Six years of the Bulgarian Grand Prix

The last six years of the Grand Prix of Bulgaria have seen many winners and riders who have been capable of going on to win World titles from their Bulgarian success. Of the MX2 class winners four have gone on to win the FIM World MX2 Championship although of the six MX1 winners only Stefan Everts in 2006 and David Philippaerts in 2008 have been able to go on from victory in Bulgaria and capture the FIM World MX1 Championship.

Way back in 2006 Youthstream brought the Sevlievo circuit back into the FIM World Motocross Championship calendar and straight away the riders and everyone in the paddock were happy to see the beautiful circuits once again producing exciting racing.

In that 2006 season it was the King of World Motocross Stefan Everts who dominated the MX1 class, while young Dutchman Marc De Reuver was the winner in the MX2 class. Of course Everts would go on to win the MX1 World Championship in 2006 and then retire from the sport.

2007 and two Yamaha riders in Antonio Cairoli (Italy) and Josh Coppins (New Zealand) won their respective classes and while Cairoli went on to win the World MX2 Championship, Coppins would become one of the most unfortunate riders in the sports history as his huge points lead in the MX1 class evaporated when he picked up an injury at the Grand Prix of Czech Republic.

A year later it was British rider Tommy Searle who beat home Tyla Rattray (South Africa) and Shaun Simpson (Scotland) in the MX2 class at Sevlievo and in the MX1 class soon to be FIM World MX1 Champion David Philippaerts (Italy) won the MX1 class from Jonathan Barragan (Spain) and Sebastien Pourcel (France).

In 2009 Josh Coppins pulled off another win in Bulgaria and again Barragan claimed second place, while Belgian rider Ken De Dycker finished in third place. In the MX2 class a young Frenchman named Marvin Musquin pulled of something of a surprise as he began his successful quest for the FIM World MX2 Championship. Musquin would lead home a French domination of the MX2 podium, as Gautier Paulin and Xavier Boog would claim second and third places.

Two years ago and this time Musquin beat home young German sensation Ken Roczen and Frenchman Steven Frossard in the MX2 overall results. It was also Musquin who would win the MX2 World title in 2010. In the MX1 class Max Nagl pulled of something of a surprise as he beat home Cairoli and Clement Desalle in the MX1 class.

Last year Red Bull KTM factory rider Roczen picked up a victory in Bulgaria on his way to winning the FIM World MX2 Championship. The win by Roczen meant that Desalle won the MX1 class and looked on the way to winning the MX1 Championship until injury dropped him out of the race for the title.

What will Bulgaria 2012 bring? That is a question that will be answered in the coming days, as the FIM World Motocross Championship riders make their journey to the Sevlievo circuit on the 22nd April weekend.


Strijbos, Philippaerts, Cairoli and Desalle at Valkenswaard's Round 1.