2016 MX2 championship contender Wilvo Standing Construct Yamaha’s Alex Tonkov has today published a video where the 22 year old takes his YZ250F for a spin around a spectacular new track in St Petersburg and where a Grand Prix could be run as soon as 2017.
Youthstream have been keen to tap back into the Russian market considering the vast spectators numbers that the last Grand Prix in 2012 attracted (even in the remote location of Semigorje), the presence of at least three prominent riders in MXGP and MX2 classes and the possibilities for wide-ranging national TV coverage.
Tonkov, who will ride a YZ250F in what will be his last season in MX2, has fully recovered from the shoulder he broke while fighting for the lead at the Grand Prix of Germany in June. He has been fine-tuning the Standing Construct machine for some time and his video project is part of a big push where he is expected to be one of the category’s front-runners for glory in 2016. ’59’ was also eager to show-off the St Petersburg location, Helidrive X Park, on film. “They are working every day there and I am really expecting something special from this place because it is an amazing area to hold a Grand Prix and people from Europe will be able to come and enjoy it,” he said. “We plan to do a bunch of videos this year with the biggest motocross portal in Russia, so people can expect some hot stuff soon!” he added.
After steering Honda and Husqvarna motorcycles in the past three years Tonkov is now expected to lead the line for Yamaha in MX2 with Julien Lieber alongside him; the Belgian remaining with the Belgian team for a second successive season.
“Testing is going good and I have to say that I am really enjoying the Yamaha 250,” the Russian enthused. “The team are putting in so much work and I feel that everyday we are getting closer to where we want to be. I’m working again with my brother and Bader Manech so life is simple again and it’s easier when you have people around you with such experience. We are on the right way for Qatar.”
