Yamaha’s Ferrandis earns maiden 250SX West victory.
Image: Supplied.
Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) has held onto his main event victory at Seattle’s 12th round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship after it came under review for jumping on a red-cross flag.
The Frenchman led every lap of the main, but it was the crash on lap one in the first rhythm lane that has stolen headlines, claiming Australia’s Chad Reed (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) and Justin Brayton (Smartop Bullfrog Spas Honda).
The duo were both assisted off the circuit by the Alpinestars Medical crew, while Kyle Chisholm (Suzuki) and Ryan Breece (Rock River CycleTrader Yamaha) remounted for positions 19 and 20.
Musquin was sanctioned with a seven-point penalty and forfeiture of his prize purse for jumping by the incident, however is still credited the win over Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) and Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki). The top five was completed by points leader Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Joey Savatgy (Monster Energy Kawasaki).
In the 250SX West division, Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Star Racing) broke through for his maiden supercross main event victory, claiming top honours ahead of points leader Adam Cianciarulo (Pro Circuit Monster Energy Kawasaki).
Jimmy Decotis (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) rounded out the podium, followed by Michael Mosiman (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) and Chris Blose (Husqvarna) in fourth and fifth. The AMA Supercross championship now heads to Houston in Texas for round 13 next weekend.
Bayliss replacement shifts into top three championship ranking at Wakefield Park.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Former champion Mike Jones has suggested his future still remains unclear after yet another strong performance in today’s second round of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) at Wakefield Park in New South Wales.
Jones, who has raced internationally for the past two seasons, finished just off the podium at Phillip Island’s opener – a performance he repeated today, claiming third in the final race to collect a 5-3 scorecard for fourth overall, just one point shy of the top three.
Filling in for the injured Troy Bayliss at DesmoSport Ducati during this weekend’s proceedings, Jones is still unsure where his career is headed with no further discussions held with the factory Ducati squad to continue on Bayliss’ return, however his championship ranking of third has made the ASBK a more enticing series for him to focus on locking down support.
“Certainly having the results I’ve had in the first couple of rounds, and being in the position that I’m in in the championship, it’s certainly enticing to continue doing the championship and seeing how it pans out,” Jones explained to CycleOnline.com.au.
“For me, as a young rider looking to further my career, I’ve been looking at options to continue racing in Europe and that’s in the hope of eventually racing in world championship level races. The weekend was quite good for me, I think we showed that we had really good pace – obviously in the first race I suffered from a poor start, which meant I didn’t get to go away with the front guys.
“I rectified that for the second race and I got away with them – third place was really good and I’m happy with it, but I do think had there not been a red flag, I might’ve been in for a better result. It’s been really awesome to fill-in for Troy and join the guys at DesmoSport Ducati again.”
The next stop of the ASBK is scheduled for 26-28 April at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia, where Bayliss is anticipated to return to racing.
Toparis and Stauffer credited Supersport and Supersport 300 overall wins.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) has claimed his first overall victory of the season at Wakefield Park’s second round of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), the reigning champion lodging a perfect 1-1 scorecard in New South Wales.
Herfoss shot out to the lead immediately in race two with a perfect start, controlling the encounter while the action unfolded behind him, ultimately earning a 0.367s win in a shortened outing that saw the race declared after 13 laps due to a fall from Lachlan Epis (BCperformance Kawasaki) that resulted in a red-flag.
Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) pulled through for second after starting from pole, riding a supremely consistent race while keeping Herfoss in his sights. Mike Jones (DesmoSport Ducati) put on an exceptional display to overcome Wayne Maxwell (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia) in the dying stages, while Daniel Falzon (Yamaha Racing Team) locked out the top five.
Former champion Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia) was sixth followed by Matt Walters (Kawasaki Connection), Bryan Staring (BCperformance Kawasaki), Glenn Scott (GSR Kawasaki) and Alex Phillis (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia). On the overall podium it was Herfoss from Halliday and Maxwell, while it’s Halliday who leads the standings with a five-point advantage.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Landbridge Yamaha’s Tom Toparis reigned supreme once again in Supersport race two, this time securing a 1.233s victory over Broc Pearson (Yamaha) to earn the overall win.
The New South Welshman faced increased competition in the final outing as Pearson and third place holder Reid Battye (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia) posted improved lap-times, placing them within just a couple of tenths of Toparis’ best, who has dominated the year so far.
Fourth and fifth were credited to Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing) and Nic Liminton (Yamaha), while overall it was Toparis – who now holds a 35-point lead in the standings – followed by Pearson and Battye.
Image: Russell Colvin.
John Lytras (Yamaha) claimed victory in the final Supersport 300 encounter, which once again delivered a thrilling finish. Lytras led a Yamaha-filled podium, edging out Max Stauffer (Yamaha) by 0.066s, followed by Ben Baker (Yamaha) a further 0.261s.
The top five was rounded out by Hunter Ford (Yamaha) and Locky Taylor (Yamaha). Overall, Stauffer earned the win convincingly with two races win to his name, finishing ahead of Baker and Taylor. Lytras narrowly beat Stauffer and Baker in the Yamaha R3 Cup final, however it was Stauffer who was triumphant overall ahead of Lytras and Ford.
Carter Thompson (Yamaha) defeated Jacob Roulstone and Cros Francis (Yamaha) in the final Oceania Junior Cup outing to clean-sweep the weekend, becoming the first overall victor of the junior road racing academy series.
The Australian Superbike Championship will now head The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia on 26-28 April, which will also feature round two of the 2019 Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC).
Toparis tops Supersport race one as Stauffer wins second Supersport 300 encounter.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Reigning champion Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) has secured a stunning race one victory at Wakefield Park’s second round of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) today.
The number one started from P3 on the grid, quickly navigating his way into second before setting his sights on early leader Wayne Maxwell (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia).
The duo battled for much of the race, trading positions at different stages, but it was Herfoss who had the edge in the end, capturing a rewarding 1.189s win while setting a new lap record of 57.525s.
Starting on pole, Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) overcome early mistakes with a strong close of race performance, making a last-lap dive in the final turn on Maxwell to steal second position. Maxwell was third as Daniel Falzon (Yamaha Racing Team) and Mike Jones (DesmoSport Ducati) locked out the top five.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Sixth through to 10th was completed by Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia), Bryan Staring (BCperformance Kawasaki), Alex Phillis (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia), Matt Walters (Kawasaki) and Glenn Scott (GSR Kawasaki). Former points leader Aiden Wagner (Yamaha) retired just three laps into the encounter.
In the Supersport category, it was another commanding performance from Tom Toparis (Landbridge Yamaha) as he took out a 3.672s over Broc Pearson (Yamaha), who displayed strong pace with a best-lap of 59.834s – less than three tenths off Toparis’ quickest lap of 59.575s.
Supersport rookie Oli Bayliss (CubeRacing) completed the top three in third, 7.221s off the leader, while the top five was rounded out by Reid Battye (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia) and Nic Liminton (Yamaha).
Image: Russell Colvin.
An incredible race two of the Supersport 300 division saw Max Stauffer (Yamaha) emerge victorious by just a slender 0.060s Zac Levy (Yamaha), the duo battling to the line with Locky Taylor only finishing a further 0.266s behind. Ben Baker (Yamaha) and Seth Crump (KTM) completed the top five.
Stauffer was also triumphant in race two of the Yamaha R3 Cup, edging out Hunter Ford (Yamaha) and John Lytras (Yamaha) in another absolute spectacle – just 0.175s separating the trio.
Carter Thompson (Yamaha) captured the race win in the Oceania Junior Cup ahead of Cros Francis (Yamaha) and Angus Grenfell (Yamaha). Racing resumes this afternoon for the final races of the event.
Iconic American motorcycle customiser Arlen Ness has died, aged 79, surrounded by his family in California.
Arlen was known for his wild paintwork as well as his outlandish custom choppers, baggers and cruisers.
As well as producing his own customs, he worked with several motorcycle companies, including the axed Victory Motorcycles, to produce limited-edition production models.
He also branched out into riding apparel and merchandise featuring his wild designs.
Facebook eulogy
His company’s Facebook page has published this eulogy:
It is with heavy hearts that we announce Arlen Ness the visionary, loving husband, father, grandfather and leader of our family passed away last night March 22, 2019. Arlen passed away comfortably in his home surrounded by loved ones after the most creative and inspirational life anyone could imagine.
The most important things in Arlen’s life were his wife of 59 years Beverly, his children, grandchildren, friends and motorcycles. Arlen once said that “Motorcycling has been a great ride…my whole life since I’ve been motorcycling has been wonderful. I’ve met so many nice people. Friends all over the world…. We can go almost anyplace and stay with friends. It’s been great.” With few words Arlen conveyed his priorities every day, family and friends.
Everyone who knew Arlen respects him for his achievements and for who he was as a person, both of which are superlatives. The respect is how Arlen came to deserve the commonly spoken nickname “The King of Custom Motorcycles”.
Arlen rarely reflected on his own success. He never planned for it, this is because what he achieved had never been done before; it had never been dreamt of.
Arlen has touched the lives of our family, the Arlen Ness team and thousands of others around the world with his genuine character. We will announce a memorial service and celebration of life after some private time, and appreciate your understanding. We thank you for your respects and condolences.
Although the Ness family cannot put their loss into words, they can look up and smile knowing Arlen has done something that few men do in a lifetime of trying. He has inspired.
Arlen bio
He was born in Moorhead, Minnesota, on July 12, 1939.
After moving to California and working in a blowing alley, he raised money to buy his first bike, a 1947 Knucklehead Harley-Davidson which he customised.
It was followed by many more custom motorcycles.
He was married to his wife Beverly for 59 years and is succeeded in the custom bike business by his son, Cory and grandson, Zach.
A driver who crossed double white lines and killed a teenage motorcyclist was charged with a traffic offence rather than manslaughter in an investigation marred by police bias.
A Northern Territory Coronial Inquest has been told police took five weeks to interview the female driver of the Subaru wagon that hit 16-year-old Xavier Lengyal’s bike just 200m from his home.
Xavier’s family told the Coronial Inquest that police treated the crash investigation as their son’s fault.
“Our family was left feeling like idiots and completely unjustified with the impression of guilt, due to being pushed away and the sense of Xavier’s investigation being swept under the rug,” Xavier’s father, Asher Lengyal, said.
Image supplied
Senior police admitted bias in the investigation in which they also took “an inordinate amount of time” to take witness statements.
NT Police only charged the driver with crossing double white lines rather than unintentional vehicular manslaughter.
Crash scene with Subaru on the wrong side of the road (Image: Nine News)
The former is a traffic offence that carries a $263 fine and two demerit points in the NT while the latter can result in up to six months’ jail.
Police say there is a flaw in NT law preventing driver Maxine Holden from being charged with anything further at the time.
Bias of rider guilty
Motorcycle Council of NSW chairman Steve Pearce fears that police bias against riders could be more widespread than just the NT Police.
“It’s almost like the reversal of the law of natural justice; that riders are guilty until proven innocent,” he says.
“I think there is a view that riders are more likely to be at fault in accidents involving motorcycles and that speed is the common factor,” Steve says.
“We see this in single-vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle, where the rider is automatically deemed to be at fault.
“This ignores factors such as road condition, line markings, recent roadworks, lack of signage.”
NT Assistant Commissioner Narelle Beer told the coronial inquest they had since made “major changes” to their Major Crash unit.
They include a joint management team and a superintendent dedicated to overseeing Major Crash.
Steve says speed is often cited as the biggest killer on our roads because of a lack of expertise among police accident investigators.
“Are investigators using speed as a catch-all reason for motorcycle accidents?” he asks.
Police accident investigators are also in a conflict of interest as they are responsible for prosecuting motorists.
“Therefore, they are only looking for offences committed, not the cause of the crash,” he says.
“We need to look for world’s best practice in this area.”
There is concern that police and media jumping to conclusions and blaming motorcyclists for crashes could lead to viewing riders not as vulnerable road users, but as “temporary Australians” with a death wish.
Based on police accident investigations, most Australian statistics seem to show that speed is the biggest killer.
For example, the NSW Motorcycle Safety Action Plan 2017-2019 says “inappropriate speed” is a contributing factor in 54% of motorcycle fatal crashes and 28% of motorcycle serious injury crashes.
It’s more likely less than 10% based on two significant studies in the UK and USA.
The British Transport Laboratory found that less than 8% of all road crashes were caused by exceeding speed limits and the 2005 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s long-term Naturalistic Driving Study said it was just 7%.
Both studies found driver inattention was the biggest killer. The US study said it was as high as 80%, yet NSW road authorities say it is only 25%, based on inadequate police crash investigations.
That’s almost double the figure the US study said was due to speed.
Steve says speed is too often cited as the biggest cause of single motorcycle accidents when there are plenty of other factors involved.
“Other factors unique to motorcycling such as the impact of road conditions, weather, bike setup, rider experience, rider familiarity with their motorcycle, rider fatigue are too often ignored,” he says.
“If we took crash investigation to the next level, we would be better equipped to determine what factors to employ to educate riders and reduce injuries.”
Front row starter declares it will take consistent 57s to win on Sunday.
Image: Supplied.
It could take consistent 57s lap-times to contend for the victory in Wakefield Park’s second round of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship, according to Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Wayne Maxwell.
With the top seven riders in qualifying today all posting laps in the 57s bracket, Maxwell is tipping the race-pace will be ultra-quick on Sunday. He won race one there last year.
Maxwell slotted his GSX-R1000R into second on the grid following Q2 this afternoon at the Goulburn circuit and, just like arch-rival Troy Herfoss, he’s declared the front row to be significantly important during both 20-lap races that are scheduled.
“We’ve got a target that we’re going to aim for tomorrow in the race tomorrow, the high 57s, and hopefully that puts us in a good position,” Maxwell told CycleOnline.com.au. “That’s roughly where everyone is, so you’ll have to be there for over half-race distance and then see how it all pans out – we can go from there.
“Track position is very important, so I’m happy with second on the grid. We can’t afford to lose any more points… It’d be super-nice to get some back, but we can’t lose any more. Cru [Halliday] has a good pace, so does Troy, and a bunch of others aren’t far behind us either.”
The clash between round one winner Aiden Wagner and Maxwell in race two at Phillip Island’s opener was one of the major storylines last month, resulting in seventh overall for the 2013 ASBK title-winner. A strong finish at Wakefield will be pivotal for his title hopes.
British grand prix hero faces a different type of challenge ahead of MXGP weekend.
Words: Adam Wheeler
Image: Supplied.
Before the crowds, tension and anticipation of MXGP rolls into the vast bowl of Matterley Basin this weekend for the British GP, one of the heroes of the event past and present Tommy Searle faced a different kind of challenge.
Luke Woodham was in a feisty mood with the raw power and grunt of his V8 and fancied ripped up some of the Winchester soil at the epic venue that has been a popular draw for world championship motocross for almost 15 years.
For 28-year-old Kawasaki racer Tommy Searle this was a mean duel. The Brit has spine-tingling recollections of success at Matterley – his maiden podium finish as a sixteen year old, emphatic MX2 victory in 2012 and a rostrum appearance in his country’s colours at the 2017 Motocross of Nations, but this was another kind of experience.
The torque and speed of his BOS GP Kawasaki KX450F seemed slight opposition to Woodham’s crazed collection of horses under the V8’s bodywork but Searle had the knowledge and the right tools for the face-off.
Unused to such a snarling and potent rival, the sight of the V8 on the Matterley course was initially unnerving: “I was worried I’d get taken-out by the car!” Searle grinned. “It was amazing to watch it spinning sideways everywhere and it was so loud that I couldn’t even hear my own bike.”
The traction and poise of the Kawasaki eventually proved to be the difference. Searle not only had the ideal weapon for the fight but also the skills – the same combination that he hopes will make the thousands and thousands of British fans go bananas for what will be the second round of 19 on the 2019 MXGP calendar.
“The V8 looks good and sounds good and was impressive to watch but for all that power there was not much of a contest,” he said. “A motocross circuit is such a special kind of track and with special kinds of demands and nothing is going to beat a bike that it is built for it. I reckon I could do three laps in the time it takes to do one!”
Former Gymkhana Grid champion and drift expert Woodham hammered the V8 around the slopes and curves, but Searle bagged the bragging rights. Now he wants more. For more than 10 years the #100 has been the reference for British followers of motocross and he knows Matterley Basin is the best and biggest stage to shine for his fans.
“I’m feeling good,” he says. “I’m healthy and happy with my bike, and I’m heading to an event that I always look forward to and have good memories of.”
Woodham and Searle enjoyed a dry and fine English day for their ‘tête-à-tête’. The British grand prix is the first European stop for the 2019 season after the opening salvo in Argentina two weeks ago and there will be many eyeing the skies for the biggest fixture on the UK dirt bike schedule.
“There is some doubt about the weather with this race being so early this year but if the forecast holds as it is then it will be a big weekend,” Searle said.
Four wheels or two, a pack of revving MXGP bikes or the din of thousands of cheers and fans’ airhorns, Matterley will again feel the noise of first-class motorsport in a matter of days and hours.
Penrite Honda Racing’s defending champion aims for fourth Wakefield overall.
Image: Foremost Media.
Reigning Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike champion Troy Herfoss is anticipating a share of uncertainty on Sunday in round two of the 2019 series at Wakefield Park after the front row was split by just 0.085s.
While Yamaha’s Cru Halliday took pole position with a record-braking 57.138s ahead of Wayne Maxwell (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Herfoss today, it remains unclear who of the trio will be strongest over race distance.
Herfoss, who originates from Goulburn, has proven the king of Wakefield Park by winning every ASBK overall at the venue since 2016 and a fourth-consecutive ‘home’ win would be a remarkable feat at the conclusion of tomorrow’s two 20-lap races.
“The front row is really important here,” Herfoss told CycleOnline post-qualifying. “I mean, I would rather be on pole position, but the inside is probably a little bit safer going into turn one. Getting a few clear laps is the main thing.
“Guys passing each-other at the beginning of the race stretches everyone out, so if I can get away with Cru and Wayne – they’ve both got really good pace – that would be nice. We’ll see what happens after five or six laps, because I haven’t really seen anyone do a lot of laps in succession.
“I’m unsure of what tyre they were on in qualifying and how good they’re going to be after half-race distance, so the first race will be really interesting I think. You’ve got to ride your own race around here, because if you get sucked in with somebody else you can make a few mistakes around here.
“I know what I can do for the race, physically and with the bike, so if we can make a few improvements in warm-up I believe my pace is as good as the next guy’s. It’s then going to be a matter of being able to make passes when you can in the race.”
Wakefield Park has been on the Penrite Honda Racing team’s radar as an ideal location for Herfoss to regain points in the title-race, currently sixth after a lacklustre opening round at Phillip Island in February to begin his title defence.
In-form Kawasaki privateer makes gains by going through first ASBK session.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Leading Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship privateer Matt Walters has given the newly-introduced two-stage qualifying format his tick of approval at Wakefield Park.
Walters was 11th in this morning’s timed practice, which meant he had to transfer through Q1 if he were to further improve upon his grid position in Q2, which was exactly what he managed to do.
It was a particularly impressive showing from the Kawasaki-mounted series mainstay, eventually slotting his Ninja ZX-10RR into eighth on the grid for tomorrow’s pair of 20-lap races. He improved his personal best lap to 58.009s in the second outing, well within a second of pole.
“It’s not a bad structure because you get to kind of redeem yourself if you don’t have such a good timed practice,” Pirelli-equipped Walters told CycleOnline.com.au. “There’s definitely not as much traffic on the circuit, so that helps.
“I struggled a little bit in Q2 because we had to use two tyres in the first one just to get through – we didn’t have a fresh one left once we made the second session. That’s just how it goes, it’s a part of it.
“It wasn’t too bad though, we made the most of it and I was happy with how we ended up. I was just fortunate I didn’t have to do many laps on that tyre I ended up qualifying on in both Q1 and Q2. I took my time to go out in the second session and it paid off.”
The two-stage structure sees the top nine from the sole timed practice session go directly through to Q2, leaving riders below to take part in Q1. The top three riders from Q1 then move into Q2, both sessions 15 minutes in duration.
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