Covington wins in Mexico

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American rider Thomas Covington has won the Grand Prix of Mexico with a 4-1 results. The Factory Husqvarna rider copied his Mexican victory from last year, and moved inside the top ten in the MX2 standings. Jeremy Seewer the red plate owner finished with 1-4 for second overall and third overall was Julien Lieber with 3-3 results.

Thomas Covington: Its unbelievable, so glad to be here, travelling and racing my dirt bike. Its probably the best moto of my career that second moto. I wasn’t sure I could pass for the lead, but I got through. The team do so much for me, even when I am struggling. I just can’t believe it.

Jeremy Seewer: First moto I took the lead and could control the lead, second moto I came to third and made a small mistake and lost energy and finished second overall. Disappointed, but happy with the red plate. Going back to Europe with it.

Julien Lieber: I am really happy with my weekend. We had a lot of battled and the track was really tough. I got third in both motos and third overall.

Jonass took the holeshot in the opening MX2 moto, but it was Seewer who took the lead early from Jonass, Lieber, Vlaanderen, Covington, Bogers, Paturel, Sterry, Van Doninck, and Brylyakov in 10th. Sterry made a mistakes and dropped to 17th place, and Prado was back in 18th place.

Jonass dropped back to fourth, but started to look for a way past Lieber as he tried to get to Seewer. Bogers moved into fifth place as he passed Covington. Covington made his way back past Bogers and started closing in on Jonass, but then suddenly Paturel made his way past Covington to drop him back to sixth.

Seewer pulled it to three seconds ahead over Vlaanderen, and behind them a big group of riders were fighting for fifth place, with Paturel, Covington, Bogers, Van Doninck and Olsen all together.
Brylyakov went down, and lost a bunch of positions. Meanwhile Vlaanderen was starting to get pressure from Lieber and Jonass who were closing in on the South African. Paturel was also making up time on those three guys.

Olsen was riding well, moving into 8th place after a poor start. Sterry, Lawrence and Prado were 13th, 14th and 15th.

The battle between Vlaanderen, Lieber and Jonass was very close as Jonass moved into second place. Paturel is all over those three, as the racing continued to be brilliant in the MX2 class. Lieber also gets Vlaanderen as the three riders nearly collided with each other in a wild moment. Paturel also went past and into fourth place. Seewers lead was nine seconds after nine laps.

Top ten after nine laps was Seewer, Jonass, Lieber, Paturel, Vlaanderen, Covington, Van Doninck, Olsen, Cervellin, and Sterry. Covington had also worked his way up to Vlaanderen and was pushing hard to get past. Lieber moved into second, dropping Jonass to third.

Paturel then made his way past Lieber for second place, as Jonass dropped to fourth. Seewer was cruising up front with a 12 second lead. Covington, who had passed Vlaanderen, then caught and passed Jonass for fourth place. Top 10 after 16 laps was Seewer, Paturel, Lieber, Covington, Jonass, Vlaanderen, Olsen, Van Doninck, Cervellin, and Sterry.

Seewer won though from Paturel and Lieber.

In the second MX2 moto Covington took the holeshot, but Jonass quickly took the lead, followed by Covington, Lieber, Prado, Van Doninck, Sterry, Prado, Seewer, Vlaanderen, Bogers and Cervellin in 10th.
While Jonass led, once again the battle for second was exciting with Covington closing on the leader, and Lieber, Van Doninck and Seewer all close together. Lieber, Van Doninck and Seewer were all over eachother in a great battle, as Jonass and Covington pulled away.

Seewer got past Van Doninck, and Covington was also all over Jonass for the lead.

Top 15 after six laps was Jonass, Covington, Lieber, Seewer, Van Doninck, Sterry, Olsen, Brylyakov, Vlaanderen, Bogers, Cervellin, Bernardini, Paturel, Prado, and Lawrence.

Covington moved into the lead and also held the GP overall. Seewer though was all over Lieber and a pass would see him take the overall victory.

Suddenly both Lieber and Seewer were closing on Jonass in second place. Seewer passed Lieber to take third and the lead in the overall points.

Top fifteen after nine laps was Covington, Jonass, Seewer, Lieber, Van Doninck, Sterry, Olsen, Brylyakov, Bogers, Cervellin, Paturel, Vlaanderen, Bernarnini, Lawrence and Larranaga.

Seewer nearly went down after losing the front end, and kept control of this Suzuki, losing a place to Lieber and the overall.

Covington had opened his lead to seven seconds with two laps to go, and still held the overall points lead.

With a lap to go Lieber made a small error and Seewer got a little closer, but the Belgian was giving it everything to stay in third place behind Covington and Jonass. Covington wins the moto and the GP.

MX2 – Grand Prix Race 1 – Classification

1 91 Seewer, Jeremy SUI FMS Suzuki 35:36.310
2 6 Paturel, Benoit FRA FFM Yamaha 35:44.232
3 33 Lieber, Julien BEL FMB KTM 35:49.401
4 64 Covington, Thomas USA MUL Husqvarna 35:54.861
5 41 Jonass, Pauls LAT LAMSF KTM 35:56.223
6 10 Vlaanderen, Calvin NED KNMV KTM 35:58.467
7 19 Olsen, Thomas Kjer DEN DMU Husqvarna 35:59.595
8 172 Van doninck, Brent BEL FMB Yamaha 36:03.763
9 747 Cervellin, Michele ITA FMI Honda 36:09.504
10 811 Sterry, Adam GBR ACU Kawasaki 36:16.085

HRC Rally Team

HRC – Abu Dhabi Rally

Monster Energy Honda Team begin the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship campaign this weekend with the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Paulo Gonçalves and Kevin Benavides line up for the race.

After kicking off the season successfully with American Ricky Brabec clinching a notable victory at the Sonora Rally, Monster Energy Honda Team now field team-mates Paulo Gonçalves and Kevin Benavides in Abu Dhabi for the start of the world championship. The team returns to the race following last year’s absence.

Portuguese rider Paulo Gonçalves returns to the action in the Middle East after post-Dakar vacations. Paulo – a previous winner in the 2014 edition – will be looking for a prudent re-entry to racing, particularly as Abu Dhabi presents plenty of potential dangers involving dunes, high-speeds and a high degree of technical navigation.

Argentina’s promising young Kevin Benavides makes an Abu Dhabi debut with a return to competitions after an injury picked up just days before the start of the Dakar 2017. With various right hand fractures behind him the rider from Salta is ready to go full-throttle on the Honda CRF450 RALLY.

The two Monster Energy Honda Team riders are scheduled to take part in every round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship with the first stop at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, which gets underway from the Yas Marina on 31st March with the technical and administrative shake-down.

Stage	Date	Total Km	Special Km
Super Special	1 April	Yas Marina Circuit
Stage 1	2 April	418.96	276.59
Stage 2	3 April	521.18	283.39
Stage 3	4 April	379.90	288.73
Stage 4	5 April	396.42	250.25
Stage 5	6 April	357.25	219.76

Competitors can look forward to over 2000 kilometres of course with 1300 km of special stage against the clock (64% of the total length). The curtain-raising Super Special will get the show up and running on Saturday 1st April and will decide the starting order for the first full-stage in the Liwa Desert. The event wraps up on 6th April at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Paulo Goncalves Two and a half months after the Dakar and a short holiday, we are back racing again, this time in Abu Dhabi. I’m happy to race here and things usually turn out well; this will be my fifth participation, three of which I’ve finished on the podium. I even won in 2014. I hope to be in the battle for the top positions as this is a nice rally and it would be a great way to start the season.

Kevin Benavides For me this is the first race of the year and it’s the first one since I had the accident just before the Dakar. Three months have passed now since the crash. I’ve worked really hard to come back and I’m very happy to be in Abu Dhabi for the first time – it’s a beautiful place. I can’t wait to be able to get back on the bike and feel those sensations again. I’m going to tackle this race without pressure, try and enjoy it and get some kilometres under my belt.

The Really Early Days of MX

Joel Robert MXGP 1964

Here's Mud In Your Eye!

 German enduro’s mud hole muddy mess!

Two strokes are everywhere and check out the two guys with the hooks. 

Colton Haaker Wins World SuperEnduro

Colton Haaker Crowned 2017 SuperEnduro World Champion

 

   

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

Colton Haaker has won the 2017 FIM Maxxis SuperEnduro World Championship at the final round of the season on France.

Successfully defending his title, the American put his Husqvarna on the top step of the championship podium for the second year in a row.

• Colton Haaker wins the 2017 SuperEnduro World Championship.
• Alfredo Gomez won the Prestige class overall in France.
• Blake Gutzeit is the new SuperEnduro Junior World Champion.
• Travis Teasdale claimed a debut Junior class overall victory.
• Mike Hartmann is the European Cup champion.
• It was a full house in France, with the arena sold out.

It was a night of celebration for South Africa, with Yamaha mounted Blake Gutzeit winning the SuperEnduro Junior World Championship, while in the European Cup the night and the title belonged to German Mike Hartmann (Husqvarna).

Securing his second consecutive overall podium, KTM’s Alfredo Gomez was the victor in the GP AMV of France Prestige class, while Travis Teasdale (KTM) of South Africa claimed a debut overall in the Junior category.

 

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

 

“Amazing — absolutely incredible to have won my second world title,” told Haaker. “It’s been a great season, there’s been some fantastic battles at every round, so to come away with the #1 plate is fantastic for myself, my family, my mechanic Josh and of course Husqvarna.”

For Gutzeit, the GP AMV of France in Albi, was also a night to saviour when he claimed his debut world crown.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” told Gutzeit. “I’ve worked so hard for this for so long. To become a world champion is an amazing feeling and one that’s not yet really sunk in. It’s going to take some time getting used to that.”

 

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

 

Kicking things off inside the packed to capacity Exhibition Centre of Alibi it was KTM’s Jonny Walker who once again secured the Akrapovic SuperPole, setting the fastest lap time around the demanding course. His SuperPole win in France also earned him the overall Akrapovic SuperPole title.

With just 11 points separating Haaker and Gomez in the title fight, everything was still to play for when the gate dropped in Prestige heat one. However it was Walker who put his KTM out front and managed to secure a comfortable win. Haaker crossed the line in second while Gomez was third.

The reversed start for heat two saw Gomez work his way to the front to take the win. Mistakes in the Motorex Oils Rock Garden held Walker back to an eventual third with Haaker once again picking up second. 

Holding a small points buffer entering the final heat, Haaker had the advantage. Gomez was determined to end his night on a high and claimed his second victory of the night to take the overall win. Walker raced his way to second, with Haaker — content in third —crossed the finish line to become world champion.

 

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

 

With Gomez, Walker and Haaker placing 1-2-3 on the night, 2016 SuperEnduro Junior World Champion Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) delivered his best showing of the season for a very impressive fourth overall thanks to two fourth place results in heats one and two. 

Sherco’s Mario Roman ended his night fifth overall with Mike Brown (Husqvarna) completing the top six.

In the Junior class the night ultimately belonged to Gutzeit with the South African claiming his first world title. But it was fellow countryman Teasdale who took the top step of the podium thanks to his 2-3-1 race results.

 

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

 

Frenchman Max Vial had the 4,000 strong crowd on their feet when he delivered a win in heat two to eventually place second overall. Helped in part by his opening heat race win, Gutzeit also ended his night third overall.

Czech rider David Cyprian (KTM) was fourth while Chile’s Ben Herrera (TM) completed the top five.

In the European class Mike Hartmann (Husqvarna) proved unbeatable as he raced his way to a double victory and the European Cup title. 

Future MXoN?

MXoN – It’s Future!!

Here are some interesting comments, predictions, viewpoints about the future of Moto from mxlarge.com

The Monster Energy Motocross of Nations is the biggest motocross event of the year, and the next five years it is looking like it is going to some pretty cool places.

Of course, this year it will be held at maybe the best circuit on the calendar, Matterley Basin in England, next year we are likely to see it run at Redbud in America (once a deal is made), then 2019 in Assen, Holland, and some are saying it might go to a very good track in South America in 2020.

Sounds pretty good doesn’t it. England, USA, Holland, and Argentina would be a really nice run for this special event. After those there is talk about Teutschenthal in Germany, or Maggoria in Italy again, or maybe where the rebirth of the MXoN happened in 2005, Ernee.

Then you have a long list of circuits lining up to get their shot at the MXoN. The sports in a great place with 19 GPs and the MXoN in a really healthy state. Add the fact the USGP is now finally really going to be a big success, and the AMA Nationals are looking at fighting the expected 25 round AMA Supercross championship.

It’s going to be packed with racing in the future, and I don’t think anyone can really complain about that.

Also, the National championships in Holland, Italy, Germany, Belgium, England, and so many other countries continue to develop good young riders, in a somewhat easier atmosphere compared to previous eras.

Gajser, Honda Win Argentina GP

Gajser goes 1-1 in Argentina

HRC Factory rider Tim Gajser has gone 1-1 to win the Grand Prix of Argentina. The defending world MXGP champion also took the red plate with a 10 point lead over Antonio Cairoli. Second overall was Jeremy Van Horebeek and Bobryshev third overall.

“I am really happy, the weekend went perfect actually. The second race I had to work for it because Desalle was in front of me. I needed some laps to check the lines and then I was ok.”

Gajser won the opening moto of the MXGP class, at the Grand Prix of Argentina. It was a polished performance from the defending world champion, and a popular one. After the moto three men were within a few points of eachother in the championship, Cairoli, Gajser and Desalle. Exciting times for the MXGP class.

“Actually I am really happy. The track is so sketchy, and Jeremy was behind me all race and I just want to win the second one now.”

Bobryshev and Gajser took the first and second place on turn one, then came Van Horebeek, Tonus, Desalle, and Coldenhoff. Febvre was 11^th and Herlings was back in 18^th place.

Cairoli makes a mistake and drops back to 28^th position. Herlings up to 12^th on the first lap, and moving through fast.

Top ten after one lap was Gajser, Van Horebeek, Bobryshev, Desalle, Tonus, COldenhoff, Anstie, Paulin, Strijbos and Nagl.

Herlings in trouble again as he is back in 16^th place, Simpson was 13^th, and Cairoli up to 21^st place.

Gajser is once again controlling the race with a three second lead over Van Horebeek, and Tonus is out of the race after a good start.

Febvre on fire as he moves into fifth place and closed up on the top three guys. Cairoli breezes past Herlings and moves into 13^th place, relegating Herlings to 14^th.

Top ten after seven laps was Gajser, Van Horebeek, Bobryshev, Desalle, Febvre, Anstie, Jasikonis, Nagl, Paulin and Strijbos.

Febvre is right onto Bobryshev and Desalle, and is looking sure to make the pass on both guys. Cairoli up to 12^th place and Herlings still stick in 14^th position.

Febvre moves past Bobryshev, and Cairoli moves into ninth place as he passes Simpson. Brilliant riding by the Italian. Paulin makes a brilliant pass on Anstie to move into sixth place.

Herlings made a couple of passes to finish in 12th place.

Gajser wins it from Van Horebeek, and Desalle.

Desalle led early in the second MXGP moto, from Gajser, Bobryshev, Van Horebeek, Paulin, Coldenhoff, Butron, Herlings, Guillod, Febvre and Cairoli.

Cairoli crashed again and dropped well back, a bad day for the legend.

Desalle and Gajser got into a great battle, and Van Horebeek tried to get as close as he could. Gajser too good though as he passes the Kawasaki veteran.

A group of riders now behind Gajser, who had cleared away, but Desalle, Van Horebeek, Bobryshev, Paulin and Febvre start to make their own freight train.

Top ten after seven laps was Gajser, Van Horebeek, Desalle, Bobryshev, Paulin, Febvre, Herlings, Coldenhoff, Nagl and Cairoli.

Cairoli was flying, passes Nagl, Herlings, and Desalle to move into sixth place. Febvre went down and Cairoli continued to make up points.

Bobryshev goes past Van Horebeek, and Herlings moves up to sixth spot, his best finish this year.

Desalle and Febvre back in 9^th and 8^th and Coldenhoff out of the race with a bike problem. Nagl goes past a tiring Herlings.

Gajser wins it from Bobryshev and Van Horebeek.

 MXGP – Race 1 – Classification

1 243 Gajser, Tim SLO AMZS Honda 35:25.581
2 89 Van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL FMB Yamaha 35:32.731
3 25 Desalle, Clement BEL FMB Kawasaki 35:36.549
4 461 Febvre, Romain FRA FFM Yamaha 35:37.820
5 777 Bobryshev, Evgeny RUS MFR Honda 35:39.663
6 21 Paulin, Gautier FRA MCM Husqvarna 35:40.627
7 99 Anstie, Max GBR ACU Husqvarna 35:43.907
8 12 Nagl, Maximilian GER DMSB Husqvarna 35:44.849
9 222 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI KTM 35:45.592
10 24 Simpson, Shaun GBR ACU Yamaha 35:56.953
11 22 Strijbos, Kevin BEL FMB Suzuki 35:59.284
12 84 Herlings, Jeffrey NED KNMV KTM 36:05.306
13 27 Jasikonis, Arminas LTU LMSF Suzuki 36:07.144
14 259 Coldenhoff, Glenn NED KNMV KTM 36:19.421
15 92 Guillod, Valentin SUI FMS Honda 36:24.314

Colton Haaker...What Have You Got?

Riders seek motivation in many ways, SuperEnduro Colton Haaker found his inspiration for Saturday’s title fight by creating this video “You v’s Can’t”.

Sounds like the champ is coming out swinging — it’s game on for Saturday.

“This is how I have felt every time I have ridden a bike since I was seven years old,” Colton Haaker.

“I made this movie this week instead of doing a daily vlog. Making an actual movie is challenging and much different than a vlog. 

“I felt like I needed a little inspiration this week and this speech I found really spoke too me. Hoping to do more movies than just vlogs in the future. Hope you enjoy it.”

Gajser wins Argentina MXGP Qualifer

Tim Gajser Team Honda

HRC Factory rider Tim Gajser has won the MXGP qualification race with a solid performance at the Grand Prix of Argentina.

“It was good, I really enjoyed, the track is a little sketchy. I took the lead in the first lap and rode my own race. I am looking forward to tomorrow.”

Coldenhoff took a massive holeshot, but Gajser was onto him straight away. Gajser quickly came through to take the lead with Cairoli third. Herlings was well back in 31^st, Paulin in 33^rd and Nagl 35^th. All three going down in the first corner. Desalle was also involved.

After the first lap it was Gajser, Coldenhoff, Cairoli, Van Horebeek, Bobryshev, Salazar, Tixier, Tonus, Butron, Febvre, Simpson, Jasikonis, Strijbos, Goncalves and Lupino in 15^th.

Van Horebeek made his way past Cairoli and moved into third place, and then passed Coldenhoff for second place. Herlings and Desalle are on a charge into the top 20 and moving through fast. Tixier crashed out and lost a lot of places.

Herlings and Paulin are in a huge battle as they fight past the competition.

After three laps it’s Gajser with a lead of five seconds, from Van Horebeek, Coldenhoff, Cairoli, Bobryshev, Tonus, Simpson, Strijbos, Jasikonis, Anstie, Salazar, Febvre, Goncalves, Desalle, Lupino, Butron, Paulin, Leok, and Herlings.

Cairoli moves past Coldenhoff and Bobryshev was also onto Coldenhoff. Tonus and Simpson also began to give Coldenhoff a hard time.

After six laps it was Gajser, Van Horebeek, Cairoli, Bobryshev, Coldenhoff, Tonus, Simpson, Strijbos, Jasikonis, Anstie, Febvre, Desalle, Paulin, Butron, and Nagl in 15^th place.

The guys who got caught up in the first corner, Desalle, Paulin, Nagl and Herlings held 12^th, 13^th, 14^th and 15^th places.

With two laps to go a bunch of riders were looking to continue the relegation of Coldenhoff as Simpson, Anstie and Febvre line up behind him.

Gajser was just so much better than anyone else, with a six second lead. Tonus was looking good in fourth place, and his team-mate Simpson was back in 8^th place.

Gajser wins it from Van Horebeek, and Cairoli.

MXGP – Qualifying Race – Classification

1 243 Gajser, Tim SLO AMZS Honda 24:37.502
2 89 Van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL FMB Yamaha 24:41.786
3 222 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI KTM 24:43.363
4 4 Tonus, Arnaud SUI FMS Yamaha 24:53.625
5 777 Bobryshev, Evgeny RUS MFR Honda 24:54.469
6 22 Strijbos, Kevin BEL FMB Suzuki 24:55.209
7 27 Jasikonis, Arminas LTU LMSF Suzuki 24:59.496
8 24 Simpson, Shaun GBR ACU Yamaha 25:02.813
9 99 Anstie, Max GBR ACU Husqvarna 25:04.382
10 461 Febvre, Romain FRA FFM Yamaha 25:05.785
11 259 Coldenhoff, Glenn NED KNMV KTM 25:11.073
12 12 Nagl, Maximilian GER DMSB Husqvarna 25:17.337
13 21 Paulin, Gautier FRA MCM Husqvarna 25:19.355
14 25 Desalle, Clement BEL FMB Kawasaki 25:23.351
15 84 Herlings, Jeffrey NED KNMV KTM 25:24.819

Tour Fly Racing and WPS

Take a tour of the Fly Racing/WPS headquarters in Boise, Idaho. Fly is so much more than just dirt bike riding gear be sure to check out the hard parts display. After watching this tour who wouldn't want to be part of the Fly Racing family?  Follow along as Kyle Gills give you an in depth look at the facility, including the marketing department, gym, their massive warehouse, and most importantly, the company track.