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Moto News Weekly Wrap

November 6, 2018

Smarty's Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax

Proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax


What Went Down Last Weekend?

  • Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro – Victoria
  • AMA EnduroCross Series – Boise, ID
  • World Vet Championships – Glen Helen, CA
  • Canadian Triple Crown Supercross – Quebec
  • Cooper Wins Waikato Champs
  • Russia to Stage 2019 FIM Speedway of Nations Finals
  • Beaton, Ostlund and Jasikonis to Husqvarna for 2019
  • Bollinger to Husqvarna for GNCC
  • Wilson to SX-Open at Mt Smart
  • Anstie to KTM in 2019
  • Bopping to CDR Yamaha
  • RIP Dan Villopoto
  • Three New Riders for CycleTrader/Rock River Yamaha
  • Australian MX Nationals Dates Announced?
  • What Racing is Left for 2018?

Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro – Victoria

158 riders turned up to tackle the 2018 Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro but despite the best efforts of the local punters it was international sensation Wade Young who took just under three hours to win the event for the second year in a row.

Wade Young Sherco
Wade Young claimed the 2018 Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro win

Young won the event by completing six laps in 2 hours and 51 minutes while second placed rider Wade Ibrahim ended the day some ten minutes behind Young but almost eight minutes ahead of third placed Tim Coleman.

Extreme Challenge Top Ten

  1. Wade Young – 2:51:52.298
  2. Wade Ibrahim – 3:01:54.424
  3. Timothy Coleman – 3:08:29.045
  4. Hamish MacDonald – 3:16:10.434
  5. Mitch Harper – 3:23:26.636
  6. Ruben Chadwick – 3:26:09.563
  7. Robert Nowak – 2:53:50.645
  8. Chris Perry – 2:55:25.952
  9. Jake Whitaker – 2:58:32.980
  10. Anthony Solar – 3:01:32.306

AMA EnduroCross Series – Boise, ID

Colton Haaker has won his second AMA EnduroCross championship with a conservative second place finish at the Boise finale while Cody Webb did everything he could to hang onto his number one plate by taking the win in front of another large and enthusiastic crowd.

AMA EnduroCross Boise Colton Haaker TY A
Colton Haaker – Image by Tanner Yeager

Third place for the night went to Ty Tremaine, who also narrowly beat Kyle Redmond for third in the championship after both battled for most of the main event.

Ty Cullins blasted his Beta 300 two-stroke to the front at the start of the main event, just ahead of Haaker and Webb. The two championship combatants moved past Cullins, who had troubles and dropped back to ninth by the end of the first lap. Haaker led the first two laps and Webb jumped a huge log double to close right up to his back wheel and then made a pass for the lead on lap three.

AMA EnduroCross Boise Colton Haaker TY A
Colton Haaker – Image by Tanner Yeager

Webb kept jumping the large double to open a gap on Haaker, who was riding a conservative race to clinch the championship. Haaker made it through the No Joke Lane on lap nine of fifteen and the only drama remaining for Webb was to make it through the No Joke Lane himself without losing time. Webb did that on lap eleven and went on for his third win of the season.

The battle for third in the race and championship between Tremaine and Redmond was intense. Redmond came into the race with a single point lead over Tremaine so whichever rider finished in front of the other would take the spot. Tremaine quickly worked up from eighth position on lap one to lock into a battle with Redmond. They traded third a few times before Tremaine opened a gap in the closing laps. Redmond held on for fourth position in the race and championship.

AMA EnduroCross Boise Colton Haaker TY A
Colton Haaker – Image by Tanner Yeager
Colton Haaker

“This whole season it’s been Cody (Webb) and I going back-and-forth, back-and-forth and the championship really came down to a few key moments, like the halfway point in the season when we’re tied, and I knew what we had to do to win. For me, I think last weekend in Everett was the championship night. I knew if I could win there I could win the title. I never won in Everett before that, so I think I made it happen there. Tonight, I got a great start and rode clean and smooth and Cody passed me and got a bit of a gap. He was riding really solid tonight and taking some extra risks that I didn’t have to. I just wanted to bring it home here and I’m so happy we did. It’s amazing to come back and win the EnduroCross title again after losing it. It wasn’t easy coming back from not winning and gaining the confidence to get back up to the front.”

AMA EnduroCross Boise Haaker Podium
Colton Haaker – Image by Tanner Yeager
Cody Webb

“The season and my riding were good despite how little prep time I had coming in. I got the win at round one in Prescott and that was just really lucky. Even by Costa Mesa I only had a couple 12-minute motos in me before the race. I just fell apart in the main and couldn’t hold on. The rest of the year I focused on getting back to doing full motos in training. That had me riding better and by Denver, things got really aggressive and I couldn’t seem to keep up the intensity there. So, I started doing more bracket-style training, riding as hard as I could go. I felt like a steam engine this year. I started out sluggish and kept throwing more fuel to the fire and, by the end of the year, I was back to full-steam ahead. Losing the championship is a bummer but it’s nice to cap of the season with a big win here in Idaho like this. I was doing stuff on the track no one else was doing and it was fun to win the crowd over by jumping big stuff. Now, it’s off to get my arm pump under control and SuperEnduro prep.”

AMA EnduroCross Boise Cody Webb
Cody Webb
Ty Tremaine

“The season started off great with the Alta electric bike. They were putting in a lot of effort with me and the EnduroCross program and they, unfortunately, closed up shop. So, I’m really lucky Beta took a chance with me and I just tried to keep my head down and not let anything get to me so there really isn’t a reason I shouldn’t have performed on any bike. Going into the off-season I’m working really hard. I’m really happy about where we’re going from here.”

Ty Cullins

“I’ve been working super hard all year. My main goal was to get top fives and, about halfway through the season, I was in the lead for the Junior Championship and I focused on that as the goal for the year. It’s just been a great year. I finished top-five in half the races, I shared the holeshot tonight with Colton Haaker and I am just looking forward to getting the details for next year dialed in and come back better than ever.”

Boise EnduroCross Main Event

  1. Cody Webb
  2. Colton Haaker
  3. Ty Tremaine
  4. Kyle Redmond
  5. Ty Cullins
  6. Geoff Aaron
  7. Cory Graffunder
  8. Max Gerston
  9. Noah Kepple
  10. Cooper Abbott
AMA EnduroCross Boise Colton Haaker TY A
Colton Haaker – Image by Tanner Yeager

Super EnduroCross Rider Point Standings

  1. Colton Haaker – 150 points
  2. Cody Webb – 146 points
  3. Ty Tremaine – 100 points
  4. Kyle Redmond – 99 points
  5. Geoff Aaron – 90 points
  6. Ty Cullins – 89 points
  7. Noah Kepple – 83 points
  8. Cooper Abbott – 76 points
  9. Mason Ottersberg – 55 points
  10. Dustin McCarthy – 53 points
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Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax

World Vet Championships – Glen Helen, CA

The annual World Vet Motocross Championship was held at Glen Helen in California last weekend and you will recognise many a rider in the results below including ANZACS Daryl Hurley, Tony Cooksley and Barry Surwaski.

Hurley was the star performer with a win in the 40+ Pro class and hard fought 4th in the 30+ Pro class while Surwaski managed a 10th in the 40+ Pro class despite being on a YZ250F against a full field of 450s.

30+ Pro Class

  1. Josh Grant (Kaw)–1-1
  2. Jeff Loop (Yam)–3-2
  3. Tonni Andersen (KTM)–2-3
  4. Daryl Hurley (Suz)–4-4
  5. Kris Keefer (Yam)–6-5

40+ Pro Class

  1. Daryl Hurley (Sus) 2-1
  2. Kurt Nicoll (KTM) 3-2
  3. Kris Keefer (Yam) 1-4
  4. Steve Powell (Suz) 5-6
  5. Todd Gravitt (KYM) 7-5
  6. Matt Karlsen ((kaw) 6-7
  7. Matthieu Smith (Hon) 8-8
  8. Bill Fosnock (Hon) 9-9
  9. Craig Brown (Kaw) 11-10
  10. Barry Surawski (Yam) 13-11

50+ Pro Class

  1. Kurt Nicoll (KTM)–1-1
  2. Don Bisceglia (Hus)–2-2
  3. Ed Foedish (Yam)–3-3
  4. Darren Cahill (Yam)–5-4
  5. Jon Ortner (Yam)–6-5

25+ Expert Class

  1. Stephen Martin (Hon)–DNF-1
  2. Billy Lea (Yam)–1-DNS
  3. Vince Giancana (Suz)–2-DNS
  4. William Smith (Kaw)–3-DNS

30+ Expert Class

  1. Brody Jennings (Yam)–2-1
  2. Jesse Mobley (Suz)–4-2
  3. Lucas Frye (Hon)–3-DNS

35+ Expert Class

  1. Mirko Milani (KTM)–1-1
  2. Jeff Northrop (Hus)–3-2
  3. Kenny Bell (Suz)–DNF-3
  4. Imre Adamek (KTM)–2-DNS

40+ Expert Class

  1. Matthieu Smith (Hon)–1-1
  2. Shawn Bushnell (Hon)–2-2
  3. Laurence Wiltshire (KTM)–3-3
  4. Billy Van Vugt (Suz)–8-4
  5. Ralf Schmidt (TM)–7-5

45+ Expert Class

  1. Mike Reefman (Yam)–1-1
  2. Craig Davis (Hus)–3-2
  3. Fabio Occhiolini (Hon)–2-3
  4. Brian Storrie (Hus)–4-4
  5. Glenn Carmody (Kaw)–6-5

55+ Expert Class

  1. Kevin Foley (Suz)–1-1
  2. Robert Reisinger (Hus)–3-2
  3. Tommy Grandstroem (Hon)–2-3
  4. Michael Clement (Hus)–6-4
  5. Milt Reimer (Yam)–4-6

60+ Expert Class

  1. Pete De Graaf (KTM)–1-1
  2. Isao Ida (Hon)–2-2
  3. Eric McKenna (KTM)–4-3
  4. Mark Kaestner (Yam)–3-5
  5. Trey Jorski (KTM)–6-4
  6. Val Tamietti (Yam)–7-6
  7. Tony Cooksley (Yam)–5-9

65+ Expert Class

  1. Carl Garafy –1-1
  2. Bruce Sass (Yam)–2-2
  3. Dwight Catalano (Yam)–4-3
  4. Mic Rodgers (Hus)–3-DNS

70+ All Class

  1. Gary Chase (Yam)–1-2
  2. Jim O’neal (Yam)–3-3
  3. Bill Maxiam (Hon)–2-6
  4. Roque Colman (Hon)–5-4
  5. Steve Machado (Yam)–4-5

Woman Expert

  1. Steffi Laier (KTM)–1-1
  2. Vicki Golden (Suz)–2-2
  3. Nicole Pitell-Vaughan (Hon)–3-3
  4. Holly Break (Yam)–4-4

Canadian Triple Crown Supercross – Quebec

Round three of the Rockstar Triple Crown Championship took place in Quebec last weekend and the final featured a controversial finish between title contenders Cole Thompson and Colton Facciotti – the result of which is under investigation by the promoters and the governing body.

Facciotti held the lead over Thompson going into the final corner where Thompson ran into the side of Facciotti as they exited the corner before going over the finish line. Both riders crashed and Facciotti went off the side of the finish line jump, landed on his back and despite Facciotti going over the finish line first Thompson was credited with the win, with Facciotti taking second while Phil Nicoletti finished third.

Facciotti did not attend the podium celebration after the race and was kept in the hospital overnight with a lung and back injury.  Derek Schuster confirms Colton is out for the remainder of the season.

Jess Pettis got the win the 250 class ahead of Logan Karnow and Shawn Maffenbeier and with one round remaining takes an 11 point lead in the championship.

450 Overall

  1. Cole Thompson
  2. Colton Facciotti
  3. Phil Nicoletti
  4. Cody VanBuskirk
  5. Tyler Medaglia
  6. Daniel Herrlein
  7. Cheyenne Harmon
  8. Matt Goerke
  9. Keylan Meston
  10. Eric Jeffrey

450 Championship Standings

  1. Cole Thompson – 83
  2. Colton Facciotti – 74
  3. Phil Nicoletti – 65
  4. Matt Goerke – 58
  5. Tyler Medaglia – 58

250 Overall

  1. Jess Pettis
  2. Logan Karnow
  3. Shawn Maffenbeier
  4. Tanner Ward
  5. Marco Cannella

250 Championship Standings

  1. Jess Pettis 90
  2. Logan Karnow – 79
  3. Shawn Maffenbeier – 77
  4. Marco Cannella – 65
  5. Tanner Ward – 59
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Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax

Cooper Wins Waikato Champs

Despite still feeling the effects of a chest infection that has reduced him to the couch for several weeks Honda rider Cody Cooper has once again won the annual Waikato Motocross Championships near Te Kuiti last weekend.

After arch rival Kayne Lamont was injured Cooper easily accounted for Cohen Chase and Reece Walker on a stock standard 2019 Honda CRF450R.

Cody Cooper

“I was feeling quite tired in the last race. I was feeling quite shaky as my body hasn’t recovered from the bug I had.”

Cooper Webb to KTM Factory Racing Kiska
Cooper Webb who joins KTM Factory Racing in 2019 won the Waikato Champs

The 35 year old Cooper will now look at getting his bike and body in shape for the up-coming New Zealand Motocross Championships.


Russia to Stage 2019 FIM Speedway of Nations Finals

World Championship speedway is bound for Russia next year as the reigning world champions host the Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations (SON) Finals in Togliatti on July 20 and 21.

Russian duo Artem Laguta and Emil Sayfutdinov stormed to victory at this year’s Finals in Wroclaw, breaking Great Britain’s hearts in an epic title decider to win the nation’s first ever speedway world title.

Togliatti circuit Russian speedway Mega Lada Togliatti
Togliatti Circuit – Russia

The country has been a huge force in the ice speedway world, with Togliatti’s Anatoly Stepanov Stadium a regular venue for world-class events, including the 2019 FIM Team Ice Speedway World Championship on February 16 and 17.

BSI Speedway managing director Torben Olsen is excited by the prospect of bringing the sport’s biggest names to Togliatti.

Torben Olsen

“It has long been our wish to bring the FIM Speedway World Championships presented by Monster Energy to Russia. Following their Monster Energy SON win last summer and the country’s hugely successful staging of the FIFA World Cup, there really couldn’t be a better time to be taking this event to Togliatti. “

The 353-metre Togliatti circuit is home to Russian speedway and ice speedway teams Mega-Lada Togliatti. The stadium also serves as a technical sports school for children, a sports bar, a hotel and the only specialised youth speedway track in Russia.

Alexei Stepanov – President of the Mega-Lada Club

“Thanks to many years of fruitful work, developing and popularising motorcycle sports in Russia, and the special support of the Samara regional government and the governor, Mr. Dmitry Azarov, this summer Togliatti’s Anatoly Stepanov Stadium will host the final rounds of the prestigious team event, the Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations. I am sure that the national teams shall enjoy the racing, and fans and friends coming from all over the world shall like staying in Togliatti. We will do our best to write Togliatti’s name in the glorious history of world speedway.”

The competing countries in the 2019 Monster Energy SON will be revealed in due course.

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Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax

Beaton, Ostlund and Jasikonis to Husqvarna for 2019

Just a week after confirming that the 2017 MX2 World Motocross Champion Pauls Jonass will compete in the MXGP class on Husqvarna machinery, the iconic brand has backed that up with the signing of Jed Beaton, Arminas Jasikonis and Alvin Ostlund for the 2019 World Motocross Championships.

Australian star Beaton will join Thomas Kjer-Olsen with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 team for the 2019 and 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship seasons under the guidance of former FIM 500cc Motocross World Champion Jacky Martens.

Jed Beaton

“It’s a great honour for me to join the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MX2 team. Growing up in Australia, it’s been a lifelong dream of mine to be able to race the Motocross World Championship. As a member of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MX2 team I believe I am in the best possible position to fight for the ultimate goal of becoming world champion. The team never cease to impress me with their professionalism and I am really looking forward to starting the new chapter of my career with them.”

Jed Beaton Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX Team
Jed Beaton to Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 Team in 2019

Jasikonis will race for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MXGP team throughout the 2019 season and the 21-year-old racer from Lithuania will partner Jonass in a highly promising two-rider team that will compete in the MXGP class.

Arminas Jasikonis

“I’m really looking forward to entering the 2019 series with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MXGP team. I’ve been closely following their work and to finally be a member of this great team feels like a dream has come true. I admire their professionalism and I am willing to work harder than ever so I can give my best in each and every GP. This will be my third full season in the MXGP category and I am really motivated to make it the best one so far. Coming from a shoulder injury, I’ve worked really hard to be physically stronger and I’m now looking forward to start riding my new FC 450 machine. It’s a great bike and I believe I am capable of doing great things aboard this machine.”

Arminas Jasikonis Antti Pyrhonen Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
Arminas Jasikonis & Antti Pyrhonen

Swedish rider Alvin Ostlund will race the 2019 MX2 championship for the Revo Husqvarna which will also become a Factory supported satellite team for 2019.

Alvin Ostlund

“It is finally official now, I can say I have signed for Revo Husqvarna for 2019! It is a very good bike and I am looking forward to the season ahead next year. Hopefully we can have a good winter now and then this will mean a good start to the season. I am doing both the British and the MXGP series next year, this is a lot more riding then I have ever done before as I have only ever done one series. I have been with Yamaha for the past 8 years and so this is a big change for me, the Husqvarna FC 250 is totally different with the engine and suspension but as soon as I got on the bike I enjoyed riding it. It feels good, I can’t wait!


Bollinger Replaces Strang at Husqvarna for GNCC

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing have announced that Trevor Bollinger will join the squad for the 2019 Amsoil Grand National Cross Country Series as the teammate to Thad Duvall, who finished second in this year’s series.

Trevor Bollinger

“I am excited to be riding for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. It’s a real honour to be working with such a professional group. I look forward to doing great things together.”

Timmy Weigand – Team Manager

“Trevor will be a great addition to our team, he has had a successful career already and we are happy to have him out there racing the GNCC series.”

At Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, Bollinger takes the place of veteran (and 2010 GNCC Champion) Josh Strang, who took sixth overall in this year’s GNCC points.

Smarty's Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax

Wilson to SX-Open at Mt Smart

The Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland is shaping up to be a grand slam of the world’s best superstars this year, with Dean Wilson confirmed for the November 24 blockbuster inside Mt Smart Stadium.

Dean Wilson

“I’m super excited to be coming to New Zealand and competing in the first ever S-X Open Auckland. It’s perfect timing for me to come down and really put in a good performance; with the high caliber names that are competing this year, if I can beat them, then I’m back on the international radar, which is what I’m aiming for. I’m sure the Kiwi fans are going to be excited you know, their first real big supercross with some fast guys and world champions, it’s just going to be a really exciting event so hopefully, they’re loud and ready for some good racing.

Dean Wilson
Dean Wilson

“I’ve never been to New Zealand before but it does look like a beautiful country, it’s very green, nice rolling hills, it is a bit like Scotland. I really am looking forward to it. I’m going to see as much as I can, but obviously, I need to get back to the States and get training. I’m just lucky enough to get to go check it out. It’s going to be super cool and I’m looking forward to it

“I grew up watching Ben Townley when I was younger and you know he was always a guy that battled Villopoto and looked like he was trying half as hard, it was really funny to watch. A very talented guy and yeah, he’s a legend.”

Dean Wilson will ride a DPH Motorsport team prepared, Husqvarna FC450
Dean Wilson will ride a DPH Motorsport team prepared, Husqvarna FC450

Wilson will ride a DPH Motorsport team prepared, Husqvarna FC450 at this year’s Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland.

During last year’s event, the 26-year-old took top honours during the Saturday night AUS-X Open final in Australia last year, backing that up with a strong second place on Sunday.


Anstie to KTM in 2019

Max Anstie has agreed to a one-year deal with Standing Construct KTM to join 2018 MXoN winner Glenn Coldenhoff (moving over from Red Bull KTM) and Ivo Monticelli on the team.

Max Anstie

“I’m really looking forward to 2019, the Standing Construct KTM team are a great crew, we have great material and a solid programme. We will be ready to perform in 2019! I’m very grateful to KTM and Tim for making this happen and giving me this opportunity.”

MXoN Anstie MX JK MXON
Max Anstie
Tim Mathys – Team Manager

“I am very happy to have signed Max to ride for our team in 2019, already in our MX2 period we were seriously interested in Max and also earlier this season we showed interest in him. With the support of KTM we managed to find an agreement and I think that we have a strong team heading into the 2019 MXGP season.”

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Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax

Bopping to CDR Yamaha

Lawson Bopping will compete on the CDR Yamaha YZ450F at the AUS-X Open in Sydney and the SX Open event in New Zealand after injuries to Dean Ferris and Nathan Crawford have left a seat vacant for the two biggest events of the year.

Bopping, who raced for the team in 2012 and 2013, took a couple of years away from racing due to health concerns but returned for this years’ Australian Supercross Championship and has been placing well in the premier SX1 division where he currently sits in eighth place with just the Sydney round remaining.

Craig Dack – Team Manager

“With the last two events of the year the highest profile on our racing calendar, I felt it was important that we were well represented by having two bikes on the track. We have a commitment to our sponsors to provide them with quality riders, good coverage at events and solid results and we believe Lawson can fill that role for us at these two events. Lawson will slot in easily for us as he knows everyone on the team, has worked with us in the past and is very comfortable on the Yamaha YZ450F. We have no expectations on him other them compete like he has every other weekend and represent our team, brand and sponsors well and I’m sure he will do a great job.  It’s a shame that injures to Dean Ferris and Nathan Crawford have occurred, but racing is a tough game sometimes. The good news is both are recovering well and will be back to 100% in the near future.”

mx nationals coolum round mx cdr dacka ImageScottYa
CDR Yamaha’s Craig Dack

For Bopping, it’s an unexpected return to the big rigs of professional racing. At the end of the 2015 season, Bopping took some time off racing to allow his health to recover after running himself into the ground.

Although he stopped racing, he never lost his love for riding a dirt bike and now with his health back under control, Bopping opted to join back into the racing fray for the 2018 Australian Supercross Championship and has enjoyed life in the fast lane once again.

Lawson Bopping

“I was pretty ran down by the end of the 2015 season and it felt like I just never had any energy so I had to make the call to step away from racing and get my body right. I wouldn’t say I’m 100% fit, but I feel pretty healthy at the moment and I’m loving being back at the races and doing supercross. It’s pretty exciting to get the call from Craig to do these final two rounds. It’s never good to get the gig because of rider injures so I feel for both Dean and Nathan in their situations. It’s going to be fun racing for CDR Yamaha again and I look forward to hanging out with the guys and racing their amazing bikes for the next couple of weekends and hopefully I can do a good job of keeping the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team flag flying high.”

Current CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team racer, Dylan Long, sits fifth in the points and looking to improve at the final round in Sydney.

The AUS-X Open roars to life at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on November 9 and 10, while the SX Open in Auckland will tear up Mt Smart Stadium on November 27.


McAdoo Set for AUS-X

20-year-old American Cameron Mcadoo has signed on to replace Bradley Taft as Penrite Honda Racing’s sole SX2 rider for this weekend’s AUS-X and for young star can’t wait to race in Australia alongside fellow Iowa rider Justin Brayton.

Cameron Mcadoo

“I have been riding and training with Justin at Club MX for the past two seasons. He is an inspiration and offers great advice and support. He always talks about Australia and I truly appreciate the opportunity Penrite Honda has given me to come out and compete. I was happy with several MX finishes and I hope to carry that momentum into Sydney. The bike here is competitive and I have watched the success they have had with many riders in the SX2 class over the last few seasons.”

Team director Yarrive Konsky considered all options for the teams SX2 replacement, but felt this was the best outcome.

Yarrive Konsky – Team Director

“We looked at riders in our RED RIDER program but they are aligned with different sponsors and we didn’t feel it was justified to disrupt that. All other top 10 riders are aligned with other brands so we wanted someone who was on a Honda and could fit straight into our program,” said Konsky.


RIP Dan Villopoto

Not long after helping his son Ryan compete in the Red Bull Straight Rhythm event and right in the middle of preparing for AUS-X in Australia, Dan Villopoto passed away late last week from a massive heart attack.

Ryan Villopoto will be looking to get further up the field
Ryan Villopoto paid tribute to his father, Dan

“This world we live in is a giving place but at the same time it can be cruel,” Ryan said from his @RyanVillopoto Instagram account. “I spent the last six weeks with my dad day in and day out working and training for the upcoming races overseas. For the first time in a long time it was real again, like when I was young. Love you Dad! You will be sorely missed by all.”

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Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax

Three New Riders for CycleTrader/Rock River Yamaha

CycleTrader/Rock River Yamaha has signed Matt Bisceglia to contest the 2019 supercross season in the 450 class while in the 250 Class Brandon Hartranft and Jacob Hayes have signed to compete in both the AMA Supercross and the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships.


What Racing is Left for 2018?

The countdown is on for the 93rd FIM International Six Day Enduro (ISDE), as Australia’s World Trophy, Junior Trophy and Women’s Trophy Teams head off to Vina del Mar, Chile this weekend and all of our teams have the ability to take the win while we also look to Sydney for AUS-X with Chad Reed touted as the favourite to win the event once again.

The Red Bull Knock Out Beach Race is on this weekend too and the big news is that MXoN winner Glenn Coldenhoff will go for victory against the World SS Enduro riders Billy Bolt, Josep Garcia, Taddy Blazusiak, Nathan Watson and Jonny Walker while Weston Beach race winner Todd Kellett is also on hand to have a crack at taking the win – see the list of the remaining events for 2018 below:

  • Australasia
    • Australian Supercross Championships – Nov. 11 – AUS-X Open – Sydney
    • New Zealand Supercross Championships
      • Nov. 24 – SX Open – Auckland
      • Dec. 1 – South Waikato
      • Dec. 15 – Southland
  • America
    • 2018 AMA World Off-Road Championships (WORCS) – Nov. 9-11 – Primm, NV
    • 2018 THOR Mini Olympics – Nov. 19-24 – Gainesville, FL
    • 2018 Day In The Dirt – Nov. 24-26 – Glen Helen, CA
    • Canadian Triple Crown Supercross – Nov. 17 – Hamilton
  • Europe
    • Stuttgart Supercross – Nov. 9-10 – Germany
    • 2018 Paris Supercross – Nov. 17-18 – Paris, France
    • World Enduro Super Series (WESS) – Nov. 10 – Red Bull Knock Out Beach Race – The Netherlands
    • ISDE – Nov. 12-17 – Chile
    • Geneva Supercross – Nov. 30/Dec. 1 – Switzerland
Smarty's Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax

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