Tag Archives: MXGP 2019

Gajser continues Honda streak in Indonesia | Prado wins MX2

MXGP 2019

Round 11 – MXGP of Indonesia, Palembang


MXGP has returned for two back-to-back rounds, the first of which was the MXGP of Indonesia in Palembang, where it was Tim Gajser once again dominating the big bikes, with Jorge Prado likewise taking another round win, as the two continued to dominate, and in the very tough heat of Indonesia both red plate holders also built on their series points leads.

MXGP Indonesia MX Gajser start
Tim Gajser – MXGP of Indonesia 2019

Around the very unique circuit in Palembang, both Gajser and Prado didn’t have it all their own way, both losing a race, Gajser going 1-2 and Prado also 1-2, however the final tally saw the pair do enough to claim the red plates into Semarang, also in Indonesia next weekend with a confident feeling.

Aussie Jed Beaton also had a strong weekend going 5-5 in MX2 for fifth overall for the round and tenth overall, while in MXGP Lewis Stewart went 15-14 and Adam Coles went 16-15 to claim 15th and 16th overall for the round, respectively. Mitch Evans crashed in MX2 Race 1 and sat out the remainder of the weekend.

MXGP Germany Rnd Jed Beaton JPA
Jed Beaton was the top Aussie performer at the MXGP of Indonesia

MXGP

On a regular basis Tim Gajser led into the first lap of the opening MXGP race taking the FOX Holeshot, followed by Jeremy Seewer and Glenn Coldenhoff. Also, up front were Max Anstie, Romain Febvre, Arnaud Tonus and Gautier Paulin while Arminas Jasikonis crashed and dropped back to 15th place. Anstie moved past Coldenhoff for third, and Jasikonis was able to get back into 13th.

MXGP Indonesia Tim Gajser Jeremy Seewer
Tim Gajser & Jeremy Seewer – MXGP of Indonesia 2019

Running a little harder Gajser moved to more than five seconds away from Seewer and Anstie started to put pressure on the second placed man. Febvre closed in to Coldenhoff while Anstie was on Seewer but as the French was frustrated as he made a mistake, Anstie passes Seewer for second but he was seven seconds behind Gajser, who seemingly was cruising up front and around the same time Jasikonis was all over Bogersfor 11th.

Five laps to go Febvre was charging in Coldenhoff for a long while managed to go through. Light rain began as the race continued. Gajser though wasn’t having any problems up front, and everyone held their positions. Gajser was victorious at race 1 in Palembang, winning it from Anstie and Seewer.

MXGP Indonesia Romain Febvre
Romain Febvre – MXGP of Indonesia 2019

At the start of the second MXGP race it was again Gajser in the early lead taking his fifth FOX Holeshot of the season, followed by Anstie, who crashed in the first lap and dropped back to 10th place. Tonus was also in trouble as he trailed near last and then couldn’t get his bike going again.

MXGP Indonesia MX Gajser start
Tim Gajser – MXGP of Indonesia 2019

Seewer was second, then Febvre, Paulin, Coldenhoff, Bogers and Jonass. Monticelli also crashed and went back in 19th place. After two laps the lead by Gajser was nearly three seconds and Febvre had moved past Seewer and was running hard to catch the leader.

On lap 3 Gajser made a mistake and Febvre and Seewer both went past and dropped the Honda man to third place, but the red plate owner was quickly back past Seewer, although Febvre held a six second lead after eight laps.

MXGP Indonesia Jeremy Seewer
Jeremy Seewer – MXGP of Indonesia 2019

Coldenhoff passed Paulin and Seewer at the last laps to finish Race 2 in third place, and Anstie was onto Paulin to fight for fifth position while Febvre was miles ahead of Gajser. That left Febvre wining his first race of the season and the first after the 2017 MXGP of Sweden, ahead of Gajser and Coldenhoff.

MXGP Indonesia MX Seewer Coldenhoff
Glenn Coldenhoff – MXGP of Indonesia 2019

Tim Gajser took the overall win with his 1-2 results while Romain Febvre took second and his teammate Jeremy Seewer rounded up the podium.

MXGP Indonesia MX Gajser podium
MXGP saw Tim Gajser take the overall win from Febvre and Seewer
Tim Gajser 1-2

“All day I really enjoyed riding the track. In the first moto I grabbed the holeshot and made a little gap and controlled the race. I had a lot of fun out there and managed to win the first moto. In the second race I didn’t have the best jump out of the gate so I got closed off on the straight, but as they ran wide, I was able to cut inside and take another holeshot. On the fourth lap and went off the track, and my rear tyre spun on the dusty ground and I had a little crash. I re-joined the race in third place, but managed to pass Jeremy immediately. I saw that Romain was riding a really good pace out front so I decided to settle for second place and to win another overall. Obviously I’m still happy with how the day went and my standing in the championship.”

MXGP Indonesia MX Gajser finish
Tim Gajser – MXGP of Indonesia 2019
Romain Febvre 4-1

“It’s been too long since I last won a race. It’s been hard and I have wondered what I am doing, but finally it’s in and I have done it, but still I am second overall, and I would like to win the Grand Prix. It’s always nice to win races, but I want to stand on the top step of the podium. It feels like it has been so close this season, but I miss it by just a little bit. I hope that it is coming, and I look forward to going to Semarang next weekend because I like the track there, it is fast and nice to ride, so I hope for good weather, good starts and then it will be good.”

MXGP Indonesia Romain Febvre
Romain Febvre – MXGP of Indonesia 2019
Jeremy Seewer 3-4

“I’ve been really consistent this season and this is what I have wanted to do. I have shown at the last GP’s that I am a threat to the podium, just some small mistakes cost me coming into here. I have had many good races this year and I feel good on the bike. I am really happy with my consistency even though I didn’t start the season the way I wanted to. I am happy I got on the podium here in such tough conditions, I managed to post two good results with two good starts. I know that there are places that I can improve, and I will work on these, but for now I am happy that I am here and I am happy with the way things are going.”

MXGP Indonesia Romain Febvre Jeremy Seewer
Romain Febvre & Jeremy Seewer – MXGP of Indonesia 2019
Gautier Paulin 7-5

“The weekend started well. The track was cool and really tacky, I managed to post the fastest time. In the first race I didn’t get the best start and we are all really close in speed on the track, so it was difficult to pass. At one point the guys got away and I secured seventh. The second race was challenging because I had a small issue on the sighting lap, so I started a little bit stressed out. I got a normal start, I was third around the corner and I finished fifth although I had a small issue with the front brake, but no excuse, I felt good on the bike so I am really looking forward to the next round. We will keep our head up and continue to push. I really want to thank the Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP team for all of their hard work and support.”

Pauls Jonass 7-8

“I made a mistake in the qualification race on Saturday and crashed heavily on my shoulder, which made the whole weekend difficult for me. It’s really frustrating as I felt good on the track. I guess I was lucky it wasn’t a serious injury, but I banged my shoulder hard and that made it tough today – I didn’t have the power I needed for the ruts, braking bumps and landings from the jumps. But I did the best I could. I got a decent start in the first race then went a little wide in the second turn. After that I couldn’t push like I wanted to because of my shoulder. I made a few passes but eighth wasn’t what I wanted. Race two was similar – I couldn’t go any faster. It was a little bit of surviving, getting the most championship points possible. I’ll rest now and go again next weekend.”

MXGP Indonesia Pauls Jonass
Pauls Jonass – MXGP of Indonesia 2019
Brian Bogers 12-8

“The day didn’t really go as I wanted, especially the first moto. The first five or six laps felt okay and I was riding with the fast guys but then the heat hit me really bad and I couldn’t push anymore. I felt pretty bad about that so I really wanted to try harder for race two. I got out of the gate really well and from the beginning I was pushing even harder than the first moto. I didn’t want to save myself because that isn’t a good mindset and it seemed to work because even when I got a little tired with the heat, I could still keep pushing. I ended up with a twelfth and an eighth for eighth overall so that’s not too bad but I still want to do better.”

MXGP Indonesia MX Bogers action
Brian Bogers – MXGP of Indonesia 2019
Tony Cairoli – Injury Update

“It is sad to finish the championship this way and it hasn’t happened too many times in my career. When I tried to ride last week I knew I had some problems but I wanted to stay positive about the recovery. I had more scans in Belgium and the injury was much worse that we thought so they told me to have surgery right away and it was the best solution to get healthy again in the fastest way. Thanks to the team and to the fans for the support. I hope to visit a few races before the end of the season and will now concentrate on getting better.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Tony Cairoli
Tony Cairoli

MXGP of Indonesia – Round 11 – Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Moto News Weekly | MX | Trials | ISDE | SX | Speedway | Junior Worlds

Moto News Weekly for July 2, 2019

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What happened this week

  • Musquin & Cianciarulo top Southwick National
  • Toni Bou wins Belgium TrialGP Round 5
  • Australian ISDE Team update & controversy
  • Jorge Prado signs with Red Bull KTM until 2023
  • Tommy Searle joins KRT for MXGP
  • DPH Husqvarna Factory Racing leads MX Nationals to Round 7
  • Fly Racing sponsors 2019 Australian Supercross Rounds 1-3
  • Joeys reach 2019 FIM Team Speedway U21 World Championship final
  • 2019 Team Australia MXoN applications open!
  • RIP Neville Turner – Mount Kembla motocross fatality
  • 2019 FIM Junior Motocross Entrants revealed

Musquin & Cianciarulo top Southwick National

For the full Southwick National report see:
Musquin wins Southwick | Ferris & Lawrence both in Top Ten (link)

Marking the 2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship halfway point, the Southwick National visited The Wick 338 sand track, with Marvin Musquin carrying the momentum following his first overall win of the season the previous weekend in Florida. He kept it going at the sandbox with an impressive performance that saw him become the first rider this season to capture back-to-back victory.

AMA MX Rnd Southwick Starts JK MX Southwick Cover
Southwick AMA Pro Motocross

The win also vaulted the Frenchman up to second in the 450 Class standings, where he’ll look to keep chipping away at his deficit to Eli Tomac over the second half of the summer.

Marvin Musquin 1-2

“Qualifying first meant a whole lot coming into the races today. I was so pumped to grab the holeshot in the first moto! It was a long moto, when you lead like that the whole time it feels like forever but it was super important to win that one because everyone was right there. I didn’t get the same start in the second moto but I worked my way through to second and it was good for the overall. It was tough out there physically, but we stayed consistent and came away with the overall.”

AMA MX Rnd Southwick Musquin Osborne Tomac Podium JK MX Southwick
2019 AMA Pro Motocross – Round Six – Southwick

Dean Ferris was happy to fight his way to a top ten result in Moto 1 from a poor start, while a crash in Moto 2 saw him finish just outside the top 10 in 12th, for eighth overall.

Dean Ferris 8-12

“I had a terrible start in moto one and had put in a really big fight. I am quite happy with the moto and wasn’t too far behind some really big guys. In moto two, I ended up going down and it was really physically demanding. I’m glad it’s over and we can focus on the next race.”

AMA MX Rnd Southwick Ferris JK MX Southwick
Dean Ferris – 2019 AMA Pro Motocross – Round Six – Southwick

Roczen showed impressive speed in the early going of both motos at Southwick, setting quick lap times and making strong passes, only for his physical limitations to then thwart his progress and see him overtaken by several competitors, with a 12-10 result netting ninth overall.

Ken Roczen

“I was coming into Southwick fairly excited, though struggling a little bit recovering from last weekend’s race. Still, I came in with full motivation and a new fork setting that unfortunately didn’t work out very well for me in the first moto. On top of that, I could’ve recovered a little better from the weekend before, but I knew that I went out there and gave my best. For sure it wasn’t what we were looking for, but we’re going to continue working hard on the bike and I’m going to continue working on myself to get back in top shape and get back to winning races. For now I have to take it as it is, but I’m going to keep my head up and hope for a much, much better result from RedBud. I’m going to do everything I can throughout the week to prepare myself and get back to the very top. Other than that, there’s not much to say about my result besides we’re not very happy with it and are looking to turn it around next weekend.”

AMA MX Rnd Southwick Roczen JK MX Southwick
Ken Roczen – 2019 AMA Pro Motocross – Round Six – Southwick

In the 250 Class, Adam Cianciarulo was in search of a rebound after his four-round winning streak was snapped in Florida. The championship leader rose to the occasion in Southwick, and emerged with his fifth win in six races to extend his lead in the championship standings.

Adam Cianciarulo 1-2

“I try to make good decisions [when I’m out there]. The more I mature as a racer, the more you just learn [how to handle situations]. I managed that [second moto], for sure. I’m not sure if I had Dylan’s pace in that [second] moto. He deserved that one. I tried to follow, but I’ll admit, I was a little bit fatigued. We still leave here with another win, and it’s amazing what we continue to accomplish as a team.”

AMA MX Rnd Southwick Cianciarulo Multiple JK MX Southwick
Adam Cianciarulo – 2019 AMA Pro Motocross – Round Six – Southwick

450 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish)

  1. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM (1-2)
  2. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Husqvarna (3-1)
  3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki (2-3)
  4. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (4-4)
  5. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna (7-5)
  6. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Yamaha (6-6)
  7. Fredrik Noren, Sweden, Honda (5-7)
  8. Dean Ferris, Australia, Yamaha (8-12)
  9. Ken Roczen, Germany, Honda (12-10)
  10. John Short, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda (15-9)

450 Class Championship Standings

  1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki – 257
  2. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM – 231
  3. Ken Roczen, Germany, Honda – 229
  4. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Husqvarna – 227
  5. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna – 212
  6. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM – 202
  7. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Yamaha – 159
  8. Dean Ferris, Australia, Yamaha – 136
  9. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., KTM – 131
  10. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., KTM – 117

250 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish)

  1. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki (1-2)
  2. Dylan Ferrandis, France, Yamaha (3-1)
  3. Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha (2-3)
  4. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Honda (4-4)
  5. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM (6-7)
  6. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Suzuki (10-5)
  7. Brandon Hartranft, Brick, N.J., Yamaha (7-8)
  8. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha (5-11)
  9. Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, KTM (11-6)
  10. Jacob Hayes, Greensboro, N.C., Yamaha (12-9)

250 Class Championship Standings

  1. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki – 269
  2. Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha – 246
  3. Dylan Ferrandis, France, Yamaha – 232
  4. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha – 178
  5. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda – 167
  6. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Honda – 165
  7. Hunter Lawrence, Australia, Honda – 162
  8. Michael Mosiman, Sebastopol, Calif., Husqvarna – 148
  9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Suzuki – 143
  10. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM – 108
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Jared Mees tops 2019 Lima Half Mile

AFT Twins images courtesy of Scott Hunter

Defending multi-time Champion Jared Mees claimed the AFT Twins Lima Half-Mile over the weekend at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, in what was arguably the most thrilling of the 2019 American Flat Track season and one with massive championship implications – both factors working decidedly in Mees’ favor.

AFT Twins Lima Half Mile Jared Mees ERV
Jared Mees – Lima Half Mile 2019

The opening several laps featured an intense head-to-head showdown that pit Mees up against championship leader Briar Bauman. That duel was cut short by a red flag on lap 7, which altered the complexion of the Main dramatically.

Mees got a stellar jump at the restart, while Bauman was sucked into a battle for second with Jeffrey Carver Jr., Henry Wiles, and rookie Brandon Price. Bauman’s luck only got worse from there, as his rear tire came clean off the rim on lap 10. That unusual mishap put an end to his perfect season’s podium streak while instantly eliminating the bulk of his hard-earned championship padding.

Following Bauman’s exit, Carver ate up the gap to Mees, and the two then engaged in their own wild shootout for the lead. Running divergent lines, Mees and Carver proceeded to trade the position back and forth multiple times per corner for several laps in succession.

Carver attempted to square up the final turn but Mees powered neatly around the outside line, beating his opponent to the checkered flag by 0.199 seconds. Wiles came home third another 0.668 seconds in arrears.

Combined with Briar Bauman’s DNF and Brandon Robinson failing to make the Main 1 event after cashing in his only provisional start of the season, Mees’ triumph elevated him to second in the standings, a mere 13 points back of Bauman (145-132).

Jared Mees

“When you’re battling up in the cushion like that, it wears you out twice as fast. You’re wrestling the bike, and the bike’s jumping around. Hats off to Jeffrey; I work out so hard, and I didn’t have nothing left — I was done. I just want to give a big shout out to Jeffrey [Carver, Jr.] and Henry [Wiles] for a hellacious, awesome race.”

AFT Twins Lima Half Mile Jared Mees ERV
Jared Mees – Lima Half Mile 2019

2019 American Flat Track – Lima Half Mile Main Event

  1. Jared Mees 25 Laps (winner)
  2. Jeffrey Carver Jr. +0.199
  3. Henry Wiles +0.867
  4. Brandon Price +4.487
  5. Bronson Bauman +10.639
  6. Robert Pearson +11.127
  7. Bryan Smith +11.715
  8. Davis Fisher +15.156
  9. Stephen Vanderkuur +17.956
  10. JD Beach +18.463

2019 American Flat Track Point Standings – AFT Twins

  1. Briar Bauman – 145
  2. Jared Mees – 132
  3. Brandon Robinson – 108
  4. Bronson Bauman – 101
  5. Henry Wiles – 96
  6. Jeffrey Carver Jr. – 90
  7. Jarod Vanderkooi – 85
  8. Robert Pearson – 78
  9. Jake Johnson – 75
  10. Sammy Halbert – 74

AFT Singles

For the second consecutive year at the Allen County Fairgrounds, Shayna Texter was simply unstoppable in the Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys Main Event.

AFT Twins Lima Half Mile Singles Texter ERV
Shayna Texter – Lima Half Mile 2019

After dominating the program in the lead-up to the Main, Texter found herself shuffled down to fourth as she fishtailed off the line. Undeterred, Texter put on a flat track masterclass as she propelled her way forward.

Shayna Texter

“My Red Bull KTM backed by Roof Systems motorcycle was just working so good. I couldn’t figure out how I won this race last year. I sat around for 365 days and thought, ‘Man, how did I win Lima?’ So, to win it twice is incredible. It’s a dream come true.”

Max Whale had a rough day but finished 13th in the Main event.

Max Whale

“Struggled all day on my A bike. Switched to the back up bike and was happy to make the main. Tried my hardest and all I could salvage was a 13th. Happy to still be running eighth in the championship. Keep moving forward!”

2019 American Flat Track – Lima Half Mile Singles Main Event

  1. Shayna Texter 15 Laps (winners)
  2. Dan Bromley +2.570
  3. Chad Cose +4.693
  4. Mikey Rush +4.915
  5. Ryan Wells +5.098
    …13. Max Whale
AFT Twins Lima Half Mile Singles Podium FA
AFT Singles Podium – 1) Shayna Texter, 2) Dan Bromley, 3) Chad Cose – Lima Half Mile 2019

2019 American Flat Track Point Standings – AFT Singles

  1. Mikey Rush 156
  2. Dalton Gauthier 144
  3. Dan Bromley 134
  4. Jesse Janisch 129
  5. Ryan Wells 105

AFT Production Twins

Chad Cose earned his first-career American Flat Track victory following a race-long scrap with runaway AFT Production Twins title leader Cory Texter. Texter entered Lima with a perfect three-for-three wins record on the season and threatened to make it four-for-four by storming to the holeshot and opening an immediate gap.

However, Cose exploited the high line to perfection for the short time it existed and managed to steal away the lead while the contest was still in its early stages. Texter reclaimed the advantage for a single straight at mid-distance, but Cose pounced in the very next corner to counter. Texter then hounded his rival to the flag but was never able to find another hole in Cose’s defense.

Cose’s maiden win comes after more than a decade on the scene and after finishing the 2018 season ranked sixth overall in the premier AFT Twins class with a podium to his name.

Chad Cose

“I’m so happy for my team. It feels good for me, and I knew I was capable all along. But it’s tough. Nobody sees the behind-the-scenes stuff and everything like that. I’m so happy for my team — they work so hard for me.”

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Toni Bou wins Belgium TrialGP Round 5

Toni Bou (Repsol Honda Team) has secured another victory in the 2019 TrialGP championship to further extend his lead at Round 5 in Comblain-au-Pont, Belgium. Hot conditions proved a challenge to competitors, with constant refreshment required while the two fiften section laps were complete.

TrialGP Belgium Rnd Toni Bou ps
Toni Bou – TrialGP of Belgium Round 5, 2019

Proving strong competition throughout the day was Jeroni Fajardo, with Bou taking the lead in the final section of the last lap to claim the win. This is Toni Bou’s fifth victory of the season, with a 19-point lead that seen him on the top step of the podium since Andora last year.

Teammate Takahisa Fujinami came in fourth, narrowly missing the podium, and holds the same position in the standings.

Toni Bou – P1

“Today was a very tough race. It was very easy to fail but very difficult to recover. On the first lap we had Fajardo ahead who had a great trial, but on the second I was able to come back and put up with the pressure well. I was able to take the win in the final section in front of the spectators, which was very nice. Looking ahead to the championship, today has been a very important day to take things one step further. Congratulates also to Fujinami, who today also had a great ride opening the track.”

TrialGP Belgium Rnd Toni Bou ps
Toni Bou – TrialGP of Belgium Round 5, 2019

Belgium TrialGP Result

  1. BOU Toni – Repsol Honda Team
  2. FAJARDO Jeroni – Gas Gas
  3. RAGA Adam – TRRS Factory Team
  4. FUJINAMI Takahisa – Repsol Honda Team
  5. BUSTO Jaime – Vertigo Factory Team
TrialGP Belgium Rnd PODIUM ps
Toni Bou topped the podium from Fajardo and Raga – TrialGP of Belgium Round 5, 2019

TrialGP Standings following Belgium

  1. BOU Toni – 100 points
  2. RAGA Adam – 67
  3. FAJARDO Jeroni – 67
  4. FUJINAMI Takahisa – 66
  5. BUSTO Jaime – 51
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Australian ISDE Team update & controversy

The November 2019 FIM International Six Days’ Enduro (ISDE) inches ever closer, as Team Australia gets set to head to Portugal to defend their title, and Motorcycling Australia announce an update to the team line-up.

With Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Racing Team) and his fiancé expecting their first child in October, Milner opted to not risk missing the birth and as a result he won’t defend his personal and team title in 2019.

Daniel Milner

“My fiancé and I are super excited to announce that we are expecting Baby Milner in October! We can’t wait for parenthood and what the rest of this year has to bring! Unfortunately, my commitments to my family mean I have withdrawn from the RecoveR8 Australian ISDE Team. Sadly, I will be unable to defend my individual and team title.”

ISDE Day Australia Daniel MIlner
Daniel Milner at the ISDE in 2018

Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team’s Fraser Higlett will step in the RecoveR8 Australian World Trophy Team, returning to the team after a strong performance at the 2018 ISDE, in Chile, where he finished ninth in the E1 class and 38th overall.

Fraser Higlett

“This has been a unexpected but super positive surprise! I’m really honoured to be returning to the ISDE for a second year and representing my country. 2018 marked my first year in the team, and I learnt a lot which I’ll take into Portugal to help defend our title.”

ISDE Chile Day Australian Junior Fraser Higlett JPM
Fraser Higlett – 2018 ISDE Day 1 – Chile – Image by John Pearson Media

There was some controversy over why 2018 competitor Josh Strang hadn’t been picked for the team with Strang sharing he missed initial selection due to the level of support it was believed he would receive and the reliability of his machine. He then shared that he was asked to fill in for Milner, but declined the position while congratulating Milner on his expectant fatherhood.

Josh Strang (on FB)

“Figured I could answer a few questions about ISDE now everything has all been settled. First off – I missed selection in the first pick due to the support I was able to receive or what the selectors presumed I would receive and the reliability of my machine. This made me even more upset about the choice that was made. Now this week I was asked to fill in again after [Daniel Milner] @milner_31 withdrew but it has been two months so I have made plans and I wasn’t chosen in the first place so why should I go now. I wish all the boys luck and I hope next year when I put my hand up I will be chosen the first time around. I’m an Aussie so you gotta put your 2-cents in when the time is right. Pumped for Milner, you don’t wanna miss the first few weeks with your kid mate! At least the rentals will be safe this year!”

Kawasaki Team Green Babbitts Online Motorsports
Josh Strang joined Kawasaki for 2019 with the Babbit’s Kawasaki Racing Team

2019 RecoveR8 Australian World Trophy Team:

  • Joshua Green
  • Fraser Higlett
  • Daniel Sanders
  • Luke Styke

2019 RecoveR8 Australian Women’s World Trophy Team:

  • Jessica Gardiner
  • Tayla Jones
  • Mackenzie Tricker

2019 RecoveR8 Australian Junior World Trophy Team:

  • Michael Driscoll
  • Wil Ruprecht
  • Lyndon Snodgrass

Team Manager:

  • Don Atkins
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Jorge Prado signs with Red Bull KTM until 2023

Defending MX2 World Champion Jorge Prado has confirmed he’ll remain with the Red Bull KTM in the MXGP Championship until 2023, with a contract extension made in Germany.

Jorge Prado

“KTM have supported me since I started racing and winning my first world title in the 65s. They offered me a great opportunity for MXGP because if I win this year then I’ll need to be on a 450 and so this all came together very easily. I’m very happy to stay another four years and we’re both excited about it. Since I joined this team and worked with Claudio [De Carli] I’ve really felt that my place was to stay here and learn. He has a lot of experience and I’m sure we’ll make a good pass to the 450s. I have a great team behind me and it is difficult to find a better place than where I am right now.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Jorge Prado
Jorge Prado – MXGP of Latvia 2019

18-year-old Prado took his first GP podium in 2016 in Assen and by 2018 was MX2 world championship, while 2019 has seen him on track for another win having claimed nine round victories from the ten he’s contested, with 14 holeshots to boot.

He currently holds a 44-point lead in the standings and is aiming for back to back championships, which would put him in the history books alongside Marvin Musquin and Jeffrey Herlings.

Claudio De Carli – Red Bull KTM MXGP Team Manager

“In our sport we can never take anything taken for granted, so it is always satisfying when renewals like this happen and we can continue our journey. It is the sign that we are working in the right direction and the continuity in relationships means that the group is solid and close-knit. With Jorge I have had again the chance to help a young rider, which has always been one of my priorities, and I thank KTM for this. In the last two years I can only say that with Jorge we have always worked with the utmost commitment and with a smile, even in difficult times. He is a fantastic boy that deserves all his success.”

Jorge Prado and Claudio De Carli
Jorge Prado and Claudio De Carli – Red Bull KTM MXGP Team Manager

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Tommy Searle joins KRT for MXGP

Tommy Searle will join the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team for the remainder of the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship, with both factory riders injured. BOS GP agreed to allow Searle to move from their team to the Factory team, starting with the Czech Republic round in July.

Searle currently leads the British Championship and will undergo several testing sessions on the Factory machine before competing.

Tommy Searle

“I’m obviously very happy to have this opportunity to ride for the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team and I want to thank everyone involved for their support. I will work hard with them in the coming weeks to be ready and prepared for the Czech GP, and will also do my best in the British series to claimed this title for Kawasaki and BOS who gave me this opportunity this season.”

MXGP Portugal Rnd Searle GP PH
Tommy Searle – MXGP of Portugal
François Lemariey – Monster Energy KRT Team manager

“It’s great to see that all the parties involved made this possible, as we need to line up our Factory bike behind the gate as soon as possible again after the injuries to Clément and Julien. Julien underwent successful surgery last Monday to his arm; he is now recovering as well as Clément but we know that both will need time before getting back to racing. Tommy did most of his GP career with Kawasaki and we are pleased to welcome him in the team; several testing sessions are already planned so we can prepare together in good shape at the MXGP of Czech Republic. It was impossible to fly to Indonesia as the crates had to be delivered earlier his week, and we want Tommy to test the bike thoroughly before racing the GPs with us. ”


DPH Husqvarna leads MX Nationals to Round 7

Following a strong start to the second half of the 2019 MX Nationals season, the DPH Husqvarna Factory Racing Team head to Round 7 in Maitland with both the MX1 and MX2 leads, with Todd Waters and Wilson Todd. Teammate Bailey Malkiewicz also holds seventh in the MX2 standings.

MX Nationals Rnd Gympie MX Todd Waters
Todd Waters
Boyd Hocking – DPH Husqvarna team manager

“I’m really happy with how things came together [at Round 6]. With all three racers being full of confidence after the break in the season, we all felt it would be a strong weekend but to finish the weekend leading both championships is unbelievable. With four rounds over three weekends still to go, a lot can happen, but we’re in a good position. Toddy (Todd Waters) and Wilbur (Wilson Todd), they continue to show that they are in it to win, and they’re the benchmark riders in their classes. When things don’t go exactly to plan, they consolidate, work hard and make it a positive result, and when it does go to plan, they cross the line first. I can’t wait for round seven!”

MX Nationals Rnd Gympie MX Wilson Todd
Wilson Todd

The seventh round of the MX Nationals is scheduled for Maitland, NSW on July 14.

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Fly Racing sponsors 2019 Australian Supercross Rounds 1-3

Fly Racing Australia has come on board with the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship as a major partner, coverings Rounds 1, 2 and 3 which well be held in Brisbane (Oct 12), Port Adelaide (Oct 19) and Wollongong (Novemer 9) respectively.

Australian Supercross Championship Gillman Speedway Brett Metcalfe
Australian Supercross Championship

The partnership was announced by Troy Bayliss with Fly Racing the naming sponsor for Round 2 at Gillman Speedway in Port Adelaide.

Troy Bayliss

“We are pleased to welcome Fly Racing’s partnership with Round 1,2 and 3 of the Australian Supercross Championships, Fly Racing has been a big supporter of Supercross athletes and teams around the world and it’s exciting to see that support expand to Supercross events here in Australia.”

Australian Supercross Penrite Honda Brett Metcalfe AI
Penrite Honda’s Justin Brayton and Brett Metcalfe in 2018

McLeod Accessories’ Brand Manager and Race Support Duncan Hale was also excited with the partnership, with Fly Racing currently supporting the Penrite Honda Racing team which returns in 2019 with the same team as 2018, including Justin Braytin and Brett Metcalfe.

Duncan Hale

“McLeod Accessories and Fly Racing are honoured to commence our partnership with Troy Bayliss Events and the Australian Supercross Championship for 2019. Our constant goal at McLeod Accessories and Fly Racing is to always provide the highest quality service to our dealers and the very best products to their customers. McLeod’s and FLY have a strong passion for the Local Motorcycle industry, and this is a great way to demonstrate our long term commitment to the growth of the sport in Australia. Troy Bayliss Events vision for the long-term health and growth of Australian Supercross is shared by McLeod Accessories. That like-minded thinking, coupled with the entire organization’s passion for the sport, made them an ideal partner for the Fly Racing brand. The 2019 Australian Supercross Championship is a great opportunity for us to showcase the all new mind blowing 2020 Fly Racewear, both on and off the track.”

Australian Supercross Penrite Honda Justin Brayton
Justin Brayton – Australian Supercross 2018

The Australian Supercross Championship is sanctioned by Motorcycling Australia (MA).

Australian Supercross Championship Ticket Sales

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Joeys reach 2019 FIM Team Speedway U21 final

Team Australia, consisting of Captain Jaimon Lidsey and team members Jordan Stewart, Kye Thomson, Zac Cooke and Matthew “Happy” Gilmore, fought tooth and nail in Vetlanda, Sweden to successfully secure their place in the FIM Team Speedway U21 World Championship final.

Joeys Australia FIM Team Speedway U World Championship
The Joeys were runner up at the recent Swedish round, claiming a place in the final – Image by Ian Charles

Clocking up a total of 40 points overall, the Joeys finished just behind the evening’s victor, Denmark, on 50 points. Team Captain, Lidsey, shone all evening to score the greatest sum of points for Team Australia, with 17 points. Happy Gilmore and Stewart followed on the success from Lidsey with 10 and nine points for the night, respectively.

Jaimon Lidsey

“A great result for Team Australia, in our semi-final and scoring enough points to secure a spot in the final in Manchester on the 12th of July. We’re absolutely pumped!”

Australia’s Joeys now head to Manchester, UK for the Final on Friday 12th July. Lidsey is set to be right at home come July, with the Final kicking off at his SGB Premiership home track in Manchester. Team Australia will now go head to head with 11-time FIM Team Speedway U21 World Champions, Poland, as well as Denmark and Great Britain, who finished second and third in the 2018 edition of the World Championship.


2019 Team Australia MXoN applications open!

2019 will see Assen, the Netherlands play host to the FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN), kicking off on September 28 and Motorcycling Australia has just opened applications to join Team Australia.

MXoN Starts MX JK MXON
MXoN 2018

The 2018 MXoN saw Team Australia finish in fourth overall behind France, the Netherlands and Great Britain, while 2019 will see Australia return stronger than ever and eager to reach the podium.

There are three classes available for riders to nominate for including MX1, MX2 and Open. Riders can nominate for more than one class and applications must be submitted by no later than COB Friday 26th July, with selected team members away for approximately seven days, with final details to be confirmed at a later date.

You can download the 2019 FIM Motocross of Nations Australian Team Rider Application, Assen, Netherlands by clicking this link.

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Mount Kembla motocross fatality

In a tragic turn of events, experienced motocross rider 51-year-old Neville Turner has passed away following a collision with a tree on Sunday during a social ride on the practice track, at the Mt Kembla dirt bike complex.

A fundraiser on GoFundMe.com has been started to support Mr. Turner’s wife and family. You can find the GoFundMe page here:

Moto X rider died Mt Kembla Moto X track (link)


2019 FIM Junior Motocross Entrants revealed

Youthstream have announced the entry list for the 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship, and 65cc World Cup, which will be held in Pietramurata, Trentino on July 13-14.

FIM Junior Motocross World Cup
FIM Junior Motocross World Cup

The FIM Junior Motocross World Championship includes the 125cc and 85cc two stroke categories plus the 65cc FIM Junior Motocross World Cup featuring young talents coming from all over the world competing not only for their national flag but to be crowned World Champions or World Cup winner.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Moto News | EnduroGP | MXGP | EMX | GNCC | WESS

The LATEST News

  • Gajser & Prado Dominate Teutschenthal
  • German EMX Won by Rubini & Guyon
  • GNCC of West Virginia Falls to Kailub Russell
  • Waters and Wilson Storm Gympie MX National
  • Musquin & Cooper Win in Florida
  • McCanney and Salvini Share EnduroGP Wins
  • Jarvis Wins Hixpania Hard Enduro
  • Toni Bou Continues Win Streak in the Netherlands
  • Cairoli and Herlings Injured
  • Connor Guillot wins R&D Husky TC65
  • Australian Supercross Kicks off in Brisbane
  • RC V BT at New Zealand SX Open
  • Max Fricke gets Norrbil Swedish SGP Call Up

Gajser & Prado dominate Teutschenthal

Teutschenthal in Germany hosted Round 10 of the FIM World Motocross Championship and it was the two championship leaders in Tim Gajser and Jorge Prado who won all motos in the MXGP and MX2 classes respectively.

MXGP Germany Rnd Kjer Olsen JPA
MXGP of Germany 2019 – Image by Juan Pablo Acevedo

MXGP Report

The Teutschenthal circuit was incredibly rough this year with deep ruts throughout the hard packed and undulating circuit but Gajser made it all look easy on his factory Honda to take the opening moto win from four Yamaha riders in Arnaud Tonus, Jeremy Seewer, Romain Febvre and Gautier Paulin before blitzing the second moto ahead of Pauls Jonass, Tonus, Paulin and Max Anstie.

MXGP Germany Rnd Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – Image by Bavo – MXGP of Germany 2019

With another 1-1 performance, Gajser extended his series points lead over the absent Antonio Cairoli to 83 while second overall went to Tonus with 2-3 moto results ahead of his teammate Gautier Paulin with 5-4 scores.

Tim Gajser

“I am very happy and I had a lot of fun. I made the races easier with the starts, because I took holeshots in both heats and today I couldn’t wait for Indonesia already. What I was missing in the first half of the season was the starts but now they’re better, the start was great in the first race. I took the FOX Holeshot and made a gap but made a mistake and I crashed, but then I managed to make a gap again and I looked forward to the second race. I am enjoying racing very much now. The weekend couldn’t have gone better.”

MXGP Germany Rnd Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – Image by Bavo – MXGP of Germany 2019
Arnaud Tonus

“First race was crazier even if I could finish second when I passed Seewer at the last lap, then in the second race I needed to push at the end to keep the third position but then also Gautier made the podium on the last lap passing Anstie, and this is super cool for the team and for the great job they do for us.”

MXGP Germany Rnd Arnaud Tonus
Arnaud Tonus – MXGP of Germany 2019
Gautier Paulin

“It has been a long time since my last podium, I had a crash in Portugal, not a lot of luck in France and in Latvia I needed to pick it up, but I was really tired about this crazy period, eventually now I’m back on the box and I am so thankful to be on the podium with Arnaud Tonus. We are back in the game.”

MXGP Germany Rnd Arnaud Tonus Gautier Paulin
Arnaud Tonus & Gautier Paulin – MXGP of Germany 2019

MXGP Championship Top 10

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 441 points
  2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 358
  3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 289
  4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 288
  5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 288
  6. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 249
  7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 225
  8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 220
  9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 219
  10. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 208
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MX2 Report

Like Gajser, Prado proved too strong around the hard pack circuit of Teutschenthal with a win in the opening moto ahead of Tom Vialle, Henry Jacobi, Thomas Kjer Olsen, Bas Vaessen and Jed Beaton before taking a 14 second victory over Mathys Boisrame, Vialle, Kjer Olsen and Beaton in moto two.

MXGP Germany Rnd Kjer Olsen JPA
MXGP of Germany 2019 – Image by Juan Pablo Acevedo

So Prado again went 1-1 and took his ninth Grand Prix victory of the year while second overall was Vialle and third was Boisrame on his first MX2 Podium.

Jorge Prado

“I started the weekend a bit weak and didn’t have a good feeling, but today I turned it around and I felt better in the second race. It was a tough track but it was cool to race here. The second race was another great one for me. I felt very good compared to the first race, and I am very happy about it. Another 50 points and I’m very happy with the weekend.”

MXGP Germany Rnd Jorge Prado RA
Jorge Prado – MXGP of Germany 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
Tom Vialle

“This second place is good for me and for the whole team. I felt good all weekend. Training with Joel Smets has also helped me a lot.”

MXGP Germany Rnd Tom Vialle RA
Tom Vialle – MXGP of Germany 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
Mathys Boisrame

“It was incredible and I am very happy for my first podium. I have a good feeling with my bike. The feeling in the second race was very good and I am happy with my first podium. It is MX2 and not easy.”

MXGP Germany Rnd Mathys Boisrame
Mathys Boisrame – MXGP of Germany 2019

Heartbreak for Aussie Mitch Evans who was looking for a way around Kjer Olsen in the opening moto only to crash hard and was forced out of the rest of the weekend while Beaton ended up sixth overall on the day to now sit 11th in the points.

MXGP Germany Rnd Mitch Evans
A crash ended Mitch Evans’ weekend – MXGP of Germany 2019
Jed Beaton

“I’m really happy with the way things have gone this weekend. To get sixth overall is another very important step forwards. I felt like both races were pretty similar really, just with a fall in the first moto that cost me some places. I didn’t get the best of jumps from the start in either race, but I held a tight line around the first turn and made up some places. That put me around 10th and I just pushed hard from there. Falling in the first race cost me some places but overall I was pleased with my riding. Fifth in the second race was good – it’s been a while since I’ve been racing with the guys near the front so it’s just good to be back racing there. It’s a really positive way to the end the GP. To be hitting some good form mid-way through the season is great. I’m looking forward to the overseas races now, and hope I can build on today’s results.”

MXGP Germany Rnd Jed Beaton JPA
Jed Beaton – MXGP of Germany 2019 – Image by Juan Pablo Acevedo

MX2 Championship Classification Top 10

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 447 points
  2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 403
  3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 313
  4. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 284
  5. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 283
  6. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 246
  7. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 226
  8. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 204
  9. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), 185
  10. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 179
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German EMX Won by Rubini & Guyon

Teutschenthal in Germany hosted the latest round of the EMX250 and EMX125 Championships and it was Stephan Rubini who won both 250 motos while Tom Guyon went 2-1 to win the 125 class.

MXGP Germany Rnd VAN DE MOOSDIJK GP PH
Roan Van de Moosdijk – MXGP of Germany 2019

In the championship points, it is Rubini who took the Red Plate with 251pts, followed by Alberto Forato with 241pts and Roan Van De Moosdijk with 238pts while the lone Aussie in this series in Caleb Grothues was disqualified from the event after riding his damaged Yamaha into the pit exit during qualifying.

EMX250 Overall Top 10

  1. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 50 points
  2. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 44
  3. Alberto Forato (ITA, HUS), 40
  4. Jeremy Sydow (GER, HUS), 36
  5. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 29
  6. Raivo Dankers (NED, YAM), 25
  7. Nicholas Lapucci (ITA, KTM), 25
  8. Josh Gilbert (GBR, HON), 25
  9. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 25
  10. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), 23 p.;

EMX250 Championship Top 10

  1. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 251 points
  2. Alberto Forato (ITA, HUS), 241
  3. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 238
  4. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 167
  5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 137
  6. Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, YAM), 133
  7. Josh Gilbert (GBR, HON), 111
  8. Jeremy Sydow (GER, HUS), 103
  9. Raivo Dankers (NED, YAM), 91
  10. Jimmy Clochet (FRA, KAW), 88

Despite Guyon’s victory it is Mattia Guadagnini who still leads the series points after finishing with 1-13 moto results so heading to the next round Guadagnini holds a 13 point lead over Guyon.

EMX125 Overall Classification

  1. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), 47 points
  2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, KTM), 40
  3. Mike Gwerder (SUI, KTM), 40
  4. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 33
  5. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, HUS), 31
  6. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), 29
  7. Florian Miot (FRA, YAM), 29
  8. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 27
  9. Meico Vettik (EST, KTM), 19
  10. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, KTM), 16

EMX125 Championship Classification

  1. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 218 points
  2. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), 205
  3. Mike Gwerder (SUI, KTM), 149
  4. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, HUS), 147
  5. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), 146
  6. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 132
  7. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, KTM), 128
  8. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 93
  9. Guillem Farres Plaza (ESP, KTM), 87
  10. Eddie Jay Wade (GBR, KTM), 76
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GNCC of West Virginia Falls to Kailub Russell

The Snowshoe GNCC in West Virginia hosted round eight of the 2019 Grand National Cross Country and it was once again Kailub Russell who came away with the win in the premier XC1 class while Ben Kelley remains undefeated in the XC2 class.

Russell extended his championship points lead to 48 with the XC1 class win over Steward Baylor, Ricky Russell, Jordan Ashburn, Grant Baylor, Cory Buttrick, Andrew Delong and Josh Strang.

GNCC West Virginia russell kailub KH
Kailub Russell – Image by Ken Hill

Kelly now holds an incredible 92 point lead in the XC2 class with the win over Craig DeLong and Kiwi Liam Draper while in the WMX class championship leader in Aussie Tayla Jones didn’t finish the event handing the win and points lead to Becca Sheets.

XC1 Open Pro – Bike – Class Results

  1. Kailub K Russell
  2. Steward Baylor Jr
  3. Ricky A Russell
  4. Jordan Ashburn
  5. Grant Baylor
  6. Cory Buttrick
  7. Andrew R Delong
  8. Josh V Strang
  9. Thaddeus Duvall

XC1 Open Pro – Bike – Class Points

  1. Kailub K Russell – 225
  2. Thaddeus Duvall – 177
  3. Steward Baylor Jr – 166
  4. Trevor Bollinger – 127
  5. Josh V Strang – 92

XC2 250 Pro – Bike – Class Results

  1. Benjamin M Kelley
  2. Craig B Delong
  3. Liam Draper
  4. Alex Teagarden
  5. Ryder Lafferty

XC2 250 Pro – Bike – Class Points

  1. Ben Kelley – 240
  2. Michael Witkowski – 148
  3. Evan Smith – 125
  4. Austin Lee – 121
  5. Craig B Delong – 113
  6. Liam Draper – 111

WXC – Bike – Class Results

  1. Becca N Sheets
  2. Rachael Archer
  3. Mackenzie Tricker
    Tayla Jones

WXC – Bike – Class Points

  1. Becca N Sheets – 215
  2. Tayla Jones – 183
  3. Mackenzie Tricker – 159
  4. Rachael Archer – 153
  5. Korie Steede – 118
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Waters and Wilson Storm Gympie MX National

The sprawling Queensland town of Gympie hosted Round 6 of the MX Nationals and it was Todd Waters and Jay Wilson who took the top honours in the MX1 and MX2 classes respectively.

MX Nationals Rnd Gympie MX Todd Waters Kirk Gibbs
Todd Waters being chased by Kirk Gibbs and Hayden Mellross

Thor MX1 Report

On a fast and flowing natural terrain circuit the MX1 riders were on fire blitzing their way around a circuit that offered a lot to the riders in the way of passing opportunities, but the opening moto was all Waters despite constant pressure from a fresh looking Brett Metcalfe and the pair hit the chequered flag well ahead of Kirk Gibbs and Luke Clout.

Moto two had a lot of passing early which saw championship leader Clout crashing hard but by mid moto it was a four-way battle with Waters, Gibbs, Hayden Mellross and Metcalfe freight-training through the gum trees that lined the circuit just as Clout slid his way into 10th place.

MX Nationals Rnd Gympie MX Todd Waters
Todd Waters

With a few laps to go Gibbs made the move past Waters into the lead and the two combatants went toe to toe right to the finish with Mellross and Metcalfe not far behind while Jesse Dobson, Dylan Long and Clout rounded out the top seven.

Waters 1-2 was enough to give him the overall round win while Gibbs’ 3-1 was good for second while Brett Metcalfe was third overall but as far as the championship points go Water has taken over the lead by 3 ahead of Clout and 5 ahead of Mellross.

Kirk Gibbs

“It was good to get things back on track and finish up with a good result here. More importantly, the way I rode was what mattered and to be able to pass all the guys at the head of the championship and take the moto win means more to me than finishing on the podium for the day. I just need to focus on the way I ride and doing my best laps and the results will continue to flow for the rest of the season. Thanks to the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team who always put in 100% and its nice to reward everyone on the team and our supporters a podium this weekend.”

Brett Metcalfe

“I am so happy for everyone on the team. Everyone has been working hard and it paid off this weekend, it feels great to be back up there! It’s always reassuring when you get a good start and build a solid momentum as the day goes on. The break between rounds 5 and 6 has allowed my injury to heal so I am riding back to my potential. I battled back from a mediocre start and once I caught the lead group, it was tight and track condition made it difficult to pass anyone, the dust was intense so ultimately I took fourth. We have a couple of weeks to find some more pace and work on setup. I just want to win, simple as that and I can’t wait for Round 7 in Maitland.”

MX Nationals Rnd Gympie MX Podium
MX1 Round Points
Todd Waters 67
Kirk Gibbs 65
Brett Metcalfe 60
Luke Clout

“It wasn’t a great day and I didn’t ride my best, but I was able to salvage what I could and I’m still only three points from the lead in the championship. There are only five points between three of us in the championship and now it comes down to not making any mistakes and keep putting myself in good position to win races and rounds. Next round is at Maitland, a track that I have raced at a few times and enjoy riding so I will put this one behind me, focus forward for the next round and get things back on track there.”

Securing his first career Superpole and following it with 6-5 finishes for sixth overall, Jesse Dobson has once again shown that he is the fastest privateer in the MX1 (450cc) class.

Jesse Dobson

“I’m really happy to get back to the form I expect after Murray Bridge. I know that I have the speed, and the FC450 is an awesome bike right out of the box, so to take out Superpole was a great start to the day. I spent some time testing suspension with Paul Baericke, and I’ve been riding with Nathan Crawford a lot in the break, and it’s really helped me take another step forward. I didn’t get the starts I needed, especially in the second moto but I felt really good on track, and although it got more technical as the day went on, I was able to move forward in both races. The guys at MX Farm have done a great job, and the track is only going to get better, so thanks to WEM for getting us to such a great venue, and thanks to the crew at MPE Husqvarna, I’ll switch over to a brand new FC450 for the final four rounds of the year!”

MX Nationals Rnd Gympie MX Jesse Dobson
Jesse Dobson

MX1 – Raceline Superpole

  1. Jesse Dobson – 1:59.656
  2. Luke Clout +1:59.866
  3. Kirk Gibbs +2:00.924
  4. Brett Metcalfe +2:01.014
  5. Todd Waters +2:21.576

Thor MX1 Moto 1 – Top Ten

  1. Todd Waters 14 Laps Race Time: 29:25.020
  2. Brett Metcalfe +0.773
  3. Kirk Gibbs +23.767
  4. Luke Clout +24.851
  5. Hayden Mellross +37.623
  6. Jesse Dobson +47.614
  7. Caleb Ward +51.167
  8. Jayden Rykers +1:07.289
  9. Richie Evans +1:23.398
  10. Connor Tierney +1:29.192

Fastest Lap: Todd Waters – 2:03.970

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Thor MX1 Moto 1 – Top Ten

  1. Kirk Gibbs 14 Laps – Race Time: 29:55.384
  2. Todd Waters +0.679
  3. Hayden Mellross +1.855
  4. Brett Metcalfe +3.307
  5. Jesse Dobson +15.624
  6. Dylan Long +19.231
  7. Luke Clout +31.941
  8. Jayden Rykers +32.080
  9. Caleb Ward +45.700
  10. Richie Evans +1:02.154

Fastest Lap: Todd Waters – 2:05.823

MX1 Round 6 Overall Top Ten

  1. Todd Waters – 67
  2. Kirk Gibbs – 65
  3. Brett Metcalfe – 60
  4. Hayden Mellross – 56
  5. Luke Clout – 52
  6. Jesse Dobson – 51
  7. Jayden Rykers – 46
  8. Caleb Ward – 46
  9. Richie Evans – 43
  10. Dylan Long – 42

MX1 Championship Top Ten After Round 6

  1. Todd Waters – 332 Points
  2. Luke Clout – 329
  3. Hayden Mellross – 327
  4. Jayden Rykers – 253
  5. Justin Rodbell – 24
  6. Kirk Gibbs – 245
  7. Brett Metcalfe – 241
  8. Jesse Dobson – 227
  9. Richie Evans – 217
  10. Erki Kahro – 190

Motul MX2 Report

The MX2 class was looking like a Wilson Todd white-wash after the opening back-to-back motos where Todd won both despite serious attention from Jay Wilson in moto one and Nathan Crawford in moto two.

MX Nationals Rnd Gympie MX Wilson Todd
Wilson Todd

When the gates dropped on the third and final MX2 race of the day it was Joel Evans who grabbed the holeshot with Luke Reardon and Todd close behind but it all turned to poo early in the lap with Evans going down and taking his fellow Husqvarna rider in Todd down with him.

Jay Wilson soon took over the lead and would go on to take the moto win ahead of Crawford, Aaron Tanti, Kyle Webster and Todd so the overall goes to Wilson over Todd and Crawford but Todd keeps his championship points lead of 24 over Webster and 25 over Wilson.

Jay Wilson

“Wow, its just amazing how things work out, after the first two motos where I was over riding and crashing, I went into race three just looking to ride well and post a result I could be proud of. Winning the round was the last thing on my mind. I didn’t get a great start but made some passes early and managed to hit the lead. I just put down the best laps I could and managed to build a five second lead. It wasn’t until two laps to go that I saw my pitboard that had 1st = 1st that the overall become possible. It was my first moto win of the year. I was a bit fortunate to get the overall win, but I will take it and it just goes to show that you have to keep on plugging away, never give up, and anything can happen. Thanks to my team and my family for another massive effort and we can now look forward to the next round and keep the podium streak going.”

Webster then finished fourth in the afternoon’s final moto to take fifth overall on the day.

Kyle Webster

“Having had a great mid season break with excellent results at Manjimup (third) and the NSW MX titles (first) I was really keen to get back to the Nats. But I never really settled into the track at Gympie on the day and just had to make the most of it. I tried to find my mojo by moto three, and was happy to be able to keep second place in the championship standings. The next round will be important and I will be pushing hard to stay up the front.”

MX Nationals Rnd Gympie MX Podium
Gympie MX2 Round Points
Jay Wilson 61
Wilson Todd 61
Nathan Crawford 60

Pirelli MX2 – Timed Qualifying

  1. Wilson Todd 1:58.538
  2. Nathan Crawford 1:59.300
  3. Jay Wilson 1:59.491
  4. Aaron Tanti 2:00.394
  5. Kyle Webster 2:01.055
  6. Bailey Malkiewicz 2:02.047
  7. Isaac Ferguson 2:02.539
  8. Dylan Wills 2:03.321
  9. Tomas Ravenhorst 2:03.336
  10. Morgan Fogarty 2:04.256

Pirelli MX2 – Back to Back Race 1 Top Ten

  1. Wilson Todd 7 Laps – Race Time: 14:42.760
  2. Aaron Tanti +3.244
  3. Kyle Webster +8.533
  4. Nathan Crawford +16.917
  5. Bailey Malkiewicz +21.017
  6. Jay Wilson +21.830
  7. Dylan Wills +33.230
  8. Cooper Pozniak +40.975
  9. Joel Evans +42.885
  10. Isaac Ferguson +43.419

Fastest Lap: Wilson Todd – 2:03.718

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Pirelli MX2 – Back to Back Race 1 Top Ten

  1. Wilson Todd 7 Laps – Race Time: 14:49.408
  2. Kyle Webster +4.477
  3. Nathan Crawford +10.396
  4. Aaron Tanti +12.672
  5. Jay Wilson +13.589
  6. Dylan Wills +26.099
  7. Morgan Fogarty +27.054
  8. Isaac Ferguson +34.180
  9. Bailey Malkiewicz +35.273
  10. Cooper Pozniak +51.539

Fastest Lap: Wilson Todd – 2:04.020

Pirelli MX2 – Moto 2 – Top Ten

  1. Jay Wilson 9 Laps – Race Time: 19:20.620
  2. Nathan Crawford +1.057
  3. Aaron Tanti +3.006
  4. Kyle Webster +13.190
  5. Wilson Todd +33.362
  6. Dylan Wills +36.061
  7. Bailey Malkiewicz +40.524
  8. Morgan Fogarty +50.981
  9. Luke Reardon +56.701
  10. Ricky Latimer +1:02.519

Fastest Lap: Nathan Crawford – 2:06.677

MX2 Round 6 Overall Top Ten

  1. Jay Wilson – 61 Points
  2. Wilson Todd – 61
  3. Nathan Crawford – 60
  4. Aaron Tanti – 60
  5. Kyle Webster – 60
  6. Dylan Wills – 50
  7. Bailey Malkiewicz – 48
  8. Morgan Fogarty – 43
  9. Isaac Ferguson – 39
  10. Tomas Ravenhorst – 38

MX2 Championship Top Ten After Round 6

  1. Wilson Todd – 344 Points
  2. Kyle Webster – 320
  3. Jay Wilson – 319
  4. Nathan Crawford – 272
  5. Aaron Tanti – 272
  6. Dylan Wills – 256
  7. Bailey Malkiewicz – 246
  8. Ricky Latimer – 209
  9. Cooper Pozniak – 206
  10. Riley Dukes – 202

Pirelli MXD Report

As per usual the action in the MXD class was fast and furious but it was championship leader in Regan Duffy who came away with the overall ahead of his closest river Max Purvis while Noah Ferguson claimed his maiden MXD podium result finishing in 3rd for the round.

Duffy will take a 17 point lead over Purvis as the whole MX Nationals circus heads to Maitland on July 14.

Motul MXD – Timed Qualifying

  1. Regan Duffy – 2:02.150
  2. Noah Ferguson – 2:02.454
  3. Maximus Purvis – 2:02.454
  4. Rhys Budd – 2:02.951
  5. Mason Semmens – 2:03.794
  6. Brodie Ellis – 2:04.167
  7. Liam Walsh – 2:04.763
  8. Mason Rowe – 2:05.351
  9. Jai Walker – 2:05.455
  10. Jack Kukas – 2:05.848

Motul MXD – Moto 1

  1. Maximus Purvis – 9 Laps – Race Time: 19:13.299
  2. Regan Duffy +6.021
  3. Noah Ferguson +6.202
  4. Mason Semmens +7.232
  5. Jai Walker ++1 Lap
  6. Jayce Cosford +1 Lap
  7. Liam Walsh +1 Lap
  8. Mason Rowe +1 Lap
  9. Tye Jones +1 Lap
  10. Mackenzie O’Bree +1 Lap

Motul MXD – Moto 2

  1. Regan Duffy – 9 Laps – Race time: 19:31.740
  2. Maximus Purvis +3.326
  3. Mason Rowe +33.730
  4. Jayce Cosford +40.893
  5. Noah Ferguson +41.679
  6. Brodie Ellis +1 Lap
  7. Tye Jones +1 Lap
  8. Jai Walker +1 Lap
  9. Rhys Budd +1 Lap
  10. Liam Walsh +1 Lap

MX2 Round 6 Overall Top Ten

  1. Regan Duffy – 67 Points
  2. Maximus Purvis – 67
  3. Noah Ferguson – 56
  4. Mason Rowe – 54
  5. Jayce Cosford – 53
  6. Jai Walker – 49
  7. Tye Jones – 46
  8. Brodie Ellis – 45
  9. Liam Walsh – 44
  10. Mackenzie O’Bree – 41

MX1 Championship Top Ten After Round 6

  1. Regan Duffy – 356 Points
  2. Maximus Purvis – 339
  3. Rhys Budd – 293
  4. Brodie Ellis – 263
  5. Mason Rowe – 261
  6. Noah Ferguson – 253
  7. Jack Kukas – 233
  8. Jayce Cosford – 231
  9. Jai Walker – 230
  10. Liam Walsh – 223
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Musquin & Cooper win in Florida

The WW Ranch Motocross Park in Florida hosted the fifth round of the AMA Motocross Championship and on a tough and technical layout it was Marvin Musquin and Justin Cooper who came away with the overall wins in the 450 and 250 classes respectively.

AMAMX Rnd Florida Starts JK MX Florida
AMA Motocross Championship 2019 – Round 5 Florida

450 Report

Musquin was forced to come from just outside the top five to win the opening moto from Ken Roczen, Jason Anderson, Cooper Webb, Zach Osborne, Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac, Blake Baggett and Dean Ferris but the second moto was all Tomac with a wire-to-wire win ahead of Osborne, Musquin, Anderson, Webb, Barcia and Ferris.

AMA Pro Motocross Rnd Florida Musquin
Marvin Musquin

Musquin’s 1-3 scores carried him to the eighth overall win of his career and ends a six-race winless streak and despite his slow start to the afternoon, Tomac’s win in the final moto vaulted him to the runner-up spot in the overall classification (7-1), while Osborne’s late pass on Musquin landed him third (5-2).

Marvin Musquin

“I tried [to catch Tomac]. I knew I had the overall, but winning both motos is the best. I just kind of ran out of energy there at the end. I’m a little disappointed. I didn’t see Zach coming [from third], but it’s still good. I salvaged third place in the moto, and that was good enough to earn the overall.”

AMA Pro Motocross Rnd Florida Musquin Trophy
Marvin Musquin

Tomac leaves Florida with a six-point lead in the 450 Class standings over Roczen, who finished sixth (2-10). The win allowed Musquin to climb from fifth to third, 31 points out of the lead.

Eli Tomac

“The difference from Moto 1 to Moto 2 was the result of a bad start in the first one. Not sure what happened there. I got a much better Moto 2 start and had a better feel on the bike. I’m happy to get through the heat today. The sand was a serious challenge and it changes things up for us, but overall it was a good day.”

AMAMX Rnd Florida Tomac JK MX Florida
Eli Tomac

Dean Ferris continues to impress with two solid top-ten rides.

Dean Ferris

“Overall, I’m pretty happy with today, I got two really mediocre starts, which kind of made it hard for me, but I put in a big charge. Made a lot of passes in the first moto and was able to get to 10th. In the second moto, the start was a little better. I felt really strong all moto in spite of the heat. I think my big off-season in Australia training in the heat and getting ready for this outdoor championship really helped me today. So I’m really stoked that I could push through and pick up a couple more positions late in the moto because my fitness was strong. We made some improvements while testing throughout the week, as stuff turns out. I’m looking forward to Southwick; onward and upward.”

AMAMX Rnd Florida Ferris JK MX Florida
Dean Ferris

450 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish)

  1. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM (1-3)
  2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki (7-1)
  3. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Husqvarna (5-2)
  4. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna (3-4)
  5. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (4-5)
  6. Ken Roczen, Germany, Honda (2-10)
  7. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Yamaha (6-6)
  8. Dean Ferris, Australia, Yamaha (10-7)
  9. Fredrik Noren, Sweden, Honda (9-8)
  10. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., KTM (8-9)

450 Class Championship Standings

  1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki – 215 points
  2. Ken Roczen, Germany, Honda – 209 points
  3. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM – 184 points
  4. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna – 182 points
  5. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Husqvarna – 182 points
  6. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM – 166 points
  7. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Yamaha – 129 points
  8. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., KTM – 117 points
  9. Dean Ferris, Australia, Yamaha – 114 points
  10. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., KTM – 99 points
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250 Class

The 250 class had plenty of action with Chase Sexton riding the wheels off his Honda to win the opening moto ahead of Justin Cooper, Michael Mossiman, Dylan Ferrandis, Adam Cianciarulo, RJ Hampshire, Alex Martin and Hunter Lawrence before Ferrandis earned the second moto win over Cooper, Cianciarulo, Lawrence, Mossiman and Martin as Sexton sat in the pits with heat exhaustion.

AMAMX Rnd Florida Cooper JK MX Florida
Justin Cooper

Cooper’s consistent 2-2 results were enough to give him the first professional win of his career, edging out Ferrandis (4-1) who in turn got the nod over Cianciarulo who saw his four-race win streak come to an end in third (5-3) while Lawrence showed plenty of pace to recover from less than stellar star to end up 5th overall.

Justin Cooper

“I won because I got out front, and that felt good. That Moto 2 was the longest moto of my life. I’m just so spent right now. To win in this heat really says something, and it feels great to finally get this the win off my back.”

AMAMX Rnd Florida Cooper JK MX Florida
Justin Cooper

Despite seeing his win streak come to an end, Cianciarulo still has a firm hold on the championship point lead, where he sits 18 points ahead of Cooper. Ferrandis is third, 35 points out of the lead.

Adam Cianciarulo

“I don’t want to take anything away from these guys. They were ripping all day and were just better than me. I just didn’t feel great today. I didn’t really gel with the track, and my body didn’t really feel great. I’m fortunate to have the start like I had with all those wins, and I’m happy to leave here with a podium when I wasn’t at my best.”

AMAMX Rnd Florida Cianciarulo JK MX Florida
Adam Cianciarulo

The 2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship will reach its halfway point next Saturday, June 29, with the MB Tractor & Equipment Southwick National from New England’s legendary The Wick 338.

250 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish)

  1. Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha (2-2)
  2. Dylan Ferrandis, France, Yamaha (4-1)
  3. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki (5-3)
  4. Michael Mosiman, Sebastopol, Calif., Husqvarna (3-5)
  5. Hunter Lawrence, Australia, Honda (8-4)
  6. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Suzuki (7-6)
  7. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha (9-7)
  8. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Honda (6-11)
  9. Jacob Hayes, Greensboro, N.C., Yamaha (13-8)
  10. Jordan Bailey, Orlando, Fla., Husqvarna (10-12)

250 Class Championship Standings

  1. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki – 222 points
  2. Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha – 204 points
  3. Dylan Ferrandis, France, Yamaha – 187 points
  4. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda – 159 points
  5. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha – 152 points
  6. Michael Mosiman, Sebastopol, Calif., Husqvarna – 148 points
  7. Hunter Lawrence, Australia, Honda – 142 points
  8. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Honda – 129 points
  9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Suzuki – 116 points
  10. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM – 79 points
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McCanney and Salvini share EnduroGP wins

Rovetta in Italy hosted the fifth round of the Enduro GP Championships and it was Daniel McCanney who scored the overall win on day 1 before Alex Salvini recovered from a poor result to win day two.

EnduroGP Italy Danny McCanney
Danny McCanney – EnduroGP 2019

The rain drenched opening day seemed not to worry McCanney who easily accounted for defending champion Steve Holcombe and the hard charging Matteo Cavallo but the second day saw sunshine which seemed to favour Salvini who stormed to the win over Loïc Larrieu, Antoine Basset, Holcombe and McCanney.

Championship leader Brad Freeman ended up with 7-10 results so his points lead is down to just 4 ahead of Holcombe but Freeman continues to have a healthy 37 point lead in the E1 class while Salvini and Holcombe continue to lead the E2 and E3 class championships respectively.

EnduroGP of Italy – Saturday

The weather had its say on Day 1 of competition at the fifth round of the FIM Maxxis Enduro World Championship. The legendary ‘Valli Bergamasche’ race is known for being tough and unpredictable, and this was certainly the case on Saturday as very violent storm swept through the Rovetta area all day long. This altered the race conditions drastically and EnduroGP’s competitors spent a hellish day between rain, mud, and thunderstorms.

Four men shared the top spot over the course of the day, taking it in turns to lead. Matteo Cavallo, Thomas Oldrati, Steve Holcombe and Danny McCanney all had their time in the spotlight, but it was the Manxman who took the spoils at the end of the long and punishing day.

EnduroGP Italy Steve Holcombe
Steve Holcombe – EnduroGP 2019

The 2018 Junior World Champion, Cavallo took control of the race at the start of the day, leaving Thomas Oldrati in his wake, with the local rider overwhelmed by the presence of his many supporters. The two Italians were followed closely by a rider who loves these kind of conditions: the quadruple World Champion, Holcombe. The Brit seemed on great form despite his health woes.

The four protagonists had an absolutely fantastic battle over the three laps which made up today’s racing. The top position alternated between Cavallo and Oldrati, and then back to Holcombe. But it was Danny McCanney who put an end to this constant switch up when the factory Beta rider pipped his rivals by 6 thousandths of a second. His compatriot Holcombe had to settle for second, while Matteo Cavallo completed the top three overall. Oldrati finished 4th ahead of Loic Larrieu.

EnduroGP Italy Loic Larrieu
Loic Larrieu – EnduroGP 2019

Further down the leaderboard was EnduroGP points leader Brad Freeman who had to seriously grit his teeth all day and deal with immense pain. The young Brit limited the damage by finishing an amazing 7th. Also riding injured is Alex Salvini who took a valuable 9th place.

After his victory in last night’s Akrapovic SuperTest, Antoine Meo finished 11th on the day, more than a minute and a half down on the winner.

EnduroGP Italy Antoine Meo
Antoine Meo – EnduroGP 2019

In the E1 category, Matteo Cavallo took his first ever senior class win in front of his adoring fans. Thomas Oldrati and an ever impressive Brad Freeman rounded out the top three. In E2, Larrieu was able to overthrow Salvini and take an important victory ahead of Christophe Charlier and the ultra-consistent Benjamin Herrera.

Danny McCanney narrowed the gap in E3 title race, winning in front of Holcombe and David Abgrall.

EnduroGP Italy Danny McCanney
Danny McCanney – EnduroGP 2019

In Junior, TM Racing rider Andrea Verona took his eighth victory out of a possible 9. After a ‘blip’ on Day 2 in Greece where he ‘only’ finished 3rd, the Italian rider was back on top form. The weather conditions and the state of the tests did not prevent Verona from being dominant. He won by more than a minute ahead of Theo Espinasse. Britain’s Jack Edmondson completed the podium.

The J1 category was also taken by Verona, ahead of Espinasse and Roni Kytonen. In J2, we saw an excellent victory from Edmondson. Chile’s Ruy Barbosa and local man Emanuele Facchetti filled out the rest of the podium.

EnduroGP Italy podium junior day
Junior 1 – Day 1 Podium

In the 125cc Youth Cup, Matteo Pavoni took his second victory of the season, this time in front of his home fans. Hamish Macdonald, returning from injury made a great comeback with second place despite still suffering physically. Sardinia’s Claudio Spanu gave his all in the final test of the day to take a podium on Italian soil.

One race after David Knight took the Open Senior title, the Champion Lubricants Enduro Open World Cup saw another rider crowned. Portugal’s Goncalo Reis is 2019’s Open 2-Stroke winner. Joining him on the podium were Nico Ranbow and Benet Gomez.

Open 4-Stroke belonged to Robert Riedel’s today as he took a surprise win in front of Pietro Enrico Collovigh  and Tom Ellwood, who could only managed third with his Kawasaki.

David Knight kept his pace and took another win in the Senior category. Werner Muller and Duccio Graziani were second and third respectively.

Despite the party atmosphere reverberating around the hills of Rovetta and Clusone, a good night’s sleep will be in order for the exhausted riders. Day 1 at the ‘Valli Bergamasche’ tested everyone to their limits – especially those brave riders who are already injured. Sun is promised for Sunday, but whatever the weather, this  Acerbis Grand Prix of Italy 2019 will go down in history.

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EnduroGP of Italy – Sunday

After the incredibly violent storms on Day 1, it was a total turn around for Sunday, with hot weather and sunshine the order of the day. However, the race conditions on this second day of the Acerbis Grand Prix of Italy were still very tricky, with waterlogged tests still very slippery and rutted. Physically and emotionally drained after Saturday’s action, the riders still gave us an absolutely unforgettable race day

EnduroGP Italy Alex Salvini
Alex Salvini – EnduroGP 2019

Alex Salvini proved once again that he is still one of the top guns in Enduro, shrugging off the pain of his dislocated shoulder, ‘Rocky’ won his home GP in front a fervent crowd. This victory meant so much for the Honda rider, as he scored maximum points in E2 and EnduroGP. Feeling emotional at the finish line, Salvini collapsed, leaning on his ‘tifosi’ (home fans) for support. The rider from Bologna took victory by a considerable margin over his opponents – he was more than 42 seconds ahead of runner-up: Loïc Larrieu.

Loic Larrieu

“I’m a guy from the South, I’m not used to so much rain or being cold, especially in the summer! The day was really complicated, I started off badly but I managed to recover and I’m happy to win in E2, when I really thought that I was going to finish a long way down the order.”

EnduroGP Italy Loic Larrieu
Loic Larrieu – EnduroGP 2019

The factory TM rider seemed much more comfortable in the sun than in the rain, he won 5 tests today (4 Cross and 1 Enduro). In fact, he has been very consistent on all terrains since the start of the year, and despite losing out to Salvini, these latest good results should give him an extra boost before the final two rounds.

One of the most impressive performances of the day came from Antoine Basset. Riding well and with no real mistakes, Basset took 3rd step on the EnduroGP podium. He was in the Top 5 of every test on Sunday, and the Frenchman may well have turned a corner before the summer break.

Steve Holcombe was the first rider to take the reins on Sunday, leading at the end of the first lap. After relinquishing the lead, he managed to stay on the podium for most of the day, but in the end his virus got the better of him and Holcombe dropped down to fourth at the end of the day. However, he can be very satisfied and proud of his overall performance in recent weeks as his health has suffered.

EnduroGP Italy Steve Holcombe
Steve Holcombe – EnduroGP 2019

Danny McCanney had a contrasting Day 2, the overall winner on Saturday lost a full minute on the first test of the day when he hit a rock and the chain came off his TM Racing machine. This unfortunate moment cost him over one minute and he dropped to 21st place! He fought hard all day to finally finish an amazing fifth in the overall standings.

Danny McCanney

“I’m thrilled, this first EnduroGP win means lot to me. The day began badly – my chain came off in the first Extreme test, but when the rain started pouring down I felt very comfortable with the conditions. I am really happy with today’s result!”

EnduroGP Italy Danny McCanney
Danny McCanney – EnduroGP 2019

By just 4 points, Brad Freeman leaves Italy with the golden plate still affixed on the front of his Beta Boano bike. But without showing extreme courage and putting himself through excruciating pain, he would have certainly lost this lead.

Freeman finished 10th on Day 2, and even won the last run through the Technomousse Extreme Test. The Brit will go to Turin on Tuesday to undergo surgery for the fractured collarbone he has been suffering with since the Grand Prix of Greece. The summer break has come at just the right time for the brave Beta Boano rider.

Brad Freeman

“I feel very bad, I am in such a lot of pain. My condition got worse every turn and the last lap was really hard. I have to really mentally prepare for tomorrow’s race day.”

On this thrilling second day, there was a reshuffle in many of the classes and lots of epic battles too! Let’s take a look at each class…

In E1, Thomas Oldrati won in front of his home crowd. As a long standing regular rider in World Enduro, he has amassed a lot of fans, and they were happy to see him on the top step. Completing the podium were Rudy Moroni and Brad Freeman.

EnduroGP Italy Alex Salvini
Alex Salvini – EnduroGP 2019

The hero of the day in the Italian crowd’s hearts was Alex Salvini, who took a fantastic win as well as the lead of the E2 category. French duo Loic Larrieu and Antoine Basset rounded off the top three.

Amazingly, Steve Holcombe signed off another win in E3, at the expense of McCanney and Anthony Geslin.

Steve Holcombe

“The GP of Italy is always an incredible event and this year it was one of the best ever – the amount of people who came out to watch the race was incredible. The weather made it an interesting one, with one wet day and one dry day. I enjoyed it as much as I can the way my physical condition is at the moment. Overall, I’m really pleased with my results. Coming so close to winning on day one and then finishing second is a little frustrating, but still a great result all things considered. On Sunday the opening two laps were ok for me, but then I struggled during the third lap – in the rocky cross test and the enduro especially. But that’s what I expected. Being just four points from the lead of the EnduroGP championship is something I really wasn’t expecting, but with just two rounds of the championship remaining it means that everything is to play for. Now it’s all about rest and recovery the best I can. There’s a good break before the next round of the series so I’ll use that time to monitor where I’m at with the virus and do all I can to get back into the best shape.”

EnduroGP Rnd Italy Steve Holcombe
Steve Holcombe – EnduroGP of Italy 2019

The title appeared to belong to Andrea Verona from the start of the season as the flawless Italian rider dominated the first 5 Grand Prix of the year. Winning 9 out of 10 days of racing so far, the youngster kept the competitive Junior class at bay in all conditions and over all terrains. A little like his compatriot, Matteo Cavallo, did in 2018, Verona has proven that he will be a star of the future.

Matteo Cavallo

“What a day! I have not often experienced this type of racing conditions in Italy, it was crazy. But I’m so happy to take my first E1 win, and to have been running at the front of EnduroGP during the day. Now that I have tasted victory I want more! But for now I am very tired, I think i’ll go to bed immediately and only get up again tomorrow morning!”

Theo Espinasse saw the victory pass him by as he crashed in the last Maxxis Cross test of the day. Disappointed to miss out, Espinasse promises to win one by the end of 2019!

Although the Frenchman will have to fight with Enric Francisco, who has only one goal for the remainder of the season: to defeat “The Shark”, Andrea Verona. Third on Day 2, the Spaniard was satisfied to have been able to finish such a difficult GP on the podium.

Naturally, the J1 class was won by Andrea Verona, ahead of Espinasse. Belgium’s impressive Antoine Magain took the 3rd step on the podium. In J2, Enric Francisco took a strong victory, beating Ruy Barbosa and Jack Edmondson.

EnduroGP Italy Andrea Verona
Andrea Verona – EnduroGP 2019

In the Youth Cup 125cc category Claudio Spanu took his first World victory by just 0.4 of a second over the rider who had beaten him by 0.06 of a second in the Spanish GP: Matteo Pavoni! The podium was 100% Italian since Spanu and Pavoni were joined by an extremely promising Manolo Morettini. Is the future of Enduro going to be Italian?

In the Champion Lubes Enduro Open World Cup, the winners of the day are very similar to those of the day before! David Knight took another top step in the Senior class, ahead of Werner Muller and local man, Andrea Belotti. Goncalo Reis made his mark in Open 2-Stroke by winning both days of the Acerbis GP of Italy, ahead of Benet Gomez and Nico Ranbow. In the Open 4-Stroke class, Robert Riedel did the double. Thomas Elwood and Pietro Enrico Collovigh filled out the podium.

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Once again the ‘Valli Bergamasche’ did not disappoint, not only living up to expectations – but exceeding them! This classic Italian event gave us two fantastic days of racing, and a wild party atmosphere! The huge crowds were thrilled by the stars of EnduroGP all weekend long.

Now it’s time for the riders and paddock personnel to have a well deserved rest…. EnduroGP be back in action on 14th and 15th of September for the Czech Republic Grand Prix in the Uhlirske Janovice region.

EnduroGP Rnd Italy Steve Holcombe Podium
EnduroGP Podium – EnduroGP of Italy 2019

Enduro GP – DAY 1

  1. Daniel MCCANNEY
  2. Steve HOLCOMBE
  3. Matteo CAVALLO
  4. Thomas OLDRATI
  5. Loïc LARRIEU
  6. Christophe CHARLIER
  7. Brad FREEMAN
  8. Benjamin HERRERA
  9. Alex SALVINI
  10. Antoine BASSET
  11. Antoine MEO

Enduro GP – Day 2

  1. Alex SALVINI
  2. Loïc LARRIEU
  3. Antoine BASSET
  4. Steve HOLCOMBE
  5. Daniel MCCANNEY
  6. Christophe CHARLIER
  7. Thomas OLDRATI
  8. Benjamin HERRERA
  9. Rudy MORONI
  10. Brad FREEMAN
EnduroGP Italy podium enduro gp day
Enduro GP – Day 2 Podium

Enduro GP – Championship Points

  1. Brad FREEMAN – 164
  2. Steve HOLCOMBE – 160
  3. Daniel MCCANNEY – 144
  4. Alex SALVINI – 96
  5. Loïc LARRIEU – 93

E1 Class – DAY 1

  1. Matteo CAVALLO – Italy
  2. Thomas OLDRATI – Italy
  3. Brad FREEMAN – United Kingdom
  4. Kirian MIRABET – Spain
  5. Rudy MORONI – Italy

E1 Class – DAY 2

  1. Thomas OLDRATI – Italy
  2. Rudy MORONI – Italy
  3. Brad FREEMAN – United Kingdom
  4. Kirian MIRABET – Spain
  5. Gianluca MARTINI – Italy
EnduroGP Italy podium e day
E1 – Day 2 Podium

E1 Class – Championship Points

  1. Brad FREEMAN – 190
  2. Thomas OLDRATI – 153
  3. Matteo CAVALLO – 142

E2 Class – DAY 1

  1. Loïc LARRIEU – France
  2. Christophe CHARLIER – France
  3. Benjamin HERRERA – Chile
  4. Alex SALVINI – Italy
  5. Antoine BASSET – France
  6. Antoine MEO – France

E2 Class – DAY 2

  1. Alex SALVINI – Italy
  2. Loïc LARRIEU – France
  3. Antoine BASSET – France
  4. Christophe CHARLIER – France
  5. Benjamin HERRERA – Chile
EnduroGP Italy podium e day
E2 – Day 2 Podium

E2 Class – Championship Points

  1. Alex SALVINI – 142
  2. Loïc LARRIEU – 141
  3. Christophe CHARLIER – 134

E3 Class – DAY 1

  1. Daniel MCCANNEY – United Kingdom
  2. Steve HOLCOMBE – United Kingdom
  3. David ABGRALL – France
  4. Anthony GESLIN – France
  5. PHILIPPAERTS – Italy

E3 Class – DAY 2

  1. Steve HOLCOMBE – United Kingdom
  2. Daniel MCCANNEY – United Kingdom
  3. Anthony GESLIN – France
  4. David ABGRALL – France
  5. Manuel MONNI – Italy
EnduroGP Italy podium e day
E3 – Day 2 Podium

E3 Class – Championship Points

  1. Steve HOLCOMBE – 191
  2. Daniel MCCANNEY -179
  3. Anthony GESLIN – 140
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Jarvis Wins Hixpania Hard Enduro

Spain’s Hixpania Hard Enduro was round four of the World Enduro Super Series and it was veteran Graham Jarvis who has claimed the overall win and his podium-topping ride also sees the Brit become the new leader in the race to become this year’s WESS champion.

Graham Jarvis

“What an event and it’s crazy to think I’m leading the WESS now. I’m not going to get too excited just yet though and my plan is to take each race as it comes. Romaniacs is going to be the game changer – hopefully I can at least finish it this year. It was a tough race today I was still tired from yesterday – it was fast but there were still some technical bits. I think everyone was really feeling it and I know I was on the limit today.”

WESS Hixpania Hard Enduro Graham Jarvis FM
Graham Jarvis – Hixpania Hard Enduro 2019
Mario Roman

“It feels amazing to take the win in the final race. I had such a tough time yesterday on the Cross-Country, crashing six times and bending my handlebars. Despite that I still pushed hard and managed to finish fourth. Today, I wasn’t thinking too much about points, I just wanted to take the win. Graham was really strong and all the others were right up there at the beginning. Halfway through I was thinking it’s not possible to keep going for another hour-and-a-half, but I kept going and we did it. I don’t know how many fans came out to watch the race and cheer on the riders, but to hear them all shouting my name made it possible to keep going and finish the race, so thank you very much to them.”

WESS Hixpania Hard Enduro Mitas Lost Roads Mario Roman FM
Mario Roman – Hixpania Hard Enduro 2019

Entering the final day of racing having won the previous two days, Alfredo Gomez was unable to respond to the attack by Jarvis. Admitting to struggling early on, he could only finish fifth for the runner-up result.

Alfredo Gomez

“I tried to push as hard as I could today, but just ran out of strength in the last half of the race – no power at all. All I could do was to keep on going, try not to crash and stay on the bike. It was great fun racing out there with all the home fans cheering. I’m sorry I couldn’t bring home the win for them but overall, I am happy with how the race has gone and I gave it my all. Congratulations to Graham, he did it again.”

WESS Hixpania Hard Enduro Alfredo Gomez FM
Alfredo Gomez – Hixpania Hard Enduro 2019

Putting in a strong ride on Sunday for fourth, Billy Bolt ended his weekend fourth overall while charging his way to third in Sunday’s Lost Roads, Manuel Lettenbichler completed the overall top five.

The World Enduro Super Series continues with round five at Red Bull Romaniacs in Romania on July 30 – August 3.

Hixpania Hard Enduro Overall

  1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna – ESP) 44 points
  2. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna – ESP) 44
  3. Mario Roman (Sherco – ESP) 43
  4. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB) 40
  5. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER) 36
  6. Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) 30
  7. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM – POL) 29
  8. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna – ESP) 25
  9. Josep Garcia (KTM – ESP) 21
  10. Xavier Leon (Husqvarna – ESP) 19
WESS Hixpania Hard Enduro Podium FM
Top 3 1) Jarvis, 2) Gomez, 3) Roman – Hixpania Hard Enduro 2019

WESS Championship Standings (After Round 4 of 8)

  1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna – GB) 2690 points
  2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER) 2570
  3. Mario Roman (Sherco – ESP) 2540
  4. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna – ESP) 2314
  5. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB) 2155
  6. Josep Garcia (KTM – ESP) 2125
  7. Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) 2090
  8. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM – POL) 1900
  9. Nathan Watson (KTM – GB) 1631
  10. Travis Teasdale (KTM – RSA) 1610
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Toni Bou Continues Win Streak in the Netherlands

Zelhem in the Netherlands hosted the fourth round of the TrialGP World Championship and once again it was Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou who stormed to victory over Adam Raga and Jeroni Fajardo.

TrialGP Rnd Netherlands TrialGP Toni Bou ps
Toni Bou

The Zelhem course proved to be a demanding one where it was easy to make mistakes in overly-easy sections but Bou took control from the off-set and kept the field in check right until the very end where he earned top spot on the podium with just one penalty picked up on the first lap – five points for time – and an error-free second lap.

Repsol Honda Team get no rest for now, as next weekend, 29th and 30th of June, sees the fifth round of the TrialGP campaign in Belgium.

Toni Bou

“Today we were very clear that it was a day of endurance. At the start of the race, a small mistake would have put you behind, so we knew that it would be tough. We did as well as we could for such a trial. It was a pity about the time penalty on the first lap, since I had a good second lap with zero points. I am in a good moment of riding and physical fitness, so I am very happy. Also thanks to the team for all their work.”

TrialGP Rnd Netherlands TrialGP Toni Bou ps
Toni Bou

TrialGP of Netherlands 2019 Top 10

  1. BOU Toni
  2. RAGA Adam
  3. FAJARDO Jeroni
  4. FUJINAMI Takahisa
  5. BUSTO Jaime
  6. CASALES Jorge
  7. DABILL James
  8. KADLEC Franz
  9. BINCAZ Benoit
  10. RICE Jack
TrialGP Rnd Netherlands Podium TrialGP ps
TrialGP of Netherlands 2019 Podium – 1) Toni Bou, 2) Adam Raga, 3) Jeroni Fajardo

TrialGP Rider Standings

  1. BOU Toni – 80 – Repsol Honda Team
  2. RAGA Adam – 66 – TRRS Factory Team
  3. FUJINAMI Takahisa – 53 – Repsol Honda Team
  4. FAJARDO Jeroni – 50 – Gas Gas
  5. DABILL James – 42 – Beta Factory Racing
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Cairoli and Herlings injured

Red Bull KTM rider Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings were forced to sit out last weekend’s Grand Prix of Germany which was the tenth round of eighteen in the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship.

MXGP Latvia Rnd Tony Cairoli
Tony Cairoli

Herlings re-injured his right leg just prior to winning the first race at Kegums in Latvia last Sunday after which the Dutchman was forced to withdraw from the Grand Prix with a hairline fracture at the base of his tibia bone and underwent minor surgery to insert a small reparatory screw this week. The 24 year old will remain in a cast and airboot for almost two weeks before he can again go through the physio, rehab and training process to be back on his KTM 450 SX-F.

Cairoli fell in the second race last weekend and dislocated his right shoulder and despite initial scans being positive the joint continues to be painful so further examinations will take place in two weeks time to know the exact extent of the damage.

MXGP Latvia Rnd Jeffrey Herlings
Jeffrey Herlings – MXGP of Latvia 2019
Robert Jonas – VP of Offroad

“We had some amazing success in the last two years in the MXGP class and that has so much to do with our riders, our excellent team and all the support we have in place. Now we are experiencing the hard part of motocross but we know this is part of sport unfortunately. We don’t like it but we have to accept it and do our best to help Jeffrey and Tony get better and soon be in a position to be fighting at the front again.”


Connor Guillot wins R&D Husky TC65

Thanks to R&D Husky, 50cc 7 to under-9 racer Conner Guillot has won a brand-new Husqvarna TC65 at the 2019 The King of MX NSW State Motocross Championships.

Dave Cooke

“When you look at the 50cc seven to under nine class, it’s full of talented young racers learning their craft, with the older kids in the group usually also racing in the 65cc seven to under nine class as they progress. This means that it can be quite tough for the younger riders to win races, so we really wanted to give them something else to race for to reward their hard work, and Jeff (Mackin) from R&D Husky agreed. So, at the 2019 King of MX, any 50cc racer who qualified for the final, that didn’t have a 65cc endorsement, would be in the running to win a brand-new Husqvarna TC65, complete with custom King of MX graphics thanks to Tee N Cee.”

King of MX Husky TC winner imgMProductionsMotorcycling NSW has a relationship with the team at R&D for a long time, through their generous sponsorship of many state and club events. Not only was Connor the highest finishing racer in the 50cc seven to under nine State Championship without a 65cc endorsement, he raced to second overall in the class behind Kyle Harvey after scoring 2-1-3 results across the three championship races.


Australian Supercross kicks off in Brisbane

Troy Bayliss Events have announced that the opening round of the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship will return to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on the 12th of October.

Australian Supercross Championship Gillman Speedway Brett Metcalfe
Australian Supercross Championship

Troy Bayliss Events surveyed a number of teams, manufacturers and riders, including three-time Australian Supercross Champion, America’s Justin Brayton in the quest to find an excellent venue for the Queensland round in 2019.

All parties unanimously touting Brisbane Entertainment Centre the best venue for bar-to-bar racing action and edge-of-your-seat entertainment for fans.

Troy Bayliss

“It’s been a great move for the series with many teams congratulating Troy Bayliss Events on its decision to go to such a quality venue. History shows indoor arenas create high levels of exciting and entertaining Supercross racing. Fans are treated to an experience like no other, the tracks are tight and produce incredible racing full of passes.”

Ducati Panigale VR Troy Bayliss
Troy Bayliss

Fans will be right on top of the action on October 12 with comfy seating and zero chance of weather issues, the night of action is set to be spectacular. Freestyle Motocross will also feature as one of many additions within the night’s program.

Bayliss suggested the move to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre will draw more international riders to Australian Supercross Championship teams.

Troy Bayliss

“Some manufacturers have already indicated more international talent will be competing in the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship due to the inclusion of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. We want to make sure the series kicks off with a bang in 2019 and this venue will allow us to do that. The Supercross Masters era and more recently in Sydney, Supercross sold out arenas year-on-year and we expect the same in Brisbane. It’s one-night-only, we won’t be announcing another night closer to the event, the stadium holds 9500 fans and we have removed allocation for corporate and hospitality requirements so we expect the night to sell out well in advance.”

Round 1 in Brisbane will run a completely unique ‘Double Header’ format this year, with SX1 & SX2 classes contesting two main event finals, with points from each determining the round champion resulting in more racing for the fans.

Glyn Griffiths – Honda Australia Motorcycles.

“The Australian Supercross Championship reaches new markets and hits a diverse range of people which is what we need, we have been fortunate to win three championships in a row on the Honda CRF450R with Justin Brayton. We are excited with where Supercross is heading in Australia and look forward to Round 1 starting at Brisbane.”

Pre-sale tickets are available from 12 pm Tuesday 25 of June, and fans are urged to sign-up now at troybaylissevents.com to secure the best seats in the house. General Ticket Sales will be available from Wednesday 3 July and begin from as little as $40.00 through Ticketek.

Australian Supercross Penrite Honda Justin BraytonExclusive VIP packages will also be available to fans that include the full VIP experience, incredible gifts plus track walk, private meet and greets and of course, the closest seats to the action money can buy.

General public arriving between 4 – 5 pm can experience the free Pit Party outside the arena, giving all fans the opportunity to meet and greet the riders and teams. Gates Open at 5 pm and the Main Event is from 6 pm – 9 pm. For all latest Australian Supercross Championship news and updates go to www.australiansupercross.com.au.

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RC V BT at New Zealand SX Open

Ricky Carmichael and Ben Townley will go head-to-head for the first time ever on New Zealand soil at this year’s Monster Energy S-X Open at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on November 16.

This will be the first time that Carmichael and Townley have raced side-by-side since 2007 and they will be joining Chad Reed and Jason Anderson at the second NZ SX Open.

Ricky Carmichael

“I couldn’t be more excited to be racing in Auckland this November 16, it will be my first time ever racing there, and I’m excited to put on an epic show for the fans at Mt Smart Stadium. BT and I have raced together many times before, and he’s always been a tough guy to beat, and it’s been a long time since we’ve gone bar-to-bar. We raced plenty back in the day at the GOAT Farm, he was easy to beat then, and I reckon he’s gonna be easy to beat now, so I think I’m going to have to beat him in front of his home crowd in Auckland on November 16.”

Ricky Carmichael
Ricky Carmichael

Townley put in a fantastic showing at last year’s inaugural S-X Open Auckland, after taking down rival Ronnie Mac and his Internationals Team, to win the International Showdown feature race, capping off a huge win for Team ANZACs over the Internationals and plans to back it up again in 2019.

Ben Townley

“I’ve had plenty of battles with RC back in the day when I based myself out of his training facility in the US in 2006 and ’07. Ricky never let any cameras in the ‘GOAT Farm’ back then and was always so secretive about the place, truth be told he just didn’t want anyone to know how much I was beating him by in his own backyard! It’s going to be awesome to battle head-to-head against Ricky again and it’s a massive win for Kiwi sports fans that the GOAT is coming to New Zealand to put on a show for us at Mt Smart Stadium on November 16. He might be an old boy now but Ricky still has plenty of tricks in the bag so I’ll be training hard to ensure I take home the trophy for the ANZACs again!”

Ben Townley #8
Ben Townley #8

S-X Open Auckland will also form the fourth round of the Australian Supercross Championship, the first time an event in New Zealand will be a part of the Australian series, and will feature the Triple-Crown Final race format, with non-stop, high-intensity action that will have fans on the edge of their seats, for the entire duration of the event.

The S-X Open Auckland database pre-sale commences June 20 from 12pm NZST with public on-sale becoming available from June 26 12pm NZST via Ticketmaster, tickets start from $39.00*. Sign up for pre-sale at www.sxopen.com

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Max Fricke gets Norrbil Swedish SGP call up

Max Fricke will bid to put his Hallstavik home-track knowledge to good use after being called up for the Norrbil Swedish SGP on July 6. The SGP second reserve steps into the meeting in place of the absent Greg Hancock, who continues to care for wife Jennie, who is battling breast cancer in California.

Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations Fricke ImageHaggisHartman
Max Fricke – Image by Haggis Hartman

The Australian joins Rospiggarna team mate Robert Lambert in the meeting, with the British champion already drafted in to cover for the injured Tai Woffinden.

The opportunity comes as a boost to Fricke after he topped the ANLAS Czech SGP scorechart in Prague on 12 points, before exiting at the semi-final stage.

Lambert has also taken his SGP chance with both hands, reaching the semis in both Warsaw and Krsko, before missing out on six points in Prague.

Both men will be keen to make the most of their local knowledge when they join their Rospiggarna colleague and SGP regular Jason Doyle in the field for one of Sweden’s biggest nights of racing.

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Source: MCNews.com.au

Gajser makes it five in a row for Honda | MXGP of Germany

MXGP 2019

Round 10 – MXGP of Germany, Teutschenthal


For Round 10 of the MXGP 2019 the paddock head to Teutschenthal, Germany, where it was Tim Gajser who once again took victory, marking five round wins in a row as his lead over Tony Cairoli stretches closer to 100-points.

MXGP Germany Rnd Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – Image by Bavo – MXGP of Germany 2019

In MX2 a consistent Jorge Prado also took the win once again, with a 44-point lead over Thomas Kjer Olsen in the standings, while Aussie Jed Beaton finished sixth overall for the weekend on the back of a 6-5 result in the two motos. Mitch Evans crashed in Race 1, ending his weekend.

The Talkessel circuit has been on the FIM Motocross World Championship calendar since 1971 and always provides the perfect conditions and atmosphere for a ‘one to remember’ racing weekend.

MXGP Germany Rnd Mitch Evans
A crash ended Mitch Evans’ weekend – MXGP of Germany 2019

MXGP

Around the very rough Talkessel circuit Tim Gajser wasn’t slowing up as he moved a little closer to a third motocross world championship title. In the opening MXGP race Gajser took the FOX Holeshot and continued his lead from Jeremy Seewer, Julien Lieber, Arnaud Tonus and Gautier Paulin. After a lap the Slovenian was already leading with four seconds advantge.

MXGP Germany Rnd Gajser bavo
Tim Gajser – Image by Bavo – MXGP of Germany 2019

Gajser was clocking big lap times as he was five seconds ahead of Seewer on lap two, when the Slovenian crashed and suddenly Seewer was right on him. While going to pass the HRC rider the two collided and Gajser kept his lead. Gajser might have gone down, but he quickly made up a four seconds lead on Seewer. The two Frenchman Paulin and Febvre were in a great battle for fifth place.

MXGP Germany Rnd Gautier Paulin
Gautier Paulin – MXGP of Germany 2019

Febvre, who was still on the gas, moved past Paulin and set his sights on Tonus, who was looking ahead to Lieber. While Gajser though had an eight-second lead, Febvre closed in and passed Paulin for fifth and Lieber turned it up, caught and passed Seewer for second. After 11 laps the lead was more than eight seconds, with Lieber second, Seewer third, then Tonus, Febvre, Paulin, Anstie, Coldenhoff, Bogers and Van Horebeek.

MXGP Germany Rnd Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – Image by Bavo – MXGP of Germany 2019

Later in the race Lieber, while he had one of his season’s best crashed, suffering a fracture on the left elbow, and Seewer managed to take the second position but he made a mistake on the final lap allowing Tonus to go through and finish second. Gajser won after 18-lap lead from Tonus and Seewer.

The gate dropped in race 2 and Gajser took the FOX Holeshot again in an epic MXGP race start while both Yamaha’s Febvre and Seewer crashed in the opening lap. Pauls Jonass was second, followed by Tonus, Anstie and Paulin.

MXGP Germany Rnd Tonus Febvre
Arnaud Tonus & Romain Febvre- MXGP of Germany 2019

Seewer dropped down in 14th and Febvre in 23rd. After two laps Gajser held a 2.6 second lead over Jonass, with Tonus a further three seconds back in third, and Max Anstie all over the back wheel of the Yamaha rider.

Five laps in Gajser was up front four seconds ahead of Jonass, and Seewer had moved up to 12th and then to 9th position.

In total control Gajser remained in a handy lead over Jonass and Tonus, with the charge by Anstie and Paulin, while Seewer being in 8th place would assure podium finish. The Top 5 lead would never changed during MXGP Race 2 until the very last lap when Gautier Paulin went through Anstie stealing a position and finishing 4th.

MXGP Germany Rnd Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – Image by Bavo – MXGP of Germany 2019

With another 1-1 performance, Gajser extended his series points lead over Antonio Cairoli to 83 and is without question the fastest man at this moment. Second overall in the MXGP class was Arnaud Tonus with 2-3 scores and third was his teammate Gautier Paulin with 5-4 scores. The pair of Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP made history being for the first time on the podium together and tied on points.

MXGP Germany Rnd Bogers bybavo
Brian Bogers – MXGP of Germany 2019
Tim Gajser – P1

“I was enjoying riding on the track this weekend. It was a really technical circuit with deep ruts which made line selection really important. I’m also really happy to take the holeshot in both races, as well as the qualifier yesterday, because we weren’t able to do that in the early part of the season but now we are getting the perfect jump out of the gate. In the first moto I did make a little mistake but I was still able to pick up the bike and remount as the leader, so that went okay. Then in the second race, I didn’t want to push too hard. I pulled out a lead of about five seconds and then kept it smooth because the track was a little sketchy in that second moto. The shadows and the sun was quite low which caused problems on certain parts of the track. However overall I’m very happy to win another overall and to extend my lead in the MXGP championship. I’m feeling really happy with how I rode and how the whole of Team HRC is working together.”

MXGP Germany Rnd Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – Image by Bavo – MXGP of Germany 2019
Arnaud Tonus – P2

“This weekend was a bit more challenging because I had a tough qualifying race yesterday, so I was pretty far out on the start and I had to dig deep going into the first corner, but I managed to be inside the top-five in both races. I had a good battle with the Yamaha riders in the first race, but I managed to pass Jeremy on the last lap when he made a mistake, and then I had another good race in Race 2 and was able to finish on the box for a fifth time. It was also amazing to have Gautier up on the podium with me. We have a great atmosphere inside the team, and this is a very special moment for us and the team. I am super happy for him.”

MXGP Germany Rnd Arnaud Tonus
Arnaud Tonus – MXGP of Germany 2019
Gautier Paulin – P3

“I can’t thank the Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP Team enough. For the past few weeks it has been tough for me, I have been off the podium. I had a big crash in Portugal and then was unlucky in France and then met the ground again in Russia. Last weekend in Latvia, I felt more like myself, but I didn’t reach the points I wanted to, but the feeling was there and it was a good training. It was tough, I had to fight hard for this one, but I know and have known my entire career that nothing comes for free, so I fought and now I am here and it feels great.”

MXGP Germany Rnd Arnaud Tonus Gautier Paulin
Arnaud Tonus & Gautier Paulin – MXGP of Germany 2019
Pauls Jonass – P4

“I’m super pleased to finish as runner-up in the second moto, but also a little disappointed for myself and the team that I missed third overall by just one point. It was two very different motos for me this weekend. The first race was tough because I got arm pump. I’m not sure if I pushed too hard after a decent start, but I lost my rhythm and went backwards for most of the race to finish 10th. My speed was good during the last 10 minutes, but it was too late then. The second moto was great, really important for me to show I have the speed to be up front for a full race. I followed Gajser for a while and managed to pull a gap over third and then just stayed consistent and stayed there all race. One point from the podium is frustrating but the result is really important ahead of the fly-away races that are coming up next.”

MXGP Germany Rnd Pauls Jonass
Pauls Jonass – MXGP of Germany 2019 – Image by Juan Pablo Acevedo
Jeremy Seewer – P5

“I had a really really good weekend. Now I am starting to pick up the flow right from the Time Practice. I missed the podium by 1-point even with a crash in Race 2, but I felt good all weekend. I was up there in the top-five and top-three all weekend. I fell in Race 2 and I fought really hard to come back through the pack really quick which takes a lot of energy especially on a tough track like this. I am happy with everything; I took good points which is the goal at the end of the day. I just want to keep collecting points and moving forward.”

MXGP of Germany 2019 – Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Moto News | MXGP | EMX | AMA MX | AFT | SGP | Dirt Track

Moto News Wrap for June 18, 2019 by Darren Smart

Proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
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The LATEST News

  • Gajser and Prado Win MXGP of Latvia
  • Van De Moosdijk and Bengtson win EMX rounds in Latvia
  • Tomac and Cianciarulo Win High Point AMA Motocross
  • Bauman Brothers Storm Laconia AFT Grand National
  • Kolodziej Wins Czech SGP
  • Clout and Rutledge Crowned Champions at Nowra
  • Duvall Stays with Husqvarna
  • Desalle, Lupino and Bobryshev Injured
  • Seely Injured
  • Entries Open for 2019 Australian Senior Dirt Track Championships

Gajser and Prado Win MXGP of Latvia

Kegums in Latvia has hosted an action packed ninth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship and it was Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado who have won the MXGP and MX2 classes respectively and in doing so have extended their championships points leads.

MXGP Latvia Rnd Jorge Prado
MXGP of Latvia 2019

MXGP Report

The most successful team in recent GP history has been the Red Bull KTM team but season 2019 went completely pear shaped in Latvia with their brightest hopes in Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings both suffering major set-backs.

MXGP Latvia Rnd Jeffrey Herlings
Jeffrey Herlings leading the MXGP Race 1 start – MXGP of Latvia 2019

Herlings, in his second GP back from injury won the opening moto before it was reported that he has re-broken his previously injured ankle after incredibly crashing during the second moto warm up lap then former 2019 championship dominator in Cairoli crashed hard out of the second moto just an hour after a solid fourth in the opening moto.

All of that aside, there were three riders tied on 40 points at the top of the MXGP points tally for the day but on a count back Gajser scored his 20th GP victory with 6-1 moto finishes but more importantly now holds a 33-points lead in the championship over Cairoli.

Tim Gajser

“I am so happy about today. First race I was struggling, but the second one I found a good rhythm and I had a good battle with Jeremy. I am so happy for the team. Yesterday I had good speed but at the qualification race I had a big crash and I was a little sore today with some pain in my neck, but I got enough for sixth in the first race. Second race I tried to ride my race and I didn’t know I had won the overall. This is everything we work for and I am happy for the team.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – MXGP of Latvia 2019

Romain Febvre (4-2) and Arnaud Tonus (2-4) rounded out the podium for the Yamaha fans.

Romain Febvre

“Today was okay, much better than yesterday. I made some mistakes with bike set-up yesterday. We changed it a lot for today and I felt better. My start was not there, and I struggled a bit. I could have finished fourth but I got really bad arm pump. Tony was in front of me and I couldn’t catch him. The second race I had a good first lap and kept my moment. Middle of the race I struggled in the wave but I could catch the guys in front. Maybe I needed two or three extra laps to catch Tim. I thought I won the overall, but I am happy even if a bit disappointed. It isn’t so long after I came back from my injury, so I feel satisfied.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Febvre action
Romain Febvre – MXGP of Latvia 2019
Arnaud Tonus

“I had a good feeling, at the beginning I got passed by Jeffrey and I followed him, then I found some good lines and it was great to lead. I had a good lead, but Jeffrey passed me, and he got the win. I will take every race to learn and just get better. I have to be happy. Sure, a bit frustrated, coming so close to the win, I will keep working and it is great to be on the podium, I enjoy this a lot. The way I was riding today, it’s maybe the best I have ridden in these types of conditions. It’s been years that I am trying to work on myself to compete at this level and if you look at the last few GPs, I am super happy. My mechanic told me if I could pass Romain, I could win the GP, but the track was sketchy, and I tried to keep it on two wheels.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Arnaud Tonus
Arnaud Tonus – MXGP of Latvia 2019

Cairoli walked off the track after spectacularly crashing out of the second moto holding his right arms and at the time of writing the extent of his injuries are unknown while Herlings is already in hospital to repair the damage he incurred during his warm up lap crash.

Tony Cairoli

“On Saturday I had the Flu and a fever, and my arm was not as strong as I wanted after the crash in Russia. I could battle with the guys for first position in the first moto but then I got a bit tired and settled for third, which was good for the championship. In the second moto I was fourth and trying to follow [Arnaud] Tonus. I had quite a big crash and when I stood up I felt my shoulder was out. My hope is to be ready to at least start next week in Germany. I don’t want to give up at all and I want to be there as much as possible for the championship.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Tony Cairoli
Tony Cairoli – MXGP of Latvia 2019

MXGP Overall Classification Top 10

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 40 p
  2. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 40 p
  3. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 40 p
  4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 36 p
  5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 30 p
  6. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 25 p
  7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 23 p
  8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 22 p
  9. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), 22 p
  10. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), 20 p
  11. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 20 p

MXGP – World Championship Classification Top 10

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 391 p
  2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 358 p
  3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 256 p
  4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 254 p
  5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 246 p
  6. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 226 p
  7. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 208 p
  8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 200 p
  9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 190 p
  10. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 186 p
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MX2 Report

The Kegums track offered plenty of lines and passing opportunities but none of that worried Prado who won the opening moto from Jago Geerts, Thomas Kjer Olsen, Ben Watson and Maxime Renaux before dominating the second moto over Geerts, Kjer Olsen, Watson and Adam Sterry.

MXGP Latvia Rnd Jorge Prado
Jorge Prado – MXGP of Latvia 2019
Jorge Prado

“It is my first time to win here, I was fourth two times here. I won the qualification race and two races today, so that makes me happy. Another great weekend going 1-1 and making the gap bigger in the points. I felt comfortable and I want to thank the team, my family and my girlfriend. It is making me stay in the top level like I am doing now.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Jorge Prado
Jorge Prado – MXGP of Latvia 2019
Jago Geerts

“Pretty good start, but the first three corners I messed up a little, I tried everything I could do to pass Thomas and I am really happy with the weekend.”

Thomas Kjer Olsen

“I am finally getting good starts and being up there I learn a lot. The speed is high from the beginning and it is a bummer I couldn’t stay there, but I gave my all and I want to thank everyone behind me.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Thomas Kjer Olsen
Thomas Kjer Olsen – MXGP of Latvia 2019

Aussie Jed Beaton went 10-13 for 10th overall on the day while Mitch Evans was forced to sit out the qualifying race after crashing hard during qualifying. This gave him the most outside gate in both GP races but it was looking good after a ninth in Moto 1, before a massive over-the-bars crash in Moto 2 relegated the Honda rider to 22nd for 15th overall.

Evans and Beaton are now 7th and 13th in the MX2 championship points respectively but nothing is surer that these two are cementing themselves as worthy of their factory rides.

Mitchell Evans

“Tough day, finishing ninth and twenty-second. A crash in moto two ruined my chances of achieving my goal of two top-ten finishes today.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Mitch Evans
Mitch Evans – MXGP of Latvia 2019
Jed Beaton

“It’s been a really tough GP for me, but I’m pleased I came away with points in both motos. I got sick with the flu on Thursday before the race and I really struggled with a fever and low energy. I worked hard during the qualification race and did all that I could during today’s motos.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Jed Beaton
Jet Beaton – MXGP of Latvia 2019

MX2 Overall Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 50 points
  2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 44 p
  3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 40 p
  4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 36 p
  5. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), 29 p
  6. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 29 p
  7. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 26 p
  8. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 24 p
  9. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 22 p
  10. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 19 p.;
    …15. Mitch Evans, 12 p

MX2 Championship Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 397 p
  2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 367 p
  3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 301 p
  4. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 251 p
  5. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 246 p
  6. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 242 p
  7. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 226 p
  8. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 191 p
  9. Davy Pootjes (NED, HUS), 157 p
  10. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 156 p.;
    …13. Jed Beaton – 129 p

Van De Moosdijk and Bengtson win EMX rounds in Latvia

The Latvian round for European Championship classes of EMX250 and EMX2T saw Roan Van De Moosdijk and Ken Bengtson score 1-1 moto finishes in their respective classes.

MXGP Latvia Rnd VAN DE MOOSDIJK GP PH
Roan van de Moosdijk – MXGP of Latvia 2019

EMX250

Van De Moosdijk proved to be very strong in the sand of Kegums and also closed up on new series leader Alberto Forato, who finished second overall with 3-4 results while third overall in the EMX250 class was Jeremy Sydow with 2-5 results obtaining his first podium of his career.

Roan van de Moosdijk

“Unbelievable! 1-1 for my first perfect weekend; I was first in every session in practice and in racing. The start was the key and today I was fourth leaving turn one; I soon had the lead so I could ride my own race and check out to control the race. I’m really happy that I didn’t make any mistakes today; I was riding safe in the sketchy section. I didn’t look at the standings but I know that I’ve closed the gap with the leaders again and I’m just focusing on each race. I’ve got a great family behind me at Kawasaki and F&H Racing and we can look forward confidently to Teutschenthal next weekend after taking the last two overall wins and four motos from the last five.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd VAN DE MOOSDIJK GP PH
Roan van de Moosdijk – MXGP of Latvia 2019

EMX250 – Overall Classification Top 10

  1. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 50 points
  2. Alberto Forato (ITA, HUS), 38
  3. Jeremy Sydow (GER, HUS), 38
  4. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 36
  5. Raivo Dankers (NED, YAM), 32
  6. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 29
  7. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 28
  8. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), 27
  9. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 24
  10. Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, YAM), 18

EMX250 – Championship Top 10

  1. Alberto Forato (ITA, HUS), 201 points
  2. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 201
  3. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 194
  4. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 138
  5. Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, YAM), 114
  6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 112
  7. Jimmy Clochet (FRA, KAW), 88
  8. Josh Gilbert (GBR, HON), 86
  9. Karlis Sabulis (LAT, KTM), 74
  10. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 73
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EMX2T

Sweden’s Ken Bengtson might have just made his debut in the EMX2T but he looked solid in the sand of Kegums. With second place overall, Team Ecomaxx Fuels team’s Mike Kras scored 2-2 results leading the series points with a two point over Verde Substance KTM team’s Brad Anderson. Third overall was Andero Lusbo with 4-3 scores.

Bengtson held on for both race wins to take the overall victory ahead of Mike Kras, Andero Lusbo, Todd Kellet and former championship leader Brad Anderson so when the dust settled Kras now has the red-plate by just two points over Anderson.

EMX2T Presented by FMF Racing – Overall Classification Top 10

  1. Ken Bengtson (SWE, HUS), 50 points
  2. Mike Kras (NED, KTM), 44
  3. Andero Lusbo (EST, HUS), 38
  4. Todd Kellett (GBR, YAM), 36
  5. Brad Anderson (GBR, KTM), 34
  6. Mario Tamai (ITA, KTM), 29
  7. Gianluca Deghi (ITA, KTM), 28
  8. Vaclav Kovar (CZE, GAS), 26
  9. Nick Leerkes (NED, KTM), 23
  10. Andrea Vendruscolo (ITA, YAM), 20

EMX2T Championship Classification Top 10

  1. Mike Kras (NED, KTM), 199 points
  2. Brad Anderson (GBR, KTM), 197
  3. Todd Kellett (GBR, YAM), 178
  4. Andero Lusbo (EST, HUS), 162
  5. Vaclav Kovar (CZE, GAS), 153
  6. Youri van t Ende (NED, KTM), 88
  7. Brad Todd (GBR, YAM), 86
  8. Andrea Vendruscolo (ITA, YAM), 79
  9. Andrea Gorini (SMR, YAM), 72
  10. Pier Filippo Bertuzzo (ITA, YAM), 72

Tomac and Cianciarulo win High Point AMA Motocross

The infamous High point Raceway has hosted the latest round of the AMA Motocross Championships and it was the Kawasaki paring of Eli Tomac and Adam Cianciarulo who have won the 450 and 250 classes respectively.

AMA MX Utah Rnd Starts JK MX HighPoint
AMA MX 2019 – High Point

450 Report

In a day of ups and downs on a brutally rut infest layout Tomac’s 3-2 effort gave him his second overall victory of the season and the 19th of his career. Ken Roczen’s second-moto win vaulted him into the runner-up spot (6-1) ahead of Jason Anderson who finished third overall on the back of 2-5 moto finishes.

AMA MX Utah Rnd Start JK MX HighPoint
AMA MX 2019 – High Point
Eli Tomac

 “Today was a unique situation by winning with 3-2 moto scores. I’m not sure if I’ve ever won a race without winning a moto. We did what we could and battled towards the front, so overall the day was good. The track had a lot of good character today, the ruts were plenty deep and the track was rough.”

AMA MX Utah Rnd Tomac JK MX HighPoint
Eli Tomac – AMA MX 2019 – High Point
Ken Roczen

“I’m glad we left today on a high note. I had a new setup in Florida and unfortunately with the weather, I’ve only been able to put a very short amount of time on it, and that’s what I started with here today. I struggled all morning with it. Going into the first moto, we went back to my Colorado setting, except with some clicker changes I’ve been running at home. However, that didn’t work for me at all. I wasn’t riding well and just went backwards in the first moto. For the second moto, I just went back to our full Colorado setup, and it was nice to see that we have a very solid base that I can go back to. I just knew exactly what the bike was going to do, and we had an incredible moto. I came from far behind after a bad start and came away with a moto win and second on the podium. It was pretty huge.”

AMA MX Utah Rnd Roczen JK MX HighPoint
Ken Roczen – AMA MX 2019 – High Point

With the win, Tomac move to a tiebreaker with Roczen in the championship point standings with 176 points apiece while teammates Zach Osborne and Anderson are tied for third, 32 points out of the lead.

Dean Ferris battled hard all day on his factory Yamaha to come home 11-11 for 11th outright to sit ninth in the championship points chase.

AMA MX Utah Rnd Ferris JK MX HighPoint
Dean Ferris – AMA MX 2019 – High Point

450 Results

  1. Eli Tomac Eli 3 – 2
  2. Ken Roczen 6 – 1
  3. Jason Anderson 2 – 5
  4. Cooper Webb 7 – 3
  5. Zach Osborne 5 – 4
  6. Marvin Musquin 4 – 7
  7. lake Baggett 1 – 15
  8. Joey Savatgy 8 – 6
  9. Justin Bogle 9 – 8
  10. Justin Barcia 10 – 10
  11. Dean Ferris 11 – 11

450 Points Standings

  1. Eli Tomac – 176
  2. Ken Roczen – 176
  3. Zach Osborne – 144
  4. Jason Anderson – 144
  5. Marvin Musquin – 139
  6. Cooper Webb – 132
  7. Justin Barcia – 99
  8. lake Baggett – 92
  9. Dean Ferris – 89
  10. Justin Bogle – 88
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250 Class Report

The opening moto was a slug fest between front runners Justin Cooper, Colt Nichols, Hunter Lawrence, Cianciarulo, Dylan Ferrandis and Chase Sexton with the layout offering a multitude of passing opportunities, but in the end it was Lawrence who got his first win on American soil over Cianciarulo, Ferrandis and Sexton.

AMA MX Utah Rnd Starts JK MX HighPoint
250 Start – AMA MX 2019 – High Point

Moto 2 was pedestrian in comparison with Cianciarulo taking the moto win for his fourth consecutive victory (2-1) of the season. Lawrence’s consistent (1-3) moto scores carried him to a career-best second overall ahead of Sexton who also had the best finish of his career with third (4-2).

AMA MX Utah Rnd Starts JK MX HighPoint
250 Start – AMA MX 2019 – High Point

Wilson Todd recovered from a poor start in the opening moto to score a solid 12th but in the second moto the current Australian MX Nationals Championship leader dropped his TLD KTM into fourth place coming out of the second corner. He then held fifth place for a large part of the early part of the moto before slipping back to 10th for 10th overall – Lawrence and Todd Currently hold down seventh and 12th respectively in the championship.

AMA MX Utah Rnd Lawrence JK MX HighPoint
Hunter Lawrence – AMA MX 2019 – High Point
Adam Cianciarulo

“I’m so grateful for these wins, they’re hard to do and I’m just stoked. The first moto was a battle from the beginning, I had a terrible start. By the time I was able to get into second, I just kind of struggled and that was it. The second moto I obviously put myself in a much better position to get the win and that is what I was able to do. I just want to keep the ball rolling heading into Jacksonville.”

AMA MX Utah Rnd Cianciarulo JK MX HighPoint
Adam Cianciarulo – AMA MX 2019 – High Point

The win helped Cianciarulo extend his championship point lead to 26 points over Cooper who could only muster ninth overall (6-9). Ferrandis remains in third, 42 points out of the lead.

AMA MX Utah Rnd Todd JK MX HighPoint
Wilson Todd – AMA MX 2019 – High Point

250 Results

  1. Adam Cianciarulo 2 – 1
  2. Hunter Lawrence 1 – 3
  3. Chase Sexton 4 – 2
  4. Dylan Ferrandis 3 – 4
  5. Colt Nichols 5 – 5
  6. J. Hampshire 9 – 6
  7. Cameron McAdoo 8 – 7
  8. Michael Mosiman 7 – 8
  9. Justin Cooper 6 – 9
  10. Wilson Todd 12 – 10

250 Points Standings

  1. Adam Cianciarulo – 186
  2. Justin Cooper – 160
  3. Dylan Ferrandis – 144
  4. Chase Sexton – 134
  5. Colt Nichols – 126
  6. Michael Mosiman – 112
  7. Hunter Lawrence – 111
  8. J. Hampshire – 104
  9. Alex Martin – 87
  10. Garrett Marchbanks – 63
    …12. Wilson Todd – 56
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Bauman Brothers Storm Laconia AFT Grand National

In a final that featured no less than three re-starts, Bronson and Briar Bauman have gone 1-2 at the inaugural Laconia AFT Twins Grand National while championship rivals in Jared Meeds, Henry Wiles and Sammy Halbert all suffered from either mechanical issues or crashes.

AFT Twins Laconia Short Track Rnd Twins Start AXI
AFT Twins Start – 2019 Laconia Short Track

Bronson Bauman won his first career Grand National win by a narrow margin over his brother and championship leader Briar who actually took over the lead just as the third red flag came out but because Bronson was leading the lap before he was reinstated as the leader for the restart – a lead he would not relinquish.

AFT Twins Laconia Short Track Rnd Twins Bauman AXI
Bronson Bauman – AFT Twins – 2019 Laconia Short Track

Henry Wiles held down third place for most of the race but crashed just before the third restart and was able to gather several places to earn a credible seventh while Sammy Halbert’s bike stopped during the first restart before Jared Mees mount suffered the sme dilemma during the second restart.

AFT Twins Laconia Short Track Rnd Twins Bauman ERV
Bronson Bauman – AFT Twins – 2019 Laconia Short Track

Points wise Briar has extended his championship lead over Brandon Robinson to 34 points while Mees remains in third, now 35 points behind Briar Bronson.

AFT Twins Laconia Short Track Rnd Twins Podium ERV
AFT Twins Podium – 2019 Laconia Short Track

AFT Twins Main Event (30 Laps)

  1. Bronson Bauman – 25p
  2. Briar Bauman – 20p
  3. Jake Johnson – 17p
  4. Jarod Vanderkooi – 15p
  5. Bryan Smith – 14p
  6. Brandon Robinson – 13p
  7. Henry Wiles – 12p
  8. Roger Hayden – 11p
  9. Jeffrey Carver Jr. – 10p
  10. Robert Pearson – 9p
    …15/DNF. Jared Mees – 4p
    …16/DNF. Sammy Halbert – 3p

AFT Twins Championship points

  1. Briar Bauman – 142
  2. Brandon Robinson – 108
  3. Jared Mees – 107
  4. Bronson Bauman – 87
  5. Jarod Vanderkooi – 85
  6. Henry Wiles – 79
  7. Jake Johnson – 70
  8. Jeffrey Carver Jr. – 70
  9. Sammy Halbert – 66
  10. Robert Pearson – 65

AFT Singles

The 20 lap AFT Singles final was also drama filled with two restarts but it was Dalton Gauthier who dominated the early running. After the first restart he lost the lead to the hard charging Mikey Rush who ran away with the win after keeping himself out of harm’s way after the second restart which saw a five lap dash to the finish.

AFT Twins Laconia Short Track Rnd Singles Start AXI
AFT Singles Start – 2019 Laconia Short Track

Rush got the win over Gauthier just ahead of Aussie hard charger Max Whale, who snuck his way towards the front at every restart from his seventh place starting position.

AFT Twins Laconia Short Track Rnd Singles ERV
AFT Singles – 2019 Laconia Short Track

Rush now has a 10 point lead in the series ahead of Gauthier with former championship leader in Jess Janisch dropping to third after a disappointing ninth at Loconia while Whale has moved to eigth in the championship.

AFT Twins Laconia Short Track Rnd Singles Podium ERV
AFT Singles Podium – 2019 Laconia Short Track

AFT Singles Main Event (20 Laps)

  1. Mikey Rush – 25 points
  2. Dalton Gauthier – 20
  3. Max Whale – 17
  4. Andrew Luker – 15
  5. Dan Bromley – 14
  6. Ryan Wells – 13
  7. James Rispoli – 12
  8. Ben Lowe – 11
  9. Jesse Janisch – 10
  10. Kevin Stollings – 9

AFT Singles Points

  1. Mikey Rush – 141
  2. Dalton Gauthier – 131
  3. Jesse Janisch – 129
  4. Dan Bromley – 114
  5. Ryan Wells – 91
  6. Shayna Texter – 69
  7. Chad Cosem – 67
  8. Max Whale – 66
  9. Morgen Mischler – 65
  10. Michael Inderbitzin – 58
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Kolodziej Wins Czech SGP

Polish racer Janusz Kolodziej admitted becoming an FIM Speedway Grand Prix winner has boosted his belief on the world stage after triumphing at the ANLAS.

Czech SGP Action byJarek Pabijan
2019 Speedway GP of Czech – Image by Jarek Pabijan

Kolodziej raced to the first SGP win of his career at the Czech Republic SGP in Prague last Saturday beating Leon Madsen, Patryk Dudek and Jason Doyle in the final.

Dudek now holds top spot in the World Championship – level on 40 points with Madsen – as the pair maintained their record of reaching every final this year. But the night belonged to an elated Kolodziej – a man competing in his first SGP season since 2011.

Janusz Kolodziej

“Now maybe after this win, I can believe more in myself and I will try to win more. But there is not too much pressure on me. The best situation for me is when I just race. I don’t like too much pressure. We will see what happens. But this is so, so amazing. I am older, but I can still win.”

Madsen was pleased to maintain his sublime start to SGP life as he made it three finals in as many rounds in what is his full-time debut season.

Leon Madsen

“It’s great, now I have a first, second and third place. I’ve been in the final and on the podium in my first three GPs. I am very happy. We are a third of the way into the season and I’m tied for first position. I am very pleased with that.”

Third-placed Dudek – the new World Championship leader by virtue of his superior FIM ranking over Madsen – admitted his ANLAS Czech SGP was no easy night after he battled his way into the semi-finals on nine points, before making it into the final after Emil Sayfutdinov dropped a chain while holding second place.

The Aussie duo of Jason Doyle and Max Fricke had their best results for 2019 with Doyle earning two wins to make his first final for the year while Fricke sensationally won three heats on his way to 13 points. Next up is the Norrbil Swedish SGP in Hallstavik on July 6.

Czech SGP Podium
2019 Speedway GP of Czech

Czech SGP Top Ten

  1. Janusz Kolodziej – 7 Rides 4 Wins = 15 points
  2. Leon Madsen – 7 Rides 2 Wins = 14
  3. Patryk Dudek – 7 Rides 1 Win = 12
  4. Jason Doyle – 6 Rides 2 Wins = 12
  5. Max Fricke – 6 Rides 3 Wins = 13
  6. Fredrik Lindgren – 6 Rides 3 Wins = 12
  7. Emil Sayfutdinov – 6 Rides 2 Wins = 11
  8. Artem Laguta – 6 Rides 2 Wins = 9
  9. Bartosz Zmarzlik – 5 Rides 1 Win = 8
  10. Maciej Janowski – 5 Rides 1 Win = 7

SGP Points Standings

  1. Patryk Dudek – 40
  2. Leon Madsen – 40
  3. Bartosz Zmarzlik – 36
  4. Fredrik Lindgren – 32
  5. Emil Sayfutdinov – 30
  6. Martin Vaculik – 28
  7. Janusz Kolodziej – 26
  8. Niels-Kristian Iversen – 24
  9. Jason Doyle – 23
  10. Artem Laguta – 22
    …14. Max Fricke – 16
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Clout and Rutledge Crowned Champions at Nowra

Nowra has hosted the 2019 King of MX Final and it was Luke Clout and Meghan Rutledge who successfully defended their thrones in Nowra in front of over 4000 spectators who enjoyed the two-day event. The Nowra event included 20 classes, and two action-packed, 10-minute, $10,000 winner-takes-all feature races.

King of MX Nowra Podium
2019 King of MX Final winners

It was a strong weekend for Luke Clout, taking all three MX1 A-grade race wins to seal the State Title before drawing the 40th gate pick. Selecting a yet-to-be-used inside gate, Luke raced to the holeshot and, ultimately, to the King of MX feature-race win.

The reigning Queen of MX, Meghan Rutledge, entered the final under an injury cloud after wrapping up the Australian Women’s Championship the previous weekend. However, two from three race wins and a dominant performance in the Queen of MX feature race saw Rutledge take the win and the $10,000 cheque.

For the newly crowned Prince of MX, Blake Fox, it wasn’t an easy run. A first-turn crash in race one put the 15-year-old in last. However, some strong, smart racing saw the KTM-mounted rider move through the field to finish second. Two impressive race wins later, and the youngster was crowned Prince of MX and the 15 years 250cc State Champion. Up-and-coming racer Taylor Thompson has made it back-to-back Princess of MX crowns after a dominant performance in the 13-u16 ladies’ class.

Luke Clout

“I can’t thank everyone enough for their support. I feel like I’m at the top of my game at the moment and to take home the MX1 State Title, as well as the King of MX race, this year is unreal. For me, the King of MX has worked out perfectly for my pre-season and mid-season Nationals campaign and it’s great to see a state championship with this many people here racing and watching. I’m full of confidence right now and I can’t wait to go racing again.”

Meghan Rutledge

“This time last week, I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to race after hurting my thumb in Manjimup, so to come to Nowra and take home both the Queen of MX race and the WMX State Title wins is unbelievable. It’s been a roller coaster of a year for me so far and, with the support of my family and sponsors, I’ve been able to achieve my goals and keep the #66 KX250F at the front of the pack.”

Dave Cooke – MNSW CEO

“What a weekend! First and foremost, I want to congratulate the Nowra club, and, in particular, Tyson, the manager of Nowra Motoplex, for turning the circuit into a world-class race track that not only provided awesome racing for the elite racers, but to those in all classes throughout the three days of racing. I also want to thank all the competitors that raced a qualifier. We had over 1600 entrants in the King of MX this year, not just from NSW but from across Australia, so to even make it to the final was an achievement in itself. To our 20 new State Motocross Champions, congratulations. NSW has some of the best racers in Australia, and the depth of talent is amazing. We’re dedicated to working hard to grow and improve motorcycle racing and we’re already working on 2020 in the Motorcycling NSW office.”


Duvall Stays with Husqvarna

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Off-Road have announced that they have agreed to terms with Thad Duvall on a two-year contract extension that will run through the 2021 season.

Thad Duvall

“I am excited to continue my relationship with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team. I love being a part of a pioneering brand and I look forward to a successful future with the team!”

Thad Duvall - Image by Simon Cudby
Thad Duvall – Image by Simon Cudby

Through seven rounds of the 2019 Amsoil Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, Duvall has two wins and sits second in points, 18 behind Kailub Russell. Duvall, who has been with the team since 2017, has finished runner-up in the championship to Russell the last two years.

Tim Weigand – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Off-Road Team Manager

“I have had the privilege to work with and get to know Thad over the last three years. He is class act guy whose determination and grit is infectious. Thad is a constant front runner no matter what race series he lines up for and this is evident by his results over the last few years. I know we have yet to see his true potential and I look forward to seeing his confidence grow in the years to come. We are extremely happy and grateful Thad has chosen to continue his journey with us.”

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Desalle, Lupino and Bobryshev injured

Three prominent MXGP class riders in Clement Desalle, Alessandro Lupino and Evgeny Bobryshev are all recovering from injuries sustained at the MXGP of Russia, two weekends ago.

Alessandro Lupino injured
Alessandro Lupino

The Russian round of the FIM Motocross World Championship has been a success for Kawasaki during the past two seasons with overall GP victories for Desalle but 2019 saw the Kawasaki rider crash hard in the first race and was back on Monday in his homeland to have surgery with Doctor Claes. He underwent successful surgery to his broken left tibia-fibula but he’s also suffering from a right ankle sprain and is now entering a long recovery programme.

MXGP Rnd France Desalle GP SL
Clement Desalle – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

Lupino and Bobryshev also crashed in the first moto, with Lupino hit by another rider and for several seconds immediately after the incident he didn’t have any feeling in the legs. He was transferred earlier this week to Italy where Doctor Sangiorgi confirmed injury to the D11-D12-L1-L2 vertebrae of transverse processes, and a fracture of the sternum while Bobryshev suffered a broken right tibia.


Seely injured

Team Honda HRC’s Cole Seely will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2019 AMA Pro Motocross series due to a torn labrum and fractured glenoid socket, sustained when he dislocated his right shoulder in a practice crash at the Moto Sandbox in Claremont, Florida, on Tuesday, June 11.

AMA MX Rnd Seely JK MX Hangtown
Cole Seely – Image by Hoppenworld

Seely flew to California on Wednesday for further evaluation, during which it was determined that he would need to undergo surgery. Dr Warren G. Kramer, the same surgeon who operated on Seely’s shoulder in 2015, will conduct the surgery on Tuesday, June 18, at the Newport Surgical Center in Newport Beach. The recovery time is estimated to be three months.

Cole Seely

“I’m extremely sad to have to sit out the remainder of the season. I’ve been working really hard to continue to build myself up after my big injury last year, so to have another setback like this is very disappointing. It seems like I’ve had nothing but challenges. I want to thank all of my fans and my team for their support.”

HRC Contract Extended Cole Seely
Cole Seely
Erik Kehoe – Team Honda HRC Manager

“It’s really unfortunate to see Cole’s season end this way. The beginning of this season has been a challenge for him, but he showed a lot of speed during the first moto at Colorado; it’s a bummer that we won’t be able to see how he progresses. He’s had some tough luck with injuries, but he has kept a good attitude and continued to give his best effort. On behalf of the team and everyone at Honda, I wish him well during his recovery.”

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Entries open for 2019 Australian Senior Dirt Track Championships

Entries have now opened for the 2019 Australian Senior Dirt Track Championships, hosted by the Hunter Motorcycle Club at Barleigh Ranch Raceway in Eagleton, NSW on October 5-6.

Entries are now open for the Aussie Dirt Track Championships
2019 Australian Senior Dirt Track Championships

The event also marks the first time that the new Australian Dirt Track Championship logo will be used, a move that demonstrates Motorcycling Australia’s (MA) commitment to developing a professional image for this renowned event.

Across the two-day event, the 2019 Australian Senior Dirt Track Championships will feature the following classes (subject to entries):

Championship Classes 
•    Under 19’s
•    Pro 250
•    Pro 450
•    250cc Slider
•    Pro Open
•    MX Open
•    500cc Slider
•    Pro Open Women’s
•    Sidecars
•    ATV Pro
•    ATV Open
•    ATV Open (Women)
Support Classes
•    Junior (65cc, 8 to under 12 years)
•    Junior (85/150cc, 9 to under 13 years)
•    Junior (150cc 2 stroke, 250cc 4 stroke, 13 to under 16 years)
•    Senior (Unlimited over 35 years)

Further information can be found in the Supplementary Regulations (download).

**Where there are insufficient entries for the Slider Classes, these machines may be combined with the events marked with asterisks in the table above. All machines must have one effective brake where MX and slider classes are combined.

Entries close 23 September 2019. Late entries will not be accepted. Gates open at 7AM (AEST) each day, with racing commencing immediately after the conclusion of practice and parade lap.

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MXGP of Finland back in 2020

Youthstream and Finnish based Lahti Events have announced that the FIM Motocross World Championship will make its return to Finland at the KymiRing motor circuit in 2020.

Motocross has had a great history in Finland with legendary World Champions and the last time MXGP visited Finland was back in 2014 but the 2020 MXGP of Finland has been built at KymiRing motor circuit, which is situated only 50 km from Lahti and 140 km from Helsinki.

Daniele Rizzi – Chief Operating Officer of Youthstream

“We are very happy to have come to an agreement with Lahti Events for the return of MXGP to this beautiful and innovative country. There is indeed a very innovative, ambitious, fan-oriented project behind the Finnish MXGP and we, like all parties involved, are eager to support it: it will definitely do good to the sport. This event will add a bit of Motocross fashion to the outstanding location of KymiRing which, thanks to Lahti Events’ choice of venue, will broaden its horizons to include the sport of Motocross in its program”

MXGP of Finland and Lahti Events Project Director Jesse Kiuru Youthstream COO Daniele Rizzi and FIMCMS Director Antonio Alia Portela
MXGP of Finland back in 2020
Kurt Ljungqvist – Managing Director of Finnish Motorcycling Federation

“World Championship races have always a very special meaning when it comes to awareness of the sport. When the youth gets to see the stars of the motocross world championship ride, it awakes an interest to try the sport and eventually they become our future stars and champions. The return of the race to our home soil also creates good opportunities to make it to the highest level of the sport and serves as a good motivator to believe in success and reaching the World Championship level. Motorcycling federation is very happy that Lahti Events has chosen to bring the highest level of motocross to the future heart of motorsport, the KymiRing circuit,”

Emilia Mäki – Managing Director of Koko Lahti

“The MXGP of Finland in 2020 will be our first ever motocross race for our Lahti Events company at the KymiRing and with this event we will set the standards of this venue. As the event organizer in Lahti region, we can also guarantee that the events will have their presence regionally,”

Finland is also home race of Ice1racing team; Antti Pyrhönen, former motocross rider himself, is one of the internationally known faces of Finnish motocross and he is currently the Team Manager of Team Ice1Racing, now Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing owned by the F1 driver Kimi Räikkönen.

Antti Pyrhönen

“The return of MXGP to Finland after several years is great news for our team, whose origins are in Finland and whose owner is Finnish, too. I’m sure that all the MX community, including teams and riders, will be also very excited to be back to Finland for an MXGP event.”

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Source: MCNews.com.au

Gajser and Honda get one over KTM in Latvia

MXGP 2019

Round 9 – MXGP of Latvia, Kegums


The FIM Motocross World Championship dropped into Kegums, Latvia for Round 9, where Tim Gajser and Jorge Prado put on a repeat performance of the Russian MXGP, to claim the wins in their respective classes. The result sees both red-plate holders continue to build their standings leads, and marked Prado’s 24th GP win, with Gajser bagging his 20th.

MXGP Latvia Rnd Jorge Prado
Jorge Prado – MXGP of Latvia 2019

In the MXGP class, Romain Febvre took runner up, with Arnaud Tonus third. MX2 saw Jago Geert as runner up with Thomas Kjer Olsen filling the final podium spot.

In MX2 Aussie Jed Beaton went 10-13 for 10th overall earning 19 championship points, while Mitch Evans had a rough weekend going 9-22 to finish 15th for the round. Evans sits seventh in the standings as a result, while Beaton is 13th.

With a mix of sunshine and overcast skies, a large crowd and the always beautiful Kegums circuit made sure there was more than enough positives to leave the circuit satisfied with the racing and results. Unpredictable racing combined with electric crowd attendance and incredible weather was the cherry on the cake of an epic MXGP of Latvia.


MXGP

Amazingly the winner of the MXGP qualification race on Saturday, Jeffrey Herlings crashed in the warm-up lap and his injured foot was run over by Arminas Jasikonis, causing the Dutchman a lot of pain prior and during the opening MXGP race. It was later learnt that Herlings had broken his ankle, that injury obviously saw him pull out of the second MXGP race.

Jeffrey Herlings took the FOX Holeshot in the opening MXGP race but got past straight away from Antonio Cairoli. The pair of Red Bull KTM riders were followed by Arnaud Tonus, Romain Febvre and Tim Gajser who got past by Febvre at lap 2.

MXGP Latvia Rnd Jeffrey Herlings
Jeffrey Herlings leading the MXGP Race 1 start – MXGP of Latvia 2019

Tonus moves past both Herlings and Cairoli and Herlings then also went past Cairoli for second and was looking stronger as the race moved into the second half.

Tonus had extended his lead to more than three seconds over Herlings, but then Herlings started closing ground on Tonus for the lead and it was clear the Dutchman wanted to take the win. Cairoli had also pushed harder to get away from Febvre.

MXGP Latvia Rnd Arnaud Tonus
Arnaud Tonus – MXGP of Latvia 2019

It was a brilliant battle the one Tonus and Herlings put on a show for the Latvian crowd, then he swept up the inside of Tonus and then around the outside for the race lead. Herlings won Race 1 from Tonus and Cairoli.

As the gate dropped at the second MXGP Race Jeremy Seewer led the second MXGP race from Tonus and Gajser, but then the race lost yet another rider with Cairoli crashing out hard and injured his shoulder, he could not continue the race, luckily no major issues are reported for the moment and more details on his injury conditions will be communicated shortly.

MXGP Latvia Rnd Seewer
Jeremy Seewer – MXGP of Latvia 2019

Seewer continued to lead with Tonus and Gajser battling for second just behind and close enough to the leader, the three of them think about the race win. Gajser managed to move into second place and started to push Seewer and look for a way into the lead. It seemed just a matter of time before the HRC rider would take the lead and on lap 12 he did just that. Seewer though was not about to hand the race win to the red plate owner.

MXGP Latvia Rnd Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – MXGP of Latvia 2019

Febvre moved past Tonus and the chance for a GP victory for the time being was gone for the Swiss rider. Gajser, Seewer and Febvre were all close together in the final lap of the race, Febvre blasted past Seewer for second, but it was Gajser who won the race and the overall followed by Febvre and Tonus, all of them with 40 points

MXGP Latvia Rnd Febvre
Romain Febvre – MXGP of Latvia 2019

Local hero Pauls Jonass experienced a tough Latvian GP as did his teammate Arminas Jasikonis. Jonass fell down in race 1 dropping to 28th but managing to finish 17th while Jasikonis was forced to finish the race earlier due to a technical issue.

Tim Gajser – P1

“I’m really happy because I really didn’t expect this after yesterday’s performance. I had 18th gate pick after a horrible crash and I wasn’t feeling great in that first moto today either. I couldn’t find good lines or a good rhythm so I was only able to finish sixth. In the second race I had an even better start and although it took a few laps, I passed my way into the lead with about 10 minutes remaining. I’m really happy to win another overall and a big thanks to all of the team who work so hard, because that hard work is really paying off so a big thanks to everyone. Still there are a lot of races to go so I will continue to go into each GP trying to have fun, giving my best and hoping to come out on top and remain leading this MXGP championship.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – MXGP of Latvia 2019
Romain Febvre – P2

“I finished on the same points as the overall winner, so I am happy but disappointed at the same time. This weekend didn’t start so well, I didn’t feel comfortable on the track yesterday, but it was much better today. I made some changes to my bike and I really want to thank my team Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP for the work they are putting in. It has not been long since my injury and I have already been on the podium twice, so I am happy with that.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Romain Febvre
Romain Febvre – MXGP of Latvia 2019
Arnaud Tonus – P3

“I have to be happy with this weekend. It is a bit frustrating to come this close to the win, we fight hard for this so to be on the same points as the winner but miss it, it’s tough. We will keep working. It still feels great to be on the podium, so I need to thank my team and all of the people around me. I will enjoy this podium finish a lot and keep fighting for the win in the future.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Arnaud Tonus
Arnaud Tonus – MXGP of Latvia 2019
Jeremy Seewer – P4

“I had an amazing weekend, probably the best this year even though I was on the podium last weekend but not this weekend. I still finished on the same points and I was able to lead a lot of laps which was really cool. I got passed on the last lap, ‘chapeau’ to my teammate Romain, he was riding really fast on the last and we were able to catch Gajser. It was a great battle and I really enjoyed this weekend podium or not. I am really looking forward to Germany, it is one of my favourite tracks, so it is going well at the moment and I want to keep moving in this direction and fighting for more podiums.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Seewer
Jeremy Seewer – MXGP of Latvia 2019
Gautier Paulin – P7

“I have had two big impacts at the previous two GP’s and this has affected my physical condition, so I felt this weekend was tough with my energy levels being very low. The Qualifying Race was not good for me with two crashes, but even with a bad gate-pick the team have given me a really good bike, so I managed to get decent starts, but I just didn’t feel 100% today. To take the positives away from the day today, I had two consistent races with no crashes, so I will build on this to get back to the level where I should be.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Gautier Paulin
Gautier Paulin – MXGP of Latvia 2019
Tony Cairoli – P11

“On Saturday I had the Flu and a fever, and my arm was not as strong as I wanted after the crash in Russia. I could battle with the guys for first position in the first moto but then I got a bit tired and settled for third, which was good for the championship. In the second moto I was fourth and trying to follow [Arnaud] Tonus. I had quite a big crash and when I stood up I felt my shoulder was out. My hope is to be ready to at least start next week in Germany. I don’t want to give up at all and I want to be there as much as possible for the championship.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Tony Cairoli
Tony Cairoli – MXGP of Latvia 2019
Dirk Gruebel – Red Bull KTM MX2 Team Manager and Technical Co-ordinator

“The MX2 boys did outstanding today but MXGP started very weirdly with Jeffrey’s crash on the Sighting Lap. We had to straighten the bike and he then rode great and won the race: this was also outstanding. Afterwards we found out he had another small fracture in his leg and he was unfit to continue, so we had to call it a day. Tony went down hard in the second race and dislocated his shoulder so it was a hard ending to the day.”

MXGP Latvia Rnd Jeffrey Herlings
Jeffrey Herlings – MXGP of Latvia 2019

MXGP of Latvia 2019 – MXGP Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Moto News | MXGP | EMX | Finke | TrialGP | Classic Dirt Track

Moto News Wrap for June 11, 2019 by Darren Smart

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The LATEST News

  • Gajser and Prado win MXGP of Russia
  • Walsh blitzes Finke
  • Bou wins GP of Japan
  • Brayton set to defend SX Title
  • Epstein-Barr virus slows Covington
  • Musquin stays with KTM till 2021
  • Woffendin Injured
  • Webb Injured
  • KTM take full ownership of KTM Australia and New Zealand
  • Yamaha bLU cRU YZ65 Cup hits Wollongong
  • Action aplenty at Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship
  • Tayla Street creates Classic Dirt Track history

Gajser and Prado Win MXGP of Russia

The seaside venue of Orlyonok, Russia hosted round eight of the FIM World Motocross Championship last weekend and the drama filled weekend saw not only a heap of sensational racing but we now have a new MXGP championship leader after Tim Gajser dominating the class while Jorge Prado extended his MX2 championship points lead.

MXGP Rnd Russia Gajser bybavo
MXGP of Russia 2019

MXGP Report

The drama actually started on Saturday when championship leader Antonio Cairoli crashed during the qualifying race and landed hard on a crusty rut only to get up holding his back before retiring from the race but the plucky nine-time World Champion was on the gate for moto one on Sunday morning.

MXGP Rnd Russia Jeffrey Herlings RA
MXGP Start – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer

On a fast and slick circuit Gajser not only earned his third MXGP overall in three rounds via double race wins but he now owns the MXGP Championship leader’s red plate while Arnaud Tonus took second overall with his 2-2 finishes ahead of fellow Yamaha rider Jeremy Seewer who scored his career first MXGP podium overall.

Tim Gajser

“I am feeling really good but both races were really tough because Arnaud was really fast and pushing. Overall, I am happy winning again and thanks to everybody at Honda, the bike is just amazing. Three races ago I was more than 40 points behind Tony and now I have the red plate.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser celebrates the win – MXGP of Russia 2019
Arnaud Tonus

“It wasn’t easy to fight for the lead, but I was super happy that I had quite starts so I could fight from the beginning and come quite close to Tim. I went for it and really wanted to pass him but made a small a mistake, it happens. I am happy I went for it anyway and could recover to finish second which is great, I am super thankful and super happy because 3 podiums in a row is amazing.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Arnaud Tonus
Arnaud Tonus – MXGP of Russia 2019
Jeremy Seewer

“It is amazing to make it on the MXGP podium, it just feels a lot harder than even any of MX2 wins. It is a lot of work and a lot of fast guys so it feels really good. It is amazing to have two Swiss guys on the podium it hasn’t happened in the history of motocross in Switzerland and to do it on two Yamahas is even better.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Jeremy Seewer
Jeremy Seewer

Cairoli battled hard all day to go 13-4 for eighth outright to now be 13 points shy of Gajser as far as the championship goes while Jefferey Herlings was on hand in his first race of the year to end the day with very respectable 4-7 moto results for fourth overall.

Jeffrey Herlings

“I had a serious injury and it has been tough to get back here, mentally and physically, and with a lot of pain for a long time. I did not expect this result here today especially on this track. So to be close to the podium again feels pretty beautiful. I like the track in Latvia but I don’t have any firm expectations and I will not forget where I have come from to get to this point. Having said that we’ll always try to fight for a podium spot when we can!”

MXGP Rnd Russia Jeffrey Herlings RA
Jeffrey Herlings – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
Tony Cairoli

“A very difficult weekend and of course the crash from yesterday did not help as it meant I was totally on the outside for the gate pick. I was riding very stiff and by missing the start it is almost impossible to make a good result on this track; everybody is riding at a similar speed. We lost the red plate but the positive is that I’m not badly injured, and we saw some big crashes today. We walk away a bit banged-up but we will re-group and look to Latvia, which is a nice track, and to regain some points.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Tony Cairoli RA
Tony Cairoli – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer

MXGP Overall Top Ten

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points
  2. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 44
  3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 36
  4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 32
  5. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 32
  6. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 31
  7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 29
  8. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 27
  9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 24
  10. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 22

MXGP Championship Top Ten

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 351 points
  2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 338
  3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 231
  4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 220
  5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 212
  6. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 208
  7. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 206
  8. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 172
  9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 170
  10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 168
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MX2 Report

Despite a poor start Prado won the opening moto narrowly from Thomas Kjer Olsen, Jago Geerts, Tom Vialle and Mitchell Evans while Jed Beaton cake home in 12th after a poor start but in the second moto Prado earned the holeshot and took off like a cut cat to take an easy win over Kjer Olsen, Geerts. Michele Cervellin, Vialle, Ben Watson, Beaton, Henry Jacobi, Maxime Renaux and Evans.

MXGP Rnd Russia Jorge Prado RA
Jorge Prado – MXGP of Russia 2019

Prado now leads the championship over Kjer Olsen by a clean 20 points while Evans is 6th in the points, just two behind Vialle while Beaton sits 14th in the points despite missing two of the eight rounds due to injury.

Jorge Prado

“I felt pretty good this weekend, the track was hard but I felt good getting the Saturday Qualifying Race win and today I was in the back of the pack so I had to make my way up to the front, but I had good speed and fought all the way to the end to get the win. I am happy and looking forward to the next round.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Jorge Prado RA
MX2 Podium – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
Thomas Kjer Olsen

“I felt good all weekend. Yesterday in the Qualifying I felt really good then we made some changes on the bike to make it feel really comfortable on the hard pack. Overall, I am happy I got to lead some laps, felt great on the bike, and everything so I am looking forward to Latvia for sure.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Thomas Kjer Olsen
Thomas Kjer Olsen – MXGP of Russia 2019
Jago Geerts

“It was a really solid weekend for me, I was really happy with the starts, I had three good starts this weekend which is positive for the rest of the season. Next weekend is Latvia, one of my favourite tracks but the goal is the same, to be on the podium, so we’ll see.”

Mitchell Evans

“In the first moto I got off to a good start and just kind of rode my own race, so stayed in fifth the whole race. I tried to follow the leaders, but they just had a little bit more pace. I was struggling with the speeds on the track and just how slippery it was. In moto two I had a really bad start, around twentieth or something, and on a track that was really hard to pass on I made my way to tenth. I was really happy with my riding this weekend. My pace was a little bit off, but we know where we can improve. I have just got to focus on making my starts better. I am looking forward to Latvia.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Mitch Evans byBavo
Mitch Evans – MXGP of Russia 2019
Jed Beaton

“I’m really happy with the way the GPs gone. Obviously, I needed a little bit of time off following my crash in Portugal and to come back after being unable to race in France and get two solid results is great. I did three good days of riding before coming to Russia, so I was confident things would go well because I felt good and importantly was pain free. The opening moto didn’t start too well, I got a bad start so had to work really hard. I went from outside the top 20 to 12th and put in a lot of effort. I was feeling the hard work in the second moto but made some good passes. I’m really pleased with seventh. I feel like I’m where I should be and now that the Portugal crash is behind me I want to build on these results starting with the Latvian GP next weekend.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Jed Beaton
Jed Beaton – MXGP of Russia 2019

MX2 Overall Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 50 points
  2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 44
  3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 40
  4. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 34
  5. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 30
  6. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 27
  7. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 26
  8. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 26
  9. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 26
  10. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 23

MX2 Championship Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 347 points
  2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 327
  3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 257
  4. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 236
  5. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 216
  6. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 214
  7. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 210
  8. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 169
  9. Davy Pootjes (NED, HUS), 157
  10. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 132
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Moosdijk and Kellett win EMX in Russia

Roan Van de Moosdijk and Todd Kellett have won the EMX250 and EMX2T classes respectively at the Russian round of the FIM Europe Championship at Orlyonok last weekend.

EMX250 Report

Despite Van De Mooslik taking the overall with 2-1 moto results it was Stephan Rubini who rode to 3-1 finishes and subsequently took the red plate from former championship leader Alberto Forato who struggled to 14-4 moto results but it was a solid round for Aussie Caleb Grothues who went 9-9 for ninth overall.

MXGP Rnd Russia EMX
EMX250 Start – MXGP of Russia 2019

Rubini now holds a two-point lead over Forato with four rounds remaining while Grothues sits 14th in the points despite missing the Italian round due to injury.

EMX250 Overall Top Ten

  1. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 47 points
  2. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 45
  3. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 42
  4. Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, YAM), 29
  5. Jeremy Sydow (GER, HUS), 29
  6. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 28
  7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 28
  8. Alberto Forato (ITA, HUS), 25
  9. Caleb Grothues (AUS, YAM), 24
  10. Raivo Dankers (NED, YAM), 22

EMX250 Championship Top Ten

  1. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 165 points
  2. Alberto Forato (ITA, HUS), 163
  3. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 144
  4. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 110
  5. Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, YAM), 96
  6. Jimmy Clochet (FRA, KAW), 88
  7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 88
  8. Karlis Sabulis (LAT, KTM), 74
  9. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 73
  10. Josh Gilbert (GBR, HON), 70

EMX2T Report

The EMX2T overall win was the first for Kellett with 1-2 moto results while Brad Anderson’s second overall gives him the championship leader’s red plate by eight points over Mike Kras while Kellett sits third some 21 points back from Anderson.

MXGP Rnd Russia EMXT podium
EMX2T Podium – MXGP of Russia 2019

EMX2T Overall Top Ten

  1. Todd Kellett (GBR, YAM), 47 points
  2. Brad Anderson (GBR, KTM), 45
  3. Andero Lusbo (EST, HUS), 42
  4. Mike Kras (NED, KTM), 36
  5. Pier Filippo Bertuzzo (ITA, YAM), 31
  6. Charlie Putnam (GBR, KTM), 29
  7. Vaclav Kovar (CZE, GAS), 26
  8. Max Buelow (GER, KTM), 26
  9. Robert Holyoake (GBR, HUS), 26
  10. Lurii Lukash (RUS, HON), 23

EMX2T Championship Top Ten

  1. Brad Anderson (GBR, KTM), 163 points
  2. Mike Kras (NED, KTM), 155
  3. Todd Kellett (GBR, YAM), 142
  4. Vaclav Kovar (CZE, GAS), 127
  5. Andero Lusbo (EST, HUS), 124
  6. Youri van t Ende (NED, KTM), 88
  7. Brad Todd (GBR, YAM), 86
  8. Pier Filippo Bertuzzo (ITA, YAM), 70
  9. Ben Putnam (GBR, HUS), 60
  10. Andrea Gorini (SMR, YAM), 59
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Walsh Blitzes Finke

KTM’s David Walsh has put on a riding clinic at the 2019 Tatt’s Finke Desert Race winning the three-leg event by just under five minutes from Honda’s Jacob Smith who in turn had the best part of a three-minute gap back to third placed Husqvarna rider in Beau Ralston.

Finke Desert Race podium fm
KTM celebrated the Finke win with David Walsh

Almost 600 bike and quad competitors slogged their way through the prologue plus the 500km run from Alice Springs to Finke and back but it was Walsh who dominated all three days to claim his maiden win in convincing fashion with an overall time of 3 hours and 56 minutes.

2019 was Walsh’s 12th Finke race recording a best finish of second three-times previously (2018, 2014 and 2012) so the Alice Springs local was visibly emotional when he took the chequered flag, with the crowd erupting in cheer as he crossed the Start/Finish line in first position.

David Walsh

“I’m just completely blown away and I’m over the moon with getting my first win here at Finke. It’s truly a credit to the North Star Pastoral KTM Desert Racing Team, because without those guys, I wouldn’t be here. They work around the clock and it’s like a big family – I can’t thank them enough for their efforts. Getting down to Finke with a five-minute lead made it easier for me, I knew I could probably get through the rough stuff a bit easier coming home, and that’s what I did. I’m so happy to finally get it after the 12 years that I’ve been trying and it’s an amazing feeling.”

Finke Desert Race fm Dylan Walsh
David Walsh – 2019 Finke Desert Race
Callum Norton

“A silly crash just two or three minutes out of Finke cost me this weekend and bit me hard, everything was hurting pretty bad, so I just had a breather there before getting going again. Straight away I thought it was over, but once I got to the next stop the boys told me I wasn’t too far behind, so that gave me a boost. I just kept pushing on, started seeing dust and every time I saw dust, I got excited again. I was sore as hell, but I just kept pushing to get it home so I could rest up. I crossed the line fifth, which was good. I’m pretty happy with it, considering what happened.”

Finke Desert Race fm
Callum Norton – 2019 Finke Desert Race
Jacob Smith

“Six weeks ago, laying in a hospital bed here in Alice Springs with a few injuries, I’m just so happy to be here on the podium. I knew David had a fair gap and five minutes is a long way, so I was trying to just keep my position today and go as hard as I could so the guys behind didn’t catch me. I made some time at the second fuel stop, so I just coasted into town and didn’t do anything silly.”

Finke Desert Race hqva fm
Jacob Smith – 2019 Finke Desert Race
Beau Ralston

“I’m stoked to finish, let alone get on the podium after my last couple of years being injured. The Schwarz Husqvarna Desert Team has put in a huge effort to get us out here this year and I really appreciate it. I was over two minutes behind Jake and I was fresh, so I thought I was going to have a good crack at reeling him in, but I didn’t anticipate what the cars were going to do to the track. I had some really hairy moments, so I just backed off to get home in one piece for a podium finish.”

Finke Desert Race hqva fm
Beau Ralston – 2019 Finke Desert Race

2019 Finke Top Ten Outright

  1. Walsh, David – 03:56:01.0
  2. Smith, Jacob – 04:01:00.4 +00:04:59.4
  3. Ralston, Beau – 04:03:57.7 + 00:07:56.7
  4. Simpson, Jack – 04:09:38.7 + 00:13:37.7
  5. Norton, Callum – 04:14:19.5 + 00:18:18.5
  6. Davie, Sam – 04:15:25.4 + 00:19:24.4
  7. Terry, Lachlan – 04:20:52.3 + 00:24:51.3
  8. Grove, Mark – 04:23:23.4 + 00:27:22.4
  9. Jones, Thomas – 04:28:43.2 + 00:32:42.2
  10. Waters, Nicholas – 04:28:45.5 + 00:32:44.5
Finke Desert Race podium fm
Husqvarna also put in a strong showing at the 2019 Finke Desert Race

Top 3 – Each Class
Class 01 : 251cc and above Two Stroke

  1. Pfitzner, Kyle
  2. Russell, Benjamin
  3. Handley, Samuel

Class 02 : 451cc and above Four Stroke

  1. Walsh, David
  2. Smith, Jacob
  3. Ralston, Beau

Class 03 : Up to 250cc Two Stroke

  1. Simpson, Kyle
  2. Brierley, Mitchell
  3. Foot, Danielle

Class 04 : Up to 250cc Four Stroke

  1. Geale, Thomas
  2. Elliott, Zoran
  3. Wilson, Jarrod

Class 05 : 251cc to 450cc Four Stroke

  1. Simpson, Jack
  2. Norton, Callum
  3. Grove, Mark

Class 06 : Masters 35 to 39 Years  (Total 3)

  1. Jones, Thomas
  2. Stephens, Lee
  3. White, Matthew

Class 07 : Seniors 40 to 44 Years

  1. Faggotter, Rodney
  2. Wilkinson, Brad
  3. Stewart, Jason

Class 08 : Veterans 45 Years and Over

  1. Bell, Matthew
  2. Doyle, Neil
  3. Hicks, Darby

Class 09 : Quads up to 40 Years

  1. Van Vliet, Cooper
  2. Bailey, Lachlan
  3. Jackson, Andrew

Class 10 : Quads 40 Years and Over

  1. Spiers, Craig
  2. Beer, Richard
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Bou Wins GP of Japan

The Twin Ring Motego circuit hosted round two of the FIM Trial World Championship last weekend and predictably it was the defending champion in Toni Bou who won both days of competition to extend his early championship lead.

TrialGP R Podium TrialGP ps
Toni Bou claimed the TrialGP of Japan win from Adam Raga and Takahisa Fujinami

Bou won both days over Adam Raga and teammate Takahisa Fujinami, so heading to the third round Bou has an 11-point lead over Raga who in turn has a nine-point lead over Fujinami.

Toni Bou

“Today we had a perfect trial in a perfect place. I’m very happy with my riding today. Having done this perfect trial here in Japan was really special. Thank all the team who have done a great job. We have prepared a lot for these first events and the results have been incredible, so I can’t be happier this weekend.”

Rider Standings after Round 2

  1. BOU Toni – 60
  2. RAGA Adam – 49
  3. FUJINAMI Takahisa – 40
  4. FAJARDO Jeroni – 35
  5. DABILL James – 33

Brayton set to Defend SX Title

Three-time Australian Supercross Champion Justin Brayton has confirmed that he will be back to defend his 2018 title and once again he will be on the CRF450R with Penrite Honda Racing with the intension of making it four straight victories.

Justin Brayton

“I will be doing my best to bring home a 4th title. Riders learn from one another and we push to improve ourselves in an effort to get to or be at the top. I imagine some younger riders will be faster this year and some older ones will be hungrier as their careers are nearing the end. The championship in Australia goes from strength to strength, the venues continue to improve, as do the riders and teams and I am proud to have been a small part of it all.”

AMA Supercross FInal Brayton JK SX Vegas
Justin Brayton – Image by Hoppenworld

The 3-time Champion has grown fond of Australia and has toyed with the idea of relocating here to live.

“It really is like a second home and this year will mark my 5th year in Australia. The country, the people and the racing are amazing and I appreciate how welcome my family and I feel when we come.”

Travelling the globe racing for more than 10 years, Brayton affirms retirement isn’t on the horizon just yet confirming there is still plenty left in the tank and his dedication and passion for racing remains.

AMA SX Rnd Brayton JK SX NJ
Justin Brayton – Image by Hoppenworld

“I love racing and riding dirtbikes! Racing at home and around the world is still exciting for me and I get the same butterflies when I line up now as I did when I was younger. So long as it’s fun and I am competitive I aim to keep racing.”

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Epstein-Barr virus slows Covington

Multiple GP winner Thomas Covington has had a horror start to the 2019 AMA Motocross Championship with the Husqvarna rider logging overall finishes of 26th, 17th and 26th respectively over the first three rounds to sit 22nd in the 250 Class points standings.

In the way of explanation Covington posted this statement on social media:

“Sorry I’ve been silent to everyone as to what’s been going on the last few weeks. After seeing the doctor and having tests done this week, I’ve been diagnosed with Epstein-Barr Virus. I’ve been super tired and lacking strength for around a month now and really hit a wall last weekend in Colorado. That’s when I knew something had to be wrong. Doing everything I can now to be back to myself as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone’s continued support and a huge thank you to @rockstarhusky for helping me through this.”

AMA Pro MX Rnd FoxRaceway Covington JK MX Pala
Thomas Covington – AMA MX 2019 Round 2 – Fox Raceway

Musquin stays with KTM till 2021

KTM North America has extended Marvin Musquin’s contract with the French star remaining with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team for the 2020 and 2021 race seasons.

Marvin Musquin has spent the last 10 years of his professional career with the KTM brand and is continually a championship contender in the sport’s premier racing circuits. A true “Ready to Race” athlete and KTM brand ambassador, Musquin’s performance in North America has gained recognition amongst fans as a fierce competitor.

Marvin Musquin

“I am pleased with the extension of my contract with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team for the next two years. KTM and Red Bull have supported me immensely and I believe the product, team and the overall program will contribute to my future success.”

KTM Musquin Contract Extension
Marvin Musquin extends contract with KTM to 2020
Ian Harrison – Team Manager

“I have had the privilege of working with Marvin for nine years and he is a first-class guy that always gives his best, both on and off the track. The 2019 SX Championship proved what a tough contender Marvin is and I’m sure we will get to witness more of his talent in the years to come. I am so happy he has made the decision to stay with Red Bull KTM for the ’20 and ‘21 race seasons. On behalf of all of us at KTM, thank you Marvin, for continuing your journey with us.”

Roger De Coster – Director of Motorsports, KTM Group

“Marvin came over to the U.S. from the MXGP circuit for the 2011 season, which was the same time Ian Harrison and I joined the team and it is hard to believe that this is our ninth year working with him. During this time, Marvin won a 250SX East title, but more importantly, he has not finished off the podium in either the 450 SX or MX Championships and he is still improving every season. I am truly happy Marvin chose to extend his relationship with Red Bull KTM for two more years.”

The 29-year-old French rider has been with the KTM brand since 2009, where the rising star at the time captured back-to-back MX2 World Championships in ’09 and ‘10. In 2011, Musquin signed with Roger De Coster and the U.S. based Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team and by 2015 he captured the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship.

Since moving to the premier 450cc division in 2016, Musquin has accumulated eight AMA 450SX victories and seven AMA 450MX victories, while consistently maintaining a top-three position in the overall championships.

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Woffendin Injured

Defending World Champion Tai Woffinden has confirmed that he faces a month on the sidelines after an MRI scan revealed he suffered a broken TH4 vertebra and shoulder blade after crashing with Russian star Grigorii Laguta in heat one of Wroclaw’s PGE Ekstraliga trip to Lublin on Friday night,

Woffinden immediately withdrew from the meeting and was taken to Wroclaw to undergo further checks to ascertain the full extent of the damage to the neck vertebra and shoulder.

Tai Woffinden tweeted

“After leaving hospital last night and making a 500km trip to Wroclaw to see the spinal specialists and a MRI scan, it’s actually TH4 that is broken along with my shoulder blade. At this point I’m out for one month and we will see how much my neck has healed in that period.”

Tai Woffinden in action ImgWarwickHemy
Tai Woffinden – Image by Warwick Hemy

It has been officially confirmed he will miss the ANLAS Czech SGP in Prague next Saturday and the Norrbil Swedish SGP in Hallstavik on July 6.

The news comes as a blow to his hopes of retaining the world title with Woffinden currently eighth in the standings on 15 points – 13 behind top two Bartosz Zmarzlik and Patryk Dudek.

SGP second reserve Max Fricke replaces Woffinden in Prague, while the news guarantees that first reserve Robert Lambert will also appear in both Prague and Hallstavik.


Webb injured

Extreme endure star Cody Webb tweaked his knee while dropping off a ledge in a technical rock section just days before heading to the world-famous Erzbergrodeo in Austria. Webb was determined to line up at the infamous event this year only to call it quits early into the race and spent the remaining time helping his KTM teammates through a challenging section of the course.

AMA MX Rnd Thunder Valley Webb JK MX Lakewood
Cody Webb – 2019 Thunder Valley National MX

Webb has claimed two extreme enduro victories already this season, in addition to a heartbreakingly close runner-up finish in the 2019 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship.

Cody Webb

“Being injured is always unfortunate, but I’m taking it as a positive. I intend to take rehab very seriously post-operation and will come back better and stronger than before. It’s a long road ahead, but I will make the best of it and am already excited about the thought of being back at the races.”

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KTM take full ownership of KTM Australia and New Zealand

After 25 years of stable and successful business, Automotive Holdings Group (AHG) has sold the remaining 74 per cent share of its motorcycle importation business to the brands’ parent company KTM.

AHG has been the exclusive importer and distributor of the KTM brand for the Australian and New Zealand market since 1994, with the Husqvarna Motorcycles and WP Suspension brands joining the stable in recent years.

In 2017 KTM, which is Europe’s leading motorcycle manufacturer purchased a 26 per cent share of the AHG motorcycle importation business. It now moves to full ownership of both KTM Group Australia and KTM Group New Zealand.

The move to full ownership will see KTM Group Australia and KTM Group New Zealand become full subsidiaries of the Austrian company. Now selling more than 11,000 KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycle units combined, the Australian and New Zealand business has become the third largest market in the world for KTM and will now become the third largest subsidiary for the company.

Jeff Leisk – General Manager, KTM Group Australia and New Zealand

“What a journey it has been since our first AHG Dealer Conference in 1994 and there have been so many significant milestones along the way. I am extremely proud to have seen the KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycle brands go from strength to strength in both the Australian and New Zealand markets. We have built strong relationships with our dealers and our customers and this has been the key to our success. Becoming a factory owned subsidiary will increase the level of support that we can offer our dealer network, our staff and our customers, so I am excited about the next chapter.”

Jeff Leisk KTM Husqvarna Australia New Zealand
Jeff Leisk
Hubert Trunkenpolz – Chief Marketing Officer

“We are absolutely delighted with the outcome and our full ownership of KTM Group Australia and KTM Group New Zealand. This transaction once again reinforces our commitment to the Australian and New Zealand markets. This is a very positive development for the KTM dealer network and the KTM customer in both countries.”

The change will take effect from the 1st July 2019. While the change of ownership is a significant development for both the company and the market, there will be no impact on KTM Group staff or the established dealer networks for KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles and WP Suspension.

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Yamaha bLU cRU YZ65 Cup hits Wollongong

November 9 will be a memorable night for 20 young hopefuls as the compete in the Yamaha bLU cRU YZ65 Cup during round three of the Australian Supercross Championship at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.

The 20 lucky juniors will be selected for this incredible experience from a mix of current YZ65 owners along with wildcard juniors who don’t currently own the model.

Yamaha bLU cRU Cup YZ Wollongong
Yamaha bLU cRU YZ65 Cup

The junior riders get to experience what it’s like to be a professional rider and become guests of Yamaha’s factory race teams, which event promoter Troy Bayliss says will provide valuable insights into professional racing, including mentoring from CDR Yamaha Monster Energy factory riders and owner Craig Dack.

Troy Bayliss

“We are pleased to be able to provide the opportunity for junior girls and boys to experience Supercross within an incredible venue like WIN Stadium, and for them to do laps in front of thousands of fans will be something they will remember for a lifetime.”

Since releasing the YZ65 in 2018, Yamaha Motor Australia has given many junior riders the opportunity to compete side-by-side within select Australian Supercross Championship events and MX National rounds, including the first-ever YZ65 Cup at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium during last year’s third round of the Australian Supercross Championship.

Matthew Ferry – YMA National Sales & Marketing Manager

“Our first YZ65 Cup experience at Supercross was in Geelong last year and the parents and kids enjoyed the full bLU cRU treatment, and to see so many happy faces and positive feedback we knew we wanted to offer this experience again this year within the Yamaha presented Round 3 of the Australian Supercross Championship at WIN Stadium. Spots are limited to 20 lucky riders available to YZ65 owners, plus Yamaha will also offer a few wildcard entries for non YZ65 owners to experience what it’s like to be part of the bLU cRU, it’s a money-can’t-buy experience.”

Troy Bayliss Events are committed to ensuring the future looks bright for Supercross in Australia, with further Championship junior classes to be announced in the coming weeks for the 2019 Australian Supercross Series.

Round 3 of the Australian Supercross Championship takes place at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday November 9, with tickets available now via Ticketmaster.com.au

YZ65 owners can register via the following link:  https://yma.bike/YZ65CupSX1. Wildcard (non YZ65 owners) can register via the following link:  https://yma.bike/YZ65CupSXWC

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Action aplenty at Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship

The Broadford circuit in Victoria last weekend hosted the Shannons 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship and by all accounts the racing was close and hard fought all weekend – see results below:

Australian Championship classes

Pre 75 Slider 263+
1st 26 Jody Mason
2nd 30 Brett Glover
3rd 101 Mark Herfoss
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Jody Mason ACDTD
Jody Mason – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Evolution Super Seniors 70+ All Powers
1st 13 Greg McLean
2nd 118 Bill Mitchell
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Greg McLean ACDTD
Greg McLean – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Evolution 16-29 years All Powers
1st 121 Aaron Stevens
2nd 257 Billy Ricardo
3rd 44 Doug Hayden
Pre 75 up to 125cc
1st 123 Ray Stevens
2nd 18 Jake Mitchell
3rd 2 Grant Dodd
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Ray Stevens ACDTC
Ray Stevens – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 70 263+
1st 6 David Gras
2nd 71 Adam Constable
3rd 17 Steve Constable
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship David Gras ACDTC
David Gras – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 75 Solo 263+
1st 101 Mark Herfoss
2nd 16 Damien Bombardiere
3rd 26 Jody Mason
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship David Herfoss ACDTC
David Herfoss – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Evolution Womens All Powers
1st 89 Tayla Street
2nd 58 Brook Lonie
3rd 38 Janet Kelly
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Brooke Lonie battling Tayla Street
Taylor Street and Brooke Lonie – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 75 50-59 yearrs All Powers
1st 101 Mark Herfoss
2nd 216 Graeme Judd
3rd 123 Ray Stevens
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship David Herfoss ACDTC
Mark Herfoss – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Evolution 50-59 years All Powers
1st 123 Ray Stevens
2nd 216 Graeme Judd
3rd 90 Simon Hampton
Pre 75 Solo 250cc
1st 382 Brad Burns
2nd 667 Luke Wilesmith
3rd 33 Rob Hayden
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Unbeatable Brad Burns ACDTC
Brad Burns – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Evolution Solo 263+
1st 382 Brad Burns
2nd 121 Aaron Stevens
3rd 24 Chas Hern
Evolution Solo 250cc
1st 382 Brad Burns
2nd 44 Doug Hayden
3rd 2 Grant Dodd
Pre 75 263+
1st 257 Billy Ricardo
2nd 123 Ray Stevens
3rd 216 Graeme Judd
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Billy Ricardo ACDTC
Billy Ricardo – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 78 250 Solo
1st 22 Brendan McCowat
2nd 667 Luke Wilesmith
3rd 90 Simon Hampton

Support Classes

Pre 75 60years + All Powers
1st 33 Rob Hayden
2nd 6 Peter Lee
3rd 9 John Selva
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Rob Hayden ACDTC
Rob Hayden – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 75 Slider up to 250cc
1st 7 Reece Crimeen
2nd 30 Brett Glover
3rd 68 Rick Wason
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Reece Crimeen ACDTC
Reece Crimeen – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 60 Solo All Powers
1st 118 Bill Mitchell
2nd 51 Graham Anderson
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Bill Mitchell and Graham Anderson duked it out all weekend ACDTC
Bill Mitchell Graham Anderson – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 78 Super Seniors & Evolution 60years + All Powers
1st 33 Rob Hayden
2nd 52 Peter Lee
3rd 171 Kevin Brown
Pre 75 16-39 Years All Powers
1st 382 Brad Burns
2nd 18 Jake Mitchell
3rd 2 Grant Dodd
Pre 65 Solo 250cc & 263cc+ & Pre 70 Solo 250cc
1st 9 John Selva
2nd 116 Kevin Dunque
3rd 76 Mark Birkett
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship John Selva ACDTC
John Silva – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 75 40-49 years All Powers
1st 16 Damien Bombardiere
2nd 181 Ross Watson
3rd 36 Paul Neighbour
Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Damien Bombardiere beautiful and quick Norton ACDTC
Damien Bomardiere – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 78 & Evolution Solo up to 125cc
1st 2 Grant Dodd
2nd 258 Nick Smith
3rd 38 James Hayden
Battle of the Twins
1st 6 David Gras
2nd 650 Chas Hern
3rd 66 Dean Ross

Tayla Street creates Classic Dirt Track history

History was made in motorcycle racing at Broadford last weekend with the inaugural Women’s Classic Dirt Track Championship and there were eight hard charging females on hand on a myriad of different machinery.

Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Womens Line up
2019 Australian Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne

When the dust settled it was the talented Tayla Street on a fire breathing 1980 Suzuki RM250 who earned the title ahead of Brooke Lonie (DT400) and Janet Kelly (TT500) – see full results below:

Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship Tayla Street Championship Winner
Tayla Street – 2019 Australian Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
  1. Tayla Street – RM250 – 122p
  2. Brooke Lonie – DT400 – 113p
  3. Janet Kelly – TT500 – 96p
  4. Laura Saxon – IT250 – 94p
  5. Abbey Wason – Bultaco Astro – 70p
  6. Nicole Thompson – DT250 – 62p
  7. Carina Peschel – DT400 – 60p
  8. Denise Widjaja – DT250 – 58p
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Source: MCNews.com.au

Tim Gajser & Jorge Prado dominate MXGP of Russia

MXGP 2019

Round 8 – MXGP of Russia, Orlyonok


The 2019 MXGP of Russia saw warm Orlyonok weather on a tricky track that demanded the most out of even the world’s best with Tim Gajser and Jorge Prado solidifying their MXGP and MX2 standings, as both now hold the Championship leader’s red plates after another weekend at the top step of the podium.

MXGP Rnd Russia Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – MXGP of Russia 2019

In MX2 in Race 1 Mitch Evans led the Aussies with a fifth place result, while Jed Beaton came home 12th, with Dylan Walsh 17th. Race 2 saw a turn-around with Jed Beaton seventh, while Mitch Evans was 10th and Dylan Walsh 13th. This left Mitch Evans fifth overall for the round and Jed Beaton tenth. In the overall standings Evans holds sixth, while Beaton is 14th. Walsh is 17th.

The weekend’s warm weather and blue skies was matched by the blue water of the Black Sea and warm welcome of Russia’s motocross fans. The picturesque location of the venue and the beautiful Russian community of spectators combined with the unexpected results made for an unforgettable weekend of racing.


MXGP

Following yesterday’s qualifying results Romain Febvre lined up to the gate in pole position and when the gate dropped for today’s Race 1 the Frenchman scored his second Fox Holeshot of the year. Team HRC’s Tim Gajser shot past the #461 almost immediately after they crossed the chalk and was into the lead as the opening lap kicked off.

MXGP Rnd Russia Jeffrey Herlings RA
MXGP Start – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer

Clement Desalle got into second with a pass on Febvre along with Arnaud Tonus. The #84 KTM Factory Racing machine of Jeffrey Herlings was in fifth while Antonio Cairoli was way back outside the top 15.

Evgeny Bobryshev lost control of his Kawasaki on the main downhill section on the opening lap and crashed hard ending not only the race but his home GP. Tonus gained a spot as Desalle fell in a corner while Tonus’ teammate, Gautier Paulin, crashed out of the top ten damaging his front causing him to fall again before making his way into Pit Lane and eventually the paddock.

MXGP Rnd Russia Romain Febvre
Romain Febvre – MXGP of Russia 2019

Herlings then found himself in fourth after the fall of Desalle with Pauls Jonass and Jeremy Seewer applying pressure. Seewer first passed Jonass but then Desalle surged past both Jonass and Seewer to take over fifth.

Alessandro Lupino had a big crash and was unable to continue while fellow Italian and his friend Antonio Cairoli was stuck in 15th for 12 laps before finally making a pass on Jordi Tixier. Desalle was ejected from his bike at the end of pitlane straight with only four laps to go and was unable to rejoin the racing. Seewer took over the fourth spot while Gajser took the race win ahead of Tonus, Febvre, and Herlings. Cairoli gained two more spots in the closing laps to finish 12th.

MXGP Rnd Russia Tony Cairoli RA
Tony Cairoli – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer

The second and final race of the MXGP weekend started with a season first holeshot for Glenn Coldenhoff with Gajser and Tixier just behind. Tonus was quick to move past Tixier along with Seewer. Seewer’s teammate Febvre fell in the early portion of the race from 7th costing him 6 positions with his former 7th place spot going to Cairoli.

Jonass passed Julien Lieber to get into the top 5 behind his former MX2 rival Seewer. On lap 7 Jonass lost his top five spot to Lieber as Cairoli also went by into 6th before making it past Lieber the next lap, at the same Gajser finally made his way around Coldenhoff for the lead.

MXGP Rnd France Pauls Jonass
Pauls Jonass – MXGP of Russia 2019

Coldenhoff lost the 2nd spot to Tonus immediately before losing a handful of other spots in the following laps to Seewer, Cairoli, Lieber, Jonass, Herlings, Paulin, and Febvre. Tonus then closed in right to the back wheel of Gajser and made an attempt to take the lead but clipped a trackside haybale and fell instead.

The fall of Tonus didn’t lose him any positions, only time to Gajser that he could not recover. At the finish Gajser took his 3rd MXGP Overall in 3 rounds via double race wins, the MXGP Championship leader’s red plate, and the first ever Russian Overall GP victory for Honda.

MXGP Rnd Russia Jeremy Seewer
Jeremy Seewer – MXGP of Russia 2019

Tonus took second overall with his 2-2 finishes and Seewer scored his career first MXGP podium overall, best MXGP race finish, and put not only the second Yamaha on the podium but also joined his Swiss compatriot Tonus to make history as the first time two Swiss riders have stood on the podium in the premier category of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Tim Gajser

“I’m feeling really good about this weekend. It wasn’t easy out there, as both motos were tough because Arnaud (Tonus) was really fast and he was always behind me pushing hard. The first race I held him off all race, and then in the second race it was the same again but with 10 minutes to go he made a mistake and that gave me the gap I needed to control the race and take the victory. The track wasn’t so bumpy but it was still tough because it was so hard and it was easy to make a mistake. Overall I’m happy, and a huge thanks to everyone at Honda, as the CRF450RW is amazing and let’s hope we can continue this run of form. Three races ago I was 40 points behind in the championship and now I have the red plate so I’m really happy about these past few weeks have gone and although it’s still early in the season and there is plenty of races ahead of us, it’s still a great feeling and I can’t wait to see the red plate on my bike in Latvia.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Tim Gajser
Tim Gajser – MXGP of Russia 2019
Arnaud Tonus

“It wasn’t easy to fight for the lead. I was happy I had some good starts so at the beginning I was already close to Tim. There were not too many opportunities to pass on this track, so I came close, and I went for it, but I ended up making a small mistake. I am happy I tried and was able to recover and still finished second. I am still super thankful to be up here on the podium three times in a row.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Arnaud Tonus
Arnaud Tonus – MXGP of Russia 2019
Jeremy Seewer

“It’s amazing to make it onto the MXGP podium. It feels like it is much harder to get here, much harder that even some of my MX2 wins. It is a lot of work to get here, there are a lot of fast guys and especially on a track like we had today where there are a lot of guys riding a similar speed. I feel like it takes time to move from the 250cc to the 450cc and to get comfortable on the bike, but in the past few weeks I have been feeling good. My crew on the Yamaha Factory team have done an amazing job, and I owe a big thanks to them for making it happen. It feels like we are moving in a really good direction.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Jeremy Seewer
Jeremy Seewer – MXGP of Russia 2019
Jeffrey Herlings

“I had a serious injury and it has been tough to get back here, mentally and physically, and with a lot of pain for a long time. I did not expect this result here today especially on this track. So to be close to the podium again feels pretty beautiful. I like the track in Latvia but I don’t have any firm expectations and I will not forget where I have come from to get to this point. Having said that we’ll always try to fight for a podium spot when we can!”

MXGP Rnd Russia Jeffrey Herlings RA
Jeffrey Herlings – MXGP of Russia 2019
Romain Febvre

“The weekend was good. Yesterday was really good to win the Qualifying Race. Last week I could not ride because I was really sick. I was lucky to feel better when I got here. In the first race I got the holeshot but I made some mistakes. I got back to third, but I hit my ankle and felt some pain, so I just secured third. In the second race I crashed and then stalled the bike and lost a lot of positions. I came back to nine, so the speed was good, but two mistakes on this type of track, I could not do better.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Romain Febvre
Romain Febvre – MXGP of Russia 2019
Pauls Jonass

“I was looking forward to coming here to Russia because I won a couple times in MX2, so I have good memories. I felt good on the track all weekend, my speed was where I wanted it to be. The track is super-fast and slick and hard to make a lot of time up, so when everyone is pushing hard it’s easy for mistakes to happen. I guess I tried to be aggressive but sensible at the start of both races. I didn’t get the best of starts, but they weren’t bad either. I made some good, quick passes and was pleased to be running in fifth for several laps in the opening moto. But I felt like the second moto was better – I kept fighting to finish sixth, which was a great way to end the GP.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Pauls Jonass
Pauls Jonass – MXGP of Russia 2019
Tony Cairoli

“A very difficult weekend and of course the crash from yesterday did not help as it meant I was totally on the outside for the gate pick. I was riding very stiff and by missing the start it is almost impossible to make a good result on this track; everybody is riding at a similar speed. We lost the red plate but the positive is that I’m not badly injured, and we saw some big crashes today. We walk away a bit banged-up but we will re-group and look to Latvia, which is a nice track, and to regain some points.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Tony Cairoli RA
Tony Cairoli – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
Arminas Jasikonis

“Not the GP I was hoping for at all and I wasn’t riding like I can or should have been. I don’t know why but I couldn’t find a good rhythm with the track, which meant that I was riding too hard, being too physical, in both races. Because I was riding too physically, I really felt the heat in the second moto. I gave my all but not at all what I wanted, but racing can be like this sometimes. We move on to the next GP and look to do better.”

MXGP Rnd Russia Arminas Jasikonis
Arminas Jasikonis – MXGP of Russia 2019

MXGP of Russia – MXGP Results

MXGP Rnd Russia HRC Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser celebrates the win – MXGP of Russia 2019

Source: MCNews.com.au

Moto Wrap | AMA MX | MXGP | EMX | TrialGP | WJMX

Moto News Wrap for May 28, 2019 by Darren Smart

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The LATEST News

  • Tomac and Cianciarulo storm Pala AMA Motocross
  • Varize Beats RV at Pala 125 All-Star
  • Gajser and Prado Win MXGP in France
  • Rubini and Guyon Take French EMX Wins
  • Noble Beats Ballard at A3VE
  • Bou Wins TrialGP World Championship in Italy
  • Reed, Carmichael and Savatgy Set for AUS-X
  • RIP Ron Sun
  • Holcombe with Beta until 2021
  • AMA EnduroCross Championship Cancelled
  • 2020 World Junior Motocross to Greece
  • Herlings Back on his KTM

Tomac and Cianciarulo Storm Pala AMA Motocross

California’s Pala Raceway hosted the second round of the AMA Motocross Championship last Saturday, and under perfect weather conditions it was the Kawasaki riders in Eli Tomac and Adam Cianciarulo who won the 450 and 250 classes respectively on a day where the racing was red hot!

AMA Pro MX Rnd FoxRaceway Tomac JK MX Pala
Eli Tomac – AMA MX 2019 Round 2 – Fox Raceway

450 Report

The pace at Pala was hot at the pointy end of the 450 class and half way through the opening moto it looked like Roczen was going to repeat his Hangtown performance with a runaway opening moto win. But as Tomac started pressing forward from his fourth place he brought Marvin Musquin and Jason Anderson closer to the rear wheel of Roczen.

In the end there was no denying Tomac with the defending champion passing Anderson, Musquin then Roczen to take the lead and win ahead of Roczen. Roczen didn’t have much room back to Musquin, Anderson, Zach Osborne and Cooper Webb while Dean Ferris put in a solid tenth place ride, while the ride of the race has to go to Todd Waters who went from 37th to 16th.

AMA Pro MX Rnd FoxRaceway Musquin JK MX Pala
Marvin Musquin – AMA MX 2019 Round 2 – Fox Raceway

Moto two saw Justin Bogle and Musquin out front ahead of Tomac, Anderson, Roczen and Osborne but it wasn’t long before Musquin and Tomac opened up a small gap over Anderson Roczen and Osborne while Ferris and Waters were well outside the top ten.

Tomac pushed hard around a quickly deteriorating track to finally get by Musquin for the lead just as Anderson lost two positions to Roczen and Osborne. That is how they finish with Webb coming home in sixth once again while Waters got the better of Ferris this time with the Aussies coming home 11th and 13th respectively.

AMA Pro MX Rnd FoxRaceway Anderson JK MX Pala
Jason Anderson – AMA MX 2019 Round 2 – Fox Raceway

Tomac will take the red plate to Freestone next weekend with a 4-point break over Roczen who in turn has a 15-point gap back to Musquin while Ferris sits a credible eighth in the points and Waters is on 32 points, tied with Justin Hill and Frederik Noren for 12th.

Eli Tomac

“Marvin was laying down a really good pace in the second moto. We were just going but after the half way mark I was on a charge, put the pressure on, got on the outside of him and got some good momentum, I was really happy with my riding, once I got out front I kept riding loose, hit may marks and my lines, all up a solid day.”

AMA Pro MX Rnd FoxRaceway Tomac JK MX Pala
Eli Tomac – AMA MX 2019 Round 2 – Fox Raceway

Marvin Musquin

“It’s good, I am glad that I am landing on the podium, we had a rough week (Note: Marv was sore after a big crash the week before at Hangtown and only rode once during the week), bit I feel I was back to myself, feeling pretty good with the bike, my turns were good so overall I am happy.”

AMA Pro MX Rnd FoxRaceway Musquin Tomac JK MX Pala
Marvin Musquin – AMA MX 2019 Round 2 – Fox Raceway
Ken Roczen

“It’s all good, I’ll take a third place here, the track was brutal and I just really wanted to get out of here safe. The other guys rode really good but we fought hard all of the way to the end and I am glad we got on the podium, it’s a long season and I’m looking to better myself every weekend.”

AMA Pro MX Rnd FoxRaceway Roczen JK MX Pala
Ken Roczen – AMA MX 2019 Round 2 – Fox Raceway

Source: MCNews.com.au

Gajser tops MXGP of France | Prado wins MX2 from Geerts

MXGP 2019

Round 7 – Saint Jean d’Angely, France


The French MXGP saw Honda’s Tim Gajser claim a clean sweep to close the gap on championship leader Antonio Cairoli, down to just 10 points, while KTM’s Jorge Prado continued his domination of the MX2 class, but faced strong competition from Jago Geerts, with Thomas Kjer Olsen just a 1-point off the two.

MXGP Rnd France Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

Aussie Mitch Evans also put in a strong showing in MX2 claiming fourth overall, with a 7-4 result and 32 championship points to his name. This leaves him ranked fifth in the overall MX2 standings. After placing 20th in the MX2 class timed practice Jed Beaton took no further part in the MXGP of France.

MXGP Rnd France Mitch Evans
Mitch Evans – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

This also marked the second year in a row the MXGP of France in Saint Jean d’Angely, which was filled with the always enthusiastic French fans to create an amazing atmosphere. Warm weather and sunshine lit the hillside circuit with its deep ruts and challenging conditions. Aside from the traditional high speed racing this weekend also provided some unexpected results and championship shake ups.

MXGP Rnd France Jorge Prado
Jorge Prado – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

MXGP Race 1

MXGP Race 1 started with a Fox Holeshot for Arnaud Tonus just ahead of Antonio Cairoli. The top MXGP Qualifier, Tim Gajser, dove to the inside of Cairoli on the first lap to get into second early.

MXGP Rnd France Tony Cairoli
450 Start – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

A lap after passing Cairoli the Slovenian made it past Tonus for the lead in almost the exact same spot. Romain Febvre was off to a good start of fourth in his home round and watched as Cairoli made it past Tonus for 2nd.

Tonus’s teammate Gautier Paulin struggled off the start and fell from 11th back to 18th in the third lap. Meanwhile Clement Desalle made his way past Alessandro Lupino and Febvre before making an assertive pass on Jeremy Seewer for 4th.

MXGP Rnd France Desalle GP SL
Clement Desalle – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

The pass from Desalle didn’t last though as both Seewer and Febvre were back by before the end of the lap. At the finish it was a dominating win for Gajser ahead of Cairoli who held off the charges of Tonus throughout the race while Seewer, Febvre, and Desalle rounded out the top five.

MXGP Race 1 Top Ten

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 34:13.037
  2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:06.617
  3. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:10.299
  4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:28.701
  5. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:31.735
  6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:35.329
  7. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +0:35.836
  8. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +0:48.968
  9. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:58.570
  10. Tanel Leok (EST, Husqvarna), +0:59.429.

MXGP Race 2

MXGP Race 2 was off to a dramatic start as Cairoli jumped his gate and Febvre took the Fox Holeshot creating a massive roar from the crowd. As Cairoli charged to catch up with the field Febvre led Tonus, Paulin, and Jeremy Van Horebeek.

MXGP Rnd France Tony Cairoli
Tony Cairoli – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

Desalle passed both Van Horebeek and Paulin to quickly get into third while Gajser was closing in from 5th position. Meanwhile the bad luck continued for Cairoli as he went down while 14th only to get up and have his bike punted away by Ivo Monticelli.

Cairoli got back on the bike on 25th and got up to 17th before stalling, losing a spot, and then regaining it all over again. At the front Gajser had made his way past Desalle before banging bars with Tonus to take second and eventually the lead from Febvre.

MXGP Rnd France Desalle GP SL
Clement Desalle – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

Gajser pulled away to take his second 1-1 victory in two weeks and his first back to back overall GP win since the MXGP’s of Patagonia Argentina and Leon, Mexico in 2017. Febvre took second in the race ahead of Tonus, Desalle, and Paulin. Tonus’ 3-3 finishes gave him his best ever MXGP overall result of 2nd only one week after his long-awaited return to podium form in Portugal while Febvre’s 5-2 result put him on the podium in front of the home fans.

The 17th place result of Cairoli in race 2 put the points leader 7th overall but dropped his championship lead to only 10 points over Gajser as the series heads to the Black Sea bordering venue of Orlyonok in 2 weeks’ time for the 2019 Patron MXGP of Russia.

MXGP Rnd France Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7
Tim Gajser

“I’m really happy how both days went. I was having fun on the track and even though it was rough and sketchy in some places, it was still enjoyable to race on. In the first race, I took a little time to pass the guys in front of me before getting the lead and making a gap to control the race. In the second moto I clipped the gate and almost went over the handlebar off the start but I recovered and near the back it felt like. I made some passes to get near the front and then settled for a couple of laps in third before making a strike to get out front. I’m just really happy how things are going at the moment and I hope to continue this momentum into Russia. I am having fun on the bike and I am enjoying putting in the work with the rest of Team HRC. We have a great environment that is helping me this season and it is such a great feeling to win these races and reward the effort that everyone is putting in.”

MXGP Rnd France Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7
Arnaud Tonus

“To be honest I’m not sure what to expect anymore. I was so happy last week, I felt like I was riding good, making some passes, and had some good starts and I was able to do the same this weekend. I’m just going to try to keep going this way.”

MXGP Rnd France Arnaud Tonus
Arnaud Tonus – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7
Romain Febvre

“It has been a long road, I didn’t have much time on the bike yet and I feel like I can do much better. It is a really good performance for how I feel right now. Coming down to the start line there is so many fans… it is really good, and I am really happy to have my first podium of the year here.”

MXGP Rnd France Romain Febvre
Romain Febvre – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7
Clement Desalle

“I was a little bit disappointed with the first race; I had moved into fourth position when I made a small mistake in a fast corner; in fact I hit my leg and my knee a few corners before and I made the mistake because I just wasn’t focused enough. I started the second moto with a painful thumb after a stone hit it during the first race, but I got a good start and was third during the first part of the race until Gajser passed me. But fourth was a decent result, even if I just missed the podium for the third weekend in a row! I hope I can recover from my knee this week and be back on the box very soon.”

MXGP Rnd France Desalle GP SL
Clement Desalle – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7
Julien Lieber

“It was a much better day after the crash behind Paulin yesterday. My neck was sore this morning as I hit the ground with my head pretty hard and today I had pain all day long; it was not an easy day but I never give up and after the first moto I concentrated on my recuperation. I didn’t have a good gate pick after the crash yesterday but the second start was decent in the top ten; I passed a few guys quickly and rode the entire race behind Paulin. Sixth overall in the GP is not so bad, but I know that without the crash yesterday it would have been even better.”

MXGP Rnd France Lieber GP SL
Julien Lieber – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7
Antonio Cairoli

“It is not the best day but we take positive and that is some points. It felt like the whole weekend was a struggle right from that crash on the first corners of the Qualification Heat and getting run over by some riders. My ankle is not perfect it was pretty sore; this track is very slick and it is easy to put your foot on the ground. From 14th place I chose a good gate in the first moto but not in the second: some were dropping and some not. It seemed I had the last one of the forty to drop! I tried to come back fast through the group and it was going well actually but I crashed again while 11th and got hit again. I restarted and tried to get as many points as I could. We are looking for the next race now. We need to keep focussed. This was not the best race of the season but we learn from the mistakes – I’m still learning at almost 34 years old – and I will try to be on the podium again at the next race.”

MXGP Rnd France Tony Cairoli
Tony Cairoli – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

MXGP Race 2 Top Ten

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 34:00.904
  2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:05.375
  3. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:07.314
  4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:19.675
  5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:21.553
  6. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:24.454
  7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:26.435
  8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:27.879
  9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:53.090
  10. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Yamaha), +0:54.992

MXGP Overall Top Ten

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points
  2. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 40
  3. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 38
  4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 33
  5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 31
  6. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 27
  7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 26
  8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 24
  9. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 24
  10. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 21
MXGP Rnd France Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser tops the 450 podium – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

MXGP ChampionshipTop Ten

  1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 311 points
  2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 301
  3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 218
  4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 208
  5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 190
  6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 184
  7. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 162
  8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 156
  9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 144
  10. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 141

MX2 Race 1

MX2 Racing started off with Jorge Prado taking his eighth Fox Holeshot of 2019 and the lead ahead of Michele Cervellin, Adam Sterry, and Zach Pichon.

MXGP Rnd France Jorge Prado
Jorge Prado leads – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

Brian Moreau was in fifth but crashed out of the spot on the first downhill section. Jago Geerts was quick to move into third past Sterry as Pichon faded back.

Geerts made an aggressive pass for second on Cervellin a few laps later and then set his eyes on the lead of Prado. A few positions further back Thomas Kjer Olsen worked his way forward from a poor start and past Sterry for fourth.

MXGP Rnd France STERRY GP PH
Adam Sterry – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

Sterry’s teammate Henry Jacobi passed Tom Vialle in sixth but crashed just after and was run over by the Frenchman before getting back up. Jacobi got back going in ninth while Vialle moved forward to take fourth from Cervellin.

Back at the front Geerts had caught Prado and just as they crossed the line to see the 2 lap board Geerts took the lead away from the points leader. Prado tried to respond but was unable to get the Belgian back for the race win. Geerts’ win was not only Prado’s first defeat of 2019 but it was also Geerts’ career first MX2 race win! Olsen came in third with Vialle and Davy Pootjes in fourth and fifth.

MXGP Rnd France Tom Vialle
Tom Vialle – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

MX2 Race 1 Top Ten

  1. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), 34:36.015
  2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:01.447
  3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:33.708
  4. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:45.240
  5. Davy Pootjes (NED, Husqvarna), +0:56.679
  6. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:59.098
  7. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +1:00.865
  8. Henry Jacobi (GER, Kawasaki), +1:08.778
  9. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Honda), +1:09.938
  10. Darian Sanayei (USA, Kawasaki), +1:17.543

MX2 Race 2

Race 2 was another FOX Holeshot from Prado with Vialle alongside him. Sterry was off to another good start in third with the race 1 winner, Geerts, just behind in fourth. Ben Watson got around his teammate on the first lap along with Sterry and Vialle who crashed out of third.

MXGP Rnd France Jorge Prado
Jorge Prado – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

Sterry then had a close call with Geerts as the Belgian jumped past for third. Prado meanwhile grew his lead over Watson before Geerts went around the outside of his teammate and then chipped away at the lead. Tom Vialle fell again to lose even more positions along with Jacobi for the second race in a row.

Geerts also had a small fall which in the end was the advantage Prado needed to comfortably take the tiebreaker race win for the overall. Prado’s win grew his points advantage over Olsen who came in fifth in race 2 for third overall behind Geerts. Honda’s Mitch Evans took fourth overall ahead of Sterry in fifth.

MXGP Rnd France Thomas Kjer Olsen
Thomas Kjer Olsen – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7
Jorge Prado

“This was a tough one. I had to push both motos. I relaxed a bit in the last laps but I felt everything was under control until I took the wrong rut over the finish line jump in the first race. I charged hard and tried to make a pass on the last lap. I could not make it happen and was a bit frustrated but I came back in the second one and won. It turned out to be a good weekend with more points for the championship and a bigger gap.”

MXGP Rnd France Jorge Prado
Jorge Prado – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7
Jago Geerts

“It was a really good weekend, in the first race I made the pass for the lead with a couple of laps to go and just had good speed all race to finish first, so I was really happy with that. In the second race I was again getting closer at times, but Jorge was also riding really good and I made a little mistake but still it was a really good weekend second overall and now third in the championship.”

MXGP Rnd France Jago Geerts
Jago Geerts – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7
Thomas Kjer Olsen

“Apart from the fact that I made things difficult for myself in the second moto it’s been a pretty good GP for me. I’m pleased with how I worked my way forward to get on the podium with my second moto result. The track was good – they ripped it less than previous years, so it was pretty consistent everywhere, just with some tricky ruts. I got a decent start in the first moto and rode a strong race. Third was where my pace was – I wasn’t going to catch the two riders ahead, so third was good. I was pleased with that. I guess the gate bobbled a little in the second moto and I got a horrible start, down in 12th or 13th. I pushed hard after that. I wanted to finish on the podium so I just gave it all I had. I’ll keep working now that we have a weekend without a GP. Russia’s a fun track so I’m looking forward to racing there.”

MXGP Rnd France Thomas Kjer Olsen
Thomas Kjer Olsen – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7
Mitchell Evans

“I had a great weekend here in France. I felt really good in timed practice and qualified in third, which is the best this year – and then finished fourth in the qualifying race. I struggled with tyre spin on the start-gate in race one, so I had to come from a long way back. I made my way up to seventh in the first moto, but made a lot of passes on the first lap in race two. I tried to get up to third, but couldn’t get it done, so had to settle for fourth. It felt great to be on a French team in France. Even some of the crowd were cheering for me. It felt like a home GP and that was so cool. I’m happy with fourth overall. It was a good weekend. My speed is good and I’m happy with my riding and looking forward to Russia.”

MXGP Rnd France Mitch Evans
Mitch Evans – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7
Adam Sterry

“Finally I got through the first few laps without someone crashing in front of me! To be honest I never felt comfortable on this track but today I got two good starts; the gate had a strange reaction as it moved slightly before finally dropping but I reacted perfectly and nearly got the holeshot in the second race. Two good starts were the key; I pushed during the first few laps each time and then tried to ride two solid races. I’m very happy with my results; the best MX2 GP of my career. Next weekend we have a Dutch championship race, and we’ll keep improving to be ready for Russia.”

MXGP Rnd France STERRY GP PH
Adam Sterry – MXGP of France, 2019, Round 7

MX2 Race 2 Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 34:50.867
  2. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:02.577
  3. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:07.483
  4. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +0:18.663
  5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:26.028
  6. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:31.109
  7. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), +0:35.035
  8. Davy Pootjes (NED, Husqvarna), +0:36.741
  9. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:37.722
  10. Brian Strubhart Moreau (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:46.144

MX2 Overall Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 47 points
  2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 47
  3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 36
  4. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 32
  5. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 30
  6. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 29
  7. Davy Pootjes (NED, HUS), 29
  8. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), 20
  9. Darian Sanayei (USA, KAW), 19
  10. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 18

MX2 Championship Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 297 points
  2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 283
  3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 217
  4. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 210
  5. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 187
  6. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 184
  7. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 182
  8. Davy Pootjes (NED, HUS), 157
  9. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 157
  10. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), 125

Source: MCNews.com.au