Peter Hickman to return to Isle of Man on Norton Superlight
It has been confirmed that Louth-based Peter Hickman will return to the Isle of Man TT races in 2020, racing the Norton Superlight in the Bennetts Lightweight Race, with the bike this time prepared and run by his own Smiths Racing Team.
Peter Hickman – Image by David Yeomans
The five-time TT Race winner joined John McGuinness and Davey Todd for a three-pronged assault with the new 650cc Norton Superlight in 2019 but was only able to complete two qualifying laps ahead of the shortened two lap race. While his Norton teammates both retired from the race, Hickman came home in a strong eighth position and posted a fastest lap at an impressive average speed of 120.260mph.
The decision for the bike to be prepared and run by the Smiths Racing team in 2020 allows the Norton factory to focus solely on increasing production of their road bikes.
Development of the Superlight race bike moves to Smiths Racing, but the team are no strangers to producing a race winning machine in a short space of time after taking victories in the 2019 RST Superbike and RL360 Superstock TT Races despite late delivery and little testing with the new BMW S 1000 RR.
The Lightweight Race has become a fiercely competitive class in recent years and the 32-year old is clear in his objectives.
Peter Hickman
“It handles really well which is especially important with the lightweight bikes. They don’t have much horsepower so they need to be able to turn properly and the bike did that immediately. Of course, there are things we need to change. It’s really heavy – heavier than my superbike – because it’s still a road bike and a lot has to be done to make it lighter. I think the podium is realistic and the win would be the cherry on top. I don’t go into anything thinking that we can hopefully finish sixth! The reason we’re doing this is because I feel the bike has potential. If I didn’t feel that, I wouldn’t be doing it.”
Peter Hickman – Image by Richard Sykes
Success for Hickman and the Norton Superlight would undoubtedly hold extra significance for the Lincolnshire man, after his father Dave Hickman played a key part in the success of the JPS Norton team and the iconic rotary-engined bikes of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.
Now with bikes for six different races at the 2020 Isle of Man TT Races, could Hickman be the first man in TT history to claim six TT victories in a single week? It’s not impossible!
Australian Josh Hook was forced to sit out round two of the 2019/2020 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) at the 8 Hours of Sepang after being struck down with an illness.
The F.C.C. TSR Honda France rider revealed he suffered a severe case of influenza, electing to sit-out the weather-affected event in Malaysia.
The TSR squad, who led the race at stages, finished 13th in the standings after a pair of crashes by Mike di Meglio.
“Tough old day here in Sepang,” said Hook. “I came down with a severe case of influenza causing me to be sidelined. The race was shortened to three hours due to bad weather conditions.
“We were leading with one hour to go, and a crash put us back to 28th. The team managed to make it back into the points, finishing up 13th.”
The next stop on the EWC calendar is scheduled for 18-19 April, where Le Mans will host the 24 Heures Motos.
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What happened this week
Nathan Watson retains French Beach Racing lead at Hossegor
KTM Junior Supercross represent at S-X Open & Aus-X Open
Tasmania secures 2020 AORC final rounds
2020 Yamaha supported AORC riders announced
AORC announce four junior summer coaching clinics
Rogers & Wilson with Yamalube Yamaha Racing for 2020
12 rider 2020 GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing line-up announced
FIM Speedway Training Camp fosters young talent
Alfredo Gómez to continue with Husqvarana into 2021
Monster Energy Honda Team vehicles head for Dakar
Henry Wiles to compete 2020 AFT Singles with Honda
Estenson Racing announce Yamaha supported 2020 AFT Team
Jorge Prado recovering from surgery for fractured femur
Yamaha announces 2020 YXZ1000R European Cup
2020 Championship Calendars
2020 AMA Motocross
2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross
2020 MXGP
2020 American Flat Track
2020 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Speedway
2020 FIM Speedway GP Championship
2020 Australian Dirt Track Championship
2020 Australian Track Championship
2020 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC)
2020 FIM SuperEnduro Championship
2020 AMA Extreme Off-Road East/West
2020 FIM Flat Track World Championship
Watson retains French Beach Racing lead at Hossegor
Round five of the Championnat de France des Sables (CFS) saw competitors take to the Hossegor shoreline on the south east coast of France. A combination of unsettled weather and high tides ensured challenging conditions for all, with event organisers drastically modifying and shortening the original course layout to ensure racing could proceed.
Arriving at round five in confident spirits following victory at round four last weekend, championship leader Nathan Watson had his sights set on capturing his third consecutive win. Frustratingly, a crash in the first corner immediately put the KTM 450 SX-F mounted rider on the back foot.
Nathan Watson – 2019 French Beach Racing
Ending the opening lap of the two-hour race in 38th it was clear Nathan had a lot of work to do to keep his win streak alive. Rapidly cutting his way through the field, the Brit incredibly completed lap two inside the top 15. Visibly one of the fastest riders on a very busy track, he continued to work his way forward.
With race leader Todd Kellett pitting on lap nine, Nathan put his KTM out front as he looked to gain as much ground as possible. Colliding with a fallen rider shortly afterwards resulted in Watson’s bike becoming momentarily entangled with another machine. Regrouping, Nathan’s lead was lost and despite his best efforts in the closing stages he had to settle for a hard-fought runner-up result.
Nathan Watson
“In what was a difficult race I’ll take second place today and keep hold of my championship red plate. Coming into this race off the back of two wins I really wanted to keep that momentum going but unfortunately it didn’t happen. With the weather conditions, and organisers needing to change the track due to high tides, things were a lot more unpredictable today than they usually are. I got off to a good start, but when Camille crashed in the first corner I crashed into him and went down, too. With the tight track, coming from the back of the pack wasn’t ideal. I recovered well to briefly lead, but then hit a back marker and got my bike tangled with his and lost more time, so the chance of victory slipped away. But with the red plate still in my hands I’ll work on a few things during the Christmas break and look to get back on the top step of the podium next time out.”
Nathan Watson – 2019 French Beach Racing
For teammate Camille Chapeliere, a crash off the start dampened his hopes of securing another top-three result. Remounting outside the top 40, the Frenchman bravely fought his way forward. Showing his speed where possible, but opting not to push too hard and risk crashing, he steadily collected more positions as the race wore on. Holding fifth on lap 22 of 24, Camille put all he had into the final two laps to claim fourth and with it maintain his top-three championship position.
Camille Chapeliere
“It was a complicated day out there to say the least. The shortened course made it difficult in many places because there were so many riders on the track. A crash at the start was definitely not the best, but I fought as hard as I could to recover. Making overtakes was risky at times, but I tried to balance those risks and recover as smoothly as possible. I feel like I did that and showed my speed towards the end of the race. Finishing fourth maintains my position of third in the championship.”
Camille Chapeliere – 2019 French Beach Racing
The Championnat de France des Sables continues with round six at Grayan-et-L’Hopital on 11-12 January 2020.
Championnat de France des Sables Round 5 – Hossegor
Pos.
Rider
Nat.
Man.
Gap
1
Todd Kellett
GBR
Yamaha
03:06.0
2
Nathan Watson
GBR
KTM
52.71
3
Yentel Martens
BEL
Honda
+5:35.120
4
Camille Chapeliere
FRA
KTM
+6:59.930
5
Jeremy Van Horebeek
BEL
Honda
23 laps
Championship Standings – Championnat de France des Sables 2019
Pos.
Rider
Nat.
Man.
Points
1
Nathan Watson
GBR
KTM
570pts
2
Todd Kellett
GBR
Yamaha
510pts
3
Camille Chapeliere
FRA
KTM
441pts
4
Jeremy Hauquier
FRA
KTM
373pts
5
Stephane Watel
FRA
Honda
365pts
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KTM Junior Supercross represent at S-X Open & Aus-X Open
KTM Junior Supercross took centre-stage in the 2019 S-X Open Auckland and AUS-X Open Melbourne events as a total of 30 capable seven- and eight-year-old riders took to the stadiums aboard KTM 50 SX machinery.
The S-X Open International FIM Oceania Supercross Championship features a round each in New Zealand and Australia, with 10 KTM Junior Supercross challengers participating in NZ and 20 in Australia, lining up on the very same supercross circuit during the day and night programs that the professional racers do battle on.
KTM Junior Supercross
Riding a fleet of KTM 50 SX race bikes dressed in KTM Junior Supercross graphics by Kustom MX, fitted with KTM PowerParts supplied by FMF Racing and Nihilo Concepts, the riders of the KTM Junior Supercross thrilled spectators as they negotiated the highly-technical tracks in truly impressive fashion.
KTM Junior Supercross Podium – S-X Open Auckland
S-X Open Auckland at Mt. Smart Stadium featured Levi McMaster, Kase Shuttleworth and Jayden Bryan on the podium, before fans at Marvel Stadium for AUS-X Open Melbourne witnessed Ollie Birkitt take victory over Nate Perrett and Jake Single.
KTM Junior Supercross Podium – Aus-X Open Melbourne
Each rider and their families enjoyed a full factory VIP experience as part of the KTM Junior Supercross entry, while participants were featured in rider signings, mentored by KTM professional racers including Hamish Harwood in Auckland, as well Daniel Milner and Lyndon Snodgrass in Melbourne. They also met a selection of their heroes throughout the fun-filled events.
KTM Junior Supercross Podium
Kyle Blunden – Event Coordinator, KTM Australia – New Zealand
“The KTM Junior Supercross is a program we are proud to host at the Oceania Supercross Series. With the assistance of the team at AME and all of our partners who have jumped on board with KTM Junior Supercross in 2019, we are able to give the riders and their mechanic a true factory experience for a day. Witnessing the smiles and the connection between the riders and their parents ignited by the sport of supercross is just awesome. The crowd love it and we hope to continue bringing KTM Junior Supercross to these events for many years to come.”
KTM Junior Supercross Podium – S-X Open AucklandWeekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Tasmania secures 2020 AORC final rounds
In a major coup, Tasmania has secured the 2020 final rounds of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship, now to be held in Wynyard, Tasmania on October 17 and 18, 2020 – for the first time in the AORC’s 14-year history.
The AORC kick starts the 2020 season in Queensland before heading to New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and then the grand final last two rounds in Tasmania.
Daniel Milner – 2019 AORC
Motorcycling Australia Off-Road Events Manager, Matthew Falvo said the 2020 Yamaha AORC was shaping up to be the best year yet.
Matthew Falvo – Motorcycling Australia Off-Road Events Manager
“We are very pleased with the enthusiasm, excitement and support Tasmania has shown in securing the final rounds of our growing championship. We are hopeful this partnership will deliver a long-lasting championship presence. With new exciting venues in the 2020 AORC we are sure to again field upwards of 200 plus riders for each event in every state, we are sure the championship can only grow further.”
The 2020 Championship will continue to use a double-header format, which will see six weekends make up twelve rounds of the AORC for 2020. All riders who compete in each of the 10 AORC rounds prior to Tasmania will be eligible for a free entry to the Tasmanian rounds. This includes 85cc and 65cc classes for six rounds.
The AORC has also announced that the Championship will feature a massive 15 classes of competition, with new junior classes, the return of the 2 Stroke Cup, and the Vintage class to feature at the Dungog, NSW round. The new look expanded competition will include sprint, cross country and enduro formats.
The 2 Stroke (2T) Cup has proved a success over the past two years and it will feature at all 12 rounds in 2020. With significant interest, the new and improved 2T Cup will also again cater to bikes ranging from 125cc up to 250cc.
Luke Styke – 2019 AORC
The AORC have expanded competition including introducing two new classes – Junior Girls 85cc to 200cc 2-stroke and 150cc to 250cc 4-stroke bikes for those aged 12-15-years-old at all rounds, and a National Cup Class – Junior 65cc Cup – and the 85cc 2-stroke and 150cc 4-stroke (SW) for those aged 9-12-years-old.
E1, E2 and E3 classes are the AORC Senior Premier classes which have produced several world champions in recent years including this year’s World ISDE and current AORC Champion, Daniel Sanders.
The EJ development class will continue after last year’s success where under 18 riders can compare their times against the E1, E2, and E3 classes in the hope to step up later in the year or the following year.
2020 AORC Classes
Senior Championship Classes
E1: 100cc to 200cc 2-Stroke and 150cc to 250cc 4-Stroke
E2: 220cc to 250cc 2-Stroke and 275cc to 450cc 4-Stroke
E3: 290cc to 500cc 2-Stroke and 475cc to 650cc 4-Stroke
EJ: All powers (Rider must be 18 years or under on 1 January 2020)
Veterans: All Powers (Rider must be 35+ years of age before 1 January 2020)
Masters: All Powers (Rider must be 45+ years of age before 1 January 2020)
Women: All Powers
Junior Championship Classes
J2 12 to 15 years: 85cc 2-stroke & Up to 150cc 4-stroke
J3 13 to 14 years: 125cc to 200cc 2-stroke & 200cc to 250cc 4-stroke
J4 15 years: 125cc to 200cc 2-stroke & 200cc to 250cc 4-stroke
JG (Girls) 12-15 years: 85cc to 200cc 2-stroke and 150cc to 250cc 4-stroke
With six junior classes, no person who is under the age of 16 years may compete in other junior competition. A rider’s age on 1st January will determine their age for competition purposes for that year.
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2020 Yamaha supported AORC riders announced
Two familiar faces will front the Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing team for 2020, with Luke Styke and Josh Green taking the reins of the teams’ race bikes for another season of the Australian Off Road Championship and the Australian Four Day Enduro.
Styke continues his climb up the off road ladder and since his transition from motocross, he has been nothing short of a revelation. In the two year period racing off road, he has already racked up two AORC championship victories, a A4DE victory and now a gold medal at the International Six day Enduro recently in Portugal.
Luke Styke
“I’m more motivated than ever coming into the 2020 season, I made a few changes to my lifestyle by returning back down to Nowra and feel it’s a better environment for my riding and also closer to family to make life easier. There is so much riding area around here and a more off road based riding program is the only way I can improve my skills and close the gap on Sanders and Milner. Both of those guys are world class and are a fair bit ahead of the rest of us, but my goal is to bridge that gap in 2020 and be in contention for Outright wins as well as class victories. Its also good to be back with the same team again for next season. We all have a great working relationship, and everyone works hard to achieve the best results possible. Both the team and Yamaha have been good to me throughout my racing career and I like the fact we have been able to continue our working relationship and get stronger with each passing season.”
Luke Styke at the 2019 ISDE – Image by Dario Agrati
Josh Green is back for his ninth season with Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing which must break some form of racing relationship record in Australian Off Road. Green finished second in the 2019 AORC in the premier E2 category and was consistently in the top five outright.
Josh Green
“The older I have got, the more I have started to enjoy the things that used to frustrate me when I was younger, like most teenagers, I didn’t care a lot for testing and developing the bike and just wanted to ride it and not focus on training. Now, I like being able to improve the bike and I find the off bike training rewarding and get a lot from it and that’s what has kept my motivation strong over the years as I find new ways to enjoy different aspects of what we do. And nine years with the one team is pretty cool. I like the loyalty from both sides and the fact we are able to keep the relationship going over such a long period of time. Nine years travelling with AJ could break a lesser man, but you have to take the good with the bad in this job.”
Josh Green – Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC – Image by John Pearson
Under the Yamaha off road umbrella will also be a new team, Yamaha bLU Cru Off Road Racing carrying the same sponsors and the same professional personnel behind the scenes, that will house two young prospects in off road racing, Michael Driscoll competing E2, and Blake Hollis in the EJ category.
Carrying the same sponsors and the same professional personnel behind the scenes, Yamaha bLU cRU Off Road Racing will roar to life in 2020. Featuring Michael Driscoll in the E2 (450cc) division after a standout performance at the ISDE and Blake Hollis, fresh out of the junior ranks in EJ (under 19) ranks.
AORC announce four junior summer coaching clinics
Motorcycling Australia and the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship have announced four junior summer coaching clinics with Australia’s world champion riders offering expert advice and coaching in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland in January and February, 2020.
The 2020 AORC Junior Coaching Days clinics will be held on January 18 and 19 in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, January 25 in Stroud, NSW, and February 8 at Toowoomba, Queensland and led by world champion riders including 2020 World ISDE and AORC Champion Daniel Sanders, Daniel Milner, Lyndon Snodgrass, Fraser Higlett, Kirk Hutton, Joshua Green, Michael Driscoll and Jessica Gardiner.
The clinics are for junior riders aged 9-15, with all proceeds going toward funding the 2020 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) Australian team who head off to Italy in August.
Matthew Falvo – Motorcycling Australia Off-road Events Manager
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Australian junior riders to learn from the world’s best off-road riders in their own backyards. These clinics will help riders build confidence, increase their skill level and learn new tricks on how to get the most out of themselves and their bike. Whether you want to prepare for a race or improve your dirt bike techniques these coaching clinics are vital and spots will fill quickly.”
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Rogers & Wilson with Yamalube Yamaha Racing for 2020
Yamaha Racing has announced that 16-year-old Levi Rogers will move from junior racing to the pro level. Rogers, a long time team member of the Yamaha Junior Racing program, will make the big step up to senior racing in 2020, having won a shed full of trophies in his junior days, including multiple state championships and podiums at national events.
Levi Rogers
“I was pretty excited when the Yamalube Yamaha Racing Team came to me and offered me a ride for 2020. I guess one of the benefits of being with Yamaha Junior Racing is that if you get the results in juniors, then the next door opens with Yamaha into MXD and this is a great opportunity for me on such a good team. I know everyone on the team and have worked with them before when I did the MXR races at the MX Nationals for the last two years, so it’s not a new environment. I also have Jay as a team-mate, and I can talk things over with him as he has so much knowledge and experience at this level. For the last 12 months I have watched the senior races closely and I can’t wait to be apart of them now. Yamaha Junior Racing was awesome for me and I had six successful years with them but now its time to take the next step in my career and give it all I have.”
Levi Rogers – MX Nationals Round 3, Broadford, 2019
Back for his third year at Yamalube Yamaha Racing will be Jay Wilson. Since returning to Australia and to the Yamalube Team, Wilson has been a model of consistency over the past two years and finishing inside to top five of every championship he has entered, highlighted with the 2018 SX2 Australian Championship.
He will start the year racing the opening rounds of the AMA West Coast 250cc Supercross Championship before returning home in February to prepare for the MX Nationals. From there he will be out to win back both the MX Nationals and Australian Supercross Championships.
Jay Wilson
“I’m lucky to be surrounded by a great team and work with a great company like Yamaha that I don’t even look else where at the end of each year. We have not only a successful working relationship but a good friendship off the track and the results show we do the work. 2019 was a consistent year for the most part and reasonably successful but no championships. I’m still motivated to win championships and that’s what I will be striving for in 2020. I’m in the prime of my career and wanting to keep improving every year with my racing and my technique. Its also exciting to have Levi with us next year. He is a quite kid and doesn’t say too much but I know he listens, and it will be great to be able to help and guide him at each round. His speed is good, and I think he can do well if he keeps working hard.”
Jay Wilson – Image by AM
With the WBR Yamaha Team and the Yamalube Yamaha Team now announced, Yamaha’s MX Development Manager, Scott Bishop, explains why there has been a slight tweak in structure to each program for 2020.
Scott Bishop – Yamaha MX Development Manager
“We had two talented riders in Alex and Levi coming out of juniors and its important we keep a hold of hard working and successful young riders. In the past, both riders would have gone to the dedicated MXD team, WBR Yamaha, but we believed it would be of more benefit to place the riders to the teams nearest them and also with a more experience team mate so they can understand what it takes to succeed at the next level. Alex is based in Adelaide and Levi is from Blackwater in Central Queensland so for one team to handle the logistics of a rider living so far away would be difficult. With Alex teaming up with WBR, who are in Echuca, Victoria and Levi with Yamalube Yamaha, based in Brisbane, both riders will get the same level of support but be able to work closely with the team both in terms of an off track relationship as well as maintaining practice bikes and equipment. Its our endeavour that both Alex and Levi continue their long and successful relationship with Yamaha and wish them well as they embark on their professional careers.”
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12 rider 2020 GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing line-up announced
12 riders will fly the GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing flag in season 2020, as the only truly national based junior motocross development program continues to forge ahead after a stunning 2019 season, that saw the team claim 16 state championships and four national championships.
Wil Carpenter – 2019 South Australian Motocross Championship
Each state will have two riders in full GYTR YJR colours, making a total of 12 riders. In addition, Yamaha will continue to assist its dealer network with supported riders to make a huge Yamaha presence at all junior events across the country.
To assist in fast tracking rider development, each state has its own manager / coach in place that can help guide young riders both on and off the track at every event.
The team of 2020 is Jake Turner, Ryder Kingsford and Jackson Camilleri mounted on the YZ125 and YZ250F. Angus Pearce, Wil Carpenter, Kayd Kingsford, Jake Cannon, Jake Rumens and Patrick Martin on the YZ85 and transition to the YZ125, while Jobe Dunne, Jay Jennings and Ryder Woodrow will handle the YZ65 and YZ85 small wheel classes.
Ryder Kingsford
In addition, Yamaha will also support via its dealer network and the bLU cRU program Heath Davy, Peter Wolfe (Team Moto), Deegan Fort (Fivestar Motorcycles), Jesse Holding (Mareeba Yamaha), Zac Watson (Suncity), Seth Carpenter (Coast Yamaha), Koby Hantis (Great Southern Motorcycles), Seth Burchell (Excite Motorsports) as well as multi time national girls champion, Charli Cannon.
For many riders the season will get under way in January and with the Australian Junior Nationals now moved to the first week of July, the racing will gather momentum quickly.
GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing 2020 line-up
WA: Jake Turner and Jake Rumens
SA: Wil Carpenter and Ryder Woodrow
TAS: Angus Pearce and Jay Jennings
VIC: Patrick Martin and Jobe Dunne
NSW: Ryder Kingsford and Kayd Kingsford
QLD: Jackson Camilleri and Jake Cannon
FIM Speedway Training Camp fosters young talent
The FIM Speedway Training Camp at Gillman Speedway Stadium in Adelaide, has been lauded a success, giving future Australian stars the training and mentoring to take their riding to the next level.
The training camp was hosted by Motorcycling Australia (MA), the FIM Track Racing Commission (CCP) and FIM Oceania, and saw 17 of Australia’s best young speedway talent receive specialised training. The expert team of coaches included FIM Track Racing Commission Director, Armando Castagna, SGP Race Director, Phil Morris, both former riders, and Australian Speedway legend and former SGP rider, Leigh Adams.
The training camp included on-track riding sessions focussing on rider technique, body positioning, race starts and improving key fundamentals of speedway racing, as well as classroom seminars covering exercise and nutrition, media training, bike preparation, bike maintenance, FIM license and insurance systems, anti-doping education inclusive of the FIM Ride True awareness.
Armando Castagna – FIM Track Racing Commission Director
“It has been one of the best ever training camps that the Track Racing Commission has conductedWorking together Motorcycling Australia (MA) and FIM Oceania (FIMO) was a great partnership and the event was well conducted with Gillman Speedway providing a good track. The level of some of these young riders is already extremely good but over each day we could see the riders improving in many areas.”
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Alfredo Gómez to continue with Husqvarana into 2021
Alfredo Gómez will continue with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing through to the end of the 2021 season, having claimed second in the 2019 WESS Enduro World Championship, with the Spaniard to target the world championship title next year.
A key member of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, Gómez was a regular front-runner in all eight rounds of the WESS championship with the TE 300i mounted rider consistently battling for race wins and podium results.
Alfredo Gomez
Securing three second-place finishes, while coming agonisingly close to winning the Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rallye, Gómez proved his consistency and speed with a total of seven top-10 results in the mixed-discipline series.
In 2018, the Spaniard suffered a serious leg injury during pre-season training, which ultimately derailed his championship aspirations. Fighting to regain his fitness and return to racing, he proved his unwavering determination to succeed by reaffirming his position as one of the world’s best enduro riders during 2019.
With the support of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and with a clean bill of health and fitness Alfredo Gomez will look to battle for the coveted world title during the next two years.
Alfredo Gómez
“I’m really happy to continue with Husqvarna Motorcycles for another two years. We’ve grown together a lot during the last few years and I have a really strong and enjoyable relationship with everyone in the team – in a way it has become like an extended part of my family. I’m really proud of what we achieved during 2019 by finishing second overall in the WESS Enduro World Championship and always fighting for the victory. When I seriously injured my leg, they stood by me. There was never any pressure to return to the bike early, they just wanted me to get better. I feel like that was when our bond became even tighter than it already was. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead during these next two years and in particular 2020. We’ve shown ourselves as title contenders with the TE 300i and for certain our goal is to become world champions together.”
Alfredo Gomez – 2019 Hawkstone Park Cross-Country victory – Image by Future7Media
Monster Energy Honda Team vehicles head for Dakar
The Rally Dakar organisers, ASO, have overseen several days of verifications prior to the shipment of all European vehicles due to take part in the forthcoming edition of the rally in Saudi Arabia. The Monster Energy Honda vehicles successfully made it through the checks and are now bound for Jeddah.
Monster Energy Honda Team vehicles head for Dakar
It was a calm yet cool, sunny day that accompanied the administrative and technical scrutineering at the Paul Ricard Circuit in Le Castellet near Marseille, France as the Monster Energy Honda Team overcame the first hurdle on their way to participation in the 2020 edition of the Dakar Rally.
Monster Energy Honda Team
After providing all the necessary vehicle documentation and managing their transportation and entry into the new country, the ten Monster Energy Honda Team vehicles and motorcycles were subjected to a technical shakedown, where they were thoroughly checked, for, among other things, the vehicles’ key mandatory safety elements. Once these had been approved, the equipment was then given the all-clear to display the officially accredited decals required to participate in the race.
Monster Energy Honda Team vehicles head for Dakar
With the vehicles loaded onto the ship, they embarked, destined for the port of Jeddah, on a journey that goes, first, across the Mediterranean to Port Said, in Egypt, and from there, through the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea before reaching the final destination at the Saudi Arabian port, where the vehicles will be collected on January 2.
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Henry Wiles to compete 2020 AFT Singles with Honda
American Honda Motor Co. and Richie Morris Racing have signaled their intention to make an all-out assault on the AFT Singles championship with the signing of Henry Wiles to contest the 2020 American Flat Track season aboard a Honda CRF450R.
After returning to the scene following more than 25 years away and coming within six points of claiming the AFT Singles title in 2019, American Honda is set to increase their involvement and support of RMR for the upcoming season.
Richie Morris – Owner of Richie Morris Racing
“It’s an honor to have American Honda back with RMR in an even larger capacity in 2020. I’m so excited that this partnership includes the recruitment of Henry Wiles. In my opinion, Henry is one of the best flat track pros to ever swing a leg over a 450; RMR is proud to have him. We’re certain that he’s the right man to bring home the championship in 2020.”
“King Henry” is arguably one of the most accomplished Singles riders in the history of the sport. He was crowned GNC1 Singles Champion in 2009 and 2010, and boasts 26 career premier-class victories aboard four-stroke singles, including a string of 14 straight at the legendary Peoria TT. In fact, from 2009 to 2016 (the final year singles were included in the premier category), he won half (19 of 38) of the races he started on single-cylinder equipment.
Wiles is AFT’s all-time winningest TT rider with 19 victories in the discipline and stands equal with Chris Carr at the top of the order in Short Track wins at nine. He ranks 11th in career American Flat Track wins at 30, and in 2018 he finished as the AFT Twins championship runner-up with six podiums and 13 top-fives.
Henry Wiles
“Richie gave me a call and was talking about going and winning a 450 championship. It’s absolutely exciting to be associated with American Honda, and I’m walking on to a good team that already has some things sorted out. That’s going to be good for me… and I think it’s going to be bad for everybody else. Richie was very up front with me about what the goal is. They’ve got everything in place, and Richie has won championships before. He’s a team owner who knows how to put the right people in place to do just that.”
Henry Wiles – Photo by Todd Boone
Wiles will team with returning RMR rider Cole Zabala, who registered five top-10 finishes in AFT Singles action a year ago with RMR.
Estenson Racing announce Yamaha supported 2020 AFT Team
Yamaha Motor Corporation USA (YMUS) has announce support for Estenson Racing’s effort in American Flat Track for the 2020 season. The team has signed a multi-year deal with JD Beach, who will lead the campaign in the all-new SuperTwins class, while Kolby Carlile, the 2017 AFT Singles Champion, steps up to the premier class alongside Beach aboard the Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT. The team has also signed Mikey Rush for a two-pronged threat in the AFT Singles class with young phenom Dallas Daniels.
Returning for his second year with Estenson Racing, 2020 will be JD Beach’s first full-season in American Flat Track. With multiple road race titles on his resume, the Owensboro, Kentucky, resident has his sights set on a SuperTwins crown. He pulled double duty with the team in 2019, competing in the premier classes of both AFT and MotoAmerica.
The racer made history with his first AFT Grand National win at the Super TT in Arizona, which was also the first victory for a Yamaha Twin since 1981. Beach then backed it up the following weekend at Virginia International Raceway with his first MotoAmerica Superbike win, becoming the first rider to top the podium during the same season in the premier class of both disciplines since Nicky Hayden in 2002. He ended the year in AFT with two wins and three podiums.
JD Beach
“I’m really looking forward to being back with the Estenson Racing crew. I think we kind of got started on our back foot last season. We were hoping for more, but we still managed a few wins, and within the Twins team a few podiums. I think the changes to the team and the new personnel are going to help a lot. We’re all putting in a lot of work this winter to come out next season swinging. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
JD Beach – AFT Twins Main Event – 2019 Peoria TT – Image Scott Hunter
Kolby Carlile made the transition to the Twins ranks last season, competing both in the new AFT Production Twins class and AFT Twins. He had a solid rookie year in spite of injury and made a late-season charge for the Production Twins title, ultimately ending the year third in the Production championship with two wins and six podiums.
Kolby Carlile
“2020 is going to be an awesome year for me. I learned a lot last year racing the Twin in the Production Twins class and winning a few rounds. This year I’ll be racing in the new AFT SuperTwins class full-time on the Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07. The guys I’ll be racing against week in and week out are the fastest guys in the world and I feel like I’ve always benefited from racing the best there is. The team also has some new members that are going to be huge additions in the development of the bike. Going into the new year, I’ve been taking a few months away from racing to allow me to focus on getting my knee in better condition. The races are a bit longer this year for me, and the intensity is up from what I have raced before, so being in top physical condition is important. I have an awesome teammate in JD Beach. I’ve grown up learning from him and I don’t plan on stopping now. I look forward to doing my best to improve the bike, the team, and myself in 2020.”
Kolby Carlile – 2019 AFT Production Twins – Minnesota Mile – Image Scott Hunter
The newest member of the team, Mikey Rush, jumped straight into the premier class of AFT in 2009 and scored his first win in 2013 at the Daytona Short Track. After some tough years in the privateer ranks, he made the move to the AFT Singles class and had a standout season in 2019, finishing second in the championship with four wins and seven podiums. The Californian now looks to bring home the title in 2020 aboard the Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F.
Mikey Rush
“I’m really excited to have this opportunity with Estenson Racing. Tim is a great guy and their whole program is very professional. I’m looking forward to working with them next season and am ready to go racing and fight for the AFT Singles Championship.”
Returning with the team is 2019 AFT Singles Rookie of the Year, Dallas Daniels. The 16-year-old turned heads last season with a dominant debut win at the Peoria TT. He then went on to back it up with two more podiums to finish the year just outside the top 10, despite only turning pro mid-season. Daniels looks to build on his progress in his first full-year of AFT competition.
Dallas Daniels
“I’m super excited to start my first full year in American Flat Track with Estenson Racing. I’ve been training hard and preparing for 2020. I’m really looking forward to getting things started in Daytona. I can’t wait for the season.”
Dallas Daniels – Image by Scott HunterWeekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Jorge Prado recovering from surgery for fractured femur
Red Bull KTM’s Jorge Prado is recovering from an operation in Italy to fix a fracture to his left femur, which the eighteen-year-old suffered while training at the Malagrotta circuit near Rome on Thursday.
Prado is stepping into the premier class of the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2020 after claiming the last two MX2 titles, and was circulating his usual practice facility with teammate Tony Cairoli when he lost control approaching a jump.
Jorge Prado
The Spaniard was transferred to the European Hospital where he immediately underwent a corrective procedure performed by Dr Massimiliano Nannerini to insert a pin into the femur bone. He is expected to leave the ward in two days if initial signs are positive and start rehabilitation to make his MXGP debut as early as possible next season.
Claudio De Carli – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager
“This is bad news and we feel so sorry for Jorge. Things had been going well and he was just two laps away from the end of the training session. It was raining at Malagrotta and you need to have a good control of the bike to make one of the biggest jumps on the track. Jorge could not grip the plastic well, his foot slipped off the footpeg on the ramp and he crashed over the jump. He had surgery yesterday evening by a fantastic doctor that we know and trust and now we have to wait a few days to see if everything is correct before he can leave the hospital. It is a setback to our preparation but the important thing is that Jorge heals well and then can think again about his first season in the MXGP class.”
Yamaha announces 2020 YXZ1000R European Cup
Yamaha Motor Europe has announced the 2020 edition of the YXZ1000R European Cup, set to feature another thrilling year of Yamaha’s sports Side-by-Side vehicles in national championships, culminating in a season-ending SuperFinale.
Following the great success of the 2019 SuperFinale, the event in October 2020 will return to the amazing locations of the Baja Portalegre – Portugal. The Stock winner of the European Cup SuperFinale will receive a brand-new YXZ1000R.
2020 YXZ1000R European Cup
In a new initiative, the 2020 Cup will also field Wildcard entries in the SuperFinale. The top finishing YXZ1000R in the Stock category, in both the 2020 Merzouga Rally – Morocco and Baja Aragon – Spain, will automatically qualify for the SuperFinale, joining the qualifiers from the National Cups.
A new program running parallel to the official YXZ1000R European Cup will be the YXZ1000R Challenge, an overall ranking for racers competing outside of the Cup regardless of their racing preparation type. The YXZ1000R Challenge winner will receive a free entry to the Baja Aragon 2021.
Detailed rules and regulations of the 2020 YXZ1000R European Cup will be available on Yamaha-racing.com soon.
Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
2020 Championship Calendars
2020 AMA Motocross race schedule
May 17 – Hangtown Motocross Classic – Rancho Cordova, CA
May 24 – Fox Raceway National – Pala, CA
May 31 – Thunder Valley National – Lakewood, CO
June 7 – Florida National – Jacksonville, FL
June 21 – High Point National – Mt. Morris, PA
June 28 – Southwick National – Southwick, MA
July 5 – RedBud National – Buchanan, MI
July 19 – Spring Creek National – Millville, MN
July 26 – Washougal National – Washougal, WA
August 16 – Unadilla National – New Berlin, NY
August 23 – Budds Creek National – Mechanicsville, MD
August 30 – Ironman National – Crawfordsville, IN
2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Calendar
Jan. 4 – Angels Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, Calif.
Jan. 11 – The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis, Mo.
Jan. 18 – Angels Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, Calif.
Jan. 25 – State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
Feb. 1 – Ringcentral Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.
Feb. 8 – Petco Park, San Diego, Calif.
Feb. 15 – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
Feb. 22 – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Feb. 29 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
March 7 – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Fla.
March 14 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianpolis, Ind.
March 21 – Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.
March 28 – Centurylink Field, Seattle, Wash.
April 4 – Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Co.
April 18 – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
April 25 – Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
May 2 – Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah
2020 MXGP Calendar
March 1 – Great Britain, Matterley Basin (EMX125, WMX)
March 8 – The Netherlands, Valkenswaard – (EMX250, WMX)
March 22 – Patagonia, Argentina, Neuquen
April 5 – Trentino I, Pietramurata – (EMX250, EMX 2t)
April 19 – Spain, (TBA) – (EMX125, WMX)
April 26 – Portugal, Agueda – (EMX125, EMX250)
May 10 – France, Saint Jean d’Angely – (EMX125, EMX Open)
May 17 – Italy, Maggiora – (EMX Open, WMX)
May 24 – Germany, Teutschenthal – (EMX250, EMX Open)
When Ducati launched the Monster more than a quarter of a century ago it instantly became their top-selling range and the Monster 1200S is the pinnacle of the popular breed.
It may now have been usurped by the upcoming Streetfighter V4 with its ugly winglets to keep its front wheel on the ground, but it is still one of the prettiest and most rideable high-powered naked bikes on the market.
When we picked up the Monster 1200S for test from Brisbane Motorcycles, dealer principal James Mutton warned us we may not want to give the keys back.
James Mutton
And he was right.
Not because the Minster 1200S was a track weapon. It most likely is (although we didn’t take it to the track).
Not because it was enormous fun riding through the twisties.
But because it can do all that and with a top box on the back it could tour and be a competent commuter.
It is a bike you could live with for the rest of your life with its low weight, moderate seat height, handsome looks and usability.
Monster range
Ducati Monster 1200S
Aussie rideaway pricing for the Monster range:
Monster 1200 $22,990
Monster 1200 S Red $26,990
Monster 1200 S Liquid Concrete Grey $27,190
Monster 1200 R Red $30,190
The “S” adds a race braking system, three-spoke Y rim wheels, a carbon front guard, Daytime Running Light and fully adjustable Ohlins suspension front and rear.
Our test bike was also fitted with an aftermarket Termignoni exhaust which added a haunting howl to the already golden tone of this bike.
It’s quite a hefty price hike for the S, but it’s worth it, just for the Ohlins.
Being fully adjustable you can dial it for track work or adjust it to take luggage and pillion and cope with our cruddy back roads where it’s “firm but fair”.
All are powered by the liquid-cooled 1198cc Testastretta 11° DS L-twin with 108kW of power and 124Nm of torque that comes in low and flattens throughout the rev range.
It is a highly flexible engine that doesn’t require a lot of finesse to gain the most from its prodigious resources.
Just roll on and off the throttle for smooth progress through complex corners almost without having to swap cogs.
Just as well as it’s married to a six-speed transmission that can be a little notchy and difficult to find neutral.
At the same time it will grab the odd annoying false neutral between fourth, fifth and sixth gears, even when using the Quick Shift.
This L-twin is a lumpy unit with a lot of character and enormous pull.
Thankfully the top-spec Brembo race brakes on the 1200S are up to the task of hauling its momentum to a halt.
The brake lever has plenty of initial bite, good feel and progression with no fade even when worked.
The rear brake felt a little wooden, but was fine for tightening your line through a corner if you went in too hot.
Adaptive
Riders can adapt the power and throttle as well as cornering ABS, traction and wheelie control levels through the three customisable Riding Modes (Sport, Touring and Urban).
While many manufacturers now provide engine modes, this is actually usable, customisable and convenient.
Urban mode calms the throttle a little for traffic, but the fly-by-wire throttle and fuel mapping are so smooth in Touring and Sport, you don’t even mind the sudden snap of power as it is well and truly controllable.
The modes are easy to access through the handlebar controls and the, at first confusing, full-colour TFT screen which is highly visible in all lighting conditions.
The cockpit is a nice place to be. Riding position is neutral with a slightly aggressive bend toward the flat and wide bars.
Footpegs may be a little high and rearward for some, but even my dicky knees didn’t mind the bend.
Its big contoured and adjustable seat allows the rider to slide forward and back, according to the conditions and adopt your body posture for alert commuting, relaxed touring and attacking track work.
Pillions will also enjoy the moderate reach to the footpegs, the big grab handles and the wide and comfortable seat.
My only concern is the heat generated by the liquid-cooled engine and the header pipes.
In summer traffic it can be quite uncomfortable, especially when the radiator fan kicks in and adds to the sauna.
Shame they don’t have more heat insulation and a fan that directs air down and away from the rider.
Conclusion
The heat issue wasn’t enough for me to dislike the bike, even living in hot Queensland!
James was right; I didn’t want to hand the keys back.
This is a bike I could live with for all riding conditions. It’s friendly and fun.
If you want to be practical about it, just remind yourself that it only needs an oil change every 15,000km or 12 months and a valve clearance check every 30,000km.
World Enduro Super Series (WESS) runner-up Alfredo Gomez has re-signed with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing in a multi-year deal that will see him through the 2021 season.
The Spaniard was a regular front-runner in all eight rounds of the 2019 WESS championship, finishing just shy of the crown behind Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM).
“I’m really happy to continue with Husqvarna Motorcycles for another two years,” said Gomez. “We’ve grown together a lot during the last few years and I have a really strong and enjoyable relationship with everyone in the team – in a way it has become like an extended part of my family.
“I’m really proud of what we achieved during 2019 by finishing second overall in the WESS enduro world championship and always fighting for the victory. When I seriously injured my leg, they stood by me. There was never any pressure to return to the bike early, they just wanted me to get better.
“I feel like that was when our bond became even tighter than it already was. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead during these next two years and in particular 2020. We’ve shown ourselves as title contenders with the TE 300i and for certain our goal is to become world champions together.”
The opening round of the 2020 WESS season is scheduled for 8-10 May for the Extreme XL Lagares in Portugal.
Yamaha’s leaning three-wheeler Niken is one crazy bike and now a custom version has won the Craziest Bike award at a German custom show.
Polish manufacturer of custom motorcycles Game Over Cycles (GOC) is usually known for its modifications of American motorcycles.
However, their GOC Niken pays special tribute to its nationality with Japanese characters taken from the Yamaha brand philosophy: “Courage to set higher goals without fear of failure”(失敗を恐れず、もう一段高い目標に取り組む).
First Niken custom
The build was done in collaboration with Yamaha Motor Poland and is believed the world’s first fully customised Niken.
Niken debuted on the global market in 2018 and is based on a unique Leaning Multi Wheel (LMW) technology developed by the Japanese company.
Except for two front leaning wheels the extraordinary construction of the motorcycle consists of four steering heads and dual-tube upside-down forks.
After two recent near-misses with courier vans delivering online shopping purchases in the lead-up to Christmas, we thought it appropriate to issue this warning.
Watch out for courier vans around your suburb. They don’t seem to pay a lot of attention to motorcycles!
Online shopping
The rapid growth of online shopping has increased the number of these vans and trucks in our suburbs.
Australia Post says their deliveries are up 39% this year because of online shopping deliveries.
The new electric trike has a top speed of 45km/h and can carry up to 100 small parcels and 1200 letters at a time, three times more than the old Postie bike.
However, due to a problem with the front forks, the electric rollout has been slowed.
While Postie bikes, three-wheelers and vans are not a huge issue for riders, courier drivers are.
Some are paid by the number of deliveries they make, so they seem to be in a hurry.
In the USA, truck crashes kill more than 4000 people each year, including about 500 motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Fashion to blame
The online fashion industry is one of the biggest causes of this increase in heavy vehicle traffic.
Almost a third of all clothes are now bought online and about 40% are returned when they don’t fit or after the buyer has taken an Instagram selfie!
And that’s just the fashion industry. A lot of other products are now bought online rather than from shopping centres.
Fashion Revolution of Belgium has warned fashion shoppers of the hidden dangers and costs of this increase in online trucking of goods with this video.
It shows women trying on clothes on highways, surrounded by trucks and traffic.
Count the costs
The costs of this online fashion business is not only an increase in traffic congestion, but also road danger and CO2 emissions output.
In 2016, transportation (including air travel) overtook power plants as the top producer of carbon dioxide emissions for the first time since 1979.
A quarter of this comes from trucks and vans doing house deliveries after they have been transported by plane or ship to a warehouse.
Before online shopping, trucks and vans mainly delivered to warehouses and shopping centres.
Now most packages go directly to a residential address.
Shoppers have traded trips to the shops in relatively fuel-efficient vehicles for deliveries to suburban homes by trucks and other heavy vehicles.
Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor (pictured above) have concluded their electric adventure riding Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycles from Tiera Del Fuego in September.
It was thought that they would continue on to Alaska, but the pair did that in their first adventure, the Long Way Round in 2005.
Range question
The biggest question everyone wants answered about their electric adventure is how did they go on the LiveWire with just 250km of city range and about 150 of highway range?
We might have to wait until the TV series is released some time in 2020.
Meanwhile, Charley gave a little away at the LA wrap-up party saying that as soon as they entered the US there were a lot of fast-charging stations and they were able to do almost 500km a day.
It must have been slow going through Latin and Central America, although they did have back-up from as many as five pick-up trucks.
Two were electric Rivian R1T pick-up trucks with 650km of range.
The others were reportedly two Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4WD vans and a Ford F350 pickup truck.
However, Charley manager, Bill Ward, told us the epic electric adventure would “shock” everyone!
Here is what he had to say:
Billy Ward
Long Way Round – more or less changed my life. I was so blown away by it that by 2005 I’d started ‘Biketruck’ – moving motorbikes to Africa in a truck – giving up a highly paid corporate career and looking for any opportunity to get work in and around the adventure motorcycle world. I did the Hero’s Legend Dakar Rally with Hubert Auriol (Dakar winner on bike and car) and got deeper and deeper into long distance travel, some enduro and bike rallies. Long Way Down – was more feed for the adventure in me, not as fresh or as raw as LWR but still highly entertaining. Bizarrely, I subsequently went on to work with Charley Boorman across numerous projects – all over the world. I’ve just returned from 10,000k’s across southern Africa and over the last two years I’ve done about 60,000k’s – including Australia, South America, Europe and the Middle East – all primarily off road.
The boys get a fair bit of stick here and there – ‘rich kids’, ‘support crew’, ‘sell outs’, ‘security’, ‘money’, ‘helicopters’, ‘spare bikes’, ‘hotels’, ‘actors’, ‘plastic adventurers’ – you get the point – I could go on. Just remember, from the beginning, they’ve never tried to pretend they were exceptional riders or expert adventure riders – they filmed all the fuckups (there were many) and the bike drops (mainly Ewan) and even the arguments. They’re making a TV show – they need camera people and some sort of crew – that’s why LWR won world acclaim and was sold to over 70 countries. The book – again – won international awards and sold and sold. They managed this because they had a professional approach to the documentary and a team to help capture everything. They also had some luck and I think crested a wave that was already gaining momentum from people like Mondo Enduro, Chris Scott and of course many others less well known.
Now here they are again – this time, right out there on a limb. Doing something that can’t really be done. Going against the grain. Creating a fair bit of controversy. Picking a brand probably nobody would have picked – yet when they had many options to choose from. Attracting the critics – ‘it’s a PR disaster’ – ‘must be getting paid big time’ – ‘where are the helicopters’ and on and on.
I think it’s fantastic. I love the gamble. I love the way they’ve turned it all upside down and shocked everyone (no pun there Mark). I love them being ‘different’. I wish them all the best because to top LWR, they had to do something really really different. Time will tell – but I’m optimistic.
PR disaster? I doubt it – how many PR disasters has BMW had? or KTM? How are they doing? We are living in an age were ‘e’ just about fits in front of everything we do and this new documentary may not be what the majority was all waiting for, maybe hoping for – but – it could well be the very next wave to be crested and by doing so, Charley and Ewan may just be part of that momentum, part of that new ‘e’ world that is slowly but surely creeping over us all. Warts n’all, this will be talked about analysed, criticized and probably enjoyed by thousands, if not hundreds of thousands.|
There is little doubt that MV Agusta is the maker of some of the world’s most beautiful motorcycles and now their Superveloce 800 Serie Oro has won a distinguished design award.
Their 1997 F4, designed by the late Massimo Tamburini, has long been considered the most beautiful motorcycle of the 20th century along with his other creation, the Ducati 916.
Design award
Superveloce Serie Oro
Now theDesign Excellences award’s jury was won over by MV Agusta’s Superveloce for its “timeless elegance and breathtaking looks”.
The Association for Industrial Design and Lombardy’s Regional Government have recognised the work of MV Agusta’s Centro Ricerche Castiglioni styling team, headed by Adrian Morton, in “bringing significant innovation and originality to the normally conservative vintage-retro segment”.
Superveloce 800 is also a candidate for the prestigious Compasso d’Oro 2020 award from the ADI Foundation, whose objectives are the protection and the dissemination of design culture, and also of its legacy, promoting a design ethics of sustainability and quality.
MV boss Timur Sardarov says the award recognises the “hard work and the passion of all the women and men of MV Agusta who contribute, with their daily work, to the crafting of true pieces of motorcycle art”.
“They accomplish the daily miracle of shaping beauty and performance into a single object of desire,” he says.
MV Design director Adrian Morton says that to receive recognition outside the motorcycle sector is an “incredible honour and a testament to the energy and passion we dedicate to every project”.
BMW have announced that Markus Reiterberger will be back in the saddle of a S 1000 RR again in 2020, with the 25-year-old to race for the Onexox BMW TKKR Racing Team in next season’s Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in Superstock.
Markus Reiterberger
“I am already excited about the Asia Road Racing Championship and am looking forward to riding with the Onexox BMW TKKR Racing Team in the coming season. This championship is getting stronger all the time and is attracting more and more international interest, including from manufacturers. The squad has shown this season that it is one of the best teams in the series. I think we can achieve a lot together in 2020. I have shown that I do well on the Superstock versions of the RR, not least as Superstock European champion. All the ingredients for a strong season are in place and I am looking forward to getting started.”
Markus Reiterberger at the Sepang 8 Hour
The Asia Road Racing Championship is growing in popularity around the world, attracts big names from the international motorcycle racing scene, and is growing in importance in Asia. This season, it is holding race events in both Asia and Australia.
The team is also one of the most successful in ARRC, celebrating the win of the Rider title with Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman in 2019. The Onexox BMW TKKR Racing Team is a private customer team and BMW Motorrad Motorsport will provide extensive support for Reiterberger’s involvement in the 2020 ARRC season.
Marc Bongers – BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director
“We are delighted that Markus will still be part of the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family. We are confident that he will be one of the top riders in the Asia Road Racing Championship from the very first race. He is very familiar with the BMW S 1000 RR and, in the Onexox BMW TKKR Racing Team, he will be racing for one of the strongest teams in the series. We at BMW Motorrad Motorsport will do our bit to make it a successful season by offering technical support, among other things.”
Bobie Farid – Team Principal
“It is splendid to have Markus Reiterberger in the Onexox BMW TKKR Racing Team for the 2020 season. He brings with him a wealth of motor racing experience, and that can only push the Onexox BMW TKKR Racing Team forward. It will be a marvellous learning curve for the team to become more competitive and set a new standard of performance in the Asian Road Racing Championship. The Onexox BMW TKKR Racing Team is keen to build on our strong performance with Azlan Shah in 2019, and we obviously would like to continue winning races and scoring podium finishes consistently. We will be working hard with our partners to be competitive, and it will be about building a winning mentality across all aspects of the Onexox BMW TKKR Racing Team as well. We expect the on-track rivalry between the teams to be relentless, but we believe the team will be at the sharper end of the grid in the 2020 season.”
