Indonesian GP – Update

Indonesian GP

Track conditions have improved for the riders here on Sunday morning, with hardly any rain in the last 24 hours. A little this morning, but the track has held up and its looking like we will have racing today.

Big problems at the Grand Prix of Indonesia on Saturday as the track had become impossible to ride. Saturday had been cancelled for the MXGP and MX2 riders. Grid positions for today will be from the practice yesterday morning. Good news for Herlings who will start second, bad news for Julien Lieber who didn’t ride yesterday mornings MX2 practice.

There are a lot of local fans here that have come to watch so hopefully they will be able to see some good racing today.

Bottomless ruts, a lot of mud and in many rider’s opinions impossible to do two motos, even tomorrow. We talked to a few riders about the track and what they expect. More rider comments later.

Tim Gajser: The track here is very muddy but with all the rain they are having, I am not surprised. It is difficult riding conditions and the jumps are very soft so you sink into the take-off. They also have very deep ruts all over the track which are hard to ride in. It is a shame I couldn’t race this afternoon in qualifying as I just started to feel better on the track towards the end of free practise. Hopefully we will have no more rain and this will help with the race tomorrow.

Evgeny Bobryshev: The track is tough; the mud is soft and very sticky. I didn’t feel I was riding completely at my best out there as I was getting a feel for the track. We are heading into the race with times from practise, so this is not the best time for me as I didn’t put a fast lap in as I would have done in qualifying. If they do some work on the track overnight and we have no more heavy rain then it will be a lot better to race in tomorrow.

Max Anstie: “It is a bit of a mess. We come half way around the world, and it’s a bit unlucky with the weather, although it is the rainy season. I think it rains every day for six months. It’s really muddy and really sticky and the track is already destroyed and we have only done one practice. It’s a bit like a beach race to be honest, people going everywhere. It will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow. It’s going to rain tomorrow, so not too many people are going to make it around. I don’t think we will be able to finish 30 minutes. In practice my bike was so heavy. Maybe we do a two lap race and see who can survive.”

Hunter Lawrence: “I was just getting used to the track, warming up, finding my rhythm and then I was told that they could take my lap time. It’s unfortunate but with the racing I’ll just go out and try to circulate without crashing, that’s the big key. It’ll be interesting for sure.”

Michele Cervellin: I am disappointed we are not racing qualifying this afternoon but hopefully we will have no more rain and the track will be ok tomorrow. It is a lot wetter here then I thought it would be. I managed to put in a ok time for free practise so I will go out there tomorrow and work on improving this for my team.

Chihiro Notsuka: The track is a lot muddier here then I thought it would be, it is not quite what I expected Indonesia to be like but I don’t mind riding in the mud so this is ok for me. I am focusing on improving my result from last week as I wasn’t so happy with that so I am just going to go out there and ride by best tomorrow.

Jeffrey Herlings: “The track was pretty bad, so much rain here. Hopefully they will take the time from times this morning, but if they take it from the championship points, then I am not looking that good. It’s going to be difficult with a bad gate pick. The track was really bad, soft, many lines, nearly impossible to ride. I think two 35 minute motos many guys will crash or blow up their bikes. The track is just brutal.”

Bas Vaessen: “I’m just going to try and stay on two wheels, that’s the main point. If you can stay on two wheels and finish you will get a high position near the end so that’s the main goal.”

Pauls Jonass: It was really bad, every lap was getting worse and worse. To do two motos on a track like this. I think it’s impossible. I think if we go out now, we can’t do it, because the ruts get so deep and the mud is so sticky and they say more rain this afternoon. We will see what happens.

Arminas Jasikonis: “I didn’t crash and I made the most laps out of everyone. It was quite deep but it was fun to ride. I’ve missed my race bike a little bit so was happy to do the laps. Last lap I tried to do a fast lap at the end and got sixth place for tomorrow so my mood is good and I’m looking forward for tomorrow.”

Jake Nicholls: It’s pretty deep. You know it could be really good, but it’s a new track and bottomless. I think they tried to rip it and obviously when you rip it, the ground is light and it goes straight into it. The mud isn’t a problem. Obviously it keeps going down, it if was like quicksand you could just ride over the top, but it’s very sticky and a lot of mud on the bikes. It just grabs the bikes and the bikes are so heavy and we are going so slow. We could blow the bikes up, but we need to get these bikes to the next round.

Kevin Strijbos: I was fifth, I rode easy and tried not make mistakes and came up fifth. We shall see what they decide about tomorrow and if they do both motos or just one moto. Hopefully the rain can stay away and if it does, they can fix the track and I think it can be pretty decent.

Ray Archer image

Can Gomez topple Haaker at SuperEnduro in Spain?

 SuperEnduro in Spain

 

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

 

Husqvarna's Colton HAAKER (USA) leads the FIM Maxxis SuperEnduro World Championship as the hotly contested series heads to Bilbao in Spain for the penultimate round.

After a six week break, the stars of the SuperEnduro are back on track this Saturday March 4th at the Grand Prix AMV Seguros of Euskadi, which will take place inside the Bizkaia Arena of the Bilbao Exhibition Centre.

Ultra dominant in Germany in early January, it's extremely clear that Colton HAAKER (USA - Husqvarna) means business in his quest for a second consecutive world title. Aside from Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL - KTM) at his home in Krakow (Poland), no one else has troubled the American. 

However, KTM's Alfredo Gomez (E) has proved himself a serious threat on numerous occasions and is knocking on the door of a race win and overall victory. Riding on home turf and urged on by a euphoric Bizkaia Arena, the penultimate round of the series will prove pivotal for GOMEZ.

 

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

 

Consistent but still slightly lacking outright speed, Jonny WALKER (GB—KTM) will have to attack hard if he wants to retain a title chance in Albi on March 18th for the Final. Training hard between rounds, he's ready to move closer to the front of the pack.

Mario ROMAN (E - Sherco) will be keen to give everything in order to keep his fourth place in the provisional standing and move closer to the top three places. But he will have to face 2016 Junior World Champion Manuel LETTENBICHLER (D - KTM) and the show-stopping rookie Pascal RAUCHENECKER (AUT - Husqvarna).

On the home front, Eloi SALSENCH (Beta) will certainly be looking to shine a little more and keep his place among the top 10 but he will have to manage the fast outsiders like Estonian Rannar UUSNA (KTM), Aurélien ADDESSO (F - Beta), Russia's David LEONOV (Husqvarna) and Sweden 's John NYSTRÖM (KTM).

A debut winner in Germany and now championship leader, Blake GUTZEIT (RSA - Yamaha) holds the reigns of the Junior class. With his confidence high, the South African knows another winning result in Bilbao will move him one step closer to the title in Albi, France on March 18th.

 

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

 

But he will have to be careful as we have seen so many times this season that anything goes in the Junior category. Benjamin HERRERA (CL – TM), Kyle FLANAGAN (RSA - Sherco), Gethin HUMPHREYS (GB - Husqvarna), David CYPRIAN (CZ - KTM), Max VIAL (F - Husqvarna) and Lee SEALEY (GB - Yamaha) are sure to keep the crowd on their feet and will give everything possible to stop the South African stealing focus. Expect fireworks.

After two first rounds of wild action packed racing, we'll see if HAAKER remains on the stop step of the podium or if national favourite GOMEZ can steal the gold. Likewise, GUTZEIT has momentum on his side for victory but in a class as unpredictable as the Juniors then a new winner is certainly possible.

Adding in an additional two races for the national category ensures sparks will fly inside the Bizkaia Arena of the Bilbao Exhibition Centre on Saturday March 4th.

MXGP Indonesia..Gonna Be A Mudder!

New Sierra OT Website

The Sierra Old Timers have a new and very good looking website. Go there for club info and OT race info. They have even added our own 21J for his unique perspectives.

www.sierraoldtimersmx.net

Steward Baylor - 2017 Echeconnee MX Full Gas Sprint Enduro Test

Ride along with SRT Off-road's Stew Baylor as he rips through an enduro test on day 2 of the Echeconnee MX Full Gas Sprint Enduro.

Pit Beirer interview

Pit Beirer was a very happy man on Saturday night in Qatar. Having watched his boys Antonio Cairoli and Pauls Jonass win everything, and head to round two of the MXGP and MX2 championships with the red-plates, its little wonder he was smiling.

Always one of the most popular figures in the GP paddock, the former GP winner, and now Motorsports Director of KTM spoke to MXlarge about his rider’s performances, and also gave us a little information on the fact the US beef lobby is pushing the government to put an outrageously heavy tax on European-built motorcycles sold in America, to the tune of 100 percent of a bike’s sale price.

MXlarge: Pit, obviously it isn’t great how Jeffrey feels, with his injury, but Antonio and Pauls won, which is good, how do you feel about the weekend?

Beirer: I feel very good. I know the work in the background, from the team at home and the riders in the winter and it’s nice to get the payback from the very first grand prix like this. I know that everybody was well prepared for this weekend, only Jeffrey who got the set-back two weeks ago, but we were confident that our package was good and the bike has made a step forward from last year, but you are never sure until you get to the first GP, but we were happy and confidence. We go away with four heat wins; how can I not be happy.

MXLarge: Did you ever have a little bit of question on if Antonio was finished?

Beirer: I think I had an interview on mxlarge, I told you I didn’t believe it was the end of the road. I knew he has two bad injuries and they were holding him back. Sport is brutal, you are either there, or you are not there. There is no credit if you are not fit. If you are not 100% then the other guys catch you, you can’t have the smallest disadvantage. I mean of course there is a risk with a rider around 30 that they can go downhill, but I knew if Tony was fit, he would come back strong. That is also why we made a new contact with him, after already one year of struggling with injuries, because I still trusted him, and today he gave us the pay-back.

MXlarge: Changing the subject, the whole thing with high taxing of the European motorcycles in America. What is your opinion on that?

Beirer: I mean, it’s a difficult situation, because we have to pay a high price when meat import goes against bike import, effecting definitely KTM against all motorcycle manufactures, but I know there have been very positive meetings and we are hoping there is a good solution. It was the highest level of politics and they work day and night with good arguments. I hope it works out, because racing and business, it isn’t fair that one global player is effected and the others are not.

MXLarge: If they taxed you like they say, is it worth while KTM being in America?

Beirer: You should know, from knowing me for so many years, that I always see the positive, so we don’t see the negative now and we just look at the positives and I believe KTM should be in America, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be.

Ray Archer images

Qatar GP...What Do The Riders Think?

Qatar GP – Rider Comments

Check out what many of the riders thought about their weekends in Qatar. From the podium guys until the riders who struggled. Tomorrow exclusive interviews with MX2 winner Pauls Jonass and his Red Bull KTM team-mate Jeffrey Herlings. Also a special look at this opening GP of the season.

Antonio Cairoli: “It was a great weekend and I’m really happy. It is my fourteenth season here in the world championship and I’m really happy; not many riders have reached this before and to be here for so many years. I have won at least one GP each year, which is amazing. The start of the season we had some good races and no injuries during the winter so I could train a bit better than the years before. We also had the bike set-up much better. So I was looking forward to this first GP. I was a bit sick with some intestinal flu coming here and was still taking medicine up until Thursday so I was unsure how my reaction would be for the race but it was pretty good and I really enjoyed the racing, and the track was pretty technical so I could make some good lines in places. I could push until the end in both motos. We are really happy with the result and will be ready for the next GP.”

Tim Gajser: Yeah I am actually really happy overall with the weekend. It didn’t start the best as I have been really sick all weekend but I was able to achieve two good races despite this. The first race I didn’t have the best start and I had to battle with Bobryshev and Desalle all race. It was tough to pass because there was only actually one fast line and the other lines were not the same speed. In the second race, I had a better start, I was leading and I pulled a gap between myself and Cairoli. Then, in the last two laps I was destroyed and I couldn’t give anymore but I am happy to start the season with second overall this weekend.

Clement Desalle: “It is really good to start the year on the podium. I was not happy with how things were going on Friday. It was hard to pass, it was not easy riding out there and I wasn’t pleased! It was much better today. I had a good feeling on the bike and that is very important for me and I had some good starts. I changed my mentality a little bit but so much depends how and where you are after the second corner! Today I could make a difference. The first race is done now and we can look ahead.”

Pauls Jonass: “I didn’t expect that I would get two moto wins this weekend as well as qualifying. I had a good gate pick, two good starts, two consistent motos without any big mistakes – which was also a goal coming to this race – and to go home with two wins and my first overall makes me so happy. We still have eighteen GPs to go; it is such a long season. It will be difficult to continue like we were today but I will do my best! Today I really enjoyed my riding. I think I still have a lot of room for improvement but I am so happy with the bike and the team have done so much.”

Romain Febvre:  “I think third was my place today. Tony and Gajser were really fast and I couldn’t fight with them yesterday. It was a shame in the first moto because I made two mistakes and lost the chance for third place on the podium. I was not feeling so sharp on the track or the bike…so I’m happy to take that third in the second race.”

Evgeny  Bobryshev: Today was positive for my overall result in the championship but looking at the races I didn’t feel I did as well as I could have. In the first race, I made a mistake and dropped the bike in the corner before the start as I didn’t feel comfortable with my riding. In the second race, I had a really bad start and I struggled with the track but I know I had good speed as we changed a little bit on the bike for the second race. The changes were much better for my riding style in these conditions and I knew I was faster in the second section of the track. The track was really tough to pass; I feel that last year it was much better prepared. I was trying to change my line and I just couldn’t gain anything by doing this.

Kevin Strijbos: “First race I got a good start but ran wide and Anstie also ran wide and went off the track. I just about saved it but lost a lot of positions. My riding though, I just couldn’t push, I didn’t have any energy or anything. I don’t know what was wrong. It was better in the second moto as again I got a good jump off the metal mesh but then they moved past me when we got on the soil and I couldn’t make it up. It’s something we have to work on but overall I felt way better than the first moto, I felt strong, I felt good, but it’s so difficult to pass, I think I spent the whole race behind Jeffrey Herlings. He’s a smart rider and knows how to protect his lines but I tried and the team could see I tried. The result is not great but we are going to stay positive and keep the positive things in mind for next week and we shall see what happens in Indonesia.”

Jorge Prado: “I didn’t feel so good on the bike. I rode pretty tight and I think we can expect better in the next races: I know I can do much better. I feel pretty bad…but sometimes you have bad days. I didn’t get arm-pump but couldn’t ride like I normally do. The track was really rough and I had trouble with the deep ruts and the bumps inside them.”

Glenn Coldenhoff: “The day started off not so good. I had a bad start but worked my way up to tenth on the first lap before I wanted to push too fast and ended up making a mistake. So I had to restart dead-last and wanted to get back with the guys as quick as possible and made another mistake: I was not focussed enough. I told myself to keep calm, do my thing and get a rhythm. I had some hard fights and finishing in fifteenth is not the result we are working for. My riding was quite good in the second moto. Van Horebeek and Bobryshev passed me and those guys were just a little bit quicker. That race was quite solid though. I’m ninth in the championship right now and it could be worse.”

Jeffrey Herlings: “What can I say? It was terrible but what can we expect? I broke my hand less than two weeks ago, we got it plated the day after (the crash) and then I was supposed to race ten days later. Plus before that I had an injury with my wrist so I missed another four weeks. I didn’t really have the feeling I needed on the bike and I had a lot of pain: it was pretty bad. In Motocross you need your entire body and I wasn’t 100%. We made some improvements on the bike anyway and I’m grateful to have such a strong team behind me and such a strong 450.”Gautier Paulin: “I’m really satisfied with my performance in Qatar. To start the season with two consistent moto results for sixth overall is hugely important. It just shows there’s a great base for us to continue working during the season. The weekend started with a good third place result during qualifying. It was a good confidence booster for the rest of the GP. My bike has been working great throughout the weekend as well. In moto one I made a small mistake after the start and had to fight from the back of the pack to finish sixth. If I hadn’t lost time at the start, I believe a top three result was well within our reach. Then in moto two I didn’t get a great start but made some quick passes and found myself in fifth. Getting some consistent lap times I managed to finish fifth.”

Max Anstie: “It was a good start to the season. We proved in Qatar that we’ve done our work. I felt fast throughout the weekend and overall I’m happy with my performance. I got a good start in moto one but a few laps later I got off track and lost some time to finish 13th. Then in moto two I got an even better start and battled my way to 10th at the chequered flag. It was my first GP on a 450cc bike and I believe I showed I’m in a good place with my speed. We can continue working hard with the goal to improve from here. I’m expecting the GP in Indonesia to be a good one and I’m looking forward to it.”

Jeremy Seewer: “It’s not what we wanted to do today of course, but I’m happy to be in one piece. It’s a long season so all is not lost but I’m really disappointed. First moto I had a bad start and I crashed in a slippery spot on the first lap, my fault, and then I just couldn’t make it happen to make it through the pack. I have to say, it is very difficult here to come back from a mistake, it’s mainly one line. The second moto I lost the distance to the top few guys with my bad start but once I was through, I could go their same speed. I think the speed is there, we just have to improve a few things to get up there.”

Max Nagl: “My riding kept getting better as the racing went on. To be honest, I wasn’t feeling so comfortable on the track during the qualifying moto, but worked hard and managed to get a good pace during the final races. I got a great jump out of the gate in the opening moto, but lost a bit of time entering the first corner. Getting an eighth place result I think is good for the start of this championship. Then in moto two I had a better start but as I was battling with Coldenhoff I hit a kicker on a jump and went over the bars. It was a big crash but luckily I got away unhurt and managed to finish the race. I’m going back to Europe now to continue my training schedule for a few days, before boarding the plane to Indonesia, where the goal is to improve on my results.”

Thomas Kjer-Olsen: “I couldn’t have thought of a better way to start the season. I might have done two GPs in MX2 last year, but this feels like a whole new experience. I can’t thank the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 squad enough for all their great support. The work we’ve done during the off season has paid off and we were capable to battle for the top in Qatar. I got two great starts and kept battling for the top three throughout both motos. We had some great battles with the riders in front and I kept pushing until the end of each race. The speed is there and we shall now focus on remaining consistent. This season is going to be really long and we are hoping for the best.”

Hunter Lawrence: “First moto I was feeling good. I didn’t get the best start, top 15-20 something like that and I was coming through the pack pretty good and I was happy with how I was going. Then I made a mistake on my part with another rider, a rookie mistake. Got back up, finished 18th which isn’t the best but this is the world championship and it’s not going to be easy. I came back in, put it behind myself and looked forward to going out there and doing it again. Second race I got a better start, around 12-13, made some passes and found myself inside the top 10, coming through to finishing sixth behind Jeremy. It felt like we had a good rhythm going as a Suzuki train, so that was pretty cool. Really though, I’m just happy to have got it out of the way, the first round can have a lot of carnage so I’m happy to be walking away with no injuries and to have made good progress.”

Thomas Covington: “It’s been an up and down weekend for us. In moto one I believe I showed the speed is there. I got a decent start and was racing within the first six riders, but a small fall dropped me to 13th. Then I started pushing hard again and managed to cross the line in eighth place. My holeshot in moto two was a good confidence booster. Midway through the moto and as I was running in fifth I had a crash and then couldn’t start the bike. I know I can do a lot better and I’m really looking forward to the coming races. Next week we’re racing for the first time in Indonesia and the goal will be to battle for the top in MX2.”

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