Horsetail Creek Trail...This Is A Scenic Trail Ride!

Horsetail Creek Trail

Located near the eastern shores of Lower Slide Lake, this area has a single track trail that forms a long but scenic loop. The trail is about ten miles long but is geared for experienced riders due to steep climbs and descents and narrow switchbacks. After finishing the loop, just head about five miles east past the staging area and check out the Slate Creek and Dry Dallas Trails.

This is a very scenic area that offers panoramic views of mountains, meadows and canyons. Camping is permitted at Atherton Creek Campground which has about 30 sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring, water fountains and a boat ramp.

The riding season is short and motorized use is permitted from July though mid September. There is no fee to ride but motorcycles must display a current Wyoming ORV Permit

Located near the eastern shores of Lower Slide Lake, this area has a single track trail that forms a long but scenic loop. The trail is about ten miles long but is geared for experienced riders due to steep climbs and descents and narrow switchbacks. After finishing the loop, just head about five miles east past the staging area and check out the Slate Creek and Dry Dallas Trails.

This is a very scenic area that offers panoramic views of mountains, meadows and canyons. Camping is permitted at Atherton Creek Campground which has about 30 sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring, water fountains and a boat ramp.

The riding season is short and motorized use is permitted from July though mid September. There is no fee to ride but motorcycles must display a current Wyoming ORV Permit.

Covington wins under Drama

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider Thomas Covington has won the opening MX2 moto after a big crash between the two early leaders Pauls Jonass and Jorge Prado. The American was in third place at the time of the crash and cruised past to win a close battle with Australian rider Hunter Lawrence. Third was Prado after his accident with Jonass.

“At the beginning the two KTMs got out front and edge away from me, but I stayed close and it looked like a scary crash. I had to push the whole race and go back and prepare for the second one.”

Covington and Jonass right together in the first corner and Jonass got the lead, then Covington, Prado, Furlotti, Watson, Olsen, Jacobi, Pancar, Lawrence, and Rodriquez 10^th.

Lawrence on the gas as he passed a bunch of riders go to into third place, and nearly collided with Watson as they jumped together. Prado and Covington also in a nice little battle.

After two laps the lead by Jonass was 1.5 seconds, then came Prado, Covington, Lawrence, Watson, Olsen, Rodriguez, Jacobi, Cervellin, Furlotti and Vlaanderen 11^th.

Prado moving closer to Jonass, and Lawrence moving closer to Covington and after five laps it was Jonass just ahead of Prado, Covington, Lawrence, Watson, Olsen, Rodriguez, Jacobi, Cervellin and Vlaanderen.

Vlaanderen another big crash after his Bulgarian accident, and now down in 16^th place. Jonass continued to hold the lead over Prado, but very close and Covington and Lawrence close up on the two front guys.

Jonass slowing the race down to bring the others close to him and Prado (ala Lewis Hamilton), and both Jonass and Prado collide into eachother and go off the track, Jonass crashed and Prado off the track and slowed down. Hard to tell who made the mistake, easy to argue for both.

Covington led from Lawrence and Prado, with Jonass down in sixth position and probably really angry. After nine laps it was Covington, Lawrence, Prado, Watson, Olsen, Jonass, Rodriguez, Jacobi, Cervellin, and Renaux.

Covington led by nearly two seconds over Lawrence on lap 12, and Prado was another four seconds back, then came Watson, Olsen, Jonass, Rodriquez, Jacobi, Cervellin and Renaux in 10^th.

Lawrence loving the Turkish heat and closed right up on Covington for the lead. Aussies and Americans handling the heat better than the Euros?

Lawrence all over Covington, but the American is a fighter and wouldn’t give up the lead. Jonass struggling with Rodriguez and Watson closing on Prado. The KTM boys really struggling now.

Covington wins it from Lawrence and Prado.

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 1 - Classification

1. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), 35:10.583; 2. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +0:02.864; 3. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:09.798; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:12.576; 5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:20.431; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:30.968; 7. Anthony Rodriguez (VEN, Yamaha), +0:37.418; 8. Henry Jacobi (GER, Husqvarna), +0:51.496; 9. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Yamaha), +0:52.593; 10. Simone Furlotti (ITA, Yamaha), +0:53.798; 11. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:57.317; 12. Bas Vaessen (NED, Honda), +0:58.533; 13. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Honda), +1:07.177; 14. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Husqvarna), +1:17.366; 15. Gustavo Pessoa (BRA, Kawasaki), +1:31.557; 16. Richard Sikyna (SVK, KTM), +1:44.008; 17. Jan Pancar (SLO, Yamaha), +1:46.514; 18. Oriol Casas (ESP, Honda), -1 lap(s); 19. Mustafa Cetin (TUR, Yamaha), -4 lap(s); 20. Yasin Karaboce (TUR, Husqvarna), -4 lap(s); 21. Emircan Senkalayci (TUR, KTM), -13 lap(s); 22. Furkan Valimaki (TUR, KTM), -18 lap(s); 23. Micha-Boy De Waal (NED, Honda), -19 lap(s);

MXGP of Turkey

Riding conditions looking prime at the Grassman AMA National Enduro in Ohio

Thad DuVall got back on the top step of the podium with the win at the Grassman National Enduro, round seven of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series in Chandlersville, Ohio.

DeCoster Moves Up, Ian Harrison Becomes Red Bull KTM Team Manager

 

Big behind-the-scenes news today from from

KTM, which has announced that Roger DeCoster has been promoted to a more senior position within the company. His longtime sidekick Ian Harrison will take over day-to-day team manager duties for the team.

"The Belgian has put pen to paper on a multi-year agreement and a new role for the KTM Group," says a KTM PR from today. "DeCoster will be ‘Motorsports Director KTM/Husqvarna North America’ and retain a more strategic and senior position in all of KTM and Husqvarna’s USA racing activities.

"Ian Harrison has been Roger’s ‘right-hand man’ and key collaborator for a number of years—certainly since 2011, when DeCoster first came to KTM—and has also renewed his position with the KTM Group to become de facto team manager of the Red Bull KTM MX/SX squad and technical director of the KTM/Husqvarna efforts in the United States."

Harrison and DeCoster actually started together with Suzuki during the 1995 season, when Roger took over the helm of Suzuki's U.S. race team and Harrison came over as Greg Albertyn's mechanic. Both departed to KTM after the 2010 season.

DeCoster: “I can still remember now when people said I was crazy to join KTM. It has almost been ten years, but it shows that when a company is as serious and dedicated about their racing as the KTM Group are, then many things are possible. I’m happy to again sign with them and to continue working with them to extend my long story in this sport. We have achieved a lot together and I don’t feel that the ‘fire’ is dimming or my motivation to keep this team and factory at the top of the sport is any less as the first day I wore the orange shirt. I’d like to thank Mr. Pierer, Pit, and all the guys who work so hard to allow us to be where we want to be.”

Harrison: “Time has passed so quickly, and it feels like we have done so much since we started to look at how and where we could be better back in 2011. I don't think we could have imagined all the trophies and red plates we’ve collected, even if the ambition to do so was very strong then and has not faded in all this time. We went through the [Ryan] Dungey era and have seen the development of Marvin [Musquin] to a bona fide supercross title contender. We’re not stopping, and it’s exciting to think about where we can go next.”

Robert Jonas, vice president, KTM Off-Road: “Having Roger and Ian as the solid backbone of our supercross and motocross division in the United States has paid back so much to the company. Believing and backing those guys the best way we can has allowed for some superb success in some of the biggest and most competitive motorcycle racing series. Keeping them as part of the family and depending on their experience and wisdom was very important to us, so I’m really pleased to be talking about this new contract. I want to congratulate Ian; he is now leading the Red Bull KTM team, and this is the least he deserves after so much work and dedication over the years. We will continue to plan and, hopefully, continue to reach our goals on American soil.”

The KTM press release further explains DeCoster and Harrison's success in building KTM's U.S. racing effort into a championship outfit.

"The DeCoster/Harrison link was largely fundamental in the reorganization of KTM’s sporting arm in high-profile supercross and motocross circles at the start of the decade," the statement says. "The pair were instrumental in forging a close link with R&D in Mattighofen, Austria, and elevating the race team to the position of champions.

"Ryan Dungey’s signature was key, as was development of outstanding talent such as Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin. KTM went on to toast titles and milestones in every AMA division. Recently, the alliance with Aldon Baker’s training regime only strengthened the KTM Group’s status and ensured the finest resources towards the current and next generations."

Private ride days...a huge success!

A PC ride day

No I’m not talking about a political correctness parade held downtown at the entrance to the State Capital, although the way things are going that might not be a bad idea. On second thought forget about that.

I’m talking about a Tom and Carmen ride day at the Prairie City MX track. For the past few months Tom and Carmen have been renting local motocross tracks and inviting up to fifty riders to come out and enjoy a day of riding on a prepped track.

The Sierra Old Timers MC and the Over the Hill Gang hold a number of ride days throughout the year specifically geared to us older riders so we don’t have to directly compete with the eighteen year old crazies and all the other types of riders you normally in counter at a what Tom likes to call a “public” ride day.

So the question I put to Tom and Carmen are you trying to for some reason compete with these other organizations and the answer was a resounding no. “We just want to ride our dirt bikes more and don’t want to have to do it at a public event if we can help it.”

If they are able to get fifty riders that helps pay for the track rental but for them it’s not about breaking even or even making money, it’s simply about riding their dirt bikes with a bunch of their friends.

Everyone today had a great time and with just fifty riders you could pull onto the track anytime and not fear for your life.

Doug 21J

Webb Wins opening Endurocross Thriller from Haaker

to More 57

The 2018 AMA EnduroCross series season started with a bang in Prescott Valley, Arizona with FMF KTM’s Cody Webb and Rockstar Husqvarna’s Colton Haaker battling for the win. Ultimately Webb got the win ahead of Haaker with SRT Husqvarna’s Trystan Hart rounding out the podium. 

With the Prescott Valley Event Centre packed to capacity the crowd was treated to a full night of exciting racing. The afternoon started with the hot laps to determine the heat race gate picks and Webb set the fastest time, followed closely by Haaker. Gas Gas backed Noah Kepple finished a solid third. Kyle Redmond and Cooper Abbott rounded out the top five.

Evening show

The night show started with the two pro class heat races and both were exciting. Webb won the first heat race with a last lap pass on Hart. Ty Tremaine, on the Alta electric bike, Beta’s Max Gerston, Dustin McCarthy and Cooper Abbott rounded out the top six. 

In heat two, Haaker took the win over SRT Husqvarna’s Kyle Redmond after a back and forth battle. Gas Gas backed Geoff Aaron, Beta rider Ty Cullins, Mason Ottersberg and South American Benjamin Herrera also transferred to the main event. Haaker and Webb each earned a bonus championship point for the heat race wins.

The top four from each of the above heat races faced off in head-to-head bracket races. Haaker advanced to the final while Webb was eliminated by Redmond. Haaker then beat Redmond in the bracket final to take another bonus point and the first gate pick for the main. 

 

 

Main event

When the gate dropped in for the main event, Webb stormed to the front followed closely by Haaker, Ottersberg, Cullins, Redmond and Hart. Webb led the first two laps but then Haaker managed to pass for the lead, then gave it back a lap later. Webb opened a twelve second lead but then a few mistakes and a crash handed the lead back to Haaker for laps thirteen through fifteen of what ended up being a nineteen-lap race. 

But Haaker got held up by lapped riders several times and then crashed in an uphill rock section, handing the lead back to Webb who maintained the lead to the finish to take the opening round.

“The opening round was awesome.” Said Webb. “This was the coolest most, fun race yet. Colton and I were going back and forth. The course was so nasty, and this was what EnduroCross is supposed to be. People were crashing everywhere, including Colton and me, and the crowd was so into it. This was a great way to get the season started.”

 

 

In the dramatic race Colton Haaker wasn’t completely comfortable with the Prescott indoor track and had to settle for second: “The track was really slippery tonight with a lot of water getting dragged around the whole course, so we lapped a lot of riders and Cody lost out on some lappers and I got into the lead, then I lost out on some lappers again. And it ended with me in second. It was a brutal one. I am looking forward to Costa Mesa and an outdoor arena and maybe a little more room.”

Hart was as far back as ninth at the completion of lap one but worked his way to third place and maintained it to the finish to get his season off to a good start. His teammate, Redmond, also had a strong night and finished the main in fourth position. Ty Cullins rode his Beta to a fifth-place finish, his best result since his rookie pro season in 2016.

 

 

“I had a good start and then got shuffled back in the rocks on the first lap.” Explained Hart. “When I got into third I took the Joker lane and knew that I was in third. I saw the halfway mark and thought it should have been just about over, so it was a tough race. But in the end, I got third, so it was a good day.” 

Aaron finished sixth on his GasGas, Tremaine finished seventh on the Alta, Gerston was eighth on the factory Beta, Abbott rode his RPM KTM to ninth and Kepple rounded out the top ten on his Gas Gas.

2018 Prescott Valley AMA EnduroCross main event results:

1. Cody Webb, KTM
2. Colton Haaker, Husqvarna
3. Trystan Hart, Husqvarna
4. Kyle Redmond, Husqvarna
5. Ty Cullins, Beta
6. Geoff Aaron, Gas Gas
7. Ty Tremaine, Alta
8. Max Gerston, Beta
9. Cooper Abbott, KTM
10. Noah Kepple, Gas Gas
11. Benjamin Herrera, Beta
12. Dustin McCarthy, Yamaha
13. Mason Ottersberg, Beta
14. Spenser Wilton, KTM

 

MXGP of Bulgaria

All of the action from Sevlievo

Herlings 1-1 in Bulgaria

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings has won the Grand Prix of Bulgaria with another 1-1 performance and extended his world championship points lead over Antonio Cairoli to 73 points heading into the Turkish GP next weekend. 

It was also the Dutchmans 14^th GP win of the season, and his 81^st GP win of his career. He is now just four GP wins behind Cairoli in the all-time list.

Second overall in Bulgaria was Tim Gajser with 2-3 results and Clement Desalle was third with 3-4 scores. Cairoli was fourth with 8-2 results. Herlings can now only be beaten by Cairoli as all the other competition are more than 150 points behind with three GPs remaining.

“It was awesome," Herlings said. "We came out with three good starts and led every single lap, and we now lead by 73 points with Turkey, Assen and Italy remaining. I want to thank the man above for keeping me safe and also the Red Bull KTM Factory team. We need to see the situation, maybe now start thinking about the championship. 150pt up for grabs and I have a lead of 73, but Antonio is very strong, we saw that in the second moto, he is bad ass."

"Sure it was a good weekend," Gajser said. "The track was not rough but hard and slick. We took two good starts and I am looking forward to Turkey."

"We were consistent," Desalle said. "But I have to say I was behind and its been difficult. I want to be better, but a big kiss to my family and also my mechanic who had a baby, and I wish them the best."

Cairoli led moto two of the MXGP with Herlings second, then Desalle, Gajser, Coldenhoff, Febvre, Lieber, Anstie, Searle, Paulin in 10^th.

Herlings went for a pass early, but Cairoli blocked the passing move, but then Herlings just blew under the Italian for the lead. Gajser nearly pushed Cairoli off the track looking for a pass, but the Italian hung tough and kept second place.

Liebe down and out as he seems to be injured, and Febvre also crashed in a slippery corner. After two laps it was Herlings with a two second lead from Cairoli, Gajser, Desalle, Coldenhoff, Anstie, Paulin, Febvre, Searle and Seewer.

Febvre all over his Team France rider Paulin, and made a pass in lap three, so back into seventh spot. Strijbos passed Waters for 12^th place, and Herlings extended his lead slightly over Cairoli. Lupino also passed Waters, with the Aussie dropping to 14^th, and Simpson was into the mechanics area for adjustments to his bike.

After four laps Cairoli closed up a little on Herlings, and Seewer was all over Searle for ninth place. Herlings turned up the heat and suddenly pulled away from Cairoli, and maybe the Dutchman is just playing with his Italian rival?

After five laps it was Herlings with a 2.5 second lead, then Cairoli, Gajser, Desalle, Coldenhoff, Febvre, Anstie, Paulin, Searle and Seewer.

Herlings just cruising around in front, with Cairoli four seconds back after 10 laps, then Gajser, Desalle, Febvre, Anstie, Coldenhoff, Paulin, Searle, Seewer in 10^th.

A race of waiting as the top ten didn’t change in two laps, as Herlings extended to a six second lead on lap 13, and Cairoli had eight seconds over Gajser. Then came Desalle, Febvre, Anstie, Coldenhoff, Searle, Paulin and Seewer.

And the final moto was a battle of the world champions as Herlings won it from Cairoli and Gajser.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 - Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 35:21.881; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:14.366; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:25.658; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:34.633; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:44.829; 6. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:47.752; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:50.922; 8. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:54.196; 9. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:54.943; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:57.488; 11. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +1:06.183; 12. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +1:12.012; 13. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +1:25.473; 14. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, Yamaha), +1:31.429; 15. Tanel Leok (EST, Husqvarna), +1:33.428; 16. Todd Waters (AUS, Honda), +1:53.951; 17. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), -1 lap(s); 18. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), -1 lap(s); 19. Petar Petrov (BUL, Honda), -1 lap(s); 20. Klemen Gercar (SLO, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 21. Jonathan Bengtsson (SWE, KTM), -1 lap(s); 22. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), -2 lap(s); 23. Panagiotis Kouzis (GRE, Honda), -2 lap(s); 24. Nathan Renkens (BEL, Honda), -12 lap(s); 25. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), -18 lap(s);

MXGP - GP Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 42 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 38 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 35 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 34 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 28 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 26 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 23 p.; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 22 p.; 10. Tommy Searle (GBR, KAW), 21 p.; 11. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KAW), 18 p.; 12. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 16 p.; 13. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 15 p.; 14. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 14 p.; 15. Tanel Leok (EST, HUS), 13 p.; 16. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, YAM), 12 p.; 17. Shaun Simpson (GBR, YAM), 10 p.; 18. Todd Waters (AUS, HON), 7 p.; 19. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 7 p.; 20. Petar Petrov (BUL, HON), 6 p.; 21. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 3 p.; 22. Klemen Gercar (SLO, HUS), 1 p.; 23. Nathan Renkens (BEL, HON), 1 p.; 24. Jonathan Bengtsson (SWE, KTM), 0 p.; 25. Panagiotis Kouzis (GRE, HON), 0 p.;

Chad Reed To Race Ironman For JGR Suzuki

It’s official: Chad Reed is returning to Lucas Oil Pro Motocross. The 2009 450 Class Champion will race the season finale this weekend at Ironman with Autotrader/Yoshimura Suzuki. Remember, Reed was riding a Suzuki when he won the 2009 title.

“The opportunity came up last week for me to test the Autotrader/Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450,” Reed stated in a team press release. “I immediately felt comfortable with the bike and team. Although I had not planned to be in ‘race shape’ for another six weeks, it’s an opportunity to get out and do what I absolutely love the most, which is race. I haven’t raced a national in three years, but I have those nervous and excited race feelings to be getting back out there. I’m stoked to help their team and sponsors while a few of their riders are out with injuries. I feel like a kid again getting to ride a factory bike and go racing with a highly motivated crew. I hope to see lots of 22 fans this weekend!”

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Chad Reed outdoors in the U.S. He last raced a Pro Motocross event in 2015 at High Point, after which he shut down his TwoTwo Motorsports team. Reed recently talked to Racer X about that day in our longform feature “Longshot: The Oral History of TwoTwo Motorsports.” 

“So basically, the inevitable was just coming. It was High Point weekend, and I was having a miserable time. Everything just felt wrong. Honestly, nothing was wrong other than the rider. Mentally, I was smoked. I felt like I had burnt the candle at both ends and just didn’t have anything to give. The bike felt wrong. The track felt wrong. I just wasn’t there. I wasn’t able to find any comfort. I think it was just a mental thing. At High Point, I had full realization that it wasn’t fun for me. I wasn’t enjoying it. I didn’t want my last years to be like that.

"Right then and there I made the decision on my own, at that point. I don’t even know that I raced. I think I pulled out of the first moto, and I came off the track and I said to the guys, “I’m done. This is it.” They were like, “What do you mean?” I said, “I’m done. I don’t know if that’s my last race, but I’m done with the team. I’m done racing motocross. I’m done for the year.” I told them that they needed to pack up. They needed to put everything on the truck, and then the truck needs to head back to California. I’ll get in touch with them ASAP.”

JGRMX

Steve Matthes wrote about the impending move for Reed last week in Racerhead. Here is part of what he said:

"According to Dan [Truman, from GET/Athena], Reed's times were very competitive with the guys they have now and it worked out so well, they gave him a bike to take home and practice on. I would highly bet we'll see the #22 under the JGR Suzuki tent next weekend, and Truman even said there was a chance for tomorrow [Budds Creek]! That wasn't exactly something that anyone saw coming, right? Truman said he liked the bike and everyone seemed to get along. Chad Reed racing MX for JGR Suzuki? Yup, just another turn in the life of Reedy.

"So... what about 2019 supercross for JGR and CR? Well, Dan said it wasn't ruled out—JGR has Hill and Peick under contract (Peick's deal might be done—it might not be, but it will be) for 450SX and MX and are talking to riders for 450 Class deals. So maybe, perhaps, something can get done here. I had a source close to Suzuki tell me that JGR has told Suzuki it's on them if they want the #22; they have to buck up and find the cash/bikes/parts for an extra guy."

We will see what this means for 2019 and beyond, but for now, let’s just enjoy Reed back in Pro Motocross this weekend.