A strong start of the world championship season for F&H Racing

F&H Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jed Beaton made an impressive start to his career in the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship as he clinched sixth place in the British GP which opened the series.

The Matterley Basin arena was in prime condition as the Australian rounded the first turn seventh in race one and within ten minutes he had advanced smoothly into the top six. With ten minutes remaining he had bridged the gap to the rider ahead of him to move into fifth, a superb performance on his debut in the premier MXGP class. He was again impressive in race two, quickly making a couple of significant passes to already move into the top six again on the opening lap. Concentrating on riding consistently as the low late-afternoon sun cast dramatic shadows over the deeply-rutted terrain he surrendered one position mid-moto but his sixth place in the overall GP classification was never in danger.

Jed Beaton: “Obviously I’m pretty happy with my day. I didn’t know what to expect coming here so it’s been pretty crazy to finish sixth first-time in MXGP. I think everyone always likes riding this track and I felt relaxed all day, got two good starts, rode my own race each time and tried to stay solid for fifth and seventh. For me I actually feel a lot more comfortable on the 450 and am really enjoying riding it; it’s more to handle but I’m a big guy and the little bit more power is good for me.“

Horgmo made a superb start in the opening moto of the MX2 class to round turn one fourth and within two laps he had moved forward to third, where he looked comfortable for ten minutes before a missed shift cost him two positions. A further mistake as he spun out exiting a right-hander put him down to seventh, a position he then held to the chequered flag. Again hugging an immaculate tight line through turn one in race two the Norwegian cleverly defended third place through the first four laps before two slight errors in the space of half a lap; first he lost traction through an over-optimistic line-choice and then he was thrown over the bars when he cross-threaded in deep ruts. Remounting eleventh he quickly regained his composure to pull back two places before the finish and ended the day eighth overall.

Kevin Horgmo: “I got two great starts, rode a really good first turn both motos and had a solid fifteen minutes each time but then I made too many mistakes. First I stalled the bike and then I crashed in race one for seventh. I was third for a long time in the second race but then I crashed again. Working with Marc has been good for me mentally, and we have been making big steps with the entire team. I feel really comfortable on the Kawasaki and both the bike and the team have helped me to improve my riding so much this year; for sure we can build even further step-by-step from here. I feel so confident on the bike that I can push more than ever before. Maybe I pushed a little too much at times today, and I’m a little angry with myself about that, but we will learn from it. “

Overall MXGP GREAT BRITAIN:
1 Tim Gajser 47 Pnt
2 Jorge Prado 43 Pnt
3 Jeremy Seewer 40 Pnt
4 Maxime Renaux 35 Pnt
5 Glenn Coldenhoff 32 Pnt
6 Jed Beaton 30 Pnt

Overall Grand Prix MX2 Great Britain:
1 Simon Laengenfelder 50 Pnt
2 Tom Vialle 42 Pnt
3 Jago Geerts 40 Pnt
4 Kay de Wolf 36 Pnt
5 Roan van de Moosdijk 33 Pnt
8 Kevin Horgmo 26 Pnt

A new chapter for F&H Kawasaki

F&H Kawasaki enters a new chapter this season as, for the first time since its creation seven years ago, the team will contest both MX2 and MXGP classes of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

The Dutch-based team has enjoyed success in the MX2 class, claiming the European title in 2019 and GP podiums every year since they entered the World Championship in 2018. For the first time this season the team will have one rider in each of the MX2 and the MXGP series, a new development which is welcomed by everyone in the team. Norwegian Kevin Horgmo joins the team for the first time in MX2, while Australian Jed Beaton returns for his rookie year in MXGP.

“The entire family took the decision to race two classes; we feel it will bring a fresh wind and new opportunities and we are really looking forward to the challenge. We had a great off-season; Jed is back with us and we are very optimistic, together with Kawasaki, that we can give him the opportunity to race up-front on the KX450 because he is a very talented rider. We achieved MX2 podiums with him, and we are happy to give him this chance,” explained team manager Nathalie Fase, who runs the team alongside her father Harry and is enthusiastic after the short winter break.

“With riders in two classes it will be different. We will need a new approach but we have less riders, going from three to two, so we can still focus on both; maybe it will be even better than with all riders in one class,” she added.

Marc de Reuver, a former GP winner who has been coach to the F&H team riders for several seasons, is happy about the preparation with both riders: “It’s going well; it’s even been a little less hectic than in previous years because we now have one MX2 and one MXGP rider so the focus is a little different. When we came back from Turkey last year we had a team meeting, and Harry the team owner suggested the idea to have one MXGP rider and one MX2 rider in 2022. We have had several really good years in the MX2 class and achieved good results but I prefer this solution; it’s a lot less stress. Marc has already been acquainted with both riders for several years: “I have known Kevin already for a long time; in 2016 he was racing the EMX125 while I was also involved in a team racing that series so I saw him riding. Like most of the guys who are racing at the front in the EMX classes he has the talent to get good results and just needs everything around him to be in the right place. I’m confident for him; it’s coming, as we could see in the pre-season races. I like to work with riders who deserve a chance, and he really deserves it.” Marc is also enjoying working again with Jed Beaton, the man who secured the team’s first GP podium in 2018. “Me and Jed are good friends and I like to work with him. He has a good character; he never complains, he’s a hard worker and it’s good to have him back with us. I’m really happy.”

For Harry and Nathalie Fase, who have both been highly enthusiastic about motocross for many years and who also run their own business outside the sport, a new exciting era commences this weekend when the gate drops at Matterley Basin for the first of twenty rounds of the 2022 FIM World Motocross Championship. After two tough seasons due to the pandemic GP racing returns to the two-day schedule this year and the F&H Kawasaki Racing Team will be present with all of their long-term partners. “We keep the same partners; we have a strong and solid base which we have built since day one of the team. We have so many loyal partners and we don’t like to change; If it clicks it clicks and, even with the obstacles created by Covid, everybody continued to have faith in us and everyone has been really loyal on both sides during this difficult time. Now we can’t wait for the new season to start; to meet and work again with our partners at the races,” concluded Nathalie, who was pleased to see both of her riders battling for podiums during the pre-season races.

Kevin Horgmo: ” It was a short offseason this year, but we had 4 good weeks on Sardinia and 2 preseason races which was good. It’s a good group of people working together in the team, and made me comfy on the Kawasaki already after some weeks of riding. Really eager to get to the GP’s!”

Jed Beaton: “The off season went well; we headed to Sardinia which was a first for me. I really enjoyed it there was a nice little island with many tracks, its feels good to be back on the F&H Kawasaki. I think the bike suits me really well and I’m adapting to the 450 nicely, I’m looking forward to the season ahead with goals of improving every round on my results and staying healthy all year!”

Kevin Horgmo joins F&H Kawasaki Racing Team

The F&H Kawasaki Racing Team has secured its first new signing for the 2022 FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship as Norwegian Kevin Horgmo, this year’s EMX250 series runner-up, moves up to the GPs.

For the fifth year in succession Team F&H will be officially representing Kawasaki in the MX2 World championship next season and the exciting Norwegian talent joins the Dutch squad with high expectations from both team and rider. One of most talented riders from Scandinavia, Kevin was at the sharp end of a tense battle for the FIM Europe EMX250 title this summer, eventually ending the series as runner-up with two overall victories, three moto wins and six podiums. The MX2 World Championship will not be an entirely new experience for Kevin as he already raced a few GPs this season, with a twelfth position as best result in Czech Republic. After battling for race wins, podiums and the title he now moves to the GPs more experienced and mature. Kevin has already started working with Marc De Reuver, who will again be the coach to the F&H riders next season.

Kevin Horgmo: “I’m really excited to join F&H Kawasaki Racing Team; the KX250 is a completely new bike for me but already after the first test I feel so comfortable on it. To be a member of a team like this is what I feel I’ve been missing in the past; the team has everything I need to succeed so now it’s up to me to perform! It will also be good to work with Marc as a trainer; for sure I will learn a lot from him!”

Nathalie Fase (F&H Kawasaki team manager): “We look forward to working with Kevin. He has shown in the past what he is capable of as a rider and, with the full package that we can offer him and a good winter, we believe he can make a big step towards success in the MX2 GPs. The first tests are done and everything looks good; he has adapted quickly to the bike and shows a lot of promise! We are already working hard with each other and look forward with optimism to some great times together!”

Team F&H Kawasaki ready for their home GP

The FIM Motocross World Championship will visit a new venue this weekend as Oss hosts the Dutch Grand Prix; the F&H Kawasaki Racing Team will be looking to mount the podium in their “home” GP.

With Valkenswaard, Lierop and Assen no longer on the GP calendar most of the riders will race at Oss for the first time even though the venue has regularly hosted rounds of the Dutch Masters. For Roan van de Moosdijk, Mathys Boisrame and Mikkel Haarup this GP will be a special occasion as the team is based close to the venue. “Oss Yes, we know the location well. The boys know the track as they have raced the Dutch Masters there and achieved some good results,” said team manager Nathalie Fase. “Normally our home GP is one of the most important races of the season for us but due to the Corona situation we can’t invite guests, especially some of our sponsors who haven’t seen the boys race for some time. We are looking forward to this race and we expect good results from our riders but we don’t want to put any pressure on them. Of course this GP is a little different to the other races for us.”

After three rounds of the series Mathys Boisrame and Roan van de Moosdijk are currently fourth and fifth in the MX2 World Championship, just a handful of points behind the series leader. And with three talented riders on sandy tracks the team hope to enjoy another podium celebration this weekend. “Actually everything is going to plan with one podium in the box and the season is going well. We have two of our three riders in the top five of the championship and we are close to the red plate; a lot of things are possible. We have a good set-up with three good riders; they can each be podium contenders and they have shown that they can be in contention for the title. Everything is going well and smoothly; I think we made a lot of progress as a team the last three years and we’re happy with the situation,” added Nathalie, who is one of only two women in the paddock to have so much responsibility as a team manager. It’s a situation that the Dutch lady handles perfectly. “To be honest in the beginning it was a little strange because it’s quite a male-dominated field but I know what I have to do, I know what I’m capable of, and I think I show that a woman can run a team smoothly. We are a team; there’s not specially one person in the set-up. It’s the trainer, the riders, the mechanics, even the truck driver; everyone is important. We are a strong team, and we all have the same goal but we remain a family and that’s important,” she added. This weekend she will have the support of her father Harry, who is equally passionate about the sport and created the team a few years ago. “Dad is actually very, very busy with the family business; the situation is a little strange with the Corona situation and he is focused on the company just like I am focused on the team. That’s how we work, but this weekend of course he will be there at the races to give his full support.”