Image: Supplied.

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has re-signed defending MXGP world champion Tim Gajser and Australian rookie Mitch Evans in multi-year contracts to remain with Team HRC.

Gajser, who won the premier class title in 2016 and 2019, currently leads this year’s championship aboard the all-new factory CRF450RW. It’s unclear how long the pair have signed for.

“I’m super-happy to extend my contract with Honda and Team HRC,” 24-year-old Gajser said. “I’ve been here for the past seven years and to me this team feels like a family, so I’m really happy to stay.

“We will keep giving our best and we are all excited and ready to fight for the title every year and I believe this is the best place for me to be, especially on board the Honda CRF450RW. It is great to confirm this and continue our partnership that has already seen us become multi-time world champions.”

Evans, 21, has been a revelation since stepping up to the MXGP category and finished inside the top five at the MXGP of Europe last weekend. Despite a shoulder injury earlier in the year, he has climbed to 11th in the standings.

“I’m very happy to have the deal done and in place,” explained Evans. “It now allows me to focus on the rest of the season and putting in the best results possible. It also gives me a platform to build upon for the future and I feel like we’ve built a good relationship already.

“I’m excited for that to continue, I want to keep improving and working with this team and riding the Honda CRF450RW and I feel Team HRC has proven itself as the best team for me to achieve my dreams of challenging for a world title.”

HRC president Yoshishige Nomura added: “I am very pleased that Tim Gajser and Mitchell Evans will continue to fight with us in the MXGP class for next season. Due to COVID-19, this season has been competed on a very tight schedule.

“Even so, Tim is fighting to win the championship and Mitchell is nearly in the top 10. Team HRC and our riders will fight for the championship next year and live up to our fans’ expectations. We look forward to your continued support.”

Image: Octopi Media.

Teenage rookie Jett Lawrence and Thunder Valley 250MX winner Justin Cooper have traded barbs in an exchange on social media after the latter took his dog onto the podium in Colorado.

Cooper, 23, celebrated his first victory of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season in unique fashion with his dog ‘Thor’, which Lawrence appeared to take exception to afterwards.

The 17-year-old Australian Lawrence shared Cooper’s Instagram post to his story, prompting a back-and-forth between the pair, including Cooper hitting back at Lawrence’s famous donut antics on the podium at the Monster Energy Cup last year.

Lawrence initially posted, “yeah real professional to bring your dog onto the podium”, to which Cooper responded, “more professional than eating donuts on the podium”. Lawrence then wrote, “that’s amateurs mate, not pros” and it escalated from there.

“Lose your bag of donuts if you want a shot at the podium… rookie”, Cooper shot back. Lawrence questioned, “well where were you when you was 17 mate #probsbclass”, when Cooper then said, “getting a decent education because it’s *were, not was”.

Lawrence then had the final say, “LOL, sorry I don’t have Swapmoto doing my social for me”. Cooper chose not to go further from there, ending the fascinating exchange between two of the sport’s most sought-after prospects in the 250 Class.

In his first full season of Pro Motocross, Geico Honda’s Lawrence – sixth today – has fallen just short of the overall podium on several occasions and sits sixth in points, with Star Yamaha rider Cooper climbing to fourth after his breakout win earlier this afternoon.

Image: Foremost Media.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) has cancelled the 2020 Australian Motocross Championship, unable to commit to launching the revamped series due to the uncertainty of state border restrictions.

Following longtime promoter Williams Event Management’s exit from the sport in June, MA was poised to take over the series, which has continually been delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the Australian Supercross Championship already being cancelled last month, it was expected that the motocross season could take place during November and December pending border closures, however, that option has now been dropped by the sport’s governing body. It will instead now work toward planning for 2021.

“Due to the ongoing uncertainty around state government COVID-19 border restrictions, Motorcycling Australia, after consultation with key stakeholders, have been forced to make the difficult decision to abandon any further attempts to conduct the 2020 Australian Motocross Championship,” a statement announced.

“MA reviewed the championship operations including the format and potential event dates, in consultation with industry, teams, riders and clubs to see if it was possible to run the championship during this COVID-19 period.

“Despite significant work by MA over recent months in exploring all possible options to hold the championship, the uncertainly around state government COVID-19 border restrictions, has meant it is not possible to run the championship in 2020.

“MA sincerely thank all stakeholders, clubs, teams and riders for their support and patience, but this late in the year has proven too difficult to start the championship without clear plans from state government’s around state borders being reopened.”

The decision comes as a devastating blow for the professional teams and riders set to compete in the AUS Motocross series this season, following what has been a year filled with uncertainty since the coronavirus put the world on pause earlier this year.