Husqvarna’s Thad Duvall proves the mud maestro at X-Factor GNCC as problems hit championship leader Kailub Russell dropping him to 14th.
After several days of rainfall in Peru, Indiana the 2017 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, continued with the inaugural X-Factor GNCC. For the first time since 2013's Mammoth GNCC, Racer Productions made the decision to combine the morning amateur race with the afternoon pro race.
At the conclusion of the two-hour race on an eight-mile long racecourse it was Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing's Thad Duvall who took home his first overall win of the season.
However, it would not be an easy task for Duvall as it was N-Fab AmPro Yamaha's Ricky Russell who got the $250 All Balls Racing Holeshot Award. R Russell led the first two laps, but would eventually fall back two positions ultimately earning his season best finish of third overall.
Duvall's teammate, Josh Strang, was also off to a good start where he would work his way into his first second place finish of the season by the end of the four-lap race. FMF/Maxxis/RPM KTM Racing Team's Chris Bach finished just off the podium with his second fourth overall finish in 2017.
Photo Credit: Ken Hill
After a favourable start behind R Russell, Beta USA's Jordan Ashburn would find himself tangled in a power washer cord after a brief pit stop. Ashburn would fall back to 8th as he checked into timing and scoring on the first lap, but put on a hard charge eventually ended the day with an remarkable fifth overall.
After heading into the woods in the back of the XC1 pack, JCR Honda's Trevor Bollinger plowed his way through the mud for a sixth place finish in XC1 and an 11th overall. Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/Husqvarna-backed rider Grant Baylor started the day with an unfavourable 11th place position as they came around the course after one lap.
G Baylor would work his way up to seventh in XC1, while still finishing just outside the top 10 overall in 12th.
FMF/KTM Factory Racing and defending GNCC National Champion, Kailub Russell would find himself heading into the woods last off the start after falling in the second turn with another rider. K Russell and teammate, Russell Bobbitt, would finish the day out in the eighth and ninth place positions of the XC1 Pro class.
K Russell would finish 14th overall, while Bobbitt salvaged a 20th overall finish. SRT/KTM rider, and round 1 winner, Steward Baylor would complete his first lap in the fourth place position. Unfortunately this would be the only glimpse anyone caught of S Baylor, as his race ended after that first lap due to an illness.
Heading into this weekend MXGP of France, set for the undulating circuit of Ernee, it isn’t hard to look back at the history of the French motocross riders and feel they have done their share in making the FIM Motocross World Championship a better championship.
Nine Frenchman have tasted victory at the end of a GP season and been crowned FIM Motocross World Champion. The French have picked up 13 titles in total as many of their world champs scored more than one championship in their careers.
Back in 1986 Jacky Vimond became the first ever French rider to win a FIM Motocross World Championship. He did so in the 250cc class, and while Vimond was the pioneer of success for French riders it was Jean Michele Bayle who won 125cc and 250cc titles in 1988 and 1989 and started a frenzy of interest and success for the tri-colors riders.
Bayle who moved to America soon after his GP success in 1988 did still compete in Europe in the winter at the annual Bercy Supercross. Beating the big name American riders, and making a long list of young French kids in attendance wish they could be like the good looking and very marketable Bayle.
It didn’t come straight away though, and while names like David Vuillemin, Stephane Roncada and Mickael Pichon looked to become the next J.M.Bayle it wasn’t until the summer of 1996 that another amazingly talented Frenchman stole the hearts of the motocross world.
When a 16 year old Sebastien Tortelli picked up the 125cc world championship ahead of British rider Paul Malin, and a new era in French motocross was born. Tortelli added the 250 title in 1998 after a season long battle with Stefan Everts and this opened the flood-gates for French success.
Soon to follow came world titles for Frederic Bolley in the 250cc class in 1999 and 2000, Mickael Pichon also in the 250cc class in 2001 and 2002, Mickael Maschio in MX2 in 2002, and Marvin Musquin and Jordi Tixier in the MX2 class in 2009 and 2010 and 2014.
Not to mention the latest world champion, Romain Febvre, who won the MXGP world title in 2015, and helped Team France to three consecutive MXoN victories.
The French have won the Motocross of Nations on four occasions, in 2001 at the famous Namur circuit, and again at Kegums in 2014, Ernee in 2015 and Maggiora in 2016.
Now in 2016 the French have a handful of riders capable of taking overall GP victories. Gautier Paulin, Romain Febvre, Jordi Tixier, and Benoit Paturel have all scored well in recent years and all hold a special place in the hearts of the French public.
You can be sure when the Grand Prix of France fires up on Saturday morning the always large crowd will be standing as close as possible to the circuit to cheer on their local heroes, and you can be sure names like Paulin, Paturel, and Febvre will be wanting more than anything to repay their countrymen with victory come Sunday night.
Photo Credit - Hazrin Yeob Men Shah/Icon Sportswire
According to reports, former MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden has died following an auto accident that occurred last week. The 35-year-old was struck by a car while training on his bicycle on the Rimini coast in Italy last Wednesday. He was transported to a local hospital with head and chest injuries before later being transferred to the Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena. He had been in intensive care since the crash.
The hospital announced on Monday that Hayden had died as a result of severe cerebral damage and additional traumatic injuries. He had been in Italy since racing in the World Superbike Championship on May 14. Members of his family reportedly flew out from the United States to be with Hayden while he was being treated at the hospital.
The Kentucky native won the MotoGP World Championship in 2006, just three years after breaking into the premier ranks as a 21-year-old. He came out of nowhere and ended the five-year championship streak of Italian legend Valentino Rossi to claim the title. It would be his only MotoGP crown.
Hayden participated in MotoGP until 2015 before switching to Superbike full-time in 2016. He was ranked 13th in points this season following the last race in Imola earlier this month. Hayden finished fifth in the World Superbike Championship last season and won last year’s race in Malaysia. He was riding for the Red Bull Honda team.
Following the news of Hayden’s accident, Rossi issued a statement that described his rival as “one of the best friends I’ve ever had in the paddock.”
Downhill mountain biking can be a wild ride. See firsthand what it's like to rip down one of the heaviest downhill mountain bike tracks ever created, through he GoPro view of the creator himself, Dan Atherton. It's why Red Bull Hardline is an event like no other. The long and technical course plays on a variety of disciplines, where incredibly steep and rocky technical sections were combined with a motocross run in and 50-foot [15.24 meters] gap jump to create one of the
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Antonio Cairoli has taken control of the MXGP championship with his 80th Grand Prix victory in Germany today and extended his points lead over second placed man Tim Gajser. The legend went 2-1 and swapped moto wins with MX2 world champion Jeffrey Herlings, who went 1-2 for second overall.
Antonio Cairoli: Yes, its my 80th GP win, so I am very happy. I am looking forward to France, because I feel good at the moment. Yes, it’s important to get good starts and we worked on it, and this week good starts, so it makes it easier, when you start 15th or 20th it’s difficult to come through. First moto I struggled a little bit and Jeffrey had good lines, but I tried to look around for better lines. Second moto I head from the beginning until the end and I have a lot of fans in France, so I look forward to that.
Jeffrey Herlings: I felt like half way that I wasted so much energy to get from 10th to second and I used so much energy. The speed is there, but I had two bad starts, we need to get it all together and the last piece of the puzzle is the starts. I am looking forward to Ernee and get my starts improved
Gautier Paulin: Actually, both motos I made mistakes in the first corner. First moto I had to pass hard, and Antonio and Jeffrey already made the gap. Second moto I made mistakes and I had a good rhythm in the end and I caught back up to Jeffrey, but some lappers got in the way. I want to thank the team, we did a good job and we work hard.
Cairoli showed quick starts mean everything as he led both moto’s early, and didn’t let the Dutchman get close enough in the second moto to take the overall win. Herlings, who didn’t have brilliant starts, but showed great speed to once again show he is back to his best.
As for Tim Gajser, his weekend was once again full of crashes, and pain, as he finished with 12-10. Herlings is now just 40 points off Gajsers second place in the MXGP points. Amazing when you consider a little over a month ago he was 110 points behind the defending champion.
In a piece of brilliance, Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings has won the opening MXGP moto from red plate owner and eight time world champion Antonio Cairoli. The two KTM riders put in a battle for the ages, in a season that just continues to produce the unexpected. Swapping the lead, and racing very close it was exciting for the large crowd in attendance.
“It was a tough race,” Herlings said. “I started well, worked my way into the lead, but Tony is tough, he didn’t give up. Its not my favourite track, but I had to give 100%. It was a good moto, I am very happy with it.”
Cairoli took the holeshot from Desalle, and Herlings. Coldenhoff was fourth, then came Van Horebeek, Paulin, Anstie, Tixier, Butron and Tonus.
Herlings was all over Desalle, who was doing some blocking, and Cairoli got away a little. Herlings made a pass on Desalle, and set out after the leader. Gajser back in 13th position.
Cairoli still getting away, despite Herlings having a clear track, but as we saw yesterday, Herlings seems to have a lot in the second part of the race. Paulin and Febvre went past Coldenhoff.
Paulin passed Van Horebeek and was all over Desalle, while Herlings gets away from those guys. Febvre was all over Van Horebeek, just as they did in the qualification race on Saturday. Coldenhoff passed Febvre, who made a small mistake, and Tonus was close to Febvre also.
Tonus railed around the outside of Febvre and passed. Herlings catching Cairoli, and you could be sure, the Dutchman would be onto the Italian sooner, rather than later.
Herlings moved even closer to Cairoli and on lap four it looked like we were heading for a nice battle. Herlings clearly the fastest rider on the track. The Bullet is really back. Herlings breezed past the Italian for the lead. It looked easy for the MX2 world champion.
Herlings was gone, and just like he did to the MX2 competition, he was doing with the MXGP riders at this stage. Tonus crashed out, and dropped a few places.
After five laps it was Herlings, Cairoli, Paulin, Desalle, Van Horebeek, Coldenhoff, Febvre, Anstie, Tixier and Jasikonis. Tonus down in 12th and Gajser 13th.
Tixier crashed and dropped a bunch of position, and that put Nagl into the top ten. Gajser moves to 12th place.
Not a lot happening as the riders spread out, and Herlings lead opens up to four seconds. After 10 laps its Herlings just three seconds ahead of Cairoli, then Paulin, Desalle, Van Horebeek, COldenhoff, Febvre, Anstie, Jasikonis and Nagl.
Cairoli closing on on the lead, just as he does so often to his opposition. Both riders are fast late, but the Italian has so much experience. Herlings made a few mistakes and the Italian is all over the Dutchman.
Another brilliant end to another MXGP moto. You can’t write this stuff, just amazing. Can’t imagine Herlings isn’t feeling the pressure from the legend. Cairoli having all sorts of problems with lapped riders.
Herlings got away from Cairoli, but with four laps to go you can count on the Italian coming back for more. After 15 laps it was Herlings, Cairoli, Paulin, Desalle, Van Horebeek, Coldenhoff, Febvre, Anstie, Jasikonis, and Tonus.
Herlings holding the lead, but massive pressure from the Italian. The battle we all wanted to see, the legend versus the new man on the block. Intense racing from these two.
Probably the race of the season so far, and that is saying something. These two are gone from the others. Three seconds a lap quicker than the other MXGP riders, and the pace hasn’t slowed.
Herlings broke away a little and I think Cairoli had conceded to the younger team-mate. Herlings wins it from Cairoli, WOW, just WOW.
Cairoli holeshot the second MXGP moto from Paulin, Desalle, Van Horebeek, Butron, Coldenhoff, Nagl, Herlings, Ullrich, and Anstie. Herlings quickly moved into fifth place and he was pushing hard.
Cairoli though is looking sharp up front, as he leads two other veterans in Paulin and Desalle. Herlings closing in on Van Horebeek. Herlings easily passes Van Horebeek, and goes after Desalle. This is a repeat of the first moto.
Talkessel isn’t a track to make up time quickly, so its going to be a tough job for the Dutchman. After two laps its Cairoli, Paulin, Desalle, Herlings, Van Horebeek, Coldenhoff, Butron, Anstie, Nagl and Jasikonis.
Herlings really struggling to find a way past Desalle, as Febvre comes back from a 15th place start and moves into 10th place. Gajser back in 15th spot.
After five laps Cairoli has a three second lead over Paulin, with Desalle next, then Herlings, Van Horebeek, Coldenhoff, Anstie, Nagl, Febvre, and Jasikonis. Herlings clocks his quickest lap of the race.
Herlings goes past Desalle and moved into third spot. He quickly made distance from the Belgian, and will chase down Paulin. Van Horebeek goes down and is struggling to get going again. Herlings moving closer to Paulin, and Febvre up to seventh place.
Herlings all over Paulin and makes a beautiful pass to get past Paulin and move into second place. Cairoli only five seconds ahead with 12 minutes and two laps to go. As he did with Desalle, Herlings has dropped Paulin quickly. Cairoli gets away a little from Herlings as he turned up the wick and extends the lead to seven seconds.
Coldenhoff nearly crashed and went off the track, handing Anstie and Febvre better track position. The lead by Cairoli extends to nine seconds and with six minutes and two laps remaining he is looking safe.
After 13 laps its Cairoli, Herings, Paulin, Desalle, Anstie, Febvre, Coldenhoff, Nagl, Jasikonis, and Gajser 10th.
The final stages of the second moto didn’t see many changes as Cairoli continued to lead and Herlings rode a just as lonely race in second place. Paulins did get close to Herlings, but couldn’t get close enough. Cairoli does a nacnac as he crosses the line for victory in the moto and the Grand Prix.
MXGP – Overall Classification
1 222 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI KTM 22 25 47 2 84 Herlings, Jeffrey NED KNMV KTM 25 22 47 3 21 Paulin, Gautier FRA MCM HUS 20 20 40 4 25 Desalle, Clement BEL FMB KAW 18 18 36 5 461 Febvre, Romain FRA FFM YAM 14 16 30 6 259 Coldenhoff, Glenn NED KNMV KTM 15 14 29 7 99 Anstie, Max GBR ACU HUS 13 15 28 8 12 Nagl, Maximilian GER DMSB HUS 11 13 24 9 27 Jasikonis, Arminas LTU LMSF SUZ 10 12 22 10 89 Van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL FMB YAM 16 6 22
Graham Jarvis has claimed an unexpected victory in the 2017 Red Bull Minas Riders with the four-day event cut short to two.
In what seems to be a series of events beyond the organisers’ control, Martin Freindametz and his Xventure team were forced to bring a halt to proceedings at the end of day two.
As a result, Jarvis is this year’s Red Bull Minas Riders champion
Carmichael to return for Sydney’s AUS-X Open in 2017
Section: RacingPost: Alex Gobert
The GOAT making second Australian appearance this November.
Source: Supplied.
AUS-X Open organisers have announced Ricky Carmichael is heading back to Sydney on 11-12 November to make his second appearance at the Australian Supercross spectacular.
Legendary American Carmichael was on-hand at the inaugural running two years ago and will make another appearance for the upcoming 2017 edition.
“I’m beyond excited to return down under for the AUS-X Open in 2017!” commented Carmichael. “When I came down for the 2015 event, I didn’t quite know what to expect initially, however during and after the event I was absolutely blown away by how much fun it was, plus how professional the event was carried out.
“Returning in 2017 was a very easy decision. I love Australia, the fans are amazing, plus with the addition of Chad [Reed] and Jason [Anderson], I’m just as excited as a fan to see this battle unfold. If you are a supercross fan from wherever in the world, you won’t want to miss this!”
Event co-founder and director Adam Bailey said the addition of Carmichael was another significant boost for what’s shaping up to be an incredible event after already announcing both Reed and Anderson will line-up.
“Having Ricky on board for 2017 is absolutely incredible,” said Bailey. “What he brought to the event in 2015 as a whole was insane. The fans loved him and he truly reciprocated that by giving each and every single person the time of day like no other – there’s no doubt he’s a legend both on and off the motorcycle.
In just a few days the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, presented by AMA Pro Racing, will kick off the 45th anniversary of America’s most prestigious off-road motorcycle racing series from the sport’s longest-running event – the 49th Red Bull Hangtown Motocross Classic. As the days and hours leading into the opener this Saturday, May 20, continue to wind down, there’s arguably more attention being given to who will not be lining up on the gate in the premier 450 Class.
For just the seventh time in 46 seasons, there will not be a past champion in the starting lineup of the opening round in the 450 Class. Following a season-ending injury to defending Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Champion Ken Roczen, and yesterday’s retirement announcement from three-time titleholder Ryan Dungey, neither of the series’ most recent champions will participate in the 2017 summer season. As a result, the premier class will feature a wide-open battle to claim the vacant title amongst a collection of highly talented competitors all in search of their first championship.
The 450 Class field will be without a past champion for just the seventh time in history. Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing
Leading the way will be Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac. Last year’s runner-up not only has more wins than any other rider in the field, he’s coming off a breakout supercross season in which he captured nine victories and narrowly missed out on the title. He’s no stranger to making an early statement in the Pro Motocross season, and could be considered the early favorite to hoist the Edison Dye Cup at season’s end. Flanking him at Monster Energy Kawasaki will be veteran Josh Grant, who is one of just four former 450 Class winners.
Another rider that will be given considerable attention in the chase for the championship is Team Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin, who now enters the season as the lead rider at KTM, poised to fill the void left by Dungey’s retirement. The Frenchman enjoyed a solid rookie season last summer and will be a podium threat every time the gate drops in his chase for a first 450 Class win and title. Alongside Musquin will be Trey Canard, who is in the midst of his first season with the team. Canard is one of the four past winners in the class and while he’s been fighting through ups and downs this season, his past experience is amongst the most valuable in the paddock.
Tomac will look to claim his first title after finishing in the runner-up spot last season. Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing
In addition to Red Bull KTM, the Austrian brand will also provide support to RMATV/MC-WPS-KTM and its lineup of Blake Baggett, Davi Millsaps and reigning 450 Class Rookie of the Year Benny Bloss. Baggett has the potential to improve upon the promise he’s shown the past two seasons in the premier class and should be one of the handful of riders battling for the podium each round. Millsaps is a savvy veteran who has arguably more experience than any other rider in the paddock, and will begin his season late while recovering from recent surgery, while Bloss is ready to build on the promising foundation he set last summer.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s two-rider lineup of Jason Anderson and Dean Wilson presents intrigue, with the former 250 Class rivals possessing enough speed and talent to be contenders on any given weekend. Anderson has made multiple trips to the podium in his two seasons of 450 Class competition, and while he’s still chasing a first career win he continues to show improvement. Wilson is a former 250 Class champion that hasn’t been able to gain much 450 Class experience after being plagued by injury in recent years, but he’s acclimated well to the Husqvarna squad after signing with them earlier this year and really has nothing to lose this summer.
Musquin will look to fill the absence of his teammate and multi-time champion Ryan Dungey. Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing
While Team Honda HRC will be forced to contest the 2017 season without its lead rider Roczen, it still has high hopes for a summer of success. Cole Seely will compete in his third season of 450 Class competition and while he’s been hindered by injury thus far, he’s more than capable of challenging for podiums. The team has also enlisted the services of Christian Craig to replace Roczen. With no significant pressure and his immense natural talent, Craig could put in some head turning rides this season.
Suzuki enters the 2017 season as the reigning 450 Class Manufacturer Champion. The departure of Roczen means Broc Tickle and Justin Bogle will lead the way for RCH/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing. Tickle enjoyed a strong summer last season, earning a pair of podium finishes, and is more than capable of running up front. Bogle has fought the injury bug since making the move into the division two years ago, but he’s show flashes of speed and his knack for starting will give him opportunities to contend.
In addition to the RCH squad, Suzuki will also consist of Autotrader/Monster Energy/Suzuki/JGRMX for the 2017 season. Justin Barcia has enjoyed solid performances the last two years and by adding the optimism of a new bike, the sky is the limit to what “Bam Bam” could accomplish this summer. He’s one of a handful of riders to keep an eye on. Joining Barcia at JGR will be Weston Peick. The endless confidence Peick brings to the track makes him a capable contender that can battle alongside the 450 Class elite, and he enters the championship feeling more motivated coming off an injury.
Barcia will transition from riding a Yamaha to a Suzuki for the 2017 season. Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing
The Monster Energy/Yamalube/Chaparral/Yamaha Financial Services/Yamaha Factory Racing effort will feature just one rider in 2017 – 450 Class rookie Cooper Webb. After a championship-winning effort in his final 250 Class season last summer Webb is ready to take on the stars of the premier division, fully confident in his ability to make his presence felt. Webb is a determined competitor and is going to give it his all from the moment the first gate drops.
Webb will make the move into the 450 Class this season, vacating the 250 Class title. Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing
With Webb vacating his 250 Class title, the stage is set for what should be a compelling battle for that championship, featuring an exceptional depth of talent. Spearheading this group is Jeremy Martin, a two-time titleholder and the only rider in the division with championship experience. His move to GEICO Honda could allow him to become just the second rider in history to win championships aboard two different manufacturers. Joining him at the GEICO Honda stable are experienced riders RJ Hampshire and Jimmy Decotis, along with rookies Chase Sexton and Cameron McAdoo.
Martin’s fiercest challenge will arguably come from the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki effort, which will be chasing its 11th Lucas Oil Pro Motocross title this summer. Leading the way for this highly talented foursome is Joey Savatgy, who earned multiple wins en route to third in the championship last season. Reigning Rookie of the Year Austin Forkner, newly crowned supercross champion Justin Hill, and potential breakout star Adam Cianciarulo will accompany Savatgy in the team’s quest for the Gary Jones Cup. All four competitors have podium experience and collectively offer perhaps the most formidable lineup in the division.
Jeremy Martin will chase a third 250 Class title aboard a new team and bike at GEICO Honda. Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing
The reigning three-time championship-winning team at Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha will seek a fourth title this summer with up-and-comer Aaron Plessinger stepping into the role previously occupied by Martin and Webb. Plessinger is a former winner and with two seasons under his belt, 2017 could be his time to take the next step in his young career. Also racing out of the Star Yamaha truck is sophomore rider Mitchell Harrison, along with a pair of new additions in Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis and Oklahoma native Colt Nichols. While there might not be a lot of experience on the team collectively, the talent is there to make their presence felt yet again.
The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM squad enters the 2017 season with perhaps its best chance at challenging for a title, with veteran Alex Martin joining the team this season and looking to build off a breakout 2016 campaign in which he won a pair of races and finished runner-up in the championship. Martin’s confidence and experience is sure to benefit Shane McElrath, who also emerged as a contender last season, as well as returning rider Mitchell Oldenburg and the team’s newest rider Jordon Smith. Making his pro debut at Hangtown will be amateur standout Sean Cantrell, rounding out a solid five-rider lineup.
Savatgy hopes to build off an impressive 2016 season where he earned three wins. Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing
With his first professional title under his belt from supercross Zach Osborne is hoping to bring added momentum into the summer with his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. Osborne showed flashes of brilliance last summer, which culminated in his first win on U.S. soil and the first win for Husqvarna in the 250 Class. He’s more than capable of building off that success this season and will look to bring veteran Martin Davalos along with him for what is undoubtedly the most experienced tandem in the division.
Rounding out the deep 250 Class field is the inaugural season for JGRMX in the smaller displacement. Matt Bisceglia, who will begin the summer later coming off an injury, will anchor the Autotrader/Monster Energy/Suzuki/JGRMX effort, looking to build off a 2016 season in which he gained valuable experience racing in the 450 Class. Filling in Bisceglia’s absence early on will be veteran Kyle Cunningham, who posted solid results for the team as a fill-in rider in supercross.
Alex Martin will move to the Troy Lee Designs KTM effort, looking to better his runner-up finish from last season with a title. Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing
The 49th running of the Red Bull Hangtown Motocross Classic and the opening round of the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship will commence this Saturday, May 20, from Prairie City SVRA in Sacramento, California. Live broadcast coverage begins at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET on MAVTV with coverage of the opening motos in both the 450 Class and 250 Class. From there live coverage of the final motos in each class will transition to NBC Sports Network, beginning at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET.
Fans can also catch all the action of the 2017 season as it unfolds with exclusive on-demand access via the “Pro Motocross Pass” on NBC Sports Gold. For just $49.99, subscribers will be able to watch practice, qualifying, and all motos from every round of the championship live from any mobile device or streaming service. Additionally, full broadcasts from every round of the 2015 and 2016 seasons are available.
For information about the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, please visit ProMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the Pro Motocross social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
At 27, Motocross star Dungey can ride off into the sunset
A decade after bursting onto the Motocross scene, "I've lived my dream,'' Ryan Dungey said Wednesday. "I'm ready for a new chapter in life.''
May 18, 2017 — 6:34am
Carl Stone, File photo Motocross racer Ryan Dungey. (Courtesy of MX Sports Pro Racing/Carl Stone)
You can get from Golden Valley to Belle Plaine in under an hour, if MnDOT hasn’t decided to shut down Hwy. 169. And in the middle of summer, if a beat-up sportswriter can see the promise of a column with that much travel time, point him south.
There was one minor problem in the middle of July 2007: The visiting reporter had minimal knowledge of the activity for which he would be conducting an interview.
Motorcycles or dirt bikes. The 450cc class or 250cc class.
Who knew?
The secret of success in these situations is to announce immediately that you will be asking naive questions, which is what I did when arriving at the home of Troy and Michelle Dungey, in the countryside near Belle Plaine.
The reason for the visit was Ryan, the middle of the Dungeys’ three sons. Ryan had turned 17 in December and already was a contender in the 250 class of the AMA Motocross (outdoor racing).
Ryan and his brothers, Jade, then 18, and Blake, 12, and a friend, Spencer Daly, were preparing to demolish a large pot of Michelle’s spaghetti. Ryan was doing so shirtless, not so much to beat the July heat but to allow some natural healing for the area where a patch of skin had been ripped off his lower back.
“That comes from the Michigan track, too,’’ Ryan said. “It has healed real well.’’
Dungey had been third in the 250 class standings entering an early July event at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Mich.
“I got sideways going over a jump in practice and remember thinking, ‘This isn’t going to be good,’ ’’ he said. “I went over the top and banged my head. Next thing, I was in an ambulance and hollering, ‘I don’t belong here. I’m supposed to be on the track.’
“I’m told I was very loud and my language wasn’t too good.’’
He was knocked out for two minutes. It was a concussion. He wanted to race. Concussion paranoia wasn’t then what it is now. But his parents traveled to all the races and said, “No chance,’’ as did the Makita Suzuki team for which he was racing.
There was an off week after RedBud, so Ryan was home for a few days, and then off to the event at Unadilla Valley in New Berlin, N.Y.
Ricky Carmichael was the 450 class rider and extremely influential with Team Makita. Ricky had watched Dungey’s tryout in California a year earlier, and recommended that Suzuki sign the then-16-year-old.
“I want to be the next big guy in this sport,’’ Dungey said that day in July 2007. “In a few years, I would like to fill Ricky’s shoes and to be looked at as one of the best guys who ever has done this sport.’’
Carmichael was such a legend that even I had heard of him.
The thought was: Really nice young man, Ryan Dungey, but some kid raised in Minnesota — where you’re lucky if the bike will even start for 42 percent of the year (that’s five months) — is going to be one of the best there ever was in big-time motocross and supercross racing?
You betcha.
On Tuesday, that nice young man announced his retirement from racing. He wasn’t giving up his dream.
“I’ve lived my dream,’’ Ryan Dungey said in a conversation Wednesday. “I’m ready for a new chapter in life.’’
Dungey clinched his fourth AMA Supercross 450cc championship in a rowdy race at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. It also was his third title in a row, putting him in exclusive company with Jeremy McGrath, Ryan Villopoto and, yes, Carmichael.
He also has three 450 class titles (2010, 2012 and 2015) and a 250 cc (2009) in motocross. He had 10 wins in 11 races as a big-bike rookie in 2010. And his second title in 2012 came with a new team — Red Bull KTM — for which he will continue in a nonracing role.
I did discover one not-so-minor oversight from the interview with Dungey in the summer of 2007. The family had moved to Belle Plaine in 2005 and he said: “I’ve gone racing and I’m home-schooled, so I don’t know anyone my age here.’’
Ryan failed to mention Lindsay Siegle, the waitress he had met in a stop at a local cafe, Annie’s, a few weeks earlier, and he had mustered the courage to ask for a date, and they now have been married for three years, and they are hopeful this “new chapter’’ will include babies, who will be required to crawl before they race.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 10:56AM 
The 450 Class field will be without a past champion for just the seventh time in history.
Tomac will look to claim his first title after finishing in the runner-up spot last season.
Musquin will look to fill the absence of his teammate and multi-time champion
Barcia will transition from riding a Yamaha to a Suzuki for the 2017 season.
Webb will make the move into the 450 Class this season, vacating the 250 Class title.
Jeremy Martin will chase a third 250 Class title aboard a new team and bike
Savatgy hopes to build off an impressive 2016 season where he earned three wins.
Alex Martin will move to the Troy Lee Designs KTM effort, looking to better his runner-up finish from last season with a title.
