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

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.

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