A few minutes after winning the 2019 250SX East main event at Nashville last April, all veteran rider Martin Davalos could point to was the fact that he wanted to graduate to the premier 450SX class for the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
“I just want a 450 ride, man,” exclaimed the native of Ecuador who has spent virtually his entire career racing in the United States. “I’ve been in this class a long time and I just want a shot. I know what I’m capable of doing on that bike, outdoors on a 450 was good for me on the Husky in 2017. I believe in myself, I know I can do it.”
Martin Davalos at Unadilla in 2017
It came at the eleventh hour early last December, but Davalos, a five-time 250SX main event winner during his career, was hired to race a KTM 450 SX-F for Team Tedder/Monster Energy/Lucas Oil/KTM Racing. And thus far, and despite the chaos and uncertainty the Pandemic has cast upon this year’s stadium tour, Davalos and the entire Team Tedder outfit have had plenty to be both pleased and optimistic about. Davalos placed ninth overall in the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in his only season racing 450 – But Davalos hit the ground running at Angel Stadium early this year and has performed well throughout the season. Now we are on the outskirts of Salt Lake City where Davalos will contest the final rounds of the 2020 Championship.
Martin, first and foremost, how are you and how have you been?
“Well, obviously, we all went into quarantine and weren’t able to do much, so I took advantage of it all and took some time to enjoy my new son Leo, who just turned nine months old this week. That’s something I didn’t get to do much of when he was born because he was born and the racing season started. I sort of wanted to get the season done and to get my summer going, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. We just kind of made the best out of it and took a little break and enjoyed my son as much as I could. I’m having so much fun with him.”
Martin Davalos
Okay, so as of the resumption of the Monster Energy Supercross Series, you’ve been holding station in the Salt Lake City vicinity, correct?
“Yes, basically, and luckily enough, Dakota and Matt Tedder arranged us a really, really nice Airbnb and we’ve been able to stay in Park City, which is really beautiful. My wife couldn’t come here with me with my son, so I basically came solo and I’m trying to do as much as I can. My wife works full-time, and we’ve just kind of been getting it done. And like you’ve probably been told, we’re quarantined here for the time, so we can’t leave. I’m surrounded by good people here and we’re taking advantage of beautiful Utah is and how nice everything is and I’m continuing my training just as if I were at home. That’s all been keeping me kind of humbled and entertained a little bit.”
You guys have run these consecutive races at Salt Lake’s Rice-Eccles Stadium. What do you make of it all thus far?
“It’s what we have to do. I honestly don’t mind this format because we’re just kind of getting it done. For me, it’s very important on trying to be as fresh as possible for the race. I’m 34 years-old, I’m not 15 or 20 years-old like other people that I’m racing. For me, the race day is the most important thing. I’m trying to get as much possible out race day that I can. I’m also focusing on recovery. As you know, the altitude here is a huge problem. I was born in Ecuador and I kind of know what my body is going to feel like and what I need to do, so I’ve been focusing a lot on that so that I can be as fresh as possible for race day.”
Martin Davalos
As of the late December of 2019 you were without a ride for 2020. Then, during the first week of that month, word dropped that the Tedder/Monster Energy/Lucas Oil/KTM Racing signed you to a race a KTM 450 SX-F in the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross Series. It was as if the stars lined up…?
“As you said Eric, there were no rides. I mean it’s just incredible what everybody has to go through. You know, I’ve known Dakota for a long time. I trained with him at Pro Circuit, as we both shared Ty Kady, who was our trainer. I knew Dakota’s family very well and they’ve been so good to me and are great people. I’ve been very blessed to end up where I am right now. We have a great program. The relationship that Matt Tedder has with factory KTM and the amount of parts that we’re able to get from them is excellent. What I like the most about it all, though, is that I’m really able to focus on and set the bike up the way I want it. I have that freedom. Anything that I need from KTM, they have been good to me and so has WP with the testing. Honestly, at the beginning of the season I was riding Kawasaki and went to Geneva and raced. We didn’t have a lot of time on the bike and I didn’t do much testing because I wanted to get comfortable with it. Honestly, the more I ride the KTM, the better I am. I think more time on the bike is helping me right now. it’s only going to get better. If I decide to race next year and continue my partnership with the Tedders, it’s only going to become a better thing for me. I’m going to be more familiar with the team, the bike and I’ll have more time to test and I think that’s all going to be very important.”
Martin Davalos
It’s very noticeable that KTM and KTM North America have had a heavy hand in creating your race bike. I mean the motorcycle has essentially the same race motor as the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing bikes. Good equipment for you and Team Tedder?
“Yeah, it’s a very good bike, man. I’m super-pumped with what we have going on and the amount of parts that we’re able to get. Everything has been good. During practice, the bikes are great. That was one of my biggest concerns, you know: I wanted to be comfortable in a team where I was ale to set up the bike they way I wanted to and focus on my riding. They’re family owners and they really understand giving me the freedom to do what I wanted to do. They respect that I have a family and I’m able to train at home. Yeah, it’s just been great, man. I’m super, super happy where I am right now and I think that’s another huge part of how my year is going. I think it’s all about just having a good program and being happy with what you’re doing.”
And the results have been coming! I mean going back to Atlanta, you’ve gone 5-14-6-11-8-6 in the last six main events, you are now slotted-in at 13th in 450SX points. That’s encouraging.
“Yeah, and I feel like I have a little more in me. I feel like at the beginning of the year I was kind of riding the bike like a 250F. I’ve had experience on the 450, but it takes a lot of riding and racing to really get what you want. I’m learning and I think I’m getting better and my fitness is getting a lot better. You know, I’m just happy to race. I have a really good team behind me. Matt, Christine and Dakota have done nothing but help me. They’re here for me and want to help me succeed. To be able to have that behind you is obviously a great thing.”
Okay Martin, what’s the masterplan for the rest of the summer, and for the rest of the year, for that matter?
“When I first talked with Matt, we just decided to do supercross and to see where it went. I think I wanted to just take my time with supercross. We didn’t really think much about outdoors. He’s mentioned that I could do a few rounds if I wanted to, but this year has been very awkward already and it sounds like the outdoor races might be limited now. I think this is a good year for me to focus just on my supercross season and go into the summer and just stay on the bike and get some more base fitness going on and talk to Matt and see what options we have for next year and maybe just give it my all next year, you know? I think I’m riding the only Monster Energy KTM in the world. That’s pretty cool. I’m excited, you know? I’m excited to finish of these rounds and to try and get in the top 10 and just really prove myself.”
Martin Davalos leading at Glendale earlier this season Source: MCNews.com.au
The organisers of the AMA Pro Motocross are facing similar challenges to our own MX Nationals series here in Australia with problems stemming from the differing levels of restrictions in place across different states.
State governments have announced their state-by-state phase-in plans for the resumption of large gatherings, including professional motorsports events. Some states have taken a very restrictive approach to large gatherings (e.g., Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, Massachusetts and New York), while others have found a more lenient approach acceptable so long as social distancing guidelines are followed (e.g., Indiana, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, etc.). These varying state approaches have created unique challenges for the 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, as several of the pre-eminent venues are situate in restrictive states that may or may not permit large gatherings during the time frame currently planned for the series.
On May 4th it was announced that the series was tentatively set to be held from July 4th through October 3rd. This would leave only 13 days between the end of supercross and the start of motocross. As many states continue to roll out their phase-in plans, it became clear that a further delay in the start of the season would be the most advantageous for the riders, teams, and the events themselves. The farther the series could push back into the summer the better for all. However, there is a hard start of July 18th, this being a live NBC broadcast date – television coverage being paramount for series and team sponsors.
The new plan is to commence the 2020 season on Saturday, July 18th at Ironman Raceway and end on Saturday, October 10th at Fox Raceway. It is the intent to host 10 events and possibly 11 by the end of the season. Series organisers have consulted with OEM partners and have been advised that given the unexpected boost in off-road motorcycle unit sales and parts and accessories over the course of the last month (with many dealerships and after-market companies experiencing record sales), it would be premature to cut the season short at this time. The better approach would be to give the national tracks time over the course of the summer to see if their states relax their requirements to enable them to hold their national event. We are hopeful that some historical venues may be able to return to the schedule but recognize that others may not. Hence, the schedule will be rolled out on a month-to-month basis as racetracks and state officials continue to develop their plans.
Besides the Ironman and Fox Raceway dates, the Series is prepared to announce a surprise for the 2020 season. For the first time ever a pro national will be held at Loretta Lynn’s on the historical AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship racetrack in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. The national will be held in August and will serve as a sort of homecoming for pro riders who have graduated from these familiar grounds. Though Loretta Lynn’s is not a traditional pro national venue, these are not traditional times, and series managers are working hard to schedule nationals at venues in states that are open for business.
In addition to the above, it is the current plan to include the following traditional venues on the schedule: Washougal, WW Ranch and High Point. These venues are located in states that have established clear phase-in guidelines that can be timely met. In addition to Loretta Lynn’s, it is highly likely that two more new venues will be added to the schedule based on the states where they are located. Dates will be rolled out at a later date.
All events, no matter their location, will be conducted with fans with elevated social distancing protocols in compliance with CDC guidelines and as recommended by the Safe-to-Race Task Force. These protocols, currently under development, will be announced at a later date.
AMA Pro Motocross
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Strang wins GNCC Round Five
Taking his first overall win in four years was Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Josh Strang coming through to meet the checkered flag first in South Carolina. Strang’s win would not come easy as he would swap the lead position multiple times throughout the three hour race with FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell.
Russell jumped out to grab the early lead and earn the $250 All Balls Racing XC1 Open Pro Holeshot Award, but by the time the lead pack came around on the second lap Strang was just two seconds off of Russell. The duo would continue in a heated battle throughout the next five laps. As the white flag flew, indicating one lap left, Strang found himself 1.5 seconds ahead of Russell. Therefore, a battle for the overall win ensued, however, Russell would find some misfortunate as he found himself in a soft spot on a berm. Russell endo’ed over the bars into a fence off to the right of the track, where his bike also became entangled in the fence. Russell was able to get his bike untangled with help from his team, and finish in the second place position. Strang came through the finish line with a one minute and 34 seconds lead over the rest of the pack to earn his first overall win of the 2020 season.
FactoryONE Sherco’s Grant Baylor battled back from a sixth place start to the day to earn his best finish of the season and round out the XC1 Open Pro podium with a third overall. Baylor also had his work cut out for him as he made his way through the pack of XC1 riders. Baylor made his way into the third place position as the two-lap card came out. He would put his head down and push for the remainder of the race to hold onto the last podium position.
Finding himself in the fourth place position for the second race in-a-row was Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Jordan Ashburn. Ashburn was faced with battles throughout the duration of the race, swapping between fourth and fifth place for majority of the day. After five rounds of racing Ashburn currently sits third in the National Championship points standings.
FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Toth was off to a great start as he made his way into a top three spot by the third lap. Toth battled in the third place position for majority of the race, but began to feel ill with just two laps to go. Battling himself just to finish the race, Toth would ultimately come through in the fifth place position.
Coming through in the second place position on the opening lap was AmPro Yamaha’s Layne Michael. Michael would continue to battle towards the front of the pack for the first half of the race. As the race wore on Michael found himself back in seventh, battling to get back up front. When the checkered flag flew, Michael would cross the line with a sixth place finish on the day.
After moving up to the XC1 Open Pro class from the XC2 250 Pro class it was Live It Xtreme/Kenda/Fly Racing’s Trevor Barrett earning a seventh place finish. Barrett made the necessary moves throughout the race to get himself inside of the top 10 in XC1 in South Carolina.
Phoenix Honda Racing’s Andrew DeLong finished out the day eighth in the XC1 Open Pro class. DeLong was having another great run making his way into sixth and then fifth at one point in the race, but a mechanical issue on the second to last lap put him out of contention for a top five finish on the day. DeLong remains eighth in the points standings after five rounds of racing.
Visiting from the West Coast was Three-Time Endurocross Champion, FactoryONE Sherco’s Cody Webb. As the race got started Webb jumped out to a top five start as the group made their way to the first turn. Webb would check in eighth on the opening lap. As the race wore on Webb was back in the ninth place position for the remainder of the race
Rockhill Powersports/Ti Dezigns/UFO Plast’s Evan Earl rounded out the top 10 in the XC1 Open Pro class. Earl made his way into 10th after battling throughout the day with 3 Bros Racing/KTM/Pearson Farms Racing’s Axel Pearson, who was also visiting from the West Coast.
In the XC2 250 Pro class it was Trail Jesters KTM’s Johnny Girroir clinching his second class win of the season, along with moving himself into the XC2 National Championship points lead. Girroir had a great start, moving himself into the lead early on in the race. However, at the halfway point Girroir would find himself in the fourth place position with his work cut out for him. Girroir put his head down, making crucial passes to regain the lead for the last three laps of racing.
AmPro Yamaha/St. Lawrence Radiology’s Mike Witkowski and Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Craig DeLong were also in the top three mix throughout the duration of the three-hour racing. Witkowski moved himself into the lead around halfway, but would face a battle with Girroir and be unable to make the pass back around him stick. Witkowski finished out the day second in XC2. DeLong would battle between the fourth and third place position throughout the day, making the pass on Enduro Engineering/XC Gear/Husqvarna’s Ryder Lafferty and rounding out the XC2 class podium at round five.
The FMF XC3 125cc Pro-Am class currently has a tentative top three with Moose Racing/Carolina KTM/XC Gear’s Zack Hayes clinching his third win of the season, and holding onto the points lead. Larsons Cycles/Fly Racing/Shoei Helmets’ Nathan Ferderer made his way into second in the class, but would face a constant battle with Raines Riding University/Yamaha Motor Corp’s Jason Raines. Ferderer and Raines would swap their positions multiple time throughout the day, but as the checkered flag waved it was Ferderer taking second and Raines holding onto third.
In the 10 a.m. WXC race it was Enduro Engineering/MEPMX/Fly Racing/KTM’s Mackenzie Tricker grabbing the Trail Jesters $100 Holeshot Award, but after a rough crash on the first lap with a fellow competitor, she would be unable to finish out the race.
BABS Racing Yamaha’s Becca Sheets along with AmPro Yamaha’s Rachael Archer and Beta USA’s Rachel Gutish would find themselves in a three-way battle for almost the entire two-hour morning race. Each one of them would find themselves leading at one point in the race, but it would be Sheets making her way into first as the checkered flag flew. Archer would remain second, holding off a charging Gutish as she rounded out the top three WXC riders.
At the conclusion of the 8 a.m. youth race it was Team Green Kawasaki’s Grant Davis coming through to take the overall win and his third YXC1 Super Mini Sr. class win of the season. Team Green’s Jack Joy battled throughout the youth race, coming through second overall and his class. Coastal Racing’s Lane Whitmer earned third overall, while also taking third in the YXC1 class in South Carolina. Coming through to earn the YXC2 Super Mini Jr. top three positions were Griere Moir, Nicholas Defeo and Caden Vick.
Round 6 of the GNCC Racing Series will be held the weekend of June 13/14 at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, PA.
Camp Coker GNCC – Overall Results
Josh Strang – Kawasaki (XC1 Open Pro)
Kailub Russell – KTM (XC1 Open Pro)
Grant Baylor – Sherco (XC1 Open Pro)
Jordan Ashburn – Kawasaki (XC1 Open Pro)
Jonathan Girroir – KTM (XC2 Open Pro 250)
Josh Toth – KTM (XC1 Open Pro)
Michael Witkowski – Yamaha (XC2 Open Pro 250)
Craig Delong – Husqvarna (XC2 Open Pro 250)
Layne Michael – Yamaha (XC1 Open Pro)
Ryder Lafferty – Husqvarna (XC2 Open Pro 250)
GNCC Championship Standings
Kailub Russell 145
Josh Strang 122
Jordan Ashburn 78
Craig Delong 77
Michael Witkowski 71
Josh Strang wins GNCC
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AMA SX Round 11 450 Main Video Highlights
AMA SX Round 11 250 Main Video Highlights
Quotes from AMA Supercross Round 11
Eli Tomac – P1
“Gosh, it felt so good to get back to racing. We really couldn’t have asked for a better day overall. The track was super slick in certain areas and we were drifting the bikes through some of those flat corners, which was a lot of fun, but you had to be careful at the same time. I didn’t get the best jump off the start in the main but was able to tuck inside and quickly recover. It was definitely a scary moment when Adam went down because I was already in the air and his bike bounced up and I had nowhere to go but up and over his bike. I’m glad he’s okay. Overall it was a good day and I am already looking forward to Wednesday.”
Eli Tomac – P1
Cooper Webb – P2
“It’s good to be back racing. It’s awesome just to be able to do what we love. I was battling up there in the beginning – we were all sandwiched – and I was able to actually get around Eli but then he went around us and really laid some good laps. During the middle of the race, I kind of lost speed a little bit and at the end I was really trying hard. I missed a rhythm at the end though, and that really cost me in maybe catching him.”
Cooper Webb – P2
Ken Roczen – P3
“I felt pretty good. I had a decent start, but got bumped around a little bit and lost some positions, so we had to fight our way up there and were kind of just riding in a train; it was hard to make up time. I lost a couple of tenths and gained a couple of tenths here and there and then I kind of stayed the same. Obviously, Eli was super strong and Cooper right in front of me, and I couldn’t really make a move. I had a moment with about a lap to go where I almost crashed really, really bad, and then the last lap I really just rolled everything pretty much just to kind of bring it home. A podium is okay. Obviously we need to put ourselves in front of Tomac, but there’s a lot of racing left and a lot of crashes out there, and with all the lappers, a lot of things can happen. Really, we just have to regroup and try again on Wednesday.”
Ken Roczen – P3
Jason Anderson – P4
“My day went pretty decent. I got a bad start in the Main and ended up fourth but all-in-all, I feel like I rode pretty well all day and was able to make some headway as we work our way into the next six rounds here in Salt Lake City.”
Jason Anderson – P4
Zach Osborne – P5
“It was a positive weekend overall. It was my first race back from injury so it was really good for me to go out there and get comfortable in practice. I feel really comfortable on the dirt here in Salt Lake, which is something that’s not typically my forte but it’s coming around for me. I’m happy with where I’m at fitness-wise and with my bike, so I’m looking forward to the next few races here – onwards and upwards.”
Zach Osborne – P5
Justin Barcia – P8
“It’s nice to get the first round out of the way. It definitely wasn’t how I wanted it to go. It was quite hot and being up here at altitude was definitely difficult. I had high expectations for myself coming into this round and kind of let myself down a bit. I think it’s all things that can be easily fixed and turned around for Wednesday. The main event didn’t get off to the greatest start, and the first lap was chaos. Guys were falling down, and then it was really windy and dusty. The track got down to concrete, it was a pretty gnarly track. All in all, we got out of the first one healthy and still have six more to go. I’m really looking forward to racing again Wednesday. I don’t have to wait another whole week to redeem myself.”
Justin Barcia – P8 – Image Hoppenworld
Justin Brayton – P9
“It was a pretty good day. It felt so good to be back with the guys and the crew at the races and to get behind the gate again. Overall, I’m fairly happy with the day. The heat race was good; I got third there. I had a solid first half in the main and ran second for a long time. To be quite honest, I just pumped up about halfway in and kind of went backwards. Then I had a really big moment where I almost went down and that allowed a guy to get by me and some other guys to close the gap. I’m happy I didn’t hit the ground on that one, that’s for sure, and happy with a solid top-10 result. We’ve just got to keep this ball rolling, especially with the good starts that we got all day.”
Justin Brayton – P9
Adam Cianciarulo – DNF
“Man, I am so frustrated with how today ended up. I cannot tell you how stoked I was to be back racing my KX450 with my whole Monster Energy Kawasaki crew. I felt good all day, rode solid in my heat race and got a great jump in the main event. I just made a small mistake that cost me big time. I’m pretty sore from getting ran over, but we’re going to let the body rest and take all the necessary steps so we are ready for Wednesday.”
Adam Cianciarulo – DNF
Shane McElrath – 250 Winner
“There’s been a lot of anticipation to get back going and it’s finally here. I had a near perfect day and I’m really happy with the progress we’ve made over the last few months since Daytona. My bike was awesome today and I felt great with the elevation. The track was honestly the best case scenario with the weather and wind that we dealt with today. I felt really good and I’m ready for another race in a few days.”
Shane McElrath – 250 Winner – Image Hoppenworld Moto News Weekly proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Jett Lawrence makes return to racing this week
When Supercross reconvenes mid-week it will be the turn of the 250 West competitors to swing back into action which of course means the return of popular young Aussie Jett Lawrence after that sickening crash early in the season at Anaheim 2.
Jett Lawrence broke his collarbone at Anaheim II but will be back racing later this week – Image Hoppenworld
2020 British Speedway GP cancelled
Due to ongoing health concerns and UK government restrictions regarding COVID-19, organisers have announced that the 2020 Adrian Flux British FIM Speedway Grand Prix, scheduled to take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on July 18, has been cancelled.
This decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with the FIM, BSI Speedway, Principality Stadium, Welsh Government and Cardiff City Council, with the health and safety of supporters and riders remaining the top priority.
Due to the considerable logistical issues posed by the current circumstances, it was agreed that it would not be possible to stage the event at a later date in 2020.
Following discussions with Principality Stadium, we are however pleased to announce that the 2021 event – and still the 20th British FIM Speedway Grand Prix to be held at the venue – will take place on July 17, 2021.
Paul Bellamy Managing Director and SVP of Motorsports, IMG
“We are extremely disappointed that we won’t get the chance to celebrate 20 years of British SGP action under the Principality Stadium roof next month. We know how much everyone looks forward to the British SGP weekend in Cardiff – a chance to meet up with fans and friends from around the world, enjoy great racing and experience the unique atmosphere generated by our thousands of fans. Our focus will now be on delivering a fantastic event on July 17, 2021 to celebrate the 20th staging of the British SGP in Cardiff in style. Meanwhile we are working hard with the FIM, our venues and stakeholders on our re-arranged plans for the 2020 FIM Speedway World Championships presented by Monster Energy later this year and will issue further updates on that in due course.”
Tai Woffinden
“The British SGP is always an awesome weekend, so I’m gutted I won’t get the chance to race in front of a Cardiff crowd this year. But that only makes me hungrier for next season’s event. The atmosphere is unreal. It’s always a special night and I can’t wait to be back in July next year. Stay safe and I’ll see you all then!”
Tai Woffinden – Speedway GP 2018 – Netherlands
Moto News Weekly proudly brought to you by Dunlop Source: MCNews.com.au
Saturday night, January 18, 2020 inside the 45,517-seat Angel Stadium of Anaheim a few minutes removed from the running of the 250SX West main event.
“Tonight, was a night I just want to forget and move on from,” lamented Austin Forkner of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki race team who placed a crash initiated 17th. “That costly mistake in the whoops in the main event ruined my evening. My team and I are going to regroup and probably spend a good amount of time hammering out whoops this next week. I had a lot of fun racing the Triple Crown races last year, so I am just ready to get to Glendale and redeem myself.”
Austin Forkner & Justin Cooper battle at AMA SX Round One – Image by Hoppenworld
Saturday night, January 25, 2020 inside the 63,400-seat State Farm Stadium of Glendale a few minutes removed from running of the 250SX West main event.
“It’s always good to go from 22 points down to 10 points down,” said a stoked Austin Forkner on what a difference a week can make in motor racing. “I just had really good intensity and just kind of broke away quickly and nobody could really catch me. I knew all that mattered was the overall, so I went 1-1-3 to get the overall. The first two mains, I rode really well. The last moto, not so much, but I really went into manage mode once I got into third. I wanted to win them all, but it just didn’t end up like that. I was happy. My riding was good. The bike was good. It was just a solid night.
Austin Forkner was triumphant in Missouri at round two – Image by Hoppenworld
“I feel pretty locked in now. I feel good going into these next two races here out west. We’ll fly to Oakland. It’s a short flight. And San Diego, well, we’ll just drive to that race. We’ll be right in our own backyard for these next two races before the break. I’m hoping to make up as many points as I can going into the break.”
Jett Lawrence chasing Austin Forkner at round two – Image by Hoppenworld
As advertised, the next two weeks of the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross Series ran in California football stadiums in Oakland and San Diego, respectively, and Austin Forkner was fast and consistent to place second in both main events.
Austin Forkner placed second at Oakland – Image by Hoppenworld
And it was after the Petco Park race in San Diego where the Oklahoma-based racer returned back to the Midwest where now, due to the global pandemic, he still remains with no race to races to run. And that’s where we tracked down the Kawasaki pilot on Friday afternoon.
Austin Forkner took the overall win at Glendale – Image by Hoppenworld
“I’m in Oklahoma. Riding. Training. Same old same old,” said the mildly agitated racer in waiting. “We’re just waiting to hear wherever we’re going to go racing, really. I mean, nothing has really changed much for me. As far as the coronavirus thing, I got out of California in time. Oklahoma, I guess, is not nearly as bad. Things are starting to open back up here. I really don’t do anything that is closed anyway. I go to a private gym, a private track, everything we do is pretty much private anyway, so I mean as far as work stuff and riding, nothing has really changed for me. It’s just like things for fun, things like going to the mall, going to the movies and things like that, obviously it’s all changed and we’re not doing any of that.
Ferrandis putting a move on Forkner in San Diego – Image by Hoppenworld
“But you know what? Asked Forkner. “I think it’s [virus] on its way out. From all the reports and from all the stuff that I’ve heard, the virus cases are starting to go down, if not almost stop. I think everybody is starting to get over this too. In my opinion, I think this was blown way out of proportion. I think it was overdone. I don’t think it should have been this big of a deal. In my opinion, I think this was basically the flu and I don’t think that they needed to shut down America for the flu. Yeah, it’s a new virus and, yeah, people have died, but I don’t think that they literally need to shut down the country for this. It is what it is and that’s what they decided to do. But I do think people are getting over it. I’m fortunate enough in that I was in a fine position with all this financially, but people are going to start running out of money and then what? I think everybody is just ready to get back to normal and get back to work and to get back to doing things how we were.”
Austin Forkner took the overall win at Glendale – Image by Hoppenworld
Oklahoma, while a great place which has put forth many a world class motocross racer, is a 1,515-mile, 23-hour drive on the I-10 and I-8 and a hell of a long way from the spiritual homeland and race land of the Southern California-based motocross industry. Nonetheless, Oklahoma is where Forkner is riding out the coronavirus and he’s perfectly fine with that.
“Yeah, I’m in Oklahoma with everybody and we all went riding today,” he said. “We’ve all been doing the same thing. Still riding. We were doing motocross stuff, but I just switched back to supercross because we heard we were going to be racing at the end of the month. That’s changing day by, so we will see. I talk with Mitch Payton (team owner) probably once a week. Really, I mean whenever he hears something, we hear it because the team owners are usually the first guys to hear after FELD kind of makes a decision or thinks of an idea or anything like that. Mitch will call me and say, ‘HEY, this is what we’re kind of hearing.’ He’ll ask me what I think about it and ask for my opinion, so yeah, I keep in contact with him for that. As of right now, though, and as far as supercross goes, the bike is fine, I think. We don’t really need to do anything testing-wise as of right now. Everything right now is just a cluster, so you don’t really know. I’ve just been talking with Mitch about when we’re get back to racing, really.”
A young Austin Forkenr at Unadilla in 2016 – Image by Hoppenworld
Yes, while busy with riding, testing and training, and just like the rest of us currently up on blocks in our homes and garages, Forkner has found some spare time on his hands. That being the reality of his surroundings, what’s he been up to as far as keeping the clock from going backwards?
“Me and my friend have been shooting guns a lot at Robbie Reynard’s place (Note: Reynard, also from Oklahoma, was a world class racer during the 1990s), as he’s got a big canyon section and me and my friend Riley and my friend Carter and his girlfriend have a bunch of steel targets and stuff put down in there and we’ve been shooting a lot. We’ve been shooting quite a bit out there. That’s kind of what we’ve been doing during downtime. Other than that, I’ve just been riding, training and doing the standard stuff like Netflix, Xbox, kind of the standard stuff. That’s pretty much all we’ve been doing as of lately. We’ve also been going to a few skateparks to ride scooters and bikes and stuff. Yeah, skateparks, shooting guns, hanging out, taking my dog on walks and all that good stuff.”
Austin Forkner – San Diego 2020 – Image by Hoppenworld
In the first six 250SX West events of the 2020 season, Forkner ran quite well, racing to fifth at Anaheim 1, first at St. Louis, an aforementioned 17th at Anaheim 2, first at Glendale, and second at both Oakland and San Diego before the lockdown sent him back to Oklahoma. Third in points at the moment in the 250SX West, Forkner is pretty much stoked on how it has all gone – thus far.
“Yeah, yeah and I feel if anything, I’ve only gotten stronger. We’ve been doing long motos here in both supercross and outdoors lately. I wouldn’t say Robbie is burning us out, but I would definitely say he’s kind of cracked down on us a decent amount over this break. I don’t think I was 100-percent in the off-season coming off an injury in ’19, but he’s worked on getting me back to where he wants me as far as fitness goes and speed and dealing with my knee, so I think this break has been good in that way to kind of get back to 100-percent as close as we can get. I think we’re definitely getting there and getting better. I feel like I’ll be good and mixing it up in the outdoors and sometimes you can come back even better in supercross just because you’re actually kind of excited to ride it again because sometimes you get burnt out riding the same thing. I just jumped back on to supercross and I’m feeling really good. I feel reenergised riding again, so it’s been good. I guess we’ll keeping looking to the races in Glendale because the last I heard, they really want that to happen. I would say that’s our best bet right now. I don’t know. It’s whatever they decide and I hope that the Phoenix thing happens and we just get to finish off the supercross season. Really, though, and some guys have strong opinions about it, I don’t really care where and what we race. I’m ready for both supercross and motocross and have been riding both disciplines enough in the past couple months, I feel like I’m pretty prepared for either way it goes.”
A young Austin Forkner at Ironman in 2016 – Image by Hoppenworld
The Pro Motocross schedule remains under revision pending confirmation of state re-opening guidelines. The opening round is tentatively set for July 4th with the series concluding on October 3rd. The organisers hope to announce final dates and locations by May 15th.
GNCC
GNCC Racing will tentatively resume May 16/17 at Aonia Pass MX in Washington, GA (same location as round 3) and then on May 30/31 at a location in South Carolina.
Manjiump 15,000 Cancelled
With no set date to work towards and many many other deciding factors against them, organisers Dirt High Promotions have chosen to cancel the 2020 running of the iconic Manjimup 15,000 event in the south-west of Western Australia.
Racebike Research – Levi Rogers YZ250F
Let’s take a closer look at will be the YZ250F of Levi Rogers. Rogers will make his debut in the MXD class for 2020 after progressing through the Yamaha Junior Racing program. The majority of his junior racing saw Rogers on basically standard bikes and things won’t change a lot for the 2020 season as he learns more about racing and his needs from the bike.
Levi Rogers YZ250F
Starting from the Top
Rogers is a man child. Despite just turning 17, he is over 180cm tall and weighs in at 80kilos so a lot of the ergonomic changes made to his bike are to suit his tall frame. He uses Pro Taper SX High bend handlebars with Pro Taper diamond pattern grips. They are mounted on stock triple clamps with the mounts in the forward / forward position, again to give him more room.
Levi Rogers YZ250F
The team use standard levers and controls that are greased and lubes regularly to keep them light and airy. He also favours a gripper seat cover to help stay in position on the bike. Since the inception of the 2019 model, the sub frame and general chassis remains standard.
Motor
The 2020 motor on the YZ250F is a great starting point. In fact, since the reverse cylinder was introduced to the YZ250F in 2014, it has been a class leader as far as power placement and output is concerned and has the championship success around the world to prove it.
Levi Rogers YZ250F
The head is flowed by Kevin Marshall. Kev is the brains behind the Yamaha Road Racing team bikes and has years of experience both in the road and off road field. He does each head by hand after hours of studying them and working out the angles he needs for the style of power requested. Kev is never about the peak number, he is about rideability and his attention to detail is second to none. The standard cams and standard piston are used with no modifications.
A Rush O2 airfilter is used for better air flow as clean air to the YZ250F motor produces more power. Add to that an Akrapovic exhaust, some ETS MA-3 100 fuel and some mapping via the OEM Yamaha power tuner app and you have all the performance gains you need. GYTR engine covers are fitted to the clutch and the ignition side of the bike for that factory bike look. The final piece of the puzzle is the gearing where Rogers bounces between 13-49 or 13-50 depending on the track.
Levi Rogers YZ250F
Suspension
Levi has worked with Michael Marty of Brisbane Dirt Bike services in recent times and instead of just wasting that relationship, Rogers has continued with Michael and has fine-tuned his suspension to his needs. The valving has been altered, as has the spring rates and oil heights. The forks are coated and use SFK fork seals to reduce as much stiction and increase a smoother action.
Working off a static ride height of around 35mm and a rider sag of 105mm, Marty changes the spring to suit on the rear and then tunes the front similarly to ensure balance remains in the bike and the basic geometry is right.
Levi Rogers YZ250F
Odds and Ends
Rogers is a huge fan of the Dunlop MX33 and uses it almost everywhere apart from the sandy based tracks where he might match the MX33 front with the paddle like MX12 rear. Wheels are mounted to OEM hubs, spokes and rims apart from supercross, where are stronger Excel rim is used to handle the big impacts. He also adjusting to running mousse tubes for the first time in his career as flat tyres often don’t lead to championship success.
Levi Rogers YZ250F
The team add a second starter button and position it on the frame to be used as a back up in case of a crash. Learning from experience, a crash can often damage what’s mounted to the handlebars, including the start button, so a spare is made and mounted to the frame.
A GYTR holeshot button is on the bike and apart from a concrete start, you wouldn’t race without one. Most mounts come with a template for heights starting at 65, 85 and 100mm but most riders now go lower than that and often the start button height is anywhere between 115 and 145mm down the fork guard.
Yamalube oils and lubes are ran throughout the bike, from RS4GP in the motor to S1 Suspension fluid in the fork.
The last remaining bits to be added is a skid plate, that the team use from the FX model, as well as the clean and corporate looking sticker kit from Serco.
Spec Check- Levi Rogers YZ250F – #44
Mechanic – Nash Ilhe
Cylinder head: OEM with YRD flow
Piston: OEM
Cams: OEM
Clutch: OEM
Throttle body: OEM
ECU: Yamaha Power Tuner – mapped to suit engine mods
Exhaust: Akrapovic
Airfilter: Rush o2
Fuel: ETS MA-3 100
Gearing: 13-50
Engine Covers: GYTR
Fork: KYB with coatings and revalved to suit rider
Shock: KYB
Handlebars: Pro Taper SX High bend
Grips: Pro TaperClamps: OEM in forward / forward
Chain: DID ERT3 520Sprockets: JT
Tyres: Dunlop MX 33 with Dunlop Mousse
Seat Cover: Gripper from Top Line
Decals: Serco
Levi Rogers YZ250F
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Wilson Todd has ACL surgery
Wilson Todd is recovering from recent ACL surgery, the Aussie taking the opportunity that the break in racing has afforded him to get in, get it done and get on the road to recovery.
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Marty Smith dies in crash
Marty Smith, a 2000 inductee into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, died Monday, April 27, from injuries sustained in a dune buggy crash in Southern California. He was 63.
Marty Smith
Also killed in the crash was Smith’s wife, Nancy Smith.
A three-time AMA Motocross National Champion, Smith won the inaugural AMA 125cc Motocross Championship in 1974. He successfully defended his title in 1975, and also won the 1977 AMA 500cc Motocross Championship and the 1975 and 1976 125cc U.S. Motocross Grand Prix events. Smith also competed in AMA Supercross for four seasons (1978-1981).
Born in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 26, 1956, Smith started riding with his father, Al, on a step-through Honda 50 in the California desert. He took part in his first motocross race at age 14. Smith became a regular at Southern California tracks and started winning races on a regular basis. During his formative racing years, he had no professional trainers and learned by carefully observing the fast guys, then applying what he saw.
Smith became known as one of the most precise riders in motocross history. His riding style remained smooth throughout his races and he rarely crashed.
Smith won all of his championships with Honda, and the company featured him in its advertising, using his long hair and youthful good looks as a selling point. He was on dozens of magazine covers riding the legendary Honda Elsinore, donning the famous red, white and blue racing colors. Smith became the first teen idol in motocross and legions of young fans followed his every move.
He retired from racing in 1981 and developed a motocross school called the Marty Smith Motocross Clinic.
Marty Smith
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Yamaha backed Motocross Coaching Clinics
Yamaha Motor Australia has a vast bank of knowledge when it comes to motocross coaching. Most states have their own coach in place to cater for riders of all levels and across all off road disciplines and Yamaha continue to work with them to ensure they offer the best possible advice and tuition.
What started out nearly 40 years ago with Stephen Gall running his local MX schools in NSW before taking it national and his University of Motocross programs, Yamaha are still actively involved in rider coaching and still want riders to enjoy riding dirt bikes in a safe manner.
Jades Oates coaching
Cameron Taylor, Shane Metcalfe, Jay Wilson, Jades Oates and Brody Jennings all run Yamaha supported and endorsed riding schools in various regions across Australia. Each of these guys have years of knowledge under their belts, collectively they are close to 100 years, and are more than happy to pass it on to the next generation. Each of these guys run riding schools all over the place and are passionate about safe dirt bike riding.
And all of them are heavily involved in Yamaha Junior Racing program’s and can often be seen working closely with riders on race day but are open to any level rider on any brand of bike.
With the slow-down in activity due to COVID-19, we got some advice from these guys to get their take on the coaching game and what they can do to assist you to become a better rider.
What’s the most important thing you can teach a rider new to dirt bikes?
SM: The basic techniques of controlling your dirt bike which in turn will make you a safer rider. Learning to use your brakes, clutch and throttle are never ending and the better you are at them, the safer rider you will be.
JO: Above all else, a solid foundation in riding technique is essential to becoming a competent and safe rider and also listening to them and understanding their goals so I can help them achieve them.
BJ: Safety and key fundamentals are the two things I think every rider needs to learn and be aware of. Be skilled at riding your bike and be aware that it can be dangerous, and you need to be smart about how you approach things.
JW: The biggest thing we focus on at our school is the basics of riding a motorcycle and teaching the correct technique, to make sure we are creating safer and smarter riders. When a rider is wanting to take the next step forward with their riding we want to give them the correct tools to do it safely, so that when their speed increases they know how to manage it properly.
CT: Body position is key. Starting with a good position on the bike enables everything else to fall in place. Like anything, if the initial set up is wrong, it makes it hard to correct and keep your entire technique in place.
Jades Oates coaching
What do you offer at your riding schools?
SM: I try to cover as much as possible so everyone from the beginner to the advanced rider will learn something. We start as the basics from body position and bike control through to jumping and scrubbing to help every rider.
JO: I offer a wide range of coaching that covers everything from private one on one tuition through to a full and comprehensive live in style program that covers everything from on and off bike training, nutrition and mental conditioning.
BJ: I cover everything from beginner to advanced and we have a wide variety of riders in Tasmania so is something I constantly monitor. I can share my years of knowledge on riding and racing as well as being part of the industry to hopefully make someone’s motorcycle journey a fun and safe one.
JW: Being a current racer, I’m progressing with the techniques and skills that are currently being used and won with now. When I run a school I’m able to translate what I’m using myself while racing, I believe this is a massive benefit.
CT: I think the platform for any successful athlete is doing the basics well and training them so they become second nature to the rider. So, we work hard on things like body position and bike control at the start of our schools. I also enjoy working with a range of riders as it’s just as rewarding seeing a rider master something basic as it is to see a pro improve a lap time. With my years of experience, I can offer advice and mentoring for juniors to vets, club guys to pros.
Cam Taylor Coaching
What has been the biggest change in the way we ride our bikes?
SM: Now days, I see a lot of riders overlook technique for speed. A good technique will allow you to rider faster and also much safer instead of just holding it on and hope it all works out. I see a lot of technique missing from modern riders these days.
JO: For me, it’s been the progression in the way we use our body in riding the bike and the dynamic effect it has. We see riders now ride on the toes more frequently than their heels and we see riders using a far more aggressive technique in clutch and rpm as well as things like scrubbing.
BJ: I think the bikes themselves have played a huge part in how we ride these days. The performance level of the bike and then the amount of knowledge around it – from suspension to motor and then to coaching means riders can access it all easily and make gains quickly.
JW: I think the influence the US has on our riders. Australians have always looked to America and mimicked the way they ride. Honestly our tracks don’t allow us to ride that aggressively, so you are seeing riders looking more to Europe now and trying to mimic that style of riding. Standing on the pegs, lower RPMs and roll speed, allows us to be more efficient in the bike. Especially having raced Supercross in the US now, the way we need to ride here in Australia is completely different.
CT: Riding on the balls of our feet has changed the way we ride. When we were growing up, there was never any discussion about how to place your feet, only about grabbing the bike with your knees. Riding on your toes gives you a light and agile feel on the bike and allows more freedom as you work with the bike.
Brody Jennings Coaching
Can you see a young rider who has ‘it’?
SM: I think you can, if you know what you are looking for. You can identify talent and ability but that is only a small part of the equation. I saw Alex Larwood when he was on a 50 and thought he was talented but that didn’t mean he would be successful and still doesn’t. But I could see he had an ability to ride a bike well at a young age.
JO: 100% you can. That never means the rider is a sure thing and will have along and successful career and so many other factors come into it, but you can definitely see talent at a young age. I think the 15-18 year bracket is the hardest for a motocross rider and if they can maintain focus and work ethic through that period, changes are they will enjoy a good career.
BJ: Tough question. The answer is yes but you are never 100% sure. There are a few I work with that I think have the ability to go a long way in motocross but there are so many elements that make a champion.
JW: I think you can see as a rider develops they go through stages. Generally, under the age of 12, the rider who does well is often the one that rides the most and has access to land. From 12- 16 you can identify the talent and ability a rider has and how natural their technique is. Over the age of 17, it comes down to combining that talent with dedication and hard work as there is no-where to hide in a 30 minute moto.
CT: For sure you can. Not just in the way they ride but how they approach their riding and how they dissect a track. Not only to do they have a smooth and fluid style, they clearly think about their racing both on and off the track.
Cam Taylor Coaching
How do you deal with parents who think they have the next Chad Reed on their hands?
SM: Firstly, you remind them that everyone can be as good as Chad Reed if they have the work ethic, determination and are willing to make the sacrifices that he and his family did. But you also point out that while there has been a few guys that have come close, there has only been one Chad Reed in our sports history.
JO: I think an honest discussion between myself and the parent is vital here, so we are laying out realistic goals for the rider and the family. I’m massive for confidence in a rider and their supporters but their needs to be a realistic approach and reduce the pressure on the rider to live up to them. And also ensure the fun factor remains with both the rider and family.
BJ: Generally, these are the most passionate parents, just their energies are a little misplaced. I would go for a gentle conversation to bring them back down to earth and try and direct their energy in a positive fashion. If that doesn’t happen, generally the sport tends to weed them out.
JW: Everyone wants to be the next Chad Reed, don’t they? I encourage them to have those goals and dreams but also know that Chad is a once in a lifetime rider who devoted everything he had to become what he did. So, chase those goals, but never lose sight of why you started, the enjoyment and fun factor should always stay with you.
CT: Carefully! I have been a bit too brutal and honest at times and you never want to crush anyone’s dreams or hopes so you have to get a good understanding of what it is they want for the child or from the sport.
Jades Oates coaching
Can an over 40 year old with a Dad bod and five year old bike still gain something from going to a riding school?
SM: They sure can! Everyone can learn something from a riding school and in fact I continue to learn more from a lot of the schools I do. If you have an open mind and are willing to take on advice, then there is always something to gain.
JO; 100% they can. We have had riders from all ages and skill level say they have gained something from our schools.
BJ: Yes. No question things can be learned and for a lot of those 40 year old’s, it can also be a good time to spend with your child in a shared passion. Riding with my son is amazing and be at a school together would be a great way to spend time with each other.
JW: Absolutely, in fact we have done schools in regional and rural areas where farmers have come along. Riding bikes on properties is part of their day and if they can do it better, then of course it’s worth it. I’m just as happy to work with a guy on his AG bike rounding up the cows if my advice can make his life a little safer and easier.
CT: I have had 60 year old riders at our riding days and they have as got much from it as the younger guys. Most of the older riders grew up when there was very little coaching, so they have years of bad habits and dated techniques. By the end of the day, they have adapted and found a better way to ride and general are both safer and faster.
Jades Oates coaching
How can people contact you regarding coaching?
SM: Via my website is the best way; https://sm25coaching.com/ JO: I can be contacted via my social media or website; https://oatesmx.com.au/ BJ: Social media channels work best for me; Facebook and Instagram. JW: I’m available through social media- both personal and Hastie Co. CT: Call me, hit me up on social media or : http://www.camerontaylormx.com/
Moto News Weekly proudly brought to you by Dunlop Source: MCNews.com.au
The planning and preparation for the 2021 Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) is in full swing, with the Trail & Enduro Motorcycle Club of WA announcing Australian owned company Pilot Air Compressors as the Naming Rights Sponsor for the 2021 A4DE Championships, to be held at Harvey, Western Australia.
Due to COVID-19 and Government restrictions around events, the 2020 A4DE was cancelled, but Trail & Enduro Motorcycle Club of WA have hit the trail running ensuring the 2021 event will be bigger and better than ever.
The 2021 A4DE will be held May 19-22 and is expected to attract up to 250 riders from across Australia. The event was last held in Western Australia in 2013.
Trail & Enduro Motorcycle Club of WA 2021 A4DE event organiser, Collin Jennings said, “It’s great to have an Australian owned company in Pilot Air Compressors backing this major championship”.
“Riders can be assured that the 2021 event will be one you won’t want to miss,” he said.
Pilot Air Compressors Director and fellow motorbike enthusiast, Martin Wylie said: “We are proud to be supporting the Australian Enduro Championship”.
“Many of the competitors at the event are from a variety of backgrounds and industries that would have been exposed to the Pilot Air technology whether they are aware of the brand or not.
“We hope the association with the A4DE will help build the brand awareness throughout the motorbike community in Australia.”
Pilot Air first supported the 2013 A4DE when the event was last run in WA.
For the 2021 event they have increased their involvement now as the Naming Rights sponsor with their West Australian distributor Air & Power.
Baden Barker of Air and Power, has had a long association with the Trail & Enduro Motorcycle Club of WA and the WA A4DE, having competed in the last one.
“I am a motorbike enthusiast and have been riding enduro events for over 20 years,” he said.
“I’m thrilled to have our major supplier Pilot Air, supporting this event whilst it is being held in Western Australia. I look forward to competing in the 2021 event with my daughter Amber, so long as we are both injury free and the boss lets us.”
A4DE Committee Chairperson, Trudy Campain, said: “With the lack of enduro’s during the 2020 season we are looking forward to riders saving their dollars and making the journey to Harvey for the event”.
“We are planning for three different courses for the first three days. The emphasis will be on a great fun ride with excellent special tests which will ensure success for all riders and that our best are crowned as Australian Champions.”
Daniel Milner won the last A4DE that was staged in Western Australia 2013 A4DE – Final Standings – OUTRIGHT 1st Daniel Milner -01:56:55.123 2nd Chris Hollis – 01:58:07.770 3rd Matthew Phillips – 01:58:22.711 4th Josh Green – 02:01:38.231 5th Tom McCormack – 02:02:09.824 6th Peter Boyle – 02:02:28.438 7th Lachlan Stanford – 02:02:47.089 8th Stefan Merriman – 02:02:47.156 9th Ben Burrell – 02:03:11.180 10th Ben Grabham – 02:03:20.999
2020 AMA Pro Motocross
The current Pro Motocross schedule consists of 11 rounds spanning from June 13th through September 5th.
June 13 WW Ranch, FL
June 20 High Point, PA
June 27 Southwick, MA
July 4 RedBud, MI
July 11 Thunder Valley, CO
July 18 Spring Creek, MN
July 25 Washougal, WA
Aug. 15 Unadilla, NY
Aug. 22 Budds Creek, MD
Aug. 29 Ironman, IN
Sept. 5 Pala, CA
AMA Pro Motocross – Image by Hoppenworld
However, additional changes are expected and will be announced shortly. The Series will most likely extend from June 20th through September 12th, but no later. In these trying times, full transparency in scheduling is called for, to allow riders, teams and fans to prepare. A revised schedule will be announced ASAP.
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Mitch Evans recovery update
On March 31st, Team HRC’s Mitch Evans had surgery on his right-shoulder back in Brisbane, Australia where the Honda rider is now recuperating. The initial prognosis from the doctors was good and the belief was that he would make a full and quick recovery.
What’s the situation right now with the shoulder and how are you coping with it all?
“I’ve basically now just got to let the shoulder recover and let the cartilage glue back to the bone. I have these little exercises that the physio has given me, after seeing him in the studio yesterday for my one week check-up. He was really happy with my range of motion and I have double the range that anyone normally would one week after surgery so that’s a really positive sign. He gave me these exercises to do so I’ve been following that advice. I’m not in any pain so honestly, it doesn’t even feel like I’ve had surgery at all. I’ve also been keeping in contact with Team HRC’s physio Filippo and he’s really happy with the progress too so it’s all looking positive. I’m keeping it rested it, but doing these four different exercises four times a day and that’s the only time that I’m move it. They are pretty basic range of motion exercises and then nothing else.”
What about the rest of your body, are you able to train and keep fit still?
“I’m still able to cycle, but I’m not able to go running or anything like that. I’m allowed to do cycling and weights on any other part of my body just as long as am I’m not using my shoulder, so I started indoor cycling two days ago now and just slowly build back into it as I haven’t really done much since I dislocated shoulder. I just want to keep my base fitness and then once my shoulder starts feeling a lot better, I want to add some higher intensity workouts to try and replicate the bike time that I’m missing. At the moment its low intensity stuff, just to get the body moving again.”
Mitch Evans
In terms of the schedule, are you working on the shoulder schedule or are you looking at the MXGP schedule and trying to recover for that?
“For me, I’m just focusing on my shoulder and just by the timeline that my doctors and physio have laid out for me. I’m not really worrying about the MXGP calendar right now, as honestly, I don’t know when the next race is likely to be so it makes sense just to control what I can control. I hope though that by the time we do get back to racing, I’ll have spent time back on the bike already.”
Is there a plan to come back from Australia or is it still up in the air?
“I don’t think anyone really has an idea at the minute, so we’re just playing it day by day and seeing what the governments are saying. It’s going to come down to when we’re allowed out of the country, or even when I’m allowed back into other countries without any quarantine periods.”
You’re at home most of the time now, have you found anything else to pass the time
“We’ve been doing jigsaw puzzles recently at home, 1000-piece puzzles and they take a good amount of time. We’re onto our second one now so just trying to keep off the boredom that way. It’s like being a little kid again, playing board games at home and sitting around and not doing too much. It’s a difficult situation but I’m also looking at doing some studying at home, so we’ll see how that goes. I’m thinking of doing something like science and nutrition, something along those lines, which could help me with my career at the moment and also gets me ahead for after my racing career.”
Any last words for your fans out there?
“I think it is just important for everyone to follow their government’s guidelines during this difficult period. Obviously it’s easy for me to say this right now, but the FIM message of #RidersAtHome is an important one to follow because this time will come to an end, and then once it’s over, we can ride again without any problems. It’s important that people stay safe and just reduce unnecessary risk and personally, it’ll make the return to racing even sweeter when we get to do it.”
Mitch Evans on the podium in Italy earlier this year
2020 Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and BSI Speedway have taken the decision to revise the schedule for the 2020 Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations series.
Under the revised schedule, both semi-finals – the 2020 Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations Semi-Final 1 and the 2020 Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations Semi-Final 2 – will now take place on consecutive days at Daugavpils, Latvia on September 25-26. The first semi-final moves from its original location of Landshut, Germany.
The 2020 Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations Final is now scheduled to take place at Belle Vue, Manchester on the new dates of October 24-25.
These decisions were made after careful consideration and consultation between the FIM, BSI Speedway and local organisers as the health and safety of everyone involved in the events remains our priority.
Speedway of Nations Semi-Final 1:
Friday, September 25, 18:00 CET start (19:00 local time)
Speedway of Nations Semi-Final 2:
Saturday September 26, 16:30 CET start (17:30 local time)
Speedway of Nations Final:
Saturday, October 24, 16:30 CET start (15:30 UK time)
Sunday October 25, 16:30 CET start (15:30 UK time)
Team Australia at the 2019 Speedway of Nations
Red Bull Erzbergrodeo cancelled due to COVID-19
Round three of the 2020 WESS Enduro World Championship, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria, is now cancelled due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
Following extensive discussions, WESS Promotion GmbH were informed by event organisers Erzbergrodeo GmbH that the 26th edition of Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, scheduled for June 11-14, will sadly not take place during 2020.
No Erzberg in 2020
Regarded as one of the world’s premier off-road motorcycle competitions, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo annually attracts 1,800 riders from 40 nations.
In total, up to 6,000 people including competitors and their families, staff and media populate the Iron Giant during the four days of racing.
Concluding with the iconic Red Bull Erzbergrodeo hard enduro, the event also hosts more than 35,000 spectators throughout the near-weeklong festival of Enduro in Eisenerz, Austria.
The cancellation follows a recent decision made by the Austrian government. While they intend to ease certain restrictions regarding their COVID-19 lockdown measures, no mass-gathering events will be permitted until July at the earliest.
Event organisers had hoped that Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, one of Austria’s most prestigious events, would run in 2020, but it is not possible to do so on a rescheduled date.
This information follows the postponement of Extreme XL Lagares to October 2-4 and the cancellation of Trefle Lozerien AMV on May 21-23 due to COVID-19.
Extreme XL Lagares has been postponed to October
WESS Promotion GmbH are in daily contact with all WESS Enduro World Championship event organisers and are monitoring the situation regards any further possible disruption to the current schedule.
Winfried Kerschhaggl – WESS Enduro World Championship Series Manager
“Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is a highlight of the WESS Enduro World Championship, so this news will come as a disappointment to many. An event known the world over, it built and defined many of world’s top Enduro riders, while also providing an incredible challenge for thousands of amateur competitors. But these are unprecedented times we are currently in. Maintaining the health and safety of not only all those planning to attend, but of those who live in Eisenerz and its surrounding area is paramount. We thank Erzbergrodeo GmbH for their tireless efforts in trying to make this year’s race happen and look forward with great anticipation to what Red Bull Erzbergrodeo will bring in 2021.”
Karl Katoch – Erzbergrodeo GmbH
“Sadly, not even the great Iron Giant herself could yield the coronavirus pandemic. Confirming the cancellation of this year’s Red Bull Erzbergrodeo has been an incredibly difficult and emotional decision to make, but also the right one to take at this time. We’re living through a global pandemic and it’s not only international Enduro racing that is affected. While the current restrictions to mass gathering events ultimately prevented us from running, the health and safety of everyone is the most important thing and so racing must take second place. Since 1995 we have witnessed incredible heroics from the best riders in the world to many, many hobby riders testing themselves on the world’s toughest Enduro. We are already motivated for the second half of this year that will allow us to plan for 2021 and will create something very special indeed and for sure more historic moments in Enduro. Until then stay safe.”
Moto News Weekly proudly brought to you by Dunlop Source: MCNews.com.au
Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
What happened this week
Eli Tomac wins 450SX from Ken Roczen in Texas
Chase Sexton claims 250SX triple-header win from McElrath
2020 AORC kicks off in Toowoomba with Rounds 1 & 2
GNCC season kicks off in South Carolina with Round 1
Gibbs closes in on New Zealand MX1 lead at Round 2
Charles Le Francois wins 2020 Pro 450 Arenacross Championship
Tim Gajser & Mitch Evans talk 2020 with HRC
KTM Ultimate Race 2020 entrants announced
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
2020 King of MX
2020 Australian Motocross National Championship
2020 Fox New Zealand Motocross Championship
Eli Tomac wins 450SX from Ken Roczen in Texas
Ken Roczen took first blood in the 450SX class at the Round 8 triple-header, with victory over Cooper Webb while Jason Anderson rounded out that first podium. Barcia was fourth, while the slow-starting Tomac had worked his way up to fifth place by the flag.
Ken Roczen – Image by Hoppenworld
In Moto2 Blake Baggett scored the hole-shot but this time Eli Tomac was quick out of the blocks and Tomac cruised to a clear victory, despite backing off in the latter half of the race, by more than three-seconds over Anderson, with Hill rounding out the podium ahead of Zach Osborne. Roczen was a disappointing seventh, behind Justin Barcia and Malcolm Stewart.
When the gates dropped for the final 450 Moto of the night it was Zach Osborne with the best clutch hand to get the jump ahead of Blake Baggett, Jason Anderson and Ken Roczen. Late race a beautiful move by Tomac saw him go past Anderson, the Husky rider came back at him but Tomac had more speed up his sleeve and just pulled away to take his best supercross victory for some time, and the overall round win.
Eli Tomac – Image by Hoppenworld
Roczen got Osborne, then made some attempts on Anderson before letting caution call the shots. The German was very careful in this moto with his eye more on the championship points standings and not really up for any hard on-track fights that could bring him undone.
Anderson succumbed to the pressure late in the moto and went down in the whoops, allowing Roczen through for second place. Jason Anderson rounded out the podium ahead of Barcia while Osborne salvaged fifth.
Eli Tomac – P1
“We showed that we could fight and overcome adversity tonight. To be completely honest, I just got a bad start and struggled to find any rhythm in the first main event. Once I got into fifth place I kind of just got tight and couldn’t go forward after that. But I was able to quickly regroup with the team, and in the next two main events, we had a much better gate pick each time and were able to control the races from there. I am just happy to be leaving here healthy. We raced something like 50 laps tonight and as you saw, the track took out a lot of key dudes. I am glad we’re through it and looking forward to Atlanta next weekend.”
Eli Tomac – Image by Hoppenworld
Ken Roczen – P2
“The first main was really good. I made some moves early and while I wouldn’t say I checked out, I rode up front the whole race. It was good to get that first win and start with a low number for the night’s overall points. I think the second race is the most important and we wanted to go out there and get a good finish, but it just wasn’t our race at all. I didn’t get the start I wanted and then couldn’t find the same momentum. I’m happy with how we executed the last race though. I battled hard and went back and forth with Eli [Tomac] a couple times and just rode much better in traffic, having people in front of me and making some passes. All in all, with how many crashes there were throughout the whole day and night, and how I struggled with the track overall, I’m really happy to come away healthy and with second overall.”
Ken Roczen & Cooper Webb – Image by Hoppenworld
Jason Anderson – P3
“My weekend went pretty good, it’s hectic out there with the Triple Crown format. My riding seemed to be pretty good all night but I think the most eventful part for me was the whoops. Other than that, I rode good, put myself in good positions and was able to come out with a podium. I’m having a good time and I’m excited to keep going!”
Jason Anderson – Image by Hoppenworld
Justin Barcia – P4
“It was strong racing tonight in Dallas. We got a little bit better on the starts, but still needed something there to get us on the podium. The track was not super technical, but took a few guys out of the race. All in all, my race was really good. I made charges and made passes. I felt really strong and stayed in the hunt. My starts are going to keep getting better, I just need to stay consistent and keep trying my hardest. I’m ready for next week for sure.”
Justin Barcia – Image by Hoppenworld
Zach Osborne – P5
“It’s nice to finally have a good result for the team and also for me, it just makes the workload a lot easier when you have a decent weekend. To lead some laps in the last Main and finish 7-4-3 with a consistent night, I feel pretty good about it, so we’ll just continue to work and keep this momentum rolling in the right direction for the rest of the season.”
Zach Osborne – Image by Hoppenworld
450SX Round Overall Results
Pos
Rider
M1
M2
M3
Total
1
Eli Tomac
5
1
1
26
2
Ken Roczen
1
7
2
23
3
Jason Anderson
3
2
5
21
4
Justin Barcia
4
5
4
19
5
Zach Osborne
7
4
3
18
6
Justin Hill
6
3
8
17
7
Malcolm Stewart
8
6
9
16
8
Aaron Plessinger
9
10
7
15
9
Dean Wilson
13
9
6
14
10
Blake Baggett
10
8
13
13
11
Vince Friese
12
11
10
12
12
Cooper Webb
2
17
20
11
13
Chad Reed
14
12
16
10
14
Ryan Breece
18
15
11
9
15
Kyle Chisholm
19
13
12
8
16
Tyler Bowers
16
14
14
7
17
Martin Davalos
11
20
19
6
18
Kyle Cunningham
17
19
15
5
19
James Weeks
20
16
17
4
20
Ronnie Stewart
21
18
18
3
21
Justin Brayton
15
21
21
2
22
Broc Tickle
22
22
22
1
450SX Standings
Pos
Rider
Total
1
Eli Tomac
181
2
Ken Roczen
174
3
Cooper Webb
155
4
Justin Barcia
154
5
Jason Anderson
139
6
Adam Cianciarulo
128
7
Malcolm Stewart
122
8
Justin Hill
110
9
Zach Osborne
105
10
Justin Brayton
105
11
Blake Baggett
104
12
Dean Wilson
100
13
Aaron Plessinger
92
14
Vince Friese
82
15
Martin Davalos
65
16
Tyler Bowers
49
17
Chad Reed
31
18
Kyle Chisholm
29
19
Ryan Breece
25
20
Justin Bogle
24
21
Kyle Cunningham
21
22
Alex Ray
19
23
Chris Blose
18
24
Benny Bloss
13
25
Broc Tickle
12
26
James Weeks
4
27
James Decotis
4
28
Jason Clermont
3
29
Cade Autenrieth
3
30
Ronnie Stewart
3
31
Adam Enticknap
2
32
Fredrik Noren
2
33
Jerry Robin
1
34
Joshua Cartwright
1
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Chase Sexton claims 250SX triple-header win from McElrath
In Moto 1 it took Sexton a few minutes to get the better of Smith but Hampshire had cleared off and he capitalised on that to take a clear victory over Sexton. Shane McElrath recovered from a poor start to work his way through the field and claim the final step on the rostrum.
Chase Sexton – Image by Hoppenworld
Josh Hill narrowly scored the hole-shot over Chase Sexton in Moto 2, and as the race passed the mid-way point McElrath and then Jeremy Martin moved past Crown while a couple of laps later Garrett Marchbanks pushed Crown further back to fifth place.
And that was the order the finished, Sexton getting the flag over nine-seconds ahead of McElrath while Martin rounded out the podium ahead of Marchbanks.
Josh Hill – Image by Hoppenworld
In Moto 3, Shane McElrath scored the hole-shot in the final 250 Main ahead of Chase Sexton, however McElrath proved to have the measure of Sexton as the #1 Honda never got close enough to the Yamaha to try and make a pass. McElrath was the clear victor over Sexton while the super aggressive Hampshire rounded out the podium.
Chase Sexton – P1
“What a night in Arlington. Happy with how everything went last night and how we bounced back after the chaos in the first main! I’m really just having fun out there racing with these guys and stoked to get a win for the team to reward all their hard work this off season. Thank you Texas!”
Chase Sexton – Image by Hoppenworld
Shane McElrath – P2
“I felt awesome all day. I didn’t put myself in a good position tonight with the first two starts. It really tough to catch the leaders, but I fought hard all night and at times maybe a little too hard. I’m happy with my last race and motivated to get behind the gate again next weekend!”
Shane McElrath – Image by Hoppenworld
RJ Hampshire – P3
“In the first race, I got up front and won my first Main Event and I was stoked on that, I fought hard for it,” Hampshire said. “I felt like we got a good start to the year now. Last weekend was a bit rough but I’m confident that we’re just going to keep getting better now.”
RJ Hampshire – Image by Hoppenworld
Garrett Marchbanks – P5
“I am happy with today’s result. I honestly didn’t feel like myself all day today and struggled in sections of the track. I had tweaked my ankle during practice which really bugged me all night long, so to finish with another top-5, I’ll take it. We will continue to work throughout the week to find an even more comfortable flow so that we are ready to go in Atlanta next weekend.”
Garrett Marchbanks – Image by Hoppenworld
250SX Round Overall Results
Pos
Rider
M1
M2
M3
Total
1
Chase Sexton
2
1
2
26
2
Shane Mcelrath
3
2
1
23
3
RJ Hampshire
1
6
3
21
4
Jeremy Martin
5
3
4
19
5
Garrett Marchbanks
6
4
5
18
6
Joshua Hill
9
7
6
17
7
Joey Crown
7
5
10
16
8
Enzo Lopes
8
8
7
15
9
Jalek Swoll
10
12
9
14
10
Jo Shimoda
14
10
8
13
11
Jordan Bailey
13
11
12
12
12
John Short
12
9
15
11
13
Jordon Smith
4
20
14
10
14
Lorenzo Locurcio
16
17
11
9
15
Curren Thurman
17
15
13
8
16
Dustin Winter
15
13
18
7
17
Richard Jackson
18
16
16
6
18
Jace Owen
11
21
21
5
19
Kevin Moranz
21
14
19
4
20
Isaac Teasdale
20
18
17
3
21
Wilson Fleming
19
19
20
2
22
Kyle Peters
22
22
22
1
250SX Standings
Pos
Rider
Total
1
Dylan Ferrandis
135
2
Justin Cooper
128
3
Austin Forkner
122
4
Brandon Hartranft
110
5
Alex Martin
98
6
Jacob Hayes
89
7
Luke Clout
83
8
Michael Mosiman
82
9
Derek Drake
78
10
Mitchell Oldenburg
72
11
Carson Brown
72
12
Martin Castelo
53
13
Killian Auberson
51
14
Aaron Tanti
50
15
Chase Sexton
49
16
Shane Mcelrath
49
17
Jett Lawrence
46
18
Jay Wilson
45
19
Robbie Wageman
43
20
Jeremy Martin
40
21
Rj Hampshire
38
22
Garrett Marchbanks
37
23
Michael Leib
32
24
Joey Crown
31
25
Christian Craig
29
26
Jordon Smith
28
27
Joshua Hill
28
28
Cameron Mcadoo
27
29
Logan Karnow
27
30
Jo Shimoda
26
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2020 AORC kicks off in Toowoomba with Rounds 1 & 2
KTM Enduro Racing Team duo Daniel Milner and Mason Semmens lead the E2 and E1 categories respectively after riding to victory in the opening rounds of the 2020 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) at Toowoomba over the weekend.
Daniel Milner
Defending E2 champion Milner reigned supreme aboard the KTM 450 EXC-F to dominate both days in Queensland, setting the benchmark outright throughout the weekend.
Daniel Milner
“To win the opening rounds of the year is always a good way to start a championship. I made sure I got through it all clean and had good runs over both days, because it was important to maintain consistency and carry the best pace that I could without making mistakes. I felt like I was well-prepared for the season, but you’re never 100 percent sure, so to have such a strong weekend shows that all the hard work has paid off. I’m really happy with the KTM Enduro Racing Team 450 EXC-F, it’s honestly been unbelievable – especially in the conditions that we had on the weekend. We’ve done a lot of work in the off-season and I’m really happy.”
Daniel Milner
It was a spectacular start to the season for Milner, who became a father for the first time during the off-season, and he began his campaign for the new year in remarkable form. He now has a six-point lead in the standings.
Josh Green led the charge for the Yamaha team and battled on determinedly all weekend despite coming into the season opener under-prepared due to a heavy fall just two weeks prior. But the veteran came out all guns blazing on Saturday and posted times near the top of the outright list and took it up to the major players in off road. He finished the day in third-place in the highly competitive E2 division and shadowed Milner and Australian MX Champ, Todd Waters all weekend.
Josh Green
“Two weeks ago it was doubtful I would even be racing, so to not only be competing but also very competitive is a real bonus and I’m satisfied with the result from the weekend. As each day went on, I could feel my strength draining but on Saturday night, I was able to freshen up and tackle Sunday feeling pretty good. The bike was good all weekend, the team worked hard behind the scenes to ensure I had everything I needed and the interest in off road was as good as I have seen it so it’s awesome to see the promotion and energy in racing at the moment. We have a month until rounds three and four so hopefully I can continue to recover and hit them at 100%. But, glad to get through the weekend unscathed, land on the podium both days and get off to a good start in the 2020 championship.”
Josh Green
The weekend also marked the debut of teenage signing Semmens in the KTM Enduro Racing Team and he didn’t disappoint on-board the KTM 250 SX-F, finishing second in E1 on day one and first on day two for the points-lead.
Semmens is the newest member of the factory KTM off-road program after transitioning from motocross full-time for this season. He’d previously won multiple junior national titles as part of the KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team during his career.
Mason Semmens
“To get 2-1 results and take the points-lead over the weekend in my first race with the KTM Enduro Racing Team is a really good feeling. I wasn’t sure where I was going to be at coming into the first round, but the hard work that we did in the off-season showed and I surprised myself a little bit. I’m learning every time I go out and really tried to minimise mistakes, so it was good and I’m really fortunate to be teammates with Milner. Everything has been awesome and I’m definitely feeling comfortable on the KTM 250 SX-F.”
Mason Semmens
Luke Styke took a convincing victory on Saturday, but the juggernaut was slowed on Sunday when he crashed heavily on the second sprint lap that left him sore, sorry and battered. Nursing a banged up elbow and reaggravating an ankle injury, Styke soldiered on for the remainder of the day. He clawed his way to third place in E1 on the day and his combined 1-3 results saw him sitting second after the opening two rounds.
Luke Styke
“Saturday was good and everything was on track but I got it all wrong in a rocky area of the course and fell onto my elbow and also got my ankle stuck under the bike. And I’m not sure what hurts most. I will have to get them both checked out as the pain in both is pretty high. I managed to finish and actually got better as the day went on, but I was no where near 100%. Thankfully the team had my back and encouraged me to keep plugging away and salvage what I could after the crash. My first priority will be to get both my elbow and ankle checked out and make a plan after that.”
Luke Styke
Daniel Sanders and the Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team meanwhile claimed assertive E3 class victories in Toowoomba, QLD. Sanders is not yet back at 100 percent following a wrist injury sustained in the pre-season, but put in a fine performance to open his campaign with commanding results aboard the Husqvarna FE 501.
Despite a difficult start on Saturday morning, the Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team rider rebounded to land the E3 overall. He continued that form on Sunday, recording the second-fastest times outright in both rounds of racing.
Daniel Sanders
“The results in class were good this weekend in Toowoomba. It’s definitely positive to start the season on top, especially after the way Saturday started and after spending minimal time on the bike in the lead-up. We have the base to build from now in terms of results and will keep working hard, so thanks to everyone at the Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team, the FE 501 was really solid as it always is. I’m excited to keep going and look forward to the Dungog rounds coming up.”
Daniel Sanders
Round One Results
Pos
Rider
Time
1
Daniel MILNER
54m39.5
2
Daniel SANDERS
55m21.3
3
Todd WATERS
55m27.3
4
Joshua GREEN
55m36.4
5
Luke STYKE
55m47.2
6
Mason SEMMENS
55m55.5
7
Michael DRISCOLL
56m19.5
8
Beau RALSTON
56m34.5
9
Jonte REYNDERS
56m59.3
10
Cooper SHEIDOW
57m01.6
11
Stefan GRANQUIST
57m05.3
12
Jeremy CARPENTIER
57m07.0
13
Callum NORTON
57m09.3
14
Kyron BACON
57m38.5
15
Korey MCMAHON
58m05.1
16
Fraser HIGLETT
58m14.9
17
Corey HAMMOND
58m27.0
18
Jesse LAWTON
58m38.4
19
Blake HOLLIS
58m44.1
20
William PRICE
58m54.1
21
Harrison TEED
59m10.4
22
Hayden KEELEY
59m22.9
23
Joshua KILVINGTON
59m26.9
24
Brad HARDAKER
59m34.0
25
Brent DEAN
59m40.3
Round Two Results – Top 25
Pos
Rider
Time
1
Daniel MILNER
59m40.0
2
Daniel SANDERS
00m34.4
3
Todd WATERS
01m23.8
4
Joshua GREEN
01m32.3
5
Michael DRISCOLL
1h02m07.2
6
Mason SEMMENS
1h02m17.8
7
Jonte REYNDERS
1h02m39.4
8
Stefan GRANQUIST
1h02m55.1
9
Callum NORTON
1h03m05.1
10
Jeremy CARPENTIER
1h03m44.2
11
Fraser HIGLETT
1h04m02.8
12
Kyron BACON
1h04m04.4
13
Beau RALSTON
1h04m06.3
14
Luke STYKE
1h04m31.4
15
Korey MCMAHON
1h04m44.6
16
Blake HOLLIS
1h04m50.7
17
Jesse LAWTON
1h04m56.7
18
Cooper SHEIDOW
1h05m01.1
19
Corey HAMMOND
1h05m24.6
20
William PRICE
1h06m00.8
21
Brock NICHOLS
1h06m06.9
22
Brad HARDAKER
1h06m11.9
23
Hayden KEELEY
1h06m28.2
24
Harrison TEED
1h06m42.3
25
Samuel PRETSCHERER
1h06m54.3
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GNCC season kicks off in South Carolina with Round 1
The first round of the 2020 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series concluded on Sunday in Union, South Carolina with the 23rd Annual Big Buck GNCC. Cool and partly sunny conditions greeted the final day of racing at Round 1, making for almost perfect racing conditions.
Kailub Russell – 2020 GNCC Round 1 – Image by Ken Hill
As racing got underway it was Kailub Russell jumping off the line first to grab the $250 All Balls Racing XC1 holeshot award. Russell would lead the race from start to finish, after gaining a lead of over one-and-a-half minutes by the time they completed lap four out of six. Russell would continue to turn the pace up, and by the time the checkered flag flew, Russell would hold a lead of one minute and 51 seconds. Russell earned his 61st career victory, and his last “first-race” win ever.
Coming through in the second place position was Coastal Bi-Con Racing’s Ricky Russell. After completing the first lap of racing Russell was just 1.9 seconds behind the leader, however as the race wore on Russell would fall back to over a minute-gap. Russell remained focused and pushed through the three-hours of racing to earn second overall and a podium finish to start off the season.
Ricky Russell – 2020 GNCC Round 1 – Image by Ken Hill
Josh Strang had a strong performance at round one of the 2020 GNCC season. Strang would come through sixth on the opening lap, but by the time the race reached the halfway point he had worked his way into the final podium position. Strang would continue to push, and hold off his fellow XC1 Open Pro competitors, taking home a third overall at the season opener.
Earning fourth overall aboard his new team, and in his home state was Steward Baylor Jr. Baylor, who would work his way through the pack after a seventh place start to the day. Baylor looked to be making a late race push, as he came through timing and scoring just five-seconds behind Strang at the completion of the three-hours.
Taking fifth in XC1 Open Pro and sixth overall was Jordan Ashburn. After starting the day up in third, Ashburn would battle with his fellow XC1 competitors throughout the entire three-hour race. Ultimately, Ashburn would cross the line three minutes behind fourth place to finish out round one of the 2020 season.
Mike Witkowski – 2020 GNCC Round 1 – Image by Ken Hill
Earning his first-ever XC2 250 Pro class win was Mike Witkowski. After starting the day off in third, Witkowski would put his head down and go to work on picking off the competition. Coming through timing and scoring on the fourth lap, Witkowski had gained the lead, and would not look back. Witkowski came through one minute and 23 seconds ahead of second, while also finishing fifth in the overall standings.
Making his comeback to GNCC Racing was Johnny Girroir. After missing all but three rounds of racing last year due to health concerns, Girroir proved that he has been hard at work to get back to where he was. Girroir held the lead for the first three laps of XC2 racing in South Carolina, and would then engage in a battle for the lead with Witkowski. Girroir would hold onto second all the way to the checkers.
After battling his way through the pack XC2 class it was Coastal Bi-Con Racing’s Craig DeLong coming through the finish line third in the class. DeLong was not satisfied with his third place finish, and expressed that in his podium interview. However, DeLong continued to close the gap throughout the entire race, crossing the finish line just five seconds behind second.
Zack Hayes – 2020 GNCC Round 1 – Image by Ken Hill
Taking the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class win was Zack Hayes. After making the decision to race the 125 class, Hayes would have his work cut out for him. After grabbing the holeshot Jason Raines made his way to the lead on the second lap. Raines would hold the lead, but when the white flag came out Hayes would make the pass for the lead and hold it until the checkered flag came out. Cole Mattison would come through in the third place position after a consistent day of racing in South Carolina.
Brody Johnson took home the Top Amateur honors at Big Buck on Sunday afternoon. Johnson finished 20th overall, and first in 250 A. Tristan Landrum came through second in 250 A and 25th overall earning second on the top amateur podium. Chase Hayes came through 31st overall, and first in the Open A class earning himself a spot on the top amateur podium.
As the 10 a.m. race started Tayla Jones got the jump off the line first and earning the Trail Jesters $100 WXC holeshot award. Jones would hold the lead on the opening lap, but as the WXC riders came through timing and scoring on lap two it was Becca Sheets with the lead.
Becca Sheets – 2020 GNCC Round 1 – Image by Ken Hill
Sheets would hold onto the lead for the remainder of the race, earning the first WXC and overall win of the season. Jones would cross the line second in South Carolina followed by Rachael Archer rounding out the WXC class and overall podium.
At the conclusion of the youth race it was Grant Davis taking the overall win and YXC1 Super Mini Sr. class win at Big Buck. Noah Cooper came through to take second in YXC1 and in the youth overall. Crossing the line third overall was YXC2 Super Mini Jr. rider, Nick Defeo. Jack Joy captured the final podium position in YXC1, while Cole Forbes and Matthew Hallenbeck rounded out the YXC2 class podium.
The first Moto Hero of 2020 was awarded to Travis Snelson. Snelson comes from Asheville, North Carolina and has been in the Army for 15 years, serving his country in Iraq in 2010 as an engineer.
The 2020 GNCC Season continues in two weeks with the Moose Racing Wild Boar GNCC in Palatka, Florida.
Overall National Championship Standings
Kailub Russell (30)
Ricky Russell (25)
Josh Strang (21)
Steward Baylor Jr. (18)
Michael Witkowski (16)
Jordan Ashburn (15)
Grant Baylor (14)
Layne Michael (13)
Jonathan Girroir (12)
Craig DeLong (11)
XC2 250 Pro Series Standings
Mike Witkowski (30)
Jonathan Girroir (25)
Craig DeLong (21)
Jonathan Johnson (18)
Lyndon Snodgrass (16)
Cody Barnes (15)
Liam Draper (14)
Ryder LeBlond (13)
Thorn Devlin (12)
Simon Johnson (11)
Gibbs closes in on New Zealand MX1 lead at Round 2
Kirk Gibbs topped the podium – Image by Clmintiepix
Cody Cooper took the win in the first MX1 Moto of the weekend at Round 2 of the Fox New Zealand Motocross Championship, with Kirk Gibbs having to settle for second, while Hamish Harwood completed the podium. Kayne Lamont was fourth and Brad Groombridge completed the top five.
The second MX1 Moto was an underdog story for Kirk Gibbs however, who had to recover from a crash and ending up down in 17th, all the way up to claiming the race win and 25-points, ensuring he hung onto his championship lead as they head towards Round 3.
Gibbs followed up in Moto 3 with a dominant win, almost 20-seconds ahead of second-placed Kayne Lamont, with Cody Cooper back in third a further 10-seconds behind. Hamish Hardwood and Hadleigh Knight completed the top five in the final race of the weekend.
Kirk Gibbs won the Round Overall in MX1 on 72-points, with Cody Cooper just five-points in arrears, while Hamish Hardwood is a further nine-points behind. Kayne Lamont was just two-points off Harwood on 56-points, while Brad Groombridge was fifth overall.
The result leaves Kirk Gibbs trailing MX1 leader Cody Cooper by just six-points heading into Round 3, with Hamish Harwood a further 16-points off second-place. Kayne Lamont if fourth in the overall standings, with Brad Groombridge fifth.
Kirk Gibbs
“I was frustrated with myself and just wanted to be in the fight, so I pushed really hard and caught all the way back up to Hamish [Harwood] and Coops [Cooper] and was able to pass both of them and get the win, so I was really happy with that one. I’m really happy with the Altherm JCR Yamaha team and my team at home [in the Sunshine Coast], who are working hard in between rounds. I’m stoked with how today ended up.”
MX1 Round Overall
Pos.
Rider
R1
R2
R3
Overall
1
Kirk Gibbs
22
25
25
72
2
Cody Cooper
25
22
20
67
3
Hamish Harwood
20
20
18
58
4
Kayne Lamont
18
16
22
56
5
Brad Groombridge
16
18
15
49
6
Ethan Martens
15
15
11
41
7
Tyler Steiner
14
14
13
41
8
Cody Murphy
13
13
14
40
9
Hadleigh Knight
12
11
16
39
10
Roydon White
11
12
12
35
MX1 Standings
Pos.
Rider
Points
1
Cody Cooper
142
2
Kirk Gibbs
136
3
Hamish Harwood
120
4
Kayne Lamont
95
5
Brad Groombridge
92
6
Ethan Martens
87
7
Tyler Steiner
82
8
Hadleigh Knight
81
9
Cody Murphy
73
10
Roydon White
70
Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
MX2
In MX2 Josia Natzke claimed the opening Moto win, ahead of James Scott and Maximus Purvis, with Caleb Ward and Dylan Walsh completing the top five.
Maximus Purvis – Image by Clmintiepix
Kyle Webster came with with a vengeance in the second Moto, after a DNS in Moto 1, claiming the win from Josia Natzke, while Maximus Purvis was once against third. Dylan Walsh and Morgan Fogarty completed the top five.
Kyle Webster again took the win in the third and final Moto of the weekend in the MX2 class, from Maximus Purvis and James Scott, while Dylan Walsh and Josia Natzke completed the top five.
Josia Natzke concluded the the weekend on 63-points for the round, one ahead of Maximus Purvis, while James Scott was third overall on 57-points. Dylan Walsh was fourth, while Kyle Webster was fifth on 50-points, with the DNS in Moto 1 the limiting factor after two Moto wins.
MX2 Round Overall
Pos
Rider
R1
R2
R3
Overall
1
Josiah Natzke
25
22
16
63
2
Maximus Purvis
20
20
22
62
3
James Scott
22
15
20
57
4
Dylan Walsh
16
18
18
52
5
Kyle Webster
0
25
25
50
6
Caleb Ward
18
14
15
47
7
Morgan Fogarty
15
16
14
45
8
Brad Groombridge
14
13
13
40
9
Cobie Bourke
13
12
8
33
10
Broc Martens
12
9
12
33
MX2 Standings
Pos
Rider
Points
1
Josiah Natzke
126
2
Maximus Purvis
118
3
James Scott
114
4
Dylan Walsh
96
5
Morgan Fogarty
92
6
Caleb Ward
90
7
Brad Groombridge
82
8
Riley Ward
70
9
Broc Martens
62
10
Cobie Bourke
58
Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Charles Le Francois wins 2020 Pro 450 Arenacross Championship
Suzuki’s RM-Z450 claimed a fifth Arenacross championship title in the hands of SR75 Suzuki’s Charles Le Francois, who won the 2020 Pro 450 Championship at the SSE Arena in London, UK over the weekend.
Charles Le Francois (SR75 Suzuki) – 2020 Pro 450 Arenacross Champion
Frenchman Le Francois sealed this year’s championship with five main event and super final wins, plus another seven podiums. Suzuki’s previous titles were in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Geoff Walker – SR75 Suzuki Team Owner
“This Arenacross tour and championship win is incredible and another big landmark for the team. Charles and everyone involved in what we do deserve this title as we have never stopped pushing. It is unreal to take Charles and give him the opportunity to capture his first pro championship and to do it with a dominant performance at the final round shows how far he has come and we are incredibly proud of him, and the strength of the RM-Z450 package. I would like to thank Ian and everyone at Suzuki GB, all our team partners, our amazing staff, and our incredible riders and supporters for making this all possible.”
Tim Gajser & Mitch Evans talk 2020 with HRC
Three-time world champion Tim Gajser of Team HRC took the MXGP crown by over 200 points in 2019, including a record-breaking seven overall GPs in a row, then rounding off the year with one-two moto results at the Motocross of Nations in Assen, making him the first Slovenian to win his class at the historic event.
Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans – Image by Bavo
In the meantime, Australian Mitch Evans was competing in his first season in the FIM world motocross championship in the MX2 class, getting off to a good start at the MXGP of Patagonia, before settling into a year that was filled with some ups and downs, as he got used to life in the series.
Now with just a few weeks to go until the start of the 2020 FIM World Motocross Championship, Gajser’s focus is fully on defending that title, while Evans hopes to continue his excellent Internazionali d’Italia form into the MXGP championship and prove to everyone he has what it takes to run up front in the toughest motocross series in the world. We caught up with the duo to find out their thoughts heading into this new season…
Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans – Image by Bavo
Question: Just talk briefly about what that 2019 season was like for you.
Tim Gajser: “2019 was an amazing season. Already coming into the season, I was already feeling good, the bike was really great. I was hoping for a great season, and I was struggling a bit early in the season, making too many mistakes in the first races, but then after Valkenswaard we went to Arco and then everything started going in the right direction and I started winning races, Grand Prix’s and eventually the title.”
Mitch Evans: “I got off to a great start by getting on the podium in Argentina, but things didn’t quite go to plan from then on. I struggled a little bit just with everything being new and perhaps trying to push myself too much in order to over-compensate for the results. It was a learning curve though and I’m glad I was able to come over here and do it. Obviously after that I got the call to join Team HRC, it was a dream come true for me, I’ve always grown up looking at the scene over here and HRC is one of the best rides you can have. I was a little bit speechless when it happened but I knew it was going to be a big challenge and I couldn’t wait to get started.”
Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans – Image by Bavo
Q: What has this off-season been like and what can you tell us about the new bike?
Gajser: “It was very busy, I didn’t have a lot of time off, and had a lot to do. I am thankful I could spend a couple of days at home in my own bed, and then beginning of December I started preparation for 2020. Obviously I had Monster Cup right after Assen and then we had a few days with the new bike. I’ve ridden it a lot more this year of course but as soon as I sat on the bike, I felt really good and comfortable. Everything goes in a good way and we can have great races with that bike and a great season. I never try to stop progressing and Honda are the same, they always come with new things and together we can do big things.”
Evans: “I went over to Japan just for one race at the end of last year and that was a really cool experience. It was great to see what HRC is all about and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience there. Then I went back to Australia for a little bit over the holidays before coming back to Europe this year to ride the new bike and to just work with the team in preparation for the MXGPs. The first time I rode it was in Sardinia and right away I was impressed with what they had done. I was coming from a different place than Tim but I knew that it was a machine capable of winning races and that they’d put in a lot of time and effort to getting it ready for this year.”
Mitch Evans – Image by Bavo
Q: What about your preparations for this coming season and how you plan to approach it?
Gajser: “Last year I changed many things and I was super happy with that, so basically we try and stay with the same program, but you can always improve and I tried to improve some things and we try and do that every year, that is the goal. Every year, some riders from MX2 come to MXGP and it makes it bigger and there are more good riders. Already we have the great names, but this year even more good guys and the motivation is that you need to improve, and I always say it could be better. Even winning the races and the titles, I always feel I can do better.”
Evans: “I’ve done a lot of gym work to make sure I’m ready for the extra size and power of the 450 machine. I started a little bit earlier, which meant that I could go to Australia and I think that was important as it refreshed me a bit. Last year I wasn’t able to go home and I felt a bit homesick so just those couple of weeks I think have made a big difference mentally and physically. I’ve tried to work smarter and not just harder, but now I’m back working with the team to get everything ready for this season and it’s all going well.”
Q: Things went very well in Italy, with the pair of you going one-two in the Internazionali d’Italia and winning all the races. Talk about that championship.
Gajser: “It was a great way to start off the season. Of course it isn’t the MXGPs but it was important to see where the new bike was and straight away we can tell it doing very well. We got almost all the holeshots and led all the laps and I felt comfortable right from the beginning. I am very happy with how those three races went and it sets us up nicely for Matterley Basin.”
Tim Gajser – Image by Bavo
Evans: “Like Tim said, those three races went very well. I was very happy with my results and my racing, and my fitness was good too. Winning the last race was also a great feeling for me as it had been a little while since my last victory and it was just a great way to head into the world championships. Things will definitely be tougher there but I’m feeling strong and the Honda CRF450RW is riding well and is fast out of the gate and that is going to be very important when the season begins.”
Q: What are you hoping to achieve in the MXGP class this year?
Gajser: “Defending my title is definitely the goal, but of course, I want to have fun, enjoy the races and stay healthy. I just want to enjoy and if I am having fun riding my dirt bike, I can go really fast. A happy Tim is a fast Tim, so I hope we have good races this year.”
Evans: “I would like to be one of the three or four guys at the front of the field by the end of the season. I know it will be a massive challenge, and I know that the class is extremely competitive with a lot of fast guys in it but I believe that is what I am capable of eventually. To start with, I just want to be consistent and make sure I am in the top 10 each weekend. I want to build my fitness and just work from there towards the front of the field. I’d love to get a couple of podiums and perhaps even a win before the year is out but I’d be happy with a couple of podiums.”
Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans – Image by Bavo
Q: What’s it like having Tim / Mitch as your team-mate?
Gajser: “Mitch is a funny guy and he is a good team-mate. We spent a couple of days in November together and we stayed a couple of weeks in Sardinia and riding and having some meals together. He is a good guy, fast, young. I am getting older, but it is nice having Mitch beside me and he is younger and hungry, and he wants to show he is fast. He already proved in Mantova that he can win races so I think he has a chance to have a very good season this year.”
Evans: “Having Tim as three-time world champion as my team-mate is pretty cool. To be on the same team that he did it on is awesome because they know how to win as well. I couldn’t have anyone better to learn from, so I’m looking forward to improving from him and he’s a great guy, we get along really well so I’ve really enjoyed my time riding with him. We have a bit of banter when we can but when we need to be serious, we are, and its just a good dynamic between us both.”
Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans – Image by Bavo
So with three highly successful Italian races under their belts, the Team HRC duo of Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans will head to Matterley Basin, Great Britain for the opening round of the 2020 MXGP series full of confidence and ready to show that both the brand new Honda CRF450RW and themselves are ready to take on world motocross championship.
See below for the 2020 MXGP calendar.
Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
KTM Ultimate Race 2020 entrants announced
Following special qualifying events held within each of the six KTM Adventure Rallies across the world in 2019, KTM has announced the names of those 12 finalists who will be given the once in a lifetime opportunity to race a rally-prepared KTM 790 Adventure R Rally machine at the KTM Ultimate Race 2020.
KTM Ultimate Race
Held within the upcoming Merzouga Rally on May 24 to 29, the second edition of the KTM Ultimate Race will see 12 KTM Adventure riders from Europe, South Africa, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand race aboard equally prepared KTM 790 Adventure R Rally machines. A six-day-long challenge of more than 1,000km, the KTM Ultimate Race 2020 will be a true test for each participant’s riding skills as well as their ability to navigate their way across the Moroccan dunes.
The members of the global KTM Adventure community who have topped their respective KTM Adventure Rally qualifiers to secure their spot at the KTM ULTIMATE RACE 2020 are:
KTM Australia Adventure Rally
Simon Arthur
Graham Cheney
European KTM Adventure Rally
Iker Iturregi
Andrej Crnkovic
KTM South Africa Adventure Rally
Cayle Dormehl
Keegan Eich
KTM North America Adventure Rally
Wes Van Nieuwenhuise
Brendan Crow
KTM Canada Adventure Rally
Wayne Hodder
Wendell Maki
KTM New Zealand Adventure Rally
Mark Dando
Matthew Kneesch
The KTM Ultimate Race is a special category at the Merzouga Rally, very similar to the main event and ridden mostly on the same routes. All participants will face a grueling six-day-long race from the dusty trails to the dunes of Morocco.
KTM Ultimate Race
Each competitor will have access to a specially prepared KTM 790 Adventure R Rally machine, which will be equipped with a host of KTM PowerParts along with a roadbook to help them navigate through the desert. All KTM Ultimate Race participants will be treated like KTM Factory riders, supported on site with a truck and a team of mechanics to help out with parts and tools or with maintaining the bike after a tough race day.
Along with this unique and exclusive prize, competitors will be given a fantastic opportunity to be coached by some of the world’s finest offroad riders. Chris Birch and Quinn Cody will be present to provide their close guidance and tutelage, while actively supporting these riders in every aspect of how to manage this challenge.
KTM Ultimate Race
Featuring more than 1,000km of offroad riding and navigating in the heart of Morocco, the upcoming Merzouga Rally will take place on May 24/29, 2020.
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)
Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
What happened this week
Jett Lawrence set for his professional SX debut
Toni Bou claims French X-Trial Round 2 victory
Jack Holder crowned 2019 Oceania Speedway Champion at Gillman
Wade Young wins 2019 Uncle Hard Enduro in South Borneo
Harley announce massive 2020 AFT contingency program
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
2020 Australian Dirt Track
2020 Australian Track
Jett Lawrence set for his professional SX debut
Australian sensation Jett Lawrence will make his professional supercross debut with Honda Racing Australia at the Monster Energy AUS-X Open event this coming weekend at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Jett Lawrence – Monster Energy Cup 2019 – Image by Hoppenworld
The Queensland native currently lives in the USA, but is heading back to Melbourne to race his first-ever professional career and international Supercross race onboard a Honda CRF250R.
Since landing in the United States in early 2018, Lawrence has been unstoppable, racking up a multitude of prestigious amateur championships, which have subsequently made him the hottest property on the market. The 16-year-old recently signed a long-term contract to ride under the powerhouse Geico Honda squad in the 2020 World 250cc SX2 Supercross (West Coast AMA) Championship.
Jett Lawrence
“I’m really excited to be making my pro debut in Melbourne. I’ve had my eye on these events for a while now and they’ve progressively grown into something that’s world-class. Being a proud Australian makes it pretty cool that I’ll debut there, in front of friends, family and a lot of riders I grew up with too. Winning Monster Cup was a real confidence booster for me, especially on a Supercross track. I definitely think more gate drops and just being in that race environment will help me heaps as I get ready for 2020.”
Jett Lawrence – Image by Hoppenworld
Lawrence will ride under the awning of the ‘Ride Red’ Honda Racing program, backed by Honda Genuine. General Manager of Honda Motorcycles, Tony Hinton is looking forward to seeing Lawrence in action sharing, “We are really pleased to have Jett under our wing for this final round. He has certainly made a name for himself overseas, so it will be fantastic for local fans to see him race on home soil. We hope for strong results and know he will do the CRF250R proud!”
The addition of Lawrence will add to an already stacked international SX2 division, with existing riders involved in a ferocious title fight that’ll come down to the wire at the Australian Supercross Championship finale.
Jett Lawerence – Image by Hoppenworld
During New Zealand’s press conference, two-time World Champion Chad Reed indicated that this could very likely be his final race as a professional athlete in Australia, which makes Melbourne a landmark event for Australian Supercross fans, with one legend potentially retiring and a future star being born.
Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium will also feature the Monster Energy Best-Trick Freestyle Motocross contest set to feature some of the world’s most insane stunts, with the legendary Josh Sheehan as the headliner. Best Whip will be back again, along with the Yamaha Celebrity challenge as some of Australia’s highest profiled stars do battle on track, including Jack Riewoldt, Jordan De Goey, Scott McLaughlin and many more celebrities.
Aus-X Open
Tickets can be secured from www.ticketmaster.com.au (link) with new tickets released from just $39.95! The Monster Energy AUS-X Open doubles as the fifth and final round of the Australian Supercross Championship, and Grand Final of the FIM Oceania Supercross Championship.
SX1 Standings
Pos
Name
R1
R3
R3
R4
PTS
1
Luke CLOUT
20
22
25
22
89
2
Justin BRAYTON
25
25
20
18
88
3
Daniel REARDON
22
20
22
16
80
4
Brett METCALFE
18
18
16
20
72
5
Dylan LONG
16
11
15
13
55
6
Richie EVANS
13
16
10
8
47
7
Todd WATERS
15
13
12
7
47
8
Joel WIGHTMAN
10
15
9
9
43
9
Lawson BOPPING
14
13
11
38
10
Jayden RYKERS
12
10
8
5
35
11
Josh HILL
18
15
33
12
Cody DYCE
5
5
14
4
28
13
Jesse DOBSON
7
14
7
28
14
Jackson RICHARDSON
12
1
14
27
15
Jason ANDERSON
25
25
16
Henry MILLER
11
12
23
17
Dylan WOOD
8
6
6
3
23
18
Gradie FEATHERSTONE
11
7
2
20
19
Caleb WARD
9
8
17
20
Justin CARAFA
9
4
13
21
Joey SAVATGY
10
10
22
Lochie LATIMER
6
4
10
23
Cody COOPER
6
6
24
Jesse MADDEN
5
5
25
Blake COBBIN
4
4
26
Jamie HARVEY
3
3
27
Joel CIGLIANO
3
3
28
Chad REED
2
2
SX2 Standings
Pos
Name
R1
R2
R3
R4
PTS
1
Joshua OSBY
18
22
22
25
87
2
Chris BLOSE
20
16
25
22
83
3
Aaron TANTI
22
20
18
20
80
4
Mitchell OLDENBURG
13
25
20
16
74
5
Jay WILSON
16
18
15
18
67
6
Dylan WILLS
12
10
16
12
50
7
Bradley TAFT
15
12
13
5
45
8
Connor TIERNEY
14
14
15
43
9
Regan DUFFY
15
12
14
41
10
Ricky LATIMER
8
8
9
10
35
11
Geran STAPLETON
9
7
11
27
12
Rhys BUDD
11
8
8
27
13
Jayce COSFORD
10
6
4
6
26
14
Kyle WEBSTER
11
11
3
25
15
Jacob HAYES
25
25
16
Tomas RAVENHORST
13
10
23
17
Morgan FOGARTY
9
3
9
21
18
Kaleb BARHAM
7
7
5
19
19
Wilson TODD
14
14
20
Darian SANAYEI
13
13
21
Hugh McKAY
6
7
13
22
Jack KUKAS
5
4
9
23
Jaxson HADLOW
6
6
24
Chandler BURNS
5
5
25
Madison LATTA
4
4
26
McKenzie O’BREE
2
2
27
Caleb GOULLET
1
1
Toni Bou claims French X-Trial Round 2 victory
The second round of the X-Trial World Championship got underway at the brand new Glaz Arena in Rennes, France, with Repsol Honda Team ace Toni Bou dominating throughout to claim a second 2020 indoor season victory.
Toni Bou – 2020 X-Trial, Round 2, France
Toni Bou did not disappoint the French crowd, turning out a fine display of riding prowess in front of the Rennes spectators in Brittany. The Repsol Honda Team rider made it through the first five sections of the heats as the superior rider, picking up just four marks.
In the second round, with the top rider from each group qualifying directly for the final, Bou has once again gave a masterful showing, collecting 7 marks in the process.
Toni Bou – 2020 X-Trial, Round 2, France
The grand finale saw Toni Bou overcome the six sections with a total of 15 points ahead of the 27 accrued by arch-rival Adam Raga, to seal a second season victory.
Toni Bou – 2020 X-Trial, Round 2, France
Repsol Honda Team will now enjoy a almost two-month break ahead of the third X-Trial World Championship season date which will not be held until January 19, 2020 in Budapest. Bou will arrive as clear leader in the contest on 40 points, 10 more than the nearest second-place rival.
Toni Bou – 2020 X-Trial, Round 2, France
Toni Bou
“Today I did not start the first round very well; the points were fine, but I didn’t feel right with the riding sensations. I didn’t feel comfortable and it took me a while to get into the sections. We will have to work so that in the coming trials we won’t experience these feelings, since it is very easy to get knocked out in the eliminations. In the end, I was able to enjoy myself more in the second round and the final to take the victory. I want to congratulate the organizer of the event, who set up a very tough trial, where I think the spectators really enjoyed it. Now there will be a break before the third trial in Budapest so it is very important to take the leadership here.”
Toni Bou – 2020 X-Trial, Round 2, France
X-Trial Rennes Round 2 Results
Pos.
Rider
Nat.
Team
Con.
P.
1
BOU Toni
SPA
Repsol Honda Team
Montesa
20
2
RAGA Adam
SPA
TRRS Factory Team
TRRS
15
3
FAJARDO Jeroni
SPA
Sherco Factory Team
Sherco
12
4
GELABERT Miquel
SPA
Vertigo Factory Team
Vertigo
9
5
BUSTO Jaime
SPA
Vertigo Factory Team
Vertigo
6
6
BINCAZ Benoit
FRA
Beta Factory Racing
Beta
4
7
MARCELLI Gabriel
SPA
RG Team
Montesa
2
8
MARTIN Toby
GBR
Beta Factory Racing
Beta
1
2020 X-Trial Rider Standings
Pos.
Rider
Nat.
Points
1
BOU Toni
SPA
40
2
RAGA Adam
SPA
30
3
GELABERT Miquel
SPA
18
4
BUSTO Jaime
SPA
18
5
FAJARDO Jeroni
SPA
12
6
CASALES Jorge
SPA
6
7
BINCAZ Benoit
FRA
6
8
MARCELLI Gabriel
SPA
6
9
MARTIN Toby
GBR
1
10
TOULY Kieran
FRA
1
Holder crowned 2019 Oceania Speedway Champion at Gillman
New South Welshman Jack Holder has taken out the inaugural FIM Oceania Speedway Championship at Gillman in South Australia, dominating the seven-race event, only dropping one point finishing ahead of under-21 champion Jaimon Lidsey, British rider Dan Bewley and Australian junior international Jordan Stewart.
Holder scored 14 points, and recorded the fastest time of the night, in the heats, passed his biggest challenger, Jaimon Lidsey, to win his semi-final, and then won the final relatively comfortably in a dominating performance.
Holder’s only loss on the night was to Lidsey in their fourth heat, but by that time Holder had already qualified for the semi-finals, and therefore did not need to take any risks to try to pass Lidsey, highlighting one of the obvious flaws with the FIM format used for the meeting, where there is no reward, apart from choice of gate positions, for finishing on, or near, the top of the scorecard.
Second and third, in both the heat points and the final were Lidsey and English rider Dan Bewley, with the other finalist, Jordan Stewart, a non-finisher after he fell on the first lap.
Holder was ecstatic finishing on the top step and believes the new event formula has the support of riders. Holder said he believed European riders currently going through their winter break could see the FIM Oceania Speedway Championship as an opportunity to race.
Jack Holder
“The format and event was great, and similar to events in Europe. Hopefully it (FIM Oceania Speedway Championship) will help us push to gain GP qualifiers. It’s cold over there at the moment with no racing so they may want to come and enjoy the Australian summer and sunshine but to also remain competitive before returning to the European season.”
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FIM Oceania Vice President, Peter Doyle, said the FIM Oceania Speedway Championship showcased the international talent that Australia produces each year.
Peter Doyle – FIM Oceania Vice President
“We have a wealth of speedway talent and this inaugural FIM Oceania Speedway Championship will hopefully open up other avenues for upcoming Australian speedway stars to make their mark on the international stage. With the establishment of this championship we are continuing to support the growth of speedway here in Australia and promoting our international riders.”
Final – Holder (R), Lidsey (W), Bewley (B), Stewart (Y-fell), 56.254 (1st and 2nd from the two semi-finals)
Wade Young wins 2019 Uncle Hard Enduro in South Borneo
The 2019 Uncle Hard Enduro held in South Borneo, Indonesia has presented an incredibly tough challenge that ultimately saw just two riders complete the race over the weekend, with Sherco’s Wade Young on blistering form to take the win in front of Graham Jarvis.
Wade Young
“It was a tough day out at the Uncle Hard Enduro. There was only two finishers as there was a big downpour of rain just before the start which made things interesting.”
Wade Young – 2019 Uncle Hard Enduro
Young’s victory at the Uncle Hard Enduro follows his dominant performance at Wildwood Rock Extreme in Australia just a few weeks ago. Young will now head home to South Africa where he will finalise his preparations for the 2019 Roof of Africa.
Young is the defending Roof of Africa champion and is gunning for his fifth Roof of Africa win. Held in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Roof as it is commonly called, is an event steeped in history dating back to 1967 with legendary winners such as Graham Jarvis, Alfie Cox, Chris Birch and of, course, Wade Young. Labelled, the Mother of Hard Enduro, the 2019 Motul Roof of Africa begins on December 4, 2019.
2019 Uncle Hard Enduro results
Wade Young – ZAF – 1:58.04
Graham Jarvis – GBR – 2:13:25
Harley announce massive 2020 AFT contingency program
Harley-Davidson have announced a major increase in their support of American Flat Track’s AFT Production Twins class. For the first time ever, authorised Harley-Davidson dealerships will now have the race-proven XG750R available for purchase, ensuring that more competitors will field these race-winning machines during the 2020 American Flat Track season.
Dalton Gauthier – 2019 AFT Twins, Springfield Mile – Image by Scott Hunter
To support the racing efforts of Harley-Davidson-mounted riders in the class, the Milwaukee-based marque has also posted a $250,000 contingency package.
Jon Bekefy – GM of Brand Marketing for Harley-Davidson
“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Harley-Davidson XR750 next season, this expanded pledge of support shows our lasting commitment to the sport of flat track. Harley-Davidson dealerships fielding the XG750R will provide an opportunity for our community to rally behind this great American sport.”
Harley-Davidson has been synonymous with flat track racing since the inception of the sport. Throughout the golden era of pro flat track, powerhouse Harley-Davidson dealerships from around the country scored hundreds of wins aboard the legendary XR750.
James Rispoli – Lima Half Mile 2019 – Image by Scott Hunter
Moments of brilliance during the 2019 AFT Production Twins season hearkened back to that golden era, as Dalton Gauthier and James Rispoli made consistent podium appearances and scored two wins aboard a privateer XG750R backed by Black Hills Harley-Davidson.
With $7,500 awarded to XG750R riders for each AFT Production Twins race win plus a $25,000 championship bonus on the line, the contingency package offered by Harley-Davidson is sure to heat up the on-track action next season.
A total of $15,000 will be up for grabs to XG750R riders at each AFT Production Twins round in 2020, broken down as follows, by place:
James Rispoli & Ryan Varnes – 2019 AFT – Meadowlands Mile – Image by Scott Hunter
The XG750R is available for purchase for $35,999 and deliveries will begin immediately. Supply is limited and priority will be given to dealerships, with the availability of the XG750R and Harley-Davidson’s contingency setting the stage for a renaissance movement of dealer-backed privateers contesting for AFT championships in 2020.
American Flat Track will kick off its highly-anticipated 2020 season with the first-ever Saturday of Speed featuring the DAYTONA 200 and DAYTONA TT Doubleheader at Daytona International Speedway. It all kicks off at the peak of Daytona Bike Week on Saturday, March 14, 2020. You can check out the full calendar below:
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)
The RecoveR8 Australian Junior Trophy Team were crowned ISDE World Champions at the 94th running of the FIM International Six Day Enduro.
Daniel Sanders – Image Dario Agrati
Lyndon Snodgrass enjoyed a standout week with fourth in E1 for the 2019 ISDE and seventh outright for the event across all categories.
Lyndon Snodgrass
“We are Junior World Trophy Champions this year! I’m already loosing my voice as we have been celebrating after a massive week. Thanks to my team mates Fraser Higlett and Machael Driscoll and to everyone involved in getting us here and making this win happen. It feels great!”
Australian won the Junior category – Image Dario Agrati
Fraser Higlett put himself on the international map with fourth in E2 for the ISDE, and tenth outright overall across all categories.
Michael Driscoll further underlined the strength of the Aussie Junior squad by finishing ISDE 2019 as the 16th fastest rider of the event across all categories, ahead of plenty of well-known regulars on the senior stage of World Enduro.
Michael Driscoll
“We had an awesome week in Portugal and to be a part of the win with the Junior Team is amazing. “It still seems unreal to think myself, Fraser Higlett and Lyndon Snodgrass are world champions,” said an excited Driscoll. To win something like this, everything and everyone plays a part and the WR450F was just perfect for the conditions. In fact, the more I rode it the more comfortable I felt, and I got faster as the week went on. Apart from replacing a couple of levers from my crashes, we just poured fuel in it every day and kept on riding. Thanks to Yamaha and my Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Team for building me a bullet proof bike and to everyone at MA for their assistance and guidance throughout the event.”
Michael Driscoll – Image by Dario Agrati
The Australian Senior World Trophy Team ultimately finished second to the USA in the ISDE World Trophy standings.
Daniel Sanders was the fastest overall rider outright of ISDE 2019 – Image by Dario Agrati
Daniel Sanders was the stand-out rider across the entirety of ISDE 2019 winning the majority of the special tests and days out-right to end the event as the fastest individual overall on his Husqvarna FE 501.
Daniel Sanders – Image by Dario Agrati
Daniel Sanders
” It has been a hectic week here at the ISDE and we gave it our all as a team. Although we didn’t reclaim the World Trophy, we can be proud of second place and there’s always next year to come out swinging! I am so happy to claim the individual outright ISDE Championship, it’s been a big year for me and I’m now looking forward to some off season down time before a big 2020″.
Daniel Sanders – Image by Dario Agrati
Both Josh Green and Luke Styke put in some great performances with Styke finishing fourth in E1, and ninth outright for the event as a whole while Josh Green was 12th outright.
Luke Styke
“This is my first ISDE and I have to say it was one of the most challenging things I have done. The course was first class with a huge variety of terrain and conditions as we went from mud to dust and back again and from roads to sand, this ISDE had everything. Fortunately, one thing I didn’t have to worry about was the durability of my bike. I might have crashed and bent a radiator or two during the week and its probably not in show room condition and ready for sale but mechanically it was rock solid and performance wise, we led the way for Yamaha so it’s a real credit to the team and the production bike to last through such tough conditions. As a team, we busted our butts all week and in the end we just weren’t good enough. But we gave it our all and we all leave Portugal with our heads held high,” Styke ends.
Luke Styke – Image by Dario Agrati
In the Women’s Trophy, Jessica Gardiner was the sole team member remaining on day six. With the teams unbeaten run of six straight ISDE Championships coming to an end with the retirement of Makenzie Tricker and Tayla Jones earlier in the event, Gardiner soldiered on for individual results, finishing fourth outright in the Womens World Trophy.
Jessica Gardiner
“I think this my ninth ISDE now and this years event in Portugal has been a tough week for the team, but I was happy with my individual performance. I felt the best I have all year spending a month training in France in the lead up to this event. I’m stoked to finish fourth overall individually in the womens category, it’s been fun and it’s a shame the Aussie girls couldn’t finish on the podium this year. I’m proud of all the girls for their efforts and we will be back next year fighting!”
Jessica Gardiner – Image Dario Agrati
2019 ISDE Top 10 Overall
Daniel Sanders Husqvarna Australia
Josep Garcia KTM Spain +53.23s
Taylor Robert KTM USA +4min22.34s
Kailub Russell KTM USA +6min02.99s
Daniel McCanney TM GBR +7min30.46s
Ryan Sipes KTM USA +7min31.50s
Lyndon Snodgrass KTM Australia +8min10.41s
Davide Guarneri Honda Italy +8min11.69s
Luke Styke Yamaha Australia +8min35.26s
Fraser Higlett Husqvarna Australia +10min03.39s
Steward Baylor KTM USA +10min25.82s
Joshua Green Yamaha Australia +10min39.46s
Rudy Moroni KTM Italy +10min44.00s
Grant Baylor KTM USA +10min53.91s
Eero Remes Yamaha Finland +10min58.24s
Michael Driscoll Yamaha Australia +12min00.91s
Antoine Magain KTM Belgium +12min03.82s
Thomas Oldrati Honda Italy +12min13.94s
Ben Kelley KTM USA +12min20.34s
Roni Kytonen Husqvarna Finland +13min29.92s
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Toni Bou has continued his cracking form in Réunion, where the crowd at the curtain-raising event of the new season witnessed a dazzling performance in the Stade Jean Ivoula, in Saint Denis, capital of Réunion.
Toni Bou
Bou becomes the provisional leader in the 2020 championship standings, after he made his maiden outing count in the venue in spectacular style.
In the first qualifying phase, with competitors facing five sections, Bou was already looking leagues ahead of his adversaries with just six marks on the scorecard.
Toni Bou
In the second, with only the winner of each group making the cut for the final, the champion again lapped with a mere six penalty marks.
In the final, up against one of his toughest rivals Adam Raga, Bou scored 10 marks compared to the 16 collected by Raga.
Toni Bou
Repsol Honda Team and Toni Bou will get little rest as the second season event is scheduled to be held in French city of Rennes this coming weekend.
Results: X-Trial Reunion Island 2020 Toni Bou, Montesa/Spain, (10 – Final) Adam Raga, TRS/Spain, (17 – Final) Jaime Busto, Vertigo/Spain, (2 – Runners-up Final)
Toni Bou
“I am very happy to start off winning. For us it was really important. Today I felt at ease with my riding, and I had a very good first round. I am also very happy too, as this is the first time that I have participated here, with some very technical areas. I want to congratulate the organizer for the marked sections. Now it’s time to think about next week, as in this championship it is very easy to not get through to the semi-finals or the other round for that matter, as everything is really tight. It is very important to come away from this first trial with these twenty points.”
Championship Standings: X-Trial World Championship 2020
Toni Bou, Montesa/Spain, 20 points
Adam Raga, TRS/Spain, 15
Jaime Busto, Vertigo/Spain, 12
Miquel Gelabery, Vertigo/Spain 9
Jorge Casales, GasGas/Spain, 6
Marcelli Gabriel, Montesa/Spain, 4
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Aussie Supercross hits NZ
2019 Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland Video Highlights
Fans were treated to an action-packed show that saw the event reach it’s climax when 2018 World Supercross Champion Jason Anderson took the top honours in the premier SX1 Class, and subsequently assumes the points lead in the S-X Open FIM Oceania Supercross Championship.
Jason Anderson – Image by AM
Jason Anderson didn’t have it easy however, with a stiff challenge from new Australian Championship points leader Luke Clout, who stood on the podium in P2 with a victory in race two of the Triple Crown format, along with South Australian legend Brett Metcalfe, who took third overall.
Jason Anderson – Image by AM
“I’m stoked to grab the win here in Auckland, the racing was super intense tonight. It’s always a blast to come over here and race in front of these fans – I’ll look to keep the ball rolling come Melbourne,” commented Anderson.
Jason Anderson – Image by AM
For Clout, a second place to the 2018 World Champion was as good as a win, as he states that he’s ‘back’ after a few turbulent years of supercross and motocross competition.
“I said to my brother this week; I’m back. There’s a lot of stuff behind the scenes that people haven’t seen, and for a while there I didn’t really even want to ride a dirt bike. I’ve got that passion back, and my eyes are back on the United States,” commented Clout.
Luke Clout – Image by AM
The racing in the quarter-litre SX2 category was electrifying, with Australian SX2 Supercross point’s leader Josh Osby taking the top spot, posting the most consistent result through the Triple Crown format. Penrite Honda’s Chris Blose claimed second, with Australian Aaron Tanti rounding out the podium.
“It feels so good to extend my points lead. The crowd here was insane tonight; every time they went nuts, I wanted to know what was happening! I’m keen to get back to work and look to wrap up the Australian Championship in Melbourne,” commented Osby.
Josh Osby – Image by AM
In his last FMX competition ever, New Zealand native Levi Sherwood catapulted himself into the Auckland night sky with a double backflip, and subsequently edged Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams for the gold medal, in a fitting end to his Freestyle Motocross career in what was an amazing Freestyle Best-Trick contest.
“This means so much to me. To call time in front of my home fans, and to get the gold; I’m speechless. Thank you for the support over the years, it’s been a dream come true,” commented Sherwood.
The ANAZAC vs. USA saw the stars and stripes come out on top when Ricky Carmichael took down Ben Townley in the final race, after Cody Cooper beat Jason Anderson, and Luke Clout topped Joey Savatgy.
The next round will take place in Melbourne’s iconic Marvel Stadium on November 30 for the first time ever, where champions in each category will be crowned, in front of over 35,000 fans, in what promises to be the largest ever Supercross event in history in the Oceania region.
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American Flat Track announces 2020 calendar
American Flat Track has announced the 18-event schedule for the 2020 season, which once again features coast-to-coast action, kicking off at the legendary Daytona International Speedway on March 14 with an epic season opener with the Daytona 200 & Daytona TT Doubleheader. It all comes to a close after 18-rounds with the Meadowlands Mile* finale in September at the most spectacular venue of the season: Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.
There are two fan favorite events returning to the schedule and one event revamped for a thrilling new experience. The returning venues is the Half-Mile at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. and the famed OKC Mile.
Additionally, the fastest Mile in the world – the Springfield Mile – will run back-to-back as a doubleheader, making for a Labor Day weekend event unlike any other.
Michael Lock – CEO of American Flat Track
“AFT is coming off the back of a record-breaking season and we have planned the 2020 schedule to push things to the next level and return to the best tracks in the country. We are delighted to be restoring the series to OKC and Charlotte and to amplify the thrilling action of Springfield Mile with a fall doubleheader.”
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Aussies lead as 2019 ISDE kicks off in Portugal
The RecoveR8 Australian World Trophy, Junior Trophy and Women’s Trophy teams have arrived in Portugal, for the 94th running of the FIM International Six Day Enduro (ISDE), with the World Trophy and Junior Trophy teams already making their mark after Day 1, leading both classes.
Daniel Sanders – 2019 ISDE – Image by Dario Agrati
Overnight rain dampened conditions for competitors during the opening lap of two, but from the off racing was hot and heavy as the five hundred plus competitors from 26 nations jostled for position.
Determined to put RecoveR8 Team Australia out front, Daniel Sanders was quick off the mark, setting the fastest time on the opening special test. But with United States’ Ryan Sipes and Spain’s Josep Garcia in close contention and the top-ten separated by just fifteen seconds, it was all to play for.
2019 ISDE – Image by Dario Agrati
The FIM ISDE continues on day two with a repeat of day one’s three-hundred kilometre Menhir Route. Full report to follow.
2019 Australian ISDE Team
RecoveR8 World Trophy Team
Joshua Green
Matthew Phillips
Daniel Sanders
Luke Styke
RecoveR8 Women’s Trophy Team
Jessica Gardiner
Tayla Jones
Mackenzie Tricker
RecoveR8 Junior Trophy Team
Michael Driscoll
Fraser Higlett
Lyndon Snodgrass
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Zach Osborne extends Husqvarna contract
Husqvarna Motorcycles have announced that Zach Osborne has signed with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team for an additional year, extending his current contract into the 2021 season.
Zach Osborne
Osborne has enjoyed a hugely successful professional racing career to date, over a wide variety of disciplines and championships. His impressive list of achievements include two consecutive Eastern Regional 250SX Championships (2017 and ’18), an AMA Pro Motocross 250 Championship (‘17), an FIM World Motocross Championship win, 14 career FIM World Motocross Championship MX2 podiums, a British MX2 Championship, and representing the United States in both the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) and at the prestigious Motocross of Nations (MXoN).
Zach Osborne
The Virginia native most recently put forth an impressive debut in the premier 450MX class over the summer, claiming six podium finishes, 14 top-fives and one moto win in his rookie 450 season with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team.
Zach Osborne
“I’m very grateful to continue my relationship with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing! We’ve had some very successful years and I’m looking forward to more. I’ve truly enjoyed being a part of this program since the revitalisation of the brand started back in 2015 and it feels like just yesterday that I joined the team. We have a great group of people and I enjoy going racing with them every weekend.”
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Cody Webb joins the FactoryONE Shero Team
American hard enduro star Cody Webb has left KTM and joined the Sherco family. The three-time AMA EnduroCross champion and 2018 FIM SuperEnduro champion will race a 300 SE Factory edition for the FactoryONE Sherco Team.
Sherco is already well established in hard enduro with Wade Young and Mario Roman racing all major international extreme off-road events with Young claiming the 2019 American Hard Enduro Series. Webb will add a third and very strong component in this sector.
Cody Webb
“So excited to share this with everyone finally! Can’t wait to promote Sherco USA and win some races again. Big shout out to the FactoryONE Sherco team for putting this all together and making my dreams become a reality.”
Cody Webb will race a FactoryONE Sherco 300 SE Factory editionWeekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Suzuki announce 2020 JGRMX Yoshimura Team
JGRMX/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing has announced its Motocross riders for 2020, and new to the JGR Suzuki squad in the 450 class is 450SX Rookie of the Year Joey Savatgy, as Alex Martin returns to represent the 250 class on his RM-Z250.
Suzuki announce 2020 JGRMX Yoshimura Team
Savatgy, who is no stranger to winning on the Suzuki brand, having racked up multiple Championships coming up through the ranks in Suzuki’s Amateur Racing Program, will be a great asset to the team as he brings proven talent, speed, and versatility to the track.
During the 2019 Supercross season, Savatgy earned the 450SX Rookie of the Year award and ended the series with five top-five finishes. With 12 professional career wins to his name, he has proven he has what it takes to be up-front on the RM-Z450.
Joey Savatgy – Suzuki 2020 JGRMX Yoshimura Team
Millville, Minnesota native Martin returns to JGRMX/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki on his RM-Z250. With three podiums and 11 top-five overall finishes in his Supercross career, Martin was proud to add a career-best fifth place finish in the overall points standings on his RM-Z250 last season. A-Mart is eager to build upon those strong results and continue his successful career on Suzuki.
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2019 FIM Oceania Speedway draw for Gillman Speedway announced
FIM Oceania have announced the draw for the 2019 FIM Oceania Speedway Championship to be held on November 23 at Gillman Speedway, South Australia.
2019 FIM Oceania Speedway Championship
Gillman Speedway in metropolitan Adelaide, is one of Australia’s best speedway tracks and has previously held the FIM Oceania Speedway Sidecar Championships, however this time solo speedway riders will be the stars under the FIM Oceania banner.
The sensational field of riders selected includes Australian’s solo stars, Rohan Tungate, Justin Sedgmen, Jack Holder and Jaimon Lidsey who will be lined up against Internationals Charles Wright (UK), Tom Brennan (UK), Dan Bewley (UK), Emil Grandal (Denmark) and Szmon Szlauderbach (Poland).
The FIM Oceania Speedway Championship will see some of the Oceania region’s best Speedway riders battling it out at Gillman with no brakes, gears or fear, Saturday 23rd January is anticipated to be an absolute scorcher!
2019 FIM Oceania Speedway Championship
Dan Bewley
Tom Brennan
Ben Cook
Matthew Gillmore
Emil Grandal
Jack Holder
Zane Keleher
Jaimon Lidsey
Jedd List
Brayden McGuiness
Robert Medson
Justin Sedgmen
Jordan Stewart
Szmon Szlauderbach
Rohan Tungate
Charles Wright
R1 – Kyle Bickley
R2 – Ben Ernst
R3 – Fraser Bowes
When & Where
FIM Oceania Speedway Championship : Date: 23rd November 2019
Venue: Gillman Speedway, South Australia
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2020 Australian Speedway nominations open
Motorcycling Australia have announced that nominations are now open and Supplementary Regulations are now available for the 2020 Australian Speedway U21’s, 125cc & 250cc Championships which will head to Victoria and Western Australia.
Nominations are open and close 4.30pm AEDST Wednesday 18th December 2019. Late nominations will not be accepted. Please note that only nominations completed and received online via Ridernet will be accepted.
Nominations and Dates are as follows:
2020 Australian Speedway U21’s Championship
2020 Australian Speedway U16’s 250cc Championship
2020 Australian Speedway U16’s 125cc Solo / Teams Championships
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2020 AORC calendar announced
The Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) has announced the 2020 calendar revealing dates and states for the highly anticipated National Championships.
Luke Styke – Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC – Image by John Pearson Media
Next year’s Championship will continue to use a double-header format, which will see six weekends make up 12 rounds of the AORC for 2020.
Kicking off the season will be Queensland (QLD) for Rounds 1 & 2, taking place over the February 22-23 weekend in 2020.
Will Price – 2019 AORC, Dungog
The Championship will then move to New South Wales (NSW) for the following four rounds hosting Rounds 3 & 4 as well as Rounds 5 & 6 on March 14-15 and April 18-19, respectively.
AORC Rounds 1 & 2, Toowoomba – Image by John Pearson
We will then head down to South Australia (SA) who will host Rounds 7 & 8 on August 1-2.
Victoria (VIC) will host Rounds 9 & 10 on September 19-20.
2019 AORC – Pro Race Start – Hedley, Victoria
The championship finale will conclude at a yet to be confirmed venue on October 17-18.
Over the coming weeks AORC will reveal all of the locations for the 12-round 2020 championship, and will also reveal what will be in store for the 2020 classes as they continue to evolve and grow alongside the championship.
2020 Australian Off-Road Championship Calendar
Round 1 & 2: QLD – 22–23 February 2020
Round 3 & 4: NSW – 14–15 March 2020
Round 5 & 6: NSW – 18–19 April 2020
Round 7 & 8: SA – 1–2 August 2020
Round 9 & 10: VIC – 19–20 September 2020
Round 11 & 12: TBC – 17–18 October 2020
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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)
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What happened this week
Lettenbichler wins 2019 GetzenRodeo & claims 2019 WESS title
Gunter, Gall, Dack & Marmont all set for ASX Round 3 in Wollongong
Tommy Searle announces GP racing retirement
2019 ISDE & Enduro Vintage Trophy set to kick off in Portimao
2020 Australian Dirt Track & Track Championships announced
2020 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Calendar Update
Speedway GP scoring & qualification revamped for 2020
2020 Speedway Grand Prix calendar announced
2020 Championship Calendars
2020 AMA Motocross
2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross
2020 MXGP
2020 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Speedway
Lettenbichler wins 2019 GetzenRodeo & WESS title
Manuel Lettenbichler became 2019 Ultimate Enduro World Champion with a winning ride at the final round of the World Enduro Super Series, the GetzenRodeo in Germany over the weekend.
2019 Overall Podium – 1) Manuel Lettenbichler, 2) Alfredo Gomez, 3) Jonny Walker – Image by Future7Media
In what was a fairy tale outing for the home favourite, Lettenbichler delivered a riding masterclass in front of thousands of passionate Enduro fans to win both the morning GetzenRace qualifier and afternoon GetzenChamp race, clinching the world title in emphatic style.
Putting in an incredible final charge in the closing moments of the GetzenChamp race, Alfredo Gomez secured second to jump from fourth to runner-up in the final series standings. A sixth-place finish on the day saw Jonny Walker slip to third in the championship.
2019 GetzenRodeo – Image by Future7Media
Entering the eighth and final round of the 2019 World Enduro Super Series as champion elect, Lettenbichler didn’t put a foot wrong all day. Taking control of the two-hour morning qualifier on lap one, he controlled his pace at the head of the 60-strong field of world-class Enduro riders.
2019 GetzenRodeo – Image by Future7Media
Going on to win the GetzenRace over Taddy Blazusiak and Walker set the tone for what was to follow in the all-important 80-minute plus one-lap GetzenChamp finale. With Gomez, Graham Jarvis, Billy Bolt and Mario Roman close behind, the outcome of the afternoon battle seemed too close to call.
2019 GetzenRodeo
The 20 qualified riders blasted off the start line at 2.00pm sharp for what would become a gruelling battle. Lettenbichler wasted no time in establishing himself at the front and took the lead early on lap one. Behind him Gomez, Blazusiak, Walker and Jarvis all fought for position.
2019 GetzenRodeo – Image by Future7Media
As the laps continued Lettenbichler appeared to pull clear of the field, but not from Blazusiak, with the Polish star picking up his pace during the final 30 minutes. Riding right up to Lettenbichler’s rear wheel entering the final lap, it set up a showstopper of an ending.
2019 GetzenRodeo – Image by Future7Media
Going for Gold, Blazusiak briefly took the lead but then crashed, giving Lettenbichler the breathing room he needed entering the final Red Bull X-Loop. With Lettenbichler riding clear to claim victory and become world champion, drama then struck Blazusiak when his bike stopped.
2019 GetzenRodeo – Image by Future7Media
Manuel Lettenbichler – 2019 Ultimate Enduro World Champion
“I’m over the moon, I can’t describe it. To be honest I nearly cried on the podium. It was such a long, tough race today and it’s been such a long season. To finish the year with a first place in front of my home fans would have been amazing, but to win the championship as well is unbelievable. I’m on top of the world right now. My plan for today in both races was to get away well and try to control the race from the front. I was a little nervous in this morning’s race but thankfully it all went to plan. I was honestly exhausted in this afternoon’s race – I couldn’t have given any more. When Taddy passed me, I knew I had to dig deep and carry on and thankfully I managed to get past him again and make it to the finish. The fans have been amazing too – I hope they enjoyed the race as much as I did.”
Manuel Lettenbichler – Image by Future7Media
Capitalising on Blazusiak’s misfortune, Gomez incredibly worked his way past and into second – a move which ultimately sees him jump to second in the championship. With the top three decided, it was Bolt who ended his day in fourth, with Pol Tarres claiming his best result of the 2019 series with fifth.
Alfredo Gomez
“I’m very happy for myself and the team. I feel a little sorry for Taddy, but I actually damaged my bike on lap two and that meant I had a disadvantage for the rest of the race. I had a few crashes, but I think the race was tough on everyone – it’s so physical and the terrain is so technical, there is no time to rest at all. That and the fact that everyone else is pushing as hard as they can makes it really, really tough. I’m really pleased with my result and so happy with second in the championship – it’s what we were aiming for and it makes all the hard work worth it.”
Alfredo Gomez
Taddy Blazusiak
“I’ve enjoyed the race and rode my heart out, only to lose out just at the end. It’s racing I know, but it seems I get a little more bad luck than others. I’m pleased with how I rode – the race was a little up and down but to catch Mani near the end and take the lead was fantastic. I was really pushing as hard as I could because I knew what I had to do to get second in the championship, unfortunately it just wasn’t to be. I have to be proud – I’ve not given up all year and that is the main thing.”
Taddy Blazusiak
With Walker unable to break inside the top-five with a sixth-place result, and with Gomez placing second, it meant the Brit would slip to third overall in the final standings. Jarvis pushed on to take seventh, with Sherco’s Mario Roman eighth.
Jonny Walker
“It was a really tough race today, I enjoyed it, but I’m a little disappointed not to get second in the championship. I had a good ride this morning, I just stayed consistent and tried to conserve some energy. This afternoon I really tried my best but it wasn’t quite good enough. Nevertheless, if you’d offered me third overall at the start of the year I would have taken it. I have struggled all year in the extreme stuff, but I know what I need to work on, and with a good winter to get back to 100 per cent, the plan is to come back next year and attack right from the start of the season.”
Jonny Walker
Sweden’s Eddie Karlsson impressed by bringing his Sherco home in ninth, while Norway’s Ib Anderson completed the top-10 for Gas Gas.
With the 2019 season complete, the eight-round 2020 WESS Enduro World Championship begins with Extreme XL Lagares in Portugal on May 8-10.
World Enduro Super Series result from GetzenRodeo
Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER) 10 laps 1:52:29.720
Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna – ESP) 10 laps 2:01:32.662
Taddy Blazusiak (KTM – POL) 9 laps 1:35:24.393
Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB) 8 laps 1:40:49.789
Pol Tarres (Husqvarna – ESP) 7 laps 1:36:36.490
Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) 7 laps 1:38:07.331
Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna – GB) 7 laps 1:46:21.162
Mario Roman (Sherco – ESP) 6 laps 1:45:55.845
Eddie Karlsson (Sherco – SWE) 5 laps 1:36:54.766
Ib Anderson (Gas Gas – NOR) 4 laps 1:46:32.079
2019 World Enduro Super Series final standings
Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER) 6110pts
Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna – ESP) 4884
Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) 4810
Taddy Blazusiak (KTM – POL) 4620
Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna – GB) 4450
Josep Garcia (KTM – ESP) 4165
Nathan Watson (KTM – GB) 4136
Mario Roman (Sherco – ESP) 3560
Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB) 3415
Pol Tarres (Husqvarna – ESP) 3130
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Gunter, Gall, Dack & Marmont all set for Australian SX Round 3
Supercross fans at the Yamaha Round 3 of the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship in Wollongong are set to enjoy the ultimate dose of Supercross nostalgia, with a second-to-none line up of supercross and motocross legends on November 9.
Round 3 of the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship next heads to Wollongong – Brisbane Round 1 pictured
The legends featured will be headlined by Illawarra local and Australian dirt bike champions Anthony Gunter (three-time Mr Motocross), Jay Marmont (eight-time Australian Champion) Ryan Marmont (four-time Australian Champion) and accompanied by motocross and supercross royalty Craig Dack, Stephen Gall and one of Australia’s most recent Champions Dean Ferris (three-time Motocross Champion), making it five decades worth of Champions (70, 80, 90, 00, ’10s) .
Often referred to as the golden era, the Mr Motocross titles were the most coveted prize on offer and between the names above have collected 11 of the 16 titles. (Dack four, Gall four, and Gunter three).
Anthony Gunter
“I will be riding my 1979 Mr Motocross bike, I look forward to being on the grid next to so many respected riders, Gally and I had incredible rivalries and to be next to him on Nov 9 in WIN Stadium will be something special. It’s great to see Supercross back in the Illawarra and I hope everyone comes to enjoy the atmosphere.”
Phil Lovett and Anthony Gunter
The third round of the Australian Supercross Championship promises to be a spectacle both on and off the track and the addition of the Legends Parade is another great way for fans to enjoy a trip down Supercross/Motocross memory lane.
Stephen Gall
“Anthony and I were at the very start of Supercross in Australia, I retired from racing in 1990 but have been actively involved since. To see the sport continue to evolve is great to see. To be at the gates and look left and right to see riders from my era and more recent will be something special.”
Stephen Gall
CDR Owner and champion Craig Dack is equally as pumped to line up next to his old foe and put on a show for the fans on November 9.
Craig Dack
“To line up alongside some of the guys from my era not to mention some of my former CDR Yamaha team racers over the past 26-years will be such a special occasion. Geelong’s appreciation laps in 2018 was such a great thrill for us riders and the fans and I hope to see thousands of Wollongong’s fans enjoy it just as much.”
CDR Yamaha’s Craig Dack
Final release tickets have just been made available starting at $30 for Children and $40 for Adults. The Australian Supercross Championship is supported and sanctioned by Motorcycling Australia (MA).
Yamaha Round 3 of the Australian Supercross Championship is proudly supported by Dunlop, MotorEx, Destination Wollongong, Westrac, 100%, Honda, M2R Helmets, Kawasaki, Fly Racing, Suzuki, UniFilter & Australian Motorcycle Festival.
Tickets to Yamaha Round 3 of the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship WIN Stadium, Wollongong, on November 9 are on sale now via the www.ticketmaster.com.au website.
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Tommy Searle announces retirement from GP racing
Tommy Searle, long-time member of the Green family, has decided to retire from the FIM Motocross World Championships where he has been a leading player of the series for more than a decade.
Tommy Searle – 2019 MXGP of Italy, Imola
Having first ridden round the family garden at the tender age of two Tommy’s natural talent was evident at an early age and he and his parents jumped at the opportunity to join Kawasaki’s prestigious Team Green youth squad when he was old enough to move to the 85cc class.
A five-times UK youth champion the English teenager was enrolled into the official Molson Kawasaki MX2 World Championship team for the 2005 British GP at Matchams Park and responded eight days before his sixteenth birthday with a typically gutsy and enthusiastic ride, twice recovering from falls to score championship points in both motos and send a signal to the world that he would play a significant role in the sport throughout the years to come.
Tommy Searle
The following year he already finished eighth in his first full GP campaign with his first trip to the podium in Sweden and was runner-up in the world in each of the two following seasons before heading for America for two years.
Returning to Europe in 2011 with Team Monster Energy CLS Kawasaki he immediately revived his World title challenge, adding two more series medals, eight GP victories and twenty-six podiums to his CV over the next two years to close his MX2 career with his third series silver medal and a heart-pounding double-victory in front of his adoring home-country fans at Matterley Basin.
With fourteen career GP wins Tommy is Britain’s most successful GP rider in the MX2 class and ranks third in total victories across all classes to multiple world champions David Thorpe and Jeff Smith. His MXGP career was unfortunately interrupted by injuries but he remained a top-ten runner throughout the subsequent seven years and he played a significant role in consecutive Motocross of Nations podiums for Great Britain in 2017 and 2018.
Tommy Searle
A Green warrior to the core Tommy assisted the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team with competition development and further top-ten finishes during the closing stages of the 2019 campaign and signed off his Kawasaki career in style with the British national MX1 title. Recently a proud father to Alfie James together with wife Sophia, Tommy’s future racing focus will be the British motocross series.
Kawasaki thanked Searle for his commitment to the Green family throughout the past two decades and wished him all the best for the future in both his professional career and private life.
Tommy Searle
“After almost fifteen years racing at the top level – twelve full years in the world championship and two in America – my focus next year will just be racing in the UK. As a kid I never knew it was possible to achieve what I’ve done – it seems one minute I was racing schoolboy motocross with the family, the next I was on the GP podium at 16 years old, racing against the best in the world. Now in the blink of an eye I’m retiring from the GPs. I’ve had so many good memories of travelling around the world – I’ve lived the dream and have had the privilege to work with and race a lot of great people along the way. I never managed to win a world championship but I came close a couple of times and overall I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved with fourteen GP wins and podiums in the US as a young gun. I’ll always be grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way. I want to say a massive thanks to the fans who have cheered me on – hopefully I gave you a few good memories over the years too – and of course a huge thank you to Kawasaki Motors Europe and Team Green UK for the past years working together! You have been a massive part of my career; cheers Steve Guttridge and Ross Burridge for the support and good times!”
Tommy Searle
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2019 ISDE & Enduro Vintage Trophy set to kick off in Portimao
In little over a week more than five hundred riders from twenty-six nations will compete in the 2019 FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) to be held in Portimao, Portugal from 11-16 November. This will mark the 94th edition of this huge and historic event, which remains the oldest competition in the FIM calendar.
ISDE 2018 – Image John Pearson
Defending champions Australia, both in the World Trophy and Women’s World Trophy classes headline an entry packed with professional and amateur riders from as far afield as Canada and Japan, and with a strong showing from European countries such as France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, not forgetting the participants from Argentina, Mexico and Guatemala.
This year’s ISDE will again include the fourth edition of the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy also. First introduced at the ISDE in Spain back in 2016, the competition for enduro bikes from yesteryear has also enjoyed growing support with over one hundred and twenty riders from nine countries included on the 2019 entry list.
The 2019 ISDE Australian Team has already been announced, check out the rider entries for a full list via the links below
With a combined entry just shy of six hundred and fifty riders the 2019 ISDE in Portugal is set to be another important chapter in the rich heritage of this unique event.
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2020 WESS calendar and rename announced
From the start of 2020, the World Enduro Super Series will be officially known as the WESS Enduro World Championship, with WESS Promotion GmbH also announcing the championship schedule for 2020. Featuring eight rounds and extending into the United States, the WESS Enduro World Championship is set to grow in stature and popularity in 2020.
The WESS gets a name update for 2020 – 2019 Hawkstone Park Cross-Country – Image by Future7Media
Now entering its third season, the WESS Enduro World Championship continues to thrive, strengthening its vision of a series that encompasses all Enduro formats while providing a global platform for both professional and privateer riders to compete together.
For 2020 the championship retains many of its world-renowned favourites from seasons one and two and includes the welcomed return of the popular Red Bull 111 Megawatt event in Poland. Breaking new ground, the championship heads to the United States and the well-established Tennessee Knockout.
111 Megawatt 2018
Ensuring a varied and challenging start to the new season, established events Extreme XL Lagares (Portugal) and Trefle Lozerien AMV (France) will see racing commence in May.
During the month of June, Austria’s iconic Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble will host round three, while Red Bull 111 Megawatt makes a welcome return to the WESS Enduro World Championship for round four.
Romania’s Red Bull Romaniacs will spectacularly kickstart the second half of the season in late July for round five. Then venturing outside of Europe for the first time and cementing itself as a true world championship, the United States’ most-prestigious Hard Enduro – Tennessee Knockout – will be eagerly anticipated on August 15-16.
Red Bull Romaniacs
Switching gears to Cross-Country racing, the fabled Hawkstone Park in Great Britain will mark the penultimate round of the series in September with the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country. Following its well-received addition to the 2019 series, Spain’s Hixpania Hard Enduro takes the honour of hosting an October championship finale in what’s sure to become a thrilling crowning of the Ultimate Enduro World Champion 2020.
2020 WESS Enduro World Championship Schedule
Round 1: Extreme XL Lagares (Portugal) May 8-10
Round 2: Trefle Lozerien AMV (France) May 21-23
Round 3: Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble (Austria) June 10-14
Round 4: Red Bull 111 Megawatt (Poland ) June TBC
Round 5: Red Bull Romaniacs (Romania) July 21-25
Round 6: Tennessee Knockout (USA) August 15-16
Round 7: Hawkstone Park Cross-Country (UK) September TBC
Round 8: Hixpania Hard Enduro (Spain) October TBC
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2020 Australian Dirt Track & Track Championships announced
Motorcycling Australia has announced the release of the 2020 Australian Dirt Track and Track calendar ahead of the highly anticipated season.
2019 Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships – Image by Dave Lamont
The four 2020 Australian Dirt Track and Track Championships will each be run at a different venues across three states and territories: Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
2020 Australian Dirt Track Championship dates
April 11-12 Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships
Mick Doohan Raceway, QLD
North Brisbane Jnr Motorcycle Club
October 17-18 Australian Senior Dirt Track Championships
Fairburn Park, ACT ACT Motorcycle Club
2020 Australian Track Championship dates
May 16-17 Australian Senior Track Championships
Qurindi, Tamworth, NSW
Tamworth Motorcycle Club
September 26-27 Australian Junior Track Championships
Gunnedah, NSW Gunnedah Motorcycle Club
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2020 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Calendar Update
Following a request from the Kurri Kurri Speedway Club, Motorcycling Australia (MA) have announced the following date change for 2020 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Championships.
The Australian Senior Solo Speedway – Image by Judy McKay
Due to unforeseen circumstances the initial qualifying/round scheduled for the January 2-3 at Kurri Kurri Speedway (NSW) has been changed to January 3-4, 2020.
MA advises that no other changes have been made to the Speedway calendar and thanked rider’s for their patience and understanding regarding this change of date.
2020 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Speedway Calendar
Round 1, January 3 – Kurri Kurri Speedway, Loxford Park NSW
Round 4, January 9 – Olympic Park, Regina Street, Mildura VIC
Round 5, January 11 – Gillman Speedway, Wilkins Road, Gillman SA
Speedway GP scoring & qualification revamped for 2020
The stakes will be even higher in FIM Speedway Grand Prix finals after the SGP Commission confirmed changes to the scoring and qualification system from 2020. Riders will be awarded championship points according to their finishing position in the SGP meetings, rather than how many points they score in each heat.
2020 Speedway GP points revamped announced
The system will see every rider who qualifies for the semi-final guaranteed at least nine championship points, with riders who fall short receiving eight or less on a sliding scale.
The winner of an SGP event will earn 20 championship points, with the runner-up 18, the third-placed rider 16 and the rider in fourth 14 points.
Director of the FIM Track Racing Commission (CCP) Armando Castagna explains the new system will add value to the championships by rewarding riders who reach finals and win rounds more regularly, ensuring an even more thrilling climax to SGP events.
Armando Castagna – FIM Track Racing Commission
“The main thinking for us is to harmonise our championship scoring system with other big sports events so that the winner always comes away with the most points, which will help attract and retain a wider audience for our sport.”
Phil Morris – SGP Race Director
“We want to reward those riders who get into the finals. Riders in the semi-finals will be giving their absolute all to get through as there is the potential to score an extra eight championship points. That’s a big swing and ensures there’s everything to race for when we reach that stage of the night, all building to a huge crescendo.”
Points scored by riders in their five heats will still be used to determine the eight riders who reach the semi-finals. The third-placed riders in the semi-finals will then be ranked ahead of the riders who finish fourth.
2019 Speedway GP
Of the two third-placed semi-final riders, the one who finished highest after the heats will be ranked fifth and receive 12 championship points, while the other will be ranked sixth and earn 11 championship points – with the existing countback system used to resolve any ties if riders finished level.
Likewise, the fourth-placed semi-final rider who scores highest in the heats will be ranked seventh, receiving 10 championship points, and the other fourth finisher will finish eighth and earn nine.
Meanwhile those who fall short of the top eight will be ranked according to the points they scored over 20 heats, again with the existing countback system used to decide any ties if riders finish level on points. Their overall finishing position in the meeting will determine how many championship points they are allocated on a sliding scale, with the rider ranked ninth scoring eight championship points and the rider in 16th spot earning one.
In another change for 2020, only the top six riders in the SGP World Championship will be guaranteed a place in the following season’s series – down from the eight automatic qualification places allocated this year.
Speedway GP of Sweden 2019
The top three from the GP Challenge will still qualify for the following season, while the winner of the Speedway European Championship series will also be guaranteed a spot in the SGP World Championship.
The line-up will be completed by five permanent wild cards, which will be selected by the SGP Commission.
FIM Speedway GP Qualification places
Top six in SGP World Championship standings
Top three at the GP Challenge
Winner of the Speedway European Championship
Five permanent wild cards selected by the SGP Commission
Speedway GP will boast a new point and qualification system in 2020
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2020 Speedway Grand Prix calendar announced
The FIM Speedway Grand Prix series heads for Russia next year as Togliatti joins nine returning venues on the 2020 SGP World Championship calendar.
Following the city’s successful Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations Finals last July, the sport’s individual World Championship heads to the Anatoly Stepanov Stadium – one of the world’s finest purpose-built track-racing venues – on August 29, 2020.
2020 Speedway Grand Prix calendar announced
Russian stars Emil Sayfutdinov, Artem Laguta and Gleb Chugunov retained the country’s world team title on home shale last summer and now riders will go for individual glory in one of the biggest speedway meetings ever staged in Russia.
The SGP 2020 series launches with the PZM Warsaw SGP of Poland on May 16 at PGE Narodowy, with tickets already selling rapidly for Poland’s biggest speedway event.
That prestigious night of racing is followed by an historic German SGP in Teterow on May 30 as the Bergring Arena celebrates its 100th event and 90 years of racing at the venue with a must-see SGP and longtrack double-header weekend.
The action switches to Prague on June 13 as the Czech SGP returns to Marketa Stadium for a 24th straight year – extending the picturesque capital city’s record as the longest-serving SGP host.
After a month’s break the World Championship then resumes with a breathless few weeks, starting with one of the sport’s flagship events – the Adrian Flux British SGP at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on July 18. With the SGP series celebrating its 20th season of racing in the Welsh capital, fans can expect this year’s event to be bigger and better than ever.
Attention switches to Hallstavik just a week later as the Credentia Arena hosts the Swedish SGP on July 25.
2019 SGP of Poland
The summers hots up in Poland when the Betard Wroclaw SGP of Poland returns to the storied Olympic Stadium on August 1 – a year on from staging what many have claimed was one of the all-time great SGP meetings, which saw Bartosz Zmarzlik top the podium on his way to the world title.
Another of the sport’s finest race tracks follows on August 15 as the Scandinavian SGP heads to Malilla.
Two weeks after the first-ever Russian SGP on August 29, Vojens Speedway Center plays host to the Danish SGP sponsored by ECCO on September 12 – the penultimate round of the season.
The action concludes with the Revline Torun SGP at the iconic Marian Rose Motoarena on October 3 as fans flock from all over the world to see the 2020 world champion crowned.
The calendar for the Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations will be announced in due course.
2020 FIM Speedway GP Calendar
May 16 – PZM Warsaw SGP of Poland – Warsaw
May 30 – German SGP – Teterow
June 13 – Czech SGP – Prague
July 18 – Adrian Flux British SGP – Cardiff
July 25 – Swedish SGP – Hallstavik
August 1 – Betard Wroclaw SGP of Poland – Wroclaw
August 15 – Scandinavian SGP – Malilla, Sweden
August 29 – Russian SGP – Togliatti
September 12 – Danish SGP sponsored by ECCO – Vojens
October 3 – Revline Torun SGP of Poland – Torun
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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)
Martin Davalos at Unadilla in 2017
Martin Davalos
Martin Davalos
Martin Davalos
Martin Davalos leading at Glendale earlier this season 
