South Australian Brett Metcalfe recently returned from a training stint in the USA where he carried out testing with American Honda, sampling a number components from KYB suspension.

While the trip was training based, the Penrite Honda Racing rider discovered a positive feeling while testing the premium units, prompting a full-time switch to KYB suspension for his upcoming campaign in Australia.

The Honda CRF450R is fitted standard with Showa suspension, however the KYB offering has often been pursued by the Team Honda HRC on the AMA pro circuit, with Cole Seely currently utilising a factory set-up from the alternative suspension manufacturer.

“The trip over there was really the start for us,” Metcalfe explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “American Honda and Honda Australia put a couple of things together to help us out – it was mainly to get over there and get some training done, but as far testing, we’ve made a switch to KYB suspension – so we were over there to get a head start and get a base setting before coming back here and working with Kroozetune.

“It sort of just came around for us – it was a choice were given [to use KYB] and we went over there to proceed in testing and see how things went. One thing led to another really, and we ended up finding some success with it. I felt comfortable, so we chose to go with that route.

“It will be more of a kit suspension – factory suspension is pretty hard to get. It’s just some standard kit stuff, but there will obviously be some different internals that we’ll be able to have access to through American Honda. It’s pretty cool to see them reach out and help us a little bit. The trip was definitely worthwhile for our season ahead.”

Metcalfe enters the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals aboard the same machinery and team for the first time since returning to Australia, and following a highly-positive supercross campaign late last year, the former international sits as one of the title favourites for the MX1 crown. The opening round of the MX Nationals is scheduled for 17 March at Appin in New South Wales.

Words: Adam Wheeler

Former MX2 world champion Pauls Jonass will have to wait in anticipation of his MXGP debut this year as he negotiates the rehabilitation process of an ACL surgery to his right knee, performed last September.

The 22-year-old Latvian forms part of an all-new and young line-up for the factory Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team alongside Arminas Jasikonis, but has yet to ride his new FC450.

“Things have actually been quite complicated since the surgery and I didn’t expect that it would take so long and would be so difficult, but we are on the right way and I feel much better,” Jonass explained.

“ACL surgery means you need time to get strength and stability back in the knee and it’s a hard process. At the last check-up with the doctor and physio they were really satisfied with how it’s going. In terms of strength I’m doing well – I just need to work on co-ordination and stability and a have a little bit more time for the ligament.”

Jonass is hoping to steer the number 41 Husqvarna some time in February, which leaves little time for serious preparation ahead of the opening grand prix at Neuquen in Argentina on 3 March. It is unknown whether Latvia’s sole motocross world champion will make the South American date or might have to consider round two in Great Britain or the next event in The Netherlands.

“It was a serious injury so if I start riding too soon and twist it then I’ll damage it again,” he explained of the ailment that caused him to relinquish his MX2 crown ahead of the final date at Imola last September. “I don’t want to rush it. Since the start of the year I have been going flat-out with my physical training.

“I can cycle and I have been focussing on my physical condition. I really hope in February I can start riding and then we go step-by-step. Hopefully I can be at the races as soon as possible. I don’t want to have any expectations at the moment because if it [a slated return] doesn’t happen for some reason then I’ll be really disappointed. I’m going week-by-week and hopefully in a month I’ll be back on the bike.”

Kawasaki BCperformance has introduced its junior squad for the 2019 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), revealing Tayla Relph and Callum O’Brien will contest the Supersport 300 category aboard the new Ninja 400.

Relph, 21, has solidified herself as a regular front-runner in the highly-competitive division, winding up eighth in the 2018 championship standings.

“I am ecstatic to be given this opportunity to race with Kawasaki BCperformance racing team for the 2019 championship onboard the Kawasaki Ninja 400,” Relph explained.

“Throughout the 2018 season I was consistently within the top five – ending the championship with a second place finish at Phillip Island and now working with Kawasaki BCperformance, I am very confident we can achieve our goal of fighting for the championship.

Western Australian O’Brien is relishing the opportunity with the New South Wales-based outfit, expressing his excitement to commence his maiden campaign aboard the Kawasaki contender.

“I am really thankful and super excited to be given the opportunity to join a team with the pedigree of Kawasaki BCperformance Racing, especially in the ASBK debut year for the new Kawasaki Ninja 400,” O’Brien commented.

“The team are going to be a formidable presence in the Supersport 300 category in 2019. Huge thank you to Kawasaki Motors Australia and BCperformance. I can’t wait for round one at Phillip Island.”

Kawasaki BCperformance team owner Kelvin Reilly commented: “We are pleased to see the continuation of our junior program for 2019. The new Kawasaki Ninja 400 has shown great promise around the world with many titles already under its belt and we are 100 percented committed to bringing the Australian Supersport 300 title home for Kawasaki in 2019.

“The bike is new to us and we have two superb riders in Tayla Relph and Callum O’Brien. They will make a real dynamic pairing pushing each other for race wins. A big thanks must go out to Kawasaki Motors Australia and all our sponsors for their help in keeping our junior program going.”

Phillip Island will hold an official ASBK test this weekend before hosting the opening round on 21-24 February, which will run conjunction with the FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) opener.

The FIM has reached an agreement with ABC Communication, the promoter of the SuperEnduro World Championship, cementing the future of the indoor enduro discipline for an additional five years.

ABC Communication, who operates the FIM Maxxis EnduroGP World Championship, has hosted SuperEnduro for the last seven years, showcasing the sport to over 300,000 live viewers through its streaming and highlights packages.

“We would like to thank the FIM for renewing its confidence in us for the next five years,” said ABC Communication CEO Bastien Blanchard.

“We strongly believe in this discipline which although still young has great potential thanks to its riders and the spectacular action it provides to the fans. We will continue our efforts to promote and extend media coverage in order to grow the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship outside of Europe.”

FIM president Jorge Viegas added: “The FIM is very proud to be able to have this opportunity to extend the contract with ABC Communication for a championship that has become more and more successful over the time it has been in their control.

“We are confident this path will continue. Moreover, the renewal and extension of this agreement reinforces the trust that the FIM has in ABC Communication to maintain the development of this spectacular indoor championship, especially outside of Europe.”

The current SuperEnduro series returns to action 9 February at Budapest in Hungary for the penultimate round of the five-stop championship.