Dakar podium rewarding for Price after courageous campaign
Section: Competition
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider third in Saudi Arabia.
Image: Supplied.
Toby Price has expressed his third place finish at the 2020 Dakar Rally is a rewarding result following what was a courageous campaign.
The two-time Dakar champion was first to the scene of an incident involving Paulo Goncalves during stage seven, who despite the initial assistance of Price and later medical staff, sadly passed away.
The popular Australian pressed on in the rally, admitting his head was never in the right place following his heroics as he wound up on the podium for the fifth time out of six attempts.
“I’m really happy with another podium at the Dakar – every time I’ve made it to the finish at this event I’ve got onto the podium,” Price explained. “So far, I’m either a number one or a number three guy. The most important thing is to be here safely at the finish. Obviously, we came here to win, but it just wasn’t our year.
“Stage seven is one that I’ll remember forever, for Paulo, but not for a good reason, and just since then my head hasn’t been a 100 percent.
“But we’re at the finish line safe – I’m going to be able to go home and just think these things over, and come back hopefully bigger and stronger next year.”
The Dakar Rally was won by American Ricky Brabec (Monster Energy Honda Rally Team), who put an end to KTM’s 18-year winning streak.
Lorenzo to become MotoGP Legend alongside Biaggi and Anderson
Section: Competition
Spaniard to be inducted at the Jerez grand prix.
Image: Supplied.
Jorge Lorenzo will become a MotoGP Legend this season alongside four-time world champions Max Biaggi and Hugh Anderson.
It was decided on the day he announced his retirement that Jorge Lorenzo would become a MotoGP Legend this season, and the Spaniard is the first of the three riders who will be inducted in 2020.
Fittingly, the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto will play host – the venue at which he made his grand prix debut on his 15th birthday and where the final corner bears his name.
Lorenzo is one of the most successful riders of all time, taking his first win in 2003 and his 68th in 2018. He was back-to-back 250cc champion in 2006 and 2007 before becoming MotoGP world champion in 2010, 2012 and 2015.
“To be named a MotoGP Legend makes me extremely happy,” said Lorenzo. “When I began competing in this world, what I really aspired to do was to get into the world championship. To be able to win races and then five world championships is something that far outweighs what I expected, and to be a MotoGP Legend is something even more difficult to achieve.
“To be named a Legend means, apart from the titles, that you’ve left a mark on the people and history of this sport. I’d like to thank Dorna and the FIM for their support all these years, and for having included me in this special group of select riders.”
Biaggi will become a MotoGP Legend at the Mugello grand prix, while Anderson’s venue of being inducted is still to be determined.
Lawrence suffers collarbone injury in dramatic A2 main event
Section: Competition
Geico Honda rider hoping for swift return to racing.
Image: Octopi Media.
Australian Jett Lawrence has indicated a broken collarbone is the injury he suffered during the dying moments of a dramatic Anaheim 2, marking the third round of the Monster Energy Supercross.
The teenager led almost the entire 18-lap main event, although an error saw him come under attack from reigning champion Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing) in the closing stages.
The Geico Honda rider attempted to re-pass the Frenchman ahead of the whoop section on the final lap, however a mistake resulted in crashing heavily on the exit and into the face of the next obstacle.
Lawrence initially laid motionless before being assisted off the circuit by the Alpinestar medical unit, revealing today that a broken collarbone is the damage from what was a thrilling ride for the youthful talent.
“I’ll never settle for second and will always leave everything out on the track,” Lawrence declared in a statement. “Lucky to only have a broken collarbone – we will get it all sorted tomorrow and get back to the races ASAP. Thanks for all the support and messages.”
Lawrence was still credited ninth after lapping up to that position, while it’s unclear how long the collarbone injury will keep him on the sidelines.
A2 victor Ferrandis handed 12-month probation for Craig clash
Section: Competition
Reigning champion apologises for incident with the Geico Honda rider.
Image: Supplied.
Winner of Anaheim 2′ 250SX West main event Dylan Ferrandis has been put on a 12-month probation after clashing with Christian Craig (Geico Honda) during Saturday night’s third round of Monster Energy Supercross.
The Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing rider made an aggressive pass on Craig as they battled for position, resulting in the pair both crashing in the process.
The Frenchman rebounded from the incident as Craig hobbled to his damaged CRF250R, later charging into the lead throughout the closing stages to collect a dramatic victory.
The reigning champion, who will be fined if he violates the rulebook during the probation period, apologised for the incident, however maintains there was no intent to take out the number 62.
“We approached the middle of the race – or a quarter – and I tried a move on the inside of him,” Ferrandis explained. “From my point of view, it wasn’t that crazy, but obviously we all saw what happened.
“I came with a lot of speed from the finish line, made a big scrub on the inside and wanted to pass on the inside – he just didn’t hear me or see me. From what I see on the picture, I kind of slide and I think I crash before we even touch – I just slid my two wheels and crashed, and I made him crash obviously.
“I apologise for that because I never wanted to make him crash. I’ve been in the US for almost four years, so I hope people don’t get too mad about it.”
Following his maiden victory of the year, Ferrandis is now ranked second in the championship standings, 12 points behind teammate Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing).
Dominant 450SX performance from Tomac at Anaheim 2
Section: Competition
First victory of season for Ferrandis in chaotic 250SX West final.
Image: Octopi Media.
There was no stopping Eli Tomac at Anaheim 2 as he became the third different 450SX main event winner three rounds into the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross season.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Tomac dominated the premier class to win by 1.979s over Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) and a resurgent Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM).
It was Roczen who led the early laps, fending off a challenge from Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC WPS KTM) after the latter went down, but Tomac worked his way from 10th on lap one into the lead by the seven-minute mark.
From there it was all Tomac at the front ahead of a composed Roczen, who held Webb at bay for podium results. Fourth was an inspired ride from Zach Osborne (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), from teammate Jason Anderson in fifth.
Rookie Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) settled into sixth place as Justin Brayton (Team Honda HRC), Malcolm Stewart (Smartop MotoConcepts Bullfrog Spas Honda), red plate-holder Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Dean Wilson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna).
It is now Roczen who leads the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, standings by three points over Barcia and a further two ahead of Tomac entering Glendale’s fourth round in Arizona next Saturday, 25 January.
Image: Octopi Media.
Outgoing Australian Chad Reed (Mountain Motorsports cbdMD CR22 Honda) once again qualified via the LCQ and went on to cross the line in 18th position for what will be his final appearance at Angel Stadium.
Defending champion Dylan Ferrandis has won his first round of 2020 in a spectacular 250SX West main event at Anaheim 2 that saw Jett Lawrence crash out of contention on the final lap.
Ferrandis took the lead on the final lap after rookie Jett Lawrence (Geico Honda) led much of the final, however, he crashed out heavily on the final lap in an attempt to counter on the Frenchman.
The victory of Monster Energy Star Yamaha’s Ferrandis was placed under review due to contact made with Christian Craig (Geico Honda) while passing for second at halfway – the pair of them going down and Craig forced out altogether. Ferrandis was soon cleared afterwards.
It was initially Craig who led the way before Lawrence took charge early and stretched his lead to over 10 seconds mid-race. A mistake and fall enabled Ferrandis to catch and make a final lap pass, with Lawrence going over the ‘bars in the final set of whoops while fighting back for the lead.
Lawrence, 16, wasn’t the only big-name casualty in the whoops, with Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) also falling victim while in podium contention in the latter stages and ultimately crossing the line in 17th position.
In the end it was Ferrandis who won round three by 21.013s ahead of teammate Justin Cooper, who retains the championship lead by 12 points. Completing the podium for the second week in a row was Brandon Hartranft (TLD Red Bull KTM) in third.
Despite both going through the LCQ, Michael Mosiman (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Alex Martin (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki) were fourth and fifth respectively, with Australian Luke Clout (Penrite Honda Racing) scoring a career-best sixth.
Clout’s teammate Mitchell Oldenburg was directly behind him in P7, followed by Jacob Hayes (Gas Monkey AJE Husqvarna), Lawrence credited ninth despite breaking his collarbone and Killian Auberson (Gas Monkey AJE Husqvarna) 10th.
A2 was also a solid outing for Australian championship regulars Jay Wilson (Yamaha) – who sat out last weekend in St. Louis – and Aaron Tanti (Yamaha), riding to 11th and 13th places respectively.
The 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, series now moves onto Glendale, Arizona, next Saturday night on 25 January.
Honda’s Brabec clinches historic first Dakar Rally victory
Section: Competition
Outgoing champion Price finishes third overall for another podium.
Image: Supplied.
American Ricky Brabec has clinched a historic victory in the 2020 Dakar Rally, which wrapped up today with the 12th and final stage in Saudi Arabia as Toby Price sealed a fifth podium in six attempts.
The Monster Energy Honda Team rider has dominated this year’s edition, joined on the podium by Pablo Quintanilla (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Australia’s Toby Price (Red Bull KTM).
Today’s final stage saw Brabec’s teammate Jose Ignacio Cornejo top the charts, however, second for the Californian was enough to take the overall by 16m26s. His total time following 12 stages was 40h02m36s.
With the victory, Brabec becomes the first ever American rider to clinch the Dakar Rally. He concluded this year’s edition with two stage victories, in a rally which he led uninterruptedly from stage three aboard the Honda CRF450 Rally.
This represents the sixth Honda victory at the Dakar Rally after the five clinched in Africa, the most recent occurring 31 years ago in 1989. It was 2013 when Honda returned to the Dakar Rally after a 23-year absence.
It was a special result for the current factory Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) organisation, which previously finished second with the late Paulo Goncalves in 2015 and Kevin Benavides in 2018.
Australian privateer Rodney Faggotter (Yamaha) delivered an exceptional 13th-place result overall, as countryman Ben Young (Duust Rally Team) placed 58th and Trevor Wilson (Husqvarna) 76th.
Cortese called in for Jerez WorldSBK test with Barni Racing Team
Section: Competition
Injured Camier still recovering from shoulder surgery.
Image: Supplied.
Sandro Cortese has been called in to replace Leon Camier at Barni Racing Team for the upcoming Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) test at Jerez.
2018 WorldSSP champion Cortese remains without a confirmed ride for the 2020 season after making an impressive debut in the premier class last year.
Barni Racing have also indicated that Cortese will travel with the team to the next test due at Portimao, as Camier continues to recover from shoulder surgery and will be re-examined in the days prior to the Portugal test to determine whether he can ride without risking damage to his shoulder.
“Our priority at this stage of the season is to develop the new bike, trying to arrive in Australia with a high-performance bike,” said team principal Marco Barnabo.
“That’s why we took the opportunity to give the Ducati Panigale V4 R to a fast and experienced rider like Cortese, who is currently free. I’m sure that during the two days at Jerez, Sandro will be able to give us a good point of view.
“It’s only at the end of the two days in Spain that we’ll decide what to do in Portimao – riding with Camier obviously remains our priority and his recovery is progressing faster than expected. Leon would like to take part in the tests at Portimao, but we must not get caught up in the frenzy and carefully evaluate benefits and risks.”
The WorldSBK series kicks off on 28 February-1 March at Phillip Island.
Queenslander named in Dixon Racing Team Kawasaki squad.
Image: Foremost Media.
After confirming a deal was signed in August last year, Wilson Todd’s move to the MX2 World Championship with Dixon Racing Team Kawasaki has now been made official.
The Queenslander, who suffered multiple injuries during the Port Adelaide round of the Australian Supercross Championship, recently returned to riding Europe as he prepares for his maiden campaign at the highest level.
Todd joins a list of Australians in the world championship next year, including regular Jed Beaton (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) and rookies Bailey Malkiewicz (Team Honda 114 Motorsports) and Nathan Crawford (Team Honda 114 Motorsports). Mitch Evans will also step up to the MXGP category with Honda HRC.
Shoulder recovery ‘more complicated than expected’ admits Marquez
Section: Competition
Reigning champion still intends to make Sepang test in February.
Image: Supplied.
Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez admits his recovery from shoulder surgery is more complicated than expected, although he still intends to be back on the bike at the Sepang test next month.
After experiencing some discomfort with his right shoulder after crashing at the Jerez test last November, the Repsol Honda rider elected to have an operation as a preventative measure after medical consultation.
The operation was similar to the one performed on his left shoulder at the end of 2018 but less aggressive in nature, however the Spaniard says his recovery hasn’t been easier or faster than what he anticipated.
“I would like the rehabilitation to proceed better because it is more complicated than expected,” Marquez commented. “Last year I underwent surgery on my left shoulder and the rehabilitation was different – this time it seemed easier and faster, but it is not.
“I hope to succeed to get back in shape and to be able to participate in the first test of the season in Malaysia.”
The Sepang test in Malaysia is scheduled for 7-9 February, just three days after Repsol Honda’s 2020 team launch in Jakarta.
Quintanilla emerges victorious on penultimate Dakar stage
Section: Competition
Price moves to third in the overall standing on day 11.
Image: Supplied.
Pablo Quintanilla has emerged victorious on the penultimate stage of the 2020 Dakar Rally, reducing Ricky Brabec’s (Monster Energy Honda team) lead to 13m56s.
The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider rode strongly on the 11th stage, edging out Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo Matthias Walkner and Luciano Benavides.
Jose Cornejo (Monster Energy Honda Team) was fourth followed by Australian and reigning champion Toby Price (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
Brabec maintains his lead heading into the final day over Quintanilla, while Price is still in with a chance as he positioned in third. Walkner and Cornejo are fourth and fifth respectively.
Australian Rodney Faggotter (Yamaha Motor Australia) was 18th on day 11 for a ranking of 13th, as fellow Aussies Phillip Wilson (Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team), Ben Young (Duust Rally Team), Trevor Wilson (Husqvarna) and Matthew Tisdall (Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team) are now ranked in positions 53, 57, 76, and 96.
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