The maiden edition of the 8 Hours of Sepang will be staged this weekend as a key component of the “Races of Malaysia” two-and-four-wheel motorsport festival, a double-header pairing the FIA WTCR/Oscaro and the FIM EWC for the first time in Asia.
The 8 Hours of Sepang, marks the second round of the FIM Endurance World Championship and promises to be an action-packed race, with a lot at stake and some very well-known names putting their pride on the line at the Sepang International Circuit.
At the opening round of the series in France there was havoc with engine failures, oil-downs and weather conditions making the latest edition of the Bol d’Or one to remember.
WSBK’s Michael van der Mark joins Franco Morbidelli with the Yamaha Sepang Racing team for the 8 Hours of Sepang
In Malaysia we will see MotoGP, FIM Superbike and ARRC riders and title winners competing in Sepang alongside the 36 full-season 2019-2020 FIM EWC teams.
The clash between the world’s top endurance racing teams and Asian squads determined to win on home territory will form the heart of the action at the first edition of the 8 Hours of Sepang.
The two Asian front-runners are the Malaysian team Yamaha Sepang Racing and the Japanese squad Honda Asia Dream Racing with Showa.
Yamaha Sepang Racing has partnered MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli and Michael van der Mark – an established World Superbike rider and four-time winner of the Suzuka 8 Hours, with Malaysia’s star rider and MotoGP competitor Hafizh Syahrin.
Zaqhwan Zaidi leads the Honda Asia Dream Racing with Showa efforts, alongside Andi Farid Izdihar and Somkiat Chantra
Honda Asia Dream Racing with Showa, a consistent front-runner at the Suzuka 8 Hours, is fielding Malaysian rider Zaqhwan Zaidi, the team’s number-one racer since 2016 who finished third overall in the Superbike 1000 category of the recently-concluded Asia Road Racing Championship, Indonesian rider Andi Farid Izdihar who competes in the Supersport 600 class in the ARRC, and Thai Moto2 rider Somkiat Chantra.
Seven manufacturers in the race
The full-season FIM EWC teams are ready to face the competition. The reigning champions Webike SRC Kawasaki France will seek to make up for lost time in the wake of a turbulent Bol d’Or. The Kawasaki team had to throw in the towel, together with YART Yamaha and F.C.C. TSR Honda France.
SERT – Suzuki Endurance Racing Team
All three factory-backed teams will fight to score the maximum number of points in the second round of the 2019-2020 FIM EWC. 30-points are available for the winner in Malaysia, plus five bonus points for securing pole position.
F.C.C. TSR Honda suffered an engine failure which then brought down two of their main rivals at Bol D’or
But they will have to reckon with the ambitions of the Bol d’Or winner Suzuki Endurance Racing Team as well as BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, the third-place finisher in the season’s first race.
BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team (Ilya Mikhalchik, Julian Puffe and Kenny Foray)
Another factory outfit is also expected to make its presence felt: Team ERC Endurance, now backed by Ducati to lead the Panigale V4R to glory in the endurance world championship.
Six manufacturers have entered official teams in the FIM EWC. A seventh brand will be on the starting grid of the 8 Hours of Sepang, with Team Sugai Racing Japan on an Aprilia.
Top 10 Trial & FIA World Touring Car Cup
Before the action gets underway on the Sepang track, the teams will put on a show in the streets of the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, located 45 km from the Sepang International Circuit.
On the evening of Tuesday 10 December, a procession will wind its way through the city centre, made up of the FIM EWC bikes as well as the cars competing in the season finale of the FIA WTCR/OSCARO, the second half of the Races of Malaysia double-header event.
The practice sessions on Wednesday 11 December and qualifying on Thursday 12 December will provide clues to the pecking order in Malaysia. As at the Suzuka 8 Hours, and a Top 10 Trial will redistribute the final positions on the starting grid after qualifying.
At the 8 Hours of Sepang, the fastest rider of each of the top 10 teams in qualifying will return to the track to do one flying lap. The first ten positions on the grid will be reassigned based on the results. The Top 10 Trial will be held after sunset on the Sepang International Circuit.
The three FIA World Touring Car Cup seasonal finale races will be held on Sunday 15 December, with Hafizh Syahrin once again featuring among the contenders. The Malaysian rider has set himself a major sporting challenge by entering both world championships in the course of a single weekend. Following the 8 Hours of Sepang on Saturday, he will be one of four wildcard drivers taking the wheel in the WTCR Race of Malaysia challenge.
DesmoSport Ducati Confirms Mike Jones to Race V4 R in 2020
After taking four pole positions and four race wins, along with nine podiums, on his way to winning the 2019 Australian Superbike Championship on the big booming 1299 Panigale R Final Edition, DesmoSport Ducati have now confirmed that Mike Jones will contest ASBK 2020 on the Panigale V4 R.
While it was initially unclear if Mike Jones, now a two-time ASBK Champion, would continue to pursue his racing career overseas as originally planned for 2019, the young Queenslander has removed any doubt about his intentions for the 2020 season.
Mike Jones – 2019 ASBK Champ on the 1299 Panigale R Final Edition – Image by Rob Mott
Mike Jones
“While I, like most racers, strive to race in the world championship, the racing in Australia just keeps getting stronger and stronger, and the credibility of the series continues to grow in the eyes of teams around the world. I love riding the Ducati for Ben (Henry) and Troy (Bayliss), and we have a really strong team. All of us agreed that it made sense for me to stay here, to ride the V4R, and defend our title, and by doing that, will only support my long-term goals of racing in the World Championship. I’ve been out and ridden the V4R that Troy’s been developing with Ben, and I’m pretty excited to race it to be honest. It’s not quite like anything I’ve ridden before, with the rpm, power delivery and of course, the wings.”
DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R – Image by M33
Ben Henry – DesmoSport Ducati Team Manager
“We’ve always had a strong relationship with Mike, and after winning the title this year, it was more a matter of aligning our partnerships for 2020 and ensuring the teams goals worked with Mikes own before we could move forward. A lot of people, including me if I’m honest, would have been surprised if we didn’t come to an agreement, so I’m really happy to be able to confirm that Mike Jones will race the DesmoSport Ducati V4R in the 2020 ASBK Championship. Mike is not only an incredible racer, but also has a great work ethic, and is willing to put in lap after lap, and give us good feedback to allow us as a team to deliver a better motorcycle come race day, and this is incredibly important in a championship like the ASBK where data from the bike itself is at a minimum. As a team, we still have some work to do, and are looking to finalise some new key partnerships as we get closer to 2020, but we’re excited to not only go racing, but also see what initiatives we can do to ”
DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R – Image by M33
Troy Bayliss
“I’m really happy to come to an agreement with Mike for 2020. I know he has aspirations to race in the world championship, and to be honest, I think he’s capable of great results if the right package is around him, so to retain him just goes to show how strong our championship here is becoming, and how good the DesmoSport Ducati team as a package has become. I’m really proud of what DesmoSport has achieved in such a short time, with a tight-knit crew, and I can’t wait to see Mike at full throttle on the V4R.”
After weeks of speculaion, innuendo and rumours, overnight the Reale Avintia Racing Team announced that Johann Zarco will join Tito Rabat in their team for MotoGP season 2020 and that Ducati is raising their official support level for the team.
The Ducati satellite team will be joined by two track engineers and two Ducati Corse electronic technicians that will follow the activity of the two riders of the Demosedici GP19 throughout the coming season.
Zarco, two-time Moto2 World Champion, has signed a one-year agreement directly with Ducati and will be on track for the next season for the first time in the winter tests scheduled at Sepang from 7 to 9 February.
Johann Zarco
After riding for Tech3 Yamaha in 2018, Red Bull KTM for the first half of 2019 before closing out the season with LCR Honda, we will see the Frenchman on his fourth different brand of machinery in the space of 15 months.
Valencia MotoGP – November 2018 – Image by AJRN
Raúl Romero – Reale Avintia Racing Team Owner
“I am really happy and excited with the arrival of a great rider like Johann Zarco to our team from the hand of Ducati. This further strengthens the growth of the team after extending the contract with the Manufacter of Borgo Panigale, making a leap of quality in terms of material by becoming a satellite team. All this package will allow to reflect in the circuits the effort of the structure in the last years. We hope to see Johann and Tito assiduously in the top ten and become a reference team soon. Finally, we would like to thank all our sponsors for their efforts in recent years, without them this would not have been possible.”
Johann Zarco
“I am very pleased to officially announce my signature with Ducati for 2020 season in MotoGP category racing in the Reale Avintia Racing Team. My left ankle is recovering well, I can enjoy now my winter time having rest with family and training again very soon!”
Nutec RT Motorsports by SKM Kawasaki sign Hunter Ford
The long-time relationship between team manager Rob Vennegoor and Australia gets a new chapter as Nutec – RT Motorsports by SKM signs Hunter Ford for 2020 and 2021.
Hunter Ford – Image by TBG
2018/2019 Australian Yamaha R3 Cup champion Hunter Ford will line-up in the IDM Supersport 300 championship next year as well as participsating in some WorldSSP300 wildcards as preparation for 2021, when he will step up and ride a full season in the World Supersport 300 Championship aboard the Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Hunter Ford
“I’m really stoked and looking forward to riding in the IDM on the Nutec- RT Motorsports SKMKawasaki Ninja 400. I’m going to enjoy learning new tracks as well as making the most of this opportunity with Rob and the team.”
Hunter Ford – Image by Rob Mott
20 year old Hunter Ford acquired a taste and obsession for bikes and speed from the early age of two. He started competition racing at 15 years in 2014 joining the MRRDA Road Racing Junior Australian Championship, were he finished second in his very first race.
Since then, Hunter’s achievements in the last five years of racing have been extraordinary, and are well documented. Now he’s ready for the much bigger stage in Europe.
Hunter Ford – Image by TBG
Hunter has raced before in Europe as he was selected for Red Bull Rookies Cup selection event in 2014 and had a Moriwaki Cup wildcard in the same year at Dijon in France.
Rob Vennegoor – Nutec – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki Team Manager
“I’m very happy to race next two years with Hunter Ford. He is fast, talented and has a lot of motivation to do it well in Europe. In 2020 the focus will be on the IDM Supersport 300 championship, but we have bigger plans with him as the World Supersport 300 championship is the goal for 2021. I really hope that Hunter will become the next successful Australian rider in our team and looking forward to the 2020 season.”
Randy de Puniet to Team ERC Endurance for 8 Hours of Sepang
Team ERC Endurance have announced a brand-new line-up for the 8 Hours of Sepang, Randy de Puniet joining Ondřej Ježek and Louis Rossi in the saddle of the Panigale V4R, after the team recently received official backing from Ducati Corse in the FIM EWC.
Randy de Puniet
This adds another MotoGP rider to the star-studded list of international riders competing in the 8 Hours of Sepang. Frenchman Randy de Puniet will be on the starting grid in the saddle of Team ERC Endurance’s new Ducati Panigale V4R.
The German team now has official backing from the Italian manufacturer in the FIM Endurance World Championship, with de Puniet, having solid experience in Endurance racing, including two podiums at the Suzuka 8 Hours, in 2014 and 2017, and several seasons with Team SRC Kawasaki and Honda Endurance Racing.
Randy De Puniet in the MotoE championship earlier in the year
Czech rider Ondřej Ježek, a former Supersport World Championship racer, has previously competed in the FIM EWC with Bolliger Team Switzerland and Mercury Racing.
Frenchman Louis Rossi, formerly a Moto2 rider, has competed in the FIM Endurance World Championship since 2016.
Team ERC Endurance’s Ducati will have its first outing on the track in Malaysia on Wednesday 11 December.
Team America for 2020 International Challenge announced
Team America have thrown down the gauntlet to defending champion Australia ahead of the 2020 International Island Classic, which will run at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit this coming Australia Day long weekend (January 24-26).
Larry Pegram – Image by Russell Colvin
America’s 12-rider squad for the International Challenge teams’ event not only boasts three riders who finished in the top six of the individual standings in 2019 – Josh Hayes, Larry Pegram and Michael Gilbert – but it’s now also added seven-time Canadian superbike champion Jordan Szoke and former AMA front-runner Taylor Knapp to its ever-strengthening roster.
Josh Hayes #4 – Image Russ Colvin
Team America also boasts the first woman to take part in the International Challenge – Melissa Paris, who made her professional debut in the 2009 and has world supersport, world endurance, AMA and Spanish CEV experience on her vast CV.
Melissa is the wife of Josh Hayes and said on her inclusion in the US squad, “After hearing what a great time Josh had last January I’m so pumped to go this year!”
Husband Hayes is expected to be a powerhouse for Team America, and the four-time AMA superbike champion – and second on the all-time race winner’s list behind Aussie Mat Mladin – will have fond memories of winning the fourth and final International Challenge race in 2019 on his Yamaha FJ1250.
Josh Hayes
“In the first race of 2019 I was quite taken back by the level of competition on these classic era bikes. Even got my feelings hurt a few times!” said Hayes of his 2019 Island Classic debut. But when I was able to win the 4th and final Challenge race, and returned to our pit to find the captains of all the other teams there to celebrate alongside us, I knew this was a special event, more about 2 wheel passion than business, and something that I wanted to continue to be a part of. In 2019 I was able to test the Mojo Yamaha a handful of times.
Josh Hayes – Image Russ Colvin
“Also, I rode in MotoAmerica’s Supersport races at seven events; racing for my wife’s MP13 Racing Yamaha, with her also as my crew chief. The 2020 Island Classic is going to be a family event for me this year with my wife, Melissa, and my 2yr old son, Hawk, joining me. Even better is that Melissa will be riding a Mojo Yamaha TZ-750 in the International Classic races. With her experience of riding all types of motorcycles, and all over the world, I think she will be a strong asset for the American team. For her and Hawk to get to experience Australia again with me also, is just icing on the cake.”
Josh Hayes #4 – Image Russ Colvin
The final race victory of 2019 catapulted Hayes to third in the individual standings on a countback ahead of Aussie Shawn Giles, while Pegram and Gilbert were fifth and sixth.
Dave Crussell will once again captain the American squad, and also on his roster are Jorge Gurero, Joe Pethoud, Brian Filo, Bruce Lind and Robert Ruwoldt.
2017 Island Classic – Dave Crussell
The bike of choice for the majority of the team will again be the Yamaha based CMR FJ 1250, while the Americans also have three potent Yamaha TZ750 at their disposal.
America finished second in the 2019 International Challenge behind Australia and ahead of New Zealand, but the addition of Szoke, Knapp and Price could cause some real headaches for Australia which is shooting for its 13th win in 16 starts.
Jordan Szoke – Image by Brian Couture
The Australian team for the International Challenge features David Johnson, Shawn Giles, Jed Metcher, Craig Ditchburn, Aaron Morris, Scott Webster, Cameron Donald, Steve Martin, Beau Beaton, John Allen and Alex Phillis.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom returns to the Interactional Challenge arena in 2020 with a new-look team, which will be announced next week.
Grab your 2020 Island Classic tickets today
The Island Classic, is now in its 27th year, is the largest historic motorcycle racing event in the Southern Hemisphere. The weekend honours a century of motorcycling in three action-packed days, with the International Challenge just one element of an event that celebrates the splendour of historic racing across all levels.
2019 Island Classic – Image by Russell Colvin
As well the International Challenge, the Island Classic includes 52 other races for machines across the six historic racing categories: Veteran (up to 1919), Vintage (1920-1945), Classic (1946-1962), Post Classic (1963-1972), Forgotten Era (1973-1982) and New Era (1983-1990).
Individual accolades will also include the Phil Irving Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the rider who accrues the most points outside the International Challenge races, for the highest scorer in the non-International Challenge events.
2019 Island Classic – Image by Rob Mott
Qualifying will begin on Friday for all classes, followed by a full program of racing on Saturday and Sunday. For more information and tickets, visit www.islandclassic.com.au (link). Pre-purchase and save on general admission and camping tickets, with children under 15 free.
In the wake of Rodney Faggotter’s announcement that he will compete in the 2020 Dakar Rally on a WR450F as a privateer (full article here – link), Yamaha Motor Europe have revealed that its partnership with Monster Energy in MXGP will now extend to the official Yamaha Rally squad.
2020 Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
The renamed Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team will contest all five rounds of the 2020 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, which will span three continents and feature events in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and South America.
The 2020 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship gets underway with the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in March, followed in May by Rally Kazakhstan. In July the Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team will contest the 8000 km Silk Way Rally, which starts in Moscow’s Red Square and finishes in China, before heading across the Atlantic the following month for the Rally dos Sertões in Brazil. The season will conclude with the Rally Du Maroc in North Africa in October.
Xavier De Soultrait – Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
Ahead of what promises to be a demanding season, the Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team will contest the 2020 Dakar Rally which, after a 10-year sojourn in South America, heads into Asia for the first time, with the entire route contained within the borders of Saudi Arabia.
For the 2020 edition of the Dakar Rally, which will be contested over 12 stages and will cover a total of 7500 km, the Monster Energy Yamaha line up will feature Adrien van Beveren, Xavier De Soultrait, Franco Caimi and Jamie McCanney.
Van Beveren was the highest placed Yamaha rider in the 2019 championship standings, with his best result coming in the Silk Way Rally, which the 28-year-old Yamaha rider finished on the podium in third place. The Frenchman is a former stage winner at the Dakar and led the rally for four stages in 2018 before being forced to retire following a crash.
Xavier De Soultrait – Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
De Soultrait is also a former stage winner at the Dakar Rally. The Frenchman took victory on stage three and then backed that up with a podium finish on stage five to finish the 2019 edition of the rally in a creditable sixth place, a result he is keen to improve upon in 2020.
Following a highly successful career in Enduro racing, where he won multiple national titles in South America, Caimi made the switch to rally competition at the age of 28 and impressed the global rally scene by finishing in eighth place on his Dakar debut in 2017. The Argentinian rider returns to the Dakar in 2020 determined to repeat his debut success, having retired from the previous two editions.
McCanney, from Douglas on the Isle of Man, faces a baptism of fire in Saudi Arabia. The Enduro Junior World Champion in 2015 and E2 vice-Champion aboard a Yamaha in 2017 and 2018, the Manxman switched to Rally at the end of the 2018 season and after one year of intense preparation he is ready to join his three teammates in Jeddah on 5th January 2020, to start the Dakar for the first time.
Xavier De Soultrait – Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team
2020 will be only the second time in its 40-year history that the Dakar route has been confined to a single country. In 2019 the rally was run wholly in Peru following the withdrawal of Bolivia and Chile from the event.
At the moment, where the organiser is building up the ‘third chapter’ in the history of the Dakar, Yamaha is not comfortable with this format and has encouraged the organiser to return to the original spirit of a true multi-country adventure.
Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020
Australian Yamaha dealer Rodney Faggotter will compete in the 2020 Dakar Rally on a WR450F as a privateer. The event kicks off in Saudi Arabia on 5 Jan 2020.
Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020
The Longreach, QLD dealer from Centretune Motorcycles has a long history with the Rally following his 2012 debut and 2013 event when he placed an impressive 14th outright.
Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020
After securing a ride on the Yamaha Factory Rally team, Faggotter placed 16th in 2018 when he was the only member of the team to complete the gruelling two-week event.
Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020
As a Factory Rally rider with high levels of mechanical skills, his job was to assist his team-mates should they encounter a technical difficulty – of which there are many. But this year Rodney will not be tasked with helping others. Instead he is riding essentially as a privateer – with help from the Drag’On Rally team who will assist with servicing and spare parts.
Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020
“This is the first time that I’ll be able to have a red hot go on a bike that is very close to factory spec,” says the 43-year-old Queenslander.
Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020
“Last year was pretty heartbreaking to find myself stranded in the middle of the big dunes. I was doing well, within the top 15. This time it will be different as a privateer, but I’ll be on the same bike that I know well,” he says.
Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020
Currently Rod is practicing in Aussie desert conditions on the WR450F rally bike he imported from French rally specialists Drag’On.
“The goal is first of all to finish… but the aim is top ten,” he says
Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020
YMA in conjunction with YMF and YMI is pleased to be one of Rod’s main sponsors – it costs up to $100,000 to compete in the event – with the time and logistics involved taking a big toll.
Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020Rod Faggotter to run own privateer effort for #Dakar2020
Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
What happened this week
Tai Woffinden to race in Perth this weekend
Rossi and Marini win 100km dei Campioni
Anderson, Brayton, Blose crowned at Aus-X Open in Melbourne
CDR Yamaha’s Clout & Reardon go 2-3 in SX1
Josh Osby claims SX2 runner-up for Raceline KTM Thor
Jay Wilson closes out SX2 season in fourth at Marvel Stadium
Dunlop the tyre of choice for Supercross winners
Ricky Carmichael’s SX-Open RM-Z450 sold for $18,000
FIM versus WESS stalemate continues
FIM and FIA fail to reach agreements over SSV racing
Discovery/Eurosport named FIM Speedway GP promoters
Full 2020 AORC calendar announced
2020 Championship Calendars
2020 AMA Motocross
2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross
2020 MXGP
2020 American Flat Track
2020 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Speedway
2020 FIM Speedway GP
2020 Australian Dirt Track
2020 Australian Track
Tai Woffinden racing in Perth
Graeme Sinden has informed us that two-times British Champion, three-times World Champion, twice winner of The Rob Woffinden Classic and current Western Australian Speedway Solo Champion Tai Woffinden is in town and booked to race at the fabulous Perth Motorplex on Saturday 7th December.
Tai Woffinden – Image by Warwick Hemy
Tai Woffinden will also race the following week at the Pinjar Park Motorcycle Speedway in Neerubup the following Saturday night for the running of the Rob Woffinden Classic. He has previously won the title twice and is the defending RWC Champion.
Joining Tai Woffinden at Perth Motorplex will be three other British riders who together form a British Team who will contest a series of events against a strong West Australian side.
Team GB
Jack Smith, son of former British Champ, Andy Smith.
Leon Flint, the 16 year old Berwick Bandits flyer
Drew Kemp 2019 British under 19 CHAMPION.
Headlining the Team WA will be former International rider, Frank Smart, the in form Dan Winchester and Matt Marson.
Tai is down under in the Southern hemisphere for some R & R to recover from a bruising European season and his World Grand Prix commitments. He will head back to the UK in the new year, however while in Perth he gives of his time to perform in a couple of shows for his WA fans.
Tai Woffinden – Image Colin Rosewarne
Tai set the Pinjar Park track on fire last January winning the RWC and the WA State Championship and was responsible for some of the largest crowds the new track has seen in its relatively short existence.
This is a great opportunity to see Tai Woffinden and his fellow British team mates perform, an opportunity we don’t get to see often in Perth, and I urge you not to miss either of these two huge speedway meetings.
Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Valentino Rossi and Luca Marini win 100km dei Campioni
Brothers claim victory ahead of Franco Morbidelli and Andrea Migno in the sixth edition of the event held at Rossi’s VR46 Ranch while despite suffering falls on the unfamiliar surface American duo JD Beach and Sammy Halbert rounded out the podium.
The race started in ‘endurance’ style with riders running towards their bikes. Elia Bartolini entered the first corner ahead of the group followed by Rossi, Migno and Stefano Manzi.
The first laps of the race stages some thrilling moments, Manzi crashed and Rossi managed to overtake Bartolini. During the first bike swap Marini, teaming up with his brother Valentino, gained the head of the group chased by Morbidelli and Lorenzo Baldassarri.
During the fifty laps of the race with riders swapping bikes every five laps, exciting head to head battles are staged.
Marini’s bike stopped and Morbidelli took advantage of Luca’s mistake to gain the lead of the race. On the other hand, some grip issues for Bartolini allow American pairing JD Beach and Sammy Halbert to comeback to fight for third position.
In the last few laps of the race, Rossi succeeded in his attempt to reduce the gap with Migno, getting very close to the Academy rider and setting the last laps of the most exciting edition of the 100km dei Campioni on fire.
The last bike swap marks the beginning of the last five laps which decide the podium positions. Marini took the chequered flag first followed by Morbidelli a few tenths behind and JD Beach fighting with Baldassari until the last corners.
Morbidelli made a mistake and a cone got stuck into his bike. This allowed Marini to overtake Franco and gain the lead of the race which he manages to keep util the finish line winning the 100km dei Campioni together with his brother Rossi. Second place went to Morbidelli and Migno following six seconds behind. The American pair of Beach and Halbert gained the third step of the podium ahead of Bartolini and Baldassarri with a gap of just over a second.
Fifth position went the way of Mattia Pasini and Stefano Manzi, sixth was claimed by Celestino Vietti and Marco Bezzecchi.
The Monster Energy AUS-X Open rocked Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium over the weekend as American Jason Anderson claimed the prestigious S-X Open International FIM Oceania Supercross Championship, while Justin Brayton and Chris Blose claimed the Australian Supercross SX1 and SX2 Championships respectively.
Jason Anderson – Image by AM
An on-form Luke Clout started off the night in perfect fashion, as he laid down the fastest lap in Superpole, clocking faster than Anderson, Brayton and Chad Reed to name a few.
When the SX1 Finals kicked off Justin Brayton made a positive start to claim the first win of the night, as his title rival Clout ran into dramas, going down multiple times and finishing well down the order.
Justin Brayton – Image by AM
Anderson claimed the race two victory over Brayton, and put in a repeat performance in the third final, earning the S-X Open International FIM Oceania Supercross Championship title, while Brayton claimed the Australian Supercross SX1 Championship.
Justin Brayton – SX1 Champion
“I’m stoked I got the win – the last few weeks have been so tough, so to get this championship means a lot. I love this country, thank you so much for welcoming me, and I hope that I’ve done your country proud coming over here and winning four straight.”
Justin Brayton – Image by AM
For Anderson, claiming the FIM Oceania Championship is a big tick off the list.
Jason Anderson – FIM Oceania Champion
“This title is sweet, it’s rad I was able to get it done. The track was slick, racing was tight, but my Rockstar Husky was locked in. Thanks to all the AME boys for putting this on. I love coming Down Under, and really plan on doing it for sometime to come.”
Jason Anderson – Image by AM
2019 Australian Supercross SX1 Standings
Pos
Name
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
PTS
1
Justin BRAYTON
25
25
20
18
25
113
2
Luke CLOUT
20
22
25
22
14
103
3
Daniel REARDON
22
20
22
16
15
95
4
Brett METCALFE
18
18
16
20
18
90
5
Dylan LONG
16
11
15
13
12
67
6
Richie EVANS
13
16
10
8
13
60
7
Joel WIGHTMAN
10
15
9
9
11
54
8
Josh HILL
18
15
20
53
9
Todd WATERS
15
13
12
7
4
51
10
Jason ANDERSON
25
22
47
11
Jayden RYKERS
12
10
8
5
7
42
12
Lawson BOPPING
14
13
11
3
41
13
Jackson RICHARDSON
12
1
14
9
36
14
Cody DYCE
5
5
14
4
5
33
15
Dylan WOOD
8
6
6
3
6
29
16
Jesse DOBSON
7
14
7
28
17
Henry MILLER
11
12
23
18
Gradie FEATHERSTONE
11
7
2
2
22
19
Justin CARAFA
9
4
8
21
20
Caleb WARD
9
8
17
21
Chad REED
16
16
22
Jesse MADDEN
5
10
15
23
Joey SAVATGY
10
10
24
Lochie LATIMER
6
4
10
25
Cody COOPER
6
6
26
Blake COBBIN
4
4
27
Jamie HARVEY
3
3
28
Joel CIGLIANO
3
3
29
Jono KRUSIC
1
1
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SX2
The SX2 Class was once again full of insane racing, with the Triple Crown offering up some incredible action that resulted in Honda’s Mitchell Oldenburg taking the overall victory. In P4 was Australian prodigy Jett Lawrence, who claimed two Knobby Holeshots, as he demonstrated why he has secured a long-term contract with Geico Honda.
2019 Aus-X Open – Image by AM
The star of the show however in SX2 was American Chris Blose; as he brought home the 2019 Australian Supercross SX2 Championship.
Chris Blose – SX2 Champion
“Oh man; I can’t explain this. I’m so pumped, the Penrite Honda team worked so hard for this, I did too, and we walk out of here with a number one plate. Thanks to everyone involved, it’s a dream come true to be crowned champion.”
Chris Blose – Image by AM
Collingwood F.C superstar Jordan De Goey took out the Yamaha Celebrity Challenge, as he put his previous motocross skills to the test and eventually stretched his lead to five seconds in the two-lap affair. His AFL rival, Jack Riewoldt, finished in second to last, with 2019 Supercars Champion Scott McLaughlin claiming the wooden spoon.
The Polyflor International showdown was taken out by the Australian Team, with Dan Reardon, Luke Clout and Chad Reed taking out the USA trio of Jason Anderson, Josh Hill and Ricky Carmichael.
Chad Reed – Image by AM
The Monster Energy Best Trick contest saw Melbourne young gun Jayo Archer stomp his first ever Double Backflip in competition, and subsequently, the crowd decided he deserved the gold by popular demand. For Boost Mobile Best Whip, Tyler Wakeford beat some heavy hitters to take gold.
That’s a wrap for supercross action in the Southern Hemisphere for 2019, with 2020 already in the works to become bigger and better than ever, as riders continue to strive for supercross stardom.
2019 Australian Supercross SX2 Standings
Pos
Name
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
PTS
1
Chris BLOSE
20
16
25
22
22
105
2
Joshua OSBY
18
22
22
25
14
101
3
Mitchell OLDENBURG
13
25
20
16
25
99
4
Jay WILSON
16
18
15
18
20
87
5
Aaron TANTI
22
20
18
20
4
84
6
Connor TIERNEY
14
14
15
15
58
7
Regan DUFFY
15
12
14
16
57
8
Bradley TAFT
15
12
13
5
12
57
9
Dylan WILLS
12
10
16
12
50
10
Rhys BUDD
11
8
8
13
40
11
Geran STAPLETON
9
7
11
11
38
12
Ricky LATIMER
8
8
9
10
1
36
13
Tomas RAVENHORST
13
10
9
32
14
Morgan FOGARTY
9
3
9
8
29
15
Kyle WEBSTER
11
11
6
28
16
Jayce COSFORD
10
6
4
6
26
17
Jacob HAYES
25
25
18
Darian SANAYEI
13
10
23
19
Kaleb BARHAM
7
7
5
2
21
20
Jett LAWRENCE
18
18
21
Hugh McKAY
6
7
5
18
22
Wilson TODD
14
14
23
Jaxon HADLOW
6
7
13
24
Jack KUKAS
5
4
9
25
Chandler BURNS
5
5
26
Madison LATTA
4
4
27
Alex LARWOOD
3
3
28
McKenzie O’BREE
2
2
29
Caleb GOULLET
1
1
CDR Yamaha’s Clout & Reardon go 2-3 in SX1
US guest Josh Hill made his first trip to the podium in 2019 taking a third place over the weekend at the Aus-X Open, while Luke Clout and Dan Reardon claimed the two – three finish in the premier SX1 championship despite a challenging final round.
Luke Clout carried the championship leader’s red plate into the final round with a slender one point lead over Justin Brayton. Clout looked on point all day posting the fastest laps in qualifying and in Superpole, but when the three back to back main events rolled on, his luck deserted him. He took a 10-3-7 result, crashing in the first and last race.
Luke Clout
“Look, it’s a bit of a disappointing way to finish the championship but overall, I still see it as a very positive series for me and one that I made gains on as a rider. Myself and the team put in a lot of work both in the lead up and during the championship and it was rewarded with good results all the way through and a second championship behind Justin is still something both the team and myself can be very proud of. Thank you to Craig and everyone on the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team as well as my brother Aaron for the amazing job they do. And to race in this venue tonight, in front of so many people is such a huge moment for our sport. Walking out for race one and seeing the crowd and venue gave me chills.”
Luke Clout – Image by AM
Dan Reardon finished up third in the SX1 championship after another solid season, matching his 2018 result, and was sixth overall for Round 5 with a consistent 5-5-7 result. A crash in his heat race, left him a little battered and bruised, while he had to transfer through to the main event via the LCQ but once on the start line it was business as usual for the Queenslander.
Dan Reardon
“I made things difficult for myself when I crashed in the heat race. Instead of having an early pick of the start gate with a direct transfer spot, I had 17th pick of the gate and as a result wasn’t in a good position in the first turn on every start. I would love to have done better here tonight as it was a big stage for our sport in a venue like this and with the biggest crowd we have had for supercross, but still happy to finish third in the championship and be racing at this level. Last year I finished the season with an injury in Auckland that took months to rehab. It took a lot of work to come back and get full strength back in my foot and ankle, but I am glad I did it as I still love racing supercross. It was also great to hook up with the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team again and re-ignite a successful working relationship. We won in 2015 and here we are four years later still going for championships.”
Dan Reardon – Image by AM
With his three race stint here in Australia as a guest of Monster Energy and CDR Yamaha, Josh Hill broke through for his first podium in 2019, charging to a 3-4-2 result in a hectic night of racing. He was up the front in all thee races and challenging the likes of Justin Brayton and Jason Anderson. In only three round appearances, Hill made his way to eighth overall in the championship.
Josh Hill
“I had such a great time here in Australia and can’t thank everyone from Monster and Yamaha for their support and enthusiasm in having my race down here. Everything about this trip has been so much fun and if the opportunity comes up again I would love to do it as my time here as been amazing. “It was also good to get on the podium at the biggest race of the season and reward the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy team. We have been close at the other two rounds and I was desperate to give them some decent results for everything they have done. I hope to come back next year and do a full supercross season as I can see the sport is growing here. I can see why Justin does it every year, you Aussie people are cool, so hopefully we can work out a deal that will enable me to do it again as I think I have more to give in racing and enjoy my time here so much.”
Josh Hill and Justin Brayton – Image by AMWeekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Josh Osby claims SX2 runner-up for Raceline KTM Thor
The Aus-X Open started well for Osby, who qualified as the fastest rider of the day’s timed qualifying sessions and went into the nights heat race feeling confident. The night took a turn for the worse in the very first lap of the heat race however, as Osby was landed on by another rider at the conclusion of lap one, hitting the ground hard.
Making the direct transfer to the main, he went on to claim a 5-7-12, despite a penalty in race two and a ruptured oil filler cap in race three. The result left him seventh overall for the round, and relegated Osby to runner-up in the SX2 championship.
Josh Osby
“Tonight was one of the hardest nights of my career. I put myself in good positions like I have all season, but unfortunately it just didn’t work out. It seemed like nothing went my way from the beginning of the heat race on and although we tried, it wasn’t meant to be this time around. I want to thank the entire team, we came so close and they gave me everything I needed to get the job done. But that’s racing and hopefully I’ll be back for redemption next year.”
Josh Osby smoking due to damage to an oil filler cap – Image by AM
In a fantastic showing rookie Regan Duffy finished a very impressive fifth overall with 9-5-6 results respectively in the three SX2 main events. A fifth overall culminates a fantastic rookie Supercross season, leading to seventh overall in the SX2 Championship standings.
Regan Duffy
“Tonight was intense for me, the track here at Marvel Stadium was unreal. I had to figure out a few rhythm sections after the days timed sessions, but we worked it out for the main events and it made a big difference come race time. I had some close calls out there tonight, the racing was incredible to be a part of and I had a great time. I can’t thank the team and everyone in my corner enough, 2019 has been a solid start to my Professional career.”
Regan Duffy – Image by AM
In an unfortunate incident, SX1 rider Henry Miller would crash in the timed qualifying session during the day and be forced to retire from the event with minor injuries, following a collision with another rider.
Jay Wilson closes out SX2 season in fourth at Marvel Stadium
Jay Wilson, defending SX2 champion, has had a frustrating 2019 season just missing the podium at the opening four rounds, despite winning races and being in contention throughout. But he put all that behind him over the weekend, where the Triple Crown format was again is use, with Wilson carding a 3-2-3 result to take third on the night and move to fourth in the final championship standings.
Jay Wilson
“Tonight my mentality was that I had nothing to lose. I was fifth coming into the final round and even if I had a shocker, it wouldn’t have done much for the overall result, so I just laid it all on the line and see what happened. I didn’t get great starts all night and that was my fault, my reaction time at the gate was terrible but I managed to make some passes only to get near the front but run out of time. But, I feel pretty good with how I raced tonight and just wished I had of taken that mentality in from round one. The team did a great job as always and the bike was perfect. The Yamalube Yamaha Racing team put in a big effort and it was frustrating not to be able to get them on the podium until now in this series. Thanks to my mechanic, Mike Ward, his dedication and passion is unrivalled and while we didn’t get the championship back, we gave it a good shake.”
Jay Wilson – Image by AM
The Aus-X Open also saw Richie Evans complete his first series in supercross, claiming sixth overall in the SX1 championship. The north Queenslander had only competed in a few supercross events prior to the 2019 season and never on a 450, making sixth place a worthy achievement, alongside taking eighth overall for the round with a 6-9-8 result.
Richie Evans
“Sometimes I look at who is alongside me on the start line and think its pretty amazing that I am on the same track as them. I started next to Jason Anderson in all six main events in Auckland and Melbourne- the guy was the 2018 world champion, and I’m just a dude riding a dirt bike from Cairns. I think he must be over me as I got a few starts on him as well. But its been a good supercross series for me. I came in injured at round one, got a top five in Adelaide, had a couple of tough races in Wollongong and Auckland before finishing strongly here in Melbourne. The team have been great and having Michael work with me has been good as he has so much experience. Thank you to everyone on the team and I have had a great time racing supercross.”
Richie Evans – Image by AM
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Dunlop the tyre of choice for Supercross winners
In front of 35,000 race fans, Dunlop racers took a clean sweep of not only the final-round podium, but also the championship. The Dunlop Geomax MX33 pattern once again proved to be the tyre of choice inside Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, taking the win in every SX1 track outing.
Justin Brayton – Image by AM
Justin Brayton opened the night with the win in heat one, while Jason Anderson took the top spot in heat two. Superpole saw Clout set the fastest lap, before the triple-crown race format saw the SX1 class line up for three eight-lap races.
It was Brayton’s consistent 1-2-3 results that earned the overall win, ahead of Anderson’s 7-1-1 and Josh Hill’s 3-4-2 to round out the podium, and it was a 2019 Australian Supercross Championship podium lockout with all riders choosing to race with Dunlop.
Jason Anderson – Image by AM
In the SX2 class Yamalube Yamaha’s Jay Wilson took third for the night, securing fourth in the championship. Title contender Aaron Tanti, went down hard, earning just four points for the round and settling for fifth overall in the championship. All eyes were on 16-year-old Jett Lawrence as he made his supercross debut, taking a 4-3-2 race results for fourth in the round, and showing many why he is not just a future star of the sport, but a star already.
Jay Wilson – Image by AM
Robbie Bugden – Dunlop Motorsport Manager
“Just like that, the Australian Supercross Championship is over. What an amazing atmosphere, with 35,000 people watching a world-class field on a world-class track. I’m obviously ecstatic about not only securing the round and championship win in SX1, but to lock out the podium is just amazing, and a credit to both the riders and the Geomax product range. Congratulations to Justin Brayton on his fourth SX1 championship, but also to CDR Yamaha Monster Energy for securing second and third overall with Luke (Clout) and Dan (Reardon), along with Josh Hill taking eighth after missing the first two rounds! It was great to watch Jay Wilson take it to the Americans all night in SX2. He’s a class rider and it’s great to see him up front, once more showing that consistency gets you everywhere. 2019 has been a year of change, but also a great year. We’re proud to work with some incredible teams and riders, and supporting the sport in so many ways, and I’m really looking forward to what 2020 has in store.”
Ricky Carmichael’s SX-Open RM-Z450 sold for $18,000!
Suzuki Australia recently announced the opportunity to own the RM-Z450 ridden by Ricky Carmichael at the 2019 SX-Open Supercross event just run in Melbourne, with the bike passing reserve and selling for $18,000, with all proceeds past the reserve going to the Starlight Foundation.
Ricky Carmichael’s SX-Open RM-Z450
Ricky Carmichael’s one-off 2019 Suzuki RM-Z450 featured the following modifications from standard.
Yoshimura RS-4 full titanium exhaust system
Hinson complete clutch assembly and factory Suzuki clutch cover
Unique to SX-Open event custom RC graphics kit
ODI Ricky Carmichael signature handlebars and lock-on grips
DID gold race chain
Personally signed by the G.O.A.T himself
A set of FOX riding gear as worn by Ricky Carmichael at the SX-Open event=
Ricky Carmichael’s SX-Open RM-Z450
Carmichael, the most successful AMA motocross racer of all-time is a seven time AMA Motocross premier class champion and five time AMA Supercross Champion. His unrivalled successes in the sport of motocross have given him the nickname ‘The G.O.A.T’ by his peers; standing for the Greatest of All Time.
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FIM versus WESS stalemate continues
Talks have been taking place since the beginning of the year as the FIM have sought to bring WESS under their umbrella.
The FIM have made statements such as, “The FIM will not be flexible in environmental rules, safety conditions, protection of our riders and controlling the sport.” Using such statements to indicate that competitors are at more risk in non FIM events due to riders not being covered under the FIM insurance scheme while competing in WESS events.
2019 GetzenRodeo – Image by Future7Media
For their part WESS organisers seem determined to go their own way. The WESS was set-up largely by Red Bull and KTM/Husqarna immediately joined the competition and had their star contracted riders concentrate on the WESS series.
From the outside looking in, WESS certainly seems to be much more professional than World Enduro/Enduro GP. The media and promotion efforts surrounding WESS make EnduroGP look very amateur indeed.
This week the FIM stated that; “The FIM stays firm with regards to environmental rules, safety conditions, protection of riders and controlling the sport. A new meeting will take place in February 2020, where all parties hope to reach an agreement.”
“Two different tenders were launched: one for the promotion of the FIM Enduro World Championship 2021-2030 and another for a new FIM Enduro Extreme World Cup 2020-2029, with the objective of bringing together the Enduro family. The FIM hopes to receive interesting offers.
FIM and FIA fail to reach agreements over SSV racing
SSV (Side by Side Vehicles): Despite their best efforts, an agreement was not possible between the FIM and the FIA on the matter of SSV Classes. The FIM will proceed with its own production category of light vehicles.
Discovery/Eurosport named FIM Speedway GP promoters
Speedway: A tender was launched during the third trimester of 2019 for the promotion of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Championship for 2022-2031.
2019 SGP of Poland
Various offers were submitted to the FIM Board of Directors, who chose after much consideration to sign with Discovery / Eurosport Events as their proposal was the most interesting and innovative from a sports, development and TV coverage point of view. The FIM would like to thank BSI for its dedication and hard work and hopes to collaborate with them again in the future.
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Kiwi world champs receive medals at FIM Awards in Monaco
In an historic first for Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ), two Kiwi world champion riders Courtney Duncan and Hamish MacDonald were officially presented with their 2019 FIM World Championship medals at a glittering ceremony in Monaco, on Sunday night.
Since MNZ became affiliated with the FIM in 1986, New Zealand has never had two riders win world championship events in a single season.
Dunedin-based 23-year-old Duncan (Kawasaki) dominantly won the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship in 2019, after three years of near misses, since bursting onto the scene as a race-winning rookie in 2016.
While 20-year-old MacDonald (Sherco), of Christchurch, claimed the FIM 125cc Youth Enduro World Championship – New Zealand’s first title in the discipline, thanks to an impressive second season at this level.
Duncan says it was “definately a proud moment receiving my world championship medal among all the other winners.”
Courtney Duncan
Her victorious season started with a win in the opening moto of the season at Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. Although she slipped to fourth in the second moto and allowed Dutch rider Nancy van der Ven (Yamaha) to claim the top spot, that would prove to be the only moment she would let her guard down all season.
Consecutive doubles in Portugal, the Czech Republic and Italy, set up a title shot at the final round in Turkey, where she wasted no time in wrapping things up with a dominant 12-second victory in the first moto. Duncan signed-off her 2019 assault with a second race win, making it nine from ten for the season, as she followed in the footsteps of fellow Kiwi Katherine Oberlin-Brown (nee Prumm), who won the Women’s World Cup in 2006 and 2007, before the class was elevated to FIM World Motocross Championship status.
MacDonald showed the world how it was done this year too, by scoring a podium in every single race that he finished in the seven-round season. The first Kiwi rider to compete at world level in over fifteen years, he also showed no shortage of grit and determination to come back after breaking his shoulder at the third round in Spain, where he missed out on the points completely after back-to-back double victories in Germany and Portugal.
His only other no-score after that was on the second day in Italy and despite having conceded the championship lead to Italy’s Claudio Spanu (Husqvarna), MacDonald gradually fought back to make sure of the title with a pair of third places at the final round in Ambert, France.
He and Duncan were treated to all the super-star treatment in Monaco – complete with a helicopter transfer into Monte Carlo and Duncan was dressed for the awards night by Kiwi fashion label Company of Strangers, from her hometown of Dunedin.
“It was a huge honour to be representing New Zealand at these awards and to have Hamish alongside – another Kiwi – is pretty special for our country. I will enjoy this moment before I get back to work towards next season,” Duncan says.
MacDonald was blown away by the hillside district of Monte Carlo, describing it as “amazing and so beautiful.”
“It was great to represent New Zealand on a world stage – not just myself too which is pretty crazy because New Zealand has never had two world champion riders in one year!” Hamish says.
Canterbury’s Hamish MacDonald celebrates wining the FIM 125cc Youth Enduro World Championship and becoming the first New Zealander to become victorious in this discipline – Image by MAastorgne Photography and Dario Agrati
Like Duncan, he will start increasing his hours on the bike and cross-training, as he prepares for the up-coming season, where he moves up to the junior enduro category.
“It will be tough, but I like a challenge and I’m excited to see what it brings, and hopefully I can come back to Monaco next year! Summer will be hard training for me. I don’t know if I’ll race any events in New Zealand yet. I’ll also be doing lots of riding, running and cycling preparing for my return back to Europe in January 2020.” MacDonald says.
Duncan also heads back to Europe around the same time, as her first round is in Britain at the end of February, where she will begin her title defence.
“I’ll start to build for the season when I’m return to New Zealand at the end of the week. It’ll be another big year, which I’m looking forward to.” Duncan says.
Kiwi riders Courtney Duncan and Hamish MacDonald with their world championship medals at the glittering Monte-Carlo-hosted FIM Awards ceremony on Sunday
2020 AORC round 1-3 locations announced
The Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) have released race weekend locations for the first six of 12 rounds of the 2020 national championship series.
The AORC kick starts the 2020 season off returning to Toowoomba featuring a new Cooby Dam venue for rounds 1 and 2 on February 22 and 23.
2019 AORC Rounds 1 & 2, Toowoomba – Image by John Pearson Media
The championship then heads south to Dungog, NSW on March 14 and 15 for rounds 3 and 4 and a new venue at Nowra for rounds 5 and 6 on April 18 and 19.
The 2020 Championship will continue to use a double-header format, which will see six weekends make up twelve rounds of the AORC for 2020.
Matthew Falvo – Motorcycling Australia Off-Road Events Manager
“With the recently crowned World Champion Junior Team and overall second placed Australian ISDE team returning for action in 2020, we will have the best riders in the world competing in the Yamaha AORC. We are very excited for the 2020 Yamaha AORC to be returning to Toowoomba, Dungog and Nowra, where we have held successful events in the past. With new exciting venues in the 2020 AORC we are sure to again field upwards of 200 plus riders for each event in every state.”
Daniel Milner – 2019 AORC
AORC reveal the second half of the year’s locations for the twelve round 2020 championship once relevant planning approvals have been met.
2020 Australian Off-Road Championship Calendar
Round 1 & 2: Toowoomba, QLD – 22–23 February 2020
Round 3 & 4: Dungog, NSW – 14–15 March 2020
Round 5 & 6: Nowra, NSW – 18–19 April 2020
Round 7 & 8: SA – 1–2 August 2020
Round 9 & 10: VIC – 19–20 September 2020
Round 11 & 12: TBC – 17–18 October 2020
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2020 Championship Calendars
2020 AMA Motocross race schedule
May 17 – Hangtown Motocross Classic – Rancho Cordova, CA
May 24 – Fox Raceway National – Pala, CA
May 31 – Thunder Valley National – Lakewood, CO
June 7 – Florida National – Jacksonville, FL
June 21 – High Point National – Mt. Morris, PA
June 28 – Southwick National – Southwick, MA
July 5 – RedBud National – Buchanan, MI
July 19 – Spring Creek National – Millville, MN
July 26 – Washougal National – Washougal, WA
August 16 – Unadilla National – New Berlin, NY
August 23 – Budds Creek National – Mechanicsville, MD
August 30 – Ironman National – Crawfordsville, IN
2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Calendar
Jan. 4 – Angels Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, Calif.
Jan. 11 – The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis, Mo.
Jan. 18 – Angels Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, Calif.
Jan. 25 – State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
Feb. 1 – Ringcentral Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.
Feb. 8 – Petco Park, San Diego, Calif.
Feb. 15 – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
Feb. 22 – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Feb. 29 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
March 7 – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Fla.
March 14 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianpolis, Ind.
March 21 – Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.
March 28 – Centurylink Field, Seattle, Wash.
April 4 – Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Co.
April 18 – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
April 25 – Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
May 2 – Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah
2020 MXGP Calendar
March 1 – Great Britain, Matterley Basin (EMX125, WMX)
March 8 – The Netherlands, Valkenswaard – (EMX250, WMX)
March 22 – Patagonia, Argentina, Neuquen
April 5 – Trentino I, Pietramurata – (EMX250, EMX 2t)
April 19 – Spain, (TBA) – (EMX125, WMX)
April 26 – Portugal, Agueda – (EMX125, EMX250)
May 10 – France, Saint Jean d’Angely – (EMX125, EMX Open)
May 17 – Italy, Maggiora – (EMX Open, WMX)
May 24 – Germany, Teutschenthal – (EMX250, EMX Open)
As the 31 riders assembled on the congested grid for the start of Race 1, a clean start brought polesitter Haziq into the lead at Turn 1 with the rest of the grid in hot pursuit. The intensity of the title chase had ramped up the action in the Underbone 150cc Race 1. At the end of the first lap, the top 11 riders came across the finish line within the same second.
Unfortunately for championship leader Mohd Akid Aziz, mechanical failure forced him out of the race on Lap 2. More carnage ensued on the same lap when Mohammad Murobbil Vitoni, Syahrul Amin, Richard Taroreh and Muhamad Iqbal Abdul Malek got involved in a big pile-up at Turn 4. Thankfully, all the riders were able to walk away from the crash.
Seasoned campaigner Ahmad Fazli Sham used every bit of skill in his arsenal to lead the group across the finish line for most of the eight-lap race. Three laps to go, Fazli continued to mix things up at the front, championship hopeful McKinley Kyle Paz was meanwhile tucked into the front group on P6.
McKinley’s team mate Fernando Masato sprung a surprise on the last lap when he stormed past Fazli and into the lead. The Filipino rider held on to his advantage for two more corners but lost the lead to Fazli as they exited Turn 3. Team tactics came into play at this point when the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team riders bunched up together to squeeze Masato out of the front. Fazli got onto the lead with the aid of their slipstream.
Another crash at the same corner gave Fazli the space he needed to pull ahead of the group. The Malaysian rider kept his momentum for the rest of the final lap and notched his second win of the season. Wahyu Aji Trilaksana made it a ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team 1-2 when he crossed the line in second place. Fernando Masato settled for third place.
McKinley Kyle Paz took control of the title chase when he finished tenth in Race 1. McKinley leading Akid by only two-points. The Underbone 150 title chase now down to five riders including Haziq Fairues, Ahmad Fazli Sham and Aldi Satya Mahendra ahead of the final race on Sunday.
Underbone 150 Race 2
McKinley Kyle Paz was disappointed not to qualify on the front row but in the Underbone class, the UMA Racing Yamaha Philippine Team rider knew that grid position is not everything. The 18-year-old, who was one of five riders still in the running for the 2019 title, knew that all he had to do was hunker down within the front group and bide his time for a last lap, last corner attack.
However, in the sheer unpredictability that is so characteristic of Underbone racing, pre-drawn plans and strategy went flying out the window the moment the 8-lap race was flagged off. Haziq Fairues and Akid Aziz were among the early leaders at the start of Race 2. At the end of Lap 1, 28 out of 31 were still bunched up in one big group, attacking the corners six abreast.
The first title contender to drop out of the race was Aldi Satya Mahendra. Aldi crashed out of the last turn along with Mohd Rozaiman Said. Haziq Fairues was very nearly swept along by the incident and lost eight positions to drop down to the back of the group.
On Lap 4, championship leader Akid Aziz retired from the race, his title hunt derailed again by mechanical failure. This left 20 riders in the leading charge, among them, McKinley Kyle Paz, Ahmad Fazli Sham, and Haziq Fairues.
McKinley’s bid for the title faltered when he crashed in the mid-section of the 4.554km circuit. Refusing to give up, the young Filipino rider was back on his bike in a flash even though he had lost touch with the front pack.
The leading group had not shrunk noticeably by the final lap. With the notorious Buriram Turn 12 looming, Ahmad Fazli Sham began to slipstream his way past Richie Taroreh, Mohd Izzat Zaidi and Wawan Wello. The seasoned campaigner was all set to take control of the final corner until he got skittled by Syahrul Amin.
Mohd Izzat Zaidi led the group across the finish line but was later penalised for exceeding the track limit at the last corner. Izzat’s penalty handed the win to Richie Taroreh who claimed his first win of the season with 16’23.670s. Wawan Wello and Wahyu Aji Trilaksana made it an all-Indonesian clean sweep in the Underbone 150 Race 2.
15 seconds behind, McKinley Kyle Paz finished just outside of the points in 16th place. Clueless about what had happened in front of him, the disappointed young rider had no idea that his title contenders had been taken out one by one in the intensity of the race. It was only when he returned, dejected, to the pits that he found out he had officially entered the history books as the first Filipino rider to become the FIM Asian Underbone 150cc champion with 121 points to his name.
Akid Aziz, despite two DNF finishes in the final round, stayed in second overall with 119 points while his team mate Haziq Fairues closed the season in third with 113 points.
While the UMA Racing Yamaha riders were busy celebrating their personal achievements, the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team had quietly triumphed over UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team in the UB150 Team Awards.
Thanks to Wahyu’s steady performance, the Malaysian-based team won the team award by 190 points. UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team dropped to second with 178 points while UMA Racing Yamaha Philippine Team was ranked third with 139 points.
On the evening of Tuesday 10 December, a procession will wind its way through the city centre, made up of the FIM EWC bikes as well as the cars competing in the season finale of the FIA WTCR/OSCARO, the second half of the Races of Malaysia double-header event.
