2020 Monster Energy FIM Motocross World Championship Provisional Schedule

July 9, 2019

Youthstream has released the first provisional calendar for the 2020 Monster Energy FIM Motocross World Championship, and there’s plenty to discuss in the 20-round schedule. It’s obvious that the promoting group is in pursuit of their long-term vision to blend iconic venues in mainland Europe with destination events in other parts of the globe, to the pleasure and dismay of fans. It’s important to note that we said “first provisional calendar,” because you’ll see a handful of To Be Determined or To Be Announced details for key events in the list. We’ll get into the details of that…

Here are links to all of the tracks from the MXGP site.

TBA | FEBRUARY 23RD

Strange to start the schedule with a set date, but no indication of a host country or venue, right? Our friends at MX Vice have hinted that this slot could be filled soon by a long-overdue MXGP race in Australia and it sounds like the confirmation could come in the next few weeks. Australian fans have begged for an MXGP or Monster Energy Supercross Series round in their country, which is a no brainer considering the number of top tier riders that compete around the world. Here’s hoping something works out down under…

MXGP OF PATAGONIA-ARGENTINA | MARCH 8TH

The lone race in South America has quickly become one of the most anticipated events of the schedule for riders and teams thanks to the scenic surrounds in the Patagonia region, the culture of the country, and the thrilling track layout. Argentina might not seem like a motorcycle destination, but a look at past MXGP or MotoGP events will show you how passionate fans are to watch the action in person. This is one of the many rounds we’d love to see for ourselves.

MXGP OF THE NETHERLANDS | MARCH 22ND

The first MXGP stop in mainland Europe will take place in the Netherlands, but the venue is still uncertain. Two tracks in the country have hosted MXGP rounds in recent years, the traditional outdoor venue of Valkenswaard and the road race circuit turned tempory motocross course of Assen, so there are options. We have no intel at how this could turn out, because both locations are top notch and are up to the task, but have to think that Valkenswaard is the stronger contender just because they won’t have the obstacles that Assen will (hauling in sand, building a course, clearing off the pavement after for the road race season).

MXGP OF TRENTINO-ITALY | APRIL 5TH

If you follow the MXGP series, then you’ve undoubtedly seen images from the Trentino round. Located next to an Italian mountain, the track is known for tricky dirt, a layout that is tight in spots and wide-open in others, and a backdrop like no other. Trentino is located close to the Italian-Slovenian border, so there’s always a big mix of Cairoli fans and Gasjer fans along the side of the fence.

MXGP OF SPAIN | APRIL 19TH

After being left off the 2019 calendar, a trip to Spain is back on the list for 2020. RedSands MX was built up to be a must-visit venue in the region, but issues between the track and series have kept it from achieving the expected prestige. With that said, this is another round that’s To Be Announced and we’d expect some clarification by the next calendar release.

MXGP OF PORTUGAL | APRIL 26TH

Back-to-back events in neighboring countries. Round six sees the series return to the warm weather of Portugal and the red dirt of Agueda, a layout known for getting very hammered over the course of the two-day weekend. This race could be the first real indication of a racer’s fitness before the summer months and might be the round that separates the title contenders and others in the field.

MXGP OF LATVIA | MAY 10TH

2019 saw three very difficult races in consecutive order and that’ll again be the case in 2020, albeit in a different order, with a trip to the sandy circuit in Latvia starting the streak. The track at Kegums is low-key one of the better on the entire calendar, thanks to its stellar prep and a layout that put riders on the limit of their skill for the full duration of the motos.

MXGP OF RUSSIA | MAY 17TH

The views of Orlyonok should shatter your preconceived Cold War thoughts that all of Russia is cold and harsh. Located next to the Black Sea, the Russian track is known for a high-speed flow and big jumps. The trip to Orlyonok is a little too far for some independent riders, so don’t be surprised with less than full gates in either class.

MXGP OF GERMANY | MAY 24TH

The three-race run wraps up in Germany. Thanks to a widely popular Motocross of Nations and some stellar MXGP rounds over the years, Teutschenthal has quickly become “the” track to race at in the country. A lot of obstacles are crammed into the small valley and allows a wide variety of lines to develop. Getting through this part of the season unscathed was a big challenge in 2019 and a number of top riders were sidelined for the next part of the year after crashes at one of the three rounds.

MXGP OF FRANCE | JUNE 7TH

France is fortunate to have a number of tracks of MXGP caliber in the small country and in 2020 will have two major events with the MXGP at Saint Jean d’Angely and the Motocross of Nations at Ernee. Built into the side of a steep hill, the hard-packed track puts all of the action in front of the spectators. As for the French fans, you won’t find a more passionate group at the other nineteen rounds. Actually, you’d probably see the same crew at multiple races through the year.

MXGP OF ITALY | JUNE 14TH

Although Italy gets two races in 2020, they have different names to set them apart and the true “MXGP Of Italy” will be run at Imola. A specialty track built on the famed road racing course that is mostly flat, this will be its third consecutive year on the series calendar. It sounds like the air of racing envelops the whole weekend, so if you’re a fan of F1, this is one to watch.

MXGP OF INDONESIA | JUNE 28TH

If you have some time, give this MX Vice podcast with David Luongo a listen. In it the Youthstream Vice President explains the decision to put two races in Southeast Asia, citing the support of the local race organizers and a passionate, untapped fanbase. Last week’s race at a specialty track was a one-off build in a metropolitan area and the 2020 round is a TBA, so who knows what’ll happen. The cost of travel and logistics for this race mean only the top riders and teams make the trip, so 20-25 rider gates are common in Asia.

MXGP OF ASIA | JULY 5TH

For a country not known for motocross, Indonesia’s Semarang circuit is an impressive place with a traditional, natural terrain layout and its become a unique addition to the series. Southeast Asia in the summer months sounds about as hot and humid as one could imagine, so it’ll be a long weekend for riders in the near-triple digit temperatures.

MXGP OF CHINA | JULY 12TH

Since this race is yet to be run in 2019, one can only wonder what’ll happen at the purpose-built circuit outside of Shanghai. We’re going to be watching this one closely in 2019 to see how well it goes over in a completely unknown market.

MXGP OF CZECH REPUBLIC | JULY 26TH

After a few weeks in a new region and then a short summer break, the series will resume for a long push to the final round. Loket’s track is about as traditional as outdoor motocross can get with long lanes, firm dirt, waves, and jumps. Search out GoPro footage from past events at the venue and see what we’re talking about.

MXGP OF BELGIUM | AUGUST 2ND

No track strikes fear into riders quite like Lommel. A bottomless sandpit in an industrial area of Belgium, its a popular weekly practice track for all in the series, mostly due to the close proximity to the team race shops. Riders that can search out “smooth” lines and jump combinations through the countless whoops are the ones that fill the top steps of the podium.

MXGP OF SWITZERLAND | AUGUST 16TH

The Swiss are notoriously rigid and have lots of regulations in place to protect the environment of the small country, something that seems to come up each year ahead of the race in Frauenfeld. Don’t let the To Be Confirmed rule concern you, it’s highly likely the race will run in the flat field. There’s no denying the popularity of the race and the country’s motocross industry and fans make sure it’s one of the best-attended rounds of the schedule.

MXGP OF SWEDEN | AUGUST 23RD

Sweden’s Uddevalla circuit is exactly what you’d expect when you think of the Nordic nation. Fans fill the hills around the track and watch riders spin laps on hard-pack dirt, when it’s on the schedule that is (Sweden wasn’t on the list in 2018, but is back in 2019 and 2020). As one of the last races on the calendar, both titles should be close to being confirmed around this time.

MXGP OF FINLAND | AUGUST 30TH

MXGP hasn’t visited Finland since 2014, which makes it a highly-anticipated addition to the 2020 calendar. The announcement of this race occurred just a few weeks ago and it’ll take place at the KymiRing Circuit, a still under construction venue that’s already locked in MotoGP events from 2020 to 2024.

MXGP OF TURKEY | SEPTEMBER 13TH

Everything comes to an end at the Afyon circuit. The track’s location in Turkey mixes the influence of Europe and the Middle East and is a market that the MXGP series hopes to build a solid fanbase in. Afyon has big jumps, hard pack dirt, and warm weather. What more would you want for a final round?

MISSING FROM THE LIST

The lack of a race in England drew instant criticism from fans on the island. Per a statement by Matterley Basin manager Steve Dixon, the track intended to hold a race and were in discussions with the series to confirm a date, but Youthstream decided against going to the British track in the late stages of negotiations.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the United States is left off the calendar again. US-based factory teams and riders were essentially forced to race past rounds as part of their sponsorship obligations, but the light turnout, lack of reception in the US, and other issues keep it the series from coming back.

Now that the 2019 MXGP Season is running into the second half, Youthstream is proud to release the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship Provisional Calendar.

The Opening venue of the season is yet to be announced and it’ll be followed by one of the favourite venues of the calendar, Neuquen – Patagonia, Argentina. MXGP then returns to Europe to visit The Netherlands in a location to be announced, Trentino, an eagerly awaited return in Spain and then straight to Portugal.

In May MXGP continues its trips to Latvia, Russia, Germany, France and Imola before the MXGP Paddock will get prepared for 3 back-to-back rounds in Asia at the end of June with 2 rounds in Indonesia and 1 in China.

After a trip in Asia MXGP continues to one of the old school venues of the calendar Loket in Czech Republic, followed by the sandy circuit of Lommel and the comeback of the MXGP of Switzerland after a year break.

18th round of the 2020 season is held in Sweden while the 19th stop of the calendar is taking place in the brand-new and recently announced Kymi Ring circuit in Iitti, Finland.

The final round of the 2020 season is set to be held in Turkey before the whole MXGP Paddock moves to France for the milestone of the Motocross season, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations which will be back in Ernée after the big success of its last edition back in 2015.

Youthstream and the FIM Europe also use this occasion to announce an additional class that will be included in the calendar as from 2020 the EMX Open Championship will be combined with MXGP/MX2 events within Europe. There will be 6 events counting towards the championship standings in the EMX Open Championship, all at MXGP/MX2 events similar to and in the same format as the EMX125, EMX250 and EMX2T championships which will all continue. From 2020 and onwards the EMX Open championship will be open to riders from 16 years old up to 50 years old on motorcycles from 175cc up to 450cc, for both 2strokes and 4strokes.

The provisional MXGP and MX2 calendar also includes the rounds scheduled for Women’s Motocross World Championship, and All European Championships, EMX250, EMX125, EMX2T and the newly added EMXOPEN and can be viewed here below.