I really did not know they were still building the original two-wheel drive motorcycle, but they are, cranking out new Rokons at the rate of about six per week at Rokon International HQ in Rochester, NY. Like most of life’s finer things, Rokon began in California, and now CA is the only place you can’t have the road-legal-elsewhere model – the Ranger – one of three Rokons. Great little story over here at Seacoastonline.com.
The collection marks Yamaha Motor Europe’s efforts to preserve both the racing and production history of the brand, containing a broad spectrum of significant machines from 1961 to the present day.
Yamaha Motor Europe Collection Hall
Present alongside the historic consumer products are an impressive selection of fabled racing machines, whose histories are littered with success, from the early days of Dakar, to the tarmac tracks of the Grand Prix Championship.
Yamaha Motor Europe Collection Hall
Stephan Peterhansel’s 1991 Dakar winning Yamaha YZE750 can be seen alongside the 2009 World Superbike Championship dominating YZF-R1 that Ben Spies took to victory in his maiden year on the world stage.
Yamaha Motor Europe Collection Hall
Motocross fans can enjoy many legendary race machines, including Stefan Everts 2006 MX World Championship winning Yamaha YZ450F, and an evolution of that machine that kept up the victory achievements, Adrien Van Beveren’s 2015 l’Enduropale du Touquet winning YZ450F.
Yamaha Motor Europe Collection Hall
The Yamaha Motor Europe Collection also provides a unique insight into Yamaha’s development past, with the 2007 MT-03 concept on display, along with icons from the past, including the 1961 Yamaha MF1, 1969 YL1 and the 1968 YAS1. Add in the 1986 XJ650 Turbo amongst many others and the collection is truly a feast for a two-wheel enthusiast.
Yamaha Motor Europe Collection Hall
Racing legends from Yamaha’s on- and off-road history, including Giacomo Agostini, Christian Sarron, Stephan Peterhansel and Stefan Everts were present at the launch alongside Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis, YART Yamaha EWC Team Manager Mandy Kainz and Yamaha Classic Racing Team founder Ferry Brouwer.
Yamaha Motor Europe Collection Hall
Eric de Seynes, President Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.
“The Yamaha Motor Europe Collection Hall is dedicated to the memory of our past in racing, and to the memory of what has revved the heart of our customers. A “home” for our iconic models and it has two vocations: first to inspire our engineers and designers in their process of creating future models, and second, support the credibility and the emotional value of our novelties, in the respect of our past creations.”
Yamaha Motor Europe Collection Hall
Not open to the public…
The Yamaha Motor Europe Collection Hall is not open to the general public. The collection units will be travelling around Europe and can be viewed at various shows and events organized by the national Yamaha Motor distributor.
Round 15 – Thailand, Buriram International Circuit
Thailand will mark the 15th round of the season and the precursor to the three-week back-to-back tour which takes in Japan, Australia and Malaysia, making this a very busy time both in terms of logistics and racing action for the whole MotoGP paddock.
The first time MotoGP visited Buriram, the race was a duel to remember. To add a little more to the history books at the PTT Thailand Grand Prix second time around, this year the Championship hangs in the balance as Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) has the chance to win title number eight. So what are the chances? Fairly high.
The reigning Champion won here last year and he’s 98 points clear with only four races remaining. To boil the maths down to its simplest form, Marquez has to score two or more points more than Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and be 100 points or more clear when the flag falls on Sunday. He already has too many wins to be caught on that count.
Marc Marquez
“We had a great weekend in Aragon and it was a delight to win in front of the home crowd. I want to carry this confidence and energy to Thailand so we can put in a strong weekend. Our approach doesn’t change even with the circumstances, we will do our work to be as strong as possible come Sunday. Last year we had a very exciting race here in Thailand so hopefully we can put on another good show for the fans!”
2019 Aragon MotoGP Race results: 1 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) 41’57.221 2 – Andrea Dovizioso (ITA – Ducati) +4.836 3 – Jack Miller* (AUS – Ducati) +5.430
Winning races and Championships is far more than a numbers game, however. It’s no mean feat beating Dovizioso, and Marquez knows that better than anyone. Buriram 2018 is the one last corner duel against the Italian Marquez has won, so if we’re on for a repeat performance, the number 93 will have to pull it off again and upend the last corner statistics once more…
Grands Prix aren’t just about the title fight though. Last year Yamaha weren’t far behind the leading duo and Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi will be gunning to put Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP back on the podium, and Danilo Petrucci, Dovizioso’s teammate, needs a result. After a tougher run of form in the last few races, Buriram could be a good track for the Ducati man to bounce back, and he’ll want to – quickly.
Why? His fight for third with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar). After Rins’ stunning win at Silverstone, the Spaniard has floundered on race day and he’s another who needs a good haul of points, although it could be tougher going for the Hamamatsu factory machines at the venue. He’ll want to at least try and take the fight to Petrucci though, with the two close in the standings fighting for third overall – just a point apart.
Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) is another who will want to maximise the Ducati’s potential at Buriram and take some good points. An impressive third podium of the year at MotorLand saw him deny Viñales the chance to finish on the podium three times in a row for the first time in the premier class, and crucially Miller also finished two places ahead of Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT).
The ever impressive Quartararo is well on top in the fight for Rookie of the Year, but he’s also fighting for top Independent Team rider and Miller is his key rival as it stands. The Frenchman is only six points clear of the Australian as we head into the flyaways…
Fabio Quartararo
“I think it’ll be a little better for us than Aragon was because there’s a lot of long, slow corners that will suit our bike. The more-experienced riders have less of an advantage there as it’s only the second time racing there, so we’ll work hard to adapt quickly and do our best. This is my favourite time of the year, heading into the four races in Asia and Australia, because I love travelling and I’ll have a chance to rest after Thailand too.”
Fabio Quartararo – Aragon 2019
Meanwhile, KTM will want to use Buriram to hopefully see Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) back on track – but also to gain some more daylight over Aprilia in the manufacturers’ Championship.
With Pol Espargaro sidelined through injury in Aragon and Aleix Espargaro and Andrea Iannone putting on an impressive show for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, the Noale factory closed in a little – and it will be interesting to see how Mika Kallio, replacing Johann Zarco, can go in Thailand as he aims to score for KTM as well.
Of course there is also the KTM Tech3 squad of Miguel Oliveira and Hafizh Syahrin, and as always Tech3 Team Manager Hervé Poncharal gave us a great preview of the event from their pit garage.
Hervé Poncharal – Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team Manager
“The next round of the calendar is the Thailand GP in Buriram, which is a place, where we have great memories from last year and myself personally I have to give away the trophy for the best Grand Prix organization in 2018, because it was clearly an incredible event, it was well organized, we had a nice paddock, saw great racing, met friendly people and they were very efficient. I think the whole paddock will travel to Thailand with a smile on their faces, as last year nobody knew what to expect and now we know it and we are positive about rediscovering everything there. This is obviously an important round being the first on in South-East Asia, which is the place in the world where anything related to the motorcycle business is booming and it is an important market, where all the manufacturers want to shine. We’d love to do well with KTM there. I believe that Miguel will be almost 100% fit, because he already felt so much better after just one week in Aragon, so we are quite confident, that he is almost back to his form and the understanding of the bike we’ve had in Spielberg and Silverstone. We are positive and confident, that Miguel can do well, also because I think he likes that circuit. This will be another interesting place to rediscover everything with our new bike and a new rider coming from Moto2. We are looking forward to see this. Hafizh, is almost a local boy there with a lot of support and fans coming to cheer for him. I know, that there’s almost a love story between him and the Buriram circuit, because it was the first time he tested a GP bike in February 2018 there, he felt really good and was fast. We were truly impressed and decided to hire him for the full season, so for him everything started in this place. He likes the circuit and sure, he aims to please the crowd, plus the heat will be no problem for him, because he already flew to Malaysia straight after Aragon, therefore he will be better accustomed to the weather and the time than the other riders coming over from Europe. We also expect a lot from him, in addition he could be pleasantly surprised by a few updates coming from KTM for Hafizh. Hopefully we manage to handle that well and will receive a great result. Now it’s time to pack our suitcases, leave to the airport and fly to beautiful Thailand.”
Miguel Oliveira
After a crash ruled Jorge Lorenzo out of the 2018 Thai GP, the five-time World Champion is looking forward to the prospect of racing in Buriram for the first time. Consistent times in practice during the Aragon GP showed that Lorenzo’s condition and feeling with the RC213V is improving and he is aiming to continue this trend in Thailand.
Jorge Lorenzo
“Last year I did not have the best weekend in Thailand with a big crash ruling me out of the race. I am looking forward to completing the race there and we saw from Marc last year that the RC213V is strong at this circuit. After the difficult race in Aragon, I am hoping we can have a good weekend. During practice we showed that our pace is getting better and delivering on this potential is our objective for Thailand.”
Jorge Lorenzo
Talking Tyres
Michelin has already despatched its ranges of tyres for these four fly-away races via a mixture of sea and air freight, where the range of Michelin tyres travel in temperature-controlled containers so they arrive at the circuits in the ideal condition ready for race-action.
The first race of this fly-away tour is an especially testing one for Michelin, as the specific layout of the 4,554m, 12-turn Buriram circuit demands a special rear tyre to contend with the high temperatures that are produced due to the track’s long straights.
Available in a soft, medium and hard compound with an asymmetric design with a harder right-hand side, the Michelin Power Slick rear for the Thailand circuit has a different construction to that which is used all other racetracks throughout the season, with the exception of Spielberg in Austria. These two tracks have similar configurations and use this specific construction to control the build-up of heat that is generated and give the riders the drive and control they need and expect from a Michelin rear tyre, without any compromise to performance from overheating.
“This is our third visit to Buriram following the test and race there last year and each time we have learned more and been able to assess the tyres and makes changes for the next visit. It is a very severe track on rear tyres and creates a lot of heat for the rubber, so we have a special construction – which we also use just in Austria – to counteract this situation. Last year we were told it would be cooler and wet during October, but it was hot and dry, so we have prepared a range of tyres that can contend with all conditions. There was a big crowd at Buriram last year and it was a great event, we are sure it will be the same this year and that Michelin will play a part in giving the fans a race to enjoy.”
Time Schedule
Tune in on Sunday 6th October as lights go out for the MotoGP race at 1800 Sunday night for those Australian states that are lucky enough to enjoy the change to Daylight Savings Time this weekend. Full time schedule further down the page.
MotoGP Championship Standings
Pos
Rider
Bike
Points
1
Marc Marquez
Honda
300
2
Andrea Dovizioso
Ducati
202
3
Alex Rins
Suzuki
156
4
Danilo Petrucci
Ducati
155
5
Maverick Viñales
Yamaha
147
6
Valentino Rossi
Yamaha
137
7
Fabio Quartararo
Yamaha
123
8
Jack Miller
Ducati
117
9
Cal Crutchlow
Honda
98
10
Franco Morbidelli
Yamaha
80
11
Pol Espargaro
KTM
77
12
Takaaki Nakagami
Honda
68
13
Joan Mir
Suzuki
49
14
Aleix Espargaro
Aprilia
46
15
Andrea Iannone
Aprilia
32
16
Francesco Bagnaia
Ducati
29
17
Miguel Oliveira
KTM
29
18
Johann Zarco
KTM
27
19
Jorge Lorenzo
Honda
23
20
Tito Rabat
Ducati
18
21
Stefan Bradl
Honda
16
22
Michele Pirro
Ducati
9
23
Sylvain Guintoli
Suzuki
7
24
Hafizh Syahrin
KTM
7
25
Karel Abraham
Ducati
5
26
Bradley Smith
Aprilia
0
27
Mika Kallio
KTM
0
Moto2
Two wins on the bounce had given Augusto Fernandez (Flexbox HP 40) some serious momentum in Moto2, but a mistake at MotorLand Aragon has seen the Spaniard slip to third overall and over 40 points off the top – now leap-frogged by Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up).
Is time running out for those on the chase to catch Alex Marquez?
Alex Marquez
Mathematically, it isn’t, but it would likely need some serious drama to intervene in the rest of the races to really derail the story of the season so far.
That story, ultimately, is one of consistency. Marquez has lost out once through a mistake of his own, and he’s reaping the rewards of the combination of speed and settling when it’s necessary. Navarro just behind him has been a fairly consistent presence each race weekend too, although he’s yet to stand on the top step. That means that if Marquez does start to feel the pressure, Navarro could end up challenging for the crown from the rare position of not being a race winner…yet.
Others have seared their way to glory, however, and there’s something to be said for reeling in the wins – that’s what put Fernandez where he is. And Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) two wins in the latter half of the season have helped put him just 53 points down, in fifth. Given an incredibly tough start to the season for Austrian factory KTM, that’s something to really write home about – and the tracks coming next get the South African grinning.
Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP), meanwhile, is still looking for a bit more of his early season form. The Swiss rider has kept reeling in the points, but he’s not been on the charge like we’ve seen. Can he bounce back as we head into the flyaways? Will teammate Marcel Schrötter mix it up with the frontrunners again once he’s back from injury? And what of Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46), the only man on the grid who’s previously been on the podium at the track?
Home hero Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), though, will likely have most of the crowd on his side. There may be a title fight happening at the top, but the intermediate class rookie will be the true hero of the hour for the Thai crowd.
Moto2 Championship Standings
Pos
Rider
Bike
Points
1
Alex Marquez
Kalex
213
2
Jorge Navarro
Speed Up
175
3
Augusto Fernandez
Kalex
171
4
Thomas Luthi
Kalex
169
5
Brad Binder
KTM
160
6
Lorenzo Baldassarri
Kalex
138
7
Luca Marini
Kalex
126
8
Marcel Schrotter
Kalex
116
9
Fabio Di Giannantonio
Speed Up
94
10
Enea Bastianini
Kalex
81
11
Tetsuta Nagashima
Kalex
63
12
Remy Gardner
Kalex
60
13
Sam Lowes
Kalex
60
14
Xavi Vierge
Kalex
59
15
Iker Lecuona
KTM
55
16
Andrea Locatelli
Kalex
42
17
Jorge Martin
KTM
37
18
Nicolo Bulega
Kalex
32
19
Mattia Pasini
Kalex
27
20
Stefano Manzi
MV Agusta
13
21
Somkiat Chantra
Kalex
13
22
Dominique Aegerter
MV Agusta
12
23
Marco Bezzecchi
KTM
11
24
Simone Corsi
NTS
10
25
Bo Bendsneyder
NTS
6
26
Jake Dixon
KTM
4
27
Joe Roberts
KTM
4
28
Lukas Tulovic
KTM
3
29
Khairul Idham Pawi
Kalex
3
30
Jesko Raffin
Kalex
3
Moto3
At MotorLand Aragon, Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) was on fire and key rival Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) had a difficult day at the office. In short, 25 points for Canet vs an eleventh place for the Championship leader mean it’s almost as you were in the tightest title fight of the season, with just two points separating them on the way to Thailand. The see-saw rivalry of the summer is back and Buriram could be an interesting place to head next.
We’ve only raced once at the Thai track and last year’s first contact makes good reading for Dalla Porta. He came second, only a tenth down, and Canet? He didn’t race. The Spaniard arrives with no former knowledge of the venue after he missed the event last year due to injury, so it could prove more of an uphill struggle for him. With the rest of the grid, minus the rookies, joining Dalla Porta in having more experience, that only adds to Canet’s challenge.
Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers), especially, is not yet out of reach of a charge for the top, although the Italian had a more difficult first race at Chang International Circuit last season. John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) did too, but the likes of Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) and Marcos Ramirez (Leopard Racing) showed some good form – as did Dennis Foggia (Sky Racing Team VR46), who took his first podium. Will the rest of the field avoid the attrition of 2019?
Toprak Razgatlioglu to Partner Michael van der Mark at Yamaha in 2020
Toprak Razgatlioglu will join Michael van der Mark at Yamaha for the 2020 FIM Superbike World Championship.
Razgatlioglu, who claimed his first WorldSBK race victory in Magny-Cours at the weekend, will partner Michael van der Mark in the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team.
Toprak Razgatlioglu – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Razgatlioglu arrived in the WorldSBK paddock in 2015 to contest the European 600 Superstock Championship, which he won in his debut season. A move up the European 1000 Superstock Championship followed, where the young Turkish rider was a title contender for two years before stepping up to the WorldSBK class in 2018.
Razgatlioglu immediately made his mark in the premier production class, securing two podium finishes in his debut season with second place at Donington Park and third place in the penultimate round in Argentina.
The 22-year-old has developed even more strongly in 2019, securing his first top-three finish of the season at the Italian WorldSBK round in Imola and finishing on the podium at every round since. Razgatlioglu secured his maiden WorldSBK win with a scintillating performance in Race 1 at Magny-Cours, which he started from 16th position on the grid. The young Turk backed that up with victory in the Superpole sprint race the following day.
Eric de Seynes – President, Yamaha Motor Europe
“Toprak Razgatlioglu is the most exciting young rider in WorldSBK and I’m both happy and proud that he will race for Yamaha in 2020. When you consider Toprak’s progression this year, only his second in WorldSBK, his prodigious talent is obvious, but so is his warrior spirit. Like his teammate for next season, Michael van der Mark, he’s a rider who always finds that little bit extra on race day and is prepared to push to the limit to overcome any obstacle. We saw that clearly in Magny-Cours, where he came from the sixth row of the grid to claim his first WorldSBK race win. We have also seen this season that Yamaha has closed the gap to our rivals on track and I’m excited to see what Toprak can do on our Yamaha YZF-R1 in 2020. With Michael and Toprak I think we will have one of the strongest and most dynamic rider line ups on the WorldSBK grid next year.”
By Trevor Hedge Images by Damien Ashenhurst and Trev
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro saw over 80 riders head on an adventure taking them from the banks of the Murray River at Mildura in north-western Victoria, through to the inland heart of Australia, Alice Springs, in what is the 25th year of GS Safari.
The route chosen was a balance between the most intrepid and the most inspiring. As this is the more challenging of the two GS Safari events held each year, thus the ‘Enduro’ suffix added to the GS Safari moniker, this is certainly no walk in the park for most participants. The regular GS Safari takes almost 200 riders but Safari Enduro gets a bit more extreme thus numbers are generally less than half that of the more mainstream option.
In preparation for some of the sand riding and trials ahead, many riders also signed up for the BMW GS Off-Road Training Course that was staged in Mildura across the immediate two-days prior to Safari getting underway.
Travelling in style – My mount for the trip, a brand new BMW R 1250 GS Rallye X
Dinner on the opening night was a chance for riders to reconnect with other participants they’d met on previous GS Safari adventures. For many these Safari events are simply a must-do every year, and plenty have a dozen or more GS Safaris under their belt.
Some riders are on their GS all the time, others are lucky to get out once every couple of months due to various family commitments or work pressures. Some are doctors, some are tradies, others head up large companies and between riding stints on Safari are on the phone back to the office co-ordinating bids for government contracts.
BMW R 1250 GS Rallye X
Some are obviously quite well off, while others are still paying off their motorcycle and their attendance at GS Safari Enduro is very much a treat they have to strive quite hard to be able to afford.
Some are travelling on their own, some are with a group of friends or work-mates. Out on the trail though, everyone is equal, everyone chips in and generally egos and competitive machismo are largely kept in check.
Always somebody around to lend a hand when the going gets tough
It is somewhat of a team effort as there is always someone ready to chip in and help to fix a puncture, help you pick your bike up, or give you a shove from behind to assist getting up a snotty incline. All that help is given without any snide remarks or put-downs and this helps ensure that no matter what, a positive vibe pervades, and people remain energised. Even when the going gets a little tough.
GS Safari Enduro Day One Mildura to Peterborough – 475 km
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro Day One Mildura to Peterborough – 475 km
It was a brisk morning when we sporadically filed out of Mildura. To help spread the 80-odd riders out there was a sixty-minute departure window, so riders could leave at various times rather than en masse. This is not a ride where people follow nose to tail, you can often ride for half an hour or more without seeing another rider.
South Australian border
After crossing the Murray and Darling Rivers, we turned northwards and headed for the Danggali Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area, Australia’s first UN recognised Biosphere Reserve.
Danggali Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area
The landscape switches back and forth between Mallee wilderness to arid wetlands, and at the time we passed through Chowilla Track it was looking very arid indeed.
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro
In fact, many sections of the track were much sandier than they had been only a few weeks earlier when the recce for the route was ridden by organisers. The sand led to somewhat of a baptism of fire for plenty of riders.
Trev helped four riders pick up their bikes in the sand on day one
We were already getting into the proper outback on our basically all-dirt route via tracks generally less travelled. Until we met up with our makeshift fuel stop at the intersection of two tracks I had not seen another soul outside of our own group all day.The fuel drop was required as only GS Adventures would have the 400+ km fuel range to make it through to camp safely, the rest of us had our steeds replenished with ten-litres each poured from jerry cans.
Fuel stop on day one
The remainder of the day was on wide and quite reasonable tracks, but they still had the odd patch of bull-dust to keep you on your toes.
Bulldust was an omnipresent threat throughout the event
Our stop for the night was the Peterborough Caravan Park. Peterborough itself is a traditional old-style Australian country town. With a quite charming main street lined by pubs and buildings with balconies. The Indian Pacific train no longer stops in Peterborough so the lifeblood of the town these days relies primarily on grey nomad tourism.
Camp at Peterborough
Tents and swags were unpacked before tales were told around the campfire while the local RSL served up dinner out of a makeshift canteen erected in the grounds.
Camp at Peterborough
GS Safari Enduro Day Two Peterborough to Arkaroola – 459 km
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro Day Two Peterborough to Arkaroola – 459 km
Riders woke up to another brisk morning as the smell of bacon and eggs prevaded the air as again the men and women from the local RSL prepared breakfast. Coffee was served for those that require caffeine to function of a morning, while camp was packed up ahead of another big day on the bikes.
Bulldust patches always require care. I stopped to help this fella get up and going again.
Heading out past Black Rock Conservation Area we then traversed a series of twisty tracks that criss-crossed private land holdings. It felt like I opened and shut about fifty gates, which turned out to be good stretching practice as I swung a leg over the R 1250 GS Rallye X each time.
The BMW R 1250 GS Rallye X just out of Hawker
Lunch and fuel was at Hawker, a town with a permanent residence of around 350, but frequented by many travellers as they make their way up into the Flinders Ranges.
There was even a rare patch of green growth early on day two
The terrain heading in and out of Hawker is rugged and rocky, but remarkably this 140-year-old town is only just over an hour from the sea where the Indian Ocean juts into the warm embrace of Spencer Gulf.
Just out of Hawker looking back at the western flank of the Flinders Ranges
Heading north after lunch saw us bomb along a quite enjoyable few kilometres of winding bitumen. ESA into Dynamic and ride mode ‘Sport’ it would have been quite easy to make short work of the rear Metzeler Karoo III hoop.
A rare bit of tarmac was in good condition and offered a few curves that would have been easy to burn up too much Karoo on
Still it was nice for a moment to flow along a lovely bit of tarmac with the edge of the Flinders Ranges a stunning backdrop to our west.
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro
We passed Wilpena Pound but instead of heading towards Blinman we turned west on to tracks that led us to Wirrealpa Rd.
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro
This was easy enough going but then later in the day we deviated in to Nantawarrina Aboriginal territory. These were some tight and at times quite technical trails before joining the main tracks towards Arkaroola.
Nantawarrina Aboriginal territory
The terrain through Nantawarrina would be truly something incredible to behold after any major rains. The downside would be though that the tracks would also become incredibly difficult and in any truly major downpours would be impassable.
There were a few spots along here though where I wouldn’t have minded being stranded, as long as I had a swag on the back, a bit of tucker and a cask of chateau de cardboard, I would have been well set.In some of my earlier adventures throughout Western Australia I have been known to blow up the empty wine bladder from the cask and used it as a pillow of an evening! #multitasking #class
Instead we were set for proper beds at Arkaroola, a modern oasis suddenly appeared in the desert complete with a large bar….well all but one of us anyway…
A well stocked bar in the middle of nowhere – Arkaroola
One poor fella had suffered a broken ankle, along with a few other injuries in an afternoon crash and was being prepared for a medical evacuation. Royal Flying Doctor Service is your only hope of getting to a hospital out here, and even then it can take 12-24 hours for them to get to you…
GS Safari Enduro Day Three Arkaroola Loop – 122 km
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro Day Three Arkaroola Loop Day – 122 km
GS Safari Enduro riders had the option of either using this as a rest day, or heading out to explore some tracks in the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges. It was nice not to have break camp at the crack of dawn.
How were the the rivulets and landscape around Arkaroola created..? Well according to Adnyamathanha dreamtime stories, a mythical giant creature named Arkaroo drank the nearby Lake Frome dry before then proceeding to climb up into the mountains before then pissing it all out, thereby creating Arkaroola Creek…. Don’t know exactly what herbs were growing in the area when that was dreamed up…
There were threats of rain that never really eventuated
The area was first settled by Europeans as a mining area in 1860 before major drought saw the settlers pull up stumps in 1863. It was not until the early 1900s that white settlement started again and the catalyst for that happening was the discovery of rich deposits of rubies and sapphires. Uranium was then discovered in the area by Douglas Mawson, a great man more well known for his exploits in Antarctica than in the outback.
Bulldust holes can appear anywhere in an instant and it pays to be alert
Uranium was almost the death of the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary that had been developed in the area by geologist Reg Sprigg in 1968. Sprigg had purchased a 610 square-kilometre lease on the land but it was not until 2011 that this area was well and truly protected from mining. The South Australian government enacted special purpose legislation prohibiting mining, mining exploration and grazing amidst the Arkaroola ranges. The South Australian populace had been up in arms after a mining company had dumped radioactive waste in the region after exploratory drilling which forced the government to act.
While the miners are not welcome, motorcyclists and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts certainly are and Arkaroola has a network of tracks that can test just about anyone’s mettle.
Some of the Arkaroola Tracks tested your mettle
There were a few riders that wished they had taken the option of sitting the day out as the dry conditions caused some of the planned routes to be quite a bit more treacherous than expected. There were also countless punctures from the sharp and jagged rocks.
This shot was from an earlier day but was a countless example of punctures that required fixing over the course of the week
Still, as a testament to the communal effort, everyone survived the day to work up a hearty thirst for the nights BBQ dinner.
GS Safari Enduro Day Four Arkaroola to William Creek – 450km
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro Day Four Arkaroola to William Creek – 450km
A generous breakfast from the Arkaroola Village kitchen had the riders well prepared for two options, a testing back exit from Arkaroola, or a run back out from Arkaroola the way we had come in.
Bravely, most riders plumped for the harder option, they had come to to put the ‘Enduro’ in GS Safari after all and despite the difficulty, many were really relishing the challenge and enjoying putting themselves and their machines to the test. I mean what better time to do it? On Safari you have medical and technical back-up, along with 80 or so helpers should you get in way too deep.
Thus some were more tired than others as we rolled into Copley for a pie and some fuel before what was perhaps the only real mundane part of the experience over the first few days.A 100km or so of bitumen took us into Marree and the terrain was starting to become flatter as we progressed and left the ranges in the dust behind us.
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro – William Creek
We then joined the Oodnadatta Track for an easy roll into William Creek for the night.
Accomodation here was primarily in shared dongers and the William Creek Hotel was hit hard by all and sundry.
William Creek Hotel
The biggest lamb shanks I have ever seen were served up for dinner and were washed down with many a beer.
Lamb shanks at the William Creek Hotel
Everyone was in good spirits and I heard there might have been a few middle aged men that stripped off a few clothes and danced on the bar! Allegedly!
When it came for closing time more than a few of the GS Safari boys were not done. A hat was passed around to come up with enough cash to talk the two ladies behind the bar in to working late. The figure rasied was, allegedly, over $500….But what happens in the bush stays in the bush….Sometimes…. My silence can be bought…. LOL
GS Safari Enduro Day Five William Creek to Mount Dare – 460 km
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro Day Five William Creek to Mount Dare – 460 km
The next morning we worked our way north on the Oodnadatta Track towards, funnily enough, Oodnadatta…
2019 GS Safari Enduro – Day 5 – Sunrise
I have done this track a few times and mostly it has been really easy going, two-wheel drive car type easy going, but it was in a shitful state the day we traversed it.
Oodnadatta Track was in the worst state I have seen it in and this image shows one of the better sections north of William Creek. In some parts it was very messy
Loose gravel sections everywhere ,with mounds pushed up either side of wheel tracks, turned what would normally have been a relaxing cruise, into something that could go pear shaped awful quickly from any momentary lapse of attention.One rim got squashed so badly from a rock impact it was beyond repair and had to be replaced by the support crew.
Some of the boys detoured off the Oodnadatta Track into Coward Springs for a dip!
Not far out of Oodnadatta we turned right on Mount Dare Road. This was a proper flat and barren landscape like something out of a movie set on Mars. I say Mars as that is known as the red planet and this terrain had pretty much every shade of red known to man.
Witjira National Park offers a pretty stark landscape
All except for one spring fed oasis that appeared like a a hallucination as it had been so long since we had seen any body of water. This beautiful spot appeared in what felt like the middle of nowhere thus I had to stop for a photo, gee the flies were friendly!
Eringa Waterhole
This is known as Eringa Waterhole in the outback area known as Marla. It was originally part of Eringa Station which was established in the 1870s before being purchased by Sidney Kidman in 1899. Station buildings are now derelict and the land is now part of the greater Hamilton Station.
Others that passed through when we did said they had never seen the waterhole that dry, and that it normally stretches right out to the dip in the road we traversed through Witjira National Park on our way to Mount Dare for the night.
Eringa Waterhole
It was a truly magical contrast after miles and miles of largely nothing to have this amazing gum tree lined waterhole appear out of the dust.
We then continued on through a few sandy sections before arriving at Mount Dare where we made camp for the night. Mount Dare consists of a pub on the edge of the Simpson Desert with a couple of fuel bowsers, and that’s about it…
Sounds like a recipe for a good time, although this fella at the bar was quite rude and demanding at times.
This fella was so vocal at the bar I am surprised he didn’t get barred… His good looks must have saved him..
It was an earlier one for most as we crawled into our respective swags or tents for the night.
My set-up for the night at Mount Dare
One fella though had a pretty big off before Mount Dare. His Shoei Hornet helmet clearly saved his life. His head had visible marks all across one side where the patterns from the padding inside the helmet had compressed and spread the impact load right across the side of his head. I have never seen anything like it. Come morning those marks were purple lines of bruising. The accompanying GS Safari medics checked him over and gave him the all clear. He liked his Shoei Hornet before, but is now a sworn Shoei customer for life.
Shoei Hornet Adventure helmet copped a hiding but despite the bruised marks to his head this fella had a lucky escape – Safari technicians got his bike rideable again but post event his machine was deemed a write-off by the insurance company
GS Safari Enduro Day Six Mount Dare to Alice Springs – 577 km
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro Day Six Mount Dare to Alice Springs – 577 km
Leaving Mount Dare behind we headed for Finke
Day six was always going to be a litmus test for some, those that were brave enough to attempt the Finke access track after lunch were in for a real challenge.
The road out of Mount Dare towards Finke threw up quite a few challenging sections
But it turned out that everyone was going to have to negotiate some long and soft sand sections, complete with some testing sand drifts, as Abminga Road presented much more of a challenge than expected even before we got to Finke.
Mount Dare to Finke
There were plenty of falls but no injuries and everyone rolled into Finke in good shape. I was in early so was lucky enough to get some of the last litres of fuel from the Finke Service Station tanks before they ran dry….
A somewhat fitting take on outback art is the Finke sign
Those on the big tank Adventure models would be okay from here but anyone on a regular GS was going to need fuel. Fuel bladders were emptied and nearly all the remaining gerry cans from the support vehicles were drained to give everyone enough fuel to make it to the next stop.
Some of the locals at Finke
From here everyone had a decision to make. Take the easier option, which still had enough hazards to keep you on your toes, or attempt the infamous Finke Track. Around a quarter of the riders decided to take the hard option.
I was in two minds at this point. I honestly had hardly really raised a sweat all week, had not come close to falling off, and had picked up many fallen riders through the sand sections that I had sailed through.
2019 GS Safari Enduro – Day 6 – Getting ready to take on the Finke Access Track
But there is sand, and then there is ‘sand’… Would the track be in good shape, or would it be chopped up and really, really soft?I was ready to take the simpler option, to be on the safe side, but a few riders that had ridden with me during the week boosted me up enough to take on the challenge. I should have taken the easier option.
Only a few kilometres into the track the sand was diabolical. The fact that it was deep was okay, sort of, the real problem was how chopped up and messy it was.To ride sand like this you have to be on the pipe, so to speak. Weight back and power on as the bike pretty much wriggles all over the place and follows whatever is the course of least resistance.
Now on a 120 kg enduro bike that is fair enough, but it does take some proper confidence and balls to hold it on when 240 kg of GS is threatening to batter you into the sand every few seconds. It also takes fitness, and 15km in I was done. I hadn’t crashed, but I was going to, and thus I thought it best to pull out and ride the 15km back out, rather than end up being evacuated by chopper or support vehicle. There was another 180km of that track to go, in what could have been the same, or perhaps even worse conditions.
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro
I pulled up and spoke to the chase four-wheel-drive and the decision was made that we would try and ride the bike back out and let those up ahead know that I was going back out and switching to Option B. We had not stopped long before a lead rider came back, and then another lead rider came back. It turned out that in fact more than half of the group were in real trouble a few kilometres further on. The decision to abandon the attempt was made. But we still had to get back out the way we came, which was quite a challenge in itself. The track now even more chopped up than it had been when we went in.
We regrouped back at Finke and then headed out on a long gravel track towards Kulgera Roadhouse. Here we refuelled the bike and ourselves. A few riders had suffered punctures on the run out from Finke, and more yet then suffered punctures on the final highway run up to Alice Springs.
Puncture repairs on the track were a regular occurrence throughout safari
There is no reliable measure of how many puncture repairs were made during the week but we are talking triple digits.
The guys in the support truck, primarily Stu Tait, had completed 148 tyre changes throughout the trip. When on the clock he got it down to under four-minutes! He had worked harder than any of us!
Participants burned up plenty of rubber
The wind-up dinner in Alice Springs was a celebratory affair tinged with a note of sadness that it was all over. Most were flying out from here, their bikes being transported back to their chosen port of origin, but many still had to ride 2000 kilometres or more to get home.
Among them was the fella that had smacked his head real hard on day five. His helmet looked reasonably okay, externally, but it had clearly done its job and would have had no more compression inside left to give. He still had a few thousand kilometre ride home to do and I could not, in good conscience, let him ride that distance in a helmet that was no longer fit for purpose, so handed him my own Shoei to make his way home in. My good deed done for the day, but so many on Safari had done plenty of favours for others. It was just another gesture in the spirit of the event.
Nick arriving into the Mount Dare camp-site on the penultimate evening of GS Safari Enduro 2019
Another rider also taking the long way home was relatively new to motorcycling and had just completed GS Safari Enduro on a G 310 GS! Read Nick’s story here, it is a cracker!
BMW Australia’s Team Representatives for International GS Trophy 2020 joined GS Safari Enduro as a team building exercise – Tysen Haley (left of picture), Wes and Shaun
Only a fairly recent convert to GS riding, after riding motocross as a junior and then turning his hand at enduro, 25-year-old Tysen Haley was the youngest on Safari.
Some happy GS Safari Enduro riders
At the other end of the scale was 66-year-old Paul Malcolm. However, most riders were closer to Paul in age than Tysen, as the average across all participants was 56. An old man’s game then? Certainly not, it is just that until people get to that age it can be a struggle to come up with the disposable money to buy a late model adventure bike, and also be able to find the time off from work and away from their family.
2019 BMW GS Safari Enduro
All in all it was a great experience, on a great motorcycle, in great company and with a great support team backing us up.Of course you could do this kind of trip on an old XT Yamaha or the like, camping all the way and also having a great time. But there really is nothing like taking on this type of trek on a big adventure bike like the GS.
Dynamic ESA in its latest generation is a revelation and set-up is available on the fly at the push of a button #luxury
Especially when on the straight bits you can set the ESA to its plushest mode and just roll on in relative comfort. That’s sort of important now that I am not as young as what I was when exploring the Pilbara on an old XT more than 25 years ago.
AJMX reaches halfway at Gillman as heats and finals continue
Section: Competition
Australia’s top junior riders put on a show during day three.
Image: Foremost Media.
Day three of the 2019 KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship (AJMX) marked the halfway point as heats and finals continued to unfold at Gillman in South Australia.
Local favourite Alex Larwood maintained his dominance in the second final of the Junior Lites 15 Years class, securing victory by over 19 seconds ahead of Blake Fox and Cameron Torpy.
Larwood once again earned top honours in finals two and three in the 125cc 15 Years category, edging out Fox and Cody Chittick in the first outing of the day, before defeating Fox and Levi Rogers in race three.
Jack Mather emerged victorious in final three of the Junior Lites 13-U15 Years class, beating Brad West and Jackson Camilleri, while heat three of the 125cc 13-U15 Years division was taken out by Jett Burgess-Stevens over Liam Atkinson and Ryan Alexanderson. Heat four went the way of Zachary Watson followed by Hunter Collins and Brock Flynn.
Hunter Collins captured victory in the second final of the Mini Lites BW 14-U16 Years class ahead of Ben Novak and Camilleri, while Collins picked up the win again in final three over Novak and Watson.
Ryder Kingsford was the one the beat in heat three of the Mini Lites BW 12-U14 Years division as he defeated Seth Burchell and Dylan Walsh, while heat four went to Connor Towill over Burgess-Stevens and Byron Dennis. In heat five, Burchell topped the outing followed by Brenton Wilson and Dennis, as heat six was saw the top three completed by Towill, Burgess-Stevens and Kobe Drew.
Heat five of the Mini Lites SW 9-U12 Years division saw Kayden Minear lift top honours alongside Jack Deveson and Jason West, while heat six went to Jet Alsop followed by Liam Owens and Koby Hantis.
Charli Cannon reigned supreme over Madison Healy and Taylah McCutcheon in the third final of the Junior Lites 13-U16 Years Girls class, while the Mini Lites BW 12-U16 Years division raced finals two and three – the second going to Cannon ahead of McCutcheon and Taylor Thompson, with the third once again going to Cannon over Thompson and McCutcheon.
Ky Woods claimed victory in the 65cc 10-U12 Years class, as Cooper Downing and Cooper Ford were victorious in heats five and six in the 65cc 7-U10 Years category. Mason Brown won final two in the 50cc Division 2 7-U9 Years class. Racing resumes tomorrow as all classes commence finals.
Penrite Honda Racing signs Oldenburg for SX2 championship
Section: Competition
American import joins Blose in expanded 250 program for AUS Supercross.
Image: Supplied.
American Mitchell Oldenburg has signed with Penrite Honda Racing in the SX2 category for the entire 2019 Australian Supercross Championship, which will take-off in Brisbane, Queensland, on 12 October.
Oldenburg is the latest international to join the series, set to join defending SX1 champion Justin Brayton and Chris Blose – both Americans – alongside South Australian Brett Metcalfe in the Melbourne-based factory Honda team.
“The Australian Supercross Championship is legit,” Oldenburg commented. “I’ve enjoyed watching it online and have wanted to compete in it for a while. The tracks, the crowds, teams and riders are world-class and I am excited to get the opportunity to be a part of it this year.”
Penrite Honda Racing director Yarrive Konsky welcomed Oldenburg to the organisation for the five-round series, before going on to explain the purpose of signing riders from overseas – a strategy that has been immensely successful for the team in supercross locally.
“Mitchell reached out for a few months and we were undecided as to whether or not we would run two SX2 riders, so he came knocking at the right time,” commented Konsky. “He is eager to achieve great results and I believe both of our SX2 riders will be very strong contenders.
“Our primary objective is to put Honda bikes on the top step of the podium, so we look everywhere for the talent that can deliver those results. We have international riders, yes, but as well as our Ride Red program, which supports 10 Australian privateer riders.
“This year every manufacturer has signed international riders, which is exciting as it’s also about expanding our sport. Supercross is a globally-recognised competition with no geographical boundaries – we are putting Australian racing on the world-stage, which gives local guys more exposure and opportunities to race outside of Australia too.”
Oldenburg finished seventh in the Monster Energy Supercross 250SX East series this season, scoring a best result of second position in the main event at East Rutherford as part of the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha team.
Netherlands claims MXoN win from Belgium and Great Britain
2019 YZ125 bLU cRU SuperFinale wraps up
Cross-Countries Rally head to Rallye du Maroc
Road Racer Jessopp tries WESS at Hawkstone Park XC
2019 KTM AJMX Interstate Challenge Teams Announced
2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Schedule
Rene Hofer join Red Bull KTM MX2 effort full-time in 2020
Mathys Boisrame joins F&H Kawasaki
KTM takes over Gas Gas
Brad Freeman ties up EnduroGP title in France Saturday Report
Saturday of the last weekend of EnduroGP competition in 2019 saw the tests of the GP of France challenge many of the riders, however quadruple World Champion Steve Holcombe got the job done and won the E3 category and with this new success, now boasts an impressive five titles in his young career.
Brad Freeman – Image by EnduroGP
Brad Freeman continued his momentum, the 2019 E1 World Champion offered up a repeat performance of the incredible pace he had in the Czech Republic. Highly focused and dominating the day, the Beta Boano rider finished as the best performer of the day by winning five tests.
Danny McCanney once again makes it an all British podium by accompanying the Beta pair on the podium. The TM rider won four tests today, a impressive feat against the likes of Freeman and Holcombe, as well as a charged up French contingent.
The first non-Brit is France’s Loïc Larrieu who, in front of his supporters, had a great day during which he won two tests. Alex Salvini put in a lot of effort and finished in the Top 5. The Italian suffered in the extremely demanding transfers of the Livradois lap.
Loïc Larrieu
In E1, there was no change as McCanney signed off on a new success in the class. He was ahead of a surprising Andrea Verona and another Italian joins them on the podium, Thomas Oldrati.
The fight in the E2 category was superb all day. It was Loïc Larrieu who snatched the victory at the expense of Alex Salvini. The two men fought blow for blow. But Larrieu, probably boosted by the many French fans, found the strength to win and separate himself and Salvini by just one point.
Alex Salvini
Steve Holcombe did it, taking a new world title in the E3 category! His fifth in four years of Senior competitions. The Brit knew he could ‘save’ his very tough season with this success and have a reason to smile. Very emotional when he arrived back into the paddock, Holcombe dedicated his latest title to his team and all his relatives. Joining Holcombe on the podium were his season long rival, Danny McCanney and France’s ever-improving David Abgrall.
Steve Holcombe
“It’s amazing to win another world title. This is certainly a memorable one. It’s been a challenging season for me, so to finally collect the Enduro 3 World Championship is a huge relief. From dominating the opening round to coming extremely close to having the Epstein Bar Virus put an end to my season mid-way through the series, honestly, it’s been such a strange year. My goal was to defend my EnduroGP title, which I still have a mathematical chance of doing, but winning another Enduro 3 title after everything that’s happened is something I’m incredibly proud of. I have to say a huge thanks to my team, all my sponsors, my family and everyone who’s worked with me this season, helping me battle through some difficult moments. World title number five certainly wasn’t an easy one to win but it’s a special one.”
Steve Holcombe – Image by Future7Media
In the Junior category, Wil Ruprecht won despite the Epstein Barr virus that continues to wreak havoc with his health. The Australian has drawn on all his resources to get this second win in 2019.
It’s a great reward for him and Joakim Johansson’s team. Theo Espinasse was just over a second and a half behind the Australian, having provided a spectacular race as usual. The young Brit Dan Mundell accompanied these two on the podium, bringing more silverware to Sherco Factory.
The Junior 1 podium was identical to that of Junior Overall, with Ruprecht leading Espinasse and Mundell. In J2, Ruy Barbosa won ahead of Till De Clerco and Emanuele Facchetti. But a nod goes to Enric Francisco who, despite a big crash which left him battered and bruised, won the World J2 title, triggering euphoric celebrations for his team and manager, Ivan Cervantes.
Hamish Macdonald made a whole nation proud by becoming the first World Enduro Champion from New Zealand. The Sherco rider won the title after a very complicated season after Macdonald broke his collarbone in Spain. He pushed hard to recover and return to the top of the category. This title augurs really well for the Kiwi, who hasn’t yet realised the full extent of his success.
Hamish Macdonald
“I can not find the words, this title is just incredible! The season was very tricky when I broke my collarbone, and my rivals have pushed. All I can say is thank you to my team and my family, but also to the Edmondson family for welcoming me and taking care of me away from home all year. I still haven’t taken in what’s happening, but I can promise you that we’re going to celebrate tonight!”
On the first day of action, home favourite Nathan Bererd won in front of Sergio Navarro by less than a second! Macdonald climbed onto the final step of the podium in the Youth category.
The Enduro Woman Cup is back! For the second consecutive year, the best girls on the planet come to battle to win the Women’s World Cup at the final round of the season. And defending champion Sanna Karkkainen has a lot of work to do if she wants to retain her crown.
Jane Daniels surged to success by winning on Saturday. The Brit is ahead of Karkkainen and the Spanish rider Mireia Badia. Daniels is extremely motivated after the big disappointment she suffered in 2018, when she had to give up her title hopes after breaking her collarbone early in the weekend. Jane left no chances to her rivals, winning five out of the six tests.
The riders in the Champion Lubricants Enduro Open World Cup also fought it out on the tough terrain, chasing the best riders in the world. In Open 2-Stroke, after his absence in the Czech Republic, Gonçalo Reis has come back with a win. He won in front of Benet Gomez and a quick Jack Cadwallader.
In Open 4-Stroke, Belgium’s Mathias Van Hoof had announced he was hoping to take the top step on French soil – and he managed it! He took victory over Robert Riedel and Dylan Levesque. In the absence of the giant from the Isle of Man, David Knight, it was Andrea Belotti turn to win. The Italian had this first win of the year in Open Senior ahead of Enrique Gonzalez Vega and Patrik Andersson.
2019 EnduroGP of France – E3 Podium Saturday
2019 EnduroGP of France – Saturday Overall
Brad FREEMAN United Kingdom 1:08:22.13
Steve HOLCOMBE United Kingdom +19.86
Daniel MCCANNEY United Kingdom +23.01
Loïc LARRIEU France +36.69
Alex SALVINI Italy +1:06.89
Thomas OLDRATI Italy +1:18.78
Giacomo REDONDI Italy +1:34.81
Matteo CAVALLO Italy +1:37.44
Joseph WOOTTON United Kingdom +1:39.40
Antoine BASSET France +1:48.12
Benjamin HERRERA Chile +2:05.48
David ABGRALL France +2:11.83
Antoine MEO France +2:17.26
Christophe CHARLIER France +2:24.00
Kirian MIRABET Spain +2:49.10
Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Sunday Report
In an incredible end to the 2019 EnduroGP season, Sunday saw the supreme title of EnduroGP – overall Champion – still to be decided, with Brad Freeman giving it his all. And at the tender age of 23 he has taken the first EnduroGP title of his career. This incredible day in the sport also saw the world E2 crown awarded, as well as the Women’s World Cup.
Thomas Oldrati
Brad Freeman continued to fly the Union Jack high. He is also the first rider to end Steve Holcombe’s reign. The Beta Boano rider broke his collarbone at the GP of Greece and had to ride in searing in pain to conquer the title. In addition to his E1 crowns in 2018 and 2019, and his Junior crown in 2017, Freeman now adds a fourth star to his list. All this bodes well for the future of the incredibly talented young rider.
Brad Freeman
“That’s it! We did it! I do not have a lot of words to describe what I’m feeling. This season was so complicated and tough, I can tell you that it took a lot of will to fulfil this dream. I am EnduroGP World Champion and it feels great!”
Brad Freeman
And what a performance from Loïc Larrieu today! Encouraged and boosted by the French fans, he attacked all day on Sunday, winning no fewer than six tests. The TM rider intelligently built up his lead and kept an eye on his opponent’s pace, upping his pace only when needed. Larrieu took his first world title, in E2, on home soil – what better way to do it?
Larrieu also owes his performance to an exceptional Alex Salvini, who pushed him to his absolute limits. The Italian made very few mistakes, and finished second overall in a Grand Prix that could easily have turned in his favour.
Loic Larrieu
“To win this title in front of the French public is something really special. This title represents a lot for me. I want to thank the entire TM Racing team, my entourage and my partners. It’s a great reward after a year that was difficult with a new constructor and little preparation. It’s just perfect, it’s my year.”
Loïc Larrieu
Steve Holcombe also fought gallantly all day. Freshly crowned in the E3 class, Steve promised to throw everything into the ring to try and beat Freeman, but this year it simply wasn’t enough. He finished third in this last GP of a difficult season.
Brad Freeman was fourth overall, doing ‘just enough’. Meanwhile, 2018 Junior World Champion Matteo Cavallo impressed everyone in his first Senior season, taking another Top 5 spot overall.
Loïc Larrieu
The E2 class was extremely exciting on this second day of racing in France. Loïc Larrieu became World Champion for the first time in his career, and in impressive fashion. Mastering the French terrain, he admitted he had to push all day. Alex Salvini was a fantastic rival for Larrieu , he always gives his all and fights with aggression and finesse. But the Italian once again had to swallow the heartbreak of losing out on the last day of the year. Behind this pair on the E2 podium was an ever-improving Joe Wootton.
Alex Salvini
“I got beaten again at the last race of the year, but this time it was nothing like what happened in 2018. This year the fight was really beautiful with Loic, and even though I am very disappointed not to be champion, I realised what I am capable of. This year was tough but I am happy to have managed to run my own team – we will come back even stronger.”
Alex Salvini
In E1, Freeman won at the expense of Cavallo and Davide Guarneri. Meanwhile, Steve Holcombe won the last E3 race of the year in front of his super-consistent compatriot, Danny McCanney and the legendary champion Christophe Nambotin, who has just taken part in his last GP.
Theo Espinasse ended his 2019 season like a cannonball. The Sherco rider pocketed another win following his success in Uhlirske Janovice two weeks ago. He took Sunday’s victory ahead of Ruy Barbosa and a quick Dan Mundell. Espinasse also won the J1 class in front of Mundell and Antoine Magain. While J2 went to Barbosa, in front of wildcard Jed Etchells and Léo Le Quere.
In Youth 125, Sergio Navarro won in the last round against Nathan Bererd by a second and a half. 2019 EY Champion Hamish Macdonald closed out the podium positions.
Shy and quiet off the bike, Britain’s Jane Daniels is absolutely ferocious on the tests. After a flawless weekend, she wins the Enduro Women’s World Cup. As modest as talented, Daniels was finally able to claim a title that has eluded her in the past due to misfortune or bad luck. In 2019, she proved she is the fastest woman in the world on an enduro machine. 2018 champion Sanna Karkkainen didn’t have an answer for Daniels this weekend. Third on this world podium was Spain’s Mireia Badia.
Jane Daniels
“At last I have won this title that I have been waiting for so long! I am really happy and I am very proud to bring this trophy home with me!”
In the Champion Lubricants Enduro Open World Cup, the 2019 season has been a great success. The category gave a chance for a large number of riders who dreamed of rubbing shoulders with the best in the world, on the same course! It is mission accomplished for the first year of the Open Cup!
For this last round of the season in Open 4-Stroke we saw the same winner as Saturday – Belgium’s Mathias Van Hoof on his Beta. He took victory ahead of Robert Riedel and Dylan Levesque. In the Open 2-Stroke Gonçalo Reis concluded a brilliant season with another win. He was accompanied on the final podium of the year by Gomez Benet and Jorge Paradelo Rodriguez. In the Senior category, Andrea Belotti doubled up and won for the second time this weekend. The same duo as Saturday; Enrique Gonzalez Vega and Patrik Andersson accompanied him on the podium.
2019 EnduroGP of France – E3 Podium Sunday
The Grand Prix of France brilliantly concluded an EnduroGP season that was in every respect remarkable. Given the level of competition, excitement, and unpredictability shown this year, all eyes are already on 2020!
2019 EnduroGP of France – Sunday Overall
Loïc LARRIEU France 1:05:47.21
Alex SALVINI Italy +8.07
Steve HOLCOMBE United Kingdom +22.33
Brad FREEMAN United Kingdom +28.58
Matteo CAVALLO Italy +42.42
Daniel MCCANNEY United Kingdom +49.69
Joseph WOOTTON United Kingdom +57.36
Antoine BASSET France +1:48.98
Davide GUARNERI Italy +1:57.15
Benjamin HERRERA Chile +2:04.72
Christophe NAMBOTIN France +2:13.23
Christophe CHARLIER France +2:21.31
Hugo BLANJOUE France +2:21.43
Thomas OLDRATI Italy +2:23.34
David ABGRALL France +2:30.89
Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Hamish Macdonald claims first Kiwi Endurance World Title
Canterbury’s Hamish MacDonald has become the first New Zealand rider to win a World Enduro Championship. Originally from West Melton, MacDonald (20) was crowned the FIM 125cc Youth Enduro World Champion at the final round in Ambert, France over the weekend.
The victory was made even sweeter, after a tough season where the Sherco rider broke both the scapula bone in his shoulder and his clavicle, at May’s third round in Spain. He fought back hard to recover and return to the top of the category.
Hamish Macdonald
“I cannot find the words, this title is just incredible! The season was very tricky when I broke my collarbone, and my rivals have pushed. All I can say is thank you to my team and my family, but also to the Edmondson family for welcoming me and taking care of me away from home all year. I still haven’t taken in what’s happening, but I can promise you that we’re going to celebrate tonight!”
Hamish Macdonald – Image by Mastorgne Photography and Dario Agrati
He joined the Enduro GP last year after what had been a long time since a New Zealander took on the sport’s special tests. The last Kiwi to race in this series was Pahiatua’s Paul Whibley back in 2003. The tough enduro discipline is run on extended cross-country and off-road courses, featuring many different obstacles and challenges.
Already a multi-New Zealand Enduro Champion, MacDonald rides a Sherco with the support of Fabrizio Azzalin and his team Sherco CH Racing.
Motorcycling New Zealand’s General Manager Virginia Henderson says its been a golden few weeks for the country’s riders, with the sport producing two world champions within a month. Otago’s Courtney Duncan won the Women’s World Motocross Championship in September.
Australia goes one better at 2019 TdN in Ibiza
Team Australia arrived in Spain a week early this year ahead of the TdN assisting in their preparation for this year’s event. All riders (apart from Kristie McKinnon) riding in the final round of the FIM Trial GP before a week of training helping Australia to go into Ibiza strong with the added benefit of the terrain suiting our riders. The backdrop of this year’s TdN was spectacular, with sections right on the ocean across some concrete blocks along with a few other man-made sections.
Team Australia – 2019 Trials des Nations – Image by Pep Segales/FIM
2019 marks the 26th year that Team Australia have competed in the TdN men’s category and the 26th consecutive year, with Kyle Middleton having represented Australia 11-times, and joining Chris Bayles and Connor Hogan as a team for the fourth time.
Kristie McKinnon has also represented Australia 11-times, holding the record for Australian female trials riders, with Australia competing in the Women’s category for the 13th time in 2019, with McKinnon joined by Jenna Lupo and Lillie Yiatrou, who team up for the first time.
Kyle Middleton and Connor Hogan rode the qualification round for the men, finishing in an impressive fourth place, while Kristie McKinnon and Lillie Yiatrou rode for the Women qualifying in seventh.
Team Australia – 2019 Trials des Nations – Image by Pep Segales/FIM
After a hard day of riding, the men’s team of Kyle Middleton, Chris Bayles and Connor Hogan finished an impressive fifth place with a total of 18-points in the hotly-contested International Trophy after Germany took the win with a commanding victory over Sweden.
The women’s team of Kristie McKinnon, Lillie Yiatrou and Jenna Lupo scored 101-points to finish a place higher than 2018 in 7th with Spain taking the win ahead of Britain.
Kyle Middleton
“Our team was awesome, aside from probably two sections we were right there which leaves me wishing we could have had another shot at it. Also a special thanks for all the supporters and sponsors who helped get us here, including S3 Parts, GRO, Hebo and The Hell Team.”
With both teams happy with the improvements the focus is now on for the 2020 FIM Trial des Nation.
Team Australia – 2019 Trials des Nations – Image by Pep Segales/FIM
Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou once again led the Spanish team alongside compatriots Adam Raga and Jeroni Fajardo. Accruing a mere four penalty marks, the Spanish team dominated throughout the fifteen sections in Ibiza to clinch the 2019 Trial des Nations championship title. The victory represents a 26th national win, the 16th on the spin.
Toni Bou
“Today was an easy trial, where there was a lot of adherence in the sections, and we knew that we would have a tough job to make a difference. Finally, we rode a very intelligent trial – very good technically. We picked up two marks, both in section nine on each lap, where it was very easy to five. We cleaned the rest of the sections, so between the three of us we form a great team. Riding with them is always an honour. Congratulations to the organization for the trial.”
Toni Bou – 2019 Trials des Nations – Image by Pep Segales/FIM
2019 International Trophy Results
Germany – 1
Sweden – 7
United States – 8
Austria – 11
Australia – 18
Czech Republic – 19
Belgium – 30
Switzerland – 48
Ireland – 55
Andorra – 119
2019 Trial des Nations Championship
Spain – 4
Japan – 19
France – 24
Great Britain – 27
Italy – 45
Norway – 95
2019 Trial des Nations championship podium
2019 Women’s Trials Des Nations Result
Spain – 3
Great Britain – 10
Norway – 18
Germany – 22
United States – 26
France – 33
Australia – 101
Portugal – 147
Switzerland – 287
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2019 Australian Junior Dirt Track run at Somersby over weekend
Only two riders were able to win more than one championship class over two days of exciting racing at the 2019 Honda Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships at the Allen Park track at Somersby on the weekend. Thirteen classes produced 11 different winners, and a string of other place-getters who all helped confirm that the future of the sport is in good hands.
Albury Wodonga rider Archie McDonald won both of the classes for the 11 to Under 13 years classes which is currently the most ‘red-hot’ of all the age brackets.
The always highly competitive 13 to Under 16 years classes produced the other dual winner in Forbes rider Tom Drane who was denied a third win in the last of the weekend’s final. After finishing runner-up in three other classes Gold Coast rider Seth Qualischefski finally got the better of Drane to add a win to his medal haul.
Qualischefski was a tireless performer on the weekend being one of a few riders to contest four classes, which in total meant he rode 84 laps of racing. There were also three other Gold Coast riders who claimed a championship class win.
Ashleigh Adamson took out the Girls class beating Ava Faulkhead from Mildura and Molly Fairey from Cobar to produce a very geographically diverse rostrum. Sympathy goes to Anika Loftus though from Brisbane won the first three rounds before she was injured.
The other Gold Coast successes went to Rory McQualter who added two third placings to his win, and Viv Muddle who placed third as he strived to make it a double.
Two other class winners also added to their medal haul with Cowra rider Noah Grabham adding two seconds to his win, while Kempsey’s Jayden Holder scored one third place.
Tom Drane will have to start making room for his brother Sam to build his trophy collection as Sam won his first ever Australian Championship.
The host club boasted one championship class winner in Lachlan Russell, a feat matched by the Kurri Kurri Junior Club thanks to a win by Thomas Bullen.
With such a classy line-up of talent assembled even qualifying for the finals in some classes was no easy feat, with some of the minor place-getters still left pleased with their efforts, including a number who gained their best ever results.
Special mention must be made of Kurri Kurri rider Cameron Dunker and Albury Wodonga rider Remmie Fyffe who were both dual place getters.
Riders travelled from as far afield as Townsville in the north, Cobar and Mildura in the west and Melbourne in the south with the much-travelled families praising the host club for its staging of the meeting.
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The second Annual Mason-Dixon GNCC concluded round 11 of the 2019 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series on Sunday, where dry, dusty and higher temperatures greeted the afternoon race, making it a rough course for many of the competitors.
Thad Duvall would manage to make it through the gruelling three-hour race, crossing the finish line 39 seconds ahead of the competition. With track conditions proving difficult for many other riders, Duvall and his team put in their best effort to keep pushing until the checkered flag came out. Duvall earned his fourth overall win of the season, and his second straight win at the Mason-Dixon GNCC in Pennsylvania.
Thad Duvall – 2019 Mason-Dixon GNCC – Image by Ken Hill
Coming through second for the second race in a row was Ricky Russell. Throughout the day Russell would find himself battling it out with several different XC1 Open Pro riders, but he would manage to hold onto the second place position as the white flag came out indicating one more lap to go. Russell currently sits sixth in the points standings with two rounds remaining in the season.
With Kelley moving out of the XC2 250 Pro class, it was Liam Draper coming away with his first-ever XC2 class win. Drapers’ consistency paid off after starting out second in the class and making the move to first once when the two-lap card came out and then again on the last lap. Craig Delong came through second after battling his way to the front of the class ahead of Evan Smith.
Liam Draper – 2019 Mason-Dixon GNCC – Image by Ken Hill
The FMF XC3 125cc Pro-Am class had a lot of changes of lead throughout the duration of the race. However, it would be Jake Froman coming out to earn his first-ever win. Jesse Ansley, who currently leads the class points, held the lead after grabbing the holeshot. Ansley would fight back for a second place finish with Chase Colville also battling back to round out the podium. Colville would hold the lead at one point in the race, but would suffer bike issues causing a long pit stop, to still fight back to third in the class.
Simon Johnson took home the top amateur honors with his 250 A class win and a 14th overall. Brody Johnson came through 15th overall and earned second in the 250 A class along with the amateur podium. Tristan Landrum came through third in the 250 A class, and 17th overall claiming the final spot on the amateur podium.
When the 10 a.m. race kicked off Tayla Jones grabbied the early lead. However, Becca Sheets made her way to the front of the pack, to make the pass for the first place position. Sheets and Jones would battle back and forth and after trouble on an uphill during the last lap, Jones made the pass on Sheets and came through to take the win.
Tayla Jones – 2019 Mason-Dixon GNCC – Image by Ken Hill
Sheets finished second and Korie Steede battled forward to earn her place on the WXC podium for the first-time ever. Jones and Sheets made up the first two in the overall positions, but it would be Blayke Coler of the 125 B/C class working his way on adjusted time to the third overall position.
Tayla Jones
“Pumped to pull the holeshot on the weekend and brought home another GNCC Racing win. It was a tight race all day and with track conditions on the extremely dry side it made it really tough. Only two rounds to go for the season, ready to fight for it! Thank you to the @bauer651, the whole @rockstarhusky team and the Barnes’ for their help over the weekend and of course a huge shoutout to all of my awesome sponsors.”
As the 8 a.m. youth race took off it was Joseph Cunningham came through in the first place position, working towards earning the youth overall national championship. Nolette and Kuneff tried to apply the pressure up front, but would ultimately fall just short as Cunningham came through to the checkered flag first. Cunningham earned the Youth Overall National Championship, as Nolette took home second in the YXC1 Super Mini Sr. class and overall with Kuneff behind him in third.
Joseph Cunningham – 2019 Mason-Dixon GNCC – Image by Ken Hill
In the YXC2 Super Mini Jr. class it was Grant Davis coming through the pack to earn his ninth win of the season. Davis currently sits first in the points standings as the series heads into the last two rounds. Jack Joy came through to take second in the YXC2 class followed by Garyson Smith clinching third and the last spot on the class podium.
XC1 Pro Event Results
Thad Duvall (HQV)
Ricky Russell (YAM)
Trevor Bollinger (HQV)
Andrew Delong (HON)
Layne Michael (HQV)
Kailub Russell (KTM)
Josh Toth (KTM)
Benjamin Kelley (KTM)
Chris Venditti (KAW)
Takanori Nakajima (YAM)
Overall National Championship Standings
Kailub Russell (295)
Thad Duvall (258)
Steward Baylor Jr. (198)
Ben Kelley (166)
Trevor Bollinger (162)
Ricky Russell (123)
Andrew Delong (121)
Josh Strang (103)
Jordan Ashburn (113)
Josh Toth (107)
XC2 250 Pro Event Results
Liam Draper (KTM)
Craig Delong (HQV)
Evan Smith (HQV)
Austin Lee (HON)
Zach Hayes (KTM)
Ben Parsons (HQV)
Jesse Groemm (KTM)
Dylan Yearbury (YAM)
Samuel Evans (KTM)
XC2 250 Pro Series Standings
Benjamin Kelley (300)
Michael Witkowski (189)
Craig Delong (188)
Evan Smith (183)
Liam Draper (172)
Austin Lee (164)
Ryder Lafferty (145)
Jonathan Johnson (137)
Alex Teagarden (123)
Ben Parsons (113)
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Jared Mees tops AFT season finale
Jared Mees has topped AFT season finale in the Twins Main Event at the Meadowlands Mile, with Briar Bauman having already closed out the title in advance.
Jared Mees topped the AFT Twins podium – 2019 AFT – Meadowlands Mile – Image by Scott Hunter
In the AFT Singles Dalton Gauthier claimed the championship win with a very safe 14th place finish, while Mikey Rush topped proceedings, with Australian Max Whale in eighth and ninth in the overall standings.
The AFT Production Twins Corey Texter took the title, despite a mechanical issue regulating him to 14th, with chief rival Kolby Carlile a DNF.
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Netherlands claims MXoN win from Belgium and Great Britain
Team Netherands has taken the 2019 MXoN win, with Glenn Coldenhoff, Jeffrey Herlings and Calvin Vlaanderen proving unbeatable at Assen, with Team Belgium a distant second represented by Jeremy Van Horebeek, Kevin Strijbos and Jago Geerts, and Team Great Britain third with riders Shaun Simpson, Nathan Watson and Adam Sterry.
Jeffrey Herlings – Team Netherlands – 2019 MXoN – Image by Hoppenworld
After two thrilling days riding on the international stage for the first time at the Motocross of Nations, the 2019 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup came to an end on Sunday with the YZ125 race. YZ125 riders faced heavy rain and difficult conditions on Sunday at the TT Circuit Assen, contesting the last 2019 SuperFinale race after the YZ65 and YZ85 riders competed on Saturday.
2019 YZ125 bLU cRU SuperFinale
As the gate dropped practice leader Mairis Pumpurs took the holeshot to establish a very strong lead. Behind him Bobby Bruce also built on his practice pace to take second, battling with Spanish rider #252 Raul Sanchez behind. As the track got more challenging every rider put their head down over the 20-minute race.
With Pumpurs sitting unchallenged in first place he took the victory nearly a minute clear, followed home by Sanchez, who battled past Bruce, in second and third respectively to complete the podium at the weekend’s most difficult and entertaining bLUcRU SuperFinale race.
For Pumpurs, Sanchez and Bruce, the bLU cRU Masterclass awaits in November in Spain, where they will be joined by two YZ125 wildcards as they further develop their riding skills under expert tutorials and guidance. From the Masterclass, one of the five YZ125 riders will then win a place with the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team for the 2020 EMX125 Championship.
2019 YZ125 bLU cRU SuperFinale podium
2019 YZ125 bLU cRU SuperFinale Top 10
Pos
Rider
Nat.
Bike
Gap
1
Pumpurs, Mairis
LAT
Yamaha
00:00.0
2
Sanchez, Raul
ESP
Yamaha
00:57.9
3
Bruce, Bobby
GBR
Yamaha
01:10.3
4
Razzini, Pietro
ITA
Yamaha
01:22.1
5
de Beer, Ryan
NED
Yamaha
01:29.4
6
Modin, Arvid
SWE
Yamaha
01:41.9
7
de Lange, Sem
NED
Yamaha
01:48.6
8
Gimm, Daniel
ITA
Yamaha
02:12.3
9
Sagmalis, Antonis
GRE
Yamaha
02:33.6
10
Depoers, Simon
FRA
Yamaha
1 lap
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Cross-Countries Rally head to Rallye du Maroc
This Friday the 20th edition of the Rallye du Maroc is due to get underway, representing the fourth and final test of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship and the final competition ahead of the Dakar Rally.
Fez, one of Morocco’s imperial cities and the country’s cultural and religious centre, will host the forthcoming Rallye du Maroc, the fourth points-paying round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.
Toby Price won the Rallye du Maroc in 2018
Morocco has always been a land of rally raid. The story began in 1982 with the arrival of Paris-Agadir, the first rally raid to run in Morocco. The following year, the rally took the name of ‘Atlas Rally’ and became the flagship rally to the Rally Raids calendar. The Atlas Rally saw the best drivers and teams in the discipline run.
The Atlas Rally, after having changed hands from the company Larivièr et to ASO, disappeared at the end of the 90’s. It was then reborn in 2000 as ‘Rallye du Maroc’, under the leadership of Cyril Neveu and Jean Christophe Pelletier. The rally immediately became the major Moroccan rally and welcomed again the elite of rally raid.
In 2007, the company NPO, organiser of the Rallye du Maroc, was sold to Emma and Stéphane Clair and became an event in the FIM World Championship and the FIA World Cup. After 10 years at the head of the event, NPO sold the Rallye du Maroc to the company ODC, led by David Castera.
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Road racer Jessopp tries WESS at Hawkstone Park XC
As well as bringing together many of the world’s best Enduro racers, all looking to be crowned Ultimate Enduro World Champion, the World Enduro Super Series also attracts athletes at the pinnacle of other two-wheeled sports – competitors looking to dip a toe in the WESS waters. Round six of the series, the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country, saw stars of mountain biking and road racing out in force all keen to wrestle the gruelling Shropshire sands.
Martin Jessopp – Image by Future7Media
During the two days of racing, mountain bike star Josh Bryceland, former mountain bike racer Rob Warner and Isle of Man TT racer Martin Jessopp lined up against some of the world’s best Enduro riders.
Better known for his accomplishments in road racing, Martin Jessopp is a two-time TT podium finisher having lapped the infamous circuit at over 131mph, along with winning the North West 200 three times.
At the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country he showed his talents carry across to dirt too, finishing Saturday’s Sprint Enduro third in Clubman 2T, before securing sixth in Sunday’s Original Fast Eddy Cross-Country.
Martin Jessopp
“I’ve been trying to spend more time riding Enduro, but I didn’t expect to do so well. I didn’t make too many mistakes and tried to save energy where I could. It’s been awesome to race alongside the Pro riders – in a way it’s kind of role reversal for me, which I enjoyed. It’s incredible to see how fast they can ride these conditions and hold their corner speed between the trees. A highlight was when Graham Jarvis came past and I tried to stick with him for a couple of corners before he disappeared!”
Martin Jessopp – Image by Future7Media
World Enduro Super Series – 2019 Calendar
Round 7: BR2 Enduro Solsona (Spain) October 4-6
Round 8: GetzenRodeo (Germany) November 2
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2019 KTM AJMX Interstate Challenge Teams announced
Motorcycling Australia have announced the riders who have been chosen to represent each of their states at the KTM AJMX Nationals in Gillman, South Australia this week.
These riders form part of the selection that is required for the Interstate Challenge Cup. That format is each state is to choose a team of eight riders from four different classes to compete for this cup. Eight out of the 13 team members must be named to the Race Secretary of the event by the end of practice.
AJMX 2018
Each of those competitors is then scored within their own class. At the end of the event, the team with the highest point scoring six team members from each state will have their final placings re-scored for an overall score. The state with the highest overall team score is the winner.
New South Wales
2 Ky WOODS 65cc 10 – Under 12 Years
22 Connor TOWILL 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std or BW 12 – Under 14 Years
20 Ben NOVAK 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std or BW 14 – Under 16 Years
264 Hunter COLLINS 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std or BW 14 – Under 16 Years
254 Jack DEVESON 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std Wheel 9 – Under 12 Years
294 Koby HANTIS 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std Wheel 9 – Under 12 Years
2 Taylor THOMPSON 100-150cc 2st/200-250cc 4st 13 – Under 16 Years Girls
25 Blake FOX 128-150cc 2st/200-250cc 4st 15 Years
Tasmania
756 Brodie FAULKNER 50cc Division 2 – 7 – Under 9 Years
7 Jay JENNINGS 65cc 7 – Under 10 Years
75 Cooper FORD 65cc 7 – Under 10 Years
759 Brydie HINGSTON 85cc 2st/150cc 4st All Wheels 12 – U 16 Years Girls
751 Angus PEARCE 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std or BW 12 – Under 14 Years
757 Jett BURGESS-STEVENS 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std or BW 12 – Under 14 Years
757 Jett BURGESS-STEVENS 100-125cc 2st 13 – Under 15 Years
76 Evan LOCKWOOD 100-125cc 2st 15 Years
Northern Territory
198 Rhys Gwynne 50cc Division 2 – 7 – Under 9 Years
106 Mitchell Thorneycroft 85cc 9-U12 Years
174 Clayton Bogucki 85cc 9-U12 Years
100 Ryan Van Deventer 85cc 12-U14 Years
100 Ryan Van Deventer 125cc 13-U15 Years
141 Jayden O’Connor 125cc 13-U15 Years
138 Thomas Bennett 125cc 15 Years
521 Declan SMART 65cc 7 – Under 10 Years
Western Australia
68 Liam ATKINSON 100-125cc 2st 13 – Under 15 Years
658 Mason BROWN 65cc 7 – Under 10 Years
60 Brock FLYNN 100-125cc 2st 13 – Under 15 Years
602 Deegan FORT 50cc Division 2 – 7 – Under 9 Years
66 Kayden MINEAR 65cc 10 – Under 12 Years
66 Kayden MINEAR 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std Wheel 9 – Under 12 Years
66 Jaylee RIMBAS 85cc 2st/150cc 4st All Wheels 12 – U 16 Years Girls
65 Seth SHACKLETON 65cc 10 – Under 12 Years
South Australia
5 Alex LARWOOD 100-125cc 2st 15 Years
5 Wil CARPENTER 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std Wheel 9 – Under 12 Years
51 Dakota COLLINS 85cc 2st/150cc 4st All Wheels 12 – U 16 Years Girls
52 Taj GOW-SMITH 100-125cc 2st 13 – Under 15 Years
53 Jai HAY 65cc 7 – Under 10 Years
5 Emma HAYLOCK 85cc 2st/150cc 4st All Wheels 12 – U 16 Years Girls
5 Alex LARWOOD 128-150cc 2st/200-250cc 4st 15 Years
5 Levi ROSSI 65cc 7 – Under 10 Years
Queensland
46 Taylah MCCUTCHEON 85cc 2st/150cc 4st All Wheels 12 – U 16 Years Girls
47 Ryan ALEXANDERSON 100-125cc 2st 13 – Under 15 Years
42 Jet ALSOP 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std Wheel 9 – Under 12 Years
494 Charli CANNON 100-150cc 2st/200-250cc 4st 13 – Under 16 Years Girls
4 Cooper DOWNING 65cc 7 – Under 10 Years
46 Kobe DREW 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std or BW 12 – Under 14 Years
401 Levi ROGERS 128-150cc 2st/200-250cc 4st 15 Years
45 Brad WEST 128-150cc 2st/200-250cc 4st 13 – Under 15 Years
Victoria
37 Kipp ADAMS 128-150cc 2st/200-250cc 4st 15 Years
32 Jobe DUNNE 65cc 7 – Under 10 Years
352 Oscar FOX 65cc 10 – Under 12 Years
370 Connor GUILLOT 50cc Division 2 – 7 – Under 9 Years
32 Madison HEALEY 100-150cc 2st/200-250cc 4st 13 – Under 16 Years Girls
38 Thynan KEAN 128-150cc 2st/200-250cc 4st 13 – Under 15 Years
34 Jake SANDERSON 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std Wheel 9 – Under 12 Years
39 Connar ADAMS 85cc 2st/150cc 4st Std or BW 14 – Under 16 Years
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2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Schedule
The 12-round schedule for the 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing has been announced. The 49th season will once again visit 11 different states over the course of the summer, beginning with the legendary Hangtown Motocross Classic on May 16, and concluding with the Ironman National on August 29.
The most talented collection of riders on the planet will battle it out over the course of 24 motos across the 450 Class and 250 Class, pushing both their physical and mental limits in the most grueling conditions found in any motorsports championship. Their quest to capture the most coveted titles in motocross, the Edison Dye Cup (450 Class) and the Gary Jones Cup (250 Class), will bring these exceptional athletes to the most storied racetracks in the world, many of which boast legacies that span more than four decades.
2019 Ironman National – 2019 AMA Pro Motocross – Round 12 – Image by Hoppenworld
With three consecutive 450 Class titles to his credit, reigning champion Eli Tomac will look to make even more history next summer, seeking to become one of just two riders to hoist the Edison Dye Cup for four straight seasons.
Eli Tomac – 2019 AMA Pro Motocross – Ironman National – Image by Hoppenworld
He’ll welcome a new challenger to that title defense under the Monster Energy Kawasaki tent, where newly crowned 250 Class Champion Adam Cianciarulo will step up onto the big bikes as a teammate to Tomac, joining the likes of a deep list of fellow contenders that includes Ken Roczen, Marvin Musquin, Jason Anderson, Zach Osborne, Cooper Webb and more.
Adam Cianciarulo – Image by Hoppenworld
With Cianciarulo’s departure from the 250 Class, the title vacancy opens the door for a wide-open battle to claim the Gary Jones Cup, where Jeremy Martin, the lone former champion in the division, will battle it out alongside a promising group of up and coming talent, led by teammates Dylan Ferrandis and Justin Cooper.
2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Schedule
May 16 – Hangtown Classic Prairie City SVRA Rancho Cordova, Calif.
May 23 – Fox Raceway National Fox Raceway Pala, Calif.
May 30 – Thunder Valley National Thunder Valley Motocross Park Lakewood, Colo.
Jun 06 – Florida National WW Ranch Motocross Park Jacksonville, Fla.
Jun 20 – High Point National High Point Raceway Mt. Morris, Pa.
Jun 27 – Southwick National The Wick 338 Southwick, Mass.
Jul 04 – RedBud National RedBud MX Buchanan, Mich.
Jul 18 – Spring Creek National Spring Creek MX Park Millville, Minn.
Jul 25 – Washougal National Washougal MX Park Washougal, Wash.
Aug 15 – Unadilla National Unadilla MX New Berlin, N.Y.
Aug 22 – Budds Creek National Budds Creek Motocross Park Mechanicsville, Md.
Aug 29 – Ironman National Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, Ind.
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Rene Hofer join Red Bull KTM MX2 effort full-time in 2020
Rene Hofer will join Red Bull KTM as a full-time Grand Prix rider in 2020. The 17 year old impressed with three wild-card MX2 appearances in 2019 in what was his first full year of competition with the KTM 250 SX-F. The Austrian will give KTM factory presence in the MX2 class alongside Tom Vialle next season with double world champion Jorge Prado joining the MXGP category with Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings.
Rene Hofer joins Red Bull KTM MX2 full time in 2020
The teenager (who will turn 18 in the first days of 2020) is a former FIM Junior and European Champion and has risen through the ranks. He won EMX125 European Championship races in 2018 and was a contender for the title until a mid-season injury. Hofer claimed a podium finish and classified fourth in the EMX250 standings at his first attempt in 2019.
The rider from Linz joined the Grand Prix team for three appearances this summer; taking his first FIM world championship points in the Czech Republic and then scoring seventh place overall at the Grand Prix of Italy at Imola. He also represented Team Austria as one of the three best racers from his country for the 73rd Motocross of Nations at the TT Circuit Assen.
Hofer will be the first Austrian to represent the modern incarnation of Red Bull KTM, the first in MX2 and the third native in the factory team after Heinz Kinigadner and current VP of Offroad Robert Jonas.
Rene Hofer
“I’m super-excited. We’ve really worked for this over the last couple of years and my dreams are coming true right now. We were not sure if it would happen for 2020 but I showed some good speed in the second half of the season and also that I could compete in good positions in MX2. I felt confident in the class from the very first time, even if the weekend routine is pretty different from EMX. I’m so grateful to be able to have the chance to ride for the most successful team in the GP paddock and to have the best racing people around me as well as being able to learn from Tom. I’ve trained with him a few times now and he’s a really nice guy. He had an unbelievable rookie season and I think we can put in some solid preparation work over the winter to be ready for 2020. I turn 18 next year and I know I am ready for this step. For sure the result in Imola was very good but I will be hungry for more and I will bring in the very best effort from my side. I cannot forget to thank all the people who have helped me reach this stage of my career and who have helped shape me as a rider and as a human. I cannot wait to start work for 2020 but first I need to focus on this weekend!”
Rene Hofer joins Red Bull KTM MX2 full time in 2020
Mathys Boisrame joins F&H Kawasaki
Team F&H Kawasaki will line up the last two European champions in the 2020 FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship as 2018 champion Mathys Boisrame joins Roan van de Moosdijk in the Dutch team.
One of the youngest teams in the GP paddock, Team F&H Kawasaki has a short but already successful story as they have clinched MX2 GP podium results during each of the past two seasons as well as the 2019 European title.
Just a few years after its creation by Harry Fase, F&H has been involved in both the EMX250 and MX2 championships this season and it was the logical progression for the team’s European champion Roan van de Moosdijk to transfer to the MX2 World Championship. He will be joined in 2020 by Mathys Boisrame, the French youngster who recorded a top ten world ranking during his rookie MX2 GP campaign this season; the 2018 European champion, who turned twenty-one this summer, has shown great potential with numerous top ten results throughout the season and an overall podium in Germany. The team will line up three riders in the MX2 World Championship next year; the identity of the third exciting signing will be revealed soon.
Mathys Boisrame
“I’m really happy to finally join the F&H Kawasaki team as we already talked together last year after my European title. This year was a learning curve for me in the World Championship; I did my best with the material I had but for sure there’s a big step between the European and World Championship and I was so impressed when I did a test with the KX250 Kawasaki. The bike handles so well, is really powerful and the team is so professional that it didn’t take me long to know I wanted to sign with them. It will be a huge change for me as I will move to the team base in the Netherlands on November 1st; for sure it’s not easy to leave home but I know what I want. Being close to the team, working with Marc de Reuver and riding in the sand will bring me all the tools for us to succeed together.”
Mathys Boisrame joins F&H Kawasaki
Nathalie Fase – F&H Kawasaki Team Manager
“We had a great season winning the Dutch and European titles, finishing fifth and sixth in the World Championship and we are very happy to add Mathys Boisrame, the 2018 European Champion, to our team for the upcoming years! We look forward to the new season and hope to be able to push again for great podiums! All ingredients are in the house, so bring it on!”
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KTM takes over Gas Gas
As part of the deal with Gas Gas, KTM also secures a controlling stake in the Torrot electric motorcycles and bicycles business as part of the deal struck ith Black Toro Capital, the owners of both Gas Gas and Torrot.
This move further expands the KTM portfolio (Husqvarna, WP etc), which will in future, presumably due to its now much broader stake in even more brands, will be renamed to Pierer Mobility AG.
2019 Gas Gas XC 300
In this instance though it seems KTM have agreed to keep the Spanish Gas Gas plant in Girona for at least the next three years. Gas Gas was originally formed from the ashes of Bultaco when that brand went tits-up in the mid 1980s. Gas Gas merged with Ossa in 2014.
Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Racing returned to Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough last weekend with the Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup back after a two-year absence. It was a weekend of contrasting weather conditions that saw Lee Johnston walk away with the prestigious trophy.
The Ashcourt Racing rider put in a faultless ride in treacherous conditions on Sunday, which threatened to curtail proceedings at the famous 2.43-mile venue, and having led from the start he eventually took the chequered flag at the end of the eight laps by three seconds from Mike Norbury with David Jackson taking third. Brad Vicars, Joey Thompson and Joe Ackroyd completed the top six.
Johnston became just the third rider from Northern Ireland to lift the International Gold Cup, following in the footsteps of Ryan Farquhar and Michael Dunlop, and joined legendary names such as Barry Sheene, Giacomo Agostini and Carl Fogarty on the trophy which was first awarded in 1950.
Sunday’s race schedule differed greatly from Saturday’s action around the woodland circuit when the North Yorkshire venue saw the large crowd lining the fences bathed in sunshine.
It was Johnston who came of on top in the feature Supersport 600cc race as he brought his Yamaha YZF-R6 home ahead of Norbury once more, this time by the reduced margin of 1.6s.
Now based near Halifax, Johnston sat in third place in the early stages of the race as Jackson set the pace ahead of Norbury but once the Ulsterman moved to the front at half race distance, he soon pulled away.
With the fastest lap of the race, 1m50.766s, more than half a second quicker than anyone else, the 30-year old was able to ease off on the eighth and final lap with Norbury maintaining station in second.
In the dry, sunny conditions, Vicars came through for third ahead of fellow Manx GP podium finisher Stephen Parsons as Jackson slipped back to fifth ahead of Ackroyd.
Johnston also took second in the Classic Superbike race after starting from the back of the grid on Phil Reed’s RC45 Honda and overhauling 20 riders! By the time he’d moved up to second, David Bell had opened up a substantial lead and he took a comfortable win on his OW01 Yamaha.
Circuit debutante Paul Jordan was on course for second place before he was forced to retire the Mistral Racing Kawasaki in the closing stages and that allowed Pete Boast to take third ahead of Daniel Ingham and Barry Furber.
The closest race of the day came in the Lightweight encounter as Ian Lougher, Dominic Herbertson and Joey Thompson fought tooth and nail throughout the eight laps.
Vicars ran with them at the beginning before retiring and although Herbertson and Thompson tried all they could to find a way by Lougher, the Welshman held on to extend his record as the most successful rider ever around the Oliver’s Mount circuit.
Julian Tillotson and Justin Collins won the Supersport ‘B’ and ‘C’ finals respectively with Phil Harvey coming out on top in the 400cc race after Thompson retired whilst John Lowther/Tom Christie got the better of Conrad Harrison/Andrew Winkle in a shortened Sidecar race.
The heavy rain forecast for Sunday unfortunately proved to be accurate and it was 12.30pm before any action could take place but the organisers did a sterling job to ensure eight races took place – one for each class – with the marshals deserving special praise for enduring the elements on an extremely wet day.
The sidecars started the action and after missing Saturday’s races, Lee Crawford/Scott Hardie got the better of Lowther/Christie by 5.2s to pick up the Ian Bell Trophy, awarded by Ian’s son Carl, for their efforts.
Aside from the Gold Cup, Johnston sat out the remainder of the day and that allowed Norbury to take the spoils in the Supersport A race, with the Spada Racing rider a much deserved winner after strong rides all weekend.
He beat Vicars into second as Don Gilbert took third and there were first time winners in the ‘B’ and ‘C’ races with Daniel Forbes and Richard Telford taking their maiden victories at the Mount.
Rain wasn’t going to prevent veteran Lougher from taking to the grid and he duly wrapped up the double in the Lightweight race as he took a staggering 140th victory at the venue with Vicars and Herbertson completing the podium as the rain continued to fall.
Bell repeated his Classic Superbike victory from Saturday, Furber taking second on this occasion as Boast again finished third and it was Mark Purslow who got the verdict in the 400cc race with Ingham in second and Newcomers Manx GP winner Andy Jackson the first of the Moto 3 riders in third.
Lee Johnston
“It’s obviously a real pleasure to win the International Gold Cup and when you look at some of the riders who’ve won it before, I’m in some good company! I never realised only Ryan and Michael had won it before from Northern Ireland so be just the third rider to win it is something to be proud of. Conditions were far from ideal but I managed to get the lead off the line and build up a bit of a gap which I was able to control after that.
“We were actually doing some pretty good lap times given how wet it was but the bike was working really well and the team did a mega job all weekend. It was nice to get a win on the Yamaha in both the wet and the dry and I also really enjoyed the race on the RC45 as it’s such a lovely bike to ride. Despite the weather on Sunday, it was a very enjoyable meeting and it’s nice to end the domestic season with another International win so a big thanks to the entire Ashcourt Racing team for everything throughout 2019.”
Lee Johnson on the Ashcourt Yamaha YZF-R6 – Image by Mark Walters
Paulin satisfied with Team France’s efforts as MXoN winning streak ends
Section: Competition
French squad denied podium as Yamaha pilot runs out of fuel on final lap.
Image: Supplied.
Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha’s Gautier Paulin is pleased with Team France’s efforts at the weekend’s 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in Assen, the squad seeing it’s five-year winning streak come to an end as the Netherlands earned the crown for the first time ever on home soil.
In rain-soaked conditions, Paulin came from outside the top 10 in the opening MXGP/MX2 encounter to finish fifth, while his second outing in the final race of the day saw his YZ450F run out fuel on the final lap, denying France of a podium result.
His French teammates, former world champion Jordi Tixier (KTM) and Maxime Renaux (Yamaha), put in respectable performances alongside Paulin, granting Team France fifth in the Nations classification.
“We have won five times in a row, this was a big highlight of the Motocross of Nations for Team France, but all good things come to an end and today we have to accept the fail,” Paulin explained. “For myself, I was very happy with my teammates, we put in a good amount of effort to be on the podium and on the second to last lap, I run out of fuel.
“It’s tough to accept, but I had a great experience this weekend. The track was gnarly, the atmosphere and fans were incredible. Thanks to the public, and congratulations to The Netherlands on the win. It was a wet and gnarly weekend, but as always, it was a weekend we all enjoyed and it will give us a lot of memories.”
Paulin is set to remain with Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha in the 2020 MXGP World Championship, which will become the official factory Yamaha team.
