Tag Archives: Competition

National events under review by MA as further postponements loom

News 16 Mar 2020

National events under review by MA as further postponements loom

MX Nationals, AORC and A4DE races to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Image: Foremost Media.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) is currently reviewing the status of nationals events through to June, as it responds to further restrictions on travel and mass-gatherings imposed by the government due to the coronavirus.

MA insists it’s committed to conducting as many events during the next three months as possible, and is moving to implement the guidelines, requirements and regulations as defined by the various national and state governments.

A selection of MA permitted events will be able to continue without spectators or where they involve fewer than the recommended 500-person limit for mass-gatherings, while with other events, the significant financial impact on the clubs or promoters won’t make it viable. In this case MA supports postponement or cancellation as needed.

At this stage, Horshmam’s MXstore MX Nationals season-opener as already been postponed to the second half of the year, while rounds three and four at Newry in Victoria and Gympie in Queensland are under review.

Nowra’s fifth and sixth rounds of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) are also under review, as is the Australian Four-Day Enduro (A4DE) in Victoria.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

MotoGP season extending into 2021 a possibility

News 16 Mar 2020

MotoGP season extending into 2021 a possibility

FIM president Viegas anticipating further delays and postponements.

Image: Supplied.

The current MotoGP World Championship is a possibility to be extended into the early months of 2021 according to FIM president Jorge Viegas.

Viegas anticipates even more MotoGP rounds will be cancelled or postponed as the ongoing coronavirus continues to see further restrictions on travel and large-scale events.

At this stage, the MotoGP class will commence its championship on 3 May at Jerez in Spain, however further delays could be made in the coming weeks and months.

“[I] imagine that several events have yet to be cancelled and that we have to resume racing much later,” Viegas stated in an interview with La Tribune de Geneve.

“We will go as far as it takes to keep championships worthy of the name. If it is necessary, we will go until January 2021. For us, it is not taboo.”

The series needs to complete as least 13 rounds to permit a world championship. A number of calendar changes have already been made.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

E1 leader Styke understanding in Sunday Dungog AORC cancellation

News 16 Mar 2020

E1 leader Styke understanding in Sunday Dungog AORC cancellation

Factory Yamaha pilot promoted to top of the E1 standings with Saturday win.

Image: Foremost Media.

Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing’s Luke Styke has taken an understanding stance on the decision to cancel Sunday’s fourth round of the 2020 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) in Dungog, New South Wales.

Poor weather conditions that rolled in during Saturday’s third round only intensified overnight, leaving officials to deem Sunday’s racing as unsafe and ultimately abandoned the scheduled sprint tests.

While admittedly disappointed, Styke, who earned the E1 points lead after claiming victory on Saturday, explained the tests would’ve been difficult to navigate for riders and in particular medical staff.

“I was able to have a good run and win on Saturday,” Styke commented. “It was disappointing that we couldn’t race Sunday but the amount of rain we had meant completing the course and getting medical to all areas would be difficult, so the decision was made to call it off and I completely understand it.

“The tests on the weekend were good and we were fortunate to get the majority of them done before the rain came. I have got the points lead back now and the plan is to not let it go until the championship is done.”

The AORC will head to Nowra in New South Wales on 18-19 April.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Vinales anticipates quick recovery after motocross accident

News 16 Mar 2020

Vinales anticipates quick recovery after motocross accident

Monster Energy Yamaha rider expecting two weeks on the sidelines.

Image: Supplied.

Maverick Vinales has released a brief statement after injuring himself in a motocross accident, where he now anticipates a short recovery.

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider hasn’t come to disclose the injury, although he states two weeks recovery will see him resume normal training activities.

It’s understood the Spaniard spent the night in the hospital as a precaution, with his team confirming he sustained no fractures in the crash.

“I am back home, luckily I am okay,” Vinales said in a social media video. “Now I will have two full weeks of recovery, so I will keep you updated. Thank you for the messages and for all the support.”

The setback comes amid a delayed start in the MotoGP World Championship due to the coronavirus outbreak. As this stage, the MotoGP class will commence its championship in Jerez, Spain, on 3 May.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Fourth AORC round in Dungog cancelled

News 15 Mar 2020

Fourth AORC round in Dungog cancelled

Wet conditions deemed unsafe to continue racing on Sunday.

Image: Foremost Media.

Motorcycling Australia has confirmed the fourth round of the 2020 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) at Dungog in New South Wales has been cancelled.

The decision comes after heavy rainfall throughout Saturday’s racing and overnight, the conditions deemed not suitable for racing by officials.

In yesterday’s third round, it was Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Racing Team), Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) and Luke Styke (Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing) who emerged victorious in their respective categories.

The series will now visit Nowra in New South Wales on 18-19 April in New South Wales four rounds five and six.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Milner, Sanders and Styke claim Saturday AORC wins in Dungog

Mixed conditions make for an interesting third round in New South Wales

Image: Foremost Media.

It was Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Racing Team), Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) and Luke Styke (Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing) who claimed wins in their respective categories on Saturday’s third round of the 2020 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) in Dungog, New South Wales.

The outright times saw Milner emerge on top of the results sheet for the third-straight round, edging out Sanders and Styke.

In the E3 category, reigning champion Sanders was once again unstoppable, comfortably defeating Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Off-Road Racing Team) and Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna), while the top five was rounded out by Hayden Keeley (KTM) and Matt Murry (Kawasaki).

The E2 division saw another dominant display from Milner, who went onto comfortably win over Michael Driscoll (bLU cRU Yamaha Racing) and Josh Green (Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing). Broc Grabham (KTM) and Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha Ballards MXstore Off-Road Racing Team) were fourth and fifth respectively.

The highly-competitive E1 class was won by defending champion Styke, the number 26 narrowly edging out round two winner Mason Semmens (KTM Enduro Racing Team). Kyron Bacon (Yamaha) was third followed by Corey Hammond (KTM) and Joshua Kilvington (KTM).

Riders return tomorrow for the fourth round, which will run under a sprint format due to weather conditions.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Remainder of Supercross season postponed altogether

News 14 Mar 2020

Remainder of Supercross season postponed altogether

Upcoming five rounds cancelled as a result of COVID-19 outbreak.

Image: Octopi Media.

Organisers of Monster Energy Supercross have taken the unprecedented step to postpone the entire 2020 season until further notice as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indianapolis, Detroit, Seattle, Denver and Foxborough rounds have now been confirmed as cancelled altogether by Feld Entertainment.

“Due to the increasing spread of COVID-19 and expanding restrictions on domestic and international travel, and in accordance with national state and local governments prohibiting large group gatherings, the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season has been postponed until further notice,” a statement read.

“Event ticket refund information can be located on the venue or ticketing website. If you purchased your tickets elsewhere, contact your point of purchase directly.

“The health and safety of everyone attending and competing in our live events, as well as our touring personnel, is our top priority. We will continue to monitor the situation. We value you as a fan and appreciate your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.”

While Las Vegas and Salt Lake City remain on the schedule for 25 April and 2 May respectively, it’s understood that stakeholders of the sport remain in discussions while closely monitoring coronavirus developments.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Wakefield test initially a ‘challenging time’ for pace-setter Maxwell

News 13 Mar 2020

Wakefield test initially a ‘challenging time’ for pace-setter Maxwell

Boost Mobile Racing rider tops the times in unofficial ASBK test.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Points leader Wayne Maxwell says the unofficial ASBK test at Wakefield Park was initially a ‘challenging time’, however he was able to discover a setting that enabled him to set the pace.

The Boost Mobile Racing rider, who was untouchable at Phillip Island’s opener, set a 57.279s to top the times during the two days, where he edged out Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) for top spot.

The Ducati pilot was pleased to exit the New South Wales venue with a strong setting, admitting he was left scratching his head during the early stages of testing.

“Obviously Wakefield Park is on the complete opposite end of the scale to Phillip Island,” Maxwell told CycleOnline.com.au. “We had a test plan in mind – some of the stuff worked, some of it didn’t.

“It was probably the most challenging time I’ve had and it left me scratching my head, but full credit to the Boost Mobile Racing team – we stuck to the plan and came out with the result that we set out to achieve.

“Wakefield is a circuit I’ve never won an overall at, so I’d be keen to win an overall there. Troy’s [Herfoss] is so good there and Cru [Halliday] is in great form and he’s really good at Wakefield, so I think we’ll have a great race between the three of us and the competitive ASBK field.”

Former EWC regular Broc Parkes was third on the timesheets filling in for Aiden Wagner at Yamaha Racing Team, while the top five was completed by Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) and Glenn Allerton (Maxima BMW). Wakefield Park’s second round is scheduled for 27-29 March.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Ferrari finishes on top in final day of Jerez MotoE testing

News 13 Mar 2020

Ferrari finishes on top in final day of Jerez MotoE testing

Hook ninth fastest as the testing concludes in Spain.

Image: Supplied.

Reigning champion Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) has completed the final day of MotoE World Cup testing in Jerez by topping the timesheets, setting a best lap of 1m47.494s on the final day to head the combined timesheets.

Eric Granado’s (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) 1m47.546s on day two placed the Brazilian a close second, with MotoE rookie Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) impressing to finish third overall in his first event on the Energica Ego Corsa.

At the end of the three days in Andalucia, the top eight were covered by just eight tenths and only 1.2 seconds split the top 14 as MotoE got off to a competitive start in 2020.

2019 Cup runner-up Bradley Smith (WithU Motorsport) was fourth fastest at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, the British rider sitting 0.379s off Ferrari’s pace. Five riders managed to dip into the 1:47s and the last of those was Octo Pramac MotoE’s Alex De Angelis, the Sammarinese rider ending the test 0.450s from the top.

Xavier Simeon (LCR E-Team) was sixth fastest, he and fellow sophomore Mike Di Meglio (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) heading eighth place Niki Tuuli (Avant Ajo MotoE) as the Finn continues to recover from recent surgery to remove screws put in after his injury last year. Octo Pramac MotoE’s Josh Hook and rookie Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) completed the top 10 as 2020 sparked to life.

Throughout the official test the MotoE class were testing new tyres from Michelin, as well as new Ohlins forks and new airflow cooling for the batteries, which helps the Energica Ego Corsas charge quicker too.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Osborne ruled out of Supercross remainder following further scans

News 13 Mar 2020

Osborne ruled out of Supercross remainder following further scans

Factory Husqvarna rider hopeful of returning for Pro Motocross opener.

Image: Octopi Media.

Additional scans have revealed further injuries for Zach Osborne, ruling him out of the remainder of the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross series.

The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider initially suffered a broken rib, two bruised lungs and a sprained wrist in a practice crash ahead of the Atlanta Supercross.

However, further medical checks have determined he has in fact sustained three compression fractures in his back, as well a fractured wrist. He’s hopeful of lining up at Hangtown’s Lucas Oil Pro Motocross opener.

“Unfortunately I received some rough news this week about my current injuries,” Osborne said in a statement. “I was originally told at the hospital I that I had one broken rib, two bruised and partially collapsed lungs and a sprained wrist. After two weeks of significant discomfort from what I thought was a broken rib, I was advised to get more checks.

“I underwent an MRI on my abdomen which revealed three compression fractures in my back as well as two other fractures. An x-ray on my wrist showed a small fracture as well. I’m not sure how all of this was missed at my original hospital visit but it’s nice to have some answers and to be moving forward and closer to being back to my normal self.

“I’m grateful for all the people around me and their support through what has been a very tough year for me. The plan for now is to get well and be back to 100 percent health for the opening outdoor national at Hangtown.”

Amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the Indianapolis round this weekend, followed by the Seattle stop at the end of the month, have been cancelled.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au