Throttle Therapy?

'Throttle Therapy' is a thing — and it works

By Shannon Corbeil Mar. 26, 12:36 PM

The topic of combat-related trauma is finally being addressed in mainstream medicine across the United States. After seventeen consecutive years in overseas conflicts, trauma is both a reality and a devastation for our troops. As the stigma previously attached to mental health challenges fades, we’re finally coming together collectively to help support the men and women who serve in our military.

Luckily, there are many forms of treatment. Throttle therapy happens to be one of them — and a high octane one at that.

Eli Tomac flies high at the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross.

“Throttle therapy” is the term for time spent on a motorized bike with the intent to enjoy feelings of euphoria that may exceed the capabilities of prescription or illegal drugs. According to the nonprofit Veteran Motocross Foundation, or VetMX, “Research has shown that physical experiences which are thrilling and physically demanding can re-center human brain chemistry.”

In other words, sports like Motocross can help alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress, especially for veterans.

“It’s not something radical we’ve come up with,” said Dustin Blankenship, an Air Force veteran with a paralyzed left thigh. “There’s proof that riding a motorcycle helps people. It’s almost like you’re in a trance state on a motorcycle. It’s like meditation.”

Blankenship discovered that his injury doesn’t hold him back when he rides.

2nd Lt. Michael Reardon poses in front of a race track in Maize, Kan. Reardon has competed in motocross races for nearly three years and has been riding since he was 10 years old. (U.S. Air Force photo)

He’s not the only veteran to experience a transformation when he rides. Then-2nd Lt. Michael Reardon told the Air Force that motocross racing was the ultimate stress reliever and the perfect adrenaline rush — within reason: “[Motocross] is only dangerous if you let it be dangerous. The sport is much safer if you don’t exceed your own limits.”

Brothers Greg Oswald and Eli Tomac, a C-17 pilot and a Supercross champ respectively, know a thing or two about getting in a machine and letting everything else fade away. Check out the video below to hear about how they support each other on the ground, in the air, or on a racetrack:

Viewpoint: Antonio Cairoli

Antonio Cairoli on his Spanish win

Antonio Cairoli was being pulled in many directions at the MXGP of La Comunitat Valenciana, but still made time to do a quick post-race interview. What did he have to say about his first triumph of the season and return to the head of the table? Read on or, alternatively, listen to the audio version elsewhere on MX Vice.

MX Vice: You are back! It’s funny – people have actually been saying that you're back, but you did not really go anywhere. You have been right in the points the whole time. Is it nice to kind of get the monkey off your back and stand on top of the podium again?

Antonio Cairoli: Like I said in the press conference, we are testing a lot of new stuff because I saw on the first races we had to improve in some parts of the race. The bike was working okay, but we want a little bit better some parts. So, finally, we get some parts this year, this race. We are really happy about this. The first moto we had not so good start, actually, we were around fifteenth place on the first lap and then I made the first two or three laps very, very good and I managed to come back to second in the back of [Romain] Febvre.

I tried to pass him, but he was responding very good and I had to spend a lot of energy to go around the left and right trying to make it happen. I only passed hm after twenty minutes. After I controlled a little bit the race. I saw that Jeffrey [Herlings] was coming back strong and we could control the first moto. The second one, again, a good start, then trying to pull away and Paulin was on the gas. He passed me. The second moto I was trying to pull away, but he was faster in the beginning. I tried to follow a little bit and then when he got a little bit tired I made the pass again. It was good.

Then I saw again on the board that Jeffrey was charging, as always. He made it very easy to pass a lot of guys. He came back in second place, so I know that I need to push harder. I made some other good laps and I responded to his lap times. Then we really did not respond. Only the last laps I had some trouble with some lapped riders again they could come closer and closer, but overall I am happy about this GP.

Antonio Cairoli has eighty-four Grand Prix wins to his name (KTM Images/Ray Archer)

 You mentioned that you got some new parts there. What were those exactly? Did you ask for those after the first two GP’s? Did you identify a problem?

Yeah, like six different kinds of parts, but making the difference I think. We are still waiting for some really structural parts of the bike, but maybe next GP.

What are they going to do? Is there a problem that you are dealing with?

No, no problem, just the bike, we work and we try to make it better always.

Jeffrey Herlings has come through the pack every time. When you are out there, are you thinking about where he is and if he is coming? I saw on the pit board your mechanics told you where he was at a few times.

Yeah, for sure. He is the fastest coming back from the rest of the guys, so I think it is important to see because he is charging very hard always. We are really looking forward to have some good battles and trying to respond as quickly as possible always.

Starts are arguably the greatest strength that Antonio Cairoli has (KTM Images/Ray Archer)

I feel like this might be the start of a good run for you because, looking at the calendar, Trentino, Agueda and even Russia are tracks that you should really shine at and quite similar to here really. You must feel good moving forward.

No, I like. We know that in Valkenswaard he would be very strong and also in Argentina, but also here because he was training here a lot and for me it was the first time. Actually, we do not really look about tracks. We just race by weekend.

What did you think of this track this weekend? Obviously it is a practice track normally, but did it race well?

Yeah, it is a practice track and I did not really train much here, never, but we are really happy about how it goes.

Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: KTM Images/Ray Archer

Husky Leads Abu Dahbi

Quintanilla leads – Sunderland crashes but stays second in Abu Dhabi Rally

Crunch time in Abu Dhabi as Quintanilla takes control with one stage remaining at the Desert Challenge, Sunderland crashes but remains second overall.

A demanding stage four at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has been a good one for Pablo Quintanilla who took stage victory and regained the lead in the overall standings.

Starting from eight, his finishing position yesterday, Quintanilla chased down the riders in front and pulled good time to regain the overall. He now leads by 6m17s.

Pablo Quintanilla: “Everything is going according to plan and I’m happy about it. Today I had a really good start position and took full advantage of it.

"I made some good passes today and had a good pace from start to finish. I’m happy I got the stage victory but most importantly I am satisfied I made up some good time in the overall. I have a small but decent gap in the lead going into tomorrow’s final stage.”

Behind Quintanilla overall today was Toby Price, still making up time after a problem earlier in the rally, followed by a bank of Hondas led home by veteran Paulo Goncalves.

 

Photo Credit: Marcin Kin

Sam Sunderland lead out today’s stage after winning yesterday but “took a bit of a digger” 15kms into the 240km special, bursting his water pack in the process.

“Tough day,” Sunderland posted on Instagram. “I knew it would be hard to open the stage and not lose too much time to the guys starting behind.

“I took a bit of a digger 15kms into the 240km special and burst my USWE pack so no water all stage was a bit rough! Second overall and last day tomorrow, keep going!”

With tomorrow’s timed special featuring a motocross-styled start, the riders will race together for the first time in the rally instead of intervals between riders based on previous day’s result.

That means the race to catch riders in front isn’t there as an incentive and, in theory, Quintanilla has it in the bag if he can play it safe and watch the time gaps.

 

Photo Credit: Rally Zone

Featuring a total of 356km, the fifth and final stage at the 2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge includes a 218km long timed special.

2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Stage 4 Provisional Classification

1. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) 03:16:53
2. Toby Price (KTM) 03:19:28
3. Paulo Goncalves (Honda) 03:22:35
4. Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 03:23:36
5. Michael Metge (Honda) 03:23:41
6. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 03:25:16

Italy and Motocross

Italy will hold the next round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, set at the Trentino circuit in the north of Italy. A proud motocross country, and one that has not only the current MXGP red plate owner, Antonio Cairoli, but a very special history with the sport.

A handful of countries have a long-standing relationship with the FIM Motocross World Championship, and Italy is one of those, holding their first ever Grand Prix in 1957, when Swedish rider Bill Nilsson won at the Imola circuit.

Antonio Cairoli is passionate about his sport and even more so about his country. Often sportsman of the year in Italy, and a household name, Cairoli has done more for Italian motocross than any Italian motocrosser before him, and believe me, there have been some very special Italian riders to have graced our sport.

Present day Yamaha Factory team owner Michele Rinaldi was the pioneer of Italian world champions, winning the FIM World 125cc Motocross Championship in 1984 and scoring 13 GP wins.

Rinaldi was a lucky man, like anyone else who raced for the Suzuki factory back then he knew he had the bikes to win. The yellow Suzuki machines won 10 125cc titles in a row, Rinaldi’s crowning glory being the last of the 10.

Rinaldi still attends the races as team owner of the Yamaha Factory effort, and he has seen a changing of the guard in many ways. He has also seen the improvement in the MXGP riders over recent years.

“The modern day MXGP rider has become crazy fast. I mean these bikes they ride are so powerful. I think maybe one or two American riders are capable of racing with the MXGP riders now. Things have changed. I was in an era for me that the American riders were just too fast for us, they were much faster than me and more others.”

Alessandro Puzar kept the fire burning in Italian motocross with a 250cc title in 1990 and a 125cc title in 1995. Puzar also picked up 22 GP victories in his very exciting career and he remains one of the most interesting characters in the sport.

Following Alex Puzar success came Alessio Chiodi. Chiodi won three 125cc titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999 and scored 26 GP wins, at the time placing him just outside the top ten for all time GP winners.

At the time Chiodi was considered the best Italian rider of all time, and his battles against the likes of Grant Langston, James Dobb and David Vuillemin were epic.

Another Italian Andrea Bartolini won a world 500cc championship in 1999, racing for the Rinaldi Yamaha team Bartolini was up against the mighty Joel Smets, but made the most of the Belgians misfortunes to clinch Italy their seventh motocross world championship.

Since Bartolini times got a little quiet, although in 2008 David Philippaerts added title number eight, and of course in 2005 Cairoli began his collection of world titles.

What makes the performances of Cairoli so special is the fact he has won FIM Motocross World Championships on nine occasions, more than all his previously mentioned countrymen combined. Cairoli also has 84 GP victories. A tally he would love to add to in 10 days’ time, when the FIM Motocross World Championships return to Italy.

Sam Sunderland Takes Control at Abu Dhabi Stage Three

Sam Sunderland was first at every waypoint through the timed special and it wasn’t long until he caught the front-runners. Photo: Marcin Kin

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Sam Sunderland has won a hot and gruelling stage three of the 2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

Matthias Walkner, having been caught by Sunderland, crossed the finish line second, three-minutes down on his team-mate. Honda trio Kevin Benavides, Ricky Brabec and Paulo Goncalves finished third, fourth and fifth respectivly. Stage two winner and leader going into stage three Pablo Quintanilla dropped to fourth in the event’s provisional overall standings after a small technical issue forced him to ease his pace, eventually finishing the stage in 8th.

Aussie Toby Price had a tough day following his crash on stage two, ultimately placing 11th.

Stage three of the 2018 Desert Challenge saw riders cover numerous large sand dunes in the Liwa Desert, just south of Abu Dhabi. Comprised of deep, soft sand and steep drop-offs, the first half of the stage rewarded careful navigation and the ability to read the terrain. The 281.38km timed special proved to be one of the toughest of the rally so far in the heat of the United Arab Emirates sun.

Setting off fifth this morning, Sam Sunderland immediately pushed to catch the four riders in front of him. The Brit’s pace placed him first at every waypoint through the timed special and it wasn’t long until he caught the front-runners. After catching team-mate Matthias Walkner just after the refuelling stop, the pair raced on together ultimately claiming the top-two positions come the finish. Sunderland now leads the provisional overall standings by over seven minutes.

"That was another long, hot day in the sand for the bike and my body," Sunderland said. "I am feeling good though and I’m really happy to win the stage and put some time between myself and the others. My start position helped a lot today, I was able to push right from the start and chase down the guys in front. Obviously, it means I will be opening the stage tomorrow, but we still have two days of riding left. I’ll continue to push on and we’ll see what happens at the end of the rally.”

Mathehas Walkner covered the 281km stage in just over three-an-a-half hours of riding – enough to move him up to second overall. Photo: Marcin Kin

Placing second today, 2018 Dakar Champion Matthias Walkner rode an excellent stage three. Maintaining a fast and consistent pace, the Austrian covered the 281km stage in just over three-an-a-half hours of riding – enough to move him up to second overall in the standings, over two-minutes ahead of third-placed Kevin Benavides.

"Today went well for me. The stage covered some deep sand and the speed through the dunes was not so fast so we chose a different tyre and it performed really well," Walkner explained. "I managed to find a good rhythm and was able to keep to that pace for most of the day. Sam caught me in the second half of the special so we ended up riding together and were able to push on a little more. We caught the other guys in front around kilometre 220 and so I’m really happy to take second position for the day. I have a little pain in my shoulder, but I’ll rest up now and then we will prepare for tomorrow.”

Monster Energy Honda Team rider Kevin Benavides led home a trio of Honda riders with third place on stage. Photo: Edoardo Bauer

Monster Energy Honda Team rider Kevin Benavides, who started second today, was able to hunt down the rider who opened the course, managing to pull ahead of the field over several kilometres, before being reached by the other riders. Benavides eventually finished third and holds third position in the overall standings.

"I felt good. I went out to push hard and I was able to catch the rider who started first and then I had to open the track for quite some time," Benavides said. "I felt very confident on the bike in this special desert. The bike has given zero problems. We have to keep on like this, pushing hard over the two remaining days of racing and see how things turn out in the end."

American Ricky Brabec finished in fourth place, half a minute adrift of his team-mate Kevin Benavides. Photo: Edoardo Bauer

American Ricky Brabec decided to up the ante today and try to increase speed in spite of the dangerous cut dunes of the Liwa. Brabec posted fourth place, half a minute adrift of his Monster Energy Honda team-mate Benavides, but ahead of Portuguese rider Paulo Gonçalves who had suffered a minor fall whilst taking a jump. The rider got stuck briefly in a dune, dropping some time in the process.

"This third day was good," Brabec said. "We got into the bigger dunes. It was very fast. I don’t like it so much at high speeds in this type of undulation and rolling dunes, where you can’t see what’s on the other side. My body is not tired yet and we are ready to face the next few days."

Paulo Gonçalves finished fith despite a small crash that resultes in a slightly damaged my shoulder. Photo: Edoardo Bauer

Paulo Gonçalves didn't come away from the stage completly unscathed.

"Another long stage full of dunes. I felt pretty good at the start, and pushed with a fast pace," Gonçalves recalled. "I caught the rider in front of me and we rode very quick until I fell at a cut dune and then got stuck. I slightly damaged my shoulder and until the end I had to take it a bit easier. The objective is still to accumulate kilometres... and for the moment we are doing well."

Stage two winner and leader going into stage three, Pablo Quintanilla, dropped down the order after a technical issue limited his speed, he finished eighth and dropped 12 minutes.

Making good use of his experience, Syage two winner Pablo Quintanilla posted the eighth fastest time for the day. Currently fourth in the provisional overall rankings, Quintanilla has his eyes set on taking advantage of his good starting position tomorrow in the hope of reducing the gap to the riders ahead of him.

“I was having a great day until the refuelling point," Quintanilla said. "The stage started with some big dunes and some massive drops. The pace was quite fast. As the first to take the start this morning, I was doing my best to stay up front and my pace was good in the fast sections. Right after the refuelling point I had a small technical issue that didn’t let me continue in the same rhythm.

"I was unable to keep the pace with the guys up front and had to do my best to avoid losing much time. At the end I’m happy I brought my bike home and I’m still within striking distance to the top. We finished a tough stage and we now have two more to go in this rally. Everything could happen and I will do my best to make up for the time lost.”

Toby Price was still suffering a bit after yesterday's big crash. He also stopped to help an injured rider. He rounded out the day in 11th. Photo: Marcin Kin

Following his crash on yesterday’s stage two, Toby Price did his best to conserve energy today, whilst keeping to a good speed through the desert. His pace placed him within the top-five at many of the early waypoints. After stopping to help a fellow rider, the 2016 Desert Challenge winner eventually placed 11th, with the time lost being credited to him at the finish. Price now lies eighth in the overall standings.

"The stage was good today, I got through the first half feeling really comfortable on the bike and setting a good pace through the steep dunes. I am suffering a little after the crash I had yesterday so I’m certainly not riding at 100%, but all-in-all things are going well," Price said.

"On the second half of the stage Balooshi had a crash in front of me and I stayed with him for a little while to assist. Luckily, he is going to be ok and is not too badly hurt. I’ll take the last two days as they come and just try to conserve myself and get to the finish so I can let my body recover.”

Stage four of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will cover a total of 390.66km, 244.49km of which will be timed special stage.

2018 Cross-Country Rallies Tuesday, March 27th 2018

Stage 3 Results - Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2018
1 Sunderland Sam 5 GBR Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team KTM 3:29'52
2 Walkner Matthias 3 AUT Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team KTM +6'03
3 Benavides Kevin 2 ARG Monster Energy Honda Team Honda +9'01
4 Brabec Ricky 11 USA Monster Energy Honda Team Honda +9'35
5 Goncalves Paulo 4 POR Monster Energy Honda Team Honda +9'54
6 Cornejo José Ignacio 14 CHI Monster Energy Honda Team Honda +11'29
7 Metge Michael 12 FRA Monster Energy Honda Team Honda +11'36
8 Quintanilla Pablo 1 CHI Husqvarna Factory Rally Team Husqvarna +12'02
9 Giemza Maciej 10 POL KTM Orlen Rally Team KTM +28'40
10 McBride David 8 GBR Vendetta Racing UAE KTM +35'38

Yamaha steps into E-bike market

Yamaha has developed its first competition off-road motorcycle, the TY-E trials bike to enter the 2018 FIM Trial-E Cup.

Yamaha Motor Co. has announced the development of the TY-E electric trials bike to compete in the 2018 Trial-E Cup. It’s not enduro, of course, but it is interesting to see and it is hard not to find it a significant step for Yamaha.

Focusing on a trial model for competition means e-bike development within Yamaha has started and will evolve – it is shorter step from trials to enduro than it is for the many millions invested by, for example, by Honda and Mugen in electric street race bikes.

 

 

Building an electric trials bike poses “development issues”, Yamaha says, such as creating high output of power from a small and lightweight motor. Harnessing the character of the power is a challenge they say. Particularly taking the high torque output and turning it into an easy, responsive and controllable character.

Again, it is hard not to see that kind of talk as a developmental necessity if you were to produce an enduro model in the future.

 

 

The TY-E comes straight from the company's "Evolving R&D" programme, in which Yamaha R&D employees are given the opportunity to work outside conventional frameworks and devote up to 5% of their working hours towards developing innovative new concepts.

Yamaha TY-E Key Features:

A high rotation type compact high-power electric motor

High off-road performance with both powerful low speed torque and extended acceleration

Sophisticated motor control technology which is responsive and produces a strong feeling of power from extremely low to high-speed ranges

A mechanical clutch that ensures instantaneous power and control

Optimised flywheel that combines with clutch to deliver excellent traction performance

A newly designed compact high-output battery pack with compact and lightweight components

Advanced CFRP monocoque frame that is at the lightest possible weight, while delivering optimal rigidity and battery storage space

Slim bodywork that does not interfere with dynamic rider movement

 

The TY-E will compete in the 2018 FIM Trial-E Cup, with scheduled appearances at Auron in France on July 14-15, and at Comblain au Pont in Belgium on July 21-22.

Kenichi Kuroyama – something of a legend in the sport who is currently competing in the All Japan Trial Championship – will represent the Yamaha Factory Racing Team during 2018.

 

 

At some point Yamaha had to produce an electric bike and this is the first step. Trials as a sport is pushing forward with electric bikes. Several manufacturers already make e-trials bikes, most notably Gas Gas who last year won the E-Cup with Marc Colomer.

Perhaps because trials can, because the nature of the sport lends itself to the performance levels of e-bikes as they currently exist, is why we're seeing the electric revolution grow here first.

That’s not to gloss over the Alta bikes which, we hear, might form an entry to Erzberg in 2018. Watch this space.

Billy Bolt takes win ahead of Jonny Walker

A quick look at the Pro Race from H2O...Billy Bolt takes the Win and leads the championship after round 3. Jonny Walker took second place with Paul Bolton 3rd. Cover photo Garry Barnes

Viewpoint: Jeffrey Herlings

A big chat with Jeffrey Herlings

Mar 26th, 2018 · 7 min read

Jeffrey Herlings was candid in our post-race interview yesterday and allowed fans a bit of insight into a variety of different topics. New parts, a niggling injury and more topics are discussed below. It is remarkable just how open the man who most label as the fastest rider in the world is when discussing his current programme. This interview was originally posted as a podcast.

MX Vice: Two-two on the day, which obviously is not what you have become used to this year. But, all things considered, a tough track to pass and one-lined. You had to come from mid-pack again. It was a good day.

Jeffrey Herlings: Actually the second one I had a good start, but then I went down in the first lap and then I came from twentieth or something. To still fight my way back to second and into the rear wheel of the winner, Tony, I think that was a good and impressive ride. We are winners and we want to win. Next week I have got another chance at the Dutch round and in two weeks I got another chance against the 222. It is going to be his home race so he is going to really want to win there, but so do I. We are going to just do our best. We'll see how it goes.

Herlings made eleven passes across the two MXGP motos (KTM Images/Ray Archer)

When I walked the track on Friday, the first thing I thought was that if you got a bad start it would be tough to come through the pack here. I was actually surprised you did as well as you did. Was that in your mind even before the races began?

Yeah. Yesterday I did not have a good start, but on Saturday I'm like as long as I have a decent gate pick, I don't want to take risks. I don't want to get in trouble. I just want to do my own thing. If I am third, fifth or seventh, does not really matter to me. But on Sunday, when it is time to go, it is go time. Then I knew if I would have been up there, I would not have had a problem. First moto I did not have a good start, but then still made it to second place. I was like, okay, I am satisfied with this. All about second moto.

Then in the second moto I did have a good – not a great – but a decent start. I put myself in a good position. I was fourth. I was like, "okay, it is going to be all-out war now" and when I thought that I was already on the deck. So I was like, "oh shit – that was not in the plan." We keep working and we keep improving. The team is doing a great job. They are working hard. The only thing we need to work on is the start. Furthermore it is great.

The first moto, I know the team told you this, but sector one was your biggest problem and you were losing a lot of time there. Do you know why? You actually fixed it for the second race, because I think you had the fastest time of the race on that part of the track.

I do not know where I lost it. Many times I went next to the pit lane outside and then got off, then basically that was not maybe the fastest line, so maybe I lost a bit there. Average I lost like half a second to almost a second in the first sector. I cannot do everything great.

Herlings is now tied on points with Cairoli in the series standings (KTM Images/Ray Archer)

It was only a small section as well, like three or four turns, so I was surprised that you were losing that much time. Even I was trying to watch and I could not figure out where you could make that up. I guess situations like that are quite difficult?

Yeah, but when you are racing you maybe make a wrong line somewhere. You are so focused on the racing yourself and you do not see what you are doing wrong. After you watch back the race like, "was I so dumb to ride there instead of all the other guys riding there?" Probably when I watch myself on TV tomorrow I’ll think, I made some mistakes here and there.

That was actually going to be my next question. In-between motos, do you have someone filming you? Do you watch lines and replays or do you not get to see that stuff until tomorrow?

We have one guy on the team filming some stuff, but definitely is not filming everything. I do not really have time between motos to watch back the full race, because you have to eat and stuff like that and prepare. So, like I said, we have one guy walking around the team filming some stuff, but not everything.

Last week I was surprised how relaxed and casual you were about your starts. This week in the press conference I heard you use the word "problem" though. So, are we starting to panic about those a little bit? Do you have any idea what to fix it? I heard you mention something about parts, maybe?

Yeah. It is not going to be proven it is going to be better, but it should be better. It was already tested on the dyno that it should be better. So, our bike is good for the start. Maybe it was just this weekend that I was off because at Valkenswaard I took some good starts. Same as Argentina and in the pre-season races. So, maybe I was just off this weekend? If we have something that works maybe a little bit better, yeah, it is very welcome. So I’m not trying to panic, but we are always searching to become better and fight against the competition.

RedSand was the first Grand Prix that he has lost since Sweden last year (KTM Images/Ray Archer)

Watching you out of the gate, I do not think it is your initial jump is the problem. Coming right out of the gate you were alongside Tony. It seems to be in the centimetres right after the gate that you are losing drive or something and then you just get swallowed up.

Yeah, I was next to Tony but he is very light. I do not know exactly but around ten kilograms less. So, with that weight being less, that is a big advantage towards him. If you would go running with a stone of ten kilo in the backpack, you would also feel like this is much more heavy. That is the same for the bike. For the start, it is a disadvantage for me and an advantage for him.

You practiced here in the winter. What did you think about it as a racetrack? Better? Do you think we should come back? Are there changes that they could make?

I think the track is actually really good, one of the best on the calendar. They should not make it that flat, because they do a lot of preparation on the track, which actually is good but at the same time to make difference and to get different lines, it is not that good. I think in the future they should basically leave the track like it is, rough and tough, maybe a bit sketchy here and there but at least you can make differences to other riders.

Herlings recorded the quickest lap times in both MXGP motos (KTM Images/Ray Archer)

Two weeks until Trentino. Is anything  going to change? Are you just going to keep grinding with the same programme? Happy with where you are at?

Yeah, actually I am. I had a slight injury from Valkenswaard on my knee, so I have not ridden this week, but that is basically healed. Still feel it a bit, but not that bad. We have not rode this week, but going into next week we start riding again and get through the hard-pack tracks. Hopefully the weather is going to be a bit better in Holland and work from there.

I was going to let you go, but you just mentioned a knee injury and I cannot do that. What was that? How did it happen? What is the problem?

You saw my crash in the qualifying race, right? Then I basically did a 180 but I did a 180 with my leg on the ground. Just those kind of muscles, something in the knee got stretched a bit. A thing where rest for a few days and then it is basically fine. Then the day after I was like, it hurt so bad, but already on Thursday I was like, "no, it is pretty good." Now it is already basically over. Just got stretched a bit, the bands or whatever it is called. It is fine now. It is good.

Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: KTM Images/Ray Archer

Cairoli and Trentino - The Story

Set your mind back to April 15 and 16 2017. On a cool day in spring, around the beautiful Pietramurata circuit in Trentino, Italy, Antonio Cairoli put another notch on his already incredible career.

On a track that is probably one of the most difficult to ride, with its tiny layout, and pebble covered ground the Sicilian giant raced away to an opening moto win. It was typical Cairoli, a lightning start, and with the wind in his face he dominated his fellow MXGP competition.

In victory in that first race, and putting defending world MXGP champion Tim Gajser in his shadows, the Red Bull KTM factory rider gave notice that he wanted his championship back. But it wasn’t that first moto win that shows his real metal. 

Cairoli is known for this type of performance, and on a track like Pietramurata, the start is everything. Just ask Jeffrey Herlings, who started around 20^th in that first race and finished in 14^th, or 2015 MXGP champion, Romain Febvre who started ninth and finished eight.

No, the legend of Antonio Cairoli wasn’t built on just winning from the front, and his second moto in Trentino proved that.

Down in the second corner the Sicilian was back in around 22^nd place, and his legendary charge began. First some riders went down and he weaved his way through the mele. He struggled for some laps, trying to pass Damien Graulus, first past Graulus, then Butron, Strijbos, Van Horebeek, and Nagl.

With the GP overall still possible the Italian got another motivation as he then lached onto the back wheel of Arnaud Tonus, and this is when the fun began. A beautifully timed pass on the Yamaha rider saw him move into sixth place.

Still ahead were Gajser, Bobryshev, Herlings, Desalle and Paulin, the big bangers of the MXGP class. That just inspired Cairoli, and he set all but Gajser up in the very same corner he has passed Tonus. This wasn’t just any race, this was a race for the times, one for the record books. Cairoli also thought so.

“One of my best races,” Cairoli said. “Maybe the best GP ever, the most emotional. When I got to seventh or eighth place I saw the group in front and thought it was possible to catch Bobryshev for the overall win and kept pushing and pushing and making passes. I had some sketchy moments but that is part of racing, if you want to win you have to take risks. I gave everything in the last ten minutes.”

The GP overall came his away, he extended his championship points lead and moved onto Valkenswaard a week later.

This year it won't be Valkenswaard they head to, but Portugal, and you can be sure, Cairoli, in the toughest battle of his legendary career, his fight with super talented Jeffrey Herlings will give him that extra motivation that Trentino did in 2017. Victory at the end of the day and season is all he seeks.

Tag Metals & Ryan Villopoto Form Strategic Alliance

Tag Metals a brand division of Group 6 USA, LLC is pleased to announce a new Strategic Alliance with SX and MX legend Ryan Villopoto. 

Ryan will play a active advisory role working with the Tag Metals product development team and brand management marketing group.

After 10 AMA Championships, Ryan retired from professional racing in 2015. 

Ryan is now actively riding and testing for a select number of high profile brands of which Tag Metals is honored to be a part of.

Tag Metals has been absent from the marketplace for a few years, Group 6 USA has now acquired Tag Metals and has relaunch the brand. The Tag Metals has redesigned the product line from the ground up and has relaunched the iconic brand with a new line of Handlebars, Sprockets, Chains and Grips. 

Ryan stated, “ I am excited to be part of the “NEW” Tag Metals team and the Group 6 USA family. It’s a great fit as I have long term working relationship with Eddie Cole and his team going way back to my amateur career. I’m also involved in many of the Group 6 USA brands already including Matrix Concepts, and Atlas Brace. I’m looking forward to this new project and being part of the new Tag Metals journey”.

Ryan also included, “I wanted to take this time to give a special mention and thank you to the Renthal brand for all the past years of support. They were a huge part of my racing career and I wanted to sincerely thank them for the support and friendship”. 

Tag Metals Managing Director Eddie Cole adds.... "Having Ryan join our effort is very exciting for us, we are so fortunate to have a resource and talent like Ryan join the Tag Metals team. Ryan’s endorsement, product knowledge and product feedback will be invaluable to Tag Metals internal team going forward”. 

Tag Metals is now accepting 2018 USA team/rider resumes:

http://www.mxsponsor.com/companies/tag-metals

About Tag Metals .....Tag Metals was born from a passion for performance and innovative. Fueled and relaunched this year with that same commitment, the new Tag Metals offers a complete range of hi performance racing off road motorcycle handlebars, grips, sprockets, chains and accessories. Now part of the Group 6 USA family of brands that now include Matrix Concepts, Atlas Braces USA & Tag Metals; Based in Valencia, California. Our products are used and developed by the top MX/Off-Road/Cycling race teams in the world. For more Tag Metals information please contact us at info@group6usa.com or telephone 661 253 1592. Visit us at: www.tagmetalsracing.com 

In Canada contact: Matrix Concepts Canada at 604 542 5661