Friday, June 16, 2017 at 9:47PM When Ricky Carmichael decides to come to Japan and pay the fans and racers a visit it means good times for everyone. Check out this video from his journey. Transworld image and video.
Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 9:23PM
Word is, Red Bull / KTM’s Trey Canard is possibly making his return to action for this weekend’s 2017 High Point National. We have not personally gotten confirmation on this, and Trey says in the video “Red Bud or so” for his return. In this recent video from Blake Shipman, Trey looks ready to rock. The #41 looks good on the KTM outdoors.
BShipman Films produces some of the world wide web’s most original content from Off-road sports to BMX, with a hint of comedy and a HUGE dose of action!
Video by: BShipman Films
Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 9:21PM 
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings has really turned up the heat on his competition as the MXGP class head to Italy for next week’s MXGP of Lombardia, at the Ottobiano Motorsport Circuit.
From the last five rounds, Herlings has been the most consistent of the MXGP top four, the remaining riders with a shot at winning this year’s championship. Herlings has scored four moto wins, a GP win, and a handful of podium finishes. His score tally of 207 points, nine more points in the same period than series leader Antonio Cairoli, 24 more than second placed man Clement Desalle and 19 more than Gautier Paulin.
While the 2017 MXGP championship seems firmly in the hands of Herlings KTM team-mate (Cairoli), second overall is something very possible for Herlings.
We caught up with the Flying Dutchman today to ask him about Russia and what he expects from the next round in Italy.
MXLarge: We have talked about it before, if you get the start you seem like the fastest guy, but last weekend you got the start and you still had bad luck. I can imagine it’s frustrating getting two good starts and one of them no working out. How did it feel on the weekend?
Herlings: First moto we almost got the start and we followed Tony and when the opportunity was there, we passed him and had a solid moto win. I felt that was a good achievement. I mean Tony is the championship leader and a very good rider, so to pass him straight up, just like I did in Germany, was good. Second moto another good start, I was third or fourth I think, and I think I might have touched the back wheel of Desalle. I am not 100% sure, but I think I did and my front washed away and I tipped over. I then made a couple of other crashes, but once I tipped over in the first corner and was full of mud I knew it was going to be a long moto. I managed to get to 8th and second overall. We gained two positions in the championship and like 45 points to second, so hopefully we can get on the podium in the championship. The championship is over, unless something happens to Tony, and I don’t wish a rider to get hurt.
MXLarge: Over the last five rounds you have been the most consistent guy. Do you think that 45 points is possible to close up, are you confident about that?
Herlings: I mean, it’s difficult, because Clement and Gautier are both consistent at the moment and are good riders. I mean I was like 15th in the championship after four rounds and I am up to fourth. I mean with the tracks coming up, I think it’s possible. Two or three sand races and Portugal is like a sand race. If we can get a good start and things go my way, I think I can make it up. We should be on the podium in the next four races and hopefully win a couple. I think if we get second in the championship it’s a great comeback. It’s almost like winning a championship. I mean 90 points down on Tony isn’t great, but look at Gajser, he has it, but one mistake and the championship is over.
MXLarge: You have to be due some championship luck?
Herlings: For sure, it’s not always been lucky in the past, some bad luck, but I guess I don’t want anyone to get injured in this sport, you never wish a rider to get hurt. If Ton got injured it would mean the championship is open. A lot of riders got injured this year and it can happen to me or Tony.
MXLarge: Heading to the next Grand Prix in a little over a week, back to the track you got injured in the pre-season. Obviously, you have ridden the 450 a lot and are better prepared, but do you go to Ottobiano with any worries about that pre-season crash?
Herlings: No, you can crash anywhere at any track, at any time. That was just bad luck and I just had a small crack in my hand. I am not scared to go back there, in fact I am really motivated. I feel I am on a bit of a roll, being on the podium three of the last four rounds, and obviously in France we had bad luck, but we showed we can ride the winners speed. I think we will attack the track, and we are improving my starts and with KTM, it’s great to work with the same goal. We are a great level, but we want to be better and we want to stay number one.
MXLarge: I heard you interview with David Bulmer for vitalmx in America and you mentioned you feel like you have done 1000s of starts in practice. Those two good starts in Russia, that must really give you the confidence that you can do it every weekend now?
Herlings: I mean, you also have to be a little bit lucky, because even if you get a good start and you have somebody like Tony next to you and he has his elbows in front, then it’s over. I think, at the start of the season I might have been too heavy, and I have lost a lot of weight, but still, if you are next to Tony or Glenn (Coldenhoff) and those guys are like 12 kilos less, then it’s difficult. Also with 450, I didn’t know how to start with that bike, so I didn’t know how to get starts with it, with body language, two feet next to the bike, the rpm level. On the 250 we knew how to do it, because we had been on that bike for so long. On the 450, it was all new and we found out with some data, that I was doing a lot of things wrong. In this MXGP class, you need to do everything right, and it’s not just drop the clutch and go, you need to do like 10 to 15 things right. The right rpm, shift at the right moment, the body language, so many things and it’s in the blink of the eye and you can be either 15th or first.
MXLarge: Last question. When you have had a good start, or gotten to the front quickly, you have been pretty dominant, like you get the lead and you are gone, similar to your MX2 days. Does it feel that way? I know you have a lot of respect for the MXGP field, but do you think you could get to the MX2 level, where you dominated?
Herlings: It’s true, and it was like that in Germany, I got a good start, passed Desalle, passed Cairoli, and won the moto, same thing Latvia, two good starts, won both moto’s, last weekend first moto, top three start and I won the moto. Every moto where I have had a good start, I have won, so it means I have the speed to win at any track, hard-pack, sand or mud. We want top five starts and I feel like the speed is there, so we still need to work on the start. In this field, the start is super, super important. Man, I was getting nightmares thinking what can I do, what can I do. It all must go naturally and you can’t force it. At one point, you have to say this is what I got and I need to make the best of it. Studying other riders and trying to get better.
Ray Archer images
Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 9:13PM 
While it might be Antonio Cairoli who now leads the Italian motocross scene, with his eight world motocross championships and 80 GP wins, nearly 20 years ago it was very much another rider who strode into the record books as the best Italian rider ever.
Alessio Chiodi a three-time Grand Prix motocross world champion made a name for himself in the late 1990’s and will always be remembered for his domination on the 125xx/MX2 class in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
He was the 1997 F.I.M. world champion in the 125cc class on a Yamaha. The following year he switched to the Husqvarna factory racing team and repeated as 125cc world champion. In 1999, Chiodi won his third consecutive 125cc world championship, also on a Husqvarna. Chiodi was also a member of the winning Italian teams in the 1999 and 2002 Motocross des Nations.
Chiodi, who was a free spirit, with his dreadlocks and passionate attitude to racing, was a breath of fresh air for the sport, a sport he dominated in the 125cc class for many years.
I remember once doing an interview with the Italian legend, and him mentioning how he wasn’t even interesting in the glory of being known, but preferred to sit at his home and just relax, a humble man, with a determination that made him one of the true legends of the sport.
In 1993 Chiodi finished top ten in the 125cc championship with 238 points, just behind him was now KTM boss Pit Beirer, and the champion that year was Dutchman Pedro Tragter.
A year later Chiodi had risen to second in the world behind Bobby Moore, the difference of just 48 points separating the two. It was clear that the Italian was a future champion.
Unfortunately, though 1995 would not be the year as he had a huge battle with fellow Italian Alessandro Puzar. Puzar making something of a return to the top having won the 250cc championship back in 1990, the older Italian would beat Chiodi by just three points, taking the championship victory in the very last round in Germany with 1-2 results compared to the 2-3 score by Chiodi.
Behind them finished a young Frenchman by the name of Sebastien Tortelli. At just 16 years old Tortelli could win the 125cc title in 1996, beating home British rider Paul Malin.
Chiodi however had made the move to the 250cc class, a move that didn’t do his improvement any good, as he finished down in 16th place in the points race.
A year later and with Tortelli moving up to the 250cc class, Chiodi moved back down to the 125cc classification, and this is when his legend began. Again, it was the battle between the two Italian riders, Chiodi versus Puzar, but this time Chicco as he was known to the fans would win by a margin of 40 points, again it went down to the final GP of the season in Holland.
With his first championship in the bank Chiodi moved to the Factory Husqvarna team, and this was an era that nobody could beat the little Italian. Victory in 1998 and 1999, plus victory in the MXoN with Italy in 99 saw him arrive as the best little bike rider in the world.
His reign at the top didn’t last much longer though, a wrist injury at the Bologna Supercross in Italy saw him drop out of contention for the world championships. He missed most of 2000, finished sixth in the 250cc championship in 2001, 10th in 2002. He dropped back down to the MX2 class in 2003 and finished 8th, even finished a stunning fourth in 2004, but was more than 200 points down in New Zealand’s Ben Townley by season end.
Chiodi did make one last charge at the FIM Motocross World Championship with his last hurray in 2005 when he finished third behind Andrew McFarlane and Alessio Chiodi in the MX2 championship. A brilliant performance for a rider who had already captured three world titles, and several top three moto finishes showed there was still some fight on the old dog.
2006 and a 12th place in the MX2 series was enough for the legendary Chiodi to call it a day. The new era of Italian riders had arrived, and led by Antonio Cairoli, Chiodi had nothing more to prove, and while he did race the odd international event, or Italian championship event, his place amongst the world elite was over.
Now retired Chiodi earnt his place in the motocross hall of fame, and will always be remembered as the greatest Italian rider, until Antonio Cairoli turned up.
Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 8:53PM 
While Italy might be known for its pizza, pasta and magnificent cities, it is also the land of Antonio Cairoli and motocross, and in recent times the MXGP champion has introduced massive amounts of non-motocross fans to our sport.
It isn’t just Cairoli though who has helped Italian people come to love the sport of motocross. In recent years, it’s been circuits like Mantova, Maggiora and Pietramurata that have brought the southern European country action and excitement. Huge crowds, beautiful weather and typical Italian warmth has seen Italy shine.
In years gone past there have been many GP’s held in the south of Europe. From that very first Italian Grand Prix held in the famous motorsport city of Imola there has been a steady growth for motocross in Italy.
For seven years, between 1957 and 1963 Imola held the 500cc GP and many legends won at that circuit, including Bill Nilsson, Sten Lundin and Rolf Tibblin. The Swedish heroes owned those first seven years, with Nilsson winning in 57 and 61, Lundin in 58, 59 and 60 and Tibblin taking the top step of the podium in 62 and 63.
Many magnificent circuits have followed on from Imola, from Gallarate, Cingoli, Faenza, Asti, Castiglione del Lago and Montevarchi. All typical Italian circuits, cut into the side of a mountain or hillside. Rock hard, where throttle control was of a maximum. A challenge for every single motocross racer, as Ryan Villopoto found out in 2015 in Pietramurata.
In recent years many highlight events have happened in Maggiora, of course the home of the 1986 Motocross of Nations, and again in 2016. Sadly, this circuit has been taken off this year’s schedule, and replaced. Let’s hope we see Maggiora return, and as soon as possible.
A lot of people will think about the 2009 Motocross of Nations, held at the Autodromo di Franciarcorta circuit in Italy, the first time this event had returned to Italy since Maggiora in 86. That 2009 MXoN was a turning point for the sport in Europe as riders like Antonio Cairoli and Gautier Paulin took it to the American riders. Sure, Team USA took the trophy that year, but the writing was on the wall that the sports leadership was in change, and just three years later Europe had taken over as the world power in motocross. A reign they continue to hold now in 2017.
Italian legends such as Michele Rinaldi, Andrea Bartolini, Alessio Chiodi, Alex Puzar, David Philippaets and Antonio Cairoli have made sure the Italian public had something to scream about, and the delight for the massive numbers of spectators that arrived at the Italian Grand Prix’s continued to grow.
Now we head to Ottobiano Motorsport Circuit for the next leg of the FIM Motocross World Championship, and the MXGP of Lombardia. A sand circuit that has seen pre-season Italian championship races, but never a Grand Prix.
In a little over a weeks’ time, the riders, mechanics, team owners, media and Youthstream will arrive, as this great tradition with Italy continues.
Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 12:23PM 
The AMA KENDA SRT National Hare & Hound series returned to the state of Utah for round six hosted by X12 and USRA and SIDRA. Rocky hill climbs, steep canyons and wide-open grassy fields made for a course that was a jack of all trades.
Considering round six plays as the last race before Summer break, riders were out to give it all they had in effort to gain valuable points. In the build up to the event JCR Honda rider, and 2016 champion Ricky Brabec confirmed he would miss the event.
Off the start, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Jacob Argubright looked to have the holeshot wrapped up until Tuffy Pearson edged him out at the turn onto the course. Over the next 5-miles, the top 5 settled into their place, until an unmarked turn sent both Jacob Argubright and Purvines DA8 Yamaha's Nick Burson into a river. The course error, unfortunately, ended both of their days with mechanical issues.
As the race went on, Purvines DA8 Yamaha's Axel Pearson held the lead on loop one with Tuffy Pearson, Taylor Robert and Gary Sutherlin behind. After coming through the pits and heading out to loop two, FMF KTM Factory Racing's Taylor Robert swiftly took the lead with Purvines DA8 Yamaha's Gary Sutherlin making the move into second.
A challenging loop three welcomed the racers with rocky terrain, steep uphills, and descents. Ultimately, it was Taylor Robert who would take the checkered flag first, followed by Gary Sutherlin and Tuffy Pearson. Pearsons per, who has been on the rise since returning from his racing hiatus just a couple months ago.
Finishing within the top 10 overall, the FMF Pro 250 class had an exciting race long battle of their own! Off the start, current points leader Tyler Lynn joined both Argubright and Burson in the river off the start, forcing him to DNF. Coming in from loop one, Ryan Karell led the competition 20-seconds over Daemon Woolslayer, Nick Tolman, Braydon Bland and Clayton Gerstner.
Over the second loop, Karell lost his lead as Tolman made the pass to get up front. Tolman maintained his pace in the lead, while Karell, Gerstner, Woolslayer and Bland all battled on the final loop for their podium spot. Ultimately, Tolman earned himself the class win ahead of Gerstner and Bland at the checkered flag, while Karell and Woolslayer finished top five.
The excitement of the Women's class continued as new contenders showed up to challenge the front runners. Women's Motocross talent Brandy Richards entered her first ever National Hare and Hound, while past National Hare and Hound Women's Champion Maggie Pearson returned to her first round in two years!
Coming in from loop one, Maggie Pearson led the entire Women's field coming in 25th overall. Unfortunately, a mechanical issue would cause her to DNF, allowing Britney Gallegos to advance. Richards keyed off of Gallegos in second, while Martinez-Coy fought to close the 3-minute gap.
Over the next two loops, the runnings stood consistently until Gallegos ultimately raced to the checkered flag with the win. Richards claimed second in her first ever NHHA event, while Martinez-Coy finished nearly 6-minutes behind.
Kacy Martinez-Coy maintains the points lead over Britney Gallegos and Stephanie Woolslayer heading into round 7.
Racing kicked off bright and early Saturday morning with the 50cc race. KTM mounted Ryker Sperry who took an early lead ahead of Brennen Watson, Grady Ballow, Tanner Smith and Sean Taylor Freeman. Over the course of the 30-minute, 3-lap race, the ranks shifted dramatically by the final lap. Both Sperry and Ballow suffered from a mishap that allowed Watson to advance with Smith and Freeman in tow to the finish line. Given the results, the points chase gets even MORE interesting as both Sperry and Watson now sit TIED heading into summer break.
In the Girls 12-15 class, local talent changed up the usual ranks, making for a solid day of competitive racing! But for Kortney Kearsley, a lead from start to finish would prove her impressive talent. Jaquel Bennet, who maintained 2nd place from start to finish, kept her head down to hammer out laps in an effort to catch Kearsley. Meanwhile, class points leader Kassidy Laswell made it out of a battle with Alijah Delatore and Emily Taylor to take the third place podium position.
What has become one of the most intense seasons of racing in the Big Wheel class, continued without disappointment as the action played out Saturday morning. Off the start, Mason Matthies, Hagen Boyce and Porter Black charged for the holeshot. But coming in from lap one, it was Davin Rhodes who led the group before ultimately being passed by Matthies. Meanwhile, Boyce and Black fought for the third overall position and ultimately secured them as Rhodes DNF'd on the second to last lap. Aaron Rhodes and Dawson Woods would round out the top five in a tough class of competition.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 2:03PM We’ve been keeping a watchful eye on Portuguese bike builder AJP as their PR7 rally bike transforms from prototype to bonafide racer. With the Africa Eco Race pencilled in for 2017, Henrique Nogueira puts the bike through it’s paces…
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 1:53PM 
Alpinestars Tech-Air™, the world’s most advanced active rider air bag system, has been honored at the annual Consumer Electronics Show Asia Innovation Awards in Shanghai, China. Celebrating outstanding product design and innovative engineering in new consumer technology products, Tech-Air™ took away the top prize in the ‘Wearables’ category.
Alpinestars Tech-Air™ is the world’s first and only independent airbag system providing complete critical full upper body protection. It functions without relying on external sensors, including GPS and can be used with any make or model of motorbike. Tech-Air™ uses a sophisticated algorithm which has been evolved over a decade of research and development, hundreds of thousands of miles of road testing and a multitude of full-scale crash tests in order to detect all types of crashes and ensure the airbag is fully inflated before the rider suffers an impact.
Alpinestars has launched two versions of the system Tech-Air™ Street (2014) and Tech-Air™ Race (2016). The technology is now available from Alpinestars dealers across Europe and markets worldwide.
Alpinestars is the world’s leading performance motorsports apparel, motorcycling airbag protection and technical footwear company. Developing performance technology with market leading style and innovation sets Alpinestars apart and today the company has headquarters and R&D facilities in Los Angeles and Italy, with regional offices in Tokyo and Bangkok.
Alpinestars leads the way in active air bag technology for riders and their passengers and the CES Innovation Award winning Tech-Air™ technology featured on the Alpinestars Stand and as part of the main technology exhibition at the CES Show in Shanghai, China, between 7 and 10 June 2017
Friday, June 9, 2017 at 8:12AM 
Parity in American Motocross is something that does not happen a whole lot. Every year, a clear favorite seems to find a rhythm and start clicking off consistent wins. In fact, in the 17 years that we have been in the new millennium, three 450MX Motocross championships have ended with only one rider winning every moto. Ricky Carmichael was the first rider to have a perfect season doing, it in 2002 and again in 2004. James Stewart followed with a perfect season in 2008. So when there are a lot of different riders who not only have a chance to win, but are actually winning, it is very noticeable.
The last two weeks in American Motocross have been wild. There have been eight motos ran: four at Glen Helen and four at Thunder Valley. Both classes ran two motos at each race, and they produced a result that has not occurred seen since May 28, 2000. In eight possible races over two weeks, eight different riders won a Moto. Here is a look at how the motos laid out at Glen Helen and Thunder Valley:
It is incredible. Last year, only three riders won motos in the 450MX class all season long and now four different winners have won motos in two weeks. So when was the last time this happened? Well, you have to go all the way back to the second and third rounds of the 2000 MX season. In 2017, it was also the second and third round where this strange occurrence happened but this happened at Glen Helen and Thunder Valley. Back then, rounds two and three took place at Hangtown and High Point. This was also back when the classes were still regarded as the 125cc and 250cc classes instead of the four-stroke era 250MX and 450MX classes. Here is how it broke down back then:
It took 17 years for it to happen again, and it seems so weird that it would happen now. If someone told me that this would have happened in the 2017 Motocross season and that Eli Tomac would not be one of the guys to have won a moto during this bizarre stretch, I would have laughed. Tomac has had some bad luck during this span, so he is very capable of turning things around once the series resumes in a week and a half at High Point. But for now, we have five different moto winners in both classes after six motos this season.
Looking at this eight moto run of ridiculous unpredictability, there is one thing different about this 2017 sequence when compared to what happened back in 2000. With eight different moto winners, you would have to believe that there would be four different overall winners as well; assuming that one of the riders who won a moto, also won the overall. Well, that’s not quite how it went down. In 2017, there were four different overall winners, but there were only three different overall winners. This happened because David Vuillemin won back-to-back weeks by going 2-2 for the overall at Hangtown and then 3-1 for the overall at High Point in the 250cc class. Even though he didn’t win a moto at Hangtown, he still claimed the overall. This actually connects the 2000 sequence to 2017 in a weird way as Zach Osborne won the 250MX overall at Glen Helen going 4-2 even though he did not win a moto in the past two weeks.
Realistically, I don’t bring this up to say that we are really in for a wild year now. History shows that multiple successive race winners are a very rare occurrence and the chances of this trend continuing are slim to none. In 2000, Ricky Carmichael ended up winning the 250cc championship by 83 points over Sebastien Tortelli. There is still a lot of racing left but that also means there is plenty of time for someone to find their groove and go on a winning streak. No matter what happens, nobody could have predicted this wild start to the season and it has certainly made for some great racing.
Thursday, June 8, 2017 at 1:29PM Get an adrenaline rush as you ride along with professional Motocross and Supercross racer, Jeremy Martin, at the Glen Helen Raceway in this year's 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season
