Moto News Weekly for August 27, 2019
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What happened this week
- 2019 MXGP of Sweden wrap-up
- Van De Moosdijk & Guadagnini claim EMX titles
- 2019 AMA Ironman National MX Wrap
- Matej Zagar tops Croatian FIM Speedway Grand Prix qualifier
- Brook & Hendrickson dominate Australian Senior Track Championships
- American Flat Track set for Springfield triple-header
- Hunter Lawrence injured in training
- Tasmania to host 2019 Australian Trial Championship
- Romain Febvre breaks femur at Swedish GP
- 2019 Sultans of Slide Announced – NSW Flat Track Cup
2019 MXGP of Sweden wrap-up
With sunshine and a large Swedish crowd in attendance at the beautifully prepared Uddevalla circuit, another sensational weekend of motocross was played out at the MXGP of Sweden.
For the full report see:
Jorge Prado crowned 2019 MX2 Champion in Sweden (link)
Glenn Coldenhoff won his second GP of the season in MXGP, with Tim Gajser having to settle for second, while Pauls Jonass completed the top three overall.
Glenn Coldenhoff took the Race 1 win from Romain Febvre by over a minute, while Tim Gajser completed the podium. Race 2 would see Gajser come back for the win, this time over Coldenhoff, with Pauls Jonass completing the top three.
Glenn Coldenhoff
“It was a tough weekend but I’m very satisfied. Jeffrey was in front of me in the beginning of the first race, and it is really difficult and Febvre was close at the end and I got a little nervous, but I kept it on for the win. I’m very happy about my riding now”
Tim Gajser
“I am really happy. The first race I made a mistake and a lost two places. The second race I was pushing Romain and then I thought five minutes before the end I had to pass him, and I took the lead and with one lap to go I was leading the GP, but congratulations to Glenn, he deserved it.”
Pauls Jonass
“You know its been a while since I was on the box and we worked hard to get here. The starts are the key, and they are better now, but we still need to improve them. It feels good to be up front and thanks to Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team and all my sponsors.”
MXGP Round Overall – Top 10
Pos | Rider | Race 1 | Race 2 | Total |
1 | Coldenhoff, Glenn | 25 | 22 | 47 |
2 | Gajser, Tim | 20 | 25 | 45 |
3 | Jonass, Pauls | 18 | 20 | 38 |
4 | Seewer, Jeremy | 14 | 16 | 30 |
5 | Van Horebeek, Jeremy | 16 | 14 | 30 |
6 | Paulin, Gautier | 15 | 13 | 28 |
7 | Tonus, Arnaud | 9 | 15 | 24 |
8 | Strijbos, Kevin | 12 | 12 | 24 |
9 | Searle, Tommy | 13 | 11 | 24 |
10 | Febvre, Romain | 22 | 0 | 22 |
MXGP Standings after Sweden – Top 10
Pos | Rider | Total |
1 | Gajser, Tim | 709 |
2 | Seewer, Jeremy | 511 |
3 | Paulin, G. | 468 |
4 | Coldenhoff, G. | 446 |
5 | Tonus, Arnaud | 443 |
6 | Jasikonis, A. | 397 |
7 | Jonass, Pauls | 390 |
8 | Febvre, Romain | 384 |
9 | Van Horebeek, J. | 377 |
10 | Cairoli, A. | 358 |
MX2
In the opening MX2 moto on Sunday fans surrounding the tight, hardpack Uddevalla track witnessed a special FIM World Championship celebration as Prado obtained the points necessary to confirm his second #1 plate in the MX2 class. Prado ranks as the eighth different Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX2 World Champion since the creation of the category in 2004; KTM has now claimed the MX2 titles 11 times from 16 seasons.
With a lead of 145 points and just 100 left to win in the series Prado, who hails from Lugo in Spain, has been confirmed as only the third double-winning champion in the history of the MX2 division. The star has won 27 of the 32 motos contested so far this season, despite missing a round with injury and has scored 12 1-1 victories from 16 rounds.
In what was another memorable weekend, Prado’s MX2 teammate Tom Vialle scored his very first Grand Prix victory with a 2-2 scorecard aboard his KTM 250 SX-F. The FIM Motocross World championship now heads to Turkey and China for the last two rounds of the season.
Tom Vialle
“It is a fantastic weekend I took two holeshots and I got the round win. For sure it is fantastic the first race I pushed and lost a lot of energy and in the second race I took the holeshot and finished second and I won the overall. I did not expect that but it is a great feeling”
Calvin Vlaanderen
“First race I didn’t’ feel really comfortable as I had a bad start but in the second race I rode well and the two guys in front made mistakes and I was able to get the race win. Thanks to the team and my family and girlfriend to support me.”
Jorge Prado
“I have no words to explain this. This year has been a great season, winning every single round I rode except this one (laugh). Thanks to everyone who is there everyday with me and supporting me. Two World titles, if you think of it, it is incredible. The second race was one of the best races of the year for me, I came from the back to fourth place and I couldn’t use the clutch because the level was bent.”
MX2 Round Overall
Pos | Rider | R1 | R2 | Total |
1 | Vialle, Tom | 22 | 22 | 44 |
2 | Vlaanderen, Calvin | 18 | 25 | 43 |
3 | Prado, Jorge | 25 | 18 | 43 |
4 | Sterry, Adam | 16 | 20 | 36 |
5 | Renaux, Maxime | 15 | 16 | 31 |
6 | Olsen, Thomas Kjer | 13 | 15 | 28 |
7 | Evans, Mitchell | 10 | 14 | 24 |
8 | Walsh, Dylan | 11 | 12 | 23 |
9 | Boisrame, Mathys | 14 | 9 | 23 |
10 | Sanayei, Darian | 12 | 10 | 22 |
MX2 Standings following Sweden
Pos | Rider | Total |
1 | Prado, Jorge | 737 |
2 | Olsen, T. | 592 |
3 | Geerts, Jago | 467 |
4 | Vialle, Tom | 460 |
5 | Jacobi, Henry | 442 |
6 | Sterry, Adam | 356 |
7 | Renaux, Maxime | 340 |
8 | Vlaanderen, C. | 324 |
9 | Watson, Ben | 282 |
10 | Boisrame, M. | 278 |
11 | Evans, M. | 252 |
12 | Beaton, Jed | 250 |
20 | Walsh, Dylan | 137 |
Van De Moosdijk & Guadagnini claim EMX titles
Uddevalla was the field where the final rounds of the EMX250 and EMX125 championships were decided as both titles went down to the wire as a handful of riders fought for victory. Run over Saturday and Sunday the racing was very unpredictable with both champions taking their titles without winning the overall or a race on the weekend.
In the EMX250 Championship it was Roan van de Moosdijk who took the championship with a solid third place overall in Sweden with 2-6 results. The overall winner in Sweden was Stephen Rubini with 3-2 and finishing second in the championship. Third overall in the championship was Alberto Forato who finished with 7-1 results for second overall for the weekend.
In the EMX125 it was Tom Guyon who won the final round with 2-1 results, but Mattia Guadagnini is the 2019 EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Champion. Guadagnini didn’t take too many risks throughout the two races and finished third overall with 3-3 on the weekend and it was enough to win the championship with a tally of 305 points, 13 points more than second placed rider Guyon.
EMX250
Mikkel Haarup won the opening race from Roan van de Moosdijk and Stephen Rubini in a rather uneventful affair for the race winner, but for Rubini it was a crash-fest as he had a bad start, then crashed a couple of times and lost points to Van De Moosdijk.
Haarup led the whole EMX250 Race 1 while Bastian Boegh Damm started second and had the chance to maintain his position until a motivated Van De Moosdijk passed him on lap 12. Riding in third was the Swedish Isak Gifting while the battle for the Championship was back in 4th position among Van De Moosdijk, Rubini and Forato.
At the end of Race 1 Van De Moosdijk led the championship points by 13 points on Rubini while Forato finished race 1 in 7th but still in contention for the championship.
In the second EMX250 it was Jeremy Sydow who led from Rene Hofer, Bastian Boegh Damm, Pontus Jonsson and Ruben Fernandez, but the title contenders were back with Forato sixth, Rubini ninth and Van De Moosdijk 12th.
Forato moved into the lead after a couple of laps, and Rubini was up to fourth, with Van De Moosdijk sixth. The championship contenders were all working their way to the front and after four laps the top five was Forato, Hofer, Sydow, Rubini and Fernandez.
Hofer crashed in lap eight but managed to keep the third place while Van De Moosdijk moved into fifth place. Rubini passed Hofer for second place and after nine laps race leader Forato was followed by Rubini, Hofer, Fernandez and Van De Moosdijk. Forato won the second race from Rubini and Hofer, with Van De Moosdijk back in sixth position that for the Dutch were enough to endure the EMX250 Title.
Roan Van De Moosdijk won three rounds in 2019 and managed to hold the Red Plate for the first time this season in Lommel. He won the 2019 Edition of one of the most thrilling European Championships ever, the EMX250, 6 points ahead Stephan Rubini and 11 from Alberto Forato.
Roan Van De Moosdijk
It was a little stressful the last few days but I have had a good time the last couple of months and won a lot of races so I was confident going into this last round of the series. Of course I was a little nervous before the second race this morning, but I think that’s normal! My start was pretty good but in the second corner Haarup crashed and I had to stop and lost five or six places. Then I saw Rubini just one or two positions in front of me, so when he passed somebody I did the same. I controlled the race; I knew it was enough. In my mind I was thinking during the last few laps ‘just don’t crash, don’t make any mistake’ so I let one guy pass me back on the last lap to make sure nothing strange could happen to prevent me securing the title. I want to thank everyone around me – Kawasaki, my team, my sponsors, my family, my girlfriend. Now I will race the MX2 GPs in Turkey and China to prepare for next year as I didn’t race any overseas GPs yet. It will also be a good preparation if the Dutch federation finally select me for the MX of Nations; of course both overseas races are hard-pack and Assen is sand but I showed already what I can do in the sand.”
Stephen Rubini
“Of course I am a little disappointed about the championship. I wanted to bring a second title for Honda, but I gave everything and I am happy with second overall. Looking forward to seeing you all next year in MX2.”
Alberto Forato
“I had a good start to the season with four wins and then I had little issues. Today I enjoyed a lot riding. I’m third overall in the championship and I’m happy with it even if I was hoping to be Champion”
EMX250 Overall Top Ten
# | Rider | R1 | R2 | Tot. |
1 | Rubini, Stephen | 20 | 22 | 42 |
2 | Forato, Alberto | 14 | 25 | 39 |
3 | Van De Moosdijk, Roan | 22 | 15 | 37 |
4 | Hofer, Rene | 12 | 20 | 32 |
5 | Gifting, Isak | 16 | 16 | 32 |
6 | Haarup, Mikkel | 25 | 7 | 32 |
7 | Fernandez, Ruben | 13 | 18 | 31 |
8 | Boegh Damm, Bastian | 18 | 13 | 31 |
9 | Sydow, Jeremy | 10 | 14 | 24 |
10 | Benistant, Thibault | 15 | 9 | 24 |
EMX250 Standings
Pos | Rider | Nat. | Bike | Total |
1 | Van De Moosdijk, R. | NED | KAW | 325 |
2 | Rubini, S. | FRA | HON | 319 |
3 | Forato, A. | ITA | HUS | 314 |
4 | Hofer, Rene | AUT | KTM | 227 |
5 | Benistant, T. | FRA | YAM | 161 |
6 | Sydow, Jeremy | GER | HUS | 155 |
7 | Tropepe, G. | ITA | YAM | 133 |
8 | Gilbert, Josh | GBR | HON | 127 |
9 | Fernandez, R. | ESP | YAM | 113 |
10 | Elzinga, Rick | NED | YAM | 104 |
EMX125
Simon Laengenfelder opened the account for the EMX125, with a victory in the opening race, the German rider displayed good control, leading the race on lap one until the finish.
Mattia Guadagnini had a good start with the goal to keep his second position until the very end of the race, but the #27 of Team VRT’s and championship rival Tom Guyon was closing in putting pressure on Guadagnini. The Italian didn’t push too hard considering his 20 points lead and Guyon made it to pass him on lap four.
Going into the last couple of laps Laengenfelder led 12 seconds on Guyon with Guadagnini, Gwerder and Talviku round out the top five.
When the gate dropped at the second race of the EMX125 class it was Tom Guyon who controlled the race from lap one and took a comfortable victory ahead of Laengenfelder and Guadagnini.
Guyon and Laengenfelder pulling away out front while Guadagnini kept his comfortable third place that could ensure his Championship title. Kay de Wolf put pressure on Guadagnini as the Italian made a small mistake. Tom Guyon won race 2 and the overall victory in Uddevalla while Mattia Guadagnini has been crowned 2019 EMX125 champion.
Mattia Guadagnini
“I am super happy, I can’t believe it. It is amazing, I don’t know what to say. I want to thank all the people who helped me. It was an amazing season, almost perfect. I had very good races and I just had to control the second race and have fun. I want to thank the team and my family and everyone who helped me.”
Tom Guyon
“I am happy about my weekend, because I finished first, but I am a bit disappointed about my season as I could won the title but I finished second. But still, I am really happy about this season.
Simon Laengenfelder
“You could see I got better and better until the end. This was a good season for me in EMX125 and I am happy I now got some wins and I want to thank all my team and sponsors.”
EMX125 Overall Top Ten
# | Rider | R1 | R2 | Tot. |
1 | Guyon, Tom | 22 | 25 | 47 |
2 | Laengenfelder, Simon | 25 | 22 | 47 |
3 | Guadagnini, Mattia | 20 | 20 | 40 |
4 | de Wolf, Kay | 15 | 18 | 33 |
5 | Talviku, Jorgen-Matthias | 16 | 16 | 32 |
6 | Vettik, Meico | 13 | 14 | 27 |
7 | Everts, Liam | 11 | 15 | 26 |
8 | Nilsson, Samuel | 10 | 10 | 20 |
9 | Gwerder, Mike | 18 | 0 | 18 |
10 | Oliver, Oriol | 14 | 0 | 14 |
EMX125 Standings
Pos. | Rider | Nat | Bike | Tot. |
1 | Guadagnini, M. | ITA | HUS | 305 |
2 | Guyon, Tom | FRA | KTM | 292 |
3 | Laengenfelder, S. | GER | KTM | 222 |
4 | Talviku, J. | EST | HUS | 197 |
5 | Gwerder, Mike | SUI | KTM | 192 |
6 | de Wolf, Kay | NED | HUS | 188 |
7 | Oliver, Oriol | ESP | KTM | 170 |
8 | Everts, Liam | BEL | KTM | 149 |
9 | Farres, G. | ESP | KTM | 112 |
10 | Bonacorsi, A. | ITA | KTM | 95 |
2019 AMA Ironman National MX Wrap
A highly competitive and captivating 2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship came to a thrilling conclusion just outside the racing mecca of Indianapolis, where the Ironman Raceway provided the setting for a showdown to capture the Gary Jones Cup in the 250 Class. Picture-perfect weather conditions and an energetic crowd created a stellar atmosphere for the fifth anniversary at Ironman, and the racing lived up to expectations.
For the full report see:
Cianciarulo claims 250 title at 2019 Ironman National (link)
250
Adam Cianciarulo and Dylan Ferrandis entered the Ironman National separated by 30 points. The two most successful riders in the 250 Class were both on their game, with the Frenchman doing exactly what he needed to do by posting an impressive 1-1 outing. However, Cianciarulo responded to capture his first professional title and end his time in the class in the most memorable way possible.
Dylan Ferrandis
“I knew [winning today] wasn’t going to be enough to win the championship today. AC [Cianciarulo] rode great all season, and he deserved [the title]. He was too hard to beat. This was the best season of my career. We showed good things this year. We won races and we showed that next season everyone can look at me to possibly win the championship.”
Adam Cianciarulo
“It’s been a journey, for sure. Like I’ve said, when I was a kid I knew I’d be here [winning championships], but then things got taken from me and I didn’t know if I could anymore. I would have rather gone through what I went through to get to this point, because it made me a better human. I’ve learned so much about myself and I’ve had to grow. The [adversity] has catapulted me into doing something I didn’t think I could do, which is win this outdoor title. I’ll hold onto this forever. No one can ever take this from me.”
250 Round Overall
# | Rider | R1-R2 |
1 | Dylan Ferrandis | 1 – 1 |
2 | Justin Cooper | 3 – 2 |
3 | Adam Cianciarulo | 2 – 4 |
4 | Chase Sexton | 4 – 3 |
5 | Michael Mosiman | 5 – 5 |
6 | Alex Martin | 6 – 8 |
7 | R.J. Hampshire | 9 – 6 |
8 | Shane McElrath | 8 – 9 |
9 | Garrett Marchbanks | 11 – 7 |
10 | Cameron McAdoo | 7 – 13 |
11 | Ty Masterpool | 10 – 12 |
12 | Brandon Hartranft | 15 – 11 |
13 | Jett Lawrence | 12 – 14 |
250 Standings
# | Rider | Points |
1 | Adam Cianciarulo | 519 |
2 | Dylan Ferrandis | 499 |
3 | Justin Cooper | 461 |
4 | R.J. Hampshire | 337 |
5 | Chase Sexton | 316 |
6 | Alex Martin | 305 |
7 | Colt Nichols | 292 |
8 | Michael Mosiman | 290 |
9 | Shane McElrath | 285 |
10 | Hunter Lawrence | 252 |
450
In the 450 Class, the “Big 3” of Eli Tomac, Ken Roczen, and Marvin Musquin put on a show for the fans. All three riders showed why they’re amongst the best in the world, but it was the newly crowned champion aboard the Kawasaki who emerged triumphant, as Tomac capped off his historic three-peat with a sixth victory.
It provided a fitting end to a season to remember for Kawasaki, which became the first manufacturer to sweep both class championships since 2011.
Eli Tomac
“Even though the title was clinched it was still a fun day. We came in here with the plan to do the same thing. The mindset was to attack,” said Tomac. “The first lap [in Moto 2] was chaos with Marv [Musquin’s crash] and then Kenny [Roczen] got by. He’s just so good in the early laps. I was able to stay on him and then got by. What a day and what a year.”
450 Round Overall
# | Rider | R1-R2 |
1 | Eli Tomac | 3 – 1 |
2 | Ken Roczen | 2 – 3 |
3 | Zach Osborne | 5 – 2 |
4 | Joey Savatgy | 4 – 6 |
5 | Justin Barcia | 7 – 4 |
6 | Jason Anderson | 6 – 5 |
7 | Dean Wilson | 9 – 7 |
8 | Benny Bloss | 8 – 8 |
9 | Marvin Musquin | 1 – 40 |
10 | Fredrik Noren | 10 – 10 |
450 Standings
# | Rider | Points |
1 | Eli Tomac | 521 |
2 | Ken Roczen | 463 |
3 | Marvin Musquin | 451 |
4 | Jason Anderson | 407 |
5 | Zach Osborne | 403 |
6 | Cooper Webb | 324 |
7 | Justin Barcia | 315 |
8 | Fredrik Noren | 240 |
9 | Justin Bogle | 222 |
10 | Blake Baggett | 175 |
Brook & Hendrickson dominate
Australian Senior Track Championships
Jarred Brook and Briony Hendrickson have proved why they’re two of the best track riders in the country with dominate performances at the 2019 Mildura Solar Australian Senior Track Championships.
With all eyes on Koorlong’s Jambaroo Park, Brook was too strong in the men’s events, defending his Pro 450cc and MX open crowns, while also adding the Pro Open trophy to his bulging trophy cabinet. In the women’s Pro Open competition, Hendrickson retained her title with a typically impressive display.
Marg Tegart from the Northwest Victoria Motorcycling club said the event was a huge success with over 1000 spectators cheering on the action at the two-day event.
Marg Tegar
“It was a really successful weekend for the club in our first attempt at holding the Australian Senior Track Championships. Everything ran like clockwork, and it was great to see the sidecar category return after a few years of being absent from the Championships.”
Pro Open Championship
- Jarred Brook (QLD)
- Ty Lynch (SA)
- Connor Ryan (NSW)
Pro Open Women Championship:
- Briony Hendrickson (QLD)
- Tayla Street (VIC)
- Brooke Goulding (QLD)
Pro 450cc Championship:
- Jarred Brook (QLD)
- Rowan Tegart (VIC)
- Connor Ryan (NSW)
MX Open Championship:
- Jarred Brook (QLD)
- Rowan Tegart (VIC)
- Daniel Wicks (NSW)
Pro 250cc Championship
- Bradley Burns (VIC)
- Ty Lynch (SA)
- Harrison Ryan (NSW)
Under 19’s Championship
- Harrison Ryan (NSW)
- Wade O’Keefe (NSW)
- Jake Farnsworth (NSW)
Sidecars Championship
- Brodie Gebhart / Rodney Gebhart (VIC)
- Kai Frame / Michael Vecchi (NSW)
- Justin Foot / Melissa Foot (VIC)
Matej Zagar tops Croatian FIM Speedway Grand Prix qualifier
Slovenian star Matej Zagar booked his place in SGP 2020 and admitted his GP Challenge victory in Gorican is “bigger than winning a GP.” Zagar topped the podium at the FIM Speedway Grand Prix qualification round in Croatia on Saturday and joins runner-up Niels-Kristian Iversen and third-placed Max Fricke in securing a World Championship place for next year.
Ljubljana-born Zagar beat Iversen in a run-off for first spot after they tied on 11 points. But the result still ensures both current SGP riders have guaranteed their place in the 2020 series, regardless of where they finish this term.
Fricke then joined them on the podium by winning a run-off with Slovak star Martin Vaculik for third after they finished level on 10. Vaculik is currently fourth in the World Championship and could still qualify for SGP 2020 by finishing inside this year’s top eight.
But victory on this night belonged to Zagar, who celebrated with the army of Slovenian fans who made the trek across the border to Croatia. This is his second GP Challenge win following his 2014 triumph in Lonigo, Italy. It’s also the second time he has booked his SGP spot in Gorican, having finished second in the 2012 GP Challenge there.
Zagar is currently 12th in the World Championship on 37 points, while Iversen is 11th on 41. After an indifferent start to SGP 2019, he’s elated to have secured his place in the series for next year.
Matej Zagar
“These meetings are always tough – we’ve seen it before. I have managed to win two now in my career. I think this is bigger than winning a GP. If you win a GP, that doesn’t give you a qualifying place for next year. It just gives you victory in one meeting. Winning this is big for me. Like always, this is one of the toughest, most intense meetings of the year on all levels. You need to keep yourself together if you want to qualify; there is no room for mistakes. I’ve lost count how many times I have qualified through the Challenge, but it’s good. I am happy about it. It gives you less stress as you try to sort things out in the series for the last four GPs this year. It has been a tough year for me. I have struggled quite heavily on some occasions, but the last couple of weeks have been better. I feel better on the bike and I feel I have more speed. That’s starting to be reflected in my results.”
Fricke will make his full-time SGP debut in 2020, having served as this season’s second reserve, racing all but one of the opening six rounds to claim 13th spot in the standings on 36 points. The Aussie international says taking third spot in Croatia will see him fulfil a childhood dream.
Max Fricke
“I’m super excited. It has always been a goal to be in the Grand Prix series as a full-time rider. When I was a kid and I first started watching speedway, it was the GPs. So it’s pretty awesome to see myself in it for next year. Hopefully I can get some stuff together during the off-season and put together a strong outfit for next year.”
Croatia SGP Challenge Scores
- Matej Zagar 11+3
- Niels-Kristian Iversen 11+2
- Max Fricke 10+3
- Martin Vaculik 10+2
- Anders Thomsen 9
- Pontus Aspgren 9
- Jurica Pavlic 9
- Aleksandr Loktaev 9
- Kenneth Bjerre 8
- Martin Smolinski 7
- Craig Cook 6
- Peter Ljung 6
- Robert Lambert 5
- Mikkel Michelsen 5
- David Bellego 3
- Chris Harris 2
- Matic Ivacic DNR
- Norbert Magosi DNR
American Flat Track set for Springfield triple-header
American Flat Track is set to unleash a dirt track racing extravaganza on the hallowed grounds of the Illinois State Fairgrounds in the form of a Springfield AFT tripleheader this upcoming Labor Day weekend in Springfield, Ill.
Friday night will see the running of the Springfield Short Track starring the AFT Singles before the AFT Twins and AFT Production Twins take center stage on the “World’s Fastest Mile” with Saturday’s Springfield Mile I and Sunday’s Springfield Mile II.
AFT Twins title leader Briar Bauman comes into Springfield with freight train-like momentum and eyeing two opportunities to claim his first-career Mile victory. Doing so would not only cement both a career and season Grand Slam, it would also place that much more pressure on multi-time defending champion Jared Mees, who currently trails Bauman by 38 points with just five races remaining in which to make up that ground.
Mees was victorious at the two Miles run thus far in ‘19. He’ll likely need that trend to continue if he hopes to complete the championship threepeat with four of the final five remaining races on the calendar taking place on high-speed Miles. Considering that two of the four Miles are packed into one high-profile weekend, this year’s visit to Springfield has massive championship implications.
The list of potential spoilers is long and decorated, right at the top of that list are Bryan Smith and Jeffrey Carver Jr. .
The savvy Smith has established himself as one of the greatest Mile competitors the sport has ever known, and his next Springfield Mile win will be his tenth in the iconic race. Home-state favorite Carver, meanwhile, aced all his competitors to score a hugely popular win at the venue last season.
AFT Twins Standings
1 | Briar Bauman | 243 |
2 | Jared Mees | 205 |
3 | Bronson Bauman | 183 |
4 | Jeffrey Carver Jr. | 155 |
5 | Jarod Vanderkooi | 146 |
6 | Brandon Robinson | 144 |
7 | Henry Wiles | 129 |
8 | Jake Johnson | 128 |
9 | Robert Pearson | 121 |
10 | Sammy Halbert | 115 |
11 | JD Beach | 104 |
12 | Davis Fisher | 101 |
13 | Brandon Price | 90 |
14 | Bryan Smith | 84 |
15 | Larry Pegram | 71 |
AFT Singles
The AFT Singles title fight couldn’t be any closer with Dalton Gauthier and Dan Bromley equal at 216 points apiece. Both riders have put themselves in their respective positions by running up front consistently, no matter the style of track, but Friday’s Short Track showdown will truly be a matchup of strength versus strength.
Gauthier has taken four short track wins during his career, including two of the three contested this season, while Bromley reigned supreme at the Springfield Short Track in both 2017 and 2018.
In the AFT Production Twins championship outlook, Cory Texter maintains a comfortable 27-point advantage. That said, he no longer has a stranglehold on the class in the way he enjoyed earlier this season.
After opening the year by stringing together three straight weekends in which he was the top qualifier, lap leader, and Main Event winner, Texter has seen three different riders — Chad Cose, Ryan Varnes and Dalton Gauthier – split the three available wins since.
Texter could be primed to return to his winning ways, however, considering he’s shown to be strong enough at the Springfield Mile to podium there even in the premier class.
Not surprisingly, AFT’s Springfield tripleheader will serve as an unofficial celebration of the sport supported by a number of highly anticipated related activities. The on-track action in Springfield will actually kick off on Thursday, August 29, with AMA Amateur Short Track, Vintage National, and Astro Bultaco Invitational racing.
During Saturday’s Springfield Mile I, ‘97 and ‘99 Springfield Mile winner Kevin Atherton will serve as Grand Marshal. That same honor will go to legendary Harley (and Springfield event) t-shirt designer Ron “RK” Stratman during Sunday’s Springfield Mile II.
Rookies of ’79 – American Flat Track’s Official Charity – will play a big role during the weekend as well. The Class of ‘79 will host an afterparty following Saturday’s Mile in the Orr Building, while the proceeds of the “Gus Miller Ride the Mile” charity parade lap will go to the Class of ‘79 on Sunday.
Tickets for the Springfield ST, Springfield Mile I and Springfield II are on sale now at www.springfieldmile.org. All tickets purchased for the postponed May 26 Springfield Mile I will be honored for Saturday’s event.
AFT Singles Standings
1 | Dalton Gauthier | 216 |
2 | Dan Bromley | 216 |
3 | Mikey Rush | 202 |
4 | Jesse Janisch | 174 |
5 | Shayna Texter | 153 |
6 | Chad Cose | 151 |
7 | Ryan Wells | 143 |
8 | Morgen Mischler | 125 |
9 | Max Whale | 100 |
10 | Kevin Stollings | 93 |
Hunter Lawrence injured in training
In a devastating blow for the 20-year-old Australian motocross star just as he was shining brightly after recently returning from injuries sustained earlier in the year, Hunter Lawrence has announced an injury during training.
The full extent of his injuries is currently unknown, but safe to say has put the brakes on the end of his current season. Here’s what he had to say on social media:
Hunter Lawrence (Instagram)
“When it rains it pours… been a very rough past month, two days ago whilst training long story short, my foot hit the ground and twisted the wrong way, to say I’m gutted is an understatement, bit of a rock bottom moment for the year. I don’t doubt I will be back. Nothing but another little bump in our road to success, plan now is simple, rehabilitation and get back to 100%. Thank you to all of my supporters, sponsors and team, appreciate you guys so much. Not how we wanted to end the year, but hey.. sh#t happens I will be back.”
Tasmania to host 2019 Australian Trial Championship
Get set Tasmania, the 2019 Huon Aquaculture Australian Trial Championship is heading to the Apple Isle on the second weekend of October (12th and 13th), which will be a cracking two days of competition. All up, eighteen different championship classes will do battle at the spectacular Mt Joy property, thirty minutes’ drive from Launceston.
The event will feature the newly established classes for: Trial 1, Trial 2, Trial 3 and Trial 4 replacing the Solo class, along with a class for Masters 35+ for Senior riders and a new Junior Women’s class. Trial 1, Trial 2 and Sidecar will do two laps with a total of 15 sections each day, all other classes will do three laps on the 15 sections. Meanwhile, the Mini Trial will do three laps on five special sections laid out.
On the opening day of competition on the Saturday, sections will open at 9:30am, while on Sunday it will be 9am sharp.
Senior Classes:
- Trial 1
- Trial 2
- Trial 3
- Trial 4
- Sidecar
- Classic
- Twin – Shock
- Youth 13 to Under 19
- Masters 35+
- Veteran 40 to 55
- Veteran 55+
- Women
Junior Classes:
- Junior 7 to under 11 (Up to 85cc / 1.5kW)
- 9 to under 13 (Up to 125cc / 10kW)
- Junior Open 12 to under 16 (Up to 125cc / 10kW)
- Junior Women 7 to under 11 (Up to 125cc / 10kW)
- Junior Women 9 to under 13 (Up to 125cc / 10kW)
- Junior Women 12 to under 16 (Up to 125cc / 10kW)
Entries are now open and close Friday, 27th of September. Late entries will be accepted up until 9PM Friday, 4th of October. All entries are to be done through Ridernet (link). Supplementary Regulations are available for download www.ma.org.au (link)
Romain Febvre breaks femur at Swedish GP
Following a heavy fall in the final race at the 16th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Uddevalla, Sweden, Romain Febvre has suffered a broken left femur.
After finishing second position in the opening race, Febvre was chasing the Grand Prix victory in Race 2. The former World Champion took the holeshot onboard his YZ450FM and led the first 13-laps before high-siding over a single-jump after changing his line to pass a rider that was one lap down. He landed heavily on his left thigh and was immediately taken to the trackside Medical Centre for observation.
The doctors and paramedic’s onsite confirmed that his left Femur was broken and transferred him to Trollhättan hospital where he underwent an operation Monday 26th August, to have a rod surgically inserted into the bone for stability.
Febvre will recover from the operation under the watchful eye of his surgeon at the Trollhättan hospital in Sweden until he is fit enough to travel back to his residence in Belgium. Sadly, the injury will rule the ‘461’ out of the final two MXGP rounds as well as the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations where he was hoping to take Team France to a sixth consecutive victory.
2019 Sultans of Slide Announced – NSW Flat Track Cup
MNSW has announced that the 2019 NSW Flat Track Cup ‘Sultans Of Slide’ will see riders racing in one class, using one bike, over seven races, varying from four to 15 laps, on two different track layouts, on both oil and loose dirt, under sunshine and lights, at three different venues across NSW. Plus they’ll be running 19” wheels and Flat Track style tyres on everything from the junior lites and up, just like they use in the USA. And there’s in excess of $10,000 in the prize kitty.
With fresh, new ideas, that will hopefully revitalize the sport for those already in it, and attract a whole new generation of riders to come and join in, the NSW Flat Track Cup is looking to draw a crowd
For those who love the old Dirt Track format, don’t worry, nobody is taking it away. The new setup is all about trying something new, which can be added to the sport as an additional style of event for clubs to run, not as a replacement for good old-fashioned Dirt Track. Ultimately, the riders will decide what they want. MNSW will continue to seek out new products to offer the motorcycle racing community, to try new things, create new ideas to grow the sport.
2019 NSW Flat Track Cup Calendar
- Round 1 – November 23, Wagga Wagga
- Round 2 – November 30, Appin
- Round 3 – December 7, Macleay
Source: MCNews.com.au