With the 2013 FIM World MX1 and MX2 Championships starting early in March, riders will be enjoying taking the months of October, November and December off before starting their full-on training and riding in January of 2013.

Pre-season races will obviously commence in February and at this moment it isn't sure how the teams will prepare for this early start to the GP season.



Unlike many year previous the FIM World Motocross Championship off-season is very much a time for rest. Many years ago there would be a large number of major Motocross or Supercross races run throughout the winter. Now with the FIM World Motocross Championship becoming so important and many of the smaller event promoters struggling in the current World crisis, riders just rest their bodies and prepare for 2013.



There is still the odd Beach race or Supercross to enjoy for some riders. Last weekend in England Jeffrey Herlings, Shaun Simpson and Ken De Dycker raced in the Weston Beach race. The two KTM riders and Yamaha rider were be the big favourites as they battle a bunch of sand specialists. Eventually it was Herlings who won, although both Simpson and De Dycker showed good speed.



Two weekends ago it was Steve Ramon who raced a Beach race in France. The former World MX1 and MX2 Champion won the race ahead of some of the better beach racers. Ramon, who won't come back to the grind of the Grand Prix's full-time due to his previous back injury, has decided to close down his career in 2013 riding for the Dave Thorpe Honda Racing team. Thorpe's team will contest some Grand Prix's, so a one off race by Ramon is not out of the question.



Riders like Antonio Cairoli, Clement Desalle, and Tommy Searle have no races on the calendar at this moment, all three content to just enjoy time off the bike. Cairoli had in the past ridden rounds of the European Supercross Championship, however now he will enjoy time with his girlfriend Jill and relaxing in his home in Rome. He did do some stock car practice in Holland last week.



Christophe Pourcel will race a KTM in the Bercy Supercross, although unlike in recent seasons most of the competition Pourcel will battle are French Supercross specialists of American riders.



As for the rest of the off-season, there isn't a lot more happening, and obviously the International races Mantova, Valence and Hawkstone Park will play a major part in the preparation for the 2013 FIM World Motocross Championship riders.

Read the next news: Team Italy did it! (14 Oct 2012)

Back to the latest news