It’s one time-served MX2 GP rider and one rookie that will race the world championship on these new factory GasGas 250s in 2024. Simon Längenfelder is hoping to improve on his back-to-back third place finishes in the MX2 World Championship. And new to the team, is talented Marc-Antoine Rossi who is now living his dream with a factory Red Bull GasGas ride.
Like the 450 or Prado, the bikes also get a major overhaul with a new frame and bodywork that will form the basis of the 2025 production range. Unlike the 450, the 250 Factory Edition that this bike is based on is not on sale in the UK.
The new frame has different wall thicknesses and cutaways to improves the flex characteristics, as well as new motor mounts. There are revised suspension and shock mounting with a new linkage. As usual there is WP factory suspension front and rear, with an Akrapovic titanium exhaust and a Hinson clutch.
Brembo provide the brakes and clutch hydraulics, and the bike has Kite hubs and brake caliper mount at the rear. Rims are Excel and Pirelli provide the tyres. There are titanium footpegs and lots of titanium fasteners all round plus the new old-school bare alloy Domino throttle.
The lead rider, 20-year-old Längenfelder, enters his third year with the team. The German has competed for GasGas since the manufacturer debuted in the Grand Prix series in 2020; after which, he signed to the elite Red Bull Factory Racing awning for the 2022 FIM Motocross World Championship. He made an immediate splash by dominating the season-opening Grand Prix of Great Britain, and then went on to secure third in the championship standings.
In 2023, Längenfelder scored 13 top-five finishes, nine podiums, and two wins, resulting in another third-place overall finish in the standings. Now with a solid off-season behind him, he aims to improve on his already impressive back-to-back third place overall championship finishes.
Längenfelder said: “Now it’s my third year with the team. We know each other really well and we know how to work together and how to get the best out of the bike. I’m really happy and looking forward to the start of the 2024 season. I’ve had a great off-season, and to be honest, I have learned a lot from the past few years, so I think I can improve this year. My goals are to stay healthy all season long, keep a cool head, and show everyone what I can do. Then hopefully we will see where we end up – hopefully far out front!”
Newcomer to the team, and a widely tipped breakout talent of the 2023 season, is Marc-Antoine Rossi. The young Frenchman stated it is a dream come true to have joined the GasGas Factory Racing team. Rossi’s winter training in Belgium and Italy, under the guidance of team manager and coach Davide De Carli, has focused on enhancing his performance across different terrains. Living in Rome has brought Rossi closer to his team, creating a supportive family atmosphere. Rossi raced in EMX250 last year and secured his maiden win in the class in Germany. Then at the Grand Prix of France, where he debuted in the MX2 class as a wildcard, he underlined his potential at the highest level with 8-6 scores, also proving that he will be a source of confidence as he enters his first full season.
Rossi said: “I can finally say that I am a factory rider and it’s a dream come true! I made a big change at the end of 2023 when I moved to Rome – living far from my parents. But in this team, I found an Italian family, so I’m very happy with the whole situation. I have worked hard since day one during the winter, and I spent more than one month in Belgium, improving on my soft pack performance. Now I have headed back to Italy to continue training on hard pack surfaces. Davide is not only my team manager; he’s my coach too. He’s following me step by step. I can’t thank the De Carli family enough! Having the MXGP world champion as a teammate is a real honour for me, and it pushes me to improve even faster. Now my goal in 2024 is to reach the top five, and I’ll do my best for that!”
Team manager De Carli said: “Looking ahead to the 2024 season, the feeling within the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing team is very good. Having Jorge, our defending MXGP champion, alongside the incredible talent of Simon Längenfelder in MX2, and welcoming the fresh energy of our new signing, Marc-Antoine Rossi, in MX2, we are excited for an extraordinary year. Each rider brings a unique strength and determination to the team, and together, we share a single goal: to bring the speed, defend our titles, and reach new heights. We’ve prepared very thoroughly, everyone is feeling in top condition. For sure, the competition is tough, but we are more than ready.”