Moto News Wrap for January 5, 2016 – by Darren Smart
Proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
Australasian News
Topy Price Leads Dakar 2016!!
Great News! After foxing his way to 16th in the Prologue two days ago, Toby Price has stormed to a 20 second win at Stage 2 of the Dakar 2016 and in doing so has taken the overall lead going into Stage 3.
Price posted this on his Twitter feed at 2am our time: ‘Thanks so much @KTM Racing, we’ve got a long journey ahead of us but I’m excited’
See the full report and results below – this is BIG folks!
Cooper Wins Star Studded Summercross
New Zealand’s 44th annual Honda Summercross was held near Whakatane last weekend and it was evergreen Cody Cooper has won the premier MX1 class ahead of Rhys Carter and Brad Groombridge while young Josiah Natzke won the MX2 class comfortably.
“I was still recovering from injury when I raced here last year and (former flat-mate and former team-mate) Rhys Carter won it instead. I was not at my best at this time last year,” said Cooper. “I’ve got a whole month now before the start of the nationals and the defence of my New Zealand MX1 title. I’ll be stronger and faster by then.”
The iconic event saw the likes of Josh Coppins and Darryl King return to the winners circle – here is a full list of class winners.
- – Cody Cooper (MX1)
- – Josiah Natzke (MX2)
- – Josh Coppins (Veterans 35-44 years)
- – Darryll King (Veterans over-45 years)
- – Trent Collins (250cc 12-17 Junior)
- – Trent Collin (Youth MX)
- – Jessie Waterhouse (Women’s)
- – Wyatt Chase (Junior 16-17 years 125cc)
- – Maximus Purvis (Junior 12-15 years 125cc)
- – Zak Hetherington (Junior 14-16 years 85cc)
- – Brodie Connolly (Junior 12-13 years 85cc)
- – Madoc Dixon (Junior 8-11 years 85cc)
- – Nick Westgate (Pro 65cc class)
Raceline Joins KTM with Wills and Kirkland
Team Manager Chris Woods and Raceline KTM will take Dylan Wills into 2016 as its MX2 rider while Tasmanian Wade Kirkland will represent the team in the MXD class.
“I’m really excited.” Wills enthused. “Woodsy runs a great program and it’s great to see him getting backing from a brand that is already unbelievably good straight out of the box. My goal now is to win the championship. Now that I’m on a team and I’ve got a year under my belt, I think that if I start somewhere near the front I’ll be there at the end of the championship. I know that I can win motos and run with the top guys, so I can’t see any reason why I can’t win a championship.”
“I’m pretty rapt with this, I wasn’t really expecting a deal so good.” Kirkland commented. “It’s a lot more motivating being a senior –more prize money and everything steps up a notch now and I’ve got to go a little harder and get some good results. I’ll know some of the older guys from juniors over the years that have got good backing and a bit of experience now so they’ll be tough to beat. At least I’m a bit of a naturally bigger guy so I’ve got a bit of strength to manoeuvre the bike around with.”
Tam Paul, KTM Australia Brand Manager is looking forward to working with the Raceline team. “KTM recognised a gap in our rider development path from juniors to seniors and we’ve been working on finding the right partner and the right scenario with which to fill that void.” Paul explained. “I am really excited about our future direction with Raceline.”
RIP Paul Pinfold
International Sidecar champion, innovative chassis designer and engineer Paul Pinfold has sadly passed away. Paul won his first sidecar championship in 1967 and his last in 1998 and was still competing here in Australia right up to his passing – this is a HUGE loss to the world-wide motorcycling fraternity and our thoughts go out to Paul’s family.
American News
AMA Supercross THIS Weekend
While all of the current 450SX class stars have put their hat in the ring for this weekend’s opening round of the 2016 AMA Supercross Championships it has been confirmed as far as the 250SX West Coast series goes that;
- Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki will have Joey Savatgy and Chris Alldredge
- Yamalube/Star Yamaha will have defending champion Cooper Webb, Alex Martin and Mitchell Harrison
- GEICO Honda’s got Christian Craig, Jordon Smith and Jimmy Decotis
- Troy Lee Designs KTM will go with Jessy Nelson and Mitchell Oldenburg
- Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s will rely on Zach Osborne.
For the Aussie fans we have Chad Reed, Lawson Bopping and Jarrad Hockley on the starting gate in the 450 class while Hayden Mellross, Geran Stapleton and Jackson Richardson will compete in the 250 West class.
250SX West Region
- 1. Cooper Webb
- 13. Jessy Nelson
- 16. Zach Osborne
- 26. Alex Martin
- 35. Chris Alldredge
- 37. Joey Savatgy
- 38. Christian Craig
- 39. Jordon Smith
- 40. Kyle Peters
- 42. Mitchell Oldenburg
- 43. Fredrik Noren
- 45. Kyle Cunningham
- 53. Tyler Bowers
- 56. Jackson Richardson
- 58. James Decotis
- 65. Zachary Bell
- 66. Arnaud Tonus
- 68. Cole Martinez
- 69. Colt Nichols
- 72. Hayden Mellross
- 76. Scott Champion
- 78. Daniel Baker
- 82. Trevor Reis
- 85. Michael Leib
- 87. Austin Politelli
- 91. Brandon Scharer
- 92. Ryan Breece
- 96. Noah McConahy
- 98. Darian Sanayei
- 127. Cole Thompson
- 138. Blake Lilly
- 145. Travis Smith
- 151. Dakota Tedder
- 172. Mark Worth
- 177. Derek Stephens
- 188. Dillan Epstein
- 192. Beni Williams
- 212. Chase Marquier
- 222. Chris Howell
- 251. Kyle Gills
- 252. Kevin Weisbruch
- 271. Kyle Fry
- 275. Johnny Jelderda
- 289. Mitchell Harrison
- 321. Bradley Lionnet
- 352. Alex Harvill
- 381. Kinser Endicott
- 383. Casey Brennan
- 384. Walther Lolli
- 388. Brandan Leith
- 417. Conner Monks
- 422. Philipp Klakow
- 424. Tyler Custer
- 436. Jason Bunch
- 448. Broc Shoemaker
- 486. Damon Back
- 536. Erick Meusling
- 608. David Pulley
- 614. Geran Stapleton
- 642. Nick Kouwenberg
- 715. Kele Russell
- 733. Steven Mages
- 767. Mason Wharton
- 772. Thomas Do
- 792. Bracken Hall
- 806. Conner Stouff
- 820. Dalton Oxborrow
- 825. Zach Peddie
- 902. Killian Auberson
- 903. Cody Doerfler
- 941. Maxime Desprey
- 992. Jordyn Scalvini
450SX
- 1. Ryan Dungey
- 3. Eli Tomac
- 7. James Stewart
- 11. Kyle Chisholm
- 12. Jacob Weimer
- 14. Cole Seely
- 15. Dean Wilson
- 19. Justin Bogle
- 20. Broc Tickle
- 21. Jason Anderson
- 22. Chad Reed – Australia
- 25. Marvin Musquin
- 28. Weston Peick
- 41. Trey Canard
- 47. Thomas Hahn
- 51. Justin Barcia
- 54. Wil Hahn
- 55. Vince Friese
- 79. Nicholas Schmidt
- 94. Ken Roczen
- 95. Dustin Pipes
- 120. Todd Bannister
- 135. Robert Fitch
- 194. Joel Newton
- 240. Bryce Stewart
- 247. Teddy Parks
- 282. Theodore Pauli
- 291. Kyle White
- 314. Alex Ray
- 323. Tanner Sawyer
- 364. Kyle Tigert
- 377. Christophe Pourcel
- 421. Vann Martin
- 455. Justin Ashburn
- 501. Scotty Wennerstrom
- 509. Alexander Nagy
- 542. Johnnie Buller
- 619. Mark Weishaar
- 662. Travis Bannister
- 713. Chad Cook
- 722. Adam Enticknap
- 723. Tyler Enticknap
- 745. Adrian Roman
- 757. Bradley Ward
- 761. Cade Clason
- 778. Lawson Bopping – Australia
- 800. Mike Alessi
- 846. Jason Kueber
- 918. Michael Akaydin
- 990. Jarrad Hockley
2016 AMA Supercross Championship Calendar
- Rd1: Jan. 9 – Anaheim, CA
- Rd2: Jan. 16 – San Diego, CA
- Rd3: Jan. 23 – Anaheim, CA
- Rd4: Jan. 30 – Oakland, CA
- Rd5: Feb. 6 – Glendale, AZ
- Rd6: Feb. 13 – San Diego, CA
- Rd7: Feb. 20 – Arlington, TX
- Rd8: Feb. 27 – Atlanta, GA
- Rd9: March 5 – Daytona, FL
- Rd10: March 12 – Toronto, CAN
- Rd11: March 19 – Detroit, MI
- Rd12: April 2 – Santa Clara, CA
- Rd13: April 9 – Indianapolis, IN
- Rd14: April 16 – St. Louis, MO
- Rd15: April 23 – Foxboro, MA
- Rd16: April 30 – East Rutherford, NJ
- Rd17: May 7 – Las Vegas, NV
Motorcycle Superstore Suzuki Choose to go Rekluse
Rekluse is excited for a new phase of their partnership with Albertson Enterprises as it joins forces with Motorcycle Superstore to create a new race team for the 2016 supercross and motocross seasons. Jimmy Albertson has been running Rekluse clutches for the past three seasons, and the team has chosen the Core Manual with TorqDrive® clutch system as their performance advantage.
“Over the last three seasons I have been extremely impressed by the quality and performance of Rekluse clutches,” said Jimmy Albertson. “Their attention to detail and around the clock technical support is second to none. Between their Auto Clutch and their more recent TorqDrive systems, it truly is all about having the Rekluse Advantage! We look forward to continuing our relationship in 2016 between Albertson Enterprises and Rekluse with Motorcycle Superstore Suzuki.”
Nick Wey Quits Full Time Racing
American motocross and supercross rider Nick Wey has pulled the pin on full time racing but will stay involved in the sport that has been the major part of his life for 13 plus years.
Team Chiz Joins Rocky Mountain ATV/MC team
Kyle Chisholm will be part of the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC team for the 2016 AMA Supercross and Motocross season on a well fettled Honda CRF450R.
Euro News
Husqvarna MX2 Riders Confirmed for Hawkestone
The line-up continues to get better for the Be Wiser Hawkstone International on February 7th 2016. Now confirmed are riders from the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team including the Brit pairing of Max Anstie and Conrad Mewse and American Thomas Covington.
Recent Racing
2016 Dakar
Ok, here we go, Dakar 2016 is off and running and as far as Australia goes all eyes are on Toby Price who is now on a Factory KTM and a firm favourite to give the front runners a scare throughout the event – in fact, after tactically slowing during the Prologue to make sure he was outside the top ten Price spectacularly won Stage 2 of the event by over 20 seconds and at the time of writing leads Dakar 2016 going into Stage 3.
NOTE: Stage 1 of the event was cancelled due to severe lightning and storms.
Prologue (Buenos Aires – Villa Carlos Paz) Results: (Also Stage 1 Starting Order)
- 1. Joan Barreda (Hon) 6:27
- 2. Ruben Faria (Hus) +0.00
- 3. Helder Rodrigues (Yam) +0.03
- 4. Adrien Van Beveren (Yam) +0.04
- 5. Michael Metge (Hon) +0.08
- 6. Kevin Benavides (Hon) +0.08
- 7. Gerard Farres (KTM) +0.09
- 8. Pablo Quintanilla (Hus) +0.10
- 9. Stefan Sitko (KTM) +0.11
- 10. Jordi Viladoms (KTM) +0.13
- 11. Alessandro Botturi (Yam) +0.14
- 12. Txomin Arana (Hus) +0.15
- 13. David Casteu (KTM) +0.16
- 14. Javier Pizzolito (Hon) +0.16
- 15. Mattias Walkner (KTM) +0.17
- 16. Toby Price (KTM) +0.18
Stage 1: After yesterday’s sweltering 40 degrees in Rosario, today nature whipped up a lighting storm bad enough that race organisers were forced to cancel the first stage citing safety concerns. Riders thus head straight towards the bivouac situated in Villa Carlos Paz.
The ASO, the organizers of the Dakar 2016, decided to call off completely the whole of the first stage after worries about rider safety. Thunder, lightning and a heavy downpour swelled various rivers and meant that the helicopters that monitor and deal with emergences had to stay grounded. Dakar director Etienne Lavigne was given no choice but to annul the first special stage of the rally.
Stage 2 (Villa Carlos Paz – Termas Rio Hondo)
- 1. PRICE (AUS) KTM – 03:46:24
- 2. FARIA (PRT)HUSQVARNA – 03:46:44 – 00:00:20
- 3. SVITKO (SVK) KTM – 03:47:52 – 00:01:28
- 4. DUCLOS (FRA) SHERCO TVS – 03:48:15 – 00:01:51
- 5. WALKNER (AUT) KTM – 03:48:24 – 00:02:00
- 6. GONCALVES (PRT) HONDA – 03:49:02 – 00:02:38
- 7. BARREDA BORT (ESP) HONDA – 03:49:46 – 00:03:22
- 8. BENAVIDES (ARG) HONDA – 03:50:00 – 00:03:36
- 9. PEDRERO GARCIA (ESP) SHERCO TVS – 03:50:49 – 00:04:25
- 10. QUINTANILLA (CHL) HUSQVARNA – 03:50:56 – 00:04:32
Top Ten Overall After Stage 2
- 1. PRICE – 03:53:09
- 2. FARIA – 00:00:02
- 3. SVITKO – 00:01:21
- 4. DUCLOS – 00:01:53
- 5. WALKNER – 00:01:59
- 6. BARREDA BORT – 00:03:04
- 7. GONCALVES – 00:03:20
- 8. BENAVIDES – 00:03:26
- 9. QUINTANILLA – 00:04:24 –
- 10. PEDRERO GARCIA – 00:04:30
Ruben Faria: “Today (Stage 2) I started second behind (Joan) Barreda. I pushed a little bit and I caught him. After that I rode at a good speed. I’ve got a good feeling with the bike and the bike was really good. We’re at the beginning of the race, but I’m feeling good.”
FIM SuperEnduro World Championship – Round 2 – Germany
Cody Webb has put together a solid performance in tricky conditions at the second round of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championships held in Germany last weekend but it was good enough to sneak the overall by one point over fellow KTM pilot Jonny Walker.
Webb’s 1-2-5 results over the weekend were enough to pip Walkers 4-3-1 while Hudqvarna rider Colton Haaker scored third overall with 2-7-2 results.
Webb: “I’m super happy to come away with the win tonight. Two overall victories from two starts is a perfect start to the championship for me. The track was tough tonight. There was no real room for error and it was a fine line between staying up and crashing. In race one I just sort of rode steady and the win came to me. I got up to second in race two and almost got Alfredo for the win but had to settle for second. Then race three I finally had some bad luck, and ended fifth I think. But thankfully it was enough for the top step of the podium.”
Walker: “It’s been a hard night but I’m happy with second. The racing was so close. Everyone was on the limit out there. I had a good first race going but tangled with a lapped rider in the log pit and he ended up standing on my bike. It was a freak thing but cost me a chance of winning there. I was riding good in race two and then gave it everything in race three. It felt great to get the win in that one and to end the night one point behind Cody is a bonus really. After two rounds we’re separated by two points so it’s still very close.”
Haaker: “It was the little things that kept me away from the overall victory. I only lost by three points again. But I’m always happy when I’m riding that well. A podium finish isn’t bad. I was fast in both practices and won the Superpole. The key in the races was to avoid mistakes and keep it on two wheels. I think I should have won race one if I didn’t fall three times. Then the next race I fell twice and the last race I fell again at the first turn. Some sections of the track like the sand pit were tricky. Everybody has stepped up their game this year. I just have to minimise these bad races. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series and especially the South American rounds of the championship. They’re back to back and I’m better when I have races in a row.”
- 1st Final: 1. Cody Webb (KTM) 9 laps, 06:53.759; 2 Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 06:57.665; 3. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 06:59.536; 4. Jonny Walker (KTM) 07:07.787; 5. Mario Roman (Husqvarna) 07:12.829.
- 2nd Final: 1. Alfredo Gomez (KTM) 9 laps, 06:53.779; 2. Cody Webb (KTM) 06:55.204; 3. Jonny Walker (KTM) 06:56.117; 4. Mario Roman (Husqvarna) 07:08.964; 5. Dani Gibert (Sherco) 07:10.100… 7. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 07:22.762.
- 3rd Final: 1. Jonny Walker (KTM) 9 laps, 06:54.449; 2. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 06:55.372; 3. Taylor Robert (KTM) 06:56.570; 4. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 07:01.979; 5. Cody Webb (KTM) 07:05.599… 10. Mario Roman (Husqvarna) 07:00.891.
- Overall Classification: 1. Cody Webb (KTM) 49pts; 2. Jonny Walker (KTM) 48pts; 3. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 46pts; 4. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 40pts; 5. Alfredo Gomez (KTM) 37pts… 7. Mario Roman (Husqvarna) 30pts
- Championship Standings (After Round 2): 1. Cody Webb (KTM) 102pts; 2. Jonny Walker (KTM) 100pts; 3. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 84pts; 4. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 79pts; 5. Alfredo Gomez (KTM) 70pts.
2016 Australian Speedway Solo Championship – Round 1 – Kurri Kurri Speedway
A huge crowd of parochial supporters were loud and proud when local heroes Rohan Tungate and Sam Master made it a Hunter Region 1 – 2 in the A Final of the opening round of the 2016 Australian Speedway Solo Championship at Kurri Kurri Speedway on Saturday night.
In a thrilling opening lap current Australian Under 21 Speedway Champion, Max Fricke took the lead at the start with Masters (Newcastle), Tungate (Pelaw Main) and Brady Kurtz (Cowra, NSW) right behind.
With riders virtually four abreast coming out of the last corner of the first lap, Tungate made a lightning move down the main straight to take the lead and go on to score victory ahead of Masters, Fricke and Kurtz.
“I thought I chose the wrong starting position,” Tungate said at the presentation ceremony. “This is an even bunch of riders so you can’t afford to make the slightest mistake. It worked out well and now I need to keep it going.”
Tungate is riding the crest of a wave of success in the current Australian summer of Speedway. He captured his first ever State Speedway Championship with victory in the South Australian title at Gillman Speedway, then on Boxing Day he won the annual Jason Crump Invitational at Kurri Kurri Speedway, making it three consecutive event victories.
Masters, who finished second overall in last year’s Australian Title, was pleased with his second place in the main event. “I didn’t do well in my first couple of rides, but the crew found a fuel problem and we finished the racing strongly,” he said. “Everyone’s trying to win and you’ve got to make sure to get into the A Final at each round.”
Championship Points after 1 of 4 Rounds:
- 1. Tungate – 18
- 2. Masters – 15
- 2. Fricke – 15
- 4. Kurtz – 11
2016 Monster Energy UK Arenacross Tour – Round 1 – Manchester
The 2015 AX Pro champ Thomas Ramette started the defence of his 2015 title in the best possible way by winning the opening round of the 2016 Monster Energy UK Arenacross Tour held in Manchester last weekend.
The nigh was full of freestyle, support events and pyrotechnics so by the time the main event showdown rolled around the whole crowd were up on their feet cheering on the eight Pro riders – Josh Hansen, Jack Brunell, Cedric Soubeyras, Angelo Pellegrini, Thomas Ramette, Adam Chatfield, Matt Bayliss and Fabien Izoird – as they hit the circuit in a series of two-lap eliminators and it was Hansen and Soubeyras made it through to the final with Frenchman Soubeyras emerging the victor.
In the 14-lap final Ramette grabbed the holeshot from Hansen and was never bettered. In a supreme display of Arenacross racing he fended off attacks from Brits Brunell and Chatfield and fellow countrymen Soubeyras and Izoird, overcoming back markers in the process to blast across the Manchester Arenacross tour finish line and secure the win for his SR75 Molson Racing Suzuki team.
“To start the new season out front is how we finished the 2015 series, and is a great boost for the team,” said Thomas Ramette. “I rode a tight race and was quite relaxed in the final. I got held up by a back-marker towards in the final laps and this slowed me down, allowing the other riders to bunch up so I just had to fight harder to get away. I think this victory is even more beautiful because of the quality of the other riders.”
“I’m so pleased with this result as I didn’t know what to expect in my first-ever Arenacross,” said Cedric Soubeyras. “The head to head final was crazy as I could hear the crowd cheering for Josh Hansen and that made me push even harder. Then when he made a mistake, I was just happy to take the win. The main event was tough with a great line up of riders and it was even harder as I had to work my way from near the back to finish second. It was a good night for the new team.”
“To be the top Brit in my first time back racing after a year out due to injury, and to be on the podium is a great result,” said Jack Brunell. “I had a good start in the final and then rode smoothly which made me feel comfortable and, before I knew it, the two lap board was out. I feel I should have had second, but third and a podium will do for starters. I’ve got a great team around me and can’t wait to get to Glasgow.”
Hansen was in a podium position early but crashed back to last and finished the race in 8th place – Hansen was on the pace and will come back ready for victory at Glasgow where rounds two and three are held next weekend on Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th of January.
- Pro Final: 1. Thomas Ramette, SR75 Molson Racing Suzuki.2. Cedric Soubeyras, Geartec Yamaha. 3. Jack Brunell, SJR Kawasaki. 4. Fabien Izoird, LPE Kawasaki. 5. Cyrille Coulon, SR75 Molson Racing Suzuki. 6. Adam Chatfield, Buildbase Honda. 7. Florent Richier, LPE Kawasaki. 8. Josh Hansen, SJR Kawasaki. 9. Matt Bayliss, Wooldridge Demolition Honda. 10. Angelo Pellegrini, Buildbase Honda.
- Pro Championship: 1. Thomas Ramette, 22. 2. Cedric Soubeyras, 22. 3. Jack Brunell, 16. 4. Fabien Izoird, 15. 5. Cyrille Coulon, 14. 6. Josh Hansen, 14. 7. Adam Chatfield, 13. 8. Florent Richier, 12. 9. Matt Baylis, 11. 10. Angelo Pellegrini, 9.
