Four-time EnduroGP world champion Matthew Phillips has confirmed he’ll return to the Yamaha bLU cRU Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) this season, which is set to kick off on 9-10 March at Toowoomba in Queensland.

Overcoming a head injury that ended his 2018 campaign on the world stage, the well-credentialed Tasmanian will pilot KTM machinery, starting in the E1 division before sampling different offerings from the Austrian manufacturer in different categories throughout the season, making for a unique effort in his return year.

“Last year I suffered a head injury which put me off the bike for about six months,” Phillips explained. “I was in a negative headspace after that and decided to head home. As I started to recover I decided to help out a young and upcoming rider, Kyron Bacon, which got me back into the love of riding.

“My plan is to compete in all 11 rounds of the AORC 2019 season, beginning in rounds one and two in the E1 class. As the season moves on I’ll change things up a bit by moving across the senior classes with different bikes. The main thinking is that I want to maintain the love for the sport and by changing things up each round will definitely help that.”

Phillips previously contested the world championship with KTM Factory Racing in 2014 and 2015, picking up the E3 title in his first year with the squad. He last competed in the AORC full-time back in 2012. It’s understood Phillips will support and mentor youthful talent Kyron Bacon in the AORC EJ category alongside his own campaign.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing has confirmed Justin Barcia will sit out this weekend’s ninth round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Atlanta.

It’s understood the number 51 experienced an incident while practicing at his training facility in Florida, prompting him to undergo a medical evaluation at the Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic (TOC), where he was assessed for a concussion.

“The news of Justin’s accident this morning is a real pity, but our main concern is Justin’s health and recovery,” said Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing team manager Jim Perry. “Following the concussion protocol, we hope that Justin will be back to 100 percent and cleared to participate soon.”

Barcia, who won the opening round of the series at Anaheim, currently sits sixth in the championship standings. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cooper Webb holds the red-plate over Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) heading into the weekend’s round.

CDR Yamaha Monster Energy owner Craig Dack has mentioned the squad is focused on tailored adjustments to the YZ450F for newly-signed riders Kirk Gibbs and Luke Clout, rather than further developing the premier class contender.

The current generation YZ450F was introduced for 2018, with majority of development already taken place by USA-bound rider Dean Ferris, who piloted the motorcycle to a third-consecutive MX1 crown and 10 overall wins from 10 rounds in the Pirelli MX Nationals last season.

“This is our second full season on the current generation YZ450F and it’s a sensational bike with a great chassis and powerful motor,” Dack explained. “Our time isn’t spent trying to develop the bike a great deal but rather personalise it for the individual rider as the production platform is so good.

“Brad, Aiden and Gary are able to get the most from it and the riders respect the fact we have such high quality technical staff at CDR.”

The powerhouse squad formally introduced the team and its partners today, showcasing the updated look it will sport in the upcoming MX Nationals followed by the Australian Supercross Championship.

“I love this time of year,” he added. “All the hard work over the off-season from both the riders and the teams comes to the surface now and it’s time to go racing. This is why we do the work – to see how it plays out on the weekends.

“Having Appin as the opening round this year should make for a great start to the season as the track always turns on great racing and its well supported by the fans. Our team has a good history at the venue and we hope for that to continue this year.

“Both Luke and Kirk have had a great pre-season, and both are showing good form. Kirk has raced in New Zealand and showed plenty of speed and quickly adapted to the YZ450F while Luke has done a couple of local races and been successful at those, so I feel we are well placed heading into round one.”

The opening round of the MX Nationals is scheduled for 17 March at Appin in New South Wales, with the series set to span 10 rounds over eight weekends.