2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Round One – Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
Report by Trevor Hedge – Images by Jeff Kardas
450 Heat One
Chase Sexton won the opening 450 Heat of season 2022, while Shane McElrath ran second for most of the bout, until being closed down by Eli Tomac and Justin Barcia as the moto progressed.
McElrath managed to hold on for second though, ahead of Eli Tomac who finished third on his Yamaha debut.
Justin Barcia was fourth ahead of Webb, Anstie, Oldenburg and Musquin, with Fred Noren scoring the final transfer spot.
The likes of Josh Hill and Justin Bogle had to contest the LCQ but also failed to make that cut and didn’t make the Main.
450 Heat One Results
Pos
Rider
Bike
Laps/Interval
1
Chase Sexton
Honda CRF450R
8 Laps
2
Shane McElrath
KTM 450 SX-F
+02.325
3
Eli Tomac
Yamaha YZ450F
+03.520
4
Justin Barcia
GASGAS MC 450F
+04.861
5
Cooper Webb
KTM 450 SX-F
+13.918
6
Max Anstie
KTM 450 SX-F
+19.350
7
Mitchell Oldenburg
Honda CRF450R
+22.403
8
Marvin Musquin
KTM 450 SX-F
+33.972
9
Fredrik Noren
KTM 450 SX-F
+37.580
10
Cade Clason
Honda CRF450R
+46.073
11
Alex Ray
Honda CRF450R
+47.917
12
Josh Hill
KTM 450 SX-F
+53.402
13
Joan Cros
Kawasaki KX450
+55.302
14
Justin Bogle
Suzuki RM-Z450
+1m04.044
15
Mason Kerr
Kawasaki KX450
+1m07.084
16
Kai Haase
GASGAS MC 450F
7 Laps
17
RJ Wageman
Yamaha YZ450F
+16.915
18
Theodore Pauli
Kawasaki KX450
+47.325
19
Scotty Wennerstrom
Kawasaki KX450
+1m09.697
20
Nick Schmidt
Husqvarna FC 450
2 Laps
450 Heat Two
Malcolm Stewart had already celebrated his new ride with Husqvarna by topping the qualifying sessions but he didn’t get a great start in the heat race.It was Ken Roczen that scored the holeshot while Adam Cianciarulo, Justin Brayton and Malcolm Stewart gave chase.Plessinger was sixth ahead of Ferrandis and Savatgy.
Brayton took second place from Cianciarulo a couple of laps into the Heat. New KTM signing Aaron Plessinger then moved past Stewart to take fourth place. Stewart then also started to come under attack from Dylan Ferrandis.
Stewart eventually responded to take that fourth place back off Plessinger and then went one better, by taking third place from Adam Cianciarulo. Plessinger, Ferrandis, and Savatgy then pushed Cianciarulo all the way back to seventh.
Up front it was still all Roczen and the German was a clear victor.
Justin Brayton had a comfortable buffer over Malcolm Stewart in third place with two laps remaining but Stewart almost chased him down to steal second before eventually settling for third.
Plessinger finished fourth ahead of Ferrandis, Savatgy and Cianciarulo.
Jason Anderson fell early on and was right at the back of the field but worked his way forward to eventually break into the top nine and earn his transfer to the 450 Main.
Dean Wilson was the final rider to make the transfer cut with a ninth place finish.
450 Heat Two Results
Pos
Rider
Bike
Laps/Interval
1
Ken Roczen
Honda CRF450R
8 Laps
2
Justin Brayton
Honda CRF450R
+05.743
3
Malcolm Stewart
Husqvarna FC 450
+06.939
4
Aaron Plessinger
KTM 450 SX-F FE
+09.511
5
Dylan Ferrandis
Yamaha YZ450F
+10.527
6
Joey Savatgy
KTM 450 SX-F FE
+13.306
7
Adam Cianciarulo
Kawasaki KX450SR
+17.346
8
Jason Anderson
Kawasaki KX450SR
+20.126
9
Dean Wilson
Husqvarna FC 450
+20.944
10
Ryan Breece
Yamaha YZ450F
+33.163
11
Brandon Hartranft
Suzuki RM-Z450
+37.974
12
Justin Starling
GASGAS MC 450F
+43.889
13
Kyle Chisholm
Yamaha YZ450F
+47.306
14
Adam Enticknap
Suzuki RM-Z450
7 Laps
15
Bryson Gardner
Honda CRF450R
+01.099
16
Vann Martin
Yamaha YZ450F
+03.197
17
Alexander Nagy
KTM 450 SX-F
+07.350
18
Alex Martin
Yamaha YZ450F
2 Laps
19
Deven Raper
Kawasaki KX450
+06.282
20
Kevin Moranz
KTM 450 SX-F
DNF
450 Main
It was a Honda 1-2 from the off with Ken Roczen and Chase Sexton running through turn one side by side but Roczen maintained the advantage to lead from his team-mate.Adam Cianciarulo was third ahead of Justin Barcia, Cooper Webb, Jason Anderson, Shane McElrath, Malcolm Stewart and Marvin Musquin while Justin Brayton rounded out the lap one top ten ahead of Eli Tomac.
Roczen continued to lead Sexton but could not break away from his team-mate. Sexton was right on his tail lap after lap and was looking to pounce on any mistake from the German.
Eventually though it was Sexton that made a mistake and after challenging for the lead numerous times the #23 was then relegated to third place as Adam Cianciarulo went through, before Sexton got his act back together.
Sexton then got a bit too frustrated trying to get back past Cianciarulo which saw him drop the bike again and he was then passed by Barcia, Anderson, Webb, Stewart, Musquin and Ferrandis. A massive fall from grace for Sexton.
That kerfuffle had left Roczen with a huge ten-second lead over his pursuers. The closest of which was now Justin Barcia who was closely followed by Jason Anderson and Cooper Webb.
With seven-minutes and two laps still remaining Roczen led Barcia by 11.5-seconds.Chas Sexton had worked his way back up to seventh after Malcolm Stewart and Marvin Musquin both ended on the deck after tussling for position.
Jason Anderson started to put the pressure on Barcia in the closing stages of the race and Cooper Webb was also looking to capitalise on any mistakes from that pair.Anderson made his move but a few turns later Barcia returned fire in an aggressive way that left Anderson on the deck and the #21 Kawasaki had been shuffled back to seventh by the time he got back up and running.
The comeback story belonged to early front runner Chase Sexton who after making two falls and drifting right back in the pack, then put his head back down and passed Tomac, Musquin and Cianciarulo to promote himself back up to fourth place with three laps remaining.
At the flag Musquin stole that fourth place back at that final juncture which saw Sexton finish fifth but the Honda man was well ahead of Eli Tomac, Malcolm Stewart, Joey Savatgy and Aaron Plessinger while Jason Anderson rounded out the top ten ahead of Cianciarulo, Wilson and Brayton.
As Ken Roczen got the last lap flag he backed things off which allowed Webb to get the gap back down to under ten seconds as the German just cruised home to a dominant flag to flag victory.
Cooper Webb’s second place came with a reasonable buffer over third placed Justin Barcia, who rounded out the podium.
450 Main Video Highlights
450 Main Results
Pos
Rider
Bike
Laps/Interval
1
Ken Roczen
Honda CRF450R
22 Laps
2
Cooper Webb
KTM 450 SX-F FE
+07.296
3
Justin Barcia
GASGAS MC 450F
+10.381
4
Marvin Musquin
KTM 450 SX-F FE
+15.867
5
Chase Sexton
Honda CRF450R
+15.881
6
Eli Tomac
Yamaha YZ450F
+20.320
7
Malcolm Stewart
Husqvarna FC 450
+21.531
8
Joey Savatgy
KTM 450 SX-F
+26.982
9
Aaron Plessinger
KTM 450 SX-F
+29.726
10
Jason Anderson
Kawasaki KX450SR
+34.851
11
Adam Cianciarulo
Kawasaki KX450SR
+35.510
12
Dean Wilson
Husqvarna FC 450
+38.946
13
Justin Brayton
Honda CRF450R
+41.311
14
Max Anstie
KTM 450 SX-F
+49.446
15
Mitchell Oldenburg
Honda CRF450R
+1m03.848
16
Dylan Ferrandis
Yamaha YZ450F
21 Laps
17
Brandon Hartranft
Suzuki RM-Z450
+07.746
18
Shane McElrath
KTM 450 SX-F FE
+25.212
19
Cade Clason
Honda CRF450R
+30.169
20
Fredrik Noren
KTM 450 SX-F
+34.887
21
Justin Starling
GASGAS MC 450F
+1m03.375
22
Ryan Breece
Yamaha YZ450F
19 Laps
450 Post Race Press Conference
450 Championship Standings (Round 1 of 17)
Pos
Rider
Bike
Points
1
Ken Roczen
Honda CRF450R WE
26
2
Cooper Webb
KTM 450 SX-F FE
23
3
Justin Barcia
GASGAS MC 450F
21
4
Marvin Musquin
KTM 450 SX-F FE
19
5
Chase Sexton
Honda CRF450R WE
18
6
Eli Tomac
Yamaha YZ450F
17
7
Malcolm Stewart
Husqvarna FC 450 RE
16
8
Joey Savatgy
KTM 450 SX-F FE
15
9
Aaron Plessinger
KTM 450 SX-F FE
14
10
Jason Anderson
Kawasaki KX450SR
13
11
Adam Cianciarulo
Kawasaki KX450SR
12
12
Dean Wilson
Husqvarna FC 450 RE
11
13
Justin Brayton
Honda CRF450R
10
14
Max Anstie
KTM 450 SX-F
9
15
Mitchell Oldenburg
Honda CRF450R
8
16
Dylan Ferrandis
Yamaha YZ450F
7
17
Brandon Hartranft
Suzuki RM-Z450
6
18
Shane McElrath
KTM 450 SX-F FE
5
19
Cade Clason
Honda CRF450R
4
20
Fredrik Noren
KTM 450 SX-F
3
21
Justin Starling
GASGAS MC 450F
2
22
Ryan Breece
Yamaha YZ450F
1
250 Heat One
Taking the step down from 450 to 250 this season, Vince Friese scored the holeshot in the opening 250 Heat ahead of Colt Nichols and Seth Hammaker.
Colt Nichols squeezed past Friese halfway through the heat, Hammaker then followed him through to push Friese back to third.Friese came back at him though and Mosiman benefitted from their tussle to move up to third place, pushing Hammaker back to fourth.
Colt Nichols then went down hard, handing the lead to Mosiman who led Hammaker and Friese home 1-2-3.Mosiman pulled away in the closing laps to make it a clear six-second victory.
250 Heat One Results
Pos
Rider
Bike
Laps/Interval
1
Michael Mosiman
GASGAS MC 250F
8 Laps
2
Seth Hammaker
Kawasaki KX250
+06.134
3
Vince Friese
Honda CRF250R
+14.559
4
Chris Blose
GASGAS MC 250F
+15.868
5
Derek Kelley
KTM 250 SX-F
+16.980
6
Robbie Wageman
Yamaha YZ250F
+18.663
7
Mitchell Harrison
GASGAS MC 250F
+33.476
8
Cole Thompson
Yamaha YZ250F
+34.074
9
Ryan Surratt
Yamaha YZ250F
+35.144
10
Thomas Do
KTM 250 SX-F
+41.365
11
Chris Howell
Kawasaki KX250
+52.231
12
Wyatt Lyonsmith
Kawasaki KX250
+57.963
13
Tre Fierro
Kawasaki KX250
+1m00.309
14
Gared Steinke
KTM 125 SX
+1m01.401
15
Jack Brunell
GASGAS MC 250F
7 Laps
16
Hunter Schlosser
Yamaha YZ250F
+06.587
17
KTM 250 SX-F
+14.972
18
Logan Leitzel
Kawasaki KX250
+25.284
19
Dilan Schwartz
Suzuki RM-Z250
5 Laps
20
Colt Nichols
Yamaha YZ250F
4 Laps
250 Heat Two
Carson Mumford got off the line well and led the field into turn one on the RM-Z250 but Christian Craig had a better exit and quickly moved through to the lead, immediately starting to pull away from the field.
Marchbanks moved up to second place, while Hunter Lawrence recovered from getting caught up with some other riders on the opening lap to move past Thrasher and then Mumford to move up into third place.
Hunter Lawrence then made a mistake though and dropped the bike, the Australian losing a few positions before getting back up to speed.
Riders had been lapping under yellow flags since an early incident with Jalek Swoll saw him go down hard. Eventually officials brought out the red flag just before the third lap was completed thus riders headed around to the gates for a full re-start.
At the re-start it was Hunter Lawrence that got the jump through the inside line to take the early lead from Dylan Walsh but Jo Shimoda moved up to that second place on lap two. Christian Craig then made short work of both of them to move up to second place and the Yamaha man set about chasing down Hunter Lawrence.
Craig had the pace to wait and take his chance, but when he did he took Lawrence up high and the Honda man dropped the CRF250R. That left Craig to streak away to an easy win while Lawrence was relegated to fourth place by the tussle.Shimoda took second, Marchbanks third.
250 Heat Two Results
Pos
Rider
Bike
Laps/Interval
1
Christian Craig
Yamaha YZ250F
8 Laps
2
Jo Shimoda
Kawasaki KX250
+08.412
3
Garrett Marchbanks
Yamaha YZ250F
+14.315
4
Hunter Lawrence
Honda CRF250R
+25.642
5
Nate Thrasher
Yamaha YZ250F
+28.499
6
Carson Mumford
Suzuki RM-Z250
+31.947
7
Dominique Thury
Yamaha YZ250F
+36.582
8
Logan Karnow
Kawasaki KX250
+46.607
9
Devin Harriman
KTM 250 SX-F
+48.982
10
Kaeden Amerine
KTM 250 SX-F
+51.102
11
Geran Stapleton
GASGAS MC 250F
+58.311
12
Dylan Walsh
Kawasaki KX250
+1m01.625
13
Maxwell Sanford
Honda CRF250R
+1m04.571
14
Richard Taylor
Yamaha YZ250F
+1m06.659
15
Mcclellan Hile
Honda CRF250R
7 Laps
16
Preston Taylor
Kawasaki KX250
+02.412
17
Colby Copp
GASGAS MC 250F
+46.246
18
Carson Brown
KTM 250 SX-F
4 Laps
19
Dylan Woodcock
Husqvarna FC 250
2 Laps
20
Jalek Swoll
Husqvarna FC 250
DNS
250 Main
Vince Friese got another Holeshot to lead Seth Hammaker and Christian Craig in the Main. Michael Mosiman made a mistake on the opening lap and lost a heap of ground. Hunter Lawrence was stuck back in the pack around tenth.
Craig made his way past Hammaker to move up to second place after nearly eating dirt himself through the whoops, pulled off a great save to stay on the bike and was quickly all over the back of Vince Friese.
Friese defended well but Craig eventually made his way through to take the lead.Hammaker then started to attack Friese for that second position and it didn’t take him long to push Friese back to third. A lap later Marchbanks pushed Friese further back to fourth.
Hunter Lawrence had been steadily working his way forward and was up to fifth by half race distance and shortly thereafter moved past Friese to relegate the early race leader to fifth.
Christian Craig continued to set the pace and pulled away from Hammaker who as the race progressed started to come under attack from Marchbanks. Hunter Lawrence beat him to the punch though!
Hunter took third place from Marchbanks but ran out of time before he could get Hammaker and had to settle for third despite a final corner challenge that nearly came off for the Australian.
Jo Shimoda had got stuck on the gates and was way behind the pack at the start but steadily worked his way forward to a seventh place finish to still bag good points despite that disastrous start.
Mosiman also recovered from an early stumble to finish sixth.
Team Honda HRC rider Jett Lawrence sustained a cracked rib on his left side in a crash while training at The Compound in Florida on December 27. The Australian was diagnosed the following day at B3 Medical in Tampa, Florida, and after taking a week off, he still wasn’t 100 percent when he tried riding in California on January 3.
With the Anaheim 1 250SX West Region opener set to take place this Saturday, the team has decided to have Jett and team-mate/brother Hunter Lawrence trade regions.
Hunter Lawrence
“I’m pumped to be able to start racing sooner than expected,” Hunter said. “Honestly, I was already getting impatient to race, so although I’m obviously bummed for my brother, I was kind of excited when the decision was made for me to move to the West Coast races. Hopefully we can both come out on top.”
Last year, Jett finished third in AMA Supercross 250SX East and won the AMA Pro Motocross 250 National Championship, while Hunter was a solid second in 250SX West and third outdoors.
This season, the plan had been for the brothers to trade Supercross regions, but with Hunter going well in testing and currently in full health, he will be in action at Anaheim 1.
Meanwhile, Jett will take a couple of weeks off before resuming training in preparation for the East Region opener February 19 in Minneapolis.
Jett Lawrence
“It’s a bummer, but at the end of the day, it could have been much worse,” Jett said. “If it was necessary, I might even have been able to race at A1, but waiting for the East Coast races is obviously the smarter choice. I’ll focus on healing up and getting ready for Minneapolis, and in the meantime, I know Hunter will do great in the West.”
For the first time, Australia will host a round of the world supercross championship in 2022 after the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) announced Australian company SX Global would take over the running of the series.
SX Global, whose president is former V8 Supercars boss Tony Cochrane, will develop and manage a new international series for the next decade with the schedule to be announced in January 2022.
This is the first time a FIM world championship has been conducted by an Australian-based company.
Critics might say Cochrane sold out V8 Supercars with overseas races, paid-TV rights and street races that took patronage away from traditional tracks.
However, there can be little doubt he put motor racing in the spotlight, attracted millions in government funding for street-based events and by the time he left in 2012 had turned it into a $A300m business.
FIM president Jorge Viegas is obviously a supporter, saying Cochrane’s SX Global has the “expertise and the ability to deliver a first class FIM Supercross World Championship”.
“The new series will offer exciting races thanks to the passion and extended experience of the SX Global team, with a plan that will gradually expand the Championship to new countries and territories across the world,” he says.
SX Global also includes Adam Bailey and Ryan Sanderson who created the former AUS-X Open Supercross series and since 2015 have created and hosted several FIM Oceania Championship events.
They have confirmed there will be a round in Australia when the full calendar is announced in the last week of January 2022.
There’s never been a round of the World Championship in Australia as it has predominantly been held in North America. This will be the first time the championship has gone truly global.
Adam says supercross popularity and growth globally has surged in recent years and the new series would help Aussie racers on the world stage.
“We intend to uncover new Supercross champions from all corners of the globe while celebrating and elevating current riders to be true international stars,” he says.
“We’ll showcase their incredible athletic ability and fearlessness to the world.”
Australia is a good fit for SX with Chad Reed two-time world champ and a host of off-road racer successes, including Toby Price’s two Dakar Rally victories.
Ryan says Supercross appeals to all ages.
“It’s going to be special for fans to see the world’s best riders competing for ultimate glory,” he says.
“While we want the series to be a level above in terms of what’s happening on track, equally fan experience will be front and centre in our decision making to ensure we create memorable moments for both fans and viewers at each event.
“Supercross’ offering is unique as a dynamic sport delivered in a family friendly environment combining live action and entertainment.
“SX Global is going to bring you the best stadiums in the world, highest level of production, pyrotechnics, music, and excitement.”
The financial backing for the company will be announced next month.
The Paris Supercross returned for 2021 and with a simplified track layout to entice some of the leading figures in MXGP as well as a selection of entries from the USA and the AMA Supercross series.
Among the travellers from the United States was Marvin Musquin: the Frenchman was a race winner at Paris-Lille in 2016 and laid his hands on the ‘King’ crown once more in the first edition of the meeting in the modern La Defense Arena in 2017.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old is one of KTM’s longest-serving racers, having joined the factory squad during 2009. In the 2021 edition of Europe’s most popular annual SX event, Musquin set his speed from the outset and aced the Superpole.
He controlled the first two sprints and faced some opposition from Justin Brayton in the third but took his KTM 450 SX-F to a 1-1-1 streak to earn the plaudits ahead of Cedric Soubeyras wjhile Brayton rounded out the podium.
Marvin Musquin – King of Paris 2021
“King of Paris 2021; that was obviously the goal and I came here well prepared as we are getting closer to the new supercross season in January. This event is always a good training for me although it was different this year as the track had no whoops. It was fun anyway and the soil was choppy: it was still challenging. I wanted to get holeshots, be at the front and keep pushing to the end. I’m happy. It was a one-day format this time but I enjoyed it and went 1-2 with my buddy Cedric Soubeyras: two Frenchies! That was pretty amazing.”
Aussie legend Chad Reed acquitted himself extraordinarily well for a 39-year-old semi retired racer. Chad rode a KTM to fifth overall on the back of 6-5-7 results.
Tony Cairoli, fresh after pulling the curtain on his full-time eighteen-year Grand Prix career and a rapturous reception at the EICMA show in Milan, decided to attempt Paris after initially entering the race back in 2011. The Sicilian improved through the afternoon. A small crash at the start of the first Sprint meant he was 17th but he clocked 6th and then a decent 3rd in the final race to rank 7th overall; two places behind Chad Reed who also rode a KTM 450 SX-F.
Tony Cairoli
“It was a nice event. I wasn’t really that well prepared for supercross with MXGP finishing so late and didn’t have the best rhythm in the first sessions but found more flow in Main Events and reached the top three by the end. It was nice to way the season and with this experience.”
It was a night that Romain Febvre would like to forget. The MXGP runner-up had a big crash which resulted in a broken tib and fib for the 29-year-old Frenchman.
In the 250 ranks American Kyle Peters scooped the pool ahead of new MX2 World Champion Maxime Renaux and Calvin Fonvieille.
Ivano Van Erp of Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC secured his third overall victory of the season at the round of Trentino after intense battles with the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing championship leader Valerio Lata of MRT Racing Team KTM and ASA United GasGas Racing’s Bobby Bruce.
In race one, it was Bruce who grabbed the holeshot from Lata, Scott Smulders of No Fear / Jumbo BT Racing Team, Andrea Viano and Van Erp. Bruce then pulled a 1.789 second lead over Lata as Van Erp got passed by Janis-Martins Reisulis.
Viano then started to push Smulders who was looking to respond but then the Dutchman crashed. He eventually came back to 11th.
On lap four, Van Erp got by Viano for third as he also set the fastest lap of the race. The Yamaha rider was then around five seconds behind Bruce and Lata. But as the race progressed Van Erp caught onto the back of the pair and then we witnessed a three-way battle for the win.
Lata cut Bruce’s gap considerably as he started to apply pressure onto the Brit and Van Erp made the most of this opportunity as he made an attempt to pass them both.
On lap 12 Lata was the new leader and it didn’t take long for Van Erp to get around Bruce also, as the GasGas rider dropped to third. Van Erp then focused on Lata and the pair fought closely until the end of the race.
Van Erp took the lead on several occasions, but Lata was able to respond and steal the victory from Van Erp, while Bruce finished third ahead of Bence Pregel and Kay Karssemakers of Husqvarna SKS Racing NL.
In race two, it was once again Bruce who got the holeshot, but a mistake from the Brit allowed Lata to quickly take the lead ahead of Van Erp. But by the end of the first lap we saw Van Erp get around Lata as he led the Italian, Bruce and Lucas Coenen of 9MM Energy Drink Bud Racing Kawasaki.
Van Erp then led by 2.291 seconds as Coenen got around Bruce for third. The Belgian then also set the fastest lap of the race. Further down the field a few of the other riders were also making passes as Marc-Antoine Rossi of Tech 32 got by Alexis Fueri of Fantic Factory Team Maddii and Ferruccio Zanchi of Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC got around Pregel for 12th.
Van Erp continued to lead, with Lata keeping close and Coenen third, but then with just a few laps to go Lata managed to get onto the rear wheel of the Yamaha rider and it was game on for the race win again.
The gap went down to just 0.817 but Van Erp was able to hold on to it and win the race just 0.610 seconds ahead of Lata as Coenen crossed the line third, while Bruce was fourth ahead of Rossi in fifth.
With a second and a race win, Van Erp finished the day on the top step of the podium while Lata finished second and Bruce was third.
Lata continues to lead the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing championship standings 20 points over Bruce, while Karssemakers is a further 20 points behind. The European 125cc Championship will continue on Tuesday for the round of Pietramurata.
Ivano Van Erp – P1
“I felt good all day long in free and time practice. In the first race my start was not so great, and I had to come from seventh place, just got my concertation and got to third I think. Then I saw on my pit board eight seconds to Bobby and Valerio. I managed to cut the gap and have a nice battle in the end of the race with Valerio and then in the second race I had a better start and then on the second lap I passed Valerio, had good focus for the rest of the race to take the win so I am very happy.”
Valerio Lata – P2
“Today it was quite difficult in the races but I had a good first race and took the victory and then in the second race I got a good start but Ivano was very fast, so I finished second. Now I’m ready for the next race here in Pietramurata.”
Bobby Bruce – P3
“We got two good starts today which was really good. I led a good amount of the race in the first one and just tensed up a bit. We didn’t really have so much time in between the races to get a good bike set-up, but I feel we’re making good progress. In the second race I felt good but the guys in front just had better pace today. I am excited for Tuesday to do it all again.”
EMX125 Trentino 2021 Results
Pos
Rider
Nat.
Bike
R1
R2
Total
1
Van Erp, Ivano
NED
YAM
22
25
47
2
Lata, Valerio
ITA
KTM
25
22
47
3
Bruce, Bobby
GBR
GAS
20
18
38
4
Coenen, Lucas
BEL
KAW
9
20
29
5
Karssemakers, Kay
NED
HUS
16
12
28
6
Fueri, Alexis
FRA
FAN
13
14
27
7
Pergel, Bence
HUN
KTM
18
8
26
8
Smulders, Scott
NED
HUS
10
15
25
9
Puig, Victor
ESP
YAM
12
13
25
10
Reisulis, Karlis Alberts
LAT
YAM
14
11
25
11
Rossi, Marc-Antoine
FRA
KTM
8
16
24
12
Viano, Andrea
ITA
HUS
15
4
19
13
Kees, Valentin
GER
KTM
5
7
12
14
Escandell, Elias
ESP
GAS
7
5
12
15
Reisulis, Janis Martins
LAT
KTM
1
10
11
16
Gallego, Antonio
ESP
GAS
11
0
11
17
Zanchi, Ferruccio
ITA
YAM
0
9
9
18
Cazal, Xavier
FRA
KTM
3
6
9
19
Garcia, Francisco
ESP
HUS
6
1
7
20
Mikula, Julius
CZE
KTM
4
0
4
21
Haution, Diego
FRA
HUS
0
3
3
22
Lusis, Roberts
LAT
KTM
0
2
2
23
Turaglio, Nicolò
ITA
KTM
2
0
2
EMX125 Standings
Pos
Rider
Nat.
Bike
Total
1
Lata, Valerio
ITA
KTM
221
2
Bruce, Bobby
GBR
GAS
201
3
Karssemakers, K.
NED
HUS
186
4
Van Erp, Ivano
NED
YAM
164
5
Coenen, Lucas
BEL
KAW
148
6
Smulders, S.
NED
HUS
140
7
Rossi, M.
FRA
KTM
130
8
Zanchi, F.
ITA
YAM
110
9
Coenen, Sacha
BEL
KAW
110
10
Osterhagen, H.
NOR
FAN
95
11
Sanchez, Raul
ESP
GAS
95
12
Reisulis, K.
LAT
YAM
94
13
Cazal, Xavier
FRA
KTM
91
14
Viano, Andrea
ITA
HUS
81
15
Fueri, Alexis
FRA
FAN
80
16
Puig, Victor
ESP
YAM
78
17
Escandell, E.
ESP
GAS
77
18
Rossi, Andrea
ITA
KTM
51
19
Mikula, Julius
CZE
KTM
46
20
Monne Viles, A.
ESP
KTM
37
21
Pergel, Bence
HUN
KTM
35
22
Ruffini, Luca
ITA
KTM
34
23
Canet, Edgar
ESP
GAS
32
24
Gutierrez, P.
ESP
GAS
29
25
Petit, Adrien
FRA
YAM
26
26
Valk, Cas
NED
HUS
24
27
Duhamel, N.
FRA
KTM
24
28
Nickel, Cato
GER
KTM
23
29
Haution, Diego
FRA
HUS
21
30
Kees, Valentin
GER
KTM
21
31
Bennati, M.
ITA
HUS
20
32
Salvini, N.
ITA
HUS
16
33
Werner, M.
GER
KTM
16
34
Garcia, F.
ESP
HUS
12
35
Gallego, A.
ESP
GAS
11
36
Reisulis, J.
LAT
KTM
11
37
Turaglio, N.
ITA
KTM
10
38
Karu, Romeo
EST
HUS
7
39
Johnston, B.
GBR
GAS
7
40
Aguilo Azorin, U.
ESP
KTM
6
41
Hindersson, K.
FIN
KTM
6
42
Mesters, B.
NED
KAW
5
43
Alonso, Marco
ESP
HUS
4
44
Vantaggiato, M.
ITA
HUS
4
45
Costa, Fabio
PER
GAS
3
46
Lusis, Roberts
LAT
KTM
2
47
Volpicelli, E.
ITA
GAS
2
48
Lobo, Sandro
POR
YAM
2
49
Israel, N.
CHL
KTM
1
50
Beernaert, B.
BEL
GAS
1
51
Stenberg, Nico
FIN
KTM
1
52
Giorgessi, T.
FRA
GAS
1
Courtney Duncan crowned WMX 2021 Champion
Courtney Duncan has won her third consecutive FIM Motocross World Championship in Trentino, clinching the title in the first race of the day, and ending the season 31-points clear of runner up Nancy Van De Ven.
Despite hitting the dirt last weekend, fracturing her finger and left with a nasty cut, nothing could stop Duncan in her final charge to victory, riding calculatingly for a championship winning third in the opening race. As carnage unfolded around her and her main competitor Italian Kiara Fontanesi went down after a collision with another rider, the Kiwi superstar rode through the finish flags with enough points to claim her third WMX winner’s gold plate.
Courtney Duncan
“It comes down to how much it means to you, and how much is on the line and how much you want to win it. I was definitely feeling a little anxious but as soon as I got to the line, the helmet went on and I felt pretty controlled out there. I was able to finish third which was good enough to win the championship in the first one, which was pretty crazy. I wasn’t expecting that. This year’s been really tough. We’ve had ups and downs. Along the way it hasn’t been a smooth run. I’ve made the best out of every situation and got as much points as possible.I got to share the victory with my team and Kawasaki and a couple of friends I have over here. It’s been awesome how there’s not so much Covid over here, so we had the whole team and fans watching this weekend. I wish I could say I was going home to New Zealand soon now that the season’s over but it’s difficult to travel at the moment so I might be a Brit for a few more months.”
2021 WMX Final Standings – Top 10
Pos
Rider
Nat.
Bike
Total
1
Duncan, C.
NZL
KAW
268
2
Van De Ven, N.
NED
YAM
237
3
Fontanesi, K.
ITA
GAS
227
4
Papenmeier, L.
GER
YAM
214
5
van der Vlist, S.
NED
KTM
197
6
Verstappen, A.
BEL
KAW
184
7
Valk, Lynn
NED
HUS
174
8
Andersen, Sara
DEN
KTM
159
9
Guillen, D.
ESP
KTM
154
10
O’Hare, T.
AUS
HON
112
2021 MXGP of Trentino – Round 14 Report
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing dominated the MXGP of Trentino, Jeffrey Herlings topping the MXGP, while Tom Vialle won the MX2, with both riders going 1-1 for the win.
Once again, both classes delivered on some intense battles and very close racing, especially in MXGP as the top four battled within just a few seconds of one another in both heats. This was a treat for the huge crowd of fans that lined the hard-pack circuit and who were keen to cheer on their favourites.
Riders will do it all again on Wednesday as the FIM Motocross World championship will continue with the MXGP of Pietramurata for round 15 of the series.
MXGP Race 1
In MXGP race one, it was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer who grabbed the Fox Holeshot from his teammate Ben Watson, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings. Meanwhile Tim Gajser from Team HRC started around sixth position.
Watson then crashed which allowed Herlings through as Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre followed the Dutchman. Gajser then got around Prado as well for fourth and was the fastest rider out on track in one of the first few laps.
Febvre then looked for a way to launch an attack onto Herlings as the pair pushed on and urged on the leader, Seewer, who set his best lap of the race. Herlings kept it close to Seewer as Febvre and Gajser were also searching for an opportunity to pass.
The racing within the top four was extremely close, as the gap was just 2.573 between Herlings in first place and Gajser who was down in fourth.
Further down the field Prado, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff were having a good fight for fifth.
Herlings then close in on Seewer, who had Febvre closing in on him, who had Gajser chasing him down too… In the end Herlings made a nice move on the Swiss on lap 11 to take over the lead.
Prado then crashed but only lost three positions, finishing the race in 8th ahead of Mathys Boisrame who made his debut with Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team in the MXGP class.
In the end Herlings won ahead of Seewer and Febvre, with Gajser fourth after struggling to pass the Frenchman ahead of him. Coldenhoff had a good first heat to end in fifth place ahead of Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass.
MXGP Race 2
In the second heat, the Fox Holeshot went to JM Honda Racing’s Henry Jacobi as a couple of riders got tangled up in the first corner, this included Olsen and Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing’s Brian Bogers.
Herlings and Gajser started the race 12th and 13th, while Jacobi led Febvre, Coldenhoff and Honda SR Motoblouz rider Benoit Paturel. The German’s time in the lead did not last long as Febvre was in the driving seat by the end of the first lap. Coldenhoff went through as well.
Gajser then managed to make up some good positions as he got by Watson for fifth as Herlings followed through. The Slovenian then got around Paturel and set his sights on Jacobi who made it a little bit harder to pass, but by lap four he was ahead of the JM Honda rider. Herlings did the same not too long after.
Seewer had to fight through the field in the second race as he got around his teammate Watson for seventh. The Swiss made a couple of more passes and finished the race fifth, but it was not enough for a podium.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli had more bad luck in race two, as he also DNF’d the second race after struggling from his crash in race one.
Prado also struggled with Bogers and Jonass ahead of him. The two GasGas riders managed to come back to 12th and 13th, while Prado finished in 17th.
Febvre then started to come under pressure from Coldenhoff who brought the gap down to 1.920. Gajser also caught onto the pair and was looking for the perfect moment to pass. As the battle for the lead went on, it looked like Febvre struggled with arm pump as he started to make mistakes.
Herlings then joined the three-way battle for first as he took third from Gajser. Coldenhoff also made a pass as he moved into the lead on lap 12. The Dutchman led for five laps before being caught by his fellow countryman Herlings.
Gajser and Febvre then fought for third as the factory Honda rider was eventually able to secure the position after the pair made contact in one of the corners.
In the end Herlings was the race winner as Coldenhoff was able to fend off Gajser in third, while Febvre and Seewer rounded out the top five.
With two race wins, Herlings added a fifth GP victory in Trentino to become the most successful rider at this venue, with Coldenhoff and Gajser tied on points in second and third places. In fact, Coldenhoff, Gajser, Febvre and Seewer all finished with 38 points, while Herlings was on 50.
Herlings now leads the MXGP standings 24 points over Febvre, while Gajser is just three points behind.
Jeffrey Herlings – P1
“It wasn’t an easy one. In the first race Jeremy was leading, riding smooth and at a good pace so it was tough to pass him. But at one point I knew I had to go because the boys behind me started pushing, so I had to pass him. The second race, I was caught up a bit in the start. Tim and I were somewhere around 10th or 12th and we both fought our way back to the front. He was one place ahead of me. At one point we caught up to the leader and I managed to pass him. Then I had to defend and pass Romain. It was a tough run, but I am happy to have won. I feel like I am in a very good shape right now, but I should never underestimate the competition from Tim, Romain or Glen today. It can be anyone’s race. So, I will keep charging till the end. We are only 17 days away and a lot of things may happen during the last four races.”
Glenn Coldenhoff – P2
“I have been struggling all year long except in Maggiora, so it’s good to be back on the podium. It’s been a very long and hard road. It’s good to be back here and I also feel like I belong here. I had a good feeling straight away this morning. I finished fifth in the first race. The second one was quite intense to say the least. In the beginning I was behind Febvre. I got so much pressure from behind, so I really had to do something. I managed to pass Romain and lead a few laps. I can tell you it was a great feeling. Definitely looking forward to having more battles like that. Jeffrey as we know is really strong lately. He passed me and I don’t think it’s a shame. It’s good that we have two more rounds here. I started this stretch on a positive note and I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Tim Gajser – P3
“I did not have the best start in both races, so I had to fight my way back. Then I came to the top four and we were all riding at a similar pace so it wasn’t easy to make a pass. Overall, the speed was there. I think we have to work on the starts, to get better starts and to be in front and to battle for the win. Really looking forward to Wednesday. The gap in the championship is already quite big. But we know that anything can happen until the end. So definitely we will push hard until the end and try to win some races and GPs if I can and finish the season strong.”
Romain Febvre – P4
“Of course I am disappointed to miss the podium as we are four riders with the same number of points for second! The first race was pretty good; my start was not that good but I made some passes during the first lap and my rhythm was good but it was difficult to pass during the rest of the race. Second race I got a great start and took the lead on the first lap; I had good lap times until mid-race, then I started to make little mistakes and I didn’t really know which better lines I could take; Glenn, Jeffrey and Tim passed me and of course I’m disappointed, but that’s how it is and we’ll try to do better on Wednesday.“
Jeremy Seewer – P5
“Today was one of my best days so far this season. The bike seems to work well on this track, which is really positive. I feel good, I feel sharp and I am enjoying riding my bike. I am having a lot of fun; I am quick. I managed to get pole position, which is usually not my strong point. It was cool to get the holeshot and lead in the first moto for a while, and I was close to winning. Going into the second race I felt good, but was I got squeezed off the start and was very lucky not to go down. I clipped Jorge (Prado)’s back wheel and had to go straight. To recover to P.5 was great because I started last. It’s a shame I am not on the podium. We are with four riders on the same points, so let’s look at the positives, good points, and I’m looking forward to going racing here again in a couple of days.”
Mathys Boisrame – P6
“It was a good day for my first experience in the MXGP class! I posted the tenth fastest time in the morning but the first start was not easy and in the fourth corner I crashed with Cairoli! I was twenty-fifth and came back through to ninth which was not bad. The second start was similar but once more I came back to ninth. I am tired but satisfied with my riding and over the moon with a sixth overall at my first MXGP race.”
Pauls Jonass – P7
“After making some good progress in recent weeks I was a little disappointed with my riding today. Having said that, race one was ok and I moved into sixth with two laps to go so that was a good result despite not feeling my best. Then in race two I had a pretty big crash all on my own on the first lap so I was way down the field. It’s not an easy track to make passes on but I managed to salvage 12th so that wasn’t too bad. I need to work on a few things before Wednesday and my aim is to be back up front again.”
Ben Watson – P10
“I had good starts today and that is a positive point. It always helps. Around here, it’s really difficult to pass. I am still not feeling 100%. My ankle is not perfect, and in general, I’ve not had a lot of time on the bike since I’ve injured it, so I am a bit behind. I felt pretty good out on the track, I just had a couple of crashes in the first race, but in the second one, I was consistent with consistent laps. Overall, not a bad day.”
Jorge Prado – P13
“I gave everything I had. 100%. Even with a broken bone I was fighting for top five in the first moto. It was a pity about the crash with five minutes to go but I still managed to finish. I suffered a lot. I missed the start completely in the second moto and wasn’t happy about 17th but I cannot really fight in my situation at the moment. Hopefully it will be less painful on Wednesday. Starts count for so much here and I also want to make less mistakes like I did in the second moto.”
2021 MXGP of Trentino Results
Pos
Rider
Nat.
Bike
R1
R2
Total
1
Herlings, Jeffrey
NED
KTM
25
25
50
2
Coldenhoff, Glenn
NED
YAM
16
22
38
3
Gajser, Tim
SLO
HON
18
20
38
4
Febvre, Romain
FRA
KAW
20
18
38
5
Seewer, Jeremy
SUI
YAM
22
16
38
6
Boisrame, Mathys
FRA
KAW
12
12
24
7
Jonass, Pauls
LAT
GAS
15
9
24
8
Koch, Tom
GER
KTM
10
13
23
9
Paturel, Benoit
FRA
HON
7
15
22
10
Watson, Ben
GBR
YAM
6
14
20
11
Olsen, Thomas Kjer
DEN
HUS
14
5
19
12
Lupino, Alessandro
ITA
KTM
11
6
17
13
Prado, Jorge
ESP
KTM
13
4
17
14
Guillod, Valentin
SUI
YAM
0
11
11
15
Jacobi, Henry
GER
HON
0
10
10
16
Bogers, Brian
NED
GAS
1
8
9
17
Simpson, Shaun
GBR
KTM
2
7
9
18
Van Horebeek, Jeremy
BEL
BET
9
0
9
19
Wright, Dylan
CAN
HON
8
0
8
20
Tonus, Arnaud
SUI
YAM
4
3
7
21
Butron, Jose
ESP
KTM
3
2
5
22
Strijbos, Kevin
BEL
YAM
5
0
5
23
Locurcio, Lorenzo
VEN
KTM
0
1
1
2021 MXGP Standings – Round 14
Pos
Rider
Nat.
Bike
Total
1
Herlings, J.
NED
KTM
555
2
Febvre, Romain
FRA
KAW
531
3
Gajser, Tim
SLO
HON
528
4
Prado, Jorge
ESP
KTM
457
5
Cairoli, A.
ITA
KTM
419
6
Seewer, Jeremy
SUI
YAM
411
7
Jonass, Pauls
LAT
GAS
376
8
Coldenhoff, G.
NED
YAM
340
9
Lupino, A.
ITA
KTM
250
10
Olsen, T.
DEN
HUS
239
11
Bogers, Brian
NED
GAS
218
12
Watson, Ben
GBR
YAM
217
13
Vlaanderen, C.
NED
YAM
203
14
Van Horebeek, J.
BEL
BET
165
15
Jacobi, Henry
GER
HON
145
16
Van doninck, B.
BEL
YAM
120
17
Tonus, Arnaud
SUI
YAM
119
18
Forato, A.
ITA
GAS
108
19
Strijbos, K.
BEL
YAM
103
20
Simpson, Shaun
GBR
KTM
100
21
Jasikonis, A.
LTU
HUS
87
22
Paturel, B.
FRA
HON
86
23
Monticelli, I.
ITA
KAW
54
24
Koch, Tom
GER
KTM
53
25
Östlund, Alvin
SWE
YAM
50
26
Sterry, Adam
GBR
KTM
39
27
Locurcio, L.
VEN
KTM
36
28
Tixier, Jordi
FRA
KTM
33
29
Brylyakov, V.
MFR
HON
30
30
Boisrame, M.
FRA
KAW
24
31
Guillod, V.
SUI
YAM
24
32
Genot, Cyril
BEL
KTM
15
33
Gilbert, Josh
GBR
HUS
10
34
Butron, Jose
ESP
KTM
9
35
Wright, Dylan
CAN
HON
8
36
Bobryshev, E.
MFR
HUS
6
37
van Berkel, L.
NED
HON
5
38
Clochet, Jimmy
FRA
BET
4
39
Watson, Nathan
GBR
HON
4
40
Desprey, M.
FRA
YAM
3
41
Roosiorg, H.
EST
KTM
1
42
Gole, Anton
SWE
HUS
1
43
Lesiardo, M.
ITA
HON
1
44
Kellett, Todd
GBR
YAM
1
MX2 Race 1
In MX2 race one, it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle with the Fox Holeshot as he led Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Thibault Benistant into the first corner.
Benistant then slipped to third as Isak Gifting of Diga Procross GasGas Factory Racing got around the Frenchman. Meanwhile further down the field, the championship leader Maxime Renaux from Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing struggled out of the gate as he started the race down in 18th position.
Vialle continued to lead Gifting, Benistant and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts as Renaux climbed his way into 13th in the first few laps. The red plate holder then caught onto Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Rene Hofer and after passing him, shifted his focus on getting around Andrea Adamo of SM Action Racing Team YUSA Battery.
As Renaux struggled to pass Adamo, Beaton also joined the battle for eighth as he raced behind Hofer. It took Renaux four laps to pass the Italian, but he was eventually able to get it done on lap six.
Geerts then got by Benistant as he moved into third, while Tom Guyon of Team VHR KTM was having a great ride in 12th. He eventually finished the race in 13th position on what was a wildcard appearance in the MX2 category.
Benistant then crashed and struggled for the remainder of the race as it turns out he had an electrical problem with his bike. Meanwhile his teammate Geerts was applying pressure onto Gifting for second as Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf and Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez fought for fourth place. Fernandez ended up winning that fight.
Vialle then stretched his lead to 12.051 seconds as Gifting worked hard to keep Geerts behind him but as the race progressed, he succumbed to the pressure and let the Yamaha rider through on the last lap.
Vialle went on to win the race ahead of Geerts and Gifting, while Renaux managed to come back to sixth as local hero Mattia Guadagnini of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing struggled the entire race and could only manage 18th.
MX2 Race 2
In race two, it was again Vialle with the Fox Holeshot as Renaux went down in the first corner. The KTM rider led his teammate Hofer, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jed Beaton, Geerts and Mike Gwerder of WZ Racing Team.
Fernandez then got by Gwerder, as Gifting started down in 11th position. He only managed to get back to ninth by the end of the race.
Renaux had a big battle on his hands as he started in last but was able to make some nice passes in the first few laps.
At the front of the field though, Hofer crashed out of second which allowed Geerts to move into second. Beaton was right there too as he clocked the best lap of the race as he was closing in on the two leaders.
Guadagnini has a much better second race as he got by Guyon for seventh, while Renaux passed Honda Racing Assomotor Team’s Stephen Rubini. Gifting and Gwerder were next in his sights.
Benistant then crashed out of ninth position as he looked a little hurt while getting up. He continued the race to finish in 17th.
Geerts then started to close down the gap to Vialle and began to apply the pressure onto the leader. With two laps to go Geerts was within striking distance but could not find an opportunity for a pass and was forced to settle for second as Vialle went on to win the race. Beaton was third ahead of Fernandez and Hofer.
With two race victories, Vialle went on to win the MXGP of Trentino as Geerts got himself back on the box for second overall, while Fernandez celebrated his first GP podium in 12 races to finish third overall.
Renaux was eighth overall this weekend but continues to lead the championship by 92 points over Geerts and Vialle who moves to third in the standings and is just four points behind the Belgian.
Tom Vialle – P1
“It was a tough one. In the second race, Jago started third I think, and I had actually Rene behind me. I know he crashed because I saw him crash. Then Jago was second after 4 or 5 laps and I knew it was going to be a tough one. I tried to stay focused. I think I did a good race overall, not so many mistakes. It was a great weekend and started off really good right from the morning. I felt good on the track and also had two great starts, so everything was fine today. We all know it’s a nice area here. The track is also pretty cool. We still have two more races here, so I will try to have good starts, fight for the top position in the championship and try to close the gap as much as possible. That’s what I did today, and I will try to continue this way.”
Jago Geerts – P2
“I am really happy with the day. I felt really good in time practice. I had two solid races with two second places. The riding was really good, but we still need to improve the start a little bit. I think I started off fourth both times, but a really good start is needed on the track to seal the win. I just had a difficult period. Everything went well again since the second race in Spain, where I finished second. That gave me a real confidence boost. Then now two more second places so I am really happy with that.”
Ruben Fernandez – P3
“I did not feel really good at the beginning in practice. The track was slippery, and I did not find a good rhythm. But I had better start in both races where I was in the top 10. The first race was a bit worse. I then made my way into fourth during both heats. I am happy with the riding; it’s been calm and solid I would say. 4-4 for third overall, I’ll take it. I am happy to be back on the podium after the second round of the season. I had an injury in between, with no riding for three weeks. I came back in France and from there I have been improving and getting back on my feet, which I am really happy with.”
Jed Beaton – P4
“Overall, it’s been a good day and it ended with a strong result, but it definitely should have been better. If it wasn’t for a small crash in race one, I’m pretty sure I would have gotten on the overall podium, but I made a small mistake and it cost me big time. In race two I got another great start and I was putting together a strong race for the first half. I then made a few mistakes and lost the tow from the leaders, so I settled down, rode better lines, and secured third for fourth overall. I’m looking forward to Wednesday and my aim is to put together two solid races and get back on the box.”
Isak Gifting – P5
“It’s been a really positive day for me after not qualifying so well this morning. I had a great start in race one and it was awesome to be riding in clean air and up front with the top guys. I was in second for the whole moto and a little mistake on the last lap dropped me to third, but overall I was super-happy with that one. I didn’t get the best of starts in race two but I made it happen, making a lot of passes and ended up ninth for fifth overall. I’ll take a couple of days to rest now and I’m excited to be racing here again in a few days’ time.”
Kay de Wolf – P6
“After my big crash and breaking my nose last weekend I’m really happy with my results today. I really didn’t expect to bounce back like this and I made the best of it to finish sixth overall. I had great starts in both races and stayed out of trouble all day. My riding was solid today and I enjoyed myself out there, so I’m excited for Wednesday.”
Rene Hofer – P7
“The day began really well with 3rd place in qualifying but I had a top twelve start in the first moto and around this track you lose quite some time when you’re not at the front. I rode a solid race in P8. I was 2nd after Tom in the second race and could follow his pace for four laps and unfortunately, I made a small crash. I fell back to P5 and finished there. Riding-wise the day was pretty good and I had the speed for the podium. I’m looking forward to another two races here. I like the track, it’s not perfect but I like being here and will search for the podium again.”
Maxime Renaux – P8
“It was a tough day for me as you said. Actually, I felt really great in the morning. I had a really good lap time and finished second. Everything was on point and under control but then I really struggled in those two races. First start I was out of the top 20. I think I was 24th and fought as hard as I could. In the second race, I crashed in the first turn. I tried a different technique on the start, cutting a little bit more inside but I just lost the front in the first corner and touched the guys from the outside. Anyways, I just tried to fight my way back to the top and get as many points as I could because that’s all I could do. I finished eighth that race. Eighth overall as well, with 6-8. For sure, it was not the result we were waiting for, but I couldn’t make anything better today with my conditions and the way I started my races. It’s a strange feeling, but we’ll try to move on to better things and come back stronger on Wednesday with two good starts hopefully.”
Mattia Guadagnini – P12
“Probably the worst race of the year! It started with a big crash in Timed Practice and then I wasn’t feeling so great. I had a terrible start in the first moto and was trying to make some passes when I went down again. I lost the rhythm and just tried to get some points. Of course, 18th is not what I want. The second moto start was better and the whole race generally, even if I lost a few too many positions on the second corner for my liking. 7th was just OK and we’ll get better for the next GP.”
2021 Australian Speedway Champs officially cancelled
Motorcycling Australia, in conjunction with the MA Track Commission and key stakeholders, have now advised the 2021 Australian Speedway Senior Solo, Australian U21’s and Australian U16’s 250cc Championships have been cancelled, along with postponing the 2022 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Championship.
With so much uncertainty around the State border restrictions, as well as lockdowns and the lack of availability of international flights and with a significant number of riders currently overseas a decision as early as possible as important.
Motorcycling Australia (MA) and the Australian Track Commission have been in consultation with riders and clubs and are now concentrating on delivering a successful condensed 2022 Championship calendar pending Government restrictions around Covid-19.
April 1–3 – Australian U16’s 125cc Individual & Teams Speedway Championships – Sidewinders SA
November 26 – Australian U16’s 250cc Speedway Championship – Gillman Speedway SA
November 26 – Australian U21’s Speedway Championship– Gillman Speedway SA
December 2-3 – Australian Senior Solo Speedway Championship – TBA
Eli Tomac joins Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing for 2022
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing will welcome Eli Tomac to the team for the 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season, joining the newly crowned 2021 Pro Motocross Champion Dylan Ferrandis, while Christian Craig will join the duo for the outdoor season stepping up to the Yamaha YZ450F.
Tomac brings with him a wealth of experience and is a proven championship contender. In addition to his three consecutive Pro Motocross 450MX titles from 2017-2019, he added the coveted 450SX Championship to his resume in 2020. The Coloradan has amassed an impressive number of victories and is the winningest rider currently active in both premier class championships.
Eli Tomac – Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing
“I’m really excited about this next chapter of my racing career with the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team. With the recent success of the team, motorcycle, and crew members in place, I know we will be ready for the challenge of winning races. January can’t come soon enough!”
The Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 450 Team is fresh off of a great debut in the premier class. After a solid start in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship with all three riders earning their first 450SX podium and finishing comfortably inside the top-10 in the standings, the team had a stellar Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season.
In addition to Ferrandis securing the title a weekend early, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. earned Manufacturer of the Year honors, and the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing Team was named Team of the Year. The series also awarded Jeremy Coker Team Manager of the Year and the 450 Mechanic of the Year went to Ferrandis’ mechanic, Alex Campbell.
Jeremy Coker – Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 450 Team Manager
“We’re really happy to have Eli on board next season. He is a proven championship contender and an incredible athlete. Together with Dylan and then Christian joining us for the outdoor season, we have a great line-up and look to be fighting up front for the number-one plate in both championships. This year was a great first year in the premier class for the team and an absolutely incredible Pro Motocross season. We look to build on that and are really excited for the 2022 season.”
Husqvarna and Jason Anderson part ways after seven years
Husqvarna Motorcycles thanked Jason Anderson for his hard work, commitment, and racing achievements during the last seven years, as following a highly successful relationship with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, the American’s time with the team has now drawn to a close.
Since joining Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing in 2015 to compete on FC 450 machinery in the 450 class, Jason Anderson has entered each AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross season as a genuine title contender.
The highlight of Anderson’s time with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna came in 2018 when he was crowned 450SX champion. The victory marked the first 450 supercross title for Husqvarna Motorcycles with Jason’s performances and championship result also making a notable contribution to the brand’s international standing, as well as adding to their now 106 World Championship wins. During his time with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Jason won seven 450SX Main Events and claimed 27 podium finishes.
Further success was achieved outdoors in the 450 Pro Motocross series, with Anderson claiming 16 overall podium results and a career-best championship finish of fourth in 2019. Outside of racing in America, Anderson won multiple Australian Supercross Championship races and represented Team USA at the FIM Motocross of Nations on two occasions.
Stephen Westfall – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager
“It’s been an honour to have worked with such a talented and committed racer like Jason. His dedication and talent, together with his willingness to always put the work in, ensured he was always the best rider he could be. It’s unfortunate that his time with the team coincides with him being injured as he was showing some great speed early on in the Pro Motocross season. On behalf of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, I wish Jason well and look forward to seeing him at the races in the future.”
Monster Energy Kawasaki welcome Anderson to the team
Jason Anderson will join Adam Cianciarulo with the Monster Energy Kawasaki race team for 2022, alongside testing and development rider Broc Tickle.
Anderson closed out his amateur racing career with Kawasaki Team Green, winning the AMA Horizon Award aboard a KX250 before moving on to become a 250 Supercross West Champion, now reunited with Kawasaki, Anderson is prepared to repeat his former success and fight for premier class supremacy in both the AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross Championships.
Jason Anderson – Monster Energy Kawasaki Race Team
“It’s great to join the Monster Energy Kawasaki race team for 2022. I’m ready to start working with the team to have a successful run right out of the gate when we go racing in January. The bike is proven, and the many accolades of the team speak volumes to what we can achieve together. I’m looking forward to the good times ahead.”
Meanwhile, Cianciarulo hopes to see his record-setting amateur years with the Kawasaki Team Green race team and success underneath the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team awning reach a culmination in 2022 with his goal of championship contention in the upcoming year of premier class racing.
Building from his AMA Pro Motocross Rookie of the Year honors that came along with second place in the 2020 450MX Pro Motocross standings, Cianciarulo led 51 laps during the 2021 season and secured three overall podiums. Cianciarulo now looks to capitalize on a full off-season of development with the team to claim the top step of the podium in 2022.
Adam Cianciarulo – Monster Energy Kawasaki Race Team
“I’m ready for the 2022 season. I’ve had a lot of great experiences in my first two seasons with the team. We have made major strides together and are positioned to perform at our very best in this upcoming year of racing. I look forward to continuing to improve and reaching our goals together.”
2022 Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team roster breaks cover
With the 2022 racing season marking nearly three decades of success, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki race team has revealed five-rider lineup for the upcoming season. The team will field the established Austin Forkner, Cameron McAdoo, Jo Shimoda and 2021 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Rookie of the Year, Seth Hammaker. Kawasaki also welcomes long-time Team Green amateur rising star Jett Reynolds to the fold as he graduates into the pro ranks.
As one of the most successful teams in the paddock, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki boasts an resume that includes the most combined supercross and motocross wins in the 250 class and 29 total championships.
Mitch Payton – Pro Circuit Owner
“We have a skilled group of riders on the team for the 2022 season. With seasoned riders like Austin, Cameron, and Jo returning, last year’s rookie sensation Seth ready to begin his sophomore season and Jett making his pro debut; we are in a good spot to compete for both 250 West and East Supercross titles. Everyone on the team including riders, staff and personnel, are preparing for the new season to begin and we expect to finish on top of the podium.”
Returning for a seventh season with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki squad in 2022 is Austin Forkner. The 12-time 250 Class race winner has high hopes to return to his winning ways this season after his promising 2021 supercross title campaign was cut short due to injury.
McAdoo is also back under the Kawasaki tent for the upcoming season. Coming off a career-best season in 2021 that saw McAdoo collect his first AMA 250 Supercross win, the Iowa native is keen on improving his third-place finish in the Supercross 250 West Championship point standings.
Back for his second year with the Kawasaki team is Shimoda. Building on a stand-out 2021 season, the Japanese-born rider secured a career-first 250SX Class win along with six podiums last season and appears ready to use his experience running up front to mount a championship fight.
Entering his sophomore season, Hammaker returns to the Kawasaki squad with his first career 250SX Class win and three AMA Supercross podiums under his belt. Last year’s rookie stand out heads into the new season with expectations to battle for race wins and podiums.
Making his professional debut with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is Reynolds. Carrying nine AMA Amateur National titles and the 2017 Monster Energy Cup Supermini Class championship, Reynolds is set to make an immediate impact for the team in both series at the beginning of the 2022 season.
Rallye du Maroc returns in 2021!
With the 2020 edition cancelled due to the global pandemic, it has been two years since the Rallye du Maroc has been held in the Kingdom of His Majesty Mohammed VI. From 7 to 13 October, housed in a bivouac outside Zagora, the race returns to the desert. Hand in hand, the Moroccan authorities, ODC Events and their local partners have put all their energy into making the running of the rally possible.
David Castera
“Each year, the Rallye du Maroc takes on ever more importance in the country. It is no longer simply a case of us organising an event on our own, with permission from the Moroccan authorities. The Rallye du Maroc is now the fruit of a common enterprise, the will and help of the authorities, partners such as Maroc Telecom, Afriquia or OCP, and the tourism industry, right down to the small businesses and service providers who are close to us on the ground, happy and proud to be working again. A strong relationship between us has been forged in this very special context. This edition will be one of resilience for us all.”
As a reward for the efforts made over the last few weeks by all involved in resurrecting the Rallye du Maroc, the number of entrants expected at administrative and technical scrutineering on Thursday 7 October will break all records. 160 bikes and 100 cars are expected to arrive at the bivouac in Zagora next week eclipsing previous figures.
All the official teams are present and 27 riders are registered in RallyGP, while there are no less than 99 in Rally2.
In RallyGP, we see the best drivers in the cross-country discipline. KTM’s Matthias Walkner leads the provisional classification of the 2021 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship and is joined in Morocco by the current FIM World Champion Sam Sunderland, Toby Price and Kevin Benavides.
Yamaha has entered Rally Kazakhstan winner Ross Branch, Adrien Van Beveren and Andrew Short.
Husqvarna, meanwhile, will run machines for Luciano Benavides and Skyler Howes, while Daniel Sanders rides for Gas-Gas.
Honda will participate in its first rally of the season with Pablo Quintanilla, Ricky Brabec, Nacho Cornejo and Joan Barreda. Hero will also be present with Franco Caimi, Sebastian Bühler and Joachim Rodrigues, while Sherco lines up with Lorenzo Santolino, Rui Gonçalves and Harith Noah.
Two Juniors will also be in the starting blocks in RallyGP: Konrad Dabrowski (KTM) and Tomas de Gavardo (KTM).
Between the competitors, their entourage and the organisation, the 2021 Rallye du Maroc caravan will number 850 people, housed for almost ten days in the ephemeral bivouac of Zagora.
David Castera
“If I had asked for such a bivouac in France or anywhere else in the world, people would have thought I was insane,. The know-how of the nomads and their capacity to adapt is phenomenal. Nothing is impossible, the answer to every question is always ‘machi moushkil’, literally ‘no problem’. And they always manage to pull it off, sometimes really incredible feats. The Rallye du Maroc no longer simply bears the name of a country, but that of its people, who share with us the values of solidarity and pushing one’s limits that have always been intrinsic to rally-raid.”
2021 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship Standings
Pos
Rider
Man.
Points
1
Mathias Walkner
KTM
58
2
Gregorio Caselani
Honda
38
3
Skyler Howes
Husqvarna
36
4
Daniel Sanders
Gas Gas
33
5
Franco Caimi
Hero
32
6
Adrien Van Beveren
Yamaha
31
7
Ross Branch
Yamaha
25
8
Sebastian Bühler
Hero
24
9
Luciano Benavides
Husqvarna
24
10
Andrew Short
Yamaha
23
Charlotte Half-Mile set for AFT finale
Following 15 fiercely fought Progressive American Flat Track rounds, the season-ending Honda Charlotte Half-Mile will determine the 2021 Grand National Championship under the lights at the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, October 8.
As they arrive in Charlotte, North Carolina, reigning two-time Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle champion Briar Bauman (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) and living legend Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) are separated by just four points. That means both factory Indian stars are in position to secure the 2021 crown from the top step of the podium, simple as that.
It gets a bit more complicated should another rider play the spoiler and steal away the victory. Should that happen, Mees’ slight lead earned on the strength of an active four-race win streak provides him an advantage in that he could still take the title by finishing close behind Bauman on track.
Considering their combined ability, winning percentage, and motivation, it may seem unlikely that another rider is able to elbow ahead with so much on the line, but Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) managed to do just that (twice) in last year’s similarly tight DAYTONA finale.
The scenario of a title-shifting upset just became that much more realistic with the news that Jeffrey Carver, Jr. (No. 23 Happy Trails Racing/DPC/KullyCo/Bigelow Indian FTR750) has been added to the entry list. As a reminder, in last year’s late-season battle in Charlotte, Bauman and Mees traded the lead back and forth until privateer Carver shot past them both en route to a huge win. A repeat effort could literally decide which bike the #1 plate is brandished upon in 2022.
The field is stocked with potential spoilers, including Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Coolbeth-Nila Racing Indian FTR750), Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Brandon Price (No. 92 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT).
AFT Singles
The 2021 AFT Singles championship will be determined in Charlotte as well. While there doesn’t appear to be much room for drama as in the premier class, if second-ranked Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) manages to dethrone defending class champ Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), you can bet some serious drama went down.
With 20 points and the tiebreaker working in his favor, Daniels merely needs to finish 13th or better in the Main even if Australian Whale wins. And if Whale doesn’t win, Daniels doesn’t need to do anything but collect his trophy.
Morgen Mischler (No. 13 Mission Roof Systems KTM 450 SX-F) is nearly as safe in third with Daniels’ teammate, Mikey Rush (No. 15 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), 18 points back in fourth.
Last year’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway was a classic, with Daniels clinching the title thanks to a last-lap pass for victory over Mischler. Whale finished fourth, just 0.201 seconds back of the win, which sets the table nicely for another spectacular scrap on Friday night.
AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Last season, Cory Texter (No. 65 G&G Racing/Roof Systems Yamaha MT-07) scored a holeshot-to-checkered flag win in Charlotte. The situation was considerably different, as Texter was desperate just to keep his slim 2020 AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines title hopes alive at the time.
Now he comes into the finale having already locked down a second-career AFT Production Twins championship. That said, Texter is a racer’s racer and one making up for lost time spent as a long-time journeyman pilot. He’s unlikely to lack for motivation even with the title already taken care of.
Meanwhile, AFT Production Twins championship runner-up honors are still up for grabs with Chad Cose (No. 49 Voodoo Ranger/Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) nine points up on Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) with one race to go.
The evening also presents one final chance for the likes of Ben Lowe (No. 25 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) and Jesse Janisch (No. 96 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) to get a win before the year is out.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Charlotte Half-Mile will also feature the season finale of Royal Enfield’s hugely popular BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. program and the penultimate round of the innovative Super Hooligan National Championship. BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. showcases the talent, versatility, competitiveness, and enthusiasm of female motorcyclists in its own action-packed style, while the outlaw-minded Super Hooligan series features customized heavy street bikes competing at a road race circuit, a Short Track, a Half-Mile and an asphalt oval to determine the nation’s most all-around skill heavy street bike racer.
The Honda Charlotte HM will also feature all the pomp and circumstance befitting a season finale off the track as well. NASCAR superstar Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE will serve as the evening’s Grand Marshal ahead of the weekend’s NASCAR doubleheader at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Al-Balooshi wins 2021 Qatar International Baja
The UAE’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi sealed outright victory in the motorcycle category of the Qatar International Baja after the third desert selective section that was held in punishing heat on Saturday.
MX Ride Dubai’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi delivered a polished performance over the closing 249.68km selective section that started at Al-Kharsaah and included a tricky final passage through the sand dunes near the Inland Sea, south of Doha, where temperatures rose into the low forties Centigrade.
He completed the gruelling stage in just under nine minutes shy of five hours to seal a 10min 57sec victory over British youngster Robert Wallace in the motorcycle section. The latter’s consolation was sealing top spot in the FIM Juniors category.
Mohammed Al-Balooshi
“It was a very tough two stages but I am happy that we managed to bring the bike home and win this round of the FIM Bajas World Cup and extend our championship lead. I am a little bit disappointed that Abdullah Abuaisheh could not start because it is good to have your main rival competing. I thank him for letting me use his front wheel. I damaged mine. Now I will go to Portugal for the last round, which is double points. I started off with third in Dubai, a win in Jordan and a win here. But I have a torn ligament in my shoulder. I was nursing it home and managed to win. I probably only rode at 60 or 70%.”
The UK’s Andrew Newland rounded off the podium places and Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Shatti overcame a fall to finish fourth. Richard Dors and Makis Rees-Stavros rode strongly on the final day to snatch fifth and sixth.
Unfortunately, x-rays confirmed Martin Chalmers’s worst fears and the Qatar-based Australian was forced to withdraw from the motorcycle event with two broken ankle bones and ligament damage. It was testament to his determination that he had completed the second stage in first position and managed to put his bike into Parc Ferme to restart, albeit with eight minutes of penalties later added to his time.
The ProMX Management Team has advised that all Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores events continue to remain on hold due to the current national landscape around COVID-19 State Border Restrictions.
With all remaining championship events postponed, a final decision on the status of running the remainder of the championship rounds will be announced no later than 15th October 2021.
ProMX is continuing to examine the environment around COVID-19 State Border Restrictions, relying on information from state governments on plans to reopen borders.
Planning for the 2022 ProMX Championship is also underway, with an aim to begin in March 2022 with eight Championship events. Further updates and information will be provided in the coming weeks and months.
ProMX Management is also monitoring the changing landscape of potential vaccine passports which may be required by State and Federal governments for future air travel, entry to venues, and as a condition of inclusion in some situations. Some sporting venues in Australia have already made announcements where proof of double vaccination will be required for entry, whilst other are considering their position on this topic.
ProMX respects the choice of individuals when it comes to the topic of COVID-19 vaccination. However, it is highly likely that proof of vaccination or vaccination passport may be required for entry into some states and venues moving forward. ProMX Management provides this as information only.
2021 Penrite ProMX Championship Calendar
Round
Date
Location
Status
Round 5
TBA
Wodonga, VIC
Postponed
Round 6
TBA
QMP, QLD
Postponed
Round 7 & 8
TBA
Coolum, QLD
Postponed
Round 9 & 10
TBA
Gillman, SA
Postponed
2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Calendar
The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship is set to expand to nine rounds for 2022. Build on what’s been a successful inaugural season of racing for the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, the series will provisionally expand to nine rounds for 2022, while introducing a host of new events to the calendar.
Further strengthening its grip as a truly international offroad motorcycling world championship, the series will see races in Israel, Serbia and Canada added to an already bustling schedule.
An early start at the beginning of April will see the 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship season commence in Israel. Venturing to Asia for the Minus 400, the best Hard Enduro riders in the world will showcase their talents in front of enduro fans in the Middle East.
Returning to Europe for round two, Xross is a Hard Enduro Rallye in the Serbian mountains of Zlatibor, Tara and Mokra Gora. A long-established event, Xross has been running since 2014 and prides itself on featuring some of the most remote and technical Hard Enduro terrain in the southeast of Europe.
The return of Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria for 2022 is sure to set fans and competitors hearts racing. On hold for the past two years due to the Covid pandemic, everyone is waiting for the Iron Giant to roar back into life in spectacular fashion next June.
Following its successful debut this year, the Abestone Hard Enduro returns to the championship for 2022. The distinct Tuscany venue has already become a much talked about race. Busily preparing trails for 2022, organiser Michele Bosi is eager to deliver something special next year.
Synonymous with Hard Enduro, it would be impossible not to feature the iconic Red Bull Romaniacs in the 2022 schedule. Now a mecca for Hard Enduro competitors from across the world, organisers are currently working on the 19th edition of this world famous Hard Enduro Rallye.
From Romania, the series will take a trip across the Atlantic to North America for a double header in the USA and Canada. Kicking things off for round six will be Red Bull TKO in Tennessee. The venue produced some spectacular racing and many memorable battles this year and will be eagerly anticipated next August.
Two weeks later, the championship heads north to Canada for the already established Red Bull Outliers in the Badlands of Alberta. The feature race is a multi-lap extreme cross-country event across a rugged wasteland with plenty of near-vertical climbs.
HERO Challenge will play host to the penultimate round in mid-September. A welcomed addition to the 2021 series, its format twist of motocross, superenduro and hard enduro elements pushed competitors to their physical limits. Now, with 12 months to prepare for the next edition, expect organisers to raise the bar even higher.
Seven months after round one in Israel, the championship will draw to an exciting conclusion at Spain’s Hixpania Hard Enduro in Aguilar de Campoo, as a spectacular end to the 2022 season is guaranteed.
Winfried Kerschhaggl – FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Manager
“It’s great to already have the 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship provisionally in place. I would like to thank all event organizers for their commitment to the championship, and for the energy they have. Being so early with this provisional calendar gives everyone the advantage of being able to market each particular event professionally, as well as giving competitors an early look at the exciting championship we have. Pushing so hard in 2021 earned us a lot of interest from fans, media and potential event organizers all around the world. With Israel, Serbia and Canada added to an already diverse calendar we aim to strengthen our grip as a true offroad motorcycling World Championship.”
2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Provisional Schedule
Round 1: Minus 400 – Israel, April 5/6/7
Round 2: Xross – Serbia, May 19/20/21
Round 3: Red Bull Erzbergrodeo – Austria, June 16/17/18/19
Round 4: Abestone Hard Enduro – Italy, July 8/9/10
Round 5: Red Bull Romaniacs – Romania, July 26/27/28/29/30
Round 6: Red Bull TKO – USA, August (date TBC)
Round 7: Red Bull Outliers – Canada, August (TBC, two weeks after TKO)
Round 8: HERO Challenge – Poland, September 10/11 (location TBC)
Round 9: Hixpania Hard Enduro – Spain, October 7/8/9
HRC Manager Erik Kehoe retires
Just over a week after Jett Lawrence wrapped up the 2021 AMA Pro Motocross 250MX Championship, Erik Kehoe announced that he will step down from the position of Manager of Team Honda HRC, the manufacturer’s U.S. factory motocross/supercross squad.
Kehoe was a Honda-backed professional racer in the late ’80s and early ’90s before managing the Honda of Troy/Yamaha of Troy race program for seven seasons. He served an earlier stint managing the factory team from the 2002 season through 2012. During Kehoe’s management tenures, Team Honda HRC earned five AMA Pro Motocross National Championships and two AMA Supercross Championships.
Erik Kehoe
“This decision to retire was very difficult, but at the same time, I know it’s time to slow down my pace. I would like to thank American Honda, and [Manager of Sports & Experiential] Brandon Wilson in particular, for giving me the chance to return to the team this last time. I really wanted to help get Honda some positive momentum in supercross and motocross, and this past season, I think the team has enjoyed many successes. I’ve truly enjoyed my time here, but it’s time to focus on some personal projects that I’ve been putting off for some time.”
Takahisa Fujinami retires from Trial World Championship in Portugal
After 26 seasons in the Trial World Championship, a record number of participations, 168 podiums, 34 victories, 7 runner-up finishes and one world championship title, Repsol Honda Team rider Takahisa Fujinami (Mie, Japan, 13/01/1980) will bring his career to a close this coming Saturday in Portugal.
Since his debut in Navacerrada, Spain in 1996 at the age of 16, he has spent over a quarter of a century fully dedicated to trial competition, collecting several key achievements along the way including the world championship title sealed in 2004.
In addition, the Japanese rider has also broken several records in the specialty, such as the youngest rider to win a world championship event (Talheim, 1997) at the age of 17, as well as the record for the most elderly rider, attained earlier in 2021 with a win in Italy aged 41. Indeed, this kind of longevity has led him to become the rider with the highest number of participations in elite competition, with a tally of 355, including this Saturday’s event in Gouveia.
With 34 victories – always with Montesa-Honda – Takahisa Fujinami is the rider with the fifth highest number of triumphs in world championship trials and is fourth in terms of number of podiums, surpassed only by Adam Raga, Toni Bou and Dougie Lampkin. He has also finished in the world championship top five over 20 consecutive seasons.
Fujigas’ has also been world championship runner-up on seven occasions. The number rises further with the indoor competition tally: one runner-up, one victory and 36 podiums out of 139 trials. In Japan, he also won five national titles between 1995 and 2001. Finally, he took part in 15 Trial du Nations events representing the Japanese team, contributing to five runner-up finishes.
Takahisa Fujinami
“I firmly believe that the time has come to close the curtain on my career as a world trial championship rider after 26 years in the competition. Thanks to everyone’s support, over this period, I have been able to make trial my profession and perform at a more than satisfactory level for over a quarter of a century. Thank you very much. They have been 26 great years. And I have to also thank my family, who supported me from the first moment, my team-mates, the brand, the sponsors and also the fans who have cheered me on throughout. I would like to greet each of my fans one by one, and I hope to do it someday, to thank them for the enormous support they have given throughout this time. Honda Racing and Montesa-Honda gave me a bike to participate in the world championship when I was 16 years old and, since then, I am proud to have battled with this team right through to the very end.
“I still remember the shouts and applause of support at my debut in Japan and also in Spain: ‘Fujigas’ was born there! The first victory in Germany, the tough, complicated years, but also the joy of the world title in 2004. It’s a long time ago, but it’s my particular treasure… I would also like to particularly remember the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, which started in 2000 and has always had such an enthusiastic crowd. Thank you again. As for what I will do from now on… I don’t really know yet. I haven’t made up my mind yet what I will do after retiring from competition, but I hope to stay involved in trials in some way. I’m confident that everything will go well in my new life.”
Toni Bou wins a 29th Trial World Championship title in Portugal
Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou has been proclaimed the 2021 TrialGP World Champion, also winning the day’s trial in Portugal – taking his GP palmares to 125 triumphs and 15 consecutive TrialGP titles, plus 14 indoor – 29 championship wins for the greatest rider of all time.
The Repsol Honda Team ace set the benchmark from the start in a trial filled with natural yet demanding sections, where the first 12 sections had been made quite slippery by the water which flows through the Portuguese town of Gouveia. Bou made it through to the end of the trial with sufficient advantage to claim a 125th victory in the Trial World Championship for the Montesa Cota 4RT rider. This season saw him victorious in seven 2021 Trial World Championship events to clinch the top TrialGP World Championship honours for a 15th time in a row.
Today was also a very special event for Japanese Repsol Honda Team rider Takahisa Fujinami who brings to an end his career in the Trial World Championship. Fujinami rode a trial that went from strength to strength, improving considerably on the second lap before eventually posting seventh place on the day. “Fujigas” thus wraps up the world championship in sixth place overall.
With this final trial in Portugal, Repsol Honda Team bids farewell to this year’s TrialGP campaign. The next appointment for Toni Bou will be tomorrow, held in the same Portuguese town, where the champion will represent the Spanish national team in the Trial des Nations event.
Toni Bou – P1
“This year has been very special for me because at the beginning things were very complicated with the injury just a month before the start of the championship. In the end there will come a year when I will not be able to win – I’ve won for 15 consecutive years – but the fact that I got injured just before the start of the world championship made it special and I didn’t want to lose a championship in this way. Once again we battled 100%, I tried to get into shape as the championship progressed and the fact that I had a very good work rate before I got injured also helped me to recover faster. I am very happy to be able to win another world championship. Once again, many thanks to the whole team. Today was also a very special day for everyone as it was Fujinami’s last trial. It is very difficult to think of Team HRC without him. I wish him all the best for the future.”
Takahisa Fujinami – P7
“First of all, I want to thank Honda, HRC and the whole Montesa team, including mechanics, minders and all the people who have helped me over these 26 years. Without all of them I could not have been in the world championship for 26 years. Today I wanted to get a good result, in the end I finished seventh, but I’m still happy with the way I rode today. I battled until the end. Today I close this stage, but I am sure that the future will be promising. Today was a really special day, thanks to the whole trial family, all the brands and all the people who were in Portugal today. I am very proud to have shared this day with all of them.”
GasGas’s Laia Sanzs wraps up 2021 TrialGP Women title
After eight years away from the Trial World Championship, Laia Sanz has returned to the top of the podium once again, winning the final round of the 2021 season on her GASGAS TXT GP 300 to become TrialGP Women World Champion for an incredible 14th time.
Laia Sanz
“It’s been an incredible day, to win is amazing. It wasn’t the hardest trial of the championship, but the hard thing for me was to stay 100% focused, so mentally it wasn’t easy at all. Coming back to TrialGP after so many years away, to return and finally be successful and win another world title, it’s amazing. Apart from section three on the first lap, I think I had one of my best days of the championship today. It’s not been an easy year for me, so I am proud that I have been able to do what I hoped I would. Also, I want to thank the team and GASGAS, they have been so, so good to me. It’s the result that we all worked really hard for.”
Proving once again that she’s unquestionably the queen of trial, Laia Sanz did exactly what she needed to do at the all-important final round of the 2021 TrialGP World Championship, winning the day and claiming an incredible 14th trial title.
Coming into the Portuguese event one point behind her closest championship rival Emma Bristow, Laia set her sights on winning from the moment she entered the day’s opening section.
Knowing that there was no room for error, she completed the opening lap having lost just four marks. In doing so she put one hand on the women’s title. Holding her nerve, her best was yet to come as she dropped just two marks on the second lap and delivered her best ride of the season, when it mattered most.
Securing her third win of the championship, in never finishing lower than second this season Laia’s composure and consistency ultimately ensured she won her 14th trial world title.
AFT Singles Championship contender Max Whale has signed a two-year deal to remain with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team through the 2023 American Flat Track Championship, after another successful season in 2021.
In his fourth season in the class, the Aussie has established himself as a force in the AFT Singles division as he prepares to battle down to the wire for the coveted title, which is mathematically still up for grabs at the Charlotte Half-Mile finale next month. With four Main Event victories and four top-five finishes in his first season with the team, Whale continues to build on his solid platform aboard the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION for the next two seasons.
Max Whale
“I am so pumped to sign a two-year extension with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team. I’ve been having an awesome time this year with my team, racking up victories and points! I’m excited for the next two years of my career with the crew.”
Australia finishes fourth in Team Speedway U21s
Three Australian speedway riders flew the national flag at the FIM Team Speedway Under 21 World Championship finale in Poland. Matthew Gilmore, Keynan Rew and Brayden McGuiness carried Australia’s hopes in Bydgoszcz, Poland, against some of the best speedway teams in the world, and missed out on a bronze medal by just a single point.
Team Poland won on home soil, Wiktor Lampart and Jakub Miśkowiak didn’t give any chance to their rivals. The podium was completed by the Danes and quite unexpectedly the British. The Team Junior World Championships final in Bydgoszcz was held in the format which fans know from Speedway of Nations.
Team Captain Matthew Gilmore
“It has been an konour to Captain “Team Australia” in the FIM Team Speedway U21 World Championship. It was great to ride along side Keynan and Brayden, we gave it our best and finished fourth in the world. Thanks go out to Aussie Team Manager Mark Lemon for all his organisation, advice and encouragement which was greatly appreciated by us Joeys. Thanks also to Motorcycling Australia for your ongoing support. To my sponsors, family, friends and followers that have supported me, thanks. It has been an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to represent Australia and I was fortunate to do so, Thanks again MGR. Craig Watson, GM Engines, Signworx Group, C4 Industries, LAR (Leigh Adams Racing), JTR, KLS Denmark, GM Australia, LKI Brand, Scott Brown Flooring & Chris Watson Motorcycles.”
Team Speedway U21s Results
I. Team Poland- 45 7. Jakub Miśkowiak – 21+3 (0,4,3*,3*,4,3*,4) 8. Wiktor Lampart – 24+2 (4,3*,4,4,3*,4,2) 18. Mateusz Cierniak – NS
II. Team Denmark – 35 3. Mads Hansen – 17+1 (4,4,d,-,4,2,3*) 4. Tim Soerensen – 7+1 (2,-,2,3*,w,-) 16. Marcus Birkemose – 11+1 (3*,4,4,0)
III. Team Great Britain – 27 9. Tom Brennan – 20 (4,2,4,2,4,4) 10. Drew Kemp – 5+1 (3*,0,2,-,-,d) 19. Leon Flint – 2 (0,2)
IV. Team Australia – 26 13. Matthew Gilmore – 9+1 (2,3*,0,2,2,0) 14. Keynan Rew – 17 (3,4,3,0,4,3) 21. Brayden McGuinness – NS
V. Team Czech Rep. – 23 5. Daniel Klima – 5 (-,-,3,0,-,2) 6. Jan Macek – 6 (3,0,-,-,0,3) 17. Petr Chlupac – 12 (2,2,2,3,3)
VI. Team Latvia – 22 1. Francis Gusts – 15 (3,4,4,4,w,0) 2. Ricards Ansviesulis – 0 (0,-,0,-,-,-) 15. Daniił Kołodinski – 7 (d,2,3,2)
VII. Team Sweden – 20 11. Philip Hellstroem-Baengs – 14 (2,t,t,3,4,3,2) 12. Alexander Woentin – 6 (0,2,-,2,2,-) 20. Jonatan Grahn – 0 (0,0)
Malcolm Steward joins Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team and Malcolm Stewart have inked a two-year deal to join the team’s 450 efforts in both AMA Supercross World Championship and AMA Pro Motocross racing. The 28-year-old Florida native will pilot the FC 450 Rockstar Edition for the 2022 and 2023 race seasons, beginning on January 8 with the Anaheim SX season opener.
Malcolm Stewart
“I’m really excited to have a full indoor/outdoor deal that’s sealed for two years. It’s definitely a great opportunity for me and I think there’s nothing but positive vibes coming from me. I’ve always wanted to ride one of these Husqvarna motorcycles, I’ve seen everybody in the past do very well on it. We’ve been putting in the work this summer. Having a new training program going with Aldon Baker, I know there’s going to be a lot of big changes for me but I’m looking forward to it all. I’ve seen the successes that have happened through The Baker’s Factory and I want to be a part of those people, so I feel that this is a good opportunity for me in these next two years to go out there and do the best that I can.”
Fresh off his best-career Supercross season with sixth overall in 2021, the 2016 250SX East Champion earned his first 450SX podium at the penultimate round in Salt Lake City before finishing the year out strong with a top-five result. Now, with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team behind him, Stewart looks to keep the momentum rolling as he prepares to attack both Supercross and Motocross for the first time since 2014.
“It’s been a while since I’ve done the outdoors but I feel like racing is racing – anytime the gate drops there’s no negative vibes and it’s always going to be a positive. You live and you learn something from it, so let’s just get ready because that #27 is going to be out there!”
Marvin Musquin extends KTM contract through 2022 SX season
Marvin Musquin has locked in a deal to remain with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team through the 2022 AMA Supercross Championship. Entering his 12th season with the U.S. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team in 2022, the French rider has become synonymous with the brand thanks to his top level of performance and commitment within the sport.
Enjoying success at the last two rounds of the 2021 AMA Supercross Championship, the 31-year-old has proven that he still has plenty to give as he charges full-steam ahead towards a career-first 450SX title come January.
Marvin Musquin
“I’m really happy to extend my contract for another year making 12 years racing in the U.S. and 14 years in total with the with the Red Bull KTM family! It’s no secret that everyone on the team is like family to me. It will be another fun challenge working with the new bike, which will be a lot more work but that’s exciting! I look forward to focusing my efforts on the Supercross series and to the Supercross schedule being back to normal starting back at Anaheim in January!”
2021 Speedway of Nations semi-finale squads confirmed
The national squads for the 2021 Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations have been revealed. The competition gets underway with the Semi-Finals at Latvian venue Daugavpils on September 17 and 18.
Poland face off against Sweden, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Finland, Slovenia and the USA in Semi-Final 1 on Friday, September 17, with hosts Latvia taking on MFR, Australia, Germany, France, Italy and the Ukraine in Semi-Final 2 on Saturday, September 18.
Each country must list a squad of two or three senior riders, plus one or two under-21s, before naming their final starting line-up next week, featuring two seniors and one under-21.
World champion Bartosz Zmarzlik has been named in Poland’s squad ahead of Semi-Final 1, with Maciej Janowski returning to the group after missing the 2020 tournament.
Last year’s under-21 star Dominik Kubera is handed a dream call-up to complete the list of seniors, having reached both Orlen Lublin FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Poland finals on a sensational SGP debut weekend last month.
Lublin star Wiktor Lampart and Czestochowa racer Jakub Miskowiak are Poland’s under-21 options as team manager Rafal Dobrucki names his first SON squad since taking charge of his country.
The Danes name SGP stars Leon Madsen and Anders Thomsen in their senior spots, along with European champion Mikkel Michelsen.
FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship leader Mads Hansen and Jonas Seifert-Salk serve as their under-21s.
World No.3 Fredrik Lindgren leads the Swedish selections and he is joined by double Swedish champion Jacob Thorssell and 2021 Swedish Championship runner-up Pontus Aspgren.
Team manager Morgan Andersson names Philip Hellstrom-Bangs and Alexander Woentin as his under-21s.
Vaclav Milik leads the Czech list and he is joined by veteran Josef Franc and Prague prospect Daniel Klima. Anlas Czech SGP wild card Jan Kvech and Petr Chlupac are their under-21 options.
American shooting star Luke Becker is in the USA squad, alongside Broc Nicol and Dillon Ruml. Blake Borello and Anthony Dion are their under-21s.
Matic Ivacic leads the Slovenian line-up alongside former World Under-21 finalist Nick Skorja. Anze Grmek is their sole under-21 rider in a three-man squad.
The Finns select Timo Lahti, Tero Aarnio and Jesse Mustonen as their senior stars, with Timi Salonen and Roni Niemela their under-21s.
Hosts Latvia take to the shale in Semi-Final 2 on Saturday, September 18, with former European champion Andzejs Lebedevs named in their squad, alongside fellow 2021 GP Challenge finalist Jevgenijs Kostigovs and last year’s World Under-21 Final bronze medallist Olegs Mihailovs.
Current World Under-21 finalists Francis Gusts and Daniils Kolodinskis are their junior stars.
MFR are without their triple world title-winning pair Emil Sayfutdinov and Artem Laguta, with Sergei Logachev and Vladimir Borodulin representing the reigning champions.
Lublin rider Mark Karion is their sole under-21 as team manager Tatiana Savina names a three-man squad.
Australian team manager Mark Lemon has selected 2017 world champion Jason Doyle, along with SGP 2022 qualifier Max Fricke and Jack Holder. Young guns Keynan Rew and World Under-21 finalist Matthew Gilmore are in line for the under-21 position.
Former SGP regular Martin Smolinski and Kai Huckenbeck team up for Germany and they are joined by under-21 Nick Blodorn in a three-man squad.
The French select Masarna colleagues David Bellego and Dimitri Berge, with World Under-21 finalist Steven Goret named as their under-21 rider on a three-man list.
SGP first reserve Aleksandr Loktaev is nominated by the Ukraine alongside Vitalii Lisak and Stanislav Melnychuk. Their under-21 riders are Marko Levishyn and Andryi Rozaliuk.
The Italians complete the field for Semi-Final 2 and they name Nicolas Covatti, Paco Castagna and Nicolas Vicentin in their squad. Michele Menani is their sole under-21 selection.
The top two teams from each Semi-Final automatically join hosts Great Britain in the Monster Energy SON Final in Manchester on October 16 and 17.
The third and fourth-placed teams in both of the Daugavpils rounds will then compete in the Final Qualifier at the end of each night for the two remaining places in the Final, where the 2021 Monster Energy SON world champion will be crowned.
MONSTER ENERGY SON SEMI-FINAL SQUADS (in draw order): SEMI-FINAL 1 – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
TEAM A – USA
1. Broc Nicol
2. Luke Becker
3. Dillon Ruml
U21 1. Blake Borello
U21 2. Anthony Dion
Team Manager: Steve Evans
TEAM B – POLAND
1. Maciej Janowski
2. Dominik Kubera
3. Bartosz Zmarzlik
U21 1. Wiktor Lampart
U21 2. Jakub Miskowiak
Team Manager: Rafal Dobrucki
TEAM C – CZECH REPUBLIC
1. Vaclav Milik
2. Josef Franc
3. Daniel Klima
U21 1. Jan Kvech
U21 2. Petr Chlupac
Team Manager: Filip Sitera
TEAM D – DENMARK
1. Leon Madsen
2. Mikkel Michelsen
3. Anders Thomsen
U21 1. Mads Hansen
U21 2. Jonas Seifert-Salk
Team Manager: Hans Nielsen
TEAM E – SLOVENIA
1. Matic Ivacic
2. Nick Skorja
U21 1. Anze Grmek
Team Manager: Gregor Arnsek
TEAM F – SWEDEN
1. Fredrik Lindgren
2. Pontus Aspgren
3. Jacob Thorssell
U21 1. Philip Hellstrom-Bangs
U21 2. Alexander Woentin
Team Manager: Morgan Andersson
TEAM G – FINLAND
1. Timo Lahti
2. Tero Aarnio
3. Jesse Mustonen
U21 1. Timi Salonen
U21 2. Roni Niemela
Team Manager: Jyri Palomaki
SEMI-FINAL 2 – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
TEAM A – ITALY
1. Nicolas Covatti
2. Paco Castagna
3. Nicolas Vicentin
U21 1. Michele Menani
Team Manager: Alessandro Dalla Valle
TEAM B – AUSTRALIA
1. Jason Doyle
2. Max Fricke
3. Jack Holder
U21 1. Keynan Rew
U21 2. Matthew Gilmore
Team Manager: Mark Lemon
TEAM C – UKRAINE
1. Aleksandr Loktaev
2. Vitalii Lisak
3. Stanislav Melnychuk
U21 1. Marko Levishyn
U21 2. Andryi Rozaliuk
Team Manager: Sergey Lyatosinskyy
TEAM D – MFR
1. Sergei Logachev
2. Vladimir Borodulin
U21 1. Mark Karion
Team Manager: Tatiana Savina
TEAM E – LATVIA
1. Andzejs Lebedevs
2. Jevgenijs Kostigovs
3. Olegs Mihailovs
U21 1. Francis Gusts
U21 2. Daniils Kolodinskis
Team Manager: Vladimir Ribnikovs
TEAM F – GERMANY
1. Kai Huckenbeck
2. Martin Smolinski
U21 1. Nick Blodorn
Team Manager: Herbert Rudolph
TEAM G – FRANCE
1. David Bellego
2. Dimitri Berge
U21 1. Steven Goret
Team Manager: Laurent Sambarrey
Motoland teams up with Motorcycling Queensland
Queensland’s newest motocross destination, Motoland is teaming up with the state’s governing body for motorcycle sport and recreation – Motorcycling Queensland. In a first for motocross in Queensland and one of the first in Australia, a private entity will align with the state controlling body, and a local motocross club, to deliver a motocross destination – located at the historic Tivoli Raceway site near Ipswich.
The purpose of the alliance is to not only create an incredible facility for the benefit of south-east Queenslanders, but also to drive motocross participation and grass-roots competition in the region.
In addition to three brand new tracks, designed to cater for all skill levels, Motoland’s facilities off the track, promise to be the best in the region. The park will boast multiple raised viewing areas, quality toilets and amenities and a brand new cafe and retail space. Bailey reiterated, that at Motoland, the consumer experience off the track, will be as important as the one on it.
Details of Motoland’s operating times, pricing and booking information will be provided in the coming weeks, with an official open day expected to be announced for the early stages of October. To register for your chance to be one of the first to ride Motoland, go to www.motoland.com.au.
Toni Bou leaves Spanish TrialGP one-point off title
Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou rode to a fine victory in Pobladura de las Regueras, León, in the seventh round of the TrialGP World Championship.
The course of this seventh event of the elite trial competition played out over varied terrain with river areas offering little grip and indoor-style areas featuring logs and stones, with riders having to complete two laps of the twelve-section course.
Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou dominated the first of the double-date event in Pobladura de las Regueras with an excellent showing, finishing with a total of sixteen marks, twenty less than the nearest second-placed rider, arch rival Adam Raga. Bou continues to lead the overall TrialGP World Championship standings, currently fourteen points clear of the second-placed adversary.
Bou also won for the second day running in the trial at Pobladura de las Regueras, León, to secure a sixth win of the season. Bou increased his lead in the championship standings to 19 points. Fujinami finished seventh.
As had been expected, Toni Bou had to struggle somewhat at the trial in Pobladura de las Regueras today. Opponent Jaime Busto put the pressure on the champion and it wasn’t until the very final sections that the event swung in favour of the Repsol Honda Team rider. With the triumph, the sixth of the season, Toni Bou increases the gap at the head of the overall championship, now holding a 19-point lead over second-placed rider Adam Raga. Bou needs just a single point next Saturday to be crowned 2021TrialGP champion.
The final event of the 2021 Trial World Championship will be held next Saturday in Gouveia, Portugal. The following day, Sunday 19, the Trial of Nations is scheduled to take place in the same Portuguese town.
Toni Bou
“We battled hard throughout the trial. I made a mistake in section 8 and I knew that section 11 would be my last chance, I took a gamble and it worked out well. Winning in the final sections is an incredible feeling. I want to congratulate Jaime Busto because he was really strong, not just today but all weekend and I think this is very good for trial. There will be a great final battle with Adam Raga. This is very nice and adds more value to the wins. I’m 19 points ahead in the general standings, but before the last race in Portugal anything could happen. This week I will have to be careful and for the final race we will have to be very focused so that we don’t have any mechanical issues or anything that could prevent us from winning the world championship.”
The 95th running of the International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) has come to an end, after the sixth day of competition saw Italy claim top honours after a week of dominant performances, that never saw them headed, despite tough competition from Team Spain.
Making it a memorable double for Italy, the host nation also topped the Junior World Trophy category, while the USA put the finishing touches to their incredible week-long performance to win in the Women’s World Trophy category.
Those results saw the three teams that have dominated this year’s event claim their respective class winning results.
Not needing to take any unneeded risks, Italy’s Andrea Verona (GASGAS), Davide Guarneri (Fantic), Thomas Oldrati (Honda), and Matteo Cavallo (TM) finally finished four minutes and forty-one seconds ahead of second placed Spain after the final day of competition.
Andrea Verona
“I’m really happy with my week here at the Six Days, to take the win in E1, and the World Trophy title for my country feels amazing! I had a big fight all week with Josep (Garcia) for the overall, and although I only beat him overall on one day, we both pushed each other really hard, and I think that definitely increased our pace over the whole event and improved our skills. My bike has been perfect, so much fun to race. It’s been an incredible event for the Italian teams, claiming both the World Trophy and the Junior Trophy shows the level that we’re at right now as a country, in enduro. It was so good to race at home in front of all the fans, they have been so supportive all through the event and to reward them with a result like this feels great.”
With strong final day results from Josep Garcia (KTM) and Jaume Betriu (KTM), Spain, like Italy ahead of them, put the finishing touches to a solid week-long performance.
Entering the event with hopes of claiming another World Trophy team win, the USA completed their week as the third fastest team, having not quite had the pace to challenge the two European squads ahead of them.
World Trophy Team Overall Results – Top 10 Teams
POS
TEAM
TOT
GAP
1
TEAM ITALY
12:55′ 23.02
–
2
TEAM SPAIN
13:00′ 04.48
4′ 41. 46
3
TEAM UNITED STATES
13:03′ 22.27
7′ 59. 25
4
TEAM SWEDEN
13:08′ 01.23
12′ 38. 21
5
TEAM PORTUGAL
13:32′ 03.62
36′ 40. 60
6
TEAM CZECH REPUBLIC
13:33′ 05.30
37′ 42. 28
7
TEAM CANADA
13:38′ 06.96
42′ 43. 94
8
TEAM BRAZIL
13:45′ 42.85
50′ 19. 83
9
TEAM BELGIUM
13:46′ 05.00
50′ 41. 98
10
TEAM GERMANY
13:47′ 01.41
51′ 38. 39
Junior World Trophy
Ending their winning Junior World Trophy campaign eight minutes and thirty-one seconds ahead of second-placed France, Italy’s Lorenzo Macoritto (TM), Manolo Morettini (KTM), and Matteo Pavoni (TM) delivered a dominant team performance.
Fast from the start of the event, and remaining that way day after day, despite the best efforts of France and Sweden, Italy did what they needed to do on day six and completed their amazing week.
Matteo Pavoni
“This week has been very good for me, and of course the team. I was able to start fast, which was very important. I like this terrain and that has helped me a lot. After the first few days I was more calm with my riding, no big risks. As a team we knew that we could produce a good result, and we have. We’ve had a lot of dust on some special tests this week, so taking no risks has been very important to our team the last few days. Today, we knew what we needed to do, and, well, it’s fantastic to win.”
With their World Trophy teammates enduring a rough week, France’s Junior World Trophy team kept themselves ahead of Sweden to secure a deserved runner-up result. With Italy, France, and Sweden, separated by less than ten minutes after more than thirteen hours of special test action, the three nations all did themselves proud.
Junior World Trophy Team Overall Results
POS
TEAM
TOT
GAP
1
TEAM ITALY
13:09′ 35.91
–
2
TEAM FRANCE
13:18′ 07.12
8′ 31. 21
3
TEAM SWEDEN
13:19′ 29.36
9′ 53. 45
4
TEAM CHILE
14:01′ 04.04
51′ 28. 13
5
TEAM CZECH REPUBLIC
14:07′ 28.73
57′ 52. 82
6
TEAM NORWAY
14:13′ 26.48
1: 03′ 50. 57
7
TEAM NETHERLANDS
14:26′ 57.41
1: 17′ 21. 50
8
TEAM GERMANY
14:30′ 12.58
1: 20′ 36. 67
9
TEAM BELGIUM
14:33′ 29.44
1: 23′ 53. 53
10
TEAM PORTUGAL
14:33′ 40.31
1: 24′ 04. 40
11
TEAM UNITED STATES
18:20′ 30.84
5: 10′ 54. 93
12
TEAM SPAIN
20:29′ 23.46
7: 19′ 47. 55
13
TEAM SWITZERLAND
21:55′ 46.30
8: 46′ 10. 39
14
TEAM FINLAND
22:48′ 35.47
9: 38′ 59. 56
Women’s World Trophy
In the Women’s Trophy, Team USA put the finishing touches to their dominant week-long performance to complete the 2021 ISDE just over fifteen minutes ahead of second-placed Great Britain.
Once again it was Brandy Richards (KTM) who stole the show, winning the women’s day six motocross race ahead of Spain’s Mireia Badia (GASGAS) and Rachel Gutish (Husqvarna) and in doing so completing her amazing week with a dominant victory.
Brandy Richards
“I’m absolutely stoked for myself and the team here in Italy. My goals coming here were to take the overall in the Women’s class and keep Team USA at the top of the Women’s World Trophy competition and I’ve done both. There are so many fast, skillful riders here so to be inside the top 100 overall is a massive achievement for me, also. It’s been a tough week, but with the tests not being too technical, the riding has suited me perfectly.”
With no World Trophy or Junior World Trophy teams representing Great Britain, GB’s women upheld national pride and did exactly what they needed to do during the final day’s motocross races and secured a deserved runner-up overall Women’s World Trophy result.
Despite eventual third place finishers Spain closing to within less than one minute of Nieve Holmes (GASGAS), Jane Daniels (Fantic), and Rosie Rowett (KTM), GB’s women held firm and took the runner-up spot.
Women’s World Trophy Overall Results
POS
TEAM
TOT
GAP
1
TEAM UNITED STATES
9:31′ 16.84
–
2
TEAM GREAT BRITAIN
9:46′ 19.47
15′ 02. 63
3
TEAM SPAIN
9:47′ 12.29
15′ 55. 45
4
TEAM PORTUGAL
10:03′ 38.49
32′ 21. 65
5
TEAM SWEDEN
10:26′ 47.23
55′ 30. 39
6
TEAM GERMANY
11:00′ 43.74
1: 29′ 26. 90
7
TEAM ITALY
11:15′ 36.73
1: 44′ 19. 89
8
TEAM FRANCE
12:55′ 22.09
3: 24′ 05. 25
Herlings and Vialle top MXGP of Turkey
The 2021 MXGP of Turkey ran over the weekend in Afyonkarahisar and saw Jeffrey Herlings take the overall win in the MXGP class, leaving Jorge Prado and Tim Gajser to battle over the remaining podium positions.
In MX2 it was Tom Vialle taking top honours, with Australia’s Jed Beaton finishing third after consistent 3-3 results, behind Maxime Renaux. Fellow Australian Todd Wilson was eighth, with an 11-7 result.
MXGP Race 1
After posting the fastest lap time in Time Practice, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado started the first race with the Fox Holeshot, as he led Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Glenn Coldenhoff, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre and Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass.
Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Jeffrey Herlings of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing were side by side on the opening lap and moments later both got around Jonass who dropped to sixth.
Herlings then caught onto the back of Coldenhoff and passed his fellow Dutchman as Gajser set out to do the same. But the Slovenian struggled for 10 laps behind Coldenhoff always coming short of making a pass.
Febvre remained all over Prado for the lead, as Gajser came under fire from Cairoli who got around the Honda rider to move into sixth. He then got around Coldenhoff too and was pushing to get closer to Jonass.
Gajser then caught back up with the 259 of Coldenhoff and passed him on lap 11, as JM Honda Racing’s Henry Jacobi got Brian Bogers of Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing for eighth to solidify a top 10 result.
After spending the majority of the race in third, Herlings switched it up a gear and was on a charge to close in on Febvre and Prado. It did not take him long as he got Febvre on lap 13 and then just two laps later was in front of Prado.
Jonass started to challenge Febvre too and with three laps from the end of the race was able to get the job done. Herlings was the race winner, with Prado finishing second and Jonass third.
MXGP Race 2
In the second heat it was once again Prado with the Fox Holeshot as he led the race once again while Febvre, Gajser, Jonass and Cairoli followed behind. Herlings struggled further down the field as he passed Kevin Strijbos of Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing for seventh position.
Herlings then continued to make progress as he got around Coldenhoff and set his sights on Cairoli, while Gajser charged past Febvre to move into second place.
The gap was then 1.366 seconds between Prado and Gajser, as the Slovenian was clear with his intentions of going for the win.
Jonass then had a big crash as he went off the track while battling with Cairoli for fourth, with the Latvian not finishing the race. Cairoli inherited his position as Herlings started to close in too.
Gajser then made another attempt to pass Prado and was able to secure the position and take over the lead on lap nine. Cairoli then caught onto the back wheel of Febvre as the pair traded positions a couple of times before the Italian was able to make it stick and take away third from the Kawasaki rider, as Herlings did the same.
Gajser then led by 2.877 seconds, as Prado was starting to feel the force of Cairoli and Herlings who were catching up fast. Cairoli and Prado had a couple of close calls before making contact, but both remained on the bikes. Eventually Cairoli crashed after, which allowed Herlings through.
With one lap to go, Herlings got his head down and got to work as he was able to pass Prado and secure the top step of the podium. Gajser was the race winner, with Herlings second and Prado third.
With a 1-2 result, Jeffrey Herlings was back on the top step, while Jorge Prado was forced to settle for second and Tim Gajser joining the pair in third. In terms of the championship standings, Gajser leads Prado by 13 points, while Febvre remains third a further four points behind.
Jeffrey Herlings – P1
“Definitely the first race was much easier because I was around fourth of fifth in the start and only had to pass a few guys. Both starts were off today and with the high altitude here we changed some things with the bike, but I think maybe we should go in a different direction. The start was pretty bad in the first race but then I managed to pass Glenn, Romain and Jorge and then it went pretty easy. Second race I was around tenth or twelfth, it was harder to get around the other guys, the last few laps were sketchy between Jorge and Tony as they were fighting for second position. Then Tony crashed right in front of me and then I managed to sneak past Jorge, but Tim was too far away for me to do anything about it. A 1-2 is good, we have some good racing and I look forward to it, I like the track but will definitely work on the starts and try some things. The arm is fine now, in Lommel it was very painful but in Latvia it was already much better, I still had a bit of pain but nothing crazy. I don’t know if you can ever be 100% but I am trying to be the best as I can because the competition is strong. If you look at the championship, the top five guys are really close.”
Jorge Prado – P2
“I think it was a great day. I got two good starts which makes things a lot easier. I led the most laps today so this gives me a confidence boost for Wednesday, the only thing is I was riding the same lines but when Jeffrey passed me in race one and Tim in the second one, I could see where I could improve. Physically I am feeling ok and I am getting better, the bike is working good. It was a pity on the last lap to be passed by Jeffrey, but hopefully on Wednesday we get some good results. There is still a lot of racing left, I need to take it race by race and stay within the top three, that is my goal, and get some race wins if I can. You don’t always get such a good field of riders because of injuries and other reasons but now everybody is ready to go racing so it is nice to race when everybody is fit.”
Tim Gajser – P3
“That was definitely two completely different races today, but I’m glad to have finished on a high note with that victory. In the first race I just got stuck behind another rider for too long and couldn’t find a rhythm. When I did get past, the front guys were too far in front so I couldn’t catch them. In race two, I got a better start and was in third early on. I quickly moved into second and then a few laps later I moved into first. Once I was there, I was able to pull away a bit and control the race until the chequered flag. Overall, it was good and I’m excited to come back on Wednesday and try and get the win here.”
Romain Febvre – P4
“This morning I had a good feeling on the track and I was happy with my third position behind the gate. The first moto I had a good start and tried several times to pass Prado but there were not so many lines to make the difference and I couldn’t really attack him. That helped Jeffrey to come back at me; when he passed me I looked at his lines but three laps from the end I made a small mistake and lost one position to finish fourth. My second start was again a good one; I was behind Prado but my feeling was not so good. I didn’t feel well and I was not at my best physically so I had to be content to secure another fourth position. It could have been better, but if we consider how I felt in the second race it could have been worse. Now I will rest to be ready for the next GP on Wednesday.”
Tony Cairoli – P5
“Overall I’m quite happy because the speed was good. I came back to 5th in the first moto after a bad start. We know that the start is so important on a track like this where it can be difficult to pass. I had good pace but couldn’t get higher than 5th. I was better at the beginning of the second moto and caught the leaders with Jorge and Tim. I was trying hard to overtake Jorge but it was pretty tough. At one moment I was really close but unfortunately when I jumped I saw someone had knocked some haybales into the track and there were in the middle of the way. I crashed pretty hard and lost two places, back to 5th. Not the best day but I’m not hurt and there is still a lot of racing ahead.”
Jeremy Seewer – P6
“As I mentioned in the preview, I am not where I want to be, so I just need to turn up and try and that’s all I can do. If I was better in Timed Practice, I would have had a better day because my starts were amazing today. I was just far outside. I think in both motos, I could have got for the holeshot if I would be on the inside. I lacked energy in the morning, and that was my disadvantage today, going to the gate in P.14. I made the most out of the situation, but in the second moto, the track was one-lined and super hard to pass. Under the circumstances, I collected good points, and I am still here and racing and not feeling too bad, so now I will take a couple of days rest, do some recovery and see where I can improve for Wednesday.”
Glenn Coldenhoff – P8
“My day started good. I got second in Timed Practice and felt good. The track was still very wet and I like those conditions. In the first moto, I got arm-pump on lap-2 and rode tight. It went from bad to worse. I started in third and ended up finishing eighth, which was not good. We tried to work on some things before the second moto. It definitely worked out better, and in the second race, I was feeling quite okay; I could keep the pace with the front guys, but then I made a small crash and I pushed really hard in the end, but the track is very one-lined. Everyone was taking this line which made it very difficult to make some passes.”
Pauls Jonass – P9
“It was a frustrating end to the day after such a good first moto. During the break in the calendar I improved my fitness even more as well as my speed on the bike and I really felt like that showed in race one. Fortunately, I’m ok after my big crash in race two. It was a wild one and I landed on asphalt, which is never good. Luckily, I just have some really bad bruising, so I’ll be back for more on Wednesday. I’ve no doubts about what I can do and I’m excited to be racing again in a few days.”
Brian Bogers – P10
“I have mixed feelings about today. I felt good on the bike and I had a good start in race one in seventh, but I was riding too stiff and making mistakes, so I dropped back to 11th. I had another good start in the second moto but in the first few corners I lost a lot of positions. After that though, my riding was much better and I moved up from 18th to 12th, so I was happy with that one. I think for Wednesday, if I can put the good starts and smooth riding together then I can be much higher in the results.”
MX2 Race 1
In the first MX2 race of the day, it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle who grabbed the Fox Holeshot ahead of his fellow teammate Rene Hofer as well as Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jed Beaton and Kay De Wolf, as well as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini. While Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2’s Maxime Renaux was further down the field in around eighth position.
Hofer then took over the lead from Vialle, as Renaux managed to find a way through on De Wolf to move into fifth. Vialle then got to work as he caught back up with his teammate and by lap four was back in the driving seat and leading the race.
Renaux then lost a spot to Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez for a brief moment before getting back around the Spaniard, while Hofer was starting to come under pressure from Beaton and Guadagnini.
Though at the front of the field, Vialle continued to clock the fastest lap times of the race, as Thibault Benistant of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2 and F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Mathys Boisrame battled for eighth.
Guadagnini finally managed to get around Beaton on lap eight and then five or six laps later was able to get Hofer to get into second. Hofer then faded off as both Beaton and Renaux got around the Austrian, while Fernandez dived down the inside of De Wolf for sixth.
In the end it was Vialle who won the race 5.988 seconds ahead of Guadagnini and Beaton who crossed the line in third.
Australia’s Wilson Todd finished 11th.
MX2 Race 2
In race two it was Renaux with a flying start, as he took the second Fox Holeshot of the day and led the way with Beaton second and Vialle third. Guadagnini got another strong start and so did Gianluca Facchetti of Team Beddini Racing KTM on his first outing with the new team.
Hofer then got around Fernandez for fifth as Vialle tried to get around Beaton, with the Australian quick to respond and claim back his second-place spot.
As Renaux stretched out his lead to 2.490 seconds, Beaton came under fire from Vialle once again, with the KTM rider finally making a pass stick on lap five. Vialle then set the fastest lap of the race as he began to close in on the race leader, Renaux. But Renaux stepped it up a gear himself to set the fastest lap of the race himself, with the two Frenchman clock fast times lap after lap.
While the battle for the win was well and truly on between Renaux and Vialle, Guadagnini was also not letting go of Beaton for third as he started to apply the pressure.
With just a couple of laps from the finish, Vialle went down as he was focused on passing Renaux which handed the Yamaha rider a victory, while Vialle was able to get back on his bike quickly and hold on to second as Beaton was able to keep Guadagnini at bay and finish the day with another third-place finish.
With a 1-2 result, Tom Vialle was on the top step of the podium while Maxime Renaux was forced to settle for second ahead of Jed Beaton in third, as he secured his second podium of 2021.
Wilson Todd moved into the top-10 in Race 2 to claim 7th.
Renaux continues to lead the MX2 championship, maintaining a healthy 37-point lead over Guadagnini who has gained a bit of breathing room to Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2’s Jago Geerts who is a further 15 points adrift.
Tom Vialle – P1
“It’s really good to be back on top after the injury. The summer break was good because I could train and work on the bike also and now to be back is really good. I was happy in the morning to take pole position because it’s not a lot of times that I’ve taken the pole position which was pretty nice. I took two good starts and in the second race I pushed to come back but it was difficult to pass as there were not so many lines and Maxime was riding pretty good. I tried to give my best. For sure to win here is good and to stay here in Turkey is nice, I like the track and it will be a good race on Wednesday.”
Maxime Renaux – P2
“Was two completely different races today. I took two good stars, but in the first race I went too wide which allowed the other riders on the inside, so I had to fight my way through the pack and come back from eighth to fourth. I was riding a little bit stiff and was not happy with the riding. For the second race we changed some things on the bike, I was feeling much more comfortable and took the holeshot and then had the perfect race. For Wednesday I will look to improve on my lap times because it’s important to be on the inside here. I take it race by race, I want to win all the races if I can but it’s pretty hard and I need to think about the championship. I’m also trying to be more clever than before and avoid making stupid mistakes and keep control of the championship.”
Jed Beaton – P3
“It feels really good to be back on the podium. It had been a bit of an up and down year heading into the break so to get this podium and put together two strong races, it’s the perfect start to the second half of the season. I had to really dig deep in that second moto, withstanding pressure for pretty much the whole race, so that one felt really good. The team has been amazing as always and this result sets us up really well for Wednesday. My bike was awesome, my starts were perfect and now we can just focus on the motos in a few days’ time and get back up on the box again.”
Mattia Guadagnini – P4
“I was feeling really good today and my riding was strong because of my rhythm and the line choices. I was happy to finish 2nd in the first moto. My start wasn’t great in the second and I lost time at the beginning but then I spent so much time trying to pass Jed for 3rd. I couldn’t make it and was a bit disappointed to miss the podium but the important thing is that I felt fast and we’ll try to keep this for Wednesday where we’ll hope for even better results.”
Rene Hofer – P5
“In general it was a really good day. It was nice to finally lead some laps again. Unfortunately I suffered some arm-pump in the first moto but I came away with 5th which wasn’t that bad. My start wasn’t too hot in the second moto but I passed some riders right away and I stayed in 5th. My riding was actually really good in that second race so we can build from that for Wednesday.”
Jago Geerts – P6
“I had a difficult timed practice this morning. I felt much better in the races, but with the 18th gate-pick, it was difficult to get off the start. I had to come back from 15th or 16th to finish ninth in race one. That was already a big step in the right direction. I actually got a really good start in the second heat but got cross-rutted and nearly crashed, so I lost around four places there. I made some passes after that, which was better, but I definitely want to try to do better on Wednesday.”
Kay de Wolf – P7
“I’m really happy with today. Seventh overall is another solid result for me and despite making a few mistakes, I felt like I was riding really well and with a good flow. I actually twisted my ankle in race one so that was pretty painful, but we strapped it up for moto two and it was ok once the adrenaline took over. It was a pretty fun track today and I’m looking forward to Wednesday.”
Wilson Todd – P8
“The day wasn’t too bad. The track was OK with some good ruts but you needed a good start to run up front. I spun at the gate the first moto which left me just outside the top ten. The second start was better but I was just a little too far outside from my gate-pick at turn one and got pushed out so had to chase again.“
Honda still collecting results on track in Queensland and SA
Honda riders aren’t letting Covid restrictions get them down, with Metcalfe winning the South Australian Championship over the weekend, as Gibbs claimed second in the opening round of the Queensland Championships!
Mongrel Boots Honda Racing’s Brett Metcalfe also won the final round of the South Australian Championship convincingly. The likeable South Australian went undefeated in the five-round competition. Honda riders claimed the top three positions in the MX1 class. Metcalfe was extremely happy with his 2022 CRF450R.
Brett Metcalfe
“I had so much fun racing the South Australian Championships and its so cool to be doing it with my two boys. The new Honda is awesome and its great to see Honda sweep the podium with their CRF450R. Honda rider’s Mitch Norris rode well so did Siegah Ward. Its unfortunate Levi McManus couldn’t compete in the final round, but overall Honda dominated the SA titles.”
Terrafirma’s Honda rider Kirk Gibbs proved once again that he can win, but the overall eluded him as he finished third, first and second respectively in round 1 of the Queensland Championships to claim second overall. Three points separates him from first with one round remaining.
Kirk Gibbs
“I need to execute the first few laps better and I need to make my passes stick. The speed is there, and the bike is working great. When I piece it all together, I win but I am too inconsistent at the moment. I have a month to work on my weaknesses before round 2.”
Whilst racing is suspended in Victoria, Emma Milesevic leads the Victorian State women’s championship.
Yarrive Konsky – Team Director
“We are trying to compete in as many races as possible to keep everyone poised and ready. We continue to adapt to the ever-changing restrictions. We are positive national racing will resume before the end of the year and we want to make sure our riders are ready.”
QMX1 Round Results
Pos
Competitor
Total
R1
R2
R3
1
Todd WATERS
70
25
20
25
2
Kirk GIBBS
67
20
25
22
3
Aaron TANTI
52
18
14
20
4
Jai WALKER
47
13
16
18
5
Lochie LATIMER
47
16
15
16
6
Dean FERRIS
44
22
22
–
7
Luke REARDON
43
11
18
14
8
Luke ZIELINSKI
39
14
10
15
9
Joel EVANS
39
15
11
13
10
Luke WEAVER
35
12
13
10
11
Cody O’LOAN
30
10
9
11
12
Sam LARSEN
27
6
12
9
13
Navrin GROTHUES
26
8
6
12
14
Cody SCHAT
23
7
8
8
15
Kye ORCHARD
19
5
7
7
16
Jake VALINOTI
14
9
5
–
17
Benny STREETER
10
4
–
6
QMX2 Round Results
Pos
Competitor
Total
R1
R2
R3
1
Todd WATERS
72
25
22
25
2
Jesse DOBSON
69
22
25
22
3
Isaac FERGUSON
56
20
20
16
4
Jayce COSFORD
53
18
15
20
5
Levi ROGERS
50
14
18
18
6
Ricky LATIMER
46
16
16
14
7
Ryan ALEXANDERSON
44
15
14
15
8
Kobi WOLFF
36
13
13
10
9
Joel PHILLIPS
35
12
12
11
10
Brock FLYNN
27
9
10
8
11
Jake DUTHIE
27
11
9
7
12
Ryley FITZPATRICK
26
10
7
9
13
Jackson CAMILLERI
23
–
11
12
14
Zachary WATSON
21
–
8
13
15
Braeden KREBS
20
8
6
6
16
James WALTERS
17
7
5
5
17
Zane DORRELL
11
5
4
2
18
Laird ROUGHAN
10
6
–
4
19
Angus ROBERTSON
10
4
3
3
AFT next stop Springfield ST & Mile double header
A highlight of the 2021 season awaits as the American Flat Track prepares for a monumental Labor Day Weekend double-header at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois, on September 3-5.
The weekend will kick off on Friday evening with the Springfield Short Track Doubleheader, which packs two complete rounds of the tightly fought AFT Singles championship into a single evening. And then Saturday and Sunday will see the big twins head over to the “World’s Fastest Mile” for the Springfield Mile I & II.
An epic by any measure, this year’s Progressive AFT weekend in Springfield has a bit of added meaning as it represents the end of an era. It will mark the final time the “Mile Master,” Bryan Smith (No. 4 Crosley/Howerton Motorsports Indian FTR750) competes at the Springfield Mile after recently announcing his intention to retire at the end of the season.
AFT Production Twinsalso returns to the venue where the class was originally introduced to the world at speed in 2018. An already wild AFT Singles title fight likewise has the potential for another titanic shift with two full points-paying rounds taking place in a single night during Friday’s Springfield Short Track Doubleheader.
Yamaha Day 2021 awards winners
Yamaha Day 2021 saw celebrations to mark the 66th birthday of Yamaha Motor Corporation, with Yamaha Music putting a RevStar RS702B Electric Guitar up for grabs.
Following careful deliberation, the Yamaha Motor Australia Board of Directors judged the entry by Elwyn Jordan as the one that stood out from the crowd and best captured the #UnitedByYamaha spirit.
Elwyn’s highly entertaining Instagram post revealed he’s been #UnitedByYamaha for more than 40 years. His story and pictorial walk down memory lane unveiled a long-time musician and motorcycle rider with a passion for guitars and two wheels – as long as they carry the Yamaha badge. Topped off with the hashtags #UnitedByYamaha and #YamahaDay2021, his competition entry caught the eye of the judges.
Elwyn Jordan
“I’m a huge fan of Yamaha, and I’m thrilled to have won the Yamaha Revstar Guitar. I bought my first Yamaha guitar in 1979 and loved the quality so much I’ve been adding more Yamaha’s to the collection ever since. Now I’m looking forward to adding the Revstar, it’s such a unique looking guitar.”
Elwyn said he has a range of Yamaha guitars in his collection including bass, electric and classical models. Also a keen motorcyclist, Elwyn purchased his first Yamaha motorbike way back in 1977 and has never looked back. “I’ve only owned Yamaha’s since – I love the quality and reliability.”
Also up for grabs in this year’s competition were two ShopYamaha gift vouchers. Rachel Ferlazzo claimed the $500 voucher, and Scott Wolfson the $200 voucher. Both winners will enjoy a shopping spree choosing from the huge range of products available at ShopYamaha.com.au
Here are the three #UnitedByYamaha competition winning entries for you to enjoy.
1st Prize: Elwyn Jordan
2nd Prize: Rachel Ferlazzo
3rd Prize: Scott Wolfson
Romain Febvre signs with Kawasaki until 2023
French rider, Romain Febvre, has signed a direct contract with KHI, the Kawasaki factory to compete in MXGP for 2022 and 2023. For Romain to conclude a two-year deal before the 2021 season has matured will allow him to concentrate on the current championship.
Romain Febvre
“It was very important for me to agree a deal to allow me to focus on the 2021 Championship and give my best efforts to my team. I am now one of the fastest guys in the Championship and I am looking forward to a new adventure and achieving great things on the factory Kawasaki. A two-year deal will allow me to plan and extend even further my abilities with the KX450. It already suits my style well in terms of the type of power delivery I like plus the narrow chassis suits my riding style and body positioning really well. Now I have the time and space to fine tune the package and continue the necessary training regime to achieve my goal, an MXGP world title for Kawasaki.”
Steve Guttridge – Kawasaki
“There is still work to do in this year’s championship and Romain and our team are pushing as hard as they can to get on the top step at every round and fighting for the title this season. We are super happy to have secured Romain to compete in MXGP and we hope that all Kawasaki fans worldwide will join us on this exciting journey. Now that we have announced this factory deal for the coming two years, we hope that Romain will be given the time, space and respect necessary now to focus on the job in hand.”
Josep Garcia extends KTM contract a further two-years
Josep Garcia has signed a two-year contract extension with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, which will see the former Enduro World Champion remain with the team through to the end of the 2023 season, riding the proven KTM 350 EXC-F in the FIM Enduro World Championship and the ISDE.
Josep Garcia
“I’m super happy to extend my contract with KTM for another two years. We have been working together since 2017 and I think it’s the best team to be in, plus I also have a great relationship with my mechanics, Ivan and Daniele. Signing for two more years means the team and I are free to focus on the racing and aim to be at the very top. Continuing with the KTM 350 EXC-F in EnduroGP helps to keep things consistent too, so I can really work on my riding. After that, I’m hoping to experience a few new disciplines and expand my horizons as my career continues!”
Fabio Farioli – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager
“We are very proud of everything we’ve achieved with Josep and we’re happy to be continuing our strong relationship with him for a further two years. Our main focus now is to compete for great results at the ISDE, and then turn our attention back to the FIM E2 and EnduroGP championship, which concludes in October. We’ll be giving our all as a team to fight for victory, and we’re looking forward to the future together.”
Hard Enduro next stop Poland’s HERO Challenge
The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship will soon gear up for the second half of the series, beginning with Poland’s HERO Challenge on September 11/12. Marking round six of this year’s championship chase, the extreme cross country race is set to welcome the world’s best Hard Enduro competitors, along with a host of passionate amateur warriors, as they do battle across two days in the Polish region of Dabrowa Górnicza.
Offering a real mix of challenges for competitors, racing begins with a qualifier on Saturday morning featuring motocross, enduro and superenduro elements, ensuring riders will work up a sweat. From there, the top 30 qualifiers line up in the nearby city centre for an evening SuperEnduro race. Under artificial lighting, an intense course is set to produce some exciting racing.
Returning to the Dabrowa Gornicza race circuit for Sunday, the business end of the weekend features a tough, physically demanding three-hour extreme cross country race. Laid out across a 15-kilometre loop, it will be an all-out action affair.
At the head of the standings Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler holds a narrow one-point lead over Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt. Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young and Mario Roman are also locked in a close battle for third. With three rounds remaining in this year’s title fight, there is a lot to gain at Poland’s HERO Challenge.
FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Standings
Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) – 54
Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) – 53
Wade Young (Sherco) – 40
Mario Roman (Sherco) – 37
Jonny Walker (Beta) – 34
Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) – 26
Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) – 24
Michael Walkner (GASGAS) – 21
Teodor Kabakchiev (Husqvarna) – 19
Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) – 15
2021 AMA Speedway National Championship kicks off September
The AMA Speedway National Championship Series will take place with two of the three-round series being held in New York, followed by a final round in California in 2021.
Typically, the entire series has been held solely in California, where the sport has a large following and draws thousands of fans. By hosting rounds on both coasts this year, the goal is to further grow the popularity of the sport by reaching new fans and racers.
The series will determine which racer takes home an AMA National No. 1 plate and opens at Action Park East in Greene, New York on September 4. On September 5, the bar-to-bar action moves to Champion Speedway in Owego, New York.
The third and final round of the series will see racers travel to the West Coast on Sept. 25 to compete at Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn, Calif., where the AMA Speedway Championship No. 1 plate will be handed out.
Riders scheduled to highlight the New York field for the 2021 season include four-time Speedway Track Champion Len McBride; 2020 East Coast Points Champion Spencer Portararo; 2015 U.S. Open Champion Casey Donholt; and Veteran star Dave Oakden.
Riders from the California field include 10-time and current AMA U.S. National Champion Billy Janniro; Current FIM North American Final Champion Max Ruml; Former British League and USA World Team rider Gino Manzares; Former U.S. National Under 21 Champion and current U.S. Open Champion Austin Novratil; and the rising Northern California star, Blake Borello.
The 10-year British League Veteran David Meldrum from Florida will also be competing, as will Colorado’s Redmond Bohannon.
2021 AMA Speedway National Championship Calendar
Round
Location
Date
Round 1
Action Park East in Greene, N.Y.
September 4, 2021
Round 2
Champion Speedway in Owego, N.Y.
September 5, 2021
Round 3
Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn, Calif.
September 25, 2021
Artem Laguta wins Togliatti FIM Speedway Grand Prix
Home hero Artem Laguta celebrated writing his name in history by winning the first-ever Togliatti FIM Speedway Grand Prix to turn up the heat in the World Championship race on Saturday. Laguta topped the podium at the Anatoly Stepanov Stadium ahead of series leader Bartosz Zmarzlik, Danish champion Anders Thomsen and Emil Sayfutdinov as the Motorcycling Federation of Russia staged its first SGP event and the biggest speedway meeting in its history.
The Bolshoy Kamen-born racer cruised to the top of the heat score chart with 14 race points, but was on the verge of exiting the meeting in semi-final one until a mistake from Fredrik Lindgren allowed Laguta to overhaul the Swedish star for the all-important second place to join Sayfutdinov in the final.
He then kept his cool when it mattered most to make a fine start and triumph ahead of Zmarzlik, reducing the Pole’s lead at the SGP World Championship summit to just one point with three rounds to race. Laguta now has 138 points, with Zmarzlik just ahead on 139.
With Zmarzlik and Laguta almost inseparable in the championship chase, the Bydgoszcz-based star is expecting a close battle at the next round in Vojens, Denmark on September 11 and then a tense finish as the hunt for the sport’s biggest prize concludes with the eWinner Torun SGP of Poland double-header on October 1 and 2.
Artem Laguta
“I knew this meeting could be something special. Of course I want to win every single round and every single race. But winning in my home country – the first-ever Grand Prix here – is something special. It will go down in history and hopefully everyone will remember that the first-ever Togliatti SGP was won by me. I am pretty sure that even after Vojens it will be pretty tight. We want to do the best we can and Bartosz does too, so it’s a tough game. I am pretty sure Torun will decide everything. At 7am, we have to go to the airport and we are flying back to Poland to be ready for the Polish play-offs. We have some more goals in front of us, so we will take it step by step. There will be time for celebrations later for sure. Thank you Russia, thank you to my team and my sponsors. I am very happy. See you in Vojens.”
Runner-up Zmarzlik was content with his sixth straight top-two finish in an SGP round as he maintained top spot.
Bartosz Zmarzlik
“I am feeling good because I made my plan before Togliatti and second place is nice. I made the podium and I am really happy. I am feeling good on the bike and that’s the best thing for me. It’s important that I am feeling good this season in meeting after meeting. Congratulations to Artem and Anders. Thank you very much for your support and see you at the next round.”
Third-placed Thomsen was elated with a night he will never forget in Togliatti and cannot wait to line up in the Danish SGP sponsored by Ecco at the legendary Vojens Speedway Center in two weeks.
Anders Thomsen
“I feel amazing – my first podium and also my first final. What a feeling to get on the podium in such a big event and the first event here. Thank you to everybody. Vojens is my home track in Denmark and I have been performing pretty well there. I have won the Danish title there two times in a row now. I feel I have some engines, bikes and equipment working well there, so I am focused for the next Grand Prix.”
2021 Togliatti FIM Speedway Grand Prix results
Pos
Rider
Points
1
Artem Laguta
20
2
Bartosz Zmarzlik
18
3
Anders Thomsen
16
4
Emil Sayfutdinov
14
5
Fredrik Lindgren
12
6
Max Fricke
11
7
Leon Madsen
10
8
Tai Woffinden
9
9
Maciej Janowski
8
10
Jason Doyle
7
11
Aleksandr Loktaev
6
12
Matej Zagar
5
13
Vadim Tarasenko
4
14
Oliver Berntzon
3
15
Krzysztof Kasprzak
2
16
Robert Lambert
1
17
Renat Gafurov
0
18
Evgenii Saidullin
DNR
FIM Speedway GP Standings
Pos
Rider
Total
1
Bartosz Zmarzlik
139
2
Artem Laguta
138
3
Fredrik Lindgren
108
4
Emil Sayfutdinov
105
5
Maciej Janowski
91
6
Tai Woffinden
82
7
Leon Madsen
72
8
Max Fricke
70
9
Jason Doyle
68
10
Anders Thomsen
60
11
Robert Lambert
48
12
Martin Vaculik
45
13
Dominik Kubera
44
14
Matej Zagar
36
15
Oliver Berntzon
18
16
Krzysztof Kasprzak
18
17
Gleb Chugunov
8
18
Jan Kvech
7
19
Aleksandr Loktaev
6
20
Vadim Tarasenko
4
21
Pontus Aspgren
1
Toni Bou increases TrialGP lead in France
Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou came away from France having extended his lead at the head of the world championship after a win in the French town of Cahors.
After the twin trials in Andorra, the single-day sixth event of the 2021 Trial World Championship took place today in Cahors, France. The course turned out to be somewhat artificial, with some sections even resembling indoor, rather than natural ones.
Even in such conditions, Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou claimed the top honours in an almost flawless manner, completing the two laps of the 12 French sections with only three penalty marks in the first lap, ten less than the nearest second placed rider and main rival, Adam Raga.
The second lap of the Montesa Cota 4RT rider was impeccable, without so much as a single mistake. With today’s results Bou remains top of the overall TrialGP World Championship standings, 11 points off Raga with three races still to go.
Toni Bou
“I’m very happy with how the weekend went. It was a trial to not make mistakes and that’s how it turned out. One of the most complicated sections was section one, where we had to take a different line to the other riders and it went very well. I’m happy with the choice because it worked for us and it also helped me to gain confidence. I want to thank the team who did a great job. We had problems in Andorra, this week too and everyone has worked very hard day and night to solve them, so today’s victory is a great prize for everyone. We are still in the lead, that’s important, but it’s even more important to get back the good feelings on the bike.”
Repsol Honda Team team-mate Takahisa Fujinami did not get off to the best of starts, struggling on the first lap, but on the second he was able to pull back, to eventually finish in fifth position with the same score as the fourth-placed rider, but only thirty seconds behind. With this result “Fujigas” remains fifth in the overall standings.
Next stop for the TrialGP World Championship will be in Pobladura de las Regueras, Spain, on 11th and 12th September with the double-date format.
2021 French TrialGP Cahors results
Pos.
Rider
Nation
L1
L2
Points
1
BOU Toni
SPA
0
3
3
2
RAGA Adam
SPA
11
2
13
3
BUSTO Jaime
SPA
12
2
14
4
GELABERT Miquel
SPA
11
17
28
5
FUJINAMI Takahisa
JPN
20
8
28
6
GRATTAROLA Matteo
ITA
14
17
31
7
CASALES Jorge
SPA
16
17
33
8
MARCELLI Gabriel
SPA
24
10
34
9
BINCAZ Benoit
FRA
25
12
37
10
FAJARDO Jeroni
SPA
21
22
43
2021 TrialGP Standings
Pos.
Rider
Team
Points
1
BOU Toni
Repsol Honda Team
112
2
RAGA Adam
TRRS Factory Team
101
3
GRATTAROLA Matteo
Beta Factory Racing
79
4
BUSTO Jaime
Vertigo Factory Team
75
5
FUJINAMI Takahisa
Repsol Honda Team
69
6
GELABERT Miquel
Gas Gas
66
7
FAJARDO Jeroni
Sherco Factory Team
55
8
MARCELLI Gabriel
Montesa Factory
53
9
CASALES Jorge
Gas Gas Factory Team
34
10
BINCAZ Benoit
Beta Factory Racing
20
11
PEACE Dan
Sherco Factory Team
20
12
COLAIRO Téo
Beta
5
Jack Dance wins Trial125 Championship in France
Finishing the 2021 FIM Trial125 World Championship exactly as he started it – winning – Jack Dance put the finishing touches to his highly impressive 125cc world championship campaign, claiming victory at the TrialGP of France. In doing so he secured the Trial125 World Championship title.
Jack Dance
“It’s an amazing feeling to be the Trial125 World Champion. It’s been a tough season, staying on top was hard, but my mum, dad, brother, and the whole GASGAS team have been there to support me so that has been a big help. Today I just concentrated on riding trial like I know how and didn’t think about becoming a world champion, because otherwise the pressure would have been too much. It was an amazing feeling coming out of section 12. I wanted to come and win today, not just to secure the championship but because it’s an awesome feeling for the team and my family.”
Arriving at the final round of the Trial125 championship at the head of the class standings, Jack put in a champion’s performance in France, completing the event’s opening lap with the loss of just one mark.
Remaining cool, calm, and collected throughout the all-important second lap, in dropping only four marks he ended the day with just five marks lost, 10 clear of his nearest challenger Guadi Vall. Jack’s win, added to his two other victories and two runner-up day results earlier in the series, saw him win the Trial125 title in style, 18 points ahead of runner-up Harry Hemingway.
Trial125 Standings – Top 3
Pos
Rider
Man.
Total
1
Jack Dance
GASGAS
94
2
Harry Hemingway
Beta
76
3
Harry Turner
Scorpa
72
Conondale Classic 2021 run and won
The Conondale Classic ran over the weekend, with Zak Brown taking the twin in the Pro Class, from James Deakin and Tomas Kruger.
Jacob Dank won the Period 20 125 class, with Riley Lee runner up and Jacob Day third. In the Period 20 250s it was Adam Martin winning all three races, ahead of Riley Lee and Justin Ryan. Riley Lee meanwhile won the Pre 20 263+ class, ahead of Christopher Bangay and Shane Briese-Marshall.
In the Pre 90 125/Pre 95 250 races, Jacob Dank was the winner with three wins, from Matthew Roeder and Tomas Kruger. James Deakin won all three Pre 90 250/Women races, ahead of Riley Lee and Brett Bellairs. James Deakin and Zak Brown battled for the Pre 90 263+/Pre 95 125 race wins, with Deakin coming out in front.
Harry Sorensen won the Evo/Pre 95 263+ class, while Justin Ryan and Riley Lee completed the podium. Peter Baguley topped the Pre 85/Pre 95 4 stroke overall, ahead of Tomas Kruger and Justin Ryan. In the 125 GP it was Jacob Dank on top.