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Strong Aussie showing at 2020 Dakar Rally

After Africa and South America, the most recent chapter of Dakar Rally history, in the Middle East opened, with the Monster Energy Honda Team taking a leading role, with Ricky Brabec taking an early lead and the eventual win by 16min-26s.

Runner up was Pablo Quintanilla (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing), with Toby Price (Red Bull KTM Factory Team) completing the top three, as top Australian competitor.

Toby Price – P3

“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. 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. Yeah, after 18 wins in a row it would have been nice to get a 19th, but I think KTM’s winning streak won’t be topped for a very long time. We’ll go away now, regroup and come back stronger for 2021 and take that number one plate back.”

Toby Price – 2020 Dakar Rally

Fellow Australian and privateer Rodney Faggotter (Yamaha Motor Australia) came home in 13th, with a best stage finish of sixth.

Rodney Faggotter – P13

“Wow its done! Top 20’s most stages, with a career best of sixth in stage 10 for a career best of 13th overall. I had a solid two weeks and rode the most “in control” but also the best I have ever done. The riders in front of me are the best rally riders in the world and most of them full time athletes – I’m pumped to be near and amongst these guys! Two weeks flat out and it comes to a instant stop and now I try get to reflect and appreciate everyone’s support and messages. Instead of going through and saying last but not least – I want to call out to my awesome hot beautiful supportive wife and best friend. Love ya babe!!! Thank you. And my boys Matt and Nate for their support! It’s so hard on family back home following the race especially when you disappear off the charts due to helping at a accident/or a mechanical failure or even just technical timing glitches. Massive shout out to the Dragon Yamaha team and my awesome mechanic Quentin Brossier. He says only a few English words and I say none French – so we get along great! He worked overtime all through the night sometime triple checking and sorting everything and I never had a issue. Thanks bud! Big thank you to Yamaha Motor Australia and Yamaha Motor Finance, Yamaha Motor Insurance Australia without their commitment to assist me this year – I would not have been here full stop. And also a big thanks to fellow competitor Ben Young for helping me get to the start line. So many others that helped or have helped previously – that got me to this point that I so much appreciate. Thanks guys.”

Rodney Faggotter

New Zealand’s Phillip Wilson (Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team) was 53rd overall, with Ben Young (Duust Rally Team) coming home in 58th.

Trevor Wilson finished 76th, while Matthew Tisdall completed the 2020 Dakar Rally in 96th.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time/Gap
1	RICKY BRABEC	MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM 2020	40H 02′ 36”
2	PABLO QUINTANILLA	ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING	+ 00H 16′ 26”
3	TOBY PRICE	RED BULL KTM FACTORY TEAM	+ 00H 24′ 06”
4	JOSE CORNEJO FLORIMO	MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM 2020	+ 00H 31′ 43”
5	MATTHIAS WALKNER	RED BULL KTM FACTORY TEAM	+ 00H 35′ 00”
6	LUCIANO BENAVIDES	RED BULL KTM FACTORY TEAM	+ 00H 37′ 34”
7	JOAN BARREDA BORT	MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM 2020	+ 00H 50′ 57”
8	FRANCO CAIMI	MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RALLY TEAM	+ 01H 42′ 35”
9	SKYLER HOWES	KLYMCIW RACING	+ 02H 04′ 01”
10	ANDREW SHORT	ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING	+ 02H 10′ 40”
11	STEFAN SVITKO	SLOVNAFT RALLY TEAM	+ 02H 13′ 32”
12	ADRIEN METGE	SHERCO TVS RALLY FACTORY	+ 02H 33′ 14”
13	RODNEY FAGGOTTER	YAMAHA MOTOR AUSTRALIA	+ 02H 54′ 22”
14	JAUME BETRIU	FN SPEED TEAM	+ 03H 31′ 58”
15	JAMIE MCCANNEY	MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RALLY TEAM	+ 03H 42′ 24”
16	JUAN PEDRERO GARCIA	LS2 AVENTURA TOUAREG	+ 03H 45′ 33”
17	MACIEJ GIEMZA	ORLEN TEAM	+ 03H 51′ 42”
18	LAIA SANZ	GAS GAS FACTORY TEAM	+ 03H 58′ 16”
19	KEVIN BENAVIDES	MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM 2020	+ 04H 02′ 31”
20	MAURIZIO GERINI	SOLARYS RACING	+ 04H 08′ 16”
21	ROSS BRANCH	BAS DAKAR KTM RACING TEAM	+ 04H 23′ 20”
22	JACOPO CERUTTI	SOLARYS RACING	+ 04H 26′ 00”
23	MARTIN MICHEK	MOTO RACING GROUP (MRG)	+ 04H 30′ 41”
24	SEBASTIEN LAGUT	NOMADE RACING	+ 05H 21′ 45”
25	PAUL SPIERINGS	HT RALLY RAID HUSQVARNA RACING	+ 05H 50′ 43”
26	MILAN ENGEL	MOTO RACING GROUP (MRG)	+ 06H 03′ 09”
27	ANTONIO MAIO	YAMAHA FINO MOTOR RACING	+ 06H 15′ 21”
28	PATRICIO CABRERA	FN SPEED TEAM	+ 06H 49′ 18”
29	EMANUEL GYENES	AUTONET MOTORCYCLE TEAM	+ 08H 02′ 31”
30	ARUNAS GELAZNINKAS	ARUNAS GELAZNINKAS	+ 08H 15′ 51”
31	FAUSTO MOTA	XRAIDS TEAM	+ 08H 42′ 54”
32	MARIO PATRAO	KTM FACTORY TEAM	+ 08H 44′ 09”
33	OLIVIER PAIN	TEAM JOG – NOMADE RACING	+ 09H 06′ 45”
34	BENJAMIN MELOT	BENJAMIN MELOT	+ 09H 15′ 05”
35	LOIC MINAUDIER	TEAM ALL TRACKS	+ 09H 47′ 47”
36	FLORENT VAYSSADE	TEAM VAYSSADE FLORENT	+ 10H 36′ 10”
37	ANTHONY BOURSAUD	ANTHO MOTO SPORT – DRAG’ON RALLY TEAM	+ 10H 50′ 18”
38	PETR VLCEK	PETR VLCEK	+ 11H 48′ 57”
39	ROMAIN LELOUP	TEAM REPAR’STORES	+ 11H 57′ 56”
40	MYUNGGUL RYU	KLYMCIW RACING	+ 12H 37′ 50”
41	MIRJAM POL	HT RALLY RAID HUSQVARNA RACING	+ 13H 35′ 03”
42	ZAKER YAKP	WU PU DA HAI DAO DAKAR RALLY TEAM	+ 14H 11′ 52”
43	CHARLIE HERBST	NOMADE RACING	+ 14H 15′ 15”
44	KRZYSZTOF JARMUZ	115MOTO	+ 14H 32′ 09”
45	PHILIPPE GENDRON	NOMADE RACING	+ 14H 49′ 16”
46	ENRIQUE GUZMÁN	XRAIDS TEAM	+ 14H 55′ 42”
47	PHILIPPE CAVELIUS	CAVELIUS TEAM	+ 15H 01′ 24”
48	NICOLAS BRABECK-LETMATHE	TEAM CASTEU	+ 15H 28′ 49”
49	ALESSANDRO BARBERO	ALESSANDRO BARBERO	+ 15H 31′ 58”
50	SIMON MARCIC	MARCIC	+ 15H 40′ 26”
….
53	PHILLIP WILSON	BAS DAKAR KTM RACING TEAM	+ 16H 06′ 32”
58	BEN YOUNG	DUUST RALLY TEAM	+ 16H 53′ 51”
76	TREVOR COLIN WILSON	TREVOR WILSON	+ 21H 53′ 24”
96	MATTHEW TISDALL	BAS DAKAR KTM RACING TEAM	+ 40H 24′ 27”

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Toni Bou wins X-Trial Round 3 in Budapest

Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou burst back onto the 2020 trial scene, snatching a 65th career win in the indoor discipline, in the third points-scoring round of the X-Trial World Championship held in the Hungarian capital Budapest.

Toni Bou – X-Trial Championship Round 3 – Hungary

Budapest played host to round three of the FIM X-Trial World Championship where the spectators in the Laszlo Papp Arena were treated to a thrilling display from Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou.

Bou cruised through the opening qualifying round to claim a spot in the second knockout phase. The champion scored better than the other seven riders over the five-section preliminary phase.

Subsequently in the knockout phase, Bou again fared better than adversaries Gabriel Marcelli and Jaime Busto, earning himself a place in the Grand Final against Adam Raga.

Bou and Raga, both displaying top-level riding skills, faced off in the final over six sections, only to finish tied on points. The ‘run-off’ section failed to decide the winner, with both riders fiving the section. Eventually the victor was adjudicated to be Bou on merit of a count-back, the reigning champion having scored better in the second round. Bou now boasts a 15-point advantage over Adam Raga.

Toni Bou

“It was a really, really tough trial. Adam rode really well today. We were able to win the first round and also the second which proved decisive for the final run-off. I gave it everything in the final, but I wasn’t experiencing very good sensations, and I couldn’t find my balance, but I had enough aggression to keep fighting until the end, where I cleaned the two final sections while there was everything still to play for, so it all turned out fine in the end. I want to congratulate Adam because it will be really tough to beat him this year.”

Toni Bou tops the podium from Adam Raga and Gabriel Marcelli

Repsol Honda Team will be back to tackle the fourth round of the X-Trial World Championship on Sunday February 2 in Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi.

Results X Trial Budapest 2020

Pos.	Rider	Nat	Team	Points
1	BOU, Toni	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	20
2	RAGA, Adam	SPA	TRRS Factory Team	15
3	MARCELLI, Gabriel	SPA	RG Team	12
4	FAJARDO, Jeroni	SPA	Sherco Factory Team	9
5	CASALES, Jorge	SPA	Gas Gas Factory Team	6
6	BUSTO, Jaime	SPA	Vertigo Factory Team	4
7	GELABERT, Miquel	SPA	Vertigo Factory Team	2
8	BINCAZ, Benoit	FRA	Beta Factory Racing	1

X Trial Rider Standings

Pos	Rider	Nat.	Team	Points
1	BOU, Toni	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	60
2	RAGA, Adam	SPA	TRRS Factory Team	45
3	BUSTO, Jaime	SPA	Vertigo Factory Team	22
4	FAJARDO, Jeroni	SPA	Sherco Factory Team	21
5	GELABERT, Miquel	SPA	Vertigo Factory Team	20
6	MARCELLI, Gabriel	SPA	RG Team	18
7	CASALES, Jorge	SPA	Gas Gas Factory Team	12
8	BINCAZ, Benoit	FRA	Beta Factory Racing	7
9	MARTIN, Toby	GBR	Beta Factory Racing	1
10	TOULY, Kieran	FRA	Scorpa Factory	1

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Billy Bolt dominates Spanish SuperEnduro Round 3

Where Blazusiak dominated in Germany as Billy Bolt struggled, the young Husqvarna rider took his revenge during the third round of the season in Spain, setting the fastest time in the Akrapovic SuperPole and proceeded to take three victories in front of the passionate Spanish crowd – the maximum 63 points on the night! Having learned from his mistakes in Riesa, he completely dominated proceedings in A Coruña.

Billy Bolt

In the first race he quickly placed himself directly behind Taddy Blazusiak after the Pole took the holeshot. With a very slick track, conditions seemed to suit Bolt, who usually thrives when there’s a lack of grip.

From the second lap onwards, he lead the way in front of Blazusiak and Jonny Walker, with the latter finally seeming more comfortable and confident. The British Factory KTM rider finished in third, and Blazusiak was unable to hunt down Bolt, forced to settle for second behind the unstoppable kid from Newcastle.

Jonny Walker

In race two the riders have to face a ‘reverse grid’, but Bolt didn’t waste much time getting past early leaders Pol Tarres and Diogo Vieira. While Bolt made his escape, Blazusiak and Walker found themselves stuck in traffic, and despite Bolt suffering a fall he kept out of reach as he crossed the finish line and took the chequered flag.

Three laps from the end of the race, Blazusiak was only in eighth position, but his fighting spirit came to the fore and he battled back to an important fourth. Jonny Walker took second, and Alfredo Gomez third.

Alfredo Gomez

Determined not to let Bolt get too far ahead in the standings, the two KTM riders pulled off fantastic starts in the last race. Blazusiak was leading Walker while Bolt was further back. But on the second lap Blazusiak went down, letting Walker shoot past.

It seemed as if Taddy’s team-mate was finally on for a race win, but a mistake cost him near certain victory. In the end, no-one could stop Bolt as he charged through for his third victory of the evening. Jonny Walker and Taddy Blazusiak completed the top three in this final race.

Billy Bolt

“I’m made up by just how well tonight has gone. It’s the first time I’ve won all three races and taken the Superpole, so all in it’s gone about as perfect as it could have done. After my performance in Germany I wanted to come here and redeem myself. But to be honest, when I walked the course I didn’t expect it to suit me so well. However, as the night progressed I adapted to the changing terrain and conditions. You needed to muscle the bike around in places, but at the same time be calm and patient. I did my best to avoid mistakes and take the opportunities when they came to me. It worked, especially with race three – that felt perfect. Of course there’s still a long way to go in the championship, we’re far from over, but to take maximum points and get the leader’s red plate back is fantastic.”

Billy Bolt

Jonny Walker

“It’s been another good night and I feel like I’m showing that I’m making steps forward with each round. I’m delighted with second and another visit to the podium. On a tricky course I managed to get good starts and that made a big difference. I wasn’t always the fastest on the track, but I was consistently hitting my lines every lap, which was making things count. Looking at my results as a whole, I’ve improved each time. Fourth in Poland, third in Germany and now second tonight, that gives me a lot of confidence heading into the next round.”

Jonny Walker

Taddy Blazusiak

“The track was the real decider tonight. It either worked for you or it tripped you up. Unfortunately, for the majority of the time it got the better of me. I felt like after practice I had it figured out and in race one I managed to get it right. You needed to let it come to you – in a way ride slow to go faster. In race two things sort of came undone and I made too many strange mistakes. It was the same in race three, too. But I’m experienced enough not to dwell on it. There’s a lot of racing left to go in this championship and I’m looking forward to returning to the stadium in Budapest where I know I can show what I’m capable of.”

Taddy Blazusiak

Alfredo Gomez

“I made things difficult for myself when I crashed in the Superpole and ended up sixth. That meant I had a poor gate position and it was difficult to fight in the first corner. In race one I started seventh and recovered to fourth. I managed to capitalise on the reversed grid for race two and exited the second corner in fourth. I found my rhythm pretty quick and took third there. With fifth in race three I ended up fourth overall, but I showed in race two that with a decent start my pace was good.”

Alfredo Gomez

Billy Bolt now has 169 points in the standings, and takes over at the front of the championship by six-points ahead of Blazusiak. Walker is 33-points back, but not out of the title chase. Gomez is now fourth, 10 points from Walker.

Prestige Class Results – 2020 SuperEnduro Round 3
Prestige Overall Event Classification

1. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 63 points
2. Jonny Walker (GBR), KTM, 49
3. Taddy Blazusiak (POL), KTM, 46
4. Alfredo Gomez (ESP), Husqvarna, 39
5. Blake Gutzeit (RSA), Husqvarna, 29

Final 1

1. Billy Bolt
2. Taddy Blazusiak
3. Jonny Walker
4. Alfredo Gomez
5. Tim Apolle

Final 2

1. Billy Bolt
2. Jonny Walker
3. Alfredo Gomez
4. Taddy Blazusiak
5. Will Hoare

Final 3

1. Billy Bolt
2. Jonny Walker
3. Alfredo Gomez
4. Taddy Blazusiak
5. Alfredo Gomez
6. Blake Gutzeit

Provisional Classification

1. Billy Bolt 169 points
2. Taddy Blazusiak 163
3. Jonny Walker 136
4. Alfredo Gomez 126
5. Blake Gutzeit 89

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Juniors

America’s Ty Cullins, leader of the Junior category, experienced his worst evening since his debut in the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. The TM rider didn’t finish in the top three during any of the races in A Coruña. The Californian fell foul of the many pitfalls in the Spanish arena. After several crashes, he failed to find the pace or the confidence to fight at the front.

Bulgarian KTM rider, Teodor Kabakchiev, was the big winner of the evening. After taking victory in race two, and a couple of second places, he took overall victory in Spain. The first race was won by Dominik Olszowy ahead of Kabakchiev and Leon Hentschel.

Kabakchiev took top honours in race two ahead of Milan Schmueser and Hentschel. And the German Sherco rider won the last race at the expense of Kabakchiev and France’s Adrien Jacon.

The Junior Championship therefore has a new leader in the form of Leon Hentschel, who now has 138 points, Cullins limits the damage by leaving A Coruña second in the rankings, five-points down.  Following his excellent evening, Kabakchiev is now third on 125 points.

Junior Class Results – 2020 SuperEnduro Round 3
Final 1

1. Dominik Olszowy
2. Teodor Kabakchiev
3. Leon Hentschel
4. Raul Guimera
5. Adrien Jacon

Final 2

1. Teodor Kabakchiev
2. Milan Schmueser
3. Leon Hentschel
4. Adrien Jacon
5. Dominik Olszowy

Final 3

1. Milan Schmueser
2. Teodor KabakchievLeon Hentschel
3. Adrien Jacon
4. Alessandro Azzalini
5. Dominik Olszowy

Provisionnal classification

1. Leon Hentschel 138 points
2. Ty Cullins 133
3. Teodor Kabakchiev 125
4. Adrien Jacon 121
5. Milan Schmueser 76

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Aussies tackle 2020 Africa ECO Race

Australian Andrew Houlihan has finished 21st outright in the gruelling 2020 Africa ECO Race, with the 14 day off-road rally seeing riders struggle at times with demanding terrain, some stranded in the desert for up to 30 hours, and one stage cut short due to multiple serious crashes requiring evacuations by helicopter.

While the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia has captured plenty of attention in recent weeks, three Australians, Andrew Houlihan, Matt Sutherland and Peter Caldwell have been tackling an equally demanding event in Northern Africa.

Andrew Houlihan – 2020 Africa ECO Race Results

The Africa ECO Race is an annual rally raid that starts in Europe and retraces much of the path of the original Paris-Dakar rally, ending on the banks of the famous pink lake – Lac Rose – in Senegal.

This year’s event started under lights in Monaco on the 4th January. Competitors then travelled to the port of Savona in Italy to board a ferry which took them to Tangier in Morocco. From there they competed for 12 days racing over a distance of 6,500km through the mind-blowing landscapes of Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal. Each stage was between 300 to 750km.

Andrew Houlihan entered with no expectations other than to finish safely, and is no stranger to the challenges of off-road racing having won multiple motocross titles in Australia, but at the age of almost 50 he made his international debut in the Hellas Rally in Greece in 2018.

A major crash in that rally almost cost him his life, and after a long recovery he came back in 2019 to compete in four international rallies including the Hispania Rally in Spain (placing sixth in class) and the Rally du Maroc where he came eighth in the Enduro Cup category.

The 2020 Africa ECO Race was the next step on Andrew’s journey to his ultimate goal of competing in the 2021 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, and Andrew’s previous successes helped to gain sponsorship from Coca-Cola Energy.

The energy drink division of Coca-Cola, one of the most recognised and valuable brands in the world, has put their support behind Andrew, his teammate Mexican rider Juan Pablo Guillen and their Nomadas Adventure team.

A field of 74 motorbikes started this year’s rally, but the tough conditions took their toll on the riders and machines with only 61 rolling up to the start line for the final day.

Stage 8 was particularly hard on riders with many bikes still stranded in the Mauritanian sand dunes overnight. For many of those stranded the rescue mission would take up to 30 hours. Two days later tough conditions and multiple serious crashes caused the early termination of the 600km 10th stage.

Andrew’s 21st place in the 2020 Africa ECO Race is despite facing his own challenges during the event. A fuel pump failure in stage 2 cost him over an hour and a half while he siphoned fuel with his CamelBak from one fuel tank to the operational one, as well as ongoing hand cramps over the final three days.

Andrew Houlihan

“I had a couple of bad days and a few really good days. Very little sleep for 12 days and just enough food to keep going each day. We saw the best and the worst of Northern Africa and it was an emotional and physical roller coaster. Every day at some stage I would ask myself, why am I doing this. There were some serious accidents, riders stuck in the dunes for 24 hours, bikes and cars breaking down, crazy African desert dwellers to contend with and many new friendships made. I’m happy to finish in 21st position overall despite a couple of really bad days. It’s time to get home to Katie and the kids, add some more titanium pins and screws to my body, recover and get ready for the next race!”

Andrew Houlihan – 2020 Africa ECO Race Results

Fellow Australian Matt Sutherland who was born in Ballarat but now lives in Vancouver, was a late entry into the rally. He replaced a rider in Lyndon Poskitt’s Team Races 2 Places who had to withdraw due to illness. Matt finished the rally in seventh place.

Peter Caldwell (KTM) finished 36th after losing plenty of time in an early stage when he got lost in the sand dunes.

2020 Africa ECO Race Results

Pos.	Rider	Time
1	BOTTURI Alessandro	48:47:30
2	ULLEVALSETER Pal Anders	48:51:29
3	POSKITT Lyndon	49:39:26
4	LUCCI Paolo	49:43:02
5	BENKO Martin	54:11:17
6	CZACHOR Jacek	54:23:10
7	SUTHERLAND Matt	54:33:29
8	DABROWSKI Konrad	55:23:37
9	STASIACZEK Pawel	55:49:55
10	GRITTI Giovanni	56:24:33
11	JOHNSON Michael	56:57:37
12	LA CAVERA Blasco	58:12:42
13	MINELLI Gabriele	59:03:22
14	BARATIN Amaury	59:04:13
15	BERGLUND Anders	59:34:56
16	BOCOUM Mamadou	60:04:42
17	GUILLEN Juan Pablo	60:13:16
18	SAVELKOULS Stephan	60:25:05
19	MAESTRAMI Lorenzo	60:26:13
20	CRAISS Michael	60:44:27
21	HOULIHAN Andrew	61:00:12
22	LABINSKY Robert	65:38:23
23	CHATELIER Thibault	66:11:04
24	GöRLACH Fabian	67:11:20
25	EVANS Joey	68:20:50
26	ZATKO Jan	69:06:26
27	RAAFF Gregory	69:14:20
28	HULTQVIST Joakim	69:56:32
29	CONREAU Christophe	70:45:50
30	VAN DER WOUDEN Bram	71:27:22
31	ENOCHSSON Per	71:54:58
32	STROMAETHER Per	72:19:45
33	DORS Richard	76:19:50
34	LINES Edward	76:54:40
35	COMINARDI Davide	77:29:29
36	CALDWELL Peter	78:40:14

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Under-21’s Speedway heads to Undera

Australia’s best Under 21 Speedway riders converge on Undera this Saturday night for the 2020 Australian Under 21’s Speedway Championship, with a 16-rider field to tackle the tight technical Undera circuit, near Shepparton, from 5pm, January 25, 2020.

Motorcycling Australia Track Events Manager, Sam Redfern, said the 16-rider field were the best of the best and Australia’s future world champions including recent Australian Senior Solo Speedway Championship competitors Jaimon Lidsey and Zach Cook who both put in strong performances against senior riders.

Jaimon Lidsey

Sam Redfern – Motorcycling Australia Track Events Manager

“This is a fantastic field of Australian talent for the Under 21’s Speedway Championship at Undera, with Jaimon Lidsey aiming for his third Under 21 title in a row. Undera recently held the successful senior national championship and fans should definitely expect spectacular action and racing this Saturday night. Junior speedway is in a very healthy state and these young guns have the talent to represent Australia on the world stage. I would certainly encourage speedway fans to get to Undera Speedway on January 25 for what will be a fantastic championship meet.”

Racing on the night kicks off with practice from 5pm, rider introduction at 7pm and racing from 7.30pm.

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2020 Moto X Step Up returns to Adelaide

Following a successful Australian debut at the 2019 Superloop Adelaide 500, the Moto X Step Up competition will return for 2020, with the unique motocross competition attracting adrenalin-seekers from all over the world as competitors attempt to jump a bar as high as 55 feet.

An international rider line-up headlined by Australia’s own Jarryd McNeil will see some of the world’s best Moto X stars head to Adelaide to compete for the top prize.

McNeil, the reigning four-time Moto X Step Up X Games Gold Medallist (2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019) took out the inaugural Superloop Adelaide 500 crown in 2019 and is looking forward to returning to Adelaide to defend his title.

Jarryd McNeil

“It was awesome to win the first ever Moto X Step Up competition in Australia at last year’s Superloop Adelaide 500. 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.”

American Colby Raha who claimed bronze in the Moto X Step Up and gold in the Real Moto X Gold Medal at the 2019 X Games is McNeil’s main rival in the field and looking for redemption in 2020.

Colby Raha

“I’m stoked to head back to Australia and compete in the Step Up competition. It’s cool to see how big this sport has grown in Australia over the years and the level of riders coming from Down Under. The competition was close in 2019 and I’m ready to go again, the Aussies better watch their backs!”

The Czech Republic’s Filip Podmol will return to Adelaide after a successful Moto X debut at last year’s event clearing 36 feet, along with Italian Massimo Bianconcini who took out fifth place in the 2019 X Games Moto X Step Up competition, rounding out the field in what is set to be a thrilling spectacle for fans.

Similar to high jump, Moto X Step Up will see the bar increase in height, beginning at 30 feet and sometimes reaching 55 feet in order to secure eliminations. If a rider is unsuccessful in their two attempts they are eliminated. The winner is declared when one rider remains after multiple elimination stages over the four-day event, kicking off on February 20.

The Superloop Adelaide 500 will take place 20 February – 23 February, 2020. Tickets for the 2020 Superloop Adelaide 500 are now on sale. For more information on the event and Rose Rooftop visit: www.superloopadl500.com.au (link)

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2020 Empire Kawasaki riders announced

The direct collaboration between Kawasaki Motors Australia and Empire Kawasaki is entering into its second full season, with Tyson Cherry and Empire Motorsport to run the largest Kawasaki supported Motocross and Supercross racing effort in the 2020 Australian Motocross Nationals and Australian Supercross Championship.

Continuing on from 2019, Deakin Hellier will be competing on the Kawasaki KX250 in MXD and MX2 sharing, “Feeling super adamant on putting some good results on the board for the 2020 MX season, my bike this year is feeling awesome. The new 2020 KX250 has really blown me away this year excited to show my potential.”

Jayden Rykers, will be competing on the Kawasaki KX450 in MX1 adding, “I’m really happy to be joining the Empire Kawasaki team for 2020. I had a solid year last year and had the speed to run with the top riders and I’m looking to continue on with that form. I’ve spent some time on the test track on the new bike and I feel really comfortable on the bike, and think that as a whole, it suits my style better than my previous bike. This, paired with a better preseason will see me hunting the podium throughout the year.”

Team Manager, Tyson Cherry also commented on the year ahead, “2019 was an awesome year for us, learning a new bike and building a relationship with Kawasaki Australia, we are excited to continue our partnership with Kawasaki. Deakin and Jayden are both putting in a lot of work on and off the bike; we are all excited to get to round 1 and get the season underway.”

Kawasaki Motors Australia National Sales & Marketing Manager, Robert Walker is looking forward to a strong year for the Green Team, “We have established an great relationship with Empire Kawasaki. In 2020 we are looking forward to seeing the team on the podium and supporting the Kawasaki brand with some great results.”.

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Indian announce 2020 European Flat Track Series

Indian Motorcycle and the Dirt Track Riders Association (DTRA) have announce the race schedule for the 2020 Indian Motorcycle European Flat Track Series.

Following a successful inaugural series in 2019, Indian Motorcycle has worked with the DTRA to select events that ensure the ‘Indian Motorcycle Flat Track Series’ championship is accessible and exciting for a wide range of rider abilities.

2020 Indian Motorcycle Flat Track Series announced – Image by Tom Bing

Three classes will allow entries ranging from the thundering 750cc+ multi-cylinder ‘Hooligan’ road-based machines, such as Indian FTR 1200 and Scout, to the Open-entry ‘Pro Class’ dominated by lightweight DTX based machines and a growing Pre-1975 ‘Vintage Class’.

All classes cater for first-time amateur and Pro riders alike, with circuits catering for mixed ability, including fast ½-miles, tight short tracks and a TT, with a four round championship with the three best results to count.

2020 Indian Motorcycle Flat Track Series

• Round 1: 2nd-3rd May Hells Race, Holland – Light Shale Short-Track
  Open to all Classes. Held at this well-established event at the Dirttrack Lelystad Stadium, this is a fantastic event to open the series.
• Round 2: 6th-7th June Greenfield TT, United Kingdom – Dirt-Track TT Course
  Open to Pro and Vintage classes only. Greenfield TT incorporates a spectacular jump section which is unsuitable for the Hooligan road-based machines, it also makes-up a round of the UK DTRA Indian Motorcycle Flat Track Nationals Series.
• Round 3: 13th June – El Rollo at Wheels and Waves, San Sebastian, Spain – Dirt Short-Track
  Open to all Classes. The El Rollo dirt-track race at Wheels and Waves is a massive event in the European motorcycle calendar.
• Round 4: 18th-20th September Krowdrace, Parchim Germany – Shale 1/2 Mile
  Open to all Classes. Run for the first time in 2019, Krowdrace is expanding in its second year and will be running at this excellent ½-mile venue.

Individual event prizes will be awarded on top of local event prizes as follows: Winner Pro – 200 Euros; Winner Hooligan – 150 Euros; Winner Vintage – 150 Euros.

The series is free to enter and prizes and benefits will be available only to registered riders. Registered riders will agree to abide by the rules of the series and the local rules and licence arrangements of each local race organisers. Registrations will open during January and close just before the first meeting. Full rules for the 2020 series will be found on the DTRA website and, of course, locally at each event. (Link to registration via DTRA: www.dirttrackriders.co.uk)

Indian Motorcycle will announce its 2020 team and rider lineup soon.

2020 Indian Motorcycle Flat Track Series Poster

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Shayna Texter with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for another two years

KTM Motorsports have announced that 18-time AFT Singles winner Shayna Texter has signed a two-year contract extension with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team to compete in the American Flat Track Championship Singles class through the 2021 season.

Texter, a Pennsylvania native, will return aboard the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition, a bike that led her to three AFT Singles Main Event wins last season. As a part of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team’s debut season in 2019, Texter has been an integral part of the brand’s testing and development in American Flat Track racing. Finishing seventh overall in the series last season, Texter will look to improve her standing and go after even more race-wins in 2020.

Shayna Texter

“It’s an honor to be continuing my relationship with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team. They have created a culture of winning that I am happy to be a part of. We learned so much together last season with the new team and we won three races together, but now we turn our attention toward 2020 with new goals that I look forward to accomplishing on a Red Bull KTM.”

Shayna Texter – Image by Scott Hunter

The 2020 American Flat Track Championship kicks off on March 14 in Daytona Beach, Florida. For more information on the American Flat Track Championship, please visit their website https://www.americanflattrack.com.

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2020 Championship Calendars

2020 AMA Motocross race schedule

• May 17 – Hangtown Motocross Classic – Rancho Cordova, CA
• May 24 – Fox Raceway National – Pala, CA
• May 31 – Thunder Valley National – Lakewood, CO
• June 7 – Florida National – Jacksonville, FL
• June 21 – High Point National – Mt. Morris, PA
• June 28 – Southwick National – Southwick, MA
• July 5 – RedBud National – Buchanan, MI
• July 19 – Spring Creek National – Millville, MN
• July 26 – Washougal National – Washougal, WA
• August 16 – Unadilla National – New Berlin, NY
• August 23 – Budds Creek National – Mechanicsville, MD
• August 30 – Ironman National – Crawfordsville, IN

2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Calendar

• Jan. 4 – Angels Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, Calif.
• Jan. 11 – The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis, Mo.
• Jan. 18 – Angels Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, Calif.
• Jan. 25 – State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
• Feb. 1 – Ringcentral Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.
• Feb. 8 – Petco Park, San Diego, Calif.
• Feb. 15 – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
• Feb. 22 – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
• Feb. 29 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
• March 7 – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Fla.
• March 14 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianpolis, Ind.
• March 21 – Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.
• March 28 – Centurylink Field, Seattle, Wash.
• April 4 – Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Co.
• April 18 – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
• April 25 – Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
• May 2 – Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah

2020 MXGP Calendar

• March 1 – Great Britain, Matterley Basin (EMX125, WMX)
• March 8 – The Netherlands, Valkenswaard – (EMX250, WMX)
• March 22 – Patagonia, Argentina, Neuquen
• April 5 – Trentino I, Pietramurata – (EMX250, EMX 2t)
• April 19 – Spain, (TBA) – (EMX125, WMX)
• April 26 – Portugal, Agueda – (EMX125, EMX250)
• May 10 – France, Saint Jean d’Angely – (EMX125, EMX Open)
• May 17 – Italy, Maggiora – (EMX Open, WMX)
• May 24 – Germany, Teutschenthal – (EMX250, EMX Open)
• June 7 – Russia, Orlyonok – (EMX250, EMX Open)
• June 14 – Latvia, Kegums – (EMX250, EMX Open)
• June 28 – Indonesia, Jakarta
• July 5 – Indonesia, Palembang
• July 26 – Czech Republic, Loket – (EMX65, EMX85, EMX 2t)
• August 2 – Belgium, Lommel – (EMX125, EMX250)
• August 16 – Sweden, Uddevalla – (EMX125, EMX250)
• August 23 – Finland, Litti-KymiRing – (EMX125, EMX250, EMX 2t)
• September 6 – Turkey, Afyonkarahisar – (EMX Open, WMX)
• September 13 – China, (TBA) –
• September 20 – Emilia Romagna, Imola – (EMX125, WMX)
• September 27 – Motocross of Nations, France, Ernee

2020 American Flat Track

• Round 1. March 14: Daytona 200 &  TT – Daytona Speedway, FL
• Round 2. March 28: Atlanta Short Track – Dixie Speedway, Woodstock, GA
• Round 3. April 4: Charlotte Half-Mile – Charlotte Speedway, Concord, NC
• Round 4. May 2: Texas Half-Mile – Texas Speedway, Fort Worth, TX
• Round 5. May 9: So-Cal Half-Mile – Perris Speedway, Perris, CA
• Round 6. May 16: Sacramento Mile – Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA
• Round 7. May 30: Red Mile – Red Mile, Lexington, KY
• Round 8. June 13: Laconia Short Track – New Hampshire Speedway, Loudon, NH
• Round 9. June 20: OKC Mile – Remington Park, Oklahoma City, OK
• Round 10. June 27: Lima Half-Mile – Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, OH
• Round 11. July 4: New York Short Track – Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY
• Round 12. August 9: Buffalo Chip TT – Buffalo Chip, Sturgis, SD
• Round 13. August 11: Black Hills Half-Mile – Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City, SD
• Round 14. August 22: Peoria TT – Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, IL
• Round 15. September 5: Springfield Mile I – Illinois Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL
• Round 16. September 6: Springfield Mile II – Illinois Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL
• Round 17. September 12: Williams Grove Half-Mile – Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA
• Round 18. September 26: Meadowlands Mile* – Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, NJ

2020 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Speedway Calendar

• Round 1, January 3 – Kurri Kurri Speedway, Loxford Park NSW
• Round 2, January 6 – Diamond Park, Wodonga VIC
• Round 3, January 7 – Undera Speedway, Echuca Road, Undera VIC
• Round 4, January 9 – Olympic Park, Regina Street, Mildura VIC
• Round 5, January 11 – Gillman Speedway, Wilkins Road, Gillman SA

2020 WESS Enduro World Championship Schedule

• Round 1: Extreme XL Lagares (Portugal) May 8-10
• Round 2: Trefle Lozerien AMV (France) May 21-23
• Round 3: Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble (Austria) June 10-14
• Round 4: Red Bull 111 Megawatt (Poland ) June TBC
• Round 5: Red Bull Romaniacs (Romania) July 21-25
• Round 6: Tennessee Knockout (USA) August 15-16
• Round 7: Hawkstone Park Cross-Country (UK) September TBC
• Round 8: Hixpania Hard Enduro (Spain) October TBC

2020 FIM Speedway GP Calendar

• May 16 – PZM Warsaw SGP of Poland – Warsaw
• May 30 – German SGP – Teterow
• June 13 – Czech SGP – Prague
• July 18 – Adrian Flux British SGP – Cardiff
• July 25 – Swedish SGP – Hallstavik
• August 1 – Betard Wroclaw SGP of Poland – Wroclaw
• August 15 – Scandinavian SGP – Malilla, Sweden
• August 29 – Russian SGP – Togliatti
• September 12 – Danish SGP sponsored by ECCO – Vojens
• October 3 – Revline Torun SGP of Poland – Torun

2020 Australian Dirt Track Championship dates

• April 11-12 Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships
  • Mick Doohan Raceway, QLD, North Brisbane Jnr Motorcycle Club
• October 17-18 Australian Senior Dirt Track Championships
  • Fairburn Park, ACT Motorcycle Club

2020 Australian Track Championship dates

• May 16-17 Australian Senior Track Championships
  • Qurindi, Tamworth, NSW, Tamworth Motorcycle Club
• September 26-27 Australian Junior Track Championships
  • Gunnedah, NSW Gunnedah Motorcycle Club

2020 Australian Off-Road Championship Calendar

• Round 1 & 2: Toowoomba, QLD 22 – 23 February 2020
• Round 3 & 4: Dungog, NSW 14 – 15 March 2020
• Round 5 & 6: Nowra, NSW 18 – 19 April 2020
• Round 7 & 8: SA 1 – 2 August 2020
• Round 9 & 10: Omeo, VIC 19 – 20 September 2020
• Round 11 & 12: Wynyard, TAS 17 –18 October 2020

2020 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship Calendar

• Round 1: December 7, 2019 – Krakow, Poland
• Round 2: January 4 – Riesa, Germany
• Round 3: January 18 – A Coruna, Spain
• Round 4: February 1 – Budapest, Hungary
• Round 5: March 14 – Lodz, Poland

2020 AMA Extreme Off-Road East/West Calendar

• 2020 AMA Extreme Off-Road East Series
  • March 28-29: RevLimiter Extreme Enduro, Decatur, Texas
  • May 16-17: Madd Moose, Marquette, Mich.
  • July 4-5: Tough Like RORR, Tamaqua, Pa.
  • July 18-19: Fallen Timbers, Little Hocking, Ohio
  • Aug. 1-2: Battle of the Goats, Taylorsville, N.C.
• 2020 AMA Extreme Off-Road West Series
  • Feb. 8: King of the Motos, Lucerne Valley, Calif.
  • March 28-29: RevLimiter Extreme Enduro, Decatur, Texas
  • May 2-3: EnduroFest, Reno, Nev.
  • June 6-7: Last Dog Standing, Devore, Calif.
  • June 20-21: Stix and Stones, Kellogg, Idaho
• 2020 AMA Extreme Off-Road Grand Championship
  • Aug. 14-16: Trials Training Center, Sequatchie, Tenn.

2020 FIM Flat Track World Championship Calendar

• Round 1 – June 13: Diedenbergen DE
• Round 2 – July 26: Boves-Cuneo IT
• Round 3 – September 5: Morizès FR
• Round 4 – October 3: Pardubice CZ

2020 King of MX Calendar

• Qualifier 1 – February 15-16, Bega – Top 7 qualify for final
• Qualifier 2 – February 29-1 March, Narrabri – Top 7 qualify for final
• Qualifier 3 – March 14-15, Bathurst – Top 6 qualify for final
• Qualifier 4 – March 28-29, Wagga Wagga – Top 6 qualify for final
• Qualifier 5 – April 18-19, Lake Macquarie -Top 7 qualify for final
• Qualifier 6 – May 9-10, Sydney – Top 7 qualify for final
• Final – June 6-8, Undisclosed Location

2020 Australian Motocross National Championship Calendar

• Round 1 & 2 Horsham, Victoiria April 4/5
• Round 3 Newry, Victoria May 3
• Round 4 Gympie, Qld May 24
• Round 5 Conondale, QLD June 28
• Round 6 & 7 Maitland, NSW July 25/26
• Round 8 & 9 Coolum, QLD August 22/23

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Source: MCNews.com.au