The Fat Lady Is Warming Up!

Dungey wins Atlanta

The inaugural MotoFest, The World’s Greatest Motocross Festival, continued on Saturday with the second night of a historic action-packed weekend. The annual visit of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, to the heart of the south signified the series’ 26th and final visit to the legendary Georgia Dome. A crowd of 60,074 fans were on hand to bid farewell at the eighth round of the 2017 season and watched on as reigning 450SX Class Champion Ryan Dungey led wire-to-wire to secure his second victory of the season aboard his Team Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine. In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne broke through for the first win of his career, taking over control of the points lead along with it.

Dungey’s path to victory started right off the start of the 450SX Class Main Event, where he earned his second SupercrossLive.com Holeshot of the season over Smartop/MotoConcepts Racing Honda’s Mike Alessi and RMATV/MC-WPS-KTM’s Blake Baggett. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac, who had won three of the last four races entering Atlanta, started in ninth.

The clear track allowed Dungey to assert himself out front and open a gap of more than a second by the completion of the opening lap. Alessi soon came under fire from Baggett, who was able to move into second on Lap 2. Alessi then faced a challenge from RCH/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Justin Bogle and Team Honda HRC’s Cole Seely. Bogle passed Alessi on Lap 3 and briefly held onto the position until Seely took advantage of an inside line below both riders to jump from fifth to third.

Tomac mounted a charge through the field that saw him move into podium contention about the halfway point of the Main Event. Laying down some of the fastest laps of any rider on the track, he moved into fourth on Lap 7 and closed in on Seely just a couple laps later. Tomac successfully made the pass on the Honda rider on Lap 9 and fended off a counter attack from Seely. From there the Kawasaki rider set his sights on Baggett for second. He made up large chunks of time and soon found himself in a position of attack, diving under Baggett to start Lap 16 and taking away the KTM rider’s line. At this point Tomac faced a deficit of just over seven seconds to Dungey with about five and a half minutes left in the race.

Dungey and Tomac traded fast laps throughout the remainder of the Main Event, with Tomac closing to within three seconds on the final lap, but the reigning back-to-back titleholder held on for his 33rd career win, 1.5 seconds ahead of Tomac.

Dungey’s win was his fifth inside the Georgia Dome in the 450SX Class, tying him for the most all time, and also signified the third consecutive year he’s won in Atlanta. The Dome was the site of Dungey’s first ever Monster Energy Supercross win in the 250SX Class, all the way back during the 2007 season.

“The start [was key], for sure. I was really able to drive off the [start] gate good and held it into the [first] corner. As all the guys shot wide I was able to tuck under and get the holeshot,” said Dungey. “This track was key for that, it was very hard to really make a lot of time on guys. I wanted to get out front and we did that. I saw Eli [Tomac] coming at the end, but wanted to just keep things easy [on myself]. A win is a win.”

Tomac’s runner-up effort was his first podium finish of the season that wasn’t a win.

“I’m satisfied [with the result]. That [race] was tough. [The start] didn’t really happen in the Heat Race either, and it’s something I’ll look back on,” said Tomac. “I really need to be better off the start, that’s how important they are. But no excuses, Ryan [Dungey] straight up beat us tonight and got the start. I did what I could.”

Baggett captured his second career podium result in third.

Dungey moved out to a 25-point lead over Tomac, who moved into second, in the 450SX Class standings. Dungey’s Red Bull KTM teammate Marvin Musquin, who finished fifth, dropped to third, 27 points out of the lead.

For the second straight week, Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s Jordon Smith grabbed the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot to start the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Main Event, edging out Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Dylan Ferrandis. Behind them, Smith’s Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM teammate Alex Martin and Osborne battled for third. Ferrandis then crashed out of second, handing the spot to Martin, while Osborne slotted into third. Entering points leader and last week’s winner Joey Savatgy found himself outside the top 10 in 11th aboard his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, eventually fighting his way into eight by the completion of the opening lap.

With Smith holding a comfortable lead out front, Osborne went to work on Martin and closed in heavily at the completion of Lap 2. After hounding the rear fender of his KTM rival for several corners he made the pass stick on Lap 3 and set his sights on the lead. Just a lap later Osborne closed in onto Smith’s rear fender as they completed Lap 4. He dove inside heading back onto the start straight and easily took over the lead, quickly opening a gap. As Osborne continued to pull away the KTM teammates of Smith and Martin engaged in battle for second, with Martin getting the upper hand on Lap 10 after Smith bobbled in the whoops.

The battle between the teammates wasn’t over yet, however, as Smith was able to mount a challenge of his own to get back by. They fought side-by-side on Lap 15 and made contact, which sent Smith to the ground. Martin continued in second, while Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Colt Nichols moved up into third, with Savatgy jumping into fourth and Smith remounting in fifth.

Osborne went unchallenged over the remainder of the Main Event and easily took the win 6.3 seconds ahead of Martin, who posted a career-best result in second in just his third trip to the podium. Nichols grabbed his second career podium result in third, while Savatgy salvaged a fourth-place finish to keep things close in the points.

Osborne’s maiden win came in his 49th career start. He became the 104th different 250SX Class winner in Monster Energy Supercross history. He’s the 13th different rider to claim his first career win in Atlanta, and is the 22nd different 250SX Class winner inside the Georgia Dome.

“I can’t explain [the feeling]. It hits home. I’ve worked so hard for this and there are hundreds of people that helped get me to this point,” said Osborne, who finished third last weekend. “Tonight was my night. I felt like I missed out on one [a win] last weekend. After I got a good start I felt like it was my turn to just get in there and make it happen. I got into the lead about halfway and it was easy from there.”

Osborne surpassed Savatgy atop the Eastern Regional standings and now holds a slim two-point lead over his Kawasaki rival. Smith dropped to third, seven points out of the lead.

The 2017 Monster Energy Supercross season continues next Saturday, March 4, with the championship’s lone visit outside the U.S. The ninth round will commence from Canada’s largest city of Toronto, inside the Rogers Centre. Broadcast coverage can be seen via tape delay on FS1 at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.

Savatgy stayed in the early championship race with a fourth-place finish.
Photo: Feld Entertainment, Inc.

Monster Energy Supercross
Georgia Dome – Atlanta
February 25, 2017

450SX Class Results
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki
3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., KTM
4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
5. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
6. Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda
7. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha
8. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., Honda
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Dean Wilson, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna

Tony Talks

Antonio Cairoli interview

Eight times world motocross champion, Antonio Cairoli continues to show that his career is long but over. The Italian legend, from the Red Bull KTM Factory team put together a brilliant performance to go 1-1 at the Losail circuit in Qatar. He spoke with the press, as did Tim Gasjer and Clement Desalle.

How is did you feel about the weekend?

“It was for sure a great weekend. I am happy, it’s my 13^th season in the world championship and happy to reach this goal. Not many riders have done it, and I have won a GP every year. The season started good with no injuries in the winter, so I could train better for the winter. I was looking forward to this GP. This week I was sick with flu and I took medication until Thursday, so I didn’t know how my reaction would be during the racing, but I enjoyed the racing. The track was pretty good and technical, so I managed to make some good lines, in some places. We saved some energy and I could push until the end of both motos. I am looking forward to the next one and we can have a good week of training. Even if we are not with the bike we can do physical training.

What about the second moto?

“The first moto I had the holeshot and everything is easy when you have the holeshot, so that made it a little easier. I made a good rhythm and made a gap. The second moto was also a good start and I tried to get close to Tim, but we made contact at the start and I thought I had broken my spokes. I was thinking I broke some spokes, because I kept hearing some noise, but it was just a stone on the disc. I started making better lines, but Tim was riding well and got away. Near the end I found some better lines and was able to get him again. In the end I made the pass. It was a spectacular race and nice to race with Tim like this. I hope we have more races like this, because it’s good for our sport.

How is your injury from last year?

“My elbow (injury from 2016) is ok now. Actually it was a nerve, that gave me problems all last year, and I didn’t have any feeling in my thumb, also less power than normal. I wasn’t riding well on the bike. We did some tests with the shocks and the power and I feel good on the bike again.

Your first victory here. How does it feel?

“The first time we came here I only won the super-final and Clement won the MXGP moto. It’s a first time for me to win here. I hope it isn’t the last time. It’s a great facility and I hope we can come back.

What about the depth of this MXGP class?

“This class is tough, maybe one of the toughest ever. We only had like 20 riders, but they were all good and that is great for the sport. We have all the GP winners. It’s the most competitive class for a long time. We can mix up the season and the points and it’s good to have so many good riders on the star grid.”

Tim Gajser: Actually, I am happy with the weekend. It didn’t start well. I was sick all weekend and still now, so I didn’t feel the best. I was able to make two good races. The first moto I didn’t have a great start and we had a fight with Boby and Clement, the whole race. It was tough to pass, because there was one fast line, and the other lines didn’t have the same speed, so you lost ground. I am happy with a third in the first race. I took a better start in the second moto, but Tony was pushing really hard and I made a gap in the middle of the race, but the end of the race I was destroyed and Tony was riding really good and passed me. I am happy with the weekend. I am really looking forward to the next one.

Clement Desalle: You know, it’s good to start with a podium. Yesterday I wasn’t happy. I didn’t have a good start and could only do 9^th place in the qualifier. Like Tim said it’s really difficult to pass, but today my start was better and I could get on the podium. I feel good in my body and on the bike and that is really important for me. I would like some good starts in all the races. I am happy to start the season with a podium, for the team and myself. I am looking for some victories of course and only with that will I be really happy. The first race is done and that is good. I am happy with everything. Actually, I didn’t change anything on the bike. It was more my mentality. Everything is going on in the second corner. If you are 8^th or 9^th you are already finished for the podium

Qatar MXGP Goes to Cairoli

Cairoli wins MXGP

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Antonio Cairoli has won the opening MXGP GP of the season, with a brilliant 1-1 score, giving KTM their second victory of the weekend. Tim Gajser finished second overall with 3-2 results and third was Clement Desalle with 2-4 scores.

Antonio Cairoli: You know in the beginning I tried to pass him and I hit him and I thought I had trouble with the spokes and I slowed. But then it felt ok and I started pushing again. I am really happy with this double victory. Unfortunately I was sick with the flu, so I wasn’t 100% on wednsday and thursday, so I took medication yesterday, and it was the first day I stopped throwing up. For sure I  will be more fit for the next one. I don’t know how it feels to have the red plate, two long years, but I try and keep it.

Tim Gajser: I am happy with the weekend. Coming here I felt sick all weekend and didn’t feel good on the bike all weekend. Second moto I felt better, but the last couple of laps I lost concentration and made some mistakes. I am looking forward to next weekend.

Clement Desalle: Actually, I wasn’t happy about yesterday. The start was important and I knew today it would be more important. Second moto I and a good start and its great to start the season like this.

Moto one

Cairoli won the opening MXGP moto of the season, winning his sixth moto of the season, to go with his five Italian championship moto wins. The Italian looks sharp again, as the youngster all struggle with sickness and injury.

“I am really happy, felt great to be back on the top spot. The season is long and we try and stay in the top three and 2015 and 2016 were not my best, so we try and do this more often.”

Cairoli takes the holeshot from Bobryshev and Gajser, followed by Nagl, Febvre, Anstie, Van Horebeek, Strijbos, Lupino, Nicholls in 10th. Herlings is down in 16th.

Desalle gets past Gajser and moved into third place, and Nicholls joins Simpson are the very back of the pack. Anstie also dropped to 16th place and is well back.

Cairoli is gone, as he already has a lead of around four seconds. Herlings is flying and has worked his way into sixth place, but is 11 seconds down in the leader.

After four laps the lead by Cairoli was seven seconds, with Bobryshev second, and Desalle third. Then came Gajser, Van Horebeek, Herlings, Paulin, Nagl, Tonus, and Tixier 10th.

Herlings started struggling big time as he had to move over and let the group behind him past. After seven laps he was back in 11th.

While the lead by Cairoli was large, the battle for second between Bobryshev and Desalle was very close and Gajser wasn’t too far behind these guys.

After 10 laps the top ten is Cairoli, Bobryshev, Desalle, Gajser, Van Horebeek, Paulin, Nagl, Tonus, Febvre, and Tixier. Herlings is now 13th.

Cairoli continued to control the race with a 15 second lead after 14 laps, and Desalle had moved into second place, followed by Bobryshev, Gajser, Van Horebeek, Paulin, Tonus, Febvre, Nagl, and Tixier.

Gajser makes a great pass on Bobryshev as the riders entered the last lap. Once past his team-mate Gajser started clocking in quick lap times and was catching Desalle in second.

Herlings drops to 18th place, and is struggling big time. Also struggling are COldenhoff in 16th and Simpson in 17th.

Cairoli wins it from Desalle and Gajser.

Moto two

Cairoli had the lead early, but was quickly passed  by Gajser and Febvre, the two young guns wanting to take control again.

After the first corner its Gajser, Cairoli, Febvre, Desalle, Paulin, Coldenhoff, Van Horebeek, Nagl, Anstie, Bobryshev and Tixier.

After two laps it was Gajser leading by a second to Cairoli, Febvre, Desalle, Paulin, Van Horebeek, Coldenhoff, Nagl, Bobryshev, Tixier, Anstie, Herlings, Simpson, Strijbos, Goncalves.

Cairoli makes ground on Gajser, but seems to be pushing really hard. As was the case in the first moto Gajser looks a lot more controlled than in 2016.

The top two guys have pulled well away from third placed Febvre. Herlings up to 11^th, and 12 points to his name until this point.

Desalle is pushing hard to try and get past Febvre, and another veteran Cairoli is all over Gajser.

Gajser was able to make a break from Cairoli and after 11 laps the lead was three seconds, and Febvre was also pushing a little harder and was suddenly two seconds ahead of Desalle.

Top ten after 11 laps was Gajser, Cairoli, Febvre, Desalle, Paulin, Van Horebeek, Bobryshev, Coldenhoff, Tixier and Anstie in 10^th. Herlings is 11^th.

Gajser has broken well away from the Italian, but the GP victory should still go the the KTM rider. After 13 laps the lead was four seconds, and the race should go to the defending world champion.

Tough class as guys like Guillod, Tonus, Nagl and Simpson are in 21^st, 20^th, 16^th and 13^th.

Massive battle between Cairoli and Gajser is a beauty, but the Italian legend burst by for the victory and the GP win. In the second last lap Cairoli was four seconds quicker than Gajser.

MXGP – Race 1 – Classification

1 222 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI KTM 35:02.202
2 25 Desalle, Clement BEL FMB Kawasaki 35:11.106
3 243 Gajser, Tim SLO AMZS Honda 35:14.756
4 777 Bobryshev, Evgeny RUS MFR Honda 35:24.244
5 89 Van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL FMB Yamaha 35:25.636
6 21 Paulin, Gautier FRA MCM Husqvarna 35:28.278
7 4 Tonus, Arnaud SUI FMS Yamaha 35:31.582
8 12 Nagl, Maximilian GER DMSB Husqvarna 35:35.274
9 911 Tixier, Jordi FRA FFM Kawasaki 35:37.135
10 461 Febvre, Romain FRA FFM Yamaha 35:41.421

2017 MXGP of QATAR: HIGHLIGHTS Qualifying Races

Check out the highlights from todays two motos. A win for Jonass and a win for Gajser

Stefan Everts MXGP Comments

Stefan Everts interview – MXGP

The greatest rider of all time, Stefan Everts. He has ridden with the best of his era and beaten them. He has also suffered injuries that nearly ended his career. We sat down with Stefan and asked him about the toughness of the MXGP class and also what he thinks of the big four (Gajser, Herlings, Febvre and Cairoli).

MXLarge: Stefan, we talk about this MXGP class every year, how strong it is. This year so many GP winners and world champions. Pretty similar to 2005 when you and Ben (Townley) and Mickael (Pichon), and Joel (Smets), Steve (Ramon), and Josh (Coppins) all raced against each other. So many GP winners and world titles back then, and also this year.

Everts: You mean 2003? The year they combined the classes?

MXlarge: No, 2005, that to me was a really good year. You think 2003 was better?

Everts: No, 2005 was good, but I remember them combining the classes in 2002, 2003 and then again in maybe 2005 when Ben and Steve came to the MX1 class. This year looks interesting with a lot of potential GP winners. Of course we will only have a few potential champions. The question is who will it be.

MXlarge: Who do you think?

Everts: I think Tony showed some things in the pre-season, I am not sure I have seen him that good in the pre-season. I think for Romain, it was a bit of a disaster, that first year of defending your championship is very difficult, and I think that is what he faced. For Tim we will see if he can do it right. For Herlings there is a lot of pressure, we know he can only be satisfied with winning, and with an injury it isn’t going to be an easy start. It’s a stacked class and it is going to be interesting.

MXlarge: When I think of a stacked class I think of the 1980s with guys like Geboers, Thorpe, Jobe, Malherbe. Can you compare now to then?

Everts: It is very difficult to compare times. I think we should just look back into the past with great memories and not start to compare things. I mean it’s apples and pears. The rider’s attitude has changed, the bikes have changed, the tracks are different. It’s a new generation and I think every generation, in every sport, they all have great moments. People say now it’s not as interesting as it was 20 years ago or 10 years ago, but they said the same thing 10 years ago, so it’s hard to judge.

MXLarge: You obviously want to keep your record of 101 GP wins and 10 world titles. Antonio has shown this winter that he might be back. Do you get a little nervous for your record, or you don’t care?

Everts: You know, it’s very early, and I don’t get nervous. Of course I want to keep my record, I worked hard for that. Tony came close a few years ago, then he struggled, but he would need to win this year and then again next year to equal it. Then he needs to do more than that, but if it’s like that, it’s like that, and I will not die from it, and whatever happens, happens, records are there to be broken.

MXlarge: Have you had an injury like Jeffrey has?

Everts: I had some injuries my hand, and a broken bone is six weeks, so if you want to ride before, it’s going to be with a lot of pain, that is for sure.

MXlarge: What does Jeffrey have to do to stop making these mistakes?

Everts: Pfffff, he is definitely the fastest, but it isn’t always the fastest who wins or who is the best. You need to bring it to the line in one piece and I don’t think it’s his rivals who are the big danger, but himself. He is his biggest rival.

MXGP - Qatar

Gajser wins MXGP qualifier

Riding sick early in the day, the HRC rider Tim Gajser has won the MXGP qualification race at the Grand Prix , after leading easily and then putting up with a typical Antonio Cairoli charge at the end of the moto. Eventually Gajser won by just half a second from Cairoli and Paulin a further 15 seconds back.

“I actually only felt sick in the first practice,” Gajser said. “Then in the second practice and the race I started feeling better. So tomorrow it should be ok. I just hope the track is lets with the ruts and stuff, it should be better tomorrow. The race went well, I had a good start and was able to move into the lead early. I made a couple of mistakes late in the race and Antonio could catch me, but I could hold on for the win.”

Gajser takes the holeshot from Cairoli, with Febvre in 8^th and Herlings back in 15^th place. Top ten on lap one are Gajser, Cairoli, Nagl, Guillod, Paulin, Tonus, Febvre, Simpson, Anstie, and Tixier.

Passing all over the place as at the end of the lap its Gajserr leading by two seconds, then Cairoli, Paulin, Bobryshev, Febvre, Van Horebeek, Tonus, Anstie, Nagl, Desalle, Butron, Tixier and Herlings. Simpson is in last after a solid start.

Gajser is flying with a three second lead over Cairoli on lap two, with Paulin a further four seconds back. Febvre is all over Bobryshev for fourth place.

After four laps the tp tne is Gajser, Cairoli, Paulin, Bobryshev, Febvre, Van Horebeek, Tonus, Anstie, Nagl, Desalle, Tixier, Butron, Strijbos and Lupino. Herlings can’t get out of 15^th spot.

Looking a lot smoother Gajser is now four seconds ahead of Cairoli and cruising. After seven laps its Gajser, Cairoli, Paulin, Bobryshev, Febvre, Van Horebeek, Tonus, Anstie, Desalle, Tixier, Nagl, Butron, Lupino, Coldenhoff and Herlings.

Febvre went down and lost a handful of positions and handing his team-mate Van Horebeek fifth position. Herlings seems satisfied with his 15^th place with two laps to go.

Cairoli started catching the world MXGP champion with three laps to go, and while Gajser didn’t look like he was pushing too hard, the gap was getting closer and closer.

Gajser held on, and still looked in control despite the charge from the Italian legend.

MXGP – Qualifying Race – Classification

1 243 Gajser, Tim SLO AMZS Honda 25:05.634
2 222 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI KTM 25:06.251
3 21 Paulin, Gautier FRA MCM Husqvarna 25:21.543
4 777 Bobryshev, Evgeny RUS MFR Honda 25:23.032
5 89 Van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL FMB Yamaha 25:25.657
6 4 Tonus, Arnaud SUI FMS Yamaha 25:27.190
7 461 Febvre, Romain FRA FFM Yamaha 25:31.457
8 99 Anstie, Max GBR ACU Husqvarna 25:34.555
9 25 Desalle, Clement BEL FMB Kawasaki 25:35.896
10 911 Tixier, Jordi FRA FFM Kawasaki 25:37.354

2017 Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series // Round 01 Highlights

The Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series presented by PRI Powersports Insurance kicked off its 2017 schedule with the opening round of the season at MotoVated Sports Complex near Gaston, South Carolina, where Coastal Racing’s Ryan Sipes claimed a 32-second victory over SRT Racing’s Steward Baylor

EnduroCross Series

Bonnier Motorcycle Group Assumes Operation of EnduroCross Series

February 21, 2017

Bonnier Motorcycle Group, owners of popular motorcycle media properties, including Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Dirt Rider and Hot Bike, has agreed to terms to take over ownership of the popular EnduroCross indoor off-road race series from TEN: The Enthusiast Network (TEN). The AMA-sanctioned series is known for exciting action that brings all of the elements of extreme off-road motorcycle racing indoors. EnduroCross allows the top off-road motorcycle racers in the world to showcase their talents in front of thousands of race fans that can enjoy the action from the comfort of an arena seat.

“We see tremendous growth potential for the EnduroCross series,” stated Corey Eastman, Director of Consumer Engagement at Bonnier Motorcycle Group. “Off-roading is a foundational part of motorcycling in the United States and EnduroCross is the only form of indoor racing that puts all of the skill and excitement of off-roading in an easy to watch format.”

Longtime Director of EnduroCross Sales and Marketing, Lance Bryson, will be joining the Bonnier team to continue his role.

“I have worked on the EnduroCross series for more than ten years now and it is an amazing show that allows the riders, motorcycle manufacturers and aftermarket accessory companies to showcase their skills and products,” Bryson stated. “Joining the Bonnier team will help increase the awareness and growth of EnduroCross. To add EnduroCross to their already existing portfolio and leverage the strength of DIRT RIDER is huge and will showcase the synergy between all their properties.”

Also, part of the acquisition, Eric Peronnard, the creator of EnduroCross, the US Open of Supercross, two-wheel sports organizer for X Games, MiniMotoSX, Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro and trusted advisor on events around the globe, will also be joining the Bonnier team.

“The enthusiasm of the Bonnier Motorcycle Group team will be a great catalyst for the growth of EnduroCross,” stated Peronnard. “I’m extremely excited to be part of the Bonnier Motorcycle Group!”

The Bonnier Motorcycle Group Consumer Engagement division produces several consumer programs, each with a focus on giving participants the opportunity for a great riding experience, all presented by GEICO Motorcycle. These experiences include: The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, HighPipe, Track Day Shootout, Adventure Rally Series and Hot Bike Tour. The EnduroCross series adds a dirt-bike racing element to Bonnier’s event portfolio.

“EnduroCross is a perfect fit for Bonnier and its stable of motorcycle-focused media assets,” said Norb Garrett, Executive Vice President and General Manager of TEN’s Sports and Entertainment Group. “We’re happy that the series will continue to grow under Bonnier’s stewardship as we continue to focus on digital transformation around our core brands.”
2017 Tentative EnduroCross Schedule

Las Vegas, NV August 19
Reno, NV September 23
Denver, CO September 30
Everett, WA October 14
Phoenix, AZ October 28
Boise, ID November 4
Ontario, CA November 18

JARVIS WINS HELL’S GATE 2017

ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING’S GRAHAM JARVIS WINS HELL’S GATE 2017

February 19, 2017

JARVIS SECURES A FIFTH VICTORY AT THE ITALIAN EXTREME CLASSIS
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Graham Jarvis has cemented his place in the Hell’s Gate record books by claiming a fifth event win. Earning a hard-fought victory at the 2017 edition of the one-day Tuscan race, the recent Ales Trem winner finished more than four minutes ahead of his closest challenger at the end of the three-hour main race. Graham’s team-mate Billy Bolt ran as high as fifth in the main event, finishing the race despite an issue with his rear brake.

Putting his name at the top of the results at the end of the morning’s qualifying race Jarvis showed that he meant business in Italy. Quick off the start in the main event Graham’s time out front was short lived as Wade Young set the early pace. Never far from his South African rival, when Wade suffered a small technical issue Graham hit the front and never looked back.

Leading at the two-hour mark from Travis Teasdale, Graham steadily extended his lead as darkness fell. Maintaining his impressive pace during the final hour of the race Jarvis earned a well-deserved fifth Hell’s Gate victory, topping the podium ahead of Teasdale and Young.

Billy Bolt’s first ever Hell’s Gate outing was a largely positive one. Fifth in the morning’s qualifying race he found himself stuck behind a number of riders on the opening climb in the main race, just meters from the start. Battling his way to fifth at the end of the first hour of racing, soon after his refuelling stop he damaged his rear brake. Hampering his progress during the second half of the race Billy nevertheless reached the finish.

Graham Jarvis: “It’s been a great event for me. Winning the morning qualifying race was a bit of a surprise. I just made sure I didn’t make any mistakes and that was good enough to get the win. In the main race I got a good start but dropped behind Wade Young, who was running a really strong pace. He had some kind of a problem then, which allowed me to get ahead. I just kept a steady pace going then and things worked out great. There was a lot more man-made sections this year, which isn’t really my things. But to get a fifth Hell’s Gate win is great.”

Billy Bolt: “Generally, I’m pleased with the way things went for me. I didn’t get a great start in the main race and lost some time stuck behind riders in one of the early rocky climbs. I settled into quite a good rhythm then and was really enjoying things. About half way through the race I had an issue with my rear brake, so I rode the second half of the race only using my front brake. I think I clipped a rock. That was pretty hard on some of the down hills. I couldn’t push like I wanted then and just made sure I got to the finish. I learned a lot and enjoyed my first time at Hell’s Gate.”

Results – Hell’s Gate 2017

1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 3:08:23 (14 laps)
2. Travis Teasdale (KTM) 3:12:34 (14 laps)
3. Wade Young (Sherco) 3:13:42; (14 laps)
4. Mario Roman (Sherco) 3:17:01 (14 laps)
5. Philipp Bertl (Beta) (13 laps)

Hell's Gate 2016 - Highlights

The iconic Hell’s Gate Hard Enduro takes place this weekend. Twelve months ago we witnessed Wade Young take down Graham Jarvis for victory, will 2017 deliver similar results?

Hell’s Gate 2017 Metzeler has some flavour of revenge. The epilogue of 2016 edition, in fact, has been severely impacted by the surprise of Wade Young, the young, strong South African, arrived in Italy even before his license… to kill, has stunned the entire history of the extreme bursting into Fasola’s Competition with an irresistible force. 

No time to get his usually wrecker rhythm, and Graham Jarvis, winner of four consecutive editions from 2011 to 2014, found himself in the unusual position of pursuer. The exciting Wade Young‘s “ride” has ended, after three hours of spectacular hell, at the last gate of Hell’s Gate Metzeler 2016, in the arms of the frenzy public for bringing baptism to a new King of Enduro Extreme.

The story did not go in store. Not yet. It was still summer when Graham Jarvis asked for the date of Hell’s Gate Metzeler 2017, “providing” formally and prematurely his presence. It was clear that defeat, that the British star player attributed at least in part to the surprise, has not been settled, not in the most peaceful quaint of Sport. Jarvis’ preliminary request sounded very clear notes of the purpose of “revenge” which, however, animates the most gripping stories of sports.

Jarvis and Young were confronted in other, few occasions during the past season, but it’s to Hell’s Gate Metzeler 2017 that the two Extreme Champions will take such measures, this time no longer distracted by new and unforeseen factors. It is the promise of the duel, the great challenge of revenge, or better yet the ” vengeance ” and with it the essential leit motif of a memorable edition (as well as all of the previous 13) of the larger, key event of Extreme Enduro.

But the comparison is not “isolated” to the duel between the last two winners of Hell’s Gate Metzeler. The great action of the 14th edition of Fasola’s Extreme Race takes shape rapidly, filling the arena of the battlefield in a flash. The 120 seats are occupied, the right to a starring role in the arena of the Gladiators of Extreme was booked. After Wade Young has picked up the gauntlet thrown by Graham Jarvis, the other classified of the 2016 edition rushed to animate the “billboard