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Haaker claims SuperEnduro win in Madrid

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Colton Haaker dominates Madrid SuperEnduro

Cody Webb second after technical issues

Colton Haaker of the Husqvarna Factory Racing team stamped his authority on the Madrid SuperEnduro event, claiming two out of three race wins to take the championship lead.

KTM’s Cody Webb also took a win but was unable to finish Race 3 due to a technical problem and now sits 13-points in arrears of Haaker.

SuperEnduro Rnd Madrid Colton Haaker FM
Colton Haaker – Image by Future7Media

Adding to the memorable night for the Husqvarna Factory Racing Team, Alfredo Gomez returned to competitive action following his injury last time out in Germany to claim third overall.

Round three of the SuperEnduro series in Spain marks the halfway point in this year’s championship battle, and two-time world champion Haaker arrived in Madrid knowing that a winning result was necessary to lift his title hopes. Feeling comfortable with the course from the off, the Husqvarna rider set some impressive lap times in training before transferring his impressive pace into the fastest time for the qualifying SuperPole.

Executing a near-perfect start in race one, Haaker immediately took control. Breaking away from the rest of the field, he secured his first victory of the night. With the start order reversed for race two, the American tried to ride cautiously on lap one and unfortunately became entangled in a multi-bike collision.

SuperEnduro Rnd Madrid Colton Haaker
Colton Haaker – Image by Future7Media

Remounting near last, he battled his way up to second. However, becoming stuck on the final rocky corner resulted in a three-way fight to the finish line. Crashing heavily with close rival Taddy Blazusiak, Haaker was lucky to walk away unscathed in third.

With the overall win up for grabs, Haaker refocused for race three and delivered arguably his best performance of the night. Riding to a commanding 26-second margin of victory, he secured the top step of the podium and took control of the championship lead.

Colton Haaker

“It’s feels great to come away tonight with the overall win and also become the new point’s leader in the championship. I really wanted to push for the victory tonight and race my way back into title contention and I definitely feel like I did that out there, despite what was a very eventful night on the track. From practice I felt good and I felt sharp. I was laying down fast times and not going above myself to do it. SuperPole was a near perfect lap and that rolled across into race one. I put myself in a great position off the start and got into an early lead and took the win. In race two I started cautiously knowing there would be carnage. Unfortunately, I got tangled up in bikes on lap one and had to come from last. I made it to second but bobbled in the final rock corner and that turned into a three-way battle to the finish line. Taddy Blazusiak and myself came together and we both hit the ground hard. Thankfully I was ok for the final race and was able to come out and win that for the overall and with it take the championship lead. We’ve Budapest in two weeks’ time and I’m looking forward to going there with the leader’s red plate.”

SuperEnduro Rnd Madrid Colton Haaker FM
Colton Haaker – Image by Future7Media

Cody Webb started the weekend strong, topping qualifying, however a small mistake in Race 1 saw him fight his way back to third. In race two Webb got away clean and remained unchallenged after claiming the lead on lap four.

The third and final race of the event saw Webb hot on Haaker’s tail, however a technical issue meant stopping for trackside repairs, and he was not able to classify as a finisher.

Cody Webb

“It was a tough night for me tonight, but I’m happy to take second overall. The first race went well, I struggled to get into a good rhythm but I was pleased with third and knew what I had to do to improve for race two. I got away well in the second race and was able to control the pace from the front and take a clean win. I was probably riding my best of the whole evening in race three. Colton was in front but I was confident I could match his speed and fight for the win. Unfortunately, after a reasonably hard landing, I damaged the bike. I tried my best to fix it in time but it wasn’t quite enough. It’s upsetting but this is SuperEnduro and anything can happen. I’m looking forward to the next race and will try to win back the overall lead.”

SuperEnduro Rnd Madrid Cody Webb FM
Cody Webb – Image by Future7Media

Taddy Blazusiak claimed 21 championship points for the round, with a higherlight of second place in Prestiage Race 1, while he now sits third overall in the standings on 128 points.

Taddy Blazusiak

“Unfortunately tonight turned out to be a rough night and so it’s going to take a little bit of time to assess what’s happened. I had a big crash in race two, but then a very strange and unlucky incident in race three, which resulted in an injury to my left knee. After placing second in race one, things unravelled quickly in race two. Almost last in the reversed start, I then crashed into a bike pile up I couldn’t see behind a jump. I remounted last and did well to work my way to fourth. However, in a three-way battle to the finish line for second, I collided with Colton Haaker and went down hard. I was banged and bruised pretty good, but lucky to walk away from it relatively unscathed and able to focus on the final moto. In race three I got a great start but then stalled in the rocks and accidentally put my left foot down into a hole. As I fell over, with the bike on top of me, my foot became trapped in the hole and twisted my knee. As yet I don’t know how serious things are until I see my doctor to get it checked out but I will do my best to be ready for round four in Budapest.”

SuperEnduro Rnd Madrid Taddy Blazusiak FM
Taddy Blazusiak – Image by Future7Media

For Alfredo Gomez, his home race in Madrid was one to savour. Deciding to return to racing following an elbow injury last time out in Germany, the Husqvarna TE 300i mounted rider hoped for a top-five result. Feeling better than expected, the Spaniard raced his way into podium contention as the evening progressed.

Alfredo Gomez

“I can’t honestly believe that I’ve managed to finish third overall tonight. Two days ago I wasn’t sure if I would ride because I’m still recovering from an elbow injury that I sustained last time out in Germany. I did some training laps and decided I should try to race. I was aiming for top five at best. But this is my home race and I guess that just makes you want to deliver the best result you can. I rode safe in race one for ninth and then did better in race two for fifth. I got into a good position in race three and with other riders having problems, suddenly I was in second. After that I tried to remain calm and focused and control the position to the finish. Third overall is an amazing result and I have to thank everyone who’s helped me during these last few weeks to get to this position – behind the scenes it’s been a real team effort.”

SuperEnduro Rnd Madrid Alfredo Gomez
Alfredo Gomez – Image by Future7Media

Ninth in race one, he jumped to fifth in race two. A much-improved start in race three saw him avoid trouble and after holding second place from mid-distance he did enough to secure third overall.

The 2019 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship continues with round four in Budapest, Hungary on February 9.

2019 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, Round 3

Prestige Class — Overall

  1. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 58 points
  2. Cody Webb (KTM) 37
  3. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 34
  4. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna) 34
  5. Blake Gutzeit (Husqvarna) 33
Prestige Race 1
  1. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 10 laps 6:56.230
  2. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 7:03.937
  3. Cody Webb (KTM) 7:18.096
  4. Diogo Vieira (Yamaha) 9 laps 7:07.867
  5. Blake Gutzeit (Husqvarna) 7:11.852

Prestige Race 2

  1. Cody Webb (KTM 10 laps 7:30.653
  2. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna) 7:46.140
  3. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 7:46.724
  4. Diogo Vieira (Yamaha) 7:52.267
  5. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 7:54.916
SuperEnduro Rnd Madrid Colton Haaker
Colton Haaker – Image by Future7Media

Prestige Race 3

  1. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 10 laps 7:12.010
  2. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 7:38.635
  3. David Leonov (Husqvarna) 7:46.321
  4. Blake Gutzeit (Husqvarna) 7:47.924
  5. Xavier Leon Sole (Husqvarna) 7:52.685

Championship Standings – After Round 3

  1. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 159 points
  2. Cody Webb (KTM) 146
  3. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 128
  4. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna) 90
  5. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 80

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

Aussie Katana 1-2-3 in International Challenge Race 3

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International Challenge Race Three

Images by Rob Mott

Conditions were again quite friendly to both competitors and their fickle machinery at Phillip Island today.  Friday’s fierce temperatures were now a distant memory and the cooler weather was also making things a lot more pleasant for the crowd.

A couple of guys not enjoying things today though were Jason Pridmore and Beau Beaton. Pridmore had a massive highside at turn 11 on Saturday and the chasing Beau Beaton was left nowhere to go apart from over the top of Pridmore’s machine. The pair were both attended to by medical staff on the circuit before being sent off to hospital where Pridmore was confirmed to have broken his leg, while Beaton was diagnosed with a fractured L5 vertebrae, along with small fractures to his pelvis and Sacrum.

The Island Classic International Challenge battle though must go on!

After Saturday’s two six-lap races things were tight at the top. The new and improved Team USA had really stepped into the breech left by the absence of Team UK. Still, the absence of a credible Team UK is keenly felt and they are sorely missed.

Ahead of the third bout Australia led the USA by only 15-points. With a perfect scorecard on Saturday Aaron Morris led the way on individual scores ahead of four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes. Steve Martin had been getting more comfortable as the weekend has progressed and finished second to Morris in race two after Hayes had some problems late in the race.

There was really nothing in it due to the tight points scoring system that is used to decide the winner of the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy, the award for the highest performing individual rider across the four International Challenge races of the event.

IIC Phillip Island Rob Mott Sunday Start Aaron Morris Steve Martin
Riders ready on the grid

Away we go!

Larry Pegram got a scorcher off the line to lead the field through Southern Loop for the first time ahead of Jed Metcher, Steve Martin and David Johnson while pole-sitter Aaron Morris was in fifth place as they exited turn four. Metcher made a small mistake late on that opening lap and lost a little ground but Aaron Morris had the Katana wound up through the back section of the circuit and round turn 11 and 12 to move up on to the tail of Pegram as they started lap two.

Aaron Morris then seemed to miss a gear or something which allowed Pegram and Metcher to get back past the Katana. Josh Hayes made a mistake and slipped from sixth place all the way back to 15th place with four laps still to go. The fastest man on lap two had been Shawn Giles but the top six were all in the 38s.

While in the the lead on lap three Larry Pegram’s team were informed that he had been given a jump-start time penalty in what would be another significant and costly blow for Team USA. Before he had seen that on his pit-board though Aaron Morris, Steve Martin, Shawn Giles and Jed Metcher had pushed him back to fifth place.

David Johnson’s weekend of woe continued with the South Australia limping back into pit-lane with mechanical problems.

Shawn Giles then put in a new fastest lap of the race on lap four with a 1m37.425 but all that leading trio were now in the 37s. Only two-tenths covered that triumvirate with two laps remaining while Jed Metcher continued to try and chase them down and turn that leading group into a four-way affair.

As they got the last lap board Jed Metcher joined the party to set up an exciting final lap. However, the T-Rex Honda hiccupped on the exit of turn four, causing him to pull the clutch in fearing an impending engine detonation. Metcher was able to continue tentatively, his machine recovering its composure, but his run for the podium was done and he had to settle for fourth.

Aaron Morris had the speed to hold his challengers off around the back of the circuit, but then missed a shift or had some sort of issue on the run towards the main straight which allowed him to be gazumped down the chute by Steve Martin and Shawn Giles.

IIC Phillip Island Rob Mott Sunday Aaron Morris Steve Martin
Steve Martin was able to round up Aaron Morris on the run to the line after Morris made a mistake at a crucial final juncture

Larry Pegram crossed the line in fifth, but his jump-start penalty pushed him back to seventh place and promoted his countrymen Michael Gilbert and Steve Rapp ahead of him on the official scoresheet.

Craig Ditchburn scored eighth, Dean Oughtred ninth and honorary Kiwi for the weekend John Reynolds rounded out the top ten ahead of Barrett Long, Mark Miller, Jay Lawrence and Dale Quarterley.

That result should extend Australia’s lead in the International Challenge Team points standings but America will remain with striking distance.

International Challenge Race Three Results

  1. Steve Martin
  2. Shawn Giles +0.142
  3. Aaron Morris +0.157
  4. Jed Metcher +3.547
  5. Michael Gilbert +8.984
  6. Steve Rapp +14.261
  7. Larry Pegram +4.312 (+10 sec penalty)
  8. Craig Ditchburn ++16.316
  9. Dean Oughtred +16.698
  10. John Reynolds +16.806
  11. Barrett Long +16.837
  12. Mark Miller +18.581
  13. Jay Lawrence +18.916
  14. Dale Quarterley +23.732
  15. Josh Hayes +24.283
  16. Brendan Wilson +27.624
  17. Scott Webster +27.749
  18. John Allen +32.902
  19. Rennie Scaysbrook +38.062
  20. Justin Mellerick +43.735

Source: MCNews.com.au

Competition, News

Dual Island Classic race victories for Morris on day one

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Team Australia leads International Challenge at Phillip Island.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Newcastle’s Aaron Morris backed up his dominance in qualifying on Friday to go from pole position today to take victory in the two International Challenge races at the Visit Phillip Island International Island Classic.

While Morris was unstoppable, Team USA flexed their muscle with Josh Hayes breathing down the back of the Aussie front runners and being backed by reliable performances from his team mates.

Race one started with drama and a red-flag two laps in when Team USA scalp Jason Pridmore high-sided at turn 11, falling heavily and taking other riders out in the crash.

Australia’s Beau Beaton came unstuck, and both he and Pridmore were taken to the medical centre with injuries. Conscious, both were transported to the hospital for observation and will not return to the grid this weekend. For the race one re-start, polesitter Aaron Morris improved his start and stuck with the front runners, but it was Jed Metcher on the Honda Harris, and Suzuki riders David Johnson and Alex Phillis who headed the field by Southern Loop.

While the Australians Metcher and Johnson led early, team-mate Morris overhauled them aboard his Katana by lap three and held the lead through to the chequered flag. It was a solid victory, 1.2 seconds in front of Metcher. Team USA’s hot shot Josh Hayes came in third, impressive for his first visit to the circuit and his third day on the bike.

David Johnson, last year’s Ken Wootton Trophy winner for best individual performance, took fourth, with Australia’s Shawn Giles in 5th – and Suzuki rider Alex Phillis crossing the line for the New Zealanders in sixth, the best performer from the Kiwi squad.

For the second International Challenge race mid-afternoon, it was American Hayes – the four times AMA Superbike champion – who took the early lead after an impressive start. He was fiercely pursued though by a host of riders including race one winner Aaron Morris, Melbourne’s Jed Metcher and for the USA Larry Pegram.

Morris broke away early in lap two on the Katana and with him was Metcher on the Harris, leaving Hayes and Pegram in their wake. Metcher though tumbled at Lukey Heights with a front end issue, and Morris was away with clear track, building a four-second lead to take his second chequered flag in dominant fashion to complete a perfect day.

Completing the race two podium was former world endurance champion, Australia’s Steve Martin, in second, with Paul Byrne third for the locals – while Josh Hayes was fourth for the US on the Yamaha FJ.

Hayes is the dark horse and should not be underestimated. As he learns the track, he’s starting to play hard ball and is likely to terrorise the leading riders even further tomorrow. With today’s two wins, Australia’s Morris leads the individual leader board with a perfect scorecard on 80 points, but Hayes just trails him, with 75 points to his name.

At the end of day one, Australia leads the table on 326 points, with Team USA trailing by only 15 points on 311 points, with New Zealand on 253 points. Phillis was the best performer for the Kiwis today, sitting fourth on the Ken Wootton table for individual glory – while three times British superbike champion, John Reynolds, is finding his pace and took a 10th and 8th spot today and is in 6th place overall.

Defending Ken Wootton trophy holder, Adelaide’s Dave Johnson had gear box problems in race one, and did not compete in race two due to electrical problems. He plans to be back on track in the morning, after his mechanics work some magic overnight.

Detailed results

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

International Challenge Race Two | Morris does it again

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International Challenge Race Two

Images Rob Mott

Aaron Morris had to battle hard in order to take victory in the opening race earlier today but that bout also saw both Team Australia and Team USA lose star players from their numbers.

Jason Pridmore suffered a huge highside at turn 11 and Beau Beaton also got caught up in the incident. Both went down hard which saw the red flag produced so they could be treated immediately on the circuit. They were then sent off to hospital for further investigation and observation.

Both machines were also heavily damaged, including that work of art that is the Irving Vincent. I enquired with Ken Horner as to the condition of his machine and he replied with, ‘Trev, you could say it is an engineering project’… Which is a nice way of saying, it is pretty well f#$*ed!

Away we go for Race Two!

Josh Hayes got a blinding start for Team America ahead of Jed Metcher while Larry Pegram was also fired up for this one and right up there in the mix alongside Aaron Morris and Paul Byrne as the second International Challenge six-lap race got underway at 1510 on Saturday afternoon.

Hayes maintained the lead around the back of the circuit but down the main straight to start lap two there was nothing separating Hayes, Morris, Metcher and Pegram.

Aaron Morris took his turn at the front of that pack early on lap two and going with him was Jed Metcher and once that pair wound up to speed they left Hayes and Pegram in their dust. In his quest to take the challenge to Morris though Metcher made a mistake and went down at Lukey Heights.  That left Aaron Morris out in front vritually by himself!

By half race distance Aaron Morris had a four-second lead but the man moving up into second place was Steve Martin while Josh Hayes had been pushed back to third place ahead of Paul Byrne and Michael Gilbert. Larry Pegram looked to have rolled to a stop with some sort of problem, a blow for Team USA just as he really looked like he had really found his groove around the 4.445km Phillip Island Circuit.

2018 had been David Johnson’s year to shine at the Island Classic but 2019 was not running quite as smoothly for the South Australian.

Aaron Morris had backed his pace off a little to just maintain the impressive four-second lead for the run towards the chequered flag.

Steve Martin had managed to stretch away from Hayes to a clear second place.  Adding further insult to Hayes was Paul Byrne, the Irishman got the better of Hayes late in the race and pulled away to make it an all-Australian podium.

Not sure as yet as to what happened to David Johnson in that one but presumably a mechanic gremlin saw him fail to be a factor in this bout.

International Challenge Race Two Results

  1. Aaron Morris
  2. Steve Martin +4.250
  3. Paul Byrne +6.522
  4. Josh Hayes +12.386
  5. Alex Phillis +18.169
  6. Michael Gilbert +19.390
  7. Steve Rapp +19.663
  8. Dean Oughtred +20.641
  9. John Reynolds +21.154
  10. Mark Miller +22.281
  11. Barrett Long +22.611
  12. Shawn Giles +24.874
  13. Craig Ditchburn +24.914
  14. Scott Webster +29.373
  15. Larry Pegram +35.060
  16. John Allen +35.607
  17. Brendan Wilson +44.578
  18. Rennie Scaysbrook +47.807
  19. Duncan Coutts +48.568
  20. Justin Mellerick +50.464

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

Aaron Morris wins IC opener | Pridmore & Beaton go down

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International Challenge Race One

Images Rob Mott

Weather conditions were much friendlier to all-comers this morning at Phillip Island. Temperatures were nudging the mid 20s today, rather than the furnace-like 40-degree that toasted competitors and their machines on Friday.

Ahead of the first of the premier category International Challenge events for the 2019 Island Classic pit-lane was a flurry of activity as riders and mechanics fettled their fast but fickle mounts. This event is always a battle to keep the highly tuned historic machines going for the 4 x 6-lap races. Not only last-minute fixes and patch up jobs, but even complete gearbox and engine rebuilds are sometimes required during the event.

Aaron Morris looked like the red hot favourite on the qualifying pace form guide, but with many of his competitors being held back during practice with mechanical gremlins, the rest of the field was bouned to get closer come race day.

Paul Byrne, David Johnson, Jed Metcher, Beau Beaton, Steve Martin and Shawn Giles were all in the top ten fastest qualifiers and it was looking as though it would take a momentous effort from Team USA if they were to take it up to the home team in the battle for overall International Challenge Team honours.

American newcomer and four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes is still learning the intricacies of the challenging 4445 metres of blacktop that make up the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Jason Pridmore rode last year and thus now has good experience of the circuit and the whole Team America challenge in regards to machinery and back-up has stepped up a notch. Steve Rapp was still building speed after losing track time with mechanical problems, Larry Pegram also still making progress and looking likely to get faster as the event progresses.

The strengthened Team USA has helped to partly fill some of the void left by the absence of Team UK and their brace of star riders, along with the beautiful Roger Winfield prepared machinery that had become a much loved staple of the Island Classic. Still, the absence of a credible Team UK is keenly felt and they are sorely missed. That said, the crowd was still looking pretty strong and there was still a great atmosphere surrounding the event.

None of the Team New Zealand pilots had made it inside the qualifying top ten, such is the competitiveness of the field again this year. Temporary Kiwi Alex Phillis had qualifieid 11th ahead of team-mate Jay Lawrence and this years star Team NZ recruit for 2019, triple BSB Superbike Champion John Reynolds.

IIC Phillip Island Rob Mott Sat Start Pridmore Byrne
Jason Pridmore jumped the start
We are away!

They jumped off the line at 1220 in near perfect conditions but Jason Pridmore clutch bit a fraction too early and thus was hit with time penalty to be added to his race time.

David Johnson led the field through Southern Loop for the first time ahead of Jed Metcher while through the back section it was Paul Byrne, Jason Pridmore and Josh Hayes all giving chase to that duo as Beau Beaton, Alex Phillis and Shawn Giles also gave chase.

It was on!

Then it wasn’t…

A massive high-side for Jason Pridmore at turn 11 saw the red flag brought out as other riders also ended up in the kitty litter. Pridmore had fallen heavily and also caught up in the melee was Beau Beaton. The Aussie copped a major battering in the tumble and looked perhaps worse off than Pridmore. Both riders were treated on the circuit by medical staff, they were conscious, but in a world of hurt…

Let’s go again!

IIC Phillip Island Rob Mott Sat Start Morris Byrne
International Challenge Race One – Island Classic

One person thankful for the re-start was pole-sitter Aaron Morris. He had a terrible start first time around but got away from the line much better in this one only to get swamped on the run toward turn one as Jed Metcher swept through to the lead from with David Johnson and Alex Phillis also forging past Morris by Southern Loop.

IIC Phillip Island Rob Mott Sat Restart Jed Metcher Aaron Morris
Aaron Morris chasing Jed Metcher

Metcher capitalised on his clear air at the front of the field to eke out a small buffer over David Johnson over the first lap and a half but then Aaron Morris wound up the big Katana and reeled in first Johnson, then Metcher to take the race lead. Morris put in a 1m36.789 on that first flying lap on his way to take the race lead, more than a second faster than any other rider in the field on that lap.

Josh Hayes was learning the circuit and his machine fast and by half race distance was really winding it up! Hayes had moved past Shawn Giles and Alex Phillis as he worked his way forward and then took David Johnson for third place just before they got the last lap board.

With one lap to go it was Morris leading Metcher by almost a second with Hayes equidistant back in third place. The trio were still in that order when they got the chequered flag, with David Johnson fourth and Shawn Giles fifth.

Early word was that while both Pridmore and Beaton were in no danger, they had suffered injuries and thus were heading off to hospital for further investigation of their injuries. It seemed unlikely they would take any further part in today’s proceedings.

Jed Metcher is hoping to come back stronger this afternoon to better take the battle up to Morris.

Jed Metcher

“The T-Rex Honda feels a lot better, but I found the limit quite quickly. I almost lost the front at turn four as I turned up the wick when Aaron Morris went by me. I just simply didn’t have the rear edge grip to get the drive and stay with him. We will work on those issues ahead of the second race later on this afternoon and work a bit more on the setup of the bike. We are aiming to get a bit more rear edge grip and try and get the bike to turn a bit faster in the middle of the turn and hopefully we can dip into the 36’s.”

International Challenge Race One Results

  1. Aaron Morris
  2. Jed Metcher +1.260
  3. Josh Hayes +1.614
  4. David Johnson +3.096
  5. Shawn Giles +4.507
  6. Alex Phillis +4.711
  7. Steve Martin +4.817
  8. Larry Pegram +14.943
  9. Jay Lawrence +18.675
  10. John Reynolds +20.509
  11. Michael Neeves +21.614
  12. Mark Miller +24.265
  13. Craig Ditchburn +24.864
  14. Cameron Donald +25.111
  15. Barrett Long +25.329
  16. Dale Quarterley +27.219
  17. Michael Gilbert +34.270
  18. Brendan Wilson +37.067
  19. Scott Webster +37.220
  20. John Allen +46.983

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

David Johnson joins Hutchy at Honda for TT and NW200

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David Johnson joins Ian Hutchinson at Honda Racing

South Australia’s David Johnson will line-up next to Ian Hutchinson on the roads, as the Honda Racing team prepares for the start of the 2019 road race season.

The pair will lead Honda’s charge on the roads at both The International North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT.

Both road experts will contest the Superbike and Superstock 1000 classes aboard the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, with the team also preparing a CBR600RR Supersport machine for Ian.

Jonny Twelvetrees – Team Manager

“I’m really pleased to have ‘Davo’ with the team for this season, he’s been a strong contender since his debut in 2010 and I know it won’t be long before he’s on the TT podium. He had a good season last year with two 4th places at the TT and a podium at the Ulster, so I’m excited to see what he can do on the Fireblade this year. With Hutchy we’re certainly going to see a huge difference compared to last year. Since the TT he’s had a lot of quality bike time, both on-track and also road riding, as always he’s training hard and will be coming into the season right back up there; so I think we’re in for some good racing. I’m looking forward to getting everyone together at the first test so we can start pushing on. It’s a long time between the races so the competitiveness has time to build up!”

Conor Cummins, Michael Dunlop and James Hillier - Image by Dave Kneen
Honda are hoping to put more Fireblades back on the Superbike podium at TT 2019

‘Davo’ made his debut at the TT in 2010 aboard Honda machinery where he claimed the accolade of fastest newcomer that year. The Australian has since racked up three 4th place finishes at the Mountain Course and was close to a podium last year in the Superbike race. His best result at the Ulster GP has been 3rd (2018) and 7th at the NW200.

David Johnson

“I am really happy to join the Honda Racing team for this season. Over the years they have been incredibly successful on the roads and won a lot at the TT; I feel that I will gel with the Fireblade, so I’m very excited to get started and ride the bikes. With Hutchy getting fitter from his injuries I think we’ll work together well and I will have some great people around me in the team. I can’t wait to get back to the UK and start testing!”

Dave Johnson Island Classic Image Russell Colvin
David Johnson – Image Russ Colvin

Teammate ‘Hutchy’ continues with Honda after a valiant return last year, while recovering from injury. Displaying incredible drive and determination throughout 2018, the ‘Bingley Bullet’ is coming into the new road racing season with more bike time under his belt as he looks to return to winning form.

Ian Hutchinson

“I’m feeling confident coming into this season on the roads. Last year was about building back up and learning the Fireblade again. The results were a little disappointing, as they didn’t reflect the hard work that went in behind the scenes. But since the TT I have been out on a track Fireblade and also my road bike, so with that mileage and the testing programme we have for this year, I think we’ll be in a strong position when we arrive at the North West 200. I’m keen to get started and looking forward to the team’s first test.”

Ian Hutchinson on his way to victory in the 2010 Senior TT on a Honda Fireblade
Ian Hutchinson on his way to victory in the 2010 Senior TT on a Honda Fireblade

The Honda Racing team will now embark on a comprehensive testing programme before tackling the road circuits, starting with the North West 200 over May 12-18 before the TT which runs from May 25 through to June 7th.

Get Routed TT
Want to ship your bike to Europe and/or the Isle of Man?
Talk to Dave at Get Routed about all the options to take you and your bike

Source: MCNews.com.au

Competition, News

Morris on pole in International Island Classic

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Team Australia fastest in International Challenge qualifying.

Image: Russell Colvin.

In blistering heat, Australia has kicked off the defence of their International Challenge crown at the 2019 Visit Phillip Island International Island Classic in good shape at the grand prix circuit, topping qualifying for the weekend’s four historic bike races against formidable outfits from the Team USA and New Zealand.

Newcastle’s 26-year-old Aaron Morris, a newcomer to Team Australia, nailed pole position with a 1m37.341s lap on his 1982 Suzuki Katana – but on his heels was a fired up Jason Pridmore from the USA with a 1m37.642s time. The duo were the only two racers to break into the 1m37s in the searing heat that saw the track temperature near 60 degrees around midday.

The International Challenge field of world class riders representing Australia, New Zealand and the USA, will face four, six lap races over the weekend, and is the headline event of the 26th International Island Classic.

As defending champion, Australia ended the day with seven riders in the top 10 including Paul Byrne on the Suzuki, defending champion David Johnson and 2016 winner, Jed Metcher. Team USA flexed its muscle and landed three in the top 10 – Pridmore, the four times AMA Superbike champion Josh Hayes and the super experienced Larry Pegram.

New Zealand’s best performer was Alex Phillis who came in 11th, immediately followed by Jay Lawrence and John Reynolds on the Carl Cox prepared Suzukis. It is Morris’s first time with the Australian team, and despite only doing a few laps in both qualifying sessions, dominated with blistering times in extreme conditions.

The first qualifying session was held in stifling conditions at the apex of the day’s heat. Thankfully, for the life of many motorcycles, conditions improved for the afternoon with the air and track temperature dropping considerably to allow faster lap times.

Jason Pridmore who is making his second visit to Phillip Island, is in fine form and after his experience in 2018 now knows what is needed to take out the International Challenge. Happy with second fastest Pridmore, like Morris, only did three laps in the second qualifying session before parking his bike – saving his machine for what counts in racing tomorrow.

Holder of the 2018 Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy, Adelaide’s David Johnson qualified fourth. He is in threatening form, and looked in a good position to snatch pole, before a mistake in the third last corner curtailed his charge.

The 26th International Island Classic presented by Visit Phillip Island is one of the worlds’ great historic bike meets, attracting over 450 bikes and riders from across the globe, competing in 56 races over the weekend.

Detailed results

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

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