Piaggio Trademark of ESR1 Could Hint at Aprilia Electric Scooter

Built on the Vespa Elettrica Platform?

Piaggio Group owns a whole lot of companies, and electrification is certainly on the horizon for many of them. Recently, Piaggio trademarked the name eSR1 and that has me thinking an electric Aprilia SR scooter could be coming soon.

According to Motorcycle.com, the European Union Intellectual Property Office published a trademark application today that showed the logo eSR1 in a stylized font. The publication did note that the owner of the application was not revealed, but that it’s sure it’s Piaggio.

eSR1

The reason? The SR in the logo looks identical to the SR in the SR-GP Replica scooter that was released last year. There’s also the fact that the application was filed by Jacobacci & Partners S.P.A., which is an Italian law firm that handles Piaggio’s stuff regularly.

There are various SR scooter models from Aprilia at this point in various markets. Aprilia offers the scooter in displacements ranging from 50cc all the way up to 160cc. The speculation is that this new scooter would be a new SR based on the Vespa Elettrica platform. 

That would make sense, but Piaggio Group might have something special up its sleeve and have this new scooter offer better range or performance than the Vespa. Time will tell.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Torino FC celebrate Suzuki and Mir with commemorative jersey

“Il Toro is a team known around the world for its history steeped in performance, talent, passion and is loved for the tenacity with which it faces challenges. Suzuki shares the effort, the search for results and above all the competitive spirit with the Bull, showing every day the same determination to achieve the goals set, respecting the rules and the rivals.”

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Indonesia excited to welcome MotoGP™ back!

Mr Ezpeleta continues on the need to deliver the track and looking towards 2021: “The focus has to be on construction, homologation as well as testing, especially because it is a brand-new street circuit. As mentioned, it is a possibility that changes will happen to the Provisional Calendar and once we have a clearer picture, of course subject to construction and testing, we may start discussing a possible date for the Grand Prix in 2021.”

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Nakagami, learning from Marc Marquez: “Now, it’s natural”

“The next race was coming very soon and I realised I have to change the style because with the 2019 bike, I had the surgery in the winter, physically I was not 100% so I have to change. So the only way was to see Marc’s data. He knows pretty well how to handle the bike… especially last season in 2019, he won many, many races, so why not? If I have a chance, I try to see his data how he manages this bike. Then, I can see many tricks in braking, mid-corner, exit, many things. It was the same bike but on the graphics it was completely different. First time I saw it, I thought “wow, how does he manage?” But then from HRC, Takeo explained very well with the Japanese, analysed the different ways of braking, especially on the braking it’s hugely different how he stops the bike. And then one moment I saw completely different how to stop the bike, I thought ‘OK, I have to do it this way’.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

ASBK Champion to be crowned at Wakefield Park double-header

2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike
Rounds 2-3 – Wakefield Park

Well MotoGP has been done and dusted, Australia is getting on top of the plague and Queensland are thinking about rejoining the rest of Australia so its time to go racing!

The venue for this coitus interruptus of an ASBK season to reconvene in earnest is Wakefield Park. Goulburn got the guernsey thanks due to it being in regional NSW, thus nearly everyone was allowed to travel there. Even Queenslanders could turn up while still being allowed to return home some time this decade, if they ask nicely… Western Australians though, are still not allowed out…

Wakefield is also relatively central and the hosts could massage their slate of bookings generously enough to accommodate us. Winning.

Sadly though ASBK Race Fans will be unable to attend the event in person due to COVID-19 restrictions. Instead, fans can catch all the action live via ASBK TV partners SBSHD, Fox Sports Australia and Fox Sports Asia on both Saturday and Sunday.    

It is a busy four day schedule for this double-header round with practice Thursday, Qualifying for all classes on Friday along with a race for the YMI Supersport 300, bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup and YMF R3 Cup categories.  Saturday then sees a full round two race schedule while on Sunday we, somewhat surprisingly, have another round of qualifying immediately prior to the round three race schedule.  The full time-line can be seen further down the page, along with the TV schedule. 

Superbike competitors have a possible maximum points earn of 102 from the weekend if they were to take both pole positions and all four race wins. 

Ten of the riders in with a chance this weekend at Wakefield Park, but there is also a few not in this shot but still in with a red hot chance of tussling for podium finishes

One small mistake might be all it takes to lose your chance at the chalice, and with a 50 per cent chain of 10-20 mm of rain on Saturday, it could be a fine line to tread between hero and zero… Conditions are expected to be fine on Sunday but forecast strong winds could cause problems and if that rain does not eventuate, potentially dust storms.

Wayne Maxwell dominated the season opener back in February at Phillip Island with a perfect haul of 76 points. It was not quite that clear cut or easy for Maxwell as the score-board looks though, Cru Halliday was nipping at his heels throughout the weekend and piled the pressure on. 

Maxwell’s race records at Wakefield could be an ominous sign for his Championship rivals. Maxwell took race wins in 2018, 2017 and 2016 and has been a top three points scorer for the last four years at the NSW circuit. This year though he is on an all-new machine after switching to a Ducati V4 R, and he may be a little behind the eight-ball when it comes to set-up when proceedings get underway on Thursday. 

Wayne Maxwell

Wakefield has been good to me, I’ve won races there, I’ve finished on the podium and I enjoy Wakefield, the layout, the challenges it presents, and I can’t wait to get out there and take it on.

“It’s been a difficult year for everyone involved in ASBK, it’s been unprecedented. There has been a lot of hard work done in such a funny year. So many times you build yourself up to go racing and then we get shut down by things that are outside of ASBK’s control.

“For the Boost Mobile-K-Tech team, everyone has stood by us and been committed, hopefully we can bring the ultimate reward on the Sunday. It would mean the world to me and a great reward for my guys.

In recent weeks Maxwell has managed to get some seat time on his Ducati at Winton Motor Raceway in preparation for the Grand Finale.

Track time is definitely what I’ve needed. Being back on the Boost Mobile K-Tech bike and training on the Ohvale has put me in a really good position to take on the gruelling ASBK double header. To win It will take no mistakes, that’s the key for us to win the Championship. I’m confident, I have no reason not to be.”

Wayne Maxwell TBG
Wayne Maxwell – TBG Image

Cru Halliday

Halliday was buoyed with confidence after his 2-2-2 results at Phillip Island and was oh so close to forcing Maxwell into a mistake. The 32-year-old is now only 16-points behind Championship leader Wayne Maxwell, and 11-points ahead of third placed Josh Waters.

I’m ready. I’m feeling really good, my fitness is there and I’m confident going into Wakefield Park,” Halliday said after completing a test session on his firing Yamaha R1. “I’ve got the bike to where I really want it to be, I feel comfortable and we only have to make small adjustments when we get to a track.

“I think with the ASBK Championship on the line, everyone is going to be all out to win. With the competition this year, it is so fierce, and you have to go into it mentally prepared and that you are going to get the job done. It’s going to be pretty brutal. We have two 20 lap races on Saturday and Sunday, so we have to be physically and mentally fit, and I’m ready.”

Halliday’s recent record at Wakefield Park Raceway is strong. He scored two 2nd places in 2019 in the Superbike class and two victories in 2018 in the MotorsportsTV Supersport class, in which he went on to win the Championship.

Everyone knows it’s Troy Herfoss’ backyard, and he and Wayne Maxwell are going to be the ones to beat. You can’t count out guys like Josh Waters, Bryan Staring, my team-mate Aiden Wagner who had a tough year earlier on with injury. But he’s back and on the ball firing. You can’t exclude people like Mike Jones, he has the number one plate for a reason, and there are guys outside the top ten who could cause an upset if everything goes belly up.

“I’ve had some good luck at Wakefield. When I saw Wakefield come up, I thought it’s a track that’s going to be good for me, so I can’t wait. I like the top section of the track, turns 4 and 5, Wakefield is technical and off camber, but I happen to go well at there. It just gels with me.”

WSBK Rnd Phillip Island RbMotoLens ASBK Race Grid Cru Halliday
Cru Halliday on the grid at the 2020 ASBK season opener – Image by Rob Mott

After somewhat hastily cobbling together a self-run team at almost the last minute even Josh Waters himself was somewhat surprised, but delighted, at the 3-4-3 results he carded at round one. Waters has three Australian Superbike Championship Titles under his belt and is looking to become the first rider to capture four. 

Josh Waters 

Being in the position we are in, doing it all ourselves and working on my own bike, it would be very special for everyone involved to win a fourth ASBK Championship. It will take four good results, and maybe a little bit of bad luck for others, not that I want that for them. All I can do is concentrate on what I can do on track.

“We’ve all been off the bike for a long time, and with the double header I’m going to try and play it smart. If you look at other Championships that have had breaks there has been a lot of stuff go on track, so I think ASBK could be the same.

“This is physical little circuit, and it will be the same for everyone so there is no point whinging. I will just worry about myself and get the best out of the small team and package we have.

“It’s been a tough year with COVID-19 but I’ve got some good people in my team. My brother is running the ship and he has been with me ever since I came back from Europe and a number of small businesses supporting me as well.

WSBK Rnd Phillip Island RbMotoLens ASBK Race Grid Josh Waters
Josh Waters on the grid at the 2020 Phillip Island season opener – Image by Rob Mott

Bryan Staring also figured strongly at the season opener, bagging 49-points, one more than amassed by Troy Herfoss.  Previously an Australian 125 GP, Supersport and Superbike Champion, the Western Australian could well add another if Dunlop bring a secret weapon to Wakefield that might give him an edge. 

Bryan Staring

Obviously, the goal is always to win the Championship, that is the dream goal and objective. You can only expect to put your best performance in each time and where that puts us on the circuit we will see.

“I would anticipate there is going to be some mixed results and crazy racing from riders that haven’t been riding or competing as often as normal. Add to this the heightened pressure of what is a now shortened Championship and anything could happen.

“I’ve got a great bike and Dunlop tyres under me and I have every reason to be confident. I am certainly looking forward to getting back to racing again. Just to get the normality of life back in check and in tune.

“Kawasaki BCPerformance is certainly a place I feel at home and appreciated, and I can do my best work here. The package they have for us with the Dunlop tyre is a good one, and everyone puts their best foot forward.”

“We did a test earlier in the season pre-COVID and it was the most positive outcome we’ve had at Wakefield Park. Previous results we haven’t achieved what we’ve set out to do at that circuit, but I won’t let that affect me mentally or the target and objective for this weekend. I’m certainly looking forward to turn our fortunes around at Wakefield Park and we want to make it one of our circuits.

“I feel like everyone in the team is super motivated with a never give up attitude and that is what I enjoy, I couldn’t be happier.”

WSBK Rnd Phillip Island RbMotoLens ASBK TP Bryan STARING
Bryan Staring at the 2020 season opener at Phillip Island – Image by Rob Mott

Troy Herfoss and the Penrite Honda squad have been putting in the hard yards readying the all-new CBR1000RR-R SP for the heat of ASBK competition and Herf’ is hot to trot on the turf that he has celebrated so much success over the years. 

Normally more than half the crowd would be cheering him on as the home town favourite, but with restrictions leaving fans to watch on the TV from their lounge rooms it will be a very different atmosphere this year for Troy.

We suspect that Herf’ has been playing his cards a little close to his chest in the lead-up to the finale but he will come out swinging when the lights go out. A full interview with Troy will be published tomorrow on ASBK.com.au.

Troy Herfoss

“We are going to a track I enjoy, but also going there with a new bike I’ve never turned a lap on there. The bike 100 is per cent different, there is no part on that bike that is the same as the old one, so we are rolling out Thursday morning blind. But to be honest it hasn’t event crossed my mind that we won’t be competitive. It’s physically really hard and impossible to ride a Superbike around Wakefield at 100 per cent all the time, so you’ve got be fit.

“I just want to go there and do my best and win the Championship, and if I do it, it will be my third official Australian Superbike Championship and fourth time I’ve won an ASBK Championship.”

Troy Herfoss – Penrite Honda

One top rider missing from the grid this weekend is YRT rider Daniel Falzon. The South Aussie has been a mainstay of the series for a long time and it will be strange for him not to be there.  Matt Walters is another regular not attending this weekend.

Daniel Falzon

To be honest, I have been a firm believer from earlier this year when the first few rounds were “postponed” that the championship should have been cancelled all together. Obviously working in the healthcare industry (Daniel is a Paramedic), I have been in the thick of Covid-19 and the rescheduling of each event made planning extremely difficult for us. 

“I suppose the nail in the coffin for us was the recent SA outbreak and the cancellation of The Bend. The risk and reward of competing at Wakefield park was considered amongst our team and partners, and we have decided to not enter the round.

“We will look forward to redirecting our budget 2021.

ASBK Wakefield Park Test TDJ Daniel Falzon straight
Daniel Falzon at the Wakefield Park ASBK Test in March – Image TDJ

While Daniel Falzon will be staying home fellow South Aussie Arthur Sissis has entered the round. The ex-speedway star is the master of the hole-shot, something that is crucial heading into Wakefield Park’s tricky complex of right-handers. 

ASBK TBG ASBK Round Morgan Park Arthur Sissis TBG
Arthur Sissis – TBG Image

Defending Champ Mike Jones had a disappointing opening to his title defence when a bike problem saw him unable to start the opening race. The DesmoSport Ducati rider though bounced back in the following two bouts to bag 35-points and is still right in the game. 

Mike Jones

I love racing, so I’m pretty excited to get on track again. It’s been a tough year for so many people here and around the world, so I really am grateful we get the opportunity to race at all. I’ve been able to keep training in the break, getting plenty of time in on the mountain bike especially, but also a few of the local races on the V4R here in Queensland and I feel ready. Obviously, with a double header format, we have a lot more time on track compared to a usual ASBK round and it will be a lot more psychically demanding, but my program is strong.

Mike Jones

Jed Metcher put in some solid rides at the Phillip Island opener and is capable of springing some surprises this weekend. 

Jed Metcher

I guess the run down on my end is that we have gone to 2020 R1’s with so great success so far for myself getting into the 55’s at Broadford and 21’s at Winton in our first outing. We will be using this race meeting as a bit of a test as on the new bikes so no pressure this round.”

ASBK Wakefield Park Test TDJ Jed Metcher and Bryan Staring
Jed Metcher leading Bryan Staring during testing at Wakefield Park in March – Image by TDJ Media

Glenn Allerton, yet another three-time champion in the field (along with Waters), is champing at the bit to get out there after getting the latest S 1000 RR set-up to his liking. He might be 45-points behind and thus somewhat of a dark horse, but he is relishing his underdog status and reckons he can be fighting up front this weekend. 

Glenn Allerton

I’ve had a good re-set during this down time. Testing and sorting out the new BMW S 1000 RR. Shane (crew chief) and myself have made be steps forward with the setup of our bike and it has improved massively since round one where we showed great speed in qualifying but the race set-up needed work.

“I’ve never been more confident with my bike and I can’t wait to get out on track at Wakefield, a track that has been a really successful place for me over the years. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain this weekend so I’ll be going all out for race wins.”

ASBK Wakefield Park Test TDJ Glenn Allerton straight
Glenn Allerton testing at Wakefield Park – TDJ Image

Aiden Wagner had a difficult start to the year but is certain to be battling for podiums. If the cards fall his way, he is also a chance for the title. 

Aiden Wagner

Great to finally be going back racing with the team and ASBK paddock after the rough year everyone has had. It will be awesome to feel a bit of normality again. Going to be tough for me to get on the podium in the current championship standings but aiming so get up on the podium of the race days for sure. Been training a lot leading up to this round so I’m feeling super fit and can’t wait to turn the tyres on the Factory R1 and get racing!”

ASBK Test Phillip Island RbMotoLens ASBK Test SBK Aiden WAGNER
Aiden Wagner – Phillip Island 2020 – Image by Rob Mott

The likes of Linden Magee, Beau Beaton, Mark Chiodo and Glenn Scott could also surprise the regular front runners.  International journeymen Lachlan Epis and Chandler Cooper will also be interesting to watch as they go up against the top crop of Australian Superbike regulars. 

It is all on the line this weekend and in this strange plague affected season there are a dozen riders in with a red hot shot at glory this weekend. Tune in on Saturday and Sunday to watch it all unfold or follow our coverage right here on MCNews.com.au in what will be our 21st year covering the Australian Superbike Championship. And in all that time, Trev has only missed one round this century!

Who will be crowned king come Sunday afternoon…..?


2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship Points

Mi Bike ASBK Motul logo Menu@x
Pos Name Machine Pole R1 R2 R3 Total
1 Wayne MAXWELL Ducati V4R 1 25 25 25 76
2 Cru HALLIDAY Yamaha 20 20 20 60
3 Josh WATERS Suzuki 18 15 18 51
4 Bryan STARING Kawasaki 17 17 15 49
5 Troy HERFOSS Honda 16 16 16 48
6 Daniel FALZON Yamaha 14 14 13 41
7 Arthur SISSIS Suzuki 15 10 12 37
8 Mike JONES Ducati 18 17 35
9 Jed METCHER Suzuki 12 11 10 33
10 Glenn ALLERTON BMW 5 12 14 31
11 Linden MAGEE BMW 10 6 9 25
12 Matt WALTERS Kawasaki 13 11 24
13 Max CROKER Suzuki 9 7 7 23
14 Aiden WAGNER Yamaha 13 9 22
15 Sloan FROST Suzuki 8 5 8 21
16 Beau BEATON Ducati 7 4 6 17
17 Glenn SCOTT Kawasaki 4 8 4 16
18 Brendan McINTYRE Suzuki 6 3 5 14
19 Josh HAYES Yamaha 11 11
20 Matthew TOOLEY Yamaha 1 1 3 5
21 Giuseppe SCARCELLA Ducati 3 2 5
22 Dean HASLER BMW 2 2 4
23 Nathan SPITERI Suzuki 1 1

2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike
Rounds 2-3 – Wakefield Park Schedule

ASBK Official Schedule Round 2 & 3 – V.2
Wakefield Park Raceway
Thursday  3rd Dec
0745 Riders Briefing (OJC, R3Cup, SSP300) Briefing 1 15 mins
0810 Riders Briefing (SSP, SBK) Briefing 2 15 mins
1030 SBK FP1 35 mins
1150 Lunch 30 mins
1325 SBK FP1 35 mins
1555 SBK FP1 35 mins
 Round 2 Friday 4th Dec
1035 SBK Timed Practice – Rd2 35 mins
1200 Lunch – ASBK Pillion Rides 30 mins
1410 SBK Q2 R d2 15 mins
1440 SBK Q2 Rn 2 15 mins
Round 2 Saturday 5th Dec 
0940 SBK WUP 10 mins
1105 SBK R1 – Rd. 2 18 Laps
1205 Lunch 25 mins
1415 SBK R2 – Rd. 2 18 Laps
ASBK Official Schedule Round 2 & 3 – V.2
Wakefield Park Raceway
Round 3 Sunday 6th Dec 
0950 SBK Q1 – Rd. 3 15 mins
1035 SBK Q2 – Rd. 3 15 mins
1215 SBK R1 – Rd. 3 18 Laps
1305 Lunch 25 mins
1450 SBK R2 – Rd. 3 18 Laps
1630 ASBK Awards Ceremony ASBK Podium 45 mins

Superbike Entry List

No First Name Surname State Model
1 Mike Jones QLD V4-R
13 Jed Metcher VIC YZF-R1
14 Glenn Allerton NSW S1000RR
16 Luke Jhonston VIC YZF-R1
17 Troy Herfoss QLD CBR1000SP
21 Josh Waters VIC GSX-R1000R
28 Aiden Wagner QLD YZF-R1
30 Mark Chiodo VIC YZF-R1
37 Michael Edwards QLD YZF-R1
47 Wayne Maxwell VIC V4-R
51 Chandler Cooper VIC CBR1000
61 Arthur Sissis SA GSX-R1000R
62 Brendan Mcintyre NSW GSX-R1000R
65 Cru Halliday NSW YZF-R1
67 Bryan Staring WA ZX-10R
68 Glenn Scott NSW ZX-10R
78 Nathan Spiteri VIC GSX-R1000R
83 Lachlan Epis NSW GSX-R1000R
88 Giuseppe Scarcella NSW Panigale
98 Evan Byles SA ZX-10R


ASBK Supersport

In Supersport Oli Bayliss goes into the finale six-points clear of Tom Toparis, the defending champion on home turf but Bayliss has been working hard in the down-time and will be on a quest to lift his first Supersport title. 

Any trip up by either of those young men though will be punished harshly with the likes of Nic Liminton, Tom Edwards, Max Stauffer and Jack Hyde all less than a win away from the series lead. 

Oli Bayliss

It’s been a tough year to keep motivated without being able to race as much as we planned, but luckily for me, I’m surrounded by people that keep me on track. Ben at the workshop, my brother Mitch at the gym as well as Dad at home has meant my fitness levels are better than ever and I’m just as motivated to win this weekend as I was at Phillip Island in February. It’s going to be a big weekend on track, but I’m ready to get to work“.  

ASBK Supersport Championship Points

Pos Name Bike Total
1 Oli BAYLISS Yamaha 71
2 Tom TOPARIS Yamaha 65
3 Nic LIMINTON Yamaha 50
4 Tom EDWARDS Yamaha 49
5 Max STAUFFER Yamaha 47
6 Jack HYDE Yamaha 46
7 Broc PEARSON Yamaha 37
8 Ted COLLINS Suzuki 37
9 Jack PASSFIELD Yamaha 34
10 Aidan HAYES Yamaha 31
11 Dallas SKEER Suzuki 29
12 Ty LYNCH Yamaha 27
13 Rhys BELLING Yamaha 26
14 Luke MITCHELL Yamaha 22
15 Ryan TAYLOR Yamaha 21
16 Chris QUINN Yamaha 17
17 Brodie MALOUF Yamaha 10
18 Darren McGRATH Kawasaki 10
19 Mitch KUHNE Yamaha 9
20 Andrew EDSER Kawasaki 5
21 Patrick LI Yamaha 4
22 Stephany KAPILAWI-JAMES Yamaha 2

2020 Australian Supersport
Rounds 2-3 – Wakefield Park Schedule

ASBK Official Schedule Round 2 & 3 – V.2
Wakefield Park Raceway
Thursday  3rd Dec
0745 Riders Briefing (OJC, R3Cup, SSP300) Briefing 1 15 mins
0810 Riders Briefing (SSP, SBK) Briefing 2 15 mins
0925 SSP FP1 30 mins
1150 Lunch 30 mins
1220 SSP FP1 30 mins
1450 SSP FP1 30 mins
 Round 2 Friday 4th Dec
0940 SSP Q1 Rnd2 25 mins
1200 Lunch – ASBK Pillion Rides 30 mins
1255 SSP Q2 Rnd2 25 mins
Round 2 Saturday 5th Dec 
0920 SSP WUP 5 mins
1035 SSP R1 – Rd. 2 14 Laps
1205 Lunch 25 mins
1310 SSP R2 – Rd. 2 14 Laps
ASBK Official Schedule Round 2 & 3 – V.2
Wakefield Park Raceway
Round 3 Sunday 6th Dec 
0920 SSP Q – Rd. 3 25 mins
1115 SSP R1 – Rd. 3 14 Laps
1305 Lunch 25 mins
1350 SSP R2 – Rd. 3 14 Laps
1630 ASBK Awards Ceremony

Supersport Entry List

Pos Name Surname State Model
1 Tom Toparis NSW YZF-R6
17 Broc Pearson QLD YZF-R6
24 Patrick Li VIC YZF-R6
28 Jack Hyde NSW YZF-R6
39 Scott Nicholson VIC GSX-R600
42 Jack Passfield NSW YZF-R6
46 Aidan Hayes NSW YZF-R6
68 Oli Bayliss QLD YZF-R6
71 Tom Edwards NSW YZF-R6
85 Ty Lynch SA YZF-R6
92 Noel Mahon VIC YZF-R6
94 Joel Taylor NSW YZF-R6
127 Max Stauffer NSW YZF-R6

YMI Supersport 300

The YMI Supersport 300 Championship title is there for the taking for riders brave enough to put everything on the line for victory.

Just in the last few years we have seen the likes of Billy Van Eerde,  Joel Kelso, Senna Agius, Jacob Roulstone, Harrison Voight, Max Gibbons and Carter Thompson, competing in major international championships such as the Red Bull Rookies Cup, FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championship, FIM European Talent Cup, and Asia Talent Cup.

With 45 points separating the top 10 riders and 127 points on offer over 5 gruelling races for rounds 2 and 3 – the Championship decider – picking a winner is near impossible. Competition in the Supersport 300 class is fierce as we saw at round 1 with 40 riders dicing, rubbing elbows and fairings for the win in front of the WorldSBK paddock. Harry Khouri though holds a significant 27-point advantage over Archie McDonald heading into the finale. 

Supersport 300 Championship Points

Pos Name Bike Total
1 Harry KHOURI Kawasaki 76
2 Archie McDONALD Yamaha 49
3 Luke POWER Kawasaki 44
4 Caleb GILMORE Yamaha 40
5 Luke JHONSTON Kawasaki 38
6 Jacob HATCH Yamaha 37
7 Reece OUGHTRED Yamaha 37
8 Ben BAKER Yamaha 34
9 John LYTRAS Yamaha 33
10 Laura BROWN Yamaha 31
11 Peter NERLICH Kawasaki 29
12 Brandon DEMMERY Yamaha 26
13 Filippo ROVELLI Kawasaki 25
14 Angus GRENFELL Yamaha 23
15 Zylas BUNTING Kawasaki 21
16 Yannis SHAW Kawasaki 20
17 Ryan SMITH Yamaha 15
18 Olly SIMPSON Yamaha 13
19 Matthew RINDEL Yamaha 12
20 Kyle O’CONNELL Yamaha 12
21 Jake SENIOR Kawasaki 10
22 Jake FARNSWORTH Yamaha 9
23 Mitchell SIMPSON Yamaha 7
24 Joseph MARINIELLO Kawasaki 5
25 Tom DRANE Yamaha 1
26 Zachary JOHNSON Yamaha 1
27 Luca DURNING Yamaha 1

2020 Australian Supersport 300
Rounds 2-3 – Wakefield Park Schedule

ASBK Official Schedule Round 2 & 3 – V.2
Wakefield Park Raceway
Thursday  3rd Dec
0745 Riders Briefing (OJC, R3Cup, SSP300) Briefing 1 15 mins
0810 Riders Briefing (SSP, SBK) Briefing 2 15 mins
1000 SSP300 FP1 25 mins
1150 Lunch 30 mins
1255 SSP300 FP1 25 mins
1525 SSP300 FP1 25 mins
 Round 2 Friday 4th Dec
0915 SSP300 Q1 Rnd2 20 mins
1140 SSP300 Q2 Rnd2 20 mins
1200 Lunch – ASBK Pillion Rides 30 mins
1345 SSP300 R1  -Rd1 10 Laps
1510 R3 Cup R1 -Rd1 8 Laps
Round 2 Saturday 5th Dec 
0930 SSP300 WUP 5 mins
1145 SSP300 R2 – Rd. 2 10 Laps
1205 Lunch 25 mins
1345 SSP300 R3 – Rd. 2 10 Laps
ASBK Official Schedule Round 2 & 3 – V.2
Wakefield Park Raceway
Round 3 Sunday 6th Dec 
1010 SSP300 Q – Rd. 3 20 mins
1150 SSP300 R1 – Rd. 3 10 Laps
1305 Lunch 25 mins
1425 SSP300 R2 – Rd. 3 10 Laps
1630 ASBK Awards Ceremony ASBK Podium 45 mins

Supersport 300 Entry List

No Name Surname State Bike
11 Brandon Demmery NSW YZF-R3
16 James Jacobs NSW Ninja 400
37 Patrick Bognar QLD YZF-R3
39 Glenn Nelson QLD YZF-R3
43 Harry Khouri NSW Ninja 400
45 Jamie Port VIC YZF-R3
47 Zylas Bunting NSW Ninja 400
49 Jake Farnsworth NSW Ninja 400
50 Carter Thompson NSW YZF-R3
59 Tom Drane NSW YZF-R3
63 Clay Clegg NSW YZF-R3
68 Luke Power VIC Ninja 400
69 Archie McDonald NSW YZF-R3
71 Tony Sims NSW Ninja 300
72 Ben Baker NSW YZF-R3
88 Joseph Mariniello VIC Ninja 400
95 Matthew Rindel VIC YZF-R3
97 Peter Nerlich VIC Ninja 400
99 Jacob Hatch NSW YZF-R3
105 Cameron Dunker NSW YZF-R3
110 Zakary Pettendy NSW YZF-R3
121 Reece Oughtred VIC YZF-R3
308 John Lytras QLD YZF-R3
355 Laura Brown NSW YZF-R3

Oceania Junior Cup Championship Points

Pos Name Total
1 Lucas QUINN 75
2 Marianos NIKOLIS 49
3 Cameron DUNKER 48
4 Tom DRANE 46
5 Hayden NELSON 45
6 Cameron SWAIN 45
7 Lincoln KNIGHT 41
8 Angus GRENFELL 39
9 Clay CLEGG 38
10 Henry SNELL 35
11 Varis FLEMING 35
12 Nate O’NEILL 33
13 Jai RUSSO 29
14 Casey MIDDLETON 20
15 Jamie PORT 18
16 Levi RUSSO 15
17 James WEAVER 12
18 Brodie GAWITH 10
19 Toby JAMES 10

2020 Australian Oceania Junior Cup
Rounds 2-3 – Wakefield Park Schedule

ASBK Official Schedule Round 2 & 3 – V.2
Wakefield Park Raceway
Thursday  3rd Dec
0745 Riders Briefing (OJC, R3Cup, SSP300) Briefing 1 15 mins
0810 Riders Briefing (SSP, SBK) Briefing 2 15 mins
1110 OJC FP1 15 mins
1150 Lunch 30 mins
1405 OJC FP1 15 mins
1635 OJC FP1 15 mins
 Round 2 Friday 4th Dec
1120 OJC Q1 Rnd2 15 mins
1200 Lunch – ASBK Pillion Rides 30 mins
1325 OJC Q2 Rnd2 15 mins
1430 OJC R1 – Rnd1 6 Laps
Round 2 Saturday 5th Dec 
0910 OJC WUP 5 mins
1015 OJC R2 – Rd. 2 6 Laps
1205 Lunch 25 mins
1230 OJC R3 – Rd. 2 6 Laps
1500 OJC Q – Rd. 3 15 mins
ASBK Official Schedule Round 2 & 3 – V.2
Wakefield Park Raceway
Round 3 Sunday 6th Dec 
0910 OJC WUP 5 mins
1055 OJC R1 – Rd. 3 6 Laps
1305 Lunch 25 mins
1330 OJC R2 – Rd. 3 6 Laps
1630 ASBK Awards Ceremony ASBK Podium 45 mins

Oceania Junior Cup Entry List

No First Surname State Model
15 Brodie Gawith VIC YZF-R15
20 Casey Middleton QLD YZF-R15
22 Lincoln Knight NSW YZF-R15
24 Jamie Port VIC YZF-R15
26 Cameron Swain QLD YZF-R15
27 Toby James VIC YZF-R15
29 Hayden Nelson NSW YZF-R15
32 Jai Russo NSW YZF-R15
36 Angus Grenfell VIC YZF-R15
39 Glenn Nelson QLD YZF-R15
43 Henry Snell QLD YZF-R15
46 Marianos Nikolis NSW YZF-R15
50 Cameron Dunker NSW YZF-R15
55 Varis Fleming VIC YZF-R15
58 Lucas Quinn QLD YZF-R15
59 Tom Drane NSW YZF-R15
63 Clay Clegg NSW YZF-R15
65 Nate O’Neill QLD YZF-R15
71 James Weaver NSW YZF-R15
72 Levi Russo NSW YZF-R15

2020 Australian R3 Cup
Rounds 2-3 – Wakefield Park Schedule

ASBK Official Schedule Round 2 & 3 – V.2
Wakefield Park Raceway
Thursday  3rd Dec
0745 Riders Briefing (OJC, R3Cup, SSP300) Briefing 1 15 mins
0810 Riders Briefing (SSP, SBK) Briefing 2 15 mins
0900 R3 Cup FP1 20 mins
1130 R3 Cup FP1 20 mins
1150 Lunch 30 mins
1425 R3 Cup FP1 20 mins
 Round 2 Friday 4th Dec
1010 R3 Cup Q1 Rnd2 20 mins
1200 Lunch – ASBK Pillion Rides 30 mins
1230 R3 Cup Q2 Rnd2 20 mins
1510 R3 Cup R1 -Rd1 8 Laps
Round 2 Saturday 5th Dec 
0900 R3 Cup WUP 5 mins
0955 R3 Cup R2 – Rd. 2 8 Laps
1205 Lunch 25 mins
1250 R3 Cup R3 – Rd. 2 8 Laps
1520 R3 Cup Q- Rd. 3 20 mins
ASBK Official Schedule Round 2 & 3 – V.2
Wakefield Park Raceway
Round 3 Sunday 6th Dec 
0900 R3 Cup WUP 5 mins
1250 R3 Cup  R1 – Rd. 3 8 Laps
1305 Lunch 25 mins
1535 R3 Cup R2 – Rd. 3 8 Laps
1630 ASBK Awards Ceremony ASBK Podium 45 mins

YMF-R3 Cup Entry List

No First Surname State Bike
11 Brandon Demmery NSW YZF-R3
36 Angus Grenfell NSW YZF-R3
37 Patrick Bognar VIC YZF-R3
49 Jake Farnsworth NSW YZF-R3
50 Carter Thompson QLD YZF-R3
59 Tom Drane NSW YZF-R3
65 Nate O’Neill VIC YZF-R3
68 Luke Power QLD YZF-R3
69 Archie McDonald NSW YZF-R3
72 Ben Baker NSW YZF-R3
95 Matthew Rindel NSW YZF-R3
99 Jacob Hatch QLD YZF-R3
105 Cameron Dunker VIC YZF-R3
110 Zakary Pettendy NSW YZF-R3
121 Reece Oughtred NSW YZF-R3
222 Lincoln Knight VIC YZF-R3
308 John Lytras NSW YZF-R3
355 Laura Brown NSW YZF-R3

Source: MCNews.com.au

MotoGP World Champion Joan Mir reflects on his successful season 2020

Joan Mir
2020 MotoGP World Champion

“I’ve had some days now to try and realise everything that’s happened since winning the title, but in reality the action has been non-stop; so many kind messages to read from fans, so many interviews and events to attend, and it’s a great feeling to catch up with all the media and to try and express the emotions of the last few weeks. I wanted to take this chance to also try to put down in words some of my experiences and to share with you the moments that led up to the title, and the different feelings I went through.

Joan Mir | 2020 MotoGP World Champion

“The day before the Valencia 2 race, I was particularly calm and quiet. The people closest to me noticed how I was very silent when I got up on race day morning, I didn’t really speak to anyone simply because I was so concentrated on the goal. I remember that I had fried eggs for breakfast to give myself plenty of energy. After that, I don’t remember much about the race; only that I felt nervous on the grid but calm during the actual race. But I recall with a lot of clarity the moment when I crossed the line – it was pure ecstasy. I just started to scream and shout, screaming at the top of my lungs! Then I got very emotional when I saw everybody around me starting to applaud, particularly my competitors! That cool-down lap was something incredible with all the other riders congratulating me and stopping to shake my hand.

Franco Morbidelli congratulates Joan Mir on his championship victory

“Then I arrived at Parc Ferme and I was so amazed to see all of my family there! They had stayed away all season because of the delicate situation with the (COVID-19) virus, so to see them there waiting to embrace me in Parc Ferme was overwhelmingly wonderful – the most beautiful and unforgettable thing in the world. The celebrations with my team in the moments after the race were also fantastic, but in the evening we didn’t have a big party like a lot of people expected; I just had a very small dinner together with my family – I wanted something intimate and relaxed, something safe in these difficult times. Over the next hours I started to realise that I had achieved my ultimate dream. It hit me in waves as I remembered what had happened! This whole season will be unforgettable, but those moments celebrating with my fellow riders, my team, and my family will stay fresh in my mind forever.

Joan Mir | 2020 MotoGP World Champion

“This World Championship title has special significance for me and the team because I realise that we really made history with this victory. It came in the same year that Suzuki celebrates its 100th Anniversary and the 60th anniversary in racing. It’s also 20 years since the last title – all these stats are impressive, and to me it almost seems like ‘destiny’ that it all happened at once.

“To be honest, this is exactly what I was hoping for when I decided to sign with Suzuki in MotoGP. At that time I had some other options, and I thought about it a lot, evaluating and weighing-up the pros and cons. I was already very interested in Suzuki, then all in a sudden I thought: if I do go to Suzuki and manage to win the World Championship it will something amazing, memorable… historic! And here we are, celebrating a piece of history!

“I still remember my first experience with the GSX-RR: the speed was impressive, but the braking was something else! The stopping power really surprised me. And the bike itself is very long, much longer than a standard bike, to give better stability in fast corners, so you really have to make it turn, but this year we managed to find good traction, which helped a lot. The GSX-RR is a really complete and balanced bike, and it won the title with me thanks to this and its adaptability to all tracks and conditions. In such a strange year, consistency was going to be the key for success, and that’s what we managed to do.

Joan Mir – 2020 MotoGP World Champion

“Another reason that this season’s success feels so incredible is not just the struggles of the year in general with the terrible Covid-19 crisis, but also the troubles I had last year. When I think back to the crash I had in Brno I still re-live that same feeling of my breath being taken away, it was so scary. The crash itself and the injury was a tough moment, but the recovery was also very long and hard. It feels strange to think that after the first races of this 2020 season I was well behind the top riders in the classification, and now we’re celebrating the title. The season was so relentless with so many rounds close together, so it really hasn’t sunk in yet.

Joan Mir

“Austria this year was a real turning point: I was really putting pressure on myself to get a podium and when it finally happened it was a huge relief – I had been bottling-up the tension inside myself and all of that was finally released when I stood on that podium. Once I had proven what I was capable of, it gave me a more relaxed and balanced feeling on the bike. If you asked me to pinpoint the secret to my success, I would say this: I always set a target and then once I hit it my hunger just gets bigger and bigger and I just can’t get enough of chasing my objective.

Joan Mir congratuled by Jack Miller

“When I see the words ‘World Champion’ I feel so thankful for what all the people in Suzuki and in the racing team have done for me. There’s no way to truly express the thanks and gratitude I want to give to all the people who have supported me and helped me to get where I am now, on the top of the world!

Suzuki MotoGP World Champions

“Seeing my face amongst all the historic Champions of Suzuki is something magical and it makes me feel very honoured and proud. All of us at Team Suzuki Ecstar are a part of history now, the history of an underdog company who came to MotoGP to challenge the biggest teams and finally…. WON!”

Joan Mir | 2020 MotoGP World Champion – Team Suzuki

Source: MCNews.com.au

Initiative launched in support of grassroots motocross facilities

News 1 Dec 2020

Initiative launched in support of grassroots motocross facilities

Proceeds of AUS-X Apparel ‘We Are Moto’ range to be utilised.

Image: Supplied.

A new fundraising initiative has been launched by AUS-X Open and the Australian Supercross Championship organisers in a bid to support grassroots motocross facilities.

Led by co-founders Adam Bailey and Ryan Sanderson, the ‘We Are Moto’ movement has been announced in a bid to enhance safety, increase enjoyment and revamp venues Australia-wide.

“People are loving riding their dirt bikes this year more than ever,” explained Bailey. “It’s evident that, despite the COVID-19 crisis, motorcycle and accessory sales in 2020 have been incredibly strong. There is, however, in some areas a breakdown between recreational riding and competition at a local and state level. We need to focus on this area, to open the funnel for new families and competitors to get involved.

“Motocross is an incredibly fun and exciting sport for girls and boys, men and women of all ages. It creates lifelong friendships and brings families together like no other. By reducing some of the barriers to entry and making it a safer, more inviting and enjoyable environment for all, we hope to see more and more riders either getting back into it, or giving motocross racing a shot.

“This is the core of what makes our industry tick, so it absolutely deserves our focus. We’re very lucky now to have great relationships within our industry and we hope everyone will come aboard this journey with us! There isn’t a motocross or supercross champion in history, anywhere in the world, that didn’t start their competitive journey at the local track.

“The majority of our team have had motocross as a part of their lives in some way – it’s given us lifelong memories and friendships. It’s our collective job to give future generations the best possible chance at enjoying everything about this sport that makes it so amazing.”

The sport of motocross has continued to evolve in recent decades, however in this time, many of the tracks and facilities in Australia have not. This is not through the lack of passion and commitment of their clubs or members, but often a by-product of a lack of financial support and also a reliance on club volunteers with less and less spare time.

The purpose is simply to develop and improve the points of entry into motocross competition to encourage new participation of all ages to get involved and enjoy all that the sport of motocross is – a fantastic family sporting environment, that above all, is incredibly fun.

“We’re privileged to have so many incredibly passionate fans and industry partners that have supported our events since 2015,” commented Sanderson. “With a forced break in events for 2020, we see no better time to give back to the grass roots of motocross and supercross competition.

“Who knows, it may help us harbour the discovery of the next Chad Reed, Mitch Evans or Hunter/Jett Lawrence and, even better, get more people riding and racing their dirt bikes and having a great time doing so.”

AUS SX Holdings have already begun working on several initiatives that will be rolled out in the coming weeks and months, the first of those being the release of the ‘We Are Moto’ apparel range, where proceeds will go towards supporting local events and clubs in 2021.

‘Our first stop is track preparation,” Bailey added. “This is an incredibly arduous task, but so incredibly pivotal to riders’ experience on the day, no matter what the event. We have some big plans and some great businesses and people putting their hands up to help already – as they say, many hands make light work. Watch this space!’

The AUS-X Apparel ‘We Are Moto’ range will be available for purchase from www.ausxstore.com from Wednesday, 2 December, at 5:00pm AEST.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Moto News Weekly | Dakar | MX | AFT | 2021 Calendars

Moto News Weekly Wrap
December 1, 2020

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Saudi Arabia readying to host Dakar 2021

The details of the 43rd edition of the Dakar to be held in Saudi Arabia this coming January, 2021, have been announced, with a route of 7,646 km starting and finishing in Jeddah. Including 4,767 km of special stages, the route is designed to allow the competitors to battle among themselves and to explore the Saudi deserts.

Dakar 2021 Preview

Despite the difficulties associated to the health crisis, a strong field of competitors have answered the call, with 321 vehicles on the entry list. In addition to the 108 motorbikes, 21 quads, 124 cars and SSVs and 42 trucks expected at the start, 26 vehicles have been entered for a regularity competition in the new “Dakar Classic” category, open to cars and trucks built prior to 2000.

After an introduction to the Saudi deserts, the 2021 Dakar competitors will receive an even more in-depth lesson in geography. The characteristics of the route as well as the new regulations introduced aim to reduce average speed, further improve safety conditions and highlight the sporting qualities of the competitors.

Dakar 2021 Preview

Specifically, the fight for the various titles at stake should put the top competitors, who are used to battling it out at the sharp end of the standings, in competition with each other. In the motorcycle category, Ricky Brabec and Honda put an end to a series of 18 consecutive victories for the Austrian firm KTM, which will return with an all-star line-up of riders to try to begin another Dakar winning streak.

While the Dakar participants will head into action on January 2nd with a short prologue (11 km) to determine the starting position of each competitor for the opening stage, they will have to go through several intermediate steps before then. A majority of the vehicles will be summoned to Marseille, December 1-3 to be loaded on to a cargo ship, direction Jeddah. The meeting on the shores of the Red Sea with the owners will take place on December 30th and 31st, while the technical and administrative checks will be conducted on January 1-2 in accordance with health protection regulations.

Dakar 2021 Preview

The longest special stage will take in 511 kilometres on the penultimate stage, while the longest overall stage will feature a total of 813 kilometres on day four. The shakedown, the curtain-raising prologue, the race-start on January 2 and the final finish will all take place in Jeddah. The twelve stages, scheduled from January 3 to 15, 2021, with a rest day in Ha’il, will make a trek counter-clockwise through the Saudi Arabian landscapes.

The race will feature one marathon stage following the rest day, where riders will be unable to receive mechanical assistance and will have to take extra care of their machines. Riders can look forward to a wide variety of complex stages, always a common feature at the Dakar.

Among the novelties to be included in the 2021 Dakar, will be the roadbook given out twenty minutes prior to the start in each of the stages. This differs from last year’s edition where the roadbooks were distributed in this manner on only half of the stages. An important change is the limitation of only six rear tyres for the entire rally, which will force riders to be far more cautious. There will be also a limit to the number of piston changes, as well as a ban on carrying out any mechanical repairs during the refuelling. Finally, the use of jackets with airbags will be mandatory for all motorcycle riders.

2021 Dakar Schedule

Stage Date Start > Finish Total Special
P Saturday, January 2, 2021 Jeddah > Jeddah 11 km 11 km
1 Sunday, January 3, 2021 Jeddah > Bisha 622 km 277 km
2 Monday, January 4, 2021 Bisha > Wadi Al Dawasir 685 km 457 km
3 Tuesday, January 5, 2021 Wadi Al Dawasir > Wadi Al Dawasir 630 km 403 km
4 Wednesday, January 6, 2021 Wadi Al Dawasir > Riyadh 813 km 337 km
5 Thursday, January 7, 2021 Riyadh > Buraydah 625 km 419 km
6 Friday, January 8, 2021 Buraydah > Ha’il 655 km 485 km
Rest Saturday, January 9, 2021 Ha’il (Rest Day)
7 Sunday, January 10, 2021 Ha’il > Sakaka 737 km 471 km
8 Monday, January 11, 2021 Sakaka > Neom 709 km 375 km
9 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Neom > Neom 579 km 465 km
10 Wednesday, January 13, 2021 Neom > Al-Ula 583 km 342 km
11 Thursday, January 14, 2021 Al-Ula > Yanbu 557 km 511 km
12 Friday, January 15, 2021 Yanbu > Jeddah 452 km 225 km

2021 Dakar Motorcycle Entry List

Num. Rider Nat. Team
1 Brabec Ricky USA Honda Monster Energy Honda Team 2021
2 Quintanilla Pablo CHL Husqvarna Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
3 Price Toby AUS KTM Red Bull KTM Factory Team
4 Cornejo Florimo Jose Ignacio CHL  Honda Monster Energy Honda Team 2021
5 Sunderland Sam GBR KTM Red Bull KTM Factory Team
6 Caimi FRAnco ARG  Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
7 Short Andrew USA  Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
9 Howes Skyler USA KTM  Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team
11 Svitko Stefan SVK  KTM Slovnaft Rally Team
12 De Soultrait Xavier  FRA Husqvarna Ht Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing
15 Santolino Lorenzo  ESP Sherco Tvs Sherco Tvs Rally Factory
17 Pedrero Garcia Juan  ESP KTM Fn Speed – Rieju Team
18 Branch Ross  BWA Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
19 Goncalves Dias  RUI Jorge PRT Sherco Tvs Sherco Tvs Rally Factory
20 Tomiczek Adam POL Husqvarna Orlen Team
21 Sanders Daniel AUS KTM KTM Factory Team
22 Giemza Maciej POL Husqvarna Orlen Team
23 Jakes Ivan SVK KTM Jakes Dakar Team
24 Bühler Sebastian DEU Hero Hero Motosports Team Rally
25 Spierings Paul NLD  Husqvarna Ht Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing
26 Engel Milan CZE KTM Moto Racing Group (Mrg)
27 Rodrigues Joaquim  PRT Hero Hero Motosports Team Rally
29 Gyenes Emanuel  ROU KTM Autonet Motorcycle Team
30 Gelazninkas Arunas  LTU KTM Zigmas Dakar Team
31 Michek Martin  CZE KTM Moto Racing Group (Mrg)
32 Schareina Tosha  ESP KTM Fn Speed – KTM Team
33 Koitha Veettil Harith Noah IND Sherco Sherco Tvs Rally Factory
34 Patrao Mario  PRT KTM Credit Agricola – Mario Patrao Motosport
35 Guillen Rivera Juan Pablo  MEX KTM Nomadas Adventure
36 Brabec Jan  CZE KTM Strojrent Racing
37 Pabiska David  CZE KTM Jantar Team
39 Melot Benjamin FRA KTM Benjamin Melot
41 Yakp Zaker  CHN KTM Wu Pu Da Hai Dao Dakar Rally Team
42 Van Beveren Adrien FRA Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
44 Sanz Laia  ESP Gas Gas Gas Gas Factory Team
45 Min Zhang  CHN KTM Wu Pu Da Hai Dao Dakar Rally Team
46 Marcic Simon  SVN Husqvarna Marcic
47 Benavides Kevin  ARG Honda Monster Energy Honda Team 2021
48 Doveze Mathieu  FRA KTM Nomade Racing Assistance
50 C. S. Santosh  IND Hero Hero Motosports Team Rally
51 Al-Lal Lahadil Rachid  ESP KTM Melilla Sport Capital
52 Walkner Matthias  AUT KTM Red Bull KTM Factory Team
53 Podmol Libor CZE  Husqvarna Podmol Dakar Team
54 Chapeliere Camille FRA KTM Team Baines Rally
55 Hongyi Zhao  CHN KTM Wu Pu Da Hai Dao Dakar Rally Team
56 Pacheco Giordano  COL KTM Calidoso Racing Team
58 Iglesias Sanchez Eduardo  ESP KTM Fn Speed – Team Monforte Rally
59 Interno Tiziano  ITA Beta Rally Pov
60 Darques Stéphane  FRA Yamaha M.O.R.Al
61 Dubois Norbert FRA KTM Aventure Moto 61
62 Houlihan Andrew Joseph AUS KTM Nomadas Adventure
63 Dabrowski Konrad  POL KTM Duust Rally Team
65 Picco FRAnco ITA Husqvarna Team FRAnco Picco
66 Bouchet Pascal  FRA KTM Team Baines Rally
67 Lhotsky Rudolf  CZE Husqvarna Jantar Team
68 Mccanney Jamie  GBR Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
69 Roelants Walter  BEL Husqvarna Ht Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing
70 Alghuneim Mishal  SAU KTM Mishal Alghuneim
71 Farhan Salman Mohamed Humood Farhan  BHR Husqvarna Ht Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing
72 Rauber Pascal  FRA KTM Team 2rm
73 Jaffar Mohammed  KWT KTM Duust Rally Team
74 Betriu Jaume ESP KTM Fn Speed – KTM Team
76 Krejci Roman  CZE KTM Bo!Beton Team
77 Benavides Luciano ARG Husqvarna Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
78 Zacchetti Cesare ITA KTM Cesare Zacchetti
79 Baratin Amaury  FRA KTM Horizon Moto 95
80 Burgess Michael  AUS KTM Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team
81 Vlcak Erik  SVK Husqvarna Slovnaft Rally Team
82 Raorane Ashish IND KTM Ashish Raorane
83 Chavez David PER KTM Club Aventura Touareg
84 Hawker Neil  GBR Husqvarna Neil Hawker
85 Azinhais Alexandre  PRT KTM Club Aventura Touareg
86 Herbst Charlie FRA KTM Team Charlie Herbst
87 Mena Oriol  ESP Rieju Fn Speed – Rieju Team
88 Barreda Bort Joan  ESP Honda Monster Energy Honda Team 2021
89 Saghmeister Gabor  SRB KTM Saghmeister Team
90 Catanese FRAncesco  ITA Yamaha Tuttogru
92 Martinez Eric  FRA Husqvarna Eric Martinez
93 Lorenzo Piolini  ITA KTM Caravanserraglio Rally Racing Team
94 Susset Olivier  FRA Husqvarna Xtreme Garage
95 Flick Xavier FRA Husqvarna Xtrem Racing
96 Albero Puig Daniel  ESP  KTM Team Un Diabetico En El Dakar
97 Benko Martin  SVK KTM Norwit Racing
98 Garcia Sara ESP Yamaha Pont Grup Yamaha
99 Vega Puerta Javier  ESP Yamaha Pont Grup Yamaha
100 Rossat Audrey  FRA KTM Rossat Audrey
101 Knight David  GBR Husqvarna Ht Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing
102 Jugla Sara  FRA KTM Team Baines Rally
104 Altoaimi Fawaz  SAU Yamaha Fawaz Racing
105 Dominguez Fernando  ESP KTM Club Aventura Touareg
107 Stigliano Giovanni  ITA Yamaha Team Jbrally
108 Calmet Marc  ESP KTM Fn Speed – Rieju Team
110 Bartoszek Jacek POL KTM Duust Rally Team
111 Cherpin Pierre  FRA Husqvarna Pierre Cherpin
112 Campdera Juan  ESP KTM Juan Campdera
114 Carbonell Mendez Eladio  ESP KTM Pikaeras Team
115 Harmsen Olaf  NLD KTM Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team
116 Blandin Erick FRA KTM Team Baines Rally
117 Alexander James  BWA Yamaha The Kalahari Madala
118 Bispo Alexandre  ESP KTM Expresso Racing
120 Trejos Jhon COL KTM Jhon Trejos
121 Barthelemy Guillaume FRA KTM Team Rs Concept
123 Pedemonte Angelo ITA  KTM Pedemonte Angelo
125 Barlerin Frédéric  FRA KTM Rallye Fred
126 Llanos Diego Gamaliel  ESP KTM Diego Gamaliel Llanos
127 Jobard Willy  FRA Garnati Garnati Racing
133 Davide Cominardi ITA Honda Cominardi
142 Gerini Maurizio ITA Husqvarna Solarys Racing

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Aussie Max Whale talks American Flat Track 2020

AmericanFlatTrack.com has done a great feature on young Queenslander Max Whale, who has been over in America this year competing the American Flat Track championship in the Singles class, finishing the season in second-place overall, as well as capturing nine-points in the Production class in Springfield. Here’s a look at what they had to say about the Aussie talent:

By AmericanFlatTrack.com

When the 2020 Progressive American Flat Track season finally revved into action on a mid-July evening at Volusia Speedway Park, months of anticipation and prediction were replaced by actual results. That opener provided an initial – if not entirely accurate – insight into how a handful of closely tracked storylines might actually play out.

Max Whale
Max Whale – Image by Scott Hunter

The early returns suggested that the AFT Singles class’ ex-premier class invaders, Henry Wiles, Mikey Rush and Chad Cose, were indeed well positioned to upend a class more often thought of as a springboard for up and comers. And while all three were factors in ‘20, they failed to steamroll the competition as some had feared.

It also created some major worries that the much-hyped Dallas Daniels would take a step back after impressing so mightily in his abbreviated ‘19 rookie campaign (he most certainly did not). But the story of that opening evening was Max Whale, a perennial “star of the future,” who emphatically scrubbed away that “of the future” disclaimer with an all-day, out-and-out drubbing of his rivals en route to a maiden AFT victory.

Dallas Daniels & Max Whale
Dallas Daniels & Max Whale – Image by Scott Hunter

As the season took its final shape, Daniels grabbed back the spotlight. He rebounded from his opening night disaster to ultimately reign over the class in a commanding, eight-win title fight blowout.

However, the continued rise of Whale was arguably the category’s B plot. His ascension since first arriving on the scene has been truly meteoric. The 19-year-old Australian turned a 14th-ranked 2018 rookie campaign into a ninth-ranked, one-podium 2019 sophomore season. He made an even bigger leap in 2020, securing championship runner-up status on the strength of five podiums highlighted by the aforementioned victory.

Max Whale – Image by Scott Hunter
Max Whale

“This season was a dream come true. It went perfect, pretty much — I was consistent. Five podiums was my goal coming into the year, and I did it. I’m pumped on that. And to finish second in the championship was crazy. It was awesome. I am still lost for words… It’s hard to explain. Getting that first win on the opening night was incredible. It was honestly hard to believe. It took a couple days for it to sink in. The whole day was perfect. I think I qualified second, I won the Semi, and then won the Main. It was awesome. I just wish my parents were here to see it.”

That wish went deeper than simply wishing they could have shared in his breakthrough success. While the pandemic was (and very much remains) catastrophically disruptive for everyone, Whale was presented with even greater challenges than the average dirt track pro as a result.

Max Whale – Image Scott Hunter

The teenager was stripped of the support system he’d relied on his entire professional career when he was forced to live and travel and compete while effectively trapped on his own inside the United States with his father, Brett Whale, on the outside looking in from Australia.

Previously, the two had travelled the country together in a used RV and trailer that served as their living quarters and workshop. His absence robbed Max of both emotional support and very practical help.

Max Whale

“In past years, my dad was with me for the whole season. Leading in I knew it was going to be tough with him going back home due to COVID. And you know, I didn’t realize just how much he did – from prepping my bikes, driving and servicing the RV, cooking and cleaning – until he was gone. He went home in March and then DAYTONA got cancelled. I had to stay here by myself. It was a big reality check.”

Max Whale – Image by Scott Hunter

Thrown into the deep end, Whale, appropriately enough, swam rather than sunk. He was taken under the wing of the larger Pennsylvania-based AFT community and, with their help, he thrived.

Max Whale

“You know, I wouldn’t change it. It turned out good. When my dad first left, I was in Pennsylvania for a couple of months. And then for the whole year, PA was kind of my base. I had some awesome people who helped me out — Briar (Bauman) and Shayna (Texter) helped me out a crazy amount. Everyone at Don’s Kawasaki and so many others too. There were just so many awesome people I could turn to. If I needed anything, I could always message them and they helped me out straight away. I’m so lucky to have that and I cannot thank those guys enough.”

Henry Wiles and Max Whale
Henry Wiles and Max Whale – Image by Scott Hunter

It proved to be a relatively painless and seamless adaptation, considering the circumstances. But adapting has been the norm since Whale first turned pro. Dirt track racing is a considerably different beast in Australia compared with America, from types and sizes of tires to brake set-ups to track surfaces and layouts.

While three years of experience as an AFT Singles ace have Whale now feeling even more at home when racing in the States than he does when he returns to his Down Under roots, the 2017 Australian Junior Track Champion claims his meteoric year-on-year rise in Progressive AFT is more down to an improved mental game than any other factor.

Max Whale

“I feel like my improvement is mainly down to confidence. My bikes were better this year than they had been previously, but a lot of it was just confidence. After I got that win in Volusia, it really made me understand that I could do it. I found myself qualifying better every round — a lot better than I did last year. I just went in with a different mindset and it ended up paying off.”

Max Whale – Image by Scott Hunter

Whale is not ready to confirm his exact 2021 plans just yet with an announcement likely coming early next year. He did admit, however, that he will be back in the AFT Singles class for a fourth attempt at the title. After going from 14th to 9th to runner-up, only one final landing spot will be considered a continuation of that upward trajectory. Some might say the bad news on that front is that he’ll have to go through Dallas Daniels to do it, as the dominant champion is set to defend his crown in ‘21.

Whale doesn’t see it that way, preferring to view Daniels as the ultimate measuring stick rather than an impenetrable wall blocking his path, sharing “That’s good news for me. I want to win with everything in it. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Max Whale on the podium after the opening race of the season alongside Chad Cose and Henry Wiles – Image Scott Hunter

2020 AFT Singles Overall Standings

Pos. Rider Overall Points
1 Dallas Daniels 283
2 Max Whale 215
3 Henry Wiles 208
4 Michael Rush 185
5 Trent Lowe 183
6 Morgen Mischler 178
7 Tanner Dean 160
8 Brandon Kitchen 154
9 Chad Cose 137
10 Michael Inderbitzin 124
11 Trevor Brunner 113
12 Shayna Texter 102
13 Cole Zabala 84
14 James Ott 79
15 Kevin Stollings 74
16 Andrew Luker 74
17 Cameron Smith 73
18 Aidan RoosEvans 61
19 Ryan Wells 58
20 Jacob Lehmann 56
21 Jesse Janisch 50
22 Dylan Bell 18
23 Wyatt Anderson 17
24 Tyler Raggio 14
25 Justin Jones 9
26 Blake Lomas 4

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AMX takes naming rights to the MXOpen at Wonthaggi

The MXOpen will take place this side of Christmas thanks to AMX, the Dandenong Motocross Club and other leading industry partners and local businesses. Entries are available online at www.ridernet.com.au.

$15,000 in Prizemoney headlines the one-day motocross spectacular. Penrite Honda, Empire Kawasaki, SP Motorsports Suzuki riders will compete against the best riders in Victoria in a winner takes all one round open. Yarrive Konsky has been working with the Dandenong Motocross Club to facilitate the AMX MXOpen.

Brett Metcalfe – Penrite Honda

On December 13th an all star line up of riders and teams will take to the track in an effort to win prizemoney, prizes and bragging rights going into Christmas. The Dandenong Motocross Clubs president understands the need for racing and wanted to see competition happen this side of the New Year.

Yarrive Konsky

“We are starving for racing; it’s been 8 months without competition in Victoria and riders, sponsors, teams and clubs are hungry for competition. I wanted to see racing happening this side of Christmas and I appreciate the Dandenong Motocross Clubs enthusiasm towards making this possible. We have members we want to support, an industry we need to support, and we love racing that is why we are behind this event. Our club is made up of passionate people and we are excited to see racing resume.”

The AMX MXOPEN is proudly sponsored by AMX, Wonthaggi Toyota, Honda, POD, SERCO, Yoshimura, FMF, Fly Racing, Answer, FCAM Bricklaying, Ausbuilt, Rhino, FIST, McLeods, Michelin, Matrix Concepts, THOR, Delcon Civil, M9, Alpinestars, M2R Helmets, Krooztune, 100%, Bridgestone, SKDA and Leongatha Honda.

Robert Mestrom – Motorcycling Victoria CEO

“We are getting behind this event. Yarrive, the DMCC and Motorcycling Victoria share the same passion for competition. We know that some of our members want to get back to racing and we have offered our full support to Yarrive and the DMCC.”

2020 MXOpen Details

  • Sunday 13th December
  • Wonthaggi Motocross Track – Dandenong Motorcycle Club
  • 220 W Area Rd, Wonthaggi VIC 3995
  • Gates open 5:45am
  • Practice commences: 8:00am

MXOpen Classes

  • C-grade 450 4-stroke
  • SNR Womens
  • 125cc and 128 – 150cc 2 Stroke 13 – Under 16
  • 200 – 250cc 4 Stroke 13 – Under 16
  • Pro Lite 250cc 4-stroke (A and B classes scored separately)
  • 65cc 9-U12
  • 65cc – 7 -U11
  • 85 2stk & 150cc 4stk Std & BW – 11-U15
  • Pro Open 450cc 4-stroke (A and B classes scored separately)
  • DIV 2 50cc
  • Vets 30 + 35+ 40+ 45+
  • C-grade 250
  • 2-stroke pre 90, pre 2000 and open – (Classes scored separately)

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2020 Heaven M/C Club VMX Final – Memorial Weekend

The Heaven Motorcycle Club, NSW’s primary Vintage Motocross Club, held the only actual NSW VMX Race meeting for 2020 at the Lakes motocross track at Awaba over the November 21-22 Memorial Weekend recently. With COVID wreaking havoc with a schedule originally slated for a seven round season, numerous cancellations and attempts to reschedule eventually yielded a single round championship, wrapped up with two races per class.

Peter Martin took part in the vintage motocross event, racing in two classes and sent us his version of events, which we’re happy to share with you here:

Thank you Heaven, one round, two races per class and big fields

With Peter Martin

The Heaven VMX Committee worked hard to make it possible to have a single round Championship. Thank you Heaven, one round, two races per class and big fields saw everyone welcome the opportunity to go racing.

The Lakes meeting was the Heaven VMX Championship for 2020, not a series, just two races in each class to decide who would take home the coveted Trophies. I was entered in the Pre-1990 class (all capacities) on the 1989 Honda CR250RK and the Evolution class (all capacities) on the 1979 Honda CR250RZ, I was also invited to race in the President’s Cup Invitational, a 15 minute +1 Lap Moto (all ages and capacities of bike).

Peter Martin – 2020 Heaven VMX Final Memorial Weekend – Image by Matty Baker Images

With two four-lap class races and one moto length invitational each day I considered the racing physically doable, so Saturday I did two short practices on each bike and then headed out for the first Pre-1990 all in on the 1989 bike. A crowded and talented grid of 40 riders were keen to go racing. I when I glanced down the field there was #100 of Craig Anderson, five-times Australian Motocross Champion. Surely I am in the wrong place I thought, but it’s too late to pull out now.

I got a reasonable start to about mid field, then the talent started to work up their speed ahead and a few more got by me, then a few more. I settled down and started passing riders, while my position was helped by a few riders enthusiastically throwing themselves and their bikes over the top of berms and into tyre walls – it was carnage fuelled by wonderful enthusiasm.

I had two races to recover with just enough time to wipe my face, take a drink and get back up to the start line in time for the Evo all in race on the 1979 bike. I got a great start, running fourth into turn 2 and then slowed too early for the entry. Whoosh I dropped around five places, so it was head down and I started passing a few, working my way up through the field.

The Presidents Cup was to be the last race of the day and the decision was made to transfer the Presidents Cup to be the first and last race on Sunday. That would mean I had a 15 minute +1 Lap Moto and two 4 lap races back to back, then a long break to the last President’s Cup Moto at the end of the day.

Peter Martin – 2020 Heaven VMX Final Memorial Weekend – Image by Matty Baker Images

Saturday night was Heaven’s AGM and Jo Gillan provided a glorious roast chicken meal, then it was off to sleep early. All night my leg muscles played tag on who would cramp next, which meant frequently getting up to stretch or walk off cramps, then back to bed so a squadron of mozzies could continue their attempts to terrorise me and drag me out the door. After a restless night Sunday dawned. It was overcast and a little cooler (at first), I did two laps to warm up and got ready for the first President’s Cup Moto.

It was another packed grid of 40 riders. I got off the start-line well to be about fifth heading into turn two and… ended up 12th heading out of turn two. So once again I picked up the pace and started passing riders – I just kept chasing and moving forward. After seven or eight laps the checkered flag saw me reasonably well placed around 10th.

I got back to my pit and thought, I can not go straight out to the second Pre-1990 race. I had prepared a bag of ice in a wet towel and poured cold water over my head to bring my temperature down, there was a short delay and repeated announcements of the start of the Pre-1990, so I put my helmet, gloves and goggles back on. By the time I got to the line I had given the field half a lap start, I just put my head down and raced, pushed, rode as best I could passing those I could to the finish.

I had two races to recover before the final Evo race on the 1979 bike. Again a great start and again giving up too many positions in turn two. I remember nothing of this race, what else happened and the results are a mystery, I just survived.

It was a long wait for the final President’s Cup Moto and it was very hot, I packed up what I could and attempted to keep my body moving and my temperature down. After an eternity, the call came and I lined up for the final race of the day. Again a great start was followed by giving up too many positions leaving turn two. I rode, pushing where I had an advantage and surviving where I was too weak to push.

Peter Martin – 2020 Heaven VMX Final Memorial Weekend – Image by Matty Baker Images

There were a few riders inserting themselves into the scrub and tyre walls which made it possible to pick up more places. Basically it was survival of the most
determined. On the last lap Mark Tompkin attempted a pass, I looked at it and thought I can stop you and then thought, but I won’t. The same for the next corner, I got inside him and thought I can stop you but I had no fight left and just rode to finish the race.

Final results saw me 12th overall in the Pre-1990 category, ninth in the Evolution and 10th overall in the President’s Cup Invitational. My results are far from what I am capable of yet better than I expected. I am in the process of changing my whole motocross riding style for better results on the Supercross type tracks Heaven go to, so being around the top 10 overall in all three classes considering the competition is actually a pretty good result.

I take away so much from this meeting however. My starts are consistently good and I slow too much and brake too early into the first real turn. My riding ‘style’ is evolving, yet there is a long way to go before I am competitive. Compared to before, I have improved my speed on some parts of the track and I am slower on other parts. The real victory is that my body is not as beaten and damaged as it was before. It is not that I am not hurting, I am hurting much less and my body is not taking as long to recover. I am even starting to enjoy riding again. For these reasons I consider this a victory.

A big thanks to the Heaven committee and all the Heaven members who make VMX Racing so much fun. A big thank you to the volunteers who make it possible for us to ride. Thank you to David Middleton (Excel Tint) who helped to revise and set up the suspension which has provided a significant improvement in comfort. Thank you to all the wonderful, patient people who support my racing. Race Images from Matty Baker Images, thank you for the great photos.

We’ve reached out to Heaven M/C Club and will add full results shortly.

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Yamaha celebrate 2020 MX2 manufacturers title

Yamaha Motor Europe have celebrated the success of its 2020 racing strategy as the MX2 Manufacturer of the Year thanks to the YZ250F and the skill and determination of riders Jago Geerts, Ben Watson and Maxime Renaux, all three of whom visited the top step of the podium over the course of the season.

This achievement marks Yamaha’s third manufacturers crown since the class was reinvented as MX2 in 2004, with the first title coming in 2005 and the second following two years later in 2007.

Jago Geerts, Ben Watson and Maxime Renaux clinched the MX2 manufacturer’s win for Yamaha in 2020

Spearheaded by the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team, which was reintroduced in 2020 after a five-year hiatus, and strengthened by the addition of the SM Action M.C. Migliori Yamaha Supported Team, Yamaha celebrated 18 race wins, 23 podium finishes and nine Grand Prix wins on its way to the 2020 MX2 Manufacturers title.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Jago Geerts led 156 laps, won 14 races and celebrated 12 podium finishes, of which six were Grand Prix wins to claim MX2’s silver medal with 679-points.

Jago Geerts

Simultaneously, SM Action M.C. Migliori Yamaha’s Maxime Renaux ended the season 98-points further adrift in third position after taking his very first race and Grand Prix win in Faenza, Italy. Renaux also led 30-laps and mounted the podium on no fewer than five occasions.

Bolstering Yamaha’s achievements in 2020, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Ben Watson led 37-laps on his way to two race wins, which were followed by two Grand Prix victories. Watson claimed six podium finishes on his way to fifth overall in the final MX2 World Championship standings.

Ben Watson

While Renaux’s achievements had already confirmed the competitiveness of the ‘non-Factory’ YZ250F, the strength of the world-beating motorcycle was further affirmed by Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250’s Thibault Benistant, who took his YZ250F to the top of the EMX250 Championship in just his second season in the class.

Just three days after he was crowned champion, Benistant signed on to race the next three MX2 Grands Prix. Racing his EMX250 Championship winning YZ250F, the 18-year-old debutant impressed with two top-three race finishes and a top-five overall finish in his third-ever Grand Prix.

Thibault Benistant
Thibault Benistant

Proving the dominance of the YZ250F across the board, Yamaha also won its fifth WMX Manufacturer’s title thanks to the combined efforts of Nancy van de Ven and Larissa Papenmeier. Throughout the five rounds of the WMX World Championship, van de Ven won three races and mounted the podium four times to finish as the 2020 series runner-up. Papenmeier joined her counterpart on the podium and collected the bronze medal with two Grand Prix wins, one race win and four podium finishes.

Nancy Van De Ven
Nancy Van De Ven

Reinforcing Yamaha’s strategy to develop the next generation of MXGP champions from within their own ranks, Watson, Renaux and Benistant will all progress up the Yamaha Racing pyramid in 2021. Watson will join highly experienced 450cc riders Jeremy Seewer and Glenn Coldenhoff under the awning of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team to contest his first season aboard a works Yamaha YZ450F. Renaux and Benistant will join Geerts inside the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team, forming a potent line-up for Yamaha as it looks to defend the MX2 Manufacturers crown and challenge once again for the riders title in 2021.

2020 MX2 Manufacturer Standings

Pos Manufacturer Total
1 Yamaha 810
2 KTM 786
3 Husqvarna 655
4 Kawasaki 561
5 Honda 411
6 GASGAS 343

2020 MX2 Standings

Pos Rider Nat. Bike Total
1 Vialle, Tom FRA KTM 759
2 Geerts, Jago BEL YAM 679
3 Renaux, Maxime FRA YAM 581
4 Beaton, Jed AUS HUS 564
5 Watson, Ben GBR YAM 551
6 Olsen, T. DEN HUS 540
7 Van De Moosdijk, R. NED KAW 466
8 Mewse, Conrad GBR KTM 365
9 Fernandez, R. ESP YAM 343
10 Rubini, S. FRA HON 279
11 Östlund, Alvin SWE HON 263
12 Gifting, Isak SWE GAS 248
13 Boisrame, M. FRA KAW 234
14 Malkiewicz, B. AUS HON 164
15 Vaessen, Bas NED KTM 163
16 Forato, A. ITA HUS 156
17 Lesiardo, M. ITA HON 143
18 Horgmo, Kevin NOR KTM 137
19 Haarup, Mikkel DEN KAW 118
20 Pancar, Jan SLO KTM 115
21 Gilbert, Josh GBR HUS 112
22 Renkens, N. BEL KTM 103
23 Crawford, N. AUS HON 91
24 Benistant, T. FRA YAM 90
25 Genot, Cyril BEL YAM 85
26 Hofer, Rene AUT KTM 73
27 Sikyna, R. SVK KTM 72
28 Sandner, M. AUT GAS 67
29 Guadagnini, M. ITA HUS 62
30 Laengenfelder, S. GER GAS 59
31 Polak, Petr CZE YAM 45
32 Sydow, Jeremy GER GAS 35
33 Roosiorg, H. EST KTM 33
34 Harrison, M. USA KAW 22
35 Todd, Wilson AUS KAW 21
36 Cenerelli, G. ITA HUS 21
37 Toriani, Enzo FRA HUS 21
38 Nermann, J. EST HUS 17
39 Dickinson, A. GBR KTM 15
40 Meier, Glen DEN YAM 13
41 Teresak, Jakub CZE KTM 13
42 Zonta, Filippo ITA KTM 6
43 Edelbacher, R. AUT HUS 5
44 Furbetta, J. ITA KTM 3
45 Spies, M. GER HUS 2
46 Haavisto, Jere FIN YAM 2

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Tom Pagès prepares for 2021 Enduropale du Touquet challenge

Tom Pagès will spend the next two months preparing for the world’s biggest beach race as the French freestyle motocross star takes on a daunting new endurance challenge at the Enduropale du Touquet event in January.

Pagès has gone from practising in his own back yard in France, to competing with the best riders in the world and progressing the sport through his series of never-been-done tricks. The 35-year-old has picked up numerous titles over the years with the multiple X-Games and Red Bull X-Fighters winner now eager to test himself further.

Tom Pagès

The Enduropale du Touquet covers over 13km of sand in northern France and is the inspiration for the famous Dakar Rally after wowing fans since the inaugural edition way back in 1975. The first event attracted 286 competitors with over 1,000 professional and amateur enduro riders are expected in 2021 to tackle waves, chicanes and velodrome-style turns with the final ranking established according to the most completed laps after three tough hours of racing.

Tom Pagès

“I have to catch up 15 years of experience on the most experienced riders. I need to get used to riding with a new type of neoprene gloves, which change my feelings on the throttle. Also a camel bag in my back because we need a lot of water throughout the race: hydration is key and, if you are thirsty, it’s already too late and you are in danger. Looking for new challenges is the key to longevity, even more in individual sports. I have learned from my mistakes in the past 14 years and I want to optimise my abilities to bring them into this new discipline. This new challenge also allows me to open my mind and to bring fresh air into my FMX career in which the mental workload is high. This short break in freestyle motocross already made me think of new tricks and new projects around FMX for the next two to three years. In the meantime, I focus on my next objectives: strengthen my physical preparation, be at the start of Enduropale 2021 and aim for the top of the board, even though I am aware of the difficulty. Winning is unimaginable but, maybe, not impossible!”

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Jonny Walker and KTM part ways after eight seasons

KTM have thanked enduro racer Jonny Walker for his achievements with the brand over the past eight seasons as his contract concludes with the Austrian manufacturer. KTM confirmed the departure of Jonny Walker from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team by mutual agreement. Due to re-structuring within the team, linked to changes that have been made to the enduro program over the past few seasons, KTM has been unable to retain Jonny’s services for 2021.

Jonny Walker

Jonny began his hard enduro campaign aboard KTM machinery in 2010 following a successful career in trials. As a then 19-year-old, he worked his way up the enduro ranks before signing his first official agreement with KTM in 2011. Soon after Walker graduated into the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, in 2012. Walker won the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble title that year, which he went on to successfully defend in 2013.

Jonny Walker

In 2015 Jonny took his riding to the next level, cementing his place as one of extreme enduro’s best following winning riders at The Tough One, Red Bull Romaniacs, Red Bull Hare Scramble, Hell’s Gate and Red Bull 111 Megawatt. Despite a number of injuries, which resulted in time off a bike during the following few years, the likeable Brit went on to claim podium finishes in further extreme enduros and WESS Championship events.

Jonny Walker

KTM thanked Jonny for everything he has achieved together with KTM and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team over the years, including his extreme enduro and FIM SuperEnduro World Championship successes, wishing him all the best for his future.

Fabio Farioli – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager

“Firstly, we’d like to say a big thank you to Jonny for everything he has achieved with KTM Factory Racing. We had some good times over the years and some incredible results – including wins at some of the toughest events on the hard enduro calendar as well as in the SuperEnduro World Championship. He has been an important part of our team and has been integral to our ongoing success. Despite our best efforts we were unable to negotiate a deal to keep Jonny on the team. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

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Arminas Jasikonis recovery update

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider Arminas Jasikonis is very much on the mend after the Lithuanian rider crashed at the Mantova round of the FIM Motocross World Championship and suffered a serious head injury. Jasikonis has been making small steps forward and looking at coming back to racing in 2021.

Antti Pyrhonen – Team Manager Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory MXGP team

“AJ is basically recovering really well. It was a very serious accident, and he was in a severe condition after the crash in Mantova. He had heavy impact to the head, and he was due to that two and a half days in a medical coma. When he woke up on Tuesday afternoon, he did a very good recovery, an unbelievable recovery actually. He could leave the hospital after a week and then he could travel back to Lithuanian and he didn’t need to go back to hospital or any recovery centre. He moved back home and was living with his girlfriend and doing some physical training and he can now drive his car.”

As for Arminas himself, as he resides in his home with his girlfriend, he can see improvements and is being as patient as possible in letting his body improve slowly as his brain starts to remember things as he comes back to full recovery.

Arminas Jasikonis

“There are days when it’s worse. There are days when it’s better, but not bad at all compared to the first days after an incident. I still feel shoulder pain, but I’ve been working on that and since two weeks ago, I started driving a car. Everything happens gradually, I’m on my way forward, but you can’t overdo it. There’s a lot of desire for me, but I can’t do it all at once because I don’t know how the brain will accept it. I started running, the balance is good. In Finland, the medical profession will look at how far I have moved forward. The plan is to come back, it really is, but I can’t promise it. I’d like to be back in half a year. I just slept and woke up. I’m almost unscathed, just a little bit of a shoulder pain at the moment, but I’m working on it now.”

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Arminas Jasikonis
Arminas Jasikonis

MA announce 2021 National Championships Calendar

Motorcycling Australia (MA) have released the 2021 National Championships Calendar of events across a variety of disciplines including Australian and International Championships.

Included in the 2021 National Calendar are all MA sanctioned disciplines including the Australian Superbike Championship, Australian Off-Road Championship, ProMX Championship, Australian Junior, Senior and Sidecar Speedway Championships, Australian Supercross Championships, Australian Junior Motocross Championships, Australian Four Day Enduro, Australian Junior and Senior Track Championships, Australian Trials and X-Trials Championships, Classic and Post Classic Dirt Track & Motocross Championships, Australian ATV MX Championships and much more.

The calendar also includes internationally recognised events such as the MotoGP, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Oceania Junior Cup, FIM Oceania Speedway and Sidecar Championships, Finke and Hattah Desert Races, as well as Australian Three Day Vintage Enduro (A3VE).

A number of National Championship promoters are still to finalise venues and dates and we will provide updates as soon as they become available. To view the MA 2021 National Calendar click here (current, November 20, 2020).

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2021 Racing schedule

2021 AMA SX calendar

Date Event Venue Location E/W
Jan 16 Houston 1 NRG Stadium Houston, TX East
Jan 19 Houston 2 NRG Stadium Houston, TX East
Jan 23 Houston 3 NRG Stadium Houston, TX East
Jan 30 Indianapolis 1 Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN East
Feb 2 Indianapolis 2 Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN East
Feb 6 Indianapolis 3 Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN East
Feb20 Glendale 1 State Farm Stadium Glendale, AZ West
Feb 23 Glendale 2 State Farm Stadium Glendale, AZ West
Feb 27 Glendale 3 State Farm Stadium Glendale, AZ West
Mar 6 Daytona* Daytona Int. Speedway Daytona Beach, FL East
Mar 13 Arlington 1 AT&T Stadium Arlington, TX West
Mar 16 Arlington 2 AT&T Stadium Arlington, TX West
Mar 20 Arlington 3 AT&T Stadium Arlington, TX West
Round 14 TBD TBD TBD TBD
Round 15 TBD TBD TBD TBD
Round 16 TBD TBD TBD TBD
Round 17 Salt Lake City Rice-Eccles Stadium Salt Lake City, UT TBD

2021 Provisional MXGP Calendar

Rnd Grand Prix Date
1 MXGP of Oman, Muscat Fri 2 Apr – Sat 3 Apr
2 MXGP of Italy, TBA Sat 24 Apr – Sun 25 Apr
3 MXGP of Portugal, Agueda Sat 8 May – Sun 9 May
4 MXGP of The Netherlands, Oss Sat 22 May – Sun 23 May
5 MXGP of Germany, Teutschenthal Sat 29 May – Sun 30 May
6 MXGP of Russia, Orlyonok Sat 12 Jun – Sun 13 Jun
7 MXGP of Latvia, Kegums Sat 19 Jun – Sun 20 Jun
8 MXGP of Jakarta (INA), Jakarta Sat 3 Jul – Sun 4 Jul
9 MXGP of Indonesia, Semarang Sat 10 Jul – Sun 11 Jul
10 MXGP of Czech Replublic, Loket Sat 24 Jul – Sun 25 Jul
11 MXGP of Belgium, Lommel Sat 31 Jul – Sun 1 Aug
12 MXGP of Sweden, Uddevalla Sat 7 Aug – Sun 8 Aug
13 MXGP of Finland, Iitti-KimiRing Sat 21 Aug – Sun 22 Aug
14 MXGP of Igora Drive (RUS), Igora Drive Sat 28 Aug – Sun 29 Aug
15 MXGP of Turkey, Afyonkarahisar Sat 11 Sep – Sun 12 Sep
16 MXGP of China, TBA Sat 18 Sep – Sun 19 Sep
17 MXGP of France, St Jean d’Angely Sat 9 Oct – Sun 10 Oct
18 MXGP of Spain, intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos Sat 16 Oct – Sun 17 Oct
19 TBA  Sat 30 Oct – Sun 31 Oct
20 MXGP of Patagonia Argentina, Neuquen Sat 13 Nov – Sun 14 Nov

2021 Yamaha AORC presented by MXStore calendar

Round Location Date
Rounds 1 & 2 Nowra, NSW March 27-28
Rounds 3 & 4 TBA, VIC April 17-18
Rounds 5 & 6 Kyogle, NSW July 17-18
Rounds 7 & 8 TBA, QLD August 6-7
Rounds 9 & 10 Kingston SE, SA September 18-19
Rounds 11 & 12 Omeo, VIC October 16-17

2021 Australian Pro MX calendar

Rnd Date Location
1 Apr-11 Wonthaggi, Victoria
2 May-02 Canberra, ACT
3 May-30 Gilman, South Australia
4 Jun-27 Maitland, NSW
5 Jul-25 Wodonga, Victoria
6 Aug-08 TBC, Queensland
7/8 August 14-15 Coolum, Queensland

2021 Speedway GP Calendar

Date Round Location
Apr-24 2021  FIM Speedway Grand Prix TBC
May-15 2021 PZM Warsaw  FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Poland PGE Narodowy
May-22 2021 German   FIM Speedway Grand Prix Bergring Arena
Jun-05 2021 Czech Republic  FIM Speedway Grand Prix Marketa Stadium
Jun-19 2021  FIM Speedway Grand Prix TBC
Jul-17 2021 Adrian Flux British  FIM Speedway Grand Prix Principality Stadium
Jul-31 2021 Betard Wroclaw FIM Speedway Grand Prix OF POLAND Olympic Stadium
Aug-14 2021 Swedish  FIM Speedway Grand Prix G&B Arena
Aug-28 2021 Russian FIM Speedway Grand Prix Anatoly Stepanov Stadium
Sep-11 2021 Danish FIM Speedway Grand Prix Sponsored by ECCO Vojens Speedway Center
Oct-02 2021 Torun  FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Poland Marian Rose MotoArena

2021 Australian Senior Speedway Solo calendar

Round Location Date
Round 1 Gillman Speedway, SA 3 January, 2021
Round 2 Olympic Park, VIC 5 January, 2021
Round 3 Diamond Park, Albury Wodonga, VIC 7 January, 2021
Round 4 Loxford Park, NSW 9 January, 2021
Round 5 Mick Doohan Raceway, QLD 13 January, 2021

2021 Australian Speedway events

Championship Location  Date
2021 Australian Under 21’s Speedway Championship Gillman Speedway, SA 16 January, 2021
2021 Australian Junior Speedway Sidecar Championship Pinjar Park, WA 3-4 April, 2021
2021 Australian Senior Speedway Sidecar Championship Pinjar Park, WA 3-4 April, 2021
2021 Speedway FIM Oceania Speedway Championship Gillman Speedway, SA 30 January, 2021
2021 Speedway FIM Oceania Speedway Sidecar Championship Gillman Speedway, SA 17 April, 2021

2021 Provisional Australian Supercross dates

  • 25 September – Further information TBA
  • 9 October – Further information TBA
  • 16 October – Further information TBA
  • 23 October – Further information TBA
  • 30 October – Further information TBA
  • 6 November – Further information TBA
  • 20 November – Further information TBA
  • 27 November – Further information TBA

2021 Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE)
May 19-22 – Harvey, WA

2021 Enduro Australian Three Day Vintage Enduro (A3VE)
7-9 May – Blackwood, VIC

2021 Finke Desert Race
11-14 June – Northern Territory

2021 Hattah Desert Race
3-4 July – Hattah, Victoria

2021 Motocross Australian Classic Motocross Championship
9-11 July – Nowra, NSW

2021 Motocross Australian Post Classic Motocross
16-18 July – Nowra, NSW

2021 International Six Day Enduro (ISDE)
30 August – 4 September – Italy

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Source: MCNews.com.au

Another Toy Run falls to COVID

The Melbourne-based Toy Run For the Father Bob Maguire Foundation has been cancelled due the COVID restrictions of 50 people at outdoor events.

It follows the recent announcement that COVID travel restrictions had forced the 43rd Melbourne Toy Run to operate as a virtual event.

In NSW, the 43rd Newcastle Toy Run will collect gifts, but the ride is off, while the Motorcycle Riders’ Association 41st Toy Run in Tasmania will go ahead as a restricted, ticketed event with details sent to ticket holders soon.

Toy Run For the Father Bob Maguire Foundation organiser Cate Hughes says the “tough decision” was made not only because of COVID restrictions but also to protect Fr Bob “who is particularly vulnerable due to his rare illness and age”.

Toy Run procession macka
Father Bob at a previous toy run

However, efforts to raise funds and gifts for the appeal are still going ahead.

Fr Bob or Foundation staff will be at Scotties Garage Toy Run After Party this Sunday afternoon and there are some “mystery rides” still on which will collect funds and gifts for the appeal.

GOMA motorcycle exhibit

There are now three drop-off points: 

  • Morgan & Wacker Harley-Davidson® Melbourne, formerly Northside Harley-Davidson®, 370 Cooper Street, Epping – Monday-Friday: 9:00am-5:30pm & Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm
  • Bad Boy Bobbers & Customs, 97 Warrigal Road, Hughesdale, Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm & Saturday 9:00am-12:00pm
  • Scotties Garage, 71 Miles Grove, Seaford, Saturday 5th December 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday 6th December 9:00am-7:00pm; and Tuesday 8th, Wednesday 9th & Thursday 10th December 9:00am-2:00pm

“Although very disappointing to have to cancel last minute, I’m quietly confident that the riders, and now members of the public, will show their generosity at our drop-off points, with the added bonus of being able to accept larger toys/items that riders cannot carry eg bicycles, step on scooters etc,” Cate says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com