Old School

Jason Goes Green

Things change. Anderson and Baker are no more. Hewitt and Husqvarna are no more. Now Anderson has left the only team he ever rode for, and will instead race for Monster Energy Kawasaki for 2022.

Behind the Bullet

Jeffrey's perseverance does not go unrewarded. Just three weeks after fracturing his shoulder blade in Oss, he drives a convincing first race. Is The Bullet back on track? Behind the Bullet with Jeffrey Herlings gives a personal behind the scenes account of just what it takes to compete at the pinnacle of motocross. Experience all the highs and lows of a grueling MXGP season with a first row seat with one of the fastest riders on the planet.

Eli on blu

The newest member of the bLU cRU—multi-time pro MX and SX champion Eli Tomac—shakes down the Yamaha YZ450F at his home track in Colorado for the first time. Joining defending MX champ Dylan Ferrandis, look for the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team to continue dominating in 2022!

2021 Motocross of Nations

As good as it starts as bad as it ends 2021 Motocross of Nations

Fresh from spoils at the 2021 Motocross of Nations, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team resumed MXGP duties and obtained three of the six podium positions at an overcast and temperate Talkessel circuit for the Grand Prix of Germany and the eleventh round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

– Tom Vialle docked a fourth MX2 GP win in a row but moves to 4th in the championship

– Rene Hofer finishes 3rd and celebrates his maiden podium in his first full MX2 term

– Herlings takes a 2-3 for 2nd overall in MXGP and his ninth trophy from 11 rounds

– 7th for a weakened Tony Cairoli, and an MXGP moto win and DNS for Jorge Prado.

Talkessel opened the paddock gates to Grand Prix racing for the first time since the summer of 2019 and provided the usual tough, narrow and hard-pack test. Undulations and long ruts were a feature of the German terrain under cloudy skies and with a large public attendance.

MXGP

A lap-time almost 1.5 seconds faster anybody else gave Jeffrey Herlings his seventh Pole Position from 11 rounds this season. The Dutchman found a rhythm quickly on the rough course but it was teammate Jorge Prado who launched away from the line with his eleventh holeshot of the year and fronted the pack until the last three laps of the first moto. The Spaniard was caught by Herlings, who was also under pressure from Tim Gajser and Romain Febvre on his rear wheel. The duel between the teammates was decided by less than two-tenths of a second at the finish line but the two sensationally collided mid-air and Prado was taken to the medical center to cure a cut in his upper torso and did not start the second race.

Herlings, fortunately unhurt but nursing a blow to his knee, rode to a distant 3rd later in the afternoon as both Gajser and Febvre broke away. The result was sufficient for the second step of the overall podium.

Tony Cairoli classified 7th while still struggling with his ribs and the aftermath of his crash at the GP of Sardinia and the exertions of last week’s Motocross of Nations. The 36-year-old was 5th in the first moto but a poor start in the second meant he had to push from outside the top fifteen to reach 10th. Despite his non-score, Prado was 9th in the final Grand Prix list.

Herlings is only 2 points behind Gajser in world championship standings. Prado loses some ground but is 4th and 31 away from the red plate while Cairoli is 5th.

Jeffrey Herlings:“What can I say? As good as it starts as bad as it ends. I’m lucky to still be racing today. I made some mistakes in the first 15 mins of the first moto but was then able to catch Jorge. We know he is not the easiest rider to pass; he defends his line and there is nothing wrong with that but jumping? My knee had a big impact and it’s 100% OK, but the trauma of the bang meant it was really sore in that second moto. This is not my favorite track so when I got up to 3rd place I did not even try to close the gap and accepted second overall. We’ll work on the knee now and I’ll look forward to France and hope to fight with the boys again”

 

Tony Cairoli: “I knew it would be tough here because I couldn’t ride in the week due to my painful ribs. I took some medication and rode at the Nations – although the first moto crash and someone hitting my ribs again didn’t help – and I survived the weekend and we won. It was something I was missing in my career and I wanted to do it but I didn’t think too much about the reaction and the consequences and I was feeling really bad here. I was struggling with my health and I knew it would be a tough day from Timed Practice. After fifteen minutes I couldn’t really hold onto the bike that much anymore. A 5th in the first moto was OK and I was very happy with that result but the second moto was so tough and I knew it would be before I went to the gate. I just tried to make my way to the end. 10th is not what we want but I couldn’t do any more. Let’s try to recover this week and try to do what we can in France.”

 

MX2

 

Tom Vialle grabbed his second Pole Position (and second from the last four rounds) in morning Timed Practice and the prime first pick for the long downhill entry to the left-handed opening turn. The Frenchman needed twelve laps to catch and pass teammate Rene Hofer in the first moto. The Austrian started brightly and marked the pace until Vialle’s last gasp charge. The Red Bull KTMs were 1-2 at the flag with Vialle capturing his seventh victory of the season, Hofer entered the top thee for the third time in 2021. Mattia Guadagnini made a mistake that saw the Italian cross the line in 13th.

Vialle holeshotted the second moto and streaked away for his third 1-1 scorecard of the year but was later penalized two positions for jumping while a yellow flag was waved. He tied on points with Maxime Renaux and demoted to 2nd overall. Hofer worked his way up from 7th to 4th which enabled the Austrian to walk the box for the very first time and after only 15 GPs as a Red Bull KTM rider. Guadagnini was 10th.

Vialle’s five podiums this season and fierce form means he has raced up the points table to 4th and is only 29 from Guadagnini in 3rd. Hofer is 7th and 21 points away from the top five.

Tom Vialle: “What should have been a great weekend and started with Pole Position. It was really important to get good starts today. I enjoyed the track but it was hard for passing. I had to work to overtake Rene in the first moto and then had half the job done through the first lap in the second. I don’t know what to say about the yellow flag decision except that I didn’t see them and watching the video back you needed to be lucky to see them. Despite this decision it has been a good run of results so far and we’re looking good for my home Grand Prix next weekend. It’s nice to go back to France and LaCapelle is really technical. I’m excited already.”

Rene Hofer: “I finally put two solid motos together and I’m really happy that I was able to make my first visit to the MX2 podium. I led almost the whole moto and kept quite close to Tom. Fourth in the second meant decent points and I was really excited. It’s an important moment and I’m pleased it happened at this race and this track that is not that far from my home. Together with the team we have been working hard for this, so it’s really nice it finally happened. I’m in really good shape and better than the start of the season when I was coming back from injury, so I want to keep this kind of momentum.”

 

Mattia Guadagnini: “I’m not happy about today. We were all very close in qualifying and I felt OK. I didn’t start well in the first race and couldn’t find a good flow. I made a small mistake and lost some positions. Race two, the start was a bit better, my riding also, but I again had made some mistakes around mid-race distance. I couldn’t get a good feeling. I was losing too much time. A bad day. We’ll focus on the next one.”

 

The Grand Prix of France will be hosted by the LaCapelle Marival circuit next weekend as MXGP continues a hectic second half of the 2021 campaign.

 

MXGP of Germany

Highlights Germany

Gajser Back On Top!

Critical Teutschenthal victory sees Gajser reclaim red plate

Renaux capitalizes on Vialle penalty to take MX2 overall and extend points lead.

Keeping his nose clean during the MXGP of Germany, Team Honda HRC’s Tim Gajser took the overall victory to reclaim the red plate, as Maxime Renaux extended his MX2 points lead winning at Teutschenthal.

Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) grabbed the early holeshot in MXGP race one, followed closely by teammate Jeffrey Herlings. The pair then engaged in combat, swapping places multiple times with Prado ultimately winning the race.

However, a mid-air collision while crossing the line saw both riders fall heavily, with Prado unable to start the second moto due to injuries sustained from the crash. Herlings finished race one in P2, able to start the second moto.

Gajser – who broke his left collarbone in the lead up to the MXGP of Sardegna – showed no signs of being limited by injury as he sliced his way forward from fifth in moto two, eventually passing Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Kawasaki) to take victory ahead of the Frenchman, with Herlings in third.

A 3-1 scorecard was enough for Gajser to take the overall win with 45 points, ahead of Herlings on 42 while Febvre completed the podium bagging 40 points, courtesy of 4-2 results.

The trio is now covered by just eight points in the championship standings – Gajser 415, Herlings 413, Febvre 407 – as the title fight continues to intensify with seven rounds remaining. Unfortunately, Prado’s absence from the second moto means he now trails the red plate by 31 points.

An uplift in form at the MXGP of Germany saw Pauls Jonass (Standing Construct GASGAS Factory Racing) finish P4 overall, finishing sixth in the first moto followed by a stronger fourth in race two.

Completing the top five was Monster Energy Yamaha’s Jeremy Seewer, who stated things were moving in the right direction after notching 8-5 finishes.

In MX2 Tom Vialle crossed the line first in both races, however, was later demoted to P3 in moto two after passing under a yellow flag which meant Maxime Renaux won the GP.

Both riders finished equal on 45 points, Vialle 1-3, Renaux 3-1, with Renaux’s promotion to first in moto two giving him the advantage on countback.

Rene Hofer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) scored his first MX2 podium in P3, the Austrian going to 2-4 to show signs of progression during his first full season in the class.

Fourth overall was Jago Geerts (Monster Energy Yamaha), finishing fifth in moto one after some small mistakes, followed by second in moto two – capitalising on Vialle’s penalty. Geerts now trails red plate holder Renaux by 85 points, second in the points standings.

Jed Beaton (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) rounded out the top five, capitalizing on a strong start in the opening race to finish fourth before finishing fifth in moto two.

The MXGP World Championship now heads to Lacapelle Marival this weekend for the MXGP of France, marking round 12 on 10 October.

Prado vs Herlings Mid Air!!

What a dramatic end to the first MXGP race! Watch the replay of the moment Jorge Prado and Jeffrey Herlings collided on the air!

Husqvarna Says Bye to Anderson, Kawasaki Salutes Tomac

HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLES THANKS Jason Anderson

ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING PART WAYS WITH FORMER 450SX CHAMPION AFTER SEVEN SUCCESSFUL YEARS TOGETHER

Husqvarna Motorcycles would like to express its sincere thanks to Jason Anderson for his hard work, commitment, and racing achievements during the last seven years. Following a highly successful relationship with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, the American’s time with the team has now drawn to a close.

Since joining Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing in 2015 to compete on FC 450 machinery in the 450 class, Jason Anderson has entered each AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross season as a genuine title contender.

Unquestionably, the highlight of Anderson’s time with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna came in 2018 when he was crowned 450SX champion. The victory marked the first 450 supercross title for Husqvarna Motorcycles with Jason’s performances and championship result also making a notable contribution to the brand’s international standing, as well as adding to their now 106 World Championship wins. During his time with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Jason won seven 450SX Main Events and claimed 27 podium finishes.

Further success was achieved outdoors in the 450 Pro Motocross series, with Anderson claiming 16 overall podium results and a career-best championship finish of fourth in 2019. Outside of racing in America, Anderson won multiple Australian Supercross Championship races and represented Team USA at the FIM Motocross of Nations on two occasions.

Robert Jonas – Vice President Motorsports Off-Road: “We’ve had a great seven years with Jason and are hugely appreciative of all that he achieved and contributed to Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing. The highlight of course was winning the 450SX title in 2018. It was a huge achievement, both personally for Jason and also for Husqvarna, marking the first 450SX championship for Husqvarna and the FC 450. That championship win really helped elevate Husqvarna’s position within global motorsports, and really helped push the brand forwards. Everyone at Husqvarna Motorcycles wish Jason the very best of luck for the future.”

Stephen Westfall - Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager: “It’s been an honor to have worked with such a talented and committed racer like Jason. His dedication and talent, together with his willingness to always put the work in, ensured he was always the best rider he could be. It’s unfortunate that his time with the team coincides with him being injured as he was showing some great speed early on in the Pro Motocross season. On behalf of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, I wish Jason well and look forward to seeing him at the races in the future."

Anderson's tenure with Husqvarna actually started with KTM, which picked up the Rockstar team in 2014. Anderson won the 250SX West Region Championship that year, and then the squad later transitioned to Husqvarna. In those days, the Rockstar team was privately owned by Bobby Hewitt, always a loyal supporter of Anderson, dating back to Jason's rookie pro season. The team rode Suzukis during Anderson's rookie pro season and eventually moved to KTM. Later, Hewitt and the factory Rockstar Husqvarna effort eventually parted ways.

Anderson, though, did complete his final season on amateur racing on Kawasakis, and won the AMA Nicky Hayden Amateur Horizon Award, so he has a small history with the brand.

 by: Jason Weigandt

CONFIRMED: ELI TOMAC YAMAHA Bound FOR 2022

ELI TOMAC SIGNS WITH STAR RACING YAMAHA FOR 2022

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing is pleased to announce the addition of Eli Tomac to the team for the 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season. The multi-time champion completes a powerhouse line-up, joining the newly crowned 2021 Pro Motocross Champion Dylan Ferrandis. After campaigning for a Supercross title in the 250 class, Christian Craig will join the duo for the outdoor season aboard the Yamaha YZ450F.

Tomac brings with him a wealth of experience and is a proven championship contender. In addition to his three consecutive Pro Motocross 450MX titles from 2017-2019, he added the coveted 450SX Championship to his resume in 2020. The Coloradan has amassed an impressive number of victories and is the winningest rider currently active in both premier class championships.

The Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 450 Team is fresh off of a great debut in the premier class. After a solid start in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship with all three riders earning their first 450SX podium and finishing comfortably inside the top-10 in the standings, the team had a stellar Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season. In addition to Ferrandis securing the title a weekend early, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. earned Manufacturer of the Year honors, and the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing Team was named Team of the Year. The series also awarded Jeremy Coker Team Manager of the Year and the 450 Mechanic of the Year went to Ferrandis’ mechanic, Alex Campbell.

“We’re really happy to have Eli on board next season. He is a proven championship contender and an incredible athlete. Together with Dylan and then Christian joining us for the outdoor season, we have a great line-up and look to be fighting up front for the number-one plate in both championships. This year was a great first year in the premier class for the team and an absolutely incredible Pro Motocross season. We look to build on that and are really excited for the 2022 season.”

Eli Tomac – Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing

“I’m really excited about this next chapter of my racing career with the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team. With the recent success of the team, motorcycle, and crew members in place, I know we will be ready for the challenge of winning races. January can’t come soon enough!”