Moto News Weekly for December 17, 2019

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What happened this week

• Nathan Watson retains French Beach Racing lead at Hossegor
• KTM Junior Supercross represent at S-X Open & Aus-X Open
• Tasmania secures 2020 AORC final rounds
• 2020 Yamaha supported AORC riders announced
• AORC announce four junior summer coaching clinics
• Rogers & Wilson with Yamalube Yamaha Racing for 2020
• 12 rider 2020 GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing line-up announced
• FIM Speedway Training Camp fosters young talent
• Alfredo Gómez to continue with Husqvarana into 2021
• Monster Energy Honda Team vehicles head for Dakar
• Henry Wiles to compete 2020 AFT Singles with Honda
• Estenson Racing announce Yamaha supported 2020 AFT Team
• Jorge Prado recovering from surgery for fractured femur
• Yamaha announces 2020 YXZ1000R European Cup
• 2020 Championship Calendars
  • 2020 AMA Motocross
  • 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross
  • 2020 MXGP
  • 2020 American Flat Track
  • 2020 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Speedway
  • 2020 FIM Speedway GP Championship
  • 2020 Australian Dirt Track Championship
  • 2020 Australian Track Championship
  • 2020 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC)
  • 2020 FIM SuperEnduro Championship
  • 2020 AMA Extreme Off-Road East/West
  • 2020 FIM Flat Track World Championship

Watson retains French Beach Racing lead at Hossegor

Round five of the Championnat de France des Sables (CFS) saw competitors take to the Hossegor shoreline on the south east coast of France. A combination of unsettled weather and high tides ensured challenging conditions for all, with event organisers drastically modifying and shortening the original course layout to ensure racing could proceed.

Arriving at round five in confident spirits following victory at round four last weekend, championship leader Nathan Watson had his sights set on capturing his third consecutive win. Frustratingly, a crash in the first corner immediately put the KTM 450 SX-F mounted rider on the back foot.

Ending the opening lap of the two-hour race in 38th it was clear Nathan had a lot of work to do to keep his win streak alive. Rapidly cutting his way through the field, the Brit incredibly completed lap two inside the top 15. Visibly one of the fastest riders on a very busy track, he continued to work his way forward.

With race leader Todd Kellett pitting on lap nine, Nathan put his KTM out front as he looked to gain as much ground as possible. Colliding with a fallen rider shortly afterwards resulted in Watson’s bike becoming momentarily entangled with another machine. Regrouping, Nathan’s lead was lost and despite his best efforts in the closing stages he had to settle for a hard-fought runner-up result.

Nathan Watson

“In what was a difficult race I’ll take second place today and keep hold of my championship red plate. Coming into this race off the back of two wins I really wanted to keep that momentum going but unfortunately it didn’t happen. With the weather conditions, and organisers needing to change the track due to high tides, things were a lot more unpredictable today than they usually are. I got off to a good start, but when Camille crashed in the first corner I crashed into him and went down, too. With the tight track, coming from the back of the pack wasn’t ideal. I recovered well to briefly lead, but then hit a back marker and got my bike tangled with his and lost more time, so the chance of victory slipped away. But with the red plate still in my hands I’ll work on a few things during the Christmas break and look to get back on the top step of the podium next time out.”

For teammate Camille Chapeliere, a crash off the start dampened his hopes of securing another top-three result. Remounting outside the top 40, the Frenchman bravely fought his way forward. Showing his speed where possible, but opting not to push too hard and risk crashing, he steadily collected more positions as the race wore on. Holding fifth on lap 22 of 24, Camille put all he had into the final two laps to claim fourth and with it maintain his top-three championship position.

Camille Chapeliere

“It was a complicated day out there to say the least. The shortened course made it difficult in many places because there were so many riders on the track. A crash at the start was definitely not the best, but I fought as hard as I could to recover. Making overtakes was risky at times, but I tried to balance those risks and recover as smoothly as possible. I feel like I did that and showed my speed towards the end of the race. Finishing fourth maintains my position of third in the championship.”

The Championnat de France des Sables continues with round six at Grayan-et-L’Hopital on 11-12 January 2020.

Championnat de France des Sables Round 5 – Hossegor

Championship Standings – Championnat de France des Sables 2019

KTM Junior Supercross represent at S-X Open & Aus-X Open

KTM Junior Supercross took centre-stage in the 2019 S-X Open Auckland and AUS-X Open Melbourne events as a total of 30 capable seven- and eight-year-old riders took to the stadiums aboard KTM 50 SX machinery.

The S-X Open International FIM Oceania Supercross Championship features a round each in New Zealand and Australia, with 10 KTM Junior Supercross challengers participating in NZ and 20 in Australia, lining up on the very same supercross circuit during the day and night programs that the professional racers do battle on.

Riding a fleet of KTM 50 SX race bikes dressed in KTM Junior Supercross graphics by Kustom MX, fitted with KTM PowerParts supplied by FMF Racing and Nihilo Concepts, the riders of the KTM Junior Supercross thrilled spectators as they negotiated the highly-technical tracks in truly impressive fashion.

S-X Open Auckland at Mt. Smart Stadium featured Levi McMaster, Kase Shuttleworth and Jayden Bryan on the podium, before fans at Marvel Stadium for AUS-X Open Melbourne witnessed Ollie Birkitt take victory over Nate Perrett and Jake Single.

Each rider and their families enjoyed a full factory VIP experience as part of the KTM Junior Supercross entry, while participants were featured in rider signings, mentored by KTM professional racers including Hamish Harwood in Auckland, as well Daniel Milner and Lyndon Snodgrass in Melbourne. They also met a selection of their heroes throughout the fun-filled events.

Kyle Blunden – Event Coordinator, KTM Australia – New Zealand

“The KTM Junior Supercross is a program we are proud to host at the Oceania Supercross Series. With the assistance of the team at AME and all of our partners who have jumped on board with KTM Junior Supercross in 2019, we are able to give the riders and their mechanic a true factory experience for a day. Witnessing the smiles and the connection between the riders and their parents ignited by the sport of supercross is just awesome. The crowd love it and we hope to continue bringing KTM Junior Supercross to these events for many years to come.”

Tasmania secures 2020 AORC final rounds

In a major coup, Tasmania has secured the 2020 final rounds of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship, now to be held in Wynyard, Tasmania on October 17 and 18, 2020 – for the first time in the AORC’s 14-year history.

The AORC kick starts the 2020 season in Queensland before heading to New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and then the grand final last two rounds in Tasmania.

Motorcycling Australia Off-Road Events Manager, Matthew Falvo said the 2020 Yamaha AORC was shaping up to be the best year yet.

Matthew Falvo – Motorcycling Australia Off-Road Events Manager

“We are very pleased with the enthusiasm, excitement and support Tasmania has shown in securing the final rounds of our growing championship. We are hopeful this partnership will deliver a long-lasting championship presence. With new exciting venues in the 2020 AORC we are sure to again field upwards of 200 plus riders for each event in every state, we are sure the championship can only grow further.”

The 2020 Championship will continue to use a double-header format, which will see six weekends make up twelve rounds of the AORC for 2020. All riders who compete in each of the 10 AORC rounds prior to Tasmania will be eligible for a free entry to the Tasmanian rounds. This includes 85cc and 65cc classes for six rounds.

Further information on how to book on the Spirit of Tasmania via the AORC Championship can be found here (link).

The AORC has also announced that the Championship will feature a massive 15 classes of competition, with new junior classes, the return of the 2 Stroke Cup, and the Vintage class to feature at the Dungog, NSW round. The new look expanded competition will include sprint, cross country and enduro formats.

The 2 Stroke (2T) Cup has proved a success over the past two years and it will feature at all 12 rounds in 2020. With significant interest, the new and improved 2T Cup will also again cater to bikes ranging from 125cc up to 250cc.

The AORC have expanded competition including introducing two new classes – Junior Girls 85cc to 200cc 2-stroke and 150cc to 250cc 4-stroke bikes for those aged 12-15-years-old at all rounds, and a National Cup Class – Junior 65cc Cup – and the 85cc 2-stroke and 150cc 4-stroke (SW) for those aged 9-12-years-old.

E1, E2 and E3 classes are the AORC Senior Premier classes which have produced several world champions in recent years including this year’s World ISDE and current AORC Champion, Daniel Sanders.

The EJ development class will continue after last year’s success where under 18 riders can compare their times against the E1, E2, and E3 classes in the hope to step up later in the year or the following year.

2020 AORC Classes

• Senior Championship Classes
  • E1: 100cc to 200cc 2-Stroke and 150cc to 250cc 4-Stroke
  • E2: 220cc to 250cc 2-Stroke and 275cc to 450cc 4-Stroke
  • E3: 290cc to 500cc 2-Stroke and 475cc to 650cc 4-Stroke
  • EJ: All powers (Rider must be 18 years or under on 1 January 2020)
  • Veterans: All Powers (Rider must be 35+ years of age before 1 January 2020)
  • Masters: All Powers (Rider must be 45+ years of age before 1 January 2020)
  • Women: All Powers
• Junior Championship Classes
  • J2 12 to 15 years: 85cc 2-stroke & Up to 150cc 4-stroke
  • J3 13 to 14 years: 125cc to 200cc 2-stroke & 200cc to 250cc 4-stroke
  • J4 15 years: 125cc to 200cc 2-stroke & 200cc to 250cc 4-stroke
  • JG (Girls) 12-15 years: 85cc to 200cc 2-stroke and 150cc to 250cc 4-stroke
    • With six junior classes, no person who is under the age of 16 years may compete in other junior competition. A rider’s age on 1st January will determine their age for competition purposes for that year.
• National Championship Classes
  • 2 Stroke Cup – 2T – 125cc up to 250cc 2-Stroke
  • Vintage: Evo Pre-86 (At rounds 3 & 4)
  • J1 9-12 years: 85cc 2-stroke and 150cc 4-stroke (SW) (At rounds 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 & 12)
  • JJ 9-12 years: 65cc (At rounds 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 & 12)

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 Yamaha supported AORC riders announced

Two familiar faces will front the Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing team for 2020, with Luke Styke and Josh Green taking the reins of the teams’ race bikes for another season of the Australian Off Road Championship and the Australian Four Day Enduro.

Styke continues his climb up the off road ladder and since his transition from motocross, he has been nothing short of a revelation. In the two year period racing off road, he has already racked up two AORC championship victories, a A4DE victory and now a gold medal at the International Six day Enduro recently in Portugal.

Luke Styke

“I’m more motivated than ever coming into the 2020 season, I made a few changes to my lifestyle by returning back down to Nowra and feel it’s a better environment for my riding and also closer to family to make life easier. There is so much riding area around here and a more off road based riding program is the only way I can improve my skills and close the gap on Sanders and Milner. Both of those guys are world class and are a fair bit ahead of the rest of us, but my goal is to bridge that gap in 2020 and be in contention for Outright wins as well as class victories. Its also good to be back with the same team again for next season. We all have a great working relationship, and everyone works hard to achieve the best results possible. Both the team and Yamaha have been good to me throughout my racing career and I like the fact we have been able to continue our working relationship and get stronger with each passing season.”

Josh Green is back for his ninth season with Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing which must break some form of racing relationship record in Australian Off Road. Green finished second in the 2019 AORC in the premier E2 category and was consistently in the top five outright.

Josh Green

“The older I have got, the more I have started to enjoy the things that used to frustrate me when I was younger, like most teenagers, I didn’t care a lot for testing and developing the bike and just wanted to ride it and not focus on training. Now, I like being able to improve the bike and I find the off bike training rewarding and get a lot from it and that’s what has kept my motivation strong over the years as I find new ways to enjoy different aspects of what we do. And nine years with the one team is pretty cool. I like the loyalty from both sides and the fact we are able to keep the relationship going over such a long period of time. Nine years travelling with AJ could break a lesser man, but you have to take the good with the bad in this job.”

Under the Yamaha off road umbrella will also be a new team, Yamaha bLU Cru Off Road Racing carrying the same sponsors and the same professional personnel behind the scenes, that will house two young prospects in off road racing, Michael Driscoll competing E2, and Blake Hollis in the EJ category.

Carrying the same sponsors and the same professional personnel behind the scenes, Yamaha bLU cRU Off Road Racing will roar to life in 2020. Featuring Michael Driscoll in the E2 (450cc) division after a standout performance at the ISDE and Blake Hollis, fresh out of the junior ranks in EJ (under 19) ranks.

AORC announce four junior summer coaching clinics

Motorcycling Australia and the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship have announced four junior summer coaching clinics with Australia’s world champion riders offering expert advice and coaching in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland in January and February, 2020.

The 2020 AORC Junior Coaching Days clinics will be held on January 18 and 19 in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, January 25 in Stroud, NSW, and February 8 at Toowoomba, Queensland and led by world champion riders including 2020 World ISDE and AORC Champion Daniel Sanders, Daniel Milner, Lyndon Snodgrass, Fraser Higlett, Kirk Hutton, Joshua Green, Michael Driscoll and Jessica Gardiner.

The clinics are for junior riders aged 9-15, with all proceeds going toward funding the 2020 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) Australian team who head off to Italy in August.

Matthew Falvo – Motorcycling Australia Off-road Events Manager

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Australian junior riders to learn from the world’s best off-road riders in their own backyards. These clinics will help riders build confidence, increase their skill level and learn new tricks on how to get the most out of themselves and their bike. Whether you want to prepare for a race or improve your dirt bike techniques these coaching clinics are vital and spots will fill quickly.”

Riders wanting to register for the clinics need to register at https://www.aorc.org.au/competitor/

Rogers & Wilson with Yamalube Yamaha Racing for 2020

Yamaha Racing has announced that 16-year-old Levi Rogers will move from junior racing to the pro level. Rogers, a long time team member of the Yamaha Junior Racing program, will make the big step up to senior racing in 2020, having won a shed full of trophies in his junior days, including multiple state championships and podiums at national events.

Levi Rogers

“I was pretty excited when the Yamalube Yamaha Racing Team came to me and offered me a ride for 2020. I guess one of the benefits of being with Yamaha Junior Racing is that if you get the results in juniors, then the next door opens with Yamaha into MXD and this is a great opportunity for me on such a good team. I know everyone on the team and have worked with them before when I did the MXR races at the MX Nationals for the last two years, so it’s not a new environment. I also have Jay as a team-mate, and I can talk things over with him as he has so much knowledge and experience at this level. For the last 12 months I have watched the senior races closely and I can’t wait to be apart of them now. Yamaha Junior Racing was awesome for me and I had six successful years with them but now its time to take the next step in my career and give it all I have.”

Back for his third year at Yamalube Yamaha Racing will be Jay Wilson. Since returning to Australia and to the Yamalube Team, Wilson has been a model of consistency over the past two years and finishing inside to top five of every championship he has entered, highlighted with the 2018 SX2 Australian Championship.

He will start the year racing the opening rounds of the AMA West Coast 250cc Supercross Championship before returning home in February to prepare for the MX Nationals. From there he will be out to win back both the MX Nationals and Australian Supercross Championships.

Jay Wilson

“I’m lucky to be surrounded by a great team and work with a great company like Yamaha that I don’t even look else where at the end of each year. We have not only a successful working relationship but a good friendship off the track and the results show we do the work. 2019 was a consistent year for the most part and reasonably successful but no championships. I’m still motivated to win championships and that’s what I will be striving for in 2020. I’m in the prime of my career and wanting to keep improving every year with my racing and my technique. Its also exciting to have Levi with us next year. He is a quite kid and doesn’t say too much but I know he listens, and it will be great to be able to help and guide him at each round. His speed is good, and I think he can do well if he keeps working hard.”

With the WBR Yamaha Team and the Yamalube Yamaha Team now announced, Yamaha’s MX Development Manager, Scott Bishop, explains why there has been a slight tweak in structure to each program for 2020.

Scott Bishop – Yamaha MX Development Manager

“We had two talented riders in Alex and Levi coming out of juniors and its important we keep a hold of hard working and successful young riders. In the past, both riders would have gone to the dedicated MXD team, WBR Yamaha, but we believed it would be of more benefit to place the riders to the teams nearest them and also with a more experience team mate so they can understand what it takes to succeed at the next level. Alex is based in Adelaide and Levi is from Blackwater in Central Queensland so for one team to handle the logistics of a rider living so far away would be difficult. With Alex teaming up with WBR, who are in Echuca, Victoria and Levi with Yamalube Yamaha, based in Brisbane, both riders will get the same level of support but be able to work closely with the team both in terms of an off track relationship as well as maintaining practice bikes and equipment. Its our endeavour that both Alex and Levi continue their long and successful relationship with Yamaha and wish them well as they embark on their professional careers.”

12 rider 2020 GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing line-up announced

12 riders will fly the GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing flag in season 2020, as the only truly national based junior motocross development program continues to forge ahead after a stunning 2019 season, that saw the team claim 16 state championships and four national championships.

Each state will have two riders in full GYTR YJR colours, making a total of 12 riders. In addition, Yamaha will continue to assist its dealer network with supported riders to make a huge Yamaha presence at all junior events across the country.

To assist in fast tracking rider development, each state has its own manager / coach in place that can help guide young riders both on and off the track at every event.

The team of 2020 is Jake Turner, Ryder Kingsford and Jackson Camilleri mounted on the YZ125 and YZ250F. Angus Pearce, Wil Carpenter, Kayd Kingsford, Jake Cannon, Jake Rumens and Patrick Martin on the YZ85 and transition to the YZ125, while Jobe Dunne, Jay Jennings and Ryder Woodrow will handle the YZ65 and YZ85 small wheel classes.

In addition, Yamaha will also support via its dealer network and the bLU cRU program Heath Davy, Peter Wolfe (Team Moto), Deegan Fort (Fivestar Motorcycles), Jesse Holding (Mareeba Yamaha), Zac Watson (Suncity), Seth Carpenter (Coast Yamaha), Koby Hantis (Great Southern Motorcycles), Seth Burchell (Excite Motorsports) as well as multi time national girls champion, Charli Cannon.

For many riders the season will get under way in January and with the Australian Junior Nationals now moved to the first week of July, the racing will gather momentum quickly.

GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing 2020 line-up

• WA: Jake Turner and Jake Rumens
• SA: Wil Carpenter and Ryder Woodrow
• TAS: Angus Pearce and Jay Jennings
• VIC: Patrick Martin and Jobe Dunne
• NSW: Ryder Kingsford and Kayd Kingsford
• QLD: Jackson Camilleri and Jake Cannon

FIM Speedway Training Camp fosters young talent

The FIM Speedway Training Camp at Gillman Speedway Stadium in Adelaide, has been lauded a success, giving future Australian stars the training and mentoring to take their riding to the next level.

The training camp was hosted by Motorcycling Australia (MA), the FIM Track Racing Commission (CCP) and FIM Oceania, and saw 17 of Australia’s best young speedway talent receive specialised training. The expert team of coaches included FIM Track Racing Commission Director, Armando Castagna, SGP Race Director, Phil Morris, both former riders, and Australian Speedway legend and former SGP rider, Leigh Adams.

The training camp included on-track riding sessions focussing on rider technique, body positioning, race starts and improving key fundamentals of speedway racing, as well as classroom seminars covering exercise and nutrition, media training, bike preparation, bike maintenance, FIM license and insurance systems, anti-doping education inclusive of the FIM Ride True awareness.

Armando Castagna –  FIM Track Racing Commission Director

“It has been one of the best ever training camps that the Track Racing Commission has conductedWorking together Motorcycling Australia (MA) and FIM Oceania (FIMO) was a great partnership and the event was well conducted with Gillman Speedway providing a good track. The level of some of these young riders is already extremely good but over each day we could see the riders improving in many areas.”

Alfredo Gómez to continue with Husqvarana into 2021

Alfredo Gómez will continue with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing through to the end of the 2021 season, having claimed second in the 2019 WESS Enduro World Championship, with the Spaniard to target the world championship title next year.

A key member of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, Gómez was a regular front-runner in all eight rounds of the WESS championship with the TE 300i mounted rider consistently battling for race wins and podium results.

Securing three second-place finishes, while coming agonisingly close to winning the Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rallye, Gómez proved his consistency and speed with a total of seven top-10 results in the mixed-discipline series.

In 2018, the Spaniard suffered a serious leg injury during pre-season training, which ultimately derailed his championship aspirations. Fighting to regain his fitness and return to racing, he proved his unwavering determination to succeed by reaffirming his position as one of the world’s best enduro riders during 2019.

With the support of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and with a clean bill of health and fitness Alfredo Gomez will look to battle for the coveted world title during the next two years.

Alfredo Gómez

“I’m really happy to continue with Husqvarna Motorcycles for another two years. We’ve grown together a lot during the last few years and I have a really strong and enjoyable relationship with everyone in the team – in a way it has become like an extended part of my family. I’m really proud of what we achieved during 2019 by finishing second overall in the WESS Enduro World Championship and always fighting for the victory. When I seriously injured my leg, they stood by me. There was never any pressure to return to the bike early, they just wanted me to get better. I feel like that was when our bond became even tighter than it already was. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead during these next two years and in particular 2020. We’ve shown ourselves as title contenders with the TE 300i and for certain our goal is to become world champions together.”

Monster Energy Honda Team vehicles head for Dakar

The Rally Dakar organisers, ASO, have overseen several days of verifications prior to the shipment of all European vehicles due to take part in the forthcoming edition of the rally in Saudi Arabia. The Monster Energy Honda vehicles successfully made it through the checks and are now bound for Jeddah.

It was a calm yet cool, sunny day that accompanied the administrative and technical scrutineering at the Paul Ricard Circuit in Le Castellet near Marseille, France as the Monster Energy Honda Team overcame the first hurdle on their way to participation in the 2020 edition of the Dakar Rally.

After providing all the necessary vehicle documentation and managing their transportation and entry into the new country, the ten Monster Energy Honda Team vehicles and motorcycles were subjected to a technical shakedown, where they were thoroughly checked, for, among other things, the vehicles’ key mandatory safety elements. Once these had been approved, the equipment was then given the all-clear to display the officially accredited decals required to participate in the race.

With the vehicles loaded onto the ship, they embarked, destined for the port of Jeddah, on a journey that goes, first, across the Mediterranean to Port Said, in Egypt, and from there, through the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea before reaching the final destination at the Saudi Arabian port, where the vehicles will be collected on January 2.

Henry Wiles to compete 2020 AFT Singles with Honda

American Honda Motor Co. and Richie Morris Racing have signaled their intention to make an all-out assault on the AFT Singles championship with the signing of Henry Wiles to contest the 2020 American Flat Track season aboard a Honda CRF450R.

After returning to the scene following more than 25 years away and coming within six points of claiming the AFT Singles title in 2019, American Honda is set to increase their involvement and support of RMR for the upcoming season.

Richie Morris – Owner of Richie Morris Racing

“It’s an honor to have American Honda back with RMR in an even larger capacity in 2020. I’m so excited that this partnership includes the recruitment of Henry Wiles. In my opinion, Henry is one of the best flat track pros to ever swing a leg over a 450; RMR is proud to have him. We’re certain that he’s the right man to bring home the championship in 2020.”

“King Henry” is arguably one of the most accomplished Singles riders in the history of the sport. He was crowned GNC1 Singles Champion in 2009 and 2010, and boasts 26 career premier-class victories aboard four-stroke singles, including a string of 14 straight at the legendary Peoria TT. In fact, from 2009 to 2016 (the final year singles were included in the premier category), he won half (19 of 38) of the races he started on single-cylinder equipment.

Wiles is AFT’s all-time winningest TT rider with 19 victories in the discipline and stands equal with Chris Carr at the top of the order in Short Track wins at nine. He ranks 11th in career American Flat Track wins at 30, and in 2018 he finished as the AFT Twins championship runner-up with six podiums and 13 top-fives.

Henry Wiles

“Richie gave me a call and was talking about going and winning a 450 championship. It’s absolutely exciting to be associated with American Honda, and I’m walking on to a good team that already has some things sorted out. That’s going to be good for me… and I think it’s going to be bad for everybody else. Richie was very up front with me about what the goal is. They’ve got everything in place, and Richie has won championships before. He’s a team owner who knows how to put the right people in place to do just that.”

Wiles will team with returning RMR rider Cole Zabala, who registered five top-10 finishes in AFT Singles action a year ago with RMR.

Estenson Racing announce Yamaha supported 2020 AFT Team

Yamaha Motor Corporation USA (YMUS) has announce support for Estenson Racing’s effort in American Flat Track for the 2020 season. The team has signed a multi-year deal with JD Beach, who will lead the campaign in the all-new SuperTwins class, while Kolby Carlile, the 2017 AFT Singles Champion, steps up to the premier class alongside Beach aboard the Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT. The team has also signed Mikey Rush for a two-pronged threat in the AFT Singles class with young phenom Dallas Daniels.

Returning for his second year with Estenson Racing, 2020 will be JD Beach’s first full-season in American Flat Track. With multiple road race titles on his resume, the Owensboro, Kentucky, resident has his sights set on a SuperTwins crown. He pulled double duty with the team in 2019, competing in the premier classes of both AFT and MotoAmerica.

The racer made history with his first AFT Grand National win at the Super TT in Arizona, which was also the first victory for a Yamaha Twin since 1981. Beach then backed it up the following weekend at Virginia International Raceway with his first MotoAmerica Superbike win, becoming the first rider to top the podium during the same season in the premier class of both disciplines since Nicky Hayden in 2002. He ended the year in AFT with two wins and three podiums.

JD Beach

“I’m really looking forward to being back with the Estenson Racing crew. I think we kind of got started on our back foot last season. We were hoping for more, but we still managed a few wins, and within the Twins team a few podiums. I think the changes to the team and the new personnel are going to help a lot. We’re all putting in a lot of work this winter to come out next season swinging. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Kolby Carlile made the transition to the Twins ranks last season, competing both in the new AFT Production Twins class and AFT Twins. He had a solid rookie year in spite of injury and made a late-season charge for the Production Twins title, ultimately ending the year third in the Production championship with two wins and six podiums.

Kolby Carlile

“2020 is going to be an awesome year for me. I learned a lot last year racing the Twin in the Production Twins class and winning a few rounds. This year I’ll be racing in the new AFT SuperTwins class full-time on the Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07. The guys I’ll be racing against week in and week out are the fastest guys in the world and I feel like I’ve always benefited from racing the best there is. The team also has some new members that are going to be huge additions in the development of the bike. Going into the new year, I’ve been taking a few months away from racing to allow me to focus on getting my knee in better condition. The races are a bit longer this year for me, and the intensity is up from what I have raced before, so being in top physical condition is important. I have an awesome teammate in JD Beach. I’ve grown up learning from him and I don’t plan on stopping now. I look forward to doing my best to improve the bike, the team, and myself in 2020.”

The newest member of the team, Mikey Rush, jumped straight into the premier class of AFT in 2009 and scored his first win in 2013 at the Daytona Short Track. After some tough years in the privateer ranks, he made the move to the AFT Singles class and had a standout season in 2019, finishing second in the championship with four wins and seven podiums. The Californian now looks to bring home the title in 2020 aboard the Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F.

Mikey Rush

“I’m really excited to have this opportunity with Estenson Racing. Tim is a great guy and their whole program is very professional. I’m looking forward to working with them next season and am ready to go racing and fight for the AFT Singles Championship.”

Returning with the team is 2019 AFT Singles Rookie of the Year, Dallas Daniels. The 16-year-old turned heads last season with a dominant debut win at the Peoria TT. He then went on to back it up with two more podiums to finish the year just outside the top 10, despite only turning pro mid-season. Daniels looks to build on his progress in his first full-year of AFT competition.

Dallas Daniels

“I’m super excited to start my first full year in American Flat Track with Estenson Racing. I’ve been training hard and preparing for 2020. I’m really looking forward to getting things started in Daytona. I can’t wait for the season.”

Jorge Prado recovering from surgery for fractured femur

Red Bull KTM’s Jorge Prado is recovering from an operation in Italy to fix a fracture to his left femur, which the eighteen-year-old suffered while training at the Malagrotta circuit near Rome on Thursday.

Prado is stepping into the premier class of the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2020 after claiming the last two MX2 titles, and was circulating his usual practice facility with teammate Tony Cairoli when he lost control approaching a jump.

The Spaniard was transferred to the European Hospital where he immediately underwent a corrective procedure performed by Dr Massimiliano Nannerini to insert a pin into the femur bone. He is expected to leave the ward in two days if initial signs are positive and start rehabilitation to make his MXGP debut as early as possible next season.

Claudio De Carli – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager

“This is bad news and we feel so sorry for Jorge. Things had been going well and he was just two laps away from the end of the training session. It was raining at Malagrotta and you need to have a good control of the bike to make one of the biggest jumps on the track. Jorge could not grip the plastic well, his foot slipped off the footpeg on the ramp and he crashed over the jump. He had surgery yesterday evening by a fantastic doctor that we know and trust and now we have to wait a few days to see if everything is correct before he can leave the hospital. It is a setback to our preparation but the important thing is that Jorge heals well and then can think again about his first season in the MXGP class.”

Yamaha announces 2020 YXZ1000R European Cup

Yamaha Motor Europe has announced the 2020 edition of the YXZ1000R European Cup, set to feature another thrilling year of Yamaha’s sports Side-by-Side vehicles in national championships, culminating in a season-ending SuperFinale.

Following the great success of the 2019 SuperFinale, the event in October 2020 will return to the amazing locations of the Baja Portalegre – Portugal. The Stock winner of the European Cup SuperFinale will receive a brand-new YXZ1000R.

In a new initiative, the 2020 Cup will also field Wildcard entries in the SuperFinale. The top finishing YXZ1000R in the Stock category, in both the 2020 Merzouga Rally – Morocco and Baja Aragon – Spain, will automatically qualify for the SuperFinale, joining the qualifiers from the National Cups.

A new program running parallel to the official YXZ1000R European Cup will be the YXZ1000R Challenge, an overall ranking for racers competing outside of the Cup regardless of their racing preparation type. The YXZ1000R Challenge winner will receive a free entry to the Baja Aragon 2021.

Detailed rules and regulations of the 2020 YXZ1000R European Cup will be available on Yamaha-racing.com soon.

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

Source: MCNews.com.au