Tag Archives: Competition

Competition, Motocross, News

Champion Rutledge stepping away from racing in 2020

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News 9 Oct 2019

Champion Rutledge stepping away from racing in 2020

Section: Competition

Women’s champion taking onboard ambassador role with existing sponsors.

Image: Foremost Media.

Reigning Australian women’s motocross champion Meghan Rutledge has announced she’ll step away from racing ahead of the 2020 season.

Rutledge will shift her focus on her personal training and coaching career, however will retain support from long-time sponsor Kawasaki Motors Australia in an ambassador role.

“After an incredible 2019 season that included taking out back-to-back national women’s motocross and Queen of MX Titles, 2020 holds new opportunities to grow outside of motocross competition,” Rutledge explained. “I will be stepping away from competitive racing and focusing on my career with coaching and personal training.

“Motocross is in my blood, I will continue to ride for fun, be a coach and mentor the next generation. I am excited for what 2020 has in store for me and thrilled to still be working closely with all my current sponsors as an ambassador.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank my sponsors for the support over many years. Sponsorship support has enabled me to win eight championship titles in the past two years.”


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Serco Yamaha makes Crawford split official prior to Brisbane

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News 9 Oct 2019

Serco Yamaha makes Crawford split official prior to Brisbane

Section: Competition

Queenslander sets sights on world championship deal for 2020 season.

Image: Foremost Media.

The factory Serco Yamaha team has reverted to a two-rider structure in the lead-up to Brisbane’s opening round of the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship after mutually agreeing to part company with Nathan Crawford.

American import Jacob Hayes and Aaron Tanti will lead Serco’s SX2 title challenge through the five-round series, while despite initially being announced as part of a three-rider roster, Crawford will sit out the championship.

“Unfortunately Nathan Crawford won’t be on the start-line as he has been in a race against time after sustaining a collarbone injury in recent weeks,” a Yamaha statement confirmed. “With the rapid-fire nature of this years’ championship and Crawford’s intentions to race overseas in 2020, it was mutually agreed between Serco Yamaha and Crawford for him to pursue those options and he will miss this years’ championship.”

Crawford spent three weeks training for supercross following the MX Nationals season in which he finished fourth in the final standings, however, a collarbone injury limited his preparations and ultimately led to the decision for him to focus on next year.

“Supercross, as we know, is so dangerous and – nothing against any of the riders – the 250 class is even more dangerous than the 450 class,” Crawford told MotoOnline.com.au. “I did sustain a small collarbone injury, but it was nothing major, and it was a race against time. I probably could have fit some of the rounds in, but how it works this season in having to be inside the top 10 to go to Auckland, it was looking pretty dismal to even make all five rounds.”

The announcement comes amid widespread speculation that 22-year-old Crawford will transition to the MX2 World Championship in 2020, which is a possibility since he doesn’t turn 23 until July. It’s rumoured that he’s in discussions with the 114 Motorsports Honda team that countryman Mitch Evans has ridden for this season, but Crawford has been tight-lipped on the subject and maintains that a deal for him to go overseas remains in the works.

“I want to focus on getting my plans sorted for 2020, because like I said to you before – and I wasn’t lying – I haven’t sorted anything yet,” he added. “You know, I want to focus on that and make sure I’m 100 per cent ready to go. My injury is fine and it feels good, so I guess, if my plans come off, I want to be at peak fitness by the time those plans hopefully come together.

“The few weeks that I did do of supercross, I felt like I was riding it the best that I probably have in my career. I just had that small hiccup and lucky it wasn’t anything major, because it could have been so much worse – it is what it is. Obviously, I always want to fulfil my obligations, but it kind of worked out in everyone’s favour.

“You know, Serco was going to be three riders and that was going to be tough on our whole team to run three riders – at the end of the day, they’ve got two riders that are title contenders and I was just going to be chasing my tail the whole time. It ended up working out for all of us, so I’m almost 100 per cent healthy, training hard and trying to work out my plans for 2020. There are no negatives to come out of it, to be honest.”

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Kawasaki confirms Haslam departure at end of WorldSBK season

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News 9 Oct 2019

Kawasaki confirms Haslam departure at end of WorldSBK season

Future uncertain for the British WorldSBK contender.

Image: Supplied.

Kawasaki Racing Team has confirmed Leon Haslam will depart the squad at the conclusion of the 2019 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) after just one season.

After winning the BSB Championship title in 2018 Leon was brought into the KRT WorldSBK set-up to join forces with now five-time world champion Jonathan Rea.

He had an immediate positive impact inside the overall KRT awning which culminated in winning the Suzuka 8 Hours race in partnership with Rea on the Ninja ZX-10RR, while also scoring six podiums in his return season.

“KRT and KHI welcomed Leon into the team after a nine year period with Tom Sykes,” said team manager Guim Roda. “It was an ideal chance for him to regain experience inside the WorldSBK paddock and an incentive after winning the British Superbike title plus previous success at the Suzuka 8-Hours.

“A primary target for 2019 was for Leon to experience the KRT way of working and to take his race rhythm and performance to a new level with goals like competing at Suzuka as a tempting prospect. Winning the 2019 8 Hours race with Jonathan Rea after a 25-year gap for Kawasaki was certainly an incredible achievement alongside regular top five placings in WorldSBK including several podium visits.

“To achieve all of this despite being away from WorldSBK for three years is testament to Leon’s skill as a rider – especially as he has endured injuries this year, many of which have not been apparent and have certainly not hindered his hunger for success.

“It is my hope that Leon can stay within the Kawasaki family for 2020 and use his KRT experience on factory Ninja machinery to achieve yet more success as well as competing again at the Suzuka 8-Hours. Everyone at KRT wishes Leon well for the future.”

The future of Haslmam remains unclear, while his replacement for 2020 is yet to be announced.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Final round return the aim for Buckley after missing Phillip Island

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News 8 Oct 2019

Final round return the aim for Buckley after missing Phillip Island

Section: Competition

Early fall at penultimate round forces Kawasaki BCperformance rider to sidelines.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Kawasaki BCperformance’s Kyle Buckley has the target of returning to the Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship grid at the final round after missing Phillip Island’s races.

Buckley underwent collarbone surgery following Winton, but was deemed unfit to line-up at the penultimate round following a frightening crash on Friday morning.

“I was having some trouble on Friday morning,” said Buckley. “I went out in the first session and wasn’t able to hold myself back on the brakes, so I kept sliding forward.

“Second practice, we changed a few things on the bike to make things a bit easier, but I rolled into the Hayshed, lost the front and had a huge crash. I didn’t re-break my collarbone, but I hurt it enough to sit out the weekend. It’s unfortunate, but I’ll try be ready for Sydney Motorsport Park.”

It’s been a frustrating year for the BCperformance mainstay, initially replaced by Lachlan Epis through the opening four rounds before being drafted back in at Winton, where he sustained a broken collarbone in an attrition-filled weekend.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Wrong button a costly error for Miller at start of Buriram race

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News 8 Oct 2019

Wrong button a costly error for Miller at start of Buriram race

Section: Competition

Pramac rider accidentally presses kill-switch prior to grand prix start.

Image: Supplied.

Australia’s Jack Miller has detailed the incident that cost him any hope of a strong result in the Thailand MotoGP, accidentally killing the motor prior to the race start.

Miller had qualified sixth on the grid, slotted between factory Ducati duo Danilo Petrucci and Andrea Dovizioso, however, pressing the kill-switch when trying to activate launch control proved costly.

“I was in a bit of a hurry, just trying to do everything a little bit too quickly… turning the launch on and I pressed the wrong button,” explained Miller. “It was the kill switch, so I turned the bike off. As soon as I pressed it, I was going ‘f**k no!’.

“It is what it is. I won’t be having that trouble on the grid again, that’s for sure. It’s just one of those things, with the adrenaline going and everything I just pressed the wrong button.

“I was pissed, don’t get me wrong. I was disappointed in myself, but I just got over it straight away and tried to do everything correctly. I had the pit limiter on, everything like that and got back out of there as quick as possible and set to work on trying to catch back the boys.”

Miller had to push his Pramac Racing entry into pit-lane and restart from there at the rear of the field in 22nd, eventually moving forward to finish in 14th position at the Chang circuit.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Raceline KTM signing Rodbell out of supercross with visa issue

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News 8 Oct 2019

Raceline KTM signing Rodbell out of supercross with visa issue

Section: Competition

Factory KTM team to focus on SX2 program through the opening rounds.

Image: Foremost Media.

American Justin Rodbell has been ruled out of the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship opener in Brisbane, Queensland, this weekend after entering the country with an incorrect visa to compete professionally.

Rodbell, who had switched from KSF Racing to the factory-backed Raceline KTM team in place of the injured Hayden Mellross for supercross, announced this week that an error on his behalf has resulted in his return home to the US.

“I would like to apologise to the whole Raceline Motosport team for not being able to compete in the Australian Supercross Championship,” Rodbell stated. “This is completely my fault, I take full responsibility for not being over there on the correct visa. Basically, what happened was I got paid on a vacation visa and I needed to be on a professional sporting visa.

“[It] sucks my trip to Australia has ended this way – I met so many rad people during my stay in AUS. I’d also like to thank KSF Racing for taking me in and giving me a place to live. As for what’s next for me, I honestly couldn’t tell you. Sorry to Chris [Woods] for causing you all this stress, thanks for the opportunity.”

Raceline KTM team owner John Tisdale has since confirmed to MotoOnline.com.au that the organisation will be absent from SX1 for at least round one, however, it will field supercross rookie Regan Duffy alongside returning import Josh Osby in the SX2 category.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Outdoor champions Waters and Todd commit to supercross campaign

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News 8 Oct 2019

Outdoor champions Waters and Todd commit to supercross campaign

Section: Competition

DPH Motorsport Husqvarna duo will line-up from Brisbane’s opening round.

Image: Foremost Media.

Reigning outdoor champions Todd Waters and Wilson Todd have committed to lining up for the entire 2019 Australian Supercross Championship, the DPH Motorsport Husqvarna team has confirmed ahead of Brisbane’s opening round this Saturday night.

Waters has been in a race against time to be fit for supercross after fracturing his hand and thumb at last month’s Day in the Dirt event, however, a return to riding last week will see him contest the entire SX1 season.

This year will mark Waters’ first supercross championship run since 2017 when he finished eighth in the championship standings, but will begin on the back-foot after missing a full month of preparation in the lead-up.

“Todd’s been riding since last week, so he’s back on the bike and will be there for press day on Friday morning,” DPH Motorsport team owner Dale Hocking told MotoOnline.com.au. “He will do the best that he can do and did a little bit of supercross before he broke his hand, plus he’s spending a lot of time on the bike now.”

As for dual MX2 national champion Todd, despite speculation that he would sit out supercross in order to focus on a pending move to the world championship with Kawasaki from 2020, he too will be behind the starting gates throughout the five-round season. Todd finished fourth overall last season, taking a single round victory in Geelong.

“Wilson just got back from Europe and we flew him down yesterday to do some testing, but it’s raining today,” added Hocking. “He’s entered, the bikes are ready to go and we’re looking forward to it – we know he is capable in supercross and the goal is to win the championship with him.”

DPH Motorsport Husqvarna did field an additional bike with Bailey Malkiewicz throughout the MX Nationals, but that partnership won’t be continuing into supercross. Malkiewicz is also understood to be grand prix-bound from next year, recognised in Europe for his 125cc Junior Motocross World Championship victory achieved at Horsham last year.

“Bailey’s got a ride over in Europe for next year and him being with us in the nationals was a bit of a last-minute thing,” explained Hocking. “His dad came to me and said they couldn’t afford supercross and I said that was fair enough.”


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Garcia earns WESS win at BR2 Enduro Solsona

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News 8 Oct 2019

Garcia earns WESS win at BR2 Enduro Solsona

Section: Competition

Red Bull KTM teammates Watson and Walker complete the podium.

Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia has won the seventh round of the 2019 World Enduro Super Series (WESS), topping both full days of competition at the BR2 Enduro Solsona to ultimately claim victory over teammates Nathan Watson and Jonny Walker.

Living just 20 minutes from the track, the event was a true home race for the young Spaniard who made good use of his local knowledge and fan support. Throwing down the gauntlet to his rivals, Josep won Saturday’s opening test and then went on to top the overall timesheets on both full days of racing.

“It felt really good to take the win here at home in front of all my friends and family,” said Garcia. “I couldn’t have asked for more really. Yesterday I had a couple of crashes but today went perfectly.

“I had to take a lot of care in the final Supertest, I knew I had some seconds to spare, but Nathan has been so close all weekend and also the extreme guys have been really quick here too. I felt a little extra pressure coming here for my home event, but that only motivated me even more to win. Overall it’s been the perfect weekend.”

The eighth and final round of the World Enduro Super Series, GetzenRodeo, takes place in Germany on 2 November.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Double podium for Brookes at Donington Park BSB

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News 8 Oct 2019

Double podium for Brookes at Donington Park BSB

Be Wiser Ducati rider records 3-2 scorecard at the penultimate round.

Image: Supplied.

Australian Josh Brookes scored a double podium at Donington Park’s penultimate round of the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB), keeping himself in the title hunt with one round to go.

The Be Wiser Ducati rider recorded 3-2 scorecard across the two races, and is now positioned 28 points behind teammate and series leader Scott Redding, as just 75 points are left for the taking.

“I made the ideal start to race one, but I knew immediately that something was wrong as I couldn’t find an apex and it was a bit confusing as to why the bike wasn’t working like it had done in qualifying,” Brookes explained. “I lost a couple of places, but I managed to regroup and keep a good pace to come through to take a solid third.

“I improved to second in race two which I should be pleased with as many riders would give anything to be in that position but I’m smiling through gritted teeth as I don’t feel like I’m riding as well as I can.

“I don’t feel like I’m getting the best out of myself so I’m disappointed with the results but there are still 75 points available, so we’ll see what happens at the final round.”

The final round of the British Superbike Championship will be staged at Brands Hatch on 18-20 October.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Roczen secures Red Bull Straight Rhythm victory

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News 8 Oct 2019

Roczen secures Red Bull Straight Rhythm victory

Section: Competition

Bowers and Crown earn 500cc and 125cc victories.

Image: Supplied.

Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen secured victory in the 250cc class at the 2019 edition of Red Bull Straight Rhythm, while Tyler Bowers (Kawasaki) and Joey Crown (KTM) won in the 500cc and 125cc categories respectively.

Racing was broken up into three classes by engine size – 250cc and 125cc – and operated on a single-elimination bracket, with racing a best-of-three format.

In addition, a special one-off exhibition race featured action sports hero Travis Pastrana (Suzuki) racing Bowers on 500cc bikes.

It was Roczen who was perfect throughout the night aboard his Honda CR250, never losing a matchup to take the 250cc title over Brandon Hartranft (Red Bull TLD KTM) and Josh Hansen (Honda).

In the 125cc class, Crown lived up to his name, racing his way to the top step of the podium ahead of Michael Leib (Honda), And in the highly-anticipated match of the night, Bowers edged out Pastrana in the 500cc Showdown.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au