Mosiman To Fill In AT Star Racing

Michael Mosiman is making a return, and Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha has signed him for the 250 West Supercross. His debut is scheduled for San Diego Supercross Round 3 on January 20. There were numerous rumors about Mosiman testing the Star Yamaha in the past weeks. However, today we have confirmation from both insiders of the sport, Kris Cooksey and Steve Matthes. Mosiman will serve as a fill-in rider for Stylez Robertson, who has been badly injured in pre-season testing and has announced that he will skip the 2024 Supercross Season.

Fantic Returns To Race MXGP

Fantic Factory Racing sign long-term deal with Shot

 

Shot Race Gear is excited to announce a long-term partnership with the newly formed Fantic Factory Racing MXGP team. The team will enter the 2024 MXGP World Championship with multiple GP winner Glenn Coldenhoff and former EMX250 champion Roan van de Moosdijk. Both of them will make their race debut in Shot at the Internazionali d’Italia opener early February in Riola Sardo.

After a successful first season the partnership between Shot and Fantic Motorcycles shifts into higher gear with an entry in MXGP. Racking up 37 podiums out of 27 GPs in the last two seasons the crew of team owner Louis Vosters is ready for a new challenge. Shot will provide riders with the acclaimed Aerolite racewear and proven body protection.

Fan favourite Glenn Coldenhoff, 32, earned five podiums en route to fourth overall in his 2023 MXGP campaign. Although he’s known as one of the fastest sand riders in the world he made a name for himself by dominating in the MX of Nations back to back individually in 2018 and 2019.

In spite of an injury Roan Van De Moosdijk capped off his MX2 career in a positive manner with two overall podiums and a moto win. The strong Dutchman has found the perfect platform to exploit his MXGP potential in the Fantic XXF 450. At 23 Roan is stoked to start an exciting new chapter in his career.

Former vice-world champion Kevin Strijbos, coach for Romain Febvre in the last two seasons, has been attracted to guide Coldenhoff and Van De Moosdijk in their efforts on and off the bike.

Although the crew of Louis Vosters and team manager Vitaliy Tonkov has changed manufacturers in the off-season the ambitions remain the same. Building on their already impressive tally every team member is pushing to remain at the pinnacle of the sport.

Glenn Coldenhoff: “Early on in my GP career I was a Shot athlete so it’s nice to re-join the Shot Race Gear family. It’s amazing how Shot has grown since those early days! Trying out the new gear was a really nice surprise. The fit, image and look are really awesome. I can’t wait to show all the cool colourways we have in store for next season.”

Roan Van De Moosdijk: “I feel that the 450 bike really suits me which is a breath of fresh compared to MX2 where my size was a disadvantage. It will be an honour to compete in the toughest motocross series in the world wearing Shot. The gear looks awesome and feels very comfy!”

Louis Vosters, team owner: “Having seen Shot in GP’s for so long this new partnership already feels familiar. Our riders look great in their new riding gear and from all the technical features you can see the attention to detail! Everything is in place for a strong 2024 season, we’re looking forward to start this new adventure together with all our partners and fans.”
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Mariano Roman, CEO of Fantic Motor: “Building an elite racing program is synonymous with bringing together world class partners. We’re proud to continue our successful journey with Shot Race gear in MXGP. At Fantic we’re inspired to provide riders with the ultimate in performance and enjoyment on the bike, so we can’t wait to discover new ways to do that together with Shot.”

Ghislain Huot, CEO Shot Race Gear: “We are delighted to extend our cooperation with Fantic Motorcycles and join forces with the Fantic Factory Racing MXGP team. The common fit couldn’t be any better! Louis Vosters has assembled a group of highly driven people who all share our passion for high performance. We will be putting in place some very exciting projects with Fantic, Glenn and Roan in 2024!”

The 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship begins March 10th 2024 at the scenic Villa La Angostura track in Patagonia, Argentina.

Anaheim 1...What Happened?

Q&A: What we learned from Anaheim 1

Section: Regulars Post: MotoOnline

Further breaking down the opening round of Supercross 2024.

Words: Simon Makker

The first round of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship at Anaheim 1 is traditionally one of the most unpredictable, chaotic races of the year, and the 2024 instalment more than lived up to those expectations. MotoOnline answers some of the primary questions that our team had from an intense night of competition in this edition of Q&A.

Image: Octopi Media

Q: Should the rest of the field be concerned that Jett Lawrence has started his rookie 450SX campaign so strongly?

A: Nobody will be reaching for the panic button just yet, but there are certainly warning signs that the Team Honda HRC rookie is an odds-on favorite to continue his title-winning ways in 2024. Lawrence’s seven-second A1 victory saw him continue to break new records as the first rookie to win a 450SX round at his debut race, as he comfortably managed his main event lead from gate drop to checkered flag. Prior to that he’d topped the qualifying charts, and finished second in his heat race, despite a self-induced tumble in the latter stages as he closed in on leader Cooper Webb (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing).

Q: Who would be the most disappointed at this point?

A: At the other end of the sibling spectrum, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence – also in his 450SX debut – endured a tough day out. He knocked his head in a first-turn pile-up in his heat and circulated to 17th, then was pinched off the start in the LCQ and narrowly missed out on making the main, despite a frantic charge from the rear of the pack. Two-time champion Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) also had a very subdued night, even by his first-round standards, as he finished ninth in the main event. Still, that was three markers better than Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo, who was chasing pace all day and finished the night P12 after fending off MXGP champion Jorge Prado (Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing). In the 250SX West opener, new Team Honda HRC recruit, Jo Shimoda had been widely tipped as a title threat, but bad starts hampered his opening round, finishing ninth in his heat race, then scrapping his way to a P4 finish in the main event.

Image: Octopi Media.

Q: Who stood out as the biggest shock?

A: In hindsight, it shouldn’t have been a surprise to see Webb have such an impressive ride at Anaheim, especially after such a strong showing for the majority of last year’s Supercross championship. But entering 2024, the new Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing signing wasn’t really mentioned in title fight conversations, which mainly centered around Jett Lawrence, Tomac and Chase Sexton. Webb put himself right back in that conversation on Saturday night, setting the second-fastest qualifying time, winning his heat, then spending most of the main event hounding Monster Energy Kawasaki’s reinvigorated Jason Anderson for P2 before an unfortunate tumble late in the race. Also, lets shine some light on Aaron Plessinger, because for the Red Bull KTM fan favorite to finish fourth at the opener, he’s set himself up for a strong season ahead already. In the 250SX class, Max Vohland (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) and Jordon Smith (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) both won their heats and looked impressive in the process, but the biggest revelation was Red Bull KTM rookie Julien Beaumer. Unfazed by the pressure and bright lights, the teenager holeshot both his 250SX heat (which he finished in P2) and the main event (P6), marking a very promising debut.

Q: How did Chase Sexton look in his first outing with Red Bull KTM?

A: It was a mixed day for the defending Supercross champion, Chase Sexton, on his first showing under the orange awning. The day started well, with Sexton logging a qualifying time less than half a second off Lawrence’s sheet-topper. He was then involved in the first-turn pile-up with Hunter Lawrence in his heat, but recovered well to finish sixth. The main event was a relatively quiet affair, in which he established himself in fourth for most of the race, before capitalizing on Webb’s late error to snatch a podium solid result. It’s valuable points in the bag and he’ll be satisfied to start his title defence with a new team in a strong position.

Q: Is there anyone whose results didn’t reflect their performance?

A: Webb’s sixth-place finish due to his late crash doesn’t do justice for the pace he was running, but he wasn’t the only one. Progressive Insurance Ecstar Suzuki’s Ken Roczen (who easily won his heat race) and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Malcolm Stewart finished their night in 10th and 11th, respectively, but they were both involved in a first-lap pile-up and had to desperately claw their way from the back of the field. Similarly, MotoConcepts Honda’s Mitchell Oldenburg had to do a huge amount of damage control in the 250SX final after his bike got badly stuck in the gate and started a distant last. Despite that, he was able to move his way forward to a credible P8 result.

Q: Could this be 250SX main event winner RJ Hampshire’s year?

A: The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider definitely stamped his authority on the opening round of the 250SX West championship, quickly dispatching of the fast-starting Beaumer on the second lap, and then controlling his lead over Smith for the rest of the main event. Earlier in the day, he’d qualified second to Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) and finished a close P2 to Smith in his heat, but it was the main event where he really shone. If Hampshire can continue to hold his Anaheim pace and form into the remaining rounds, he’ll be a very real contender for his first Supercross crown.

Q: What’s the latest news injury news for the riders who crashed?

A: There were numerous crashes and DNFs throughout the day and the outcomes range across the spectrum. In good news, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher (250SX) and Cooper Webb are confirmed as starters for this weekend’s second round at San Francisco, despite both crashing on the same jump at A1. Kawasaki privateer Freddie Noren has also confirmed he’ll line up on Saturday night, despite a minor wrist injury and some facial bruising sustained in his 450SX main event crash. While there’s no word on Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Christian Craig’s status after his main event crash, there are unofficial reports that controversial SmartTop MotoConcepts Honda Racing rider Vince Friese separated his shoulder after tangling with Dean Wilson (Fire Power Honda). The extent of the injury and how long he might be sidelined are unclear. Further down the order, Lux Turner (AEO Powersports KTM) fractured his hip, Dylan Walsh (Host Grindstone Kawasaki) lacerated his small intestine early in the practice sessions, and Logan Karnow (Kawasaki) dislocated his ankle in a first-turn heat crash.

2024 Supercross Round 2 The Antecedents of San Francisco Supercross

Did Jett Lawrence ACTUALLY Break the Rookie Win Record?

The 2024 San Francisco Supercross is up next and it's round two of the Monster Energy Supercross season. In This Week in MXA, episode 160, presented by O'Neal, we look ahead to San Francisco while also highlighting the Anaheim 1 A1 Supercross. Did Jett Lawrence really break the record of being the first rookie to win a 450SX Main Event? Josh lays out the facts of Josh Grant and Ken Roczen doing this in a similar fashion before.

Norton Replaces Cairoli - KTM

 Preparation for the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship is already well underway and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will aim to defend their MX2 title and push for more MXGP spoils with the same rider line-up but under new management. Stepping up from his Technical Co-ordinator role, Harry Norton has assumed the position of Team Manager and the 29-year-old Australian will guide the efforts of the crew and Jeffrey Herlings, Andrea Adamo, Liam Everts and Sacha Coenen with KTM 450 SX-F and KTM 250 SX-F machinery in the 20-round series.

Norton arrived in Austria in 2019 after a long association with KTM and KTM Australia in his native country where he worked at a local dealership and then also around the national racing scene. His passion for dirtbikes and competition meant he was eager to break through to the hub of the factory’s motorsport activities in Europe. His easy-going manner and technical proficiency allowed him to forge an immediately beneficial relationship with rookie Tom Vialle; the Frenchman won a Grand Prix in his first season and the pair scooped two MX2 world championships in the following three years.

Norton quickly assumed an instrumental role inside the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing organisation and was seen as the natural successor to Dirk Gruebel in 2023 as Team Technical Co-ordinator. The crew underwent a major revamp with three new riders and a wholesale reset of technical staff as KTM looked to the future. Norton was able to marshal the squad to a fifteenth MX2 crown with the KTM 250SX-F thanks to the positive first step with Adamo, and also help Herlings reach a new all-time win record of 103 Grand Prix triumphs in the MXGP category and with the KTM 450 SX-F.

Harry’s positive growth and growing influence means he will take the reigns of the MXGP operation for 2024, backed by Gruebel, Team Co-ordinator Valentina Ragni, Team Trainer Joel Smets and other figures such as new Technical Co-ordinator Stefan Simpson.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will be competing in MXGP pre-season events in Spain, Italy, France, Holland and the UK before the season begins in Argentina on March 10th.

Harry Norton, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “People have asked me how I feel about this, and the answer is simply: excited. It was a dream to work for this team, and to make it as one of the key figures and to have such an input into how we go racing is next level for me. I’ve had some of the best possible influences around me, such as Dirk, Peter [Tillerkvist], Robert [Jonas] and Pit [Beirer], and I want to thank them for their help and for sharing their experience. We’ve got another big season ahead and with the same goals we always have. We have a strong team and we’ll work with the same passion and the same dedication to achieve what we can.”

Robert Jonas, Vice President Offroad Racing: “Harry has reached this position based on qualities that we really appreciate and we really value. He is passionate about the sport and dedicated to the brand: he already has a long KTM history and made a huge change to travel across the world and chase his professional dreams. He not only has the technical knowledge but has shown a high willingness to learn and can evaluate situations very well. What is also important is his character: Harry is open, friendly and calm and these are essential qualities for a race team that needs good organisation, a good atmosphere and to face the drama that sport can bring. We really believe in him. 2023 was already a test of what he can do and now he’s directing one of our most successful Red Bull KTM teams. We are confident that he, Valentina, Dirk and all the guys have a strong 2024.”

Haiden Deegan Injured... SX Season in Jeopardy!

There were many rumors circulating in the Anaheim pits last weekend during the first round of Supercross. Speculation was rife about a wrist injury, and indeed, the injury is in Haiden Deegan’s wrist, specifically the scaphoid.

As Haiden Deegan gears up for the 2024 AMA Supercross Season in the 250 East, commencing on February 3rd at Detroit SX, Steve Matthes confirmed today that Deegan is indeed injured. Despite the setback, Deegan is determined to participate in the Detroit Supercross. A scaphoid injury typically requires up to 12 weeks for recovery, but considering that Deegan sustained the injury in December, there may be sufficient time for healing before the event on February 3rd.

Amidst swirling rumors suggesting that Deegan might withdraw from Supercross to focus on the Pro Motocross Season, Matthes clarified today that Deegan will make an attempt to compete

Dakar Stage 6

The newest addition to the Dakar Rally – the 48 Hour Chrono – finally got underway on the opening day of Stage Six in the gargantuan Empty Quarter dunes, where 626 km of desert tested both mental and physical stamina on Thursday and continues into Friday

Riders were tasked with making their way across the route as fast they could today, and once the clock got to 1600 riders headed to the nearest bivouac.

Adrien Van Beveren was on favoured terrain and with a second-place finish on stage five he kept Ricky Brabec – who led for much of the day – within his sights. Less than 30-seconds covered them in a battle across the dunes, before the number 42 took the provisional lead after 400 km.

Brabec judged the dunes to perfection to finish second, keeping an eye on that important fuel consumption which unfortunately caught out Pablo Quintanilla.

Ricky Brabec

After a great stage victory yesterday, Quintanilla ran out of fuel 184 km into the special test and just 10 km prior to the first refuelling point, losing him over an hour and a half to the front runners. The rally veteran eventually found some fuel and rejoined the stage to try and regain as much time as he can. Teammate José Ignacio Cornejo finished the day ninth.

Pablo Quintanilla faced disaster after running out of fuel

Taking advantage of his third-place result on Wednesday’s stage five and the reverse start to today’s special, Toby Price pushed hard right from the off, using his skill and experience to navigate through the vast dunes

Increasing his pace as he chased down the 14 riders ahead of him, Toby moved into third place on the timesheets by kilometre 200 – a position he defended to the close of the day’s racing. The Australian will now camp out in the Saudi desert with little in the way of facilities ahead of Friday’s second half of the stage.

Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders also successfully made it through the first leg, as one of just 12 riders to reach the sixth temporary bivouac on the special, ranked fourth-fastest as it stands. With racing resuming tomorrow, Chucky is well-placed to complete the unique special in a strong position, as he slowly chips away at the overall lead.

Andreas Hölzl  – GASGAS Rally Team Manager

“It’s been a great day for Daniel. He delivered a mistake-free ride and reached the sixth temporary bivouac on the stage today with no problems. The stage started a little later than normal, which meant that the temperatures were a little higher than usual, so it’s been a really long and tough stage. Overall, I’m happy with Daniel’s performance. We’re almost halfway through the race now and once tomorrow’s second leg of the stage is complete, we’ll certainly enjoy the rest day.

Luciano Benavides completed the top five for the first half of the new 48-hour chrono stage, while brother Kevin was the seventh rider to enter the special on stage six and despite the earlier start, ended the day in the same position – seventh-fastest.

The overall outright cumulative rankings are still very much provisional but we believe Ricky Brabec has overhauled Ross Branch to now be the outright leader.

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Dakar Stage 5

2024 Dakar Rally Stage 5 in a nutshell – Al Hofuf > Shubaytah , Special: 118km Liaison: 527km

• There’s not much to say about today’s special stage except that it was mainly dunes and at 118km was basically a sprint for these guys. A sprint ahead of the mysterious two-day Chrono stage to follow (more on that below).
• 1:32.53 on the special for today’s winner Pablo Quintanilla (subject to any speeding fines again, eh Pablo?!). Less rocks, less trick navigation, more dunes saw the Chilean finish ahead of sand lovers Adrien Van Beveren, Toby Price and Daniel Sanders – all three having their best daily results of the rally so far (they need it).
• Two engine changes on his Kove done already, Mason Klein popped back into the mix today with P5. We know he should be here in the top 10 but Mason hasn’t been so this year much due to mechanical problems on his new ride (this is development riding and some for the Chinese manufacturer!). Starting in 56th place today Klein did get an hour and 15 longer sleeping relative to the leaders, so it’s not all bad…
• Sixth on the stage and 3:42 off the pace, Ross Branch was steadier after two crashes yesterday but did enough to regain the overall race lead, swinging back in his favour by one minute. That’s four of the five stages he has lead already for Hero.
• Stage four winner, and overnight leader, Nacho Cornejo had a harder time leading in the soft stuff and though he tried, gaining a meagre .49s of bonus time (added at 1s for every kilometre led), he got hoovered up by the guys following his wheel tracks and finished 12th and over six minutes down.
• Ricky Brabec remains a solid third overall, 3:47 down but still, it feels like these three have the race in their hands at this stage. Van Beveren in gaining momentum, and the next few days will be crucial in the sand, but he is the best of the rest 18 minutes adrift on scratch times.
• “I’m happy I could finish but in the last 5kms my bike stopped three or four times, we will see…”. It sounded ominous for World Rally-Raid Champion Lucian Benavides who arrived by the skin of his teeth on a bike sounding very rough. It could be an engine change for Luciano tonight which means 15 minutes added to his time which will drop him outside the top 10.

• What does need pointing out in no uncertain terms is how damn far they rode to get to the start of the special – it took two fuel stops and was a long, straight and boring road in the cold and dark.
• As we’ve said before, drop into Google Maps and check how far 527 kilometres (327 miles) is from your front door. Now get up at 3:30am and do it on a dirt bike.
• It’s no fun in a freezing desert either, plus this is day five of the Dakar so they’re already knackered. “That’s the furthest I’ve ever ridden a motorbike!” Said EnduroGP Women’s World Champion Jane Daniels (62nd today), competing her first Dakar. ‘On yer’ Jane as the Aussies say.
• They needed it easier (on the bike at least) today because from tomorrow morning they are on their own again in this vast and empty place.
• A two-day marathon stage, or rather one single stage spread over two days which they are dubbing the “48hr Chrono” section begins tomorrow. So Stage 5 is run across Thursday and Friday – Stage 6A and Stage 6B if you like.
• Details remain thin as the organisers are keeping schtum until tonight’s briefing, leaving riders and teams in the dark until the last minute. One detail is the GP class departs in reverse order meaning Joan Barreda, last in class tonday, goes first while Quintanilla will go 17th (Rally2 class follows on after in classification order). Stage 6A will be long and potentially hot again like today, riding to a time cut-off point where they stop, have limited time to check their own bikes and then bed down in a tent village (no service crew and limited facilities, no catering etc).  
• When we’ve listened to the briefing tonight, we’ll pass on the info because we’re as curious as the riders and teams are. Stay tuned.

2024 German SuperEnduro

Billy Bolt Extends Championship Lead At 2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship