Abu Dhabi

Quintanilla leads Abu Dhabi

Posted on March 26, 2018

Following a well calculated plan of attack, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pablo Quintanilla has won the second timed special of the 2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge to place himself at the top of the event’s provisional overall standings. The Chilean rider is a little over one minute ahead in the overall with three stages still to be contested in the dunes of UAE. 

The fifth rider to take the start of Monday’s 287km long timed special, FR 450 Rally mounted Quintanilla made the most of his good starting position. Avoiding any mistakes, the reigning FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion enjoyed a great pace throughout the stage to eventually put in the best time for the day. 

With two of the five special stages out of the way, Pablo is currently leading the rally’s overall standings by one minute and eight seconds from his closest rival Sam Sunderland. 

Featuring a total of 372km, tomorrow’s stage includes a 281km long timed special in the big dunes of the United Arab Emirates. 

Pablo Quintanilla: “It wasn’t an easy stage today but I’m satisfied with the final result. There were many dunes and temperatures were quite high in that area. Most of the timed special was in an off-piste section and that made navigation a lot more difficult. I had a good starting position in the morning and took full advantage of it to make up the time lost yesterday. I felt really good in the dunes today, I was fast and had a good race pace from start to finish of the timed special. It was a good stage for me. The plan for tomorrow is to do exactly what I did in stage one. As the first rider to take the start, I want to avoid any navigational mistakes and remain fast throughout the timed special. I feel good at the moment on my bike and I’m looking forward to one more good stage tomorrow.” 

2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Stage 2 Provisional Classification 
1. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) 03:40:37 
2. Kevin Benavides (Honda) 03:43:38 
3. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 03:46:38 
4. Paulo Goncalves (Honda) 03:47:35 
5. Sam Sunderland (KTM) 03:49:36 
6. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 03:53:34 

2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Provisional Overall Standings After Stage 2 
1. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) 07:04:19 
2. Sam Sunderland (KTM) 07:05:27 
3. Kevin Benavides (Honda) 07:06:14 
4. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 07:06:58 
5. Paulo Goncalves (Honda) 07:17:44 
6. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 07:18:29

Cairoli Rolls On!

Cairoli - 84 and counting

Posted on March 26, 2018

It was a special day at Redsand for Antonio Cairoli. The nine time World Champion set many new records today as he won both motos and the GP. At the third round of the year Tony took his 84th victory of an astonishing career which has seen him take at least one win a year for the past 15 years in a row, whilst also landing his 300th heat podium. Tony, who rode for the first time on the Spanish soil of this new venue yesterday, took a solid fourth place in the qualifying race after making a strong come back due to contact with another rider at the start. 

In the first heat of Sunday’s races his start was not perfect but he managed to recover from eighth to second in the space of one lap, showing an incredible pace right from the outset of the moto. Tony remained in second until midrace before putting a move on the leader, then pushing hard until the end, taking the first 25 points of the day. When the gates dropped for the second time Cairoli took his fifth hole-shot of the year, immediately trying to put some distance on the pack as he hunted down his second win. After losing the lead it took TC five laps to regain his place at the front, where he remained until the chequered flag and his second victory of the day. With today’s 50 points the KTM Red Bull Factory Racing Team rider is back on top of the MXGP standings, equal with fellow brand mate Herlings, with the red plate on his KTM 450 SX-F. Next round of the MXGP 2018 in 14 days on the home soil of Arco di Trento.

“I’m really happy about the weekend, we are still looking for the best setup of the bike but we are on the right track, we made some structural changes on the bike before coming here and we have stepped up in a really good way. First moto I didn’t have the best start possible, I was 12th, but I managed to get back to second on the first lap, which was a job well done. I struggled to pass Febvre for the lead until half race as I was pretty tired, but thankfully I managed it. My second start was way better, with a hole-shot, but then Paulin was very aggressive in the first lap and he passed me, getting a really good rhythm going at the beginning of the race. I followed him until I found a spot to pass him back and from there I was able to control the race until the chequered flag. It’s very nice to get my 84th. Grand Prix victory here in Spain, where I have never ridden before, and to get the red plate on my bike before our first home race in Arco in two weeks, in front of my fans.”

A week earlier in Valkenswaard Cairoli again went 2-2, and again had to fight off the young Herlings. The deep sand hasn't been kind to the Sicilian in recent years and he came very close to beating the Dutchman on his favourite turf.

“The weekend was good, even if it was really cold! We knew that we were going to struggle a little bit on this track because it has been such a long time since we last rode here in Holland, but actually I was pleasantly surprised about my speed today. Unfortunately I had arm pump when I was leading in both motos and this cost me a lot. I also made two mistakes resulting in two stupid crashes, losing the rhythm that I needed to win. Anyway, we need to keep this momentum going, as it’s very important for my Championship hopes that I always finish on the podium. We showed today that Jeffrey and I have a different kind of speed compared to the rest of the field and we now look forward to the next race in Spain, hoping for another good result.”

As for the opener in Argentina, the Italian was more than happy with his result, and the start of his defence on his MXGP title. As always consistent and faster than ever, its going to be tough to beat him in 2018, and he knows it as well as anyone.

“First of all I have to say that I’m really happy to be on the podium,” Cairoli said. “We improved a lot from last year, when I was only seventh. This year we almost make it to the perfect weekend with the victory of both, the qualifying race and the first moto, but in the second moto, even if I had again a good start and a good gap, I didn’t get the final first place. Unfortunately when I found some lapped riders, I changed some lines and I made a few mistakes, coming out of the berms a couple of times, so I slowed down a little bit and Jeffrey could close very quickly the gap. He was stronger than me at the end and in the last two, three laps I was too tired and I was making some mistake. But as I said I’m happy, my 450 SX-F is fantastic, KTM is working very well and it’s improving the bikes a lot and is really nice that we took 1-2 at the opening round or the year. I’m really looking forward for the continuing of the season that will be really interesting for the fans.”

Now onto Trentino, a place Cairoli has shown brilliance, and a place Herlings has struggled. It might be a GP that we see the Dutchman just be conservative, and open the door for Cairoli to move away in the championship points race.

Ray Archer images

Australian Gibbs makes history in New Zealand

 

By Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

His boss did it 35 years ago, and Queenslander Kirk Gibbs was more than happy to follow this example at the weekend, winning the 2018 New Zealand MX1 crown.

KTM Australia general manager Jeff Leisk won New Zealand's premier motocross crown during his one and only Kiwi campaign, in 1983, and this year it was the turn for Gibbs to become only the second Australian since Leisk to capture the top motocross trophy across the Tasman.

To be fair, the 29-year-old Gibbs wasn't even born when Leisk reigned supreme, but Leisk's winning exploits are legendary and surely a part of Aussie motocross folklore.

Leisk's example aside, Gibbs is actually no stranger himself to winning in New Zealand, having won major silverware on his previous visit to New Zealand in 2015, collecting the NZ GP title at the Woodville motocross that year, but this latest victory was even more special.

When the Gold Coast rider arrived at the Taupo circuit, venue for Saturday's fourth and final round of the 2018 New Zealand Motocross Championships, he was on top of the standings and six points clear of his nearest challenger, 24-year-old Waikato rider Kayne Lamont (Yamaha).

Lamont had led the series after rounds one and two but who lost his grip at a muddy round three near Hastings the previous week, on that day allowing a consistent Gibbs to grab the series lead. Gibbs had finished with a 2-2-2 score-card at Hastings, turning a nine-point deficit into the six-point advantage.

Gibbs therefore knew he simply needed to keep a cool head to keep Lamont at bay at Saturday's final event.

Gibbs "played it safe" and finished the day second overall at Taupo, his 1-3-3 score-card in the three MX1 races enough for him to secure the title.

Lamont experienced a "horror" weekend and managed only 10th overall for the day, while defending New Zealand MX1 champion Cody Cooper (Honda), of Mount Maunganui, won the day.

Gibbs' MX1 title win not only broke the MX1 title drought for Australia in New Zealand, but he also broke a KTM drought in the country.

The last time a KTM rider won the premier title in New Zealand was Taranaki's Shayne King in 1997.

"I didn't feel the flashest in qualifying but I found a good line over the back of the circuit and made it happen. I felt like I really flowed today," said Gibbs.

"I felt at ease and was just cruising in the end. I knew where I had to be and what I had to do in the last race and I felt fine. I wasn't pushing hard and felt I could have raced at that pace for like an hour.

"I rode safe and sensible and brought it home.

"This is a huge confidence-booster ahead of my Aussie nationals campaign. Everything is starting to click. I have no injuries at this stage, like I did in the past couple of years.

"I can't thank enough for the support shown to me by Karl Brabant and Patrick Stafford at KTM in New Zealand."

Meanwhile, the MX2 (250cc) class belonged to one of Gibbs' CML KTM Racing Team-mates, West Auckland's Hamish Harwood.

With 11 wins from 12 starts in the series, Harwood was untroubled in defending his 2017 MX2 crown and also making it three national MX2 title wins in a row.

The hunt for National 125cc class honours was made a little easier for Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis when his nearest challenger, Australian Mason Semmens - the youngest of the CML KTM Racing Team riders - crashed out of the first race on Saturday and he took no further part in the day’s racing.

This proved doubly costly for Semmens, who not only had to abandon his attack on Purvis, but he also saw his runner-up spot snatched away by hard-charging Wairoa rider Tommy Watts (Husqvarna).

Semmens was therefore forced to accept third overall in the National 125cc class.

MXGP Spain Highlights

Cairoli Takes Spainish GP!

Cairoli goes 1-1 in Spain

Posted on March 25, 2018

Red Bull KTM rider Antonio Cairoli has put on a brilliant performance, with 1-1 results to win the MXGP class at the Grand Prix of Spain. The Italian once again found the front quickly and put a big gap between himself and his biggest challenger, Jeffrey Herlings. Herlings did however ride well for 2-2 results and showed amazing skills after two poor starts and a crash, on a track that was difficult make ground and just as difficult to pass.

“Yes, I am rally happy another good moto, more trouble with lappers and Jeffrey came close. First moto not a good start and we came back, and second moto a good start. I am really happy.”

Cairoli leads from Gajser, Paulin, Coldenhoff, Febvre, Desprey, Herlings, Van Horebeek, Bonini and Lieber.

Herling got a bit of an elbow from Cairoli on the start and then crashed out of the top ten, and was back in 12^th place. On this track there won’t be any fightback.

Paulin passed Cairoli on the last stage of lap one for the lead, with Desalle third, then Gajser, Febvre, Coldenhoff, Van Horebeek, Butron, Herlings, and Desprey, Herlings flying and just nine seconds down on the leaders.

Herlings passed Van Horebeek and moved into seventh. That crash seems to have really motivated Herlings. He also passed Coldenhoff, and right onto Gajser and Febvre. Fastest lap of the race for Herlings, he is on fire again.

Paulin led by two seconds from Cairoli, and then Desalle, Febvre and Herlings into fifth, just seven seconds behind Paulin and five behind Cairoli.

Cairoli turns it up and closes on Paulin, and both know that Herlings is coming. Cairoli goes for the pass and Paulin stops it, and is all over Paulin, and makes a brilliant pass on the Frenchman. Cairoli five seconds ahead of Herlings who is all over Febvre and Desalle. Herlings again clocked the quickest lap of the race.

Febvre makes a mistake and Herlings makes a nice pass to move into fourth. Cairoli though has taken the lead to seven seconds and puts down the quickest lap of the moto. These two are just amazing.

Herlings pushing Desalle and works his way into third, and now eight second lead over Herlings for Cairoli.

Top ten after eight laps is Cairoli, Paulin, Herlings, Desalle, Febvre, Gajser, Coldenhoff, Van Horebeek, Lieber and Desprey in 10^th.

Desalle and Febvre swapping paint as they pass and repass each other. Febvre nearly down as he gets out of shape. Herlings gets the gap to Cairoli down to six seconds and Paulin was just two seconds ahead of Herlings.

Herlings moved past Paulin, and closes up to six seconds to Cairoli. Herlings continued to close the gap on Cairoli, getting it down to four second with a lap to go.

Cairoli wins it by a couple of seconds from Herlings and Paulin.

Ray Archer image

MXGP - Overall Classification

Pos Nr Rider Nat. Fed. Bike Race 1 Race 2 Total 1 222 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI KTM 25 25 50 2 84 Herlings, Jeffrey NED KNMV KTM 22 22 44 3 25 Desalle, Clement BEL FMB KAW 18 18 36 4 461 Febvre, Romain FRA FFM YAM 20 16 36 5 21 Paulin, Gautier FRA MCM HUS 14 20 34 6 243 Gajser, Tim SLO AMZS HON 13 15 28 7 33 Lieber, Julien BEL FMB KAW 16 12 28 8 259 Coldenhoff, Glenn NED KNMV KTM 10 14 24 9 89 Van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL FMB YAM 11 13 24 10 12 Nagl, Maximilian GER DMSB TM 12 10 22

2018 Enduro GP of Finland video recap

Ward Confirmed in Black Swan Porsche GT4 for Long Beach

Jeff Ward confirmed in Black Swan Racing GTS entry for Long Beach…

 

Photo: Black Swan

Former IndyCar race-winner and motocross veteran Jeff Ward will make his Pirelli World Challenge debut, in a special one-off entry with Black Swan Racing in next month’s round at Long Beach.

The 56-year-old, who has enjoyed a diverse career from Supercross to off-road racing and rallycross, has been confirmed in a Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR fielded by the Tim Pappas-owned operation.

It is one of several GTS cars that have been permitted to take part in the April 13-15 event alongside GT machinery.

Ward, who most recently took part in the Red Bull Global Rallycross in 2016, made 61 IndyCar starts between 1998 and 2005, which included a win at Texas Motor Speedway and runner-up finish in the 1999 Indianapolis 500.

He is also a seven-time motorcycle champion and three-time X-Games medalist in the Moto X category.

“I’m very excited to take to the streets of Long Beach,” Ward said. “Street racing is unlike anything else in motorsports, and the nature of the Pirelli World Challenge and their sprint racing format means you have to be instantly on the pace and willing to race hard.

“It’s an opportunity I’ve really been looking forward to, and I couldn’t be more appreciative of everyone at Black Swan Racing and Porsche Motorsport North America for making the opportunity possible.”

Pappas added: “I grew up as an avid dirt biker, and Jeff was always ‘the guy’ for any kid who looked up to motocross racing, so to have him join our group is something we’re all looking forward to.

“The event at Long Beach is unlike any other we go to, and we’re thrilled to add it to our global roster of events this year.

“While our GT3 R program is a proven one, it’s great to finally put our Cayman GT4 Clubsport to work, and with a guy like Jeff behind the wheel we know it’s in good hands.”

Black Swan has also conformed it will field a Porsche 911 GT3 R for Pappas, in what will be his first Sprint race appearance of the year after kicking off his PWC campaign in this weekend’s SprintX season-opener at Circuit of The Americas.

Kailub Russell and Thad Duvall Battle at The Maxxis General GNCC

Kailub Russell earned his third-straight win at The Maxxis General GNCC in Washington, Georgia. Photo: Ken Hill

Round three of the 2018 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, an AMA National Championship took place in Washington, Georgia at Aonia Pass MX on Sunday, March 18.

A battle ensued all day long between FMF/KTM Factory Racing's Kailub Russell and Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing's Thad Duvall. K. Russell eventually crossed the line 2.4 seconds ahead of Duvall to earn his third-straight win of the season.

Russell got a good jump off the line, and earned himself the $250 All Balls Racing XC1 Holeshot award, and as they headed into the woods Duvall had a small bobble in the third corner. Coming through on lap one, AmPro Yamaha's Ricky Russell found himself in the number one spot. After holding off the rest of the XC1 Pro class, misfortune struck the Yamaha rider and he was forced to retire for the remainder of the race.

As the racing continued, it was JCR/Honda's Trevor Bollinger and BETA USA's Jordan Ashburn who took up the battle on the second lap. Coming through pro row on lap two, the riders were a mere second apart from each other. Tely Energy Racing/KTM's Steward Baylor Jr. made his way through the pack, ultimately pulling ahead at the end of the three-hour race with Bollinger hot on his heels for the third place position. S. Baylor would end the day on the podium in third place while Bollinger would hold on to finish fourth.

Kailub Russell (1) rocketed off the starting line to earn the All Balls Racing XC1 holeshot award. Photo: Ken Hill

Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing's Josh Strang had another impressive ride at The General. Even though Strang started mid-pack, he worked his way through the field and ran in the fourth place position during lap four. Strang ended up finishing the day out in the fifth place position, and he currently sits sixth overall in the National Championship points.

Running with the lead pack early, Jordan Ashburn had the best ride of his season so far and ended the day sixth place in the XC1 class and seventh overall. KR4/Husqvarna's Layne Michael would continued his consistent season thus far to finish the day seventh in the XC1 class and eighth overall while Tely Energy Racing/KTM's Grant Baylor would round out the top ten overall.

The 2018 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series resumes with the FMF Steele Creek GNCC on April 7 and 8, in Morganton, North Carolina.

Trevor Bollinger came across the finish line 1 second behind S. Baylor taking the fourth place position. Photo: Ken Hill

The Maxxis General GNCC Washington, Georgia
Round 3 of 13 - Sunday, March 18

XC1 Open Pro Event Results:
1. Kailub Russell (KTM)
2. Thad Duvall (HQV)
3. Steward Baylor Jr (KTM)
4. Trevor Bollinger (HON)
5. Josh Strang (HQV)
6. Jordan Ashburn (BET)
7. Layne Michael (HQV)
8. Grant Baylor (KTM)
9. Jesse Groemm (KTM)
10. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)

Enduro GP of Finland 2018 Day Two Highlights

Works Connection Selling Shop Bike

2017 KTM 350 SXF Excellent Condition, 49.5 hrs  - $7500

Selling a 2017 KTM 350 SXF that is in great condition. Meticulously maintained (oil and filters changed every 6 hours). Vet ridden. 49.5 hours

Suspension is BRAND NEW! I took it off the bike when it was new and I used a different shock and forks.

Wheels are like new as they were taken off when the bike had 15 hours on it and replaced with aftermarket wheels.

Bike includes:
Works Connection: Skid Plate, Pro Launch Start Device, Brake and Clutch caps, Oil Filter Cover, Oil Fill Plug, Hour Meter and more.
GUTS Racing Seat Cover
Renthal Chain
Hinson Clutch Cover
ODI Bars
Dunlop 3s tires