Moto News Wrap for November 15, 2016 by Darren Smart
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This Week’s News Overview
2016 A4DE kicks off!
Australian Long Track Masters
2017 SGP Calendar revealed
European Motocross Pre-Season settled
Wil Hahn retires
ADAC Supercross – Stuttgart, Germany
Ford Dale is back… for now
AMA Pro Racing announces 2017 American Flat Track schedule
Duvall takes Full Gas Sprint Enduro Championship
This Week’s Racing Overview
Australian Supercross Championships / AUS-X – Round 5 and 6 – Sydney
Bercy (Lille) Supercross – Paris, France
2016 A4DE Kicks Off!
Australian 4 Day Enduro
Where else in the world would a rider be forced to defend his title against the likes of Mathias Bellino, Matthew Phillips, Daniel Sanders, Tye Simmonds, Lyndon Snodgrass, Lachlan Stanford, Stefan Granquist, Riley Graham, Glenn Kearney, Jack Simpson, Shane Watts, Josh Green, Peter Boyle, Justin Carafa, Broc Grabham, Tom McCormack, Nic Tomlinson and Chris Hollis?
Well, that is what is facing Daniel Milner this week as the 2016 A4DE hits country Victoria with the four time winner of the event keen as mustard to get among the action.
Daniel Milner
Daniel Milner
“It’s great to be back home at the moment and for the event to be in Victoria makes it even better. I have had a tough couple of years in the US but racing this event always brings out the best in me and working with the CDR Yamaha crew again is awesome. I hope everyone gets out and supports the event as there are plenty of world class riders and some great riding terrain over the four days.”
Multi-World Enduro Champion Matt Phillips is also looking forward to the event.
Matt Phillips
Matt Phillips
“The preparation has been limited as far as time spent on the bike and physical prep goes. I have had a few months off just to get over quite a good season and regroup for next year. As far as preparation this week goes, it was good having Thomas here – the mechanic from our team in Europe. He is over here and has bought with him an engine and suspension, so I have a really great bike and package for this week. I met the guys from the Sherco team here and they are really friendly and really helpful. I have gotten a really good vibe from those guys. It is always good to be home and catch up with old friends. It has been good to just relax. I am not here to do anything special this week so just be here and try and put a bit of pressure on the guys if I can, if not just be here and enjoy the ride.”
Australian Long Track Masters
The Australian Long Track Masters was held in Bathurst last weekend and it was Jarred Brook who took out the Pro450 class final ahead of Luke Richards and Mack Childs while Todd Kurtz won the 500cc Long Track final ahead of the hard charging duo of Jake Schneiders and Kieran Sproule.
Brook also won the hotly contested Pro-Open class ahead of the mega talented Damien Koppe and evergreen Ben Grabham before Brook continued his winning spree in the Pro-250 class this time ahead of Ben Cook and Childs.
Finally, I am not sure if this is a ‘g-up’ but Ben Grabham won the Over 35s class ahead of Damien Grabham and David Grabham.
2017 SGP Calendar Revealed
The 2017 FIM Speedway Grand Prix series will for the first time be held over 12 rounds in nine different countries with Australia once again hosting the final round in Melbourne with the actual date yet to be confirmed.
2016 SGP – Melbourne
2017 FIM Speedway Grand Prix Calendar
Rd1: April 29: Slovenian FIM Speedway Grand Prix (Krsko)
Rd2: May 13: Warsaw FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Poland (Warsaw)
Rd3: May 27: Latvian FIM Speedway Grand Prix (Daugavpils)
Rd4: June 10: Czech Republic FIM Speedway Grand Prix (Prague)
Rd5: June 24: Kjærgaard Danish FIM Speedway Grand Prix (Horsens)
Rd6: July 22: Adrian Flux British FIM Speedway Grand Prix (Cardiff)
Rd7: August 12: Swedish FIM Speedway Grand Prix (Malilla)
Rd8: August 26: Gorzow FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Poland (Gorzow)
Rd9: September 9: German FIM Speedway Grand Prix (Teterow)
Rd10: September 23: Stockholm FIM Speedway Grand Prix (Stockholm)
Rd11: October 7: Torun FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Poland (Torun)
Rd12: TBC: QBE Insurance Australian FIM Speedway Grand Prix (Melbourne)
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European Motocross Pre-Season Settled
There will be three International Motocross events and the three round Italian Motocross Championships that will serve as the perfect pre-season workout for the riders preparing for the 2017 World Motocross Championship which kicks off in Qatar on February the 25th.
January 21, 22: Redsand’s International Motocross, Spain
January 29: Rd1 – Italian MX Championships, Riola Sardo, Italy
February 5: International Motocross, Hawkstone Park, England
February 5: Rd2 – Italian MX Championship, Malagrotta, Italy
February 12: International Motocross – Lacapelle Marival, France
February 12: Rd3 – Italian MX Championships, Ottobiano, Italy
Wil Hahn Retires
2013 250SX East Championship winner Wil Hahn has announced his retirement from professional racing to take up a role with Factory Connection Honda in America.
Wil Hahn
Wil Hahn
“I don’t know where to begin, as this is hard for me to say. However, the Aus-X Open will be my last race as a full-time professional racer. I know that 26 is a young age to retire from racing, but it is time for me to move on and pursue another career. I am still just as in love with the sport as I was when I was four-years-old, but sadly, my body has taken a beating through the years. The injuries have taken their toll…when I have a family, I want to be able to throw a ball around with my kid!”
Wil Hahn
“I’m proud to announce that after tonight’s Aus-X final, I will assume a role with the Factory Connection Honda team to help with race team testing, and will also work closely with its amateur race team. The future is bright, and I can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store! I hope to see you all at the races!”
ADAC Supercross – Stuttgart, Germany
American Nick Schmidt has won both nights of the ADAC Supercross held in Stittgart in Germany last weekend while Chris Blose managed second outright ahead of Steve Mages.
2012 Australian Motocross Champion Ford Dale substituted for the injured Luke Clout at the final two rounds of the Australian Supercross Championships aboard a Delcon Civil backed Honda Genuine CRF250R last weekend.
Ford Dale
Ford Dale
“Although it’s been 16 months since I last raced at a national level, I have been racing at a local level and have been doing regularly riding and training. I am realistic about my expectations and my goal is to make the main both nights and take things from there.”
Ford is also a multi-Australian Junior Motocross Champion and for many years the most promising talent to come from the Sunshine State.
AMA Pro Racing announces 2017 American Flat Track schedule
AMA Pro Racing have announced an expanded 18-round schedule for the debut season of the newly rebranded American Flat Track series (formerly AMA Pro Flat Track).
The 2017 calendar includes improvements to geographic diversity, the mix of track configurations (six Miles, seven Half-Miles, two Short Tracks and three TTs) and boasts the most rounds on a schedule since 2011.
AMA Pro Flat Track 2016 Daytona – Image by Brian J Nelson
2017 American Flat Track Schedule
March 16: DAYTONA TT – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.
March 25: Georgia Short Track – Dixie Speedway, Woodstock, Ga.
April 1: Charlotte Half-Mile – Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C.
May 13: Arizona Mile – Turf Paradise, Phoenix, Ariz.
May 20: Sacramento Mile – Cal Expo Fairgrounds, Sacramento, Calif.
May 27-28: Springfield Mile I* – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.
June 3: Red Mile – The Red Mile, Lexington, Ky.
June 17: OKC Mile – Remington Park, Oklahoma City
June 24: Lima Half-Mile – Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio
July 8: Rolling Wheels Half-Mile – Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Elbridge, N.Y.
July 29: Calistoga Half-Mile – Calistoga Speedway, Calistoga, Calif.
Aug. 6: Buffalo Chip TT presented by Indian Motorcycle – Buffalo Chip Campgrounds, Sturgis, S.D.
Aug. 8: Black Hills Half-Mile – Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City, S.D.
Aug. 13: Peoria TT – Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, Ill.
Sept. 2-3: Springfield Mile II** – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.
Sept. 9: Williams Grove Half-Mile – Williams Gove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Sept. 23: Lone Star Half-Mile – Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas
Oct. 7: Perris Short Track – Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, Calif.
Duvall Takes Full Gas Sprint Enduro Championship
The final round of the 2016 KENDA Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series was held in Union, SC last weekend and it was Thad Duvall who not only dominated the two day event he also convincingly won the championship after a long and consistent season.
Thad Duvall
“It feels good to get the win and the championship. This was my first win of the season, but I’ve been consistent all year, with a lot of seconds and thirds, and that’s the name of the game,” said Duvall. “I’ve been close before but this is the first one I was able to put together two strong days.”
Australian Mackenzie Tricker took her third Women’s Pro class win of the season ahead of Kendall LaFollette with Brooke Cosner finishing in third after a flat tire in the last test dropped her back. Cosner would, however, clinch the Women’s Pro Class championship.
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Justin Brayton Australian Supercross Champion Video
Australian Supercross Championships / AUS-X Open – Rounds 5 and 6 – Sydney
AUS-X Open – Sydney 2016
Chad Reed lived up to his number one star billing at the second running of AUS-X Open with two wins over the two nights of racing while Justin Brayton and Jackson Richardson wrapped up the SX1 and SX2 Australian Supercross Championship respectively.
Night 1 – SX1 Main
In front of a full house Justin Brayton took the holeshot with Ryan Villopoto and Chad Reed right behind him while another of the Yank imports in Kyle Peters along with Dean Ferris had issues on the opening lap and were out of contention.
AUS-X Open – Sydney 2016
Reed passed Villopoto going into the tunnel for second and after a few laps Brayton was looking strong as Reed struggled to close in on the championship leader while Reardon got around Villopoto for third.
Chad Reed
Brayton took the obligatory short cut (a section where riders can make up ground) on lap three to extend his lead on Reed as Jay Marmont slotted into third when Reardon went down at around the same time that Wil Hahn crashed out of the race handing fourth place to Cooper Webb.
Reed slowly worked his way closer to Brayton at the mid-point of the race before storming through the short cut section to come alongside Brayton but backed out of a certain block pass and lost some ground as Brayton blasted out of the tricky situation.
Reed recovered for another shot at Brayton who had started to encounter lapped traffic and just as one would think Brayton had the race in the bag the Honda spewed sideways out of a slick right hand corner handing Reed the pass and the eventual win ahead of Brayton, Marmont, Webb, Mosig and Villopoto.
Second place was enough for Brayton to earn the SX1 championship.
Saturday SX1 Main Event:
Chad Reed
Justin Brayton
Jay Marmont
Cooper Webb
Kade Mosig
Ryan Villopoto
Daniel Reardon
Dean Ferris
Todd Waters
Wil Hahn
SX2 Main
Gavin Faith claimed the holeshot ahead of Nathan Crawford and Jackson Richardson while championship leader Hayden Mellross recovered from a poor start to move into fourth place at the end of lap three so the running order going into lap four being Faith, Richardson, Crawford, Mellross, Wilson Todd and Aaron Tanti.
Mellross then used the short cut lane during lap four to make the move by Crawford for third and the top three held their positions until there were three laps to go when Mellross moved right on to the back of Richardson and decided on a take-out move for second place which caused both riders to nearly crash.
But Richardson ducked under the collision to blast out of the corer to secure second behind Faith and ahead of Mellross, Crawford and Wilson Todd.
Gavin Faith
Saturday SX2 Main Event:
Gavin Faith
Jackson Richardson
Hayden Mellross
Nathan Crawford
Wilson Todd
Aaron Tanti
Joel Wightman
Kale Makeham
Geran Stapleton
Josh Cachia
Night 2 – SX1 Main
Ryan Villopoto grabbed the holeshot ahead of Reed who had an early coming together with Brayton leaving the Honda rider on the ground while Reardon led Cooper Webb, Ferris and Marmont.
Ryan Villopoto
Villopoto looked comfortable in the lead before Reed used the short cut lane to move into first place just as Reardon crashed over the berm after the finish line double handing Webb third position ahead of Ferris while Brayton was making short work of the back markers to move into fifth place.
Half way through the main event Reed lead from Webb who moved in front of Villopoto, Brayton, Ferris, Peters, Alldredge, Marmont, Hahn, Reardon, Enticknap and Dobson.
Dean Ferris
On lap eight Jay Marmont crashed in the whoops and put himself out of the running for another well-earned podium.
On lap 17 Brayton moved all the way back in to 4th passing Ferris and then went after Villopoto for third and using the risky quad jump before the sand tunnel Brayton quickly closed in on Villopoto and made the move into third with two laps to run.
Ryan Villopoto – Cooper Webb
On the final lap Webb used the short cut lane to try and make a move on Reed but the Aussie super-star made it two for two wins at the 2016 Aus-X Open with Webb finishing in second ahead of a brave Brayton, Villopoto and Ferris.
Chad Reed
“It feels awesome to win the two nights here at the AUS-X Open. I felt good all weekend, and having the crowd on my side as much as they were was absolutely awesome. I love this event, and I’m all for coming down to Australia – so hopefully we can get back here next year.”
Justin Brayton
Justin Brayton
“I am thankful for the opportunity to come and race, Australia is a beautiful country with many beautiful places and people. The team and I had a goal and we stuck to it throughout the championship. This has been an unbelievable experience, I couldn’t be happier. This weekend was tough, I qualified first both nights. On Saturday I made a mistake and handed the lead to Chad with a few laps to go. On Sunday I was taken down in the first turn and had to come from way behind. It was a rewarding ride, coming from last and finishing third.”
Kyle Peters
Kyle Peters
“The first night I had an awesome heat race and went straight to the main. In the main I was running fourth or fifth on the first lap and ended up getting hit hard and knocked off the track pretty hard. I hit a few medical guys and the wall. It took me a couple of minutes to rejoin the track so I couldn’t really catch back up and I ended up 12th. Night two was really good, I won the Semi and in the main I got on okay start and came through the pack a little bit and ended up sixth. Overall a lot of positives from the weekend and a few negatives, but from my standpoint we learned a lot and made a lot of progress. I was stoked.”
Wil Hahn
Wil Hahn
“It was an up and down weekend for sure! I lost a lot of points last night unfortunately, but tonight I rode good and made some points back. The main event was pretty chaotic, but to have the opportunity to come over here and end my career in Australia is really cool. I didn’t feel like I was aggressive enough this weekend, I probably should have laid into some people when I didn’t, although it was still good racing and it was the best round of the year, for sure. It was tough for passing, you had to get good starts, but I enjoyed it a lot and have to say a huge thank you to National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team.”
Dean Ferris
Dean Ferris
“I have really enjoyed this years’ championship and to be the best placed Australian and take second in the series is a great result for me and something I’m proud of. Supercross doesn’t come naturally to me as I didn’t do any of it as a kid growing up so I have had to work hard at it and put in some long hours but it was well worth it and I have really had some fun at the track this year. This weekend was special as we were able to work along-side Chad and Cooper and its’ amazing to get a closer look at how they work and the way they do things.”
Dean Ferris
“Thank you to the CDR Yamaha team, Aiden my mechanic, and all of our sponsors who have put in such a huge effort this year. Coming back to Australia and working with the CDR Yamaha crew has been a great move in my career and I’m really happy with how this year has gone and they have played a huge part in that.”
Dan Reardon
Dan Reardon
“I have been playing catch up for the last half of the year. When I injured my knee at the MX Nationals, it was a race against time to be ready for this championship and unfortunately, you can’t rush your own body but to finish third is pretty good and it’s awesome to be racing supercross again. The Aus-X Open is an amazing event and to have so many people come out and support us is awesome. Thank you to the team at CDR Yamaha and I now look forward to a little break and heal up a bit.”
The slowest of the Yank import in Chris Alldredge managed to gain entry into the night show on both Saturday and Sunday, finishing 11th in the main event on night one and bettering his result on day two by finishing the second SX1 final in ninth.
Image by Marc Jones – Chris Alldredge
Chris Alldredge
“I had a lot of fun at the AUS-X Open, with such a talented field of riders it really brought out the fans and as a rider I always enjoy competing in front of big crowds like that. Being such a tight stadium there was a lot of bar to bar racing which really makes the atmosphere of the event and I’m stoked to have been a part of that. I’d like to thank Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team for giving me the opportunity to come over and race, I’ve had a blast and I’m definitely a big fan of Australian Supercross.”
Chad Reed
Sunday SX1 Main Event:
Chad Reed
Cooper Webb
Justin Brayton
Ryan Villopoto
Dean Ferris
Kyle Peters
Wil Hahn
Daniel Reardon
Chris Alldredge
Adam Enticknap
Reed takes the SX1 win, with third placed Brayton securing the SX1 Championship title
Final SX1 Championship Standings:
Justin Brayton- 115
Dean Ferris – 91
Dan Reardon – 81
Wil Hahn – 81
Jay Marmont – 71
Kade Mosig – 64
Jay Wilson – 48
Adam Enticknap – 47
Kyle Peters – 43
Luke Wilson – 35
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SX2 Main
Championship leader Hayden Mellross and Jackson Richardson were separated by just six points going into the final main event but it was Gavin Faith who took then holeshot from Mellross.
Meanwhile Richardson was buried in the pack but by the half way mark Richardson had carved his way by Jordan Hill, Kyle Webster, Thomas Ravenhorst, Ford Dale and Josh Cachia to claim third spot.
Jackson Richardson
As the laps continued Faith held firm at the front while Mellross rode hard to try and get to the back wheel of the race leader but Richardson could do nothing to close the gap and perhaps claim the championship but with just two laps remaining Mellross’ Yamaha spluttered to a stop going into the tunnel thus handing second place and the championship to Richardson.
Faith finished the final lap in the lead to take the win while Richardson crossed the line in second spot yet did not realise that he had won the 2016 Australian Supercross Championship.
Mellross congratulated Richardson on this championship success with the two riders embracing.
Jackson Richardson
Jackson Richardson
“I couldn’t believe it when they said I had won it. I saw that Hayden was on the side of the track on that last lap, but I thought he maybe just crashed and that he would get going and would get the championship, but obviously something major happened and he was unable to get his bike going. I’m devastated for him and it can be a cruel sport sometimes. He is a great guy and an awesome rival and I know he will win championships in the future. We came into the last two rounds nine points behind, I made a couple up on Saturday night and all I wanted to do is just keep fighting and not give up on it. We had some luck in the end, but it’s awesome to win this championship. I can’t thank the Serco Yamaha team and everyone at Yamaha enough for giving me this opportunity. It was a last minute deal but the team has been great and riding the YZ250F is amazing. My family’s at home for all the years of support and we have worked hard for this so it feels unreal – I still can’t believe I won.”
Hayden Mellross
Hayden Mellross
“Honestly, there are no words, I haven’t been off the podium all season and I did everything I needed to do to put myself in second. It is no-one’s fault, we race mechanical machines and things like this happen but I am only 21 and I will work even harder to make 2017 even sweeter.”
Faith on the other hand had to be content with second despite his dominance of the final three rounds.
Gavin Faith
Gavin Faith
“I am happy with how I rode and raced this year. I made the mistake in round two which cost the team and I the championship. I won four rounds and finished 2nd in other. The one DNF has taught me a valuable lesson.”
Sunday SX2 Main Event
Gavin Faith
Jackson Richardson
Kyle Webster
Josh Cachia
Jordan Hill
Joel Whitman
Geran Stapleton
Wilson Todd
Thomas Ravenhorst
Kieran Hall
Gavin Faith takes overall first for the SX2 event, while Richardson wins the SX2 Championship
Final SX2 Championship Standings
Jackson Richardson
Gavin Faith
Hayden Mellross
Joel Wightman
Wade Hunter
Wilson Todd
Dylan Wills
Jordan Hill
Kyle Webster
Aaron Tanti
Lille Supercross – Paris, France
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Marvin Musquin has won the ‘King of Lille’ after dominating both nights of the iconic events held in Paris, France last weekend.
Musquin won the opening night well ahead of Justin Barcia who had a hard time holding off Malcolm Stewart for most of the race and it was much of the same on night two with Musquin well ahead of Barcia but Stewart was more determined to get to second place until a crash put pay to a solid night for the unemployed American.
Marvin Musquin – King of the Lille – France
Christian Craig was able to come from behind on both nights to net 5-3 finishes for third outright while Stewart’s crash on Sunday night cost him the podium.
Marvin Musquin said, “I rode well at the SMX Cup, and I want to continue that form here in Lille. I am really excited for my speed at the moment.”
Justin Barcia said, “He was very quick, but Marvin had a great race and I hoped to be better. I got to Geneva in a couple of weeks and hopefully I will have a little more”.
Christian Craig said, “First time in Lille and I had a lot of fun. The fans were crazy, thanks for making it so much fun.”
Riding and reviewing motorcycles for some time now, Kris writes for MCNews from time to time while also being an awesome all-rounder helping to keep the site content flowing.
Chad Reed
