{"id":778735,"date":"2026-07-04T15:12:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T15:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/778735\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T15:12:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T15:12:17","slug":"the-stars-of-tomorrow-descend-on-historic-jinin-for-the-fim-junior-motocross-world-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/778735\/","title":{"rendered":"THE STARS OF TOMORROW DESCEND ON HISTORIC JININ FOR THE FIM JUNIOR MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP"},"content":{"rendered":"

JININ (Czech Republic) 1 July 2026 \u2013 The world\u2019s brightest young Motocross talents are bound for the Czech Republic this weekend as the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship arrives at the historic circuit of Jin\u00edn on the 4th & 5th of July, with all the action from Sunday\u2019s finals broadcast LIVE on MXGP-TV.com! Fans across the globe can cheer on their nation\u2019s riders from home and discover the names that could shape the future of the sport.<\/p>\n

A record-breaking entry underlines the event\u2019s booming global appeal, with more than 282 riders from 40 nations descending on Jin\u00edn \u2013 100 in the 125cc Junior World Championship, 94 in the 85cc class, and 88 in the 65cc Junior World Cup. Alongside host nation Czech Republic and European powerhouses such as France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain and Great Britain, riders from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa, Colombia and Costa Rica\u00a0line up, while Uganda, Mongolia, Israel, Indonesia and the Philippines complete a truly worldwide grid.<\/p>\n

Following the devastating earthquake that has struck Venezuela, the Venezuelan Team will be unable to attend the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship in Jin\u00edn. The entire MXGP paddock stands in solidarity with the riders, their families, and the Venezuelan people as they face this difficult time.<\/p>\n

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A CIRCUIT STEEPED IN HISTORY<\/p>\n

Located in the south-west of the country, around 130km south of Prague and close to the borders of Germany and Austria, Jin\u00edn is one of eleven Czech circuits to have hosted World Championship Motocross. Its hard-pack surface is typical of the region and will reward the riders with the technique to master its slick, ever-changing grip.<\/p>\n

Jin\u00edn staged five Grands Prix between 1995 and 1999 \u2013 two in the 125cc class, one 500cc and two 250cc. The roll of honour reads like a who\u2019s who of the sport: Alessio Chiodi (Italy, Yamaha) won the 125cc in 1995; S\u00e9bastien Tortelli (France, Kawasaki) took the 125cc in 1996 \u2013 the year Paul Malin claimed the opening moto for the only Grand Prix race win of a season that ended with him runner-up in the Championship! Sweden\u2019s Peter Johansson gave Yamaha the 500cc win in 1997 as the venue\u2019s only four-stroke victor, before Germany\u2019s Pit Beirer (Honda) won the 250cc in 1998 and Frenchman Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Bolley (Honda) did likewise in 1999.<\/p>\n

The circuit also hosted five Sidecarcross Grands Prix between 1996 and 2008, and in June 2014 welcomed an EMX85 Regional Qualifier won by a certain Jorge Prado in the 85cc class, with Dane Rasmus Pedersen victorious in the 65cc.<\/p>\n

Jin\u00edn is no stranger to the World Juniors, either, having staged the event twice before. In 2013, Pauls Jonass won the 125cc class, Conrad Mewse the 85cc \u2013 with a young Hunter Lawrence second! \u2013 and American Aiden Tijero the 65cc, all aboard KTMs. Back in 2005, when the event featured just two classes, Belgium\u2019s Dennis Verbruggen won the 125cc on a Yamaha and England\u2019s Steven Clarke the 85cc on a Suzuki. With that pedigree, this weekend\u2019s winners will be joining illustrious company.<\/p>\n

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THE FORMAT\u00a0<\/p>\n

The two-day event splits Qualifying on Saturday 4th July from the main Championship races on Sunday 5th July. Each of the three classes \u2013 125cc, 85cc and 65cc \u2013 will be divided into two groups for Free and Qualifying Practice, with Saturday\u2019s programme closing with the Last Chance Races for those who miss out on automatic qualification. An additional race for each class will take place on Sunday morning for all the riders no qialified\u00a0for the main\u00a0races on Sunday. Adding to the racing experience for the young riders making the trip to Jinin. Every race will be broadcast LIVE on MXGP-TV.com<\/a> on Sunday. Let\u2019s take a closer look at the leading contenders in each class.<\/p>\n

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The fastest and most prestigious class of the weekend brings together the riders closest to professional careers, and with 100 riders entered, Saturday\u2019s Qualifying will be a brutal test, as more than half the field will not make it through to Sunday. The form guide points firmly towards the regulars of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Championship, many of whom MXGP fans will already know well.<\/p>\n

Austria\u2019s Moritz Ernecker arrives as the man to beat, holding the EMX125 red plate after a remarkably consistent campaign, with his compatriot Ricardo Bauer his closest challenger in the series and a proven front-runner. France\u2019s Sleny Goyer, the 2024 EMX85 Champion, sits third in the standings and should relish the hard-pack, while the depth behind them is huge: Denmark\u2019s Bertram Thorius and Switzerland\u2019s Emil Ziemer are joined by a cluster of Italian hard-pack specialists in David Cracco, Edoardo Riganti, Riccardo Pini, Gennaro Utech and Andrea Uccellini, all inside the EMX125 top eleven and dangerous on a surface that suits their technique. France\u2019s Liam Bruneau, a top-five finisher at Romagn\u00e9 last year, Denmark\u2019s Storm Maymann and Switzerland\u2019s Ryan Oppliger add further established speed.<\/p>\n

The wildcards are a glittering group of graduates from last year\u2019s 85cc class. Reigning 85cc World Champion Rafael Mennillo of France steps up with title-winning pedigree, as does two-time 85cc silver medallist Lucas Leok of Estonia \u2013 already tenth in EMX125 \u2013 alongside Spain\u2019s Pau Caudet and Australia\u2019s 85cc bronze medallist Seth Thomas. New Zealand\u2019s Levi Townley, the 2024 85cc World Champion, returns from injury and sits inside the EMX125 top fifteen. They carry serious credentials, but on current form they will be stepping into deeper water against the established 125 men. Estonia\u2019s Travis Leok lines up alongside brother Lucas, while a developing Great Britain squad of Brian Gyles, Olly Waters, Harley Marczak and JK Racing Yamaha\u2019s Drew Stock looks to make the step up.<\/p>\n

With reigning Champion Mano Faure having moved on, the 125cc crown is there to be claimed by a new name \u2013 and whoever takes it will follow former Champions such as Maxime Renaux, Mathis Valin and Jago Geerts onto the path toward the factory ranks.<\/p>\n

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This is where promising youngsters start to build serious reputations, and even hopes of a professional career for the very best of them. The clearest favourite may be France\u2019s Mathys Agullo, runner-up in last year\u2019s 65cc World Cup and a rider who caught the eye with the fastest free-practice time at Romagn\u00e9 \u2013 the hard-pack of Jin\u00edn should suit him perfectly. He steps up alongside fellow 65cc graduates Cohen Jagielski and John Slade of Great Britain, who finished fourth and fifth respectively last year, and Belgium\u2019s Tobe Vandeneynde.<\/p>\n

Staying in the class, France\u2019s Tim Lopes \u2013 a podium threat in 2025 \u2013 returns as a leading contender, as does Latvia\u2019s Martins Cirulis, a Fox Holeshot winner last season. The Netherlands\u2019 Kash Van Hamond, the 2024 65cc World Cup Champion, steps up with a title already to his name, while New Zealand\u2019s Jaggar Townley goes again for Yamaha. Spain\u2019s Izan Rodriguez, South Africa\u2019s Brody Bircher, Britain\u2019s Jett Gardiner, Casey Lister and Harry Dale, and Australia\u2019s Blake Bohannon all arrive with ambitions, and a USA trio of Austin Keller, Chase Brennan and Joey Vicari brings Stateside speed. Italy\u2019s hard-pack specialists \u2013 Pietro Riganti, Patrick Manfredotti, Simone Proietti and Antony Montoneri among them \u2013 should never be discounted on this surface.<\/p>\n

Champions in this class down the years include Ken Roczen, Jeffrey Herlings and Pauls Jonass, and more recently factory-bound stars such as Ren\u00e9 Hofer and Valerio Lata \u2013 an indication of just how much is at stake.<\/p>\n

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The youngest warriors will open each block of racing, fighting for their first taste of international recognition outside their domestic scenes. With last year\u2019s World Cup at Romagn\u00e9 decimated by rain \u2013 American Kannon Zabojnik taking the title in a single, weather-shortened race \u2013 the class arrives in Jin\u00edn wide open.<\/p>\n

A strong USA contingent looks to continue that momentum, led by Cobra MOTO duo Jax Baker and Yumena Berning, with Carter Holmes and Abshur Hall adding depth. Dutch pair Bas Verspaandonk and Demy Hermes will be among the European front-runners, Verspaandonk having impressed in the EMX65 qualifiers, while Italy\u2019s Daniel Corda \u2013 sixth in this class last year \u2013 returns with valuable big-stage experience. Spain arrives in numbers through Gines Alacid, Ramon Campos Mu\u00f1oz and Adan Quesada, and Britain\u2019s Roy Townley carries one of the sport\u2019s most famous surnames. Estonia\u2019s Jaan Aron Vahter, France\u2019s Louka Barbet and Lucas Bos, and Argentina\u2019s Galo Zamarbide add to a global field, while Belgian brothers Oscar and Joshua Goblet underline a class packed with family ties and raw, fearless speed.<\/p>\n

65cc winners of the past at this event include Jorge Prado (2011), Jett Lawrence (2014) and Ivano van Erp (2017) \u2013 proof that careers can ignite right here.<\/p>\n

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ACERBIS WELCOMED AS A NEW PARTNER<\/p>\n

The 2026 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship is proud to welcome Acerbis as a new partner of the event. The renowned Italian brand will be on hand throughout the weekend in Jin\u00edn, with participants set to receive gifts from Acerbis, while the three new World Champions crowned on Sunday will be spoiled with top-class material provided by Acerbis as a fitting reward for their achievements on the world stage.<\/p>\n

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2026 THE RIDE GREEN CUP<\/p>\n

Beyond the battle for medals, the nations will once again compete for the Ride Green Cup, awarded to the team that shows the greatest commitment to environmental sustainability across the weekend. Team Ireland proudly claimed the honour in 2025, and the trophy remains a reminder that the FIM Junior World Championship is about strong values as well as fast lap times.<\/p>\n

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Don\u2019t miss a moment of the action, with all the finals broadcast LIVE on MXGP-TV.com<\/a>\u00a0this Sunday 5th July! The stars of tomorrow start here.<\/p>\n

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

You can find the complete results HERE<\/a>\u00a0And on Sportity<\/a> App (Password: FIMJMX2026 )<\/p>\n

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SATURDAY: 08:00 JMX125 Group A Free Practice, 08:25 JMX125 Group B Free Practice, 08:50 JMX85 Group A Free Practice, 09:15 JMX85 Group B Free Practice, 09:40 JMX65 Group A Free Practice, 10:05 JMX65 Group B Free Practice, 12:30 JMX65 Group A Qualifying, 13:10 JMX65 Group B Qualifying, 13:50 JMX85 Group A Qualifying, 14:30 JMX85 Group B Qualifying, 15:10 JMX125 Group A Qualifying, 15:50 JMX125 Group B Qualifying, 17:00 JMX65 Last Chance Race, 17:35 JMX85 Last Chance Race, 18:10 JMX125 Last Chance Race<\/p>\n

SUNDAY: 08:15 JMX125 Consolation Race, 08:45 JMX85 Consolation Race, 09:15 JMX65 Consolation Race, 09:40 JMX65 Warm-up, 10:00 JMX85 Warm-up, 10:20 JMX125 Warm-up, 10:50 Opening Ceremony, 11:40 JMX65 Race 1, 12:15 JMX85 Race 1, 13:10 JMX125 Race 1, 14:30 JMX65 Race 2, 15:15 JMX85 Race 2, 16:10 JMX125 Race 2<\/p>\n

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QUICK FACTS<\/p>\n


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Event<\/p>\n


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2026 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship<\/p>\n


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Circuit<\/p>\n


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Jin\u00edn, Czech Republic<\/p>\n


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Location<\/p>\n


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South-west Czech Republic, ~130km south of Prague<\/p>\n


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Dates<\/p>\n


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4 \u2013 5 July 2026 (Qualifying Sat, Racing Sun)<\/p>\n


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Type of ground<\/p>\n


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Hard Pack<\/p>\n


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Classes<\/p>\n


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125cc & 85cc Junior World Championship; 65cc Junior World Cup<\/p>\n


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Entry<\/p>\n


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282+ riders from 40 nations (record)<\/p>\n


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Live coverage<\/p>\n


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MXGP-TV.com \u2013 Sunday 5 July<\/p>\n


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Last Year\u2019s Winners (2025, Romagn\u00e9)<\/p>\n


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125cc<\/p>\n


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Mano Faure (France, Yamaha)<\/p>\n


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85cc<\/p>\n


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Rafael Mennillo (France, KTM)<\/p>\n


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65cc<\/p>\n


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Kannon Zabojnik (USA, Cobra MOTO)<\/p>\n


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Teams<\/p>\n


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1. France\u00a0 2. Italy\u00a0 3. Great Britain<\/p>\n


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Links<\/p>\n

Infront Moto Racing<\/a><\/p>\n

FIM<\/a><\/p>\n

Junior Motocross World Championship<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"JININ (Czech Republic) 1 July 2026 \u2013 The world\u2019s brightest young Motocross talents are bound for the Czech…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":778736,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[572],"tags":[64,63,806,805,803,804,85],"class_list":["post-778735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-motosport","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-motor","tag-motor-sports","tag-motosport","tag-motosports","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/778735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=778735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/778735\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/778736"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=778735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=778735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=778735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}