World Enduro

Holcombe wins – World Enduro

Steve Holcombe has moved to the top of the 2017 EnduroGP World Championship standings following a near perfect weekend of racing at the Italian GP in Spoleto, central Italy. Claiming a first EnduroGP day win of 2017 on day one when he placed 11 seconds ahead of his Beta team-mate Alex Salvini, Steve then placed as runner-up to Frenchman Loic Larrieu on day two. With three rounds of the 2017 EnduroGP World Championship now complete Steve sits 21 points clear at the top of the premier class’ standings.

On day one Steve hit his stride at the end of the opening lap, winning the 11-minute long enduro test to position himself at the top of the time sheets close behind team-mate Alex Salvini. Keeping up the pressure during the closing special tests, Steve maximised on a mistake by Salvini to claim his maiden EnduroGP class win of 2017. On day two Steve remained consistent throughout the day, securing a well-deserved runner-up result to claim yet another strong haul of championship points.

Steve Holcombe: “I’m more than pleased with how the GP of Italy has gone for me. Finishing onetwo with my Beta team-mate Alex Salvini on day one, getting my first EnduroGP win of the season, moving into the lead of the EnduroGP standings, it’s been great. I had this event marked as one in which I wanted to fight for the win, and that’s what I managed to do. It really is a rewarding feeling to know that the work the team and myself put in since the GP of Spain has paid off. I feel for Matt Phillips, who was forced out on day one. It’s never nice to see a rider you’ve been battling with have a technical issue. But like I said, I’m just pleased that I was able to deliver the kind of result I hoped I would. There’s a long way to go in the championship, but I’ll keep working to be in the best possible shape for the next few GPs.”

Desalles climb – All Time Great?

Desalles climb

World championships seem to define if you are an all-time great or not, but sometimes there are the exceptions. Some riders, like Sylvain Geboers (14 GP wins), or Marniqu Bervoets (19 GP wins) fit right in with those legends, but never get the respect they truly deserve.

Both Geboers and Bervoets were racing in eras dominated by names such as Joel Robert, Torsten Hallman, Stefan Everts or Joel Smets. Both Geboers and Bervoets fought hard with the legends, often getting a GP win, and standing tall at the top of a Grand Prix podium. They both came close to winning world titles, but luck or just that little bit of speed didn’t see them to a world title victory.

Another of those men and another Belgian is Clement Desalle. Desalle continues to move up the all-time GP winners list and is now in reach of the top twenty. An amazing feat for the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider. His first GP victory ciming at the Loket circuit in 2009, and since then he has been one of the main-stays of the MXGP class. A multiple runner-up to Antonio Cairoli in the 450 class point standings, and a rock for his country of Belgium.

Another statistic is that Desalle is the only non-world champion in the list. Not something you want to brag about, but still shows how good the Belgian has been in the era of Antonio Cairoli. Like Marniqu Bervoets before him (who had to contend with Stefan Everts and Joel Smets), sometimes you are just born into the wrong era.

Another GP win and Desalle joins a very impressive list of riders in four times world champion Harry Everts, three time world champion Dave Thorpe, and double world champions Alex Puzar, Rolf Tibblin, and Sten Lundin.

Of course at the top of the all-time winners list, and seemingly in a safe place to remain at number one is Stefan Everts, but two men are closing fast. Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings are the only current riders capable of catching The King.

Top 25 GP winners

Stefan Everts 101

Antonio Cairoli 80

Jeffrey Herlings 62

Joel Smets 57

Joel Robert 50

Eric Geboers 39

Mickael Pichon 38

Thorsten Hallman 37

Roger De Coster 36

Heikki Mikkola 32

Gaston Rahier 30

Georges Jobe 28

Andre Malherbe 28

Paul Friedrichs 28

Dave Strijbos 27

Alessio Chiodi 26

Jeff Smith 25

Harry Everts 22

Dave Thorpe 22

Alex Puzar 22

Sten Lundin 22

Rolf Tibblin 22

Clement Desalle 21

Sebastien Tortelli 20

Hakan Carlqvist 20

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Results French MXGP...Desalle Wins

Desalle wins French GP

Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Clement Desalle has won the MXGP Grand Prix of France with a solid days riding. The tough Belgian scored 4-1 results to beat home Antonio Cairoli, who went 2-3, and third was Gautier Paulin with 6-2.

Cairoli extended his lead over Paulin in the championship points to 50 points, as Tim Gajser dropped out of the second place in the championship, after failing to be able to race today due to injury.

Despite being possibly the fastest rider on the track, Jeffrey Herlings also had a mixed day as his starts were not great, and he crashed in the first corner of the second moto, coming back for 5-5 results and seventh overall.

Clement Desalle: I am really happy to win the second moto and overall. I was struggling and couldn’t find my lines in the first moto. It was tough, finally it is paying off a bit. The work we have done, the training and also the work on the bike. The start was good and it would be great to be on the podium at least once this year. I am really happy, waiting a long time. Two times fourth in the last two races. I thought shit, but I am happy with my day here. I was disappointed for the first moto, but happy with the second one.

Antonio Cairoli: I am happy, positivbe weekend, The track was tricky and I struggled with some lines I nthe first moto, I finished second. Second moto I had a good start, but Clement was fast here and I thought about the championship points and what I could gain on Gautier.

Gautier Paulin: I wasn’t feeling good, but we found the best set-up in the end. The first warm-up was tough for the first moto and some days you have to finish second and it gave me a podium for my crowd. It was a strong weekend and we came from a bad situation, so I am happy about this.

MXGP Moto One

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Max Nagl won the opening moto of the MXGP class after a strong performance by the veteran German. Nagl who had taken the lead early was passed by Antonio Cairoli, but the Italian made a mistake and handed the lead back the Nagl.

In the opening MXGP moto, Nagl led from Cairoli, Van Horebeek, Paulin, then came Despray, Guillod, Coldenhoff, Desalle, Herlings, and Anstie.

Cairoli was quickly into the lead, as Desalle moves into fourth. Nagl gets past Cairoli after the Italian makes a mistake. Van Horbeek also close to Cairoli and Van Horebeek goes past. Herlings up to seventh place. Febvre around 24^th.

Nagl continued to lead, and Cairoli getting a lot of pressure from Desalle, while Herlings all over Coldenhoff. Febvre into 12^th place as he fights for positions.

Not a lot happening up front as Nagl leads Van Horebeek after two laps, then its Cairoli, Desalle, Paulin, Coldenhoff, Herlings, Tonus, Febvre, and Anstie.

Febvre and Anstie all over each other in a nice little battle. Febvre now needs to pass Tonus, as Herlings struggles to get past his countryman Coldenhoff, but does make a pass on the fourth lap.

Nagl is gone, and Van Horebeek also riding a lonely race, as Desalle is all over Cairoli for third place. Herlings onto Paulin and looking for a way past.  Febvre working hard to pass both Tonus and Coldenhoff.

After seven laps it was Nagl with a lead of nearly five seconds, then Van Horebeek, Cairoli, Desalle, Paulin, Herlings, Coldenhoff, Tonus, Febvre and Anstie 10^th.

Nagl got out of shape, but controlled it and kept his lead. Tonus passed Coldenhoff, and Paulin keeps Herlings behind him. Febvre also passed Coldenhoff, and Anstie is right behind the Dutchman.

Desalle made a mistake and Paulin went past, but the Belgian passed him back soon after. Herlings closing in on Paulin and Desalle. Making another charge at the end of the race. Herlings all over Paulin, and Febvre passed Tonus for seventh place.

Herlings goes down, slipping over in a corner, and he wouldn’t seem to be passing Paulin any time soon. Sixth probably his final position. In the late stages though Herlings made a beautiful pass on Paulin, but the Frenchman then pushed his way past. Herlings thought fought back and passed Paulin again.

Everything happening now as Van Horebeek goes down and Cairoli moved into second. Amazingly Desalle is onto Van Horebeek, and Herlings and Paulin are not far behind.

Nagl wins it from Cairoli, Van Horebeek, Desalle, Herlings and Paulin.

MXGP Moto Two

Cairoli led moto two, followed by Desalle, Paulin, Nagl, Coldenhoff, Butron, Tonus, Febvre, Imbert and Guillod. Herlings crashed out in the first corner, down in 23^rd place.

Cairoli continued to lead, with Desalle all over him. Big battle for third as Coldenhoff holds out Paulin and Nagl. Van Horebeek and Febvre all over Nagl, as the frantic action continued in MXGP. Herlings up to 18^th place and charging hard.

Both Yamaha’s went past Nagl, and Desalle all over the leader Cairoli. Herlings up to 15^th position.

Desalle goes past Cairoli to not only lead the race. Herlings up to 12^th place and 19 seconds behind the leader. Herlings passed Guillod and then past Anstie, the Dutchman moved into the top ten.

Paulin goes past Coldenhoff as Coldenhoff made a mistake. Herlings passed Butron and was closing on Tonus and Nagl. Paulin all over Cairoli, as he blocks the move by the Frenchman, and then Paulin moves into second and the GP overall is open for Desalle or Cairoli.

Herlings catching everyone as he burns through the pack and he picks up two seconds in one lap on the leader Desalle. Herlings now just 15 seconds behind Paulin in second place.

After six laps its Desalle, Paulin, Cairoli, Coldenhoff, Van Horebeek, Nagl, Febvre, Herlings, Tonus and Butron. Herlings now 13 seconds behind Paulin, and 16 seconds behind Desalle.

Herlings goes after Febvre, Nagl, Van Horebeek and Coldenhoff and is closing fast.

After seven laps its Desalle, Paulin, Cairoli, Coldenhoff, Van Horebeek, Nagl, Febvre, Herlings, Tonus, and Butron. Herling was now just 12 seconds behind the leader.

Van Horebeek passed Coldenhoff as Nagl and Febvre are all over the Dutchman, and behind them Herlings is looking to pass them all. Febvre passed Nagl. Herlings passed Nagl, and is now onto Febvre and Coldenhoff.

After 10 laps its Desalle by one second over Paulin, then Cairoli, Van Horebeek, Febvre, Coldenhoff, Herlings, Nagl, Tonus and Butron. Herlings past Coldenhoff and nearly past Febvre, this is a brilliant charge by the MX2 world champion.

Van Horebeek, Febvre and Herlings are all closing on Cairoli. Maybe Herlings can out point the Italian after all?

Febvre now on fire as he passed Van Horebeek, and can see Cairoli just ahead of him. Herlings seems to have lost some ground, maybe tired from his own charge.

Febvre is now just 11 seconds behind Desalle, how is fighting off Paulin. Herlings in sixth and 16 seconds back. Nagl slips over and drops back. Herlings onto Van Horebeek.

On lap 12 its Desalle by one second over Paulin, Cairoli a further six seconds back, then Febvre, who was right onto the Italian, Van Horebeek, Herlings, Coldenhoff, Tonus, Nagl, and Butron.

The crowd going crazy as Febvre pulls up on Cairoli. Really a great race this one. Herlings seemingly spent is once again onto Van Horebeek.

After 16 laps the lead is two seconds as Desalle leads from Paulin, Cairoli, Febvre, Van Horebeek, Herlings, Coldenhoff, Tonus, Nagl and Butron. Cairoli and Febvre are now moving in on the two leaders, but it is too late. Herlings all over Van Horebeek.

Desalle win the moto and the Grand Prix. Second in the moto was Paulin and then Cairoli.

MXGP – Overall Classification

1 25 Desalle, Clement BEL FMB KAW 18 25 43
2 222 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI KTM 22 20 42
3 21 Paulin, Gautier FRA MCM HUS 15 22 37
4 12 Nagl, Maximilian GER DMSB HUS 25 12 37
5 89 Van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL FMB YAM 20 15 35
6 461 Febvre, Romain FRA FFM YAM 14 18 32
7 84 Herlings, Jeffrey NED KNMV KTM 16 16 32
8 4 Tonus, Arnaud SUI FMS YAM 13 14 27
9 259 Coldenhoff, Glenn NED KNMV KTM 10 13 23
10 99 Anstie, Max GBR ACU HUS 12 10 22

Nicky Hayden Tribute from the Legends of the Road

As the Legends of the Road (David Bailey, Micky Dymond, Jeff Ward, and Doug Henry) prepare for the Race Across America coming up on June 17th, they had a chance to reflect on a few memories they each had with Nicky Hayden. The devastating news of Nicky’s accident and his passing hit the legends hard as they get set to cycle from Oceanside CA to Annapolis MD. While the fear of injury is on their minds, they will not let it hold them back. They are planing on crossing the finish line carrying the memory of Nicky with them.

Rossi Injured Riding Moto

Valentino Rossi injured in motocross accident

 

Italian MotoGP great Valentino Rossi has been taken to hospital in Italy after being involved in a motocross accident on Thursday.

Yamaha said the 38-year-old rider, a nine-time world champion and currently third in the top class, had been diagnosed with "mild thoracic and abdominal trauma" in a hospital check-up after the accident during training in eastern Italy.

"No fractures have been detected in any part of the body and no serious traumatic pathologies were found," the team added.

Rossi's home grand prix at Mugello is the next round of the MotoGP championship on June 4.

Rossi had led the championship until last weekend's French Grand Prix at Le Mans, where he crashed on the last lap while battling for victory with Spanish team mate Maverick Vinales.

Cairoli vs Herlings – Video

Prepare for a Red Bull KTM Factory battle in the coming weeks and months as the two best riders in the world, Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings continue what we all wanted to see for years. The battle of the legends. 11 world titles between them, 142 GP wins. They stand second and third in the all time GP winner list, and could end up being number one and number two in the all time list. Take a look at this cool MXGP.tv video of the two as they battle.

X-Factor Mud & More Mud!

Hunting for Wins – Thad Duvall – X Factor GNCC

In his first year as part of the Rockstar Husqvarna Factory off-road team, Thad Duvall has been a rider on a mission. After convincing wins at the Cajun Classic National Enduro, and Full Gas Three Day ISDE Qualifier, Duvall came into the sixth round of the GNCC series with a new level of confidence and momentum Watch Thad put that confidence to work and slide his way to victory at the X Factor GNCC in rain-soaked Peru, Indiana.

Filmed and edited by Mason Rader.

Crazy Talent

Walker, Gomez, Roman and Young square up for Extreme Lagares

 

      

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

The stage is set for a cracking 13th edition of the Extreme XL Lagares in Portugal with Jonny Walker, Alfredo Gomez, Mario Roman and Wade Young all ready to make their presence felt.

With pretty much all the stars of hard enduro entered, bar Graham Jarvis, the race action is set to be hot and heavy in Portugal. Staged over two days for 2017, the race gets underway with it’s now infamous city prolgue in downtown Porto before finishing off Saturday with a night time superenduro styled race in Lagares.

Sunday is the feature race where two laps of the surrounding mountains will test both man and machine.

KTM’s Alfredo starts the event as the defending champion and looks to capture his third consecutive Lagares win this weekend. Claiming the hat trick will see him match Jarvis as one of the most successful riders in the history of the race. And after a tough outing in Brazil, Gomez will be hungry for redemption.

But he’s got a fight on his hands with Sherco’s Mario Roman more than capable of giving him a run for it in Portugal. Roman almost won the race in 2016 and having missed the trip to Brazil starts this weekend fresh and raring to go.

 

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

 

Third overall in 2016, Wade Young won’t want to be out shone by his teammate Roman. Having made his Lagares debut last year, he knows exactly what to expect this time around and should come out swinging.

Ready to kick start his 2017 outdoor season Jonny Walker (KTM) makes his Extreme Lagares debut this weekend. After an injury-hurt 2016 season in hard enduro, Walker is determined to get back to his winning ways and will be on the attack in Portugal.

Looking to make his presence felt, Mani Lettenbichler is a rider easily capable of figuring highly. With Saturday’s format expected to suit the 2016 SuperEnduro Junior champion, the young German may just claim a surprise result.

 

Photo Credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

 

Second at Hell’s Gate, South African Travis Teasdale looks to continue his run of good form in Portugal, likewise Lars Enockl, Pol Tarres, Pierre Pallut and Sergi Leon won’t disappoint.

Unfortunately a foot injury for Billy Bolt will see him most likely sit this out out while David Knight is also rumoured to be a non-starter.

Volcano Riding!

Not even an active-looking volcano can hold Graham Jarvis back!