Dominant 450SX performance from Tomac at Anaheim 2
Section: Competition
First victory of season for Ferrandis in chaotic 250SX West final.
Image: Octopi Media.
There was no stopping Eli Tomac at Anaheim 2 as he became the third different 450SX main event winner three rounds into the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross season.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Tomac dominated the premier class to win by 1.979s over Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) and a resurgent Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM).
It was Roczen who led the early laps, fending off a challenge from Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC WPS KTM) after the latter went down, but Tomac worked his way from 10th on lap one into the lead by the seven-minute mark.
From there it was all Tomac at the front ahead of a composed Roczen, who held Webb at bay for podium results. Fourth was an inspired ride from Zach Osborne (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), from teammate Jason Anderson in fifth.
Rookie Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) settled into sixth place as Justin Brayton (Team Honda HRC), Malcolm Stewart (Smartop MotoConcepts Bullfrog Spas Honda), red plate-holder Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Dean Wilson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna).
It is now Roczen who leads the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, standings by three points over Barcia and a further two ahead of Tomac entering Glendale’s fourth round in Arizona next Saturday, 25 January.
Image: Octopi Media.
Outgoing Australian Chad Reed (Mountain Motorsports cbdMD CR22 Honda) once again qualified via the LCQ and went on to cross the line in 18th position for what will be his final appearance at Angel Stadium.
Defending champion Dylan Ferrandis has won his first round of 2020 in a spectacular 250SX West main event at Anaheim 2 that saw Jett Lawrence crash out of contention on the final lap.
Ferrandis took the lead on the final lap after rookie Jett Lawrence (Geico Honda) led much of the final, however, he crashed out heavily on the final lap in an attempt to counter on the Frenchman.
The victory of Monster Energy Star Yamaha’s Ferrandis was placed under review due to contact made with Christian Craig (Geico Honda) while passing for second at halfway – the pair of them going down and Craig forced out altogether. Ferrandis was soon cleared afterwards.
It was initially Craig who led the way before Lawrence took charge early and stretched his lead to over 10 seconds mid-race. A mistake and fall enabled Ferrandis to catch and make a final lap pass, with Lawrence going over the ‘bars in the final set of whoops while fighting back for the lead.
Lawrence, 16, wasn’t the only big-name casualty in the whoops, with Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) also falling victim while in podium contention in the latter stages and ultimately crossing the line in 17th position.
In the end it was Ferrandis who won round three by 21.013s ahead of teammate Justin Cooper, who retains the championship lead by 12 points. Completing the podium for the second week in a row was Brandon Hartranft (TLD Red Bull KTM) in third.
Despite both going through the LCQ, Michael Mosiman (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Alex Martin (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki) were fourth and fifth respectively, with Australian Luke Clout (Penrite Honda Racing) scoring a career-best sixth.
Clout’s teammate Mitchell Oldenburg was directly behind him in P7, followed by Jacob Hayes (Gas Monkey AJE Husqvarna), Lawrence credited ninth despite breaking his collarbone and Killian Auberson (Gas Monkey AJE Husqvarna) 10th.
A2 was also a solid outing for Australian championship regulars Jay Wilson (Yamaha) – who sat out last weekend in St. Louis – and Aaron Tanti (Yamaha), riding to 11th and 13th places respectively.
The 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, series now moves onto Glendale, Arizona, next Saturday night on 25 January.
Five-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, four-time World Champion Max Biaggi and four-time World Champion Hugh Anderson will become MotoGP Legends this season, with the Spaniard set to be inducted into the MotoGP Legends Hall of Fame at Jerez, the Italian at Mugello and the New Zealander later in the year.
New Zealand’s Hugh Anderson
It was decided on the day he announced his retirement that Jorge Lorenzo would become a MotoGP Legend this season, and the Majorcan is the first of the three riders who will be inducted in 2020. Fittingly, the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto will play host; the venue at which he made his Grand Prix debut on his 15th birthday and where the final corner bears his name.
Lorenzo is one of the most successful riders of all time, taking his first win in 2003 and his 68th in 2018. Back-to-back 250cc Champion in 2006 and 2007, on pole in his first MotoGP race and becoming a winner third time out in the premier class prefaced Lorenzo’s biggest achievements in MotoGP as he then went on to take the World Championship in 2010, 2012 and 2015.
Jorge Lorenzo
He won those titles with Yamaha, with whom he accrued 44 wins, before a switch to Ducati in 2017. Lorenzo took three more stunning wins with the Italian marque before moving to Honda, later announcing his retirement from competition at the end of 2019.
Jorge Lorenzo
“To be named a MotoGP Legend makes me extremely happy. When I began competing in this world, what I really aspired to do was to get into the World Championship. To be able to win races and then five World Championships is something that far outweighs what I expected, and to be a MotoGP Legend is something even more difficult to achieve. To be named a Legend means, apart from the titles, that you’ve left a mark on the people and history of this sport. I’d like to thank Dorna and the FIM for their support all these years, and for having included me in this special group of select riders.”
Jorge Lorenzo
Max Biaggi made his first few Grand Prix appearances in the 250cc class 1991, and the Italian became a winner the very next season as he took his first victory. Two years later he would become Champion for the first time, and another few years after that would see him complete an awe-inspiring run of domination in the class as he became Champion in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997.
He then moved up to the premier class and took a maiden victory in his rookie season, finishing second overall. From his 1998 debut in the premier class until his departure in 2005, Biaggi took 13 wins and was runner up in the Championship on three occasions.
When he left Grand Prix racing, Biaggi moved to WorldSBK and took two World Championships there – 2010 and 2012 – and since retiring from competition, he has returned to the GP paddock at the helm of Sterilgarda Max Racing Team.
Max Biaggi
“I’m honoured to become a MotoGP Legend and know that my name will be up there forever with other important racers like Agostini, Aspar, Nieto, Sheene… I’m happy that my racing legacy will always be remembered and it’s a good feeling that knowing all of my years of hard work are still being recognised, even today. I would like to thank everyone who decided to give me this honour.”
Max Biaggi
Hugh Anderson will be the final inductee in 2020. Anderson made his first GP appearances in the 500cc and 350cc classes in 1960, taking a podium in the latter. Two years later he added the 125cc and 50cc classes to his resume, becoming a race winner in both. That set his course and for 1963 the New Zealander took on the 125cc and 50cc World Championships in earnest, taking the crown in each class.
He retained the 50cc crown the following year to make it back-to-back titles and was third in the 125cc title fight, reversing that in 1965 as he regained the 125cc crown and was third in the 50cc class. Anderson retired in 1966 after taking an impressive 25 Grand Prix wins and four titles in just six years.
Hugh Anderson
“How I felt when receiving the news? At first, apprehension: do my relatively modest achievements warrant this honour? Will I, can I, do justice to this invitation? Some hours later I felt a feelgood sensation envelope me. A gratification that after all this time the modern world has not forgotten the past and the riders of a very much different era still have some value. A question of the history of our sport being recognised at the highest level. Thank you.”
New Zealand’s Hugh Anderson
Lorenzo, Biaggi and Anderson now join a long list of greats that have been made MotoGP Legends that includes Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson, Anton Mang, Angel Nieto, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Surtees, Carlo Ubbiali, Alex Crivillé, Franco Uncini, Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, Kork Ballington, Dani Pedrosa, Stefan Dörflinger, Jorge Martinez and the late, great Nicky Hayden.
The decision to close their Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth stores was announced just over a week ago and now they are offering generous deals on selected 2019 models.
They are offering $3000 off accessories or apparel and free on-road costs on Roadmaster, Chief Vintage and Springfield Dark Horse.
For their FTR 1200 and Scout Bobber the deal is $2000 off accessories and/or apparel with complimentary on-roads .
The deals end on January 31 and are not restricted to their four company-owned stores.
They say there will be a gradual closing down of their stores throughout the year as alternative dealerships are found.
By the end of 2020, Indian Motorcycle in Australia and New Zealand will operate solely with an independent dealer network, except for Christchurch for is independently owned.
Clearing out floor stock with sales offers will help them move the process along faster.
That’s one customer benefit from closing their company-owned stores. Another benefit they claim is that it will increase the spread of dealerships throughout the country.
Company history
Perth store opened in 2016
The model of a mix of company owned and independent dealers has been operating since they started in Australia in 2008 with Victory Motorcycles.
Indian Motorcycle was added in 2013 after being bought by Polaris. They sold 102 Indian Chief models in their first year.
The traditional brand has experienced substantial growth since, even during the past few parlous years of motorcycle sales, but last year recorded a 3.9% decrease to 803.
That’s still far better than the 11.9% slump in total road bike sales in Australia.
In 2017, Polaris axed the Victory Motorcycle brand, but continued with the company owned stores just for Indian.
However, it was only a matter of time before they switched to the conventional system as used elsewhere in the world.
Polaris Australia boss Alan Collins said customers needed “more locations and more support”.
“Moving to an independent franchised network of dealers is more sustainable for us and our partners as we look to grow in order to meet demand, while also enabling a broader network of support and options for our customers.”
The minimum rider age for South Australians will be raised by two years with some concessions, but they have dodged a plan for mandatory hi-vis vests as in Victoria.
Around the nation it is getting tougher and tougher for young people to get motorcycle licences with Queensland even requiring them to first hold a car licence for a year.
The Australian trend to make it more difficult for younger riders runs contrary to Europe.
In Germany, the minimum rider age has recently been lowered from 16 to 15 while the moped and restricted motorcycle licence (up to 125cc) minimum age in Latvia and Estonia is 14; 15 in France, Czech Republic, Spain; and 16 in Portugal, Romania.
These countries believe that getting teenagers on to motorcycles teaches them a sense of vulnerability and roadcraft before they are let loose on larger bikes or cars.
SA Police Minister Corey Wingard said they would introduce the new bill on graduated motorcycle licensing in the next few months.
Minimum age
The Minister said that last year there were 17 fatal motorcycle crashes in SA with 11 aged under 31 while the youngest was 16.
How does increasing the minimum age have anything to do with those figures, except for maybe that one fatality?
He also says that between 2014-18 young motorcycle riders were over-represented in serious crash data with 10% involving riders aged 15-19, 11% involving riders aged 20-24 and 10% riders 25-29.
So those over 29 represented 69% of serious crashes!
In fact, national statistics from 1995 to 2019 show a steady decrease in fatalities among under 30-year-old riders from 562 in the five-year period from 1995 to ’99 to 312 from 2015 to ’19.
Over the past five years, under 30s have not had the largest number of fatalities, being overtaken for the first time by over 50s with 323 deaths.
This could be the result of tougher licensing laws.
However, it could also be due to the fact that the number of young riders getting licenses has declined while the number of returned riders has increased.
The statistical trends are similar in all states including Queensland and South Australia where under-30s fatalities have halved since 1995.
New rules
The new SA rules will allow various exclusions for students, workers and regional residents.
For example, regional resident aged 16 and 17 can get a restricted motorcycle learner’s permit to travel to tertiary education, vocational education and training or for work.
Also 17-year-olds with a current provisional car licence can get a motorcycle learner’s permit.
There will also be a night curfew on under 25s from midnight to 5am unless the rider has an exemption which is in line with current rules for p-plate drivers.
Rider advocacy group Ride to Review says the restrictions could have been worse.
Tim Kelly of Ride to Review
Spokesman Tim Kelly says they worked hard with the government to secure the concessions and to avoid the planned mandatory hi-vests.
Full details of the new Bill have not yet been released, but previous recommendations included: displaying correct plates, restricting pillions, mandatory carriage of licence, zero blood alcohol, a lower demerit point threshold for disqualification and no mobile phones.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) motorcycle spokesman Rhys Griffiths says tougher licensing laws across the nation have put the motorcycle industry under “more pressure than we’ve ever had in the past”.
He says the tougher licensing laws have dramatically increased the price of obtaining a motorcycle licence and may have led to an increase in unlicensed riding.
(Contributed article for our North American readers)
Riding motorbikes is really fun but it stops being fun when you have a motorbike accident. Are you prepared for that? If not, here are some tips you can follow so that you know what to do if you do become a part of an accident while riding your motorbike.
Motorcycle-Versus-Car Accident
This is one of the most common motor vehicle collisions and it often doesn’t look good for the motorcycle rider afterward. This is because of the sheer difference in body size of each motor vehicle – a car can only be partially damaged on most occasions but the motorbike will definitely be in pieces from the collision.
Apart from the following steps, you need to contact a motorcycle injury attorney to help you after a motorcycle accident, especially if the accident wasn’t your fault.
Steps To Take Immediately After the Accident
If you are injured, your most important priority is toget medical attentionright away. If there are bystanders crowding around, ask if they can call for an ambulance. If an ambulance is not available, ask a kind-hearted person in the crowd if she knows of any doctor clinics nearby.
Look for a traffic enforcer or policeman to attend to you and the other driver. Do not leave the scene of the accident if your life is not in danger and your injuries are minimal. It is important to provide your driver information to the traffic enforcer or policeman so that he can document the incident.
Take pictures of the accident with your phone. This is very important especially if you and your motorbike are insured because the insurance company will need to make sure about the liability for the accident. Photos are invaluable for determining the extent of the damage to you and your motorbike. Be sure to take a photo of the face of the other driver too because that will be needed too.
Get the other party’s insurance information. If the other party has no insurance coverage at the time of the accident, you may have to call a motorcycle injury lawyer to find out what you should do next. This is important because the other party might not have sufficient funds to pay for the damages related to the accident. Your lawyer will help you by pursuing the other party for legal liabilities so that you can pay for your own injuries and possibly buy a new motorbike.
Recovering from a Motorcycle Accident
Image: Shutterstock
Getting into a motorbike accident doesn’t happen all the time, but it does happen when you least expect it. If you were wearing a helmet at the time, then you are one of the lucky ones – if you weren’t wearing one you might not be reading this article at all. A motorcycle accident can result in serious injuries so it’s a good idea to see how to recover from such a collision if that happened to you.
Have yourself examined by a competent doctor. If possible, get this check-up right after the accident because you most likely suffered from serious injuries, especially if the motor vehicle your motorbike collided with was a car.
If you have accident insurance, that will help pay for your medical treatments. Did you break any bones in the accident? You will need money to pay for the doctor’s fee and any medical intervention (such as putting your fractured body part in a cast). Will you have to pay for medicine, such as painkillers? That should also be covered.
Take sick leave from your workplace for some time. You need to recuperate at home so don’t force yourself to go to work if you’re in no condition to work. Ask a friend or relative to stay with you if you live alone, so there is someone who can help you get around (like if you need to go to the bathroom).
Ask your immediate superior at work about how you can resume work while you are still under medical supervision (such as when your body part is in a cast). A compassionate employer would be willing to help you go back to earning a living after the accident. Sometimes, this means being reassigned to another department in the workplace where you can be accommodated while you recover.
Final Thoughts
If you like riding motorbikes, you need to know what to do if ever you figure in a collision with a car. It is usually best to have motor vehicle insurance and personal accident insurance if you like riding motorbikes. If you don’t have that kind of insurance, you may need a motorcycle injury lawyer to assist you in filing a case against the other party so that you can be awarded a settlement or pursue a claim that will allow you to be compensated due to the injuries and damages you now have to deal with.
In most respects, the world is becoming a safer place and UK roads are no exception. According to a recent government report, more than 25,000 serious injuries occurred in road traffic accidents reported to the police in 2018. While this might seem a high figure, it is actually part of a downward trend. The rate of fatalities per billion vehicle miles has actually fallen by 1% over the year from 2017 to 2018, with a proportionate fall in accident claims. Over the long term, the trend is even more pronounced; there were 6352 road fatalities in 1979, and just 1784. When you consider that the population of the country has risen over the intervening decades, this is a fairly impressive turnaround.
What has made UK roads safer?
Several factors are behind this improvement. For one thing, we’re all better drivers – or, at least, we’re more aware of the types of driving that qualify as dangerous. In 1967, the Road Safety Act introduced the UK’s first drink-drive limit, along with the breathalyser test. But it took gradual cultural change before the idea of ‘one for the road’ became widely disapproved-of.
Another influence comes from the vehicles themselves. Crumple zones, airbags and seat belts have all been around for a while, but they’re just the most obvious examples of a broader trend toward safer vehicles.
Other short-term factors can reduce the casualty number. For example, anything that reduces the amount of traffic on the road, like a hike in the price of fuel or a decline in wages, will also slash the rate of accidents.
Motorcyclists
Just about every category of road vehicle has enjoyed a decline in fatality-rates over the year between 2017 and 2018. But there is one exception, and that’s motorcycles, where the rate has risen by 1%. With that said, the rate of casualties has fallen by 7%. You’ll find similar statistics in other countries, like the US, which suggests that the problem lies with the vehicle itself rather than any quirk of UK law.
So what makes motorcyclists such a special category? To begin with the obvious, motorcycles have two wheels rather than four, and so the rider’s skill can play a much more important role in preventing a fatal injury during a crash.
Second, motorcycles are smaller and more difficult to see than other sorts of vehicle. This lack of visibility makes it more likely that another motorist will pull out into the wrong lane, for example, resulting in an accident.
Third, while motorcycles come with their own safety features, they’re not developed with the same focus on safety as the equivalent cars. Moreover, airbags and mirrors and other safety equipment take up space, and add weight. On a smaller vehicle, presents a dilemma for manufacturers.
Finally, motorcycles are generally more fun to ride, and offer a sense of freedom which can encourage riders to take unnecessary risks.
For hard-core adventure riders who don’t shy away from difficult terrain, look no further than Dunlop’s revised D908RR. A new 150/70-B18 size has been added to accommodate bikes like the Honda Africa Twin, KTM 1190 and 1290 Adventure and more, and prices have been lowered. Reinforced central blocks offer excellent traction and stability at highway speeds, and heavy-duty casings absorb bumps and improve durability. See website for pricing and fitment.
Stage 12 of the 2020 Dakar Rally marked the final day of racing, with riders covering a total of 447 kilometres, including a timed special of 374 kilometres from Haradh to the finish at Qiddiya. Ricky Brabec led the overall standings by a comfortable 13min-56s from Pablo Quintanilla into the day, while Toby Price was 22min-34s off leading pace.
Ricky Brabec
Monster Energy Honda Team ace Brabec had snatched the leader’s spot on day three and refused to relinquish the top spot until the race wrapped up, two stage victories and 5000 kilometres later.
It was Pablo Quintanilla opening the track from Toby Price, with just 8min-30s separating the two, while Ricky Brabec seemed to be playing it safe with his lead, with teammate Kevin Benavides reportedly stopping and waiting for him.
Jose Cornejo set the pace in the first 69 km, with Brabec not far off, before Brabec upping the pace and taking the lead by km 119.
The final timesheet of the stage would see Jose Cornejo take the win from Brabec, who trailed him by 53-seconds, while Toby Price was 2min-53s off Stage winning pace.
Toby Price – Image by Rally Zone
Luciano Benavides was fourth, and Pablo Quintanilla fifth, Kevin Benavides sixth and top Sherco Adrien Metge in seventh, followed by top Yamaha in eigth. Macieg Giemza and Andrew Short completed the top 10.
Aussie Rodney Faggotter completed the final stage just outside the top-10 in 22nd, 9min-33s off leading pace.
The final standings would see Ricky Brabec retain most of the lead he held into the final stage, taking the overall win by 40h-2min-36s, with Pablo Quintanilla runner up, 16min-26s in arrears.
Ricky Brabec – Image by Rally Zone
Ricky Brabec – P1
“It’s a dream come true. Hopefully we can come back next year and repeat it. I know that it’s not going to be easy as the Husky and KTM boys will be breathing down our necks. I’m really excited to be here for Honda and for America as well. To be the only American to accomplish this goal is amazing. I think it’s really a dream come true. Now we’ve got to set our goals higher and accomplish more. We are going to come back next year and try and repeat this but, as I said, it’s not easy. We are happy. It was a big, tough race. A lot of kilometres. The team worked great together. The riders were good and the whole team worked well together so I’m really happy. The bikes were really good. We are all here. We are all happy and safe. That was the first goal. I can’t thank everyone enough – Honda, Monster and every one of the sponsors behind us. Thank you all so much. It’s the first time in Saudi Arabia. The scenery was insane! I love it. Hopefully I’ll be back next year. I’ve got a five-year contract so I think we’ll be back.”
Ricky Brabec – Image by Rally Zone
Pablo Quintanilla – P2
“I feel amazing. To spend most of 2019 in recovery and now to be here with my best ever result makes me extremely grateful. I never thought that I would be in this position at the beginning of the race. I would like to thank the team for their hard work over these two weeks – they have done an amazing job. Overall, my race has gone really well, it’s been a tough event for everybody, and the main goal was always to reach the finish. A podium at the Dakar is like a dream come true, especially after such a hard one this year. I still want that win so I’ll work hard and be back next year.”
Pablo Quintanilla
Australian Toby Price was third overall, 24min-06s off winning pace, with Jose Cornejo in fourth and KTM’s Matthias Walkner completing the top five.
Toby Price – P3
“I’m really happy with another podium at the Dakar – every time I’ve made it to the finish at this event I’ve got onto the podium. So far, I’m either a number one or a number three guy. The most important thing is to be here safely at the finish. Obviously, we came here to win, but it just wasn’t our year. Yeah, after 18 wins in a row it would have been nice to get a 19th, but I think KTM’s winning streak won’t be topped for a very long time. We’ll go away now, regroup and come back stronger for 2021 and take that number one plate back.”
Toby Price – Image by Rally Zone
José Ignacio Cornejo – P4
Today’s stage was short but intense. I battled it out with Walkner and Luciano Benavides. They started out in front of me, so I started the special very focused, trying to reduce the time. In the end I didn’t make any mistakes and was able to win the final stage of the Dakar, and thus finish fourth in the general standings. I’m very happy with the way the entire rally went. The team has finally achieved the victory we were looking for after so many years. I’m very happy with the whole team, they have worked so hard.
José Ignacio Cornejo
Matthias Walkner – P5
“Firstly, it feels really good to cross the finish line, especially after such a fast Dakar in a new country. For sure, I’m not so happy with my result as my goal was to reach the podium. I know I made some mistakes in the first week where I lost some time, and it was very difficult to make that back up – especially as so many riders were competitive this year. The good thing is, I felt good with my speed and my navigation for most of the rally. Unfortunately, even with 11 good days, one bad day can spoil your race in rallying. Overall, I’m happy because I know I did my best and the team and the bike have been perfect.”
Matthias Walkner
In sixth was Luciano Benavides, followed by Joan Barreda in seventh, with Franco Caimi the top Yamaha in eighth. Skyler Howes took ninth and Andrew Short 10th.
Luciano Benavides – P6
“It’s been a really tough Dakar and a very crazy race with lots of ups and downs. Overall, I have really enjoyed it and I’m happy to be here at the finish line. I knew this year would be a big challenge and would be a new experience for everyone, so my plan was to take it day by day and the main goal was always just to finish safely. I’m very happy with my pace, I have learnt so much and was able to really use that knowledge at this year’s event. So many riders were competitive, with times very close on a lot of the stages, so to come away with sixth overall is great. I’m really looking forward to the coming season now.”
Luciano Benavides
Joan Barreda – P7
“This was a Dakar that from the beginning was really tough for me. I spent a few days with some great difficulties, but little by little I began pulling back and picking up pace. I had a bit of bad luck with the cancellation of the two stages and the change of engine also penalized me. But in the end the good feelings came back. We have to stay positive but despite all the difficulties, I have finished another Dakar.”
Joan Barreda
Franco Caimi – P8
“It’s a huge relief to finally arrive at the finish of this year’s Dakar Rally. It’s been a really rough two weeks that we have passed through with many different challenges to overcome. Thankfully, we did overcome everything and today we arrived at the finish. The whole team has worked so, so hard, not just during this Dakar but during the whole year. Obviously, I wish Adrien and Xavier all the best for a fast recovery and will now take some time to enjoy this moment and reflect on the event. I’m pleased to have finished, especially after two years of not finishing. It’s been a real adventure and I’m also pleased with some strong stage results. Now it’s time for some rest and then to make plans for the season ahead.”
Franco Caimi
Andrew Short – P10
“I’m really happy to get to the end of this year’s Dakar – it’s been a long race, good fun, but very tough for me, I had a lot of challenges. The first week in the north was beautiful – I’ve never raced anywhere like it. I had some issues in those first few days that really put me on the back foot for the rest of the event. It took a lot out of me as you prepare all year for this race and to have such a big knock so early on was tough. This is only my third Dakar and I’m still learning. A two-week event like this is certainly different to a one-week world championship event and you have to be able to gauge your speed the whole way through. I definitely want to be back here next year for Dakar 2021.”
Andrew Short
Top overall Sherco rider was Adrien Metge in 12th, while Australian Rodney Faggotter (Yamaha Motor Australia) came home in 13th.
Rodney Faggotter – P13
“Wow its done! Top 20’s most stages, with a career best of sixth in stage 10 for a career best of 13th overall. I had a solid two weeks and rode the most “in control” but also the best I have ever done. The riders in front of me are the best rally riders in the world and most of them full time athletes – I’m pumped to be near and amongst these guys! Two weeks flat out and it comes to a instant stop and now I try get to reflect and appreciate everyone’s support and messages. Instead of going through and saying last but not least – I want to call out to my awesome hot beautiful supportive wife and best friend. Love ya babe!!! Thank you. And my boys Matt and Nate for their support! It’s so hard on family back home following the race especially when you disappear off the charts due to helping at a accident/or a mechanical failure or even just technical timing glitches. Massive shout out to the Dragon Yamaha team and my awesome mechanic Quentin Brossier. He says only a few English words and I say none French – so we get along great! He worked overtime all through the night sometime triple checking and sorting everything and I never had a issue. Thanks bud! Big thank you to Yamaha Motor Australia and Yamaha Motor Finance, Yamaha Motor Insurance Australia without their commitment to assist me this year – I would not have been here full stop. And also a big thanks to fellow competitor Ben Young for helping me get to the start line. So many others that helped or have helped previously – that got me to this point that I so much appreciate. Thanks guys.”
GasGas Factory Racing’s Laia Sanz was the highest placing female competitor, finishing stage 12 in 25th and completing the 2020 Dakar Rally in 18th overall.
Laia Sanz – P18
“I will remember a lot about this Dakar. Of course, I will remember Paulo, a true Dakar warrior. So, I have mixed emotions. I will also remember it because it is the race that I managed to start and finish my 10th consecutive Dakar, this is something I am very proud of. I think I’m the first Spanish rider to do that. Dakar is never easy, but when you have a crash it becomes so much harder. So, I’m pleased that I managed to overcome everything and finish the race, and also to have been the first rider to represent GasGas Motorcycles. It’s not been the best for me in terms of my overall result – after my crash on stage two I was riding in a lot of dust and the average speed was a little too high for me during the second week. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and want to thank all the GasGas Factory Racing team for their support.”
Laia Sanz – Image by Rally Zone
Source: MCNews.com.au
“The motorcycling environment, technology, and customer are simply changing faster than our industry is adapting,” says Robert, a former Indian Motorcycle executive and now a senior motorcycle industry consultant.
“Sure there are exceptions, but by and large the same training methods, rider expectations and experiences have dominated the mindset, attention and sponsorship dollars of the major OEM’s (original equipment manufacturer).”
He says the start-ups and non-traditional companies are leaving the motorcycle giants in the lurch on electric motorcycles.
Robert Pandya
“Very interesting brands like CAKE, Zero and Damon (full disclosure I’m on Damon’s advisory panel) are exploring the future of riding in truly compelling ways that major brands seem to only dabble with,” he says.
Damon Hypersport
“Why for instance is there not already an electric PW-50 style motorcycle from Yamaha?
“What an opportunity!
“Simple speed limiters, geo-fencing and throttle smoothing programs would be such a valuable tool for dealerships seeking to expand local ridership.
“Team Red, Yellow and Green would surely follow – only to the benefit of all of us in the community.”
Several other traditional motorcycle giants have talked about producing electric motorcycles but some have only produced electric scooters and off-road/trials bikes.
Denis Savic with Australia’s first electric motorcycle, the Savic
Global slump
The global slump in motorcycle and scooter sales has been exacerbated by the recent sales slide in China and India which is now the biggest motorcycle market in the world.
While their motorcycle growth rate has been huge in recent years, the growing middle class now seem to be aspiring more to cars than motorcycles.
In “mature motorcycle markets” where premium motorcycle brands rule, the sales figures are terrible.
Perth store opened in 2016
Indian Challenger
Sydney Indian and Victory store
Image: Shutterstock
Damon Hypersport
Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire in action
Harley electric scooter
Denis Savic with Australia’s first electric motorcycle, the Savic
Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali introduces their e-bikes