Webb extends supercross advantage in Atlanta KTM sweep

Post: Alex Gobert

First 250SX East/West Showdown victory of 2019 season to Cianciarulo.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cooper Webb has stretched his lead in the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, series after storming to victory in Atlanta.

Webb captured his fifth win of the nine contested this season, growing his points advantage to 13 as the season moves into its second half.

A decisive hole-shot placed Webb at the head of the pack in the 20-minute main event and he was never headed, withstanding challenges from Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM) and teammate Marvin Musquin in a wire-to-wire win.

Baggett made his way by Musquin following 13 laps – assisted by a mistake in the sand by the Frenchman – and only 2.141s separated the trio across the line. It marked the second all-KTM podium sweep of the season, while the rider currently second in the standings, Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) finished fourth.

Rookie Aaron Plessinger (Monster Energy Yamaha) put forward his best performance of the season in placing fifth, with Australia’s Chad Reed (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) finishing in 13th position this weekend.

In the first 250SX East/West Showdown of the season, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s current West Coast leader Adam Cianciarulo was assertive on his way to victory, topping Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha) and early leader Austin Forker (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki).

The 2019 season will now travel to Daytona International Speedway in Florida for round 10, which will be another 250SX East round on the schedule.

Febvre on Fire in Argentina

 

Monster Energy Yamaha rider Romain Febvre returned to the winners circle for the first time in a long time as he made the most of a mechanical problem by slow starting Antonio Cairoli and a crash infested race by early leader Tim Gajser.

Gajser holeshot from Lieber, Lupino, Febvre and Jonass, Cairoli back in 20^th place. Van Horebeek past Jonass, and Nagl Anstie, Bogers and Tonus round out the top ten. Gajser just gone as he pulled away from Lieber, as Jonass and Anstie all over Van Horebeek.

Gajser three seconds ahead of Lieber, and Cairoli up to 14^th place. Simpson 17^th, Coldenhoff 23^rd and Bobryshev struggling with his injured wrist in last.

Desalle joined Jonass and Anstie, and the Belgian quickly into 8^th place. Nagl still riding well in sixth place, and Paulin up to 11^th place. Anstie also gets Jonass to drop the former MX2 champion back to ninth place, just ahead of Tonus, who had Paulin on his back wheel. MXGP isn’t letting down again with battles all over the place. Cairoli up to 12^th place.

Cairoli bike problems as he stopped on the track and struggling to get his bike going again. A bad start to his challenge for his 10^th title and a poor gate pick tomorrow for the legend.

Here we are back in 2016 as Gajser leads a hard charging Febvre, the Frenchman closed right up on the HRC rider. Febvre clocked the quickest lap of the race. Lieber still a solid third, with Gajser making some small mistakes as Febvre closed right up.

While Gajser and Febvre lead, a Belgian freight train of Lieber, Van Horebeek and Desalle follow. Ridiculous how many top riders are riding around outside the top ten with Tonus 11^th, Searle 12^th, Jasikonis 13^th, Jonass 14^th, Seewer 15^th, Simpson 18^th and Coldenhoff 19^th.

After seven laps it was Gajser, Febvre, Lieber, Van Horebeek, Desalle, Nagl, Anstie, Paulin, Tonus and Lupino.

Gajser goes down and handed the lead to Febvre, fortunately for the former MX2 and MXGP champion his lead was so big only Febvre got him. Anstie into sixth place as he passed Nagl, and Paulin struggling a little in seventh place.

Gajser down again, this time on a jump, and this time a handful of riders did pass. After 10 laps it was Febvre, Lieber, Van Horebeek, Desalle, Anstie, Nagl, Paulin and Gajser.

Febvre wins it from Lieber and Van Horebeek.

MXGP - Qualifying Race - Classification

1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 24:21.194; 2. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:04.306; 3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:06.536; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:10.377; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), +0:13.962; 6. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +0:14.612; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:17.028; 8. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:24.790; 9. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:27.141; 10. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +0:36.354; 11. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:39.076; 12. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +0:42.852; 13. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:44.508; 14. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:45.569; 15. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:46.909; 16. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), +0:53.753; 17. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:55.594; 18. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:57.127; 19. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:57.340; 20. Jetro Salazar (PER, Honda), +1:08.190; 21. Brian Bogers (NED, Honda), +1:11.323; 22. Joaquin Poli (ARG, Honda), +1:21.559; 23. Hector Assuncao (BRA, Honda), +1:29.833; 24. Marcos Antezana (BOL, Honda), +1:32.660; 25. Juan Pablo Luzzardi (ARG, KTM), -1 lap(s); 26. Victor Garrido (ARG, Honda), -1 lap(s); 27. Francisco Urrutia (URU, KTM), -5 lap(s); 28. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), -9 lap(s); 29. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Kawasaki), -11 lap(s);

Monster Energy Kawasaki introduces 2019 MXGP team

Desalle and Lieber to pilot factory-prepared KX450–SR.

The Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team has officially introduced its squad for the 2019 MXGP World Championship, which is set to kick off at Neuquen in Argentina on 3 March.

Marking its 26th season of competition in the world championship, the team retains the same line-up as 2018, including Belgian Clement Desalle, who has won at least one GP every year since joining KRT in 2016, and will be team leader for the fourth-consecutive season after securing the third in the series standings last year.

Clement’s fellow countryman Julien Lieber will be his teammate for the second year running, and both will campaign the new Kawasaki KX450–SR which they’ve developed jointly throughout the winter together with team and factory support.

The squad will make its first appearance of the 2019 season on 24 February in the French International motocross at Lacapelle Marival, and a few days later will fly to Villa La Angostura in the Patagonia region of Argentina for the MXGP opener.

Reed expresses disappointment in Arlington showing

Fan-favourite winds up 11th at the seventh round in Texas.

Chad Reed has expressed his disappointment in finishing 11th at the weekend’s seventh stop of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Arlington, Texas.

The JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing rider had put together a string of improving top 10 performances in recent weeks, however the Australian fan-favourite admittedly didn’t have the pace to contend with the front-runners on Saturday.

Reed, a two-time AMA Supercross champion, now sits ninth in the points standings as the series heads to Detroit this weekend for round eight of the 17-stop tour.

“It was a tough weekend,” Reed stated. “The speed wasn’t there for some reason – I’m disappointed in my performance. I know that I’m better than 11th place. We will work on some things this week and then hopefully come out swinging in Detroit.”

Arlington’s thriller was taken out by new points leader Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who made a pass on Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) in the final turn to secure victory by a mere0.028s.

Improving Seely content with Arlington progress

Motivating heat race win for the Team Honda HRC rider.

In his return season from serious injury, Cole Seely has expressed satisfaction in his progress after a stellar showing at Arlington’s seventh round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship last weekend.

The Team Honda HRC talent earned a motivating heat race win before going onto lodge a strong performance in the main, rebounding from a lacklustre start to ultimately cross the line in sixth.

“I’d say the day went pretty well,” Seely commented. “Overall, I’m pretty happy with everything from qualifying all the way down to the main event. Times were really close in qualifying, which is cool because it shows there’s a lot of talent in the class but it also means if you’re a tenth off, you’re way back.

“I was happy to qualify in the top five, and in the heat race it obviously felt good to lead some laps and win the thing; it was also cool that Kenny won his heat, so we sort of shared that I guess. The main went pretty smoothly. I got off to a pretty bad start, but I was able to make some passes right away – like five guys in the first lap.

“I managed to eventually get into sixth and ride there for most of the race. I didn’t really get too tired at the end, but after three rough weekends and seeing things finally coming together, I didn’t want to push the issue too hard. For most of the race, the top six were running a similar pace, and it felt good to actually have sight of the leaders.”

The number 14 is currently positioned eighth in the championship standings as the AMA Supercross series heads to Detroit this Saturday night. The main was won by new points leader Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who made a pass on Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) in the final turn to secure victory by 0.028s.

Everts back in Hospital

Belgian website nieuwsblad.be have reported that Stefan Everts is back in hospital after having problems with his feet. In our exclusive interview with Everts last month he mentioned how he is still having pain in his feet.

The  Belgian website said: Stefan Everts (46) was admitted to the University Hospital in Leuven on Thursday. The ten-time world motocross champion had a lot of pain in his right foot the last few days. After examination, it turned out that he had contracted an infection in one of the wounds on his foot. That infection must now be treated intravenously with antibiotics. It is certainly not a new outbreak of malaria, it sounds Friday in a press release.

"Of course this is a mental blow," Everts said. "Especially because we meticulously followed up and performed foot care. Well, yes, I knew that my recovery would be a long-term work, with an occasional obstacle. But I will also take this obstacle. "

Jorge Prado interview - USA?

As the plane landed on the Barajas airstrip, the pilot welcomed the passengers to Madrid and called for a round of applause for the brand new Motocross World Champion, who was accompanying them on that flight from Bologna. In seat 17B, a Galician boy blushed under a Red Bull cap. Shortly after disconnecting "airplane mode" on his smartphone, the messages started cascading through, the first of them made him shout out in amazement: "Shit, it’s the King!" Jorge Prado was being embraced by all his fellow Spaniards, starting with the Head of State himself, and was ready to start celebrating his long-dreamed goal of becoming motocross World Champion. 

This was the last flight of the 2019 World Championship season. Next Monday Jorge and his team will board a plane for Buenos Aires on their first trip of the season. The start of a tour with twenty stops and with the novelty of being the first season for the young Galician as a defender of the title. In the circuit of Neuquen, host of the first race, Prado will already own the coveted red plate: "When you come back as a champion you know that everyone else wants to beat you but my mentality will not change for the championship, I have to try to win but without making mistakes. At the moment I'm calm because I think I'm well prepared for it." 

In 2018 Jorge had a difficult start to the season with an elbow injury in winter that prevented him from taking on Argentina in good shape. This year his preseason has not had any incidents: "We have worked very hard and are at a much better place than last year, we have taken a step forward, focusing on improving physical preparation, on being stronger in order to gain speed and endurance. "The result has been proven in the three races of Internazionali Motocross, the Italian Open that has served as a strength comparison between the favorites for the World Championship: "They turned out to be very good races, I won all three and I was able to challenge myself in the superfinals against the 450 cc bikes which forced me to push. Not all the riders were there and it's only a pre-season series, but it has helped us to see that the bike is working well and that my preparation has been good." 

NUMBER ONE WILL HAVE TO WAIT 

Prado will ride with number sixty one on his KTM (they call him SixT1), after making a query with his fans on social networks. The result was a draw and in the end it was the rider himself who made the decision to honor the MXGP Champion who is in his opinion the true number one. Facing the champion will be several of his rivals from last year and a good batch of young newcomers to the category: "I think it will be a tough championship. Jonass, who was the most dangerous is gone, but the rest of last year’s Top 5 will stay I'm sure everyone has improved, and there are also new riders who are looking to get into the top ten." 

MXlarge: What about your new teammate Tom Vialle? 

Prado: "He is a good rider and will have good races, but it is his first year in the World Championship and it has to be a learning season for him". 

Like any champion and despite his age, Jorge shows the necessary maturity to know that his greatest rival can be himself: "You are the source of the mistakes that can cost you a championship, it is very difficult to always be in the lead and stay focused to avoid making any mistakes." 

MXlarge: Do you feel any pressure from the people, especially now that you are considered the favorite? 

Prado: "I try not to think about it, I do not feel the pressure, I focus on my work and the results will arrive." 

In that sense, the Lugo native is very pragmatic and tries not to "get in his own head" with external factors. The same thing goes for the calendar: "I almost never look at it, it is what it is and I have to adapt and get the best out of each terrain and each track, but I do not like that Spain does not have a Grand Prix despite having a world champion, it's a shame! 

At least Jorge will feel at home amongst the Argentinian fans at the first race of the season next Sunday March 3rd: "It's a very special GP for me, with a lot of supporters, a big crowd, a spectacular circuit and a very special terrain, different from what we will find in the rest of the countries. I like it as an inaugural race." He will also race in Lommel, his second home, and several times in Italy, where his team is based and where he currently lives: "I miss my country, but I have become accustomed to living where my profession requires me to. It is where I have to be right now and I enjoy it, of course I would like to be with my mother and my sister, but for now this is the most appropriate situation." 

MXGP AND USA 

Jorge’s future is also starting to become a talking point. At the moment he still has a contract with KTM Factory Racing, but there are always questions about the future; there is no doubt that his focus is completely set on MXGP and even more after his exceptional performance in the mixed super finals of the Internazionali: "It is true that I was able to fight with them and hold off many of the leading riders of the MXGP World Championship, but still It's early to talk, I was riding a  250 and that means having less power and speed, but it's also true that a 450 requires more strength and endurance, and I do not think I am ready yet." 

MXlarge: The eternal question seems to be about the USA, isn’t it? 

Prado: "Yes of course, after the Motocross of the Nations result I have spoken with many important people there who insist that I go. I am not ruling out any possibility, but I try not to think about it either, I am now focused on the MX2 World Championship and the time will come to study, negotiate and those things. We will keep going step by step." 

On Saturday 2nd, in Patagonia, the engines will start. The world’s best riders in search of the 2019 title. Everyone wants the Prado’s red plate, but the Galician has learned his lesson and owns a clear road book towards one only objective: his second World title.

Story Diego Munoz Photo by Bavo Swijgers.

FIM - Anti-Doping Changes?

Some sweeping changes at the FIM, with obviously the news of Tony Skillington being given the role of CEO, but the FIM are also looking at a proposal to change the current structure of the FIM’s judicial bodies that deal with Anti-Doping cases was put before the Board after consultation with the FIM International Medical Commission and the International Commission of Judges. The proposal will be put to the Governance Committee ahead of the next Board meeting in May. 

Speaking to Tony Skillington, he told MXlarge that the Broc Tickle case is at the top of the list and the FIM want to bring this case to its conclusion. See interview for his comments.

Another electric bike project was presented by the Motocross Commission (CMS), which also plans to organise a FIM E-Bike Cross World Cup. Further information will be communicated soon.

As mentioned the Board of Directors appointed Mr Tony Skillington as FIM Chief Executive Officer and Mr Antonio Alia Portela as new Motocross Director.

The Board Committees reported on ideas to improve the FIM’s Statutes and Sporting Code (Governance Committee, Chair Jacques Bolle), enhance the FIM’s standing and visibility and create a new sense of belonging among the FMNs and CONUs (Strategic Plan Committee, Chair Jorgen Bitsch and Affiliation Committee, Chair Stephan Carapiet).

The Finance Committee (Chair Robert Dingman) stressed the oversight role of the Committee which would keep the Board informed in the interests of greater transparency. 

The President informed the Board about several Promoter contracts that have been negotiated since the beginning of the year. A new contract with Eurosport Events for the FIM Endurance World Championship is being finalised and will be signed at the 24 Heures Motos in Le Mans on 20 – 21 April. A contract with ABC Communication for the SuperEnduro World Championship was signed on the Saturday following the Board and Promoter contracts for SuperMoto (Xiem) and FreeStyle Motocross (SportPlus) are to be signed in the coming days. A new Promoter (Martin Beña) has been signed up for Sidecar Motocross from 2020. 

Following termination of the FIM’s contract with Sport7, the FIM Trial Commission will be promoting the FIM Trial World Championship in 2019. 

For the first time in a decade, the Commission Directors (in the sports and non-sports sectors) were invited to report in person to the Board of Directors on their Commissions’ most important challenges and key ambitions for the future. 

The Board Members and Commission Directors greatly welcomed this opportunity for exchange and the new atmosphere of openness ushered in by the FIM President. 

The Enduro Commission (CEN) informed the Board that a FIM E-Bike Enduro World Cup will take place on 1 and 2 June 2019, during the Trophée de France E-VTT ENDURO in Privas with the support of the FFM. 

The Board approved a proposal by the Cross Country Rallies Commission (CRT) to go ahead with the drafting of regulations for SSVs with a view to creating a World Cup in the near future. 

Several changes were made to the composition of the FIM Commissions. The new lists of members will be announced shortly.

The CONU Presidents also presented their reports to the Board. Several of the CONUs have new leadership and all are working closely with the FIM Administration to set up or stabilise permanent headquarters to ensure that they can build on a solid foundation going forward.

The next meeting of the FIM Board will be in Warsaw (Poland) on 17 May 2019.

Andrew Short - 'Playing With Fire'

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Andrew Short shares his view on life and racing in this second episode of the Scott Vision Series.

Just five-years-old when he started riding, Andrew Short turned pro at the age of 17. One year later, 'Shorty' made racing his living and after a long and extremely successful MX and SX career spanning over 17 years, the Colorado native decided to retire.

Retirement didn't mean the end to Andrew's motorcycling of course and after enjoying some offroad and trail riding he started to look at the world of cross-country rallying. When an opportunity came up with the Factory Husky team, Short grabbed it with both hands.

The transition wasn't as straightforward as you might think - rally riders are a different breed, often dicing with danger and even death - but the rewards make up for it.

"I knew those guys played with fire, but what was so cool about rallying is that it wasn't just one-dimensional. There's the navigating and you have to be smart with your bike day after day. It's kind of like climbing Everest for motorcycles."

Sherco Claims Dakar Stage Win

Dakar Rally results: Stage 9 stalemate – Metge wins for Sherco

 

Results from stage nine of the 2019 Dakar Rally – top riders sandbag leaving Toby Price to remain overall leader and Sherco to claim a Dakar stage win.

Stage nine of the Dakar Rally saw another mass-start, though this time bikes set-off together and that is pretty much how the lead riders remained through the day.

Toby Price, Pablo Quintanilla Matthias Walkner and Jose Cornejo all finished within two seconds of each other. 30 seconds back Andrew Short, Kevin Benavides then shortly after Luciano Benavides and Xavier De Soultrait all crossed the line.

The story is there was plenty of sand-bagging on this the penultimate stage with no rider wanting to lead out the decisive last day of the rally. 

Ignoring all of that and taking his chance to shine in the Peruvian desert was Miki Metge who blitzed the field to take his maiden victory, two minutes clear of Daniel Nosiglia who also threw caution to the wind.

Another rider to fall foul of the engine gremlins today was Adrien Van Beveren. The Frenchman had been in podium contention all Dakar but his Yamaha engine let go 16km from the finish.

Earlier in the day news emerged that both Sam Sunderland and Kevin Benevides had been docked one hour and three hours respectively for technical infringements on stage eight – Sunderland for an issue with his Iritrack system causing a delay to his start and Benavides for reportedly writing/carrying notes external to his road book. 

Both riders claim their innocence, the organisers claim rules are rules. In the end sport is not the winner though it seems as two lead riders are ruled out of contention with one stage remaining. 

2019 Dakar Rally stage nine results: