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Moto News Weekly | Freeman tops Czech EnduroGP | AORC | MXGP

Moto News Weekly for September 17, 2019

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What happened this week

  • Brad Freeman dominates EnduroGP of the Czech Republic
  • Sanders claims outright victory at Hedley AORC final
  • Daniel Milner crowned 2019 E2 AORC Champion at Hedley
  • Luke Styke claims back-to-back E1 AORC titles
  • 2019 NZ Vets & WMX Nationals decided at Central Hawkes Bay
  • Brian Anthony races to 21st in World Sidecar Motocross championship
  • Herlings tops MXGP final in Shanghai, China
  • Australian Junior Dirt Track heads to Somersby this weekend
  • FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy new team award announced
  • 2020 Team Honda HRC rider line-up announced
  • Regan Duffy replaces injured Evans for Aussie MXoN Team
  • Shaun Simpson announces 2020 MXGP team

Brad Freeman dominates EnduroGP of the Czech Republic

Ideal conditions welcomed competitors to the sixth round of the FIM Enduro World Championship. Glorious late summer sunshine, spectacular special tests, and big battles all came together to offer a high-level show to the many spectators.

EnduroGP Rnd Czech Brad Freeman
Brad Freeman – Image courtesy of EnduroGP.org

For the second day was no difference as the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic continued to play out in Uhlirske Janovice, where the riding conditions were different thanks to the large number of entrants churning up the track on Day 1. Different pitfalls had appeared, ruts became deeper, and new stones were unearthed.

EnduroGP Rnd Czech Dany McCanney
Danny McCanney

It was a strong weekend for Brad Freeman taking the wins across both days from Steve Holcombe, and claiming the 2019 E1 Championship title in the process.

Brad Freeman

“This season has not been easy, and winning this second senior title in my career really means a lot to me. It’s a reward for all the hard work with my great team. Now all we have to do is finish the job in two weeks’ time in France…”

EnduroGP Rnd Czech Brad Freeman
Brad Freeman – Image courtesy of EnduroGP.org

In E2 meanwhile a new winner emerged on Day 1 – Joe Wootton, with Alex Salvini cleaning up on Day 2, with an eye on that E2 title.

Alex Salvini

“What a race! I’m really happy to have won E2 today. I have retained my championship lead this weekend, despite losing it briefly yesterday. As everyone saw last year, the title can be won or lost until the last second, so I will go to the final round with the will to do my best.”

EnduroGP Rnd Czech Alex Salvini
Alex Salvini

Steve Holcombe couldn’t overcome Freeman on the overall, but he still took the E3 victories, and is obviously aiming to claim the title, with Danny McCanney in the running as well.

Steve Holcombe

“It’s been good to get back to racing again after the summer break. I’ve worked hard to return to fitness but coming to Czech I was still unsure of how fast I could be across the whole weekend. Despite wanting to win, it unfortunately didn’t work out that way. My fitness is not yet in a position to properly challenge for that top step and on Friday I also hurt my ankle in the super test, which didn’t help matters. I struggled to get going on Saturday morning, but came good towards the end of the day and felt like I kept that going during Sunday. I’ve a bit more to find in the enduro test but know that with the more races I get under my belt, the more I can build that fitness and strength back. As things stand, I’ve got an 18-point lead in Enduro 3, so the focus heading to the final round in France is to lock that title up. Although I’m 10 points behind in EnduroGP, all is not lost. There are still 40 points up for grabs, so I’ll keep pushing as best I can.”

EnduroGP Rnd Czech Steve Holcombe
Steve Holcombe

Aussie Wil Ruprecht took the Junior overall win on Day 1 too, along with the J1 victory, with New Zealand’s Hamish Macdonald close to clinching the Youth 125cc class, but not quite making it.

Hamish Macdonald

“It was so good to get back on top of the podium, It’s been a long road back from breaking my shoulder and to take the double win was excellent. It just would not have been possible without my family backing me and the Edmondson’s help. Of course, the Sherco Team supporting me as well. I just love riding and it’s fun to be back racing. I’m ready to fight for the Championship in France.”

The final two days of racing in the 2019 Enduro World Championship GP season will take place in Ambert, France on September 28 and 29, here’s a run down of the EnduroGP of the Czech Republic first however:

Day 1 – EnduroGP of the Czech Republic

Brad Freeman put in a performance worthy of his EnduroGP leader status; he set the best time on seven of the day’s tests on Day 1. The young Brit did not make any mistakes, always featuring at the top of the timesheets. In addition to taking the day victory, his greatest satisfaction was to have been able to hold off his closest title rival, compatriot Steve Holcombe.

Holcombe has shown that he has returned in better shape and as determined as ever, but a catastrophic start to the first day in the Czech Republic ruined his hopes of catching up with Freeman. A broken brake cable and crooked handlebars cost Holcombe a lot of time.

EnduroGP Rnd Czech Steve Holcombe
Steve Holcombe

Another Brit completed the overall podium! Danny McCanney took third in Uhlriske Janovice, 53 seconds behind Freeman. And if three Brits weren’t enough, this English trio were joined by Joe Wootton! The young rider took his best result so far in Senior with fourth overall and a class victory.

Brad Freeman took E1 victory on Day 1 ahead of Matteo Cavallo and Davide Guarneri. The E2 class had a brand new winner in the form of Joe Wootton, from Larrieu and Salvini.  Steve Holcombe won in E3 ahead of McCanney and David Abgrall.

EnduroGP Rnd Czech Alex Salvini
Alex Salvini

The Czech GP also saw the return to competition of the Wil Ruprecht. In the absence of Verona, and now fully fit, he dominated the overall class. Leading from start to finish, he left no chance to any of his rivals to challenge him.

The Australian won in front of an impressive Antoine Magain, who snatched second place from Theo Espinasse at the end of the day by just one and a half seconds!

EnduroGP Rnd Czech Joe Wootton
Joe Wootton

In J1 the podium was the same as that of Junior Overall: Ruprecht, Magain and Espinasse. The J2 class went to Enric Fransisco, ahead of Ruy Barbosa and Léo Le Quere.

New Zealand’s Hamish Macdonald made it his mission to come back from his broken shoulder with a vengeance. He won the Youth 125 class ahead of Matteo Pavoni and Nathan Bererd.

In the Champion Lubricants Enduro Open World Cup, Tom Elwood took another victory in the Open 4-Stroke category. In Open 2-Stroke, Patrick Halgas manage the win. David Knight gave more reason for British fans to cheer today, winning the Open Senior category.

EnduroGP of the Czech Republic – Day 1 Top 15

Rider Nat Bike Time
1. FREEMAN, Bradley GBR Beta 1:01:18.48
2. HOLCOMBE, Steve GBR Beta 1:01:50.75
3. McCANNEY, Daniel GBR TM 1:02:11.74
4. WOOTTON, Joe GBR Husq 1:02:25.16
5. CAVALLO, Matteo ITA Sherco 1:02:29.34
6. LARRIEU, Loic FRA TM 1:02:37.12
7. SALVINI, Alex ITA Honda 1:02:55.17
8. CHARLIER, Christophe FRA Honda 1:03:17.07
9. HERRERA, Benjamin CHL Beta 1:03:17.30
10. GUARNERI, Davide ITA Honda 1:03:25.54
11. OLDRATI, Thomas ITA Honda 1:03:33.70
12. BASSET, Antoine FRA Husq 1:03:50.69
13. MIRABET, Kirian ESP Honda 1:04:03.76
14. ABGRALL, David FRA Beta 1:04:10.65
15. GESLIN, Anthony FRA Beta 1:04:17.71
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Day 2 – EnduroGP of the Czech Republic

Brad Freeman delivered another perfect performance in the EnduroGP class on Day 2. The Brit barely had to look over his shoulder all day, despite exchanging special tests with his major rival Steve Holcombe. He goes into the final round of the season in Ambert (France) with a 10-point lead over Holcombe.  Danny McCanney, consistent and quick, took another EnduroGP podium on Sunday.

EnduroGP Rnd Czech Steve Holcombe
Steve Holcombe

The weekend was filled with emotion for Brad Freeman – in addition to his two EnduroGP wins, he also took two victories in the E1 class and simultaneously won the world title for the second time in his career! Cavallo and Oldrati completed the E1 podium on Day 2, and France will see which of these two Italians will be runner up in the championship.

In E2, Salvini can consider himself back in business after Day 2. The Italian had to bring all his talent, power, and determination to win. He took the class victory in front of main title rival, Larrieu, while Redondi completed the top three today.

EnduroGP Rnd Czech Alex Salvini
Alex Salvini

For Steve Holcombe the goal is clear: the E3 title. However, he needs be wary because Danny McCanney, second placed in the standings, has all the skill and speed to snatch the crown from him in France. David Abgrall completed the E3 podium on Sunday.

In Juniors, it was Theo Espinasse who took his first overall class success in 2019. The Frenchman had to go all out to claim this feat, and there was an intense fight between Espinasse and the ever-impressive Antoine Magain, as well as with Enric Francisco.

EnduroGP Rnd Czech Andrea Verona
Andrea Verona

In J1, Espinasse won ahead of Magain, and the likeable Dan Mundell took a great third place after graduating from EY to EJ this weekend. Enric Francisco did the double in J2. In fact the podium was the same of that on Day 1 with Ruy Barbosa second, and Leo Le Quere third.

Coming into the weekend there was a good chance that New Zealand’s Hamish Macdonald would be crowned Youth 125cc Champion. But after meticulous points calculations, it turns out that the ever cheerful Kiwi will have to wait a bit longer yet!

Tom Elwood continued the British success in 2019. By winning again he became the first Open 4-Stroke winner in the Enduro Open World Cup. In Senior David Knight took his 12th victory in as many race days. The giant from the Isle of Man could do a ‘clean sweep’ if he gets the double win in France.

EnduroGP returns in two-weeks for the grand finale of the 2019 EnduroGP season in Ambert (France).

EnduroGP of the Czech Republic – Day 2 Top 15

Rider Nat Bike Time
1. FREEMAN, Bradley GBR Beta 59:59.13
2. HOLCOMBE, Steve GBR Beta 1:00:35.25
3. McCANNEY, Daniel GBR TM 1:00:55.08
4. SALVINI, Alex ITA Honda 1:01:20.99
5. LARRIEU, Loic FRA TM 1:01:34.15
6. CAVALLO, Matteo ITA Sherco 1:01:46.97
7. OLDRATI, Thomas ITA Honda 1:01:49.31
8. REDONDI, Giacomo ITA Husq 1:01:51.91
9. HERRERA, Benjamin CHL Beta 1:02:00.37
10. CHARLIER, Christophe FRA Honda 1:02:02.38
11. WOOTTON, Joe GBR Husq 1:02:10.30
12. BASSET, Antoine FRA Husq 1:02:23.90
13. VERONA, Andrea ITA TM 1:02:48.26
14. GUARNERI, Davide ITA Honda 1:03:19.25
15. MIRABET, Kirian ESP Honda 1:03:33.33

2019 EnduroGP Standings

1 Brad FREEMAN 204
2 Steve HOLCOMBE 194
3 Daniel MCCANNEY 171
4 Alex SALVINI 118
5 Loïc LARRIEU 114
6 Matteo CAVALLO 112
7 Thomas OLDRATI 105
8 Christophe CHARLIER 93
9 Benjamin HERRERA 73
10 Davide GUARNERI 67

2019 E1 Standings

1 Brad FREEMAN 210
2 Thomas OLDRATI 181
3 Matteo CAVALLO 176
4 Davide GUARNERI 148
5 Patrik MARKVART 110

2019 E2 Standings

1 Alex SALVINI 177
2 Loïc LARRIEU 175
3 Christophe CHARLIER 158
4 Benjamin HERRERA 146
5 Eero REMES 121

2019 E3 Standings

1 Steve HOLCOMBE 231
2 Daniel MCCANNEY 213
3 David ABGRALL 166
4 Anthony GESLIN 166
5 Jiri HADEK 35

Sanders claims outright victory at Hedley AORC final

Daniel Sanders earned top outright honours as the 2019 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) concluded at Hedley, Victoria over the weekend of 14-15 September. Sanders also earned the double victory in E3 at Hedley’s final rounds of the AORC series, just two weeks after clinching his class championship aboard the factory Husqvarna FE 501.

AORC Hedley Daniel Sanders celebration
Daniel Sanders took overall honours and the E2 Championship

It was Sanders who stormed to victory in class during Saturday’s penultimate round of the championship, finishing second in the outright classification following a hard-fought battle in the three-hour Cross Country format with Daniel Milner.

Newly-crowned champion Sanders maintained his perfect winning record in Sunday’s E3 finale, going undefeated in the series by securing the win while also topping the outright times to round off the year on a particularly high note.

Daniel Sanders

“It was an awesome season, not only for me, but everyone in the Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team as well. We pushed really hard and got the FE 501 working really well this season, so it’s good to get it done here in Victoria and to deliver for everybody at Husqvarna Motorcycles. My family and friends were here this weekend as well, so it’s a great reward to get it all wrapped up.”

AORC Hedley Daniel Sanders
Daniel Sanders overall AORC winnner 2019

2019 AORC Round 10 Saturday- Overall Result

Pos Rider Time
1 Daniel MILNER 2:53:09.502
2 Daniel SANDERS 2:53:24.753
3 Lyndon SNODGRASS 3:00:02.306
4 Joshua GREEN 3:02:30.827
5 Luke STYKE 3:04:23.821
6 Fraser HIGLETT 3:05:17.731
7 Michael DRISCOLL 3:06:16.043
8 Jeremy CARPENTIER 3:07:49.770
9 Stefan GRANQUIST 3:08:45.811
10 Mason SEMMENS 3:08:57.934

2019 AORC Round 11 Sunday – Overall Result

Rider Rider R1-R5 Total Time
1 Daniel SANDERS 44:51.820
2 Daniel MILNER 45:13.653
3 Joshua GREEN 46:16.689
4 Luke STYKE 46:35.735
5 Michael DRISCOLL 46:52.326
6 Lyndon SNODGRASS 46:54.350
7 Mason SEMMENS 47:14.738
8 Stefan GRANQUIST 47:53.683
9 Jeremy CARPENTIER 47:55.038
10 Andrew WILKSCH 47:56.764

2019 AORC – E3 Final Standings

Pos Name Total
1 Daniel SANDERS 275
2 Andrew WILKSCH 212
3 Jesse LAWTON 198
4 Matt MURRY 177
5 Beau RALSTON 148
6 Luke BUNNIK 104
7 Daniel WELSH 84
8 Nathan DELAWARE 62
9 Alexander BOLTON 58
10 Timothy LONSDALE 56
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Daniel Milner crowned 2019 E2 AORC Champion at Hedley

Daniel Milner claimed the E2 Crown in the 2019 Australian Off-Road Championship, following the final rounds over the weekend at Hedley, Victoria. Saturday’s 10th round saw Milner emerge victorious in his class, while also topping the outright times. In the process, he was crowned the 2019 AORC E2 champion aboard the KTM 450 EXC-F.

Daniel Milner AORC Hedley
Daniel Milner

Multiple national champion Milner was able to make it a clean-sweep in the E2 division after taking out another class victory in round 11. This time around, he was runner-up in the outright classification.

Daniel Milner

“And just like that it’s all over for another year. Unfortunately I pulled up short of the outright title but was fortunate enough to still come away with the E2 title. It has been a roller coaster of a season with plenty of ups and downs, but all I can do it take the positives out of the year and build on them for next season. The weekend was really good at Hedley for me. Halfway through the year, having the problems that I had, it’s been a struggle to get back on top. I’m starting to ride back to where I felt I could, so in Saturday’s Cross Country I was fired up and pushed hard! This is my third year in a row that I’ve actually had a clean-sweep in class, so I’m stoked to have done that and am really happy to bring home the E2 title with KTM.”

Daniel Milner AORC Hedley
Daniel Milner

The ever consistent Josh Green with Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing did what he does and rode his way to more podium finishes over the weekend in the E2 division. Green finished second both days in class and inside the top four Outright to finish off another good season for the experienced campaigner.

Josh Green

“I gave it my best all season, Sanders and Milner are riding at such a high level at the moment and are just a bit above the rest of the pack. They are two world class riders and deserve their success, so congratulations to them. I’m satisfied with my year and think we did a great job as a team to stay in the hunt all year and remain consistent at every round. Racing the WR450F has been awesome fun and the bike has handled all the conditions well with no dramas at any stage. Thank you to everyone at Yamaha and our team sponsors for making 2019 enjoyable and look forward doing it again next year,” Green ends.

AORC Hedley Josh Green
Josh Green

2019 AORC – E2 Final Standings

Pos Name Total
1 Daniel MILNER 275
2 Joshua GREEN 242
3 Jeremy CARPENTIER 205
4 Brad HARDAKER 148
5 William PRICE 117
6 Stefan GRANQUIST 102
7 Harrison TEED 91
8 Brent DEAN 88
9 Nathan DALBOSCO 73
10 Broc GRABHAM 70
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Luke Styke claims back-to-back E1 AORC titles

Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing’s Luke Styke has surged to back to back E1 class championships after securing victory at the final round of the Australian Off Road Championship, at Hedley in Victoria, over the weekend.

AORC Hedley Luke Styke
Luke Styke

Styke came into the final weekend of racing carrying a 16-point lead in the E1 (250cc) category but couldn’t afford to take it easy as a gruelling weekend was ahead and plenty of hours of racing still to be completed.

In Saturday’s Cross-Country event, Styke started strongly and was leading the E1 class but made mistakes in the later stages of the three-hour race to allow his championship rival, Lyndon Snodgrass, to steal the round victory and move three points closer.

With the gap now at 13-points, Styke needed to finish inside the top five on Sunday to win the class if Snodgrass snatched the final round victory. But in typical Styke style, he won the final round in another strong performance and rolled across the finish line with his fist in the air celebrating another successful AORC campaign.

Luke Styke

“Its good to get the championship win and go back to back in the E1 class. I struggled a bit on Saturday as my energy dropped dramatically in the final stages and I wasn’t at my best, but I was able to regroup overnight, get some food and hydration in and felt much better on Sunday morning. The team did a great job again and the bike was prefect all weekend. Three hours on a 250 on a fast and sandy course is hard work and then the boys put some hours in on Saturday night and it ran strongly and was perfect all weekend. Thanks to the event organisers and sponsors on another great series and I also would like to congratulate Lyndon, Fraser and Michael on making the E1 class a great race and exciting challenge this year.”

AORC Hedley Luke Styke celebration
Luke Styke

Riding the KTM 250 EXC-F, Snodgrass experienced great success during round 10, overcoming a pair of early falls to emerge victorious in the E1 division, while also finishing third outright. Sunday proved to be a more difficult outing, as a heavy fall saw him forced to climb the order to salvage a podium in E1. He managed to round out the day third in class and sixth outright.

Lyndon Snodgrass

“Saturday was really good being a Cross Country. I was feeling comfortable and, despite crashing twice after a bad start, I had to come through the pack and worked my up to third Outright and first in class. Today started off good with the two sprints, but then I had a crash and it sort of went downhill from there. I ended up second overall in the E1 championship, so I’ll take it and hopefully we go one better next year.”

Lyndon Snodgrass AORC Hedley
Lyndon Snodgrass

2019 AORC – E1 Final Standings

Pos Name Total
1 Luke STYKE 259
2 Lyndon SNODGRASS 241
3 Fraser HIGLETT 219
4 Michael DRISCOLL 216
5 Lachlan ALLAN 169
6 Alexander RUDLOFF 140
7 Jonte REYNDERS 63
8 Joseph COLE 51
9 Kye MALONE 48
10 Jeremy FRANKLIN 46
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2019 NZ Vets & WMX Nationals decided at Central Hawkes Bay

Report by Catherine Pattison

The overwhelming feedback from the popular 2019 New Zealand Veterans’ and Women’s Motocross Nationals revolved around a well-run weekend – where the champions of the future and the past converged to enjoy the natural Otane track.

It was a case of the who’s who and who-used-to-be-who turning up for some intense racing between the country’s elite females, in both the junior and senior grades, and also the top male riders aged over 30 years.

Hosted on the Twist’s property, by the Central Hawkes Bay Motorcycle Club, the fast-flowing circuit earned a favourable review from two-time, former motocross world No.2 Josh Coppins. The Motueka-based, ex-international star comfortably cleaned up the Vets 40-44 years category, winning all five races and heading home runner-up Cambridge’s Damien King, a former multiple national champion and Barry Morris, in third.

NZ MX Josh Coppins
Josh Coppins – Image by Chris Ritchie

While he won The Gathering of the Gods feature race for the top four riders from each Vet class, on outright speed, the final result was determined by adding the riders’ ages together with their points earned. The 70-79-year-old competitors were at an advantage here and consequently claimed some well-justified glory ending up on the podium. Peter Palmer topped the score sheet, followed by Reg Davey – the pair also finishing second and third respectively in the Vets 70-79 years class.

The Vets’ 40 to 54 years categories were headed by some seriously big names. British-born former Grand Prix star Kurt Nicoll, a four-time 500cc motocross world No.2, was one of them and only dropped to second once, winning the other four races to lift the Vets 50-54 years trophy.

Hamilton’s Amie Roberts was utterly dominant on her YZ250F in the Senior Women’s class, winning all five races to claim her first national title. The 20-year-old credited riding and training with her partner, top Kiwi MX1 rider Kayne Lamont, for helping her to reach the top of the podium.

The 1996 500cc motocross world champion Shayne King, from New Plymouth was expected to feature strongly in the 45-49 years class but it was ex-GP racer Cameron Negus, of Rotorua who claimed the honours. Former veterans’ world champion Pukekohe’s Tony Cooksley, demonstrated he still had the goods, claiming the Vets 60-69 years title amongst a field of seven other riders.

Taupo’s Nick Saunders enjoyed a successful return to racing after taking the past four years off to start a family. He clean-swept the Vets 30 to 34 years category on his Kawasaki KX450 and is now considering re-entering the competitive motocross scene.

Next year’s New Zealand Veterans’ and Women’s Motocross Championships will be hosted by the Gore and Districts Motorcycle Club.

Women’s Results – Class Winners

  • Junior 8-12 years 85cc – Ticayla Manson
  • 13-16 years 85cc – Avalon Smith
  • Junior 12-16 years 125cc/250F – Zara Gray
  • Senior – Amie Roberts
  • Vets 30-39 years – Kylie Foreman
  • Vets 40 years + -Shelley Hickman

Men’s Results – Class Winners

  • Vets 30-34 years – Nick Saunders
  • Vets 35-39 years – James Robinson
  • Vets 40-44 years – Josh Coppins
  • Vets 45-49 years – Cameron Negus
  • Vets 50-54 years – Kurt Nicoll
  • Vets 55-59 years – David Wallace
  • Vets 60-69 years – Tony Cooksley
  • Vets 70-79 years – Neil Boniface
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Brian Anthony races to 21st in World Sidecar Motocross championship

Brian Anthony and Gary Moulds have completed the World Sidecar Motocross championship in 21st place, despite running only four of the 14 GPs. The title was claimed by Etienne Bax and Kaspars Stupelis.

Brian Anthony

“Eventful, good start in qualy but unfortunately a crash on the first lap left us a bit banged up. We got back on and a long way back, and started fighting for a direct qualification position. We made some awesome passes and got up to P10 so was happy with the end result. Unfortunately second row start and another broken knee brace but better that than me. 21st in the world championship and only riding four of the 14 GP’s together, well proud, thanks to the whole team and everyone who supported us.”

2019 World Sidecar Motocross Championship Standings

World Sidecar Motocross Standings

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Herlings tops MXGP final in Shanghai, China

For the full report see:
Herlings wins MXGP of China | Prado goes 1-1 in MX2 (link)

The 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship concluded over the weekend in China, with Red Bull Jeffrey Herlings winning his second MXGP Overall of the season while Jorge Prado made a statement winning the last round of the season.

MXGP Rnd China Shanghai MX Prado start qual
Jorge Prado – 2019 MXGP of China

Being the last round of the season, the Shanghai Off Road International Circuit also witnessed the conclusion of one of the most spectacular seasons ever. Taking the top three spots in the final MXGP Championship standings were Tim Gajser, Jeremy Seewer and Glenn Coldenhoff while in MX2 classJorge Prado, Thomas Kjer Olsen and Jago Geerts finalized the MX2 Championship standings.

Tim Gajser

“I am very happy to win my third World championship title. We had a great off-season, the beginning was just amazing and then I won seven rounds in a row which was so special. Now at the end of the season I am struggling and not finding the flow unfortunately. Coming to this weekend I felt good, yesterday I was fast on the track and enjoyed it. In the qualifying race I had the holeshot and then made a mistake and hit my neck and I was sore. From 11th gate pick today I took two solid starts and we were close to Jeffrey and Glenn. Second race I was feeling good but jumped off the track and unfortunately I just missed the podium.”

MXGP Rnd China Shanghai Gajser shotbybavo
Tim Gajser – 2019 MXGP of China
Jeremy Seewer

“I felt really good all weekend on the track, and it was a really nice dirt today. I wasn’t going for the championship but I was pushing in the first race because I felt amazing, but things happen. I got a rock in my eye and then cut my chin when I crashed and I was fighting hard to get third position. I didn’t want to risk too much anymore. That’s amazing to get second in the championship. A big thank to my team for this season.”

MXGP Rnd China Shanghai Jeremy Seewer
Jeremy Seewer – 2019 MXGP of China
Glenn Coldenhoff

“I feel like we did a great job this weekend. It was a solid start in the second race and I was second and led all the races, I started making mistakes and I was looking at the bigger picture that is the bronze medal and I got a podium, which was good. First race was great. I am so pumped, I knew I needed a great gate pick and I was able to hold of Jeffrey (Herlings) and Tim (Gajser).

MXGP Italy Rnd Imola Glenn Coldenhoff
Glenn Coldenhoff
Round Overall Winner – Jeffrey Herlings

“The first race I just couldn’t make to win but I am very thankful to win the last two races of the season and I am looking forward to next year. I wanted to save some energy in the first race, but the second race I missed the start a bit and it was a bit tricky. I managed to win it at the end, and I am pretty happy. I want to thank the team and my personal sponsors.”

MXGP Rnd China Shanghai Jeffrey Herlings
Jeffrey Herlings topped the MXGP of China podium

2019 MXGP of China Round Overall

# Rider Nat. Bike R1 R2 Total
1 Herlings, Jeffrey NED KTM 22 25 47
2 Coldenhoff, Glenn NED KTM 25 22 47
3 Seewer, Jeremy SUI YAM 18 20 38
4 Gajser, Tim SLO HON 20 18 38
5 Van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL HON 14 16 30
6 Jonass, Pauls LAT HUS 16 14 30
7 Paulin, Gautier FRA YAM 13 15 28
8 Jasikonis, Arminas LTU HUS 15 11 26
9 Monticelli, Ivo ITA KTM 11 13 24
10 Tixier, Jordi FRA KTM 12 12 24

2019 MXGP Final Standings

Pos Rider Bike Total
1 Gajser, Tim HON 782
2 Seewer, Jeremy YAM 580
3 Coldenhoff, G. KTM 535
4 Paulin, G. YAM 527
5 Tonus, Arnaud YAM 462
6 Jonass, Pauls HUS 458
7 Jasikonis, A. HUS 442
8 Van Horebeek, J. HON 433
9 Febvre, Romain YAM 384
10 Cairoli, A. KTM 358
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MX2

In the MX2 class Jorge Prado’s winning streak continued in China, to top off an exceptional season.

Jorge Prado

“I’m happy to finish my MX2 career this way. I want to thank everybody from my team and everyone who helps me. It was an incredible season, many race wins and Grand Prix wins, and it is exciting to move to the MXGP class, we will work hard for that.”

MXGP Rnd China Shanghai MX Prado podium championship
Jorge Prado – 2019 MXGP of China
Thomas Kjer Olsen

“It was a consistent season, the first part of the year was just amazing, the second part of the season was not as I wanted but overall I’m happy with my second position. I’m already thinking of how to improve next season.“

MXGP Rnd China Shanghai Olsen action
Thomas Kjer Olsen – 2019 MXGP of China
Jago Geerts

“I arrived in China with a few points and I managed to win, my season had some ups and down but I’m very happy about my third position. I’m looking forward to the Monster Energy FIM MXoN now and I hope Team Belgium can be again on the podium.”

MXGP Rnd China Shanghai Jago Geerts
Jago Geerts – 2019 MXGP of China

2019 MX2 of China – Round Overall

# Rider Nat. Bike R1 R2 Total
1 Prado, Jorge ESP KTM 25 25 50
2 Vialle, Tom FRA KTM 20 22 42
3 Vlaanderen, Calvin NED HON 22 18 40
4 Geerts, Jago BEL YAM 18 20 38
5 Olsen, Thomas Kjer DEN HUS 16 16 32
6 Renaux, Maxime FRA YAM 15 14 29
7 Sterry, Adam GBR KAW 13 13 26
8 Larranaga Olano, Iker ESP KTM 14 12 26
9 Forato, Alberto ITA HUS 9 11 20
10 Harrison, Mitchell USA KAW 10 10 20
18 Evans, Mitchell AUS HON 0 8 8

2019 MX2 Final Standings

Pos Rider Bike Total
1 Prado, Jorge KTM 837
2 Olsen, T. HUS 624
3 Geerts, Jago YAM 543
4 Vialle, Tom KTM 537
5 Jacobi, Henry KAW 442
6 Sterry, Adam KAW 410
7 Renaux, Maxime YAM 405
8 Vlaanderen, C. HON 399
9 Boisrame, M. HON 303
10 Watson, Ben YAM 282
11 Evans, M. HON 279
12 Beaton, Jed HUS 250
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Australian Junior Dirt Track heads to Somersby this weekend

This weekend the Nation’s best junior motor cycle riders from across the country will head to the Central Coast to contest the Australian Junior Dirt Track Championship for a two-day event over September 28-29, at Allen Park MVR Speedway, Debenham Road North, in Somersby.

Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships Somersby Bailey ImgDaveLamont
2019 Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships – Image by Dave Lamont

Although some riders may be young in age they are much older in experience, skills and talent if the results shown at the recent Central Coast Cup event were any indication. Many of these young riders seem to have raised the standard for all riders if they are to have any chance of taking the championship.

With strong competition likely from Queenslanders – Riley Nauta, Nate Hicks, Lenny & Henry Snell and Steph Connors; Victorians – Cooper Antone, Jed Fyffe and Oli Bergic; and Central West NSW riders – Sam and Tom Drane, Noah Grabham and Beau Bailey being just a few riders to beat if they want to be crowned champion.

Forbes brothers Tom and Sam Drane along with Queenslander Riley Nauta have just returned from six-weeks of competition racing long track in America.

Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships Somersby ayres ImgDaveLamont
2019 Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships – Image by Dave Lamont

Riders from age-seven through to 16 will compete in their individual classes to hold the title of 2019 National champion. Several previous winners of this event have continued on to hold world championships.

The weekend entertainment will not only be provided by the high quality of the competitors but on the Sunday the crowd will be treated by a special appearance and demonstration ride by clinically blind Australian Ben Felten who is the current Guinness World Record and FIM record holder for the fastest land speed by a blind motor cycle rider.

Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships Somersby Poster
2019 Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships

Practice will commence at 9.30am followed by racing on the Saturday and racing opening from 9.30 am on the Sunday. Entry fee of $10.00 per car will cover you for the two-days of competition. So fill your car and be treated by the champions of tomorrow.

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FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy new team award announced

It is now less than sixty days to go until the 2019 FIM International Six Days of Enduro takes place in Portimao, Portugal from November 11-16. As well as remaining the ultimate test of man and machine, the event in November will also incorporate the fourth edition of the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy. This will be contested over the final four days of the main event, starting with an initial acceleration test before three days of intense racing.

FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy
FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy – Image by Nuno Laranjeira

This edition of the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy will welcome the introduction of a new category – The Vintage Veterans Trophy Team. This will comprise of one team per country, nominated by the respective national federation.

Each team must include three riders, each aged at least fifty-years-old. These three riders must represent two of the classic categories (excluding EVO 86) of the Vintage Trophy. All three riders’ times will count in the overall results. The best three teams will be awarded according to their accumulative rankings.


2020 Team Honda HRC rider line-up announced

Team Honda HRC have announced their roster of racers for the 2020 race season, with a unique arrangement that will see two different riders competing in separate series alongside Ken Roczen, who earlier this year signed an extension to his agreement.

AMA MX Rnd Roczen JK MX Ironman
Ken Roczen

Joining the factory squad during the AMA Supercross series will be Justin Brayton, who has ridden for the Smartop/MotoConcepts/Bullfrog Spas Honda team for the past three years and had planned to continue in that partnership until this opportunity arose.

For the AMA Pro Motocross series, Brayton will pass the baton to current GEICO Honda rider and reigning 250SX East Champion Chase Sexton, who will join the factory 450 effort fulltime at that point.

A veteran rider with a solid résumé, Brayton brings experience and consistency to the table for the 17-race Supercross series. This isn’t his first stint with the team, as he raced with the factory Honda squad in 2012, when he scored his career-best series-overall placing of fourth, achieved with the help of five podium finishes and six additional top-five results. Since Brayton’s return to the Honda brand in 2017, he and the MotoConcepts team have opted to race Supercross only. The Iowa native is also a two-time Australian Supercross Champion and will in fact return Down Under this fall to defend that title with the Penrite Honda squad before turning his attention to preparing for 2020 aboard a Team Honda HRC CRF450R.

Justin Brayton

“I’m beyond excited to be riding for factory Honda in the 2020 Supercross season. Riding with the team in 2012 was the achievement of a dream for me, and I had my best season so far that year. Now I feel like I’m living my dream all over again, just a little older and more experienced to be able to take full advantage of this opportunity.”

AMA SX Rnd Brayton JK SX NJ
Justin Brayton – Image by Hoppenworld

Meanwhile, Sexton will have the opportunity to once again campaign the 2020 250SX series with GEICO Honda before moving up to the CRF450R for AMA Pro Motocross. The Illinois native will not defend his East crown in Supercross, but will instead ride a CRF250R in the West region before beginning his Team Honda HRC agreement, which currently runs through the 2023 season. There’s also a possibility of him periodically competing in the 450SX class at East rounds, as a wildcard rider.

Chase Sexton

“I’m super excited to be joining Team Honda HRC. Factory Honda is a team that I’ve wanted to ride for since I was a kid, so to have this opportunity is honestly a dream come true. I’m looking forward to starting this journey with them, and I think it will be a successful one. I think the CRF450R suits me because I’m a bigger guy and I ride it well. Still, 2020 is going to be a learning year for sure. I’m just getting my feet wet in the 450 class, and it will be good to have an outdoor series under my belt to get me ready for a full 17-round 2021 Supercross series. I’m also looking forward to being teammates with Ken. We’re pretty close friends and train together every day, so I think this will push us both and take us to the next level. You couldn’t ask for a better guy to have under the tent, with his speed and knowledge.”

AMA MX Rnd Sexton JK MX Ironman
Chase Sexton
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Regan Duffy replaces injured Evans for Aussie MXoN Team

Western Australian youngster, Regan Duffy (Raceline Motorsports), has been confirmed as part of the 2019 MXStore MXoN Australian team to compete at the 2019 FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN). Duffy will represent Australia at Assen, the Netherlands on September 28-29.

Duffy, who took out the 2019 MX Nationals MXD Championship will get his chance to impress on the world stage, and was understandably excited about the opportunity.

Regan Duffy

“I’m super excited to be able to partner both Dean [Ferris] and Kyle [Webster] on the 2019 Motocross Des Nations at Assen. I’m really looking forward to tackling the deep sand at Assen on a KTM 450 and hoping to do Australia proud.”

MX Nationals Rnd Coolum MXD Regan Duffy
Regan Duffy

Duffy will replace Mitch Evans, World MX2 rider due to ongoing medical concerns. The line up will now consist of Dean Ferris, Kyle Webster and Duffy.


Shaun Simpson announces 2020 MXGP team

Shaun Simpson has announced that for the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship season he is planning to establish his own Grand Prix and British Championship race team using KTM and WP Suspension equipment. The 31-year-old will leave the RFX KTM team to race under his own ‘SS24’ banner next year.

MXGP Rnd Belgium MXGP Shaun Simpson
Shaun Simpson

The veteran struggled with the set-up of his race machine as well as basic technical issues in the last rounds of the current campaign and after recovering from a broken hand that forced to Scot to miss five Grands Prix in the mid-part of the season. Simpson has decided to tailor a racing operation around his needs and return to the modus operandi that served him brightly in 2014 and 2015 for GP success.

Shaun Simpson

“I have almost fifteen years experience in the world championship and still totally believe I have the speed and the knowledge to run as high as possible in MXGP; definitely to get in amongst the factory boys,” he said. “Now is the time to do things the right way that will allow me to do my best on the track. For what feels like many reasons it simply hasn’t happened for me in the last month in MXGP but we have already taken some steps to reorganise and make sure we’re in the right direction for the Motocross of Nations and the last British Championship round. Thanks to the people involved at RFX KTM, but I know I can keep progressing in my career if we make this move. It will be far from easy but I can count on great support from KTM and it’s a brand that is a natural fit for me with the most competitive equipment. It’s exciting. We’ll start small but we want a high level of presentation because we know what sponsors and fans will expect. The goal will be a strong world championship campaign, the British title and a few surprise race appearances and then who knows where the team will grow for ’21.”

Shaun Simpson, Loket, 2016
Shaun Simpson in 2016

Simpson, who is the last privateer winner of a premier class Grand Prix when he triumphed at the 2013 Grand Prix of Benelux with a stock Yamaha, is likely to run as the sole rider in the new team but is beginning to confirm the scale and full ambition of the project.

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Source: MCNews.com.au

Sanders reigns supreme at Coonalpyn AORC | Rounds 8 & 9

Rounds 8 & 9 – Coonalpyn

Words and Pics by John Pearson Media

After the recent bout of rough weather events and dusty venues one could not be well enough prepared for the sublime surface that presented itself on arrival at the Coonalpyn track in South Australia over the weekend.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Saturday crowd
Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 Australian Off-Road Championships

An abundance of pearlescent white beach sand mixed in with canola crops and some tight mallee scrub made for an amazing location that was universally enjoyed.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Josh Brierley
Josh Brierley – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

The Gawler Motorcycle Club had obviously put a lot of time and effort into this event and it was evident from the moment you drove onto the property. As far as racing spectacles were to go, there was only one real point of contention with the E1 class having the most potential for upset winners.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Nathan Trigg
Nathan Trigg – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

Both E2 and E3 were expected to run according to script as they had done all year. With the track marked out and riders primed for what was to be some epic riding the only thing holding everybody back was the starter’s gun.


AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Josh Green
Josh Green – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

Saturday quickly evolved into a game of who could bury their bike the deepest in successive corners. The sand was fluffy and deep. It was reminiscent of a day at the Stockton Beach dunes. Don’t get me wrong, there was a little bit of rock and mallee scrub thrown in for good measure out the back but none of the spectators could see this so it didn’t matter.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Jesse Lawton
Jesse Lawton – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

In what was some of the most spectacular racing we’ve seen all year, there was sand being thrown far and wide, left and right. At the end of Round 8 the usual suspects had forged their way to the front in clinical displays of riding deep sand.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Daniel Milner
Daniel Milner – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

Husqvarna Offroad rider Daniel “Chucky” Sanders had walked away with the E3 points while KTM Offroad order Daniel Milner showed why he’s the man to beat in E2.

Threesix Motorsports Yamaha rider Luke Styke edged out KTM Offroad’s Lyndon Snodgrass for the E1 prize. In the women, Jess Gardiner pushed her way to the front beating Emma Milesevic and Yamaha compatriot Emelie Karlsson.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Lyndon Snodgrass
Lyndon Snodgrass – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

Sunday saw the tracks rotated giving the Vets, Masters, Womens and Clubman classes a look at the thoroughly flogged track ridden on Saturday by the pro classes. To say the whoops were large was a monumental understatement.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Alexander Rudloff
Alexander Rudloff – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

In scenes reminiscent of past Hattah Desert races there were whoops out there large enough to swallow bike and rider. The pros shifted to what was previously the Junior track that in one place contained a section of primo sand motocross track. This drew the crowd.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Nathan Dalbosco
Nathan Dalbosco – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

With the tops of the dunes overlooking the marvel of modern earthworks covered in spectators, the pro classes went to war once again.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Matt Phillips
Matt Phillips – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

It soon became obvious that you could put your house on who was going to take out E3 and with the absence of Husqvarna mounted Beau Ralston – who had been sidelined late in the week after a training injury, Daniel Sanders had a real chance to wrap up the E3 championship at the end of the day.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Daniel Sanders
Daniel Sanders – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

He just needed to finish safely and glory would be his. As the Husqvarna crew held their breath in the pits, Sanders beat the Coonalpyn track into submission to claim the Round 9 and 2019 E3 championship honours in destructive fashion some six minutes clear of his nearest rival.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Daniel Sanders winner
Daniel Sanders – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

Daniel Milner was again victorious in E2 leading home Yamaha’s Josh Green by around 3 minutes. He will still need to fight to the end if he is to claim the E2 crown.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Daniel Milner
Daniel Milner – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

As far as E1 goes the final decision will be less clear with a number of different class winners throughout the season however Threesix Yamaha’s Luke Styke looks a strong contender if KTM’s Lyndon Snodgrass or Husqvarna’s Fraser Higlett can’t keep him honest in the final rounds.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Fraser Higlett
Fraser Higlett – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

Rounds 10 and 11 will take place on 14-15th September at Hedley in Victoria. The deep black dust and sand that makes up the majority of this track is always a good test of man and machine and at this time of year the weather can be capable of just about anything.

AORC Rnd Coonalpyn Emelie Karlsson
Emelie Karlsson – Coonalpyn Rounds 8 & 9 – 2019 AORC

2019 AORC Rounds 8 & 9 Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Daniel Sanders tops Broken Hill AORC on Husky FE501

Round 7 Broken Hill

By John Pearson Media

1927. That was the last time it rained in Broken Hill. Many moons have passed since the last drops of moisture quenched the parched desert soils between Broken Hill and Wentworth near the South Australian border.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund Michael Driscoll
Michael Driscoll – Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

That wasn’t going to stop the Australian Off Road Championships from coming to town in an effort to summon Zeus, the god of rain and thunder in the hope that he would take pity on this ravaged land and it’s inhabitants.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund Dust storm
Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

When we arrived at the venue for this year’s event, it was clear that no amount of prayer was going to help. The ground was bone dry. With little more than a passing shower since the last time the AORC was here, it was clear no god could save us now.

Coupled with the ever-increasing winds it soon became obvious that this would be the total opposite to Hattah. A desert race in every sense of the word. But what else did we expect? With riders across 10 grades hoping to tame the wild and unforgiving landscape it was certain this was going to be a game of survival and intelligence, where the rider who could manage the brutal conditions would find themselves atop a sand pile for the ages.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund
Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

Juniors raced Saturday in a three-hour enduro event that saw young Yamaha gun Blake Hollis take the lead and never look back. In what was an impressive ride in the conditions he managed to finish well clear of second place and claim the J4 podium in convincing fashion.

Riley McGillivray decimated the competition in J3 while in J2 Billy Hargy showed why he is going to be one to watch as he steps up into the older grades.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund Luke Styke
Luke Styke – Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

The Senior Prologue was also held Saturday giving the big boys and girls a chance to lock in a favourable start position that would be critical to their success in Sunday’s outing. As usual, the two fastest riders in the country pushed each other to the line with Husqvarna Enduro Team rider Daniel Sanders edging out KTM Offroad Team rider Daniel Milner by 1.06 seconds.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund
Daniel Sanders – Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

Threesix Motorsports Yamaha rider Luke Styke showed why he can’t be discounted managing to put his WR250F in third place. A huge effort taking into consideration the sandy terrain and the fact that many of the bikes behind him were double the capacity.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund
Matt Pye – Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

So the stage was set for what was anticipated to be some exciting racing as everyone prayed the wind would drop slightly so the ever present dust storms would ease up. While some intermittent showers teased everyone unfortunately all prayers went unanswered.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund Andrew Wilksch
Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

Sunday began like Saturday. Plenty of laughs and some good humour thrown in by the Broken Hill Harley Riders Association who battled all weekend to make sure the windblown crowd had something to eat and drink, and kept spirits as high as could be expected.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund Luke Styke Start
A Hattah-style start with staggered starts to keep dust levels down – Luke Styke – Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

The wind also picked up strength to exceed the previous day, as riders readied themselves on the start line in a Hattah Desert Race style start without the mass run to the first corner. Each rider was released twenty five seconds apart in an effort to keep the dust to a minimum in the early stages of the race.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund Daniel Sanders
Daniel Sanders – Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

Daniel Sanders sped off with a purpose and never looked back. He led from start to finish eventually clinching the overall and his class win by some four-minutes.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund Daniel Milner
Daniel Milner – Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

Daniel Milner spent his day trying to catch Sanders but in the treacherous conditions he wasn’t able to reel him in. Milner finished on top of the E2 standings however to continue his perfect class record for 2019.

Milner’s teammate Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM Offroad Enduro Team) clinched the E1 silverware with an impressive display in which he showed not only maturity but also raw, unadulterated speed while battling with Threesix Motorsports Yamaha rider Luke Styke for the entire race.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund Lyndon Snodgrass
Lyndon Snodgrass – Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

The Women’s podium was topped by a new face in Honda mounted Emma Milesevic who held off Jess Gardiner and Emelie Karlsson (Yamaha) for the win after three hours.

AORC Broken Hill bhsund Womens
Emma Milesevic topped the womens podium from Jess Gardiner and Emelie Karlsson – Round 7, Broken Hill – 2019 AORC

Rounds 8 and 9 move to Coonalpyn SA in three weeks time for what will be another sand event. After this years Broken Hill round there are many in the pits hoping for a warmish, windless affair but nobody is holding their breath given the fact we’ve seen some extremes in weather so far this year. Surely we’re due for it though.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Moto News Weekly | MXGP | MXN | WMX | EMX | Trials


Kyle Middleton takes fourth Australian X-Trial title

The final round of the 2019 Australian X-Trial Championship headed to Wollongong, New South Wales on July 27, marking the first time that the series has ventured across to the East side of the country.

Tasmanian’s Chris Bayles took the win in a stunning victory with Reigning Champion Kyle Middleton, narrowly tying up the Australian Championship in a night of twists and turns that could not have been scripted.

Australian X Trial Championship Wollongong
2019 Australian X-Trial Championship – Wollongong

In the Qualifying Round, Middleton was in fine form dropping only five-points. Meanwhile Bayles was tied on 12 with Western Australia’s Neil Price for third and NSW’s Kevin Zarczynski was only three-points behind on nine. Zarczynski’s younger brother, Colin, had a few unlucky mistakes that cost him a place in the final along with Craig Austin who had a number of great rides but unfortunately could not finish them off.

The Wollongong audience was roaring when the riders returned to the arena for the Final and they certainly got a show. The first section saw Zarczynski, Price and Bayles all fail to complete the tallest Waco Kwikform Scaffold Step, before state hero, Middleton made it up in a stunning ride. With a five-point lead Middleton had some room to relax into Section 2. Zarczynski and Bayles both had a couple of safe rides on the very slippery concrete, before Price failed to complete the section, and Kyle made an uncharacteristic mistake and slipped off one of the lower pipes and touched the ground.

Australian X Trial Championship Wollongong
2019 Australian X-Trial Championship – Wollongong

This reduced Middleton’s lead to only one point going into the notorious Barrier section. Zarczynski, slipped off for five points, failing to complete and then both Price and Bayles rode beautifully to clean the Barriers consecutively. Middleton then failed to complete the first major turn dropping to 12 points and back to fourth place. This moved Bayles into the lead on only seven-points. Section four all riders failed to complete and with Middleton and Zarczynski both having big crashes, in the Pipes.

After the tyres and races, the final results were Bayles first on 14-points, Price second (16), Middleton third on count back (17) and Kevin Zarczynski (17) fourth.

Chris Bayles

“I was super stoked with the result and my riding. The sections were all or nothing. The crowd’s vibe was unreal, really got the riders motivated.”

The third place for Middleton meant the Championship standings literally had Bayles and Middleton tied on 45 points apiece, and meant they had to be separated by the combined observed scores over the two events, giving Middleton his fourth Australian X-Trial Championship with Bayles in second and Price rounding out the podium in third.

Australian X Trial Championship Wollongong
2019 Australian X-Trial Championship – Wollongong
Kyle Middleton

“Round two was a tough one! I am sore, I was challenged but the crowd really helps me get to the end. Not everything went to plan for me but I am absolutely stoked with my fight and managed to just sneak in the championship result.”

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Jacob Thorssell claims Scandinavian FIM SGP wild card

Swedish star Jacob Thorssell raced to his first Swedish Championship in Hallstavik to clinch the Scandinavian FIM Speedway Grand Prix wild card for Malilla on August 17. Thorssell did it the hard way after reaching the semi-final with 10 points, while Andreas Jonsson, Linus Sundstrom (both 13) and Kim Nilsson (12) all progressed automatically through to the final as top scorers in the heats.

Swedish Speedway Championship SGP Wildcard Jacob Thorssell
Jacob Thorssell claims Scandinavian FIM SGP wild card

The semi shoot-out for the last final spot saw Thorssell beat Ludvig Lindgren – younger brother of SGP star Freddie – Victor Palovaara and Pontus Aspgren. Thorssell then carried his momentum into the medal race, beating Rospiggarna legend Andreas Jonsson on his home track, denying him a record-equalling eighth Swedish title in the process. Nilsson was third with Sundstrom fourth.

The Scandinavian SGP will be Thorssell’s third World Championship appearance after he made his debut as a wild card at the 2016 Stockholm SGP, scoring one point. He then scored four points as a track reserve in the Swedish capital a year later, winning heat 12 ahead of SGP icon Tai Woffinden, Freddie Lindgren and Martin Smolinski.


Charles Wright to wildcard British FIM Speedway GP

New British champion Charles Wright hailed his first national title “an unbelievable achievement” as he booked his place at the British FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Cardiff on September 21.

Wright started the British Championship Final in Manchester as one of the meeting’s dark horses to triumph. He ended it wearing the famous No.16 SGP wild-card race jacket he’ll don when he takes on the world’s top riders at the Principality Stadium.

The Stockport-based racer produced a lightening start to see off Danny King, Craig Cook and Chris Harris and win the Grand Final at the National Speedway Stadium – just 10 minutes from his home. The rider admits joining the British Championship roll of honour and earning his ticket to Cardiff will take some time to get his head around.

Charles Wright

“I have come on in leaps and bounds in the last couple of years and every year I seem to be going better and better. But I just can’t believe what I have done today. I beat some fantastic riders that I looked up to, and I have done it. I was just gating. I felt fast on the track and I knew if I got to that turn first in the last one, I was away. It’s an unbelievable achievement and I am so proud of myself. There’s nothing on it for me – I can just go out and enjoy it and see what I can do. I’ll see if I can beat a few GP boys and get the crowd going. There’s no pressure on me. I am there and that’s the main thing.”

Charles Wright British FIM Speedway Grand Prix wild card
Charles Wright in the #16 SGP jersey

Wright did it the hard way after reaching the semi-final on 11 points, while King and Cook qualified for the Grand Final automatically on 14 and 12 respectively. He won the semi ahead of Harris, Steve Worrall and Lewis Kerr, before pulling off the start and race win of his career in the decider to earn his SGP debut.

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Sherco’s Michael Metge wins 2019 Baja Spain Aragón

The 36th edition of Baja Spain Aragón was fiercely contested again and the outcome was never certain until the finish of the fourth stage. Ultimately, Michael Metge managed to impose his pace and confirm victory for the second successive year, the Frenchman finishing ahead of Junior rider Tosha Schareina and Joan Pedrero.

Baja Spain Aragon Bajas Cup Rnd podium
2019 Baja Spain Aragón Top 3 – Motorcycles

Cautious at the start, because he was taking part in Baja Spain Aragón with his rally motorcycle that was much heavier and less manoeuvrable on the winding tracks around Teruel, Metge took the lead in the opening stage and held on, despite the challenge from his rivals. 

Benjamin Melot finished eighth and maintains his lead in the FIM Cross-Country Bajas World Cup standings.

Michael Metge

“I did not think I would make such a good result. But riding with our Sherco Rally allowed us to test new settings. I quickly had a good feeling with the bike and I was able to keep up a good rhythm throughout the race. These settings are very interesting because David Castera, who was present on the second day on the Baja, told us that the first week of Dakar 2020 would be on beautiful tracks. Santolino obviously shared the same settings and we were able to fight on the tracks. I know his track record in Enduro and I was happy to beat him. It gives me confidence. Unfortunately, he took 14 minutes of speeding penalties. On the second day, young Tosha (Schareina) was very determined but, in the first special, I lost three to four minutes to the refueling because I had to repair the Stella bracket. On the first day, I fell and the bracket weakened and I arrived at the refueling with the Stella in hand.”

Baja Spain Aragon Bajas Cup Rnd Michael Metge
Michael Metge wins the 2019 Baja Spain Aragón

In the Women’s category, Rosa Romero won Baja Aragón and finished in front of Rita Vieira and Sara García. 
In Juniors, victory fell to Tosha Schareina, ahead of Maciej Giemza and Adam Tomicek.

Baja Spain Aragon Bajas Cup Rnd Womens Top podium
Rosa Romero won Baja Aragón in the Women’s category

The final round of the FIM Cross-Country Bajas World Cup is the Hungarian Baja on August 9-11.

Overall Results – Bike

  1. Michael Metge (Sherco) 6h30’21
  2. Tosha Schareina (Husqvarna) +3’39
  3. Joan Pedrero (KTM) +7’18
  4. Lorenzo Santolino (Sherco) +14’36
  5. Martin Micek (KTM) +21’10

FIM Cross-Country Bajas World Cup standings

  1. Benjamin MELOT (FRA) 45
  2. Jakub PIĄTEK (POL) 26
  3. Aaron MARE (ZAF) 25
  4. De Gavardo TOMAS (CHL) 19
  5. Sultan AL BALOOSHI (ARE) 18
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2019 Red Bull Romaniacs about to kick off

Excitement builds at round five of the World Enduro Super Series as Red Bull Romaniacs approaches race day in Sibiu, Romania. Long regarded as the world’s toughest Hard Enduro Rallye, round five of WESS marks the 16th edition of Red Bull Romaniacs.

Red Bull Romaniacs Preview
2019 Red Bull Romaniacs – Image by Future7Media

On the eve of race day, riders from the 50 competing nations enjoyed a City Ride parade through the narrow, cobbled streets, supported by hordes of spectators who enthusiastically cheered them on.

Featuring five days of racing, with a Prologue on the streets on Sibiu followed by four days in the surrounding mountains the Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rallye looks set to be one of the toughest and most demanding events on the WESS calendar. The race will test the riders’ skill, stamina and mental strength.

Red Bull Romaniacs Preview
2019 Red Bull Romaniacs – Image by Future7Media

Offering a teaser to when the action kicks off, the Gold class riders assembled on the prologue course to sample what’s on offer for 2019. For most it was an opportunity to test both body and machines ahead of the start of the racing, while others used it as a chance to size up their racing lines.

Red Bull Romaniacs Preview
2019 Red Bull Romaniacs – Image by Future7Media
Graham Jarvis

“For me Red Bull Romaniacs is all about the mountains. I enjoy the prologue, but I’m a bit too steady – it must be my age! I’m aiming for a strong Off Road Day 1 and then see where things are at. It’s a long week and the competition is tougher than ever, but I didn’t come here to finish second.”

WESS Hixpania Hard Enduro Graham Jarvis
Graham Jarvis claimed the Hixpania Hard Enduro win in 2019
Josep Garcia

“Last year’s Romaniacs was the hardest race for me, but I got through it and I plan to do the same this year. It looks like the weather might play a part again but I think I am better prepared and have been working a lot on my training. My plan is to get to the finish and earn good WESS points before the next two rounds at Hawkstone and Solsona, where I think I have a good chance of taking the win.”

WESS Hixpania Hard Enduro Josep Garcia FM
Josep Garcia – Image by Future7Media
Jonny Walker

“I’m feeling good coming into this year’s Romaniacs, I’m lucky in that so far this year I haven’t had any major problems with my fitness, it’s just the strength in my arm that’s lacking a little. I have been spending a lot of hours on the bike on the run up to the event and I’m confident that my pace and skill is definitely good enough for the podium. I’ve won before and finished second last year so I know what to expect and what to do to succeed. It’s definitely going to be a challenge as always but I’m hoping the extreme sections this year will fit in nicely with the faster flowing tracks and we can get a really good race out of it. Obviously, nobody can control the weather and if conditions are bad it could make for a very tough race.”

WESS Rnd jonny walker
Jonny Walker – Image by Future7Media
Taddy Blazusiak

“I’ve been looking forward to Romaniacs, partly due to what happened last year. I’m feeling good and more comfortable on the bike now and I think I have a really good package for the race. Everyone knows the event will be tough and the organisers always try to throw in a few surprises along the way. I know my pace is good, so if everything goes well, I’ll definitely be aiming for a position on the podium.”

WESS Hixpania Hard Enduro Taddy Blazusiak
Taddy Blazusiak
Wade Young

“It’s nice to be back here in Romania and carry the #1 plate into this race. I’m excited to get going. We’ve worked a lot behind the scenes to be ready. I’ve got a new frame and switched to KYB suspension. Overall, I feel good and I’m happy on the new setup. I feel well prepared despite a slight shoulder injury. The goal is just to stay humble and level headed this week – take each day as it comes and be strong when it counts.”

WESS Rnd Extreme XL Lagares Sat Wade Young FM
Wade Young – Image by Future7Media

2019 WESS Championship Standings after Round 4

  1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna – GB) 2690 points
  2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER) 2570
  3. Mario Roman (Sherco – ESP) 2540
  4. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna – ESP) 2314
  5. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB) 2155
  6. Josep Garcia (KTM – ESP) 2125
  7. Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) 2090
  8. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM – POL) 1900
  9. Nathan Watson (KTM – GB) 1631
  10. Travis Teasdale (KTM – RSA) 1610

2019 World Enduro Super Series Calendar

  • Round 5: Red Bull Romaniacs (Romania) July 30-August 3
  • Round 6: Hawkstone Park Cross Country (United Kingdom) September 21-22
  • Round 7: BR2 Enduro Solsona (Spain) October 5-6
  • Round 8: GetzenRodeo (Germany) November 2
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AORC heads to Broken Hill for Round 7 – Aug 10-11

The 2019 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) returns in two weeks to Broken Hill for Round 7, following a successful round at Kyogle in NSW. Now the championship heads to the Outback desert stage, with Dirt2Ride Events’ Lyndon Heffernan giving some insight into what’s to come. Entries can be done here (link) with a full race schedule to be found here (link).

AORC Broken Hill Preview
AORC heads to Broken Hill for Round 7
Lyndon Heffernan – Dirt2Ride Events

“It has long been a dream of mine to create my own ‘bucket list’ event. And after riding the iconic Finke and Hattah Desert Races, I knew it had to be a desert race. After meeting the awesome crew from Silver City MCC, who had similar aspirations, the hunt for a great location was on. The Langwell Station become an option – a 110,00-acre sheep station situated 60km south of the iconic NSW Outback township of Broken Hill. After a quick trip and a day of riding around the place, I knew it offered the access, variety of conditions and the perfect venue to create a two-day event in picturesque, rugged terrain that every dirt bike rider will want to have a crack at. The crew from the AORC’s organising committee then approached me about incorporating the event into the prestigious national series last season, which is what we did.

AORC Broken Hill Preview
AORC heads to Broken Hill for Round 7

“Logistically, it is way closer than Finke and/or Hattah for most NSW and Queensland riders. It is actually pretty central for those who live in a lot of east coast riding regions. We are trying to keep it affordable by camping at the track, and good value by offering up a good, long, hard ride. As it is a loop-style track like Hattah with varied distances for each class (see supp regs for full details), and not a point-to-point like Finke, the logistics are easy. Crews stay in one spot all weekend and no special equipment is needed. We want it to be a fun and easy-to-be-at, and still dish up an awesome desert riding experience – without the cost and logistical challenges usually associated with desert races.

AORC Broken Hill Preview
AORC heads to Broken Hill for Round 7

“The event caters to a range of Junior classes, to a Pony Express teams race on Sunday Morning, and Senior capacity and veteran classes, so we’ve made sure there’s something for everyone. This will include a 4 Hour Cross Country for E1, E2, E3, EJ, Pony Express and Veterans Class. The Womens and Masters will feature a 3 Hour Cross Country and also the Juniors will have a 3 Hour Cross Country, its plenty of action for all.”

Entry for adults to watch all the action are $5, with kids under 16 free, while there’s a gold coin donation for parking, going to a local charity.

AORC Broken Hill Preview
The 2019 AORC heads to Broken Hill for Round 7

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Husqvarna sign 125cc Junior Champ Mattia Guadagnini

Husqvarna have announced that they have signed 125cc Junior Motocross World Champion Mattia Guadagnini for the 2020 EMX250 Championship with team Husqvarna Junior Racing Maddii.

FIM Junior Motocross World Championship Italy Final MX Mattia Guadagnini
Mattia Guadagnini – 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship

The 17-year-old Italian, who leads the FIM European Motocross Championship EMX125 class with two rounds remaining, will step into the EMX250 class having enjoyed a highly impressive 2019 season to date. Holding a 13-point lead in the EMX125 series with only events in Belgium and Sweden remaining, Mattia has so far enjoyed six race wins including two double victories in Italy and moto wins in The Netherlands and Germany.

Winning both motos at the recent FIM 125cc Junior Motocross World Championship held at Arco di Trento, Italy, Mattia secured the coveted title in front of his home fans and joins the likes of Pauls Jonass, Tim Gajser and Jago Geerts in becoming a 125cc Junior World Champion.

Mattia Guadagnini

“I’m really happy to continue with Husqvarna Junior Racing Maddii for 2020. We are working really well together, and I think I can keep growing as a racer with them. I will race in EMX250 next year, which is another step for my career – a step that I am looking forward to and I’m confident about.”

MXGP Rnd Trentino Mattia Guadagnini
Mattia Guadagnini
Marco Maddii – Husqvarna Junior Racing Maddii

“This is our third year together with Mattia and I’m very happy to continue our work in the next level of the EMX250 championship. Mattia has grown a lot this year and I’m proud of him as rider and person. Now he has finished his study and he will be totally focused on motocross. I believe he still has a lot to show with more training, testing and racing.”


2019 Australian Junior Dirt entries open

Motorcycling Australia have announced that entries are now open and Supplementary Regulations (link) are available for the 2019 Honda Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships.

Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships Kurri Kurri Cameron Dunker Harrison Voight by Sheree Griffin
Australian Junior Dirt Track – Image by Sheree Griffin

Hosted by the Central Coast Junior Motorcycle Club on the 28th and 29th September, this event will highlight the talent that continues to emerge from Australian riders all across the nation. The 2019 Honda Australian Dirt Track Championships will be held at Allen Park MVRG on Debenham Road North, Somersby in New South Wales.

2019 Honda Australian Dirt Track Championships schedule

Saturday 5th October Sunday 6th October
Gates Open 7.00am 7.00am
Scrutineering
& Sign On
7.30am to 8.45am 7.30am to 9.00am – if required
Riders
Briefing
8.45am 9.00am
Practice 9.00am No Practice
9.30am Parade Lap and National Anthem (Ben Felten)
Racing Immediately after the conclusion of practice Immediately after the conclusion of the Parade Lap and National Anthem

Racing Classes

  • 50cc Division 2 7 – 9yrs
  • 65cc – 7 – U9
  • 65cc – 9 – U13
  • 85cc 2 stk & 150cc 4 stk – 9 – u11yrs STD WHEEL
  • 85cc 2 stk & 150cc 4 stk – 11 – u13 yrs STD WHEEL
  • 85cc 2 stk & 150cc 4 stk – 13 – u16 yrs STD WHEEL
  • 85cc 2 stk & 150cc 4 stk – 11 – u13 yrs BIG WHEEL **
  • 85cc 2 stk & 150cc 4 stk – 13 – u16 yrs BIG WHEEL **
  • 85cc 2-STK & 150cc 4-STK, STD & Big Wheel, Junior Girls – 11 to u16 yrs
  • 85cc 2-STK & 150cc 4-STK, Slider only – 13 to u16 yrs **
  • 85cc 4 stroke modified 7 – U10 yrs
  • 85cc 4 stroke modified 10 – U14 yrs
  • 100cc 2 -stroke to 150cc 2-stroke – 13 to under 16 yrs **
  • 100cc to 150cc 2-Stk & 200cc to 250cc 4-stk- Girls -13 to u16 Yrs
  • 100cc to 150cc 2-stroke & 200cc to 250cc 4-stroke -13 to u16 Yrs **
  • 100ccto150cc 2-stk & 200ccto250cc 4-stk, Slider only13 to u16 yrs **
  • 200cc to 250cc 4-stk – 13 to u16 yrs
  • Support Class
  • Div 1 4 to u9yrs DEMO
  • 80cc 4 Stroke Standard 7 to U11yrs – NO MODIFICATIONS
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Kristie Mckinnon joins Australian 2019 Trial des Nations team

Due to prior commitments Kristie Mckinnon originally had to dismiss her duties from the 2019 Trial des Nations (TdN), which this year takes place in Ibiza, Spain, however with those commitments now pushed aside, the nine-times Australian Trials Champion is back on deck and ready to help her teammates, Jenna Lupo and Lillie Yiatrou at the twentieth running of the Women’s Trial des Nations event.

Kristie McKinnon
Kristie McKinnon

Mckinnon brings a lot of experience and a lot of stability to the Australian team. The 34-year-old, who hails from Penrith, New South Wales, has been the Australian Trial Champion for the past nine years and represented Australia on at least ten occasions in the TdN. The 2019 Trials des Nations runs from the 28-29 September.

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Source: MCNews.com.au

Moto News Weekly | MX | AORC | TrialGP | AFT | SX

Moto News Weekly for July 23, 2019

Proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
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What happened this week

  • Webb & Cianciarulo top Spring Creek MX National
  • Sanders & Milner dominate 2019 Kyogle AORC
  • Australia third at 2019 Speedway of Nations
  • Tony Bou wins 2019 TrialGP Championship – Title Win #13
  • Dobson & Rowe top Queensland MX Championships at Echo Valley
  • Junior Motocross wraps up in Victoria and Queensland
  • Sam Sunderland wraps up 2019 Silk Way Rally
  • Penrite Honda sign Chris Blose for AUS-X Open
  • Hayes to Serco Yamaha for Australian Supercross 2019
  • Dalton Gauthier joins AFT Production Twins for remainder of season
  • AFT announces Springfield Mile double-header in August
  • Harley-Davidson announce 2019 AFT Production Twins Contingency Program

Webb & Cianciarulo top Spring Creek MX National

The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship stormed into Spring Creek for Round 8 of the championship and was greated by storms and lightning, forcing delays as rainfall ensured challenging conditions for all riders.

AMA MX Rnd Webb Roczen Starts JK MX Spring Creek
Spring Creek National – AMA MX 2019 – Round 8 – Image by Hoppenworld

For the full report see:
Webb goes 1-1 at Spring Creek | Hunter Lawrence takes a win (link)

450

Cooper Webb dominated the 450 class with a 1-1 result, winning both motos and closing in on the championship lead, with Zach Osborne (4-3) and Eli Tomac (2-5) completing the round overall top three with 38-points apiece.

AMA MX Rnd Webb JK MX Spring Creek
Cooper Webb – Spring Creek National – AMA MX 2019 – Round 8 – Image by Hoppenworld

Marvin Musquin took a 3-7 result in fourth overall, while Ken Roczen was fifth overall on the back of a 14-2 result, with a rocky first moto.

The 450 standings now see Eli Tomac in the lead on 342-points, from Marvin Musquin (304) and Ken Roczen (293). Webb’s result has moved him to within five-points of Roczen, now holding 288 points, with Jason Anderson completing the top five on 272.

It was a weekend of records for Webb too, earning his first-career 450MX moto win in race one, only to double down in race two to claim his first overall podium, as well as first overall win, of his career in the premier 450MX class.

Cooper Webb

“I felt really good today. It’s incredible to go 1-1, I don’t know what happened to everyone else but I got two good starts, stayed out of trouble and it felt really awesome. It’s amazing what a moto-win can do for your confidence!”

AMA MX SpringCreek Webb Crowd
Cooper Webb – Spring Creek National – AMA MX 2019 – Round 8 – Image by Hoppenworld

For second in the standings Musquin, the day didn’t quite go as planned but the French rider salvaged as much as he could with the cards he was dealt.

Marvin Musquin

“I’m definitely not happy because the riding today was pretty good but the result is not what I wanted. I was looking forward to a good battle for the lead and to make up some points but that didn’t happen. Next week is Washougal and we’ll spend the week in California working with the team, so it will be good.”

AMA MX Rnd Musquin JK MX Spring Creek
Marvin Musquin – Spring Creek National – AMA MX 2019 – Round 8 – Image by Hoppenworld

450 Round Results

Pos Rider M1 M2 Pts
1 Cooper Webb 1 1 50
2 Zachary Osborne 4 3 38
3 Eli Tomac 2 5 38
4 Marvin Musquin 3 7 34
5 Ken Roczen 14 2 29

450 Standings

Pos Rider Total
1 Eli Tomac 342
2 Marvin Musquin 304
3 Ken Roczen 293
4 Cooper Webb 288
5 Jason Anderson 272

250

In the 250 class it was Adam Cianciarulo who took the round win, but it was Hunter Lawrence who claimed the opening race win, with a sixth place result in the second moto regulating Lawrence to third overall.

AMA MX Rnd Lawrence JK MX Spring Creek
Hunter Lawrence – Spring Creek National – AMA MX 2019 – Round 8 – Image by Hoppenworld

Cianciarulo proved consistent with a 3-1 result, as did Alex Martin with a 2-3 – claiming second overall, with just five-points separating the three for the round.

AMA MX SpringCreek Podium Cianciarulo Martin Lawrence
2019 AMA Pro Motocross – Round Eight – Spring Creek – 250 Podium – Image by Hoppenworld

In the standings Cianciarulo continues to lead with a 36-point advantage over Dylan Ferrandis who had to settle for fourth overall on the back of a 5-4 result. Justin Cooper sits third in the standings, with Hunter Lawrence fourth on equal points to Colt Nichols.

Hunter Lawrence

“Gnarly weekend at Millville! 1-6 for third overall we’ll take it, massive thanks to the whole team for their efforts in these crazy conditions!”

AMA MX Rnd Lawrence JK MX Spring Creek
Hunter Lawrence – Spring Creek National – AMA MX 2019 – Round 8 – Image by Hoppenworld

250 Round Results

Pos Rider M1 M2 Pts
1 Adam Cianciarulo 3 1 45
2 Alex Martin 2 3 42
3 Hunter Lawrence 1 6 40
4 Dylan Ferrandis 5 4 34
5 Shane McElrath 4 5 34

250 Standings

Pos NAME Total
1 Adam Cianciarulo 352
2 Dylan Ferrandis 316
3 Justin Cooper 306
4 Hunter Lawrence 233
5 Colt Nichols 233
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Sanders & Milner dominate 2019 Kyogle AORC

The Australian Off Road Championship (AORC) returned over the weekend for Rounds 5 & 6 at Kyogle, with a much longer test route than normal being of note, as sunny conditions prevailed for some great racing by all involved.

AORC Rnd Kyogle Daniel Sanders
Daniel Sanders – Image by John Pearson

For the full report see:
Daniel Sanders rules supreme at Kyogle AORC (link)

Saturday’s Round 5 saw Daniel Sanders take the overall win, with Daniel Milner next fastest on combined times, followed by Fraser Higlett. Sunday’s Round 6 saw a similar result, with Daniel Sanders again taking the overall win from Milner, and this time Luke Styke in third.

AORC Rnd Kyogle Daniel Milner
Daniel Milner – Image by John Pearson

Leaving Kyogle the AORC Championship standings see Daniel Sanders (150 points) leading the E3 class from Beau Ralston (130) and Jesse Lawton (108), while in E2 it’s Daniel Milner (150) leading Joshua Green (132) and Jeremy Carpenter (109).

AORC Rnd Kyogle Luke Styke
Luke Styke – Image by John Pearson

Luke Styke (140) holds the E1 lead by 13-points from Lyndon Snodgrass (127), with Fraser Higlett only four-points behind on 123, while Kyron Bacon (150) holds a 22-point lead to Joshua Brierley (128) in the EJ class, with Korey McMahon (115) completing the top three.

E1 Standings – Top 5

Pos Name Total
1 Luke STYKE 140
2 Lyndon SNODGRASS 127
3 Fraser HIGLETT 123
4 Michael DRISCOLL 120
5 Lachlan ALLAN 89

E2 Standings – Top 5

Pos Name Total
1 Daniel MILNER 150
2 Joshua GREEN 132
3 Jeremy CARPENTIER 109
4 Brad HARDAKER 95
5 Harrison TEED 91

E3 Standings – Top 5

Pos Name Total
1 Daniel SANDERS 150
2 Beau RALSTON 130
3 Jesse LAWTON 108
4 Andrew WILKSCH 102
5 Matt MURRY 100

EJ Standings – Top 5

Pos Name Total
1 Kyron BACON 150
2 Joshua BRIERLEY 128
3 Korey MCMAHON 115
4 Cooper SHEIDOW 106
5 Nathan HOWE 100

For the full results see the full report link above.

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Australia third at 2019 Speedway of Nations

Team Australia claimed a solid third place finish at the 2019 FIM Speedway of Nations (SoN), held at the Anatoly Stepanov Stadium in Togliatti, Russia, marking the first medal in the SoN since finishing third in 2014 in Poland.

At the end of the first night on Saturday, the ‘Roo’s were sitting pretty on top of the order with 23-points, one point ahead of the host nation, Russia, while Poland was third on 21-points. The final night saw the Australian Speedway team scoring eighteen points, which handed them a total of 41, which was good enough for third place overall. Russia claimed the 2019 Speedway of Nations win from Poland.

The Aussie team consisted of Jason Doyle, Max Fricke and Jaimon Lidsey, with Doyle leading the team to the Day 1 lead with 23-points, laying claim to 16-points himself, while Day 2 saw the trio bring home 18-points, with Doyle once again leading the team with 14, in a strong performance.

Speedway of Nations Team Australia
Team Australia at the 2019 Speedway of Nations – Image courtesy of FIM World Speedway Championship
Max Fricke

“We haven’t had a medal for a couple of years now, I think everyone is really happy. We couldn’t ask for much more. Jason was absolutely on fire this weekend and he scored an absolute bagful of points for us, and it was lucky we had a really good under-21 reserve (Jaimon Lidsey) to help us out!”

Team leading rider, Doyle explained in a post-race interview that the team had done Australia proud.

Jason Doyle

“We would like to thank all of our team members, mechanic and Mark Lemon for doing all of the organizing and not forgetting all of our sponsors back home in Australia and our personal sponsors. Hats off to the Russians. Its an amazing atmosphere out there when their team won. In saying that, they have not only supported their own, but they have supported every other rider and country. Fair play, thank you very much for everything, we have really enjoyed our time in Russia.”

Speedway of Nations Team Australia
Team Australia at the 2019 Speedway of Nations – Image courtesy of FIM World Speedway Championship

2019 Speedway of Nations Final Standings

  1. Russia 45
  2. Poland
  3. Australia 41
  4. Denmark 37
  5. Sweden 35
  6. Germany 30
  7. Great Britain 16
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Tony Bou wins 2019 TrialGP Championship – Title Win #13

Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou has been crowned 2019 TrialGP World Champion, triumphing in the French Trial to take his tally of consecutive title wins to 13 in TrialGP, in addition to the 13 indoor trophies.

trialgp auron france Toni Bou
Toni Bou claims the 2019 TrialGP championship title in France

The latest trial victory, the seventh of the season, meaning that Toni Bou mathematically seals the TrialGP World Champion title for the thirteenth time in a row.

Toni Bou was clearly feeling at ease as evidenced by the mere nine marks accrued throughout. The trial or the title never looked in question. The triumph is the 111th victory for Toni Bou in Trial World Championships as well as the thirteenth consecutive trial win since Andorra last season. The Repsol Honda Team star has made a clean streak so far in the 2019 Trial World Championship, with one event still to contest.

trialgp auron france Toni Bou
Toni Bou – TrialGP 2019 of France

The next trial for the Repsol Honda Team will be the final round of the TrialGP World Championship set to take place on 21st and 22nd September in La Nucia, Spain.

Toni Bou

“Today was a day where I had to work hard to make any difference, especially during the opening sections. But that is what we did and we made it to section eight on zero. I think I rode an intelligent trial. I felt very comfortable on the bike. As always, there is no better way to win a new title than with a victory and with good feelings. It was a short but intense world championship. I think that this season we have matured a lot. Last year we had so many injuries, this year we have been very comfortable on the bike, which we’ve seen reflected in the wins and the riding, so now it’s time to savour the moment and enjoy the holidays.”

trialgp auron france Toni Bou
Toni Bou celebrates the TrialGP title win with his Repsol Honda Team

TrialGP of France 2019 Result

  1. BOU, Toni SPA – Repsol Honda Team 9
  2. BUSTO, Jaime SPA – Vertigo Factory Team 23
  3. RAGA, Adam SPA – TRRS Factory Team 25
  4. FAJARDO, Jeroni SPA – Gas Gas 30
  5. FUJINAMI, Takahisa JPN – Repsol Honda Team 36
  6. CASALES, Jorge SPA – Vertigo Factory Team 42
  7. GELABERT, Miquel SPA – Sherco Factory Team 45
  8. DABILL, James GBR – Beta Factory Racing 54
  9. BINCAZ, Benoit FRA – Beta Factory Racing 57
  10. KADLEC, Franz GER – TRRS Factory Team 71
trialgp auron france Toni Bou podium
Toni Bou topped the French TrialGP 2019 podium from Jaime Busto and Adam Raga

TrialGP Rider Standings 2019

  1. BOU, Toni 140
  2. RAGA, Adam 113
  3. FAJARDO, Jeroni 95
  4. FUJINAMI, Takahisa 88
  5. BUSTO, Jaime 77
  6. DABILL, James 68
  7. CASALES, Jorge 65
  8. BINCAZ, Benoit 53
  9. KADLEC, Franz 53
  10. GELABERT, Miquel 50
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Dobson & Rowe top Queensland MX at Echo Valley

Jesse Dobson and Mason Rowe have claimed 2019 maroon plates for at the final round of the Queensland Motocross Championships at Echo Valley. Toowoomba was bathed in sunshine and the the Toowoomba Club did a great job with track preparation, and all that was left was for the riders to enjoy the famous Skyline and the Matterhorn features.

In the premier class Jesse Dobson took the win with a dominant final round performance, with Mason Rowe second in each moto on his way to the runner-up position in MX1. Jesse Madden grabbed the final step on the podium for the day, while Robbie Marshall and ‘King of the North’ Luke Weaver completing the top five.

Luke Weaver’s 5,4,5 result was enough to net third in the 2019 state championships for the man who currently leads both the Central Queensland and Tropical North Queensland series championships in both MX1 and MX2.

A battle for MX2 honours saw five riders share the podium finishes, with Aaron Tanti claiming 1-3-1 results, which gave first on the day and 12th from the one appearance. Mason Rowe’s second on the day (2- 4-2) was plenty enough to earn him the title of MX2 Champion.

Noah and Isaac Ferguson entered the final moto tied on points, and changed position three times before Noah decided the issue in his own favour by a single point, taking the Vice Champion position on the podium.

MX1

  1. Jesse DOBSON 193
  2. Mason ROWE 182
  3. Luke WEAVER 158
  4. Robbie MARSHALL 157
  5. Sam LARSEN 139
  6. Joel PHILLIPS 130
  7. Kye ORCHARD 129
  8. Cody HALL 115
  9. Darcy CAVANAGH 114
  10. Joshua MOHAMMED 112

MX2

  1. Mason ROWE 197
  2. Noah FERGUSON 171
  3. Isaac FERGUSON 170
  4. Joel EVANS 162
  5. Jayce COSFORD 156
  6. Luke REARDON 145
  7. Jake WILLIAMS 139
  8. Navrin GROTHUES 128
  9. Cody HALL 125
  10. Cody SCHAT 121
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Junior Motocross wraps up in Victoria and Queensland

Over the weekend the Victorian and Queensland state motocross championships wrapped up, with South Australia having a single round to go, however plenty of Junior champions were crowned, with GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing putting in a particularly strong showing.

Victorian MX

The final round of the Victorian Junior Motocross Championship was ran, after earlier being postponed a couple of weeks ago due to weather. Some of the classes had already been decided with Alex Larwood having locked up the 125 A-Grade division on his YZ125. Ty Kean was runner up in the A-Grade 125cc class, while Kipp Adams completed the top three.

The weekend did however see the remaining classes finish their championships and it was Kipp Adams who came through for a championship win. Adams finished with 1-3-3 results at the final round to take second on the day but more importantly, wrap up the championship on his YZ250F in the 250cc A-Grade class. Ty Kean was runner up 19-points behind in the championship, with Ben Novak third.

Young Tasmanian Jay Jennings had been making the trek backwards and forwards across the Tasman for the Victorian championship in the 65cc A-Grade class and was rewarded with a second place in the series, despite taking the final round win with 2-1-1 results. It wasn’t enough to close the gap to the championship leader Cooper Rowe, who held a 44-point advantage, with Wil Carpenter completing the overall top three.

125cc A Grade

  1. Alex Larwood – 343 (Yamaha YZ125)
  2. Ty Kean – 300
  3. Kipp Adams – 282 (Yamaha YZ125)

250cc A Grade

  1. Kipp Adams – 355 (Yamaha YZ250F)
  2. Ty Kean – 336
  3. Ben Novak – 323

65cc A Grade

  1. Cooper Rowe – 393
  2. Jay Jennings – 359 (Yamaha YZ65)
  3. Wil Carpenter – 274 (Yamaha YZ65)

South Australian MX

Alex Larwood continued his domination of South Australian racing, taking a clean sweep at the third round of the South Australian Motocross Championships, in Ceduna. Larwood took the perfect six from six on the weekend and comfortably won both the 13-15 years 125cc and 250cc classes. With one round remaining, Larwood is on the box seat to claim another two championships in his final year of Junior racing.

SA MX Alex Larwood
Alex Larwood – 2019 South Australian Motocross Championship

In the 125cc class Larwood leads Jack Mclean and Brodie Petschauser, both of which sit on 260 points, 55-points behind. In the 250cc class Larwood holds a similar lead over Jack Colbert on 260-points, with Jack Mclean on 256.

Jobe Dunne charged through to take the win in the 7-9 years 65cc class on his YZ65. Dunne needed a big finish to the series to claim the title as points were tight at the top, but the youngster pulled it out when it mattered most finishing with 2-3-1 race finishes to claim the round win. Dunne leads Jai Hay and Kye Little into the season final.

SA MX Jobe Dunne
Jobe Dunne – 2019 South Australian Motocross Championship

Wil Carpenter wanted in on the podium action and managed to finish second on the day in the 10-12 years 65cc class. Carpenter rode well to finish with 1-2-2 results, but it wasn’t enough to peg back the series leader Ollie Gear who finished just six points ahead of him so the championship is on a knife’s edge for the final round. Nine-points seperate Gear and Carpenter, with Hudson Crothers a distant third 33-points behind.

SA MX Wil Carpenter
Wil Carpenter – 2019 South Australian Motocross Championship

13-U16 years 125cc

  1. Alex Larwood – 315 (Yamaha YZ125)
  2. Jack Mclean – 260
  3. Brodie Petschauser– 260

13-U16 years 250cc

  1. Alex Larwood – 315 (Yamaha YZ250F)
  2. Jack Colbert – 260
  3. Jack Mclean – 256

7-9 years 65cc

  1. Jobe Dunne – 290 (Yamaha YZ65)
  2. Jai Hay – 263
  3. Kye Little – 252

10-12 years 65cc

  1. Ollie Gear- 301
  2. Wil Carpenter – 292 (Yamaha YZ65)
  3. Hudson Crothers – 259
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Queensland MX

The final round of the Queensland Motocross Championships took place in the picturesque Echo Valley circuit in Toowoomba on the weekend, with Levi Rogers forging ahead to claim the 125cc and 250cc wins in the 15 years classes.

Rogers won five out of the six motos contested over the weekend across the 15 years 125 and 15 years 250cc classes and only a spectacular fall in Moto 2 on his YZ125 prevented a clean sweep of the round and the series.

Qld MX Levi Rogers champion
Levi Rogers – 2019 Queensland Motocross Championship – 15 years 125cc & 15 years 250cc champion

Rogers won the 15 years 125cc class from Jake Kowal and Harrison Purdy, while taking the 15 years 250cc title from Jake kowal and Harrison Nolan. Rogers, as the highest junior point scorer in the championship, retains the number 1 plate for the second year in a row and keeps it in the possession of YJR riders for the fifth year running.

Jackson Camilleri also pulled down two class wins in the 13-14 years 125 and 250cc classes as well as a third place in the 14-15 years 85cc division in an ironman effort.

Camilleri took the 13-14 years 125cc title six-points ahead of Deegan Mancinelli, with Zac Watson completing the top three. Camilleri also took the 13-14 years 250cc win ahead of Jesse Holding with a 20-point lead, with Kobe Drew third overall.

Deegan Mancinelli laid claim to the 14-15 years 85cc title, ahead of Zac Watson and Jackson Camilleri, while in the 12-U14 years 85cc class Braden Plath took the title from Kobe Drew and Charli Cannon.

15 years 125cc

  1. Levi Rogers – 207 (Yamaha YZ125)
  2. Jake Kowal – 179
  3. Harrison Purdy – 160

15 years 250cc

  1. Levi Rogers – 210 (Yamaha YZ250F)
  2. Jake Kowal – 188
  3. Harrison Nolan – 163

13-14 years 125cc

  1. Jackson Camilleri – 191 (Yamaha YZ125)
  2. Deegan Mancinelli – 185
  3. Zac Watson – 181 (Yamaha YZ125)

13-14 years 250cc

  1. Jackson Camilleri – 210 (Yamaha YZ250F)
  2. Jesse Holding – 190 (Yamaha YZ250F)
  3. Kobe Drew – 182

14-15 years 85cc

  1. Deegan Mancinelli – 201
  2. Zac Watson – 174 (Yamaha YZ85)
  3. Jackson Camilleri – 167 (Yamaha YZ85)

12-U14 years 85cc

  1. Braden Plath – 202
  2. Kobe Drew – 198
  3. Charli Cannon – 173 (Yamaha YZ85)
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Sam Sunderland wraps up 2019 Silk Way Rally

KTM’s Sam Sunderland has won the 2019 Silk Way Rally on the back of a sixth place finish in the final round across the Gobi Desert. Having built up an advantage over the earlier stages Sunderland was able to wrap up the Rally with a 20-minute advantage over Andrew Short, with Adrien Van Beveren third overall.

Silk Way Rally Sunderland
Sam Sunderland wins the Silk Way Rally ahead of Andrew Short and Adrien Van Beveren

Sunderland now leads the FIM Cross-Country Rally World Championship following the first two rounds on 83-points, with Andrew Short second in the standings on 56-points and Luciano Benavides third on 51.

The next rally will be the Atacama Rally, round three of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, held in Chile from September 1 – 7.

Sam Sunderland

“For me I’m so happy to get the win, it makes it two-out-of-two this championship and it’s a really important one because of the points earned this round. I felt really good at the beginning of the event and was able to create a good gap. I felt a bit sick during the middle stages but was able to manage the race and stay on a good pace right to the end. I’m really pleased for Andrew, who has ridden a great race, and also Luciano and Laia. Now I’m looking forward to a bit of rest.”

Silk Way Rally Sunderland
Sam Sunderland – Silk Way Rally 2019

2019 Silk Way Rally Results

  1. SUNDERLAND Sam (GBR) Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team 26:12’47
  2. SHORT Andrew (USA) Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing +20’22
  3. VAN BEVEREN Adrien (FRA) Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team +21’01
  4. BENAVIDES Kevin (ARG) Monster Energy Honda Team +21’37
  5. BENAVIDES Luciano (ARG) KTM Factory Racing Team +36’50
  6. MENA Oriol (SPA) Hero Motorsports Team Rally +51’50
  7. SANZ Laia (SPA) Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +1:56’26
  8. TOMICZEK Adam (POL) KTM Orlen Rally Team +2:08’04
  9. BARREDA Joan (SPA) Monster Energy Honda Team +2:54’25
  10. GIEMZA Maciej (POL) KTM Orlen Rally Team +3:10’31

Provisional FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship Standings

  1. Sam Sunderland (GBR), KTM, 83 points
  2. Andrew Short (USA), Husqvarna, 56 pts
  3. Luciano Benavides (ARG), KTM, 51 pts
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Penrite Honda sign Chris Blose for AUS-X Open

Penrite Honda has started Supercross preparation, signing 2017 AUS-X-Open winner Chris Blose to race the up and coming Australian Supercross Championship, with Blose coming off a successful AMA Supercross campaign where he finished ninth overall, with his best round finish a fifth place. Blose is no stranger to Australia having competed here several times and is looking forward to chasing a championship win down under.

Chris Blose

“The Honda Australia Factory program is a professional and successful team and I am sure we will be competitive. I have raced the current CRF250R and am confident we have a strong package, there are going to be several contenders and I can’t wait for the championship to start.”

Aus X Open Chris Blose
Chris Blose joins Penrite Honda for the upcoming Australian Supercross season

Penrite Honda also remain focused on the completion of the Motocross season, where Brett Metcalfe is aiming for the overall win, with Yarrive Konsky sharing:

Yarrive Konsky

“American Honda has been fantastic with Brayton and the like and we couldn’t do this without their ongoing support. Whilst we are preparing for Supercross we can’t take our focus off Motocross. We believe Brett is capable of winning and we are in the pursuit of an overall win. We have regrouped following Maitland and devised a plan to be better prepared for the final three rounds.”

MX Nationals Rnd Maitland MX Brett Metcalfe ImageBellaMaurer
Brett Metcalfe continues to spearhead the Penrite Honda MX effort
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Hayes to Serco Yamaha for Australian Supercross 2019

US based, Jacob Hayes will return to Australia and join the Serco Yamaha Team to contest the 2019 Australian SX2 Supercross Championship, starting in Brisbane on October 12. Hayes, who came to Australian for the first time in 2018, finished the season in third place in the SX2 category on his Serco Yamaha YZ250F, shared he is pleased to return and looking forward to racing the Australian Championship again.

Jacob Hayes

“I had an amazing time in Australia last year and the Serco Yamaha team really looked after me so it was good to be able to hook up with Gavin and his team again and build on our relationship. This year I feel I will be a little more prepared on several levels as I have raced the 2019 season in the US on a YZ250F as well as I now know how the Australian series works as well as a better understanding of the level of racing there. There are some quality riders in SX2 in Australia and I loved racing them last year. I’m planning on them being even better again in 2019 so my preparations will need to be good. Last year I was third after a bit of a slow start to the season, so this year the goal is to improve and try and win the championship for myself and the Serco Yamaha team.”

Australian Supercross Jacob Hayes
Jacob Hayes joins Serco Yamaha Team

The Australian Supercross Championship kicks off on October 12 in Brisbane before moving to Adelaide, Wollongong, Auckland in NZ and the finale at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on November 30.

2019 Australian Supercross Championship Calendar

  • Rd1: Brisbane Entertainment Centre – October 12
  • Rd2: Adelaide – Gillman Speedway – Oct 19
  • Rd3: Wollongong – Win Stadium – Nov 9
  • Rd4: Auckland NZ- Mt Smart Stadium – Nov 16
  • Rd5: Melbourne – Marvel Stadium – Nov 30
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Gauthier joins AFT Production Twins for remainder of season

Black Hills Harley-Davidson which currently runs a Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R in the AFT Production Twins class piloted by James Rispoli, has announced signing current AFT Singles points-leader Dalton Gauthier to ride a second XG in the AFT Production Twins class for the remainder of the AFT season.

Gauthier, who will continue to contest the AFT Singles championship aboard a Rob McLendon-tuned Husqvarna FC450, will join Rispoli on the Black Hills AFT Production Twins squad when the two-man team debuts at the upcoming Black Hills Half-Mile on August 6 at Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, SD during the annual Sturgis Rally.

Dalton Gauthier

“I’m extremely excited to get this opportunity with Harley-Davidson and the Black Hills team. I’ve seen what the bike can do and I feel I can win races on the thing. My goal is to ride the AFT Twins series next year, and I want to show everyone that I can ride a twin as well as a Single. Just have to stay consistent and put in some good rides. I’ve raced the Production Twins class twice this year and did pretty well, so I know what to expect and am quite confident.”

Dalton Gauthier AFT Singles New York ST
Dalton Gauthier – Image by Scott Hunter

Seven races remain in the 2019 AFT Production Twins season, Half-Miles at Black Hills and Williams Grove, and Miles at Sacramento, Springfield (2), Minnesota and the Meadowlands. Cory Texter leads the series, with Rispoli and Gauthier currently 9th and 11th, respectively.

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AFT announces Springfield Mile double-header in August

AFT will take over the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, beginning with the AFT Singles class sparring on the Springfield Short Track on Friday, August 30, followed by a highly-anticipated AFT Twins Springfield Mile Double-Header on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1.

AFT Springfield Mile II Twins Main FA
Springfield Mile II – AFT Twins 2018 – Image by Scott Hunter

One of the tightest, wildest short tracks of the season, the Springfield Short Track will feature the AFT Singles going handlebar-to-handlebar as the championship race heats up. Friday night event hosts many races in multiple classes, culminating in the AFT Singles Main Event.

Known as the world’s fastest Mile, the Springfield Mile, typically run twice a season in May and August, will now run back-to-back so that fans may experience twice the excitement in a single weekend. Fans holding tickets from May’s postponed event may use their tickets for Saturday’s Mile race.


Harley-Davidson announce 2019 AFT Production Twins Contingency Program

Harley-Davidson has announced a 2019 American Flat Track Contingency Program for the AFT Production Twins class to begin with the 2019 Black Hills Half-Mile running Tuesday, August 6 in Rapid City, S.D.

The momentum behind the XG750R as an AFT Production Twins machine has been growing as James Rispoli took his first class podium aboard the Black Hills Harley-Davidson ProBEAM XG750R at the Lima Half-Mile.

James Rispoli AFT Production Twins Lima Half Mile
James Rispoli – Lima Half Mile 2019 – Scott Hunter
Eric Jensen – Global Brand Marketing Lead for Harley-Davidson

“We are very excited to see the growth and emerging talent within the AFT Production Twins class. Harley-Davidson motorcycles go back to the very foundation of professional flat track and we see the AFT Production Twins class as an opportunity to expand the legacy of Harley-Davidson within the sport.”

The per-race contingency payouts are available to non-factory riders in the AFT Production Twins class and is broken down as follows by finishing position:

  1. $2,500
  2. $1,500
  3. $1,000
  • Per-Race Subtotal $5,000
  • Races 7 races
  • Per-Race 2019 Total $30,000

To be eligible for contingency payouts, riders must run an eligible XG750R in the AFT Production Twins class. To remain eligible, all machines must maintain stock bodywork and riders must wear a Harley-Davidson logo on the upper-chest portion of their leathers.

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Source: MCNews.com.au

AORC hits Kyogle this weekend for Rnd 5-6

Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship 2019

Rounds 5 & 6 – Kyogle, NSW Preview

The Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) returns from a three-month break this weekend, heading to Kyogle in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, with rounds 5 and 6 to be held over July 20-21.

AORC Rnd Toowoomba Daniel Milner
Daniel Milner – 2019 AORC

Much of the AORC field made the trek to the iconic Hattah Desert Race, which took place on the first weekend of July, but heading into this weekend let’s take a quick gander at everything you need to know in terms of the state of play of the championship across all classes.

With riders like Daniel Sanders, Daniel Milner, Kyron Bacon, Blake Hollis, Lee Stephens and Jessica Gardiner all holding perfect 100-point scores, competitors will be itching to end their streaks and mix up those standings. Here’s a look at how the AORC stands heading into the weekend.


E3

In the E3 category, Daniel Sanders holds a clean 100 per cent scorecard having won all four rounds this year. He sits on top of the championship with 100-points locked away as he continues his march towards a second E3 Championship.

Hattah Desert Race Daniel Sanders JPM
Daniel Sanders – Image by John Pearson Media

Sanders’ victory last time out marked his fifteenth round win in the E3 class and his twenty-eighth podium finish in the category. The last time Sanders raced at Kyogle was back in 2015, when he finished second to his then KTM teammate, Toby Price in both rounds on the Saturday and Sunday.

Fourteen points behind the Victorian rider is Beau Ralston, who has found himself finishing on the podium in four of the rounds with three second positions, at Rounds 1, 3 and 4, while at Round 2 it was third place, when he finished 20.651 seconds behind  Andrew Wilksch, who finds himself in fifth place in the championship standings.

In third place and not to be over looked is Jesse Lawton with 72-points, while in fourth place is Matt Murry.

E3 Standings – Top 5

  1. Daniel SANDERS 100
  2. Beau RALSTON 86
  3. Jesse LAWTON 72
  4. Matt MURRY 68
  5. Andrew WILKSCH 62

E2

Just like in E3 class, Daniel Milner has made the E2 class his own in 2019, taking line honours in all four rounds proving he is the man to catch this year. Fresh from his recent Hattah Desert Race win, Milner will be looking to extend his championship lead this weekend.

AORC Dungog Daniel Milner and crowd
Daniel Milner

Milner’s closest rival and last year’s E3 champion Josh Green has a question mark on if he will compete this weekend. Green suffered small fractures, a lot of bone bruising and damaged ligaments in his wrist after he fell at the Hattah Desert Race.

With Green potentially out of the game this weekend, Milner will have to focus on keeping Frenchman Jérémy Carpentier at bay, as he sits 22-points behind Milner. A steady start to the year, with three thirds and one fourth, sees the rider eight points ahead of Broc Grabham, while Brad Hardaker completes the top five with 59-points in the bag.

E2 Standings – Top 5

  1. Daniel MILNER 100
  2. Joshua GREEN 88
  3. Jeremy CARPENTIER 78
  4. Broc GRABHAM 70
  5. Brad HARDAKER 59

E1

The E1 championship is boiling up nicely with the top four riders covered by nineteen points. At the top of the charts is Luke Styke. The former motocross and supercross ace has taken out all rounds bar Round 2 when he was defeated by Lyndon Snodgrass.

Yamaha Active Yamalube Racing AORC Luke
Luke Styke

While Snodgrass may be doing the attacking when it comes to trying to chip away at Styke’s championship lead, he is also doing some defending as Michael Driscoll is breathing right down his neck just one point behind in third place.

One slip up this weekend from either Snodgrass or Driscoll, and Fraser Higlett could find himself possibly leaving this weekend in second place in the championship as he only sits four points behind Driscoll and a further five points behind Snodgrass.

E1 Standings – Top 5

  1. Luke STYKE 97
  2. Lyndon SNODGRASS 83
  3. Michael DRISCOLL 82
  4. Fraser HIGLETT 78
  5. Jonte REYNDERS 63

EJ

Kyron Bacon has proven that he is the man to hunt down in the EJ division. Bacon has scored four wins four starts in the 2019 season. Playing the second fiddle to Bacon so far has been Joshua Brierley, while Korey McMahon sits in third place in the championship fight after finishing third in all four rounds so far.

AORC Rnd Toowoomba Kyron Bacon
Kyron Bacon – 2019 AORC

The fight is on for fourth place in the championship. Three points separate Cooper Sheidow, who sits on 66-points ahead of Nathan Howe on 65, with Riley Nancarrow in sixth place on 63-points.

EJ Standings – Top 5

  1. Kyron BACON 100
  2. Joshua BRIERLEY 88
  3. Korey MCMAHON 80
  4. Cooper SHEIDOW 66
  5. Nathan HOWE 65

Juniors

Moving to the Juniors and first off Blake Hollis has simply crushed his rivals in quest of his J4 championship crown. He heads into this weekend with 100-points to his name after winning all of the first four rounds.

AORC Rnd Toowoomba Blake Hollis
Blake Hollis – 2019 AORC

Twelve points behind is Mackenzie Johnson, who has finished second to Hollis in all of the rounds. If Johnson wants to win this year’s title, he has to come up with some sort of plan to put a stop to Hollis… fast.

Rounding out the top five is Cody Chittick, Zac Perry and Oscar Collins. Leading the championship in the J3 class is Riley McGillivray, while Max Phillips holds a one-point lead over Campbell Hall in the J2 class.

J2 Standings – Top 5

  1. Max PHILLIPS 85
  2. Campbell HALL 84
  3. Billy HARGY 70
  4. Jett YARNOLD 65
  5. Luke CHELLAS 60

J3 Standings – Top 5

  1. Riley MCGILLIVRAY 97
  2. Kodi STEPHENS 82
  3. Will DENNETT 78
  4. Maxwell LIEBEKNECHT 65
  5. Jack BITHELL 61

J4 Standings – Top 5

  1. Blake HOLLIS 100
  2. Mackenzie JOHNSON 88
  3. Cody CHITTICK 70
  4. Zac PERRY 67
  5. Oscar COLLINS 65

Womens

Jess Gardiner leads the charge in the Women’s championship, and while it’s still early days in the season she looks like she is on course to claim her record breaking fifth championship title. Playing the bridesmaid to Gardiner at this current stage of the championship is newcomer Emma Milesevic, while snapping at heels is the 2013 champion in Emelie Karlsson.

AORC Dungog Jess Gardiner
Jess Gardiner

Womens Standings – Top 5

  1. Jessica GARDINER 100
  2. Emma MILESEVIC 82
  3. Emelie KARLSSON 80
  4. Ebony NIELSEN 74
  5. Danielle FOOT 68

Veterans & Masters

Lee Stephens will look to continue his winning ways in the Veterans class. Stephens is yet to be defeated in the 2019 season. Chris Thomas and Paul Chadwick round out the top three respectively.

AORC Rnd Toowoomba Kirk Hutton
Kirk Hutton – 2019 AORC

Leading the merry way in the Masters Championship is Kirk Hutton, who wrapped up round wins in the opening three rounds, but finished second to Brad Williscroft at the fourth round. Hutton heads into this weekend with a healthy thirty-one-point lead over Peter Rudd, with Ian Jenner in third, two points behind Rudd.

Veterans Standings – Top 5

  1. Lee STEPHENS 100
  2. Chris THOMAS 78
  3. Paul CHADWICK 60
  4. Luke ABLITT 54
  5. Scott DUNN 44

Masters Standings – Top 5

  1. Kirk HUTTON 97
  2. Peter RUDD 66
  3. Ian JENNER 64
  4. Craig TREASURE 58
  5. John BAKER 55

Source: MCNews.com.au

Moto News Weekly | AFT | Rally | TrialGP | WJMX | MX

Moto News Weekly for July 16, 2019

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What happened this week

  • Briar Bauman dominates AFT Twins at New York Short Track
  • Dalton Gauthier claims AFT Singles win at Weedsport Speedway
  • Andrew Short wins Silk Way Rally Stage 9 – Sunderland leads into final
  • Toni Bou claims 2019 Portuguese TrialGP victory
  • Luke Clout & Kirk Gibbs claim MX Nationals Round 7 wins
  • Gajser & Prado continue MXGP domination
  • 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Champions crowned
  • Australia strong in 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship
  • Team Australia fourth in U21 Speedway World Championship
  • AORC final Rounds 10 & 11 move to Hedley, Victoria

Briar Bauman dominates New York Short Track

Images by Scott Hunter

Briar Bauman rebounded from his worst result of the 2019 American Flat Track season at the Lima Half-Mile, where a mechanical DNF took a bite out of his championship lead, by scoring a dominant victory at the 2019 New York Short Track held at Weedsport Speedway.

AFT Twins New York Short Track Twins Henry Wiles FA
American Flat Track 2019 – New York Short Track

Rather than allow the pressure to cause additional difficulties to escalate following the disappointing previous round, the championship leader responded with perhaps the most convincing performance of his standout ‘19 campaign.

AFT Twins New York Short Track Twins Briar Bauman FA
Briar Bauman – American Flat Track 2019 – New York Short Track

At the start of the 30-lap Main Event, the recently rejuvenated Jeffrey Carver Jr. squeezed past Bauman and his brother, Bronson Bauman, to lead the opening lap. But before Carver could even contemplate the possibility of completing his career Grand Slam with a maiden Short Track win, Bauman blasted back by and ripped open a gap at the front.

AFT Twins New York Short Track Twins Bronson Bauman FA
Bronson Bauman – American Flat Track 2019 – New York Short Track

Smooth and in control throughout, Bauman took the win with 3.589 seconds in hand. Despite the result representing his eighth podium (and seventh top two) in nine Main Events this season, the victory was Bauman’s first since his triumphant season opener.

Briar Bauman

“I’ve got to thank my team — they bust their butts during the week. The bike was insane… today we showed up and didn’t change a thing and we were good all day. It just feels good. It feels like it’s been a whole season since I got a win. Seconds are really cool… ‘I know there’s nothing’s wrong with silver’ — said the great Ricky Bobby — but I’m just glad to get a win again.”

AFT Twins New York Short Track Twins Briar Bauman FA
Briar Bauman – American Flat Track 2019 – New York Short Track

Carver backed up his first podium of the year with a second consecutive runner-up result. He was followed to the stripe by Short Track standout Henry Wiles in third. Bronson Bauman extended his streak of top fives to three with a fourth-place finish, while Robert Pearson secured his best result of the season in fifth.

AFT Twins New York Short Track Twins Jeffrey Carver Jr FA
Jeffrey Carver Jr. – American Flat Track 2019 – New York Short Track

Meanwhile, multi-time time defending AFT Twins champ Jared Mees could manage just seventh on the night. As a result, Bauman stretched his advantage back out to 26 points (170-144) as the title fight reached its halfway point.

AFT Twins New York Short Track AFT Twins Podium FA
Briar Bauman topped the AFT Twins podium from Carver and Wiles – American Flat Track 2019 – New York Short Track

AFT Twins Main Event – New York Short Track 2019

  1. Briar Bauman, 30 Laps, 0:18.795
  2. Jeffrey Carver Jr. +3.589
  3. Henry Wiles +4.983
  4. Bronson Bauman +7.111
  5. Robert Pearson +8.734
  6. Davis Fisher +12.466
  7. Jared Mees +14.310
  8. Brandon Robinson +15.296
  9. Brandon Price +15.498
  10. Bryan Smith +16.911

2019 American Flat Track – AFT Twins Standings

  1. Briar Bauman 170
  2. Jared Mees 144
  3. Brandon Robinson 119
  4. Bronson Bauman 116
  5. Henry Wiles 113
  6. Jeffrey Carver Jr. 110
  7. Jarod Vanderkooi 93
  8. Robert Pearson 92
  9. Sammy Halbert 81
  10. Jake Johnson 79
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Dalton Gauthier claims AFT Singles win

Images by Scott Hunter

Dalton Gauthier took maximum advantage of the opportunity before him in the 20-lap AFT Singles Main Event. Pre-race title leader Mikey Rush was forced to watch from the fences after he failed to make the Main, finishing 0.135 seconds short of a qualifying position in his semi. And since Rush competed in the premier AFT Twins class in 2018, he earned no AFT Singles points and thus had no provisional start to call upon.

AFT Twins New York Short Track Singles Shayna Texter
American Flat Track 2019 – New York Short Track

As a result, Gauthier fully capitalized. The ‘Comeback Kid’ dropped down the order early despite starting from pole, but he quickly demonstrated the speed he used to earn that starting slot in the first place.

He exploded through a tight, back-and-forth pack contesting the lead and escaped from that early chaos to power to his second victory of the season and reclaim the AFT Singles championship lead in the process.

Dalton Gauthier

“I picked up a lot of confidence tonight, and it’s definitely going to help us with this championship. The day went off so good. I was fast in practice and qualifying and felt really comfortable. I can’t thank Jimmy Wood at Öhlins enough for helping us out with our shock and our suspension. He was a gamesaver, and I felt so much more comfortable than I had before on this bike. And my mom’s here for her first National ever – it’s awesome to win in front of her.”

AFT Twins New York Short Track Singles Dalton Guathier FA
Dalton Gauthier – American Flat Track 2019 – New York Short Track

Morgen Mischler put in a late charge, slashing his way through the same talented pack Gauthier diced through earlier in the race, to work up to second position. Mischler even managed to dramatically close down the gap to Gauthier but ultimately ran out of laps, coming up 0.413 short of the victory at the checkered flag.

He was followed home by reigning class champion Dan Bromley. Just behind, Kevin Stollings finished fourth while Bromley’s teammate, Shayna Texter, completed the top five.

AFT Twins New York Short Track Singles Dan Bromley FA
Dan Bromley – American Flat Track 2019 – New York Short Track

As a result of Saturday’s pivotal outcome, Gauthier now leads Rush in the AFT Singles championship chase 169-156. Defending champ Bromley remains in close contention at 151 points thanks to his remarkable consistency, despite still seeking the first Main Event victory of his title defense.

AFT Singles Main Event – New York Short Track 2019

  1. Dalton Gauthier, 20 Laps, 0:18.888
  2. Morgen Mischler +0.413
  3. Dan Bromley +1.953
  4. Kevin Stollings +3.593
  5. Shayna Texter +3.706
  6. Andrew Luker +4.431
  7. Cole Zabala +5.548
  8. Tanner Dean +6.026
  9. James Rispoli +7.527
  10. Jesse Janisch +8.616

2019 American Flat Track – AFT Singles Standings

  1. Dalton Gauthier 169
  2. Mikey Rush 156
  3. Dan Bromley 151
  4. Jesse Janisch 138
  5. Ryan Wells 111
  6. Shayna Texter 108
  7. Chad Cose 91
  8. Morgen Mischler 90
  9. Kevin Stollings 79
  10. Max Whale 72
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Andrew Short wins Silk Way Rally Stage 9
Sam Sunderland leads into final

Stage 9 of the 2019 Silk Way Rally has just been won by Andrew Short, while Sam Sunderland heads into the final in the lead, with a 23-minute lead over Short, but it’s been a long journey to get this far.

Sam Sunderland looks like a shoe-in for the win, following strong performance throughout the nine stages so far, while Andrew Short and Adrien Van Beveren are only separated by a minute heading into the final stage. Kevin Benavides is a further two-minutes behind Beveren, ensuring he’s well within reach of a podium position.

Here’s a quick recap of the action so far…

Silk Way Rally Stage Andrew Short
Andrew Short – Silk Way Rally 2019

The Silk Way Rally kicked off in Serbia, where heavy rain ensured challenging conditions for the opening stage, with Honda’s Kevin Benavides claiming the stage win from Luciano Benavides and Xavier de Soultrait.

Stage 2 was held in Russia to the south-east of Lake Baikal, featuring a 212km timed special and saw Sam Sunderland close down the lead on Kevin Benavides with a stage win.

Stage 3 saw the Silk Way Rally cross into Mongolia with the finish close to Ulan Bator, with 691km travelled including a 243km timed special, reaching altitudes of 1500m and mixed terrain of forested foothills and open mountain passes. Kevin Benavides claimed the stage win, from Joan Barreda and Luciano Benavides, with Sam Sunderland fourth.

Silk Way Rally Stage Luciano Benavides
Luciano Benavides – Silk Way Rally 2019

It proved to be KTM’s stage for the fourth iteration marking the first of a two-part marathon with only riders able to work on their bikes overnight, with Sunderland and Luciano Benavides taking the 1-2, propelling them into the same positions in the standings.

Sunderland opened Stage 5 on the back of his Stage 4 victory, leading riders across the plains of Mongolia to extend his lead to 13-minutes. Luciano Benavides and Kevin Benavides held onto second and third in the standings.

Silk Way Rally Stage Sam Sunderland
Sam Sunderland – Silk Way Rally 2019

Sam Sunderland further extended his lead in Stage 6, covering 411km across fast, open gravel roads which criss-crossed the stage, with many riders getting caught out by a tricky waypoint. Sunderland had to settle for fourth, with Oriol Mena taking the stage win and moving into second in the standings.

Stage 7 saw the Silk Way Rally arrive in China, with just three more stages to go following Sunderland’s win from Oriol Mena and Luciano Benavides.

Heading into Stage 8 Sunderland was confident in the lead with a 785km distance to travel, including a 326km timed special which included the dunes of the Gobi Desert. It proved Kevin Benavides who would take the stage win however, from Adrien Van Beveren and Paulo Goncalves, with Sam Sunderland settling for eighth despite an early crash, and retaining a 25-minute lead.

Silk Way Rally Stage Sam Sunderland
Sam Sunderland – Silk Way Rally 2019

It was Andrew Short however, who rode a faultless Stage 9 of the 2019 Silk Way Rally to post the fastest time and elevate himself to second in the provisional overall standings. Mastering the rough and physical timed special while navigating accurately through the stage, Short completed the 290.3-kilometres in less than four hours. The stage covered rough, sandy roads and camel grass covered dunes, with navigation proving a challenge for many riders.

Andrew Short

“Stage nine was really good for me today. I knew it would cover really similar terrain to yesterday so I had a little better idea of what to expect. With my start position I had a lot of tracks laid down ahead of me but at times those tracks would split up. I navigated well and always chose the right direction. My pace to the refuel was really good and then after that I was able to keep to a good speed and again, where other people had made mistakes, I was able to make the right choices and push on to the finish. I’m happy with how the day has gone and really happy with my performance.”

Silk Way Rally Stage Andrew Short
Andrew Short – Silk Way Rally 2019

Enjoying a comfortable motorcycle class lead as the rally entered China due to his dominant performance through Russia and Mongolia, Sam Sunderland knew he had to simply maintain a strong but steady pace to stay ahead. Keeping things safe, the British rider controlled the race from the front, doing exactly what he had to do to defend his lead. Finishing fourth, Sunderland now leads the overall standings by close to 23 minutes.

Sam Sunderland

“I think they definitely saved the toughest till last because the two days in China so far have been super physical. The tracks have been really technical with a lot of broken rivers and washes coming through the piste. It makes it really difficult to find a good rhythm and of course the temperature here is much hotter. For me personally, after a good run through Russia and Mongolia these last few days were about just managing my pace. Obviously yesterday I got caught out which was frustrating, with a lead like I have the goal should be to take things easy and not take any risks, but I clipped a rock and got thrown off. Today I kept a cool head, in fact I saw Andrew just before the refuel and he was riding really well. I tagged onto him for a bit but in the end just decided to keep my own pace and bring it home at the end of the day.”

Silk Way Rally Sam Sunderland
Sam Sunderland – Silk Way Rally 2019

Benavides, after the Stage 8 win, was forced to open the track. The Argentinean was making swift progress until he was caught by other riders who arrived back at the Jiayuguan bivouac in a group. Barreda, meanwhile, sought to maintain a fast pace in spite of not feeling very much at ease on the terrain, and sits 2.5-minutes off third placed Adrien Van Beveren heading into the final.

Kevin Benavides

“Today was a hard day, more than yesterday. There was a lot of navigation and offroad until kilometre 130. Opening the stage was a tough task in the stage with the most navigation of all. I felt good, I liked the terrain and I pushed hard throughout. The others didn’t catch me up until the end of that navigational phase. I let Van Beveren pass in front of me to be able to push hard again after the refuelling. I think it was good for both of us and we ended up happy with each other after having pushed the whole stage. And for tomorrow? Well, let’s go for it. In rally you never know what could occur. Until the final kilometre everything can happen.”

Silk Way Rally Stage Benavides
Kevin Benavides – Silk Way Rally 2019

Provisional Standings After Stage Nine – 2019 Silk Way Rally

  1. Sam Sunderland (GBR), KTM, 23:27:27
  2. Andrew Short (USA), Husqvarna, 23:50:18 +22:51
  3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 23:51:09 +23:42
  4. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 23:53:35 +26:08
  5. Luciano Benavides (ARG), KTM, 24:01:45 +34:18

Provisional Standings After Stage Nine – 2019 Silk Way Rally

  1. Sam Sunderland (KTM) 23:27:27
  2. Andrew Short (Husqvarna) 23:50:18
  3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 23:51:09
  4. Kevin Benavides (Honda) 23:53:35
  5. Luciano Benavides (KTM) 24:01:45
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Toni Bou claims 2019 Portuguese TrialGP victory

Toni Bou has repeated his 2018 efforts, claiming the 2019 Portuguese TrialGP victory, where last year he took his 100th TrialGP World Championship victory. 2019 sees Bou increase that figure to 110, with teammate Takahisa Fujinami coming home in fifth, a point shy of fourth.

TrialGP Rnd Portugal toni bou ps
Toni Bou – TrialGP 2019 – Portugal, Round 5

The fifth round of the TrialGP world championship, held today in Gouveia, Portugal was marked by roasting temperatures and very demanding sections located amongst the boulders of the Parque de Nostra Senhora los Verdes.

TrialGP Rnd Portugal takahisa fujinami ps
Takahisa Fujinami – TrialGP 2019 – Portugal, Round 5

Repsol Honda Team ace Toni Bou suffered considerably in the gruelling Portuguese trial. In spite of a first lap which saw Bou make several mistakes and pick-up a penalty for exceeding the lap time limit, the champion was nevertheless able to stage a comeback on lap two to take his win tally to 110 out of 210 world championship participations. This, the fifth victory of the season increases Bou’s overall lead to 22 points over the nearest second-place rival.

Toni Bou

“Today was a very tough trial. It was a very positive weekend, with the type of terrain that we like a lot. We rode a very good second round through the sections, so we leave here with a very good taste in our mouths. We will try to be fully recovered for France to be able to have a good trial. We know that, if we win, I will be champion, something really impressive, but the important thing is to have a great trial. I am very happy and I want to thank the whole team because this week they have done a great job.”

TrialGP Rnd Portugal toni bou ps
Toni Bou – TrialGP 2019 – Portugal, Round 5

The next TrialGP world championship outing, the sixth points-paying round, will be held next weekend in Auron, France, July 20-21.

TrialGP Rnd Portugal podium ps
Toni Bou topped the podium from Adam Raga and Jeroni Fajardo – TrialGP 2019 – Portugal, Round 5

TrialGP of Portugal 2019 results

  1. BOU, Toni (SPA) 25
  2. RAGA, Adam (SPA) 32
  3. FAJARDO, Jeroni (SPA) 36
  4. CASALES, Jorge (SPA) 39
  5. FUJINAMI, Takahisa (JPN) 40

2019 TrialGP Standings – Top 5

  1. BOU, Toni 120
  2. RAGA, Adam 98
  3. FAJARDO, Jeroni 82
  4. FUJINAMI, Takahisa 77
  5. DABILL, James 60
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Luke Clout & Kirk Gibbs claim MX Nationals Round 7 wins

For the full report see: CDR Yamaha men win MX1 | Webster and Honda win MX2

MX1

Round 7 of the 2019 MX Nationals kicked off over the weekend, with Luke Clout claiming a double-win in the opening motos, with Brett Metcalfe and Kirk Gibbs completing the top three over the combined results, while the final moto of the weekend for full points saw Kirk Gibbs claim victory. Clout was runner up in the final moto but, secured 67-points for the weekend and the round win, while Gibbs was two points in arrears and Hayden Mellross was third overall on 58-points.

MX Nationals Rnd Maitland MX CDR Yamaha Gibbs Clout ImageBellaMaurer
Luke Clout and CDR Yamaha team-mate Kirk Gibbs – Image by Bella Maurer

The result sees Clout leave Round 7 with a nine-point lead from Mellross, who is three-points ahead of Todd Waters. Kirk Gibbs sits in fourth with 312-points, to Clout’s leading 397.

Luke Clout

“The team did a great job today and the bikes were awesome. It showed in the results with Kirk and I winning all three races and going 1-2 for the day that CDR Yamaha really do the work. Looking forward to the next round at Moree in a couple of weeks and want to keep this momentum rolling all the way through to the final corner at Coolum.”

MX Nationals Rnd Maitland MX Luke Clout Board ImageBellaMaurer
Luke Clout – Image by Bella Maurer

MX1 Round 7 Overall – Top 10

Pos Rider Total R1 R2
1 Luke Clout 67 35 32
2 Kirk Gibbs 65 30 35
3 Hayden Mellross 58 28 30
4 Todd Waters 53 25 28
5 Brett Metcalfe 52 32 20
6 Dylan Long 51 26 25
7 Jayden Rykers 47 24 23
8 Caleb Ward 44 22 22
9 Connor Tierney 44 23 21
10 Richie Evans 41 17 24

MX1 Standings – Top 10

Pos Name Total
1 Luke Clout 397
2 Hayden Mellross 388
3 Todd Waters 385
4 Kirk Gibbs 312
5 Jayden Rykers 300
6 Brett Metcalfe 293
7 Justin Rodbell 287
8 Jesse Dobson 258
9 Richie Evans 258
10 Lawson Bopping 215

MX2

In the MX2 class it was Nathan Crawford who claimed the moto 1 win from Kyle Webster and Jay Wilson, while the final moto saw a turn-around as Kyle Webster came out on top, with championship leader Wilson Todd crashing and having to fight his way back to sixth. The result saw Webster and Crawford tied on 67-points for the weekend overall – while Webster took top honours, with Jay Wilson third on 58-points.

MX Nationals Rnd Maitland MX Nathan Crawford ImageBellaMaurer
Nathan Crawford – Image by Bella Maurer

Wilson Todd continues to lead the standings despite disappointment in moto 2, with 397 championship points. Kyle Webster is just 10-points behind, while third places Jay Wilson likewise has a 10-point decificit.

Kyle Webster

“I’m stoked I got the race win and that gave me the overall round win on a tie-breaker, which is awesome. It’s the best feeling to get another overall win, and the best way to thank everyone on the Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing team and all the sponsors for their support. With three rounds to go, it’s going to be an exciting finish to the Championship and I’m just going to keep doing what I have been doing. I don’t want to change anything.”

MX Nationals Rnd Maitland MX Kyle Webster ImageBellaMaurer
Kyle Webster – Image by Bella Maurer

MX2 Round 7 Overall – Top 10

Pos Rider Total R1 R2
1 Kyle Webster 67 32 35
2 Nathan Crawford 67 35 32
3 Jay Wilson 58 30 28
4 Aaron Tanti 56 26 30
5 Wilson Todd 53 28 25
6 Dylan Wills 48 24 24
7 Morgan Fogarty 45 22 23
8 Cooper Pozniak 43 21 22
9 Ricky Latimer 43 23 20
10 Luke Reardon 41 20 21

MX2 Standings – Top 10

Pos Name Total
1 Wilson Todd 397
2 Kyle Webster 387
3 Jay Wilson 377
4 Nathan Crawford 339
5 Aaron Tanti 328
6 Dylan Wills 304
7 Bailey Malkiewicz 280
8 Ricky Latimer 252
9 Cooper Pozniak 249
10 Morgan Fogarty 243
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Gajser & Prado continue MXGP domination

For the full report see: Tim Gajser makes Honda history with MXGP of Asia win

MXGP

Tim Gajser won the MXGP of Asia in Indonesia with another perfect performance and 1-1 race results, marking his seventh Grand Prix win in a row, making the red plate owner has become the most successful Honda rider of all time for GP wins in a row. He also extended his points lead to 173 points over Jeremy Seewer who is now second in the points. Second overall was Arnaud Tonus and third place went to Jeremy Seewer.

MXGP Asia Semarang Rnd Seewer start
Jeremy Seewer – MXGP of Asia – Round 12, Indonesia – 2019
Tim Gajser

“Unbelievable, I was enjoying that second race so much and that is the most important thing. I took the FOX Holeshot and I controlled the second race. I had a big crash yesterday and I got a lot of help with that from people around me. After the crash yesterday in time practice I was struggling a little bit, I had a good start in the first race, made a gap and I was enjoying it out there. I am very happy to go home safe, that is the most important thing.”

MXGP Asia Semarang Rnd Tim Gajser
Tim Gajser – MXGP of Asia – Round 12, Indonesia – 2019
Arnaud Tonus

“We had a tough time last week in Palembang, but we rebounded today with a second place and I didn’t have a good feeling yesterday, so it is amazing for the team and it feels even better when you have struggled. I really like coming to these races, the people are so excited to see us, and we are always welcomed very well.”

MXGP Asia Semarang Rnd Arnaud Tonus
Arnaud Tonus – MXGP of Asia – Round 12, Indonesia – 2019
Jeremy Seewer

“It is safe to say that I am now second in the championship, I saw some sketchy crashes and I didn’t want to take risk and I knew I would have been on the podium and got a lot of point. I told my practice mechanic I would bring back the black plate (holeshot award) and I did that. I look forward to the next Grand Prix’s now.”

MXGP Asia Semarang Rnd Seewer start
Jeremy Seewer – MXGP of Asia – Round 12, Indonesia – 2019

MXGP – GP Classification Top 10

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points
  2. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 42
  3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 38
  4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 32
  5. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), 29
  6. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 28
  7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 26
  8. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 25
  9. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), 23
  10. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 22
    …14. Lewis Stewart (AUS) 16
    …16. Adam Coles (AUS) 11
    …17. Joel Milesevic (AUS) 9

MXGP Championship Standings Top 10

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 538 points
  2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 365
  3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 358
  4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 346
  5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 343
  6. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 299
  7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 288
  8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 271
  9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 268
  10. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 243
    …26. Lewis Stewart (AUS) 29
    …29. Adam Coles (AUS) 22
    …40. Joel Milesevic (AUS) 9
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MX2

Jorge Prado won the MX2 class overall at the MXGP of Asia in Indonesia, with the Spanish rider scoring 1-1 results and extending his championship points lead over Thomas Kjer Olsen to 78 points. Second overall at Semarang was Tom Vialle and third overall was Calvin Vlaanderen.

MXGP Asia Semarang Rnd Prado start
MX2 Start – MXGP of Asia – Round 12, Indonesia – 2019
Jorge Prado

“I am happy about the weekend. I went first in every single session. It is a good feeling to come to Indonesia and win both races. I felt good and I enjoyed today. It is good to be on the podium, on the top step of the box. I had a very good jump out of the gate in the first race, but I braked too much and two guys passed me. I made a pass early on Olsen and I am enjoying the track way more today. I was looking forward to the second race and it was a good one, I pulled away and put it in cruise control. I had some sketchy moments so I took it easy as I felt a little dizzy.”

MXGP Asia Semarang Rnd Prado action
Jorge Prado – MXGP of Asia – Round 12, Indonesia – 2019
Tom Vialle

“It is good for the team and all the hard work. Second again on the podium, it is fantastic, and I am very happy. The first race was good for me following Jorge, but then I made a mistake. The second race I didn’t have a good rhythm and I just tried to control myself to be sure to be on the podium.”

MXGP Asia Semarang Rnd Tom Vialle RA
Tom Vialle – MXGP of Asia – Round 12, Indonesia – 2019
Calvin Vlaanderen

“First podium of the year. It feels good to be back and I didn’t expect it as it is just my second race back. I recovered well during the week. Renaux was riding really well and he was catching me, then I started thinking of the podium and he passed me. I want to thank the team for being behind me and also my girlfriend and everyone back home. We spent some time in Bali between the races and I got to do some surfing and really enjoyed that. I enjoy coming to these races, but am looking forward to heading back to Europe too.”

MXGP Asia Semarang Rnd Calvin Vlaanderen
Calvin Vlaanderen – MXGP of Asia – Round 12, Indonesia – 2019

MX2 Grand Prix Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 50 points
  2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 40
  3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 36
  4. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 35
  5. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 28
  6. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, HON), 28
  7. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 28
  8. Brent Van doninck (BEL, HON), 26
  9. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 26
  10. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 23

MX2 – World Championship Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 544 points
  2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 466
  3. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 366
  4. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 360
  5. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 335
  6. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 246
  7. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 242
  8. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 228
  9. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 227
  10. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 220
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2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Champions crowned

The 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Champions were crowned at the Italian track of Il Ciclamino where Italians Mattia Guadagnini and Valerio Lata were the 125cc and 85cc World Champions respectively, while Vitezslav Marek from Czech Republic was the best in the 65cc class. Team Italy dominated the Nations classification, followed by France and UK.

FIM Junior Motocross World Championship Italy Final MX Ky Woods
Ky Woods – 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship

Dutch rider Lotte Van Drunen took the first FOX Holeshot of the day while the Australian Ky Woods dominated the first laps ahead of the Dutch rider Lotte Van Drunen, the Czech Vitezslav Marek, Gyan Doensen, Salvador Perez and home rider Edoardo Martinelli. The young Australian rider dominated the 8 laps of race one and crossed the finish line five-seconds ahead of Marek and Van Drunen. Martinelli was forth and Boughen completed the top five.

FIM Junior Motocross World Championship Italy Final MX Vitezslav Marek
Vitezslav Marek – 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship

It was the British rider Ashton Boughen who was first at the start of race two, closely followed by Perez and Van Drunen. The winner of race one Ky Woods did not have a good start, but was already third by the end of the first lap. The Czech rider Marek had an unfortunate start but gave his best to move from seventh to the lead after five laps, and he kept the first position until the end followed by Minear and Woods.

The huge effort of Vitezslav Marek in race 2 paid off as the Czech rider won the 65cc World Title with Australian Ky Woods on the second step of the podium and Lotte Van Druden from the Netherlands completing the top three.

FIM Junior Motocross World Championship Italy Final MX Podium
MX65 Podium 1) Vitezslav Marek, 2) Ky Woods, 3) Lotte Van Drunen – 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship

65cc Junior World Cup Overall Top Ten

  1. MAREK Vitezslav – CZE KTM – 47
  2. WOODS Ky – AUS KTM – 45
  3. VAN DRUNEN Lotte – NED KTM – 38
  4. MINEAR Kayden – AUS KTM – 35
  5. MARTINELLI Edoardo – ITA Husqvarna – 34
  6. DOENSEN Gyan – NED KTM – 29
  7. PEREZ Salvador – SPA Yamaha – 27
  8. BOUGHEN Ashton – GBR Husqvarna – 26
  9. RYBAKOV Semen – RUS Ktm – 20
  10. MARTORANO Paolo – ITA KTM – 18
FIM Junior Motocross World Championship Italy Final MX Start
MX85 Start – 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship

Latvian rider Karlis Alberts Reisulis took the FOX holeshot of the first 85cc race, ahead of home riders Matteo Luigi Russi and Valerio Lata, Lucas Bruhn, Maximilian Ernecker, Edvards Bidzans and American Nicholas Romano. After a few turns there was a change of leader and Valerio Lata commanded the 13 laps to win the first 85cc race, followed by his compatriot Matteo Luigi Russi and Karlis Alberts Reisulis.

FIM Junior Motocross World Championship Italy Final MX Valerio Lata
Valerio Lata – 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship

A very motivated Lata started at the front in race 2, followed by his compatriot Russi, who crashed in the second turn; Grau was then second and the Bruhn was third. Once again home rider Lata kept the lead with an amazing determination until the end of the race and claimed the 85cc World Title with superb authority. Bidzans was second and Prugnieres third.

Valerio Lata was on the top of the 85cc podium to collect the gold medal, while Edvards Bidzans from Latvia and Matteo Luigi Russi from Italy received the silver and bronze medals respectively.

FIM Junior Motocross World Championship Italy Final MX Podium
MX85 Podium 1) Valerio Lata, 2) Edvards Bidzans, Matteo Russi – 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship

85cc Junior World Championship Overall Top Ten

  1. LATA Valerio – ITA KTM – 50
  2. BIDZANS Edvards – LAT Husqvarna – 40
  3. RUSSI Matteo Luigi – ITA KTM – 38
  4. PRUGNIERES Quentin – FRA KTM – 35
  5. REISULIS Karlis Alberts – LAT KTM – 33
  6. GRAU Maxime – FRA KTM – 32
  7. ROMANO Nicholas – USA KTM – 30
  8. CANET Edgar – SPA KTM – 27
  9. HEYMAN Charlie – GBR Husqvarna – 20
  10. GUILLEMOT SCHEID – David FRA KTM – 19

FIM Junior Motocross World Championship Italy Final MX StartRace 1 of the 125cc saw Joel Rizzi taking the holeshot followed by Simon Langenfelder, the Meico Vettik, Max Palssson, Mattia Guadagnini and Samuel Nilsson. However, after just one lap the current leader of the EMX125 Championship Mattia Guadagnini took the lead and kept it until the end. Tom Guyon from France did not have a good start but managed to finish second and Mike Gwerder ended third.

FIM Junior Motocross World Championship Italy Final MX Mattia Guadagnini
Mattia Guadagnini – 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship

Guadagnini was determined to win the second and final race of the 125cc class and he managed to have a perfect start claiming the FOX holeshot and taking the lead, but  Guyon was right after the Italian wheel. Behind them there were Gwerder, Osterhagen, Rizzi and Langenfelder. Half way through the race Guyon succeeded in overtaking Guadagnini, but after a few meters the Italian bounced back taking advantage of an error of the Frenchman and took the lead which he kept until the chequered flag.

Mattia Guadagnini became the 125cc Junior World Champion with a 1-1 result, and Tom Guyon and Mike Gwerder completed the podium.

FIM Junior Motocross World Championship Italy Final MX Podium
MX125 Podium 1) Mattia Guadagnini, 2) Tom Guyon, 3) Mike Gwerder – 2019 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship

125cc Junior World Championship Overall Top 10

  1. GUADAGNINI Mattia – ITA Husqvarna – 50
  2. GUYON Tom – FRA FFM KTM – 44
  3. GWERDER Mike – SUI FMS KTM – 40
  4. LANGENFELDER Simon – GER DMSB KTM – 33
  5. RIZZI Joel – GBR ACU KTM – 29
  6. MC LELLAN Camden – RSA KTM – 28
  7. WADE Eddie Jay – GBR KTM – 28
  8. NILSSON Samuel – SPA KTM – 24
  9. PALSSON Max – SWE KTM – 21
  10. MIOT Florian – FRA Yamaha – 20
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Australia strong in FIM Junior Motocross World Championship

Team Australia put on a strong showing in the World Junior Motocross Championship (WJMX) in 2019, which was held in Pietramurata, Italy over the weekend. The green and gold riders fared particularly well in the 65cc World MX Junior Cup, with KTM riders Ky Woods and Kayden Minear finishing second and fourth respectively.

World Junior Motocross WJMX Team Australia
Team Australia – 2019 World Junior Motocross – Image by Mark Willingham

Boasting some of the world’s best junior motocross riders, the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship saw Aussies represented across all three classes (65, 85, and 125cc). Although they were unable to successfully defend Australia’s Team of Nations trophy won on home soil at Horsham in Victoria, the team that traveled to Italy acquitted themselves brilliantly, finishing ninth overall.

Mark Willingham – Team Australia Team Manager

“Really happy with the effort from all the riders. Similar to some previous years our 65cc class riders were amazing, and then we see the strength of the European racing program really shine through in the 85 and 125 classes. “From my perspective, Team Australia had one of the best set ups we’ve ever provided on site to ensure the riders had everything they needed. With our main section arranged under the Diga Racing truck we had a full catering service for our meals along with their experience and guidance. On top of this our Yamaha riders were provided services from Yamaha Europe’s official race trucks, which was a result of all the effort the Aussies arranged last year welcoming the European riders at Horsham. In the end Team Australia finished up 9th in the standings, and were the first team home that was unable to score points in all three classes.”

Ryder Kingsford (Yamaha) and Campbell Williams (KTM) also made it to the finals, finishing in 13th and 24th places in the 85cc class. Also representing Australia were Alex Larwood (Yamaha,125cc), and Blake Fox (KTM, 125cc).

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Team Australia fourth in U21 Speedway World Championship

Team Australia have claimed fourth in the 2019 FIM Team Speedway Under-21 World Championship final over the weekend, which was held in Manchester, England. The Joeys came in behind Poland, Great Britain and Denmark, with 21-points. Poland was crowned World Champions with 41-points, to take their sixth consecutive gold medal.

FIM Team Speedway U World Championship Final Team Australia
Team Australia, the Joeys – 2019 FIM Team Speedway Under-21 World Championship – Image by Ian Charles

Great Britain and Denmark battled it out for the runner-up position, with the UK coming out ahead by two-points, with 33 to Denmark’s 31-points.

The Joey’s lack of international experience turned out to be their ‘chink in their armour’, while a late flurry of points in the closing stages on the meeting came with some relief as Captain Jaimon Lidsey and Jordan Stewart won their remaining races proving they have the abilities to compete with best of their age brackets.

Mark Lemon – Team Australia Team Manager

“A podium place was always going to be big ask for the young speedsters. However, ultimately, they did themselves and their country proud, gaining invaluable experience that will serve them well in the future. They can be very proud of efforts in reaching the final. We would like to thank everyone who sent messages and showed their support, and special mention to CBS Bins from Adelaide for their continued and generous sponsorship the team, our travel partners ATPI, Motorcycling Australia and Sport Australia,”

FIM Team Speedway U World Championship Final Team Australia
2019 FIM Team Speedway Under-21 World Championship – Image by Ian Charles

FIM Team U-21 World Championship Final

  1. Poland 41: Bartosz Smektala 13, Dominik Kubera 12, Maksym Drabik 11, Wiktor Lampart 5
  2. Great Britain 33: Robert Lambert 20, Dan Bewley 11, Drew Kemp 2, Kyle Bickley 0, Leon Flint 0
  3. Denmark 31: Mads Hansen 11, Fredrik Jakobsen 8, Patrick Hansen 6, Jonas Jeppesen 6
  4. Australia 21: Jaimon Lidsey 12, Jordan Stewart 5,Kye Thomson 2,Matthew Gilmore 1, Zach Cook 1
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AORC final Rounds 10 & 11 move to Hedley, Victoria

The Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship has announced that the final rounds originally scheduled to be held in Penshurst, in Victoria have been moved due to council and agricultural restrictions.

Daniel Milner on his way to Round 3 victory
Daniel Milner at the AORC 2018 Hedley Round 3

Instead Rounds 10 & 11 will be co-hosted by the Geelong Motocross Club and Corner Inlet Motorcycle Club in Hedley, Victoria over September 14-15 (2019).

Special consideration for the location was made to minimise disruption and ensure minimal additional travel distance, while retaining a Victorian round.

Hedley will feature a Cross Country racing format for Round 10, followed by Sprints for Round 11. Further information on the final rounds and accommodation can be found at the AORC website – www.aorc.org.au (link). Entries will open shortly for Rounds 10 & 11.

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Source: MCNews.com.au

Moto Wrap | AMA SX | MXGP | EMX | AORC | Enduro

Moto News Wrap for April 9, 2019 by Darren Smart

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The LATEST News

  • Tomac and Davalos win Nashville AMA SX
  • Gasjer and Prado double up at Trentino GP
  • Locals win EMX rounds at Trentino
  • Milner sweeps Dungog AORC – Full Results TBA
  • Smith wins fifth Condo 750
  • Haaker wins SuperEnduro Championship
  • Sam Sunderland wins Abu Dahbi Desert Challenge
  • Adrien Van Beveren wins Merzouga Rally 2019
  • MXGP Calendar Updates
  • AUS-X moves to Melbourne
  • MX Nationals return to Broadford this weekend
  • Metcalfe in doubt for Broadford
  • Monson/Summerhayes earn sidecar double at Gillman

Tomac and Davalos win Nashville AMA SX

Nashville hosted the 14th round of the AMA Supercross Championships last weekend and on a night that saw a series of ups and downs for the green team, it was Kawasaki riders Eli Tomac and Martin Davalos who won the 450SX and 250SX East main events respectively.

AMA Supercross Rnd Tomac Starts JK SX Nashville Cover
Eli Tomac – 2019 AMA Supercross – Nashville Round 14 – Image by Hoppenworld

The first blow for Kawasaki was when 250 East Coast championship leader Austin Faulkner took his traditional practice crash but this time the Pro-Circuit Kawasaki pilot was forced to sit out the night with a knee injury while Eli Tomac was forced to the LCQ after his KX450 ground to a halt while leading his heat race.

Find the full report here: Triumphs and tragedies for Kawasaki men at Nashville SX

450SX Report

Heat race winner Ken Roczen was in a class of his own leading into the main event while championship leader Cooper Webb looked far from convincing during qualifying and his heat.

AMA Supercross Rnd Roczen JK SX Nashville
Ken Roczen – 2019 AMA Supercross – Nashville Round 14 – Image by Hoppenworld

Eli Tomac found his mojo and raced by Wilson, Baggett and Webb to take the lead and just a few laps later Baggett move to second ahead of Webb. Savatgy was carted off the track with what looked like a broken collar bone, while Musquin worked his way through to field in a desperate attempt to salvage points.

It ended up being another 26-lap main event and Tomac took the chequered flag well ahead of Baggett, who had Webb right on his back wheel all of the way to the line.

AMA Supercross Rnd Webb JK SX Nashville
Cooper Webb – 2019 AMA Supercross – Nashville Round 14 – Image by Hoppenworld

Webb now has a 21-point lead over Tomac and Musquin with three rounds remaining so no matter the winners, three top four finishes would hand Webb the championship but there is plenty of mouth-watering racing to come.

Eli Tomac

“It was tough, you can use it (going to the LCQ) to your advantage or not, I actually felt that I kept warm and found some rhythm but it was pretty wild, the truck was a mile away so when we had the mechanical I had to push it all the way back which made it a time crunch (to get back in time for the LCQ) so I just poured it on in the main, got back to our old self and it felt good to do that.”

AMA Supercross Rnd Tomac JK SX Nashville
Eli Tomac – 2019 AMA Supercross – Nashville Round 14 – Image by Hoppenworld

450SX Main Event Results

  1. Eli Tomac
  2. Blake Baggett
  3. Cooper Webb
  4. Dean Wilson
  5. Zach Osborne
  6. Marvin Musquin
  7. Cole Seely
  8. Ken Roczen
  9. Justin Bogle
  10. Tyler Bowers
    …19. Justin Barcia
    …20. Justin Hill
    …21. Joshua Grant
    …22. Joey Savatgy

450SX Points after 14 of 17 Rounds

  1. Cooper Webb – 309
  2. Eli Tomac – 288
  3. Marvin Musquin – 288
  4. Ken Roczen – 267
  5. Blake Baggett – 238
  6. Dean Wilson – 220
  7. Cole Seely – 176
  8. Joey Savatgy – 174
  9. Justin Barcia – 154
  10. Chad Reed – 151
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250 East Coast Report

Chase Sexton and Justin Cooper came into Nashville 26 and 28 points behind Faulkner respectively so this was as good a chance to make up serious ground on the championship leader.

AMA Supercross Rnd Sexton JK SX Nashville
Chase Sexton – 2019 AMA Supercross – Nashville Round 14 – Image by Hoppenworld

Unfortunately for both riders Cooper had a complete brain fade in the second corner to not only dive bomb Sexton but then run the Honda rider so high they locked bikes and fell into each other. While Cooper and Sexton went through the traditional frantic bike pick up scenario Davalos inherited the lead and the eventual win, to do his teammate in Austin Forkner a massive favour.

AMA Supercross Rnd Webb Bogle Tomac Multiple JK SX Nashville
Cooper Webb – 2019 AMA Supercross – Nashville Round 14 – Image by Hoppenworld
Martin Davalos

“I was forced to recover from a myriad of injuries during the off-season and my neck was one of them that I didn’t think would be an issue but I had problems with my arms and hands locking up so I spoke to Mitch and we got a heap of doctors in California to check me out and find solutions, as far as tonight goes the guys made a mistake and I took advantage of it, put myself in the right position and what we did with my neck a week ago definitely calmed my neck a little bit but all up, I am pumped to be here and this is awesome. I am looking for a 450 ride next year, I feel that would suit me better.”

AMA Supercross Rnd Davalos JK SX Nashville
Martin Davalos – 2019 AMA Supercross – Nashville Round 14 – Image by Hoppenworld

250 East Coat Main Event Results

1. Martin Davalos
2. Chase Sexton
3. Justin Cooper
4. Kyle Peters
5. Brandon Hartranft
6. Mitchell Oldenburg
7. Kyle Cunningham
8. Ryan Sipes
9. Mitchell Falk
10. Alex Martin

250 East Coast Points after 7 of 9 Rounds

  1. Austin Forkner – 151
  2. Chase Sexton – 148
  3. Justin Cooper – 144
  4. Martin Davalos – 115
  5. Mitchell Oldenburg – 105
  6. Alex Martin – 105
  7. Brandon Hartranft – 100
  8. Kyle Peters – 98
  9. Kyle Cunningham – 97
  10. Jordon Bailey – 76

250 West Coast Points after 8 of 10 Rounds

  1. Adam Cianciarulo – 182
  2. Dylan Ferrandis – 177
  3. Colt Nichols – 142
  4. RJ Hampshire – 126
  5. Shane Mcelrath – 123
  6. James Decotis – 112
  7. Chris Blose – 111
  8. Cameron Mcadoo – 111
  9. Michael Mosiman – 110
  10. Garrett Marchbanks – 99
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Gasjer and Prado double up at Trentino GP

On one of the most picturesque motocross circuits in the world, Tim Gajser has won a huge battle with championship leader and local Italian hero Antonio Cairoli to win the MXGP of Trentino. Jorge Prado completely dominated the MX2 class to move closer to the championship leader Thomas Kjer Olsen.

MXGP Rnd Trentino SANAYEI
MX2 Start – Trentino MXGP

MXGP Report

Cairoli holeshot the first race with Gajser a few spots back but the Honda rider has definitely found some serious mojo. He moved to the lead a few laps later and over the next 30 minutes he and Cairoli went toe-to-toe with Gajser getting the win by just 1.08 seconds from Cairoli, while third placed Gautier Paulin was almost a minute further back.

MXGP Rnd Trentino Tony Cairoli
Antonio Cairoli

Moto two saw Gajser earn the holeshot but once again it was a war between Cairoli and Gajser with some of the most hard-core racing one will ever see. Finally Cairoli over-committed going into a left hand corner and threw his KTM into the ground allowing Gajser to go through for a well-earned win and GP overall ahead of Cairoli.

Paulin earned another third for third overall and has moved to third in the points while Gajser has narrowed the championship point deficit to Cairoli by six points, to now sit just 16 points with 14 rounds remaining.

Tim Gajser

“It is just unbelievable and it is my first win in more than a year. To be here in Arco is always special, to race in front of so many people, so many fans. Today we had two great races with Tony battling, we were both pushing. I’m just so happy and thankful that we won that overall. The fans, they just push you on because every lap you can hear them cheering for you, it’s just an unbelievable feeling here.”

MXGP Rnd Trentino Gajser bybavo
Tim Gajser
Antonio Cairoli

“The level was very, very high, we were on the limit every lap, pushing and pushing. I did my best lap time in the race faster than the time practice even with the track rougher, so it’s not often that you have this. I was trying to win the GP but Tim was better this time and he won so congratulations to him.”

MXGP Rnd Trentino Antonio Cairoli
Antonio Cairoli
Gautier Paulin

“It’s always great to be on the podium, I’m actually happy about the riding and being on the box at the end of the day, but definitely, Tim and Antonio were faster today. So, we need to improve, we need to step up to the challenge and ride with them, be in that fight because as a racer when you fight for a win like that is unbelievable, it’s nice, it’s fun. The crowd was awesome here in Italy, the fans were crazy and I wasn’t in the battle but I was hearing the crowd from everywhere, actually every corner, so it was kind of special but congrats to these guys today!”

MXGP Rnd Trentino Gautier Paulin
Gautier Paulin

MXGP Race 1 Top Ten

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 34:13.822
  2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:01.081
  3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:53.919
  4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +1:00.314
  5. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), +1:03.786
  6. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +1:05.635
  7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +1:06.887
  8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +1:07.631
  9. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +1:13.322
  10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +1:20.698.

MXGP Race 2 Top Ten

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 34:11.454
  2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:24.305
  3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:53.333
  4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:57.384
  5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +0:58.712
  6. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), +1:18.314
  7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +1:18.657
  8. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:25.075
  9. Brian Bogers (NED, Honda), +1:31.843
  10. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +1:36.522.
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MXGP Overall Top Ten

  1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points
  2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 44
  3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 40
  4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 36
  5. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), 31
  6. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 28
  7. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KAW), 26
  8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 24
  9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 21
  10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 20

MXGP Championship Top Ten

  1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 191 points
  2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 175
  3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 142
  4. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 120
  5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 113
  6. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 112
  7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 98
  8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 88
  9. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 79
  10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 71

MX2 Report

Prado’s domination was impressive with the defending champion scoring three holeshots, the Qualifying race win and the two GP race wins all by substantial margins. The hard charging Jago Geerts put together 2-2 moto results to put him on the podium for the second round in a row while young Tom Vialle’s 3-6 took the French rider to the final podium position, his second this season as well.

MXGP Rnd Trentino Jorge Prado
Jorge Prado

Red Plate holder Thomas Kjer Olsen seemed to be a little wild on his way to 5-4 moto results for fifth overall and now holds a 20-point lead over Prado and 23 points over Henri Jacobi, who went 4-5 for sixth overall on the day.

MXGP Rnd Trentino Thomas Olsen
Thomas Kjer Olsen

Mitch Evans battled through the pain of a qualifying race knee injury to finish 7th overall in his first visit to the iconic Italian venue to now sit eighth in the championship and has over a month to heal up before the next round on May the 12th in Mantova for the MXGP of Lombardia.

Jed Beaton is still struggling with the lack of bike time, but battled on to earn 12th and 13th for 12th outright and now sits 13th in the championship.

Jorge Prado

“I love racing here, the fans are just crazy. When you’re on the bike riding just the atmosphere makes you feel comfortable, this is what we like to see. We love to see this atmosphere at the track and when people are cheering during a Grand Prix like this, it is always very nice.”

MXGP Rnd Trentino Jorge Prado
Jorge Prado
Jago Geerts

“It was a really good weekend for me, I had top five starts so that was a really positive and the riding was good, I felt good on track all weekend and ended up second overall. I’m really up with the results…I’ve been working hard at getting better on hard pack tracks.”

MXGP Rnd Trentino Jago Geerts
Jago Geerts
Tom Vialle

“It was a really great weekend, the season so far is going very well. Im having fun, everything is going well in both training and the races so far. It’s not easy as a rookie to deal with the pressure but I’ve had good starts so this gives me the opportunity to stay in front. This weekend again I had two good starts and the opportunity to race at the front for a solid result.”

MXGP Rnd Trentino om Vialle
Tom Vialle
Thomas Kjer-Olsen

“It’s not been the perfect weekend here, but I’m still leading the MX2 championship and I think I showed some good speed. Everyone knows this track is really difficult to pass on and I experienced that in the first moto. The second race was better, but after running third for so many laps it’s tough not getting a top three result. But finishing 5-4 gives me good championship points. I’ll keep working hard during the weeks off to be 100% ready for the next GP.”

MXGP Rnd Trentino Thomas Kjer Olsen
Thomas Kjer Olsen
Mitchell Evans

“I’ve not raced at Trentino before but it’s a cool track. It just took me a while to learn it. I tweeked my knee in the qualifying race and that made it a struggle to come through the pack as it was a little one-line out there. But no excuses, I know what I need to do to improve. For the races, I strapped up my knee and pushed through the pain and got good starts. From 24th in the qualifying race to seventh overall today, I couldn’t be any happier and really pleased with how Sunday went.”

MXGP Rnd Trentino Mitch Evans
Mitchell Evans
Jed Beaton

“I feel like it’s been an ok weekend for me. Things started off a little slow on Saturday and certainly not how I wanted it to go. But Sunday was much better. Two poor starts held me back in both motos though. I felt like my riding was good, but I have to get out the gate better. We have a good break now in the championship, so it gives me plenty of time to keep working and to focus on improving ahead of the re-start of the series.”

MXGP Rnd Trentino Jed Beaton
Jed Beaton

MX2 Race 1 Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 35:17.013;
  2. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:12.125;
  3. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:14.130;
  4. Henry Jacobi (GER, Kawasaki), +0:31.658;
  5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:33.302;
  6. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +0:38.284;
  7. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:39.054;
  8. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:44.903;
  9. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Yamaha), +0:47.005;
  10. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), +0:50.563.
    …12. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS).

MX2 Race 2 Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 34:49.733;
  2. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:02.862;
  3. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:06.293;
  4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:09.387;
  5. Henry Jacobi (GER, Kawasaki), +0:19.496;
  6. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:21.773;
  7. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +0:33.318;
  8. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:37.485;
  9. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Honda), +0:38.333;
  10. Davy Pootjes (NED, Husqvarna), +0:47.400.
    …13. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS).
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MX2 Overall Top Ten

  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 50 points
  2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 44
  3. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 35
  4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 34
  5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 34
  6. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 34
  7. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 29
  8. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 26
  9. Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), 21
  10. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 21 p.
    …12. Jed Beaton 17 p

MX2 Championship Top Ten

  1. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 170 points
  2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 150
  3. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 147
  4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 129
  5. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 125
  6. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 121
  7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 107
  8. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 89
  9. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 89
  10. Davy Pootjes (NED, HUS), 76
    …13. Jed Beaton 54

Locals win EMX rounds at Trentino

The second rounds of the EMX250 and EMX125 Championship took place at the Trentino circuit where Italy’s own Alberto Forato and Mattia Guadagnini took the respective wins in front of a very vocal crowd.

MXGP Rnd Trentino EMX Start
EMX125 Start – Trentino

Incredibly, last weekend’s two EMX Championships had a combined list of 193 entries so Saturday’s qualifying sessions were split into two groups where only the top 20 of each qualified to line up in the Championship points paying races.

 EMX250 Report

After winning both races at the opening round, Forato carried on his dominant and perfect season to Trentino while Stephen Rubini was next best with two distant second place with Giuseppe  Tropepe taking the final podium spot.

Alberto Forato

“For sure I feel very good because the home GP is always fun. Here there is a lot of fans and a lot of friends came too. I got 1st and 1st so it couldn’t be any better.”

MXGP Rnd Trentino Alberto Forato
Alberto Forato

EMX250 Overall Top Ten

  1. Alberto Forato (ITA, HUS), 50 points
  2. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 44
  3. Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, YAM), 36
  4. Pierre Goupillon (FRA, HON), 33
  5. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 31
  6. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KTM), 31
  7. Karlis Sabulis (LAT, KTM), 28
  8. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 28
  9. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 28
  10. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 18
MXGP Rnd Trentino EMX Podium
Alberto Forato topped the EMX250 Overall Podium from Stephen Rubini and Pierre Goupillion

EMX250 Championship Top Ten

  1. Alberto Forato (ITA, HUS), 100 points
  2. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 80
  3. Pierre Goupillon (FRA, HON), 67
  4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 63
  5. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 59
  6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 57
  7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KTM), 53
  8. Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, YAM), 51
  9. Karlis Sabulis (LAT, KTM), 50
  10. Josh Gilbert (GBR, HON), 33

EMX125 Report

Guadagnini basically led every lap on the way to the overall with 1-1 finishes and he extended his points lead in front of the home fans while Tom Guyon and Kay De Wolf rounded out the podium going 2-2 and 3-3 respectively.

Mattia Guadagnini

“It was a perfect weekend, I had two good starts and then took the lead in the first lap. I had a good feeling on the bike and the track plus there are a lot of friends here and to win in Italy is something special, it was so good!”

MXGP Rnd Trentino Mattia Guadagnini
Mattia Guadagnini

EMX125 Overall Top Ten

  1. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 50 points
  2. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), 44
  3. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 36
  4. Guillem Farres Plaza (ESP, KTM), 33
  5. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, HUS), 31
  6. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), 27
  7. Alberto Barcella (ITA, KTM), 27
  8. Matias Vesterinen (FIN, KTM), 26
  9. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 24
  10. Mike Gwerder (SUI, KTM), 22
MXGP Rnd Trentino EMX Podium
Mattia Guadagnini claimed top EMX125 honours in Trentino, from Tom Guyon and Kay de Wolf

EMX125 Championship Top Ten

  1. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 93 points
  2. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), 83
  3. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 74
  4. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, HUS), 73
  5. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), 61
  6. Mike Gwerder (SUI, KTM), 48
  7. Guillem Farres Plaza (ESP, KTM), 43
  8. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, KTM), 40
  9. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 37
  10. Alessandro Facca (ITA, KTM), 30
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Milner and Sanders shine at Dungog AORC

The NSW country town of Dungog hosted rounds 3 and 4 of the AORC and despite the Sunday results not being official yet nothing is surer that Daniel Milner and Daniel Sanders were the fastest riders over both days with Milner posting the fastest overall time on Saturday before getting pipped my Sanders on Sunday.

AORC Dungog Daniel Milner Spray
Daniel Milner

Milner dominated the E2 class while Luke Styke got the nod in the E1 class and predictably Daniel Sander won the E3 class.

Motorcycling Australia has announced that Sunday’s results are being tallied manually and will be available as soon as possible.

2019 AORC Round 3 E1 Top 10 Provisional Results

  1. Luke STYKE 42:04.943
  2. Michael DRISCOLL 42:35.031
  3. Fraser HIGLETT 42:39.572
  4. Lyndon SNODGRASS 42:52.364
  5. Jonte REYNDERS 44:05.529

2019 AORC Round 3 E2 Top 10 Provisional Results

  1. Daniel MILNER 40:57.420
  2. Joshua GREEN 41:48.814
  3. Scott KEEGAN 43:20.579
  4. Jeremy CARPENTIER 43:30.164
  5. Broc GRABHAM 43:32.914

2019 AORC Round 3 E3 Top 10 Provisional Results

  1. Daniel SANDERS 41:09.640
  2. Beau RALSTON 44:02.716
  3. Jesse LAWTON 45:33.445
  4. Matt MURRY 46:02.060
  5. Timothy LONSDALE 48:46.117
AORC Dungog Daniel Sanders
Daniel Sanders

2019 AORC Round 3 EJ Top 10 Provisional Results

  1. Kyron BACON 1:03:32.667
  2. Joshua BRIERLEY 1:03:47.912
  3. Korey MCMAHON 1:07:10.894
  4. Riley NANCARROW 1:08:08.863
  5. Nathan HOWE 1:08:18.808

2019 AORC Round 3 J4 Provisional Results

  1. Blake HOLLIS 36:29.379
  2. Mackenzie JOHNSON 38:12.209
  3. Oscar COLLINS 39:27.318
  4. Cody CHITTICK 39:33.392
  5. Kobe CONLEY 39:48.993

2019 AORC Round 3 J3 Provisional Results

  1. Riley MCGILLIVRAY 38:14.406
  2. Kodi STEPHENS 38:52.922
  3. Will DENNETT 40:01.809
  4. Jethro CARRIAGE 42:01.306
  5. Maxwell LIEBEKNECHT 42:20.174
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2019 AORC Round 3 J2 Provisional Results

  1. Billy HARGY 39:33.675
  2. Max PHILLIPS 39:51.370
  3. Jett YARNOLD 40:03.587
  4. Cody KILPATRICK 41:15.609
  5. Campbell HALL 41:26.716
AORC Dungog Jess Gardiner
Jess Gardiner

2019 AORC Round 3 Women’s Top 10 Provisional Results

  1. Jessica GARDINER 49:08.717
  2. Emelie KARLSSON 50:23.125
  3. Emma MILESEVIC 53:09.863
  4. Ebony NIELSEN 54:23.041
  5. Danielle FOOT 54:45.531

2019 AORC Round 3 Masters Top 10 Provisional Results

  1. Kirk HUTTON 46:38.371
  2. Brad WILLISCROFT 46:40.374
  3. Timothy MARTIN 47:55.218
  4. Peter RUDD 50:16.811
  5. Michael WIDDISON 51:46.765

2019 AORC Round 3 Veterans Top 10 Provisional Results

  1. Lee STEPHENS 47:46.798
  2. Scott DUNN 48:17.805
  3. Chris THOMAS 49:19.009
  4. Ben LINDSAY 50:31.995
  5. Paul CHADWICK 51:01.346

Smith wins fifth Condo 750

53 riders hit the small country town of Condoblin, NSW for the 31st running of 750km navigational event known as the Condo 750, and for the fifth time in his career Jacob Smith managed to win the event with an overall time of just under nine hours.

Smith didn’t have it his own way and was sitting third after the opening day behind Lachlan Manwarring, and Sam Davie while Rod Faggotter was not far off the pace in fourth. On the second day Smith and his Husqvarna found form to run away with the fastest time to overtake Manwarring and Davie for the win,with Faggotter maintaining fourth.

Smith wrote this on his FB page

“Stoked to come away with my 5th @condo750 win. Had to work for it but got it by a little over 4 minutes. Huge thanks to everyone that supports me and the team, but a special thanks to the best mechanic in the business @youngcobba wouldn’t be doing without him!!”

Jacob Smith Condo FB page
Jacob Smith – Image from his Facebook page

From all accounts the 31st Condo 750 was once again a huge success with the whole town and local land owners getting behind the event. However one has to ask how it came about that two NSW country towns, Condoblin and Dungog, just six hours from each other, both host national off-road events on the same weekend?!?!


Haaker wins SuperEnduro Championship

Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao, Spain hosted a controversial final round of the Maxxis FIM World SuperEnduro Championship. The round saw Cody Webb celebrating the final moto win and what he thought was the championship win before blowing up when Colton Haaker crossed the finish line in a championship winning third place thanks to his teammate Alfredo Gomez’s disqualifiable actions.

SuperEndur Rnd Bilbao Spain colton haaker
Colton Haaker – Image by Future7Media

There were three finals on the night and here is a recap:

SuperEnduro Final 1

While Webb stormed his way to the front in the opening final, Haaker appeared to have crumbled under the pressure and was dropping valuable positions.

SuperEndur Rnd Bilbao Spain Cody Webb
Cody Webb

He was handed a life line when this first race was red-flagged due to track conditions, but in the restart it was Webb who was a fastest to take the win ahead of Taddy Blazusiak and a thankful Haaker so just 6 points separated Haaker from Webb going into race two.

Heat 1

  1. Cody WEBB
  2. Taddy BLAZUSIAK
  3. Colton HAAKER
  4. Alfredo GOMEZ
  5. Pol TARRES

SuperEnduro Final 2

The second ‘reverse grid’ race saw Haaker ruthlessly slice his way to the lead after just three laps then go on to take the win over Webb and Blazusiak. Heading to the final race of the season Haaker had to finish fourth or better to wrap up the title.

SuperEndur Rnd Bilbao Spain colton haaker
Colton Haaker – Image by Future7Media

Heat 2

  1. Colton HAAKER
  2. Cody WEBB
  3. Taddy BLAZUSIAK
  4. Alfredo GOMEZ
  5. Pol TARRES
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SuperEnduro Final 3

Webb was fastest out of the gate, snatching the holeshot from Blazusiak while Haaker momentarily lost his concentration and made a small mistake in the rock garden. The Husqvarna rider nevertheless managed to maintain good pace and he focused on the title to stay in third. Blazusiak dropped out of the early running after quite obviously trying to hinder Haakers progress on one of the log jumps.

SuperEndur Rnd Bilbao Spain Taddy Blazusiak
Taddy Blazusiak – Image by Future7Media

It all turned to poo for Haaker on the last lap with several crashes seeing the Husky rider drop to fifth place and as Webb crossed the line for the win he could actually see Haaker struggling on the previous straight so it seemed that KTM rider would therefore have enough points to win the 2019 title.

But that is when Alfredo Gomez, the teammate of Haaker, stepped in to not only block pass third placed Pol Terres in the final corner, he basically stopped them both long enough to hand Haaker the two positions for third and the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship title.

SuperEndur Rnd Bilbao Spain alfredo gomez
Alfredo Gomez – Image by Future7Media

Webb was obviously infuriated with the outcome and it was little consolation that Gomez was later disqualified for this action. In a final shocking twist, Haaker suffered a huge crash over the finish line and knocked himself out.

Heat 3

  1. Cody WEBB
  2. Taddy BLAZUSIAK
  3. Colton HAAKER
  4. Kevin GALLAS
  5. Pol TARRES

Colton Haaker was therefore crowned 2019 Champion by just 4 points in front of Webb and Blazusiak.

Colton Haaker

“I’m a little bit lost for words right now, it’s been an eventful night but to end it as the world champion is an incredible feeling. I can’t thank the guys at Husqvarna enough for the support they’ve given me, not just tonight but throughout the entire series. This title is very much a team effort as it is mine. Tonight was tough. I’m not quite sure yet what it was but it certainly wasn’t my best night on a bike. The track wasn’t good and I had some serious arm pump issues, which is something I never really get. I made so many mistakes in race one and was riding too tight. Then I got it together in race two and felt more like I should.  It was all on the line for the final and I did what I needed to do on the first few laps. But then the arm pump kicked in again and I stalled my bike so many times. With about a lap to go I got things together again and put everything I had left into that lap and won the title. It wasn’t pretty, but it doesn’t matter, we’re world champions and it feels awesome.”

SuperEndur Rnd Bilbao Spain colton haaker
Colton Haaker claims the 2019 SuperEnduro championship title! Image by Future7Media

Webb was obviously disappointed not to retain his title and felt the championship should have been his after the controversial night.

Cody Webb

“Obviously I’m disappointed with the final championship result tonight, I felt I rode really good out there today and deserved the title. The night started off well with a good time in superpole and then in the restarted first final I took my time, rode smooth and took the win by a good margin. I am kicking myself now for the mistakes I made in the second final, I got caught up in traffic a few times, but still got second – I knew then I would have to really go for it in the last one. I got off the line well in the third final and set about catching Colton. After I got past him, I just stayed smooth and could see he was struggling. I’m happy because I did my best, won that third final and believe the championship should have been mine. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but I’ll learn from it, and come back even stronger next time.”

SuperEndur Rnd Bilbao Spain Cody Webb Taddy Blazusiak
Cody Webb – Image by Future7Media

Taddy Blazusiak finished the night in third and also concluded the championship in the same position.

Taddy Blazusiak

“This was always going to be a tough one. I am happy with how I rode today and feel I did a good job. My pace over the whole season has been good, there have just been a few instances where luck simply hasn’t been on our side. I have had some amazing events this year, I obviously still have the speed – overall race wins in Hungary and Poland show that. The track here was tight and I feel the championship should be decided on more of a flowing track that lets us really race. But this is SuperEnduro, I know I can still improve in a couple of areas – Superpole for one is something I need to work on. I’ll come back swinging next year for the title, I would love to get a seventh!”

SuperEnduro Round Hungary Taddy Blazusiak
Taddy Blazusiak – SuperEnduro Round 4 – Hungary 2019

Provisional Standing

  1. Colton HAAKER 263pts
  2. Cody WEBB 259pts
  3. Taddy BLAZUSIAK 234pts
  4. Pol TARRES 155pts
  5. Alfredo GOMEZ 145pts.
  6. Diogo VIEIRA 124pts
  7. Blake GUTZEIT 121pts
  8. Kevin GALLAS 119pts
  9. Xavi LEON SOLE 100pts
  10. David LEONOV 74pts
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Sam Sunderland wins Abu Dahbi Desert Challenge

Sam Sunderland has won the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge which was also round one of the 2019 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship while Luciano Benavides and Jose Ignacio Cornejo rounded out the podium.

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Sam Sunderland Luciano Benavides
Sam Sunderland and Luciano Benavides with the KTM Factory Rally Team

Sunderland bookended the event with wins in the first and fifth day to end up with an 8 plus minute gap back to Benavides.

Sam Sunderland

“Things went perfectly today, we knew coming into today’s final stage that we would have to stick to our planned strategy. The stage brought us closer to Abu Dhabi and as such, the tracks towards the end were a lot faster away from the dunes. I knew I would have to push really hard right from the start of the special. I arrived at the refuelling and the team let me know everything was good, so from there it was just a case of bringing it home safely to the finish. I’m really happy with the job done by the team all week and myself in the way I rode. It’s great to get my 2019 championship off to the perfect start with a win.”

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Sam Sunderland
Sam Sunderland

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge marks Benavides’ maiden podium in an FIM Cross-Country Rallies event.

Luciano Benavides

“It’s been an incredible day for me, I knew I had to push a lot to make up the difference to the guys in front, gain some minutes and take second place. I tried my best to go fast, but stay on the bike and not go too crazy. The bike was feeling super-good so I decided to attack and it worked out, I got second place and the team got the first two places. I am really happy and now it’s time to celebrate.”

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Luciano Benavides
Luciano Benavides

Andrew Short placed fifth overall showing impressive speed in the dunes of the Liwa Desert the American overcame several challenges to secure a well-deserved top-five result.

Andrew Short

“This last day has been good for me, I felt really good all day and had a good pace. Just near the end I had a small issue but I was able to quickly get going again and complete the stage. Overall, I have really enjoyed the race here in Abu Dhabi, it’s been a great experience and fun to be here with the crew. I feel my riding has improved here, each rally I do it feels like I move up another level and it’s very important to keep that momentum going. Real race experience is so valuable and it’s good to leave here healthy and even faster. Admittedly, it’s not quite the result I was hoping for but we had to play the cards we were dealt and I think we handled it perfectly. I’m now really looking forward to the next race.”

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Andrew Short
Andrew Short

The second round of the 2019 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship – the Silk Way Rally commences on July 6 in Russia.

Provisional Results Stage Five

  1. Sam Sunderland (GBR), KTM, 2:39:59
  2. Luciano Benavides (ARG), KTM, 2:43:25 +3:26
  3. Joan Barreda (ESP), Honda, 2:46:42 +6:43
  4. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHL), Honda, 2:49:40 +9:41
  5. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 2:53:34 +13:35

Provisional Overall Results – 2019 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

  1. Sam Sunderland (GBR), KTM, 17:46:42
  2. Luciano Benavides (ARG), KTM, 17:55:02 +8:20
  3. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHL), Honda, 17:56:41 +9:59
  4. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 18:21:33 +34:51
  5. Andrew Short (USA), Husqvarna, 18:48:22 +1:01:40
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Adrien Van Beveren wins Merzouga Rally 2019

Yamalube Yamaha Rally Team rider Adrien Van Beveren has won the motorcycle class at the five-day Merzouga Rally 2019 ahead of Ross Branch and Oriol Mena.

Merzouga Rally Adrien Van Beveren
Adrien Van Beveren

Focused on using the 10th running of the Merzouga Rally as the start of his preparation towards the 2020 Dakar Rally, Van Beveren’s winning result was valuable navigational experience thanks to several long and challenging stages.

Adrien Van Beveren

“I’ve had a great feeling with my bike throughout the week and I have to say a huge thanks to all the team, who have worked so hard to support me. The Merzouga Rally was all about improving. Improving my navigational skills, and generally starting our preparations ahead of Dakar 2020. We came here focused on improving and I absolutely feel that we did that. The navigation here is very tricky, so to be opening the tracks as much as I did, that gives me a lot of confidence. This is a great team result. Next, we have the Silk Way Rally, but before then there’s more testing and training to do. We keep working…”

Merzouga Rally Adrien Van Beveren
Adrien Van Beveren

Stage 5 Provisional Classification

  1. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 55:01
  2. Jamie McCanney (GBR), Yamaha, 55:02 +0:01
  3. Joaquim Rodrigues (PRT), Hero, 55:04 +0:03
  4. Jaume Betriu (ESP), KTM, 55:18 +0:17
  5. Ross Branch (BWA), KTM, 56:40 +1:39
  6. Maurizio Gerini (ITA), Husqvarna, 57:36 +2:35

Provisional Overall Final Classification

  1. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 15:28:02
  2. Ross Branch (BWA), KTM, 15:52:39 +24:37
  3. Oriol Mena (ESP), Hero, 16:01:03 +33:01
  4. Joaquim Rodrigues (PRT), Hero, 16:02:23 +34:21
  5. Alessandro Botturi (ITA), Yamaha, 16:15:43 +46:41
  6. Maurizio Gerini (ITA), Husqvarna, 16:23:53 +55:51

MXGP calendar updates

With the 2019 MXGP season well underway Youthstream regretfully announces that the previously anticipated 2019 MXGP of Hong Kong scheduled to take place on the 22nd of September has been cancelled so the revised calendar will now see the MXGP of China in Shanghai as the final stop of the now 18-round FIM Motocross World Championship season.

The cancellation comes as a request by the organizer who is eager to refocus on holding an MXGP in March 2020. Due to the timing of the cancellation no replacement will be made giving riders and teams an additional week prior to racing the final event of 2019, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

The updated 2019 Calendar can be viewed below:

MXGP Calendar Update
Updated 2019 MXGP Calendar
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AUS-X moves to Melbourne

November 30 will see the AUS-X Open and all that it encapsulates run under the roof of Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium in what is set to be the largest international Supercross and action sports event ever seen in Australia, with Supercross, Freestyle Motocross, live music, pyrotechnics and non-stop entertainment.

Melbournes Marvel Stadium will host AUS X
AUS-X moves to Melbourne in 2019

AUS-X Open Chairman – Tony Cochrane (Founder of V8 Supercars), states a move to Melbourne will open up a world of opportunity as this exciting event looks to expand and build on its already popular foundations.

Tony Cochrane

“Since its inception, the AUS-X Open has grown from strength-to-strength to a point where we’ve found ourselves in the fortunate situation of needing to expand to cater for the growing appetite of Supercross racing and more broader sports fans across the country. The AUS-X Open Melbourne will be bigger, faster, louder, featuring more entertainment and greater accessibility to these international megastars than ever before, and I can’t wait for November 30 to showcase this amazing spectacle to the people of Melbourne. It really has to be seen to be believed.”

The AUS-X Open is now part of a partnership with the Victorian Government via its tourism and major events agency, ‘Visit Victoria’ and it has the full support of the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula.

Martin Pakula

“Victoria is unmatched as the sporting and event capital of Australia and we’re so excited to bring the AUS-X Open to a world-class venue like Marvel Stadium,” said Mr Pakula. “Melbourne’s sporting calendar continues to be the envy of cities across Australia and around the world. We’re thrilled to add AUS-X Open to the list, this November.”

As we have come to expect, the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne will double as the Grand Final round to the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship and Peter Doyle, the CEO for the sanctioning body for Supercross racing, Motorcycling Australia (MA) had this to say of the move.

Peter Doyle

“The Australian Supercross Championship is Australia’s premiere off-road motorcycle racing Championship. To have the grand finale here in Melbourne, at an incredible event like the AUS-X Open, is a huge positive for the sport and fans alike.”

Marvel Stadium will host AUS X on November

Tickets start from $39.99*. For more information and the exclusive opportunity to sign-up to access tickets during the pre-sale before they’re on sale to the public, you must ensure you sign up to an exclusive Pre-Sale ticketing opportunity at www.ausxopen.com.

Pre-Sale tickets will be available from May 15 via Ticketmaster.com.au and stay tuned to @SXOpenSupercross on social media for further announcements.


MX Nationals return to Broadford this weekend

With the Victorian State Motorcycle Complex in Broadford hosting the third round of the Pirelli MX Nationals this weekend the local communities will benefit from an estimated $350,000 coming into the region. A myriad of businesses are set to host and serve not only the hundreds of racers converging on the region but also the thousands of spectators.

mx nationals coolum rnd saturday amateur cup line up ImageScottya
MX Nationals head to Broadford – Image by ScottYa

On top of the MX1, MX2 and MXD championship classes and the Rising Star Rookies, there will also be a demonstration in between races to highlight the new Enduro-X track. This will feature world class riders in Chucky Sanders and Daniel Milner on hand doing double duties as they also race the MX Nationals.

MX Nationals Series Promoter Kevin Williams today explained that the venue is well equipped to welcome thousands of motocross fans and the track will be prepared to a world class standard.

Kevin Williams

“With Broadford again hosting a national event of this size it is sure to keep venue on the radar, and provides the sport in the area with fantastic national exposure, riders and teams alike are excited to see the new revamped track after Josh Proctor from Pro Traxx has rebuilt the track to GP spec,” shared Williams

The Broadford layout is very spectator friendly with a plethora of great viewing areas but if you are unable to make it to the track itself you can watch all the action live for free at http://www.nrgtv.com.au

To stay up to date with all this MX Nationals simply go https://www.mxnationals.com.au or follow the series and the riders on instagram @mxnationals

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Metcalfe in doubt for Broadford

After a tough weekend at the Wonthaggi round of the MX Nationals, Penrite Honda Racing’s Brett Metcalfe has sustained several injuries which has left the veteran battling the clock to be ready to line up at Broadford, Victoria on April 14, which is the third round of the 10-round series.

Brett Metcalfe

“My sole goal is to line up at Broadford, brave the pain and get as many points as we can to stay in the Championship. The biggest concern right now is the spiral fracture I have in my finger. I will head back to the clinic next Monday and we will make a decision following the second round of results.”

MX Nationals Rnd Wonthaggi MX Brett Metcalfe
Brett Metcalfe

Metcalfe felt he was on track for a top three finish at Wonthaggi.

“Qualifying was good, I made a few changes in practice and I knew I could run a strong pace during the races. I felt fast but it was hard to pass, I lost a lot of time throughout the race being stuck behind riders as the track was very one lined. In the end, I settled for 5th and I was able to make up 18 seconds on the winner so we certainly had great pace. I felt the changes we made were perfect for the conditions. The bike felt amazing during the siting lap and I believed we could race for the win, so I am really bummed but that is motocross, anything can and usually does happen. No matter what, we will come back and win races.”

MX Nationals Rnd Wonthaggi MX Brett Metcalfe
Brett Metcalfe

Monson/Summerhayes earn sidecar double at Gillman

After winning all but one race on their local track, Warren Monson and Andrew Summerhayes have spectacularly won the 2019 FIM Speedway Sidecar 1000cc World Cup and 2019 FIM Oceania Speedway Sidecar Championship over two nights of action at Gillman Speedway.

The FIM Speedway Sidecar 1000cc World Cup final saw the Mark Plaisted/Ben Pitt fly to the fastest lap, but that wasn’t good enough to best Monson/Summerhayes while defending champion Darrin Treloar and Blake Cox earned third ahead of Shane Rudloff and Scott Morris.

On the very next night the final of FIM Oceania Speedway Sidecar Championship required six restarts and two exclusions to finally leave Monson/Summerhayes and Cohen/Egan to battle it out, with Monson/Summerhayes on top once again to leave them FIM Oceania Speedway Sidecar champions as well as World Cup winners.

Monson was thrilled to add the FIM Oceania Speedway Sidecar Championship to his trophy collection from the weekend.

Warren Monson

“Just as happy as last night! It was very hard for us tonight, the track was very hard to read, and we just had to push through it. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a final that had that many restarts! But we came through on top, so we’ve got to be happy with that.”

A double FIM World Cup and FIM Oceania Championship winner (2017 and 2019), Monson remarked after the event that he’d only ever won four events at Gillman Speedway – his two World Cups and two Oceania Championships. “I can’t even win a club night at Gillman!” he laughed.

Defending champion Darrin Treloar had a day to forget, after finishing third, second and first in his first three heats he was struck with mechanical issues and took no further part in the event.

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Source: MCNews.com.au

Dungog AORC | Milner and Sanders top the field

Dungog AORC Special

Words and Pics by John Pearson Media


The first Enduro format for the AORC series this year was held at Dungog with rounds 3-4 being run at the same Chichester Dam property as last year.

AORC Dungog Riley McGillivray
Riley McGillivray

In the week leading up to the event there had been good rain meaning that in some places there was actually mud on the track, a stark contrast to the previous rounds at Toowoomba (or many of the rounds in the last 12 months for that matter).

AORC Dungog Stefan Granquist
Stefan Granquist

A record 250 odd riders showed up for the event meaning the pits was packed. Everyone was keen to get amongst it and after rider’s briefing the field fell upon the perfectly prepared surface to make the most of the damp conditions.

AORC Dungog Daniel Milner and crowd
Daniel Milner

Round Three

The first time-carded enduro of 2019 would give everyone a chance to hone their skills in preparation for the eventuality that the A4DE would run this year.

AORC Dungog Will Price
Will Price

After a postponement late in March it was unclear when, or even if the event would run.

AORC Dungog Jacob Peacock
Jacob Peacock

It’s a format that doesn’t get much use these days with many rounds being either sprints or cross country/sprint combinations.

AORC Dungog Riley Nancarrow
Riley Nancarrow

To see riders put to the test of organisation, planning as well as being forced to battle the elements all day long, while trail riding between special tests, is not only entertaining but intriguing.

AORC Dungog Fraser Higlett
Fraser Higlett

Making sure you complete a whole load of trail and/or special tests and work periods before arriving at the start line of a special test on time adds a whole other aspect to this game.

AORC Dungog Jonte Reynders
Jonte Reynders

True to form, the boys at the pointy end continued their domination of their respective classes with Milner, Sanders and Styke keeping the fires burning in E2, E3 and E1 respectively.

AORC Dungog Michael Driscoll
Michael Driscoll

Yamaha had all three of their Activ8 Yamaha Team riders finish in the top five outright positions with strong showings in each of their classes.

AORC Dungog Josh Green
Josh Green

KTM’s Lyndon Snodgrass had a disappointing day finishing 4th in E1, an unusual result for a rider rarely off the podium.

AORC Dungog Lyndon Snodgrass
Lyndon Snodgrass

However it was KTM’s Daniel Milner who managed the fastest time for the day showing why he’s the world’s number 1 at this type of event.

AORC Dungog Daniel Milner Spray
Daniel Milner

Jess Gardiner continued her strong form to take out the Women’s class again and extend her lead. The question is, can anyone step up and break the stranglehold she has on the competition this year? Her form is ominous and her competitors seem to be struggling to match her speed.

AORC Dungog Jess Gardiner
Jess Gardiner

Round Four

Sunday showed us a track that had dried out to the point that some areas were turning to bulldust.

AORC Dungog Nathan Dalbosco
Nathan Dalbosco

Three riders per minute kept the dust to a minimum, which not only helped the riders but also the spectators, who tried to watch the racing without choking through their handkerchiefs.

AORC Dungog Daniel Milner
Daniel Milner

The class wars continued with Milner and Sanders schooling their competition, both riding like men possessed.

AORC Dungog Brad Williscroft
Brad Williscroft

Styke put in another conscientious effort showing his skill as an off-road rider is without question.

AORC Dungog Geoff Braico
Geoff Braico

As the day wore on though it was clear to see the effect long hours in the saddle were having on the riders with many struggling through a deteriorating track and trail conditions that ranged from dried out dust filled ruts, to slippery creeks beds and rainforest type trails.

AORC Dungog Jeremy Carpentier
Jeremy Carpentier

For some the end couldn’t come quick enough but the consensus was the event was fun because it was different to the usual sprint format and challenged a lot of riders.

AORC Dungog Lee Stephens
Lee Stephens

After all was said and done the torch passed from Daniel Milner to Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team’s Daniel Sanders for completion of Sunday’s round in the least amount of time, giving Chucky a boost leading into the desert racing season.

AORC Dungog Daniel Sanders
Daniel Sanders

In a final twist to the weekend, a satellite link outage meant that all official results from Sunday’s round 4 were incorrect, and would need to be tallied manually, meaning none were available at the conclusion of the round. Motorcycling Australia was working on rectifying the issue with results expected to be released in the coming days.


Next

The AORC will now head into a 14-week hiatus before it’s return to the iconic Kyogle tracks to allow events such as the Hattah Desert Race and the Finke Desert race to be run.

The A4DE was planned to be run also during this break but at the time of writing, the event has been postponed with no rescheduled date yet released. As the weeks slip away it’s possible there won’t be time left, or space between events for it to be run in what would be the second cancellation of the world renowned event in three years.

Source: MCNews.com.au

2019 AORC Opener Overview | With John Pearson

Dust and Bones

Words and Pics by John Pearson Media

With one of the hottest summers on record sweeping across Australia it was no doubt that the opening rounds of the AORC were going to be a dry affair. A late venue change from the forgiving location of Miva, near Gympie meant an alternative needed to be found.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John Pearson

Enter stage left – Toowoomba Motorcycle Club. With a purpose built facility at Murphy’s Creek just north of Toowoomba it breathed new life into the national series as it stumbled to get a start in 2019.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John Pearson

After what seems like a thousand years since we’ve been treated to a wet (or even slightly damp) race venue, the hot topic upon arrival was how the steep, hilly country would stand up to the brutal punishment dished out by around 250 riders considering the dry conditions.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John Pearson

Early on the Saturday morning it was clear that air filters were going to earn their keep this weekend. The parade lap was an exercise in riding by feel, as in many cases there was little reference to go off.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John Pearson

With no breeze to shift the wind most of the track turned into a foggy, asphyxiating haze. Thankfully the gaps between riders once racing started were enough to support a level of safety deemed fair by all involved.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John Pearson

As far as riders went, not much changed in the off-season. Michael Driscoll was added to the team roster at the ThreeSix Motorsports Offroad team of AJ Roberts’ with the loss of Lachie Stanford from the Husqvarna team being the only major changes over the break.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John Pearson

Matty Phillips and Beau Ralston made long awaited returns to the field however. Matty in a mentoring role for the up and coming Kyron Bacon, both being KTM mounted and Ralston running his own show backed by Schwarz Excavation on a Husqvarna in the E3 class.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John PearsonIt was evident that the break had done nothing to dull the competition between the two fastest riders in the country in Daniel Milner and Daniel Sanders with only fractions of a second separating them over tests during the entire day.

Milner was king of the E2 class with Sanders showing ominous form in E3. It’s clear to see that both riders are committed to conquering others in their respective classes but the thrill of beating each other still reigns supreme.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John Pearson

The Women’s competition again showed strong promise with the likes of Yamaha mounted Jess Gardiner battling it out with Emelie Karlsson for the top step of the podium with Danielle Foot on a Sherco and Emma Milesevic making up the minor placings. True to her recent form, Jess came away victorious both days in the horrid conditions.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John PearsonOn Saturday the tracks deteriorated quickly. Not only for the pros but also the Women’s, Vets and Juniors to the point where they became almost unrideable with some sections ending as a half-metre deep rut filled with powder.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John PearsonAt the conclusion of racing, most riders ventured out to walk tracks they would ride the following day for Round 2. After some suggestions were made regarding track changes, some of the pro track was realigned in the interest of safety.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John PearsonSunday morning saw the heat return to further dry out the surface (if that was possible) with the temperatures soaring to around 38 degrees during the hot part of the day. As racing got underway it was clear the track wasn’t going to last.

As each lap wore on the surface became more treacherous and after three laps a group of riders brought their concerns to the course officials who in turn, after some deliberation, agreed it was unsafe to continue. It was a shame for the Toowoomba club that the racing ended prematurely but it was entirely out of their control.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John Pearson

Considering they only had around 6 weeks notice to facilitate a national event, the fact it even went ahead was a credit to the club and all involved. Despite the amount of speed carried by the top riders, it was in the end the weather that won the day.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John Pearson

Unfortunately earlier in Round 2, while showing some blistering speed considering his time off the bike, Matty Phillips sustained a leg injury and had to be taken from the track to have it assessed. Without knowing the full extent of the issue it’s hard to make an informed guess as to when he’ll be back but let hope it’s soon.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John Pearson

Rounds 3 & 4 will be held at Dungog on the April 6-7 with an Enduro event being run both days to test not only the pace of the riders but also the fitness and endurance needed to spend the whole day in the saddle.

AORC Rounds 1 & 2 at Toowoomba with John Pearson

With reports that there has been some good rain in the area I’m hopeful the tracks will only partially dry out but I don’t think the chances of a dust free event are good. Here’s to hoping though…


For full results and class breakdowns check out the race reports:
Milner & Sanders claim wins at AORC Rounds 1 & 2 (link)

AORC calendar
2019 AORC Calendar

Source: MCNews.com.au