Tag Archives: Competition

Competition, Motocross, News

Retiring Reed open to proper Supercross send-off in 2021

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News 19 Jun 2020

Retiring Reed open to proper Supercross send-off in 2021

Section: Competition

Select appearances could be on the cards for next year.

Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Supercross legend Chad Reed hasn’t closed the door on lining up for select races in 2021 as he approaches the final outing of his full-time career this Sunday in Salt Lake City.

Reed has gained strength since switching to KTM machinery with his Mountain Motorsports CR22 Racing team for the final seven rounds in Utah, but it’s the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to fans in the stadium that has him considering racing on.

It will be another emotional step this weekend as the Australian’s career continues to wind down at Rice-Eccles Stadium, still able to qualify for 450SX main events and finishing a season-best of 11th in both SLC4 and SLC5. With a career on four-wheels looming, race fitness could be a determining factor if he’s to show up again come January and continue to transfer into the finals.

“As I sit here today in shape and I’m racing, I absolutely want to come back and race,” the 38-year-old admitted. “As I start to phase out and start looking at car data, racing four wheels and all these kinds of things, do I have the motivation to want to get back into shape and the work that it takes to qualify and race these races? That’s the unknown.

“Sitting here today, emotionally and physically, I don’t want this to be the end right now. I really want to race some races next year – I think that would be really fun to experience fans again. What I get from racing in front of fans, when they turn the lights off, do opening ceremonies, the fireworks, the anthem, all those things I want to experience that one last time.”

Reed – a father of three – has maintained that he is retiring from full-time competition since announcing it last November and not hanging up the helmet altogether, which could see him commit to races internationally next year in addition to potential US appearances. It’s not decided how many Supercross starts he will intend to do if the stars align come January.

“You know, for me, I was never able to… I never trusted myself, so it was always this is the end of a full-time racing career,” Reed explained. “I no longer have that burning desire to want to work year-round to do a 17-round series anymore, but yeah, jumping in, doing some races whether that’s here in the US, Europe, Australia or whatever [is a possibility].

“And obviously with the ending that we’re currently experiencing, it’s far from what I pictured as my last seven races. That doesn’t need to be a negative, it’s not that I’m talking that these races suck or anything like that, it’s just a very different feeling.

“You know, I decided to race this year fully based on the fact that I wanted to kind of say my goodbyes and enjoy multiple stadiums around the country and I didn’t get that opportunity – we’re really six stadiums short of what I planned out to do.”

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Salvaging SLC6 runner-up still considered a plus for Tomac

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News 19 Jun 2020

Salvaging SLC6 runner-up still considered a plus for Tomac

Section: Competition

450SX red plate-holder will have to wait longer in bid to clinch title.

Image: Octopi Media.

A conservative Eli Tomac was satisfied to salvage a runner-up result in the penultimate round of Monster Energy Supercross after ruining the start.

Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Tomac was at the rear of the pack through the first turn on Wednesday, but managed to claw his way back onto the podium.

That second-place finish behind title rival Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) meant that the 2020 series will go down to the wire on Sunday, with Tomac now holding a 24-point lead over the reigning 450SX champion.

“You know, the first turn it was just a joke,” Tomac stated. “I mean, I was way out the back and was probably the last guy on the inside. I went defensive and that did not work in that first turn…

“So, Mookie [Malcolm Stewart] went up this inside, I think [Justin] Barcia was even there on the inside and then, just really had to pick my way through the pack. That first lap was a little bit chaotic, I made a good move around the second and third turns there and then went to work.

“I felt like I could make easier passes this week compared to the previous track, where before I couldn’t get to the front, so I’m satisfied on that second. Gotta be a little bit better – there’s a lot of good guys on the line.”

Tomac was able to work his way into the top five by lap 10 and then by lap 23 it was a two-way fight at the front between he and Webb. If Tomac was able to make a pass for the lead and go on to win, the championship would have been sealed.

“When it was Zach [Osborne], Cooper and Kenny [Roczen], once I caught that group I’m like, ‘man, I’m right in this’,” he recalled. “To be honest, I thought it was going to turn into last Sunday when the two broke away and I was kind of out of it, but I was able to get there.

“I tried to push to the front, right, but at the same time I was kinda in a conservative mode there. That was it, I was happy with second at that point.”

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Minimal adjustments made to updated AORC calendar

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News 18 Jun 2020

Minimal adjustments made to updated AORC calendar

Section: Competition

Murray Bridge will be next stop once 2020 season recommences.

Image: Foremost Media.

The 2020 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) will resume with rounds five and six set for the beginning of August at Murray Bridge in South Australia.

COVID-19 forced a pause in the season following round four back in March, however, the series will still span 12 rounds once back underway.

“We have a world-class field of riders who we know are eager to get back on track and continue the 2020 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented, by MXstore,” said Motorcycling Australia off-road events manager Matthew Falvo.

“Our Yamaha AORC, presented by MXstore, has produced world class racing this year and we know riders, teams and officials are eager for rounds five and six at Murray Bridge, South Australia.

“We thank everyone from our riders, officials and sponsors for their support and patience during the COVID-19 pandemic and, while there will be some restriction in place at events, we are very excited to get back on track.”

Following Murray Bridge on 1-2 August, the championship will travel to Nowra, New South Wales, on 29-30 August, with Omeo, Victoria, next between 19-20 September. The final rounds will then take place from 17-18 October at Wynyard, Tasmania.

The only revision to the schedule in comparison with the original calendar is that Murray Bridge will now be rounds five and six, since Nowra has been bumped back from its initial April date to late August.

2020 Australian Off-Road Championship calendar (revised):
Rds 1-2 – 22-23 February – Toowoomba, Queensland
Rds 3-4 – 14-15 March – Dungog, New South Wales
Rds 5-6 – 1-2 August – Murray Bridge, South Australia
Rds 7-8 – 29-30 August – Nowra, New South Wales
Rds 9-10 – 19-20 September – Omeo, Victoria
Rds 11-12 – 17-18 October – Wynyard, Tasmania

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Webb edges Tomac to keep 450SX title chances alive

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News 18 Jun 2020

Webb edges Tomac to keep 450SX title chances alive

Section: Competition

Fourth win takes Sexton a step closer to 250SX East crown.

Image: Octopi Media.

The 2020 Monster Energy Supercross championship will go down to the wire this weekend after Cooper Webb withstood Eli Tomac to take victory on Wednesday in Salt Lake City.

Tomac needed to defeat Webb and Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) today in order to seal the title with a round to spare, but Red Bull KTM’s Webb proved too tough.

Incredibly, Tomac went through the first turn in last position, made his way to 12th by the end of the opening lap and then charged forward from there to the runner-up result, falling just short of the win by 2.214s.

The road into P6 was relatively straightforward over the first 10 laps, but the challenges mounted as he reached the likes of Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), Roczen and Zach Osborne (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) for podium position.

Webb made a move on longtime leader Osborne – who made a mistake in the process – with three minutes remaining and Tomac followed him straight through, setting up the face-off between the duo in the closing laps. But Webb held on and, as a result, he kept his 450SX defence alive.

In the end, behind Webb and Tomac came Osborne as he scored his third podium at Rice-Eccles Stadium in six races, keeping Roczen at bay and with top-qualifier Anderson finishing fifth.

Positions six through 10 included Justin Brayton (Team Honda HRC), Malcolm Stewart (Smartop Bullfrog Spas Honda), Martin Davalos (Monster Energy Team Tedder KTM), Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain KTM WPS).

After winning the LCQ, Australian icon Chad Reed (Mountain Motorsports CR22 Racing KTM) finished 15th in the main event ahead of what will be his final ride as a full-time rider this weekend in Utah.

Entering the 17th and final round of the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, series on Sunday, Tomac has a 24-point advantage in the standings and will need just two points to clinch the crown regardless of where Webb finishes.

Image: Octopi Media.

There was no denying Chase Sexton a fourth victory in the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross championship, taking him another step closer to defending his 250SX East title.

Sexton started behind title rival Shane McElrath (Monster Energy Star Yamaha) before pushing his way past as the halfway point approached.

It was a convincing ride from the Geico Honda rider, sprinting away to a 3.427s advantage over McElrath, who had no answers in Salt Lake City 6 tonight. Completing the top three was Colt Nichols (Monster Energy Star Yamaha).

Finishing fourth was rookie Pierce Brown (TLD Red Bull KTM), who was in podium position until Nichols moved by, and the top five was filled by another newcomer in Jo Shimoda (Geico Honda).

Top of the non-factory riders was Kyle Peters (Phoenix Racing Honda) in sixth, ahead of Enzo Lopes (ClubMX Yamaha), Chris Blose (Chaparral FXR Racing Honda), Lorenzo Locurcio (Team PR-MX Kawasaki) and Chase Marquier (Manluk Racing Honda) inside the top 10.

Sexton will carry a six-point lead over McElrath entering this Sunday’s 250SX Showdown round at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the final round of the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross championship.

Detailed results

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Updated six-round 2020 ASBK calendar announced

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News 17 Jun 2020

Updated six-round 2020 ASBK calendar announced

Section: Competition

Championship to recommence at Phillip Island in late July.

Image: Russell Colvin.

A new-look Mi-Bike 2020 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) calendar has been released by Motorcycling Australia (MA), the series set to resume from late July.

Phillip Island, which hosted round one in Victoria earlier this year prior to the coronavirus pandemic halting sport globally, will re-open the season on 25-26 July in a two-day event.

From there, the reduced six-round series will travel to Winton, Victoria, on 11-13 September, followed by Wakefield Park in New South Wales between 16-18 October.

Round five remains to be confirmed, understood to potentially be Morgan Park in Queensland, which is currently absent from the updated schedule. The finale will take place at The Bend, South Australia, from 20-22 November as part of the annual International Motofest and now to include all categories.

“It’s been huge challenge for the ASBK Management Team to rebuild the calendar with different restrictions in each state and the large amount of new requirements to stage a major event like an ASBK round,” explained MA CEO Peter Doyle.

“However, we have done our very best to get back up and running to finish the season with as many rounds as possible. We are very pleased to get the championship back into action in July and to see the riders back on track.”

The Phillip Island event will be hosted without spectators due to current COVID-19 regulations, but will be televised and available to view through Livestream. A limitation on personnel attending the second round will also be required.

“We are thrilled to be finally heading back to the track and can’t wait to get going,” commented Simon Maas, ASBK sporting director. We choose to restart at Phillip Island because the riders of ASBK know the track well, as it was the last circuit we visited, so they can get up to pace quickly with the reduced schedule.

“In addition, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a world-class track – home to MotoGP and WorldSBK – and it makes the implementation of the new COVID-safe protocols more manageable. Like all major sporting codes, ASBK and MA have developed a comprehensive ‘ASBK COVID-Safe Championship Plan’ based on our roadmap back to ASBK.

“We extend our thanks and acknowledgement to the Victorian Government – Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions who are supporting Creative, Tourism, Sport and Major Events in Victoria and have assisted in our ASBK COVID-Safe Championship Plan, which has made our return to the track possible.”

2020 ASBK championship calendar (revised):
Rd1 – 27 February-1 March – Phillip Island, VIC
Rd2 – 25-26 July – Phillip Island, VIC
Rd3 – 11-13 September – Winton, VIC
Rd4 – 16-18 October – Wakefield Park, NSW
Rd5 – TBC
Rd6 – 20-22 November – The Bend, SA

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Tomac planning to ‘go for it’ in a bid to clinch title early

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News 17 Jun 2020

Tomac planning to ‘go for it’ in a bid to clinch title early

Section: Competition

450SX leader could wrap series up with a round to spare on Wednesday.

Image: Octopi Media.

Runaway Monster Energy Supercross championship leader Eli Tomac is in position to capture the 2020 crown with a round to spare tomorrow in Salt Lake City.

The 27-year-old is on track to win his first 450SX title with Monster Energy Kawasaki and intends to seal it if he’s in position to win on Wednesday.

Tomac currently has a 24-point lead over Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) and another point over Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) with two rounds remaining. Victory tomorrow will be enough to take the championship, which is part of his game-plan at this point.

“It would be nice, it would be really nice,” Tomac said. “I mean, if the start is there and I’m in the position, heck yeah, I’m gonna go for it, but I’ve gotta think long-game at this point. So, if the start’s there and the opportunity is there, heck yeah, I’m gonna go for it.”

After entering the seven races in Utah with a slim three-point buffer, Tomac has taken two wins and consistent podiums to set himself up for a shot at the title in SLC6 – potentially his first championship since stepping up to the premier class in 2014.

“I think I’m in a good spot right now,” he added. “I’m still in a position to where if I go perform good next week and win, I can control my own destiny that way. So yeah, I’m happy right now. That’s really all I have to say – I’m in a good spot, I think.”

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Injured Marchbanks forced out of 250SX East series

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News 17 Jun 2020

Injured Marchbanks forced out of 250SX East series

Section: Competition

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider turns attention to outdoors.

Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Garret Marchbanks will miss the final two rounds of 250SX East as he recovers from injuries sustained at SLC3.

The 18-year-old crashed out of round 13 with a bruised lung and additional internal injuries, but still sits third in the standings.

“After crashing at round 13, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Garrett Marchbanks and the team have decided to concentrate on his recovery process and forgo the remainder of the Supercross season,” a statement read.

“Marchbanks suffered a bruised lung and other internal injuries. The Utah native is looking ahead to a full recovery and the start of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship.”

Despite sitting out the final two rounds, Marchbanks is still in a position to remain third in the standings. He is currently 14 points ahead of Jeremy Martin, who will sit out, and an additional 14 in front of Jalek Swoll in P5.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Austrian MX2 rookie Hofer extends with KTM through 2022

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News 16 Jun 2020

Austrian MX2 rookie Hofer extends with KTM through 2022

Section: Competition

World championship newcomer signed for another two seasons.

Image: Octopi Media.

Red Bull KTM has re-signed Rene Hofer on a two-year contract extension that will see the Austrian remain with the factory team through the 2022 MX2 World Championship season.

Hofer, 18, was drafted into the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team for 2020 after showing promise through the European ranks in the EMX125 and EMX250 categories.

“I’ve been with KTM for about a decade now and every time I step into the company, I feel like I’m in the right place,” Hofer commented. “It’s only my first year with the factory team, but it already feels like home and it’s a pleasure to work and spend time with the guys and achieve our goals together.

“All I can say is that I am super-excited about what the next two years will bring and I will enjoy every minute of it. From my side, I will obviously put in maximum effort and I know everybody in the team will do the same.

“Working together with an Austrian brand will hopefully have a positive effect on Austrian motorsport as well. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to live my dream, but I can’t forget to give-it-up to all the people who helped me get here, especially my family.”

Robert Jonas, vice president Offroad KTM AG, said: “Rene came into the factory team pretty close under the microscope, but we were thrilled to see how he responded to winter training and preparation and then how he adjusted to the speed of MX2 right away.

“He made a few good wildcard appearances in 2019 so he was able to see a little bit of what was in store for 2020 and then adapted well to the demands of being a factory rider. His career keeps progressing and we’re excited to continue that journey together. Hopefully the FIM World Championship can begin again soon and both Rene and Tom can continue to learn and develop.”

Prior to the current COVID-19 stoppage, Hofer has impressed in his first full season of the MX2 World Championship, capturing two top five finishes in four motos before the season was halted. He is the first Austrian to represent Red Bull KTM grand prix racing since Robert Jonas.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

No excuses for ‘mad and frustrated’ Ferrandis after runner-up

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News 16 Jun 2020

No excuses for ‘mad and frustrated’ Ferrandis after runner-up

Section: Competition

250SX West lead narrowed down to seven points with one round to go.

Image: Octopi Media.

Expect added determination from Dylan Ferrandis at the 250SX Showdown in Utah this weekend after admitting he was left ‘mad and frustrated’ following SLC5.

Ferrandis was chased down by eventual winner Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) on Sunday, losing further ground in the 250SX West standings.

After taking a pivotal hole-shot, defending champion Ferrandis led the opening 14 laps until an aggressive Forkner shoved his way past. From there he went on to win his fourth final of the 2020 season.

“For sure, I was full of frustration,” he admitted. “It’s been kind of a long time since I was beat so easy, so I was mad at myself and frustrated because it’s not normal to run the red plate and number one to get beat like that.

“Obviously, no excuse and I don’t want to say any excuse, just try to stay professional. I just lose the race and still have a seven-point lead, so it’s fine, but yeah, I was really mad at me, for sure.”

Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Ferrandis was the dominant force through the opening stages of the series by winning three of the six rounds prior to Monster Energy Supercross heading east in February, however, Forkner has come out stronger in Salt Lake City than he previously was.

“I feel that I’m better than before, just on the race-day, the first one was tough physically and with the bike I was struggling a little bit on the setting,” the Frenchman explained.

“This one, I was feeling awesome all day and I crashed in the heat… bad gate on the main, it doesn’t help me. Maybe, just not used to being out front that soon and, just, I don’t know. I missed one rhythm section and I think it cost me a lot.

“It’s okay, I mean, after Austin passed me I was feeling great and I came back strong, had the best lap of the race. I felt not that much tired at the end of the race. Maybe I need to protect more the inside now.”

Ferrandis still holds a considerable advantage in the 250SX West championship table, carrying a seven-point buffer over Forkner entering the Showdown round to decide this year’s champions on Sunday afternoon.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

First turn contact with Tomac unintentional says Webb

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News 16 Jun 2020

First turn contact with Tomac unintentional says Webb

Section: Competition

Supercross title rivals come together off the start on Sunday.

Image: Octopi Media.

The first turn contact between Cooper Webb and Eli Tomac wasn’t an intentional tactic, the reigning Monster Energy Supercross champion said last night in Utah.

On his way to the hole-shot in the 450SX main event, the rear-end of Webb’s Red Bull KTM rubbed Tomac’s front wheel, almost causing the latter to fall.

It appeared to a number of onlookers that Webb had purposely made the move in a bid to increase his title chances with just two rounds remaining, however, the 2019 championship winner said that he wasn’t aware it was Tomac who he touched with.

“I didn’t even know that…” Webb stated. “No, I mean, I was coming in hot, I knew someone was on my outside and I was just trying to kinda keep my line and then those bails seemed to come up quick, so I had to hit the brakes. I felt like I hit somebody, but I didn’t know who it was.”

Tomac, who will carry a 24-point lead into Wednesday’s penultimate round, didn’t have much to say on the near-miss afterwards: “It was close there, so, I don’t know – first turns are always chaos.”

Webb has proven the class of the premier category since Supercross arrived in Salt Lake City for the final seven rounds, finishing no worse than second position and collecting two wins to date. He’s currently third in points behind Tomac and Sunday winner Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC).

Source: MotoOnline.com.au