Motocross and Supercross champion Chad Reed designs track in Statesville

STATESVILLE, N.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – A new park is open in Statesville, but you won’t find any trees or grass there, just mounds of dirt. Moto 40 MX Park opened on April 1 in Statesville and has been seeing a steady flow of two-wheeled riders from all over the country.

The familiar designer and co-owner of the park is Supercross and Motocross champion Chad Reed. Reed was asked to help design the course, before being offered a role as co-owner. Preparing and building the course took months, but has already proven to be a hit for amateur riders.

“I mean I have been taken by the sport. I mean my mountain bike is just sitting in my garage and I have been mountain biking for 20 years,” said Casey McKinney.

McKinney turned 46-years-old within the past month and started riding within the past year. He found Moto 40 MX Park through word of mouth and makes the drive from Charlotte nearly every week.

“I love the workout, I love the engines. I love the sound,” said McKinney.

There are also plenty of high-flying jumps and there is no one better at navigating them than Chad Reed.

“I have been riding motorcycles since I was 3 and a half years old,” said Reed.

The more than 30 years of experience riding make Chad the perfect person to design the motocross park.

Safety is always the top priority, so there are three tracks ranging from beginner level to advanced.

“We are not a racetrack, we a strictly a practice track,” said Reed.

Although you won’t see any races, the park is drawing a crowd from all over the country. The pandemic helped put motocross and Statesville, North Carolina on the map.

“Most of the people that are wanting to play those stick and ball sports are now wanting to go outdoors put a helmet on and just be free,” said Reed.

Freedom is something Chad is learning a lot about. He retired from professional riding during the pandemic, but he’s keeping busy not only designing the park but co-owning it with guys that all share a common interest.

“I am excited. I am learning a lot about things outside my norm and yeah I love working with the guys,” said Reed.

You’ll find Chad at Moto 40 nearly every week spending a lot of his time watching his 3 kids ride, who are all under the age of 12.

The park has been so successful they recently expanded from opening only on weekends to also Wednesday afternoons.

News: Triumph Enter Motocross

 Triumph Enters Moto

Lewis PhillipsJuly 20, 20212

Huge news for the sport, no matter where you are in the world. Triumph are entering the sport with motocross and enduro bikes, and are already committed to going racing with a factory race programme in “top-tier championship racing.” That is the exciting bit! Official communication from Triumph is below.

Triumph is excited to announce that development is well underway on a comprehensive range of all-new competition motocross and enduro motorcycles. Joining our class leading and globally renowned motorcycle range this all new competition MX and Enduro family will bring all of Triumph’s engineering expertise to riders and racers worldwide.

This will be accompanied by a landmark moment for Triumph and the MX and Enduro racing world with an all new Triumph factory race programme, and a commitment to top-tier championship racing in both motocross and enduro series.

Coming hand-in-hand with this commitment, to race and win at the highest level in the sport, Triumph is proud to announce that global motocross legend Ricky Carmichael and five-times Enduro World Champion Iván Cervantes have joined the Triumph family as active partners in both bike testing and preparation for racing.

An announcement of the timetable for the launch and reveal of the motorcycles, as well as the racing programme and the full story on the product advantages the new Triumph MX and Enduro offer, will follow in the coming months.

Nick Bloor (CEO Triumph Motorcycles Ltd): “Today’s announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Triumph brand, which everyone at Triumph is incredibly excited to be part of. We are 100% committed to making a long-lasting impact in this highly competitive and demanding world, with a single-minded ambition to deliver a winning motorcycle line-up for a whole new generation of Triumph riders.”

Ricky Carmichael: “I am thrilled to announce that I am joining the Triumph family and even more excited to be a part of their new endeavour into the off-road product category. This is an incredible opportunity for me to join this historic brand, and I am honoured and humbled to be a part of the development and release of their off-road motorcycles. Building something from the ground up is something that really is intriguing to me at this stage of my career. What is impressive to me is Triumph’s dedication, and passion to develop a top of the class product.

“Everyone that I have been involved with in this project from the engineers, design groups, R&D dept. etc. have shown extreme passion for what they are doing and that is a recipe for success and something that I love being a part of. We all share that same passion, and that’s to be the best. If you are familiar with the Triumph brand, you already know the quality of craftsmanship is top shelf, and the off-road models will follow suit to their past!

“Not only are these exciting times for me, but it’s an exciting time for the off-road industry to be adding another brand to the mix and the opportunities that lie ahead for all off-road consumers. I can’t wait to see the reactions when these models hit the dealer’s showroom floors.”

Ivan Cervantes: “I have loved Triumph motorcycles right from being a small kid, seeing them in films and on television. So to be working with Triumph from the beginning of this project is an amazing opportunity for me, not just because it is working with one of the world’s greatest motorcycle brands but also for being part of building something from zero. It is a dream come true for any racer!

“Like me, everyone I am working with at Triumph is focused to make the bikes the best they can be. I cannot wait to see the bikes competing at a world level, but I also look forward to when I can stand in a Triumph dealer and know I was part of this very special project.”

Barcia Refocus!

Podium a result of improved direction for Barcia

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  Post: Anthony Sansotta

All-new settings turn things around for TLD Red Bull GasGas.

Image: Octopi Media.

Justin Barcia showed up to round five of the 2021 Pro Motocross season with all-new settings on his TLD Red Bull GasGas MC 450F, stating the new direction was key in his first overall podium of the season.

After struggling at rounds three and four, Barcia and the team went back to the drawing board and coming out with an all-new setting for round five at Southwick.

“We got forks, shock and a link, so it was quite different,” Barcia explained. “I was obviously really struggling the last few weeks.

“I think, you know, everyone has been struggling a little bit, I think Cooper [Webb] was struggling a little, Marv [Marvin Musquin] maybe a little and they seemed like they were a little better this weekend.

“I’m not really sure what they were on, I don’t really keep up to date on that. But at least for me, super stoked on the direction we went and everyone working together and yeah, super happy with the changes.”

Barcia detailed what he’s been dealing with in the early season, as he continues to learn and grow with the new team and motorcycle.

“It’s definitely a learning process, I love the bike and I enjoy it, but it’s a lot different than what I’ve been used to the last few years,” he continued. “It’s really good to have the big umbrella of KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas and all the guys in Europe as well racing.

“I built my own setting and I was happy with it at the beginning of the season, then we got on the more east coast tracks [were] searching, searching and couldn’t really figure it out.

“We were working really hard and we looked at some stuff and made a decision on what we needed to do this week and obviously, it was the right decision.

“It’s like anything, a new job or anything new it’s a learning process, but still enjoying the team, I love all the guys over there and we’re enjoying the process.”

While he managed 2-4 motos for third overall, his first podium since last year at Spring Creek, Barcia had to come through the pack and pondered what could have been with a better start.

“It was good, I went full beast mode, I got stuck behind Christian [Craig] for quite a while, he was riding good and I couldn’t get around him.

“Finally made the pass happen and then I saw Marv and Coop in front of me and it was blood in the water, I wanted it bad.

“I never knew anything about the overall I was just going as far as I couldn’t in the amount of time I had.

“Made some really good passes and was definitely gelling with the bike and the track in the second moto, just wish I could have got a start and really shined, but it is what it is.”

He now sits fifth overall in the standings as the series heads to Millville for round six at Spring Creek.

MXGP of NL is a go this weekend

Following last Friday’s government press conference, intensive discussions were held by Ebert Dollevoet with the municipality of Oss and Infront Moto Racing. We are very happy to announce: The MXGP in Oss scheduled for the coming weekend (July 17 and 18) at the Witte Ruysheuvel in Oss continues! The event allows the public to attend. The spectators are given a fixed seat along the track to be able to watch the spectacle; the organization of MXGP Oss provides enough chairs. EMX classes will be run on Saturday, the MXGP classes on Sunday.

To visit the event, it remains necessary to hold a corona admission ticket/QR code. The government has tightened up a number of rules last week, more information can be found on MXGP Oss website. For more questions about the corona admission ticket, the organisation will refer to Testing for Access.

From the entrance you will walk through the paddock to be able to view it. During the race the paddock will remain closed to the public. The catering facilities and toilets are open, the organisation is still in discussion about the possibilities of the entertainment program (VIP and circuit).

The biggest motocross competition to be played in the Netherlands this year continues! There are still a few tickets available.

Eli Talks

Chatter Box: Eli Tomac

Lewis PhillipsJuly 11, 20210

Eli Tomac has come on leaps and bounds since the opening two rounds of 2021 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross, yet he is still a tad tricky to figure out. Tomac has been simply phenomenal in the second motos, much like he was in his title-winning years, but the first motos have been baffling to say the least. It would seem as though an overall win is on the horizon though – he has just been too good not to get one.

Tomac talked about his up-and-down results quite candidly in the post-race press conference following round five, at Southwick, as he admitted that he too does not understand why he cannot string two great motos together. The comments that he made in that media event have been transcribed below, so that they are easier for you to consume.

MX Vice: Good job in the second moto today. It seems like you have been trying to find this flow, which you are starting to get into. It also seems like you are having fun. How have you been feeling? 

Eli Tomac: Yeah, the second motos have been great! I look back at the last three weeks and I’m just like, “What has been going on in moto one?” I haven’t been able to figure it out yet, other than maybe it’s a little bit of starting position the past two weeks. There was no excuse this week – I almost started in the same spot in moto two and was able to come through. I don’t know. I made a little bike change between one and two today, but I was talking to some people earlier and I said that I was not sure if it did all of that. We have got to figure something out. Maybe a little bit of start position? At least I am getting one of those wins in there but, with the way that I have been riding in the second motos, I am like, “Dang it! I want that overall.” Moto one has not been cutting it. I have got to figure it out.

You have been hard to figure out. You go from not doing what we expect to being the Eli that we expect. There has been a lot of discussion about you changing teams and starting a family with another child coming. We have all theorised whether these things have anything to do with what is going on, so I am asking you. Does any of that affect your day to day and results?

If it does then I have not nailed it down yet. My routine at home is the same. Nothing has changed riding wise or training wise – I have always done the same thing. Maybe that is something there? Nothing has changed. I can still get all of the work in. Family time is great. If anything then it makes me more motivated as a racer. I’m just trying to figure out moto one. It seems like I am always a little bit further back on the start and then get stuck behind guys a little bit longer than I do in moto two. That is the only thing that I can nail it down to right now.

Is it difficult to prevent yourself from trying to reinvent the wheel too much? I’m sure you are searching and trying to figure out why, but it is not that far off. Is it tough to not try to experiment too much to try and fix that problem? You are not that far off, obviously, based on the second motos.

Yeah, we were not far off. It was literally clickers between one and two, that was it. Like I was thinking about  it earlier, moto one was a little more one-lined. Maybe it was not but in my opinion it was when getting through guys. The roost was sticking to my goggles worse and that sort of thing. That was what happened today. I don’t know! That is just how it goes.

57 points down in the championship. How do you feel about this? You would have been feeling completely different after the first two rounds, but do you feel like you have a shot at this? Where do we go from here? 

I will feel like I am in it if I am within a moto’s worth of points or even if it is down to 30. 50 is a way out… You are just going for broke and everything at that point. That is not anywhere in the mindset. It is just all about figuring out moto one and trying to get an overall first.

Align Media

We are going to one of the best tracks on the calendar next week, Millville. Thoughts on that track and whether it is a bonus for you to go there.

I think so. I like that one. It is a good track… All these ones; Southwick, RedBud and Millville. These are all tracks that I have been looking forward to. Even Washougal! We only got half of those last year. I’m excited to go back. It is just one of those tracks that is just different. You have got sand on one half and then normal clay on the other side, so for the most part I like it.

When you leave these races after having a difficult result and a win in the second moto, do you leave with a sense of satisfaction or frustration? What side does it tip over to?

Today was such a flip flop! It is like both. I am just like, “How did I flip flop that bad to where I was able to come through that easily in the second moto?” I was just stuck where I was at in that first moto. It is both. It is really frustrating when you do not get on the podium.

Interview: Press Conference | Lead Image: Align Media

Dirt Buzz is Up

The Dirt Buzz Podcast Episode 030 – Luke Nesler, Host of the Moto Marketing Podcast and CEO of Impakt Results

Boise, ID – This week's guest on The Dirt Buzz Podcast is Luke Nesler, host of the Moto Marketing Podcast and CEO of Impakt Results marketing and advertising agency in Morgantown, West Virginia. Nesler is also a team owner and huge advocate of eMTB riding and racing. Learn more about Luke Nesler and his various roles within the powersports, eMTB, and digital marketing segments in this episode.

Direct Link to Episode: https://bit.ly/Dirt-Buzz-Episode-030

Other ways to listen to The Dirt Buzz Podcast:

www.dirtbuzz.com/podcast  |  https://dirtbuzz.buzzsprout.com/

About The Dirt Buzz Podcast | www.dirtbuzz.com

The Dirt Buzz, hosted by powersports industry veteran Dale Spangler, is a motorcycle racing and 2-wheel culture podcast that shares the fascinating stories of personalities and brands within the powersports industry and other motorcycle-related musings. New episodes every Sunday night!

MXGP of Italy

Southwick is Back!

30,000 fans attend motocross competition in Southwick

SOUTHWICK, Mass. (WWLP) – Men and women by the tens of thousands came to Southwick Saturday to renew their love for motocross racing.

It was a record turnout, with more than 30,00 fans attending the event. Fans watching racers on the famous track called the Wick 338. The competition has been held since 1976, only missing just one year in 2020 because of COVID-19.

Melvin Jones made the trip with his wife from Cape Cod for the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross championship.

Fighter Wing flyover at Southwick National

“It’s a great sport, motocross has been in my life since I was a kid, since I was five years old. I came to this track when I was 13, when they first opened one of the first, I had the pleasure of racing here myself,” Jones said.

The competition between riders is high, coming from all over the world, including Australia, France, Germany. Traveling so far to Southwick always impresses Gary Redmond. His family has cared for the Legion Post property for many years. He never tires of being immersed in the fast-moving competition.

“This is one of the best tracks in the country to see motocross racing. I’m not surprised at all. The people get so excited when they come around the track. You can feel it. The machines just so loud you can feel it in your chest.” Redmond said.

Not only has the motocross championship grown to international acclaim, but with so many fans attending, the event has a positive economic impact on this Hampden County community and surrounding towns.

The Southwick national is back with a flourish and an acceptance that may have exceeded all of its prior presentations as a true crowd-pleaser.

Flying the Skys at Matterley Basin

This could hurt!

MXGP... The Old Dog is Not Done Yet

Tony Cairoli takes #93 in the rain.