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Sanders and Team Australia continue to lead the way | ISDE Day 2


For the second day of competition the five hundred plus competitors from twenty-six nations retraced the course from the previous day. However, with roughening conditions, it was a battle of attrition for many.

At the head of the FIM World Trophy team it is RecoveR8 Team Australia, fronted by a hard charging Daniel Sanders – Husqvarna, who led the way. With Sanders winning all-but-one of the day’s seven special tests, Australia extend their advantage to fifty seconds over closest rivals United States.

Luke Styke

“We made a few changes halfway through the day and it seemed like they were the right ones as I picked up some pace through the second half of the day. The trails and the tests themselves were getting brutal with two days on the same layout. Overall I’m happy with the day and plan to stay smart and consistent to keep doing my job for the Australian Team.”

Luke STYKE YAMAHA FIM ISDE ImageByDarioAgrati
Luke Styke – Image Dario Agrati

Once again proving the closest challenger to the Australians, the United States worked hard to see all four of their riders finish inside the top-fifteen overall on day two. While the gap between the leading two nations remains relatively close, the two nations have pulled notably clear of the competition in Portimao.

Italy remain in third, but are now over five minutes off the lead.


Davide Guarneri – Team Italy

“Australia and United States are incredibly fast. They are setting the pace for sure. We are looking forward to what tomorrow will bring and will try to close the gap. But at the moment we need them to make a mistake, which hasn’t happened yet!”


Great Britain end day two forty seconds behind Italy in fourth, but extend their advantage over fifth-placed Finland to one-minute and thirty seconds.

Spain complete the top-six thanks to the strong efforts of Josep Garcia – KTM. Currently second outright to Sanders and leading the Enduro 1 category he is enjoying his FIM ISDE return.


Josep Garcia – Spain

“It’s been a really good start to the FIM ISDE. I’ve finished second outright both days and have extended my lead in the Enduro 1 category. Daniel has proved very fast during these two days and is looking strong – for sure he’s the rider to beat. But tomorrow we arrive to a new set of special tests that I feel will work better for me on the smaller bike, so I will fight to close the gap to him.”


2019 ISDE Day Two World Trophy Classification
  1. Australia
  2. USA +50.43s
  3. Italy +5min10.41s
  4. GB +5min51.29s
  5. Finland +7min22.80s
  6. Spain +8min19.69s
  7. France +11min23.99s
  8. Germany +14min21.21s
  9. Sweden +15min45.90s
  10. Portugal +18min56.20s
ISDE Pits Day Australia ImageByDarioAgrati
Team Australia hard at work in Portugal – Image Dario Agrati

2019 ISDE Day Two Junior World Trophy

Matching their FIM World Trophy team-mates, RecoverR8 Team Australia extend their lead in the FIM Junior World Trophy classification with a winning result. Clearly enjoying the rough and sandy conditions, the Australians are now almost three-and-a-half minutes ahead of the United States in second.

Building speed and positions in this year’s FIM ISDE, defending champions Italy move up to third on day two. Spurred on by the performance of Andrea Verona – TM, they will look to bridge the two-minute gap to the United States on day three.

Andrea VERONA TM FIM ISDE ImageByDarioAgrati
Andrea Verona – Image Dario Agrati

Losing time on the leaders, France slip to fourth in classification and sit twenty-seven seconds behind Italy. Great Britain round out the top five, but will need to keep a watchful eye on Spain in sixth, who look to improve on favourable conditions for day three.

Fraser Higlett

“It’s great to see some of our Junior Team in the top ten and we have put a lot of time on the other teams. I ended up seventh outright yesterday which was honestly hard to believe for me, but I feel smooth and believe I can keep this up for the rest of the week”.

2019 ISDE Day Two Junior World Trophy Classification
  1. Australia
  2. USA +3min26.90s
  3. Italy +5min24.12s
  4. France +5min51.95s
  5. GB +9min11.99s
  6. Spain +10min23.38s
  7. Finland +16min36.44s
  8. Belgium +18min33.25s
  9. Portugal +27min55.50s
  10. Chile +38min14.41s

2019 ISDE Day Two Women’s World Trophy

Proving the team to beat on day two, United States surged to the top of the FIM Women’s World Trophy class. Truly finding their feet in the deep sandy ruts and holes, they now lead the proceedings by one-minute and eight seconds over Germany.

Jessica Gardner

“Day one and two are already in the books, we got all the nerves out of the way yesterday. The track was very rough with two days on the sane layout. I had a great opening test, in the fourth one I had a fall on the last turn and lost a little time. Overall I think I’m riding well and I’m looking forward to some new special tests tomorrow”.

Jessica GARDINER YAMAHA FIM ISDE ImageByDarioAgrati
Jessica Gardiner – Image Dario Agrati

After their winning ride on the opening day, Germany struggled to match the pace of the United States and defending champions RecoveR8 Team Australia. With the Australians racing to second on the day, they move within striking distance of overtaking Germany.

Great Britain remain in fourth with Jane Daniels – Husqvarna delivering the team’s best result of fourth. Spain hold fifth, while Sweden complete the top six.

2019 ISDE Day Two Women’s World Trophy Classification
  1. USA
  2. Germany +1min08.65s
  3. Australia +1min14.37s
  4. GB +6min25.72s
  5. Spain +9min11.99s

Enduro 1

In the Enduro 1 class, Garcia continued his winning ways of day one. Establishing himself as the rider to beat, the Spaniard won all seven special tests, extending his advantage to a commanding two minutes and twenty-five seconds.

Josep GARCIA KTM FIM ISDE ImageByDarioAgrati
Josep Garcia – Image Dario Agrati

While Garcia remains comfortable out front, the battle for a place inside the top-four is tight. Australian Luke Styke – Yamaha in second holds a four-second lead over the United States’ Ryan Sipes – KTM, who in turn is just eight seconds clear of Andrea Verona in fourth.

2019 ISDE Day Two Enduro 1 Individual Classification Overall
  1. Garcia KTM Spain
  2. Styke Yamaha Australia
  3. Sipes KTM USA
  4. Verona TM Italy
  5. Snodgrass KTM Australia
  6. Remes Yamaha Finland
  7. Espinasse  Sherco France
  8. Cavallo Sherco Italy
  9. Wootton Husqvarna GBR
  10. Kytonen Husqvarna Finland

Enduro 2

United States teammates Taylor Robert – KTM and Kailub Russell – KTM lead the way in Enduro 2, with Robert topping the final three special tests to lead Russell by twenty-one seconds.

ISDE Taylor Robert
Taylor Robert

Behind them, Guarneri gained ground, moving past Australian Fraser Higlett – Husqvarna for third. United States’ Ben Kelley – KTM rounds out the top-five.

2019 ISDE Day Two Enduro 2 Individual Classification Overall
  1. Robert KTM USA
  2. Russell KTM USA
  3. Guarneri Honda Italy
  4. Higlett Husqvarna Australia
  5. Kelley KTM USA
  6. Green Yamaha Australia
  7. Baylor KTM USA
  8. Driscoll Yamaha Australia
  9. Magain KTM Belgium
  10. Phillips KTM Australia

Enduro 3

As the leading rider in this year’s FIM ISDE, Daniel Sanders also heads the Enduro 3 category.

Now over four minutes clear of Great Britain’s Danny McCanney – TM in second, Sanders has got plenty of breathing room as they face a new course for day three.

Daniel SANDERS HUSQVARNA FIM ISDE ImageByDarioAgrati
Daniel Sanders leads the way overall and has won all but one of the special tests – Image Dario Agrati

Growing in confidence and speed, McCanney jumped to second position, pushing the United States’ Steward Baylor – KTM back to third.

Italy’s Rudi Moroni – KTM is now fourth, with Great Britain’s Alex Snow – Gas Gas slipping to fifth.

Daniel MCCANNEY TM FIM ISDE ImageByDarioAgrati
Daniel McCanney – Image Dario Agrati
2019 ISDE Day Two Enduro 3 Individual Classification Overall
  1. Sanders Husqvarna Australia
  2. McCanney TM GBR
  3. Baylor KTM USA
  4. Moroni KTM Italy
  5. Snow GasGas GBR
  6. Heidecke KTM DEU
  7. Pavoni Beta Italy
  8. Geslin Beta France
  9. Abgrall Beta France
  10. Etchells Sherco GBR

Women’s

In the Enduro Women’s class the battle for victory was played out between United States Brandy Richards – KTM and Germany’s Maria Franke – KTM. Richards bettered her rival by seven seconds to extend her overall lead over Franke to twenty-two seconds.

Behind the leading duo, Australian Tayla Jones – Husqvarna is third, with Jane Daniels twenty-nine seconds behind in fourth, while Jones’ team-mate Jessica Gardiner – Yamaha completed the top six.

Tayla JONES HUSQVARNA FIM ISDE ImageByDarioAgrati
Tayla Jones – Image Dario Agrati
2019 ISDE Day Two Women’s Individual Classification Overall
  1. Richards KTM USA
  2. Franke KTM DEU
  3. Jones Husqvarna Australia
  4. Daniels Husqvarna GBR
  5. Gardiner Yamaha Australia
  6. Sheets KTM USA
  7. Badia Husqvanra Spain
  8. Turner KTM Canada
  9. Borchers Husqvarna DEU
  10. Gieger Honda USA

The FIM ISDE continues on day three with competitors facing a new course and set of special stages on the Monchique Challenge route with a total distance of two-hundred and sixty-six kilometres to be covered. The FIM Vintage Trophy also gets underway with an initial acceleration test.


* Compiled using provisional results which remain subject to final approval of the Race Direction.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Top Tips for Restoring a Vintage Motorcycle

(Contributed post for our North American readers. Image: Vintage Vincent)

Restoring a vintage motorcycle is every motorbike enthusiast’s ultimate dream. Just imagine cruising on the open road as your bike roars its mightiness. You can also think about all the money you would earn from making an excellent job of the restoration process. According to research, people are more than willing to pay good money for a restored vintage bike than for a new one. In 2018, a 1951 Vincent Black Lightning (pictured above) topped the list of the most valuable motorcycles with a value of $929,000. 

Doing a motorcycle restoration correctly is essential. One simple mistake can cause motorcycle accidents. According to Davis Law Group, a motorcycle accident can cause traumatic brain injuries, fractures, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, and even death. You have to understand that restoring a vintage bike takes time, tons of patience, and loads of cash. If you cannot commit to any of these, this project may not be for you. If you are ready to take on the challenge, then here are some tips to help you ensure that your restoration project becomes a success. 

Look for a Service Manual

While you may be prepared with a variety of tools suited for fixing up a bike, many experts claim that an essential tool you must have is the bike model service manual. The manual will provide you with all the information you will need about the motorcycle. If you can get your hands on an OEM factory repair manual, the better. Note that this manual is not given to buyers, as service techs commonly use these. Repair manuals include a detailed description of how the motorcycle was assembled, a piece of crucial information if you plan to rebuild the bike. 

Dismantle and Categorize

One of the common mistakes newbie restorers make is taking apart the bike and rebuilding immediately. If you do this, you might find it hard to reassemble the parts. You can start by taking the bike apart section by section, then categorize and rebuild as you go. It would be wise to take pictures before and after removing them. Store small parts in a bag and don’t forget to label them appropriately. 

Craft a Plan

To achieve a successful vintage motorcycle restoration project, you must have a plan. Create steps that you should follow so you can accomplish the task systematically. List all the sections you wish to repair, including which goes first and last. One of the most useful guides you can use is your motorcycle’s general condition. 

Creating a plan will also help guide you when you need to order parts for the restoration project. Take note that looking for parts and ordering them takes some time, particularly if you plan to restore an older bike such as 1930 Brough Superior SS100 or a Panther 1928. To make the search easier for you, join forums or ask motorcycle dealerships. You can also make excellent finds in scrap yards or local at mechanic  shops. 

Make it Personal

Restoring vintage motorcycles depends on your preference. If you want the bike to be an expression of your personality, then make it as unique to you as possible. It is your work, anyways. If you’re going to add custom handlebars, feel free to do so. If you plan to do custom work, it would be best to ask a professional to do it for you. Relay to the restoration mechanic what you want to achieve. Make sure that your mechanic is reliable and has a good track record of working on vintage motorcycles. 

Riding a classic motorcycle can give you an unexplainable high, but riding one you’ve restored with your own two hands is heaven. So take the challenge and ride safe! 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Unifilter now offering O2Rush filters race ready

Unifilter O2Rush filters now ready to race

O2Rush now pre-oiled and ready for install


Unifilter have announced they are taking their well known O2Rush air filters and making them Race Ready by supplying them pre-oiled, ready to install and ride!

Unifilter ORush ORRRWeb
Unifilter’s 02Rush air filters now come pre-oiled

O2Rush airfilters are trusted by CDR Yamaha Monster Energy, DPH Motorsport Husqvarna, Yamalube Yamaha, Jesse Dobson, Jackson Richardson, Jayden Rykers and more to provide the ultimate in performance and protection at the highest level.

Unifilter incorporate 40 years’ experience in design and manufacturing air filters in Australia, to create a high-performance solution, featuring corrugated foam to significantly increase the effective surface area of the air filter, that ensures dust remains outside the filter.

Unifilter ORush Clout
Luke Clout runs Unifilter filters

Unifilter O2Rush features

  • Factory Pre-Oiled
  • Soft foam seal technology
  • Up to 14mm thick filtration
  • Increased surface area
  • Re-usable
  • Australian Made
  • Available for all major manufacturers & all recent years & popular models
  • RRP –  $35.00 – $39.95

Unifilter O2Rush air filters are available now around Australia, and for best results re-oil with Unifilter Filter Fix air filter oil. This heavy-weight, mineral based red foam filter oil will not dry out like synthetic filter oils and is designed and made in Australia.

Unifilter ORush JATS ROCKSTAR
The Unifilter O2Rush filter is now ready for fitment straight into your bike

Unifilter Filter Fix air filter oil

  • 500ml $17.50 – UBHR02
  • 1L $27.50 – UBHR03
  • 5L $85.00 – UBHR05
  • 20L $279.95 – UBHR20

Unifilter air filters are available from all good motorcycle stores around Australia and New Zealand.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Satnav app adds traffic light countdown

A satellite navigation app that has a countdown to how long a traffic light will change has been recognised as a CES 2020 Innovation Awards honoree.

The Slovakian Sygic navigation app used by more than 200 million drivers globally has a new and free Traffic Lights countdown add-on.

It is only working in the US at the moment with plans to be introduced in Europe in 2020. There is no scheduled release time yet for Australia.

How the countdown worksRed-light traffic light

The Traffic Lights countdown add-on does not trigger a green light.

That’s a particular issue with riders whose motorcycles may not be large enough to be detected by the induction loop cut into the pavement. Click here to read more about triggering green lights.

Instead, the Sygic add-on displays a green or red light countdown timer at each traffic light.

They claim it will encourage motorists to slow down, increasing safety at intersections, reducing CO2 emissions and improve traffic flow.

Sygic CEO Martin Strigac says their artificial intelligence add-on “will have a major impact on safety and the time of arrival”.

“The kit will be continuously upgraded with additional assistance features, including detection of speed-limit signs, lanes, and obstacles on the road, and collision detection,” he says.

“We are also exploring the idea of integrating it with rail-crossing warning systems.”

CommentsTraffic Lights

Two out of every three motorcycle accidents (66.7%) occur at intersections and motorists running red lights is one of the major causes of those crashes.

Anything that can reduce that would be welcome.

However, we are unsure if a countdown feature for a green light to turn red might actually encourage motorists to speed up to catch the light.

Also, a countdown to a red light turning green might encourage motorists to jump the lights.

We are also concerned that drivers who already don’t look for motorcyclists might be more intent on watching their satnav traffic light countdown feature than scanning the road for riders.

Technology is great when it is proven to increase safety, but the jury is still out on this, as far as we are concerned.

Meanwhile, the CES 2020 Innovation jury of 82 technology experts says the Sygic GPS Navigation’s Traffic Lights add-on “showcased innovative features that scored highly across the evaluation criteria and joins a special group of other products given this honour.” 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

World’s best and worst commuting traffic

Aussie commuting traffic is fastest and safest in Perth and the worst in Sydney, according to a new statistical analysis of 100 major cities in the world.

The 2019 Driving Cities Index, commissioned by European car parts retailer Mister Auto, considers commuting traffic speeds, road condition, congestion, road rage, fatality rates, air pollution and costs such as parking and fuel.

Best commuting traffic

The best city for commuting traffic was Calgary in Canada, a country which had several cities in the top 10.

It was followed by Dubai, Ottawa, Bern and El Paso.

Perth was 13th, Brisbane 66th, Melbourne 83rd and Sydney 86th.

Commuting traffic lane filtering speed wet NSW sydney police commuting
Perth commute is best even in the rain!

That is despite Melbourne rating much worse than Sydney for fatalities and road rage.

Canberra and Adelaide were not included as the study “focuses on the largest cities in each country”. However Mister Auto will “consider including these cities in expanded future iterations”.

Worst

Worst cities were mainly in Asia and Africa led by Mumbai in India followed by Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, Kolkata in India and Lagos in Nigeria.

Results are similar to a 2017 German study of the world’s 100 major cities.

It rated Perth the best place in Australia for commuting at 19th, followed by Brisbane at 45th, Melbourne 55th, Adelaide surprisingly at 57th and Sydney worst 61st.

While lane filtering now allows riders to dodge the worst of the daily commute, riders still face commuting costs of fuel and parking, traffic crashes and road rage.

The Mister Auto survey found the state capital cities’ road conditions and fuel costs were the same rating them at 75th worst roads in the world and 78th for fuel costs.

Other results, listed best to worst, include:

Melbourne roads lane filtering more often congestion promote
Melbourne traffic

Daily average congestion

  • 13 Perth
  • 28 Brisbane
  • 43 Melbourne
  • 66 Sydney

Commuting speeds

  • 11 Perth
  • 20 Brisbane
  • 58 Melbourne
  • 89 Sydney

Road rage

lane filter filtering splitting traffic commute commuting congestion Brisbane
Brisbane traffic
  • 20 Brisbane
  • 41 Perth
  • 47 Sydney
  • 50 Melbourne

Fatalities

  • 33 Perth
  • 40 Brisbane
  • 42 Sydney
  • 71 Melbourne

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Biking and Playing – A Guide to Global Poker Runs

(Contributed post on poker runs for our North American readers. Photo – WLRN)

Poker and motorcycles might not seem like they combine easily, but across the world, Poker Runs have become something of a phenomenon.

The premise is that biking enthusiasts ride from location to location and upon arrival at a new place, a hand is played. The winner is the participant who has won the hand at the end of the event. Remember, it is one hand that is played, not a whole game.

It’s usually done for charity, with a recent run in Oklahoma benefitting the K-9 program at the Lawton Public Schools Police Department. KSWO reports that the event saw a number of active and former police officers take part, with a similar event held in Virginia courtesy of the Chincoteague Police Department.

In Australia, the longest Poker Run in the world took place in 2015. It spanned 2000km and had a prize of $1200 available to the winner. It attracted over 400 riders and was held in support of the Southern Cross Association, who raise funds and awareness for spina bifida and hydrocephalus, as well as for children’s charities.

Culturally, there are many similarities between poker and bikers. Both bring people and communities together, creating strong bonds through common interests and passions. It’s also much easier to follow both in the digital age, with online content bringing people together even more.

Motorcycle clubs can advertise and promote events on the internet and reach far more people, especially through social media which can target specific interests. Poker is very much the same, with people able to take up the hobby from the comfort of their own home before going to a table, or indeed their motorcycle.

If speed is your thing then there are plenty of quick poker games which help to draw in new players. In a partypoker guide to sit & go tournaments, they note how fast versions of the game are very popular, especially with new players. With speed very much at the core of being a biker, these games are likely to be a great precursor to taking part in a Poker Run.

However you choose to get into poker or biking, the Poker Runs seem to be going from strength to strength. According to Guinness World Records, the largest one ever attracted 1494 participants and raised over $130,000 (166,000 AUD) for children’s charities.

Poker Runs are not simply confined to bikes either, Poker Runs America explains how events have taken place using speedboats too. The event, that includes Chesapeake Bay in the U.S., was such a success it’s been scheduled again for July 2020.

As the interest in such events grows, it’s increasingly likely that those two records, both for number of participants and distance covered, will fall. The events are such a great way to raise money, but also to bring communities and people together who share common interests and goals.

Keep an eye out in 2020 for a Poker Run happening near you.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Asymmetric front and rear tyres brought to Valencia

Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager: “Valencia is a very unique track as it is the only one inside a stadium, and this brings specific challenges from both the layout and also because of the time of year that we come here. This part of Spain can have some nice weather which is ideal for racing in November, but it can also be very cold in the mornings. To combat this, we need rubber that can warm-up quickly and works when the track heats up, as well as contending with the number of turns in quick succession.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

#2020: title contenders galore

And joining Viñales in the 2020 Yamaha title charge will be reigning Rookie of the Year Fabio Quartararo. The Petronas Yamaha SRT superstar has been a revelation in the premier class and with a years’ experience under his belt, as well as a full-factory spec Yamaha at his disposal, the Frenchman is being tipped to really take it to the likes of Marquez in his sophomore season. Six podiums and five poles before the final round of the year isn’t something anyone predicted, and regular victory fights look to be assured in 2020.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Nick Harris: Valencia vibes

Nobody was prepared for 2015. The atmosphere coming into that final round of the season may have been toxic, but it was both exhilarating and so exciting to be involved. War had been declared at the previous round in Malaysia between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. It started with words, continued on the track and then in the Stewards Office. There were no grey areas for the millions of fans worldwide. Social media exploded in support of the two protagonists. Tickets for the final showdown were sold out within minutes, riot police were on standby but never required, media accreditation applications poured in from all over the World and Formula One drivers hired private jets to ensure they were there. Global interest and media coverage surrounding Grand Prix motorcycle racing had never experienced or felt anything like this before or since. By the time the 30-lap race finally got underway at 14:00 on an October afternoon, the circuit was at boiling point and ready to explode. Despite the considerable efforts of the aggrieved Rossi, it was Jorge Lorenzo who won the race from Marquez and Pedrosa to clinch the World title to conclude a couple of weeks the sport will never forget.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Time schedule: Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana

After four rounds in Asia and Oceania, the MotoGP™ World Championship returns to Europe for the season finale in Valencia. As a result, the time schedule for the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana returns back to the usual European format, with a handful of things to be aware of as the season comes to its conclusion.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here