Herlings Wins with 1-1 in Italy

 

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings did pretty much what everyone expected with a 1-1 performance at the opening GP at the Faenza circuit and the way he looked means bad news for his rivals. With defending champion Tim Gajser finishing off the podium and struggling somewhat. Gajser is now 67 points off the red plate.

“It is amazing to equal Tony Cairoli (his 90th GP victory) and there is one guy left on the list and that is Stefan Everts. He was my idol when I was a kid and I need another 11 to catch him. We had a good start, but it was a rough one, had to fight until the end and Jeremy was riding really well. It was hard to pass Jorge, just one line, but looking forward to the race on Wednesday.”

Monster Energy Yamaha rider Jeremy Seewer finished second with 2-2 results and another Red Bull KTM rider Antonio Cairoli finished third with 3-3 scores. Cairoli moved into second place in the MXGP points but is 60 points behind Herlings. As we know, Cairoli knows where to be if something happens to Herlings or Gajser.

Prado led the second MXGP moto from Herlings, Seewer, Paulin, Desalle, Gasjer, Cairoli, Jacobi, Febvre and Walsh in 10^th place. After four laps Prado was 1 second ahead of Herlings, then Seewer, Paulin, Cairoli, Gajser, Febvre, Desalle, Jacobi, and Evans 10^th. Paulin went down and was well back in the positions.

While it was Jasikonis who was in the mix with the World champions in Latvia, this time it is Seewer tucked between the former or present champions. Prado, Herlings, Seewer, Cairoli, Gajser and Febvre the top six, then Desalle, Jacobi, Evans and Jasikonis.

Eight laps and the lead was still around a second, as Seewer was all over the back wheel of Herlings. Herlings again making big leaps towards his fifth World title as he gets miles ahead of anyone else in the points race.

Seewer all over Herlings and Prado starting to fade, the end of this race will light up. Herlings into the lead and Seewer also past Prado, with Cairoli closing on the top three, then came Febvre, Gajser, Evans, Coldenhoff, Desalle, Jasikonis in 10^th. Seewer going after Herlings again.

Prado struggling as he dropped to sixth place and seemingly tiring badly. 16^th lap the lead by Herlings was two seconds from Seewer, then Cairoli, Febvre, Gajser, Prado, Evans, Coldenjoff, Jasikonis, and Lupino in 10^th. Herlings wins the race and the overall, followed by Seewer who also finished second overall and Cairoli, who finished third overall

WC Labor Day Sale

Weston Peick Whats Next?

He's been on the sidelines ever since he was inured at a European off-season race—now he's ready for a new start in what has been an inspirational motocross career

All New 2021 CR450F

Nearly two decades after its introduction to the motocross world, Honda’s CRF450 begins a new chapter for 2021, this latest version inspired by a “Razor Sharp Cornering” design philosophy. Already the industry’s top-selling motocross model along with its exclusive CRF450WE sibling, the CRF450 is guided by three main goals for 2021: improved power (particularly on corner exits), improved handling and more consistent lap times over the course of a tough moto.

Honda’s lightened, latest-generation twin-spar aluminum frame headlines the update list, with changes that reduce lateral rigidity for improved cornering performance and stability. Out back, a new swingarm improves rear traction. The Unicam engine features updates to the decompression system, intake and exhaust (including a switch from two mufflers to one), resulting in improved low-to-mid performance and a narrower layout. A stouter clutch with hydraulic activation is new, delivering reduced slip and a lighter lever pull for more consistent performance. The new bodywork and seat offer a slimmer, smoother rider interface, as well as simplified maintenance.

“Having already earned a place on the list of all-time successful Honda models, the CRF450 continues to demonstrate Honda’s commitment to winning,” said Lee Edmunds, Senior Manager of Powersports Marketing at American Honda. “With its emphasis on cornering performance, we’re confident that the all-new 2021 model will help Red Riders write their own names in the record books with dominant performances from gate drop to checkered flag.”

Zack Osborne MXA Interview

ZACH OSBORNE INTERVIEW: THE ONLY 450 SUPERCROSS WINNER

& GNCC OFF-ROAD CONTENDER

BY JIM KIMBALL

The 2020 Supercross Championship was full of highs and lows for Zach Osborne who overcame a difficult start to the 2020 series and later suffered a severe practice crash that should have left him sidelined until the Outdoor Nationals. However, the three-month halt in the season allowed Osborne to heal up in time to finish out the final seven rounds of the season.

Now, while the rest of the racers wait in limbo for the local, state and federal governments to lift restrictions and allow public events like the Nationals to happen with spectators, Zach decided to go GNCC racing at the High Voltage event in West Virginia where he finished an impressive 7th place in the dusty, three-hour off-road event. We caught up with Zach to talk mostly about Supercross and motocross, but we also asked him about his GNCC experience as well.

WITH YOUR PRACTICE CRASH DURING SUPERCROSS, THE COVID-19 BREAK ACTUALLY PLAYED INTO YOUR FAVOR RIGHT? I had that big crash, practicing the week before the Atlanta Supercross. I ended up breaking my back in five places, broke my wrist, and partially collapsed both of my lungs. It was a pretty big crash and it took me probably eight weeks before I felt even remotely normal again. For sure, without Covid-19 I would not have been even remotely close to racing Supercross, in a sense, it really hooked me up pretty good.

A LESSER MAN MAY HAVE THOUGHT “I SHOULD SIT OUT SUPERCROSS AND TAKE MORE TIME AND GET READY FOR OUTDOORS,” DID THAT OCCUR TO YOU AT ALL? That would have been the plan, obviously had the Coronavirus not happened, because I had no chance of being healthy or being able to really put in some good rides. That would have been the plan with just outdoor racing. Then, when I started riding, that was still the plan, because there was not going to be any Supercross, so I was just riding outdoors. When Feldannounced the Salt Lake City races, I got back on the Supercross track and started riding.

BEFORE YOUR CRASH, YOU LOOKED GOOD, BUT I DON’T THINK YOU WERE HAPPY WITH YOUR RESULTS. BUT AFTER GETTING SALT LAKE CITY THINGS WERE COMING TOGETHER. The beginning of the season was not great for me. I was struggling with just feeling really sick in January. That put me in a tough spot and made it hard for me to recover during the week, and it just started to build on me. Finally, in Dallas, before I got injured, I was having a decent race. I think I went 7-5-3 in the Triple Crown for 5th overall and that was the best I had ridden all year. At the same time, it was not at nearly the level I was riding when we were in Salt Lake.

TAKING THE WIN AT THE FINAL ROUND MUST HAVE BEEN AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE. It was awesome. I rode well the whole time we were there, led some races and got comfortable with that. I got comfortable riding in front of the premier class in the world in Supercross and I really wanted to win that last one. I knew that those guys would be Championship-minded, especially Eli. And if Eli was up front then Cooper would have been the same. I felt like I really had a good opportunity and I was able to capitalize on it and get a win.

DO YOU NOW SEE YOURSELF AS ONE OF THOSE TOP CANDIDATES TO WIN RACES? I would like to think so. I was kind of the complete package when we were in Salt Lake with my starts and just the consistency I was putting down. Next year going in, I already have checked the race win box, and I would like to  continue charging forward and trying to build some wins. I want to put myself in good position the whole season and stay healthy, that is the main thing.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR HUSQVARNA TO GO 1, 2, 3 AND DOMINATE LIKE YOU GUYS DID AT THE LAST RACE? It was for all of us and for everyone involved it was great. It was a huge day with Michael Mosiman on the podium in the 250 class and then for us to go 1, 2, 3 was really cool. It was the first time ever for Husky and that was awesome. Obviously, I was glad to be the guy that won, but even with that, it was a really cool day for all of us.

WHAT IS IT LIKE RIDING FOR THE ROCKSTAR HUSQVARNA TEAM? We enjoy going racing together. We have a good team atmosphere. We all have fun and I think that it is key to not only good results but just enjoying the racing and grind that it takes.

BASED ON YOUR SUCCESS IN SUPERCROSS, DO YOU FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT OUTDOORS? I feel great about it. I hope that they can pull something together for us to be able to go racing. It is going to be a really good series if they make it happen. I would like to think that they will get it together. And with my fitness, I believe that I am in a good spot to contend for race wins there too.

ARE YOU OKAY WITH HOW MX SPORTS IS HANDING THINGS? Not only is it out of my control, but it is out of their control too. They are only as good as the limitations and there are a lot of limitations at the moment. I don’t know what else they can do as far as it goes with getting it together. It is going to be a little more complex than Supercross, because they are not going to do it at one venue. So, yes, I am okay with what they are doing right now.

Zach finished 7th place at the High Voltage GNCC after failing to start his bike right away in the dead engine start and coming around the first turn the last rider off the first line. 

WHAT YOUR MOTIVATION TO RACE GNCC IN THE BREAK? Well, unique times offer unique opportunities. This is just the way to go race, have some fun, and put myself in front of some different people. At the end of the day, I am a racer and I want to go racing, it was cool and fun for me, and hopefully fun for the team and also for the fans.

HOW DID YOU APPROACH THE HIGH VOLTAGE GNCC, DID YOU GO THERE TO WIN, OR MORE AS HAVING FUN? It was just for fun. Of course, I would have liked to have won, but I don’t know how realistic that was. I do not have any time on the trails at the moment. I had very little time to sort the bike out. For me, it was mostly just for fun. I would have loved to carve out a good result and be up at the front, but I mean it is what it is.

GNCC

The bar-to-bar XC1 Pro battle

After Josh Toth grabbed the holeshot and the lead he took advantage of a clear track while Dante Oliveira, KTM teammates Russell and Ben Kelley plus Josh Strang on the Babbitt’s Online Kawasaki were fighting for position behind him.

Toth was at the helm for the majority of the three-hour race with Russell chipping away to finally sit eight seconds back heading into the final two laps. The battle was very much on this deep into the race as they headed through the pits and back into the woods as Kelley sat right on Strang’s tail in the battle for third with Jordan Ashburn fifth and Grant Baylor in sixth place – Baylor would retire on the next lap due to another mechanical issue this season for the FactoryONE Sherco squad.

When the white flag came out, eyes were on the lead duo with Russell leading only to make a mistake and crash, breaking his gear shifter in the process and allowing Toth back to the front.

The seven-time champ typically wasn’t in the mood for letting being stuck in second gear slow him down. When Toth got caught up trying to pass a lapper rider on the final hill before the finish, Russell pulled his party-spoiling trick to steal his 67th career XC1 victory.

 “I did the best I could with the circumstances but I was frustrated mentally.” Said Russell.  “After Josh got around me, I stayed fairly close to him and while he was trying to get around a lapper at the end, I had enough room to take the main line that was faster and I passed him and the lapper at the same time.”

2 Strokes Invade Glen Helen in the Heat!!!

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY THAT THE OVER-50 125 CLASS OUTSHINED THE 125 PRO CLASS, BUT IN MANY WAYS IT DID BECAUSE IT HAD LOTS OF
FORMER AMA NATIONAL RIDERS.

 

Those Aussies know how to beat the heat—white bike, white boots, white gear and white open…no make that “wide open.” Dan Alamangos demonstrates. Photo: Jody Weisel

It is impossible to say that the Over-50 125 class outshined the 125 Pro class, but in many ways it did. It had lots of former AMA National riders including, but not limited to Robert Reisinger, Will Harper, Chris Heinrich, Jon Ortner, Pete Murray and Craig Canoy. There were also riders from other countries with Holland’s Ralf Schmidt representing TM Motorcycles, South Africa’s Alan Jullien, Australian Dan Alamangos and Great Britain’s Kurt Nicoll.

Pete Murray (7) and Jon Ortner (10) fighting over the last spot on the Over-50 podium as they climb Shoei Hill. Photo Dan Alamangos

Ralf Schmidt rarely faces 107-degree race days back home in Holland. Photo: Jody Weisel

The nagging question was whether three-time Over-50 World Vet Champion Kurt Nicoll could be beaten by three-time Vet Champion Pete Murray (who had won in the Over-40, Over-50 and Over-60 classes over the years) or by AMA Pro Craig Canoy, Dutch Champion Ralf Schmidt or three-time REM number one Jon Ortner. But there was no doubt once the gate dropped and Nicoll went 1-1, Canoy 2-2, Murray 3-3, Ortner 4-4 and Chris Heinrich 5-5.

 

Kurt Nicoll fillled his coffers with an additional check for $750, making his total for the day $1500.

The Over-50 podium: Pete Murray, Kurt Nicoll and Craig Canoy. Photo:Jon Ortner

PASHA OVER-50 RESULTS
1. Kurt Nicoll…KTM
2. Craig Canoy…Yam
3. Pete Murray..Yam
4. Jon Ortner…Suz
5. Chris Heinrich..Hon
6. Dan Alamangos…Hus
7. Scott Murphy…TM
8. Pete Vetrano…Hus
9. Ralf Schmidt…TM
10. Alan Jullien…Yam

Racing at Washougal Today!

Yes there was a little racing this weekend at Washougal...no not the AMA National we are all waiting for but some good 'ole OTMX. Hopefully there will be many more motos before summer is over.

The Polka Dots MC plus 60 MX Team had a good weekend bringing home some brass!

Spectators Allowed - MXoN

Great news today as the UK government has allowed festivals and outdoor sporting events to recommence as of tomorrow, with crowds. Obviously with social distancing, and rules in place, but what it does mean is that the September 27 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations chances of being run has grown dramatically.

Other good news is that the culture secretary of the UK has announced he has brokered agreements that will allow selected international sporting events and production on some of the biggest film and television productions to get underway safely this summer, in a major boost for the country and the UK economy.

A number of sports stars and their support teams, alongside international film and high-end television stars, directors and producers, will be exempt from quarantine – where they are essential to the event or production.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: I’m very pleased that we’ve agreed exemptions from border health measures for a limited number of athletes and events staff, which means the British summer of sport is back on. I am grateful to the sports governing bodies who have worked closely with us to put in place stringent protocols to ensure these events can go ahead safely. It will mean that fans of the British Grand Prix, international cricket and Champions League football can look forward to yet more sporting action on home soil - a further boost to our national recovery. 

This is all news that is happening now, so in three months time, when the MXoN is set to be run, you can imagine things will have only improved. All good signs for the Grand Prix and Nations, both being held on the same weekend and hopefully under blue sky and with a large spectator attendance.

Steve Dixon mentioned to us earlier this week that the area of Matterley Basin would mean it is possible to fit in more than enough fans to get a good vibe around the magnificent circuit for this event.

"Well," Dixon said. "We had to do calculations when I ran the event in 2017 and normally you are allowed four people per square metre and we presented out calculations for the area and we could fit in 120,000 and that was inside the requirements of the council. Obviously, the guidelines will be different, but I think even with new guidelines, I think we can fit in 25% of that. Everyone knows that Matterley is a huge area and has a huge amount of track fencing. We have a much bigger area where crowds can get to, just on the perimeter of the fencing, but it is so easy to social distance in such a big outdoor bowl."

So as we get more and more positive news about the MXGP championship crowds and now this news for the Motocross of Nations, we can all sit back and prepare for what is going to be a very special second half of this crazy 2020 season.

Yamaha Announces Full Lineup of 2021 Motocross Bikes

Missing is a new YZ250...it's not even funny anymore. They just won't compete with KTM/Husky.

Race like a Champion with Yamaha’s Redesigned YZ250F and Monster Energy® Yamaha Racing Editions

MARIETTA, Ga. – July 9, 2020 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, introduces its complete lineup of race-ready 2021 motocross bikes including the updated YZ250F. Featuring a thoroughly refined engine, revised frame, new suspension settings and new brakes, the YZ250F continues to dominate the competition with the best balance of power and handling.

“The YZ250F is clearly the leader in its class, winning back-to-back Monster Energy AMA Supercross West Coast 250SX Championships, dominating media shootouts year after year, and by offering industry-exclusive features like the free Power Tuner app, which allows riders to wirelessly tune engine performance for changing track conditions,” said Derek Brooks, Yamaha Motorsports Motorcycle Product Line Manager. “For 2021 the YZ250F gets significant engine, frame, suspension and brake updates to deliver more class-leading power and offer a superior balance of nimble yet confidence-inspiring handling. Yamaha’s entire 2021 motocross lineup continues to raise the bar of competitive performance.”

Also new for 2021, the YZ250F and YZ450F will be offered in special Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Editions, pairing Yamaha’s legendary YZ performance with a new, race team-inspired aesthetic.

In addition to the updated YZ250F and the Monster Energy Racing Edition models, the full two-stroke lineup consisting of the YZ65, YZ85, YZ125 and YZ250, as well as the four-stroke YZ450F, all return for 2021 with the next-generation Team Yamaha Blue color and graphics scheme to further accentuate the advances of the YZ series.

Welcome to the victorYZone

Yamaha’s off-road competition bikes offer the very latest in technology with performance features designed to help racing enthusiasts reach their maximum potential, win races, and stand on top of the podium.

New 2021 YZ250F: Tune, Race, Win

The new 2021 Yamaha YZ250F has been redesigned for a more competitive, greater performing motocross experience. The new 250cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, electric start engine features an all-new cylinder head with an improved intake port shape and new camshaft profile, as well a new airbox and intake track, a new silencer, and an updated ECU. These modifications, along with other refinements like an updated transmission and shift cam, a revised clutch design and improved water pump impeller, all help to produce stronger mid- to top-end power and increased peak power, while retaining its class-leading low-end torque.

Tuned specifically for the 2021 YZ250F, the updated lightweight aluminum, bilateral beam frame, and new engine mounts have been redesigned with all-new flex characteristics to improve bump absorption, traction, and cornering performance. The industry-leading, fully adjustable KYB® coil spring-type fork, with enhanced speed-sensitive damping, provides an exceptional balance between comfort and bottoming resistance while the link-type rear suspension features a KYB shock with revised damping characteristics to match the updated chassis. Other chassis components such as the top triple clamp, handlebar mounts, and front axle were also redesigned to complement the new frame. Improved braking performance is achieved with newly engineered lighter weight front and rear brake calipers, larger surface area brake pads, and redesigned front (270mm) and rear (240mm) discs.

The 2021 YZ250F gives racers the edge right out of the gate. Standard equipment includes electric start, a lightweight lithium battery, advanced fuel injection, a front-positioned intake, and rear-positioned exhaust layout to deliver the widest spread of power with reliable performance while balancing the weight for excellent mass-centralization. Racers can adjust their engine performance straight from their phone using the onboard wireless connectivity through the industry’s only free-of-charge complete tuning system, which is highlighted by the Yamaha Power Tuner App. Once settings are dialed in, racers can then choose between two user-defined ECU maps on the fly via the handlebar mounted dual-mode engine map switch. Complemented by new next-generation Team Yamaha Blue color and graphics, the 2021 YZ250F showcases Yamaha’s race-winning pedigree.

The new 2021 YZ250F will be available from dealers this September in next-generation Team Yamaha Blue for $8,299 MSRP. The Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition will be available from dealers in September for $8,499 MSRP.

A 2021 Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition YZ450F. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.

New for 2021: Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Editions

Stand out from the crowd. The 2021 YZ250F and 2021 YZ450F now come in new Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Editions. With a factory team-inspired color and graphics package, riders can feel as if they too are part of a Yamaha championship-winning Supercross team.

2021 YZ450F: Tune into Victory

The 2021 YZ450F returns with all of the class-leading features first introduced on the 2020 YZ450F, including an updated engine, cylinder head, frame and technology features for a more powerful and better handling motocross experience. Racers can achieve quicker, smoother race starts through Yamaha’s Launch Control System, adjust their on-track performance using the onboard wireless connectivity through the free-of-charge Yamaha Power Tuner App right from their phone, and choose between two user-defined ECU maps on the fly through the handlebar-mounted dual-mode engine map switch.

 

Owners can tune their 2021 Yamaha YZs using a free smart phone app. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.

The 2021 YZ450F will be available from dealers this month in next-generation Team Yamaha Blue for $9,399 MSRP. The Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition will be available from dealers in August for $9,599 MSRP.

2021 YZ125 and YZ250

Yamaha’s YZ125 and YZ250 models return for 2021 to complete Yamaha’s full-size lineup of motocross bikes. With their modern styling, lightweight aluminum frame and industry-leading KYB Speed Sensitive System front forks and KYB fully-adjustable rear shock, the 2021 YZ125 and YZ250 continue their outstanding performance and durability with a rider-friendly chassis and race-ready features.

The 2021 YZ125 will begin arriving at Yamaha dealerships in August, while the YZ250 will be available from dealers this month. Both models will be available in next-generation Team Yamaha Blue for $6,599 and $7,499 MSRP, respectively.

2021 YZ65 and YZ85

The 2021 youth models are once again ready to tackle the track. The YZ65 and YZ85 are powered by confidence-inspiring 65cc and 85cc two-stroke engines. Featuring the Yamaha Power Valve System, these engines deliver a broad spread of power and torque across the entire rev range, without losing any power at high RPM. Fully adjustable, industry-leading 36mm KYB spring type forks and KYB rear shock contribute to class-leading handling and performance in a wide range of conditions. Four-way, adjustable handlebar positioning, as well as lever-reach adjustability are designed for ultimate rider comfort, regardless of size. Finally, with two-stroke ease of maintenance and Yamaha’s proven durability, the 2021 YZ65 and YZ85 are built to keep kids on the track.

The 2021 YZ65 and YZ85 will both be available from dealers this month in next-generation Team Yamaha Blue for $4,599 and $4,699 MSRP, respectively.

Yamaha bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Contingency Program

All 2021 YZ models are eligible for Yamaha’s current 2020 bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Contingency Program, which features nearly $5 million for Yamaha bLU cRU riders competing in off-road motorcycle racing. YZ riders can earn contingency payouts via a bLU cRU debit card, receive a 10 percent rebate on GYTR parts and accessory purchases of up to $1,000, and receive an instant $45 credit on http://www.bLUcRUswag.com. The 2021 bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Contingency Program details will be announced soon.

For complete details on how to register for the bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Contingency Program, along with specific information on which racing series, events, and classes are included, visit the Off-Road Racing Contingency page on the Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, website at: https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/motocross/pages/yamaha-off-road-contingency-program.