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Since its arrival on CANAL+ in 2019, MotoGP™ has seen audience numbers grow exponentially, with a million people watching the Spanish Grand Prix in May 2021. Spectacular races, breath-taking competition and the incredible success of MotoGP™ World Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), as well as compatriot and two-time World Champion Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing), are keeping French fans glued to their seats.
Maverick Viñales’ new chapter has officially begun as the Spaniard gets to grips with Aprilia Racing Team Gresini’s RS-GP for the first time at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Viñales has been testing on track alongside some of his premier class rivals – such as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) and Luca Marini (SKY VR46 Avintia) – who are riding Superbikes, while also lapping with test riders Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Mika Kallio (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team).
But something else significant happened. For the first time since the 1972 Yugoslavian GP, six manufacturers finished in the top six positions of a premier class race. It was MV Agusta, Yamaha, Koenig, Suzuki, Husqvarna and Kawasaki who occupied the top six 48 years ago, while at Silverstone it was Yamaha, Suzuki, Aprilia, Ducati, Honda and KTM.
On Tuesday 31st of August and Wednesday 1st of September at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Maverick Viñales will be testing the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini RS-GP for the first time, in preparation for competing with the Noale factory full time in 2022 alongside British GP podium finisher Aleix Espargaro.
Nothing had changed from our early racing days. Somebody was always late and 50 years later it was the same person. By the time we reached the legendary Green Man pub a couple of kilometres from the Silverstone entrance the traffic was stop and start in double lanes with motorbike after motorbike racing down the middle. Every car and every bike were part of the yellow army. Tee shirts, caps, flags and rucksacks with a simple message in a number – 46 ruled.
Will Moerer, Director of Ziggo Sport: “MotoGP is a great sport, and a package that many parties are interested in within the sports rights market. We’re therefore very happy that we’ve succeeded in acquiring these rights. Every race weekend brings spectacle, and because it’s always well covered, you, the television viewer, get to experience it all.
Mandalika Circuit to host MotoGP pre-season test in 2022
Indonesia has been confirmed as the host of a MotoGP pre-season test, which will take place at the newly constructed Mandalika Circuit in Lombok, over the Februrary 11-13 (2022) weekend.
Happy Harinto – Chief Strategic Communication Officer of the MGPA
“It is an honor for the Mandalika circuit, and for Indonesia, to be able to serve as a location for the pre-season test in 2022. Everything is being tested from drivers to test technicians, so later standardisation or technological specifications will be applied during the 2022 racing season. Hopefully, the future of Indonesia’s automotive industry will be brighter, this is an encouragement not only for the automotive, but also the tourism industry. We should package and manage the presence of a MotoGP class world event properly.”
Although counted as a new circuit, the Mandalika Circuit has also joined the World Superbike calendar as the scheduled host of the closing round of the series on November 12-14 this year.
A concept design for the Mandalika Circuit on display at the https://www.themandalikagp.com/ website
Harinto believes this is an extraordinary opportunity for Indonesia with local preparations also to be tested.
Earlier in 2021 Dorna Sports S.L. designated Mandalika Circuit as one of the venues for MotoGP, with surfacing only recently complete
Prior to Mandalika, MotoGP also has their traditional scheduled a pre-season test at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on February 5-6. The shakedown test session will also be held from January 31 to February 2 in Sepang, with attendees comprising test riders and rookies.
The 2022 season opening Qatar GP is tentatively set to take place from the 4th to the 6th of March, with the season once again set to start under the stunning floodlights of Losail International Circuit.
The 95th running of the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE), has commenced, taking place in the Apennine Mountains between Lombardy and Piedmont and running through to Saturday 4 September when it will finish with the traditional final day motocross races.
The FIM’s longest running motorcycle race welcomes over six hundred and fifty competitors from thirty nations to Rivanazzano Terme, for what is expected to be six days of picturesque, but challenging competition.
Postponed in 2020 due to the global COVID pandemic, this year the FIM ISDE has attracted riders from all over the World, both World-class competitors and enthusiastic amateurs, all wanting to enjoy the most-prestigious event on the enduro calendar. There are some notable absences however, with travel restrictions still taking their toll, including preventing the Australian teams from attending.
On days one, two, and three riders compete over one lap of one hundred and ninety-five kilometres, riding for seven-and-a-half hours each day and completing numerous cross and enduro special tests along the way.
Days four and five will feature a different course to that used during the first half of the event, again featuring a mix of cross and enduro special tests and totalling one hundred and ninety-eight kilometres. The sixth and final day will feature the closing motocross races, at the Valle Scrivia circuit in Cassano Spinola.
Josep Garcia
Host nation Italy have made the best possible start to the ninety-fifth edition of the FIM International Six Days of Enduro with winning performances in both the World Trophy and Junior World trophy classes. The much-anticipated opening day of competition also saw USA top the Women’s World Trophy result with Josep Garcia (KTM) posting the day’s fastest overall individual performance.
World Trophy – Day 1
A largely dry and dusty day of competition with little in the way of shock results or unfortunate DNFs, it was Andrea Verona (GASGAS), Davide Guarneri (Fantic), Thomas Oldrati (Honda), and Matteo Cavallo (TM) who, at the end of the one hundred and ninety five-kilometre, six-special test day, collectively sat at the top of the World Trophy team results, 52.37 seconds ahead of Spain, with the USA close behind in third.
Right from the off, the three nations all delivered impressive collective performances, with Italy unquestionably helped by the strong showings of Andrea Verona (GASGAS) and Matteo Cavallo (TM). Fast from the off, Verona held a slender outright individual lead with just one special test to go, falling twice on the final test and allowing Spain’s Josep Garcia (KTM) to go on and top the individual results with relative ease. In doing so Garcia helped Spain secure a strong second.
Andrea Verona
“I had a big battle with Josep Garcia all day, which was really good. I was ahead after the penultimate test and, well, I had a small fall in the final test and lost time. I somehow got some soil into my front brake lever, which meant the front brake was stuck on for a while. It was very strange. Then we had some rain and with the brake not so good I crashed again. Anyway, I’m happy. I had a good day and so did the team.”
Andrea Verona
While Italy hold the provisional World Trophy team lead at the end of day one, their advantage is anything but substantial. Less than one minute behind Italy, Spain’s Jaume Betriu (KTM), Josep Garcia (KTM), Marc Sans (Husqvarna), and Cristobal Guerrero (Beta) all successfully completed the day, keeping up the pressure on their European rivals and managing to stay ahead of the USA.
Sitting strong in third, the USA, led by former outright ISDE winner Taylor Robert (KTM), completed the day with incredibly similar overall special test times from each of their four riders. Despite Robert crashing on the opening test, the team looks set to battle with Spain and Italy throughout the event.
Taylor Robert
“I felt really good in the first test, but went down pretty hard and busted up my elbow a little. It took a little while to get my rhythm back again. Josep and Andrea were on fire, but I had a decent day, and importantly so did the USA Trophy team. The enduro test wasn’t easy on a 450, but the tests were great. We’re in for a good week of racing.”
Behind the top three, France rounded out the opening day in fourth, a little under thirty seconds behind the USA. With Sweden fifth, helped by an impressive ride by Mikael Persson (KTM), Canada, Portugal, Brazil, the Czech Republic and Finland rounded out the top ten.
Junior World Trophy – Day 1
As it was in the World Trophy class, in the Junior World Trophy category Italy ended day one on top. Just over one minute ahead of France, who in turn finished less than two seconds up on the USA, the three Italians of Lorenzo Macoritto (TM), Manolo Morettini (KTM), and Matteo Pavoni (TM) showed that just like their senior countrymen they are focused on doing just one thing this week – winning. So fast was team member Matteo Pavoni (TM) that he finished as the day’s outright second fastest rider, just twenty-one seconds behind Josep Garcia (KTM).
Not allowing Italy to get too far ahead, France secured a deserved runner-up result thanks to Luc Fargier (GASGAS), Leo Le Quere (Sherco), and Antoine Criq (Beta) as the trio also kept themselves ahead of the USA. France, who sit one minute behind Italy, but also narrowly ahead of the USA, have a lot to play for on day two. Equally, they have a lot to lose to the USA should any of their riders make any costly mistakes.
One better than their World Trophy teammates who sit fifth, Sweden hold fourth in the Junior World Trophy standings ahead of Spain and Finland, with Chile, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Norway rounding out the top ten.
Women’s World Trophy – Day 1
Ending day one with the biggest advantage of all the national teams, the USA stamped their authority on the Women’s World Trophy class with a highly impressive winning result. Collectively Brandy Richards (KTM), Rachel Gutish (Husqvarna), and Britney Gallegos (Husqvarna) sit three minutes and eighteen seconds ahead of Spain.
Brandy Richards
“I started out riding a little tight, but I progressed throughout the day. The tests were mostly long and fast, but they were fun to ride. The dirt and traction was different from place to place, but it was a good day for me.”
Brandy Richards
With Spain holding down second, and Great Britain third, it was Portugal and France who rounded out the top five with all eight Women’s World Trophy teams making it to the finish of the day.
Despite his falls in the final special test of the day, Andrea Verona (GASGAS) finished day one at the top of the Enduro1 class results, close to ten seconds ahead of Sweden’s Mikael Persson (KTM). Delivering one of the standout rides of the day, Persson found himself as the Swedish filling in an Italian sandwich with Verona ahead of him and Junior World Trophy team rider Lorenzo Macoritto (TM) behind him.
Although not entirely happy with the way he rode throughout the day, Spain’s Jose Garcia (KTM) has already opened up a near one-minute advantage at the top of the Enduro2 class, ahead of USA’s Taylor Robert (KTM) and Italy’s Thomas Oldrati (Honda).
Jose Garcia
“My day was good, even if I took a lot of dust in some of the special tests, which made things tricky. Also, I didn’t feel perfect on my bike. I’m not sure why, but anyway the day was good and I managed to win the overall too. I hope that tomorrow I can ride like I did on the final test today, and we’ll keep pushing as a team.”
With World Trophy team riders topping the Enduro1 and Enduro2 class result, in Enduro3 it was Italian Junior World Trophy team rider Matteo Pavoni (TM) who topped the time sheets. Fifteen seconds ahead of countryman Matteo Cavallo (TM), Pavoni kept experienced racers like the USA’s Ryan Sipes (GASGAS) and Spain’s Jaume Betriu (KTM) behind him.
At the top of the individual Women’s class results it was the USA’s Brandy Richards (KTM), one minute and forty-seven ahead of Great Britain’s Jane Daniels (Fantic), with Spain’s Mireia Badia (GASGAS) third.
The FIM International Six Days of Enduro continues on day two with riders repeating the one hundred and ninety five-kilometre Valle di Staffora lap.
Honda still collecting results on track in Queensland and SA
Honda riders aren’t letting Covid restrictions get them down, with Metcalfe winning the South Australian Championship over the weekend, as Gibbs claimed second in the opening round of the Queensland Championships!
Mongrel Boots Honda Racing’s Brett Metcalfe also won the final round of the South Australian Championship convincingly. The likeable South Australian went undefeated in the five-round competition. Honda riders claimed the top three positions in the MX1 class. Metcalfe was extremely happy with his 2022 CRF450R.
Brett Metcalfe
“I had so much fun racing the South Australian Championships and its so cool to be doing it with my two boys. The new Honda is awesome and its great to see Honda sweep the podium with their CRF450R. Honda rider’s Mitch Norris rode well so did Siegah Ward. Its unfortunate Levi McManus couldn’t compete in the final round, but overall Honda dominated the SA titles.”
Brett Metcalfe
Terrafirma’s Honda rider Kirk Gibbs proved once again that he can win, but the overall eluded him as he finished third, first and second respectively in round 1 of the Queensland Championships to claim second overall. Three points separates him from first with one round remaining.
Kirk Gibbs
“I need to execute the first few laps better and I need to make my passes stick. The speed is there, and the bike is working great. When I piece it all together, I win but I am too inconsistent at the moment. I have a month to work on my weaknesses before round 2.”
Kirk Gibbs
Whilst racing is suspended in Victoria, Emma Milesevic leads the Victorian State women’s championship.
Yarrive Konsky – Team Director
“We are trying to compete in as many races as possible to keep everyone poised and ready. We continue to adapt to the ever-changing restrictions. We are positive national racing will resume before the end of the year and we want to make sure our riders are ready.”
QMX1 Round Results
Pos
Competitor
Total
R1
R2
R3
1
Todd WATERS
70
25
20
25
2
Kirk GIBBS
67
20
25
22
3
Aaron TANTI
52
18
14
20
4
Jai WALKER
47
13
16
18
5
Lochie LATIMER
47
16
15
16
6
Dean FERRIS
44
22
22
–
7
Luke REARDON
43
11
18
14
8
Luke ZIELINSKI
39
14
10
15
9
Joel EVANS
39
15
11
13
10
Luke WEAVER
35
12
13
10
11
Cody O’LOAN
30
10
9
11
12
Sam LARSEN
27
6
12
9
13
Navrin GROTHUES
26
8
6
12
14
Cody SCHAT
23
7
8
8
15
Kye ORCHARD
19
5
7
7
16
Jake VALINOTI
14
9
5
–
17
Benny STREETER
10
4
–
6
QMX2 Round Results
Pos
Competitor
Total
R1
R2
R3
1
Todd WATERS
72
25
22
25
2
Jesse DOBSON
69
22
25
22
3
Isaac FERGUSON
56
20
20
16
4
Jayce COSFORD
53
18
15
20
5
Levi ROGERS
50
14
18
18
6
Ricky LATIMER
46
16
16
14
7
Ryan ALEXANDERSON
44
15
14
15
8
Kobi WOLFF
36
13
13
10
9
Joel PHILLIPS
35
12
12
11
10
Brock FLYNN
27
9
10
8
11
Jake DUTHIE
27
11
9
7
12
Ryley FITZPATRICK
26
10
7
9
13
Jackson CAMILLERI
23
–
11
12
14
Zachary WATSON
21
–
8
13
15
Braeden KREBS
20
8
6
6
16
James WALTERS
17
7
5
5
17
Zane DORRELL
11
5
4
2
18
Laird ROUGHAN
10
6
–
4
19
Angus ROBERTSON
10
4
3
3
AFT next stop Springfield ST & Mile double header
A highlight of the 2021 season awaits as the American Flat Track prepares for a monumental Labor Day Weekend double-header at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois, on September 3-5.
2020 Springfield ST
The weekend will kick off on Friday evening with the Springfield Short Track Doubleheader, which packs two complete rounds of the tightly fought AFT Singles championship into a single evening. And then Saturday and Sunday will see the big twins head over to the “World’s Fastest Mile” for the Springfield Mile I & II.
An epic by any measure, this year’s Progressive AFT weekend in Springfield has a bit of added meaning as it represents the end of an era. It will mark the final time the “Mile Master,” Bryan Smith (No. 4 Crosley/Howerton Motorsports Indian FTR750) competes at the Springfield Mile after recently announcing his intention to retire at the end of the season.
AFT Production Twinsalso returns to the venue where the class was originally introduced to the world at speed in 2018. An already wild AFT Singles title fight likewise has the potential for another titanic shift with two full points-paying rounds taking place in a single night during Friday’s Springfield Short Track Doubleheader.
Yamaha Day 2021 awards winners
Yamaha Day 2021 saw celebrations to mark the 66th birthday of Yamaha Motor Corporation, with Yamaha Music putting a RevStar RS702B Electric Guitar up for grabs.
Elwyn Jordan in 1978 with his Yamaha
Following careful deliberation, the Yamaha Motor Australia Board of Directors judged the entry by Elwyn Jordan as the one that stood out from the crowd and best captured the #UnitedByYamaha spirit.
Elwyn’s highly entertaining Instagram post revealed he’s been #UnitedByYamaha for more than 40 years. His story and pictorial walk down memory lane unveiled a long-time musician and motorcycle rider with a passion for guitars and two wheels – as long as they carry the Yamaha badge. Topped off with the hashtags #UnitedByYamaha and #YamahaDay2021, his competition entry caught the eye of the judges.
Elwyn Jordan
“I’m a huge fan of Yamaha, and I’m thrilled to have won the Yamaha Revstar Guitar. I bought my first Yamaha guitar in 1979 and loved the quality so much I’ve been adding more Yamaha’s to the collection ever since. Now I’m looking forward to adding the Revstar, it’s such a unique looking guitar.”
Elwyn Jordan in 2021 with his Yamaha Tracer
Elwyn said he has a range of Yamaha guitars in his collection including bass, electric and classical models. Also a keen motorcyclist, Elwyn purchased his first Yamaha motorbike way back in 1977 and has never looked back. “I’ve only owned Yamaha’s since – I love the quality and reliability.”
Also up for grabs in this year’s competition were two ShopYamaha gift vouchers. Rachel Ferlazzo claimed the $500 voucher, and Scott Wolfson the $200 voucher. Both winners will enjoy a shopping spree choosing from the huge range of products available at ShopYamaha.com.au
Here are the three #UnitedByYamaha competition winning entries for you to enjoy.
1st Prize: Elwyn Jordan
2nd Prize: Rachel Ferlazzo
3rd Prize: Scott Wolfson
Romain Febvre signs with Kawasaki until 2023
French rider, Romain Febvre, has signed a direct contract with KHI, the Kawasaki factory to compete in MXGP for 2022 and 2023. For Romain to conclude a two-year deal before the 2021 season has matured will allow him to concentrate on the current championship.
Romain Febvre
“It was very important for me to agree a deal to allow me to focus on the 2021 Championship and give my best efforts to my team. I am now one of the fastest guys in the Championship and I am looking forward to a new adventure and achieving great things on the factory Kawasaki. A two-year deal will allow me to plan and extend even further my abilities with the KX450. It already suits my style well in terms of the type of power delivery I like plus the narrow chassis suits my riding style and body positioning really well. Now I have the time and space to fine tune the package and continue the necessary training regime to achieve my goal, an MXGP world title for Kawasaki.”
Romain Febvre – 2021 MXGP of Flanders-Belgium – Round 6
Steve Guttridge – Kawasaki
“There is still work to do in this year’s championship and Romain and our team are pushing as hard as they can to get on the top step at every round and fighting for the title this season. We are super happy to have secured Romain to compete in MXGP and we hope that all Kawasaki fans worldwide will join us on this exciting journey. Now that we have announced this factory deal for the coming two years, we hope that Romain will be given the time, space and respect necessary now to focus on the job in hand.”
Josep Garcia extends KTM contract a further two-years
Josep Garcia has signed a two-year contract extension with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, which will see the former Enduro World Champion remain with the team through to the end of the 2023 season, riding the proven KTM 350 EXC-F in the FIM Enduro World Championship and the ISDE.
Josep Garcia
“I’m super happy to extend my contract with KTM for another two years. We have been working together since 2017 and I think it’s the best team to be in, plus I also have a great relationship with my mechanics, Ivan and Daniele. Signing for two more years means the team and I are free to focus on the racing and aim to be at the very top. Continuing with the KTM 350 EXC-F in EnduroGP helps to keep things consistent too, so I can really work on my riding. After that, I’m hoping to experience a few new disciplines and expand my horizons as my career continues!”
Josep Garcia – Image by Dario Agrati
Fabio Farioli – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager
“We are very proud of everything we’ve achieved with Josep and we’re happy to be continuing our strong relationship with him for a further two years. Our main focus now is to compete for great results at the ISDE, and then turn our attention back to the FIM E2 and EnduroGP championship, which concludes in October. We’ll be giving our all as a team to fight for victory, and we’re looking forward to the future together.”
Hard Enduro next stop Poland’s HERO Challenge
The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship will soon gear up for the second half of the series, beginning with Poland’s HERO Challenge on September 11/12. Marking round six of this year’s championship chase, the extreme cross country race is set to welcome the world’s best Hard Enduro competitors, along with a host of passionate amateur warriors, as they do battle across two days in the Polish region of Dabrowa Górnicza.
Offering a real mix of challenges for competitors, racing begins with a qualifier on Saturday morning featuring motocross, enduro and superenduro elements, ensuring riders will work up a sweat. From there, the top 30 qualifiers line up in the nearby city centre for an evening SuperEnduro race. Under artificial lighting, an intense course is set to produce some exciting racing.
Returning to the Dabrowa Gornicza race circuit for Sunday, the business end of the weekend features a tough, physically demanding three-hour extreme cross country race. Laid out across a 15-kilometre loop, it will be an all-out action affair.
Manuel Lettenbichler currently leads the Hard Enduro standings – pictured at the Red Bull TKO
At the head of the standings Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler holds a narrow one-point lead over Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt. Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young and Mario Roman are also locked in a close battle for third. With three rounds remaining in this year’s title fight, there is a lot to gain at Poland’s HERO Challenge.
FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Standings
Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) – 54
Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) – 53
Wade Young (Sherco) – 40
Mario Roman (Sherco) – 37
Jonny Walker (Beta) – 34
Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) – 26
Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) – 24
Michael Walkner (GASGAS) – 21
Teodor Kabakchiev (Husqvarna) – 19
Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) – 15
2021 AMA Speedway National Championship kicks off September
The AMA Speedway National Championship Series will take place with two of the three-round series being held in New York, followed by a final round in California in 2021.
Typically, the entire series has been held solely in California, where the sport has a large following and draws thousands of fans. By hosting rounds on both coasts this year, the goal is to further grow the popularity of the sport by reaching new fans and racers.
AMA Speedway National Championship 2018
The series will determine which racer takes home an AMA National No. 1 plate and opens at Action Park East in Greene, New York on September 4. On September 5, the bar-to-bar action moves to Champion Speedway in Owego, New York.
The third and final round of the series will see racers travel to the West Coast on Sept. 25 to compete at Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn, Calif., where the AMA Speedway Championship No. 1 plate will be handed out.
Riders scheduled to highlight the New York field for the 2021 season include four-time Speedway Track Champion Len McBride; 2020 East Coast Points Champion Spencer Portararo; 2015 U.S. Open Champion Casey Donholt; and Veteran star Dave Oakden.
Riders from the California field include 10-time and current AMA U.S. National Champion Billy Janniro; Current FIM North American Final Champion Max Ruml; Former British League and USA World Team rider Gino Manzares; Former U.S. National Under 21 Champion and current U.S. Open Champion Austin Novratil; and the rising Northern California star, Blake Borello.
The 10-year British League Veteran David Meldrum from Florida will also be competing, as will Colorado’s Redmond Bohannon.
2021 AMA Speedway National Championship Calendar
Round
Location
Date
Round 1
Action Park East in Greene, N.Y.
September 4, 2021
Round 2
Champion Speedway in Owego, N.Y.
September 5, 2021
Round 3
Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn, Calif.
September 25, 2021
Artem Laguta wins Togliatti FIM Speedway Grand Prix
Home hero Artem Laguta celebrated writing his name in history by winning the first-ever Togliatti FIM Speedway Grand Prix to turn up the heat in the World Championship race on Saturday. Laguta topped the podium at the Anatoly Stepanov Stadium ahead of series leader Bartosz Zmarzlik, Danish champion Anders Thomsen and Emil Sayfutdinov as the Motorcycling Federation of Russia staged its first SGP event and the biggest speedway meeting in its history.
The Bolshoy Kamen-born racer cruised to the top of the heat score chart with 14 race points, but was on the verge of exiting the meeting in semi-final one until a mistake from Fredrik Lindgren allowed Laguta to overhaul the Swedish star for the all-important second place to join Sayfutdinov in the final.
He then kept his cool when it mattered most to make a fine start and triumph ahead of Zmarzlik, reducing the Pole’s lead at the SGP World Championship summit to just one point with three rounds to race. Laguta now has 138 points, with Zmarzlik just ahead on 139.
With Zmarzlik and Laguta almost inseparable in the championship chase, the Bydgoszcz-based star is expecting a close battle at the next round in Vojens, Denmark on September 11 and then a tense finish as the hunt for the sport’s biggest prize concludes with the eWinner Torun SGP of Poland double-header on October 1 and 2.
Artem Laguta
“I knew this meeting could be something special. Of course I want to win every single round and every single race. But winning in my home country – the first-ever Grand Prix here – is something special. It will go down in history and hopefully everyone will remember that the first-ever Togliatti SGP was won by me. I am pretty sure that even after Vojens it will be pretty tight. We want to do the best we can and Bartosz does too, so it’s a tough game. I am pretty sure Torun will decide everything. At 7am, we have to go to the airport and we are flying back to Poland to be ready for the Polish play-offs. We have some more goals in front of us, so we will take it step by step. There will be time for celebrations later for sure. Thank you Russia, thank you to my team and my sponsors. I am very happy. See you in Vojens.”
Artem Laguta tops the podium from Zmarzlik and Thomsen
Runner-up Zmarzlik was content with his sixth straight top-two finish in an SGP round as he maintained top spot.
Bartosz Zmarzlik
“I am feeling good because I made my plan before Togliatti and second place is nice. I made the podium and I am really happy. I am feeling good on the bike and that’s the best thing for me. It’s important that I am feeling good this season in meeting after meeting. Congratulations to Artem and Anders. Thank you very much for your support and see you at the next round.”
Third-placed Thomsen was elated with a night he will never forget in Togliatti and cannot wait to line up in the Danish SGP sponsored by Ecco at the legendary Vojens Speedway Center in two weeks.
Anders Thomsen
“I feel amazing – my first podium and also my first final. What a feeling to get on the podium in such a big event and the first event here. Thank you to everybody. Vojens is my home track in Denmark and I have been performing pretty well there. I have won the Danish title there two times in a row now. I feel I have some engines, bikes and equipment working well there, so I am focused for the next Grand Prix.”
2021 Togliatti FIM Speedway Grand Prix results
Pos
Rider
Points
1
Artem Laguta
20
2
Bartosz Zmarzlik
18
3
Anders Thomsen
16
4
Emil Sayfutdinov
14
5
Fredrik Lindgren
12
6
Max Fricke
11
7
Leon Madsen
10
8
Tai Woffinden
9
9
Maciej Janowski
8
10
Jason Doyle
7
11
Aleksandr Loktaev
6
12
Matej Zagar
5
13
Vadim Tarasenko
4
14
Oliver Berntzon
3
15
Krzysztof Kasprzak
2
16
Robert Lambert
1
17
Renat Gafurov
0
18
Evgenii Saidullin
DNR
FIM Speedway GP Standings
Pos
Rider
Total
1
Bartosz Zmarzlik
139
2
Artem Laguta
138
3
Fredrik Lindgren
108
4
Emil Sayfutdinov
105
5
Maciej Janowski
91
6
Tai Woffinden
82
7
Leon Madsen
72
8
Max Fricke
70
9
Jason Doyle
68
10
Anders Thomsen
60
11
Robert Lambert
48
12
Martin Vaculik
45
13
Dominik Kubera
44
14
Matej Zagar
36
15
Oliver Berntzon
18
16
Krzysztof Kasprzak
18
17
Gleb Chugunov
8
18
Jan Kvech
7
19
Aleksandr Loktaev
6
20
Vadim Tarasenko
4
21
Pontus Aspgren
1
Toni Bou increases TrialGP lead in France
Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou came away from France having extended his lead at the head of the world championship after a win in the French town of Cahors.
Toni Bou
After the twin trials in Andorra, the single-day sixth event of the 2021 Trial World Championship took place today in Cahors, France. The course turned out to be somewhat artificial, with some sections even resembling indoor, rather than natural ones.
Even in such conditions, Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou claimed the top honours in an almost flawless manner, completing the two laps of the 12 French sections with only three penalty marks in the first lap, ten less than the nearest second placed rider and main rival, Adam Raga.
The second lap of the Montesa Cota 4RT rider was impeccable, without so much as a single mistake. With today’s results Bou remains top of the overall TrialGP World Championship standings, 11 points off Raga with three races still to go.
Toni Bou
“I’m very happy with how the weekend went. It was a trial to not make mistakes and that’s how it turned out. One of the most complicated sections was section one, where we had to take a different line to the other riders and it went very well. I’m happy with the choice because it worked for us and it also helped me to gain confidence. I want to thank the team who did a great job. We had problems in Andorra, this week too and everyone has worked very hard day and night to solve them, so today’s victory is a great prize for everyone. We are still in the lead, that’s important, but it’s even more important to get back the good feelings on the bike.”
Toni Bou topped the podium in France, ahead of Adam Raga and Jaime Busto
Repsol Honda Team team-mate Takahisa Fujinami did not get off to the best of starts, struggling on the first lap, but on the second he was able to pull back, to eventually finish in fifth position with the same score as the fourth-placed rider, but only thirty seconds behind. With this result “Fujigas” remains fifth in the overall standings.
Next stop for the TrialGP World Championship will be in Pobladura de las Regueras, Spain, on 11th and 12th September with the double-date format.
2021 French TrialGP Cahors results
Pos.
Rider
Nation
L1
L2
Points
1
BOU Toni
SPA
0
3
3
2
RAGA Adam
SPA
11
2
13
3
BUSTO Jaime
SPA
12
2
14
4
GELABERT Miquel
SPA
11
17
28
5
FUJINAMI Takahisa
JPN
20
8
28
6
GRATTAROLA Matteo
ITA
14
17
31
7
CASALES Jorge
SPA
16
17
33
8
MARCELLI Gabriel
SPA
24
10
34
9
BINCAZ Benoit
FRA
25
12
37
10
FAJARDO Jeroni
SPA
21
22
43
2021 TrialGP Standings
Pos.
Rider
Team
Points
1
BOU Toni
Repsol Honda Team
112
2
RAGA Adam
TRRS Factory Team
101
3
GRATTAROLA Matteo
Beta Factory Racing
79
4
BUSTO Jaime
Vertigo Factory Team
75
5
FUJINAMI Takahisa
Repsol Honda Team
69
6
GELABERT Miquel
Gas Gas
66
7
FAJARDO Jeroni
Sherco Factory Team
55
8
MARCELLI Gabriel
Montesa Factory
53
9
CASALES Jorge
Gas Gas Factory Team
34
10
BINCAZ Benoit
Beta Factory Racing
20
11
PEACE Dan
Sherco Factory Team
20
12
COLAIRO Téo
Beta
5
Jack Dance wins Trial125 Championship in France
Finishing the 2021 FIM Trial125 World Championship exactly as he started it – winning – Jack Dance put the finishing touches to his highly impressive 125cc world championship campaign, claiming victory at the TrialGP of France. In doing so he secured the Trial125 World Championship title.
Jack Dance
“It’s an amazing feeling to be the Trial125 World Champion. It’s been a tough season, staying on top was hard, but my mum, dad, brother, and the whole GASGAS team have been there to support me so that has been a big help. Today I just concentrated on riding trial like I know how and didn’t think about becoming a world champion, because otherwise the pressure would have been too much. It was an amazing feeling coming out of section 12. I wanted to come and win today, not just to secure the championship but because it’s an awesome feeling for the team and my family.”
Jack Dance
Arriving at the final round of the Trial125 championship at the head of the class standings, Jack put in a champion’s performance in France, completing the event’s opening lap with the loss of just one mark.
Remaining cool, calm, and collected throughout the all-important second lap, in dropping only four marks he ended the day with just five marks lost, 10 clear of his nearest challenger Guadi Vall. Jack’s win, added to his two other victories and two runner-up day results earlier in the series, saw him win the Trial125 title in style, 18 points ahead of runner-up Harry Hemingway.
Jack Dance
Trial125 Standings – Top 3
Pos
Rider
Man.
Total
1
Jack Dance
GASGAS
94
2
Harry Hemingway
Beta
76
3
Harry Turner
Scorpa
72
Conondale Classic 2021 run and won
The Conondale Classic ran over the weekend, with Zak Brown taking the twin in the Pro Class, from James Deakin and Tomas Kruger.
Jacob Dank won the Period 20 125 class, with Riley Lee runner up and Jacob Day third. In the Period 20 250s it was Adam Martin winning all three races, ahead of Riley Lee and Justin Ryan. Riley Lee meanwhile won the Pre 20 263+ class, ahead of Christopher Bangay and Shane Briese-Marshall.
In the Pre 90 125/Pre 95 250 races, Jacob Dank was the winner with three wins, from Matthew Roeder and Tomas Kruger. James Deakin won all three Pre 90 250/Women races, ahead of Riley Lee and Brett Bellairs. James Deakin and Zak Brown battled for the Pre 90 263+/Pre 95 125 race wins, with Deakin coming out in front.
Harry Sorensen won the Evo/Pre 95 263+ class, while Justin Ryan and Riley Lee completed the podium. Peter Baguley topped the Pre 85/Pre 95 4 stroke overall, ahead of Tomas Kruger and Justin Ryan. In the 125 GP it was Jacob Dank on top.
