Category Archives: Motocross

Motocross

Consistent Musquin anticipated stronger race in Atlanta

Red Bull KTM contender third in Saturday’s main event.

Image: Supplied.

Frenchman Marvin Musquin believes he was in for a stronger race at Atlanta’s ninth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship on Saturday night.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing positioned himself second early on in the main event, apply pressure to eventual winner and teammate Cooper Webb, however a mistake in the closing stages saw him relinquish P2 to Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM) and ultimately had to settle for third.

Musquin is yet to taste victory in the 2019 season, however he’s been extremely consistent, landing on the podium six times in the first nine rounds.

“It felt like it was going to be a better race for me,” Musquin admitted. “I had a great start so I was running second, which was good but I was eating a lot of sand in the sand section it was definitely tough.

“I was pushing really hard – I was better than Cooper in some areas of the track, so I was able to really put pressure on him in some areas but then I would go through the sand and I had to go in the main line because it was the safest and the quickest line but you kind of had to follow.

“I made a mistake and went off the main line and then Baggett got me. At this point, I just could not make the pass on Blake, even though I showed some really good speed. It’s only a third place tonight and I’m not very happy with the result.”

The AMA Supercross series heads to Daytona International Speedway this weekend for the 10th stop of tour.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Jonass satisfied in decision to race MXGP of Patagonia Argentina

Latvian talent makes premier class debut at season-opener.

Image: Supplied.

Former MX2 world champion Pauls Jonass has expressed satisfaction in the decision to line-up for yesterday’s opening round of the 2019 MXGP World Championship, marking his debut in the premier class.

The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider experienced a shortened pre-season after undergoing knee surgery at the conclusion of his 2018 campaign, casting doubt over his entry for last weekend’s opener.

Transitioning both to 450 machinery and the Husqvarna brand for 2019, Jonass pieced together a respectable 10-9 scorecard for 10th overall at the Neuquen circuit in Argentina, forming a strong base to build from this year.

“Considering the limited time I had on the bike during the off-season, I am really happy with my results here in Argentina,” Jonass commented. “I had two decent motos, made no mistakes and learnt a lot. This was my first race in the MXGP class on the FC 450 and everything was new for me.

“I have to take this experience and continue working to become a better 450 rider. The races in this class are a lot more intense and also the starts are massively important for each moto. I’m happy we took the decision to come here in Argentina and I’m motivated to get back to work as soon as we return to Europe.”

Nine-time world champion Antonio Cairoli (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) took out both motos for the overall, joined on the podium by Tim Gajser (Honda HRC) and Jeremy van Horebeek (Honda SR Motoblouz).


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Suspension adjustment leads to career-best finish for Plessinger

Factory Yamaha rider fifth at Atlanta’s ninth round of supercross.

Image: Supplied.

A suspension adjustment made prior to the night show at Atlanta’s ninth round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship has led to Aaron Plessinger’s best finish since entering the premier class this season.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing rider admits he struggled in the initial practice sessions, however a change of setting to his rear shock offer him the comfort needed to experience a strong evening out on-track, winding up a respectable fifth in the main event despite a late-race mishap.

“Atlanta supercross was pretty awesome,” Plessinger stated. “I was struggling in the first practices a little bit, but we made a little shock change and it was definitely for the better. I qualified thirteenth and went into the heat race with a pretty good gate pick.

“I came out pretty bad on the start, but I made it work and was able to come back to fifth. Then the main event, I lined up in a pretty good spot and yanked a really good start. I was running fourth for a while and crashed right in the sand, then got up in fifth and stayed there.

“We made a lot of steps in the right direction. I’m really, really excited about tonight and looking forward to Daytona next weekend!”

Jim Perry, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s team manager, added: “It was a great night for Aaron Plessinger. He started the day off in a good place and made improvements throughout the day in practice. He built on that with a solid heat race and got off to a great start in the main event and rode with the lead pack for half the race.

“Unfortunately, he had a small tip-over in the deep sand, but got up and continued to charge on and rounded out the top five. He’s been working really hard and with a good start tonight it showed and paid off.”

The main event was won by points leader Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) ahead of Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM) and Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Evans earns maiden MX2 World Championship podium on debut

Youthful Australian highly-impressive at Argentina’s opening round.

Image: Supplied.

Queenslander Mitch Evans has landed on the podium while making his debut in the 2019 MX2 World Championship yesterday at Neuquen in Patagonia Argentina, marking an incredible start to his full-time international career.

The Team Honda 114 Motorsports rider demonstrated strong form in Saturday’s qualifying race, charging to an inspiring sixth place result to kick-start the year.

He returned to the circuit on Sunday in supreme form, placing fifth in the opening encounter before racing to an impressive third in the final outing, granting him the final position on the podium.

“I couldn’t be any happier, I didn’t really know what to expect being my first GP,” Evans explained. “I enjoyed every moment of it, it was awesome being here, the fans were awesome so I really enjoyed it. I knew the work that we put in during the off-season and the pre-season races, that we had if I got good starts, I could run with these boys.”

Calvin Vlaanderen (Honda HRC) and Henri Jacobi (F&H Racing Team) were fourth and fifth respectively – both tied on points with Evans for third, with the Australian being credited the higher place on countback.

The overall win was taken out by reigning world champion Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) ahead of Thomas Kjer Olsen (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing).


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Febvre hospitalised in Argentina’s MXGP opener

Suspected leg injury for former world champion.

Image: Supplied.

Former world champion Romain Febvre was hospitalised during yesterday’s opening round of the 2019 MXGP World Championship in Neuquen, Patagonia Argentina.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing rider looked primed for a strong start to his 2019 campaign, taking out victory in Saturday’s qualification race before finishing third in the opening moto.

Leading portions of race two, the Frenchman relinquished positions one and two, however while maintaining third, a critical mistake throughout the roller section resulted in a heavy fall.

Landing heavily on his right leg, Febvre was transported to hospital for further evaluation, with his injuries still to be confirmed.

The overall win was ultimately captured by nine-time world champion Antonio Cairoli (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), followed by Tim Gajser (Honda HRC) and Jeremy van Horebeek (Honda SR Motoblouz).


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Cairoli opens MXGP with victory as Evans podiums in Argentina

Reigning champion Prado tops MX2 category at season-opener.

Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli has opened the 2019 MXGP World Championship with a dominant overall victory in Neuquen, Patagonia Argentina, as Australia’s Mitch Evans (Team Honda 114 Motorsports) featured on the MX2 podium while making his debut.

Nine-time world champion Cairoli proved to be unstoppable in the opening round, defeating former world number one Tim Gajser (Honda HRC) in both outings – the Slovenian ultimately finishing second overall.

Jeremy van Horebeek (Honda SR Motoblouz) rounded out the podium with 6-3 moto scores, followed by Clement Desalle (Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing) and Gautier Paulin (Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha). Roman Febvre (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing), who was third in race one, crashed heavily in motor two and was transported to hospital with a suspected foot injury.

In the MX2 category, reigning world champion Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) mastered both motos, taking out two rewarding race victories to earn the overall.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen was second with a pair of runner-up results, while Evans, making his first world championship appearance, wound up an incredible third after a lodging 5-3 scorecard.

Calvin Vlaanderen (Honda HRC) and Henri Jacobi (F&H Racing Team) were fourth and fifth respectively – both tied on points with Evans for third. The next stop on the MXGP World Championship calendar is scheduled for 24 March at Matterley Basin in the United Kingdom.

Detailed results


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Webb extends supercross advantage in Atlanta KTM sweep

First 250SX East/West Showdown victory of 2019 season to Cianciarulo.

Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cooper Webb has stretched his lead in the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, series after storming to victory in Atlanta.

Webb captured his fifth win of the nine contested this season, growing his points advantage to 13 as the season moves into its second half.

A decisive hole-shot placed Webb at the head of the pack in the 20-minute main event and he was never headed, withstanding challenges from Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM) and teammate Marvin Musquin in a wire-to-wire win.

Baggett made his way by Musquin following 13 laps – assisted by a mistake in the sand by the Frenchman – and only 2.141s separated the trio across the line. It marked the second all-KTM podium sweep of the season, while the rider currently second in the standings, Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) finished fourth.

Rookie Aaron Plessinger (Monster Energy Yamaha) put forward his best performance of the season in placing fifth, with Australia’s Chad Reed (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) finishing in 13th position this weekend.

In the first 250SX East/West Showdown of the season, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s current West Coast leader Adam Cianciarulo was assertive on his way to victory, topping Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha) and early leader Austin Forker (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki).

The 2019 season will now travel to Daytona International Speedway in Florida for round 10, which will be another 250SX East round on the schedule.

Detailed results


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

MX2 rookie Evans sixth in Argentina qualifying race

Australian impresses in first world championship appearance.

Image: Supplied.

Team Honda 114 Motorsports newcomer Mitch Evans starred on Saturday in the opening round of the MX2 World Championship, finishing sixth in the first qualifying race of the year.

At the Neuquen circuit in Patagonia-Argentina, Evans was 16th in timed practice but made gains as he stormed to sixth in the gate-deciding qualifier.

The MX2 qualifying heat was topped by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Thomas Kjer Olsen ahead of world champion Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM) and Henry Jacobi (F&H Racing Team Kawasaki).

In MXGP it was Monster Energy Yamaha’s Romain Febvre who won, leading Julien Lieber (Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team) and Jeremy Van Horebeek (Honda SR Motoblouz), while Antonio Cairoli (Red Bull KTM) exited with a technical issue.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Product: 2019 AC Performance Systems Sport Band

Breathing system introduced to Australian market by McLeod Accessories.

McLeod Accessories has introduced the AC Performance Systems Sport Band to Australian market, a product used by a number of the sport’s leading riders across the globe.

Breathing through your mouth leads to over-breathing, hyperventilation, dehydration, depleted carbon dioxide levels, vasoconstriction (constriction of the blood vessels), and reduced blood circulation during exercise.

ac performance systems

Image: Supplied.

So what does that mean? It means that your body is not getting enough oxygen to your brain or your blood when you’re huffing and puffing through your mouth. You are losing a lot of water when you exhale through your mouth, and your blood vessels are getting squeezed smaller and smaller with each mouth breath you take.

What you need to do is breathe through your nose the way your body was designed to breathe. This creates the proper mixture of gasses coursing through your blood for optimal health and performance. When you breathe through your nose, your body re-breathes the expelled carbon dioxide and the nitric oxide that is naturally produced in your sinuses.

Both of these gasses are vasodilators (blood vessel openers) which deliver more oxygen to the brain and muscles faster. Breathing in and out through the nose actually helps you take fuller, deeper breaths, which stimulates the lower lung to distribute greater amounts of oxygen throughout the entire body.

ac performance systems

Image: Supplied.

When the lower lung is stimulated, it triggers the parasympathetic nervous system which calms the body and mind. Mouth breathing only uses the upper lung, triggering the sympathetic nervous system, which activates the fight or flight reaction and stresses the body and mind.

The AC Sport Band is a very simple, but incredibly effective device that allows you to breathe through your nose. It is a non-invasive magnetic band that comfortably sits on the bridge of your nose, pulling your nose open far beyond normal capacity, making nose breathing effortless.

Priced at RRP $45.95, the AC Sport Band can be purchased at participating dealers and online retailers around the country. For more information, visit www.mcleodaccessories.com.au.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Pre-season campaign loosens Febvre for MXGP assault

Former world champion releases nerves ahead of Argentina.

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A string of European pre-season events have loosened Romain Febvre ahead of this weekend’s MXGP World Championship opener at Nequen in Argentina.

The former world champion believes he rode tight in the Italian championship, however felt back to his usual self in last weekend’s Lacapelle Marival International Motocross in France after securing victory.

“My feeling with the bike and on the team is really good at the moment,” Febvre explained. “Also my physical condition is good. Right from the beginning of the pre-season races I have felt good although I was riding a little bit tight in Italy but it got better and last weekend it was much better.

“I felt in the race last weekend that I was back, that I could race with the same feeling I have practicing. We have been working hard on the bike, we have made some good progress and we are still moving in the right direction to improve even more.

“For the first round of MXGP in Argentina this weekend, it is nothing special- I don’t want to put any pressure on myself. I just want to ride relaxed and enjoy it as it is my favourite track on the calendar.”

Febvre’s 2018 season ended prematurely when he suffered a heavy fall at the MXGP of Turkey, resulting in a concussion and s broken rib.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au