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Moto News Weekly Wrap
November 16, 2021

What’s New:

• Bass Coast Shire to welcome AMX MX Open to Wonthaggi
• 2022 Victorian Junior MX State Titles dates released
• 2022 WA State Supercross Championship dates set
• Team Ward victorious at Darcy Ward Speedway event
• 2022 Penrite ProMX classes announced
• Shayna Texter-Bauman and KTM part ways
• 2022 Silk Way Rally – Astrakhan to Moscow set for July
• 2021 MXGP of Mantova wraps up season
• Heartbreak for Daniel Sanders in Abu Dhabi final stage
• 2021 Racing Calendars
• 2022 Racing Calendars

Bass Coast Shire to welcome AMX MX Open to Wonthaggi

The best riders from around Australia will line up one last time this season in Wonthaggi on December 11 and 12, at the AMX MX Open, with over $20,000 in prize money up for grabs that will be spread across senior class winners, and the addition of more than $10,000 in prizes available.

Luke Clout

“I didn’t know if we would be racing until March next year, so this is great for our sport and for riders and fans. The prize money is a bonus, but honestly all we have wanted all year is to just go racing.”

Dean Ferris will make his debut with the Honda Team and the three-time Australian Champion is keen to line up in Wonthaggi, where he will use the weekend to prepare for the coming season.

Dean Ferris

“It will be great to race against these guys before the season ahead. Clout had a strong season this year. I plan on being ready but I am also going to use this time effectively to test and prepare for next season.”

Another rider aiming to prove himself against his peers in the 450 class is recently crowned Australian 250 champion Kyle Webster. Webster dominated the 250 class this season and enjoys the Wonthaggi circuit.

Kyle Webster

“This is one of my favourite tracks and I am aiming high for my first major 450 shootout with Factory Honda. I believe we have a great bike and I’ve been doing a lot of testing and feel prepared, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”

CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s team owner Craig Dack is pleased to be racing again and appreciates the efforts of those involved in getting the event up and running.

Craig Dack

“It’s been another challenging year. We won the title, but we haven’t had a chance to celebrate or even see Luke. This event will give us the chance to run the number 1 plate and it gives the fans something to come and watch. I am still a racer at heart, I want to be at the races and this event was a huge success last year, so we are happy to support it again.”

The industry has put its weight behind the event along with the Bass Coast Shire and together they have made it possible.

Yarrive Konsky

“Yamaha and Honda have got involved along with many industry leaders. The events naming rights partner – AMX (All Motorcycle Accessories Stores) has increased their support for this year and collectively they have made the $20,000 prize money possible. The Bass Coast Shire has also supported the event along with Motorcycling Victoria who have halved their 1-day licence fees to ensure participation resumes following two difficult years.”

The event will run in accordance with all government Covid regulations.

2022 Victorian Junior MX State Titles dates released

The MVMX Committee have now released dates for the 2022 VIC Junior State Titles, which will kick off in April 2022 at Shipwreck, and close out the season in Korumburra in September, with a four round season.

Round Two will be at Broadford in May, while Horsham will hold Round Three at the end of July.

2022 Victorian Junior MX State Titles Calendar

2022 WA State Supercross Championship dates set

Dirt High Promotions have unveiled a State Supercross Championship for the 2022 Motorcycling WA Calendar, and due to the nature of Supercross all participants will require an endorsement on their licence to compete.

Two accreditation events will run, in December and January respectively, before a two round championship with both rounds held in February, with all events taking place at Coolup.

2022 WA State Supercross Championship Calendar

Team Ward victorious at Darcy Ward Speedway event

Darcy Ward Speedway has held the Team Ward vs Team Watt combined solo and sidecar teams event, with Team Ward coming out victorious.

Team Ward featured Kozza Smith, Flynn Nicol, Tate Zischke, Cordell Rogerson and Jacob Jook in the solo category while sidecars was represented by Brodie Cohen/Murray, Rob Patterson/Dennis, Robbiethistleton, Joel Eaton and Hamish Golding.

Team Watt ran Josh Grajczonek, Dale Borlase, Hector Crespo, Broc Hall, Declan Kennedy, while their sidecar line-up was Tyler Moon, Gary Schofield, Stuart Firth/Green, Brandon Warke/Firth, and Darren Fien/Siggurs.

Jacob Hook shared:

“So cool to be a part of the Darcy Ward Speedway Promotions meeting on the weekend, it was a good day with Team Ward taking out the overall win. I really enjoyed the teams racing scoring 15 points through the heats and 2nd place in the final.”

2022 Penrite ProMX classes announced

ProMX Management have confirmed both the Championship and Support classes for the 2022 Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores (ProMX).

The permanent class structure for the ProMX Championship will remain unchanged, as the Thor MX1 class takes centre stage across all eight rounds of the Championship, showcasing incredible domestic and international talent on 450 cc machines.

The Pirelli MX2 Class will once again provide fast changing on-track action as the young riders graduating to the professional ranks on 250 cc four-stroke machines fight for their chance at the big time on the national stage.

Maxxis MX3 also returns after unanimous praise from the riders, industry and fans alike. This new initiative by Motorcycling Australia (MA) and the ProMX Management team will see riders aged 14 and over as junior racers able to compete against those up to 18 years of age, with the goal of providing a pathway to the international stage for our elite Australian junior talent.

In addition to the ProMX Championship classes, the fan favourite support classes will return for the 2022 Championship. MX Womens (MXW) will take to the stage at the opening round of the Championship at Wonthaggi in Victoria on March 27. MXW will also feature at Round 4 of the Championship at Gillman SA, on May 29 followed by the season finale at Coolum QLD on August 20-21.

Building on the success of the ProMX debut for the Evo Cup in the 2021 Championship, the post classic machines will return along with the Pre 95 machines as a combined class to race at Coffs Harbour NSW, for Round 6 of the Championship. The combined classes will give both classic and post classic Motocross enthusiasts, fans and riders a trip down memory lane to the retro two and four strokes blasting across the confines of the Coffs Harbour track.

The Championship finale at Coolum, QLD on August 20-21 will also play host to the Veterans Championship, showcasing retired national champions and passionate veteran racers who will face off on the gruelling Coolum sand track over the course of the final weekend of the 2022 ProMX Championship.

The bLU cRU YZ 65 Cup will also return in 2022 for two rounds, with an announcement coming soon on the tracks and further details the Junior under 12 future stars will feature in.

Shayna Texter-Bauman and KTM part ways

After three successful years with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, KTM have thanked Shayna Texter-Bauman for her hard work and dedication both on and off the motorcycle and wish her the best as she heads into a new chapter in her racing career.

Shayna joined the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing flat track team in its inaugural year in 2019 and the Pennsylvania native was a driving force in the brand’s exciting debut into the Progressive American Flat Track Series, right away delivering the team its first-ever AFT Singles win at the Texas Half-Mile.

As a fixture in American dirt track racing, Texter-Bauman still holds on as the winningest AFT Singles rider in series history with 19 total Main Event wins, scoring five of those wins aboard the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition. In addition to her triumphs in the center of the podium, Shayna also amassed 10 podium finishes in her three-year tenure with the team.

Shayna Texter-Bauman

“Riding for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team was a dream opportunity. I will never forget the first day I hopped on the factory KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION and the excitement I felt from Chris, Roger [De Coster] and Ian [Harrison]. It makes me proud to have delivered the first of many wins for the Red Bull KTM flat track program. Thank you to the entire team and supporters for believing in me! A special thank you to my mechanic Justin for all of his hard work in making sure my bikes looked unreal every time I rode. I’m looking forward to seeing my friends from KTM at the races next season and wish them continued success.”

2022 Silk Way Rally – Astrakhan to Moscow set for July

The online presentation of the 12th edition of the Silk Way Rally route has taken place, revealing to fans and competitors the main details of the upcoming event, previously kept secret.

To celebrate the 350th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Peter the Great, the rally will connect ten regions of the Russian Federation, many of which are connected with his name.

The largest cross-country rally in Eurasia will take place from July 6 to 16, starting in Astrakhan (administrative checks and scrutineering are also planned there) and finishing in Moscow’s Red Square.

The North Caucasus and Grozny – the capital of the Chechen Republic, Elista, Volgograd, Voronezh – connecting these points on the map, you can understand how interesting and diverse will be the geography of the 2022 event. The total length of this unique route will be 4,380 kilometers, including 2,800 kilometers of special stages.

The Silk Way Rally Sports Directorate is always ready to meet the competitors needs and that is why the fees for participation in the 2022 Silk Way Rally will remain the same as in 2021.

The organisers also keep another good tradition alive, crews under the age of 30, as well as all female crews will be able to take part in the rally without paying entry fees.

Competitors in all types of vehicles will be allowed to participate in the competition: motorcycles, quads, SSV, cars and trucks.

Acceptance of applications for participation in the event is scheduled to start on February 15, 2022.

Vladimir Chagin – Head of the International Project Silk Way Rally

“What makes the Silk Way Rally special? The fact that every year the competitors of the event overcome a completely new route, which is never repeated. The 2022 rally will not be an exception – its distance will open up a lot of new things for each driver. Let me warn you right away: it’s going to be interesting, but extremely difficult. Although these are the challenges that attract competitors from all over the world.
Our country is proud of its centuries-old history. Coincidentally, next year marks the 350th anniversary of the birth of the person who opened a “window to Europe” for Russia, namely Peter the First. He is called “The Great”, as well as the Silk Way Rally. And our next year event will go through many cities that are connected with the name of this Russian emperor.”

Luc Alphand, Silk Way Rally Sporting Director

“One of the features of the cross-country rally, besides the sports component, is the opportunity to discover new landscapes. And now we are in the Chechen Republic, in the magnificent mountains. Cross-country rallies have never been held in this part of the country before. For us, as well as for the competitors, it is very important to be here and have the opportunity to discover new, previously undiscovered routs of an unprecedented scale and range. The local authorities and population gave us the warmest welcome, demonstrating openness and sincere interest in the development of tourism and motorsport in the region. I especially would like to emphasize the high security of this region. Currently, this part of Russia is highly peaceful and stable, local people would like to show the whole world that the visit will be as safe and comfortable as possible.”

2022 Silk Way Rally Program

• February 15, 2022 – Opening of Entries
• June 1, 2022 – Closure of Entries
• July 6-7, 2022 – Administrative checks & scrutineering (Astrakhan, Russia)
• July 7, 2022 – Ceremonial start in Astrakhan
• July 16, 2022 – Ceremonial finish in Moscow

Roan Van De Moosdijk signs with Husqvarna for 2022-2023

Husqvarna Motorcycles have signed of former EMX250 champion Roan Van De Moosdijk for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, joining the Nestaan MX2 run Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team, in the MX2 World Championship alongside fellow Dutchman Kay de Wolf.

Stepping up to the MX2 World Championship for 2020, the now 21-year-old impressed with three overall podium results from the first five rounds. Two further top-three finishes followed later in the year, with the Dutchman securing a maiden race victory and claiming second overall at the MXGP of Lommel. Roan would ultimately place seventh in the final standings.

Bringing everything he learned in his rookie MX2 season into 2021, Roan enjoyed another promising campaign start, claiming three third-place moto finishes to lie fifth in the series standings after the first four rounds. Frustratingly, a broken scaphoid sustained following a crash at the MXGP of Czech Republic prevented him from delivering what was set to be his breakout season in the MX2 World Championship.

Fully healed and excited to begin riding his new FC 250, Roan, alongside new teammate Kay de Wolf, will soon begin testing in readiness for the opening round of the 2022 MX2 World Championship.

Roan Van De Moosdijk

“I’m so pleased to be joining the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 team, it’s really a very special moment in my career. This season has been tough, but I’m putting that behind me and looking forward to working with the team and having Kay as my new teammate. I have a really good feeling about things, and I know that at the start of this season things were going well, and that my speed and fitness was where it needed to be to challenge for the podium. I’ll have the best bike and the best support next year, so I just want to keep working and improving through the winter and get back to where I was and then give 2022 everything I have. Finally, it looks like the season will be back to normal, and I’m really looking forward to that. I want to say thanks to everyone that has made this happen – I can’t wait to get onto my new bike and to start our winter testing and training.”

Rasmus Jorgensen – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 Team Manager

“We’re thrilled to have Roan in our team and can’t wait to get him settled in, and then start working in preparation for 2022. Overall, this year was a very positive season for our team – we want to keep that momentum rolling into 2022 and with Roan racing alongside Kay we believe we have a very strong line-up. At the start of this year Roan was riding so well, he put in some really impressive motos, and really showed what he is capable of. We really believe he’ll be a great fit for our team and at 21 has the right mix of age and experience to excel in MX2. On our bike, with the full technical support we can offer him, he’ll have all that he needs to develop further as a racer. After a short break to rechange the batteries a little after the long season we’ve had, we’ll soon start building towards 2022. We can’t wait to get started.”

2021 MXGP of Mantova wraps up season

The 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship wrapped up in Mantova overnight where a big crown witnessed Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings clinch the MXGP World Title, and become a five-time FIM Motocross World Champion.

It has been a season of highs and lows for all of the title contenders as they have struggled with injuries and bad luck but have managed to power through and provide us with some incredible racing.

In the second half of the season, the title chase between Herlings, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre and Team HRC’s Tim Gajser could not have been any closer, as the race for the championship went down to the final chequered flag of the 2021 season, but it was Herlings who came out on top as Febvre was forced to settle for second, just five points adrift, while Gajser finished his year with a silver medal.

The Aussies

For Jed Beaton, it was a frustrating final round.  With high hopes of ending his MX2 career on the overall podium, the Australian didn’t quite secure the starts needed in either moto to challenge for the top three. In placing seventh overall, Beaton secured fifth in the final championship standings.

Jed Beaton – P7 (P5 MX2 Championship)

“It’s been a pretty emotional day to say the least. As I’ve now aged out of MX2 it was my last race for the team which, after three great years, is really tough. It’s safe to say that the season didn’t end how I’d have liked due to a few issues and a crash in race one. That ruled me out of a chance of finishing on the podium but I really tried hard in moto two but it just wasn’t meant to be. I’ve had an incredible three seasons with Rasmus and the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team and they’ve taken me under their wing and really shaped who I am today. I’m disappointed to not end our time together with a podium result but I gave it my best shot and finishing fifth in the series is a pretty decent result.”

Bike It MTX Kawasaki’s Wilson Todd rounded out his final season in MX2 with a solid first-moto rides to tenth after qualifying twelfth in the morning. The Australian ended the championship twelfth, just twenty points short of a top-ten series ranking.

Wilson Todd – P17 (P12 Championship)

“It’s been a long season with some ups-and-downs and some rough patches so it was nice to go out with a good result before I get home to Australia for the first time in a while. Racing the GPs has been a great experience you can’t buy, coming to Europe to race bikes against the best in the world.“

MXGP of Mantova 2021 Highlights

For the full report see:
Race reports, results and final points from MXGP season finale

Heartbreak for Daniel Sanders in Abu Dhabi final stage

Stage five of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge was the shortest of the event at 216.92 kilometres but offered little in the way of an easy ride to the finish.

Coming into the final day of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Daniel Sanders was lying second in the standings, and enjoyed an advantageous start position to make up time on the leader. Pushing hard, the Aussie star immediately put himself in control of the stage, topping each of the split times on his way through the special.

With all riders having to manage their fuel due to the special not including a refueling zone, Sanders’ pace was such that he ran out first while fighting for the stage, and rally win, like the true warrior he is, the Aussie then pushed his RC 450F to the finish for a 14th place result.

It’s an unfortunate way to finish the event, but Daniel can look back over his FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship season and take many positives, including several stage wins, three at the Silk Way Rally, plus others in Morocco and Abu Dhabi.

Despite the set-back at the final event, Sanders finished a respectable third overall in the final championship standings, not bad for his first full year. Taking positives from the event, Sanders has demonstrated incredible speed and skill throughout the rally, and will look to carry that form onto the Dakar in January.

Daniel Sanders – P14 Stage 5/P12 Overall

“The last day has obviously been a huge disappointment for me and the team, but that’s racing – I guess you have to take the smooth with the rough. I started really well and was making good time through the dunes at the beginning of the stage. I realized about halfway through that with no refueling in the stage, and the type of terrain we were racing through, fuel was going to be a problem. So I tried to ease my pace as much as I could. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, and I eventually ran out. Obviously, it’s not the best way to end the rally, especially after such a strong year but I’m pleased with how I’ve ridden, not just in Abu Dhabi, but over the whole season. My pace here has been really strong, I won a stage and did a good job of leading out after that. Again, it’s not the way I wanted to end the season, but as it’s just my first full year in the championship, I’m definitely pleased with how I’ve progressed and raised my level. Although the result here has knocked me back a little, I’ll just take the positives and look ahead to the Dakar in January. I’ve really gelled with the bike – my navigation is always improving, and my pace is definitely there. We’ve got less than two months till Dakar, and I’m going to be ready!”

As the second rider into the stage, and with a near four-minute advantage over the next best competitor, Matthias Walkner set about chasing down the rider ahead of him, while concentrating on his navigation during the soft sand dunes in the opening part of the special.

Maintaining his place within the top two for the entire stage, the Austrian delivered another calculated and consistent ride to ultimately complete the special as runner-up, just over one minute behind the eventual winner.

In what has been an impressive display of skill, endurance, and speed by the world champion throughout this final event of the year, Walkner secured the win by over four and a half minutes to truly confirm his place at the very top of the world championship standings.

Matthias Walkner – Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Champion

“It was really close today! The stage was really long without a refueling point and so towards the end I had to slow down a lot to conserve fuel. It’s part of our sport that you can have four good days and then nearly be caught out in the last few kilometers. Thankfully, I made it to the finish line and am really happy to win the last race before Dakar. The team did a really good job all week and the bike has been perfect. The whole year has been fantastic for me – with the help of the team, we have all worked really closely to bring the success we’ve had. I have ridden well and not made any big mistakes, or suffered any injuries. I’ve learned a lot, even from this week riding in the sand, which is normally not my best terrain to race in. My riding has improved, and we’ve found some good set-ups for the bike, too. Overall, it’s been an incredible season and to top it off by winning the last race really helps my confidence. The big goal is of course now Dakar, it’s not far away, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Bringing to an end a highly rewarding season of racing, Adrien Van Beveren secured second overall at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Winning three of five stages, the Frenchman underlined his impressive form and after almost 18 hours of racing, finished the rally just over four and a half minutes behind the winner, Matthias Walkner.

With Adrien claiming an impressive result at the final round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship he advanced to second in the final series standings.

Adrien Van Beveren – Stage Five Winner

“Winning the last stage after opening, and finishing second in this rally, is a huge moment for me. The final stage was really tricky to begin with, made even more challenging by leading out so I rode a little cautious, but it paid off. No mistakes and knowing I had a nice gap in the overall classification meant that I could ride without risks and to win the stage, it’s just amazing. All year I’ve been consistent and focused on finishing each and every stage and this rally was no different. This result has come just at the right time ahead of Dakar, so from now until January I will maintain my level and aim to fight for the win there.”

The ever-positive Ross Branch placed a strong third overall on the fifth and final stage. Opening the rally with a win on stage one showed his impressive speed and he remained in contention for the win until a crash and broken navigational tower during the event’s marathon stage ruled him out of the running. Ultimately, Ross enjoyed a positive debut season in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, which was undoubtedly headlined by his overall win at Rally Kazakhstan.

Ross Branch – P3 Stage 5

“It’s great to finish the final stage here in third place. It’s a shame about my crash on day two, that really messed things up but being able to ride the last two stages and put more time on the bike and continue learning was really positive. It’s awesome for me to have completed my first full season in the world championship and I can’t thank the Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team enough for the opportunity. The focus is now on the Dakar, which is not too far away, and it won’t be long until we head out there to get things going.”

Stage 5 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2021

1. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 2:32:06
2. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 2:33:20 +1:14
3. Ross Branch (BWA), Yamaha, 2:36:07 +4:01
4. Andrew Short, (USA), Yamaha, 2:36:48 +4:42
5. Joaquim Rodrigues (POR), Hero, 2:40:13 +8:07
   ….14. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 6:00:00

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2021 after 5 of 5 stages

1. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 17:38:40
2. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 17:43:12 +4:31
3. Joaquim Rodrigues (POR), Hero, 18:14:06 +35:25
4. Aaron Mare (RSA), KTM, 19:38:35 +1:59:54
5. Konrad Dabrowski (POL), KTM, 20:29:01 +2:50:21
   …12. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 26:09:10

RallyGP World Championship

1. Walkner 103 points
2. Van Beveren 62 points
3. Sanders 53 points

2021 Racing schedule

2021 FIM Cross-Country Rallies calendar

2022 Racing schedule

2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Provisional Schedule