Reed Still Going!

Reed set for home appearance in AUS-X Open Melbourne

Legendary Australian commits to 2019 supercross at Marvel Stadium.

Image: Supplied.

Australian icon Chad Reed will return home for the 2019 Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne, to be held at Marvel Stadium on 30 November.

The 37-year-old will head to Victoria to race for the first time since 2012 and his first time racing in Melbourne since 2000, where he says he’ll be looking for redemption.

Reed sat out the 2017 event due to injury and was unable to complete a fairytale comeback last year, with the 2018 AMA Supercross champion Jason Anderson taking the win.

“I’m definitely looking for redemption, to come out and work hard and just be better prepared on all levels myself, the bike, the team, so I can hopefully take out that AUS-X crown,” said Reed.

“Getting back to Melbourne to race will be awesome, it’s been a long time since I’ve raced there. I love the city and I’ve never been to Marvel Stadium before so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I was around for the first-ever AUS-X Open in Sydney and I’m really proud to see how it’s grown into Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

“It’s so hard to put into words the energy that you get at a stadium like Marvel, a stadium filled with 35-45,000 people, there’s just nothing like it.”

Reed finished 15th in this year’s AMA Supercross standings with JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki after missing the final five rounds through injury. Prior to that, he earned the 132nd podium of his career in Detroit’s eighth round.

Tickets for the event will be available exclusively through Ticketmaster.com.au from 12:00pm today, starting from $39.95 and are expected to sell out fast.

Herlings Back In The Saddle But No Date Set For Racing Return

MXGP World Champion Jeffrey Herlings has at last returned to the saddle of his Red Bull KTM 450SX-F after recovering from surgery on his right foot in January.

The 24 year old has been completing short practice motos on the #84 machine for almost three weeks. Herlings has recovered enough strength and stability in his foot in the wake of surgery at the beginning of the year to repair several fractures.

The Dutchman sustained the injury three weeks before the start of the 2019 season in Argentina after a training accident in Spain.

The reigning world number one is in the later phases of his recovery but still has to confirm a Grand Prix for his return to MXGP action. He will certainly miss the trip to France this week.

“It feels great to be back on the bike again but I have to take things slowly and listen to what my body is saying." Herlings explained. "Sometimes I still have some pain in my foot and I need to train and get good time on the bike after three months of almost doing nothing.

Basically I need to ride myself into shape. Jeffrey Herlings

"I want to come back to the track when I am 100% but I know I won’t be able to return and win; it will take a few races to get back up to a good level and the rest of the guys are already pushing hard and have the rhythm of regular racing. I’m working hard and will be back as soon as possible.”

Barcia... Sweet 2 Stroke Sights and Sounds

Mud at Hangtown...Sun in Portugal

18 EKS-S Zip-Off XL Goggle

Do you think there were a few guys looking for these babies at Hangtown?

It doesn’t get any better than the GOX EKS-XL Goggle and Zip Off system when it comes to keeping the dirt and mud off your lens.

The GOX EKS-XL features an EKS-S translucent clear goggle, with an integrated Zip Off system, and comes standard with two rolls of ultra thin film, an anti-fog coated GOX lens, to help prevent any condensation or fogging, and 10 first turn tearoff’s.

Two Zip Off canisters, a motor side and a spool side and a moisture visor to keep dirt and wetness from penetrating under the film. The EKS BRAND Zip Off’s allow the rider to have nearly 35 pulls of clear vision to get through a race or a long day of riding.

EKS BRAND also offers Zip Off accessories.  

INCLUDES
1 complete XL Zip Off System, Two Rolls of Film, Visor and 10 First Turn Tearoff’s 

FRAME

“Force-Fit” Outrigger system with detachable nose guard and “Flo-Air” ventilation.

Lens channel restraint tabs.

A lightweight, “urethane blend” frame has a firm yet pliable feel for the ultimate in comfort and protection. The material known as “Poly-Flex” allows the frame to form much easier to different face shapes.

LENS

The “EKS-S” frame is equipped with the highest quality, Polycarbonate, shatter-resistant, anti-scratch & anti-fog coated lens available. It has 100% UVA protection and it is the leader in lens attributes and function.

Tear off posts are integrated into the lens for ease of use and function. 

FOAM

100-PPI “reticulated” vent foam allows the ultimate in airflow while keeping the dust and debris out. This special vent foam is designed to allow moisture and condensation to escape freely.

17mm thick, 4-layer face-foam is backed with a moisture wicking fleece lining providing the best anti drip, sweat protection available. 

FEATURES

An adjustable, double buckle woven strap is silicone backed for the ultimate in strap placement and hold.

“Anti static” smudge resistant goggle bag comes standard in every box.

Hangtown..."Girly Mud"

Tomorrow's races at Hangtown will be muddy but will they be really muddy? In the words of our resident moto man #33 " it will be girly muddy"  the real mud race was 1991. He should know he was there. When all the factory stars sat under their giant umbrellas hoping the race would be cancelled the Dirt Diggers asked #33 if he could ride the track. Despite the flowing river through the middle of the track Eric successfully blasted through the mud and water and all thoughts of cancellation were put to rest. What followed was one of the most epic Hangtown races of all time.

If memory serves me well the Old Timers race mentioned in this video was won by local riders Terry Sage with Larry Hartnett a close second. The old guys had hundreds of laps on the Prairie City track and knew how to get around the water proving experience counts.

Gajser Goes 1-1 in Portugal

HRC factory rider Tim Gajser made good of his poor performance in Mantova last week with a perfect 1-1 in Portugal today. The two time World champion scored his 17^th GP victory of his career and closed up the points lead by Antonio Cairoli, who went 2-2 this weekend.

“I am really happy,” Gajser said. “I was enjoying the whole weekend. We had a solid start and then Tony made a mistake, and I won the race. Last weekend we were struggling and didn’t ride well and this week we regrouped and I want to thank my team and all the fans and everyone around me."

"Yes,” Cairoli said. “Not so happy of course, but its part of racing. First moto I stalled my bike and then I was struggling to pass Desalle and I had arm pump and I passed him, but then I made a small mistake and he passed me. I had to work back to second and it isn’t what you expect after Mantova, but Tim was very strong today and I am holding control for the championship."

Desalle in the lead of the second MXGP moto, and then Cairoli, Tonus, Paulin, Lupino, Gajser, Seewer, Lieber, Jonass and Coldenhoff. Gajser nearly down in a while mistake but kept his position.

Been a while since Desalle led a Sunday and he looked sharp in first. After a lap it was Desalle, Cairoli, Tonus, Gajser, Seewer, Paulin, Febvre, Jonass, Coldenhoff, Van Horebeek 10^th.

Gajser into third place and four Yamahas of Tonus, Seewer, Paulin and Febvre in chase. Simpson 12^th and Searle 13^th.

Gajser moving fast and onto Cairoli for second place. Nice to see Desalle and Cairoli battling again, wasn’t sure we would see this in 2019. Seewer went past Tonus, and Jasikonis up to 16^th place.

Cairoli really pushing the Belgian for the lead and Gajser fighting hard to stay with them. Nice move by Cairoli to take the lead and Gajser also went past into second place. Gajser wants this GP, but at the moment they are equal on points.

Cairoli went down in a corner and dropped back to fourth place. Gajser now looking likely to win the GP. After nine laps it was Gajser, Desalle, Tonus, Cairoli, Seewer, Paulin, Febvre, Jonass, Coldenhoff and Lieber 10^th.

After 12 laps Cairoli making no impression on Desalle and Tonus and Gajser was long gone. A nice 10 second lead to the HRC rider on lap 12. Tonus into second and Cairoli also goes past Desalle.

Cairoli into second place, but with a lead of 10 second Gajsers race and GP victory is secure. Gajser wins it from Cairoli and Tonus.

MXGP - GP Classification

1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 33 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 29 p.; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 28 p.; 7. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 28 p.; 8. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 27 p.; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 26 p.; 10. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 22 p.; 11. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 20 p.; 12. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 18 p.; 13. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KAW), 18 p.; 14. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 16 p.; 15. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), 12 p.; 16. Benoit Paturel (FRA, KAW), 8 p.; 17. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, YAM), 6 p.; 18. Tanel Leok (EST, HUS), 6 p.; 19. Tommy Searle (GBR, KAW), 5 p.; 20. Petar Petrov (BUL, KTM), 4 p.; 21. Anton Gole (SWE, YAM), 1 p.; 22. Brian Bogers (NED, HON), 1 p.; 23. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 0 p.; 24. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, YAM), 0 p.; 25. Sandro Peixe (POR, SUZ), 0 p.; 26. Artem Guryev (RUS, HUS), 0 p.; 27. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, YAM), 0 p.; 28. Micha-Boy De Waal (NED, YAM), 0 p.; 29. Jeffrey Dewulf (BEL, KTM), 0 p.; 30. Sven Van der Mierden (NED, YAM), 0 p.; 31. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), 0 p.; 32. Ander Valentin (ESP, HUS), 0 p.; 

MXGP - World Championship Classification

1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 285 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 251 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 197 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 175 p.; 5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 166 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 153 p.; 7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 137 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 136 p.; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 122 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 120 p.

Garcia Tops A Wet And Wild Trèfle Lozérien AMV Day One