Hot Topics: MXGP of Belgium

A look ahead to the fifteenth round

The FIM Motocross World Championship is in an odd spot. Although things are still well and truly up in the air, there are really no question marks. Everyone knows that Jeffrey Herlings is the best rider in the premier class currently and will probably win the Grand Prix of Belgium, which will be run this weekend, and the same could be said for Jorge Prado. Questioning who is going to win this weekend almost seems like a pointless exercise at this point.

It is not like those two will definitely win their respective classes, as nothing is guaranteed in this series, but most would opt for the same answers. The ball is in the court of those who are hunting now. Antonio Cairoli and Pauls Jonass must upset the apple cart and chuck their names back into the mix though, before it is too late. There are not going to be too many more opportunities to do that this season. Cairoli is obviously restricted with what he can do currently, because of those two fractures in his thumb, but things should begin to straighten out over the next two months. It remains to be seen whether he will still have a fighting chance at that point.

Antonio Cairoli faces a thirty-point deficit to Jeffrey Herlings currently (KTM Images/Ray Archer)

There is nothing that is holding Pauls Jonass back currently, on the other hand, so it is full steam ahead at this point. The fact that Jorge Prado gained eleven points on his rival over a single weekend sums up the way that the momentum is swinging at this time and, seeing as he has won a lot in the sand throughout his career, most expect that trend to continue. There is a fact that most are continuously overlooking though. Prado was the victor at the Grand Prix of Belgium twelve months ago, as most know, but Jonass was quite competitive and won the opening moto on the day. A fifth in the second moto does not make his record look too appealing though.

Pauls Jonass acquired that fifth after crashing in turn one and putting on one heck of a charge through the field. It was an awe-inspiring ride and reflecting on that must give him some confidence entering the weekend, so perhaps this could be a turning point? It is also worth noting that he won the Czech Grand Prix last year though and that obviously did not make much of a difference to the way that he performed at the previous round. There is no doubt that the guy who swept the first six motos of the season is in there somewhere, but he needs to resurface sooner rather than later. The good news is that a deficit of eleven points is miniscule at this point.

There is another battle that was featured in this column prior to the Czech round, which has changed quite a lot. Thomas Kjer Olsen has more of a cushion in the fight for third in the series now. Another player has entered that brawl, however, as Calvin Vlaanderen is a very real threat at this point. Vlaanderen trails Olsen by forty points, but he has gained that exact amount in the last three rounds alone. It is clearly realistic for him to get the job done by the end of the season, but he will have to overhaul Ben Watson in the standings as well. Watson is thirteen ahead in fourth. All of those guys excel in sand and would have had the Grand Prix of Belgium circled on their calendars.

Calvin Vlaanderen is the man on the move in MX2 at the moment (Honda Racing Corporation)

Another hot topic, one that was referenced on the MX Vice Twitter account at the previous Grand Prix, is what will Hunter Lawrence do at these final few rounds? It is almost tough to believe that he could depart for the United States with just a single moto win to his name. Lawrence is capable of achieving so much more than that and one would presume that he is eager to stand atop the box just once, so that can be ticked off his bucket list. It would help him head to the American scene with a little more clout too. Instead, however, it seems that his focus is shifting to the Motocross of Nations.

In a lot of interviews that have been conducted recently, Hunter Lawrence has mentioned that he hopes to build himself back up through the remaining rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship so that he can come out swinging at RedBud in October. It is understandable that he would feel that way, seeing as it will be his first opportunity to impress on American soil and the head guys at GEICO Honda would be in attendance. Is it not odd that his mind immediately wanders to that though? A Grand Prix win would be a nice way to get closure on this part of his career at least. Anyway, it is certainly a possibility that he will pull one off!

Words: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Honda Racing Corporation

Revision: MXGP of Belgium

Look through the MXGP History Books

The Grand Prix of Belgium, round fifteen of the FIM Motocross World Championship, strikes fear into the hearts of most. The bottomless sand of Lommel has given some riders a lot in recent years. However, on the other hand, it has taken so much away from some. There is no doubt that will also occur when the Grand Prix contingent roll into the facility this weekend.

It is hardly surprising that Red Bull KTM have been dominant at Lommel. The Belgian circuit landed on the calendar for the first time back in 2008 and Jonathan Barragan immediately put them on the top of the podium, thanks to a victory in the second moto, and since then just one other manufacturer has beaten them to the top step in the premier class. Suzuki won with Ken De Dycker in 2009 and then Kevin Strijbos delivered another victory in 2016. Suzuki have only won a single moto at the venue though, despite that success, as De Dycker went only won a single moto that year and then Strijbos recorded a brace of thirds en route to his triumph three years ago.

Kevin Strijbos took an unlikely overall win at Lommel two seasons ago (Suzuki Racing)

Husqvarna (Max Nagl in 2016) and Honda (Marc de Reuver in 2008 and Tim Gajser in 2016) have also stole premier-class moto wins at Lommel but failed to put one of their riders on the top step of the podium. More manufacturers have enjoyed some success in the MX2 division, even though Max Anstie is the only non-KTM rider to stand atop the Belgian box in that class. Anstie won with Yamaha in 2014, Kawasaki in 2015 and Husqvarna in 2016. The impressive three-year run makes him the winningest MX2 rider at this particular Grand Prix. Jorge Prado will not be able to match that number, even if he wins this weekend, as that victory last year was his first at Lommel.

Now, most will immediately question that Max Anstie is the winningest MX2 rider at Lommel and presume that Jeffrey Herlings holds that title. It is not a crazy theory, seeing as Herlings is so great in the sand, but he has actually only raced at this track once in the last four years. The various injuries that beset him during his time as an MX2 rider always occurred around the time of Lommel and, with that in mind, he has not spent a ton of time behind a starting gate at this particular track. Last year was the first time that he had raced a Grand Prix there since 2011 and, unsurprisingly, he won.

The power-sapping sand does prompt surprises and there are two that really stand out. Gert Krestinov won the first MX2 Grand Prix at Lommel, first of all, with an eighth and a first. Had he scored thirty-eight points, which was the total that he had on that day, at Loket last weekend, then he would have been fourth overall. A scorecard like that does not typically give a rider a win! The same could be said about Kevin Strijbos, who took what will probably end up being his final victory with a brace of thirds in 2016. Consistency is rewarded in conditions such as this, as it is a trait that is particularly hard to master when the track deteriorates so rapidly with each lap that passes.

Antonio Cairoli has always been a contender at the Belgian Grand Prix (KTM Images/Ray Archer)

Heading into this weekend’s Grand Prix of Belgium, most would presume that Jeffrey Herlings will claim his third overall victory at Lommel and second in the premier division. It seems that most believe Jorge Prado is the best MX2 rider in these conditions as well. It is worth noting, however, that Pauls Jonass was the first-moto winner a year ago. A crash in the first turn in moto two was what stopped him from making a serious run at the overall victory.

Lommel

Herlings and Cairoli in Lommel

Surprisingly the rider many say is the best sand rider ever, Jeffrey Herlings has only won in Lommel on two occasions, those in 2011 in the MX2 class, beating home Ken Roczen, and again in the MXGP class in 2017, beating Antonio Cairoli.

Herlings did get a moto win at the 2012 Motocross of Nations but lost the overall to Antonio Cairoli who went 1-1 on that day. It might be added, Herlings has crashed in the first corner of the final moto of the day and came back from last to nearly pass the Italian in the dying stages of the moto, but he couldn’t get it done.

Antonio Cairoli got his first taste of victory at the Lommel circuit, winning in the MX1 class in 2010, and Cairoli again won in the MX1 class in 2011. Lommel disappeared for a couple of years from the GP calendar, first in 2012 when the MXoN was held at the circuit, and again in 2013, when Bastogne held a GP, but when Lommel returned in 2014 Cairoli won again, making it three from three (or four from four if you count the MXoN).

Since 2014 though, Cairoli hasn’t been able to get a GP victory in the deep sand of Lommel, with surprise winners in Shaun Simpson (2015), and Kevin Strijbos (2016), before Herlings won in 2017. 

So as it stands, while Cairoli has four victories at the circuit, he hasn’t won in four years, and Herlings has just the two wins, but is coming off that victory last year. Herlings has also missed the Lommel GP on a number of occasions due to mid-season injuries, and in fact also missed the GP of Bastogne in 2013, due to injury.

So on current form, you would have to go with Herlings to take victory, and make it three wins at the circuit, but history has been kind to Cairoli at this circuit. If the Italian can get a start, and Herlings doesn’t get the start, you can be sure Cairoli will be working hard in the early laps to make a break, and like that 2012 MXoN third moto, will be looking over his shoulder for the Dutchman to come, and you can be sure, if he doesn’t get the start, he will be coming, and fast.

If I was a betting man, of course I will pick Herlings to win this weekend, his 10 GP wins in 2018, and his nearly unbeatable form at the moment makes his a heavy favourite, but we all know that Antonio Cairoli won’t be giving up soon, and legends do things that can surprise us. With his hand now healed, we can see Cairoli trying to make it tough on the Dutchman, and don’t be surprised to see paint swapped as they both fight for not only a Lommel victory, but also the upper-hand in the MXGP championship.

Ray Archer image

Adventure Bike... Really?

Harley-Davidson Developing New, Liquid-Cooled

Models for Adventure

Prototype 2020 Harley-Davidson Pan America

Harley Davidson has announced a big push into new market segments with modular liquid-cooled engines. Sixteen new bikes will utilize the new 60° v-twins in displacements of 500cc, 750cc, 975cc, and 1250cc. These will be DOHC designs, so expect modern, competitive levels of horsepower and torque.

Pictured are a couple of prototypes shown by Harley of a new adventure model called the Pan America, displacing 1250cc, as well as a Streetfighter displacing 975cc. Harley expects these to be introduced as 2020 models.

Harley also emphasized the importance of electric models in its future. Pictured near the bottom of this article is the 2019 LiveWire. An entire “family of products” in the EV category will range all the way down to bicycles.

“Traditional” cruiser models will continue to be developed. Here is a summary from Harley-Davidson of its future plans, followed by a video:

It’s a fast-changing world with new consumer demands. Alongside our existing loyal riders, we will lead the next revolution of two-wheeled freedom to inspire future riders who have yet to even think about the thrill of riding.

Prototype 2020 Harley-Davidson Pan America

New 2019 Fly Race Gear!

The traditional new gear launch for Fly Racing is always the Washougal National. Here is a quick look at the new 2019 Fly gear. For more details go to www.Flyracing.com

Jarvis's Painful Romaniacs Decision

“Deciding to stop was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

As the 2017 winner and most successful rider in Red Bull Romaniacs history, Graham Jarvis began the 15th edition aiming for his seventh victory in what had been a vintage year for the experienced Hard Enduro specialist. 

Finishing fourth on the opening day in the mountains (after seventh in the Prologue), Graham was 17 minutes behind the leaders, not happy with his riding and clearly not where he or we expected him to be. 

However, despite citing a lack of energy, the 2018 Erzbergrodeo winner battled through Off Road Day 2 to reach half way in the race seventh, although over 30 minutes down on eventual winner Wade Young on the day. He did maintain fourth overall however and at this point we knew from past experience with Graham things could turn around.

 

Photo Credit: Andrea Belluschi/Future7Media

But Jarvis started the penultimate day still feeling low on energy and clearly fatigued. After reaching the first checkpoint of the day and riding with many possibilities running though his mind, he was forced to withdraw from the race before the midday service point. 

“Deciding to stop was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do but it was the most sensible option to take.” Said Jarvis after the event. 

“I simply had no more energy to continue and knew the safest thing to do was retire from the race. The race this year was tough, one of the toughest for a very long time and right from the off I just wasn’t feeling right. I didn’t get into that groove like I normally do and was struggling in places where I knew I shouldn’t have been.” He explained.

2018 has brought the usual mix of tough challenges for Jarvis but he more than met them with victory at Erzbergrodeo. The most successful rider in Romaniacs history was all set for the challenge against his younger rivals in the 2018 event: “I really wanted to challenge for a seventh Romaniacs win this year but it wasn’t to be. My focus now is to rest and recuperate and get back to full fitness and energy for the rest of the WESS championship.”

 

Photo Credit: Andrea Belluschi/Future7Media

Wade Young Wins 2018 Red Bull Romaniacs

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South African, Wade Young takes record-breaking win as the 2018 Red Bull Romaniacs lives up to its ‘World’s Toughest Hard Enduro Rallye’ billing.

24-year-old Sherco Factory Racing rider Wade Young has entered the record books by winning the 2018 Red Bull Romaniacs. At the end of an epic week-long battle, Young was joined on the podium by closest challenger all week Manuel Lettenbichler. Jonny Walker finished in third and remains the World Enduro Super Series points leader after four of the eight round series.

In a very global Romaniacs results list Austria’s Dieter Rudolf won the Silver category, Brazil’s Gianino Coscarelli claimed victory the Bronze victory and Lithuania’s Mindaugas Simkevicius topped the Iron class. 

 

Photo Credit: Andrea Belluschi/Future7Media

Decisive day four

With just four minutes separating Young and Lettenbichler entering the final day of racing at Red Bull Romaniacs, the outcome was too close to call. 

Young led the field away and pushed hard from the off. But Lettenbichler was making time in the early sections and by the midway point had caught up to Young, bringing Walker with him.

On a technical climb after the service point Lettenbichler found a way past the Sherco rider and suddenly it looked like the fight for victory was weighing in the 20-year-old German’s favour. However, the South African had other ideas and after taking a moment to regroup he made his break with about 20 kilometres to go. 

Pulling clear, Young charged his way into the Gusterita finishing arena and achieved a life-long goal to win Romaniacs: “I can’t believe it, I am over the moon to have won. It’s been such a long race and so tough. Manni caught me early on today. He would gap me on the hills and then I would have to charge on the fast sections to reel him back in. It went like that for the whole day right until the last couple of checkpoints where I was able to break away from him before the finish. It’s always been my goal to win here and now I’ve managed to tick that box. It’s the toughest race in the world and it feels awesome to have won it.”

 

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

Letti pushes all the way

Ending his participation in the 2018 Red Bull Romaniacs in the best possible way with victory on the final day, Lettenbichler also secured his debut Red Bull Romaniacs’ podium result: “That was so gnarly.” Said Lettenbichler at the finish. “Wade and myself pushed hard today and rode it like a motocross race – a six-hour motocross! I gave my best to try and keep him behind me, but every time I gapped him, he fought back. My strength this year was on the hills — I think that comes down to training, good bike set up and determination. With a podium result at three rounds of the WESS championship things are starting to look good. Jonny has a bit of an advantage, but the gap is reducing.”

 

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

For Walker, another strong ride saw him cement his position of third overall in the Hard Enduro Rallye. However, with Lettenbichler securing his third top three result this season, he now moves to within 185 points of series leader Walker as they tick off the fourth round in the championship.

“Congratulations to Wade and Manni — those guys were really on it for the whole event.” Walker commented after the podium. “I gave my all today and I’m pleased with the outcome of this race as I had plenty of issues during it. But I kept pushing on and focused on maintaining my lead in WESS. I’m looking forward to the next round — Red Bull 111 Megawatt. I’ve won it three times, so I’ll be pushing for a fourth.”

 

Photo Credit: Andrea Belluschi/Future7Media

Behind the top three, Billy Bolt finished fifth on the final day of racing to end his Red Bull Romaniacs in fourth overall. Building pace throughout the week, a very happy Alfredo Gomez took fourth on Off Road Day 4 to complete the top five in the overall classification.

Just missing out on an overall top five position, Paul Bolton was sixth, while David Cyprian was seventh. South Africa’s Blake Gutzeit was eighth, Mario Roman ninth and Philipp Scholz rounded out the top 10.

The World Enduro Super Series continues with round five at Red Bull 111 Megawatt in Poland on September 8-9.

Results Red Bull Romaniacs, Off Road Day 4:

Gold Class

1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM - GER) 4:58:48
2. Wade Young (Sherco - RSA) 5:00:37 
3. Jonny Walker (KTM - GB) 5:06:17 
4. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna – ESP) 5:19:23 
5. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB) 5:24:48 
6. David Cyprian (KTM – CZE) 5:56:18 
7. Paul Bolton (KTM – GB) 5:56:31 
8. Blake Gutzeit (Yamaha – RSA) 5:56:45 
9. Mario Roman (Sherco – ESP) 6:01:09 
10. Philipp Scholz (KTM – DEU) 6:17:56

2018 Rattlesnake National Enduro

Josh Toth claimed his first-ever national enduro win at this weekend’s Rattlesnake Enduro, round six of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series in Cross Fork, Pennsylvania. With the win, the FMF/KTM Factory rider moved into a two-way tie with Steward Baylor for first place in the series

Romaniacs!

Bolt Claims Red Bull Romaniacs Prologue Win

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Billy Bolt claims his first Red Bull Romaniacs Prologue victory ahead of Wade Young and Taddy Blazusiak.

Round four of the World Enduro Super Series got off to an exciting start with teh prologue today where Billy Bolt claimed Gold class honours. With the streets of Sibiu lined with thousands of Enduro fans, three action-packed finals concluded the opening day’s action in mixed weather conditions. Brazilian Gianino Coscarelli claimed the Bronze class victory in the first of the finals, while Austria’s Dieter Rudolf proved the rider to beat in the Silver category.

Setting the fastest time in a wet qualification session, Manuel Lettenbichler was keen to turn that speed into a winning result in the 35-rider Gold class final. However, Bolt had other ideas and immediately took control of the race lead following the Le Mans style start.

 

Photo Credit: Future7Media

With the track heaving with competitors, the British rider kept his cool as he navigated the obstacles with an ease the rest of the field didn’t master. Opening up an ever-increasing lead during the 15-minute final, Bolt lapped the entire field to claim the win. 

“It feels great to get a win in the bag already.” Said Volt after the final. “I know it’s only the beginning of a very long race but it definitely offers a good sense of confidence and motivation heading into the mountains tomorrow. The race was perfect for me — I think I led it from start to finish and lapped every rider. But of course tomorrow will be a different story. With this win I can start as the third rider and then see what happens.”

Behind him however the race was anything but sedate as Young, Blazusiak, Lettenbichler and WESS series’ leader Jonny Walker all battled for the podium positions. With a couple of laps to go, Young pulled clear to claim the runner-up result: “I’m really pleased with second place. I think it’s actually my first time finishing on the podium in the prologue, which is cool to finally get that done. It’s always impossible to know where you are in this race after a couple of laps. I knew I was in a good position and I was riding well but safe. I’m keen for tomorrow, I feel ready for it this year and want to put in a strong ride from the off.”

 

Photo Credit: Future7Media

Blazusiak got the better of Lettenbichler on the final lap to grab third: “I watched the prologue last year and it looked like so much fun so it’s been good to race it. The track rode really well and luckily it stayed dry too. It’s cool to be on the podium but third is a bittersweet position to be in as it means I’ll lead out tomorrow due to the reversed start order of the top three. I don’t have a lot of GPS experience, so with no tracks to follow it’s going to be an interesting start but I’ll give it my best, that’s for sure.”

 

Photo Credit: Future7Media

Jonny Walker completed the top five, with Pol Tarres sixth. Aiming for his seventh Red Bull Romaniacs victory, Graham Jarvis — the 2017 winner — got his week off to a comfortable start with seventh.

With the prologue complete, the starting order for the top three Gold class riders is reversed and will see Blazusiak lead the field out for the opening off road day, with Young second and Bolt third. The first off road day is set to be a challenging one as the competitors face a 160-kilometre ride across the Carpathian Mountains to Petrosani for the first of two overnight bivouacs.

Results - Red Bull Romaniacs Prologue Gold class

1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna - GB) 11 laps, 17:50.377 
2. Wade Young (Sherco - RSA) 10 laps, 17:56.627 
3. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM - POL) 17:58.377 
4. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM - GER) 17:59.877 
5. Jonny Walker (KTM - GB) 18:17.127 
6. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna - ESP) 18:34.130 
7. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna - GB) 18:55.377 
8. Paul Bolton (KTM - GB) 19:04.880 
9. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna - ESP) 19:39.130 
10. Blake Gutzeit (Yamaha - RSA) 9 laps, 18:48.377

The IMPI Hard Enduro 2018 - Day 1 Time Trial

The IMPI Hard Enduro, set in the “Tribal Heartlands of Southern Africa”, is looking awesome in this video of the day one time trial at the 2018 event. It makes us want to get out there and ride.

Riders tackled a 25km time trial to determine start position for day two. Those 25kms don't look like a walk in the park mind you!