Before bikes on track it’s always time to talk about the weekend ahead, and on Thursday at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya it was a packed pre-event Press Conference featuring no less than seven riders: Championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was joined by Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati), Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati), Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Moto3 Championship leader Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team).
A unique photo opportunity at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya marked the 70th anniversary of the World Championship
Marquez was first to speak. “Of course I’m happy to arrive in this way to our home GP and yeah after Mugello, you know we arrive in a great moment because normally in Mugello we struggle, this year we struggled but we were there so we’ll see here. In the last years Ducati were very fast, so they will be fast again this year! But we’ll try to do our best and the target is try to work in our garage and on Sunday try to be on the podium. If we have a small chance at the victory we’ll try.
Marc Marquez
“For me, both the Ducati riders are contenders in the Championship, strong and good opponents, Dovizioso is only 12 points behind me, Danilo 33, everything is very tight, including Rins. We need to keep going try to push and work in the same way as this first part of the season because I feel really good and really confident.”
Next came Dovizioso, who won at the venue two years ago and is, as Marquez says, just 12 points behind him. “For sure 12 points behind Marc at this moment is really positive, we have more points than last year, we’ve been consistent, but we want to get back to winning because if you want to fight with Marc you have to win some races. He’s always there and on a bay day he’s still on the podium and he’s able to try and win the race.
Andrea Dovizioso
“We are there, we are close but we want something more and we’re working really hard. I’m happy to be here in Montmelo, it’s a really nice track and I think we can be competitive, but as in other years the temperature on the ground and the tyres have more effect than other places, so we will see. The tyres are bit different to the past and I’m confident but we’ll see.”
Rins, as third in the Championship, spoke next. “Well for sure we had an incredible race. When I finished I was very…I thought I was able to win! I fought with all the Ducatis and Hondas but we already knew we would suffer. Positive is we finished less than one second off the win, I enjoyed it a lot, overtaking these guys a lot and it was very fun.”
The man who did eventually take the win in Mugello, however, was Danilo Petrucci, who first talked through the incredible weekend there.
“Fortunately, the celebrating has been not so crazy. I was sleeping at my mothers house so it was important to come back on Sunday in a conscious way! It’s been very nice to win in Mugello after a good race. I wasn’t 100%, this was more special but yeah, the feeling after on Monday on Tuesday was to try again because the feeling after crossing the finish line was amazing. I just started to think that Mugello was the first of good racing. The last three races we always fought for the podium and we want to continue like this. I think here will be more difficult than Mugello, we are four maybe six riders who can fight for the win every race.”
Danilo Petrucci
Next, the Italian also clarified some of his post-race comments about helping his team-mate to win the title.
“As always the media just took the second part of my thoughts. I already say Andrea give me a lot of help in the winter, especially on the mental side. I want to put in a nice level, helping one another in competition in training and at home. We speak a lot, if I have the chance to win I will try, there are no team orders, but I can maybe give to Andrea a better version of me, be calmer and more relaxed. This was the meaning of helping Andrea. Be there fighting for the podium, two Ducatis, will be very important for me.”
Viñales took over from there; honest ahead of track action although also optimistic. “It’s the same problems. In practice we can show our speed and potential, like in Mugello, then in races sometimes we lost more than a second. It’s frustrating because we prepare the bike well and at race time it changes so much, but I hope for good grip here in Montmelo. It’s a track I really like and last year wasn’t too bad actually and I think this year we have a bit more potential, so I will try and give my best as always, cross our fingers to have good grip in the race and to be able to show our potential. If we can achieve a good result for us it’s important. As an objective, it’s to improve on Mugello.”
Maverick Vinales
He also spoke about his experience at the pre-event, riding a 1970s two-stroke Yamaha up Tibidabo. “It was a different experience, it was a really long time since I rode a two-stroke and I stalled it first time! The bike was strange to ride, skinny and long, so very different to what we’re riding now but it was a great experience. So thanks to MotoGP for the opportunity!”
It was Aleix Espargaro who spoke next, at a true home Grand Prix for the Granollers-born rider. “Pol and myself were born just 5km from here, so it’s always great to come to our home track. I hope we can enjoy a good weekend, the weather looks fine and the track will be full with the crowd. We’re aiming for a good weekend, trying to be a bit closer to the top guys because we’ve been struggling at the start of the season but I hope the positive vibes of the home crowd will help a little bit.
Aleix Espargaro
“It’s not enough, my 100%, but it’s the maximum I can do. I try to give everything I have from FP1 to the end of the race but this year it’s not enough, to get in the top ten is very difficult. We need help from Aprilia but I know in Noale they are working hard, so I need to be patient, do my part the best possible, and work hard and wait for new parts to come to improve the bike.”
That’s it from Thursday at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, exactly 70 years since the Championship began.
Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales suited up for the 70th birthday celebration of MotoGP racing
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship descends on Kent this weekend with the prestigious King of Brands title up for grabs coupled with the first round of the new Integro Triple Crown on the Grand Prix circuit, raising the stakes higher than ever.
Josh Brookes was last year’s winner of the King of Brands Trophy, awarded to the rider with the best cumulative results from the two races, and the Be Wiser Ducati rider returns to Brands Hatch after securing a double victory at the Kent circuit last summer.
Josh Brookes at Brands Hatch last year – Image Dave Yeomans
However, it is the 2015 champion’s teammate Scott Redding who leads the standings by just six points following his triple win at Donington Park last time out, becoming the fourth different winner of the season.
Tommy Bridewell sits second in the standings and has come tantalisingly close to a win on several occasions this season, scoring four podiums from the opening three rounds. The Devizes-based contender is determined to get back on the top step at round four this weekend as he bids to secure the Oxford Racing Ducati team’s first race victory.
It was a three-way battle at Donington between Bridewell, Redding and Mackenzie
McAMS Yamaha were a force to be reckoned with last summer when Brookes claimed them a double victory, and Silverstone race winner Tarran Mackenzie has high hopes for a strong performance with the team this weekend. He heads into the Brands Hatch weekend just a single point adrift of Bridewell in the standings ahead of Sunday’s two races.
Josh Brookes – Donington Park Round 3 – BSB 2019 – Brands Hatch has been a happy hunting ground for Brookes in the past
Brookes occupies fourth in the overall standings after a bruising weekend last time out at Donington Park, but he holds a four-point advantage over Honda Racing’s Xavi Forés, who became the seventh different rider to claim a podium finish this season.
Josh Brookes – Donington Park BSB 2019
Danny Buchan completes the current top six for FS3-Racing Kawasaki following a successful run of three podiums from the opening four races which gives him the edge over Josh Elliott, the opening race winner of the season, and Andrew Irwin on the second of the Honda Racing Fireblades.
Andrew Irwin – Image Dave Yeomans
Christian Iddon leads the BMW charge for the Tyco team after his best finishes of the season at Donington Park with the second McAMS Yamaha of Jason O’Halloran completing the top ten as the pair bid for their first podium finishes of the season.
In addition to the Bennetts Rewards King of Brands Trophy, the round also marks the start of the Bennetts BSB Integro Summer Triple Crown, comprising two races at three rounds – Brands Hatch Grand Prix (June 14/15/16), Knockhill (June 28/29/30) and Snetterton 300 (July 19/20/21), totalling six races.
If a rider reigns supreme and scores victories in all six of the races, a £50,000 prize will be paid plus a £25,000 Triple Crown bonus for completing the circuit hat trick of wins.
If a rider narrowly misses out on completing the full six race wins, a prize a £40,000 plus the £25,000 Triple Crown three circuit win bonus will be awarded for scoring victory in five of the six Integro Summer Triple Crown races.
The final chance to scoop a summer bonus is if a rider wins four of the six races; they will net £30,000, plus if they win a race at all three circuits they will also celebrate with the £25,000 Triple Crown bonus.
Scott Redding – Be Wiser Ducati Championship leader
“Donington Park was a really good weekend for me getting the triple; I felt really good, gained a lot of confidence and feel very relaxed now. Of course I would like to carry that on to the next weekend at Brands Hatch and I would like to be minimum on the podium there – I don’t think that is asking too much from me or the team and if you are in a podium position you are always in with a chance of winning a race so we will just play it by ear and see.
Scott Redding atop the podium at Donington Park Round 3 – BSB 2019
“Brands Hatch is one of the cooler looking tracks and I am looking forward to it; the crowds look pretty amazing there. Everyone says it is one of the bigger rounds of the season and the fans have been great and all their support helps me a lot, so fingers crossed we can have a good weekend and do something special.
Scott Redding – Donington Round 3 – BSB 2019
“There is always expectation to win again, especially after doing the triple at Donington but it is a different track and we will have to see; it isn’t something that fazes me to be honest. If I can fight for a win then I will and I will do the best I can on the day and not put too much pressure on myself. I just want to try and win. I feel good, the team are working really great, so there are no real excuses, I will just do the best I can and give it my all like I always do.”
South Australia’s David Johnson had scored a couple of fourth place finishes in previous TT appearances but 2019 marked a breakthrough for the 37-year-old as he raced to a hard fought podium in the Superstock TT.
Johnson was hoping for a repeat performance in Friday’s Senior TT but after an impressive opening lap of 130.98mph, disappointment then struck at the end of lap two when a vibration caused the crank position sensor to fail, shutting down the bike and forcing him to retire. Early in the week he had claimed tenth in the Supersport TT.
We caught up with Davo after the Senior TT to recap his TT week.
David Johnson
Trev: I am with David Johnson here at the TT paddock on Friday, immediately after a disappointing senior TT, but with the glory of a Superstock podium still fresh from Thursday that must be a great reward for some of the pre-season effort and the faith Honda has put in you.
David Johnson: “Today, the Senior TT hasn’t gone so well, but we were looking like we were in a good position there – I think it’s an antipodean thing, we come out of the box quite slow then get fast. It’s no different than what Bruce Anstey does. I think Cam (Donald) is the only one of us who went out and did awesome laps from lap one.
David Johnson – TT 2019
“I always end well though, and it looked like it could possibly have been a podium today as well, while yesterday of course was amazing. On a bike that I didn’t expect it on, the Superstock bike is not known as the fastest thing out of the box but we proved to people that it is highly capable. It handles so well, I could just ride it, the way it handled was amazing, there is never any dramas with the way the stock Honda handles, that’s for sure.
Cam Donald congratulates Davo on his maiden TT podium
“On the last lap in the Superstock race, when I was in P3 at one point, then P4, then just before the mount’ I saw P4 + 0, and thought who the hell is this I’m dicing with. It turns out its Michael Dunlop. That was only over the line, the last sector I was fourth, come across the line as hard as I could in the last sector, short circuit hard and come out 0.2s in front. Happy to get onto the podium for the first time.”
David Johnson was cool as a cucumber ahead of the Superbike TT as his mechanics fuelled his bike only moments before the race start
Trev: I remarked in the Superstock race report (Link), the bike uses less fuel, the team helped make up that three-seconds in the pits to give the team great credence as well, but some people also forget that you lose more than three-seconds a lap with the horsepower deficit to the BMW and Kawasaki. So you still had to do your job with less power out on the circuit. From the sidelines earlier in the week I could see that Michael Dunlop could make 20 metres or more on you over 400 metres as soon as the bikes were upright, pulling 20 metres over a 400 metre straight – when the tracks over 60,000 metres that certainly adds up over a full lap…
David Johnson in the pits on the Superbike
David Johnson: “Yea, Sulby Straight I think we were at our worst, against whoever was fastest, 15 mph down, which is a lot, a friggen hell of a lot. Yea so I sorta had no idea who I was dicing with, I thought it was actually going to be James Hillier, but obviously he had a 30s penalty, which didn’t come into the equation, as even with that penalty off we still beat him by 6s, but it was Dunlop I was fighting with.
David Johnson – Superstock TT 2019
“The last sector is obviously where the Honda is going to be awesome, as it’s quite a tight little section, slow and tight, which is why I can push without risking too much. Just to come out by 0.2 of a second is… some people, the way they were following it, they were saying it was the battle of the TT.”
Peter Hickman leads David Johnson
Trev: It was only a race for third to be fair right from the start, Hicky and Harrison were in another league last year, and it proved the same again this year, that pair are going to be hard to beat.
David Johnson: “They’ve changed the bar for this whole situation really, Hicky was behind me starting, I was ninth on the road, and he was 10th, so when he caught me and he caught me quite early in the lap, and then starts pulling away, I was like oh my god, this is ridiculous, to push like that.
David Johnson – Superstock TT 2019
“The way they are pushing to get what they do, it’s changed a lot. That’s how hard you have to win, those two have changed the bar. Dunlop has won 19 TTs all together and in a big bike TT you have to push absolutely, like say short circuit you push 100 per cent, to win a TT these days that’s what it takes… I would if I felt comfortable on the bike, but with the short practice that we’ve had and me being new to Honda, I just didn’t quite feel that comfortable to go out of the box and push like mad right from the off.
David Johnson – Superstock TT 2019
“Whereas especially the first couple of laps, is where you make it all up and get comfortable with the bike, you push like mad in the first two laps and the rest comes to you. Whereas I’m still building up speed…”
David Johnson
Trev: Third, that’s probably fulfilling your ultimate potential that you would have looked at coming into the race. Are the team happy, does that mean you’ll be on a Fireblade next year and they’ll pay you more money? (laughs)
David Johnson: “Maybe, we’ve not spoken about that, I’m happy with them and they are happy with me. Especially in Superstock, they didn’t expect that at all. The Superbike is a fair weapon, so we expected to be somewhere near in that, and we were close, we thought we had the potential to be on the podium today in the Senior, unfortunately the bike let us down with an electronics problem.
David Johnson – Superstock TT 2019
“On the Superstock bike it was a long shot, the Superbike was the one I expected to be on the podium in, and then all of a sudden I’m on the podium in Superstock. I’ve won BSB championship races in Superstock, so I knew I was going to be good on it, but had no idea, never expected to be on the podium this year like that in the Superstock class.”
David Johnson on the Superbike – TT 2019
Trev: We don’t hear outside of the TT anything that you’re up to. How have you got yourself up to speed, and your head up to speed?
David Johnson: “Well the Island Classic, Phillip Island, that’s my main preparation, they ride like mad out there. To be honest, I didn’t do any British Championship races this year, which I usually do. I know if I go into Superstock race I can be at the front. But this year we didn’t do that, for whatever reason.”
David Johnson at the 2019 Island Classic – Image by Rob Mott
Trev: Might there be any opportunities for you to get any short circuit work in the latter part of the year?
David Johnson: “There is, that’s all down to me now. I’m 37-years-old now and I’ve got my fiancee and we’re from Adelaide, and I like to spend all my time in Adelaide now. I’ve been here for 18 years now, in Europe.
David Johnson on the Superbike – TT 2019
Trev: It’s a long time ago you left the Aussie domestic competition…
David Johnson: “I remember I was excited when you did a little write up on me in my first year, in 2002…”
David Johnson – Aussie GP Support Races 2002
Trev: So we’re both getting old.
David Johnson: “I guess so! I do what I need to do to keep doing it. I do a heap of track days, Levi Day race schools, my own race schools here and there as well, and the Champion Rides days, so I do a lot of riding. I do the James Whitham schools when I’m here and the Focus Events around Europe. So I do a lot of riding but that doesn’t really reflect when you’re pushing hard from the get go, like mad.”
David Johnson – Supersport TT 2019
Trev: So if you got any short circuit work in this year, would it be back in Australia or in the UK?
David Johnson: “I’ve never really had the opportunity in Australia, they never come up, I would love to do it, with Honda if they had a spare bike and it was offered, I’d jump on it. But because I’ve never had the offers, I’ve never done it. And to be competitive you need to be on a good bike and team to be in Australia, in Australia the riders are world class.”
David Johnson on the Superbike – TT 2019
Trev: It’s very tight, one turn of a clicker between hero and zero really it is that close.
David Johnson: “It’s no different than going to BSB, if you’re on a crap bike in BSB you won’t be competitive. In Australia it’s the same thing and I don’t want to do it half arsed. If I do it, it has to be properly. But I don’t know, I’ll suss it out. It feels like the end of the season for me now, so we’ll have a big night tonight and move forward from here.”
David Johnson on the Superbike – TT 2019
Trev: So just see what crops up in the latter half or 2019 and will there be any more real road racing for you? Anything lined up for the Classic TT?
David Johnson: “Yes, I’m racing with the Kawasaki team in the Classic TT, I’m not really allowed to say that around here! But yea the Kawasaki team for that. Ulster GP as well, it’s not in my contract but I know Honda will want me to do it and I love the Ulster GP, I got a podium last year with the Tyco BMW team and it’s a good place. A love-hate relationship. I broke my back there and spent a month in Belfast hospital but I want to do that again. And the Macau GP at the end of the year, so I have a few big international races to do.
David Johnson at the 2018 Macau GP
Trev: Who’s Macau with?
David Johnson: “Not sure yet, that’s to be confirmed, to be announced, actually I don’t even know yet. I’ve had about 17,000 offers so far, so it’s wait and see.”
David Johnson on the Superbike – TT 2019
Trev: It’s nice to be wanted mate.
David Johnson: “It’s better to be wanted than no one gives a shit, so we’ll wait and see.”
David Johnson on the Superstock podium – TT 2019
Trev: Celebrate a safe and successful week, we’ll see you in due course.
David Johnson: “I’ll see you at the bar later mate!”
The 2019 Isle of Man TT has seen Dean Harrison claim Kawasaki’s first Senior TT win since 1975. This is only the second ever win for Kawasaki in the premier event at the TT, and at 30-years-old Harrison is also one of the youngest riders ever to win the Senior TT. We had a front row seat for the chat with Harrison immediately after he claimed victory in Friday’s Senior TT.
Dean Harrison – Senior TT Winner – 2019
Your first big bike win at the TT.
Dean Harrison: “I’m over the moon I can’t believe it to be honest. It’s great now as I’ve won every TT on a Kawasaki, I’ve won the 650 twin race, Supersport race, the big bike race, so a win in every class, that’s ticked all the boxes.
“The race I got off to a reasonable start, Pete had a bit of the legs on me to be honest. I just tried to put as much pressure on him as I could, as the race went on he was chipping away from me, and the gap was getting bigger, it wasn’t until lap 4 or lap 5 that I noticed the gap had halved. So I thought… well the thing is when the gap halves, I’m not sure if there was a problem, as if someone breaks down there’s a big gap, and it keeps coming down and down and down.
“So I just kept it going to be honest, I was short shifting everywhere, trying to conserve fuel for my last lap. Six laps around this place, 226 miles (over 360 km) on the bike, and two hours, it’s the longest race you’ll ever do as a solo rider. It’s a testament to the bike to keep going for so long, the hammering it gets from me is unbelievable.”
Dean Harrison
When you saw the early boards you must have thought he was getting away from you, growing sector by sector.
Dean Harrison: “Yeah exactly, I was going as hard as I felt comfortable going, I thought I’d push and that would be my best, in those first few laps, and I think I did a sub 17 on lap one, a 16:50 something.
“The trouble is now you’re kind of splitting hairs around here, aren’t we it’s getting so fine. I just tried to put on as much pressure as I could. It sounds daft but if you take a step back and relax you end up making a mistake, if I keep going at the pace I’m going and pushing, you sorta get into a rhythm and sorta hit your points at the apex.
“But the bike to be fair was absolutely faultless, never missed a beat the whole race. Apart from a little tank surging issue, that we went through, that showed up a little bit to be honest, at the latter part of the second lap, the pit laps. But apart from that it was faultless. Massive thanks to the team.”
Dean Harrison
For the second pit stop the lead was about 17-seconds, half of which Peter had built up just on the climb to the mount, taking about eight-seconds out of your lap.
Dean Harrison: “That’s my Achilles heel, on the lower section I seem to have it nailed, it’s the climb up the mounts that I need to do some more research on over the winter, we’ve got to do some more short circuits scratching, the faster I get at short circuits the faster I seem to go up the mountain. So I need to come back and do a bit of that here later in the year. Hat’s off to Pete, he has won three TT’s this week and it just proves I’m competitive to get onto the podium.”
And with the top brass from Kawasaki here, we think it’s the first Senior TT for the marque since 1975…
Dean Harrison: “I think it was Mick Grant that won that… Brilliant yea, to give the Kawasaki superbike a win since 1975, Jesus Christ… 44 years ago, a few years ago, no brilliant to be fair.”
What was your thought when you suddenly saw a board which said P1?
Dean Harrison: “I knew there was something wrong when the lead had halved, obviously he’s having issues here, once I got P1 the lead just went from P1 plus 8s to P1 plus 30s and on the mountain I thought I got to short shift a bit.
“It’s hard to concentrate when that happens, when you’re in a battle with someone and it’s so close, but when something goes wrong with another competitor that you get such a big lead, it’s easy to have a lapse in concentration, so you really have to keep your mind in focus, on what you’re doing and what’s coming up, keeping the bike in the right rev range, as problems can occur around here. So I kept my head down and brought it home.”
Dean Harrison at the Superbike Start
How would you sum up your TT overall, three podiums and a win?
Dean Harrison: “It’s absolutely brilliant, every class is so competitive now, I lost my way a little bit though mid-week, with the weather the way it’s been, I sorta lost a bit of momentum, I started real strong, and then my head went a little bit almost, and then it took a little bit to get me back into it.
“Yesterday with all the races I got back into the swing of things, and it’s great to get a win, where it’s six laps, two pit stops, it’s not a shortened race. The race yesterday, I take my hat off to Gary Thompson for the races we got in yesterday, as it was such a tight schedule and yesterday went absolutely seamless. It’s great to get it done for all the spectators, as the crowd around the track is absolutely massive, it’s great to see so much enthusiasm, with people waving over the fences, and sitting on the hedges.”
Dean Harrison
Your bike worked flawlessly…
Dean Harrison: “Yea exactly, it’s a testament to the bike and the team to be fair. The bike never missed a beat the whole race. With the new bike, even we’ve got a new bik this year 2019 ZX-10RR and obviously cosmetically it looks very similar to the old bike, but engine wise it’s not, but the characteristics are quite different. And it took me quite a bit of getting used to. In the stock race, I had a few problems in the NW200 and sort of dialed that out for when we got here, and the Superbike is the same thing, it’s just a matter of time.”
You’ve won TT races before, but to win the Senior TT that must be really special?
Dean Harrison: “Everyone says it’s the biggest race of the fortnight, and me and Pete were saying last year that the Superbike and the Senior are very similar, since it’s the same bike, but for some reason the Senior is the blue ribbon race, but it’s great to get my hands on the trophy to be honest, and to go down as one of the names in history. I’m over the moon.”
How are you going to celebrate getting your hands on that grand ole lady?
Dean Harrison: “You don’t want to know!”
2019 Senior TT Results Dean Harrison Peter Hickman +53.062 Conor Cummins +58.879
Peter Hickman had a stellar 2019 IoM TT, claiming a Supersport win, Superbike win and just when it looked as though he would complete a trifecta in the Senior TT, mechanical gremlins struck the Smiths BMW and forced him to relinquish his lead to Dean Harrison. Hickman masterfully nursed the bike home to second place and MCNews.com.au was there to hear him reflect on TT 2019 immediately after the Senior race on Friday.
Peter Hickman
Peter, what could have been…
Peter Hickman: “It is what it is, can’t change it now, what is done is done. We had a really good start to the race, I think we did 134mph something on the first lap and on lap two. Slowly ticked away, bike was working really good, handling really good. Unfortunately after the second pit stop this returning issue that we keep having on the full superbike, it just keeps chucking water out, it doesn’t get hot or anything, but just starts throwing water out at anything over 11,000rpm.
“Once I left the pits and went down Grey Hill it was chucking water out, so I just had to kind of manage it, and basically use half throttle and no more than 11,000 rpm. So that’s two laps, at 50 per cent throttle, that was not very fun I can tell you.”
Peter Hickman
That had happened on some of the practice runs didn’t it? So you got all the way through the first four laps of racing, you must have thought it was out of the way…
Peter Hickman: “Honestly, no, we all had this inkling that it was possibly going to happen, we’ve had three different engines, four different radiators, numerous caps, bottles, you name it it’s been changed, three or four times.
“For some reason on the superbike it just keeps doing it. Our hands were tied unfortunately, after the Superstock race, with the chief scrutineer we pleaded with them that he could just come and seal the engine and strip it after the Senior, but pretty much told us bollocks, so big shout out to Dave for ruining my Senior.
Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison in Parc Ferme – Senior TT 2019
** Dean Harrison interjects to say ‘I like Dave’ to the sound of much laughter, while Hicky laughingly jokes about a conspiracy **
“It is what it is, rules are rules, but I think sometimes a little bit of common sense needs to come into it, but it is what it is. The team did a fantastic job and did everything they could to make the bike right for us. It managed four laps, just couldn’t quite manage six, we are still on the podium, we’ve had an absolute unbelievable TT, to come away with the hat trick for a start, win on the Supersport bike is something I’ve been trying to get for a while now, we’ve done that, and a podium in the Senior so it’s not all bad.”
And you’ll take away the fastest lap of the meeting, the opening lap in 16m51.495s, 143.28mph.
Peter Hickman: “Yea it’s fast isn’t it, especially for the lack of practice it’s quick. But honestly the new S 1000 RR is just so, so good, it’s only just come out of the box. It’s still a new bike, so to do that with no practice really at all… yeah next year is going to be good.”
You’ve been strong in every class.
Peter Hickman: “It’s my sixth year now I’m getting used to the place now, and learning there I’m going. Looking forward to coming back next year and having another crack. BSB next weekend so not too much rest, we will concentrate back on the BSB for the rest of the year now and of course the Ulster GP in August.”
Peter Hickman on the Norton Lightweight TT bike – Image by Richard Sykes
Conor Cummins edged out Michael Dunlop for the final position on the podium of the 2019 Senior TT at the Isle of Man, while still working towards that illusive sub-17min lap time over the famous mountain course. Here’s what he had to say following the Senior TT.
Conor Cummins
Conor, another big bike podium, a double big bike podium in 2018, and again in 2019.
Conor Cummins: “Yea I’m really happy with it, I just want to say a big thanks to Padgetts Racing team, they put great bikes underneath me. I got off to a steady start and just found a decent rhythm and Dean came past me at Sulby or somewhere, and I tagged onto the back of him and found a bit of a rhythm there.
“The bike was faultless, bit of an issue mid-race where I tried to manage it a little bit, but it wasn’t going to effect the result at all. It was just a bit of a handling problem we had, but we’ll get it sorted for next year. Looking forward to TT 2020.”
Mid-race you got into a big battle for position with Michael Dunlop.
Conor Cummins: “I was watching my boards a lot of the time and I managed to edge three-seconds on him, and just managed to build a bit of a cushion and I think I ended up with 20 plus seconds at the end. It’s a mega competitive field at the TT this year, so strong and to get on the podium I’m really happy, and again a big thanks to the Padgetts Racing team for all their efforts.”
Conor Cummins
That sub-17 minute lap still a target for you?
Conor Cummins: “Yea, yea it is, maybe with a bit more practice I’d probably go sub 17min I think. The fact is I haven’t done it, so we’ll just work on next year and come back stronger.”
2019 Senior TT Results Dean Harrison / Kawasaki Peter Hickman / BMW +53.062 Conor Cummins / Honda +58.879
A four-way fight on the final lap, a freight train battle of the ages before that… Mugello showcased the best of MotoGP. And when all was said and done, Danilo Petrucci may have been the man making the history, but Marc Marquez was the man making the gains.
Mugello MotoGP 2019
A P2 for the points leader, ahead of closest rival Andrea Dovizioso despite the defeat, means he’s 12 points clear heading into the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya and however much a win in enemy territory means, a win on home turf is something different. The number 93 will be gunning for glory and revenge all at the same time at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and on a very special occasion: the 70th anniversary of the Championship.
Marc Marquez
“We arrive in good form after Mugello. The bike and I are in a very good position now, I was able to rest a little between races and I’m back to full strength. There’s always a bit more excitement heading into a home GP and it’s always a great pleasure to ride in front of all the fans. I’m hopeful of another strong result here in Catalunya to continue the work we’ve been doing.”
Marc Marquez, Danilo Petrucci, Andrea Dovizioso
This modern facility is regarded as one of the best designed tracks of recent times and has become a favourite for all, due to its elevation changes, fast and sweeping corners and a straight over a kilometre long, all linked together over the 4,627m length. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was resurfaced and reconfigured in 2018, as well as having the race distance altered. These significant changes meant that all track records were reset, leaving Michelin in the position of chasing its own targets this weekend, all of which were set last year.
Despite its favourable climate at this time of the year, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya can still suffer with some inclement weather.
Catalunya MotoGP 2018
Situated just outside the lively city of Barcelona, the track in the town of Montmeló is one which regularly provides excitement, close racing and thrilling overtaking manoeuvres to keep the crowds – which are in excess of 100,000 – that pack the hillsides and huge grandstands around the circuit, enthralled throughout raceday.
The good news for the competition is Ducati were back on the top step in Mugello and last year a win in Tuscany preceded one next time out. In addition, Catalunya isn’t a track where the number 93 has been imperious to the point of competitors needing to start the Jaws music.
Jack Miller & Valentino Rossi
Even more good news is that some serious smart racing in the front group at Mugello – with Alex Rins and Jack Miller in the mix – made it hard work for Marquez at the front and gave him no chance to escape. Can the likes of Miller, Rins, Dovizioso, Petrucci take on the reigning Champion once again this weekend? Rins and Dovizioso in particular will be focused on better grid positions to try and do just that.
The man who made the most famous move in the history of the circuit in Montmelo, meanwhile, has a top record at the track and he’ll need to add to it. For Valentino Rossi it was a nightmare home weekend, but the ‘Doctor’ has been a master of the comeback on many given Sundays and he’s now the one with that extra incentive of winning in ‘enemy’ territory.
Valentino Rossi
Team-mate Maverick Viñales has that home venue extra motivation, however, and so the battle between the two should be a highlight. And, as always, there will likely be Iwata marque Independent Team runners Fabio Quartararo and teammate Franco Morbidelli to contend with. Quartararo may have had surgery for arm pump before Barcelona, but he’s also a record-breaker despite being a rookie and has form at the track.
Maverick Vinales
Franco Morbidelli
“The Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit is a track that I like. Last year I felt good there in my rookie season in MotoGP and I managed to be fast, finishing inside the points. It was a good weekend for me. Now we come to Barcelona with mixed feelings: We are positive about the work we did throughout the weekend in Italy but sad about the final results. I am really keen to have a good race and keep taking important points for the overall standings.”
Franco Morbidelli
Fabio Quartararo
“We come into this race off the back of me having undergone surgery in Barcelona last week. Everything looks good with the arm so far and I feel good. Now I just need to pass the medical examination at the circuit on Thursday and then get back on my bike. Barcelona is one of my favourite circuits. I’m looking forward to riding there with a MotoGP bike. It’s a fast and long track, which is something that I like. It brings back some very good memories, because last season I earned my first World Championship victory there. I can’t wait to return and have a good race.”
Fabio Quartararo
Speaking of form, Pol Espargaro is another man of the moment. Impressive in Italy – as ever – and taking the fight forward for the Austrian factory, Pol Espargaro – along with brother Aleix Espargaro – is a true home hero. The two are from just up the road and that adds something extra special to the Catalan Grand Prix. Add to that the battle between KTM and Aprilia in the standings and it’s a fight with a lot on the line.
Aleix Espargaro
For Jorge Lorenzo that’s also true as the number 99 continues to struggle on the Honda, but with injuries now playing much less of a role in his races and his record in Barcelona a shining one, a turning point could be just around the corner.
Jorge Lorenzo
“After a mixed weekend in Mugello, I am hoping that we can do good work this weekend in Barcelona. We will keep working at our maximum to close the gap to the front. We also have a test after the race, which I am looking forward to as well. I had a very interesting trip to Japan and we were able to work on many things, some which will help this weekend and some for the future.”
Cal Crutchlow also wants a turnaround of sorts after a tougher run, and he’ll want to hit back against sophomore teammate Takaaki Nakagami after the Japanese rider was top Independent Team rider at Mugello and took his best premier class finish yet in fifth.
Cal Crutchlow
So many questions remain ahead of Barcelona. Can Marquez strike back? Did Petrucci begin to turn the tide? Can Dovi capitalise in the title fight? Will Rins be an even bigger threat if he gets a better Saturday under his belt? Can Quartararo last the distance? And can Rossi and Viñales, two of the fastest men in the world, come out swinging in Catalunya?
Alex Rins
Miguel Oliveira and Hafizh Syahrin are eager to arrive in Montmeló for the Catalan Grand Prix this weekend following a tough event at the ultra-demanding Mugello circuit some days ago. MotoGP rookie Oliveira missed the points scoring positions narrowly last time out and aims to be back inside the top 15 for the seventh round of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship.
Meanwhile, Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Syahrin, who lives close to the Catalan capital during the European period of the season, can’t wait to ride his KTM RC16 at one of his favorite track in just a few days, after he showed some great progress last week in Italy but was unfortunately unable to finish the race.
Miguel Oliveira
“Barcelona is a great Grand Prix, I like the track a lot, so I aim to continue on the line from Mugello. I hope to be more competitive since Friday, which is the target and be much closer to the top 15, from what I have been the past few races. Therefore, I definitely look forward to turn around the result a little bit this weekend and I can’t wait to be rejoined with the team again and to work hard.”
Miguel Oliveira
Hafizh Syahrin
“I’m really looking forward to Barcelona and at the same time, I still feel sorry for the last race, which I couldn’t finish. I had a really good pace and believed that we could score points in Mugello and finally I was truly disappointed. Yet, Barcelona is like my second home GP, because I have my European base there and also this track is my second favorite. Last year, we had a great feeling in Montmeló, but obviously, I know, that it’s going to be tough this weekend. I try to do my best, try to score points and give everything I have. Let’s work hard together with the team!”
Hafizh Syahrin
Mugello showed it’s far from a done deal in 2019, no matter what script was written the race before. This weekend everything could change again – so be ready when the lights go out at 14:00 local time (GMT +2) on Sunday.
Catalunya MotoGP 2019 – Michelin Infographic
2019 MotoGP Championship standings
Pos.
Rider
Bike
Nation
Points
1
Marc MARQUEZ
Honda
SPA
115
2
Andrea DOVIZIOSO
Ducati
ITA
103
3
Alex RINS
Suzuki
SPA
88
4
Danilo PETRUCCI
Ducati
ITA
82
5
Valentino ROSSI
Yamaha
ITA
72
6
Jack MILLER
Ducati
AUS
42
7
Cal CRUTCHLOW
Honda
GBR
42
8
Maverick VIÑALES
Yamaha
SPA
40
9
Takaaki NAKAGAMI
Honda
JPN
40
10
Pol ESPARGARO
KTM
SPA
38
11
Franco MORBIDELLI
Yamaha
ITA
34
12
Fabio QUARTARARO
Yamaha
FRA
31
13
Aleix ESPARGARO
Aprilia
SPA
27
14
Jorge LORENZO
Honda
SPA
19
15
Joan MIR
Suzuki
SPA
12
16
Johann ZARCO
KTM
FRA
10
17
Michele PIRRO
Ducati
ITA
9
18
Francesco BAGNAIA
Ducati
ITA
9
19
Miguel OLIVEIRA
KTM
POR
8
20
Andrea IANNONE
Aprilia
ITA
7
21
Stefan BRADL
Honda
GER
6
22
Karel ABRAHAM
Ducati
CZE
2
23
Hafizh SYAHRIN
KTM
MAL
2
24
Tito RABAT
Ducati
SPA
2
25
Bradley SMITH
Aprilia
GBR
0
Moto2
Le Mans was an impressive victory for Alex Marquez, but a few weeks and a follow up demolition job at Mugello later it’s time to ask whether it was a little more than simply a first win of the season. Was Le Mans the point at which Marquez’ full hand was played, and Mugello proof he’s the new man to beat?
Alex Marquez
If we rewind to Jerez and play a little game of what if with what seemed like bad luck at the time, the Championship could look pretty different. Marquez has form in Spain and destroyed the opposition in 2017, and what we’ve seen since Jerez this season has been more than mere ‘form’.
That’s enough to merit some questions about the standings: Marquez is two points off the top as it stands, and a win or podium at Jerez would have put him 14 to 23 points clear. And, if one Marquez looking imperious wasn’t enough, the last time Alex Marquez took back to back wins was in 2014 and they came at Catalunya and Assen – the next two tracks on the calendar. Barcelona and home turf will be a test for the EG 0,0 Marc VDS rider, but expect him to come out swinging.
Lorenzo Baldassarri
Championship leader Lorenzo Baldassarri will be the first of those aiming to stand in his way. After a ‘win or bin’ beginning to the season, he’s hanging on to the top and Mugello was a big positive despite the number 7 not taking a podium at home – he didn’t crash out and rode back from P15 on the grid to an impressive P4. Those points were valuable, as a single position lower would see him equal on points with Marquez.
And then there’s Tom Lüthi, who is only four points off the top and the third of the three men to have shared the wins so far this year. The Swiss veteran didn’t have the pace at Mugello for the win but he kept it on the podium and consistency is key. After a tricky Le Mans, that’s a good sign and he will surely be a threat again at Catalunya.
Tom Luthi
Jorge Navarro, meanwhile, remains a threat as well. Mugello saw his podium run come to an end, but let’s not forget that next up is the venue Speed Up dominated last year with Fabio Quartararo. And then Marcel Schrötter is another who, like Navarro, has hit the ground running this season – and he took pole in Italy.
Unfortunately the German is also recovering from having injured his foot in training, but every day that passes means that progresses. And Luca Marini took his first podium last time out, citing a much better feeling – the same he had when he went on a podium spree and took his first win last season…
Remy Gardner
The trio of riders at the top of the Championship are the only three men to have won so far this year, and they’ll all three be aiming to make sure that remains true in Barcelona. Can the likes of Navarro, Schrötter or Marini get in the mix?
Will another new name take to the top? And what can Jonas Folger do, replacing injured Khairul Idham Pawi and with experience of the new machines? Tune in from the 14th to 16th June for the Gran Premi Monster Energy Catalunya to find out.
Moto2 Championship standings
Pos.
Rider
Bike
Nation
Points
1
Lorenzo Baldassarri
Kalex
ITA
88
2
Alex Marquez
Kalex
SPA
86
3
Thomas Luthi
Kalex
SWI
84
4
Jorge Navarro
Speed Up
SPA
73
5
Marcel Schrotter
Kalex
GER
64
6
Luca Marini
Kalex
ITA
58
7
Augusto Fernandez
Kalex
SPA
54
8
Enea Bastianini
Kalex
ITA
45
9
Remy Gardner
Kalex
AUS
41
10
Brad Binder
KTM
RSA
39
11
Xavi Vierge
Kalex
SPA
31
12
Iker Lecuona
KTM
SPA
26
13
Sam Lowes
Kalex
GBR
26
14
Tetsuta Nagashima
Kalex
JPN
24
15
Fabio Di Giannantonio
Speed Up
ITA
19
16
Mattia Pasini
Kalex
ITA
18
17
Andrea Locatelli
Kalex
ITA
16
18
Nicolo Bulega
Kalex
ITA
13
19
Simone Corsi
Kalex
ITA
8
20
Somkiat Chantra
Kalex
THA
6
21
Bo Bendsneyder
NTS
NED
5
22
Dominique Aegerter
MV Agusta
SWI
5
23
Khairul Idham Pawi
Kalex
MAL
3
24
Jesko Raffin
NTS
SWI
3
25
Joe Roberts
KTM
USA
2
26
Jorge Martin
KTM
SPA
2
27
Stefano Manzi
MV Agusta
ITA
1
Moto3
Championship leader Aron Canet isn’t on the roll of form that saw key rival Lorenzo Dalla Porta move within three points of the top at Mugello, but he’s been a consistent points-scorer this season and already has one win to his name. Now it’s his home turf, he’ll be gunning to make that two and put Dalla Porta back on the back foot. Can Canet pull the pin now it’s his home turf?
Aron Canet
So far Moto3 has been anything but predictable though, and that’s borne out in 11 different winners in a row stretching back into the latter half of last season. So will it even be Canet and Dalla Porta warring over the win?
Or Tony Arbolino, John McPhee, Niccolo Antonelli, Jaume Masia or Kaito Toba? Or will it be another name entirely on the top step once again this season?
John McPhee wins ahead of Lorenzo Dalla Porta in France
If it is, two big candidates are Gabriel Rodrigo, a man with both podium form at Catalunya and pace in 2019, and Tatsuki Suzuki, who so far has remained the bridesmaid.
But there are plenty of fast riders in the lightweight class, and plenty of riders who could mix it up in that classic Moto3 freight train at the front. But Catalunya has also been a track where a rider has managed to escape the melee and take a commanding 25 points – so there’s always a chance at that if someone can pull the pin.
Jonas Folger will ride for the Petronas Sprinta Racing Team as the stand-in for the injured Khairul Idham Pawi for the next three rounds of the Moto2 World Championship, as the Malaysian rider continues to recover from injuries sustained at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Jonas Folger back in 2017
The 25-year-old German will race for the squad at next weekend’s Catalan Grand Prix as well as the Dutch GP and his home race at the Sachsenring. Folger directly replaces Mattia Pasini, who raced as a stand-in for the team in Le Mans and Mugello, but who broke his collarbone in a motocross accident following the Italian GP.
Folger has an impressive track record in Grand Prix racing, winning five races and taking 24 podiums, including three wins in the middleweight class. He also has considerable experience with the Triumph-powered Kalex Moto2 bike thanks to his role as the lead development rider for the project during its early stages.
Jonas Folger
“I’m really excited to get the chance to be competing again. I can’t wait to get back on a bike and get that racing feeling. Petronas Sprinta Racing are an exceptionally professional team in all three categories and I know some of the crew in the Moto2 squad from the past. I’m looking forward to working with them again, especially as I have some good friends there. I have positive memories of Barcelona as I’ve been on the podium and put in some fast laps there in the past. It’s actually one of my favourite tracks and it suits my riding style well. The Kalex is a really fun bike to ride because the riding style is very similar to what you use in MotoGP. The Triumph engine feels closer to a MotoGP bike, it suits me and I didn’t do badly in testing, so I can’t wait to get going again on it!”
Jonas Folger testing in Valencia
The Catalan Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 14-16 will mark Folger’s first race action since the end of 2017, but he has enjoyed recent track action through his role as Yamaha’s MotoGP test rider.
Khairul Idham Pawi is making good progress with the hand injuries sustained at Jerez and progressing in his journey to be race-fit later this season. Petronas Sprinta Racing would like to thank Mattia Pasini for his services deputising for KIP at the last two rounds of the championship and wish him a swift recovery.
Razlan Razali – Team Principal
“It is a fabulous opportunity for Petronas Sprinta Racing to engage a rider of the calibre of Jonas Folger for the next three Moto2 races. He will bring an extra element to the team and help push our Moto2 programme along in anticipation of Khairul Idham Pawi’s return later this season. We know that the experience of Jonas in MotoGP and with the Kalex will bring us good rewards. We want the team to be as strong as possible for KIP’s return as he has the best potential for a Malaysian rider in Moto2. We are working closely with KIP to ensure he returns to action at the right time.”
Khairul Idham Pawi continues recovering from injury
Johan Stigefelt – Team Director
“Jonas Folger is a great rider so this is a superb signing for us. Not only does Jonas have race-winning experience in Moto2, he also knows the latest Kalex very well having been the initial development rider with the Triumph engine. Jonas also has MotoGP experience so he can bring a long of insight to the team. The battle in Moto2 is very tight, but we know we have a lot of potential. It’s only beneficial for us to work with a rider like Jonas. We wish Mattia a rapid recovery from his collarbone injury.”
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Gajser and Prado Win MXGP of Russia
The seaside venue of Orlyonok, Russia hosted round eight of the FIM World Motocross Championship last weekend and the drama filled weekend saw not only a heap of sensational racing but we now have a new MXGP championship leader after Tim Gajser dominating the class while Jorge Prado extended his MX2 championship points lead.
MXGP of Russia 2019
MXGP Report
The drama actually started on Saturday when championship leader Antonio Cairoli crashed during the qualifying race and landed hard on a crusty rut only to get up holding his back before retiring from the race but the plucky nine-time World Champion was on the gate for moto one on Sunday morning.
MXGP Start – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
On a fast and slick circuit Gajser not only earned his third MXGP overall in three rounds via double race wins but he now owns the MXGP Championship leader’s red plate while Arnaud Tonus took second overall with his 2-2 finishes ahead of fellow Yamaha rider Jeremy Seewer who scored his career first MXGP podium overall.
Tim Gajser
“I am feeling really good but both races were really tough because Arnaud was really fast and pushing. Overall, I am happy winning again and thanks to everybody at Honda, the bike is just amazing. Three races ago I was more than 40 points behind Tony and now I have the red plate.”
Tim Gajser celebrates the win – MXGP of Russia 2019
Arnaud Tonus
“It wasn’t easy to fight for the lead, but I was super happy that I had quite starts so I could fight from the beginning and come quite close to Tim. I went for it and really wanted to pass him but made a small a mistake, it happens. I am happy I went for it anyway and could recover to finish second which is great, I am super thankful and super happy because 3 podiums in a row is amazing.”
Arnaud Tonus – MXGP of Russia 2019
Jeremy Seewer
“It is amazing to make it on the MXGP podium, it just feels a lot harder than even any of MX2 wins. It is a lot of work and a lot of fast guys so it feels really good. It is amazing to have two Swiss guys on the podium it hasn’t happened in the history of motocross in Switzerland and to do it on two Yamahas is even better.”
Jeremy Seewer
Cairoli battled hard all day to go 13-4 for eighth outright to now be 13 points shy of Gajser as far as the championship goes while Jefferey Herlings was on hand in his first race of the year to end the day with very respectable 4-7 moto results for fourth overall.
Jeffrey Herlings
“I had a serious injury and it has been tough to get back here, mentally and physically, and with a lot of pain for a long time. I did not expect this result here today especially on this track. So to be close to the podium again feels pretty beautiful. I like the track in Latvia but I don’t have any firm expectations and I will not forget where I have come from to get to this point. Having said that we’ll always try to fight for a podium spot when we can!”
Jeffrey Herlings – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
Tony Cairoli
“A very difficult weekend and of course the crash from yesterday did not help as it meant I was totally on the outside for the gate pick. I was riding very stiff and by missing the start it is almost impossible to make a good result on this track; everybody is riding at a similar speed. We lost the red plate but the positive is that I’m not badly injured, and we saw some big crashes today. We walk away a bit banged-up but we will re-group and look to Latvia, which is a nice track, and to regain some points.”
Tony Cairoli – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
MXGP Overall Top Ten
Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points
Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 44
Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 36
Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 32
Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 32
Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 31
Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 29
Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 27
Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 24
Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 22
MXGP Championship Top Ten
Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 351 points
Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 338
Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 231
Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 220
Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 212
Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 208
Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 206
Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 172
Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 170
Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 168
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
MX2 Report
Despite a poor start Prado won the opening moto narrowly from Thomas Kjer Olsen, Jago Geerts, Tom Vialle and Mitchell Evans while Jed Beaton cake home in 12th after a poor start but in the second moto Prado earned the holeshot and took off like a cut cat to take an easy win over Kjer Olsen, Geerts. Michele Cervellin, Vialle, Ben Watson, Beaton, Henry Jacobi, Maxime Renaux and Evans.
Jorge Prado – MXGP of Russia 2019
Prado now leads the championship over Kjer Olsen by a clean 20 points while Evans is 6th in the points, just two behind Vialle while Beaton sits 14th in the points despite missing two of the eight rounds due to injury.
Jorge Prado
“I felt pretty good this weekend, the track was hard but I felt good getting the Saturday Qualifying Race win and today I was in the back of the pack so I had to make my way up to the front, but I had good speed and fought all the way to the end to get the win. I am happy and looking forward to the next round.”
MX2 Podium – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
Thomas Kjer Olsen
“I felt good all weekend. Yesterday in the Qualifying I felt really good then we made some changes on the bike to make it feel really comfortable on the hard pack. Overall, I am happy I got to lead some laps, felt great on the bike, and everything so I am looking forward to Latvia for sure.”
Thomas Kjer Olsen – MXGP of Russia 2019
Jago Geerts
“It was a really solid weekend for me, I was really happy with the starts, I had three good starts this weekend which is positive for the rest of the season. Next weekend is Latvia, one of my favourite tracks but the goal is the same, to be on the podium, so we’ll see.”
Mitchell Evans
“In the first moto I got off to a good start and just kind of rode my own race, so stayed in fifth the whole race. I tried to follow the leaders, but they just had a little bit more pace. I was struggling with the speeds on the track and just how slippery it was. In moto two I had a really bad start, around twentieth or something, and on a track that was really hard to pass on I made my way to tenth. I was really happy with my riding this weekend. My pace was a little bit off, but we know where we can improve. I have just got to focus on making my starts better. I am looking forward to Latvia.”
Mitch Evans – MXGP of Russia 2019
Jed Beaton
“I’m really happy with the way the GPs gone. Obviously, I needed a little bit of time off following my crash in Portugal and to come back after being unable to race in France and get two solid results is great. I did three good days of riding before coming to Russia, so I was confident things would go well because I felt good and importantly was pain free. The opening moto didn’t start too well, I got a bad start so had to work really hard. I went from outside the top 20 to 12th and put in a lot of effort. I was feeling the hard work in the second moto but made some good passes. I’m really pleased with seventh. I feel like I’m where I should be and now that the Portugal crash is behind me I want to build on these results starting with the Latvian GP next weekend.”
Jed Beaton – MXGP of Russia 2019
MX2 Overall Top Ten
Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 50 points
Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 44
Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 40
Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 34
Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 30
Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 27
Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 26
Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 26
Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 26
Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 23
MX2 Championship Top Ten
Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 347 points
Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 327
Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 257
Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 236
Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 216
Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 214
Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 210
Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 169
Davy Pootjes (NED, HUS), 157
Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 132
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Moosdijk and Kellett win EMX in Russia
Roan Van de Moosdijk and Todd Kellett have won the EMX250 and EMX2T classes respectively at the Russian round of the FIM Europe Championship at Orlyonok last weekend.
EMX250 Report
Despite Van De Mooslik taking the overall with 2-1 moto results it was Stephan Rubini who rode to 3-1 finishes and subsequently took the red plate from former championship leader Alberto Forato who struggled to 14-4 moto results but it was a solid round for Aussie Caleb Grothues who went 9-9 for ninth overall.
EMX250 Start – MXGP of Russia 2019
Rubini now holds a two-point lead over Forato with four rounds remaining while Grothues sits 14th in the points despite missing the Italian round due to injury.
EMX250 Overall Top Ten
Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 47 points
Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 45
Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 42
Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, YAM), 29
Jeremy Sydow (GER, HUS), 29
Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 28
Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 28
Alberto Forato (ITA, HUS), 25
Caleb Grothues (AUS, YAM), 24
Raivo Dankers (NED, YAM), 22
EMX250 Championship Top Ten
Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 165 points
Alberto Forato (ITA, HUS), 163
Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 144
Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 110
Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, YAM), 96
Jimmy Clochet (FRA, KAW), 88
Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 88
Karlis Sabulis (LAT, KTM), 74
Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 73
Josh Gilbert (GBR, HON), 70
EMX2T Report
The EMX2T overall win was the first for Kellett with 1-2 moto results while Brad Anderson’s second overall gives him the championship leader’s red plate by eight points over Mike Kras while Kellett sits third some 21 points back from Anderson.
EMX2T Podium – MXGP of Russia 2019
EMX2T Overall Top Ten
Todd Kellett (GBR, YAM), 47 points
Brad Anderson (GBR, KTM), 45
Andero Lusbo (EST, HUS), 42
Mike Kras (NED, KTM), 36
Pier Filippo Bertuzzo (ITA, YAM), 31
Charlie Putnam (GBR, KTM), 29
Vaclav Kovar (CZE, GAS), 26
Max Buelow (GER, KTM), 26
Robert Holyoake (GBR, HUS), 26
Lurii Lukash (RUS, HON), 23
EMX2T Championship Top Ten
Brad Anderson (GBR, KTM), 163 points
Mike Kras (NED, KTM), 155
Todd Kellett (GBR, YAM), 142
Vaclav Kovar (CZE, GAS), 127
Andero Lusbo (EST, HUS), 124
Youri van t Ende (NED, KTM), 88
Brad Todd (GBR, YAM), 86
Pier Filippo Bertuzzo (ITA, YAM), 70
Ben Putnam (GBR, HUS), 60
Andrea Gorini (SMR, YAM), 59
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Walsh Blitzes Finke
KTM’s David Walsh has put on a riding clinic at the 2019 Tatt’s Finke Desert Race winning the three-leg event by just under five minutes from Honda’s Jacob Smith who in turn had the best part of a three-minute gap back to third placed Husqvarna rider in Beau Ralston.
KTM celebrated the Finke win with David Walsh
Almost 600 bike and quad competitors slogged their way through the prologue plus the 500km run from Alice Springs to Finke and back but it was Walsh who dominated all three days to claim his maiden win in convincing fashion with an overall time of 3 hours and 56 minutes.
2019 was Walsh’s 12th Finke race recording a best finish of second three-times previously (2018, 2014 and 2012) so the Alice Springs local was visibly emotional when he took the chequered flag, with the crowd erupting in cheer as he crossed the Start/Finish line in first position.
David Walsh
“I’m just completely blown away and I’m over the moon with getting my first win here at Finke. It’s truly a credit to the North Star Pastoral KTM Desert Racing Team, because without those guys, I wouldn’t be here. They work around the clock and it’s like a big family – I can’t thank them enough for their efforts. Getting down to Finke with a five-minute lead made it easier for me, I knew I could probably get through the rough stuff a bit easier coming home, and that’s what I did. I’m so happy to finally get it after the 12 years that I’ve been trying and it’s an amazing feeling.”
David Walsh – 2019 Finke Desert Race
Callum Norton
“A silly crash just two or three minutes out of Finke cost me this weekend and bit me hard, everything was hurting pretty bad, so I just had a breather there before getting going again. Straight away I thought it was over, but once I got to the next stop the boys told me I wasn’t too far behind, so that gave me a boost. I just kept pushing on, started seeing dust and every time I saw dust, I got excited again. I was sore as hell, but I just kept pushing to get it home so I could rest up. I crossed the line fifth, which was good. I’m pretty happy with it, considering what happened.”
Callum Norton – 2019 Finke Desert Race
Jacob Smith
“Six weeks ago, laying in a hospital bed here in Alice Springs with a few injuries, I’m just so happy to be here on the podium. I knew David had a fair gap and five minutes is a long way, so I was trying to just keep my position today and go as hard as I could so the guys behind didn’t catch me. I made some time at the second fuel stop, so I just coasted into town and didn’t do anything silly.”
Jacob Smith – 2019 Finke Desert Race
Beau Ralston
“I’m stoked to finish, let alone get on the podium after my last couple of years being injured. The Schwarz Husqvarna Desert Team has put in a huge effort to get us out here this year and I really appreciate it. I was over two minutes behind Jake and I was fresh, so I thought I was going to have a good crack at reeling him in, but I didn’t anticipate what the cars were going to do to the track. I had some really hairy moments, so I just backed off to get home in one piece for a podium finish.”
Beau Ralston – 2019 Finke Desert Race
2019 Finke Top Ten Outright
Walsh, David – 03:56:01.0
Smith, Jacob – 04:01:00.4 +00:04:59.4
Ralston, Beau – 04:03:57.7 + 00:07:56.7
Simpson, Jack – 04:09:38.7 + 00:13:37.7
Norton, Callum – 04:14:19.5 + 00:18:18.5
Davie, Sam – 04:15:25.4 + 00:19:24.4
Terry, Lachlan – 04:20:52.3 + 00:24:51.3
Grove, Mark – 04:23:23.4 + 00:27:22.4
Jones, Thomas – 04:28:43.2 + 00:32:42.2
Waters, Nicholas – 04:28:45.5 + 00:32:44.5
Husqvarna also put in a strong showing at the 2019 Finke Desert Race
Top 3 – Each Class Class 01 : 251cc and above Two Stroke
Pfitzner, Kyle
Russell, Benjamin
Handley, Samuel
Class 02 : 451cc and above Four Stroke
Walsh, David
Smith, Jacob
Ralston, Beau
Class 03 : Up to 250cc Two Stroke
Simpson, Kyle
Brierley, Mitchell
Foot, Danielle
Class 04 : Up to 250cc Four Stroke
Geale, Thomas
Elliott, Zoran
Wilson, Jarrod
Class 05 : 251cc to 450cc Four Stroke
Simpson, Jack
Norton, Callum
Grove, Mark
Class 06 : Masters 35 to 39 Years (Total 3)
Jones, Thomas
Stephens, Lee
White, Matthew
Class 07 : Seniors 40 to 44 Years
Faggotter, Rodney
Wilkinson, Brad
Stewart, Jason
Class 08 : Veterans 45 Years and Over
Bell, Matthew
Doyle, Neil
Hicks, Darby
Class 09 : Quads up to 40 Years
Van Vliet, Cooper
Bailey, Lachlan
Jackson, Andrew
Class 10 : Quads 40 Years and Over
Spiers, Craig
Beer, Richard
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Bou Wins GP of Japan
The Twin Ring Motego circuit hosted round two of the FIM Trial World Championship last weekend and predictably it was the defending champion in Toni Bou who won both days of competition to extend his early championship lead.
Toni Bou claimed the TrialGP of Japan win from Adam Raga and Takahisa Fujinami
Bou won both days over Adam Raga and teammate Takahisa Fujinami, so heading to the third round Bou has an 11-point lead over Raga who in turn has a nine-point lead over Fujinami.
Toni Bou
“Today we had a perfect trial in a perfect place. I’m very happy with my riding today. Having done this perfect trial here in Japan was really special. Thank all the team who have done a great job. We have prepared a lot for these first events and the results have been incredible, so I can’t be happier this weekend.”
Rider Standings after Round 2
BOU Toni – 60
RAGA Adam – 49
FUJINAMI Takahisa – 40
FAJARDO Jeroni – 35
DABILL James – 33
Brayton set to Defend SX Title
Three-time Australian Supercross Champion Justin Brayton has confirmed that he will be back to defend his 2018 title and once again he will be on the CRF450R with Penrite Honda Racing with the intension of making it four straight victories.
Justin Brayton
“I will be doing my best to bring home a 4th title. Riders learn from one another and we push to improve ourselves in an effort to get to or be at the top. I imagine some younger riders will be faster this year and some older ones will be hungrier as their careers are nearing the end. The championship in Australia goes from strength to strength, the venues continue to improve, as do the riders and teams and I am proud to have been a small part of it all.”
Justin Brayton – Image by Hoppenworld
The 3-time Champion has grown fond of Australia and has toyed with the idea of relocating here to live.
“It really is like a second home and this year will mark my 5th year in Australia. The country, the people and the racing are amazing and I appreciate how welcome my family and I feel when we come.”
Travelling the globe racing for more than 10 years, Brayton affirms retirement isn’t on the horizon just yet confirming there is still plenty left in the tank and his dedication and passion for racing remains.
Justin Brayton – Image by Hoppenworld
“I love racing and riding dirtbikes! Racing at home and around the world is still exciting for me and I get the same butterflies when I line up now as I did when I was younger. So long as it’s fun and I am competitive I aim to keep racing.”
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Epstein-Barr virus slows Covington
Multiple GP winner Thomas Covington has had a horror start to the 2019 AMA Motocross Championship with the Husqvarna rider logging overall finishes of 26th, 17th and 26th respectively over the first three rounds to sit 22nd in the 250 Class points standings.
In the way of explanation Covington posted this statement on social media:
“Sorry I’ve been silent to everyone as to what’s been going on the last few weeks. After seeing the doctor and having tests done this week, I’ve been diagnosed with Epstein-Barr Virus. I’ve been super tired and lacking strength for around a month now and really hit a wall last weekend in Colorado. That’s when I knew something had to be wrong. Doing everything I can now to be back to myself as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone’s continued support and a huge thank you to @rockstarhusky for helping me through this.”
Thomas Covington – AMA MX 2019 Round 2 – Fox Raceway
Musquin stays with KTM till 2021
KTM North America has extended Marvin Musquin’s contract with the French star remaining with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team for the 2020 and 2021 race seasons.
Marvin Musquin has spent the last 10 years of his professional career with the KTM brand and is continually a championship contender in the sport’s premier racing circuits. A true “Ready to Race” athlete and KTM brand ambassador, Musquin’s performance in North America has gained recognition amongst fans as a fierce competitor.
Marvin Musquin
“I am pleased with the extension of my contract with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team for the next two years. KTM and Red Bull have supported me immensely and I believe the product, team and the overall program will contribute to my future success.”
Marvin Musquin extends contract with KTM to 2020
Ian Harrison – Team Manager
“I have had the privilege of working with Marvin for nine years and he is a first-class guy that always gives his best, both on and off the track. The 2019 SX Championship proved what a tough contender Marvin is and I’m sure we will get to witness more of his talent in the years to come. I am so happy he has made the decision to stay with Red Bull KTM for the ’20 and ‘21 race seasons. On behalf of all of us at KTM, thank you Marvin, for continuing your journey with us.”
Roger De Coster – Director of Motorsports, KTM Group
“Marvin came over to the U.S. from the MXGP circuit for the 2011 season, which was the same time Ian Harrison and I joined the team and it is hard to believe that this is our ninth year working with him. During this time, Marvin won a 250SX East title, but more importantly, he has not finished off the podium in either the 450 SX or MX Championships and he is still improving every season. I am truly happy Marvin chose to extend his relationship with Red Bull KTM for two more years.”
The 29-year-old French rider has been with the KTM brand since 2009, where the rising star at the time captured back-to-back MX2 World Championships in ’09 and ‘10. In 2011, Musquin signed with Roger De Coster and the U.S. based Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team and by 2015 he captured the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship.
Since moving to the premier 450cc division in 2016, Musquin has accumulated eight AMA 450SX victories and seven AMA 450MX victories, while consistently maintaining a top-three position in the overall championships.
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Woffendin Injured
Defending World Champion Tai Woffinden has confirmed that he faces a month on the sidelines after an MRI scan revealed he suffered a broken TH4 vertebra and shoulder blade after crashing with Russian star Grigorii Laguta in heat one of Wroclaw’s PGE Ekstraliga trip to Lublin on Friday night,
Woffinden immediately withdrew from the meeting and was taken to Wroclaw to undergo further checks to ascertain the full extent of the damage to the neck vertebra and shoulder.
Tai Woffinden tweeted
“After leaving hospital last night and making a 500km trip to Wroclaw to see the spinal specialists and a MRI scan, it’s actually TH4 that is broken along with my shoulder blade. At this point I’m out for one month and we will see how much my neck has healed in that period.”
Tai Woffinden – Image by Warwick Hemy
It has been officially confirmed he will miss the ANLAS Czech SGP in Prague next Saturday and the Norrbil Swedish SGP in Hallstavik on July 6.
The news comes as a blow to his hopes of retaining the world title with Woffinden currently eighth in the standings on 15 points – 13 behind top two Bartosz Zmarzlik and Patryk Dudek.
SGP second reserve Max Fricke replaces Woffinden in Prague, while the news guarantees that first reserve Robert Lambert will also appear in both Prague and Hallstavik.
Webb injured
Extreme endure star Cody Webb tweaked his knee while dropping off a ledge in a technical rock section just days before heading to the world-famous Erzbergrodeo in Austria. Webb was determined to line up at the infamous event this year only to call it quits early into the race and spent the remaining time helping his KTM teammates through a challenging section of the course.
Cody Webb – 2019 Thunder Valley National MX
Webb has claimed two extreme enduro victories already this season, in addition to a heartbreakingly close runner-up finish in the 2019 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship.
Cody Webb
“Being injured is always unfortunate, but I’m taking it as a positive. I intend to take rehab very seriously post-operation and will come back better and stronger than before. It’s a long road ahead, but I will make the best of it and am already excited about the thought of being back at the races.”
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
KTM take full ownership of KTM Australia and New Zealand
After 25 years of stable and successful business, Automotive Holdings Group (AHG) has sold the remaining 74 per cent share of its motorcycle importation business to the brands’ parent company KTM.
AHG has been the exclusive importer and distributor of the KTM brand for the Australian and New Zealand market since 1994, with the Husqvarna Motorcycles and WP Suspension brands joining the stable in recent years.
In 2017 KTM, which is Europe’s leading motorcycle manufacturer purchased a 26 per cent share of the AHG motorcycle importation business. It now moves to full ownership of both KTM Group Australia and KTM Group New Zealand.
The move to full ownership will see KTM Group Australia and KTM Group New Zealand become full subsidiaries of the Austrian company. Now selling more than 11,000 KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycle units combined, the Australian and New Zealand business has become the third largest market in the world for KTM and will now become the third largest subsidiary for the company.
Jeff Leisk – General Manager, KTM Group Australia and New Zealand
“What a journey it has been since our first AHG Dealer Conference in 1994 and there have been so many significant milestones along the way. I am extremely proud to have seen the KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycle brands go from strength to strength in both the Australian and New Zealand markets. We have built strong relationships with our dealers and our customers and this has been the key to our success. Becoming a factory owned subsidiary will increase the level of support that we can offer our dealer network, our staff and our customers, so I am excited about the next chapter.”
Jeff Leisk
Hubert Trunkenpolz – Chief Marketing Officer
“We are absolutely delighted with the outcome and our full ownership of KTM Group Australia and KTM Group New Zealand. This transaction once again reinforces our commitment to the Australian and New Zealand markets. This is a very positive development for the KTM dealer network and the KTM customer in both countries.”
The change will take effect from the 1st July 2019. While the change of ownership is a significant development for both the company and the market, there will be no impact on KTM Group staff or the established dealer networks for KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles and WP Suspension.
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Yamaha bLU cRU YZ65 Cup hits Wollongong
November 9 will be a memorable night for 20 young hopefuls as the compete in the Yamaha bLU cRU YZ65 Cup during round three of the Australian Supercross Championship at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
The 20 lucky juniors will be selected for this incredible experience from a mix of current YZ65 owners along with wildcard juniors who don’t currently own the model.
Yamaha bLU cRU YZ65 Cup
The junior riders get to experience what it’s like to be a professional rider and become guests of Yamaha’s factory race teams, which event promoter Troy Bayliss says will provide valuable insights into professional racing, including mentoring from CDR Yamaha Monster Energy factory riders and owner Craig Dack.
Troy Bayliss
“We are pleased to be able to provide the opportunity for junior girls and boys to experience Supercross within an incredible venue like WIN Stadium, and for them to do laps in front of thousands of fans will be something they will remember for a lifetime.”
Since releasing the YZ65 in 2018, Yamaha Motor Australia has given many junior riders the opportunity to compete side-by-side within select Australian Supercross Championship events and MX National rounds, including the first-ever YZ65 Cup at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium during last year’s third round of the Australian Supercross Championship.
Matthew Ferry – YMA National Sales & Marketing Manager
“Our first YZ65 Cup experience at Supercross was in Geelong last year and the parents and kids enjoyed the full bLU cRU treatment, and to see so many happy faces and positive feedback we knew we wanted to offer this experience again this year within the Yamaha presented Round 3 of the Australian Supercross Championship at WIN Stadium. Spots are limited to 20 lucky riders available to YZ65 owners, plus Yamaha will also offer a few wildcard entries for non YZ65 owners to experience what it’s like to be part of the bLU cRU, it’s a money-can’t-buy experience.”
Troy Bayliss Events are committed to ensuring the future looks bright for Supercross in Australia, with further Championship junior classes to be announced in the coming weeks for the 2019 Australian Supercross Series.
Round 3 of the Australian Supercross Championship takes place at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday November 9, with tickets available now via Ticketmaster.com.au
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Action aplenty at Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship
The Broadford circuit in Victoria last weekend hosted the Shannons 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship and by all accounts the racing was close and hard fought all weekend – see results below:
Australian Championship classes
Pre 75 Slider 263+
1st
26 Jody Mason
2nd
30 Brett Glover
3rd
101 Mark Herfoss
Jody Mason – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Evolution Super Seniors 70+ All Powers
1st
13 Greg McLean
2nd
118 Bill Mitchell
Greg McLean – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Evolution 16-29 years All Powers
1st
121 Aaron Stevens
2nd
257 Billy Ricardo
3rd
44 Doug Hayden
Pre 75 up to 125cc
1st
123 Ray Stevens
2nd
18 Jake Mitchell
3rd
2 Grant Dodd
Ray Stevens – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 70 263+
1st
6 David Gras
2nd
71 Adam Constable
3rd
17 Steve Constable
David Gras – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 75 Solo 263+
1st
101 Mark Herfoss
2nd
16 Damien Bombardiere
3rd
26 Jody Mason
David Herfoss – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Evolution Womens All Powers
1st
89 Tayla Street
2nd
58 Brook Lonie
3rd
38 Janet Kelly
Taylor Street and Brooke Lonie – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 75 50-59 yearrs All Powers
1st
101 Mark Herfoss
2nd
216 Graeme Judd
3rd
123 Ray Stevens
Mark Herfoss – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Evolution 50-59 years All Powers
1st
123 Ray Stevens
2nd
216 Graeme Judd
3rd
90 Simon Hampton
Pre 75 Solo 250cc
1st
382 Brad Burns
2nd
667 Luke Wilesmith
3rd
33 Rob Hayden
Brad Burns – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Evolution Solo 263+
1st
382 Brad Burns
2nd
121 Aaron Stevens
3rd
24 Chas Hern
Evolution Solo 250cc
1st
382 Brad Burns
2nd
44 Doug Hayden
3rd
2 Grant Dodd
Pre 75 263+
1st
257 Billy Ricardo
2nd
123 Ray Stevens
3rd
216 Graeme Judd
Billy Ricardo – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 78 250 Solo
1st
22 Brendan McCowat
2nd
667 Luke Wilesmith
3rd
90 Simon Hampton
Support Classes
Pre 75 60years + All Powers
1st
33 Rob Hayden
2nd
6 Peter Lee
3rd
9 John Selva
Rob Hayden – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 75 Slider up to 250cc
1st
7 Reece Crimeen
2nd
30 Brett Glover
3rd
68 Rick Wason
Reece Crimeen – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 60 Solo All Powers
1st
118 Bill Mitchell
2nd
51 Graham Anderson
Bill Mitchell Graham Anderson – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 78 Super Seniors & Evolution 60years + All Powers
1st
33 Rob Hayden
2nd
52 Peter Lee
3rd
171 Kevin Brown
Pre 75 16-39 Years All Powers
1st
382 Brad Burns
2nd
18 Jake Mitchell
3rd
2 Grant Dodd
Pre 65 Solo 250cc & 263cc+ & Pre 70 Solo 250cc
1st
9 John Selva
2nd
116 Kevin Dunque
3rd
76 Mark Birkett
John Silva – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 75 40-49 years All Powers
1st
16 Damien Bombardiere
2nd
181 Ross Watson
3rd
36 Paul Neighbour
Damien Bomardiere – 2019 Australian Classic Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Pre 78 & Evolution Solo up to 125cc
1st
2 Grant Dodd
2nd
258 Nick Smith
3rd
38 James Hayden
Battle of the Twins
1st
6 David Gras
2nd
650 Chas Hern
3rd
66 Dean Ross
Tayla Street creates Classic Dirt Track history
History was made in motorcycle racing at Broadford last weekend with the inaugural Women’s Classic Dirt Track Championship and there were eight hard charging females on hand on a myriad of different machinery.
2019 Australian Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
When the dust settled it was the talented Tayla Street on a fire breathing 1980 Suzuki RM250 who earned the title ahead of Brooke Lonie (DT400) and Janet Kelly (TT500) – see full results below:
Tayla Street – 2019 Australian Dirt Track Championship – Image by Colin Rosewarne
Tayla Street – RM250 – 122p
Brooke Lonie – DT400 – 113p
Janet Kelly – TT500 – 96p
Laura Saxon – IT250 – 94p
Abbey Wason – Bultaco Astro – 70p
Nicole Thompson – DT250 – 62p
Carina Peschel – DT400 – 60p
Denise Widjaja – DT250 – 58p
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
The 2019 MXGP of Russia saw warm Orlyonok weather on a tricky track that demanded the most out of even the world’s best with Tim Gajser and Jorge Prado solidifying their MXGP and MX2 standings, as both now hold the Championship leader’s red plates after another weekend at the top step of the podium.
Tim Gajser – MXGP of Russia 2019
In MX2 in Race 1 Mitch Evans led the Aussies with a fifth place result, while Jed Beaton came home 12th, with Dylan Walsh 17th. Race 2 saw a turn-around with Jed Beaton seventh, while Mitch Evans was 10th and Dylan Walsh 13th. This left Mitch Evans fifth overall for the round and Jed Beaton tenth. In the overall standings Evans holds sixth, while Beaton is 14th. Walsh is 17th.
The weekend’s warm weather and blue skies was matched by the blue water of the Black Sea and warm welcome of Russia’s motocross fans. The picturesque location of the venue and the beautiful Russian community of spectators combined with the unexpected results made for an unforgettable weekend of racing.
MXGP
Following yesterday’s qualifying results Romain Febvre lined up to the gate in pole position and when the gate dropped for today’s Race 1 the Frenchman scored his second Fox Holeshot of the year. Team HRC’s Tim Gajser shot past the #461 almost immediately after they crossed the chalk and was into the lead as the opening lap kicked off.
MXGP Start – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
Clement Desalle got into second with a pass on Febvre along with Arnaud Tonus. The #84 KTM Factory Racing machine of Jeffrey Herlings was in fifth while Antonio Cairoli was way back outside the top 15.
Evgeny Bobryshev lost control of his Kawasaki on the main downhill section on the opening lap and crashed hard ending not only the race but his home GP. Tonus gained a spot as Desalle fell in a corner while Tonus’ teammate, Gautier Paulin, crashed out of the top ten damaging his front causing him to fall again before making his way into Pit Lane and eventually the paddock.
Romain Febvre – MXGP of Russia 2019
Herlings then found himself in fourth after the fall of Desalle with Pauls Jonass and Jeremy Seewer applying pressure. Seewer first passed Jonass but then Desalle surged past both Jonass and Seewer to take over fifth.
Alessandro Lupino had a big crash and was unable to continue while fellow Italian and his friend Antonio Cairoli was stuck in 15th for 12 laps before finally making a pass on Jordi Tixier. Desalle was ejected from his bike at the end of pitlane straight with only four laps to go and was unable to rejoin the racing. Seewer took over the fourth spot while Gajser took the race win ahead of Tonus, Febvre, and Herlings. Cairoli gained two more spots in the closing laps to finish 12th.
Tony Cairoli – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
The second and final race of the MXGP weekend started with a season first holeshot for Glenn Coldenhoff with Gajser and Tixier just behind. Tonus was quick to move past Tixier along with Seewer. Seewer’s teammate Febvre fell in the early portion of the race from 7th costing him 6 positions with his former 7th place spot going to Cairoli.
Jonass passed Julien Lieber to get into the top 5 behind his former MX2 rival Seewer. On lap 7 Jonass lost his top five spot to Lieber as Cairoli also went by into 6th before making it past Lieber the next lap, at the same Gajser finally made his way around Coldenhoff for the lead.
Pauls Jonass – MXGP of Russia 2019
Coldenhoff lost the 2nd spot to Tonus immediately before losing a handful of other spots in the following laps to Seewer, Cairoli, Lieber, Jonass, Herlings, Paulin, and Febvre. Tonus then closed in right to the back wheel of Gajser and made an attempt to take the lead but clipped a trackside haybale and fell instead.
The fall of Tonus didn’t lose him any positions, only time to Gajser that he could not recover. At the finish Gajser took his 3rd MXGP Overall in 3 rounds via double race wins, the MXGP Championship leader’s red plate, and the first ever Russian Overall GP victory for Honda.
Jeremy Seewer – MXGP of Russia 2019
Tonus took second overall with his 2-2 finishes and Seewer scored his career first MXGP podium overall, best MXGP race finish, and put not only the second Yamaha on the podium but also joined his Swiss compatriot Tonus to make history as the first time two Swiss riders have stood on the podium in the premier category of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
Tim Gajser
“I’m feeling really good about this weekend. It wasn’t easy out there, as both motos were tough because Arnaud (Tonus) was really fast and he was always behind me pushing hard. The first race I held him off all race, and then in the second race it was the same again but with 10 minutes to go he made a mistake and that gave me the gap I needed to control the race and take the victory. The track wasn’t so bumpy but it was still tough because it was so hard and it was easy to make a mistake. Overall I’m happy, and a huge thanks to everyone at Honda, as the CRF450RW is amazing and let’s hope we can continue this run of form. Three races ago I was 40 points behind in the championship and now I have the red plate so I’m really happy about these past few weeks have gone and although it’s still early in the season and there is plenty of races ahead of us, it’s still a great feeling and I can’t wait to see the red plate on my bike in Latvia.”
Tim Gajser – MXGP of Russia 2019
Arnaud Tonus
“It wasn’t easy to fight for the lead. I was happy I had some good starts so at the beginning I was already close to Tim. There were not too many opportunities to pass on this track, so I came close, and I went for it, but I ended up making a small mistake. I am happy I tried and was able to recover and still finished second. I am still super thankful to be up here on the podium three times in a row.”
Arnaud Tonus – MXGP of Russia 2019
Jeremy Seewer
“It’s amazing to make it onto the MXGP podium. It feels like it is much harder to get here, much harder that even some of my MX2 wins. It is a lot of work to get here, there are a lot of fast guys and especially on a track like we had today where there are a lot of guys riding a similar speed. I feel like it takes time to move from the 250cc to the 450cc and to get comfortable on the bike, but in the past few weeks I have been feeling good. My crew on the Yamaha Factory team have done an amazing job, and I owe a big thanks to them for making it happen. It feels like we are moving in a really good direction.”
Jeremy Seewer – MXGP of Russia 2019
Jeffrey Herlings
“I had a serious injury and it has been tough to get back here, mentally and physically, and with a lot of pain for a long time. I did not expect this result here today especially on this track. So to be close to the podium again feels pretty beautiful. I like the track in Latvia but I don’t have any firm expectations and I will not forget where I have come from to get to this point. Having said that we’ll always try to fight for a podium spot when we can!”
Jeffrey Herlings – MXGP of Russia 2019
Romain Febvre
“The weekend was good. Yesterday was really good to win the Qualifying Race. Last week I could not ride because I was really sick. I was lucky to feel better when I got here. In the first race I got the holeshot but I made some mistakes. I got back to third, but I hit my ankle and felt some pain, so I just secured third. In the second race I crashed and then stalled the bike and lost a lot of positions. I came back to nine, so the speed was good, but two mistakes on this type of track, I could not do better.”
Romain Febvre – MXGP of Russia 2019
Pauls Jonass
“I was looking forward to coming here to Russia because I won a couple times in MX2, so I have good memories. I felt good on the track all weekend, my speed was where I wanted it to be. The track is super-fast and slick and hard to make a lot of time up, so when everyone is pushing hard it’s easy for mistakes to happen. I guess I tried to be aggressive but sensible at the start of both races. I didn’t get the best of starts, but they weren’t bad either. I made some good, quick passes and was pleased to be running in fifth for several laps in the opening moto. But I felt like the second moto was better – I kept fighting to finish sixth, which was a great way to end the GP.”
Pauls Jonass – MXGP of Russia 2019
Tony Cairoli
“A very difficult weekend and of course the crash from yesterday did not help as it meant I was totally on the outside for the gate pick. I was riding very stiff and by missing the start it is almost impossible to make a good result on this track; everybody is riding at a similar speed. We lost the red plate but the positive is that I’m not badly injured, and we saw some big crashes today. We walk away a bit banged-up but we will re-group and look to Latvia, which is a nice track, and to regain some points.”
Tony Cairoli – MXGP of Russia 2019 – Image by Ray Archer
Arminas Jasikonis
“Not the GP I was hoping for at all and I wasn’t riding like I can or should have been. I don’t know why but I couldn’t find a good rhythm with the track, which meant that I was riding too hard, being too physical, in both races. Because I was riding too physically, I really felt the heat in the second moto. I gave my all but not at all what I wanted, but racing can be like this sometimes. We move on to the next GP and look to do better.”
Arminas Jasikonis – MXGP of Russia 2019
MXGP of Russia – MXGP Results
Tim Gajser celebrates the win – MXGP of Russia 2019
