MXGP: What It Is, How It Works, and All the Rules of the Motocross World Championship

The MXGP World Championship is the premier international motocross competition, where the best riders in the world face off each year on tracks across the globe.

If you're wondering how MXGP works, what the racing classes are, how points are awarded and what terms like holeshot or whip mean you're in the right place.

This guide is designed for those who want to learn more about motocross and start following this thrilling sport more closely.

What is MXGP?

MXGP stands for Motocross Grand Prix and is the Motocross World Championship, organized by Infront Moto Racing under the authority of the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme). Each season features more than 15 international rounds, with tracks located across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and other continents.

MXGP classes

Now that we’ve clarified what the competition is all about, it’s time to dive into the action. Which classes hit the track? What are the differences between MXGP and MX2? And what types of bikes are used in the MXGP, MX2, EMX, and WMX categories? The Motocross World Championship is divided into specific classes, designed to separate riders based on engine displacement, experience, and even age.

• MXGP: This is the premier class of the championship. It features the most experienced riders competing on 450cc 4-stroke bikes.

• MX2: Reserved for younger, up-and-coming riders, this category represents the step below MXGP. Competitors ride 250cc 2-stroke bikes.

In addition to the two main classes, other categories are featured during selected rounds of the World Championship:

• EMX 250: Part of the European Motocross Championship, this class is run alongside some MXGP rounds. It’s aimed at emerging riders aged 15 to 21, competing on 250cc 4-stroke bikes.

• EMX 125: This class is for the youngest European Championship riders, typically between 13 and 17 years old. They race on 125cc 2-stroke bikes and face their first real international challenge here.

• WMX: The Women’s Motocross World Championship. It takes place on international tracks during selected MXGP rounds. Female riders compete on 250cc 4-stroke bikes.

Many of today’s top MXGP riders have worked their way up through these lower categories, gaining experience race after race until reaching the sport’s highest level.

From Friday to Sunday: How an MXGP Weekend Works

Each round of the MXGP World Championship takes place over two or three days, usually from Friday to Sunday, and involves multiple classes: MXGP, MX2, EMX, and WMX.

• Friday: this day is dedicated to technical inspections, paddock setup, rider and team manager briefings with the FIM, and free and timed practice sessions for EMX125 and EMX250;

• Saturday: this is when the top riders officially hit the track. The main classes, MX2 and MXGP, take part in free practice sessions to get a feel for the circuit, followed by time practice to determine the starting order for the next session. The highlight of the day is the Qualifying Race a sprint race lasting 20 minutes plus 2 laps, which decides the order in which riders will choose their gate positions for Sunday’s races. Saturday also features the official races for the support classes, such as EMX125, EMX250, and WMX, which hold their first motos;

• Sunday: this is the main day of the MXGP weekend. The morning kicks off with warm-up sessions for the MX2 and MXGP classes, followed by the second motos of the EMX and WMX categories (if scheduled). In the afternoon, the action heats up with the two official motos for MX2 and MXGP, where championship points are up for grabs.

And you have you ever experienced the thrill live? If the answer is no, this is the perfect chance: check out the 2025 MXGP calendar and get ready to hit the track.

With the basic rules of MXGP covered, it's time to dive into some fun facts—interesting details that will help you enjoy the championship even more or give you a few cool talking points to impress your friends.

How long is an MXGP and MX2 manche?

Both manches follow the same format: 30 minutes + 2 laps.

How does the MXGP points system work?

In each moto, the top 20 riders earn points according to a fixed system that determines the championship standings:

• 1st place: 25 points

• 2nd place: 22 points

• 3rd place: 20 points

• 4th–20th place: from 18 down to 1 point

Jumps: spectacular and game-changing

One of the most thrilling aspects of a Motocross World Championship race is, without a doubt, the jumps. Visually stunning, technically demanding, and often decisive for the outcome of a moto, jumps are a core element of racing and reflect each rider’s unique style.

Every track has its own layout, but there are some common types of jumps worth learning to recognize:

• Double: Two ramps with a gap in between, which the rider must clear in a single jump;

• Tabletop: A jump featuring a flat surface between takeoff and landing, forming a kind of “table” in the air;

• Triple: Similar to a double but made up of three ramps, requiring even greater control and timing;

• Whip: A stylistic maneuver where the rider throws the rear of the bike sideways in mid-air, almost reaching a horizontal position—an iconic trick in motocross;

• Whoops: A series of small (or sometimes surprisingly large) bumps placed in a row, challenging the rider’s rhythm and balance.

The vocabulary of MXGP

Want to speak the language of real Motocross World Championship riders? Here’s the complete glossary you can show off at your next race:

• Factory Team: An official team directly supported by a motorcycle manufacturer;

• Gate: The starting grid. Riders choose their gate based on the results of the Qualifying Race;

• Goggle Exchange Lane: A designated lane where the team can quickly swap the rider’s goggles or gloves. No mechanical assistance is allowed here;

• Holeshot: The act of taking the lead immediately after the start, by entering the first corner ahead of the others;

• Lapped Rider: A rider who has been overtaken by the race leaders and must yield to let them pass;

• Manche: Each GP consists of two races (motos) per class. Points from both races are added to determine the overall round winner. In the event of a tie, the better result in the second moto wins;

• Motocross of Nations (MXoN): The annual team-based event held at the end of the MXGP season. Each country enters a team of three riders (MXGP, MX2, and Open). Each rider competes in two motos, for a total of six results—only the best five scores count. The team with the lowest total wins the Chamberlain Trophy;

• Paddock: The area where teams prepare and work on the bikes. During MXGP events, this zone is also accessible to the public;

• Qualifying Race: The Saturday race for MXGP and MX2 that determines gate pick for Sunday’s motos;

• Red Plate: The red number plate awarded to the current championship leader during the GP;

• Rider: A motocross rider;

• Wild Card: A rider who isn’t registered for the full season but competes in one or more selected rounds.

Now that you know the basics of MXGP, it’s time to truly experience it. Get ready to cheer, get emotional and maybe even get a little muddy or sandy. Fair warning: once you step into the world of motocross, getting out won’t be easy.