Toni Bou Wins Again

Toni Bou Back On Top At 2023 TrialGP Of San Marino

32-time World Champion Toni Bou was back to his dominant best at the 2023 TrialGP of San Marino

Toni Bou came from behind with a champion’s performance to secure his first double win of the 2023 Hertz FIM Trial World Championship on the second day of round four of the series – the TrialGP of San Marino – at Baldasserona.

As the series passed the halfway mark in the land-locked microstate, the reigning champion’s performance could very appropriately prove to be a pivotal moment in the championship and the Spaniard now leads his compatriot and main challenger Jaime Busto by eight points with three rounds and six scoring days to go.

Torrential overnight rain added more water to what at this time of the year is usually a dry riverbed where the sections were plotted and the combination of huge smooth boulders and lots of mud ensured that grip was very hard to find.

Following a tough day yesterday when he slipped to third, Busto looked to be back to his brilliant best in the morning and the twenty-six-year-old led on twenty-one at the halfway point with Bou a full nine marks behind and tied for second with Italy’s Matteo Grattarola.

Section two provided the first major test of the day with its exit over a huge undercut step from almost zero run-up catching out everyone apart from Busto on the opening lap. However, second time around the leader could not match the sensational clean he produced at his first attempt and he added five to his score.

Bou’s fightback began here with an amazing faultless ride and for the rest of the lap the sixteen-time champion continued to pile the pressure on with the turning point coming at section ten where Busto incurred a maximum and Bou sailed through for a single mark to finally take a lead that he held to the end to win by two marks.

“Today we had great victory and I am very happy about the weekend,” Bou said. “The team worked well and I would like to thank them, because it has been incredible. On the first lap we made a lot of mistakes and it took us a long time to recover, but in the end we achieved our objective. We have to keep working because the title race is very tight. Now we have to improve on our mistakes to give everything in Andorra and get the best results possible.”

Grattarola’s remarkable return to form following his recent move back to Beta continued and he dug deep to claim his first podium of the season, twelve marks behind Busto and two ahead of Spain’s two-time champion Adam Raga with Aniol Gelabert taking fifth on a tie-break from yesterday’s runner-up Gabriel Marcelli.

Manuel Lettenbichler Wins Red Bull Erzbergrodeo 2023

Manuel Lettenbichler’s goes down in history as one of the few riders to claim back-to-back victories at the iconic Austrian hard enduro. Photo: Future7Media

Manuel Lettenbichler has taken victory at round two of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria.

In what proved a thrilling race, the German made it two wins from two starts in this year’s championship chase. Pushing him hard all the way, Brit Billy Bolt took second, with Canadian Trystan Hart completing the podium.

With the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue put to bed, attention turned to Sunday’s feature race at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, round two of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. Ahead of the 12.00 CET start, all 500 qualified riders took their position on the start line at the base of the Iron Giant quarry.

For 2023 no course walking was allowed, meaning competitors had little idea of what to expect from the 35-kilometre-long track. And with outside assistance forbidden, getting a clean start and being at the head of the field would prove crucial.

As the flag dropped, Hart grabbed the holeshot ahead of EnduroGP regular Andrea Verona and Manuel Lettenbichler, with Dominik Olszowy slotting into fourth.

Drama didn’t take long to kick in with Billy Bolt crashing on the very first climb. Remounting outside the top 30 put him immediately on the back foot. Upfront and the leading quartet of Hart, Lettenbichler, Olszowy, and Verona remained relatively unchanged as they cleared the first few early checkpoints. Bolt was on a mission though and after 20 minutes had joined Lettenbichler and Hart at the front as Olszowy and Verona dropped back.

Through the rocky Machine climb, Lettenbichler and Bolt were wheel to wheel and now pulling clear of Hart. With Olszowy fourth, there was a battle between Sherco’s Wade Young, Teodor Kabakchiev, and Jonny Walker forming for fifth.

At Udo’s Playground, checkpoint 17 of 27, Bolt overhauled Lettenbichler. Arriving at the notorious Carl’s Dinner boulder field, Billy pressed on and opened up over 100 metres of an advantage during the 35-minute section. However, a damaged exhaust would leave the Husqvarna rider limping through the following MOTOREX Highway climbs and Lettenbichler struck back with around 30 minutes of racing to go.

Passing Bolt, Lettenbichler put his head down and never looked back. Through George’s Avenue, Dynamite, and the final signature section of Lazy Noon, Manuel built up a 10 minute lead. With everything under control, he arrived at the winner’s enclosure as this year’s Red Bull Erzbergrodeo winner, making it two wins from two starts in this year’s FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.

Despite giving it everything he could, Bolt ultimately had no match Lettenbichler as the final kilometres unfolded. Soldiering his way home, Billy took a hard-fought runner-up result.

The battle for the final step of the podium began to heat up during the final signature sections. Hart had a virtual grasp on third but couldn’t shake off a determined Walker. With the Beta rider keeping the Canadian honest, Hart crossed the finish line just two minutes ahead of Walker for third.

For Walker, fourth was still a very satisfying result having climbed as high as third at checkpoint 18 before Hart pulled him back in at Carl’s Dinner. Putting in a solid performance throughout the race, Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young completed the top five.

“To get back-to-back wins at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo and also my second victory of the Hard Enduro season is amazing,” a delighted Lettenbichler said. “My start was fairly solid, and I got away with the top three straight away so I pushed hard. When Billy caught up, we rode together for a while and then he pulled away from me during Carl’s Dinner. But when I got past him again at MOTOREX Highway I put my head down and pushed on. It’s been an awesome day.”

Billy Bolt admitted he couldn’t keep with Lettenbichler but was happy with second. “I got a great jump off the start line but crashed on the first climb. It was probably the worst place to fall off. The next 10 minutes were a blur trying to pass so many people before we hit the first forestry section. I caught up to Mani and rode together. But I put a dent in my exhaust pipe and lost some power. In Carl’s Dinner I knew that was my best chance to try and pull a gap, so I pushed hard. But when I got to MOTOREX Highway I struggled on the climb and kinda hit the wall. Mani got passed me again and I couldn’t go with him. I wanted to win, and I gave it everything I had today!”

Trystan Hart was happy to be on the podium with third, “Finishing on the podium two years straight here is incredible. But if I’m honest I’m not super happy with my result, I did want a bit more. I led early on and was pushing hard. But I got a bit tight and then in the first hour, I made a mistake by taking the wrong line. Fixing that burned a few matches for me and my energy dropped. I didn’t have much left after Carl’s Dinner, so I kept it together to get home in third.” the Canadian said.

Round 3, the Red Bull Romaniacs, Romania will take place on July 25/26/27/28/29

Winner Manuel Lettenbichler (C) with runnerup Billy Bolt (R) and third-placed Trystan Hart.

Herlings Hurt at German MXGP

KTM reports Jeffery Herlings hurt again

Herlings went 1-1 at Talkessel in 2018 and then finished 2nd overall in his last appearance at the track in 2021. He took a conservative 4th place in the RAM Qualification Heat on Saturday and then indulged in an entertaining battle with Jorge Prado and Jeremy Seewer in the first moto. Four laps before the end the Dutchman, while leading from Prado, crashed after becoming cross-rutted and landed heavily. He was able to remount and cruised the rest of the distance to salvage one point for 20th but could not take to the gate for the second race due to neck pain and left the circuit for more detailed medical checks. After the conclusion of the Grand Prix, Jeffrey is 2nd in the standings and 67 points behind Prado.

Highlights MXGP Germany

Thunder Valley...The Fat Lady Is In The House!

It ain't over till the fat lady sings but it looks like she is warming up. I don't see anyone on the horizone that is going to challenge Jett. Baring injury this one is over. Fortunately the 250 class is wild and whooly. Hunter may be in the lead but there are a number of young challengers ready to pounce. Rumor is Sexton is headed to KTM maybe now we see why Honda might be willing to let him go. 

Who's Who at 2023 Erzberg?

BILLY BOLT

Billy Bolt, the 2021 FIM World Hard Enduro champion, has earned a reputation for his remarkable skills and tenacious style. He tends to dominate any type of sprint situation and is a dominant prologue racer which could put him in a good position off the start of the main race. He had a few issues at the opening round of the series but looked really strong and plenty capable of winning races this season. Look for Billy to do great things this season.

For a complete list of contenders go to 

ERZBERG 2023: RIDERS TO WATCH - Dirt Bike Magazine

Huge Start Crash - Redbull Erzberg Rodeo

A huge crash at Erzberg...who would have thought?

Qualifying MXGP of Germany

Lawrence Bros Dominate Again!

 Post: Alex Gobert

Perfect Lawrence remains unbeaten with Thunder Valley double extends Pro Motocross advantage following six moto wins in succession.

Image: Octopi Media.

There was no stopping Jett Lawrence in Thunder Valley’s third round of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, remaining perfect with his sixth moto win in a row and third-successive overall victory.

It was the story of Lawrence in the first 450MX moto of the round, hitting the front from the outset and effectively cruising away to a 31.609s victory.

While the teenager was unchallenged on his way to a fifth win in as many races, Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) was solid on his way to the runner-up result, despite a crash in the mid-stages that almost enabled third-placed Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) to takeover the position.

That’s how they would finish, however, and it was the race for fourth that stole much of the attention, with Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM) – rebounding from a first lap clash with Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – managing to fend off a determined ride from Masterpool, who took it right down to the wire.

Making Masterpool’s ride even more impressive was that he had crashed in the first turn and fought all the way back into the top-five.

Positions sixth through 10th included Garrett Marchbanks (Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha) in his first premier class appearance of the year, Ferrandis, Grant Harlan (Manluk Rock River Racing Yamaha), Derek Drake (BarX Suzuki) and Fredrik Noren (Twisted Tea Suzuki).

Another measured performance saw Lawrence continue his unbeaten run in 450MX moto two, crossing the finish 11.993s clear of the field to further stamp his authority on the class, despite his rookie status.

After taking the holeshot, Lawrence sprinted away and controlled the gap, winning ahead of Plessinger and Ferrandis, who made a final lap pass on the impressive Masterpool.

Webb was fifth this time out, but ahead of Cianciarulo after he ran as high as second early on, with Harlan, Marchbanks, Lorenzo Locurcio (Wildcat Race Team GasGas) and Noren the top 10.

That resulted in victory for Lawrence overall, joined on the podium by Plessinger and Webb. Heading into High Point next Saturday, Lawrence holds a 34-point lead over Ferrandis – fourth overall today – and with Webb directly behind him in third position.

Jett on Hangtown Track