Serco Yamaha ace anticipating riding return next month.
Image: Foremost Media.
Nathan Crawford believes there are a number of benefits to come out of the downtime he’s experiencing due to a leg injury sustained last year, as he’s still yet to make a return to riding.
Crawford, who signed on with Serco Yamaha for 2019, split the top of his tibia at Coolum’s Australian supercross round in 2018 while acting as a replacement for Dean Ferris at CDR Yamaha Monster Energy, which also marked his racing return after a shoulder injury sidelined him from Wonthaggi’s Pirelli MX Nationals in May.
The popular Queenslander is expecting clearance to ride within the next four weeks, and despite that leaving him just a month to prepare for Appin’s MX National opener on 17 March, he’s adamant the time away from the bike will only impact positively.
“I’ve obviously not got back on the bike yet, but I’ve been doing heaps of training so my off the bike fitness is up to date by the time I start riding,” Crawford explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “I’m flat-out into training off the bike, and I think I’m only three or four weeks off from riding – we’re not too far away.
“It’s a reasonable amount of time before round one – I don’t think I’ll be 100 percent, but I don’t think I’ll be too far from it. For the amount of time I’ve had to recover on this injury, I’m well on my way. The doctor’s happy, and I’m as happy as I can be. It’s hard watching everyone while I’m still not riding.
“It’s alright though, it’s kind of working out in my favour as I’ll be fresh – everyone’s having a really big pre-season – which is good for them – but at the same time I’ll be fresh, keen and motivated. There are plenty of benefits to my situation.”
Yamaha introduced a heavily revised YZ250F for 2019, which Crawford was able to briefly sample prior suffering his injury in October, which allowed the talented MX2 contender to gain insight on the updated model he’ll campaign this season.
“I did a little riding on the new YZ250F right before I broke my leg, so I’ve ridden the bike and it’s good,” he continued. “My suspension guy, Kenny from Factory Spec, he’s already got my suspension ready for when I’m back on the bike. I’m pretty confident it will be close [to where it needs to be], it will just be fine tuning everything before round one.”
Mechanical failure cruelly rules out American from prestigious rally.
Image: Supplied.
Former leader of the 2019 Dakar Rally Ricky Brabec has been forcde to exit the event after experiencing a mechanical failure on the eighth stage.
The Monster Energy Honda Racing rider had taken control of the classification on multiple occasions in the first seven stages, and led the standings heading into the eighth stage before an engine malfunction 56 kilometres in crushed his hopes of a maiden Dakar crown.
The American has described scenario has heart-wrenching, stating he’s at a loss for words after holding down P1 in the closing days of the prestigious event.
“It was a really hard day,” Brabec expressed. “There was nothing really positive about my day, especially for the race. The coolest part was getting a helicopter ride along the beach and back. It’s heart-wrenching – not easy. We have to go home, take a break and come back.
“I’m at a loss for words. It was amazing to be on the top for the previous days. It’s really nice to have the team support me and the whole team. It felt like the vibes and the confidence in me were good. That helped me to achieve so many great days.”
Brabec is the third Monster Energy Honda Racing contender to retire from proceedings, with Joan Barreda becoming stuck on day three, as Paulo Goncalves injured himself on day five.
Australian achieves desired feeling in factory Suzuki RM-Z450.
Image: Supplied.
Two-time champion Chad Reed has identified his starting technique as the weak point of his main event outing at Glendale’s second round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
The JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing rider has reviewed footage from the 18-lap affair, which has allowed him to establish the key areas to work on ahead of A2 this weekend.
The number 22 put on an inspiring ride in his heat to finish second, although a mediocre start let him down in the red-flagged main, which saw him climb to 14th following the restart in the earlier stages of the encounter.
“Glendale was a really positive day, and the heat race was special,” Reed reflected. “The team did a great job of helping me find a feeling that I’ve been chasing. This helped massively throughout the whole weekend.
“The main was disappointing, but I’m focused on the feeling we found, and I’m looking forward to a solid week ahead. Video replay shows what I’m doing wrong on my starts, so I’ll look to correct that before Anaheim 2.”
Positioned 12th in the championship standings, the Australian has shown plenty of promise in the opening two rounds as he endeavours to become the oldest main event victor at 36 years of age.
Saturday’s race was won by Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM) – the first of his career – followed by defending champion Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) and Ken Roczen (Honda HRC).
A Honda Neowing leaning three-wheeler looks likely to be coming soon, possibly as a replacement for the ageing Goldwing.
Honda has now applied for a patent for the power steering of its Neowing leaning three-wheel concept (pictured above) unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.
If it does go into production, Honda would be following the bike tracks of the Yamaha Niken leaning three-wheeler.
And why not? The Niken has scored some sales success in Europe.
Leaning three-wheeler scooters have been around for about a decade, but Yamaha is the first with a big-capacity three-wheeler.
Yamaha Niken
We’ve ridden several leaning three-wheel scooters and they are great fun.
The advantages are more front-end grip, better handling and increased braking performance.
However, the disadvantages are extra weight and price.
The Niken is based on the triple-cylinder MT-09 which sells for $12,299 (plus on-road costs) up to $15,499 for the Tracer model and $16,999 for the Tracer GT.
Niken starts at $21,999 with a GT model coming in March 2019. That’s about a third more expensive!
Niken
Powerful Neowing
While Yamaha’s three-wheeler is powered by an 847cc triple, Honda’s Neowing could be a lot more powerful.
The concept featured a four-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine with electric motors in each wheel.
However, the patent drawings for the electric power steering do not show the engine, only the complex steering system.
Neowing patent drawings (Image: Morebikes.co.uk)
They also don’t show any electric motors in the front wheels.
But it would need to be powered by a hefty engine to cope with the extra weight and power requirements of the steering system.
Yamaha’s Niken is marketed as a sport tourer.
The Neowing could be more of a tourer, perhaps to take over from the ageing Goldwing with its six-cylinder boxer powerplant.
Some might say these leaning three-wheelers are not strictly motorcycles.
But if they provide the same thrill as a motorcycle, yet with more grip, then who cares!
As if the Dakar Rally isn’t tough enough, Australian rider James Ferguson (pictured above) is taking it on solo and unassisted and is closing in on the top 10 in his Original by Motul category.
James and countryman Ben Young are among a record field of novices in this year’s Peruvian rally.
Ben Young 20th in the rookie class
Ben is a commendable 55th overall and 12th in the rookie class.
In preparation for the Dakar, Ben has been training with Toby and finished 18th in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and 24th in the Morocco Rally on his KTM.
Defending champion Walkner fastest on the day as Price secures third.
Image: Supplied.
Australian Toby Price (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) has taken control of the Dakar Rally lead following a strong performance in stage eight, although it was defending champion Matthias Walkner (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who topped the day.
Stage eight pitted the fastest 10 bikes, 10 cars and the top five trucks from the previous day together, setting off at three-minute intervals according to their stage seven results. At 360 kilometres, the timed special was the longest of the event and took competitors over fast, open pistes for the first half, before once again challenging them with the mountainous sand dunes.
Walkner navigated his way to a 3m55hm25s time, just a slender 45s ahead of former leader Pablo Quintanilla (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing), while Price closely followed being just 1m13s behind the number on.
The top five was rounded out by Sam Sunderland (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Andrew Short (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing), as Price leads the rally with a 1m3s advantage over Quintanilla, followed by Walkner, Sunderland and Adrien van Beveren (Yamalube Yamaha Rally).
Aussie Dakar rookie Ben Young (KTM) is now ranked 55th after finishing up 60th in the stage, while compatriot James Ferguson (KTM) was ruled out of the rally again after attempting to rejoin the race. Rodney Faggotter (Yamalube Yamaha Rally) was also ruled out of the competition earlier in the event.
Stage nine of the 2019 Dakar marks the second of the two mass-starts at the rally. In another looped stage, riders will leave Pisco and cover a total of 409 kilometres, 313 kilometres of which is a timed special, before returning to the coastal town.
We recorded this video last year (2018) at the Island Classic onboard with Team America star Jason Pridmore.
The American came through the pack to finish fourth in this bout and carded a 1m37.482 on lap four.
Jason Pridmore – 2018 Island Classic – TBG Image
Unfortunately his Yamaha cried enough in the next race and he didn’t get a chance to improve on that result on Sunday.
The 49-year-old will be out to make amends later this month when he visits Phillip Island for the International Challenge for the second time.
Island Classic Onboard Video Race with Jason Pridmore at 2018 Island Classic
Island Classic 2018
David Johnson won the race from Glen Richards and Jeremy McWilliams, with Pridmore just missing out on the podium.
International Challenge Race Two Results
Johnson – AUS
Richards – UK +1.398
McWilliams – UK +1.718
Pridmore – USA +2.668
Edwards – USA +3.347
Corser – AUS +4.403
Beaton – AUS +8.680
Zemke – USA +11.312
Martin – AUS +11.476
Linfoot – UK +11.531
Byrne – AUS +11.655
Hickman – UK +18.238
Giles – AUD +18.369
Jason Pridmore – 2018 Island Classic – TH Image
Out for more in 2019!
Alongside Pridmore, the Team America challenge will be much stronger this year with AMA Superbike hotshot Josh Hayes joining their ranks. He might be 43-years-old but Hayes won the American Superbike Championship as recently as 2014, and finished a close runner-up in both 2015 and 2016.
There is no Colin Edwards this year but the likes of Larry Pegram, Steve Rapp and Dale Quarterley also bring with them impressive CVs. Rennie Scaysbrook is also fronting for Team USA.
International Challenge 2019 – Team USA
Wade Boyd – Moto Guzzi Le Mans – 1988
David Crussell – Yamaha TZ750 – 1978
Michael Gilbert – Yamaha FJ1100 – 1983
Jorge Guerrero – Suzuki XR69 – 1982
Joshua Hayes – Yamaha FJ – 1983
Bruce Lind – Yamaha TZ750 – 1975
Eric Lindauer – Kawasaki KZ – 1980
Barrett Long – Kawasaki Harris – 1982
Martin Morrison – Suzuki RGB500 MK7 – 1982
Larry Pegram – Yamaha FJ1100 – 1983
Joe Pethoud – Yamaha Harris F1 – 1984
Jason Pridmore – Yamaha FJ1200 – 1983
Dale Quarterley – Suzuki XR69 – 1984
Steve Rapp – Yamaha – CMR FJ 1100
Robert Ruwoldt – Harris Kawasaki – 1980
Rennie Scaysbrook – Suzuki GSX1100 XR69 – 1980
Ken Wootton Memorial Trophy
The International Challenge is reserved for bikes manufactured between 1973 and 1984. There will be four six-lap races to decide the winner, with recognition for the highest individual scorer through the Ken Wootton Memorial Trophy.
Island Classic heading for TV
And in a first for the International Challenge, the 2019 event will be filmed for a two-hour television program to be broadcast in UK and Europe, USA and Canada, S.E. Asia, and in Australia on Foxsports and SBS in February.
A lot more than the International Challenge
The Island Classic, now in its 26th year, isn’t just about the International Challenge, though, with the event a pilgrimage for so many riders and spectators as they celebrate a century of motorcycling. There will be 56 races held across the weekend, catering for pre-WW1 bikes through to Vintage (1920-1945), Classic and Post Classic (from 1946 to 1972) and the more recent Forgotten Era and New Era classes.
Phil Irving Perpetual Trophy
The rider who scores the most points across the non-International Challenge races will be awarded the prestigious Phil Irving Perpetual Trophy. Over 500 bikes will either be racing or on display.
Island Classic Tickets
Tickets for the 26th International Island Classic, presented by Visit Phillip Island, are available at islandclassic.com.au. A three-day adult ticket, purchased in advance, is just $82, and free for children 15 and under (accompanied by a full-paying adult). You can camp at the circuit for four nights for just over $20 per night (with kids once again free).
Tickets can also be purchased at the gate, but save by buying in advance.
*All prices quoted are advance tickets which end midday Wednesday, January 23, 2019. Buy advance and save. Gate ticket prices are additional.
Dakar Rally leader Ricky Brabec set off from San Juan de Marcona pushing to become the first American to win the race. However, the Honda rider suffered heartbreak after only 56km as his engine gave way, bringing an end to his hopes.
Dubbed the ‘Super Ica’, stage eight pitted the fastest 10 bikes, 10 cars and the top five trucks from the previous day together, setting off at three-minute intervals according to their stage seven results. At 360 kilometres, the timed special was the longest of the event and took competitors over fast, open pistes for the first half, before once again challenging them with the mountainous sand dunes of the Ica desert.
Toby Price
Toby Price put in another stunning performance on stage eight, leading on time right up until the final two checkpoints. Crossing the line in an eventual third position has elevated Price to overall leader in the provisional standings. But with just one minute separating the top two riders after close to 30 hours of racing, the Australian rider knows he still has to keep fighting right to the finish as he bids to reclaim the title he first won in 2016. The wrist he broke in the lead up to Dakar 2019 is giving him plenty of curry now, but the 31-year-old is determined to push through.
Dakar 2019 – Stage Eight Video
Toby Price – Stage P3 – Overall P1
“I knew today had to count so I gave it everything – the wrist is really starting to sting now! It was a long special at 360 kilometres but I got through it and I’m pleased with how the whole stage went. Just two days left so I’ll get some rest tonight and attack again tomorrow. When the helmet goes on, you know I’m just going to do the best I can.”
Toby Price
Pablo Quintanilla posted the second best time for the day. Gaining an impressive three positions in the overall, Pablo is now second and less than two-minutes behind new Dakar provisional outright leader Toby Price.
Pablo Quintanilla – Stage P2- Overall P2
“Everything went according to plan for me today. After the mass start in the morning I found myself racing alone for some time, before starting to catch up with the riders from the first wave. Today’s stage was not easy. It was physically and mentally tough but I did my best pushing all the way to the finish. We’re nine days into this race and we’re all starting to feel the effects of these tough stages on our bodies. I’m really happy with where I’m at in the overall. The gap with Toby is small and we still have two more days of racing. I will try to stick to my plan and continue giving 100% until the end of the race.”
Pablo Quintanilla
Following his top-10 result from stage seven, Matthias Walkner set off with not only nine bikes ahead of him, but also two cars driven by Dakar legends Stephane Peterhansel and Nani Roma. Navigating well through the dust kicked up by the vehicles in front, as well as the fog that had descended on the stage, the reigning Dakar Champion steadily upped his pace as the day went on to ultimately post the fastest time, just pipping team-mate Price and Husqvarn’a Pablo Quintanilla for the stage win. With positions closing up at the top of the overall standings, Walkner now lies third, six minutes and 30 seconds behind teammate Price.
Matthias Walkner
Matthias Walkner – Stage P1 – Overall P3
“Good day for me today, I really tried to push all day long. Starting with the cars was not so bad this morning, a couple caught me on the fast pistes, but I passed them back again when we hit the dunes. I got to the refuelling and saw that Toby had made some time so I knew I had to really go for it in the sand. I had a couple of small crashes in the fesh-fesh, it was really foggy and a lot of the time you couldn’t really see too well ahead of you. I was happy with my riding today and everything is going well so we’ll see what the next two days bring.”
Matthias Walkner
Set to open the special today due to his win on the previous day’s stage seven, Sam Sunderland was forced to delay his start when his on-bike tracker failed. Slotting in further down the order meant the British rider also had vehicles in front of him to deal with as he progressed through the stage. Nevertheless, pushing hard Sunderland posted the fourth fastest time and now sits fourth overall in the provisional rally standings.
Sam Sunderland
Sam Sunderland – Stage P4 – Overall P4
“I’m happy with my riding today but it’s been a tough one and I’m not sure if an issue at the start will cost me some time. My Iritrack wasn’t working and I had to get that fixed before I set off. It meant I was behind a car at the beginning of the stage and the dust from that combined with the fog made things very tricky. After that I just pushed on as best I could to the end. Day eight is ticked off now, but I’m sure there’s plenty more excitement to come.”
Sam Sunderland
Starting Tuesday’s special stage among the first wave of competitors, Adrien Van Beveren launched an attack with the goal of moving even higher in the provisional overall rankings. Pushing hard from start to finish, he struggled with the stage’s demanding navigation and ended up losing some time to his main rivals.
Posting the sixth best time for the day, Van Beveren is currently placed fifth in the event’s provisional overall standings. Determined to keep the battle going, Adrien is now less than 10-minutes behind the provisional overall leader with two stages still to be contested.
Adrien Van Beveren – Stage P6 – Overall P5
“Today I decided to attack more than any of the previous stages and it didn’t work to my advantage. The race is very intense and I knew that if I didn’t attack my chances for the win would be possibly less. Navigation was tricky and I lost time trying to find some waypoints. At the end of the day, I lost a little bit more than 10 minutes to the leaders. It’s not exactly the result I was looking for, but we’re not done yet. My day might not have been so good, but we still have two stages to go. I will continue giving my best until we cross the finish line in Lima.”
Adrien Van Beveren
Kevin Benavides is now Honda’s final real hope for Dakar victory after rally leader Ricky Brabec was left to rue what could have been when his engine let go early in stage eight. Other top Honda hopes Joan Barreda went out on stage three after a crash left him unable to continue, while Paulo Goncalves crashed heavily on stage five to go out of the Rally. Benavides is currently sixth outright.
Kevin Benavides
Kevin Benavides- Stage P9 – Overall P6
“Today the stage was complicated because I wasn’t able to validate a waypoint. It was a point which wasn’t visible but should have been very easy to find as it was just down a mountain as you entered the beach. I was at the right point and but the waypoint wouldn’t open. I went through there a thousand times and nothing showed up. I stopped Joaquim Rodrigues, he had it validated and I was at the same point and it wouldn’t go on to the next waypoint. Several other riders passed and after I stopped Michael Metge before the point and told him if I could follow him to see if it registered. Finally it did but I had already passed through many times. The organization has seen that I went through there many times. Now we have to wait and see what they will tell us about it. It’s a pity about Ricky, he was having a great race and we could have both battled until the end. I send him all my best.”
Kevin Benavides
Raul Castells – Monster Energy Honda Team Manager
“Unfortunately, days like today, we have experienced before. These are things that can happen in motor sports and that, far from bringing us down will serve to strengthen us as a team because we will continue to fight for our goals, even if they are distant. Ricky was having an incredible race and I’m sure he will come back, even stronger if it is possible, to continue fighting for the number one spot. Likewise, I’d like to point out the great stage that Nacho Cornejo rode today having opened the track all day, but also that of Kevin, who had some problems with the navigation tools that we hope can be solved. We will keep fighting until the end.”
Kevin Benavides
Ricky Brabec – DNF
“It was a really hard day. There was nothing really positive about my day, especially for the race. The coolest part was getting a helicopter ride along the beach and back. It’s heart-wrenching. Not easy. We have to go home, take a break and come back. I’m at a loss for words. It was amazing to be on the top for the previous days. It’s really nice to have the team support me and the whole team. It felt like the vibes and the confidence in me were good. That helped me to achieve so many great days.”
Going from strength-to-strength in this year’s Dakar, Andrew Short put in another strong performance on Tuesday to secure a solid fifth place result in stage eight. The second Husqvarna mounted rider inside the top 10, Andrew is currently seventh in the event’s provisional overall standings.
Andrew Short – Stage P5 – Overall P7
“It was interesting to start the stage alongside the cars. A few kilometres into the stage I got passed by Nani Roma’s car and he was going really fast on the roads. But then once it got bumpy I was able to pass him and do my own race. After the fuel stop we entered the dunes and they were massive. I got to ride alongside a few other riders and our pace was good. Today there were lots of riders struggling with bike issues or making mistakes in navigation. For me personally I felt really good. I was going as hard as I could for most of the stage and for the last 30 kilometres I felt fatigued so decided to keep it steady. I’m trying to get better on every stage and every day and that’s what matters the most for me.”
Andrew Short
Feeling strong in his Yamaha WR450F Rally machine since the start of the event, Xavier de Soultrait entered stage eight looking for another good result. Battling through the stage’s technical terrain and demanding navigation Xavier claimed a 10th place result for the day.
Moving up to eighth in the provisional overall standings, the Frenchman remains optimistic that he can climb even higher in the overall results to bring his gruelling adventure in Peru to a successful close.
Xavier de Soultrait – Stage P10 – Overall P8
“It was another long and difficult day in the fesh-fesh and the sand. My bike has been running great since the start of this rally and this gives me extra confidence to push. My results from these last couple of stages have made it harder for me to battle for the podium in Lima. Nevertheless, I will continue my battle until the end. We still have two long stages to race and my goal is to get as high as possible in the overall. I remain calm and I’m ready for the penultimate stage tomorrow. This Dakar has been a great experience for all and we will keep working hard until we reach Lima.”
Xavier de Soultrait
Claiming seventh on Tuesday’s stage, Luciano Benavides had another great day. With his skill and confidence increasing with each day of racing, the popular Argentinian continues to move up the order in the provisional standings. Benavides now sits ninth overall with two days left to race.
Luciano Benavides – Stage P7 – Overall P9
“Today was tough again – another long 360 kilometres. Overall it was good for me, although I did lose a little time near the beginning of the stage in the fog. I had to remove my goggles to see properly and that slowed me up a little. Andrew (Short) caught me and we rode together for the next 200 kilometres. We had a good time in the dunes, with each one of us taking the lead from time to time. The stage seemed to flow really well and I had a lot of fun.”
Luciano Benavides
Successfully completing another day inside the top 20, Laia Sanz was as impressive as ever on the long stage eight. Intelligently deciding to ease off her pace early on in the far from perfect conditions, Laia was then able to push harder onboard her KTM 450 Rally to ultimately post the 19th fastest time of the day. The Spaniard now sits an excellent 13th place overall in the provisional standings.
Laia Sanz – Stage P19 – Overall P13
“Today was a very long and tough day. For the first part of the stage I kept to a steadier rhythm. With the fesh-fesh and fog it made things very tricky and I didn’t want to make any mistakes. As we got to the dunes, I started to enjoy things a lot more and was able to push. The goal is as always, take things day by day and get safely to the finish.”
Laia Sanz
Wednesday’s stage nine of the 2019 Dakar marks the second of the two mass-starts at the rally. In another looped stage, riders will leave Pisco and cover a total of 409 kilometres, 313 kilometres of which is timed special, before returning to the coastal town.
2019 Dakar Rally Provisional Results Stage Eight
WALKNER Matthias AUT KTM 03:55’25
QUINTANILLA Pablo CHI Husqvarna +00’45
PRICE Toby AUS KTM +01’13
SUNDERLAND Sam GBR KTM +06’21
SHORT Andrew USA Husqvarna +09’51
VAN BEVEREN Adrien FRA Yamaha +11’48
BENAVIDES Luciano ARG KTM +12’51
CORNEJO José Ignacio CHI Honda +13’48
BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Honda +15’07
DE SOULTRAIT Xavier FRA Yamaha +15’50
2019 Dakar Rally Outright Standings after Stage Eight
PRICE Toby AUS Red Bull KTM Rally Factory 28:53’08
QUINTANILLA Pablo CHI Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory +01’03
WALKNER Matthias AUT Red Bull KTM Rally Factory +06’35
SUNDERLAND Sam GBR Red Bull KTM Rally Factory +06’38
VAN BEVEREN Adrien FRA Yamaha Official Rally Team +09’54
BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Monster Energy Honda +21’41
SHORT Andrew USA Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory +39’27
DE SOULTRAIT Xavier FRA Yamaha Official Rally Team +46’17
BENAVIDES Luciano ARG Red Bull KTM Rally Factory +01:04’24
CORNEJO José Ignacio CHI Monster Energy Honda +01:05’44
YZF-R1 arrives in Tech Black & Yamaha Blue for $23,999 +ORC
Yamaha’s YZF-R1 has arrived in Australian dealerships for $23,990 + ORC, with two new colour options available for the year model in the form of a new Tech Black alongside Yamaha Blue versions.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1 in Tech Blue
The Yamaha YZF-R1 boasts an evocative M1 derived 998cc crossplane four-cylinder DOHC, four-valve engine, with MotoGP developed electronics including lean angle sensitive ABS, traction control and slide control.
Inlet manifold length is adjusted on the fly by Yamaha’s YCC-I system for optimal performance. Other features include a high-compression cylinder head, pent proof combustion chambers, large-diameter intake and exhaust valves and titanium conrods holding forged aluminium pistons.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1 in Tech Blue
The chassis features a compact aluminium Deltabox frame, long upward-truss type swingarm and magnesium sub frame, and fully adjustable race-bred 43mm KYB forks feature a large-diameter 25mm front axle, with rear KYB monoshock suspension also fully adjustable. 17-inch magnesium wheels are the first to be fitted to a mass-production model as standard.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1 in Tech Black
Brakes include four-piston front calipers on 320mm rotors, while the rear boasts a dual-piston caliper on 220mm rotor, wboth featuring ABS and including Yamaha’s Unified Braking System. In conjunction with the IMU this determines braking force distribution between front and rear.
Other standard features include an Up-Down quickshift system as standard fitment, along with LED headlights and a TFT instrument panel.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1 in Tech Blue
The 2019 YZF-R1 is now available at Yamaha dealers for an RRP of $23,999 +ORC, in Yamaha Blue or Tech Black.
A range of Genuine Yamaha Accessories also enable every R-Series rider to transform their Yamaha. The range of components for the Yamaha R-Series models includes titanium exhausts and slip-on mufflers, billet covers, protectors and more.
Australia’s first Dakar Rally winner Toby Price is first overall after stage 8, zeroing in on a kiss with KTM Factory teammate Laia Sainz but risking the loss of his mullet.
The long-time friends made a bet before the Peruvian rally that if Toby finished better than fifth he could kiss Laia for five seconds and if the Spanish rider finished getter than 15th, she could chop off Toby’s trademark mullet.
Long kiss
Toby finished the 323km beach-and-dunes stage eight overnight in third and despite not yet winning a stage, his consistency has landed him in first outright, a minute in front of Husky rider Pablo Quinanilla.
With just three stages to go, his five-second kiss with Laia is looking good.
But his mullet is also in serious danger.
Laia is currently 13th outright, but almost three hours behind Toby.
Laia Sainz
Both are not in prime physical condition with Toby nursing a wrist he broke in training last month and Laia recovering from Q fever which prevented her training most of 2018.
Toby started racing the Dakar in 2015, finishing an astounding third. He became a KTM factory rider in 2016 and was the first Aussie to win the rally. He broke his leg in 2017 and last year finished third despite not racing for a year due to injury.
Not only is he the first Aussie to win the gruelling rally, but last year he also became the first to win the world rally title.
Laia Sanz
Laia is a 13-time Women’s Trial World Champion and 10-time Women’s Trial European Champion in outdoor trials.
She is competing in her ninth Dakar, having finished top 20 in five. Her best finish was a ninth in 2015.
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