Moto News Weekly | Beach Racing | GNCC | ISDE

Moto News Weekly for October 29, 2019

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What happened this week

• Watson wins French Beach Race Loon-Plage Round 2
• 2019 Grand National Cross Country season wraps up at Ironman
• RecoveR8 Australian ISDE team line-up updated
• What to expect for 2020 AMA SX season after Monster Cup
• 2020 Championship Calendars
  • 2020 AMA Motocross
  • 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross
  • 2020 MXGP
  • 2020 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Speedway

Watson wins French Beach Race Loon-Plage Round 2

Nathan Watson secured victory at round two of the Championnat de France des Sables at Loon-Plage with the win moving the defending French Beach Race Champion to the top of the provisional series standings. Teammate Camille Chapeliere delivered a much-improved performance over his round one result, taking a strong fourth, while Jeffrey Dewulf and Milko Potisek completed the top three, mirroring their positions in the standings.

The Championnat de France des Sables moved north to Loon-Place, near Dunkirk, for round two, returning to a traditional beach race format, and the fight for victory was played out over a gruelling two-and-a-half-hour race.

Placing as runner-up at round one following a couple of mistakes, Nathan Watson was looking forward to the longer race distance and the chance to show both his pace and endurance. Starting 11th, during the opening six laps he calmly worked his way into the top five while maintaining sight of the leaders.

Taking the race lead on lap 17 of 25, Nathan then dropped to third following his final pit stop. Battling back to second and feeling strong while doing so, he again regained control of the race lead with two laps remaining. Upping his pace, with conditions at their worst he pulled clear of his rivals to secure a 26-second margin of victory.

Nathan Watson

“Taking the win and with it the championship leader’s red plate has made for a great day at Loon-Plage. I was looking forward to returning to the longer, more traditional style beach race after the shorter, multi-race format at round one. I feel that’s where I’m best and can keep pushing throughout the race. Unfortunately, my start wasn’t the best, but I knew if I kept the leaders in sight then the race would come to me. The sunshine actually made things tricky with shadows on the bumps and holes, so I tried to settle into the first hour and then work my way forward. With two laps to go I felt strong and attacked hard to put myself into the lead and pull clear for the win. Overall, I’m chuffed with that ride because my shoulder still isn’t 100 per cent and there’s a few more things we’d like to improve on the bike. I’ve got the final round of the World Enduro Super Series next weekend and after that I’ll fully concentrate on improving more.”

The Championnat de France des Sables continues with round three at Magesq on November 16-17.

Championnat de France des Sables Round 2 – Loon-Plage

1. Nathan Watson (GBR), KTM, 25 laps 2:31:54.730
2. Jeffrey Dewulf (FRA), KTM, 25 laps 2:32:21.320 +26.590
3. Milko Potisek (FRA), Yamaha, 25 laps 2:32:39.880 +45.150
4. Camille Chapeliere (FRA), KTM, 25 laps 2:37:25.260 +5:30.530
5. Todd Kellett (GBR), Yamaha, 25 laps 2:37:57.710 +6:02.980

Championship Standings (After round 2)

1. Nathan Watson (GBR), KTM, 285pts
2. Jeffrey Dewulf (FRA), KTM, 260pts
3. Milko Potisek (FRA), Yamaha, 235pts
4. Todd Kellett (GBR), Yamaha, 225pts
5. Camille Chapeliere (FRA), KTM, 201pts

2019 Grand National Cross Country season wraps up at Ironman

The 2019 Grand National Cross Country Series officially came to an end after Sunday’s motorcycle racing at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where tricky, muddy conditions proved a challenge, adding slick sections in spots throughout the day.

The conditions wouldn’t stop Ben Kelley from making his way through the pack after an almost dead last start off the line. Kelley would come through on the first lap already sitting third overall. Kelley would consistently get faster each lap, and by the time he came through on lap number two he would be sitting first overall.

Kelley was not looking back as he maintained those fast lap times until the chequered flag flew. Kelley has now earned two overall and XC1 Open Pro class wins in a row, and moved into the third place position in the National Championship points standings for the year.

Trevor Bollinger maneuvered his way through the pack after a fifth place start to the day to come through second overall and land his fifth podium finish of the season. Coming back from a mid-pack start to round out the overall podium at the season finale was Steward Baylor Jr. After running sixth and fifth for majority of the day, Baylor Jr. was able to capitalise on the last lap and take third overall to end his season.

Grant Baylor steadily worked his way up through the pack, moving his way up to fourth overall as the checkered flag flew. Josh Strang would derail his chain on the first lap, and have to battle back for his seventh overall on the day.

XC2 250 Pro

In the XC2 250 Pro class it was Craig Delong coming away with second-straight win the class, while also coming through eighth overall in Indiana. Delong would battle throughout the day swapping positions multiple times, but ultimately coming away with another win. Delong holds onto second in the XC2 class points standings for the year.

Liam Draper earned another podium finish at the season finale, and holds onto fifth in the year end points standings. Draper put up a fight for the lead position and for his podium position throughout the duration of the race. Draper would hold off his fellow competitors though and take the second place finish by a couple minutes.

Jonathan Johnson landed himself the final podium position to end the year, with only a couple hours on a brand-new bike. This was Johnson’s first-ever XC2 podium finish, which helped him secure his eighth place finish in the class standings.

FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am

Chase Colville earned his first FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class win of the season after a handful of podium finishes throughout the year. Colville sits third in the points standings. Nathan Ferderer and Logan Kittock rounded out the class podium with a second and third.

Taking home the top amateur honors at the season finale was Simon Johnson. Johnson clinched his class championship, while also announcing he would move to the XC2 class for the 2020 season. Ryder LeBlond came through to earn second overall and second in the 250 A class. After earning the youth overall championship earlier in the season Joseph Cunningham made his way to the top amateur podium to end the 2019 season.

WXC

MacKenzie Tricker came through to earn the WXC class win at the conclusion of Sunday’s morning race at the Ironman GNCC. Rachael Archer would come through to finish second with Becca Sheets rounding out the final WXC podium of the season.

Tayla Jones

“If anyone told me as I was packing my bags three-years ago to move to the other side of the world, and that in three years time I’d have three GNCC championships I would’ve laughed. It was the dream for sure but for it to now be a reality is incredible. This year was definitely the toughest, and I am beyond grateful for all of the support of my team, family and friends who stuck behind me the whole way.”

However, attention would be turned towards Tayla Jones as she clinched her third WXC National Championship after a hard-fought battle all year long.

RecoveR8 Australian ISDE team line-up updated

With less than three weeks until 2019 FIM International Six Days’ Enduro (ISDE) in Portugal, Motorcycling Australia has announced an adjustment to the RecoveR8 Australian World and Junior Trophy Team and rider lineup.

Four-time world champion Matthew Phillips (KTM Australia & MX Store) will come into the World Trophy team and replace Wil Ruprecht, with Fraser Higlett to join the World Junior Trophy Team.

Phillips will return to the team after last racing in the 2017 ISDE in France when the Aussies placed as runners up to the French on home soil. Returning to Australia in 2019 Phillips competed in both the E1 and E2 class in the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC).

The four-time world champion will be keen to yet again compete on the world stage where he made a name for himself in the EnduroGP as he made a habit of winning championships. He will join the likes of Joshua Green, Daniel Sanders and Luke Styke who will look to defend the World Trophy in which they took out in 2018 in Chile.

Matthew Phillips

“I am very excited to get the call up after a tough year with injury, with this being my 7th ISDE. It’s come at the just the right time to get a jump start on some training ready for a big off-season”, confirmed Phillips. I would like to think I have a lot to offer the team in experience and to be a great mentor to our younger riders. I am especially looking forward to being able to help out. My riding is on the improve every day and I hope to be a valuable team member on the scoreboard as well.”

Riders will depart Australia in early November with the racing kicking off from 11th – 16th November, where Australia will be looking to defend their 2018 World Trophy and Women’s Trophy wins, with teams hoping to go back to back in Portimao, Portugal.

• 2019 RecoveR8 Australian World Trophy Team
  • Joshua Green
  • Matthew Phillips
  • Daniel Sanders
  • Luke Styke
• 2019 RecoveR8 Australian Women’s World Trophy Team
  • Jessica Gardiner
  • Tayla Jones
  • Mackenzie Tricker
• 2019 RecoveR8 Australian Junior World Trophy Team
  • Michael Driscoll
  • Fraser Higlett
  • Lyndon Snodgrass
• Team Manager
  • Don Atkins

What to expect for 2020 AMA SX season after Monster Cup

With the 2019 Monster Energy Cup in the books, the results and performances give a glimpse into the future and the upcoming AMA Supercross season. While some of the top stars didn’t make the event this time around, several of them did and foreshadows what we can expect in 2020.

Eli Tomac will always be a favorite for the win at any round of the series, and that was no different for the two-time Monster Cup winner.

What was somewhat unexpected was just how fast his new teammate was, Adam Cianciarulo not only beat his teammate straight up but had it not been for a mid-race mistake that put him on the ground briefly while leading (and pulling away), he looked like a shoe-in for the Monster Million. Cianciarulo has been groomed for a spot in the factory Kawasaki pits since his days on KX65’s at Loretta Lynn’s. His career thus far had been off to a bit of a slow start with exception to this last summer’s pro motocross series, where he won in the 250 Class.

Also remarkable, and despite the relatively thin field, was the return of two riders that would be considered wild cards in the 2020 season, with Malcolm Stewart having not raced since Round 2 in Glendale, AZ way back in January 2019, providing an impressive performance. He qualified third, was always moving forward in each main event, and even walked away with a win after moving through the pack in the second main. If Stewart can just get through the off-season healthy and come into Anaheim 1 swinging, he’ll be hitting podiums regularly.

Jeremy Martin hadn’t seen a gate drop since June 2018 when he decided at the last minute to have the Honda folks round him up a 450 and race the Monster Cup. He looked comfortable and fairly fast, but most importantly he was mistake-free for the entire day and night. His plans now, though, are not to race the 450SX class at all, but will most likely pick up in the 250SX East region, which means he won’t hit an AMA Supercross track until mid-February.

The Monster Energy/Yamaha teammates of Aaron Plessinger and Justin Barcia probably didn’t envision getting beaten by a couple of privateers and an MXGP competitor who has never raced Supercross. But they did, and it was not a very fruitful night for either of these former 250SX regional champions as they seemed to struggled throughout the event.

Another rider returning from injury after a long while off was even more of an underdog, and that was Vince Friese. Stewart’s teammate for the 2020 season is a holeshot master and he proved at Monster Cup that he also has the speed to run up front or lead a main event – for at least a while. He managed to do that a couple of times in Vegas and may just force himself in between some battles up front next season.

2020 Championship Calendars

2020 AMA Motocross race schedule

• May 17 – Hangtown Motocross Classic – Rancho Cordova, CA
• May 24 – Fox Raceway National – Pala, CA
• May 31 – Thunder Valley National – Lakewood, CO
• June 7 – Florida National – Jacksonville, FL
• June 21 – High Point National – Mt. Morris, PA
• June 28 – Southwick National – Southwick, MA
• July 5 – RedBud National – Buchanan, MI
• July 19 – Spring Creek National – Millville, MN
• July 26 – Washougal National – Washougal, WA
• August 16 – Unadilla National – New Berlin, NY
• August 23 – Budds Creek National – Mechanicsville, MD
• August 30 – Ironman National – Crawfordsville, IN

2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Calendar

• Jan. 4 – Angels Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, Calif.
• Jan. 11 – The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis, Mo.
• Jan. 18 – Angels Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, Calif.
• Jan. 25 – State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
• Feb. 1 – Ringcentral Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.
• Feb. 8 – Petco Park, San Diego, Calif.
• Feb. 15 – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
• Feb. 22 – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
• Feb. 29 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
• March 7 – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Fla.
• March 14 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianpolis, Ind.
• March 21 – Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.
• March 28 – Centurylink Field, Seattle, Wash.
• April 4 – Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Co.
• April 18 – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
• April 25 – Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
• May 2 – Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah

2020 MXGP Calendar

• March 1 – Great Britain, Matterley Basin (EMX125, WMX)
• March 8 – The Netherlands, Valkenswaard – (EMX250, WMX)
• March 22 – Patagonia, Argentina, Neuquen
• April 5 – Trentino I, Pietramurata – (EMX250, EMX 2t)
• April 19 – Spain, (TBA) – (EMX125, WMX)
• April 26 – Portugal, Agueda – (EMX125, EMX250)
• May 10 – France, Saint Jean d’Angely – (EMX125, EMX Open)
• May 17 – Italy, Maggiora – (EMX Open, WMX)
• May 24 – Germany, Teutschenthal – (EMX250, EMX Open)
• June 7 – Russia, Orlyonok – (EMX250, EMX Open)
• June 14 – Latvia, Kegums – (EMX250, EMX Open)
• June 28 – Indonesia, Jakarta
• July 5 – Indonesia, Palembang
• July 26 – Czech Republic, Loket – (EMX65, EMX85, EMX 2t)
• August 2 – Belgium, Lommel – (EMX125, EMX250)
• August 16 – Sweden, Uddevalla – (EMX125, EMX250)
• August 23 – Finland, Litti-KymiRing – (EMX125, EMX250, EMX 2t)
• September 6 – Turkey, Afyonkarahisar – (EMX Open, WMX)
• September 13 – China, (TBA) –
• September 20 – Emilia Romagna, Imola – (EMX125, WMX)
• September 27 – Motocross of Nations, France, Ernee

2020 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Speedway Calendar

• Round 1, January 3 – Kurri Kurri Speedway, Loxford Park NSW
• Round 2, January 6 – Diamond Park, Wodonga VIC
• Round 3, January 7 – Undera Speedway, Echuca Road, Undera VIC
• Round 4, January 9 – Olympic Park, Regina Street, Mildura VIC
• Round 5, January 11 – Gillman Speedway, Wilkins Road, Gillman SA