RIP Bengt Aberg

 2x World Champion

2022 Honda 450R

American Honda today announced the return of the CRF450R motocrosser for 2022, as well as its five siblings that specialize in a variety of applications. The clear point of reference when it comes to motocross, Honda’s CRF450R currently leads the 2021 AMA Supercross series, at the hands of Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen, while the CRF450RWE adds top-shelf performance features for the most demanding customers. The CRF450X opens things up a bit to closed-course off-road racing, whereas the CRF450X expands horizons to everything up to and including the deserts of Baja. Meanwhile, the CRF450RL adds the possibility of linking trails and dirt roads via public roads. Finally, there’s the CRF450R-S, a great option for value-focused motocrossers. Add them up, and it’s a collective of dirt bikes that covers the needs of motorcycle enthusiasts who enjoy getting dirty in any number of ways.

"Back when we first expanded our CRF450 lineup for the 2019 model year, our goal was to offer application-specific models that would put Red Riders at the front of the pack no matter what their preferred means of dirt-bike riding,” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Advertising, Experiential and Sports at American Honda. “Three years later, the family has expanded and improved, and the 2022 collection is better than ever. We expect these bikes to continue to run at the front of the pack, in the dirt and on dealer showrooms."

2022 Honda CRF450R

Honda’s CRF450R continues to be the powersports industry’s benchmark motocrosser, carrying Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen to three 2021 AMA Supercross wins so far and, together with its limited-edition CRF450RWE sibling, posting the most U.S. sales of any MX model. For 2022, the legendary machine gets an updated ECU for enhanced drivability, particularly in the lower rev ranges, while suspension valving is revised for better holdup and improved balance. “Razor Sharp Cornering” continues as the model’s theme, with three main focus areas: power, handling and consistency. Unsurprisingly for the platform campaigned by Roczen and teammate Chase Sexton, as well as reigning FIM World Champion Tim Gajser, the CRF450R continues to draw lessons from Honda Racing Corporation’s global race program.

• Color: Red
• MSRP: $9,599
• Available: May

Bear Mountain Hare Scrambles Massive Success!

The Polka Dots MC continued their long history of putting on big Cross Country events. This years Prairie City GP was cancelled by the state because of Covid so the PDMC went looking for new ground and found Bear Mountain...virgin territory. The new race was a massive success. Here is what club memeber Dave Desrosiers had to say

"Bear Mountain Hare Scrambles this weekend! Our club thanks every one of 1099 racers that supported this epic event. Massive appreciation for the Lombardi family for allowing us to host this race on their PRIVATE Ranch! Some “borrowed” photos and a few I managed to grab in between working my rear end off in Loop 3. That C race was interesting with about 350 racers on course at that point in time."

Thad Duvall Hurt

Bad news for Rockstar Energy Drink Husqvarna's Thad Duvall, who is expected to be a contender for a variety of off-road championships this year. After taking second overall at the Grand National Cross Country season opener last weekend in South Carolina, Duvall suffered a bad crash at Saturday's U.S. Sprint Enduro Series opener, at the GTR Complex also in South Carolina

Duvall hit a tree hard and had to be taken from the track in an ambulance. Thad posted details on the injury on Sunday night:

Thanks to everyone reaching out. Unfortunately I clipped a tree wrong with my foot peg an it shot me into another tree stopping me instantly. Resulting in a collapsed lung, broken collarbone and some fractured ribs in my back. I wanna say a huge thanks to @r_sipes for staying with me. Billy and the @ussprintenduro handled it so well and I’m thankful with the crew I had out in the woods taking care of me. Fall 7 times get back up 8, we will be back 💪🏻 

The GNCC series continues this upcoming weekend with the Wild Boar GNCC in Florida, and then races again with The General GNCC in Georgia the following weekend.

Duvall was hoping 2021 would be the year he would finally capture that elusive GNCC Championship. Duvall had battled Kailub Russell for the #1 plate for years, but now Russell is no longer competing in the series. If Duvall misses the next two races, which seems likely considering these injuries, it would likely end his title hopes.

Ryan "The General" Sipes, now competing on a Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull GasGas, actually sacrificed his race at the U.S. Sprint Enduro to attend to Duvall in the woods. As such, the series decided to average all of Sipes' test times for the day to give him an overall score, instead of letting one test (which he sacrificed) ruin his entire weekend.

Martin Bros Status

Jeremy Martin—Shoulder

At this point, there is not much information to provide on Jeremy’s status. He was landed on in the first section by Stilez Robertson and his night ended early. Once his brother Alex was helped off the track and the race was restarted, J-Mart did not lineup for the restart. The initial word is that he suffered an injury to his shoulder. The team said in a post-race press release: “The Minnesotan went to seek medical evaluation, and a further update will follow.” Monster Energy/Star Yamaha Racing 250 team manager Wil Hahn said, “It was a bit bittersweet night losing J-Mart [Jeremy Martin] like that,” referring to teammate Justin Cooper taking the main event win.

Alex Martin—Head (Concussion)

Martin went over the bars in the rollers after the standard supercross triple at the start of the race and knocked himself out. The race was red flagged so medical crew could tend to Alex. He was carted off the track and waved to the crowd, and our Steve Matthes talked to a source in Martin's camp that indicated Alex likely suffered a concussion, but he will otherwise be okay.

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Jeremy Martin Back on Yamaha

Yamaha reunion sets Martin up for pivotal 250SX campaign

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Jeremy Martin’s return to the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha team sets him up for a pivotal Monster Energy Supercross season in the 250SX West championship, as he eye’s a switch to the 450 class.

As the 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season came to a close, an announcement was made that the Geico Honda team wouldn’t be returning. The move left their contracted riders without a home for the 2021 season, one of those riders being Martin.

Martin recounted the events that unfolded that led to his eventual return to Star Racing in the pre-race press conference earlier today.

“Unfortuantely, they [Geico Honda] closed the doors.” Martin said. “Basically, the first time I reached out to start was Jeremy Coker reached out to me after WW Ranch. I was honestly going over to JGR to check on Alex to see what was going on, as we kind of got into a tangle there at the end of the whoops section and Coker approached me.”

“Then right before Pala national I walked into the office and we had a sit-down, I guess you could say ‘come to Jesus meeting, between everyone at Star and myself. It was a really good conversation, we talked a little bit about the past and I’ve matured a little bit too. It was really good conversation and next thing you know I had the deal on the table from them basically Sunday morning after Pala national. They were just really aggressive and I signed the deal.”

Martin is excited about his return to the team but is no doubt eyeing a jump to the 450 class. The Minnesota native calling this a pivotal season in his 250 career.

“I’m excited for the new year, back on blue obviously and it is a pivotal year for me. I’ve been in this class a long time and I’m ready to try to go race with the 450 guys. You know I’ve got my feet wet a couple of times, so I’d like to be back up in that class full time, riding on a factory team. It’s a big year.”

Martin’s 2021 season kicks off tomorrow in Orlando at Camping World Stadium, as he looks to secure his first Supercross title in what could be his last supercross campaign in the 250 class.

Brayton Out for Tonight

Monster Energy Supercross

Injury Update: Justin Brayton

Lewis PhillipsFebruary 20, 20210

Justin Brayton has withdrawn from the eighth round of the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross series, Orlando 2, following a practice crash earlier this week. No significant injuries were sustained in the fall, but he’s just too beat up to compete inside of Camping World Stadium today. Brayton goes into more detail in the social-media statement below, which was released moments ago.

“Unfortunately won’t be lining up to race Orlando 2 tonight. Had a crash while practicing on Tuesday and although nothing is broke and I have no serious injuries I did hit my chest really hard and it’s just not possible with all the pushing and pulling motion we do for 20+ minutes during the race. I’ve been optimistic all week but it’s best to give it some time to rest. Wear chest protectors kids! See ya in Daytona!”

Brayton is currently eleventh in the premier-class championship standings, just 11 points down on Dylan Ferrandis in tenth. Mitchell Oldenburg, Brayton’s Muc-Off Honda teammate in 250SX East, will race the 450SX class at O2 today as a wildcard.

A Look at a Factory Honda

Inside Chase Sexton's Factory HRC Honda CRF450 with mechanic Jade Dungey. Jade walks you through the in depth details of all the trick parts that Chase is running in 2021 for his 450 Supercross debut. Factory Showa forks, custom made Cycra number plate, riveted chain, custom chain blocks, titanium footpegs, works triple clamps, coated engine cases, different footpeg position two stroke start button and much more. We break down Chase's bike to the nitty gritty and don't miss a thing! Enjoy geeking out on one of the best looking bikes in the pits with Factory Honda mechanic Jade Dungey. 

Lots of Works Connection add ons to this Factory edition

www.worksconnection.com

RT Talks EKS Goggles with Dirt Buzz

Podcast Episode 006 – Rich Taylor of EKS Brand Goggles

My guest on this episode is Rich Taylor, former top Pro Motocross and Supercross Racer, test rider, Hollywood stuntman, and current owner of EKS Brand Goggles. Rich has been behind the helm at EKS Brand for over ten years now, worked as a magazine and OEM test rider, and worked for Smith Optics for a time before he started EKS Brand. With so many great stories, we’ll be sure to have Rich back as a guest soon.

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