Australian champion Todd secures MX2 victory at round two.
Image: Supplied.
Defending champion Kirk Gibbs has levelled the points standings in the 2019 New Zealand MX Nationals, scoring the overall win at the weekend’s second stop in Rotorua.
The JCR Altherm Yamaha rider recorded a supremely consistent 1-2-1 scorecard, defeating rival and local favourite Cody Cooper (Honda Team) by three points, bringing the series points total to 141 each.
“The day was really good,” said Gibbs. “I got a good start in the first moto then had a good gap and rode to the win, so I was really happy. In the second outing he got a decent start but got pushed wide.
“I made it really tough for myself. I was probably back in about 10th or so, then had to make my way back. I got into second but just couldn’t bridge the gap to Coops and finished there. I put a little peg back in for the championship – Coops beat me by three points at the first round and then I beat him by three points yesterday.”
Gibbs’ teammate Kayne Lamont rounded out the MX1 podium at Rotorua, while the MX2 class was topped by Australian duo Wilson Todd (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) and Kyle Webster (Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing), followed by reigning champion Hamish Harwood (CML Motorex KTM Team).
Aussie contender Morgan Fogarty (KTM) was fifth overall, while the penultimate round will take place this weekend at Pukekohe.
Team Honda HRC contender explains narrow main event loss.
Image: Supplied.
German Ken Roczen has explained he anticipated a manoeuvre from Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) on the final turn at Saturday night’s seventh round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Arlington, Texas.
The Team Honda HRC ride led majority of proceedings, although admittedly struggling in the whoop section prior to the finish line, Roczen came under attack from Webb on the final lap, with the number two ultimately securing victory by a mere 0.028s.
Denied of his first win of the season, Roczen has downplayed the loss as a learning experience, ensuring there’s no animosity between himself and rival Webb.
“Being the last lap, I knew that was the only spot where I lost time,” Roczen revealed. “I knew it was coming, so that’s why I went high in that rut as well, and then coming out of it, he went to the right, I was on the left closer to the tough blocks and it was super soft there and I couldn’t get going.
“Things right there and then happen so fast, you don’t have that much time to really think about it, you just have to go with your gut. This was one of the spots I struggled with in the main event – the turn before the whoops, and in whoops actually – I was going side to side and getting off balance there.
“That’s where I felt I lost the most time – I feel like if I could’ve done that better and worked better with the bike, I could’ve kept my flow better and maybe had more of a gap between first and second. But, unfortunately, this is a thing to learn from. I’m using that as fuel obviously for the next race, but feel like each weekend I’ve been getting better, which is super important.
“This might’ve been the closest race – it was kinda crazy and fun at the same time. Finishing second after leading almost the entire race is not so fun, but we’re all healthy and still in the championship. I want the win – if it’s right there, I’ll be happy to take it. It was right there, and I didn’t.”
Roczen now sits second in the points standings, two markers shy of Webb as the series heads to Detroit for round eight this weekend.
Australian makes factory Husqvarna debut at Hawkstone International.
Image: Supplied.
Jed Beaton has completed his first competitive hit out in eight months at the Hawkstone International MX in the United Kingdom after breaking both of his legs last year, making his debut with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing.
The Tasmanian utilised the popular pre-season event to prepare himself for the upcoming MX2 World Championship, lodging 10-14 moto scores for 12th overall, while he stormed to 15th in the combined Superfinal.
Believing he showed moments of promise, Beaton admits he needs more race time in the seat of his FC 250 in order to show his true potential.
“This was my first race after eight months and it felt good to be back behind the gate,” Beaton explained. “I had some good moments here in the UK, but overall I feel I need more time to show what I am capable of.
“I made some small mistakes and had a crash in the opening moto, but as the day went on I was able to control my pace. The season has just started and I have a good feeling on my bike. It’s onward and upwards from here and I’m looking ahead to the races to come.”
Max Anstie (Standing Construct KTM) took out top honours in the MX1 category Hawkstone ahead of Max Nagl (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) and Ivo Monticelli (Standing Construct KTM), while the MX2 class was topped by Jago Geerts (Kemea Yamaha), Adam Sterry (F&H Racing Team Kawasaki) and Mikkel Haarup (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing).
The Superfinal was taken out by Monticelli followed by Nagl and Arminas Jasikonis (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing). Round one of the MXGP World Championship is scheduled for 3 March at Neuquen in Argentina.
Camier and Kiyonari present WorldSBK-spec Honda CBR1000RR SP2.
Image: Supplied.
The all-new Moriwaki Althea Honda Team has unveiled its look for the 2019 FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) in Australia, as the season-opener looms this weekend at Phillip Island.
The factory-backed Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) outfit introduced key team members and riders Leon Camier and Ryuichi Kiyonari to national and international press at the launch in Australia, and presented its world championship contender, the Honda CBR1000RR SP2.
“It’s a real honour to be involved in this project with the support of Honda, and the experience of both Moriwaki and Althea,” Camier stated. “It’s all new of course, and that means we have a lot of work ahead of us, but I think we have good potential and I’m excited to see what we can do.
“It will be good to get out on track with our rivals this week and understand where we are. There is a lot to work on as I’ve said, the bike having been developed in a different championship, but we’re ready for the challenge. Our main goal is to improve race by race.”
Kiyonari added: “I am very excited to have this opportunity to return to world superbike and I thank Honda, Moriwaki and Althea for putting their trust in me. A lot has changed since I was last in the championship, in 2009, and I think the level is now a lot higher with many fast riders.
“Having said that, I have worked hard in recent years and hope I can continue to grow this season with my new bike and new team – I am very motivated and believe we can work together to achieve some good results.”
The squad will have one final opportunity to fine-tune its machine today and tomorrow at the Island for last official pre-season WorldSBK test.
James took over the business when brain cancer forced Brett into retirement.
He has similar outspoken views to his father about the motorcycle industry, so we thought it worthwhile sounding him out.
James says the industry is in a two-year slump because of a “multitude of factors that all hit at the same time”.
They include:
Tighter finance requirements that prevented many riders from securing finance to buy a motorcycle;
Young people did not want to take up the lifestyle. “It’s not an image they want to be a part of,” James says. “The whole VLAD consorting laws and anti-bikies PR couldn’t have helped, even though that’s not what 99% of riders are about.”; and
With a decrease in sales, dealerships could not attract the right staff, which affected customers’ dealership experiences.
Discounting war
James in his Windsor dealership
James says the result of the drop in new bike sales volume was that big dealership groups, such as MotorCycle Holdings (a publicly listed company that owns TeamMoto and many other dealerships), began aggressively discounting to increase sales turnover.
While that may sound like a boon for riders, James says it is devaluing their bikes and hurting the industry.
“The MotorCycle Holdings business model revolves around sales volume, finance and discounts,” James says.
“Customers are now able to buy a new bike at a really good price but it has no value on resale.
“So there is now a stack of cheap second-hand bikes on the market. Used bike sales are doing well, but at the expense of new bike sales.
“Customers now expect discounts on all new bikes which is a bubble that will eventually burst.”
James says even some of the prestige brands that never used to discount, such as Harley-Davidson, BMW and Ducati, are now discounting.
“Through no fault of their own they are forced by the rest of the industry into running aggressive sales campaigns,” he says.
For example, BMW is currently running a campaign through TeamMoto offering five free years of servicing.
James says the depreciation in the value of new prestige bikes is eroding the loyalty of riders to these brands and is causing long-term damage to the brand image.
He claims customers are now rebelling against the big dealership conglomerates.
“This is a passion-based industry and not big business,” he says.
He could be right. When MotorCycle Holdings went public in 2016, their share price started at $2.53 and reached a peak of $5.22 at the end of 2017. It is now down to just $1.46.
MotorCycle Holdings Ltd share price history
Solutions
Just as there were many reasons for the slump, James says there are many facets to solving the problem.
“We need a 10-year plan; that’s the amount of damage that’s been done to the industry,” he says.
James suggests that manufacturers, distributors and motorcycle industry organisations collectively fund motorcycle promotion.
“Everyone is scrapping over the last dollar and won’t put their hands in their pockets to pay to promote riding,” he says.
“More needs to be done at a higher level to make more people want to ride.
“The manufacturers are fighting over their share of a diminishing pie rather than trying to grow the pie.
“No one is actively marketing motorcycling in general to make the pie bigger.
“The whole industry is losing with everyone focussing on losing the least amount. We need to build value back into motorcycles.”
Dealers
James with his two demo Norton Commandos
James says the problem is too big for just dealers to solve.
“Dealers don’t control the market,” he says.
“All we can do is make the experience good for the customer so they tell other people.
“People want to be remembered when they come back to a dealership.”
James says a key ingredient for dealer success is to offer demo rides.
Forkner earns second-consecutive 250SX East main event victory.
Image: Supplied.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cooper Webb has clinched is fourth victory of the season at Arlington’s seventh round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross and FIM World Championship.
Webb, who now leads the standings, edged out Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen by a slender 0.028s with a desperate last corner pass, denying the former points leader of his first win of the year following a thrilling encounter.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin closed out the top three, ensuring he remains third in the standings, while the top five was completed by Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM) and Joey Savatgy (Monster Energy Kawasaki). Australia’s Chad Reed (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) was 11th.
In the 250SX East category, Pro Circuit Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Austin Forker earned his second win in as many rounds to extend his points lead to eight, comfortably defeating Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha) and Chase Sexton (Geico Honda).
The top five was rounded out by Jordon Smith (TLD Red Bull KTM) and Martin Davalos (Pro Circuit Monster Energy Kawasaki). The AMA Supercross series now heads to Detroit next Saturday night for round eight.
Defending champion team of Rea and Haslam uncover latest Ninja ZX-10RR.
Image: Supplied.
The new-look Kawasaki Racing Team unveiled its 2019 Motul Superbike World Championship contender in San Remo, Victoria, on Saturday night ahead of next week’s opening round of the season.
Reigning four-time champion Jonathan Rea was joined by incoming teammate and current British champion Leon Haslam to take the covers off their Ninja ZX-10RR race bikes.
In launching its final line-up and livery in Australia this year, rather than at their home base in Barcelona as in previous seasons, KRT has already put a fresh spin on its approach as the excitement builds towards another new season at the highest level of production-derived racing.
Managing director of Kawasaki Motors Australia, Shigemi Tanaka, led the speakers on the night as the latest product of KHI’s passion for racing was unveiled to a waiting world, both on site and to the world through live streaming online.
“It is indeed an honour to have the unveiling of the 2019 Kawasaki Racing Team here at Phillip Island and for Kawasaki Motors Australia to be hosting this important event,” Tanaka commented. “Three times in the past it has been my pleasure to speak at these launch events on behalf of both Kawasaki Motors Europe and Kawasaki Heavy industries.
“Now with Jonathan Rea as a four-time world champion on the Ninja ZX-10RR it is a nice coincidence that this is now my fourth time to speak, this time on behalf of Kawasaki Motors Australia and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The theme today is Ganbarou – we will face our challenges and try harder.”
With winter testing ended in Europe at the end of January, there will now be two days of official tests for all WorldSBK competitors at Phillip Island on Monday and Tuesday. With a new format to race weekend in 2019, featuring three WorldSBK races and not two, the first round of the new season will be truly historic.
“KRT always push the boat out when it comes to launching the new colours and it is the first time you see your final bike in the flesh,” Rea explained. “Everything is real and now we turn the page to 2019. Alpinestars have done a great job with my leathers as well. I changed my number one plate a little bit too, incorporating some new logos. It is nice to do the launch here in Australia and so close to the first race weekend.”
Haslam added: “To be part of such a professional team and to see the manufacturer itself and Kawasaki Australia putting on such a massive show is fantastic – they are really getting behind it. I just want to get going now. The launch and all the things around it are exciting but now I just want to get on track to ride the new bike.”
With Showa joining returning major partners Monster Energy, Elf and Motocard, KRT team manager Guim Roda has also welcomed in the new season.
“Last year we faced the challenge of new technical rules that we feel constrained our performances,” Roda stated. “Nevertheless, we succeeded in winning the riders, manufacturers and teams world titles in a very successful year. For this year these rules are still maintained, but we’re prepared.
“We have a bike with a new more capable engine and we have reinforced our technical and human assets to take advantage of this. We also welcome a new rider in Leon Haslam, who has been making big steps in the winter tests. We think makes a great pairing with Jonathan Rea, who has offered us so much in all terms.”
Pay for any number of packages, and get MotoAmerica streamed to you live – anywhere in the world.
Begin press release:
MotoAmerica has announced the final piece of its most comprehensive television and digital programming package to date – six to eight hours of daily live coverage of all five classes during the 2019 MotoAmerica Series via a paywall package that opens the series to anyone with a computer and/or smart TV/phone and internet access worldwide. MotoAmerica will be partnering with ViewLift, a leading digital distribution and monetization platform, to power its digital and live-streaming experiences on web and mobile devices.
The MotoAmerica Live+ package will feature live coverage each day, including practice, qualifying and racing from every class, plus interviews, special features, etc., from all 10 rounds in the 2019 MotoAmerica Series.
Subscriptions for MotoAmerica Live+ will be available soon for a pre-sale price of $49.95. After the initial pre-sale period, a season pass will be available for $69.95. A six-month subscription (April through September) will also be available for $13.25 a month and single-event (weekend) packages will be available for $9.95. More details will follow in the coming weeks.
“We’ve been hearing from our fans for a while now that they want a subscription-based service where they can watch our races on their computers or other devices. And now they can,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “This will allow our fans all over the world to watch all of our action live. This is going to make a lot of people happy and we’re pleased to be able to offer a service like this to our fans. It’s a real game-changer for MotoAmerica, its sponsors, teams, riders and fans.”
“We are happy to support MotoAmerica in their growth objectives by providing them the platforms, tools, and analytics to grow their audience and optimize their strategies,” says Manik Bambha, ViewLift’s President.
Former MotoGP analyst Dylan Gray will host the action and features on Live+.
“I am very excited to be joining the MotoAmerica Series for what looks to be a great season both on and off the track,” said Gray. “Brilliant racing coupled with big personalities make this one of the best racing series in the world, and I cannot wait to get to know the paddock and work alongside a few familiar faces from the past. I look forward to being part of an exciting new TV and digital package that will hopefully make fans feel 100 percent immersed in the action and encourage them to watch the stars of today and tomorrow… and, of course, go riding themselves.”
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About ViewLift ViewLift is a full-service digital content distribution platform empowering media companies, sports leagues and teams, education providers and others to monetize their content through native branded apps on major OTT devices including web, mobile, TV connected devices, Smart TVs and gaming consoles. ViewLift’s founding team brings years of domain experience as an operator (not just a technology provider) and strong industry relationships to offer a complete end-to-end solution for creating, launching and monetizing video applications across all major device platforms. ViewLift operates across the digital ecosystem, understanding each device’s unique requirements and best practices. ViewLift offers clients a range of monetization models on a proprietary platform with advanced analytics, tracking performance in real-time. ViewLift is backed by leading VC firms, including New Enterprise Associates, Comcast Ventures, and Clark Enterprises, as well as tech and media pioneers Ted Leonsis, Steve and Jean Case, Terry Semel, Robert McCormack and others. ViewLift clients include: Monumental Sports Network; The Great Courses; My Outdoor TV; Nexstar; DraftKings; Lax Sports Network; Arena Football League; SnagFilms; and others.
We wish our friend Rennie Scaysbrook and Aprilia all the best for the 2019 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Begin Press Release:
APRILIA USA EAGER TO TOP PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB
RENNIE SCAYSBROOK ABOARD APRILIA TUONO FACTORY TO RUN IN 2019
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 15, 2019 — Maintaining the sharp-edge of the brand ethos, Aprilia is campaigning an effort for the 2019 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. No stranger to the mountain, Aprilia now looks to challenge the Heavyweight motorcycle class with the Tuono V4 1100, with Australian racer and Cycle News Road Test Editor Rennie Scaysbrook as the rider.
The Tuono, a naked bike continuously celebrated as a category best motorcycle, combines performance derived from the race-specification RSV4, and offers a complete package to tackle the 156 corners of Pikes Peak. On June 30th, Aprilia will Race to the Clouds in a single timed attempt. The 4,720 foot climb up the mountain, arriving at an elevation of 14,115 feet, where the conditions of machine, rider, and terrain can change or be tested on any given day, hour, or turn remains one of the most celebrated events in motorcycling, and the only of its kind in the United States.
“Aprilia has a history in racing, which continues to drive the brand. We believe it is time to show the capability of our celebrated race engineering in the Heavyweight class with the Tuono Factory,” says Mario Di Maria, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, “Aprilia’s aim is it to reach the top, and hold another category best, powered by the market’s best-selling Aprilia model. With Rennie Scaysbrook on the bike, we know we have a potent combination.”
Since making his debut at the Mountain in 2016, Scaysbrook has achieved a podium position in each year in the Heavyweight category and is one of only five riders in the history the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb to go under the magic 10-minute barrier.
“I am absolutely ecstatic to take on the PPIHC challenge with Aprilia,” said Scaysbrook. “I know the Tuono 1100 Factory is a jewel of a motorcycle and should prove a serious contender for the Heavyweight honors. I’ll be putting absolutely everything into this—I can’t wait to get started.”
Aprilia has always set the bar in terms of sportiness and performance, the best example of just what can be accomplished drawing from the valuable experience of a winning Racing Department like Aprilia’s which, in its brief history, has earned 54 world titles, seven of which in the World SBK championship. For 2019, Aprilia USA looks to build on its several victories on the mountain, as well as current Lightweight Motorcycle Class Record, piloted by legendary PPIHC contender Davey Durelle.
Skills honed on the track and transferred to the factory product to provide everyone with the same excitement that the motorbikes prepared by Aprilia Racing do. The latest iteration of the highly popular Aprilia V4 motor platform, held in the Tuono Factory model, presents the most capable motorcycle for the mountain. Derived from the RSV4 race engine, which includes rider/manufacturer championships in WorldSBK, development at the highest form in MotoGP, and speed records at the Bolivian salt flats, Aprilia looks to further its race application through the V4 family.
Webster and Budd to make up official two-rider squad.
Image: Foremost Media.
Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing has cemented its line-up for 2019, confirming Kyle Webster and Rhys Budd will spearhead its efforts this season while also backing support rider Nick Luksich.
“I’ll be racing selected major New Zealand events over the next couple of weeks, which will really help me to prepare and be as ready as possible for the start to the Australian season,” Webster commented.
“2019 is set to be a big year – it will be my fourth season with the Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing team, and having Craig [Bolton] on board as my team mechanic will give me added support to chase race wins and championship victories. I want to be as consistent as possible and be there at every race, every weekend, chasing wins all season long.”
Budd, a member of the outfit for his rookie MXD season in 2018, will remain in the development category, firmly setting his sights on being a podium regular this year.
“It’s early days yet, but from the very outset the connection with the Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing team has been really positive and I’m looking forward to the season starting with the MX Nationals at Appin in March,” Budd explained.
“2019 will be my final year racing in the MXD class, so I want it to be a special one. My goal is always to win and be in the front pack and consistently make the podium, so that’s what I’m aiming for this year.”
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