Tag Archives: Featured Headline

ASBK title ‘not over until it’s over’ insists Halliday

News 18 Oct 2019

ASBK title ‘not over until it’s over’ insists Halliday

Yamaha Racing Team ace still a chance for the championship.

Image: Foremost Media.

Yamaha Racing Team’s Cru Halliday is confident he’s a still chance for the Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) crown, insisting it’s ‘not over until it’s over’.

The New South Welshman has been a regular contender for the title all season long, however an untimely crash at Phillip Island two weeks ago – his first major blemish of the year – saw is chances decrease in a pivotal round, dropping him to fourth in the standings, 19 points behind leader Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing).

The 2018 Supersport champion acknowledges that all he can do is dominate Sydney Motorsport Park’s finale to boost his chances, however with three riders well in the hunt, something drastic would need to happen between the trio to allow Halliday to make up much-needed points.

“My hopes for the championship are still there,” Halliday declared to CycleOnline.com.au. “It’s still possible, but I have made it pretty hard for myself with that crash at Phillip Island. Everyone makes mistakes, and it’s just racing.

“It just came at the wrong time, but Sydney is a track that I’m quite good at and it’s my home track, so there will be a lot of family and friends there to support me.

“The thing that I need to do is go out and get pole position and two race wins – that’s easier said than done with the competition this year. I sort of need something to go severely wrong at the front – I’m not wishing that on anyone – but I need those front guys to clash or something so I can claw some points back. It’s not over until it’s over.”

Sydney Motorsport Park’s seventh and final round is scheduled for 1-3 November.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Penrite Honda ‘more than willing’ to support Reed at home

News 17 Oct 2019

Penrite Honda ‘more than willing’ to support Reed at home

Factory organisation prepared to host Australian if he remains aboard CRF450R.

Image: Foremost Media.

Penrite Honda Racing would be open to supporting Australian icon Chad Reed if he remains aboard Honda machinery for the upcoming S-X Open Supercross FIM Oceania Championship in Auckland and Melbourne next month.

Local factory Honda team owner Yarrive Konsky has confirmed that his Australian championship-winning team would support 37-year-old Reed if requested in the pair of events that will also round out the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship.

Reed revealed this week that he will be back aboard privately-operated Honda equipment at this weekend’s Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas and it’s expected that he will ride a CRF450R in the New Zealand, Australian and also Paris supercross events. No confirmation has been made at this moment.

“It’s encouraging to see Chad choose a Honda to compete on at Monster Cup,” Konsky told MotoOnline.com.au. “He has also hinted that he will choose to race Honda in the other international events he competes in – it clearly says a lot about the new 2020 CRF450R. We would be more than willing to support him where we can so he can focus on being a racer whilst in Australia and New Zealand.”

The Penrite Honda Racing team has been all-conquering with American import Justin Brayton during the past three seasons of Australian supercross in SX1, this year targeting a fourth-straight premier class crown together. Honda also currently fields Brett Metcalfe in SX1, as well as Chris Blose and Mitchell Oldenburg in SX2.

A potential collaboration between Reed and Penrite Honda comes at a fitting time for the Melbourne-based squad, as it intends to contest selected rounds of Monster Energy AMA Supercross in 2020 and is currently evaluating a separate full-time 250SX West program in the US. It isn’t anticipated that Reed will have any ongoing connection to those programs.

Reed’s scheduled Oceania appearances – the series in which he is the reigning champion – will come at the Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland on 16 November, two weeks prior to his annual Australian homecoming at the high-profile Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

2020 MXGP World Championship calendar made official

News 17 Oct 2019

2020 MXGP World Championship calendar made official

Complete 20-round schedule confirmed for next season.

Image: Supplied.

The 2020 MXGP World Championship calendar has been made official, confirming 20 rounds will take place next season.

The opening venue will be at the fan-favourite Matterley Basin, being the MXGP of Great Britain – the first European GP to start off the MXGP season since 2012. The second stop will be the following weekend on 8 March in the sandy track of Valkenswaard in the Netherlands, followed by Neuquen in Patagonia-Argentina.

Then MXGP will return to Europe to visit some of the most emblematic tracks in the calendar such as Pietramurata in Trentino, St. Jean d’Angely in France, Teutschenthal in Germany, Orlyonok in Russia and Kegums in Latvia.

The 2020 calendar also features big comebacks, such as the one of Spain, whose venue is still to be announced, or the one of Maggiora where the 2020 MXGP of Italy will be hosted.

In June the MXGP paddock will travel overseas for the back-to-back Indonesian rounds, being Jakarta the new host of the first stop while the second one will mark the return to Palembang for the second year in a row.

After the Indonesian trip, MXGP will move to one of the old school venues of the calendar, Loket in Czech Republic, followed by the sandy circuit of Lommel in Belgium and the hillside track of Uddevalla in Sweden.

Round 17 of the 2020 season will take place at the brand-new KymiRing circuit in Iitti, Finland, and afterwards MXGP will visit Turkey and China for rounds 18 and 19. The final round of the 2020 season is set to be held in Imola for the MXGP of Emilia Romagna.

The Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) will be hosted in Ernee, France, on 27 September.

2020 MXGP World Championship calendar:
Rd1 – 1 March – Matterley Basin, Great Britain
Rd2 – 8 March – Valkenswaard, the Netherlands
Rd3 – 22 March – Neuquen, Argentina
Rd4 – 5 April – Trentino, Italy
Rd5 – 19 April – TBA, Spain
Rd6 – 26 April – Agueda, Portugal
Rd7 – 10 May – Saint Jean d’Angely, France
Rd8 – 17 May – Maggiora, Italy
Rd9 – 24 May – Teutschenthal, Germany
Rd10 – 7 June – Orlyonok, Russia
Rd11 – 14 June – Kegums, Latvia
Rd12 – 28 June – Jakarta, Indonesia
Rd13 – 5 July – Palembang, Indonesia
Rd14 – 26 July – Loket, Czech Republic
Rd15 – 2 August – Lommel, Belgium
Rd16 – 16 August – Uddevalla, Sweden
Rd17 – 23 August – KymiRing, Finland
Rd18 – 6 September – Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
Rd19 – 13 September – Shanghai, China
Rd20 – 20 September – Imola, Italy

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

LCR Honda drafts in Zarco for final three MotoGP rounds

News 17 Oct 2019

LCR Honda drafts in Zarco for final three MotoGP rounds

Frenchman released by Red Bull KTM to replace Nakagami.

Image: Supplied.

LCR Honda Idemitsu has drafted in embattled former KTM rider Johann Zarco for the final three rounds of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship in place of Takaaki Nakagami, who will undergo shoulder surgery following the Japanese grand prix.

Zarco was sensationally benched by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing last month after experiencing difficulties adapting to the RC16, cutting his two-year deal short not even one full season in.

While the Frenchman was set to remain under contract for the rest of the year on the sidelines, the Austrian manufacturer has released him from his commitments, enabling the former podium challenger to take on the opportunity aboard an LCR Honda.

“What an opportunity to have the last few races of the season on the LCR Honda Idemitsu bike,” said Zarco. “I’m really thankful to have this chance, and I will do my best to pick up some good results and to enjoy the time, because these could be the last three races I can do for a while.

“I would like to thank KTM for releasing me so that I can do these races on another bike. Let’s see what I can do. First of all I know that I will enjoy the Phillip Island track, it’s a fast circuit and I think the feeling could be good.

“We’ll cross our fingers that it can be, and we will see what is possible. The target is to ride at a good pace, and rediscover some of the good feeling I’ve had before.”

Zarco will commence his first race on the Honda at Phillip Island before racing at Sepang and Valencia. It was announced yesterday that Nakagami has signed a one-year contract extension with HRC and LCR Honda.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Honda transition for Reed ahead of Monster Energy Cup

News 16 Oct 2019

Honda transition for Reed ahead of Monster Energy Cup

Australian likely to pilot CRF450R at S-X Open Auckland and AUS-X Open Melbourne.

Image: Supplied.

Australian fan-favourite Chad Reed will transition to a privateer Honda CRF450R this weekend at the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas, according to his wife Ellie.

The two-time Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion’s partner briefly shared details in a social media post, revealing the number 22’s ride for Saturday’s event.

Reed, who was a member of the JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing squad this season, indicated last month that the manufacturer he rides at the Monster Energy Cup will likely be his set-up for an array of off-season races, including Paris Supercross, S-X Open Auckland and AUS-X Open Melbourne.

While Reed was initially tipped to remain at JGRMX, it’s understood that potential deal deteriorated since the supercross season concluded. The squad recently halted testing as it continues to work through the final year of its contract with Suzuki, however they’ve resumed riding with only Alex Martin signed for 2020 at this stage.

The New South Welshman last raced a Honda in 2013, where he raced a factory-supported CRF450R under his own TwoTwo Motorsports outfit.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

CDR duo downplay inner-team rivalry after Brisbane contact

News 14 Oct 2019

CDR duo downplay inner-team rivalry after Brisbane contact

Both Clout and Reardon deny any ongoing rift following opening round.

Image: Foremost Media.

New CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha teammates Luke Clout and Dan Reardon have played down suggestions that sparks flew between the pair after contact was made in the Brisbane main event on Saturday night.

Former multi-time champion Reardon was runner-up in his return to CDR, directly ahead of Clout in third place on the podium as the Australian Supercross Championship opened in Queensland.

It was lap seven of the second SX1 final when Clout was lining a move up on Reardon for position when the pair was running in second and third, however, a minor clash saw Clout crash and remount to salvage a podium without losing any positions.

Clout – rumoured to be departing CDR for 2020 – was understood to be in a heated mood directly following the main events, but both have denied there will be any intensifying rift as the series travels south to Port Adelaide for round two this weekend.

“There wasn’t really anything in it,” Clout told MotoOnline.com.au. “I was about to make a pass, we kind of came into the turn together and there was a bit of contact – more of a racing incident. I don’t really want to go into it… it is what it is.”

Despite not racing competitively since rupturing his achilles tendon in Auckland’s S-X Open last November, Reardon impressed on his way to second behind triple defending champion Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing) at round one.

The media-savvy Queenslander delivered an encouraging 3-2 scorecard to edge heat race winner Clout’s 4-3 finishes in the double-header format, making for an intriguing factory Yamaha combination that are both bidding to dethrone the dominant Brayton.

A mistake from Reardon in the rhythm section prior to where the incident happened allowed Clout to strike, however Reardon’s experience enabled him to anticipate the passing attempt, which ultimately resulted in them coming together as both turned sharply.

“We made small contact, but more just a racing incident than anything else,” Reardon commented when queried this afternoon. “We spoke about it and it was all fine – just one of those things in racing where you touch each-other, but nothing intentional.

“I wanted that line, he wanted that line, one of those deals… there was nothing in it. I think he was frustrated that he went down and I would be too, but he tried to make a manoeuvre on me, I anticipated it and then it didn’t work out.”

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Dominant Brayton wins Brisbane AUS Supercross opener

News 12 Oct 2019

Dominant Brayton wins Brisbane AUS Supercross opener

Premier class podium completed by Reardon and Clout.

Image: Foremost Media.

Three-time defending champion Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing) rode commandingly to victory in the SX1 category at Brisbane Entertainment Centre’s opening round of the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship.

Brayton stormed to the front in main event one, closely followed by Lawson Bopping (Empire Kawasaki) and Brett Metcalfe (Penrite Honda Racing) in the opening stages.

Daniel Reardon (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) promoted himself to third as Bopping dropped down the order, with heat one winner Luke Clout (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) also moving by the Kawasaki rider.

In the end, Brayton emerged with a dominant victory over teammate Metcalfe and Reardon, while top five was round out by Clout and Bopping. The top 10 was completed by Todd Waters (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna), Dylan Long (Empire Kawasaki), Richie Evans (Yamalube Yamaha Racing), Gradie Featherstone (KSF Racing) and Jayden Rykers (SB Motorsports Suzuki).

The second main event also belonged to Brayton in another convincing display, this time edging out Reardon and Clout, who recovered from a crash while attempting a pass on his teammate.

Long was fourth followed by Metcalfe, the veteran going down in the early stages. Positions six to 10 were taken out by Waters, Rykers, Evans, Bopping and Featherstone.

Overall, Brayton stood on the top of the podium alongside Reardon and Clout, as Metcalfe and Long rounded out the top five. The Australian Supercross Championship now heads to Gillman in South Australia on 19 October.

Detailed results


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Hayes opens AUS Supercross with Brisbane SX2 victory

News 12 Oct 2019

Hayes opens AUS Supercross with Brisbane SX2 victory

Tanti and Blose lock out the top three in Queensland’s opener.

Image: Foremost Media.

Serco Yamaha’s Jacob Hayes has opened the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship in Brisbane by securing victory in the SX2 category.

Josh Osby (Raceline KTM Thor) hit the front early on in main event one followed by Aaron Tanti (Serco Yamaha) and Wilson Todd (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna), while reigning champion and heat race winner Jay Wilson (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) went down with Chris Blose (Penrite Honda Racing) in turn one.

Kyle Webster (Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing) and Bradley Taft (Empire Kawasaki) came together later in the race, as Osby captured victory ahead of Tanti and Hayes. Blose was fourth ahead of Mitchell Oldenburg (Penrite Honda Racing), followed by Todd, Wilson, Taft, Dylan Wills (Davey Motorsports KTM) and Webster.

In main event two, Todd emerged with the early lead over Hayes and Blose, however quickly relinquished the lead after going down, allowing the American duo to control the field, with Tanti holding third.

Hayes won the outing convincingly ahead of Blose and Tanti, as the top five was completed by Wilson and Osby. Positions six to 10 were taken out by Taft, Wills, Todd, Oldenburg and Webster.

Overall, Hayes was victorious for the round, joined on the podium by Serco Yamaha teammate Tanti, as Blose locked out the top three. Osby and Wilson were fourth and fifth respectively.

Detailed results


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Penrite Honda team manager Clarke to depart following Sydney

News 11 Oct 2019

Penrite Honda team manager Clarke to depart following Sydney

One final ASBK crown the target with Herfoss to close 2019 season.

Image: Foremost Media.

Defending Australian Superbike champion Troy Herfoss’ longstanding association with Penrite Honda Racing team manager Shaun Clarke will come to an end following Sydney’s 2019 season finale when the renowned technician exits the team and sport altogether.

Clarke has been an integral part of Honda’s success in domestic road racing since his first introduction as an apprentice mechanic at the manufacturer in 2001, going on to work with the Motologic and ER Motorsport teams with official Honda support since.

Since making his return to Superbike competition in 2014 with Honda, Herfoss has been guided by Clarke in his corner and dedicated his spectacular victory at Phillip Island last Sunday to the outgoing Clarke. The ultimate goal now is to deliver one final championship together at Sydney Motorsport Park between 1-3 November.

“I made the decision way back in March, so my full focus ever since then has been to win the championship one last time,” Clarke told CycleOnline.com.au. “It was also my goal to tick off a few more boxes, like getting Troy a win here fair and square against guys who are usually very strong, which we did today.

“I’d be very happy if I could finish up my time in this sport by winning another championship on a bike that probably shouldn’t be able to, as most people seem to consider. Today was very special, to see the reaction on Troy’s face when he came in that he could finally do it means the world to me – that’s what I do it for. It’s always about winning.”

While Clarke’s future will be centred outside of the sport, Herfoss will once again lead Honda’s Australian Superbike Championship charge in 2020 when the ER Motorsport-operated team takes delivery of an anticipated all-new CBR1000RR. Herfoss is a two-time ASBK title winner, first winning in 2016 and again in 2018.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Penrite Honda team reveals 2020 American supercross plans

News 9 Oct 2019

Penrite Honda team reveals 2020 American supercross plans

Australian championship-winning team assessing West Coast 250SX program.

Image: Foremost Media.

Penrite Honda Racing will contest multiple rounds of the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in the West Coast 250SX division, team owner Yarrive Konsky has confirmed on the eve of this year’s Australian championship.

It’s understood that the Victorian-based operation will take an Australian rider over to the US in a bid to build supercross experience on the big stage, however, the details remain scarce beyond those plans.

Honda Australia’s factory team will introduce a yet-to-be-announced second full-time 450 rider for next season alongside Brett Metcalfe, with rumours also suggesting the team will field a factory 250 outdoors. One of the team’s new signings – not longtime AMA regular Metcalfe – will spearhead its US supercross entry.

Penrite Honda Racing plans to enter the high-profile American series don’t end there, as Konsky has also revealed that he is assessing the possibility of building an American-based program that would be focused full-time on the West Coast 250SX series from 2020 or 2021 – likely with US riders to begin with.

“It’s in the extremely early stages of development, but we have committed to do at least the first three to four rounds of next year with an Australian rider for 2020 prior to the commencement of the MX Nationals,” Konsky told MotoOnline.com.au. “We are also investigating the possibility of doing the full season, either next year or in 2021.”

With strong American ties, including claiming the Australian SX1 crown for the past three years with Team Honda HRC signing Justin Brayton, Konsky’s Penrite-backed team has also featured as part of Brayton’s wider international plans during the current off-season. Penrite Honda Racing will field Mitchell Oldenburg and Chris Blose in SX2 locally this season.

Meanwhile, the future of the CRF Honda Racing team operated by Mark Luksich has been cast into doubt beyond 2019 in recent weeks if the rumour-mill proves correct, despite achieving second in the MX2 championship with Kyle Webster this year and being established as one of the primary 250 efforts in the country.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au