Defending champions Team France confirm 2019 MXoN squad

Defending champions Team France have named the three-rider squad that they’ll field at Assen’s 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in The Netherlands, as the team attempts to claim a sixth-straight title at the prestigious event on 28-29 September.

Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha’s Gautier Paulin will spearhead the team in MX1, joined by MX2 World Championship rookie Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and former world champion Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing), who’ll fulfil the Open category position.

France’s team selection comes after a host of countries announced their line-ups, including Team Belgium, who are set to field Jeremy van Horebeek (Honda), Jago Geerts (Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2 ) and Kevin Strijbos (JWR Yamaha).

Team Switzerland has also entered a competitive squad with trio Jeremy Seewer (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing), Valentin Guillod (Honda) and Arnaud Tonus (Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha). Team USA is expected to announce its squad this weekend at the Unadilla national, while an announcement on Team Australia is anticipated to be made this month.

Team USA and Kawasaki - Opinion

 

While the press release today from Kawasaki US wasn’t a surprise and pretty much everyone in the sport knew it was coming, it is a little sad that a major company like Kawasaki can’t support their riders in a race that is the most watched motocross race in the World. I get they want their riders ready for the 2020 AMA supercross championship, so you have to respect that.

It is a pity we won't see the AMA 450 and 250 champions in action, but it isn't the first time Team USA haven't sent their champions and it won't be the last. Just as long as Team USA compete, then I think the fans will be happy enough. It isn't like we will be missing the best 450 and 250 riders in the World, because it's been shown time and time again over the last decade that those riders are now in Europe, racing the MXGP and MX2 championships.

In saying that, I don’t think it is a bad thing, as the B team which is being thrown around, Zach Osborne, Jason Anderson and Justin Cooper seem to be very committed to coming to Europe early and putting the effort in needed to win this event, and believe me, I think the B team have more chance of winning than what could have been.

Eli Tomac on his day is one of the fastest riders in the World, and he was the standout for Team USA last year, and his performances in 2013 and 2014 at the event proved he is more than capable of helping Team USA to a victory, but he isn’t Ricky Johnson, David Bailey, Ryan Villopoto, Ricky Carmichael or Ryan Dungey when it comes to going 1-1 for his country. His MXoN finishes of 2-16-3-6-4-5 isn’t really something to get excited about, and I felt in the deep sand of Assen he would struggle big time. We read it often in the American media how he cracks under pressure, and there is no bigger pressure than MXoN. 

Jason Anderson showed how to deal with pressure by winning a moto at MXoN in 2016 at Maggiora, and with a broken foot. He didn't crack under the pressure of a fast coming Jeffrey Herlings, just reeled his laps off and kept looking forward. Sign him up for a lot of Team USA performances in my eyes. Backing up Anderson and Osborne will be Austria and the KTM/Husqvarna outfit and we know they always give 100% at this event. 

With Osborne, Anderson and Cooper, I am not sure they will struggle, and I really put this team in with a big chance of shocking the World, just as Team USA did in 1981 in Lommel. One thing is for sure, its good to see Husqvarna and Yamaha supporting this race, and like KTM they are ready to race the biggest motocross race in the World.

Whatever happens, when the team is official on Saturday at Unadilla this weekend, the MXoN will go on, Team USA will once again compete, and the whole Kawasaki press release will be forgotten. And that is how it should be. KTM have the attitude of Ready to Race, and I guess Kawasaki US just aren’t really ready when it comes to MXoN.

I am just glad Team Honda USA and Roger De Coster didn't have the same attitude in 1981, otherwise Team USA and the MXoN might have a completely different history together. And that would have been a tragedy.

Romain Febvre Leaving Yamaha

Febvre leaves Yamaha

 

Yamaha Motor Europe wishes to formally announce that its partnership with Romain Febvre will be drawn to a close at the end of the 2019 MXGP season.

Together with Yamaha, the “461” has taken his YZ450FM to 27 Grand Prix race wins, 50 Grand Prix podiums, and 12 Grand Prix victories, with the highlight of his career being crowned 2015 MXGP World Champion in what was an unforgettable rookie season.

In addition to his Grand Prix success’, the YZ450FM mounted Frenchman has played a key role in the glory of Team France at the prestigious Monster Energy Motocross of Nations with Febvre leading his team to victory on three occasions.

Yamaha is extremely grateful for the five fruitful years spent with Febvre, where together we have shared many memorable moments. The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team look forward to lining up at the remaining four rounds of the 2019 MXGP World Championship with Febvre at the helm, where they hope to toast even more success. 

Yamaha Motor Europe would like to wish Febvre all the best for his future in racing. 

Kawasaki Pulls Out of MXoN

Kawasaki Will Not Participate in the 2019 Motocross of Nations

4 hours ago | by: Mitch Kendra

 

With several team announcements becoming official in recent weeks, and Team USA’s official announcement this weekend at the Unadilla National, Kawasaki announced the team will not participate in the 2019 the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. In a statement sent out this afternoon, the team said the “Kawasaki race team has informed the AMA that the team and riders will not be considered for the event later this year.” 

Tomac, who represented Team USA in 2013 and 2014, represented the team for a third time last year, when he teamed with Justin Barcia and Aaron Plessinger at RedBud MX. The team finished sixth overall but in January, Team Italy was disqualified from the competition after a bike failed the compliance test, moving Team USA up to fifth place.

Kawasaki just announced on Tuesday that Cianciarulo will move up to the 450 Class to join Tomac, who re-signed with the team in May, for 2020.

Below is the full statement:

No Motocross of Nations for Kawasaki Race Team in 2019

Foothill Ranch, Calif. (August 8, 2019)—Recently the AMA made preliminary contact with several teams regarding availability of riders for the 2019 Motocross of Nations (MXoN). Based on the team’s off-season plans, Kawasaki race team has informed the AMA that the team and riders will not be considered for the event later this year. 

Kawasaki riders Eli Tomac and Adam Cianciarulo separately expressed interest in attending MXoN this year. After discussing the details of the team’s off-season plans with each rider, both were in agreement with the team’s decision. The team will consider MXoN invitations for its team riders in the future.

Kawasaki will continue its pursuit of success in the 450MX and 250MX 2019 AMA Pro Motocross Championships with Tomac and Cianciarulo each carrying the points lead and red plates in their respective classes into the Unadilla National in New Berlin, New York on Saturday, August 10th.

“Being chosen to represent the USA is always an honor,” said Tomac. “I am a patriotic guy so attending Motocross of Nations is something I always look forward to and embrace the challenge of the unique race. However, after speaking with the team I understand and support their reasoning for not attending this year’s event. Winning Motocross of Nations is something that is still on my checklist, but my priority right now is winning a Monster Energy Supercross title.”

“It would be an incredible and humbling honor to be chosen to represent Team USA," said Cianciarulo. “For me, it has always been something I have watched and wanted to be chosen for, but I understand the team’s decision and I know I have a lot of work and new challenges ahead of me by moving up to the 450 class.”

Mitch To Receive Edison Dye Award

MITCH PAYTON TO BE AWARDED 2019 EDISON DYE MOTOCROSS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This is the greatest tuner in motocross history — Mitch Payton.

Dubya USA and Glen Helen Raceway are excited and proud to announce that the 2019 recipient of the Edison Dye Motocross Lifetime Achievement Award will be team owner and tuner extraordinaire Mitch Payton. Mitch began his career riding with his brother, James, under the guidance of his parents, James and Norma Payton. He began racing at the age of 10, and by the time Mitch was 17 he was the District 37 125cc desert racing class champion. The following year, his life took a drastic turn when he suffered a debilitating desert crash. He would never ride again. But rather than letting this situation turn him away from motorcycling, Mitch (at the young age of 18) found strength and purpose in learning and excelling in the business side of the sport. He became, arguably, the most successful race team owner in the motocross industry! A full biography of Mitch’s talents and accomplishments will be included in the 35th annual Dubya World Vet Motocross Championships program. It will be a great read!

The Payton family at the races.

Mitch will be honored Sunday, November 3, 2019, at the World Vet Motocross Championships. The ceremony we be at noon. Many of Mitch’s colleagues and riders will be interviewed as well as an Early Years of Motocross/Glen Helen produced video highlighting Mitch’s exemplary career. The ceremony will be held in the Glen Helen Museum, so plan on getting there early for the best seats!

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.