Image: Octopi Media.

Progress has been evident for Dean Wilson as he continues to return to form after suffering a hip injury last year, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing entry earning a season-best result at Oakland’s fifth round of Monster Energy Supercross.

Despite the night ending positively, Wilson labelled the round as ‘stressful’ after an issue in his heat forced him to transfer to the main event via the last chance qualifier.

It wasn’t enough to derail his night as he put on a charge right to the very end of the 21-lap affair to record a seventh place finish, positioning him 12th in the 450SX championship standings.

“I think the whole day was a little bit rough but I’m happy with how the main event went,” Wilson explained. “In the heat race I had a problem and had to go to the LCQ, so it was a stressful day.

“But to get seventh I’m really happy with that – I moved forward and pushed to the checkered flag and that’s exactly what I wanted to do. I’ve been working really hard to get back on my feet again, so it’s nice to see that I’m getting back to battling up there again.”

Monster Energy Supercross heads to Petco Park in San Diego, California, this Saturday night for stop six of 17 in the series.

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Following a successful Australian debut at the 2019 Superloop Adelaide 500, the Moto X Step Up competition will return for the 2020 edition on 20-23 February.

An international rider line-up will be headlined by Australia’s own Jarryd McNeil and Corey Creed alongside X Games gold medalist and American Colby Raha.

McNeil, the reigning four-time Moto X Step Up X Games gold medallist, took out the inaugural Adelaide 500 Moto Step Up crown in 2019 and is looking forward to returning to Adelaide to defend his title.

“It was awesome to win the first-ever Moto X Step Up competition in Australia at last year’s Superloop Adelaide 500,” McNeil commented. “It’s cool to see so many Aussie fans at the event, embracing Moto X Step Up and cheering us on.

“This year the field is just as competitive, if not more, with a number of international riders. I’m looking forward to the challenge that it brings and trying to retain my title.”

The Moto X Step Up will again be positioned near the centralised concert precinct, adding to the atmosphere for all event goers.

Superloop Adelaide 500 general manager Alistair MacDonald added: “Last year was a huge success with the Moto X Step Up bringing an exciting off-track attraction to the event.

“We’re looking forward to seeing some of the world’s best riders, including Australia’s own Jarryd McNeil, Corey Creed and Robbie Marshall compete against a number of international riders.”

Adding to the list of riders is Robbie Marshall, Filip Podmol, and Massimo Bianconcini.

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The 2020 Farm Jam in New Zealand’s South Island saw riders defy the elements to put on a memorable show for the 10th running of the iconic two-wheeled action sports event.

Despite high winds tearing across the southern hills, some of the world’s best riders took centre stage and put on a show for the 3000-strong spectators who crowded the rolling hillsides.

The gales forced the freestyle motocross contest to be cancelled, with final results taken from Friday’s media-only freeride day – an afternoon where riders take to the rolling hills and judge each other on their skills and ability to adapt to a range of different features.

As a result, Californian freeride legend and X Games gold medallist Tyler Bereman came away with the win, with local teenage sensation Ben Wilson in second and fellow Kiwi Caleb De Lacy in third.

At his second appearance at the Farm Jam, Bereman was full of praise for the unique event. “This an event that’s really built by riders for riders. The vibe’s insane and it doesn’t matter who did what, everyone had a damn good time and I can’t thank the Frew family enough for their continued support of the action sports scene.”

Considering the weather conditions, Farm Jam organisers Dan and Brett Frew were satisfied with how the day’s proceedings and the willingness of the athletes to make the most of the opportunity and give the vocal spectators a great show.

“Weather-wise we’ve had a great run over the past 13 years,” said Brett Frew. “It was disappointing we couldn’t showcase each sport to its full potential, but we certainly made the most of the cards we were dealt. The willingness for the boys to still go out and ride even in the dicey conditions was exciting and both the crowd and riders really got into it. At the end of the day, that’s what the spirit of the Farm Jam is all about.”

The next Farm Jam will be held in early 2022 at the same venue in Winton, New Zealand.

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Former champion Kirk Gibbs has acknowledged his starts let him down at the weekend’s opening round of the 2020 New Zealand Motocross Championship in Balclutha, although the South Australian was still able to exit the round with a P2 result.

Admitting he’s extremely disappointed with the overall placing, Gibbs expressed a great desire to capture victory in his bid to add another New Zealand motocross crown to his list of accolades.

The Altherm JCR Yamaha rider recorded a 2-2-3 scorecard to finish second behind a dominant Cody Cooper (Honda Racing), while it was Hamish Harwood (CML Motorex KTM) who locked out the podium.

“My starts let me down all weekend which I’m very disappointed about,” Gibbs declared. “It doesn’t look that bad on paper but I’m extremely disappointed with the end result.

“I wanted to go in there and have a win. I’ll come out swinging in Rotorua because I don’t want to let Cody get too far ahead or it will blow out with it being such a short series.”

The championship heads to Rotorua on 23 February for round two of the four-stop series.

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Team HRC newcomer Mitch Evans has continued to deliver impressive pre-season form ahead of his rookie premier class campaign in the MXGP World Championship, the Queenslander finishing runner-up at Ottobiano’s second round of the Italian International Motocross Championship.

Evans was on the podium just one week ago at the season opener, earning second behind teammate and reigning world champion Tim Gajser (TeamHRC) in the MX1 category.

It was a repeat performance for the number 43 at the weekend, where he once again defeated a list of MXGP regulars to wind up behind Gajser on the podium. He also impressed in the Superfinal, notching another P2 result.

The placing ensures he remains second in the championship standings as the series heads to Mantova this weekend for the final round of the Italian series.

Fellow Australians Nathan Crawford (Team Honda 114 Motorsports) and Bailey Malkiewicz (Team Honda 114 Motorsports) finished with 16th and DNF results respectively in the MX2 class.