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Dakar 2019: San Juan de Marcona… A Bit Like Baja

Stage 2 has wrapped for Dakar 2019.

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San Juan de Marcona… A Bit Like Baja

But Is this Similarity Good or Bad for the Americans At Dakar?

As one might expect, Day One had nothing on Day Two. Long miles, silty terrain and another hot, sunny day helped some racers climb even higher up the ladder of success and forced others to slip down the rungs.

Up to now, the environment south of Lima has felt much like being trapped in a wind-tunnel. That’s on fire. It is enough to drive a person mad, if heat stroke doesn’t take him first. So, one can only imagine how this adds to the strain of competing at a highly demanding, not just multi, but multi-multi-day (this means “a butt-load” in French) race. A few carried on steadily, moving just ahead or a little behind their starting position. Others charged pointedly at a spot far from or far more important than the one they earned in Special Stage One. But, just as “Mama Baja” can swiftly change a [wo]man’s fate, Peru can be equally unforgiving.

“This is not only my greatest adventure, but my greatest challenge in racing. Losing the rear wheel 75 km from the finish would prove to be the hardest finish I’ve ever had. But a finish is a finish. And tomorrow is a new day!” – Garrett Poucher #71, Garrett Off-Road Racing Team, USA

Garrett Poucher (#71) had a familiar misfortune as he his bike experienced mechanical issues which set his time back drastically. There are rumors of an image floating around featuring an upbeat Poucher cruising the liaison stage on a naked rear wheel… Tire having been ripped off when his tire-insert (read: bib) disintegrated. But he’s in good spirits and hopeful for a better go at it tomorrow. Robby Gordon (#316) had a strong start in the a.m. with a superb ending at 25th among the cars. In an all-out battle royal between the rally’s best, Ricky Brabec (#15) seemed sure to finish the stage in first place. But the tide turns quickly out on the racecourse, and 2018 Dakar Rally winner, Matthias Walkner (#1), snuck by leaving a mere 00:22 second gap between the two.

“The first two days were great. Today was more or less fast. Like… last year, I’m really confident today with the bumps and the rocks and all the silt. I wanted to win today, but I was told,” he said with a chuckle, “it’s not very good to win today due to tough navigation tomorrow. So, tomorrow’s going to get a little tricky, but I’m looking forward to the next eight days, sitting strong. And I have really high expectations for the [remainder of the rally].” – Ricky Brabec #15, Monster Energy Honda Team, USA
Yesterday’s victor, Joan Barreda (#5) blasted through the finish over a minute after, and the remaining lead riders quickly followed suit – to include former Supercross racer Andrew Short (#29) who, finishing 9th, broke into the Top Ten. As for the other Americans making a name for themselves, Skyler Howes (#73) moved up an impressive 11 positions despite the stages many obstacles. Perhaps thriving on the Baja-like environment – one he’s quite familiar with.

“It’s kind of like a San Felipe stage at a SCORE race. Which is sick, but also pretty sketchy. Like a rough sea made of sand… Similar to riding whoops but with a lot of surprises. And then, everything is covered in silt because all of the cars and trucks left first. I feel like this was my strongest area, very similar to Baja. The terrain, the landscape, it felt like being south of the border.” – Skyler Howes #73, Garrett Off-Road Racing Team, USA

The route today might seem like it couldn’t have gotten more brutal, but don’t expect there to be any sign of relief yet… Tomorrow they take on SS3, and – as with every stage at Dakar – this one’s going to be a doozy!

 

KEY POINTS:
Ø Rankings of Americans

BIKE
2nd Ricky Brabec #15 – 03h 24’ 19”; 3rd in the General Classification
9th Andrew Short #29 – 03h 36’ 22”; ** in the General Classification
35th Skyler Howes #73 – 04h 03’ 52”; 36th in the General Classification
92nd Nathan Rafferty #104 – 05h 30’ 18”; ** in the General Classification
120th Garrett Poucher #71 – 06h 37’ 27”; ** in the General Classification

CAR
25th Robby Gordon, Kellon Walch #316 – 04h 09’ 30”; 24th in the General Classification
34th Blade Hildebrand, Bill Conger #367 – 04h 31’ 41”; 33rd in the General Classification
87th Cole Potts, Max Eddy #346 – 09h 15’ 38”; 81st in the General Classification

SIDE-BY-SIDE
14th Casey Currie #343 – 04h 32’ 56”; 12th in the General Classification

Ø Top Three Stage Finishers in Motorcycles

1st Matthias Walkner #1 – 03h 23’ 57”; 2nd in the General Classification
2nd Ricky Brabec #15 – 03h 24’ 19”; 3rd in the General Classification
3rd Joan Barreda Bort #5 – 03h 25’ 38”; 1st in the General Classification

Ø Of the female riders, KTM Factory rider Laia Sanz (#17) is keeping up the pace earning 27th place during today’s stage. Czech rider, and Dakar vet, Gabriela “Gabby” Novotna (#57) nabbed a respectable 96th position despite some setbacks. Anastasiya Nifontova (#56) of Russia is seeded at 100. And Malle Moto warrior, Sara Garcia of Spain (#98) held on strong at 118th today. Last but certainly not least, another woman sweating her ass off to live the dream is Peru National, Gianna Velarde Sumary (#130) sitting at 127th.

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Energica Enters A New Commercial Agreement In New York and NE U.S.

Energica fans in the Eastern United States now have a well respected dealership to turn to: Hudson Valley Motorcycles. See below for details.

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Energica Motor Company S.p.A. continues to expand in the United States: a new commercial agreement with Hudson Valley Motorcycles in the significant market of New York State and the Northeast Region of the U.S. has just been signed. This will delight hundreds of riders all over the east coast who have been clamoring for Energica to open a retail presence there.

New York has the fifth largest number of motorcyclists in the U.S., with over 392,771 registered street bikes in 2017 and accounted for over 4% of all motorcycles sold in the country that year. According to Plug-In America, New York is also the second largest market for EV vehicles, with about 30,645 currently registered and a growth rate of 67% in just the last year. There are over 2,400 charging stations already in place in the state, the fourth-highest number in the country, behind three states (California, Texas, Florida) where Energica already has dealer representation.

Highly ambitious plans have just been announced by Governor Cuomo to add over 10,000 additional charging stations and expand the New York EV units in operation to 800,000 – so the outlook for electric motorcycles to follow the growth in electric cars in New York is very positive.

“We know that riders have precisely the same concerns as drivers do about the range of EV and the frequency of charging stations. Like cars, this is the #1 barrier to purchase by consumers. Our bikes will travel for over 100 miles on a single charge, so the challenge is the number of places to charge up, especially DC Fast Chargers that Energica alone of all electric motorcycles is able to use,” Stated Stefano Benatti, CEO, Energica Motor Company Inc. “The massive build-out of charging stations planned for New York makes that state a rival for California as a market for electric motorcycles.”

The new relationship between Energica and Hudson Valley Motorcycles is particularly noteworthy as the dealer will have exclusive representation for the entire Northeast region, incorporating Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont – altogether equally the size and importance of the New York market.

“The attraction of electric for avid riders isn’t just ecological. It’s the immediate acceleration and absolutely linear torque,” says Richie Alexander, General Manager for Hudson Valley Motorcycles. “We have a deep experience in sportbikes and racing, but also in electric; and this makes Energica a perfect fit for us. Energica’s high-performance bikes will be a great option for those of our customers who want something truly different and unique.” Richie adds that “We saw enormous interest at the New York IMS show about Energica and that made us very excited to sign up with them. And we are already getting a ton of phone calls from riders wanting to test ride the most powerful electric motorcycles you can buy for street use.”

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Ducati Partners With Audi and Ford To Debut Car-To-Bike Communication Technology At CES

The future of safety between motorcycles, cars, pedestrians, and even the very roads we occupy was displayed in a joint venture between Ducati, Audi, Ford, and Qualcomm at CES 2019, in Las Vegas. 

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Ducati continues its safety-focused research by taking part – together with Audi and Ford – in the first US demonstration of a communication system that interlinks vehicles, street infrastructure and pedestrians.

This test follows the one completed in Germany last July (here the press release). The latter saw the ConVeX (Connected Vehicle to Everything) project – a key part of Ducati’s “Safety Road Map 2025” strategy which aims to develop new safety systems and technologies – showcased in Europe for the very first time. The initial stages of this strategy will see ABS Cornering extended to the entire Ducati range and the market launch, in 2020, of a bike with front and rear radar.

Ducati, Audi AG (NASDAQ: AUDVF), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), announced the companies’ continued joint efforts to help accelerate commercial deployment for C-V2X direct communication technology for roadside safety, traffic efficiency and automated driving. As a part of the Consumer Electronic Show® 2019 (CES 2019), a Ducati Multistrada 1260 as well as Audi and Ford vehicles, demonstrate driving situations utilizing C-V2X direct communications. All vehicles were equipped with C-V2X technology utilizing the Qualcomm® 9150 C-V2X chipset to demonstrate a cooperative intersection use case, exhibiting how C-V2X can be used between vehicles to negotiate the right of way in entering a four-way, non-signalized intersection where intention sharing and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions make the use of a wireless sensor such as C-V2X ideal.

The companies also exhibited additional Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) safety scenarios, demonstrating the maturity and potential of C-V2X technology. The V2V use case featured the Intersection Movement Assist (IMA) scenario, which is a key countermeasure to address angle collisions at intersections, while the V2P scenario exhibited how C-V2X can be used to protect vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. The V2I use case featured the Work Zone Warning scenario, which is designed to provide drivers advanced warning of road construction ahead allowing them to maneuver in a safe manner.

This week’s Las Vegas demonstrations follow the successful showings of C-V2X trial validations and interoperability conducted throughout 2018 in Europe, Japan, Australia, China and the United States, as well as the first live C-V2X interoperability demonstration between a motorcycle, vehicles and roadside infrastructure, which was hosted by several leading automotive and technology companies, including Ducati and Qualcomm Technologies.

Ducati, Audi, and Ford are amongst several global automakers who have closely evaluated C-V2X technology for its reliability, high-performance capabilities and readiness through rigorous testing. Currently, C-V2X is the only V2X alternative that provides a clear evolution path to 5G, in a backward compatible manner, and is designed to deliver reliable and consistent performance in realistic driving scenarios. While complementing other Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) sensors, such as radar, lidar, and camera systems, C-V2X direct communications supports an ever-expanding set of safety use cases, as well as enhanced situational awareness by detecting and directly exchanging vital information. Additionally, C-V2X is designed with a focus on security, benefitting from established security transport layers and application protocols defined by the automotive standards communities, including ISO, ETSI and IEEE 1609. Because C-V2X can be easily integrated into all wireless modems to offer direct and network communications, its implementation is cost-effective, which is especially important as the automotive industry continues to move towards adding wireless connectivity in all vehicles.

“This demonstration is showing use cases in which advanced technologies can significantly improve the safety of motorcycle users,” said Pierluigi Zampieri, Vehicle Innovation Manager at Ducati Motor Holding. “C-V2X communication is one of the key projects of the Ducati 2025 safety road map. There’s no better place than CES to talk about our roadmap towards the future”.

“Audi has demonstrated a novel C-V2X use case together with Ford, Ducati and Qualcomm Technologies. The four-way stop use case provides a glimpse of how cooperative driving will be possible with C-V2X in the future. Besides additional safety, C-V2X is designed to also improve comfort and efficiency, which can be applied to both current and future autonomous driving,” said Anupam Malhotra, Director, Connected Vehicles & Data at Audi of America, Inc. “Audi has demonstrated commercial viability of cellular-based V2X services through the Audi Traffic Light Information service and plays a leading role within the 5GAA to develop this technology further”.

“Imagine a person suddenly steps into the street from out of view and your vehicle stops because it was alerted by that person’s smartphone. This is just one example of how C-V2X can connect smart vehicles to a smart world,” said Don Butler, executive director, Ford Connected Vehicle Platform and Product. “We invite other automakers, governments and tech companies to join the significant momentum building for a C-V2X ecosystem”.

“As part of Qualcomm Technologies’ ongoing work with Ford, Audi and Ducati, we are excited to continue strengthening our mutual efforts towards accelerating C-V2X’s commercial deployment. This new chapter in our longstanding relationships outlines our collective goal to realize the full potential of C-V2X as a global solution for next-generation vehicle connectivity, safety and autonomy,” said Nakul Duggal, senior vice president of product management, Qualcomm Technologies. “We look forward to showcasing the latest results of this relationship as several Ford, Audi and Ducati vehicles demonstrate C-V2X interoperability in real-world driving situations”.

The demonstration by Ducati, Audi, Ford, and Qualcomm Technologies will be conducted live in Las Vegas by appointment and will also be livestreamed at Qualcomm Technologies’ automotive booth in the North Hall (booth #5609), and in the Central Hall (booth #TBD) throughout the show. The demonstration will also be shown in the Audi and Ford booths.



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AMA announces 2019 schedule for KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series

AMA National Adventure Riding Series gives AMA members a chance to go test out there skills on their big adventure machines.

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American Motorcyclist Association announces 2019 schedule for KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series

Nationwide series features 14 opportunities to get out and ride

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association has released the schedule for the 2019 KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series, presented by Kenda Tires, which features 14 events in 10 states organized by AMA-chartered clubs and promoters.

Adventure riding is one of the fastest growing classes of motorcycling. Adventure bikes are comfortable enough to conquer hundreds of miles of interstate without a whimper and are rugged enough to climb the highest mountain passes. Since 2007, the KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series has provided opportunities for adventure motorcyclists to enjoy some of the best routes, roads and two-track trail in the nation.

KTM returns as a series sponsor for the third consecutive year. The company boasts a lineup of well-equipped adventure bikes that are great options to ride in the series’ events.

“The 2017 season was a really good year for KTM sponsoring the AMA National Adventure Riding Series, and 2018 turned out even better,” KTM Ride Orange Manager Mark Hyde said. “The series is home to many great adventure rides across America. Each year, we have been able to attend more events, meet more adventure riders and show off the capability and style of KTM’s adventure models.”

AMA Recreational Riding Manager Heather Wilson said the events are intended for adventure riders of all skill levels and are a great way for new adventure riders to learn more about the discipline.

“These events are so popular, many fill up far in advance,” Wilson said. “The event organizers work hard to ensure the riding is memorable and that riders have a great group-riding experience.”

As part of its sponsorship, KTM will award one series participant an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2020 KTM Adventure Rider Rally.

Supporting series sponsors include AMA Member Benefit Partner ADVmoto. Event participants will be entered to win products from sponsors Helite Moto, Seat Concepts and IMS Products.

2019 KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series schedule

April 27-28: Perry Mountain Tower Run Adventure Rally
Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club — Stanton, Ala.

May 4-5: Yosemite Adventure Tour
Family Off-Road Adventures — Buck Meadows, Calif.

May 16-19: PA Wilds 1000
Pine Barrens Adventures — Port Matilda, Pa.

June 1-2: Durty Dabbers
Durty Dabbers Motorcycle Club — Lock Haven, Pa.

June 8-9: Ride for Research
Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders — Wabeno, Wis.

June 8-9: Ozark 200
Arkansas Dirt Riders, Inc. — New Blaine, Ark.

June 22-23: Big Bear Run
Big Bear Trail Riders — Big Bear, Calif.

August TBD: Dirt Daze Adventure Rally
Dirt Daze — TBD, Vt.

September 7-8: Blue Ridge Adventure Ride
Appalachian Trail Riders — Pineola, N.C.

September 14-15: Show Me 500 National Adventure Ride
Midwest Trail Riders Association — Bixby, Mo.

September 28-29: Big Woods 200
Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders — Wabeno, Wis.

September 28-29: Buffaloe 500 National Adventure Ride
Stoney Lonesome Motorcycle Club — Columbus, Ind.

October 12-13: Renfro Valley Adventure Ride
Appalachian Trail Riders — Mount Vernon, Ky.

November 29-30: L.A. — Barstow to Vegas
District 37 Dual Sport — Palmdale, Calif.

The series schedule and detailed information about the events can be found at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Riding/Adventure-Riding. Participants must have a current AMA membership.

Be sure to follow the series’ official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AMAAdventureRiding. Post your photos from the events on social media using #AMAadv.

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Jeff Ward Is Going to Race American Flat Track TTs

Wait, how old is Jeff Ward? He was already a grizzled veteran when he won his second AMA Supermoto championship in 2006 – which is the same year he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. He’d already been inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999, after winning several thousand AMA Moto- and Supercross titles. If Wiki has it right, Jeff Ward is 57 years old. 


AFT Press Release:

Seven-time National MX Champ Jeff Ward to race American Flat Track TTs in 2019

Hall of Famer to ride select events – including the DAYTONA TT – on KTM machinery in AFT Singles with support from Moto Anatomy, KTM, Troy Lee Designs, Blackmore Ranch, The W Training Facility, Malcolm Smith Motorsports and Monster Energy

NEWPORT BEACH, CA (Jan. 8, 2019) – Jeff Ward, a seven-time AMA Motocross champion, AMA Supermoto champion, IndyCar and NASCAR racer, Motorcycle Hall of Famer and one of the most versatile and successful competitors in the world of motorsports, will return to the racetrack to compete in American Flat Track events in 2019.

Ward will compete in the AFT Singles division at all five TT races – and maybe even a Short Track or two – aboard KTM 450 SX-F machinery with support from fellow racer and Moto Anatomy riding-school owner Johnny Lewis, Blackmore Ranch, KTM, Troy Lee Designs, Malcolm Smith Motorcycles, The W Training Facility and Monster Energy.

“Most folks probably don’t know this,” Ward said, “but I started racing flat tracks and TTs as a youngster, and then gradually moved to motocross, so I’ve got some pretty deep flat track roots. I’ve been riding lately at the Blackmore Ranch flat track facility in Southern California, and really enjoying it. I also watched all the AFT races on NBCSN in 2018, and I got to thinking, ‘Let’s try this…’ – and here we are!

“The plan,” continued Ward, “is to do the five TT events, and maybe catch a Short Track or two. I’ll be riding KTM 450s, with set-up, logistical and training help from Johnny Lewis. I’ll ride one of Johnny’s KTMs at Daytona in March, and one of my KTMs in Arizona in April, as it’s close to my So Cal base. After that we’ll figure out logistics for the rest of the rounds.

“I’m working on finalizing sponsors now,” Ward added, “and we definitely have opportunities for companies to come aboard. We are going to have a lot of fun with this and stir things up a bit. I think we’ll be in contention for wins, too. I’m 57, but I’m still pretty fast on a motorcycle and in great shape thanks to all the motocross riding and mountain bike racing I’ve been doing. It will be a challenge, for sure, but I’m committed to this and plenty serious about the season.”

Ward, who’s also a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame, will have serious logistical and bike set-up support from Lewis, a top-level flat tracker in his own right.

“Jeff’s a master,” said Lewis, “and he’ll adapt quickly. He’s just so intuitive and has such a good feel for the motorcycle, what it needs, and how to extract maximum performance from it. I’m always amazed how good he is when I watch him. We’ll be working together and testing before the Daytona round on March 14, and afterward, too, so he’ll be ready. When you combine his world-class natural talent with the fact that he still wants to learn and pays attention to the smaller things I can help him with, he’s going to be tough to beat. He’s also going to be involved in my Moto Anatomy schools whenever possible, so I’m excited about our collaboration. We’re going to have some fun!”

Look for continued coverage of the Ward/Lewis/KTM 2019 effort, including in-depth interviews and features, in the coming weeks on the American Flat Track website (Americanflattrack.com). For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please click below:

Jeff Ward Racing

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffward3x

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeffward3x

Email: [email protected]

Johnny Lewis/Moto Anatomy 

Web: www.moto-anatomy.com 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/motoanatomy_ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motoanatomyofficial/

Email: johnny@moto-anatomy.com 

Next Up for AFT:

American Flat Track will kick off its 2019 season with its bar-banging DAYTONA TT in appropriate fashion – during the wild Bike Week festivities in Daytona Beach. The 2019 DAYTONA TT happens Thursday, March 14 once again under the lights of the iconic Daytona International Speedway. Tickets start at just $35 and are available now at https://tickets.americanflattrack.com

How to Watch:

NBCSN and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of American Flat Track. For the 2019 season, NBCSN’s coverage of AFT moves to highly-coveted, weekend afternoon programming slots within two weeks of each event. The complete schedule for AFT on NBCSN can be viewed at http://www.americanflattrack.com/events-nbcsn/. FansChoice.tv remains a cornerstone of AFT’s digital strategy, providing live streaming coverage of every event on AFT’s live page while previous events and exclusive features are available on AFT’s VOD page.

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Dakar 2019: Just Another Day in the Dunes

WestX1000 provides us with stage one updates from Dakar 2019.

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Just Another Day in the Dunes

A Promising Stage One at the Dakar Rally Gives the United States Hope

Even the best racers and biggest trucks could be swallowed whole by the mountains of sand making up the Ica region surrounding Pisco.

dakar 2019

In a battle between man, machine and Mother Nature, it seemed that yesterday man and his machine have prevailed – this time around. Special Stage One was a relatively short and fast-paced race. The route, 70-percent of which were dunes, sifted out the top competitors who, as it turns out, includes the Americans.

“Although it was a short stage today, it was a very large learning curve for me. The computer equipment on the bike is tricky to pick up right away. Because I didn’t know how to work it, I made some errors, which made me a little frustrated with my results. But ultimately, I was happy with how I was able to move up in the overall position from my starting point. I had to remind myself that I’m in Peru living my dream and not to let anything break my spirit.” – Skyler Howes #73, Garrett Off-Road Racing team

Ricky Brabec (#15) broke into the top three, nabbing the third seat in bikes leaving everyone but Joan Barreda (#5) and Pablo Quintanilla (#6) in his dust. Andrew Short (#29) made great time landing himself at 13 in the ranks. And Garrett Poucher (#71), Skyler Howes (#73) and Nathan Rafferty (#104) fought hard for better starting positions come Second Stage Two, which took off a little later this morning. A relief for riders needing to catch up on some Zzz’s. Poucher and Skyler will begin at the 45th and 46th positions while Rafferty will set off at 97th.

Household name, Robby Gordon, experienced some minor setbacks which had forced him to miss his originally scheduled scrutineering date. But it all worked out in the end, as Gordon and teammate Kellon Walch (#316) drove formidably, finishing 21st in the car rankings. Driver Blade Hildebrand, his co-pilot Bill Conger (#367) and teammates Cole Potts and Max Eddy (#346) also did well for themselves leaving the start line this morning 34th and 43rd in line. Last of the Americans, but certainly not least, Casey Currie (#343), a friend and protégé’ of Robby Gordon’s, promised to make a name for himself at Dakar, in the new Side-by-Side (SxS) class. With a rise in popularity, we’re seeing these leisure utility vehicles pop up in more and more off-road events. And Currie plans to battle his way to the podium in his, earning 6th in class by the time he reached the end of his road book.

Altogether, the first special stage seemed to go off without a hitch. The day produced only a single recorded withdrawal and one non-critical medical situation when a car barrel rolled, so there’s still a lot of folks with skin in the game. And racers aren’t giving in yet! Some delays at the beginning could be expected, but just about everyone reached the proverbial checkered flag unscathed. Tuesday January 8th will offer challengers less dunes but many more kilometers with over 200 for the liaison to San Juan de Marcona in addition to the special stage. Is this where we’ll see competitors begin do drop off, as they so famously do at Dakar? Will the lack of sand be a help or a hindrance? Will the American’s keep up their pace? There’s only one way to find out…

Key points:

Ø Rankings of Americans

BIKE

3. Ricky Brabec #15 – 01h 00’ 28” Bike

13. Andrew Short #29 – 01h 04’ 29” Bike

45. Garrett Poucher #71 – 01h 16’ 58” Bike

46. Skyler Howes #73 – 01h 17’ 04” Bike

97. Nathan Rafferty #104 – 01h 38’ 39” Bike

CAR

21. Robby Gordon, Kellon Walch #316 – 01h 10’ 49”

34. Blade Hildebrand, Bill Conger #367 – 01h 16’ 11”

43. Cole Potts, Max Eddy #346 – 01h 22’ 03”

SIDE-BY-SIDE

6. Casey Currie #343 – 01h 16’ 08”

Ø Top Three Motorcycles

1. Joan Barreda #5 – 57’36”

2. Pablo Quintanilla #6 – 58’10”

3. Ricky Brabec #15 – 01h 00’ 28”

Ø Sara Garcia #98 fell into 111th place overall but shouldn’t be deterred. There’s so much more Dakar left!

Ø 17 women are racing in the 2019 Dakar Rally.

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Dakar 2019: The Green Flag Waves in Peru

Our friends from WestX1000 are on the ground in Peru for Dakar 2019. 

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The Green Flag Waves in Peru

With the Dakar Rally Opening Its 41st Year to a Roaring Crowd 

Monday, January 7th marked the beginning of the 2019 iteration of the world’s most infamous off-road race: the Dakar Rally. But the party really started the previous day at the beach… 
“What can I say but ‘wow!’ Crossing the Dakar podium for the first time was an incredible experience. The energy from the fans was off the charts. This has been something I have dreamed of doing since I was a little kid, and it has become a reality.” – Garrett Poucher #71, Garrett Off-Road Racing, USA
Sunday is a time for family in Lima, which was evident as hordes of adults, children and the elderly alike packed themselves against barricades, outside the fences or lining the tall cliffs which overlook Dakar Village just to catch a glimpse of their favorite Motorsports heroes. The word floating around most of the day was “mayhem.” But as always, the ASO organization kept their cool and sent the 541 challengers (334 vehicles) up and over the bayside podium in swift fashion. Each met by excited cheers which would burst out as each team approached and exited the stage, warming the spotlight for the next.
“Up until this point the process has been pretty easy-going, but today going up and over the podium, the magnitude of this event really set in. The amount of people there to watch the ceremony was unreal, and we were packed right in there with them getting snagged for selfies left and right.
Going up over the podium was brief but still a huge moment for me, putting that check mark next to my #1 dream and goal in life.” – Skyler Howes #73, Garrett Off-Road Racing, USA
The following day was an early one, as motorbikes departed Peru’s capital at about half-past 5a.m. local time for the event’s first Special Stage – enroute to the Pisco bivouac. What obstacles could riders and drivers face? Where will we find the 12 Americans (Ricky Brabec #15, Andrew Short #29, Garrett Poucher #71, Skyler Howes #73, Nathan Rafferty #104 on bikes; Robby Gordon and Kellon Walch #316, Cole Potts and Max Eddy #346, Blade Hildebrand and Bill Conger #367 in cars; and Casey Currie #343 in a Side-by-Side) in the starting order for Special Stage Two? Until the final competitor reaches the end of his or her road book today, we’re yet to know. Stay tuned…
Key points:

Ø 541 competitors and 334 vehicles —137 motorbikes, 26 quads, 130 cars (including 30 SxS) and 41 trucks— were cleared to start the 41st edition of the Dakar at the end of the technical and administrative scrutineering.

Ø This year the roster of women racers continues to grow, including the rally’s first-ever female Malle Moto contestant, Sara Garcia #98 of Spain.

Ø Before the start of the race, the drivers, riders and crews will get a big send-off from the fans during the podium ceremony in Lima. The celebration will take place on Magdalena beach, where over 100,000 visitors flocked to enjoy a wide range of activities in the Feria Dakar over the last three days.

Ø The first round comes with a sand-packed 84 km course in the Pisco region.

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Shoei Announces The GT-Air II

One of our favorite helmets for long-distance touring, Shoei has updated the GT-Air with tons of new features. Read below to find out more.

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SHOEI Safety Helmet Corp is excited to announce the Spring ’19 arrival of the all-new GT-Air II to the North American marketplace. In dealerships March/April 2019.

With the innovative and highly-acclaimed GT-Air as a baseline, the all-new SHOEI GT-Air II was destined for greatness from the very start. Advancements in design, functionality and performance have further evolved SHOEI’s premiere full-face touring helmet, yielding even easier adaptation to the ever-changing conditions throughout your journeys. Featuring a lengthened internal sun shield for optimal sun-glare protection, all-new “first position” shield opening for advanced ventilation and defogging, enhanced aerodynamics and noise-reduction technology, and the ability to seamlessly integrate with the all-new SENA SRL2 Communication System, the GT-Air II is equipped to accommodate your every need.

Explore the entire GT-Air II COLLECTION and all of its innovative FEATURES on our website.





























































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Mini Massive 2019 Celebrates Minibikes On A Massive Scale

Readers of Motorcycle.com know we’re fan of minibikes in all their shapes and forms. Turns out, we’re not alone. Our friends at Steady Garage are taking this love of minis to another level with Mini Massive 2019. Read more about it below.

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The main objective for Mini Massive is to further expand the community of mini-moto and scooter enthusiasts. In the United States, bigger motorcycles definitely blazed their way through popularity, while smaller displacement motorcycles not so much. In recent years, smaller bikes have made some considerable changes in the way we look at motorcycles today. The Honda Grom 125, Kawasaki Z125 Pro, and just recently the new Honda Monkey 125 are examples of this new trend of smaller refined motorcycles. At Mini Massive, the different exhibitions will definitely help new eyes realize the true power of what these little bikes are capable of. Soon people will acknowledge that these little bikes can do pretty much anything! Picture Mini Massive as an open door into the amazing world of the Mini Moto lifestyle.

Through the years, we had the opportunity to attend and help with many events around the country. As the new year approaches, we would like to make an announcement of a new event taking place in Southern California! We would like to introduce to you Mini Massive! Mini Massive is all out event that is dedicated to Mini Motos, scooters, and small displacement motorcycles under 399cc! We worked hard to put this event together, which is very difficult in California as everything is strict and requires a lot of paperwork, permits, and of course money. We managed to work through the shuffle and was able to secure a venue that would allow all of us to share our passion. Mini Massive will include a few attractions, such as Moto Exhibition, Drag Racing, Stunt Box, and Time Attack! General admission is free, there’s no excuse for anyone to not go!

There is also a huge charity raffle that would take place. 100% of the raffle proceeds would go to charity.

For more information, visit MiniMassive.org.

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Superbike-Coach Announces 2019 Schedule

If you’re in the Northern California area and have been looking to improve your riding skills, Superbike-Coach has announced its 2019 schedule. See below.

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Superbike-Coach announced its 2019 class schedule today. The popular riding school has upped the stakes to include new benefits and offers to their students and track day riders.

Superbike-Coach provides sport photography by Dean Lonskey free of charge at all classes and events. And, the track fee is included at their Cornering School program. They also offer free snacks, coffee and drinks throughout the day. The riding school offers these unique classes and renowned 1-on-1 programs for both track and street riders:

Cornering School Days 1-3 – For all street and track riders on a small race track, no track fees

Cruiser Rider Class – For all touring motorcycles and heavy bikes like Harley Davidson, Gold Wing, BMW, etc

Body Positioning Class – For all Sportbike street riders, track riders and racers, no track fees

Race Academy – For track riders and racers of mid levels and up, no extra track fees

Road Skill 1-on-1 coaching – For all street riders of all ages, levels, and categories

Wheelie Course – For all street and track riders, and racers of all ages

Knee Down – For all sport street and track riders, and racers of all ages

Track Drill 1-on-1 coaching – For all sport and track riders and racers of all ages and levels at your track day

Supermotard 1-on-1 – For street and track riders, and racers of all ages

Basic Rider 1on1 – For absolute beginners, to prepare for the M1 drivers license test

Sideline Coaching – For advanced track riders or racers at track day or race

Suspension Workshop & Track Time – For all street and track riders on a small race track, no track fees

New to the Superbike-Coach program are the ‘Body Positioning Class’ and the ‘Cruiser Rider Class’. Also new is the ‘Race Academy’, which offers affordable and efficient training for track riders and racers. The track day programs are going on their 4th year and are wildly popular.

The 2019 season track event schedule is as follows:

Road Skill 1on3, Castro Valley, at Pleasanton on 01/20/2019

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 01/27/2019

Road Skill 1on3, Foothills, at Placerville, CA on 02/17/2019

Track Drill 1on3, Sonoma Raceway, at Sonoma Raceway on 02/23/2019

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 02/24/2019

Body Positioning Class, at Little 99 Raceway on 03/03/2019

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 03/17/2019

Cruiser Class, Intermediate, at Little 99 Raceway on 03/31/2019

BMW NorCal, advanced rider class, at Little 99 Raceway on 04/07/2019

Suspension Workshop & Track Time, at Little 99 Raceway on 04/07/2019

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 04/20/2019

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 04/21/2019

Cornering School – Day 3, at Little 99 Raceway on 04/28/2019

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 05/05/2019

Knee Down, at Little 99 Raceway on 05/18/2019

Wheelie Course, at Little 99 Raceway on 05/19/2019

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill West Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 06/01/2019

Cruiser Class, Intermediate, at Little 99 Raceway on 06/02/2019

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 06/30/2019

Track Drill 1on3, Laguna Seca Raceway, at Laguna Seca Raceway on 07/01/2019

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 07/14/2019

Wheelie Course, at Little 99 Raceway on 07/28/2019

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 08/11/2019

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 08/17/2019

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 08/18/2019

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 08/25/2019

Cornering School – Day 3, at Little 99 Raceway on 09/08/2019

Track Drill 1on3, Buttonwillow Raceway, at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on 09/14/2019

Track Drill 1on3, Buttonwillow Raceway, at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on 09/15/2019

Cruiser Class, Advanced, at Little 99 Raceway on 09/29/2019

Track Academy, at Little 99 Raceway on 10/06/2019

Knee Down, at Little 99 Raceway on 10/26/2019

Wheelie Course, at Little 99 Raceway on 10/27/2019

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 11/03/2019

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 11/24/2019

Cornering School – Day 3, at Little 99 Raceway on 12/08/2019

For more information, please visit www.superbike-coach.com or contact them via email at [email protected].

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