A runner-up result at Valencia’s final round granted MotoGP rookie Fabio Quartararo top honours in the Independent Rider’s Championship, edging Australian Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) for the accolade.
The award came down to the final race between Quartararo and Miller, although it was the Frenchman who emerged on top after a thrilling battle with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) in Spain on Sunday to finish second, one position ahead of Miller.
“I knew yesterday that Marc was going to be really strong, but if we couldn’t win then I would have been happy with second – and being the first Yamaha is a nice bonus too,” Quartararo explained. “We weren’t so far from the victory, so I can be very proud of the result.
“It’s an amazing end to the season. In 2018, a lot of people told me that I didn’t deserve a seat in MotoGP and that I wasn’t ready for it – but I think now with seven podiums and six pole positions I can show them they were wrong! I’m so happy with the entire year and it’s something the whole team should be proud of.”
Quartararo, who sealed Rookie of the Year in Japan, finished his maiden premier class season fifth in the championship standings.
The RecoveR8 Australian Junior Trophy Team were crowned ISDE World Champions at the 94th running of the FIM International Six Day Enduro.
Daniel Sanders – Image Dario Agrati
Lyndon Snodgrass enjoyed a standout week with fourth in E1 for the 2019 ISDE and seventh outright for the event across all categories.
Lyndon Snodgrass
“We are Junior World Trophy Champions this year! I’m already loosing my voice as we have been celebrating after a massive week. Thanks to my team mates Fraser Higlett and Machael Driscoll and to everyone involved in getting us here and making this win happen. It feels great!”
Australian won the Junior category – Image Dario Agrati
Fraser Higlett put himself on the international map with fourth in E2 for the ISDE, and tenth outright overall across all categories.
Michael Driscoll further underlined the strength of the Aussie Junior squad by finishing ISDE 2019 as the 16th fastest rider of the event across all categories, ahead of plenty of well-known regulars on the senior stage of World Enduro.
Michael Driscoll
“We had an awesome week in Portugal and to be a part of the win with the Junior Team is amazing. “It still seems unreal to think myself, Fraser Higlett and Lyndon Snodgrass are world champions,” said an excited Driscoll. To win something like this, everything and everyone plays a part and the WR450F was just perfect for the conditions. In fact, the more I rode it the more comfortable I felt, and I got faster as the week went on. Apart from replacing a couple of levers from my crashes, we just poured fuel in it every day and kept on riding. Thanks to Yamaha and my Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Team for building me a bullet proof bike and to everyone at MA for their assistance and guidance throughout the event.”
Michael Driscoll – Image by Dario Agrati
The Australian Senior World Trophy Team ultimately finished second to the USA in the ISDE World Trophy standings.
Daniel Sanders was the fastest overall rider outright of ISDE 2019 – Image by Dario Agrati
Daniel Sanders was the stand-out rider across the entirety of ISDE 2019 winning the majority of the special tests and days out-right to end the event as the fastest individual overall on his Husqvarna FE 501.
Daniel Sanders – Image by Dario Agrati
Daniel Sanders
” It has been a hectic week here at the ISDE and we gave it our all as a team. Although we didn’t reclaim the World Trophy, we can be proud of second place and there’s always next year to come out swinging! I am so happy to claim the individual outright ISDE Championship, it’s been a big year for me and I’m now looking forward to some off season down time before a big 2020″.
Daniel Sanders – Image by Dario Agrati
Both Josh Green and Luke Styke put in some great performances with Styke finishing fourth in E1, and ninth outright for the event as a whole while Josh Green was 12th outright.
Luke Styke
“This is my first ISDE and I have to say it was one of the most challenging things I have done. The course was first class with a huge variety of terrain and conditions as we went from mud to dust and back again and from roads to sand, this ISDE had everything. Fortunately, one thing I didn’t have to worry about was the durability of my bike. I might have crashed and bent a radiator or two during the week and its probably not in show room condition and ready for sale but mechanically it was rock solid and performance wise, we led the way for Yamaha so it’s a real credit to the team and the production bike to last through such tough conditions. As a team, we busted our butts all week and in the end we just weren’t good enough. But we gave it our all and we all leave Portugal with our heads held high,” Styke ends.
Luke Styke – Image by Dario Agrati
In the Women’s Trophy, Jessica Gardiner was the sole team member remaining on day six. With the teams unbeaten run of six straight ISDE Championships coming to an end with the retirement of Makenzie Tricker and Tayla Jones earlier in the event, Gardiner soldiered on for individual results, finishing fourth outright in the Womens World Trophy.
Jessica Gardiner
“I think this my ninth ISDE now and this years event in Portugal has been a tough week for the team, but I was happy with my individual performance. I felt the best I have all year spending a month training in France in the lead up to this event. I’m stoked to finish fourth overall individually in the womens category, it’s been fun and it’s a shame the Aussie girls couldn’t finish on the podium this year. I’m proud of all the girls for their efforts and we will be back next year fighting!”
Jessica Gardiner – Image Dario Agrati
2019 ISDE Top 10 Overall
Daniel Sanders Husqvarna Australia
Josep Garcia KTM Spain +53.23s
Taylor Robert KTM USA +4min22.34s
Kailub Russell KTM USA +6min02.99s
Daniel McCanney TM GBR +7min30.46s
Ryan Sipes KTM USA +7min31.50s
Lyndon Snodgrass KTM Australia +8min10.41s
Davide Guarneri Honda Italy +8min11.69s
Luke Styke Yamaha Australia +8min35.26s
Fraser Higlett Husqvarna Australia +10min03.39s
Steward Baylor KTM USA +10min25.82s
Joshua Green Yamaha Australia +10min39.46s
Rudy Moroni KTM Italy +10min44.00s
Grant Baylor KTM USA +10min53.91s
Eero Remes Yamaha Finland +10min58.24s
Michael Driscoll Yamaha Australia +12min00.91s
Antoine Magain KTM Belgium +12min03.82s
Thomas Oldrati Honda Italy +12min13.94s
Ben Kelley KTM USA +12min20.34s
Roni Kytonen Husqvarna Finland +13min29.92s
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Toni Bou has continued his cracking form in Réunion, where the crowd at the curtain-raising event of the new season witnessed a dazzling performance in the Stade Jean Ivoula, in Saint Denis, capital of Réunion.
Toni Bou
Bou becomes the provisional leader in the 2020 championship standings, after he made his maiden outing count in the venue in spectacular style.
In the first qualifying phase, with competitors facing five sections, Bou was already looking leagues ahead of his adversaries with just six marks on the scorecard.
Toni Bou
In the second, with only the winner of each group making the cut for the final, the champion again lapped with a mere six penalty marks.
In the final, up against one of his toughest rivals Adam Raga, Bou scored 10 marks compared to the 16 collected by Raga.
Toni Bou
Repsol Honda Team and Toni Bou will get little rest as the second season event is scheduled to be held in French city of Rennes this coming weekend.
Results: X-Trial Reunion Island 2020 Toni Bou, Montesa/Spain, (10 – Final) Adam Raga, TRS/Spain, (17 – Final) Jaime Busto, Vertigo/Spain, (2 – Runners-up Final)
Toni Bou
“I am very happy to start off winning. For us it was really important. Today I felt at ease with my riding, and I had a very good first round. I am also very happy too, as this is the first time that I have participated here, with some very technical areas. I want to congratulate the organizer for the marked sections. Now it’s time to think about next week, as in this championship it is very easy to not get through to the semi-finals or the other round for that matter, as everything is really tight. It is very important to come away from this first trial with these twenty points.”
Championship Standings: X-Trial World Championship 2020
Toni Bou, Montesa/Spain, 20 points
Adam Raga, TRS/Spain, 15
Jaime Busto, Vertigo/Spain, 12
Miquel Gelabery, Vertigo/Spain 9
Jorge Casales, GasGas/Spain, 6
Marcelli Gabriel, Montesa/Spain, 4
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Aussie Supercross hits NZ
2019 Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland Video Highlights
Fans were treated to an action-packed show that saw the event reach it’s climax when 2018 World Supercross Champion Jason Anderson took the top honours in the premier SX1 Class, and subsequently assumes the points lead in the S-X Open FIM Oceania Supercross Championship.
Jason Anderson – Image by AM
Jason Anderson didn’t have it easy however, with a stiff challenge from new Australian Championship points leader Luke Clout, who stood on the podium in P2 with a victory in race two of the Triple Crown format, along with South Australian legend Brett Metcalfe, who took third overall.
Jason Anderson – Image by AM
“I’m stoked to grab the win here in Auckland, the racing was super intense tonight. It’s always a blast to come over here and race in front of these fans – I’ll look to keep the ball rolling come Melbourne,” commented Anderson.
Jason Anderson – Image by AM
For Clout, a second place to the 2018 World Champion was as good as a win, as he states that he’s ‘back’ after a few turbulent years of supercross and motocross competition.
“I said to my brother this week; I’m back. There’s a lot of stuff behind the scenes that people haven’t seen, and for a while there I didn’t really even want to ride a dirt bike. I’ve got that passion back, and my eyes are back on the United States,” commented Clout.
Luke Clout – Image by AM
The racing in the quarter-litre SX2 category was electrifying, with Australian SX2 Supercross point’s leader Josh Osby taking the top spot, posting the most consistent result through the Triple Crown format. Penrite Honda’s Chris Blose claimed second, with Australian Aaron Tanti rounding out the podium.
“It feels so good to extend my points lead. The crowd here was insane tonight; every time they went nuts, I wanted to know what was happening! I’m keen to get back to work and look to wrap up the Australian Championship in Melbourne,” commented Osby.
Josh Osby – Image by AM
In his last FMX competition ever, New Zealand native Levi Sherwood catapulted himself into the Auckland night sky with a double backflip, and subsequently edged Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams for the gold medal, in a fitting end to his Freestyle Motocross career in what was an amazing Freestyle Best-Trick contest.
“This means so much to me. To call time in front of my home fans, and to get the gold; I’m speechless. Thank you for the support over the years, it’s been a dream come true,” commented Sherwood.
The ANAZAC vs. USA saw the stars and stripes come out on top when Ricky Carmichael took down Ben Townley in the final race, after Cody Cooper beat Jason Anderson, and Luke Clout topped Joey Savatgy.
The next round will take place in Melbourne’s iconic Marvel Stadium on November 30 for the first time ever, where champions in each category will be crowned, in front of over 35,000 fans, in what promises to be the largest ever Supercross event in history in the Oceania region.
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
American Flat Track announces 2020 calendar
American Flat Track has announced the 18-event schedule for the 2020 season, which once again features coast-to-coast action, kicking off at the legendary Daytona International Speedway on March 14 with an epic season opener with the Daytona 200 & Daytona TT Doubleheader. It all comes to a close after 18-rounds with the Meadowlands Mile* finale in September at the most spectacular venue of the season: Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.
There are two fan favorite events returning to the schedule and one event revamped for a thrilling new experience. The returning venues is the Half-Mile at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. and the famed OKC Mile.
Additionally, the fastest Mile in the world – the Springfield Mile – will run back-to-back as a doubleheader, making for a Labor Day weekend event unlike any other.
Michael Lock – CEO of American Flat Track
“AFT is coming off the back of a record-breaking season and we have planned the 2020 schedule to push things to the next level and return to the best tracks in the country. We are delighted to be restoring the series to OKC and Charlotte and to amplify the thrilling action of Springfield Mile with a fall doubleheader.”
New Zealand fan-favourite Cody Cooper says he enjoyed his return to supercross competition in front of a home Kiwi crowd at the Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland last weekend, despite admitting he was out of his depth amongst the premier class.
Cooper, who made his last full-time supercross campaign during the 2017 New Zealand series, showed strong form considering his time away from the discipline, recording 13-15-10 scorecard for 15th overall.
“I had a fun time in the end,” Cooper stated post-race. “Qualifying I was going to pull a hammy and pretend I did that [laughs] – I was a bit out of my depth there I think. I ended up having a good time and I was happy I did it.
“For me, it was good to have a Kiwi out there I guess circulating. I sort of found my flow in the first one, and I had to have a recovery ride in the second one and sort of go better in the third one.”
Cooper was the sole New Zealand contender in the premier class, while former world champion Ben Townley put on a show with the greatest of all time, Ricky Carmichael, in the unique ANZACs Vs USA Showdown.
Australian Remy Gardner has completed his 2019 Moto2 World Championship campaign with a top 15 result at Valencia’s season finale in Spain.
The SAG Racing contender admitted it was a slow start to the weekend after discovering bike troubles on Friday, leading him to qualify 14th on Saturday.
He was unable to progress in the 16-lap encounter to finish 15th, granting him 15th in the championship standings following a mixed second half of the year.
“Friday was the worst day of the year,” Gardner stated. “We had big vibrations with the bike which was something to do with the clutch. The team identified the issue and I gave it my all in qualifying, but it was another tough day. It was like starting from zero on a Saturday which is not ideal, but the main thing was that we made into Q2.
“Unfortunately in the race things didn’t improve and I couldn’t move forward. It’s a shame to end year like this, especially with the speed we have shown but that’s racing and I know the team and I will come back stronger in 2020.”
Gardner displayed great form and potential at the beginning of the season, earning a career-first podium at Argentina.
Dan Reardon has revealed he suffered a punctured hand during main event two at Saturday night’s Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland, the SX1 title contender pressing on to salvage fifth overall.
The CDR Yamaha Monster Energy rider looked strong early on in New Zealand, qualifying second fastest and finishing second in his heat.
He went onto record a 5-7-2 scorecard, leading four of eight laps in the final outing despite the hand injury, ultimately earning fifth overall in what was the fourth round of the Australian Supercross Championship.
“I knew the importance of these final two rounds as having the extra US riders can really separate the points,” Reardon explained. “I started out strongly in qualifying and was confident going into the triple crown format.
“The triple crown format just amplifies the aggression on the track and the importance of great starts and unfortunately, my starts suffered in all three races.
“I also took a hit in the second race and punctured my hand so I list a few valuable points on the night and in the championship. I will let me hand heal this week, get back into training and be ready for the final round in Melbourne on 30 November.”
Reardon still holds down third in the championship standings, nine points behind series leader and teammate Luke Clout.
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has announced 2019 Moto2 world champion Alex Marquez will graduate to premier class for the 2020 season at Repsol Honda.
The 23-year-old Spaniard will ride in place of the now-retired Jorge Lorenzo, joining older brother and reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez in the official HRC team.
Double world champion Alex, who was initially signed to remain with Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS in Moto2 next year, has signed a one-year deal with the factory Honda squad.
It’s expected that he will immediately start preparing for his 2020 season, piloting the 2019-spec RC213V at this week’s test in Valencia. It was revealed ahead of last weekend’s MotoGP finale that Lorenzo would retire from professional racing after a highly-successful career.
HRC released this short statement overnight that confirm the rumours that Alex Marquez would be drafted into Repsol Honda for MotoGP season 2020 alongside his brother Marc.
Alex will have his first official test with the team this week in Valencia.
HRC Statement
Honda Racing Corporation is pleased to announce the signing of double World Champion Alex Marquez.
The young Spanish rider will join the Repsol Honda Team on a one-year contract.
He will move from the intermediate class to partner eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez in 2020 for his debut season in the premier class aboard the Honda RC213V.
Alex Marquez celebrating his Moto2 title win with brother Marc Marquez
Penrite Honda Racing’s Justin Brayton says he’s excited for the ‘winner takes all’ showdown at Melbourne’s final round of the Australian Supercross Championship, remaining in title contention despite nursing an undisclosed injury in recent rounds.
Marvel Stadium will play host to a thriller as Brayton aims to capture a fourth-consecutive crown during the international Monster Energy AUS-X Open, however, it is Australia’s own Luke Clout who will carry the red plates into the decider and multiple-time champion Dan Reardon is also within striking distance.
Brayton confirmed post-race at the S-X Open Auckland on Saturday night that he has been dealing with a hampering injury that happened in a practice incident prior to Wollongong, which has restricted his preparations between rounds since and almost ended his campaign altogether. He stopped short of declaring what in fact the injury is.
“It’s actually kind of cool and I’ve been enjoying it, to be honest,” Brayton said of the increasing challenge from Clout and the Australian championship regulars. “I’m super-stoked that I’m even in this position after a crash I had a couple of weeks ago, thankful that I’ve been able to rehab and be able to even swing a leg over a motorcycle.
“These past two [rounds], I’ve kind of had a goal that I needed to give myself a chance going into Melbourne and its winner takes all there, so this is exactly where I wanted to be and hoped to be – I didn’t think I could be here, so I’m excited. I have some substantial injuries, for sure, but we can talk about it after Melbourne…
“I’m stoked to be going into Melbourne with a shot at it because they’re never easy, but this one’s going to be exciting, really good for the fans and I’ve never been in this situation so it will be a good mental test and I typically thrive under pressure.
“[There are] two more weeks of healing and I should be able to get back on the motorcycle in the next five days or so, practice a little bit and I think I will have my sharpness back. It’s really difficult when you don’t ride for basically three weeks and you don’t even know if you can ride. That edge goes away, but it will come around and we’ll be good for Melbourne, I think.”
Brayton qualified on top of the charts in New Zealand and then went on to record 3-4-5 finishes for fourth overall in the triple crown format. It was a costly error while leading the third final that ended his hopes of a podium and ultimately gave away the points-lead with a single round remaining.
“The night was actually pretty good, starting off great as fastest in qualifying and then in the heat race it was kind of just okay,” Brayton recalled. “In the mains, I was winning the last one and fell over by myself, it was honestly my fault, just tucked the front after the whoops and the bike was on top of me. I’m thankful I was able to get up, not be injured and still be able to finish the race. All good, we’ll go onto Melbourne.”
Brayton has been all-class since travelling down under for supercross from 2016, winning three SX1 championships in a row alongside his American supercross schedule. Next year will see the 35-year-old join Ken Roczen at Team Honda HRC for the AMA series.
LCR Honda fill-in Johann Zarco has escaped a major leg injury following a bizarre incident at Valencia, which saw the Frenchman wiped off his feet by Iker Lecuona’s stray KTM RC16.
Zarco crashed at turn six moments after Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) fell, however once the number five returned to his feet and walked off the sand trap, Lecuona also crashed at the turn, with his motorcycle cleaning up an oblivious Zarco from behind in the process.
The former Moto2 world champion will undergo further medical evaluation left ankle, although initial scans have determined there are no broken bones.
“I’m okay, I think the injury could have been worse,” Zarco stated. “It was a difficult race – I knew it was going to be a long race, so I thought that with a used tyre maybe I would have the right pace. Thankfully I was around the 10th position which was good.
“After overtaking Pol Espargaro I tried to get a better pace, I saw [Danilo] Petrucci crash and I don’t know if I lost a bit of focus because a little bit later I also crashed in the corner. I was sliding and thinking it was a shame I’d lost the race, and I didn’t check on the bike and then the bike of [Iker] Lecuona totally took me away.
“I had big pain on the left ankle and I was scared, but now it’s not so bad as there are no broken bones. We’ll have to do some more tests tomorrow, but it’s ok I think. It’s a shame to finish the season in that way.”
Zarco’s future remains uncertain after he exited his two-year deal with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in September, later scoring a guest ride with LCR Honda for the final three rounds.
New Australian SX1 championship points-leader Luke Clout has revealed he has plans to contest the opening portion of the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in the United States.
It’s been rumoured throughout the current supercross series that 25-year-old Clout will depart CDR Yamaha Monster Energy following AUS-X Open Melbourne and he’s been linked to a high-profile switch to Penrite Honda Racing.
While Penrite Honda Racing owner Yarrive Konsky has been working on launching a US-based 250SX West program for next season, speculation is mounting that the team will separately enter Clout in 450SX as part of a deal that would lure him away from Yamaha to rejoin Honda for the first time since 2017 when he rode with the now-defunct Motologic-run factory team.
“It’s a little hush-hush at the moment [laughs], but there is some stuff in the works,” Clout confirmed in New Zealand. “You should see me there in the first six rounds or so, but the details are confidential at the moment. I can’t wait to get over there and I really think that I can do some good things, so I’m excited.”
If a deal does eventuate between Clout and Penrite Honda Racing, it would see him return to Australia and focus on the MX Nationals and Australian Supercross Championship following the brief stint overseas. Honda’s local effort will expand to two 450 riders – potentially Clout and Brett Metcalfe – and a 250 with Kyle Webster tipped to be joining the official team next season.
The opportunity to try his hand in America again is an attractive one for Clout, who spent a large chunk of 2016 over there with the MAD Racing Suzuki team prior to its closure. On that occasion, he finished 14th on debut at Anaheim 2 as a replacement rider in 250SX West, before breaking his femur in Oakland. He returned during Pro Motocross to score points at a number of rounds.
With Clout expected to exit the powerhouse CDR Yamaha Monster Energy team, it is Hayden Mellross who has emerged as the favourite to take over the vacated factory YZ450F following a single term at Raceline KTM. Like Clout, Mellross – who is sitting out supercross after injuring his knee at the Moree national – is one of the current few who are capable of challenging for 450 wins outdoors and in supercross domestically.
Clout delivered a special performance among a host of the world’s best at the weekend’s Monster Energy S-X Open in Auckland, claiming second behind former world champion Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and winning the second of three finals in Saturday night’s triple crown. He said that was exactly the goal going in.
“I work really hard on and off the bike, but you don’t really know how you’re going to stack up against the American guys because you just watch them on TV and you watch them on Instagram,” he explained. “You see how good they’re riding, so kind of base yourself off that and hope that you can do well.
“I’m confident in my ability, which I think is a big thing because my mental aspect is a lot better now. I’d said to my family at the dinner table – it was my birthday on Tuesday – that if I could get second behind Jason that’d be awesome. You know, he was the only guy that I wanted to beat me… To be leading the championship, I wanted that to happen, but didn’t know if it would.”
With just one round remaining in the Australian Supercross Championship as part of the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, 30 November, Clout leads three-time defending champion Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing) by one point after the latter claimed fourth in Auckland.
