Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s duo of Romain Febvre and Jeremy Van Horebeek will be wrapping up the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship over the next two-weeks.
This weekend – September 9/10 – the penultimate round of the 19 round series will take place at the famed Dutch TT Circuit in Assen, the same venue that saw Romain Febvre claim his maiden MXGP World Title back in 2015.
With the track being built on top of the road-circuit, the fans are able to watch from the permanent grandstands which offer an unparalleled viewing experience come rain or shine.
One rider that is hoping it will rain is Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Shaun Simpson, who has made a name for himself as a rider that revels in wet and gnarly conditions.
As a ‘sand-specialist’ it may come as no surprise to learn that Simpson won the first ever Dutch Grand Prix that took place at Assen back in 2015, and on that same day Romain Febvre was crowned the 2015 FIM Motocross World Champion. Simpson took his first and only win of the 2016 season in Race 1 last year, and would like to experience that same sort of success on board the all-new 2018 YZ450F this weekend.
Jeremy Van Horebeek was on the podium at the MXGP of Europe in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, earlier this year, and is hoping the Dutch sand will be as good to him this weekend.
Febvre and Van Horebeek – are currently sixth and seventh place in the 2017 MXGP Championship Standings, while Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Arnaud Tonus and Shaun Simpson are in 12th and 17th place, respectively, due to their injury struck seasons.
Tonus – who broke a rib following his race win at the Swiss Grand Prix – has been cleared to ride and will be back on his 2018 YZ450F this week, although he will not be racing the MXGP of The Netherlands.
