In the crisp night air of Ernée, France, following on from the Qualifying races at the incredible Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, the annual MXGP Awards ceremony took place. The event was held on the VIP Skybox, which is the infrastructure built behind the start gate, and was hosted by Paul Malin and Lisa Leyland.
Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo and FIM President Mr. Vito Ippolito personally handed out the awards to the 2015 FIM Motocross World Champions Romain Febvre and Tim Gajser, and to the industry award winners.
Dr. Wolfgang Srb joined Mr. Luongo on stage to acknowledge the 2015 European Champions Nick Kouwenberg, Jorge Prado, Marco Maddii, Emil Weckman, Raivo Dankers and Scott Smulders, as well as the FIM Junior, WMX and VMX World Champions Maxime Renaux, Raivo Dankers, Kay Karssemakers, Kiara Fontanesi and Mats Nilsson.
Former MXGP rider Joel Roelants, who suffered a spine injury in 2013, collected a cheque for 10,000 euro as a donation to the Wings For Life charity while the vice MX2 world champion Pauls Jonass received 5,000 euros as the winner of the Jan de Groot award which honors the most promising young talent.
Tag Heuer’s Mr. Alexandre de Lamberterie was welcomed on stage to announce Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s former world champions Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings as the winners of the Tag Heuer Fastest Lap competition. Unfortunately both riders couldn’t make it this evening; therefore the exquisite watches they won were awarded to their team managers.
Fox Head Europe’s General Manager Mr. Matthieu Bazil also joined Mr. Luongo on stage to award Max Nagl and Max Anstie with their cheques for 10,000 and 5,000 euros as the winners of the Fox Holeshot competition.
For the complete list of award winners, see below:
MXGP Manufacturer World Champion: Yamaha
MX2 Manufacturer World Champion: KTM
WMX Manufacturer World Champion: Yamaha
MXGP Winning Team: Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube
MX2 Winning Team: Honda Gariboldi
WMX Winning Team: Yamaha MXFontaRacing
Mechanic of the Year: Manuel Volpato
Steve Bruhn Award Journalist of the year: Stefano Taglioni
Photographer of the year: Bavo Swijgers
“Jan De Groot” Award: Pauls Jonass
Motocross MXGP Best Cooperation: USA, Glen Helen
Motocross MXGP Best Race Track: Argentina, Neuquen
Motocross MXGP Best Media Centre: Gret Britain, Matterley Basin
Motocross MXGP Best Paddock: The Netherlands, Assen
Motocross MXGP Best Promotion: The Netherlands, Assen
Motocross MXGP Best Infrastructure: Qatar, Losail
Wings For Life: Joel Roelants
EMX 65 European Champion: Scott Smulders
EMX 85 European Champion: Raivo Dankers
EMX 125 European Champion: Jorge Prado
EMX 150 Honda European Champion: Emil Weckman
EMX 250 European Champion: Nick Kouwenberg
EMX 300 European Champion: Marco Maddii
65cc European Open Winner: Kay Karssemakers
85 Junior World Champion: Raivo Dankers
125 Junior World Champion: Maxime Renaux
Veterans’ World Cup Winner: Mats Nilsson
Women’s World Champion: Kiara Fontanesi
TAG HEUER Best Lap Challenge: Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings
FOX HOLESHOT Award: Max Nagl and Max Anstie
Motocross MXGP Best Organizer: The Netherlands, Assen
MX2 World Champion: Tim Gajser
MXGP World Champion: Romain Febvre
