RIP Joel Robert

Very sad day for moto fans. Six time world champion Joel Robert has passed after fighting health problems for several years. He was 77. This picture is one I always remember from my early days riding moto, I could never understand how he stayed on his bike in this turn. Joel had style and personality that was admired worldwide by moto fans. He was one of the reasons I bought my first Suzuki RM back in the 70's.

Here is the announcement from MXVice

Lewis PhillipsJanuary 13, 20210

MX Vice is deeply saddened to learn that Joel Robert has passed away, following a fight with coronavirus. The six-time world champion (1964, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972) was just 77 years old. Robert had a massive impact on motocross in his native Belgium, as well as outside of those borders, and that impact will undoubtedly be felt for many years to come.

Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

Words: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Supplied

Dakar Legend Hubert Auriol ...RIP

French Dakar Rally legend Hubert Auriol has sadly passed away at the age of 68 in hospital, it is reported due to the effects of Covid-19.

The word legend is often wafted about but in the case of Hubert Auriol in the sport of rally it was certainly true. Auriol won the Dakar Rally three-times – twice on motorcycles, in 1981 and 1983, when the bikes and the rally itself were seemingly of another world.

When Hubert won the 1992 Dakar in a car he became the first competitor to take victory on two and four wheels setting a precedent many have tried and failed to replicate since. Only Stephane Peterhansel and Nani Roma have matched it so far in all these years.

Auriol went on to be Dakar race director for almost a decade from the mid-1990s, be one of the founders of the Africa Eco Race and was also a television presenter. Remarkably in 1987 he also set a record for the fastest circumnavigation of the earth in a propeller airplane as part of a four-person team (in 88 hours, 49 minutes).

Dakar Rally, Stage 7...Brabec Takes Win

Dan Beaver   4 hrs ago

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 Ricky Brabec scores first stage win; Skyler Howes finishes third

© Franck Fife/Getty Images

As the Dakar Rally enters its second half, Ricky Brabec scored his first win in Stage 7. Based on his experience in the first six stages, that is not the position he wanted, however.

Navigation has been cited as an issue in each stage of the 2021 Dakar Rally, which leaves Brabec and the other competitors playing a game of cat and mouse.

“I think the strategy is to not open!” Brabec said in a release after completing the stage. “I think everyone that’s opening is just losing a little bit of time. So we’re trying our best. We just have to stay focused.”

“There’s five days left, and we’re going to try just to finish in the top seven every day and see if we can make up a little bit of time.”

Rally Bike?

Andrew Short shows how to moto a rally bike.

See more at www.upshiftmagazine.com   

Dakar led by Price following stage six at halfway point

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Section: Competition Post: Alex Gobert

Rookie Sanders claims another stage podium to climb in rankings.

Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price leads the 2021 Dakar Rally at halfway after recording the seventh-quickest time on a shortened stage six.

Price has won two stages this year – one and three – in what has been a navigational challenge for many, but placed strongly entering week two.

“Today they cut about 100km out of the stage and that definitely helped us because it’s still been a really tough day out there,” Price reflected. “It took a while, but I managed to catch the two guys ahead of me and luckily we were able to keep up a really good pace right at the front.

“I did have one little get-off that twisted the road book tower a little bit, but apart from that there were no problems. It feels great to have taken the overall lead, but after such an up and down week the most important thing is we’re fit and in good shape for the second half of the rally.”

With a total time of 24h08m43s, Price leads Kevin Benavides (Monster Energy Honda) by 2m16s, with Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Monster Energy Honda) currently third overall.

KTM Factory Racing team newcomer Daniel Sanders once again claimed a top-three stage finish on Friday in third position, now ranked an impressive 12th overall and top of the rookies by over an hour.

“It was definitely a physical one today, that’s for sure, and on top of yesterday, it’s been a really tough couple of days,” Sanders said. “I tried my best to make up time today and think I did a good job. This first week has gone well, I’ve certainly learned a lot too and I’m happy with my pace – we’ve still got a long way to go.”

Of the remaining Australian riders in the field, Michael Burgess (BAS Dakar KTM Racing Team) currently sits 38th overall and Andrew Houlihan (Nomadas Adventure KTM) in 61st place

Tyler Monagan Claims He Was Targeted For Building Motocross Track

Tyler Monagan Claims He Was Targeted For Building Motocross Track

By: Steven Symes 

YouTuber Tyler Monagan, who boasts nearly 700,000 subscribers, is a self-proclaimed dirt bike fanatic. His videos include everything from bike reviews to interesting builds. With his extreme love of motocross, the man decided to buy a large piece of property in a town, thinking he would have the privacy and freedom to build a track and race bikes with his friends. That’s when the trouble began.

Monagan started using machinery to move dirt on his land, creating jumps and other features for his MX track. That’s when a town official showed up to his house to let him know that moving dirt on his property wasn’t something he could do without a permit. Monagan claims that as he asked questions the details of what he was and wasn’t allowed to do with his own property changed, and thus began the legal battle.

© Provided by Motorious image credit: YouTube

For months, Monagan said he stayed quite about the whole legal battle. He said now “everything’s done with” and so he now feels comfortable spilling some of the details. However, he stated that he wouldn’t be surprised if “something else pops up.” In other words, the man still feels targeted and believes there are those who are purposely gunning for him.

We know this isn’t the first time someone has had a run-in with government authorities about what they can and can’t do on their own private property. This is a touch, controversial issue, especially these days.

Voice of Supercross Steps Away

After 14 years as the play by play voice of Supercross Ralph Sheheen is moving on to other platforms. For more information on this transition go to Ralph's column at  www.speedsport.com.

2021 Suzuki Supercross Team

BAR X/Chaparral/ECSTAR Suzuki confirm 2021 Supercross rider line up

BAR X/Chaparral/ECSTAR Suzuki is excited to announce its four-rider 250 class team for the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross series. All four riders will compete on the 2021 Suzuki RM-Z250 and benefit from the exceptional support of Suzuki’s RM Army support program.

The BAR X/Chaparral/ECSTAR Suzuki team becomes the premier Suzuki 250 Supercross team after demonstrating excellent performance in the amateur ranks over the past several years. Team Manager Larry Brooks will field an impressive group of young Suzuki riders as they challenge for podiums and race wins throughout the 2021 Supercross season.

“BAR X and Suzuki have worked hard the last few years building our program with top amateur athletes, and competing in select pro events,” said Larry Brooks Team Manager of the BAR X/Suzuki Team. “We feel we are in a great place to take the next step and become the primary 250 class program for Suzuki. We are dedicated to competing with the best and making sure the RM-Z250 is up front when the gate drops for the 2021 Race Season.”

The BAR X/Chaparral/ECSTAR Suzuki Racing Team will feature a group of fresh and hungry young riders including Dylan Schwartz, and Derek Drake on the West Coast, and John Short and Sean Cantrell heading up the team’s East Coast Supercross roster. The BAR X/Chaparral/ECSTAR Suzuki Team will be competing on the 2021 Suzuki RM-Z250 and also have the added support of ECSTAR Suzuki Oil and Chemicals as well as benefit from the Suzuki RM Army support program.

“We are thrilled to partner with the BAR X/Chaparral/ECSTAR program as our Suzuki Supercross 250 class racing team for 2021,” said Chris Wheeler, Suzuki’s Racing Manager. “BAR X’s solid experience and growth in the 250 class make them a solid and exciting partner for our 2021 racing efforts,” added Wheeler.

Big Signings 2021 Supercross

2021 Team Honda