GP Bits: 2022 MXGP of Patagonia Argentina

Photos By Juan Pablo Acevedo

We are going to start with the KRT (Kawasaki Racing Team) KX450SR of Ben Watson.

As we have previewed the new factory effort from Kawasaki is devoid of any energy drink sponsors though Romain Febvre (still out with injury) still has a personal Monster sponsorship.

A little peek at the carbon fiber subframe with the gold heat tape for protection. Also, there is a unique "protected" subframe bolt with safety wire.

Raptor Ti pegs and a Acerbis footpeg mount guards. We know the practicality here but they always look a little goofy.

Machining marks shows the billet side cases and they are running a PC shifter.

Factory Nissin brake caliper is sweet and those fork lugs are looking fresh. Even on factory bikes, they can take a beating and look hammered fast.

Carbon fan bracket and carbon data port, which is normally just metal.

Those bars are getting crowded. Obviously the stock Kawi's run the coupler system but this guy has a map switch on the left, plus kill, plus another button.

The other side of the carbon subframe.

With Argentina being such a fast track, they are running the axle as far back as possible. Plus, not safety wire on the spokes but little zip ties.

PC always killing the game with the green carbon.

Boyesen water pump keeping things cool, Hinson clutch just like the US team and a polished, billet rear brake pedal.

Carbon shroud extenders and carbon back fender roost guards to defect dirt and sand away from the radiators.

CRM does nice carbon.

Tom Vialle took the overall with 2 - 1 scores in the MX2 class, despite a gnarly crash.

Red Bull lid for Vialle.

Who would have thought that a Beta would be in the top 5 in MXGP points? Van Horebeek is putting in some solid rides.

Seewer is a Maradona fan, jersey and butt patch.

Seewer is also bringing back the Nac Nac.

Check out Castrol - Axion Sports Team. That is a nice sweet looking Suzuki!

Nico Rolando put a RM-Z450 into 16th overall.

2021 MX2 Champ Maxime Renaux won his first moto in the MXGP class and tied Gajser with 47 points.

Can't really match his gear any better.

You don't need to speak Spanish to figure that one out.

Which of Prado's helmets you feeling?

As we've seen, Prado is on the newest Gen KTM/Husqvarna bike, with GASGAS plastics on in it. Plus it looks like he wants way more grip than what the plastic frame guards we've seen on every other bike offers.

Custom lever.

The latest WP XACT Pro shock looks so rad.

Stock instrument cluster is gone. Plus they run a Domino throttle.

Doesn't look like there is a steering stabilizer on there, which we've seen on Hampshire's Husky 250, that has the same frame.

WP hard at work getting his suspension freshened up.

From the outside it is really hard to find much of anything that is really out there. Obviously ti bolts and billet ignition cover, but a lot of the same stuff.

With the new frame but old plastics, there has to be the older subframe or something like that because the new gen bikes have on seat bolt right at the front, but this guy has the standard rear seat bolts.

Get providing RPM info

Mitch Evans' butt patch.

That's a whole lotta red!

When changing mousses, take all the help you can get.

Speedy Guada getting in the zone. Zen....

The KTM/Husky/GG 250 bikes all have different shape vent holes on the air box. Not that it really matters, but in the US the GG team is cutting round holes where the MX2 bikes are using red "KTM" vented panels.

Mattia Guadagnini: "I am pretty happy about my weekend. I found a good rhythm again. I finished third and fourth for fourth overall, but I had the same points as third. That was tough to accept. It is good though – I am back in the rhythm. I am so happy about that! We will use this as a starting point and keep working from here."

TKO trying to figure out why people are arguing in the forum all the time. Hahaha!

We are going to take a walk around the JM Honda Racing CRF450R of Henry Jacobi.

When you have to ship your bikes in a crate, you have to get creative on where you put things.

Good battery sponsor sticker placement.

Pretty sweet MotoMaster billet front brake caliper.

And rear, MXC caliper.

HGS has carbon end caps but this team is going for the more durable aluminum. Also check out the rivets on plastic. We had some issues with that lower plastic piece coming loose so it makes sense to give it some reinforcements.

A very popular place for that second starter button.

Suter makes a slipper clutch option, no way of knowing if that is what is behind that cover.

Jago Geerts keeps the red plate as he tied with Vialle swapping moto wins and seconds.

"Work it"

MXGP guys are fans of the power squat.

Fan fest.

Jago

Tim making time for the fans.

Simon Laengenfelder doing the same.

Mechanics have to make due with much less space than what they are used to on the semis.

Dunlop guy has a much simpler machine than Pirelli guy.

We can see the new tanks are still using tiny 6mm bolts.

Like a really expensive christmas present.

Rare peek at a tiny bit under the Honda clamps. Looks pretty cut out from here.

Coldenhoff custom helmet.

Very clean, centralized transponder location.

Kay De Wolf had a gnarly crash in moto one and didn't line up for moto two. The official word from the team is that he's being seeing his doctor when he gets home to have a full evaluation.