Team Australia - MXoN?

 

While the Team Australia hasn’t been selected yet for this years Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, and all their leading riders are out injured at the moment, there are a handful of options for the Aussies, and Hunter Lawrence spoke to American journalist Donn Maeda about what he would like the team to be.

“Jed (Beaton) is on a factory Husky,” Lawrence said. “He should be back before Nations and I just texted him and also Burner (team manager). Mitch (Evans) and Jed, they are already there, so the transition is easy, they are in the sand and are doing it. I would go back a couple of weeks early, just to brush up on it. That would be a pretty sweet team. It is cool, Mitch and Jed, and I we raced each other as kids. It is good that you go there earlier. You are there slogging your ass off in the sand and they are still doing their series. I am really looking forward to going back and taking my Geico bike with me.”

While I would imagine Dean Ferris would be a good selection, as he along with Lawrence have had really good results at the Nations, but you can’t ignore the fact Beaton would be on his factory Husqvarna, and you can nearly be sure Evans would get support from HRC, as his team owner Giacomo Gariboldi owns the HRC 250 machines and then Lawrence on his factory Honda from US. 

I know as an Australian, I am really excited for the team chances of being on the podium in Assen. Be it Ferris, Lawrence, Evans or Beaton, this is a really strong team, and one of the few times they have a real chance of winning the event.

You can see the complete interview with Lawrence with Maeda right here.

Gajser Back On Top

Gajser goes 2-2 for Win

Tim Gajser of the HRC Factory team went 2-2 around the toughest motocross circuit in the World today, and it was more than enough to win the MXGP of Belgium in the MXGP class, and extend his championship lead over Jeremy Seewer. Romain Febvre (1-4) finished second overall and third overall was Glenn Coldenhoff (3-3). 

Tim Gajser: I didn’t’ expect this. I expected a top five would be good and to win here is really special. We have worked in the sand in the winter and it really worked out. The track is rough, and it is easy to make a mistake. I will try and make a good start and see if I can stay with these guys, but if I can’t I will settle for the points. It is always mental, coming here in Lommel, we know the race will be tough, so deep and so bumpy and I do my best.

Romain Febvre: It’s tough and it’s hot. I struggled at the beginning of the race a bit and then 10 minutes before the end I lost my rhythm and I was done. So happy to win the first race, its good.

In the second MXGP race it was Tim Gajser in the lead from Van Horebeek, Anstie, Coldenhoff, Koch, Tonus, Jonass, Strijbos, Monticelli, Tixier in 10^th. Febvre held 11^th place. Anstie quickly moved into second place, and Febvre was quickly into seventh position.

One lap in and Gajser was just ahead of Anstie, with Van Horebeek a further seven seconds back in third place. Jonass had trouble and both Febvre, Jasikonis and Seewer moved past. Anstie moved into the lead on lap four and after four laps it was Anstie, Gajser, Van Horebeek, Coldenhoff and Febvre in fifth place.

Anstie on fire up front as he pulled to more than four seconds ahead of Gajser, with Van Horebeek 17 seconds back, and Coldenhoff and Febvre right on him for third place. On lap eight Jonass again again stalled on the track and trying to get his bike running.

Anstie pushing hard in the mid stages as he made the gap between himself and Gajser more than nine seconds, with Van Horebeek 20 seconds behind the leader. Jasikonis passed Febvre and the Frenchman’s chances of a GP victory slipped away. Febvre did fight back and re-passed Jasikonis and around the same time Anstie went down and Gajser moved into the lead.

Things got interesting with Anstie, Van Horebeek, Coldenhoff and Febvre all right behind the British rider. Van Horebeek was wild as he tried to get past Anstie, and it all helped Gajser who was suddenly more than six seconds in the lead.

Van Horebeek also went down after handing Coldenhoff third place and the Belgian also let Febvre into fourth position, but up front Gajser was in complete control. Anstie pulled back the lead by Gajser and passed the HRC rider on lap 14. Gajser though was too strong over the two races and won the overall with 2-2 scores. Race finishing order was Anstie, Gajser and Coldenhoff.

MXGP Qualifying

Lommel Is Next

Ruts...what ruts? It's just Lommel.

Cole Seely Hangs'em Up!

Seely Retires

 

Team Honda HRC rider Cole Seely announced today his retirement from professional racing after over a decade competing at the highest level in both the AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross series. Seely has dedicated nearly his entire professional career to the Honda brand, riding for a Honda satellite team throughout most of his 250 tenure before spending five years aboard a factory CRF450R.

At 29, Seely has accomplished a number of milestones. After turning pro in 2009, he signed with the then-Honda-backed Troy Lee Designs team in 2010. During his five-year stint with that team, Seely captured five 250SX victories and finished runner-up in the 2014 250SX West title chase. In 2015, he was awarded 450SX Rookie of the Year honors after finishing third overall in the AMA Supercross series, highlighted by his first 450cc victory, at the Houston Supercross. Seely also represented Team USA at the 2017 Motocross of Nations.

Over the past few seasons, Seely has been plagued by injuries, which contributed to his decision to retire. “These past two years have been very difficult,” he said. “Last year’s injury was severe and very tough on me both mentally and physically. I fought hard to return this season, but it was much more challenging than I anticipated. Now with this recent shoulder injury, it’s just another setback. This decision definitely wasn’t easy, but I think it’s the right choice. I’m grateful for having been given the opportunity to do something I’ve loved since I was a kid and to make it into my career. I’m grateful for the support from my fans and many sponsors throughout the years. I’d especially like to thank Honda, who has been behind me for my entire career, supporting me through the ups and downs. I’m grateful to have been partnered with such a great brand. I’m looking forward to this next chapter and to seeing where the future takes me.”

Team Honda HRC Manager Erik Kehoe thanked Seely for his time with Honda.“I was a little surprised at first when Cole mentioned retirement,” he said, “but after speaking to him, I could see where he was coming from. It makes sense, and I think he’s making the right choice for himself at this time. It’s been such a pleasure working with Cole. I can still remember the first time I saw him riding supercross out at the old Red Bull facility back in 2009, and I thought, ‘Man, that kid is talented!’ So now it’s very special to have worked with him and seen how his career has grown, particularly with Honda over the past 10 years. Cole is so talented that his abilities on a bike are only part of what he’s capable of, so I think that’s going to carry into every aspect of his life. I know he’ll be successful in whatever he decides to pursue next.”

Everyone at American Honda Motor Co. thanks Cole for his dedication and wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Jarvis masters the mountains on Red Bull Romaniacs day one

Graham Jarvis on his wast to the day one win. - Photo: Future7Media

Britain’s Graham Jarvis has claimed victory on Off Road Day One at Red Bull Romaniacs, round five of the World Enduro Super Series.

Jarvis charged to the top of the standings on the opening full day of competition, finishing ahead of South African Wade Young and Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler.

With Tuesday’s Prologue in Sibiu soon forgotten, the competitors from 50 nations quickly got down to business on Off Road Day One. Although the shortest track in this year’s race at 102 kilometres in length for the Gold Class riders, it was anything but easy. With a brutal climb directly after the 6.45am start, riders were immediately woken up and put to work.

At the head of the field it was TTR Officine Rigamonti’s Pol Tarres who led the riders out, followed by Brit Jonny Walker and Taddy Blazusiak - all separated by three-minute gaps.

Riders nervously wait to start the day - Photo: Future7Media

Starting seventh on the road, Jarvis quickly went to work and closed in on his rival, using the opening climb to his advantage. But it was clear he wasn’t going to have things all his own way as Lettenbichler, Young, Blazusiak and Alfredo Gomez kept him honest.

During the afternoon the leading group broke up, with Jarvis, Lettenbichler and Young pulling clear. A technical problem saw Blazusiak drop back, losing positions as he fought to overcome his issue, while Walker sat steady in sixth.

On corrected time it was Jarvis who took the opening day win by one minute and 12 seconds from Young, with Lettenbichler only one minute further back in third. With Mario Roman (Sherco -ESP) fourth and Gomez fifth, the top five are separated by less than four minutes.

Pol Tarres was first to start in Gold Class - Photo: Future7Media

"It was an easier day compared with the Off Road Day 1 I had last year, which I was quite happy about," Jarvis said.

"I didn't really make any time on the difficult sections, but I kept a good pace throughout the race. Importantly, I didn't make any serious mistakes and was able to catch the other guys early on. I gained a bit of time then and it’s probably made the difference today for sure. With my time here last year still haunting me I feel I’ve helped put things right on day one. But there’s going to be faster days, so how it will suit me I don’t know. But I need to get on with it and go full throttle.”

Delivering one of the day’s most impressive rides was David Cyprian. The young 21-year-old looked confident on the challenging climbs and it showed with the privateer claiming a well-deserved seventh.

“I had a great day today and feel like I rode with a very solid pace," Cyprian said. "I managed to stay mistake-free through the day and ended up seventh, which is a great start to the week. As we finish today it’s just started to rain, so tomorrow might be pretty tough if it continues like that. But I’m looking forward to it and want to keep this momentum going - we’ll see what happens during the next few days.”

David Cyprian was one of the day’s standout performers - Photo:Future7Media

In the Silver class the top honours went to Spain's Josu Artola who showed his form in the hot temperatures to pull 10 minutes clear of second-placed Emanual Gyenes. With a number of riders given 10-minute penalties, third place went to Great Britain's Josef Westgarth with Patrick Riegler in fourth.

The heavily contested Bronze class saw Poland’s Marcin Weglarz take an early lead in proceedings. Weglarz topped the standings over France’s Jean Michel Vigand with Germany’s Wilhelm Ehm third.

High temperatures ensured demanding riding across all classes -Photo: Future7Media

The opening day in the mountains for the Iron class saw Israel’s Oz Nehoray secure a commanding 13-minute 30-second margin of victory. Italy’s Agostino Crema was second with USA’s Danny Melvin third.

Red Bull Romaniacs continues with Off Road Day 2 where competitors will tackle a new course that will take them deeper into the Carpathian Mountains. The longest day of the event, Gold class will cover 151 kilometres of riding.

Provisional Results - Round 5: Red Bull Romaniacs, Off Road Day 1
Gold Class
1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna - GB) 4:27:16
2. Wade Young (Sherco - RSA) 4:28:31
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM - GER) 4:29:22
4. Mario Roman (Sherco - ESP) 4:30:11
5. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna - ESP) 4:31:01
6. Jonny Walker (KTM - GB) 4:45:13
7. David Cyprian (KTM - CZ) 4:46:58
8. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM - POL) 4:48:06
9. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna - ESP) 4:54:08
10. Dieter Rudolf (KTM - AUT) 5:08:01

Reardon rejoins Yamaha

Reardon reunites with CDR Yamaha Monster Energy for AUS Supercross

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Section: Competition Post: Jeremy Hammer

Image: Foremost Media.

Multi-time Australian supercross champion Dan Reardon will reunite with CDR Yamaha Monster Energy for the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship.

Reardon, who captured his third supercross crown with the squad in 2015 before finishing third with them in 2016, will ultimately fulfil the position made vacant by Kirk Gibbs, who signed a motocross-only deal this season.

“It’s awesome to be back with the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy team and working with a great group of guys,” said Reardon. “We won the championship together in 2015 and I have built a close bond to CDR and Yamaha over the years.

“Last year I did my own program together with the help of Yamaha but the logistics of managing that and also preparing to race become more time consuming than I anticipated. It’s great to be back with CDR Yamaha Monster Energy team again as I know that all the background work is taken care of and my sole focus is to win races and get the job done with no distractions.

“Craig has been great to work with in putting this deal together and we have been able to put together a deal that allows me to keep my global deals in place with companies like Fasthouse, DR Homes, Bell, Go Pro and Boost, but also take on the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team sponsors, infrastructure and support. I’m excited to go racing again and really looking forward to a successful year and a great championship battle in 2019.”

Team owner Craig Dack added: “Dan is obviously a talented, highly skilled and well credentialed supercross rider who has had a long term relationship with Yamaha here in Australia and the US. On limited budget in 2018, he was able to put together an impressive season and now with the extra support and infrastructure the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team can provide, we hope to take it to the next level with Dan in 2019.

“He is already comfortable with the Yamaha YZ450F and well under way in his preparation for the series. We are happy to put this deal together with Dan and some of his partners that have been behind him in recent years and feel we have the riders and the team to challenge for the 2019 SX1 supercross championship.”

Reardon will join team regular Luke Clout for the five-round series which kicks off on 12 October at Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

A Lifetime of Impact on Motocross!

Torsten Hallman interview

 

Torsten Hallman was Grand Prix’s first ever real worldwide hero. It was the four times 250cc world motocross champion who ventured to America at a young age and brought interest to the American scene. Not only a great racer, but also a pioneer in motocross clothing, as his product Thor continues to be known in the sport.

His battles with Belgian great Joel Robert are legendary, and his love of motocross continues decades after he began racing as a young boy. A quietly spoken man, Hallman has 37 Grand Prix victories, and if you ask anyone in Europe or America, they all know the name Torsten Hallman.

Hallman might never have won the Motocross des Nations with Sweden (finishing second on a few occasions), he did win the Trophee des Nations on five occasions, in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967 and 1968. An event that pitted the 250cc bikes against each other. Both events were as important as the other, but the Trophee des Nations ended in 1984, when they decided to combine the 500cc and 250cc bikes.

After his racing career, he began to sell motocross pants and gloves at the races to help supplement his income. Innovative Hallman racing products were available in the mid-1970s via catalogue and were very popular throughout the USA. This eventually led to the formation of THOR Motocross (Torsten Hallman Original Racewear). Thor grew to become one of the leading off-road racing apparel companies in the world.

Now 79 years old we were fortunate enough to have Mr. Hallman answer our questions, and as always it is an honour to have dealt with this legend of our magnificent sport.

 

MXLarge: Did you ever do a USGP and if you did, what was your experience?

Hallman: No, the USGP was not invented when I was racing! You must understand that when I came to the US during the first couple of years, I always had to spell the word “motocross” to explain for people what I was doing!

MXlarge: Motocross of Nations is the biggest race of the year and I noticed you never actually won it, even in the era of Sweden winning it often. Why was that?

Hallman: You have to look deeper in your history books! During my era, we had both Trophee des Nations (250cc) and MXoN (500cc). In that time, the same riders were picked to ride in both of the team races. I am quite satisfied with my result winning the Trophee des Nations five times and coming second in the MXoN three times! And I won individual three or four times! At my first MXoN race 1963 in Sweden I was leading – and Team Sweden was in the lead – when my experimental Husqvarna 420cc bike suddenly stopped with ignition problems! Same in France 1966 when I was leading when the chain broke etc- etc.!!!! (see enclosed photo from the mud race in Sweden 1963 – and a photo from the start in Remarlarde, France -66 with Torsten in the lead)

MXlarge: How many MXoN did you do and what stood out for you at that event?

Hallman: Seven Trophee des Nations and five MXoN. It’s a special feeling to be standing on top of the box with all team members and all the fans following that event!

MXlarge: Did you used to go to MXoN as a boy or have memories of the event as boy?

Hallman: No, I never attend any of the team races before I raced myself in Italy 1961.

MXLarge: As a Swedish great, is it disappointing to see so little interest from Swedish riders in the world championships and why is that?

Hallman: If it’s disappointing for you – you can certainly understand how disappointed I am!

MXlarge: Do the greenies make it difficult to build motocross in Sweden?

Hallman: Yes, a lot of restrictions where to ride. I guess that’s the same in most of the countries. To be a good rider you must start young, ride just about every day for several hours, seven days a week – play ride and test your speed and be confident what you can do on a bike.  Today you have difficulties to find places to ride like that.

MXA TEAM TESTED: EKS BRAND GOX FLAT-OUT GOGGLE

 Rich Taylor out designing new goggles! You can design sitting at a computer or you can put you ideas to the test on the bike.

WHAT IS IT? If you are looking for an inexpensive goggle that retails just over $26 and features a variety of lens choices, look no further than the EKS Brand GOX Flat-Out goggle. It is a no-nonsense goggle that is full of value-added features.

WHAT’S IT COST? $25.95 (with clear lens), $35.99 (with colored mirror lens).

CONTACT? www.eksbrand.com or (818) 700-1700.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the EKS Brand GOX Flat-Out goggle.

(1) Frame. The best thing about the EKS Brand GOX frame is that it is smaller than the jumbo-sized offerings that have become de rigueur in modern times. No matter how many exotic features a goggle company offers, they are of no value if the goggle has to be crammed into your helmet’s eyeport. The EKS Brand GOX is the exact size of the classic Scott 89 or original Oakley O-frame goggles. The slightly smaller frame size, flexible polyurethane frame, wide field of view and 17mm-thick, three-layer face foam negate the need for outrigger strap systems, as the frame seals masterfully to a wide range of face shapes. This is a basic motocross goggle without frills, air scoops, quick-release lens systems, nose guards or chrome highlights. And, for the cost of one Oakley Airbrake goggle, you could buy enough GOX Flat-Out goggles to last you five seasons of racing.

(2) Lens. The best thing about the low-cost GOX goggle is that it uses the same lens as the EKS Brand EKS-S goggle. For riders who currently wear EKS Brand goggles, the lenses you have now will fit in your $25 GOX Flat-Out goggles. The polycarbonate lenses are shatter-resistant, anti-scratch and anti-fog-coated. EKS Brand offers lenses for this goggle in 15 colors.

(3) Foam. If you assumed that EKS Brand skimped on the amount of foam to improve its bottom line, you would be wrong. The MXA wrecking crew considers X Brand’s foam combination to be one of the best on the market. There is a layer of medium-density foam nearest the frame, followed by a thin and very dense layer and finally a wide swath of soft foam. The foam sandwich is finished off by a layer of felt for maximum comfort against the face. Sweat absorption is excellent, as is the longevity of the foam.

(4) Strap. At just over 1-1/2 inches wide, the GOX strap has three beads of silicone to prevent slipping.

(5) Performance. The best compliment the MXA wrecking crew can pay to the GOX Flat-Out goggle is that we didn’t notice it while riding. It did everything well and was totally unobtrusive. We admit that there are goggles with more bells and whistles, but why would you need a whistle on a goggle?

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? No complaints.

MXA RATING: A great goggle is one that blocks roost, absorbs sweat, lasts a long time and provides a clear view of what’s coming. Nowhere is it written that a great goggle has to cost $189. Goggle performance isn’t improved by a high price tag. The EKS Brand GOX Flat-Out is a serious goggle at a seriously affordable price.

Honda Africa Twin

Honda is teasing a new “True Adventure” model for 2020 which is expected to be a large Africa Twin displacing around 1100cc. Honda Motorcycles Europe has released a video to hype the new model (you’ll have to take Honda’s word for it, as no bike actually appears in the teaser) while Honda UK has opened a mailing list for people to receive updates on the new adventure bike and other 2020 models.

The current Africa Twin is still a relatively new model, only introduced for the 2016 model year with the Adventure Sports version following in 2018. Why would Honda release a larger model so soon?

The impending Euro 5 regulations may be one reason. Increasing the displacement will help Honda meet the tighter emissions and sound level requirements, while also helping improve performance. That may be especially important if Honda wants to compete with the likes of the BMW R1250GS, KTM 1290 Super Adventure, Triumph Tiger 1200 and other adventure-touring models that already hold a displacement advantage over the 999cc Africa Twin.

British site Bike Social claims to have some inside knowledge on the new Africa Twin, reporting a 1080cc engine claiming 101 hp and 79 lb-ft. Bike Social also claims the Africa Twin will get the Adventure Sports version’s larger fuel tank.

Honda hasn’t mentioned when we can expect official details on the new 2020 Africa Twin; considering the teaser didn’t even show the bike, Honda’s probably going to release bits and pieces of information over the next few weeks.