After a somewhat heroic return just four days after surgery in Jerez, that others might say was silly, Marc Marquez will miss the Brno race. Stefan Bradl will join the Repsol Honda Team alongside Alex Marquez.
After undergoing a second operation on his injured right arm, Marc Marquez and HRC have decided that the World Champion will not ride in the Czech Republic in order for him to recover more. In his place, HRC test rider Stefan Bradl will mount the Honda RC213V. In 2019 the former Moto2 World Champion competed in four MotoGP races with a best finish of 10th at the German GP. Bradl has claimed three top ten finishes at Brno from his seven starts in the MotoGP class and only once missed out on points.
Stefan Bradl
“First of all I want to wish Marc a speedy recovery, what he did in Jerez was incredible and he showed that he has the true spirit of a champion. I am looking forward to riding the Honda RC213V again, due to the global pandemic we have not been able to test as we would normally so it will take some time to adjust to the bike and MotoGP again but I have ridden the superbike a few times so I know my fitness is good. It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to, competing with the Repsol Honda Team is always a great honour and I am pleased to help Honda. Let’s see how the weekend goes.”
Winner of last year’s Moto2™ race, Alex Marquez is eager to get to the Automotodrom Brno, a circuit he ranks as one of his favourites on the calendar with only one visit finishing outside the top five since he became a full-time Grand Prix rider in 2013. Having made constant progress, especially over race distance, the MotoGP rookie arrives with boosted confidence to try his Honda RC213V around the Czechia circuit with its flowing layout. The objective is again to reduce the distance to the front and fight for top rookie honours.
So who do we expect to see in the fight? Charlie Farrer (Victoria House Academy/Mortimer Racing) was second quickest at Silverstone and he showed some good form in the previous era of the Cup too, so he’s one to keep an eye on. The likes of Eddie O’Shea, Corey Tinker (GR Motosport Brent Gladwin), Bailey Stuart Campbell (151S S-C Racing), Evan Belford (Fab Racing) and Harvey Claridge (Nova/SP125 Racing) are other key names who have shuffled around in the upper echelons of the top ten as well, and could likely prove the riders battling it out for the podium.
Mick finally returned for the penultimate round at Interlagos in Brazil. He was a shadow of the rider who had so dominated proceedings before Assen. Gaunt and grey after seven weeks of hell. His legs were spindly remnants of what they used to be, and his right calf was still encased in a light cast, but nothing was going to stop him defending that precious 22-point lead he still held over Rainey. I have never seen anybody give so much with absolutely no reward. After 28 laps, 121.044 kms of excruciating pain the Australian finished with no points in 12th place in the race won by Rainey, but he was back and ready for the final showdown at Kyalami in South Africa just two weeks later. He was hanging onto the Championship lead by two precious points.
A new initiative for 2020, the first stage of this new talent-spotting initiative consists of four Online Challenges in which Gamers are divided into three categories, depending on their location. These three are the Americas (North and South), Europe and Africa, and finally Asia and Oceania.
Rockhampton’s Australian Junior Motocross Championship cancelled
Section: Competition
Decision made not to host 2020 edition later this year in Queensland.
Image: Foremost Media.
State border closures as a result of the coronavirus pandemic have forced the cancellation of the 2020 KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship, which was scheduled to be held in Queensland later this year.
With restrictions on travel imposed, Rockhampton and District Motocross Club in consultation with Motorcycling Australia (MA) have made the difficult decision to cancel the event, which had already been postponed.
“With strict travel restrictions and border closures, it is simply not possible to hold the national championships,” said Rockhampton and District Motocross Club treasurer and race secretary Debbie Dark.
“While we are disappointed the 2020 KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championships could not proceed, we are very thankful for efforts put in by our members to prepare a fantastic track and the sponsors who strongly support the event.
“We have had a very good relationship with MA and will continue discussions with them about the potential of holding the KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championships in 2021 during the September/October school holidays.”
The Rockhampton and District Motocross Club is in discussions with the national governing body to instead hold the Australian Junior Motocross Championship in 2021.
KTM and Husqvarna enduro teams to skip 2020 remainder
Section: Competition
Australia’s factory teams won’t complete what’s left of AORC season.
Image: Foremost Media.
KTM Group has announced that it won’t be entering its Australian factory teams in any form of national racing if it is to restart during 2020, including the defending champion KTM and Husqvarna enduro racing teams.
Motorcycling Australia (MA) is still intending on resuming the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) this year despite the recent cancellation of multiple rounds, however, KTM teams won’t be participating regardless.
“With daily changes related to travel restrictions, whether or not racing can resume in 2020 is beyond all of our control, with the only certainty being COVID-19 does not abide by any schedule,” explained Brad Hagi, managing director of the KTM Group Australia and New Zealand.
“This decision has not been made lightly and we would like to thank our outstanding riders, mechanics and dedicated sponsors for their support during these challenging times and look forward to what 2021 and beyond can offer.”
According to the announcement, KTM Group will refocus for the remainder of the year on the dealership network and riders through state-based activities, while looking forward with optimism for the 2021 racing season.
KTM Enduro Racing Team’s Daniel Milner is the current national E2 champion and leads the 2020 standings comfortably following dominant performances at Toowoomba and Dungog, while Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team’s Daniel Sanders won last year’s E3 crown and has again been the standout in defending the title to date this season.
This decision doesn’t directly involve the motocross programs of reigning Australian MX1 champion Todd Waters’ Berry Sweet Husqvarna and the Recover8 KTM team, which are operated by independent owners with respective support of KTM Group.
Note: This statement pertains to KTM involvement in AORC, as that is the only in-house racing effort currently run by KTM Australia. Thus KTM supported private teams will likely still take part in motocross competition.
KTM Statement
In response to the ongoing Government imposed restrictions on travel and border closures, the KTM Group has made the difficult decision to forego participating at a Factory level in any Australian national off-road races for the remainder of 2020.
“With daily changes related to travel restrictions, whether or not racing can resume in 2020 is beyond all of our control, with the only certainty being COVID-19 does not abide by any schedule,” states Brad Hagi, Managing Director of the KTM Group Australia and New Zealand.
“This decision has not been made lightly and we would like to thank our outstanding riders, mechanics and dedicated sponsors for their support during these challenging times and look forward to what 2021 and beyond can offer.”
The KTM Group will refocus for the remainder of the year on the dealership network and riders through state-based activities, while looking forward with optimism for the 2021 racing season.
Why, when, what, how and who with the new Serco Yamaha pilot.
Words:
After recently transferring to Serco Yamaha and debuting his new YZ250F in Queensland’s Sunshine State MX Series at Gympie, MotoOnline got in contact with 23-year-old Jesse Dobson to ask him Five Questions about his year to date.
Image: iKapture.
Why have you decided to jump back down to the MX2 class after six years in MX1?
I felt I’d raced in the MX1 for a long time – I moved straight into that field when I turned pro in 2014. As a privateer I couldn’t afford to race a 250 four-stroke as they’re too expensive and it was a lot cheaper to get on a 450. Last year was tough, though. I was still a privateer racing on a shoestring budget and, while I showed some flashes, I didn’t really pull it together. This year I felt I had a good opportunity with a great team to go back and rebuild my racecraft and make a bit of money at the same time. In MX1 I feel like I’ve always been the fifth-placed guy and never cracked the podium, so thought I’d recreate myself. I’m still young and have plenty of time left in the sport.
When did you make the switch from the Recover8 KTM team to Serco Yamaha?
It was announced at the start of July. KTM and Husqvarna were hit quite hard with the COVID stuff and they’d pulled a lot of budget from racing. When a ride opened up at Serco Yamaha, Yamaha and Gavin Eales approached me with a good offer. I talked to KTM and with the budget changes and the MX Nationals up in the air, we came to a mutual agreement to be let out of my contract, which I’m really grateful for. The Recover8 team is awesome and I’m thankful for all the opportunities they gave me at the start of the year. There’s no bad blood or anything there, but I’m now excited for the chance I have to prove myself at Serco.
What do you think of the Yamaha now that you’ve spent a bit of time on it?
It’s a really good package, but different to the KTM I rode for the first six months of the year. Everyone will tell you it’s a big change moving from a European bike to a Japanese bike, but it hasn’t taken all that long to get comfortable on it. The team has made the adjustment easy and their support has been massive. I really like the torque of the Yamaha motor and I just need some more races to be able to show how much I’m enjoying the change.
Image: iKapture.
How did it feel to be back racing on the weekend?
It was exciting to be out there, that’s for sure. Even with everything that’s happening I haven’t slowed down my training and I’ve been working closely with Kirk Gibbs, who lives nearby and has the same trainer as me. The MX Farm track on the weekend was good, but I made a couple of bad gate picks and I found the track hard to pass on. I improved as the weekend went on and finished fifth overall, which I’m not super-pumped on, but there were a lot of positives and I’m happy that I now have a good idea on the areas I need to work on. The field was pretty stacked with Jay [Wilson], Aaron [Tanti], Luke Styke was back racing motocross, and Todd [Waters] rode both classes. It was just good being back out racing those guys and putting in some hard laps.
Who’s going to be the Australian with the best results overseas this year?
That’s a tough question! In the MXGP I don’t think you can go past Jed Beaton. I talk to him a bit and he’s working hard, is riding solid and has a good team around him. With his experience over there he’ll be the top Aussie. In the US, it’s hard to choose between Hunter and Jett Lawrence. I’ll probably go Hunter as he’s a hard worker and Jett isn’t proven yet, but it’s going to be interesting to watch how those boys go in a couple of weeks time. They grew up just down the road from me, so I’m stoked to see them doing well.
DGR Calls For Riders To Unite In 2020 Solo Edition Event
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is calling on riders all over the world to embrace the event’s first-ever solo edition, which will take place on Sunday, 27 September, 2020.
The global event uniquely brings together the motorcycle community and their passion for classic style bikes to support and raise funds for Movember, the men’s health charity. In 2019, the event brought together 116,000 motorcyclists across 100 countries over a shared love of classic styled bikes and helping others.
Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Founder – Mark Hawwa
“Since our first year in 2012, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride has united riders all over the world, creating a spectacle and a statement from the motorcycle community in support of men’s health. 2020 will not be any different. This year we will still unite and ride dapper. We will still do everything we can to help men stop dying too young, alongside our charity partner, Movember. We invite riders to ride solo, but remain socially connected and united for the cause. For those riders that have previously considered taking part but never had a ride nearby, you can this year there’s no better reason and no better time to be part of DGR.”
Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride solo edition will take place on Sunday, 27 September, 2020.
With respect to the varying global social distancing measures in place, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is encouraging its participants to ride solo or with a pillion on Sunday 27 Sept 2020. Riders will be encouraged to engage socially on all social media channels and the DGR website to showcase their efforts. Without organised mass-participation events, no matter where you are in the world you can dress in-theme, mount your steed, and ride for men’s health! For information on how you can ride solo, click here.
Movember founder – JC
“Now more than ever we need to support men all over the world. We are living in challenging times, and we need to be focussed on our goal to make men take action, seek help and connect. We look to the DGR community to unite with us, as they do every year, in combining their passion for motorcycles, riding dapper and raising much-needed funds to support men’s mental health, suicide prevention and ground-breaking cancer research.”
Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride solo edition will take place on Sunday, 27 September, 2020.
Funds raised from the 2019 event are being invested in research and mental health programs that will save the lives of men, and we are particularly excited by a new investment that will fund initiatives focussed on supporting first responders, who have worked tirelessly over the last few months.
Proudly continuing their support in 2020, Triumph Motorcycles are offering incredible prizes including brand new motorcycles for dedicated fundraisers. Returning alongside Triumph Motorcycles are Red Bull, Elf Lubricants, Hedon Helmets, SKRAM Moto Eyewear and media partner, Pipeburn. New to 2020 is Belstaff, joining the event as the official Motorcycle Outfitter of The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.
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