ‘home’ GP – full of confidence he can keep this podium streak going.

“After the first moto, when I just didn’t find a good rhythm and struggled to really attack the track, I felt much better in race two and I think it showed. I didn’t get a good start in either race and that doesn’t help, but I made some good passes and had a good second moto for a solid GP. I am in a good position in the championship, and I’m excited to head to Trentino for what should be a very cool event.”

Now onto Trentino this coming weekend and you just know that Gajser will again perform well at this Italian facility. One of his favourite GPs, with a huge number of his countrymen travelling across the border from Slovenian to cheer him on. Some of the HRC mans best memories have come at Trentino.

'This was probably the best 15th I've had in my life' – Hampshire

250SX East contender moves to within three points of series lead.

Image: Octopi Media.

Following a chaotic night of racing at Saturday night’s Foxborough Supercross round, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire has expressed that his lowly result in the 250SX East class main event was likely the best 15th-place finish of his career.

Hampshire launched out of the gates on a rain-soaked Gillette Stadium circuit, having held almost a bike-length advantage on the field. It would all come unraveled, however, when the number 24 went to turn into the first corner, aquaplaning dramatically and going down.

Collecting Seth Hammaker (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) among others in the process, Hampshire had his work cut out for him, coming through the field in what were ultra-challenging conditions.

Following additional crashes, Hampshire would eventually finish the race in P15 and ultimately close the gap from 10 points to three in the 250SX eastern division championship with four rounds remaining.

“The goal coming in was just to put it in the main event and try to make up some points toward the championship,” reflected Hampshire. “This is probably the best 15th I’ve had in my life! I pulled a massive start and then just hydroplaned into the first turn, went down four or five more times, but clawed back some points in the series, and now we’re only three down with four [rounds] to go.”

It was a significant swing in the regional point-standings, with defending champion Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) making a series of late race mistakes that relegated him from fifth to 22nd – following a DNF – on the night.

For Hammaker, he would recover to a ninth-place finish, which now sees him share the series lead with Vialle on 99 points, followed by Hampshire in third on 96 as riders prepare for this year’s second 250SX Showdown in Philadelphia this Saturday night.

Chance Hymas on Wet Win!

When Will Lawrence Bros Return?

Hunter Lawrence Expected Back For Pro Motocross Season Opener; No Timeline for Jett

by Slaw

Nestled inside the Honda HRC Progressive Dean Wilson fill-in announcement, the team released a timeline on the return of Hunter Lawrence.

Hunter has been out since sustaining a raised and partially torn labrum in his right shoulder, along with multiple cracks in his humerus bone at round 5 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross in Tampa.

After undergoing surgery on Feb 13 in Orange County, California, his expected recovery time was eight to 10 weeks. In the press release issued on Tuesday, the team said they expect Hunter to return in time for the AMA Pro Motocross opener on May 24 in Pala, California.

“I’m going to get this fixed and come back 100%, to go and battle for the outdoor and SMX title again,” Hunter said after his injury in Feb.

“Obviously, we’ve missed having the Lawrences racing out of our truck for much of this season, but we’re happy to see them progressing well and hope to have them back in action soon,” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing and Advertising at American Honda. “In the meantime, it will be great to have Dean showcasing the CRF450RWE. I’d like to thank Yarrive and Martin at Quad Lock Honda for their flexibility in order to make this happen.”

As for Jett Lawrence, the timeline on his return is not yet known. In the release, the team said, “Jett has been dedicated to his recovery, which is going extremely well, and he hopes to be racing as soon as possible.”

Jett has been out since round 4 in Glendale where he sustained a torn ACL in his right knee.

The Dawn of a New Era

Grand Pa Earl Returns for HRC

Honda HRC Progressive announced today that Dean Wilson will campaign the factory CRF450RWE race machine for the last five rounds of the 2025 AMA Supercross season, beginning with the April 12 event in Philadelphia.

The squad has fielded a 250-only effort in AMA Supercross since Hunter Lawrence withdrew for shoulder surgery following the February 8 Tampa round (Jett Lawrence had pulled out for knee surgery one week earlier). Hunter hopes to return to action in time for the AMA Pro Motocross series, which starts on May 24 in Pala, California. Since his surgery, Jett has been dedicated to his recovery, which is going extremely well, and he hopes to be racing as soon as possible.

A native of Glasgow, Scotland, Wilson is a veteran of elite-level U.S. racing, having earned the 2011 250 AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Recent seasons have seen him contesting a variety of series, winning the 2023 Australian Supercross Championship in the SX1 division while racing for Yarrive Konsky's Honda Racing Australia team.

Early this year, Wilson raced for the British St. Blazey Honda team in the UK Arenacross Tour, which he won. He had intended to race five rounds of the AMA Supercross series for the Konsky-owned, Martin Davalos-managed Quad Lock Honda team, but will instead race for the Lars Lindstrom-managed factory squad.

"I'm just really excited and grateful for this opportunity," said Dean Wilson (also known by his alter ego, Grandpa Earl). "It certainly wasn't on my 2025 bingo card! It came through unfortunate circumstances, with the Lawrence brothers getting injured. I was on the other side of the pond in the UK, and I shot Lars a text, saying I would be interested. I eventually got a call that it will happen for the last five. I've always wanted to ride this bike and be a part of this team, so I kind of feel like a little kid again, to be honest—just over the moon! I'm thankful that Yarrive and Martin were very understanding."

Wilson began supercross testing with Honda HRC Progressive last week, three weeks ahead of his debut with the squad. In the meantime, Jo Shimoda and Chance Hymas continue to represent the team in the 250SX class, campaigning the CRF250RWE in the West and East Regions, respectively.

"On behalf of American Honda, I'd like to welcome Dean to Honda HRC Progressive for the final part of AMA Supercross," said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing and Advertising at American Honda. "Obviously, we've missed having the Lawrences racing out of our truck for much of this season, but we're happy to see them progressing well and hope to have them back in action soon. In the meantime, it will be great to have Dean showcasing the CRF450RWE. I'd like to thank Yarrive and Martin at Quad Lock Honda for their flexibility in order to make this happen."