Luongo and Coombs on Geboers

The world mourns a legend today, in fact it will be some time before the motocross family get over the loss of Eric Geboers. A friend to many, and a legend to us all. Five world motocross championships, 39 Grand Prix victories, individual honour in the MXoN, and of course Mr 875, the first man to win world motocross championships in 125cc, 250cc and 500cc.

That is just a start of how you can describe him, there was also Eric Geboers the fan, the guy who would sit trackside with fellow fans drinking a beer or having a laugh. He was attainable to everyone, and despite his legendary status was as comfortable at the side of the track with fans as he was with at the peak of his career, and in deep battle with the likes of Dave Thorpe, Georges Jobe, Harry Everts or Andre Malherbe.

But words can’t express what we all feel. Eric Geboers was a fun guy, always smiling and always willing to talk or have a laugh. I know a handful of years ago, on many occasions I would ask Eric for an interview, picking his brain for our sports history and his achievements in them. Like a little boy in a lolly shop I just couldn’t get enough information and Eric would often laugh when he saw me heading his way, “another important history story Geoff”, he would laugh, but always open to stand for as long as I needed him. I just wish I had sat down with him now and done a 2-hour long interview on his career, a career I only saw flashes, on the odd trip to America or Europe.

I first set eyes on Eric Geboers at the 1984 USGP at the famous Carlsbad circuit, he was just one of many legends going around that day, names like Thorpe, Glover, Malherbe, Jobe, Johnson, O’Mara and so many more. Yes, an era of true legends and the battles were as intense as brutal.

A handful of times I got to see him race, in the mud at the MXdN at Unadilla a special one as he helped Belgium onto the podium in the mud. When he retired in 1990, I still hadn’t moved to Europe and I missed most of his highlights, but of course, no matter which part of the world you lived, you knew who Eric Geboers was.

Newpapers around the world have written their own words on our sports loss, from the Sun in England (https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport...) to Panarama in Holland (https://panorama.nl/sport/moto...) and of course in Belgium (http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/aut...), where the whole country is in mourning for their hero.

For Youthstream president, Giuseppe Luongo, Geboers was more than just a former racer. Luongo and Geboers were good friends, spending time together away from the track. Geboers was a big supporter of the Youthstream system, but also long before Luongo took over the Grand Prix promotion. The two went back as far as 1983, and from that moment on they build an alliance with each other. For Luongo, it was news brought him to his knees. This weekend in Latvia I will be doing an extended interview with Mr Luongo about his friend, among other things.

“Unfortunately,” Giuseppe Luongo said. “When similar news arrives, there are no words to express the sadness. Yes, Eric and I were friends for a long time, practically since the first race I organized in Ponte a Egola in 1983 and from that time we did a lot of things together: as a rider he raced every race I organized and then when he retired we organized several races together from the Supercup in Belgium in the early ‘90s to the Belgian Grand Prix and the Motocross of the Nations of today. Eric had 100 ideas a day and his life was like his racing: full of vitality and always ready to attack. It is a big loss for Motocross, but we will always remember him, and he will always be present in our hearts and in the hearts of all MX fans.”

Davey Coombs of MXSports in America also remembered his Belgian friend, and while the relationship between the two was probably more like most of us, at a distance, Coombs knew all too well the legend of Eric Geboers and his contribution to our great sport.

“I was lucky enough to at the 500cc U.S. Grand Prix at Glen Helen in 1990, which turned out to be his last GP, and of course he won! Eric was always a pleasure to be around, and while I didn't get to see him much when he was racing, he was always willing to do a little bench-racing whenever our paths crossed. He was short in stature, but as a lifelong motocross fan, he was bigger than life to me. I was honoured to think of him as a friend, though I imagine he had millions of friends. And man could he ride a motorcycle -- any size, any conditions, any track.

“Five years ago, Eric and Sylvain came to the 2013 Anaheim SX opener to work on their deals with Suzuki and Rockstar Energy.  Rockstar's Mike Kelso and I had decided to go sit up in the grandstands rather than the stuffy press box, and Eric and Sylvain went along with us. We went to the very upper deck to find four seats together, and ended up drinking beer and cheering for Davi Millsaps, who rode for Rockstar Suzuki at the time. When Millsaps actually won the Geboers brothers could not have been happier, and we all hustled down through the stadium to get to the rig, so we'd be there by the time Millsaps and his crew were back from the podium celebration. Eric and Sylvain could not have been happier for the guys--it was the Rockstar Suzuki team's first supercross win--and I remember thinking that Millsaps and his guys probably had no idea that these two Belgian guys just hanging out in their pits are true motocross gods.”

Yamaha Ténéré 700

Yamaha Ténéré 700 “World Raid” Tour Precedes Production Launch This Fall

Yamaha is really hyping the Ténéré 700, a very capable off-roader powered by the 689cc parallel twin from the MT-07. Before production begins this Fall (with an expected unveiling at EICMA), Yamaha is taking a prototype of the bike around the world with accomplished riders and racers testing the machine and appearing at promotional events. Take a look at the following press release, excellent photos and video from Yamaha:

Yamaha’s commitment to the adventure segment is as extensive as it is impressive. The first bike ever to win the Paris to Dakar Rally was the Yamaha XT500. Not only was it the first bike to win the Dakar Rally, it was the first vehicle to win it outright. Initially the rally had no separate car and motorcycle classes so the Yamaha machine was battling against rally tested giants such as Range Rovers and Renaults to pull off a spectacular Yamaha 1-2. After another Dakar win the following year on the XT500 Yamaha found stiff competition as more manufacturers saw the potential of the rally which lead to a return to the drawing board and eventually the XT 600 Ténéré. From there the Ténéré name became synonymous with adventure and over the decades Yamaha worked hard to make sure they produced machines that yearn for exploration.

This chapter of the Ténéré story began in November 2016 when Yamaha revealed the T7 concept and the Ténéré spark was reignited. The idea behind the concept was to remind the world that Yamaha are dedicated to the ideal of exploration and wanted to get a new terrain stomping model out into the wilds in the future. One year later a bold new design was revealed at EICMA, the Ténéré 700 World Raid. A prototype model which is being used to develop the final specification of the production model.

The Ténéré 700 World Raid prototype was designed with adventure in mind, the perfect machine on which to chase your dreams. The bike retains the rugged, rally bred character of the T7 concept bike but has been extensively developed over a year’s worth of intensive testing on the T7. The Ténéré 700 World Raid’s chassis is light in weight and slim, which is in sharp contrast to its competitors right now. This new approach to the adventure scene means the Ténéré 700 World Raid has incredible handling both on and off road. The compact 689cc twin cylinder provides a wide band of tractable power that’s easy to use and perfect for anything the roads or mountains can throw at you. Add to all this an expanded pilot area for navigation equipment, Dakar Rally inspired 4-project headlight assembly and tweaks to every part of the chassis; what you get is a bike ready for any condition, any terrain, any time.

Experiencing Adventure with the 2018 Ténéré 700 “World Raid” 

The 2018 Ténéré 700 “World Raid” is an event that will put Yamaha’s most advanced adventure machine through its paces over every terrain imaginable, through all the conditions you could conceive and over incredible distances. This isn’t just about getting out there and showing the world what the Ténéré 700 World Raid is about, it’s about giving you the chance to see a machine engineered for achieving the impossible, realizing an adventurer’s dreams. The Ténéré 700 World Raid will be piloted by ambassadors who are some of the greatest names in off-road racing, true pioneers, ground breakers and visionaries. For those wanting to keep up on the tour, to live the dream along with the ambassadors and teams out there in the wilds, check out the dedicated website and make sure you follow us on all major social media channels using the #’s listed below.

Chasing the Next Horizon with the Ténéré Tragics

The 2018 Ténéré 700 World Raid kicked off in Australia, a land of wild weather, unique wildlife and danger around every corner… a dedicated explorer’s delight. The tour’s first ambassador, Yamalube Official Yamaha Rally Team rider Rodney Faggotter, has the local knowledge of this continent. Rodney has a decade long history riding Yamaha’s both for official teams and independently. He carries a weight of experience with him that’s hard to beat having battled the odds and elements to conquer the mighty Dakar Rally at the start of 2018. Rod hooked up with Australia’s own Ténéré Tragics, where they attended the Ténéré Tour, a specialist tour full of Ténéré bikes from throughout the years. The Ténéré Tragics are dedicated to the ideal of capturing the next horizon, a philosophy that runs deep in the Ténéré line. Finding the next horizon focuses the rider on always searching for the next step in their own never ending adventure.

Conquering the Dunes with Stephane Peterhansel

The second stage of the tour takes place in one of the world’s most inspirational locales for off-road adventure, the Moroccan desert. Deserts, plains, rocks and mountains abound in a landscape that screams adventure, mystery and intrigue. Follow the tour as it finds its way to Merzouga, a legendary location for its yearly rally, part of the Rally Raid calendar, but also as a part of the historic Paris to Dakar Rally. The Ténéré 700 World Raid picks up the perfect ambassador for the job, the living legend Stephane Peterhansel. Of the thirteen Dakar wins Peterhansel has racked up over his record breaking career, six of them have been on bikes from the Ténéré line. Join Peterhansel in his stomping ground, the place where he made history, and see what dreams can be made of.

Living the Dakar Dream with Adrien van Beveren

Stage three kicks off in Argentina with Adrien van Beveren taking up the reins as ambassador. Follow him as he heads back to attack the harsh conditions in South America, a place where legends are born and where the highest peaks carry the promise of great things. The Yamaha Racing star has racked up an outstanding three back to back wins at the legendary Enduropale du Touquet on his Yamaha YZ450F. On top of that he wowed the world with his first outing in the Dakar Rally netting a staggering 6th place overall as part of the Yamalube Yamaha Junior Rally Team. That performance earned him a place in the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team where he stepped up again, this time taking 4th overall, finishing only 1 minute off a podium position. Adrien will be pushing the Ténéré 700 World Raid to its limits in the terrain that he came so close to victory over earlier in the year at the 2018 Dakar Rally.

Reaching New Heights with European Legends

For stage four, we dive into the largest part of the 2018 Ténéré 700 World Raid, the European stage. Nick Sanders, world famous bike explorer will be bringing his globetrotting adventure lifestyle to the experience. His company, Nick Sanders Adventures, is a cornerstone of the Destination Yamaha Motor platform and for good reason. In his career he has racked up numerous superhuman feats and set out to achieve the unachievable at every opportunity. From record breaking circumnavigations of the globe to long boating across the English Channel, Nick is an inspiration to dreamers everywhere.

David Frétigné joins the tour as ambassador and is ready to help those eager to learn, delve into the Ténéré life. David has had a long and successful career as a top flight Enduro racer and has brought home the French Enduro Championship title on multiple occasions with the Yamaha WR450F. He’s also a seasoned Dakar rider and has completed the 2015 Africa Eco Race on the XT1200Z Super Ténéré displaying his affinity with the Ténéré spirit, never waiting to chase the next horizon.

Touratech founder Herbert Schwarz has adventure in his veins and he’s dedicated his life to enabling other intrepid explorers in achieving their dreams. His first two items were a set of aluminum panniers and an illuminated motorcycle computer that Schwarz created for his own travels on all continents and from there, the new adventure segment was born. Herbert Schwarz has developed adventure equipment for almost three decades now and represents everything the Ténéré Spirit is about. Joining the 2018 Ténéré 700 World Raid as ambassador, Herbert Schwarz will be putting over 850,000km of worldwide adventure experience to good use.

Cristóbal Guerrero has enjoyed great success in Enduro, winning the Spanish Enduro Championship four years in a row aboard Yamaha machines as well as placing solidly in the top six for years for Yamaha on the world stage. His experience in off road will be essential on the 2018 Ténéré 700 World Raid.

Alessandro Botturi takes the lead on the Italian leg. Botturi is a legend in the Enduro scene, competing in twelve seasons of the world championship and winning nine Italian Enduro Championship titles as well as two ISDE wins as part of Team Italy. He made the move to Yamaha and secured a win at the 2015 Merzouga Rally as well as three Dakar Rally entries aboard his Yamaha WR450F. The Italian leg of the tour marks the end of the adventure and Botturi and the 2018 Ténéré 700 World Raid crew will be taking you on an odyssey through the mountains at the Hard Alpi Tour. A weekend’s worth of whipping around the alps most spectacular trails both on road and off, high above the clouds and amongst snowy peaks. What better way to finish the tale?

If all that hasn’t whet your appetite for the latest and greatest in adventure action then click here to learn more about the bike itself and get a good look at what promises to be the avid explorer’s new best friend.

More information about the tour will be emerging out in the coming weeks so make sure you check out the dedicated site www.World-Raid.com

Eric Geboers Drowns

Belgian motocross legend Geboers drowns saving his dog

RIP

Brussels - Belgium's five-time former motocross world champion Eric Geboers has drowned after diving into a lake to rescue his dog, Belgian media reported on Monday.

The 55-year-old, who became a legend in his sport in the 1980s, jumped off his boat trying to save his pet on Sunday at Mol, in the north of Belgium, according to news agency Belga.

His body was found on Monday after a search of the area.

The mayor of Mol Paul Rotthier described the tragedy as "a dramatic accident".

"He ran into problems the minute he jumped into the water," Rotthier told Flemish newspaper De Standaard.

"Another person (on board the boat) made an attempt to save him. Then the rescue services were alerted."

In the 1980s Geboers was crowned motocross champion in all three categories, 125cc, 250 and 500, earning him the nickname 'Mister 875'.

He retired in 1990 at the age of 28 to become manager of the Suzuki motocross team.

Stefan Everts interview - Eric Geboers

As a boy Stefan Everts marvelled at Eric Geboers. Stefan grew up knowing the Geboers family well, and with his father Harry racing against Eric, it was a weekly visit to the motocross or to the Geboers family home. Later, Stefan would race for the Geboers family as Sylvain ran the Suzuki factory team for which Stefan and Harry rode.

Their careers didn’t overlap, as just a year prior to Stefan winning the World 125cc championship in 1991, Geboers had retired as world 500cc champion. But their passes would cross often in the next two decades, with Geboers often joining Everts on the podium as he broke one record after another.

Everts remembered his childhood idol, and what he meant to the sport and the country of Belgium.

MXlarge: Obviously terrible news today about Eric. I know you knew Eric your whole life. How are you doing?

Everts: Yes, it is shocking news and to find out how he passed away, trying to save his dog, and eventually the dog saved himself and Eric drowned, which is a horrible thing. It is shocking news for me, but not just for me, but the whole motocross environment.

MXlarge: He was one of your heroes growing up. Can you give me maybe some special moments you remember from your friendship?

Everts: Yes, one conversation, when I was 16 years old. He was going to teach me how to ride supercross, and he had this track in Olmen, and he turned up with his normal running shoes and he jumped on my bike, which was a Suzuki and he was riding Honda at the time. And he just jumped on my bike and started jumping everything. That was pretty impressive to see that, and then afterwards, listen boy, if you want to be a champion, you got to drink that whole pond and it was a big pond, and I never forgot that. He said it is a hell of a job to drink a whole pond, but then many years later we were having a drink together and I said to him, did he remember telling me about the pond, and he said he did, and I told him I drank two ponds, not just one.

MXlarge: You equalled his Mr 875 by winning also in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc classes, and he had a lot of records that you would eventually beat. He retired as world champion, just as you did. Like Roger De Coster, I think Eric belongs right up there with you and Antonio at the top of GP legends. Would you agree?

Everts: I would say for sure. Especially for Belgians. Eric was ahead of his time and always tried to shock people and get more attention to himself and he was a big example for me in that area. He was big in motorsport, but even bigger in sport in general, or even the none sporting public. He brought the sport more into the media and he showed how professional was and I looked up to that and he was a big example. He was a small guy, but a big athlete and one of the biggest in our sport.

MXlarge: As I mentioned, you both retired as champions, was that also a reason you stopped at the very top?

Everts: No, not at all, in fact I was really disappointed that he stopped at that young age. He could have easily done five more years, but he wasn’t interested. He was racing my dad when I was a kid, and he was the first guy to do jumps with no hands and back then that was really something. Now it would be goon riding, but back then it was really something. I remember as a kid I liked that, it was crazy and different.

MXLarge: How is Belgium looking at this, because I know he was a household name during his career.

Everts: Its big news, really big news. All the news channels and radio channels, it’s the first news. The 7pm news is the big news and they showed a lot, for maybe 10 minutes, his career and the tragic news from yesterday.

Baylor Wins Dragon's Back

Grant Baylor Tops Dragon’s Back National Enduro

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Grant Baylor started fast and finished strong to win the Dragon’s Back National Enduro, round four of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series in Arrington, Virginia.

Just two weeks out from surgery to repair a broken bone in his hand, Grant Baylor has taken the win at Dragon's Back. Baylor’s performance wasn’t the prettiest of his career, by his own admission: “I was struggling all day long,” said Grant. “I just wasn’t riding like I should, I crashed three times in the fifth test and twice in the last. 

“But I won, so obviously I made fewer mistakes than everybody else. This year has been an uphill battle for me, with the broken hand and all. But I just rode my race and kept trying to smooth out a bit, and I guess I did just enough.”

The Virginia race was held at the Oak Ridge Estates, thanks to the Holland family, and despite a heavy rain that slickened the course during the first test, most of the riders had good things to say about the race and a few called it the enduro of the year. 

After six tests and 55 miles of racing, Grant finished with three test wins and beat out his brother and teammate Steward Baylor by 52 seconds for the win.

 

Photo Credit: Shan Moore

Unlike his brother, Steward didn’t get off to a good start but managed to edge FMF KTM’s Josh Toth for the runner-up slot by mere tenths of a second. 

“I struggled the first two tests and I just couldn’t seem to find a groove,” said Steward. “I just made a lot of mistakes and no matter what I did I just couldn’t get out of it.”

Heading into the final three tests, Steward found himself in a pretty big hole, but the Tely Energy KTM rider managed to dig his way out thanks to a pair of second-place finishes in the final two tests.

“I worked my way back into contention in test five, so I was nine seconds behind Toth heading into the final test,” added Steward. “I just went for it in that last one and I managed to barley get the job done.”

 

Photo Credit: Shan Moore

Josh Toth won tests two and three, but tip-overs late in the race left him third overall by the narrowest of margins. 

“I rode pretty consistent, but I didn’t ride my best today, for sure,” said Toth. “I fell in the fifth test and then I crashed twice in the final test, just trying to catch Grant and that cost me second.”

Thad DuVall finished second in test one and he won test two, however a stumble in test four and a navigation error in section five dropped the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider fourth overall. 

Ben Kelley rounded out the top five after turning in a performance that saw the FMF KTM Factory rider turn up the heat in the later tests.

“I was off the pace in the beginning, I just wasn’t aggressive enough at the start,” said Kelley. “I tried to turn it around and my last two tests were faster, although I had a couple of crashes. The first two tests were pretty slick and I think I was just a bit timid.”

 

Photo Credit: Shan Moore

Meanwhile, Solid Performance KTM’s Ryder Lafferty topped the NE Pro 2 division with a ninth place overall finish.

“It was pretty slick in the first few tests, but it tacked up starting with the third test and I got a little more comfortable,” said Lafferty. “I was all over the place in that second test, but I’m happy with how I rode, especially in the last three or four tests.”

Gas Gas North America’s Nick Davis was second in the NE Pro 2 division with a 12th overall finish, while Virginia’s Paddy Holloway was third in the class and 14th overall.

In the Women’s Elite class, Tayla Jones grabbed her second win of the season, after topping Bonanza Plumbing/Trail Jesters KTM’s Mackenzie Tricker by 24 seconds.

“I had a good race, even though the track was a bit slippery at the beginning,” said Jones. “I had a few silly mistakes and I got stuck a few times, but I managed to hold on for the win.”

Jones won three tests compared to two for Tricker.

FLY/Maxxis/Seat Concepts KTM, while Yamaha-mounted Brooke Cosner rounded out the top three, 50 seconds behind Tricker. 

The Kenda AMA National Enduro Series returns to action on June 3 for the Cherokee National Enduro in Greensboro, Georgia, round five of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series. 

Overall results:

1. Grant Baylor (KTM)
2. Steward Baylor (KTM)
3. Josh Toth (KTM)
4. Thad DuVall (Hsq)
5. Ben Kelley (KTM)
6. Evan Smith (Hsq)
7. Cory Buttrick (Hsq)
8. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
9. Ryder Lafferty (KTM)
10. Andrew DeLong (GG)

The Sandbox!

2018 Nevada IOTMX...Fernley, Nevada

This years Fernley Old Timers moto was very good. The weather was good, cool but not cold. The track ws fun...if you like sand. If you don't like sand you should not be in Fernley. The turnout appeared good, the racing was fun. The dinner was excellent. I did not hear any complaints, people seemed to enjoy themselves. For pictures go to the photo section above.

From Russia With Love!

Holcombe turns the tide

Holcombe: "something clicked, I dropped the pin and went for it"

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The 2018 Spanish Enduro GP got a whole lot more interesting on day two after heavy overnight rain, and almost continues rain during the day, made conditions tricky to say the least. 

At different points most of the top 10 riders were putting up strong test times but equally took turns to drop chunks of time in the incredibly difficult conditions. The transfer sections between tests were throwing up some challenging riding all of their own. 

 

 

Holcombe turns the tide

For Steve Holcombe it was a case of not making those mistakes and getting the result he felt he deserved after his day one was hampered when his Beta sucked in water on the enduro test: “It was difficult for me and Eero [Remes] to open all the tests after the rain last night but I tried to be smart in at least the first lap and a half. 

“I saw I was a little bit down on time, then something clicked in the second enduro test and I dropped the pin and went for it."

“From there it felt really good, really precise and I kept it in control. I’m happy to get the time back I lost this morning and take the win. Making up some points after yesterday was important. I’m fit and comfortable on the bike and pushing right to the end now which is a good sign for the rest of the season.”

Strong weekend for Salvini

Alex Salvini’s 1-3 scorecard was the kind of result the former world champion is looking increasingly likely to pull off in 2018. His season both in GPs and the Italian Championship is showing Salvini is back running where we know he should be.

 

 

Yamaha's team performance

Jamie McCanney’s 1-1 in E1 was another strong performance from the Outsiders Yamaha rider after a similar showing in Finland. Second overall on day two built upon his fourth from day one for a successful weekend for the Brit. 

“It was a wild day for everyone with the rain but it’s the same for everyone. Yesterday was my first race of the year really, apart from Finland, so I was a bit rusty and nervous.” Said McCanney.

 

 

“Today I relaxed and knew what I was capable of doing. I didn’t realise for a start I was fighting for the scratch overall result – I’m focusing on my class and in that I had a comfortable lead today so didn’t want to risk too much. I’m looking forward to next week where hopefully the rain stays away and we have a sunny Portugal!”  

Jamie’s Outsiders Yamaha team-mate, Loic Larrieu also had a strong weekend and looked to be heading for a scratch result podium at least until one poor test knocked his overall time. Runner-up in E2 on day two though added to his third in both E3 and overall on day one.  

 

 

The top two riders in Juniors (J1 and J2) deserve mention also with some super-fast test times on day two. Andrea Verona (J1) and Davide Soreca (J2) finished with overall times easily comparable with the podium results in the bigger classes and well inside the top 10 in Scratch.

Holcombe, both McCanney’s, Larrieu, Salvini, Remes, Charlier and Nambotin traded places at the top of the test time sheets all day – showing the event and new World Enduro class system to be a very competitive at this event. 

Gas Sprint Enduro Round Two

Narrowest of wins for Sipes at Full Gas Sprint Enduro round two

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Ryan Sipes edged Grant Baylor by just 1.5 seconds for the victory at the Harleywood Sprint Enduro – round two of the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series in Bristol, Virginia. 

At the Full Gas Sprint series opener in Georgia, back in February, Sipes carried out a clear win but that almost didn’t work in Virginia. Despite winning 12 Cross tests over two days racing, former Supercross rider Ryan Sipes didn’t carry his speed across every test. 

Grant Baylor on the other hand managed to win just enough of the Enduro tests (3) and stay consistent enough in the Cross tests to give Sipes a run for his money. By contrast Sipes only managed a pair of sixths in the Enduro test and that almost cost him the overall. 

Despite Sipes’ speed in the Cross test, Grant Baylor managed to beat Sipes to win Saturday’s event by less than a second. On Sunday, Sipes went into the final test of the weekend with a 14-second advantage over Grant. However, a couple of mistakes wiped all but 1.5 seconds off that lead away, and Sipes escaped by the skin of his teeth to claim his second win in a row in 2018. 

“I made way too many mistakes in that last test,” said Sipes. “It was an emotional rollercoaster for me this weekend. I would kill ‘em in the Cross test, and then they would get me back in the Enduro test. 

“I was a little upset about Sunday’s race, losing eight seconds in the last test. But overall, it was a good weekend. I’ve got two overall wins in two races and I think I’m getting better in the Enduro tests with every race.”

 

 

Photo Credit: Darrin Chapman

Baylor runs close second

Grant Baylor claimed his best finish in the series with the win on Saturday and second overall for the weekend. The South Carolina rider was strongest in the Enduro test, but just fast enough in the Cross test to compete for the overall. 

After braking a bone in his hand just over two weeks ago, Baylor said after the race that it wasn’t a factor: “I got off to a slow start, but I picked up the pace starting with the second Cross test.”

“I won the Enduro test twice on Saturday and I was second in the Cross test, and that was enough to take the win for the day. I started off struggling on Sunday, and I was making mental mistakes, but I managed to get it together for the final few tests and I think Ryan had a problem in that last one, which made it close. He had a good lead on me in that last test, but I knew I could beat him. I figured he would back it off a little since he had a big lead, but I came up just short, but I’m happy with second overall.”

 

Photo Credit: Darrin Chapman

Strang third

Josh Strang made the podium for the second race in a row with a third overall. Strang started strong with a second in the opening Cross test, followed by a win in the Enduro test. However, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider crashed in the final Enduro test on Saturday, which cost him valuable time, and perhaps a chance at the win. 

On Sunday, Strang struggled with the drier conditions, but still managed a consistent third overall.

“It really dried up a ton from Saturday, so the track ended up being slick,” said Strang. “We were all pretty close in the Enduro test, but it was just a bit unsettling in places. Sipes just destroyed us in the Cross test. I felt like I was riding well, but I was getting seconds and thirds. Overall, it was a good weekend, but I need to work on a few things before the next round.”

Layne Michael made a great showing in Virginia, winning one of the Enduro tests and grabbing four seconds and a third for fourth overall. 

Rounding out the top five was Steward Baylor who struggled on Saturday, never finishing higher than fourth in any of the tests. On Sunday, Steward was sixth fastest in the first test, but then seemed to catch fire with a pair of seconds, followed by a win in the Enduro test. 

The Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series resumes on May 19-20 with round three of the series at Lake Suger Tree Raceway in Axton, Virginia.

More information on the series at sprintenduro.com

RESULTS

1. Ryan Sipes (Hsq) 01:19:50.151
2. Grant Baylor (Hsq) 01:19:51.698
3. Josh Strang (Hsq) 01:20:11.487
4. Layne Michael (Hsq) 01:20:14.062
5. Steward Baylor (KTM) 01:20:29.051
6. Jordan Ashburn (Bet) 01:20:42.620
7. Evan Smith (Hsq) 01:21:47.653
8. Liam Draper (Hsq) 01:23:23.951
9. Mike Witkowski (Bet) 01:24:09.384
10. JoJo Bowden (KTM) 01:24:15.403

Desalle tough In Russia!

Desalle wins in Russia

Posted on May 01, 2018

Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Clement Desalle picked up his 23^rd Grand Prix victory with a consistent 1-2 score today in Russia. The Belgian toughman looked very solid all day and became the first none KTM rider to win an MXGP overall in 2018.

"It feels good," Desalle said. "I am really happy, it was tough, at the beginning of the year with the two orange guys. We worked hard and the bike is perfect. It is a nice track, also happy to be the first guy to beat the KTMs."

"You know we did a good thing in the championship," Herlings said. "23 points or something. It isn't my favourite track, I think this an Arco are my least favourite. I am looking forward to Latvia and go for the top spot again."

"First moto was ok," Cairoli said. "A good battle with Jeffrey, close racing, but Desalle was fast and pulled away, I got closer, but too late. The track was difficult, slippery, not really my type of track. Second moto I crashed and back to figth, which is okay. It was better to be closer to the podium, My goal is to make the podium at every race, so my did that today."

Second overall was Jeffrey Herlings, who again looked strong with his 3-1 results, and he also extended his championship points lead over Antonio Cairoli to 23 points. The defending world MXGP champion (Cairoli) scored 2-5 results in Russia and was third overall.

In the second MXGP moto, Herlings took a big holeshot from Desalle, Gajser, Cairoli, Seewer, Coldenhoff, Nagl, Lieber, and Monticelli.

While Herlings continued to lead, Desalle remained close and after two laps it was Herlings, Desalle, Gajser, Cairoli, Febvre, Paulin, Coldenhoff, Seewer, Nagl and Lupino. Desalle all over Herlings and looking like the tough Belgium from a few years ago.

Not a lot happening, as after eight laps Herlings lead was four seconds over Desalle, with Gajser a further two seconds back, then came Cairoli, Febvre, Paulin, Seewer, Lieber, Coldenhoff, and Nagl.

Cairoli goes down and Febvre moved past, and the Italian continues to struggle in this moto. After 12 laps it was Herlings with a three second lead, then came Desalle, Gajser, Febvre, Cairoli, Paulin, Lieber, Coldenhoff, Seewer, and Nagl 10^th.

Herlings won the moto, and Desalle, who finished second in the moto won the GP overall. Febvre finished third in the moto.     

Ray Archer image

MXGP - GP Classification

Pos Nr Rider Nat. Fed. Bike Race 1 Race 2 Total 1 25 Desalle, Clement BEL FMB KAW 25 22 47 2 84 Herlings, Jeffrey NED KNMV KTM 20 25 45 3 222 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI KTM 22 16 38 4 461 Febvre, Romain FRA FFM YAM 14 20 34 5 243 Gajser, Tim SLO AMZS HON 16 18 34 6 21 Paulin, Gautier FRA MCM HUS 18 15 33 7 33 Lieber, Julien BEL FMB KAW 13 14 27 8 91 Seewer, Jeremy SUI FMS YAM 12 13 25 9 77 Lupino, Alessandro ITA FMI KAW 10 10 20 10 27 Jasikonis, Arminas LTU LMSF HON 11 8 1