The MAXXIS Netherlands team , including Taiwan representatives .
and production process technologies that MAXXIS is able to develop . " The different rules mean that there is a big difference between Enduro and Motocross , especially from the tyre manufacturer ' s point of view . For a start , if you think about the duration of the races - they impose quite different requirements . Then there are the different tyre rules and completely different tyre sizes etc . But the big characteristic that they share ? In both competitions , the tyres will be pushed to their limits . This brings its own challenges for each product , but it also brings its own advantages in terms of tyre development as the more challenging the requirements a tyre needs to meet , the better the tyre produced has to be . " This is great for racers , teams , the sport and for our dealers and their customers . We can certainly learn from both products and implement technology for both sports ." For motocross , the differences between how the tracks are prepared and factors such as temperatures and weather influences all make tyre choice very important . The differing track types in MXGP allows MAXXIS to analyse tyre performance across many different terrains . Where the collaboration between
Mattia Guadagnini won the European 2019 125 World Motocross Championship using MaxxCross tyres .
the research they do here in Europe and the decades of manufacturing expertise they can tap into in Taiwan has really paid off , is to allow them to start the programme with just two motocross tyre types to meet all the differing requirements of their riders . This has been great for race teams and for dealers when it comes to inventory management , and the experience gained has already allowed MAXXIS start developing a new , 3rd tyre , based directly on the feedback and requests from GP riders . Asked how Grand Prix weekends shape and define his and the MAXXIS Race Service team ' s job , Sjoerd says : " Our service team normally arrives on Thursday , during the day . We don ' t have to set up a big tent - like all the racing teams are doing - because all our facilities are within a specially modified side-opening truck . " During a GP we will visit all our teams to discuss what kind of track conditions we will have for the weekend and if the expected weather will have any specific influence on their tyre choices and set-up requirements . " During the free practice on Saturdays we always work very closely with the teams to identify any issues with their tyre choices , and this helps us to see if we have provided the right advice and to respond to the weather and track conditions . After each session , we will revisit the teams to discuss if there needs to be a change in strategy or maybe even a completely different tyre choice . " The 2021 season opened for us with our two vicechampion titles in the internationals races of the Italian MX Series and , of course , we are really happy with these results . Under normal circumstances that would give us a foundation on which to build towards the MXGP championship races but , of course , nothing is ' normal ' anymore . The Corona virus will again make this a very different and very difficult year , but hopefully the current schedule will continue ." MAXXIS Europe is a new commitment to the market here , so we asked Sjoerd about how MAXXIS is structured here in Europe . " MAXXIS Europe is a new organisation - founded in 2019 for commercial and marketing activities . This Dutch company is 100 % owned by our Taiwanese headquarters . MAXXIS Europe is responsible for its own market , mainly taking care of OE business and some special cases like MXGP for example . On a daily basis we have contact with all the MX / Enduro importers and off-road bike manufacturers in Europe to keep them informed about our products and experience of their use and to drive their feedback into our development process . Nothing stands still , and continuing to develop our products to the highest possible competitive level is a dynamic process ." MAXXIS has a long-term relationship and
In 2020 , for the second consecutive year , the MaxxCross range won the European 125cc Motocross Championship with Andrea Bonacorsi of Fantic Motor factory team .
partnership with Infront , the promotor of MXGP , and Sjoerd says that " we clearly see that as very important to the long-term investment we are able to make and the commitment that race teams , our distributors and their dealers are able to make . " Having a race service team available for the teams at every MXGP round is hugely advantageous , both to us and to the teams and their riders . It not only helps us to promote our tyres - it is an effective and influential ' front office ' for us - but it is also an integral part of our ' back office ' as it drives the development and improvement of new and future products . For sure it is our shop window , but it is also our ' skunk works '," smiled Sjoerd . www . maxxis . com
Liam Everts , son of motocross legend Stefan Everts , rode in the EMX125 Championship in 2020 , using the range of MaxxCross tyres www . idnmag . com INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - JUNE / JULY 2021 33