Then we have five Moto2™ World Champions lining up on the grid: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammates Pol Espargaro and Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), alongside 2014 Champion Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) and 2017 Champion Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), are joined by reigning intermediate class Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Alma Pramac Racing) – an incredibly exciting bunch of riders.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Two from three final victories enough to seal the overall victory.
Image: Supplied.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Taddy Blazusiak has won the opening round of the 2019 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship held in Krakow, Poland, ahead of FMF KTM’s Cody Webb in second.
On a dry and fast track at the Tauron Arena, Blazusiak delighted his home fans by taking the overall win at the opening round of the championship. He went 1-1-4 to clinch the overall despite an early fall in final three.
Blazusiak rode his 350 EXC-F to the winner’s circle ahead of Webb, as he recorded a consistent effort of 2-3-2 finishes. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Colton Haaker completed the podium, with teammate Alfredo Gomez fourth after topping the final encounter.
The 2019 SuperEnduro World Championship continues with round two in Riesa, Germany, at the beginning of next year on 5 January, with Blazusiak leading the standings ahead of defending title-holder Webb.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
The Svartpilen 701 ‘street explorer’ is described by Husqvarna as ‘free of excess and reduced to its simplest form’ and aims to introduce Husky to a new generation of motorcycle users.
Built around a simple, timeless design approach, the Svartpilen 701 is powered by a technologically advanced, four-stroke, single-cylinder 692.7c c engine housed in a minimalist layout that promises great street performance with 75 hp on tap.
The Svartpilen 701 uses a flat track inspired design, stripped to the essentials for a unique style, combined with friendly ergonomics, and more than a little touch of the avant-grade.
A focal point of the Svartpilen 701 is the 12-litre fuel tank housed by a unique cover design and sporting a tank filler cap including machined Husqvarna insignia.
The low profile seat and clean tail fit the overall design and is covered using a mixture of high quality materials for superior comfort and durability.
Nestled into the front headlight mask, the premium LED headlight also features a day time running light, which circles the circumference of the headlight making the Svartpilen 701 clearly visible in all conditions.
The LED tail light is integrated within the bodywork and this, together with the swingarm mounted license plate and turn signals, give the rear end a clean, uninterrupted look.
The 692.7cc, single overhead cam, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine features a high level of technology and electronics including RbW, with a maximum power output of 7 5hp (55 kW) at 8500 rpm and 72.0 Nm of torque at 6750rpm. The lightweight engine weighs only 43.4kg without oil but including all components such as electric start, throttle body, clutch and coolant lines.
Reliability, durability and efficiency are offered by technical solutions such as active crankcase evacuation and forced lubrication. This reduces oil friction and pump losses and contributes to the long 10,000 km service intervals and low fuel consumption – lowering the cost of ownership of this single cylinder powered motorcycle.
Smooth power delivery is aided by four-valve cylinder head and twin spark ignition. The single overhead camshaft acts directly on the 42 mm intake valves via finger followers, while the 34 mm exhaust valves are actuated by a rocker arm. Additionally, a counter balancer shaft is integrated to reduce vibration for a smooth and comfortable ride.
The crankshaft features an 80 mm stroke and runs on a roller bearing main bearing to ensure long service intervals and reliability. To increase comfort and reduce vibrations a second counter balancer shaft is added, reducing inertia forces for a smoother ride.
The plain bearing type connecting rod is connected to the large bore 105 mm piston through a DLC (diamond like carbon) coated piston pin. This, along with the aluminium and silicon alloy piston material, makes for a high strength and wear-resistant combination reliable even at the 900 rpm limit.
The Keihin electronic fuel injection features a 50 mm throttle body that has no mechanical linkage to the throttle grip. As the rider twists the throttle open or closed, the throttle valve is electronically controlled by the engine management system (EMS) that continuously compares engine parameters with data from sensors, and adjusts the throttle valve accordingly, resulting in direct power delivery and throttle response.
Additionally an intake resonator also improves the intake charge movement and as a result improves throttle response and ride-ability specifically at small throttle valve positions.
The APTC (Adler Power Torque Control) slipper clutch by Adler helps prevent rear wheel hopping when downshifting hard into a turn while the hydraulic assistance is by Magura.
A six-speed gearbox offers smooth shifting, and for added convenience in urban environments, the gearbox is linked to an ‘easy shift sensor’, which allows the rider to make seamless up and down shifts without the use of the clutch. The sensor works by relaying the moment the rider actuates the gear lever to the ECU, which in turn matches engine parameters to allow a simple gear change at any RPM or engine load.
Concealed within the framework, the exhaust system features a pre-silencer and final silencer layout. The exhaust system ensures the Svartpilen 701 meets strict Euro4 emission regulations.
The lightweight chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame is constructed to offer precise handling and confidence in a variety of conditions. The high grade chromium molybdenum tubular steel ensures feedback is transmitted to the rider through precisely engineered torsional rigidity and longitudinal flex. This guarantees perfect weight distribution and a tight turning circle, which is highly useful in urban environments.
The lightweight frame is produced in a modern production plant, where the laser cut components are robot welded and hydro-formed ensuring precision and consistent quality.
The forged triple clamps are crafted using lightweight aluminium, the triple clamps are designed with a specific rigidity to ensure high levels of strength and reliability while also delivering feedback and comfort to the rider. Offroad style handlebars are mounted to the upper triple clamp using risers, for an upright riding position.
The pin jointed swingarm is made from lightweight aluminium using a gravity die-cast production process, with a design that offers torsional rigidity and strength for advanced tractability and stability.
Produced by WP suspension, the USD 43 mm front forks deliver adjustable performance and comfort in varying urban environments. Using a split damping function, compression and rebound can be adjusted using the easy access clickers located on the top of the fork tube, for easy personalisation of the ride.
Connected via a linkage system, the WP monoshock delivers a progressive, agile and comfortable ride. Fully adjustable for rebound and compression, the shock can also be tailored to suite a variety of urban conditions.
Lightweight 18in front and 17in rear cast alloy wheels ensure high levels of strength and durability with minimal unsprung weight, and feature the Husqvarna logo discreetly embedded into the wheel. Fitted to the wheels are Pirelli MT60 RS tyres – 110/80-18 front and 160/60-17 rear. The tyres offer advanced grip and durability in a wide range of conditions while also giving the Svartpilen 701 a rugged urban look.
A high standard of braking performance is also delivered by the standard Brembo braking system. This features a four-piston calliper, 320mm floating disc at the front, and a single piston calliper with 240mm disc at the rear. A standard Bosch ABS system prevents wheel lock up under hard braking and can be fully de-activated for more advanced riders.
| SVARTPILEN 701 | |
| Engine | |
| Engine type | Single cylinder, 4-stroke |
| Displacement | 692.7 cc |
| Bore/stroke | 105/80 mm |
| Power | 55 kW (75 hp) @ 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 72 Nm @ 6,750 rpm |
| Compression ratio | 12,8:1 |
| Starter/battery | Electric starter/12V 8.6Ah |
| Transmission | 6 gears |
| Fuel system | Keihin EFI (throttle body 50 mm) |
| Control | 4 V/OHC with intake cam levers and exhaust rocker arm |
| Lubrication | Pressure lubrication with 2 oil pumps |
| Engine oil | Motorex, SAE 10W-50 |
| Primary drive | 36:79 |
| Final drive | 16/40 |
| Cooling | Liquid cooling |
| Clutch | APTCTM slipper clutch, hydraulically operated |
| Engine M/ignition | Keihin EMS, double ignition |
| Chassis | |
| Frame | Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel trellis frame, powder coated |
| Subframe | Aluminium |
| Handlebar | Aluminium clip-on |
| Front suspension | WP-USD Ø 43 mm |
| Rear suspension | WP-Monoshock with linkage |
| Suspension travel front/rear | 150 mm |
| Front brake | Brembo four piston, radial mounted , brake disc Ø 320 mm |
| Rear brake | Brembo single piston, floating caliper, brake disc Ø 240 mm |
| ABS | Bosch 9M+ Two Channel |
| Wheels front/rear | Cast aluminium wheels 3.0 x 18”; 5.00 x 17” |
| Tyres front/rear | Pirelli MT60 RS 110/80 R18; 160/60 R17 |
| Chain | X-Ring 5/8 x 1/4″ |
| Silencer | Stainless steel primary and secondary silencer |
| Steering head angle | 65° |
| Triple clamp offset | 28 mm |
| Trail | 119 mm |
| Wheel base | 1436 +/- 15 mm |
| Ground clearance | 164 mm |
| Seat height | 835 mm |
| Tank capacity (approx.) | 12.0 litres/2.5 litres reserve |
| Weight (without fuel, approx) | 158.5 kg |
Source: MCNews.com.au
Indian had a stellar 2018 American Flat Track season (AFT), winning 17 of the 18 races in dominant form, and will return in 2019 with defending champion Jared Mees, alongside Briar Bauman and Bronson Bauman.
Brad Baker also joins the team as technical advisor and riding coach, while Mees will race with Crew Chief Kenny Tolbert, Mechanic Bubba Bently and Jimmy Wood on suspension.
Dick Tibbits will also be handling the team’s nutrition, fitness, and mental preparation, while team operations for Briar and Bronson will be conducted by Paul Langley and S&S, , with Dave Zanotti as crew chief. Michelle DiSalvo has signed on as Briar’s mechanic, while Bronson’s mechanic will be named at a later date
Indian Motorcycle Racing also welcomed the return of Dean Young as Wrecking Crew team manager.
“We’re excited to bring back Jared, and his championship pedigree, as we embark on the next chapter for Indian Motorcycle Racing. We welcome Briar and Bronson and are proud to have them represent our brand on and off the track. When it comes to racing, we’ve assembled some of the most talented professionals in the sport, and we’re looking forward to the upcoming season.”
One of the key team members who will assume a leading role as a technical advisor and rider coach is Brad “The Bullet” Baker, with the team proud to continue its relationship with the former AFT Champion and Wrecking Crew rider.
Baker will closely support and mentor Briar and Bronson throughout the 2019 season by analysing their on-track performance, helping with race-day strategy and bike setup. Baker brings a championship-winning perspective and a wealth of knowledge and experience on the FTR750.
The 2019 AFT season will be challenging for the Indian Wrecking Crew due to a new rule designed to increase competition. This new rule will allow competitors using ‘production bikes’ to run 40mm throttle bodies while all FTR750 riders will be restricted to 38mm throttle bodies.
Over the last two seasons aboard the Indian FTR750, Mees has recorded back-to-back AFT championships and has tallied 20 total wins. Through nine races aboard the FTR750 as a privateer, Briar secured six top-five finishes, including a second-place finish at the Peoria TT and a win at the Williams Grove Half-Mile.
Following Baker’s injury at X Games, Bronson filled in and ran his factory FTR750 in the final seven races. During that time, Bronson garnered his first top-five finish of the season and his first career Twins podium with a second-place finish at the Williams Grove Half-Mile.
The 2017 Wrecking Crew swept the season standings, finishing first, second and third. The team earned Indian Motorcycle Racing’s first Manufacturer’s Championship. In 2018, Wrecking Crew riders and FTR750 privateers swept the top nine positions in the final standings, securing another Manufacturer’s Championship for Indian Motorcycle Racing.
Source: MCNews.com.au
Several days after saying novelty helmet covers were legal, VicPol has thrown doubt on the issue saying it had to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
At first they simply replied: “It is not illegal to put a hat over the helmet”.
Five days later VicPol updated their comment saying it is “not possible to provide a blanket yes or no answer to your query, as it must be assessed on an individual basis”.
They suggest the following points could impact on the compliance:
Queensland and South Australia police say novelty helmet covers are legal:
Novelty helmet covers are not illegal, as long as the rider is wearing a motorcycle helmet that complies with Australian standards and is securely fastened. Riders will need to ensure that the novelty cover does not obscure their vision.
However, there could be more doubt over their legality if you are involved in a crash while wearing one.
ACT Police say they would “take action against the user of the helmet cover if it contributed to an incident or collision (for example, if the cover impeded the vision of a rider)”.
“It is concerning to police that the manufacturers openly identify significant risks to the user of the product on their website,” they say.
Most riders wear novelty helmets as part of a fund-raising or at least fun-raising ride.
It would be a very belligerent copper who fined a rider over a helmet cover!
Apart from being fun on many occasions, not just Christmas, novelty helmet covers have some practical advantages.
They protect your helmet from dust, scratches and chips, as well as reducing wind noise.
However, riders should also be aware that there are some disadvantages.
They can also suppress important surrounding noises such as emergency sirens or the sound of screeching tyres.
They also reduce ventilation which would make them stiflingly hot on a summer’s day, especially if being worn in a slow-moving toy run procession.
Since they are not securely fastened to the helmet, they can also flap around and shift at high speeds, potentially blocking your vision.
Most suppliers recommend they not be worn on the highway, but only at city speeds.
Since most are only worn in charity parades, speed should not be an issue.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Contributed post for our North American readers
Buying a motorcycle and hitting the open road is exciting. Filtering through different types of insurance and warranties? Not so much.
Insurance costs money and doesn’t seem necessary – until you actually need it. The same can be said for additional levels of warranty to protect the bike. Once something goes wrong, you’ll be grateful for the extensive coverage that has you covered.
If you are new to motorcycle insurance and warranties, you’ll need to learn a few things before settling on coverage.
If you are debating whether insurance is worth the monthly payment, the answer is yes.
Anyone who has been in some sort of accident will tell you just how useful the coverage is as soon as you need it. It is better to have insurance and not need it than to not have it and definitely need it.
There are also legal requirements. Most states will mandate minimum levels of liability coverage before registering. Legally, you can face some heavy fines if you are discovered riding without insurance.
So, bottom line, yes you need it. More importantly, you need good coverage.
For warranty, you may already have some coverage. New motorcycles will typically have basic warranty – some level of top to bottom coverage for a certain amount of time or mileage. This can cover some issues – but not all.
Consider looking into extended warranty to cover more serious concerns for a longer period of time – like the reputable extended car warranty companies at Car Warranty Guru. Extended warranty is aftermarket warranty that extends beyond the manufacturer warranty.
For insurance, you can stop at minimum liability insurance, which meets state requirements and covers the other party when you are at fault. Most states have minimum coverage levels around $US25,000 of bodily injury coverage, about a total of $US50,000 per accident, and certain levels of property damage.
Depending on where you live, those levels might not cover much. If you want to play on the safe side, opt for higher levels of coverage.
If you are in a serious accident, you could find yourself filing bankruptcy after maxing out on the insurance coverage levels. Don’t be stuck paying someone else’s medical bills and keep yourself covered.
So far, we’ve dived into just liability coverage. Comprehensive and collision coverage are other types of coverage that are equally important.
Collision coverage kicks in when you damage another vehicle or cause damage to your bike. It can also help pay off any remaining loan balance. Comprehensive coverage is important when your bike is destroyed, disappears, or is damaged by something other than another vehicle. This can include theft, fire, and more. These two cover a lot more than liability, especially when you are fault in the accident.
To be transparent, the cost of insurance for motorcycles, especially for younger people, can get quite high. If you are willing to make the commitment to being a motorcycle owner, expect to take the insurance hike that comes with it.
In all of this worry about what happens to the other people in the accident, don’t forget about yourself. It is important to have insurance that will cover bodily damage to you as well.
Medical payment coverage can help with broken arms and broken legs, as well as time away from work. Health insurance can only go so far, and sometimes it is not enough.
When you buy a motorbike, it comes with lots of paperwork and confusing language, especially for someone new to all of it. As mentioned, you will have some level of warranty, sometimes from the dealership itself. Take the time to understand the language and know what is there to keep both you and the bike covered in times of need.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
BMW recently took quite a strange approach to announcing a new generation prototype of a larger BMW Boxer engine designed to power the German brand into the future.
The company chose to unveil the new donk in a bespoke custom machine put together by Yuichi Yoshizawa and Yoshikazu Ueda in Japan under their ‘Custom Works Zon’ banner.
Yuichi Yoshizawa
“It was a great honor and a challenge to be able to build a motorcycle around the prototype of such a spectacular new boxer engine for one of the most tradition-steeped manufacturers.”
While the Boxer went to four-valves over 25-years ago (1992), it was not until it moved to double overhead cams a decade ago (2009) that it started to really win me over. Three years later, 2012, and the boost to the current 125hp, thanks to the move to water-cooling, the engine really came alive.
For 2019 the engine grew larger in capacity, boosted from 1170cc to 1254cc, via both a longer stroke and an enlarged bore, and gained 9 per cent more power along with 14 per cent more torque thanks to a new variable valve timing system BMW have dubbed Shiftcam.
The latest 1250 Boxer produces, according to BMW, 136 hp (100 kW) at 7750 rpm, and 143 Nm of torque at 6250 rpm. The outgoing model’s numbers were 125 hp and 125 Nm. There is at least 110 Nm of torque available right from as low as 2000 rpm, and over 120 Nm from 3500 rpm in the 2019 generation Boxer.
As to the size and performance potential of the next generation, after offering this hint of a taster BMW indicated that further details about the engine and its possible future use will not be communicated until a later point in time.
It is almost a back-to-the-future look, at least in this custom machine, but I can’t imagine that it will look anything like this when it enters serial production some time in the future. Could BMW really be suggesting a move back to pushrods and carburettors after just converting the Boxer to variable valve timing? I think not, the only thing we can really take from this, I suspect, is the shape of the new crankcases.
The custom was designed to hark back to the low slung silhouette of Ernst Henne’s record-breaking machines of the late 1920s and 1930s.
Rolling on a 21-inch front, and even larger 26-inch rear, the rims are milled from aluminium and sport narrow rubber.
The girder fork was also made of solid aluminum while the swing-arm is made of steel pipe and attached to the tubular space frame by means of concealed suspension.
The ‘large capacity’ engine is suspended in this frame structure reinforced with grid tubes.
Meanwhile the fitted fuel tank, seat unit and front trim are crafted by hand from sheet metal.
The bike won “Best of Show Motorcycle” award at this year’s Hot Rod Custom Show in Yokohama. Known as The Mooneyes Show in custom circles, the event sees car and motorcycle custom builders from all over the world present their creations, with a total of nearly 300 cars and 650 motorcycles along with numerous dealer stands.
It’s a strange event to showcase a new engine from BMW, in a strange motorcycle, and a very curious representation as to what direction BMW Motorrad will take their iconic engine in the next decade. Whatever the case, I think it fair to say that is unlikely to look anything like this…
Source: MCNews.com.au
Rodney Faggotter is all set to compete in the 2019 Dakar Rally in January again with the Yamalube Yamaha Rally Team, alongside teammates Adrien Van Beveren, Xavier de Soultrait, Franco Caimi (TBC) and Alexandre Kowalski.
The riders are all-set to take on the 2019 Dakar aboard the newest edition of the WR450F Rally works machine for this 41st edition of the event.
Working hard during the last few months to be ready for the biggest event in the annual rally racing calendar, the Yamalube Yamaha Rally team members are all looking forward to the 2019 Dakar. Remaining under the guidance of team director Alexandre Kowalski, team manager José Leloir and sport manager Jordi Arcarons, all riders are looking to make the most of their experience as they battle against the world’s elite rally racers in what is expected to be an anything but easy event.
Playing a crucial role for the Yamalube Yamaha Rally team during the last two Dakar Rallies, Rodney Faggotter remains with the squad going into the 2019 edition of the event.
Enjoying an extremely consistent run that saw him finish 16th overall at the 2018 Dakar Rally, the Aussie will look to improve on this result in January 2019.
“I’m looking forward to the 2019 Dakar. I’ve been racing some Bajas and training hard back home in Australia these last few months. I feel strong physically and also mentally. In the beginning of December we’ve spent a full week testing and training with the team in Morocco and that was a good morale booster for me. We have a great spirit within the team and I want to be there for my teammates if they need me. I want to have a good clean run and do my own race. This Dakar might seem shorter, but we all know it’s still going to be a long and demanding race. If it all goes well, I’m confident I can improve my overall result from last year and fight for a spot inside the top-10.”
Leading the team’s efforts for yet another year is Adrien Van Beveren, eager to impress by fighting for the overall victory and at the top of his game following months of hard work, the French rider is ready for the dunes of Peru.
Putting in many thousands of racing and training kilometres aboard his WR450F Rally machine in 2018, Xavier de Soultrait is also set to enter the fifth Dakar Rally of his career this coming January and is working hard to further improve his navigational skills.
With the team 100% ready to have Franco Caimi enter the 2019 Dakar Rally, his participation will be decided just before the start of the race. Doing everything possible to return to full fitness following his injury during the Morocco Rally, the rider from Argentina is expecting to undergo his last medical checks just a few days before the start of the event.
Further strengthening Yamaha’s presence at the 2019 Dakar will be Camelia Liparoti. Teaming up with Rosa Romero Font as her co-driver, the two highly-experienced racers will compete in Yamaha’s YXZ1000R side-by-side machine at the coming edition of the event in Peru.
Taking place in the southern part of Peru, the 2019 Dakar Rally features a total of 10 demanding stages. The race kicks off on January 7 in Lima, with competitors returning to the Peruvian city for the big finish on January 17 and after an exhaustive 5,000km in the dunes of the South American country.
Source: MCNews.com.au
Taddy Blazusiak has opened the 2019 SuperEnduro season with a win at Round 1 in Krakow, Poland for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team, while fellow KTM rider Cody Webb took second overall.
On a dry and fast track at the Tauron Arena in Krakow, Taddy Blazusiak delighted his home fans by taking the overall win at round one of the championship. It wasn’t plain sailing for the six-time champion however as an early fall in the third and final heat left him playing catch-up to the riders ahead.
With his KTM 350 EXC-F blasting off the line, Blazusiak secured the holeshot in heat one. The Polish rider was never challenged for the remainder of the race and after riding eight smooth and consistent laps crossed the line 15 seconds ahead of teammate Webb. Putting in a similar performance in the reverse-grid heat two, Taddy fought his way through the pack early on to win by over five seconds from the second-placed finisher Colton Haaker.
Aiming to take the hat-trick, Taddy fell early in the third heat and was placed dead-last at the beginning of the opening lap. Charging hard, he got his head down and proceeded to pick off the riders ahead of him, ultimately battling his way through to fourth at the line – enough to claim the overall event win and with it the championship lead heading into round two in Germany.
“The whole event has been amazing. Race one went perfectly, I was able to get out in front and set my own pace to take the win. Race two was pretty much the same, I had quite a lot of pressure from the guys behind and made a couple of mistakes, but I was able to put in some fast lap times and break the challenge. In the last moto, I got a pretty good start but I got tangled up with some other riders over the first jumps and went down. I picked myself and the bike up and saw I was in last place so I took a couple of seconds to make sure everything was ok and set off again. I was pushing hard and able to overtake the guys in front quite well. I did make a mistake in one rut and washed the front again, luckily I didn’t lose too much time and was happy enough to take fourth. Championship-wise, I’m a little disappointed to lose a few points but I think we’ll all have challenging races over the season. To be leading going into round two feels great.”
With two runner-up finishes and a third-place result, FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Cody Webb enjoyed a strong start to the defence of his 2018 SuperEnduro title. After claiming the SuperPole award, the American rider fought hard throughout the three races with EnduroCross rival Colton Haaker. Despite a couple of mistakes, Webb was able to ride consistently over the three heats to take second overall, just two points behind Blazusiak.
“I had great fun tonight, it’s always good to race here in Poland. I’m happy with my result, SuperPole and then second overall for the night is good – I just made a few too many mistakes out there. It’s nice to race the first round with no jet-lag but I haven’t been able to get on the bike so much in the last couple of weeks so I was maybe a little timid out there. I know my speed is good and my fitness is nearly there now after my injury earlier in the year. I’m excited for the rest of the season so we’ll see what round two brings in Germany.”
Prestige Class — Overall1. Taddy Blazusiak (POL), KTM, 54 points |
Prestige Race 11. Taddy Blazusiak (POL), KTM, 7:09.693 |
Prestige Race 21. Taddy Blazusiak (POL), KTM, 7:14.805 |
Prestige Race 31. Alfredo Gomez (ESP), Husq, 7:14.773 |
The 2019 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship continues with round two in Riesa, Germany on January 5, 2019.
Source: MCNews.com.au
The calendar for the 2019 World Enduro Super Series (WESS) has been announced, with an eight round championship announced for the new year, with rounds in Portugal, France, Austria, Italy, Romania, the UK, Spain and Germany.
Two additional Classic Enduro events scheduled for the coming season, combined with established Hard Enduro favourites, plus the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country, the 2019 WESS championship will offer a true test of Enduro skills when the battle to become the 2019 Ultimate Enduro Champion begins.
“It gives us great pleasure to announce the schedule for the 2019 World Enduro Super Series. After what’s been an incredibly successful debut season of WESS, we’ve worked tirelessly to bring together what we feel is an Enduro championship that both competitors and fans of the sport want. Listening closely to a wide range of opinions and ideas, while working jointly with event organisers, we have been able to improve the schedule for 2019. We can’t wait for the new WESS championship to get started.”
Successfully playing host to the inaugural round of WESS, Extreme XL Lagares will open the new season in Portugal, on May 10-12, for three days of incredible Hard Enduro racing. Mixing Endurocross, Urban and Hard Enduro action together, round one will be exciting and spectacular.
The series moves directly on to France and Classic Enduro at the Trèfle Lozérien AMV, the following weekend. Three days of traditional timecard racing will see competitors cover over 600 kilometres of riding across idyllic French countryside.
Then, it’s battle stations once more for the iconic Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble in Austria. World-renowned as the toughest single day Enduro, up to 1800 riders will vie for one of the 500 places available on Sunday’s start line.
Provisionally scheduled for late June / early July in Italy, round four will see a new addition to WESS and the second Classic Enduro of the year. Marking the halfway point in the season, the infamous Red Bull Romaniacs will serve up five unforgettable days of Hard Enduro racing for round five on June 30-August 4.
In September the championship charges onwards to the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country in the United Kingdom for round six. Despite a late addition to the 2018 schedule, the event delivered some of the most exciting racing of the series as riders went bar-to-bar around the sandy, high-speed Shropshire circuit.
The penultimate round features the third Classic Enduro event, called Solsona Enduro in Spain in early October.
Set to sign off the 2019 championship in style is the GetzenRodeo in Germany on November 2-3. A long-established Hard Enduro, the event is incredibly popular with riders and attracts on average over 10,000 spectators for each edition, ensuring a spectacular, memorable and fitting venue to crown the 2019 Ultimate Enduro Champion.
“Further broadening the mix of events in the championship, while sharpening the focus on true Enduro competitions has been our goal. Traditional Enduro is always close to our hearts, fuelling our passion for racing, and for that reason it has led to the addition of two Classic Enduro events being added to the calendar. Combined with some of our much-loved events from 2018, plus the welcomed addition of the GetzenRodeo, we are very much looking forward to the start of the new series and the battle to find the 2019 Ultimate Enduro Champion.”
Source: MCNews.com.au