Initiative launched in support of grassroots motocross facilities
Section: General
Proceeds of AUS-X Apparel ‘We Are Moto’ range to be utilised.
Image: Supplied.
A new fundraising initiative has been launched by AUS-X Open and the Australian Supercross Championship organisers in a bid to support grassroots motocross facilities.
Led by co-founders Adam Bailey and Ryan Sanderson, the ‘We Are Moto’ movement has been announced in a bid to enhance safety, increase enjoyment and revamp venues Australia-wide.
“People are loving riding their dirt bikes this year more than ever,” explained Bailey. “It’s evident that, despite the COVID-19 crisis, motorcycle and accessory sales in 2020 have been incredibly strong. There is, however, in some areas a breakdown between recreational riding and competition at a local and state level. We need to focus on this area, to open the funnel for new families and competitors to get involved.
“Motocross is an incredibly fun and exciting sport for girls and boys, men and women of all ages. It creates lifelong friendships and brings families together like no other. By reducing some of the barriers to entry and making it a safer, more inviting and enjoyable environment for all, we hope to see more and more riders either getting back into it, or giving motocross racing a shot.
“This is the core of what makes our industry tick, so it absolutely deserves our focus. We’re very lucky now to have great relationships within our industry and we hope everyone will come aboard this journey with us! There isn’t a motocross or supercross champion in history, anywhere in the world, that didn’t start their competitive journey at the local track.
“The majority of our team have had motocross as a part of their lives in some way – it’s given us lifelong memories and friendships. It’s our collective job to give future generations the best possible chance at enjoying everything about this sport that makes it so amazing.”
The sport of motocross has continued to evolve in recent decades, however in this time, many of the tracks and facilities in Australia have not. This is not through the lack of passion and commitment of their clubs or members, but often a by-product of a lack of financial support and also a reliance on club volunteers with less and less spare time.
The purpose is simply to develop and improve the points of entry into motocross competition to encourage new participation of all ages to get involved and enjoy all that the sport of motocross is – a fantastic family sporting environment, that above all, is incredibly fun.
“We’re privileged to have so many incredibly passionate fans and industry partners that have supported our events since 2015,” commented Sanderson. “With a forced break in events for 2020, we see no better time to give back to the grass roots of motocross and supercross competition.
“Who knows, it may help us harbour the discovery of the next Chad Reed, Mitch Evans or Hunter/Jett Lawrence and, even better, get more people riding and racing their dirt bikes and having a great time doing so.”
AUS SX Holdings have already begun working on several initiatives that will be rolled out in the coming weeks and months, the first of those being the release of the ‘We Are Moto’ apparel range, where proceeds will go towards supporting local events and clubs in 2021.
‘Our first stop is track preparation,” Bailey added. “This is an incredibly arduous task, but so incredibly pivotal to riders’ experience on the day, no matter what the event. We have some big plans and some great businesses and people putting their hands up to help already – as they say, many hands make light work. Watch this space!’
The AUS-X Apparel ‘We Are Moto’ range will be available for purchase from www.ausxstore.com from Wednesday, 2 December, at 5:00pm AEST.
The details of the 43rd edition of the Dakar to be held in Saudi Arabia this coming January, 2021, have been announced, with a route of 7,646 km starting and finishing in Jeddah. Including 4,767 km of special stages, the route is designed to allow the competitors to battle among themselves and to explore the Saudi deserts.
Despite the difficulties associated to the health crisis, a strong field of competitors have answered the call, with 321 vehicles on the entry list. In addition to the 108 motorbikes, 21 quads, 124 cars and SSVs and 42 trucks expected at the start, 26 vehicles have been entered for a regularity competition in the new “Dakar Classic” category, open to cars and trucks built prior to 2000.
After an introduction to the Saudi deserts, the 2021 Dakar competitors will receive an even more in-depth lesson in geography. The characteristics of the route as well as the new regulations introduced aim to reduce average speed, further improve safety conditions and highlight the sporting qualities of the competitors.
Specifically, the fight for the various titles at stake should put the top competitors, who are used to battling it out at the sharp end of the standings, in competition with each other. In the motorcycle category, Ricky Brabec and Honda put an end to a series of 18 consecutive victories for the Austrian firm KTM, which will return with an all-star line-up of riders to try to begin another Dakar winning streak.
While the Dakar participants will head into action on January 2nd with a short prologue (11 km) to determine the starting position of each competitor for the opening stage, they will have to go through several intermediate steps before then. A majority of the vehicles will be summoned to Marseille, December 1-3 to be loaded on to a cargo ship, direction Jeddah. The meeting on the shores of the Red Sea with the owners will take place on December 30th and 31st, while the technical and administrative checks will be conducted on January 1-2 in accordance with health protection regulations.
The longest special stage will take in 511 kilometres on the penultimate stage, while the longest overall stage will feature a total of 813 kilometres on day four. The shakedown, the curtain-raising prologue, the race-start on January 2 and the final finish will all take place in Jeddah. The twelve stages, scheduled from January 3 to 15, 2021, with a rest day in Ha’il, will make a trek counter-clockwise through the Saudi Arabian landscapes.
The race will feature one marathon stage following the rest day, where riders will be unable to receive mechanical assistance and will have to take extra care of their machines. Riders can look forward to a wide variety of complex stages, always a common feature at the Dakar.
Among the novelties to be included in the 2021 Dakar, will be the roadbook given out twenty minutes prior to the start in each of the stages. This differs from last year’s edition where the roadbooks were distributed in this manner on only half of the stages. An important change is the limitation of only six rear tyres for the entire rally, which will force riders to be far more cautious. There will be also a limit to the number of piston changes, as well as a ban on carrying out any mechanical repairs during the refuelling. Finally, the use of jackets with airbags will be mandatory for all motorcycle riders.
2021 Dakar Schedule
Stage
Date
Start > Finish
Total
Special
P
Saturday, January 2, 2021
Jeddah > Jeddah
11 km
11 km
1
Sunday, January 3, 2021
Jeddah > Bisha
622 km
277 km
2
Monday, January 4, 2021
Bisha > Wadi Al Dawasir
685 km
457 km
3
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Wadi Al Dawasir > Wadi Al Dawasir
630 km
403 km
4
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Wadi Al Dawasir > Riyadh
813 km
337 km
5
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Riyadh > Buraydah
625 km
419 km
6
Friday, January 8, 2021
Buraydah > Ha’il
655 km
485 km
Rest
Saturday, January 9, 2021
Ha’il (Rest Day)
–
–
7
Sunday, January 10, 2021
Ha’il > Sakaka
737 km
471 km
8
Monday, January 11, 2021
Sakaka > Neom
709 km
375 km
9
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Neom > Neom
579 km
465 km
10
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Neom > Al-Ula
583 km
342 km
11
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Al-Ula > Yanbu
557 km
511 km
12
Friday, January 15, 2021
Yanbu > Jeddah
452 km
225 km
2021 Dakar Motorcycle Entry List
Num.
Rider
Nat.
Team
1
Brabec Ricky
USA
Honda Monster Energy Honda Team 2021
2
Quintanilla Pablo
CHL
Husqvarna Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
3
Price Toby
AUS
KTM Red Bull KTM Factory Team
4
Cornejo Florimo Jose Ignacio
CHL
Honda Monster Energy Honda Team 2021
5
Sunderland Sam
GBR
KTM Red Bull KTM Factory Team
6
Caimi FRAnco
ARG
Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
7
Short Andrew
USA
Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
9
Howes Skyler USA
KTM
Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team
11
Svitko Stefan
SVK
KTM Slovnaft Rally Team
12
De Soultrait Xavier
FRA
Husqvarna Ht Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing
15
Santolino Lorenzo
ESP
Sherco Tvs Sherco Tvs Rally Factory
17
Pedrero Garcia Juan
ESP
KTM Fn Speed – Rieju Team
18
Branch Ross
BWA
Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
19
Goncalves Dias
RUI
Jorge PRT Sherco Tvs Sherco Tvs Rally Factory
20
Tomiczek Adam
POL
Husqvarna Orlen Team
21
Sanders Daniel
AUS
KTM KTM Factory Team
22
Giemza Maciej
POL
Husqvarna Orlen Team
23
Jakes Ivan
SVK
KTM Jakes Dakar Team
24
Bühler Sebastian
DEU
Hero Hero Motosports Team Rally
25
Spierings Paul
NLD
Husqvarna Ht Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing
26
Engel Milan
CZE
KTM Moto Racing Group (Mrg)
27
Rodrigues Joaquim
PRT
Hero Hero Motosports Team Rally
29
Gyenes Emanuel
ROU
KTM Autonet Motorcycle Team
30
Gelazninkas Arunas
LTU
KTM Zigmas Dakar Team
31
Michek Martin
CZE
KTM Moto Racing Group (Mrg)
32
Schareina Tosha
ESP
KTM Fn Speed – KTM Team
33
Koitha Veettil Harith Noah
IND
Sherco Sherco Tvs Rally Factory
34
Patrao Mario
PRT
KTM Credit Agricola – Mario Patrao Motosport
35
Guillen Rivera Juan Pablo
MEX
KTM Nomadas Adventure
36
Brabec Jan
CZE
KTM Strojrent Racing
37
Pabiska David
CZE
KTM Jantar Team
39
Melot Benjamin
FRA
KTM Benjamin Melot
41
Yakp Zaker
CHN
KTM Wu Pu Da Hai Dao Dakar Rally Team
42
Van Beveren Adrien
FRA
Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
44
Sanz Laia
ESP
Gas Gas Gas Gas Factory Team
45
Min Zhang
CHN
KTM Wu Pu Da Hai Dao Dakar Rally Team
46
Marcic Simon
SVN
Husqvarna Marcic
47
Benavides Kevin
ARG
Honda Monster Energy Honda Team 2021
48
Doveze Mathieu
FRA
KTM Nomade Racing Assistance
50
C. S. Santosh
IND
Hero Hero Motosports Team Rally
51
Al-Lal Lahadil Rachid
ESP
KTM Melilla Sport Capital
52
Walkner Matthias
AUT
KTM Red Bull KTM Factory Team
53
Podmol Libor
CZE
Husqvarna Podmol Dakar Team
54
Chapeliere Camille
FRA
KTM Team Baines Rally
55
Hongyi Zhao
CHN
KTM Wu Pu Da Hai Dao Dakar Rally Team
56
Pacheco Giordano
COL
KTM Calidoso Racing Team
58
Iglesias Sanchez Eduardo
ESP
KTM Fn Speed – Team Monforte Rally
59
Interno Tiziano
ITA
Beta Rally Pov
60
Darques Stéphane
FRA
Yamaha M.O.R.Al
61
Dubois Norbert
FRA
KTM Aventure Moto 61
62
Houlihan Andrew Joseph
AUS
KTM Nomadas Adventure
63
Dabrowski Konrad
POL
KTM Duust Rally Team
65
Picco FRAnco
ITA
Husqvarna Team FRAnco Picco
66
Bouchet Pascal
FRA
KTM Team Baines Rally
67
Lhotsky Rudolf
CZE
Husqvarna Jantar Team
68
Mccanney Jamie
GBR
Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
69
Roelants Walter
BEL
Husqvarna Ht Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing
70
Alghuneim Mishal
SAU
KTM Mishal Alghuneim
71
Farhan Salman Mohamed Humood Farhan
BHR
Husqvarna Ht Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing
72
Rauber Pascal
FRA
KTM Team 2rm
73
Jaffar Mohammed
KWT
KTM Duust Rally Team
74
Betriu Jaume
ESP
KTM Fn Speed – KTM Team
76
Krejci Roman
CZE
KTM Bo!Beton Team
77
Benavides Luciano
ARG
Husqvarna Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
78
Zacchetti Cesare
ITA
KTM Cesare Zacchetti
79
Baratin Amaury
FRA
KTM Horizon Moto 95
80
Burgess Michael
AUS
KTM Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team
81
Vlcak Erik
SVK
Husqvarna Slovnaft Rally Team
82
Raorane Ashish
IND
KTM Ashish Raorane
83
Chavez David
PER
KTM Club Aventura Touareg
84
Hawker Neil
GBR
Husqvarna Neil Hawker
85
Azinhais Alexandre
PRT
KTM Club Aventura Touareg
86
Herbst Charlie
FRA
KTM Team Charlie Herbst
87
Mena Oriol
ESP
Rieju Fn Speed – Rieju Team
88
Barreda Bort Joan
ESP
Honda Monster Energy Honda Team 2021
89
Saghmeister Gabor
SRB
KTM Saghmeister Team
90
Catanese FRAncesco
ITA
Yamaha Tuttogru
92
Martinez Eric
FRA
Husqvarna Eric Martinez
93
Lorenzo Piolini
ITA
KTM Caravanserraglio Rally Racing Team
94
Susset Olivier
FRA
Husqvarna Xtreme Garage
95
Flick Xavier
FRA
Husqvarna Xtrem Racing
96
Albero Puig Daniel
ESP
KTM Team Un Diabetico En El Dakar
97
Benko Martin
SVK
KTM Norwit Racing
98
Garcia Sara
ESP
Yamaha Pont Grup Yamaha
99
Vega Puerta Javier
ESP
Yamaha Pont Grup Yamaha
100
Rossat Audrey
FRA
KTM Rossat Audrey
101
Knight David
GBR
Husqvarna Ht Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing
102
Jugla Sara
FRA
KTM Team Baines Rally
104
Altoaimi Fawaz
SAU
Yamaha Fawaz Racing
105
Dominguez Fernando
ESP
KTM Club Aventura Touareg
107
Stigliano Giovanni
ITA
Yamaha Team Jbrally
108
Calmet Marc
ESP
KTM Fn Speed – Rieju Team
110
Bartoszek Jacek
POL
KTM Duust Rally Team
111
Cherpin Pierre
FRA
Husqvarna Pierre Cherpin
112
Campdera Juan
ESP
KTM Juan Campdera
114
Carbonell Mendez Eladio
ESP
KTM Pikaeras Team
115
Harmsen Olaf
NLD
KTM Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team
116
Blandin Erick
FRA
KTM Team Baines Rally
117
Alexander James
BWA
Yamaha The Kalahari Madala
118
Bispo Alexandre
ESP
KTM Expresso Racing
120
Trejos Jhon
COL
KTM Jhon Trejos
121
Barthelemy Guillaume
FRA
KTM Team Rs Concept
123
Pedemonte Angelo
ITA
KTM Pedemonte Angelo
125
Barlerin Frédéric
FRA
KTM Rallye Fred
126
Llanos Diego Gamaliel
ESP
KTM Diego Gamaliel Llanos
127
Jobard Willy
FRA
Garnati Garnati Racing
133
Davide Cominardi
ITA
Honda Cominardi
142
Gerini Maurizio
ITA
Husqvarna Solarys Racing
Aussie Max Whale talks American Flat Track 2020
AmericanFlatTrack.com has done a great feature on young Queenslander Max Whale, who has been over in America this year competing the American Flat Track championship in the Singles class, finishing the season in second-place overall, as well as capturing nine-points in the Production class in Springfield. Here’s a look at what they had to say about the Aussie talent:
When the 2020 Progressive American Flat Track season finally revved into action on a mid-July evening at Volusia Speedway Park, months of anticipation and prediction were replaced by actual results. That opener provided an initial – if not entirely accurate – insight into how a handful of closely tracked storylines might actually play out.
The early returns suggested that the AFT Singles class’ ex-premier class invaders, Henry Wiles, Mikey Rush and Chad Cose, were indeed well positioned to upend a class more often thought of as a springboard for up and comers. And while all three were factors in ‘20, they failed to steamroll the competition as some had feared.
It also created some major worries that the much-hyped Dallas Daniels would take a step back after impressing so mightily in his abbreviated ‘19 rookie campaign (he most certainly did not). But the story of that opening evening was Max Whale, a perennial “star of the future,” who emphatically scrubbed away that “of the future” disclaimer with an all-day, out-and-out drubbing of his rivals en route to a maiden AFT victory.
As the season took its final shape, Daniels grabbed back the spotlight. He rebounded from his opening night disaster to ultimately reign over the class in a commanding, eight-win title fight blowout.
However, the continued rise of Whale was arguably the category’s B plot. His ascension since first arriving on the scene has been truly meteoric. The 19-year-old Australian turned a 14th-ranked 2018 rookie campaign into a ninth-ranked, one-podium 2019 sophomore season. He made an even bigger leap in 2020, securing championship runner-up status on the strength of five podiums highlighted by the aforementioned victory.
Max Whale
“This season was a dream come true. It went perfect, pretty much — I was consistent. Five podiums was my goal coming into the year, and I did it. I’m pumped on that. And to finish second in the championship was crazy. It was awesome. I am still lost for words… It’s hard to explain. Getting that first win on the opening night was incredible. It was honestly hard to believe. It took a couple days for it to sink in. The whole day was perfect. I think I qualified second, I won the Semi, and then won the Main. It was awesome. I just wish my parents were here to see it.”
That wish went deeper than simply wishing they could have shared in his breakthrough success. While the pandemic was (and very much remains) catastrophically disruptive for everyone, Whale was presented with even greater challenges than the average dirt track pro as a result.
The teenager was stripped of the support system he’d relied on his entire professional career when he was forced to live and travel and compete while effectively trapped on his own inside the United States with his father, Brett Whale, on the outside looking in from Australia.
Previously, the two had travelled the country together in a used RV and trailer that served as their living quarters and workshop. His absence robbed Max of both emotional support and very practical help.
Max Whale
“In past years, my dad was with me for the whole season. Leading in I knew it was going to be tough with him going back home due to COVID. And you know, I didn’t realize just how much he did – from prepping my bikes, driving and servicing the RV, cooking and cleaning – until he was gone. He went home in March and then DAYTONA got cancelled. I had to stay here by myself. It was a big reality check.”
Thrown into the deep end, Whale, appropriately enough, swam rather than sunk. He was taken under the wing of the larger Pennsylvania-based AFT community and, with their help, he thrived.
Max Whale
“You know, I wouldn’t change it. It turned out good. When my dad first left, I was in Pennsylvania for a couple of months. And then for the whole year, PA was kind of my base. I had some awesome people who helped me out — Briar (Bauman) and Shayna (Texter) helped me out a crazy amount. Everyone at Don’s Kawasaki and so many others too. There were just so many awesome people I could turn to. If I needed anything, I could always message them and they helped me out straight away. I’m so lucky to have that and I cannot thank those guys enough.”
It proved to be a relatively painless and seamless adaptation, considering the circumstances. But adapting has been the norm since Whale first turned pro. Dirt track racing is a considerably different beast in Australia compared with America, from types and sizes of tires to brake set-ups to track surfaces and layouts.
While three years of experience as an AFT Singles ace have Whale now feeling even more at home when racing in the States than he does when he returns to his Down Under roots, the 2017 Australian Junior Track Champion claims his meteoric year-on-year rise in Progressive AFT is more down to an improved mental game than any other factor.
Max Whale
“I feel like my improvement is mainly down to confidence. My bikes were better this year than they had been previously, but a lot of it was just confidence. After I got that win in Volusia, it really made me understand that I could do it. I found myself qualifying better every round — a lot better than I did last year. I just went in with a different mindset and it ended up paying off.”
Whale is not ready to confirm his exact 2021 plans just yet with an announcement likely coming early next year. He did admit, however, that he will be back in the AFT Singles class for a fourth attempt at the title. After going from 14th to 9th to runner-up, only one final landing spot will be considered a continuation of that upward trajectory. Some might say the bad news on that front is that he’ll have to go through Dallas Daniels to do it, as the dominant champion is set to defend his crown in ‘21.
Whale doesn’t see it that way, preferring to view Daniels as the ultimate measuring stick rather than an impenetrable wall blocking his path, sharing “That’s good news for me. I want to win with everything in it. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
2020 AFT Singles Overall Standings
Pos.
Rider
Overall Points
1
Dallas Daniels
283
2
Max Whale
215
3
Henry Wiles
208
4
Michael Rush
185
5
Trent Lowe
183
6
Morgen Mischler
178
7
Tanner Dean
160
8
Brandon Kitchen
154
9
Chad Cose
137
10
Michael Inderbitzin
124
11
Trevor Brunner
113
12
Shayna Texter
102
13
Cole Zabala
84
14
James Ott
79
15
Kevin Stollings
74
16
Andrew Luker
74
17
Cameron Smith
73
18
Aidan RoosEvans
61
19
Ryan Wells
58
20
Jacob Lehmann
56
21
Jesse Janisch
50
22
Dylan Bell
18
23
Wyatt Anderson
17
24
Tyler Raggio
14
25
Justin Jones
9
26
Blake Lomas
4
AMX takes naming rights to the MXOpen at Wonthaggi
The MXOpen will take place this side of Christmas thanks to AMX, the Dandenong Motocross Club and other leading industry partners and local businesses. Entries are available online at www.ridernet.com.au.
$15,000 in Prizemoney headlines the one-day motocross spectacular. Penrite Honda, Empire Kawasaki, SP Motorsports Suzuki riders will compete against the best riders in Victoria in a winner takes all one round open. Yarrive Konsky has been working with the Dandenong Motocross Club to facilitate the AMX MXOpen.
On December 13th an all star line up of riders and teams will take to the track in an effort to win prizemoney, prizes and bragging rights going into Christmas. The Dandenong Motocross Clubs president understands the need for racing and wanted to see competition happen this side of the New Year.
Yarrive Konsky
“We are starving for racing; it’s been 8 months without competition in Victoria and riders, sponsors, teams and clubs are hungry for competition. I wanted to see racing happening this side of Christmas and I appreciate the Dandenong Motocross Clubs enthusiasm towards making this possible. We have members we want to support, an industry we need to support, and we love racing that is why we are behind this event. Our club is made up of passionate people and we are excited to see racing resume.”
“We are getting behind this event. Yarrive, the DMCC and Motorcycling Victoria share the same passion for competition. We know that some of our members want to get back to racing and we have offered our full support to Yarrive and the DMCC.”
2020 MXOpen Details
Sunday 13th December
Wonthaggi Motocross Track – Dandenong Motorcycle Club
220 W Area Rd, Wonthaggi VIC 3995
Gates open 5:45am
Practice commences: 8:00am
MXOpen Classes
C-grade 450 4-stroke
SNR Womens
125cc and 128 – 150cc 2 Stroke 13 – Under 16
200 – 250cc 4 Stroke 13 – Under 16
Pro Lite 250cc 4-stroke (A and B classes scored separately)
65cc 9-U12
65cc – 7 -U11
85 2stk & 150cc 4stk Std & BW – 11-U15
Pro Open 450cc 4-stroke (A and B classes scored separately)
DIV 2 50cc
Vets 30 + 35+ 40+ 45+
C-grade 250
2-stroke pre 90, pre 2000 and open – (Classes scored separately)
2020 Heaven M/C Club VMX Final – Memorial Weekend
The Heaven Motorcycle Club, NSW’s primary Vintage Motocross Club, held the only actual NSW VMX Race meeting for 2020 at the Lakes motocross track at Awaba over the November 21-22 Memorial Weekend recently. With COVID wreaking havoc with a schedule originally slated for a seven round season, numerous cancellations and attempts to reschedule eventually yielded a single round championship, wrapped up with two races per class.
Peter Martin took part in the vintage motocross event, racing in two classes and sent us his version of events, which we’re happy to share with you here:
Thank you Heaven, one round, two races per class and big fields
With Peter Martin
The Heaven VMX Committee worked hard to make it possible to have a single round Championship. Thank you Heaven, one round, two races per class and big fields saw everyone welcome the opportunity to go racing.
The Lakes meeting was the Heaven VMX Championship for 2020, not a series, just two races in each class to decide who would take home the coveted Trophies. I was entered in the Pre-1990 class (all capacities) on the 1989 Honda CR250RK and the Evolution class (all capacities) on the 1979 Honda CR250RZ, I was also invited to race in the President’s Cup Invitational, a 15 minute +1 Lap Moto (all ages and capacities of bike).
With two four-lap class races and one moto length invitational each day I considered the racing physically doable, so Saturday I did two short practices on each bike and then headed out for the first Pre-1990 all in on the 1989 bike. A crowded and talented grid of 40 riders were keen to go racing. I when I glanced down the field there was #100 of Craig Anderson, five-times Australian Motocross Champion. Surely I am in the wrong place I thought, but it’s too late to pull out now.
I got a reasonable start to about mid field, then the talent started to work up their speed ahead and a few more got by me, then a few more. I settled down and started passing riders, while my position was helped by a few riders enthusiastically throwing themselves and their bikes over the top of berms and into tyre walls – it was carnage fuelled by wonderful enthusiasm.
I had two races to recover with just enough time to wipe my face, take a drink and get back up to the start line in time for the Evo all in race on the 1979 bike. I got a great start, running fourth into turn 2 and then slowed too early for the entry. Whoosh I dropped around five places, so it was head down and I started passing a few, working my way up through the field.
The Presidents Cup was to be the last race of the day and the decision was made to transfer the Presidents Cup to be the first and last race on Sunday. That would mean I had a 15 minute +1 Lap Moto and two 4 lap races back to back, then a long break to the last President’s Cup Moto at the end of the day.
Saturday night was Heaven’s AGM and Jo Gillan provided a glorious roast chicken meal, then it was off to sleep early. All night my leg muscles played tag on who would cramp next, which meant frequently getting up to stretch or walk off cramps, then back to bed so a squadron of mozzies could continue their attempts to terrorise me and drag me out the door. After a restless night Sunday dawned. It was overcast and a little cooler (at first), I did two laps to warm up and got ready for the first President’s Cup Moto.
It was another packed grid of 40 riders. I got off the start-line well to be about fifth heading into turn two and… ended up 12th heading out of turn two. So once again I picked up the pace and started passing riders – I just kept chasing and moving forward. After seven or eight laps the checkered flag saw me reasonably well placed around 10th.
I got back to my pit and thought, I can not go straight out to the second Pre-1990 race. I had prepared a bag of ice in a wet towel and poured cold water over my head to bring my temperature down, there was a short delay and repeated announcements of the start of the Pre-1990, so I put my helmet, gloves and goggles back on. By the time I got to the line I had given the field half a lap start, I just put my head down and raced, pushed, rode as best I could passing those I could to the finish.
I had two races to recover before the final Evo race on the 1979 bike. Again a great start and again giving up too many positions in turn two. I remember nothing of this race, what else happened and the results are a mystery, I just survived.
It was a long wait for the final President’s Cup Moto and it was very hot, I packed up what I could and attempted to keep my body moving and my temperature down. After an eternity, the call came and I lined up for the final race of the day. Again a great start was followed by giving up too many positions leaving turn two. I rode, pushing where I had an advantage and surviving where I was too weak to push.
There were a few riders inserting themselves into the scrub and tyre walls which made it possible to pick up more places. Basically it was survival of the most determined. On the last lap Mark Tompkin attempted a pass, I looked at it and thought I can stop you and then thought, but I won’t. The same for the next corner, I got inside him and thought I can stop you but I had no fight left and just rode to finish the race.
Final results saw me 12th overall in the Pre-1990 category, ninth in the Evolution and 10th overall in the President’s Cup Invitational. My results are far from what I am capable of yet better than I expected. I am in the process of changing my whole motocross riding style for better results on the Supercross type tracks Heaven go to, so being around the top 10 overall in all three classes considering the competition is actually a pretty good result.
I take away so much from this meeting however. My starts are consistently good and I slow too much and brake too early into the first real turn. My riding ‘style’ is evolving, yet there is a long way to go before I am competitive. Compared to before, I have improved my speed on some parts of the track and I am slower on other parts. The real victory is that my body is not as beaten and damaged as it was before. It is not that I am not hurting, I am hurting much less and my body is not taking as long to recover. I am even starting to enjoy riding again. For these reasons I consider this a victory.
A big thanks to the Heaven committee and all the Heaven members who make VMX Racing so much fun. A big thank you to the volunteers who make it possible for us to ride. Thank you to David Middleton (Excel Tint) who helped to revise and set up the suspension which has provided a significant improvement in comfort. Thank you to all the wonderful, patient people who support my racing. Race Images from Matty Baker Images, thank you for the great photos.
We’ve reached out to Heaven M/C Club and will add full results shortly.
Yamaha celebrate 2020 MX2 manufacturers title
Yamaha Motor Europe have celebrated the success of its 2020 racing strategy as the MX2 Manufacturer of the Year thanks to the YZ250F and the skill and determination of riders Jago Geerts, Ben Watson and Maxime Renaux, all three of whom visited the top step of the podium over the course of the season.
This achievement marks Yamaha’s third manufacturers crown since the class was reinvented as MX2 in 2004, with the first title coming in 2005 and the second following two years later in 2007.
Spearheaded by the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team, which was reintroduced in 2020 after a five-year hiatus, and strengthened by the addition of the SM Action M.C. Migliori Yamaha Supported Team, Yamaha celebrated 18 race wins, 23 podium finishes and nine Grand Prix wins on its way to the 2020 MX2 Manufacturers title.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Jago Geerts led 156 laps, won 14 races and celebrated 12 podium finishes, of which six were Grand Prix wins to claim MX2’s silver medal with 679-points.
Simultaneously, SM Action M.C. Migliori Yamaha’s Maxime Renaux ended the season 98-points further adrift in third position after taking his very first race and Grand Prix win in Faenza, Italy. Renaux also led 30-laps and mounted the podium on no fewer than five occasions.
Bolstering Yamaha’s achievements in 2020, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Ben Watson led 37-laps on his way to two race wins, which were followed by two Grand Prix victories. Watson claimed six podium finishes on his way to fifth overall in the final MX2 World Championship standings.
While Renaux’s achievements had already confirmed the competitiveness of the ‘non-Factory’ YZ250F, the strength of the world-beating motorcycle was further affirmed by Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250’s Thibault Benistant, who took his YZ250F to the top of the EMX250 Championship in just his second season in the class.
Just three days after he was crowned champion, Benistant signed on to race the next three MX2 Grands Prix. Racing his EMX250 Championship winning YZ250F, the 18-year-old debutant impressed with two top-three race finishes and a top-five overall finish in his third-ever Grand Prix.
Proving the dominance of the YZ250F across the board, Yamaha also won its fifth WMX Manufacturer’s title thanks to the combined efforts of Nancy van de Ven and Larissa Papenmeier. Throughout the five rounds of the WMX World Championship, van de Ven won three races and mounted the podium four times to finish as the 2020 series runner-up. Papenmeier joined her counterpart on the podium and collected the bronze medal with two Grand Prix wins, one race win and four podium finishes.
Reinforcing Yamaha’s strategy to develop the next generation of MXGP champions from within their own ranks, Watson, Renaux and Benistant will all progress up the Yamaha Racing pyramid in 2021. Watson will join highly experienced 450cc riders Jeremy Seewer and Glenn Coldenhoff under the awning of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team to contest his first season aboard a works Yamaha YZ450F. Renaux and Benistant will join Geerts inside the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team, forming a potent line-up for Yamaha as it looks to defend the MX2 Manufacturers crown and challenge once again for the riders title in 2021.
2020 MX2 Manufacturer Standings
Pos
Manufacturer
Total
1
Yamaha
810
2
KTM
786
3
Husqvarna
655
4
Kawasaki
561
5
Honda
411
6
GASGAS
343
2020 MX2 Standings
Pos
Rider
Nat.
Bike
Total
1
Vialle, Tom
FRA
KTM
759
2
Geerts, Jago
BEL
YAM
679
3
Renaux, Maxime
FRA
YAM
581
4
Beaton, Jed
AUS
HUS
564
5
Watson, Ben
GBR
YAM
551
6
Olsen, T.
DEN
HUS
540
7
Van De Moosdijk, R.
NED
KAW
466
8
Mewse, Conrad
GBR
KTM
365
9
Fernandez, R.
ESP
YAM
343
10
Rubini, S.
FRA
HON
279
11
Östlund, Alvin
SWE
HON
263
12
Gifting, Isak
SWE
GAS
248
13
Boisrame, M.
FRA
KAW
234
14
Malkiewicz, B.
AUS
HON
164
15
Vaessen, Bas
NED
KTM
163
16
Forato, A.
ITA
HUS
156
17
Lesiardo, M.
ITA
HON
143
18
Horgmo, Kevin
NOR
KTM
137
19
Haarup, Mikkel
DEN
KAW
118
20
Pancar, Jan
SLO
KTM
115
21
Gilbert, Josh
GBR
HUS
112
22
Renkens, N.
BEL
KTM
103
23
Crawford, N.
AUS
HON
91
24
Benistant, T.
FRA
YAM
90
25
Genot, Cyril
BEL
YAM
85
26
Hofer, Rene
AUT
KTM
73
27
Sikyna, R.
SVK
KTM
72
28
Sandner, M.
AUT
GAS
67
29
Guadagnini, M.
ITA
HUS
62
30
Laengenfelder, S.
GER
GAS
59
31
Polak, Petr
CZE
YAM
45
32
Sydow, Jeremy
GER
GAS
35
33
Roosiorg, H.
EST
KTM
33
34
Harrison, M.
USA
KAW
22
35
Todd, Wilson
AUS
KAW
21
36
Cenerelli, G.
ITA
HUS
21
37
Toriani, Enzo
FRA
HUS
21
38
Nermann, J.
EST
HUS
17
39
Dickinson, A.
GBR
KTM
15
40
Meier, Glen
DEN
YAM
13
41
Teresak, Jakub
CZE
KTM
13
42
Zonta, Filippo
ITA
KTM
6
43
Edelbacher, R.
AUT
HUS
5
44
Furbetta, J.
ITA
KTM
3
45
Spies, M.
GER
HUS
2
46
Haavisto, Jere
FIN
YAM
2
Tom Pagès prepares for 2021 Enduropale du Touquet challenge
Tom Pagès will spend the next two months preparing for the world’s biggest beach race as the French freestyle motocross star takes on a daunting new endurance challenge at the Enduropale du Touquet event in January.
Pagès has gone from practising in his own back yard in France, to competing with the best riders in the world and progressing the sport through his series of never-been-done tricks. The 35-year-old has picked up numerous titles over the years with the multiple X-Games and Red Bull X-Fighters winner now eager to test himself further.
The Enduropale du Touquet covers over 13km of sand in northern France and is the inspiration for the famous Dakar Rally after wowing fans since the inaugural edition way back in 1975. The first event attracted 286 competitors with over 1,000 professional and amateur enduro riders are expected in 2021 to tackle waves, chicanes and velodrome-style turns with the final ranking established according to the most completed laps after three tough hours of racing.
Tom Pagès
“I have to catch up 15 years of experience on the most experienced riders. I need to get used to riding with a new type of neoprene gloves, which change my feelings on the throttle. Also a camel bag in my back because we need a lot of water throughout the race: hydration is key and, if you are thirsty, it’s already too late and you are in danger. Looking for new challenges is the key to longevity, even more in individual sports. I have learned from my mistakes in the past 14 years and I want to optimise my abilities to bring them into this new discipline. This new challenge also allows me to open my mind and to bring fresh air into my FMX career in which the mental workload is high. This short break in freestyle motocross already made me think of new tricks and new projects around FMX for the next two to three years. In the meantime, I focus on my next objectives: strengthen my physical preparation, be at the start of Enduropale 2021 and aim for the top of the board, even though I am aware of the difficulty. Winning is unimaginable but, maybe, not impossible!”
Jonny Walker and KTM part ways after eight seasons
KTM have thanked enduro racer Jonny Walker for his achievements with the brand over the past eight seasons as his contract concludes with the Austrian manufacturer. KTM confirmed the departure of Jonny Walker from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team by mutual agreement. Due to re-structuring within the team, linked to changes that have been made to the enduro program over the past few seasons, KTM has been unable to retain Jonny’s services for 2021.
Jonny began his hard enduro campaign aboard KTM machinery in 2010 following a successful career in trials. As a then 19-year-old, he worked his way up the enduro ranks before signing his first official agreement with KTM in 2011. Soon after Walker graduated into the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, in 2012. Walker won the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble title that year, which he went on to successfully defend in 2013.
In 2015 Jonny took his riding to the next level, cementing his place as one of extreme enduro’s best following winning riders at The Tough One, Red Bull Romaniacs, Red Bull Hare Scramble, Hell’s Gate and Red Bull 111 Megawatt. Despite a number of injuries, which resulted in time off a bike during the following few years, the likeable Brit went on to claim podium finishes in further extreme enduros and WESS Championship events.
KTM thanked Jonny for everything he has achieved together with KTM and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team over the years, including his extreme enduro and FIM SuperEnduro World Championship successes, wishing him all the best for his future.
Fabio Farioli – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager
“Firstly, we’d like to say a big thank you to Jonny for everything he has achieved with KTM Factory Racing. We had some good times over the years and some incredible results – including wins at some of the toughest events on the hard enduro calendar as well as in the SuperEnduro World Championship. He has been an important part of our team and has been integral to our ongoing success. Despite our best efforts we were unable to negotiate a deal to keep Jonny on the team. We wish him all the very best for the future.”
Arminas Jasikonis recovery update
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider Arminas Jasikonis is very much on the mend after the Lithuanian rider crashed at the Mantova round of the FIM Motocross World Championship and suffered a serious head injury. Jasikonis has been making small steps forward and looking at coming back to racing in 2021.
Antti Pyrhonen – Team Manager Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory MXGP team
“AJ is basically recovering really well. It was a very serious accident, and he was in a severe condition after the crash in Mantova. He had heavy impact to the head, and he was due to that two and a half days in a medical coma. When he woke up on Tuesday afternoon, he did a very good recovery, an unbelievable recovery actually. He could leave the hospital after a week and then he could travel back to Lithuanian and he didn’t need to go back to hospital or any recovery centre. He moved back home and was living with his girlfriend and doing some physical training and he can now drive his car.”
As for Arminas himself, as he resides in his home with his girlfriend, he can see improvements and is being as patient as possible in letting his body improve slowly as his brain starts to remember things as he comes back to full recovery.
Arminas Jasikonis
“There are days when it’s worse. There are days when it’s better, but not bad at all compared to the first days after an incident. I still feel shoulder pain, but I’ve been working on that and since two weeks ago, I started driving a car. Everything happens gradually, I’m on my way forward, but you can’t overdo it. There’s a lot of desire for me, but I can’t do it all at once because I don’t know how the brain will accept it. I started running, the balance is good. In Finland, the medical profession will look at how far I have moved forward. The plan is to come back, it really is, but I can’t promise it. I’d like to be back in half a year. I just slept and woke up. I’m almost unscathed, just a little bit of a shoulder pain at the moment, but I’m working on it now.”
MA announce 2021 National Championships Calendar
Motorcycling Australia (MA) have released the 2021 National Championships Calendar of events across a variety of disciplines including Australian and International Championships.
Included in the 2021 National Calendar are all MA sanctioned disciplines including the Australian Superbike Championship, Australian Off-Road Championship, ProMX Championship, Australian Junior, Senior and Sidecar Speedway Championships, Australian Supercross Championships, Australian Junior Motocross Championships, Australian Four Day Enduro, Australian Junior and Senior Track Championships, Australian Trials and X-Trials Championships, Classic and Post Classic Dirt Track & Motocross Championships, Australian ATV MX Championships and much more.
The calendar also includes internationally recognised events such as the MotoGP, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, Oceania Junior Cup, FIM Oceania Speedway and Sidecar Championships, Finke and Hattah Desert Races, as well as Australian Three Day Vintage Enduro (A3VE).
In NSW, the 43rd Newcastle Toy Run will collect gifts, but the ride is off, while the Motorcycle Riders’ Association 41st Toy Run in Tasmania will go ahead as a restricted, ticketed event with details sent to ticket holders soon.
Toy Run For the Father Bob Maguire Foundation organiser Cate Hughes says the “tough decision” was made not only because of COVID restrictions but also to protect Fr Bob “who is particularly vulnerable due to his rare illness and age”.
However, efforts to raise funds and gifts for the appeal are still going ahead.
Fr Bob or Foundation staff will be at Scotties Garage Toy Run After Partythis Sunday afternoon and there are some “mystery rides” still on which will collect funds and gifts for the appeal.
There are now three drop-off points:
Morgan & Wacker Harley-Davidson® Melbourne, formerly Northside Harley-Davidson®, 370 Cooper Street, Epping – Monday-Friday: 9:00am-5:30pm & Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Bad Boy Bobbers & Customs, 97 Warrigal Road, Hughesdale, Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm & Saturday 9:00am-12:00pm
Scotties Garage, 71 Miles Grove, Seaford, Saturday 5th December 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday 6th December 9:00am-7:00pm; and Tuesday 8th, Wednesday 9th & Thursday 10th December 9:00am-2:00pm
“Although very disappointing to have to cancel last minute, I’m quietly confident that the riders, and now members of the public, will show their generosity at our drop-off points, with the added bonus of being able to accept larger toys/items that riders cannot carry eg bicycles, step on scooters etc,” Cate says.
With the new 2021 MT-09 being given a complete front-end redesign among many other updates, Youtuber Yammie Noob took this opportunity to pick up a 2019 MT-09 to be given away on his channel (yes, Papa Yams gives away plenty of motorcycles to his subscribers). Although the MT-09 has seen a full update and two years’ worth of models post-dating this model Yams has, the video is still brand new.
Although many people love to see videos about new bikes, I think Yammie Noob makes good enough content to make this worth sharing. The 2021 MT-09 hasn’t seen a ton of updates beyond visuals, so this video is still a great resource for riders looking to get onto an MT-09 from any year.
Yammie has owned a previous generation FZ-09, yet this 2019 model still packs enough punch to completely surprise him. Yams’ takes a lot of great angles for his talking points about the machine and puts things into layman’s terms for everyday riders; which in my opinion is what makes his videos so great. Although he praises the bike, he still has some great unbiased criticism for this motorcycle making this first impression ride honest and to-the-point.
Second TT cancellation has McPint weighing up his future
With the announcement that TT 2021 has been officially cancelled, many racers are weighing up their futures including the most famous and winningest current Isle of Man specialist John McGuinness.
Now 48, McGuinness will be 50 when the next TT Races take place in 2022, from Saturday 28th May to Saturday 11th June. The TT legend spoke to Manx Radio overnight.
John McGuinness
“A little bit empty really, I am sort of not surprised, just sad really, for me, selfishly it is wrong time of my career to be missing another TT.
“We sort of expected they might try and run it in August,so it is a bit of a shock for it to be called now, but I understand, it is just the way it is. You guys are clean on the Isle of Man that is the way it should be.
“Next time I stand on the start line I will be 50 years old, looking down Bray Hill on a Superbike, I don’t know if that is going to happen.
“The people around me, the family, the friends, the sponsors, the bike will be there if I want it, but a couple of years is a long time ahead isn’t it.
“It is my living, it is my passion, it is my job, it’s what we all look forward to so, it is early in the decision and I am just struggling to get my head around it, but yeah super disappointed.”
McGuinness was then asked by Manx Radio’s John Moss if with this being two years in a row it endangers the future of the TT as a whole.
“I’m worried about that, it was one of my thoughts straight away, if the Isle of Man doesn’t need the TT after two years, are they ever going to need it again. I don’t know, but I really hope this absence makes the heart grow fonder..
“I’m sure we are going to miss it, and I am sure it will be back stronger and better in 2022. It gives everybody time to, the organisers and everyone else, to try and make the event better and stronger.
“To me it was a great event, I live it, a lot of success there and if it was to happen next year it would have been my 100th start so it was going to be a special moment for me, and I would really like to do my 100th start. If it is 2022, it is 2022…”
John McGuinness currently has 99 starts under his belt with a great hit rate that has earned him 23 wins and 47 podiums from his 81 finishes.
The greatly anticipated and highly praised Triumph Trident 660 is coming to India! If you are an Indian rider and are looking to get your hands on some British middle-weight firepower, Triumph has announced that preorders are now open (fully refundable, as well) for a fee of Rs 50,000.
Triumph has also mentioned that they will be offering special financing options allowing for riders to get on an equated monthly installment plan of Rs 9,999 for five months. This financing plan will only be available for a limited time through Indian dealers, though.
This entry-priced hoon-machine will be powered by Trump’s brand-spankin’ new 660cc inline-three motorcycle producing 89 horsepower and 47 lb-ft of torque.
If the naked styling of the Trident isn’t your thing though, be patient and wait out the storm. Rumor has it that Triumph has a few other motorcycles planned around this 660cc engine configuration and we will likely see an entry-level ADV bike and perhaps even a full-fairing sportbike. Only time will tell.
Regardless, this motorcycle was designed to compete with the likes of Yamaha’s MT-07 among other Japanese mid-displacement naked motorcycles and the pricing reflects that. If you’re trying to get onto a British manufactured naked motorcycle, the Triumph Trident is your best bet.
South Australia’s David Johnson has been riding high on some great recent results at the TT, including a Superstock podium last year, so missing another year of competition on the Isle of Man has come as a cruel blow to the 38-year-old.
David Johnson
“Very disappointed that the TT won’t go ahead and that the discussion was made so early.
“The TT has become my main race of a season and as I’m employed by Rich Energy OMG Racing team in the UK, this has become a major dilemma not just for race but also in life as my job is now in jeopardy.
“My team have been amazing supporting me so far through all this and I will be speaking with my bosses tonight (UK morning) to talk about the plan going forward. I just hope there is a plan.”
While the main game is off, the Isle of Man Government is hopeful that the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix can take place later in the year. David Johnson won the Superbike Classic TT last year.
Laurence Skelly – Isle of Man Government
“We do not underestimate the disappointment that this decision will cause to many people. However, we are making an early and logical decision to provide certainty and clarity to race fans and everyone else involved in our event. The TT relies on thousands of volunteers and officials across a wide range of organisations and we could not move responsibly towards operating to that date and commit to welcoming tens of thousands of people to the Island in June, despite the progress towards a vaccination programme globally and on the Island.
“We evaluated all possible options including moving the TT to a date later in the year but there are complexities and risks, including scaling up of certain infrastructure and critical delivery elements of the TT, as well as existing resident and visitor travel in late August, which would cause further disruption to thousands of people.
“We remain hopeful that the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix can take place later in the year and we look forward to welcoming visitors to our Island again.”
Paul Phillips – TT Business Development Manager
“Everyone involved with the TT is of course disappointed that the event has been cancelled in 2021, but it’s a decision that has been made as early as possible so that everyone who is impacted can plan accordingly. I am sorry for all the fans, riders, teams and volunteers who will miss another year on the Island, but we as a team will be working hard to make sure that we come back with an even better event in 2022.
“We are very grateful for the continued support and loyalty shown by all our partners, as well as the event’s fans worldwide, which is a testament to the passion that people have for the event.”
The Department will continue to work with its partners towards delivering the 2021 Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix, which are scheduled to run from Saturday 21st August to Friday 3rd September. A final decision on whether those events will take place will be made in Spring 2021.
Letter of the Month Mark Tuttle’s column “Two-Wheeled Empowerment” (September 2020) has gotten me thinking more than I would like to admit. I keep coming back to some past moments over the last 46 years on the road. If you’re willing to try, in some instances you can go back and find those moments in time, relive those snapshots, the feelings, and remember. Motorcycles, vintage ones, are not only modes of transportation but can transport you to the past.
Walking into the local auto parts store last fall, I passed by a tired, mistreated, fork-seal-leaking, oil-soaked Suzuki GS750E. It took me back to my first one. The guys at work called it the “Purple Rain” motorcycle. Rescued from a cow pasture, my young son and I took that original bike up logging roads and on Labor Day commando camping trips, and its 1970s era top box delivered many $9 pizzas to the house on the way home. My erstwhile co-pilot and I shared precious time together adventuring both on and off the bike. Now, he’s a full-grown man and riding his machines. I had forgotten how he was an enthusiastic 12-year-old, still wanting to explore with the old man.
Dropping a business card with the then owner at the counter and just before Christmas time, I got a call to come get it! Working through the winter, I was able to clean up the “patina” on my new-to-me GS750E, righting some mechanical ills, and it’s a passable survivor. Wrenching on the old nail is like muscle memory from so many years before—not just riding, but fiddling on the 41-year-old machine has brought back a long-forgotten past. Combining our years of experience it seems like it goes better than the first one ever did.
Sure, this bike isn’t the latest or greatest. Bit by cerebral bit it has rewarded my synapses more than I thought it would. Shocking have been the comments and admiring looks it gets from passersby. It’s not even a 20-footer to look at, but more people appreciate an honest motorcycle than I thought would. Starting it on the “kicker” gets nods of approval every time, which is kinda silly considering how easy these things are to start if even tuned close.
I found another one, entirely in parts, as a stalled project. I am ready to do it again! Why? Because I’m EMPOWERED.
— Steve Barton Camano Island, Washington
Steve, we motorcyclists sure are a sentimental bunch and I include myself in that statement. Coming across a long-forgotten picture or piece of gear will often transport me back to that place — I was just reminded of a particularly rain-soaked ride that despite the weather was incredibly fun. But, there is one motorcycle that will get my attention faster than anything else, and that’s an early 2000s Suzuki RM125. The ring-a-ding-ding of that two-stroke engine was the soundtrack of my early riding career, not to mention the near perpetual dirt-mustache acquired on the trail. I miss that bike, although I don’t miss premix and tuning carburetors. As our Letter of the Month winner, our friends at Wild Ass are rewarding you with a Smart — Air Gel Motorcycle Cushion to make sure that you stay empowered and out on the road. Congrats! — NdS
Old Friends This is the first letter I’ve written to a magazine. Having been a reader for more years than I can remember, I have seen many industry magazines go by the wayside or reduced to digital only. I realize that many of the new generations of riders are in this digital age and notice today’s retro trends in motorcycles. I fear that these young riders will not know the pleasures of picking up a magazine sitting on the coffee table. It makes you somehow connected to Clement Salvadori as you read his work. I’ve spent so many hours with him that I can feel the pleasant ache of aging bones after a day’s ride. It probably helps that my aging bones ache too. Riding a motorcycle is romantic. They are more than transportation units. Technology has removed much of their character, but I, for one, appreciate Rider magazine’s efforts to pass on the magic romance that is the essence of motorcycling.
— Dave Scrivener Friendsville, Tennessee
Continuing the Ride After riding Honda Gold Wings since 1977, I finally decided to sell my current one. It took a lot of soul searching. I wasn’t afraid of dropping it but was worried that picking it up would be impossible. I’ve been reading many stories about older riders, some quitting altogether, some getting scooters. I was able to find a Honda NT700V in excellent condition. My first test was to sit on it and walk it around the seller’s garage. That worked — next I’d go for a test ride. Everything was OK there. I bought it and brought it home today. Now, selling the Wing doesn’t hurt too badly. I just say a prayer before each ride so that I won’t make a mistake. Who knows, maybe a scooter in a couple of years….
— Bob Rau Russellville, Ohio
Catching Up I have been catching up on my reading. It has been a little confusing with digital and print issues back and forth. I am confident that I speak for many in thanking you and Rider for soldiering on.
Mr. de Sena seems like a good hire. I read a couple of his Road Test Reviews in the latest issue, and he does a good job of letting the reader know how it feels to ride the bike. I like the slightly more technical bent to his reviews, while retaining the real-world detail points that I have always liked about Rider versus some of the other magazines. You have always done a better job of uncovering flaws that come up in the day-to-day living with a bike, such as fuel range, a persnickety fueling procedure, poorly designed seat, or some other minor issue that a long-term owner may need to rectify to do some actual riding in comfort.
Adding what seems to be a little more technical focus is really going to make Rider an even better magazine and hopefully will net a much larger subscriber base.
Sorry to see Greg D. and Ms. Smith move on, but judging by the August issue, you have added a very good Road Test Editor to your team.
I read a lot on my tablet now, as we all do, but I still prefer a paper magazine that can lie flat, be rolled up, fit in a saddlebag, etc., and doesn’t have content covered with pop-up ads and commercial videos. Thanks for doing what you do to produce great moto-content.
— Ron Santos West Warwick, Rhode Island
Reconnecting You lost me at the beginning of the pandemic, and my summer passed without you. Then, one day last week, I woke up early and wondered why the latest Rider wasn’t on my coffee table. I found you in my inbox (which I try to ignore — thus, the reason I lost you), clicked open the October issue, and fell back in love with your magazine. Eric’s October column was just the right read for this fall. Well done, friend.
I decided that I like the digital version. I enjoyed every page just as much as I enjoyed the paper editions of the past, and I think more importantly, we want you, Rider, to be competitive and financially successful (I assume it is cheaper to produce the digital version, and therefore, your salary can stay competitive — which, as I said, is no disrespect and it is what we want), so that we can enjoy Rider for years to come.
I’ve been a Rider reader for two decades. I encourage everyone to give up the paper copy. And thanks, guys, for another great read.
— Stephen Warner Buckhannon, West Virginia
Coming Home I’ve been a Rider subscriber for as long as I can remember, sometime in the early 1990s I think. So, it is hard to imagine that I would forget to renew my subscription. But, in the midst of selling our Texas Hill Country home and moving to the mountains of south-central New Mexico, I did forget. It wasn’t until I was settled in our new home and picked up Rider’s most recent issue and saw the May 2020 date that I realized my mistake! So I quickly went online and renewed. Fast-forward to October 1, 2020, and the arrival of the September 2020 issue. The first thing I did was turn to Mark’s One Track Mind column and read about camping on an ADV bike.
In June, I traded my Yamaha FJR1300 in on a CanAm F3 Limited, and with my last real ADV bike long gone, I thought I was through with bike packing and camping. Not so, I guess — a friend and I will leave for Alaska (my fourth time there) in June 2021. So having read most of Mark’s mind, I moved on to Clement’s Road Tales and was surprised to see in bold, “…roads of 1950 Colorado….” I happen to have a framed highway map of Colorado from the 1950s on the wall in my office! The main highway from Denver to Colorado Springs was U.S. 87 — Interstate 25 wasn’t even a dream yet! Well, enough of this deserved flattery of Mark and Clement; I need to get back to the September issue, especially the Favorite Ride article on the great roads of Wyoming, many of which we’ll be riding next June!
— Russ Locke, via email
Retro Detective I’m an avid reader of Rider magazine. I especially look forward to Mr. Clement Salvadori’s Retrospective column each month. He is always thorough in his narrative of the featured bike, however, I must take exception in his description of an upside-down fork on the Bimota SB6-R. The picture of the bike shows a conventional fork.
Did I misinterpret or like the savvy reader who called him out on the Bultaco Alpina a few issues back, catch him with a misstep!?
At any rate, kudos to him and the entire staff for keeping us both informed and entertained in these trying times of pandemic induced isolation. Rider is a lifeline!
M.A. Domingos, via email
My bad. Thanks for noticing. Apparently, I was paying more attention to a description of a stock SB6-R than looking at the photos, as the fork has indeed been changed from stock. — CS
The 2021 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is starting to take shape, with a provisional calendar now outlining much of the new season, which will span four continents across 13 rounds.
The final round is yet to be announced, while Round 12 in Australia is waiting for dates to be confirmed. Indonesia also returns for the first time since 1997, with Estoril also joining the schedule once again. All races are subject to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictions that derive from that, so we’ll have to hope for the best heading into the new year.
The first nine rounds of the Championship will take place across Europe; the iconic TT Circuit Assen will start the season at the end of April, followed by Estoril (subject to contract), the first of five rounds in the Iberian Peninsula. MotorLand Aragon, Misano and Donington Park – the latter of which is only for the WorldSBK class – follow and bring racing up until July 4th.
The French Round finds a new home at the start of September as the seventh round, followed two weeks later by the Catalunya WorldSBK Round, before the Spanish Round a week after that and then another week later, the Portuguese Round at Portimao at the start of October. This will mean the first ever triple-header in WorldSBK history.
The final three rounds of the Championship will take place outside of Europe with Argentina being the first and the Circuito San Juan Villicum, before Indonesia returns and the Mandalika International Street Circuit debuts in WorldSBK (subject to homologation).
The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is on the provisional calendar (subject to contract) but yet to be assigned dates towards the end of the year, before a 13th round is to be announced, with dates and venue to be announced. The non-European races will take place with only WorldSBK and WorldSSP classes.
Sherco Australia have just introduced two lightweight electric balance bike models, designed to foster Australia’s next generation of up-coming enduro and trail warriors. The Sherco EB12 and EB16 are specifically designed for developing hand-eye coordination and balance.
On sale from your nearest Sherco dealer now, the Sherco EB12 and EB16 electric balance bikes have a recommended retail price of $649 and $749 respectively.
Michael Poynton – Sherco Australia
“The Sherco EB12 and EB16 are the ideal choice for little rippers. They’re fun, affordable and a great introduction into the world of two wheels.The benefits, enjoyment and skills developed at such an early age are priceless. And they’ve arrived just in time for Christmas!”
The EB12, with its 12-inch wheels, is suitable for children between the ages of two and six, or weighing up to 34kg, with little or no experience on a balance bike. Children should have an inseam of more than 14 inches/35cm to adequately touch the ground with a slight bend in the knees for optimum sizing.
The 16-inch wheeled EB16 is suitable for children between five and six years of age (18”/45cm inseam), or weighing up to 40kg, with some experience on a balance bike or who are taller and need a larger platform.
Both bikes feature a simple twist-and-go throttle with a battery level display and a host of safety features to inspire confidence in the young rider as well as the supervising adult.
These include selectable low/full power modes; a fully-enclosed chain cover; a rear drum brake activated via hand lever; as well as a power cut-off switch built into the brake lever, which automatically cuts power if the rider pulls in the lever, thus preventing a panic throttle twist. Also included is a height-adjustable seat, a front plate with number decals as well as a 12-month parts-only warranty.
The EB12 is powered by a 100W brush motor and a 2.6Ah lithium-ion battery, which gives approximate top speeds of 7.5km/h and 15km/h (low/full power modes).
The EB16 is paired with a larger 170W brush motor and a 5.2Ah lithium-ion battery for top speeds of 10km/h and 21km/h (low/full power modes). The EB12 tips the scales at just 9kg while the EB16 weighs just 11kg.
Running time for both models is up to 60 minutes of constant use, however battery range will vary depending on speed setting, rider weight and riding conditions. Recharge time is up to three hours via an external charge port for convenient recharging. Additional batteries are available for $139 for 2.6Ah or $199 for 5.2Ah – and both are compatible with either model, for a quick and convenient swap to keep the fun times rolling.
Other technical highlights include a lightweight aluminium frame and handlebar, chain drive, pneumatic all-terrain rubber tyres as well as durable water-transfer frame decals. Each bike comes with an Australian 240V household charger, owners manual and toolkit.
Children can learn to push, balance, and coast in the non-powered mode of both models, which makes for an excellent, gradual introduction. Once the child demonstrates proficient use and understanding of the brake and the ability to coast and brake while standing then a low-power mode via the twist-and-go throttle can be introduced.