AK MDR motocross team X AS3 Performance
Introducing Our Supported Italian MX Team
We headed to the iconic Maggiora Park MX track near Milan, Italy, to watch our newly supported motocross team for 2026 - AK MDR - and their MX1 rider - Emanuele Alberio - who races a Husqvarna FC 450 and was competing in Rd 2 of the 2026 Italian Prestige motocross championship. We supply the team with a few AS3 Performance parts for the FC 450, which we will showcase with pictures and details below. The MX1 and MX2 classes had some big name MXGP riders present. In the MX1 class, these included Red Bull Factory KTM's Andrea Adamo and Privateer Jan Pancar. In the MX2 class, Honda HRC Petronas's Valerio Lata and Factory Ducati's Feruccio Zanchi and Simone Mancini were present. We will give a short results breakdown at the end of the article plus pictures of some of the Factory mx bikes. The picture below shows Emenuele Alberio's #499 race bike in the paddock at Maggiora Park.
Clutch Cover
The AK MDR motocross team has replaced the OEM clutch cover on Emanuele Alberio's Husqvarna FC 450 with our Factory Series clutch cover. Our clutch covers offer improved durability and factory-style looks. Precision CNC machined from high-quality 6061 billet aluminium, our clutch covers are significantly stronger and more durable than standard OEM covers, making them ideal for motocross, enduro, and off-road riding. Each cover is hard anodised to help resist wear caused by boots, dirt, and debris rubbing against the outer face. The cutch cover pictured below will fit a wide range of Husqvarna motocross and enduro models. If you want to know the benefits of installing an AS3 Performance clutch cover, we have written this article: AS3 Performance clutch covers vs OEM clutch covers: what's the difference?.
Water Pump Cover
Our water pump cover has replaced the OEM cover. AS3 Performance water pump covers are CNC machined from billet aluminium, making them a stronger and more durable upgrade that OEM water pump covers, while also providing important protection for the internal water pump components. Even though we supply a black anodised water pump cover, the AK MDR team have gone with our blue anodised version, which matches the blue of the team colours and adds to the factory look of the bike. Our water pump covers can be installed easily using the bike’s existing bolts and are fully compatible with OEM gaskets. The water pump cover used by the team will fit the 2016 - 2026 Husqvarna FC 450.
Gear Position Sensor Guard
Moving over to the left hand side of the engine, the original plastic gear position sensor guard has been upgraded with our aluminium version. AS3 guards are much stronger than the OEM versions as they are manufactured from 6061 billet aluminium. The blue anodised option used by the team really pops out above the gear lever and next to the ignition cover. Also available in black, orange and red, this gear position guard fits the 2023-2026 Husqvarna FC 450 and equivalent KTM and Gas Gas models.
Oil Filter Cover
AS3 Performance oil filter covers are CNC machined from lightweight, yet high-strength 6061 billet aluminium, ensuring a precise fit and long-lasting durability. Designed as a stronger and more stylish upgrade than the standard OEM oil filter cover, the AK MDR mx team has gone with the anodised blue option again. Our oil filter covers are easy to install using OEM bolts and are fully compatible with OEM seals and gaskets.
Rear Axle Blocks
Upgrading the rear axle blocks with AS3 Performance axle blocks is a popular choice for a lot of our supported riders. They are CNC machined from billet aluminium and feature laser-etched scales on the top and bottom of each block, for the perfect fit within the swing-arm and to get accurate chain adjustment and wheel positioning. Again, the AK MDR mx team has gone for the blue anodised option on Emanuele Alberio's Husqvarna FC 450.
Front Brake, Rear Brake & Clutch Master Cylinder Covers
To top off the factory look of the AK MDR Husqvarna FC 450, all of the OEM master cylinders covers were replaced with our master cylinder covers. A blue anodised front brake master cylinder cover, rear brake master cylinder cover and clutch master cylinder cover have been fitted, which really catch the eye, as can be seen in the pictures below. All precision machined from billet aluminium, they provide a big visual upgrade - but that isn't all - they have performance upgrades too. You can read about the benefits in our article: "Billet Aluminium Reservoir Covers: Aesthetic Feature Or Functional Upgrade?"
Emanuele Alberio's Results From Maggiora Park Rd 2 Italian Prestige MX Champs
Alberio went P11 in race 1 then P18 in race 2 for P13 overall on the day. After qualifying in the top 15, in race 1, he didn't get the best start, coming round the first bend mid-pack and then fighting his way through the field to finish P11 by the chequered flag. In race 2, he struggled with his start again, putting him towards the back of the pack round turn 1 and then a crash on the first lap meant he picked himself up in P36. He did well to move up through the field to grab P18 but it wasn't up to his usual standards and expectations. A crash a couple of weeks before Maggiora meant he was not riding at full fitness. To hear what Alberio's Husqvarna FC 450 sounded like and to see the kit he wore for race 1, here is a video of him leaving the paddock for the start gate.
Who Were The Top 3 In The MX1 Class In Maggiora?
In the MX1 class, the privateer rider - Jan Pancar - grabbed the overall with a 2-1 on his KTM 450 SX-F. It was a great ride from the Slovenian and you could see why he is tipped to get an MXGP Factory ride in the near future. Red Bull Factory KTM's - Andrea Adamo - came P2 with a 1-2 and the German-Taiwanese rider - Brian Tsu - grabbed the last spot on the podium with a 4-4 on his Honda CRF 450 R.
Who Were The Top 3 In The MX2 Class In Maggiora?
In the MX2 class, Honda HRC Petronas's - Valerio Lata - went 1-2 for P1 overall on his CRF 250 R. P2 went to Feruccio Zanchi on the Factory Ducati Desmo250 MX, who went 3-1, with his teammate - Simone Mancini - going P3 overall with a 2-5. Below we have a picture of Zanchi's Ducati Desmo 250 MX that is not yet available for the public to buy. Here is a video of Feruccio Zanchi on his bike in the paddock before he headed to the start gate and a picture of his bike below. We have a big range of aftermarket parts available for the Ducati Desmo 450 MX on our website and will look to develop parts for the 250 MX when it is released at some point in the near future.
Have You Got Any More Videos From Maggiora MX Park?
Yes. We have a long video feature on YouTube showing the Italian Prestige motocross championship from behind the scenes in the Maggiora paddock, pit lane, as well as race footage from both MX1 and MX2 classes. We have filmed from different aspects of the track, which gives a great perspective of what the track is like with its sweeping corners, steep hills and flowing jumps. We have a lot more short videos on our AS3 Performance Instagram, Facebook and TikTok channels. With Maggiora Park being such an iconic MX track with several vantage points to watch the racing, we will write a feature on the track in the next few weeks, with plenty of pictures showing the layout.
