Category Archives: Motocross

Motocross

Thumb injury rules Evans out of MXGP season-opener

Kawasaki Racing Team debut cut short following Saturday qualifying heat.

Image: Supplied.

A thumb injury ruled Australia’s Mitch Evans out of Sunday’s motos at the 2023 MXGP World Championship opener in Argentina, with the new Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) signing opting to focus on a full recovery.

Evans sustained the injury prior to round one, but the factory KX450 rider pushed through to set the 12th fastest lap in timed practice, before Saturday’s qualifying race saw him 17th.

Following warm-up on Sunday, the decision was made between Evans and the Kawasaki Racing Team that he would take no further part in the first round of the season, with an expected recovery time not yet specified.

“Mitch Evans and KRT management decided after morning warm-up that it was better for the Australian to sit out racing rather than risk delaying further his complete recovery from an early-season thumb injury,” a statement from Kawasaki Racing Team read.

KRT team manager Antti Pyrhonen added: “We knew that it would be difficult for Mitch even before we came here, but we gave it a try. His performance in timed training was reasonable with 12th-fastest time, but the pain from his thumb injury was just too much for the intensity of racing on a rough track, so we decided not to risk it more this weekend.”

The next round of the 2023 MXGP World Championship is the MXGP of Sardegna, taking place on 25-26 March at Riola Sardo.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Yamaha recall junior MX bikes

After a year of record safety recalls for motorcycles in 2021, Yamaha Australia is the first Australian motorcycle company to issue a recall in 2022.

The company has recalled their current 29022 YZ125SPN and YZ125N junior motocross motorcycles for a gear selection issue and asked owners to not ride them until parts arrive later this month or until they have been inspected and modified.

According to the official recall notice issued through the Federal Government, the shift selector detent spring may “dislodge while riding, causing the gear to shift unexpectedly or inhibit gear selection”.

“If the gear shifts unexpectedly or cannot shift properly, there is an increased risk of an accident resulting in injury or death to the rider or bystanders,” the notice says.

While all safety recalls are important, this is alarming as most riders will be young people, so parents should pay particular attention.

The notice says the parts for repair will not be available until next month. 

In the meantime, owners should contact their local Yamaha dealer to arrange for a free inspection and temporary modification.

For more information, contact Yamaha Motor Australia on 1300 277 137.

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS ON RECALLS

Even though manufacturers and importers usually contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.

the MXGP team Kawasaki doe 2022

Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle and scooter recalls as a service to all riders.

If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.

To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Clout not dwelling on Canberra penalty saga

Title contender misses out on points advantage after sanctions downgraded.

Image: Foremost Media.

CDR Yamaha Monster Energy rider Luke Clout isn’t dwelling on the penalty saga that unfolded after Canberra’s second round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship, despite being a major beneficiary had the initial sanctions been upheld.

It was revealed over a week after Canberra that championship leader Regan Duffy (KTM Racing Team) and three other riders were handed down penalties for jumping on a red-cross flag following a review of the broadcast package.

However those penalties, which would’ve knocked Duffy off the podium and allowed overall winner Clout to make up significant ground in the points, were later downgraded following a further investigation, which was largely based on the fact riders and teams were unaware they could be penalised post-event upon reviewing the TV broadcast.

Acknowledging the points haul would’ve been a boost for his championship campaign while disagreeing with the officials’ decision, Clout is looking to put it behind him as the series heads to Gillman this weekend for round three.

“At the end of the day, it is what it is and the officials made the call,” Clout said to MotoOnline.com.au. “Those extra points would’ve been nice, obviously, but it wasn’t to be. I don’t really want to go into it, but jumping on a red-cross flag is really the worst thing you can do, and no penalties were given.

“I don’t think the call was the right one – people have definitely been penalised for less. I’m just doing my own thing – I’m training and riding really well at the moment, so I’m just looking forward to getting behind the gate, going racing and doing my thing.”

The New South Welshman is ranked fourth in the championship standings, just 13 points behind red-plate holder Duffy.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

MXGP star Coldenhoff joins Albek family

Australian company signs MXGP World Championship contender.

Image: Supplied.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Glenn Coldenhoff has been named as the latest high-profile athlete to partner with Australian luggage company Albek.

The MXGP World Championship contender joins a list of supported athletes, headlined by two-time Dakar Rally champion Toby Price (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and AMA supercross and motocross superstar Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing).

“I want to connect with people who are giving 100 percent,” said Coldenhoff. “I feel like Albek came to me with this intention – willing to grow – willing to do anything and that’s the attitude I also have. It’s a new brand – they have everything I need for all the travelling I do and it’s a nice style, so I’d love to join the team.”

Albek founder, Johnny Mclean, said it was always an ambition to have a rider the calibre of Coldenhoff join the company, explaining the European-based rider represent the brand’s core values.

“When we started this journey of Albek we only hoped we could align ourselves with great humans like Glenn Coldenhoff,” McLean commented. “Glenn is not only our hero but someone who resonates the pillar of our brand – pushing boundaries – challenging the norm – and we are stoked to be able to build products that help support this great athlete.”


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Official – Tomac to depart Kawasaki ahead of 2022 season

Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Kawasaki has formally confirmed Eli Tomac will depart the team at the conclusion of this season, effectively setting him up for the rumoured transfer to Yamaha for 2022.

Tomac is in line to make a shock switch to Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha, as first reported by Steve Matthes earlier this week, and his exit from Kawasaki makes that one step closer to reality.

Following six seasons together, which resulted in three Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships and a Monster Energy Supercross crown last year, Tomac and Kawasaki will not renew their partnership into next year. Tomac was third in this year’s 450SX series.

“We are extremely proud of the success that Eli and the Monster Energy Kawasaki team achieved over the last six years,” said Kawasaki Racing senior manager Dan Fahie. “We have built a great relationship with Eli and his family and we are proud that Kawasaki played a strong role in Tomac’s racing legacy.”

Tomac’s move to Yamaha is tipped to come in place of Aaron Plessinger, who is expected to sign with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, while it remains unclear who will potentially replace Tomac alongside Adam Cianciarulo in Kawasaki’s factory program.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Critical points scored by Dobson despite collarbone injury

Serco Yamaha entry moves to third in the MX2 standings.

Image: Foremost Media.

A fifth-place finish at Canberra’s second round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship proved to be a critical points haul for Jesse Dobson, the Serco Yamaha rider putting in a courageous ride less than two weeks after undergoing collarbone surgery in a bid to keep his title hopes alive.

The Queensland-based contender broke his collarbone in a practice crash during the lead-up to Canberra, forcing him to wait until the opening lap of practice to determine if he could even race the pair of motos.

Dobson went 8-5 across the two outings for fifth overall, promoting him to third in the championship standings while positioning him just two points shy of second’s Rhys Budd (Yamalube Yamaha Racing).

“Going into the weekend, there was still a big question mark on if I could even ride a dirt bike,” Dobson told MotoOnline.com.au. On Monday I actually called a friend and was talking them – I told them I couldn’t even put my socks on.

“I didn’t know how the weekend was going to go, so with what I could salvage, it was really good. If I could ride, I wanted to be around the top five depending on the shoulder, but I was just taking it race by race.

“If I could only do one race, that’s better than not being on the start gate at all with the cards I’ve been dealt in the last two weeks. I managed to finish the whole day and move up one position in the points – now I’m only two points off second. Overall, I’m pretty happy with how it all turned out.”

The number 14 sits 33 points behind series leader Kyle Webster (Honda Racing), who has gone undefeated across the first four motos of the season.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Lawrence brothers celebrate double podium milestone

Spectacular rides seal 250SX championship top three for both Australians.

Image: Supplied.

Team Honda HRC brothers Jett and Hunter Lawrence celebrated a double podium milestone on Saturday night at the Monster Energy Supercross finals, going 1-3 and sealing 250SX championship podiums in their respective regions.

Younger of the duo, Jett, charged to his third win of the 250SX East season and earned third in the final standings, while Hunter’s P3 result was enough for him to hold onto runner-up in 250SX West for 2021.

It’s a result that further signifies the arrival of both Lawrences, the 17-year-old Jett regarded as the sport’s brightest young talent, while at 21 years, Hunter has proven his potential in Supercross after injuries affected his previous campaigns.

“Coming into the weekend, I was excited for the Showdown with my brother Hunter and couldn’t wait for the main event,” recalled Jett, who was struck by illness prior to the main. “In the first qualifier I got P1 and was feeling a little better on the track and started to get a good flow. The second qualifier was pretty good also.

“Going into the heat race I was pretty excited to get it underway and it went pretty good. I got second in the heat and ended up getting the third gate pick for the main. I was throwing up all through the break to the main, so I was a little nervous and didn’t know how I’d do.

I was able to dig deep and kind of focus and came out with a win. I was super-pumped from how I was feeling before the race and to top it off Hunter got third; it was awesome for both of us to be on the box, so the last round ended pretty well, I think.”

Hunter managed to rebound from an early incident in the 250SX Showdown, quickly remounting and putting on a charge to pass Cameron McAdoo (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) on the final lap and securing second in the championship as a result.

“I got P2 in the West class championship, so that was really cool and I’m stoked on that. In the main event I was in a really good position and just rushed a pass for third and washed the front-end out. I dropped back to fifth and took a lap to regroup and breathe, then put on a push and got myself into third on the last lap.

“The track wasn’t something you could really send it on, so it was definitely about patience and a lot of corner speed – you had to execute your corners really well. Obviously, Jett and myself both getting on the podium was really special.

“What a way to finish out the supercross season! The team and everyone was really happy with that, and I can’t thank the team enough, they’re like a family and they’ve been awesome, so I’m looking forward to the outdoors and just happy to end it on a solid note. Obviously we would’ve loved to win, but I’m looking forward to going racing again shortly.”

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Improvements evident for Rykers in second Kawasaki showing

Set-up changes promote new-found confidence for the Western Australian.

Image: Foremost Media.

Western Australian Jayden Rykers believes Canberra’s second round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship was a step forward after experiencing an improved performance in the MX1 category.

The Empire Kawasaki talent indicated a number of set-up changes were made to his KX450 in the lead-up to round two, which promoted a new-found confidence on his way to an encouraging seventh in the opening encounter.

The 24-year-old backed up the result with a pair of eighth-place finishes in the back-to-back sprint motos – a format first for 2021 – to secure an improved seventh overall.

“Today was definitely a step forward in comparison to the first round and we took a lot out of this one,” Rykers said. “We’ve made some changes with the bike to suit me more and they’ve worked, although I’d still like to be up toward the front further. All in all, we had a consistent day and it’s more to build from.”

The seventh-place result has elevated Rykers from P8 to P7 in the premier class championship rankings, while the series now heads to Gillman in South Australia for round three of the series on 30 May.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

CDR Yamaha riders respond to Dack’s increased pressure

Clout and Mellross finish 1-2 at Canberra’s second round.

Image: Foremost Media.

Monster Energy CDR Yamaha duo Luke Clout and Hayden Mellross responded to Craig Dack’s call to ‘stand up’ at round two of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship after a self-described average season-opener, the pair delivering with an incredible 1-2 finish.

Round one of ProMX was far from Dack’s expectations last month, where Clout recorded a DNF in moto two as Mellross finished fifth overall – the results prompting the team owner to apply increased pressure last weekend in the ACT.

Dack mentioned the team couldn’t afford to experience ‘another average round’ as it would put them on the back foot in the title hunt, however he was overwhelmingly pleased with how the duo responded to his calls by dominating the podium.

“We needed to put up a fight here as another average round could see us lose touch in the championship chase, so I put it on the team and the riders to stand up this weekend and get racing back on our terms,” Dack explained.

“To the credit of both guys, they did that and now find themselves in a much better position as we head to round three. Both riders can take confidence from their results today and as a team, we will immediately focus on Gillman and look for more of the same.”

Clout’s 1-1-2 scorecard for first overall promoted him to fourth in the championship standings, while Mellross was able to elevate himself to third in the rankings with 4-3-3 results at the Canberra round.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Serco Yamaha indicates misfire issue the cause of Crawford DNF

Queenslander rebounds for moto two runner-up in Canberra.

Image: Foremost Media.

Serco Yamaha has revealed a misfire issue is what forced MX2 contender Nathan Crawford to withdraw from the opening moto at Canberra’s second round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship.

Crawford’s YZ250F starting developing symptoms just one lap into the 17-lap encounter, prompting him to exit the outing and record a championship-damaging DNF. It’s understood the outfit is still investigating the problem.

Equipped with his spare bike for moto two, the popular Queenslander rebounded for a much-needed P2 result, however his points deficit to undefeated championship leader Kyle Webster (Honda Racing) sits at 40 just two rounds into the series.

“Today was a bit frustrating, but sometimes things like that are out of your control and the team did everything they could to fix the issue,” Crawford explained. “We still aren’t sure what caused it but I know the guys will be all over it in the workshop during the week and work out exactly what happened to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

“But it was important I scored good points in race two, and I was able to do that. It took me a while to get going as I hadn’t been on the track for so long and I had to search for the lines I liked, but once I settled down, my speed was pretty good and I was able to get to second.”

Crawford is ranked fifth in the MX2 championship standings as ProMX heads to Gillman in South Australia on 30 May, marking the third stop on the calendar.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au