Moto News Wrap for October 18, 2016 by Darren Smart
Proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
This Week’s News Overview
- Seely to Race Final All-Japan Motocross Round
- Joe Gibbs Racing Switches to Suzuki for 2017
- Valentin Guillod Signs with Honda
- 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship Calendar Announced
- Grothues awarded The Sport Australia Scholarship
- Mitch Evans Breaks Wrist
- Kiwis in California
This Week’s Racing Overview
- Australia Supercross Championship – Round 2 – Toowoomba
- Monster Energy Cup – Las Vegas
- 2016 ISDE – Navarra, Spain
Seely to Race Final All-Japan Motocross Round
Team Honda HRC’s Cole Seely is slated to compete in the final round of the All Japan MX National Championship series at Sugo this weekend. Seely will race in the IA1 class (450cc), in which his competition will include series regular Akira Narita, a factory HRC rider and 11-time Japanese National Champion, as well as MXGP veteran Kei Yamamoto.
While in Japan, Seely and the team will visit Honda Racing Corporation, Honda Motorcycle R&D in Asaka, the Honda Proving Ground in Tochigi and the Honda Collection Hall at Motegi Circuit. “I’m really excited for the opportunity to race in Japan,” Seely said. “I’ve never been anywhere overseas, so I’m just as excited to see another part of the world as I am to race and have my team there with me. It will also be a great chance to meet everyone at Honda and HRC; being a part of the Honda family has been a dream come true, so I’m looking forward to showing them my appreciation. Helping develop the new 2017 CRF450R has been going really well. It’s crazy how good it is already in the early stages, and it will just continue to get better—I can’t wait to race it! I’m looking forward to working with the crew in Japan, and I want to thank everyone at the Kumamoto factory for working so hard to get this bike out despite dealing with the damage from the April earthquake.”
Joe Gibbs Racing Switches to Suzuki for 2017
Suzuki Motor of America announced the formation of JGRMX Suzuki, a new racing effort for the 2017 Supercross and Motocross racing seasons. “Suzuki and Joe Gibbs Racing will be a powerful partnership,” said Kerry Graeber, Vice President, MC/ATV Sales and Marketing for SMAI. “JGRMX is a world-class race team competing in Supercross and Motocross, and with support from Suzuki, we believe the team will be a winning force on race tracks this coming season.”
The JGRMX Suzuki team, led by team owner Coy Gibbs, will feature two full-time riders in the 450 class aboard Suzuki RM-Z450s and two riders in the 250 class aboard Suzuki RM-Z250s. Justin Barcia, a long-time JGR team member is eager to race the Suzuki RM-Z450. Weston Peick, known as one of the hardest-working racers in the industry, has experience racing the Suzuki RM-Z450 and is ready to reunite with the bike. Just as he has done the past several seasons, Phillip Nicoletti will race the entire Motocross season and will substitute if needed during Supercross. The 250 class riders will be announced in the near future.
“Having the support of Suzuki, and racing the championship-winning RM-Z450 really sets us up for an exciting year of racing,” said Gibbs, “We have great confidence in our riders, and we’re thrilled we can provide them with RM-Z450s to race. We have discussed fielding a 250 effort for several years, our entire team is pumped about this strategic partnership that includes both the RM-Z450s and RM-Z250s with Suzuki and we’re looking for great things,” he added.
Valentin Guillod Signs with Honda
Former Yamaha rider Valentin Guillod will join Alessandro Lupino in the Alfredo Bevilacqua owned Assomotor Honda team for the 20 round MXGP season in 2017. Guillod finished 9th in his rookie MXGP season and is looking forward to getting on the 2017 Honda CRF450R.
“I’m really happy to be part of the Honda family, and I’m really looking forward to trying this new CRF450R. I watched Bobryshev riding on it the last GPs, and it was impressive. I’m going to ride for the first time out on the Honda CRF450R at the Geneva Supercross 2-3 December 2016, and I will do all that I can do to represent Honda and the team in the best way in the MXGP class.”
2017 FIM Motocross World Championship Calendar Announced
The calendar for the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship has been announced with several changes from the 2016 season including the series growing to twenty rounds across seventeen different countries and four different continents.
MXGP will return also to Russia for the first time since 2012 while Pangkal Pinang, Indonesia will host the second round of the championship and some of the old favourite tracks in Agueda, Portugal, Baldasserona, San Marino, Uddevalla, Sweden and Ernée, France are back in the calendar. France will also host a second grand prix which will be the final round of the 2017 season, at Villars sous Ecot.
2017 FIM Motocross World Championship Calendar
- Rd1 – 25 February (Sat): QATAR – Losail
- Rd2 – 5 March: INDONESIA – Pangkal Pinang (Support Class: Women)
- Rd3 – 19 March: PATAGONIA ARGENTINA – Neuquen
- Rd4 – 2 April: LEON – MEXICO – Leon
- Rd5 – 16 April: ITALY – Maggiora (Support Classes: EMX125, EMX250, Women)
- Rd6 – 23 April: EUROPE – Valkenswaard (Support Classes: EMX125, EMX250)
- Rd7 – 7 May: LATVIA – Kegums (Support Classes: EMX125, EMX250)
- Rd8 – 21 May: GERMANY – Teutschenthal (Support Classes: EMX150, EMX300)
- Rd9 – 28 May: FRANCE – Ernée (Support Classes: EMX125, EMX250, Women)
- Rd10 – 11 June: RUSSIA – Orlyonok (Support Classes: EMX125, EMX250)
- Rd11 – 25 June: TRENTINO – Piatramurata (Support Classes: EMX250, EMX300)
- Rd12 – 2 July: PORTUGAL – Agueda (Support Classes: EMX125, EMX250)
- Rd13 – 9 July: SAN MARINO – Baldasserona (Support Classes: EMX150, EMX300)
- Rd14 – 23 July: CZECH REP. – Loket (Support Classes: EMX65, EMX85, Women)
- Rd15 – 6 August: BELGIUM – Lommel (Support Classes: EMX125, EMX150, EMX300)
- Rd16 – 13 August: SWITZERLAND – Frauenfeld/Gachnang (Support Classes: EMX300, EMX250, Women)
- Rd17 – 20 August: SWEDEN – Uddevalla (Support Classes: EMX150, EMX125)
- Rd18 – 3 September: MONSTER ENERGY MXGP OF USA – Charlotte
- Rd19 – 10 September: THE NETHERLANDS – Assen (Support Classes: EMX150, Women, Veteran)
- Rd20 – 24 September: PAYS DE MONTBELIARD (France) – Villars sous Ecot (Support Classes: EMX250, EMX300)
- 1 October – Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations – GREAT BRITAIN, Matterley Basin
- 30 July – FIM Junior Motocross World Championship – ESTONIA – Lange Motokeskus
Grothues Awarded The Sport Australia Scholarship
Caleb Grothues is a successful candidate for the 2017 Sport Australia Scholarship and Mentoring Program where the former World and Australian Junior Motocross Champion was presented with a return economy flight from Etihad Airways to help with international training and competition, $5,000 funding grant to assist with sporting related costs and a Sports Australia Hall of Fame member to mentor Grothues for the remainder of 2017.
Kickboxing legend Stan Longinidis will mentor and support Grothues in his Motocross career throughout 2017, through challenges that athletes face off the bike.
“I kind of thought when I received the phone call telling me that I had gotten the scholarship that it was a joke to be honest,” Grothues shared. “I was like ‘you’re dreaming; it would never happen’. I think they had looked in to what I had done, how I have come back from my injury and everything that has happened, and it just went from there.
Grothues also shared that no matter how his career plays out, he hopes to give back to the sport just like the support he received last night. Although his plans for next year are still undecided, Grothues will focus his attention on preparing and training for the 2017 season, now with Stan Longinidis as a mentor.
Mitch Evans Breaks Wrist
Australia’s 2016 Motocross of Nations representative Mitch Evans sustained a broken wrist during the second round of the Australian Supercross Championship at Toowoomba and will miss the remaining rounds to be fit for the 2017 season.
Kiwis in California
Just got the heads up from my old mate across the Tasman in Matt Humphries that former World Vet Champion and multi New Zealand Champion Tony Cooksley will be contesting the Over-60’s Expert class on a Doug Dubach supplied YZ250 2-stroke at the annual World Vet Championships to be held at Glen Helen on the 5th and 6th of November.
In fact, Cooksley will be joined by a gaggle of Kiwis including Josh Coppins, Darryll King, Daryl Hurley, Darren Henderson, Andrew Stewart, Ian Conway, Julie Managh, Danny Botany and Dean Baird to name a few so the social infrastructure of the Californian night-life may get a lesson in good old fashioned Kiwi humour and mischief.
Smarty’s Race Reports
Australia Supercross Championship – Round 2 – Toowoomba
On a technical and taxing supercross track Justin Brayton and Jackson Richardson have won the SX1 and SX2 class main events respectively at the second round of the Australian Supercross Championship held in the Queensland town of Toowoomba last weekend.
SX1
Brayton started the night in solid form by winning the opening heat ahead of compatriot Wil Hahn and Lawson Bopping while Todd Waters topped arch rival Dean Ferris and Kyle Peters in heat two.
In the 20 lap main event Waters was on fire and shot to the lead and was etching out an eight second lead over the field before crashing hard through the whoops and being forced to sit out the rest of the race.
Todd Waters
“Devastating main event, after pulling an 8 second lead to crashing hard in the whoops and ending my night. Still had a ripper night. Cheers to Scott Bannan and his crew for running a great event!”
Kyle Peters took over the lead from Brayton and Hahn but Peters couldn’t keep his rhythm allowing Brayton, Hahn and Ferris to pass and fill the podium when the chequered flag was waved.
Justin Brayton
“I needed to be patient,” said Brayton. “I hit neutral off the line and went around the first corner in ninth or tenth. From there I knew I had to stay composed. I just picked parts of the track where I could make clean passes and I took my time. The track was awesome at the beginning of the day, but it dried out quickly and became super technical”.
“It was a hard race to make as many passes as I did stick, but I am really happy. We have won all heat races and finals and I want to continue this form coming into Adelaide. We have some more work to do with the bike between rounds – the tracks back home are a little different because of the moisture in them. I am confident we can improve everywhere, which includes my fitness.”
Dean Ferris
“I’m pretty happy with how things went tonight,” Ferris stated after the event. “The track was tough and the strong winds just added to that so doing perfect laps wasn’t possible. You just had to be strong. I tried to get onto the back of Wil but he rode the last half of the race really well while I made a few mistakes when I was in a position to make things happen.”
“All up it’s still great to be on the podium and make it two rounds in a row. Thank you to the CDR Yamaha team for the effort and support and together we are working to get a win at one of these things before the year is out,” Ferris ends.
Wil Hahn
“The team worked really hard to improve after round one and we did a good job together during the break,” Wil Hahn reflected. “Not only that, but I worked on my fitness pretty hard, so I’m really happy with this result for everybody. I feel stronger and I haven’t really felt that comfortable on the bike for a couple of years now, so it’s nice to get that feeling. The track really related to those back home, but something really clicked for me in that heat race and I’m excited.”
Peters managed to hold on to fourth place ahead of Jay Marmont, Kade Mosig, Adam Enticknap, Jay Wilson, Luke Wilson and Lawson Bopping who faded back through the field to round out the top ten.
It was a tough night for reigning champion Daniel Reardon with a crash leaving the CDR Yamaha rider to finish in 11th position while Yank Chris Alldredge who was making his debut as the replacement rider for Dylan Long in the Crankt Honda team crashed in his heat race and sat the night out.
Chris Alldredge
“Unfortunately the whoops section caught out a lot of people on Saturday night and I was one of them,” said Alldredge. “At this stage, we aren’t entirely sure of what is happening with my shoulder, so I’ll go and get it all checked out on Monday, and if I’m able to, I’ll definitely be on the line in South Australia in two weeks.”
SX1 Round Results
- Justin BRAYTON
- Wil HAHN +2.073
- Dean FERRIS +6.547
- Kyle PETERS +21.744
- Jay MARMONT +57.251
- Kade MOSIG +1 lap
- Adam ENTICKNAP + 1 lap
- Jay WILSON + 1 lap
- Luke WILSON + 1 lap
- Lawson BOPPING + 2 lap
- Daniel REARDON + 2 lap
- Boyd HOCKING + 2 lap
- Nicholas BRENNAN + 3 lap
- Damien HARRISON + 3 lap
- Nathan CRAWFORD + 3 lap
- Barry SURAWSKI + 4 lap
- Jesse DOBSON + 4 lap
DNF Todd WATERS – DNF Joel NEWTON – DNF Todd WATERS – DNF Joel NEWTON
SX1 Points
- Justin BRAYTON 50 Points
- Dean FERRIS 42 Points
- Wil HAHN 38 Points
- Daniel REARDON 30 Points
- Kade MOSIG 30 Points
- Jay MARMONT 29 Points
- Luke WILSON 26 Points
- Adam ENTICKNAP 25 Points
- Jay WILSON 25 Points
- Kyle PETERS 18 Points
- Todd WATERS 18 Points
- Boyd HOCKING 17 Points
- Barry SURAWSKI 14 Points
- Lawson BOPPING 11 Points
- Joel NEWTON 10 Points
- Nicholas BRESSAN 8 Points
- Damien HARRISON 6 Points
- Nathan CRAWFORD 7 Points
- Jesse DOBSON 4 Points
SX2
The opening SX2 heat was a ripper Gavin Faith putting his Honda out front with team-mate Jimmy Decotis and Hayden Mellross slotting into second and third place but despite it being a heat race neither Decotis nor Mellross seemed willing to let second place slip as they fought tooth and nail until Decotis took a huge dive into the whoops forcing the defending champion out for the night.
Faith raced to the race win ahead of Mellross with Dylan Wills in third while heat two was a bit more straight forward with Richardson taking the win from Kyle Webster and Tomas Ravenhorst.
As a footnote Josh Cachia and Geran Stapleton didn’t fare well in their heats and were forced to race in the LCQ which Stapleton won easily from Brody Cassidy, Connor Tierney and James Brown. Cachia crashed heavily in the long rhythm section and was forced to watch the final.
Faith and Richardson came out of the first turn one and two with Faith looking confident until the American crashed hard in a rhythm section allowing Richardson sailed into the lead closely followed by team-mate Wade Hunter and Joel Wightman.
Meanwhile Mellross was bouncing back from a poor start to cross the line at the end of lap one in sixth position and by the end of lap two the Yamaha star moved himself into third and just a couple of laps later into second position with a move around Hunter.
Stapleton similarly moved by Wightman and Hunter to hold down third place as Mellross put in a charge to try and catch Richardson but the North Queenslander kept his composure and speed to cross the line for a popular win ahead of Mellross, Stapleton, Hunter and Wightman.
Jackson Richardson
“I’m pumped to get the win tonight,” Richardson said from the podium. “I wasn’t even planning on racing supercross this year and then this opportunity came up with Serco Yamaha very late but I’m glad we were able to make it happen. I haven’t been on the Yamaha long but the team have made me feel very comfortable right away and the bike is awesome. It was good to repay everyone with a win and can’t wait to race again in Adelaide in a couple of weeks’ time,” Richardson ends.
Mellross posted this on his FB page. “Second overall last night! Felt so strong on the DPH Motorsport bike all day but I just never dialled in them all important starts. I know what I need to work on for the next 2 weeks and I’m already looking forward for round 3! Let’s roll!”
As far as the championship goes Mellross now leads by a single point over Richardson with Hunter six points back in third while Stapleton is up to 4th position ahead of Wightman in 5th. Round one winner Faith now sits in 6th one point ahead of Jordan Hill and Lewis Woods.
Faith was disappointed to have crashed while leading the final. “I sprinted hard- maybe too hard. I am really disappointed because I gave the win away tonight. Now I have to regroup and focus on performing at my absolute best for the next four rounds. I simply can’t afford another mistake and although I have put a lot of pressure on myself, I will do my best to ensure the best possible results for myself and my team.”
SX2 Round Results
- Jackson RICHARDSON
- Hayden MELLROSS +4.234
- Geran STAPLETON +20.010
- Wade HUNTER +24.539
- Joel WIGHTMAN +35.501
- Nathan CRAWFORD +37.189
- Dylan WILLS +41.145
- Wilson TODD +48.42
- Jordan HILL +57.064
- Lewis WOODS +1.05.868
- Jesse MADDEN + 1 lap
- Kyle WEBSTER + 1 lap
- Tomas RAVENHORST + 1 lap
- Aaron TANTI + 1 lap
- Cooper POZNIAK + 1 lap
- Jamie HARVEY + 1 lap
- Connor TIERNEY + 1 lap
- James BROWN + 2 lap
- Brody CASSIDY + 3 lap
- Gavin FAITH + 5 lap
SX2 Points
- Hayden MELLROSS 44 Points
- Jackson RICHARDSON 43 Points
- Wade HUNTER 38 Points
- Geran STAPLETON 36 Points
- Joel WIGHTMAN 27 Points
- Gavin FAITH 25 Points
- Jordan HILL 24 Points
- Lewis WOODS 24 Points
- Dylan WILLS 20 Points
- Aaron TANTI 17 Points
- Nathan CRAWFORD 15 Points
- Joshua CACHIA 15 Points
- Tomas RAVENHORST 15 Points
- Jimmy DECOTIS 14 Points
- Wilson TODD 13 Points
- Connor TIERNEY 12 Points
- Jesse MADDEN 10 Points
- Kyle WEBSTER 9 Points
- Wade KIRKLAND 9 Points
Junior Lites Round
- Jye DICKSON
- Mason ROWE
- Blake COBBIN
- Joel CIGLIANO
- Riley DUKES
- Thomas GEALE
- Drew CIGLIANO
- Joshua BELL
- Ryda DEVESON
- Tyler DARBY
Junior Lites Points
- Jye DICKSON 125 Points
- Riley DUKES 119 Points
- Joel CIGLIANO 100 Points
- Thomas GEALE 98 Points
- Drew CIGLIANO 90 Points
- Joshua BELL 78 47 Points
- Tyler DARBY 77 48 Points
- Ryda DEVESON 70 Points
- Caleb GOULLET 60 Points
- Mason ROWE 58 Points
85cc Round
- Tyler DARBY
- Joshua ZORBAS
- Samuel NOONAN
- Jai WALKER 54
- Brock DEVESON
- Reece CRUTCH
85cc Points
- Tyler DARBY 140 Points
- Joshua ZORBAS 132 Points
- Samuel NOONAN 128 Points
- Reece CRUTCH 93 Points
- Brock DEVESON 92 Points
- Kipp ADAMS 56 84 Points
- Jai WALKER 54 86 Points
- Max BARRASS 43 Points
Monster Energy Cup – Las Vegas
Eli Tomac won the first Monster Energy Cup Championship of his career and took home the $100,000 prize at Sam Boyd Stadium while Cameron Mcadoo swept both Toyota holeshots in the Amateur All-Star Class and walked away with a brand new Toyota Tacoma and the overall win and Stilez Robertson earned a dramatic win the Supermini Class.
MEC – Race 1
Blake Baggett was quick out of the gate and grabbed the holeshot by leading the star-studded field through the opening turn but Team HRC Honda’s newest signing in Ken Roczen was in hot pursuit, followed by Tomac, Ryan Dungey and Mike Alessi. Roczen instantly attacked Baggett and made quick work by taking over the lead on the opening lap.
Once into the lead, Roczen set a blistering pace and began to distance himself from the competition that battled for the remaining podium spots behind him. Tomac used the entire course as he searched for a way around Baggett, eventually making the pass stick on Lap 2. On the ninth lap, Roczen went through the joker lane, a slower section of the track that every rider must take at least once after the first lap, but maintained his lead as Tomac followed him through.
Roczen held on to grab the first checkered flag of the night, followed by Tomac and Dungey in second and third, respectively. Marvin Musquin charged hard to make several passes for fourth, while early race leader Baggett settled for fifth.
“It was a good first race with the HRC Honda Team, I’m happy with how the bike worked on the start and on the track,” said Roczen. “I’m looking forward to the rest of the night and seeing what we can do.”
MEC – Race 2
Roczen jump out to the early lead by grabbing the holeshot, narrowly edging out Tomac, Reed, Dungey and Alessi. As the lead duo pushed one another at the front of the 18-rider field, Dungey made an aggressive pass to overtake Reed for third on the opening lap.
Roczen continued to set the pace at the front, but Tomac kept him within striking distance, however, disaster struck for the defending Monster Energy Cup Class Champion and Roczen suffered a horrendous crash on Lap 7 that forced him to retire from the race early. Roczen’s misfortune allowed for Tomac to inherit the lead.
Tomac cruised to win the second race of the night with Dungey second and Musquin third. Reed was credited with fourth, while Cole Seely rounded out the top five.
“I came in with a little bit too much momentum on the start and it cost me the holeshot,” said Tomac. “It was unfortunate to see Ken [Roczen] go down, we laid down a quick pace early and yoyo’d each other back and forth.”
MEC – Race 3
Reed powered his way to the holeshot while Alessi, Roczen, Seely and Musquin gave chase. Alessi gained control of the race early and Reed made a critical mistake on the opening lap that saw him hit the deck and move Dungey into the top five. Tomac was buried in the pack and circulated the opening lap in 10th place.
Alessi rode brilliantly as he clicked off lap-after-lap, opening a small lead as the competition swapped positions behind him. Roczen began to slowly chip away at Alessi’s lead and eventually made the pass for the lead and it wasn’t long before Musquin bumped his way into second, followed by Dungey just one lap later. Tomac was on a mission as he carved his way through the talented field and moved into fourth on Lap 6.
As Roczen continued to lead, the battle for the overall win was shaping up to go down to the wire between Dungey and Tomac. On Lap 7, a slight bobble by Dungey allowed Tomac to jump to the inside and make the pass for third. Roczen and Musquin elected to take the joker lane on the ninth lap, while Dungey and Tomac waited until the final lap. Dungey was hot on Tomac’s heels and made the pass towards the end of the final lap to retake third.
Roczen impressively rebounded from his crash earlier in the night to cross the chequered flag for his second race win of the night. Musquin took second, just ahead of Dungey, Tomac and Alessi, who rounded out the top five.
Tomac edged Dungey out by one point for the overall win (2-1-4) on the night. Dungey was second (3-2-3) and Musquin third (4-3-2). “It was a crazy race and I did not make it easy on myself with a terrible start,” said an excited Tomac. “I knew going into the race that I just needed to finish behind Ryan [Dungey] and I was able to catch up to him and have a good battle before settling on the last lap. Those last two laps were pretty nerve wracking with the Joker Lane and getting pretty close to Marvin coming out of it. With Ryan passing me back, it was intense.”
Ryan Dungey had this to say at the press conference. “I felt good. Coming down to the last race we wanted to win, but I didn’t get a good start either. I thought, Well at least Eli’s back here with us. I got by him in the carnage and knew I had to pass as many people as I could. The more people I could pick off the more he was going to have to come through. I did my best but he did a good job coming through the pack. The guys rode good and we gave it a fight. We raced to the end; it was a good race.”
“I was behind [Ken] Roczen and I was really happy with the way I was riding and I was like, Okay, it’s time to hit the Joker Lane,” said Musqin reliving the final race. “Then I saw Roczen start to move to the right a little bit in the rhythm section and I thought, Oh man, he’s going at the same time! It was too late, I was already on the right side, so I went for it. I wanted to do it a lap ahead of those guys and try to go as fast as I could on the very last lap and try to stay ahead of those guys. It’s a lot of fun, very intense, and I went through the Joker Lane really quickly. I thought I’d get second and I thought Tomac was between me and Ryan so I thought I’d get second overall, but Ryan got around him and I ended up third. But man, it was a lot of fun and I’m really happy to have ended up on the box anyway.”
Monster Energy Cup Class Results
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki (2-1-4)
- Ryan Dungey, Clermont, Fla., KTM (3-2-3)
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., (4-3-2)
- Cole Seely, Sherman, Oaks, Calif., (6-5-6)
- Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Fla., Honda (8-6-5)
- Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., KTM (5-7-9)
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda (1-21-1)
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha (7-4-12)
- Benny Bloss, Oak Grove, MO., KTM (9-8-7)
- Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, MO., Honda (11-12-8)
Amateur All-Star
Mcadoo kicked off the first main event with the holeshot but Mitchell Falk, who is a past winner of the Supermini Class in 2014, found his way around Mcadoo on Lap 4 to grab the win, just ahead of Challen Tennant and Sean Cantrell.
The final main event began with Mcadoo claiming his second holeshot of the night, ultimately sweeping the holeshots in both Main Events to win a brand new Tacoma truck courtesy of Toyota.
Mcadoo led wire-to-wire for the race win with Jayce Pennington second and Dylan Walsh third. Mcadoo’s 7-1 scored the overall win while Tennant took the runner up position (2-6) and Garrett Marchbanks rounded out the podium (6-4). “Tonight I was able to grab two strong starts and it paid off,” said Mcadoo. “I had a similar downhill start setup that I practiced during the week. I’m stoked to walk away with a Toyota truck and the overall win tonight.”
Amateur All-Stars Class Results
- Cameron Mcadoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Honda (7-1)
- Challen Tennant, Willis, Texas, Yamaha (2-6)
- Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Kawasaki (6-4)
- Dylan Walsh, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha (9-3)
- Jayce Pennington, Walnut Hills, IL., Kawasaki (11-2)
- Lorenzo Locurcio, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha (5-8)
- Sean Cantrell, Newbury Park, Calif., KTM (3-10)
- Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha (4-13)
- Brandon Hartranft, Brick, N.J., Yamaha (13-5)
- Ramyller Alves, Coconut Creek, Fla., Yamaha (10-9)
Supermini
In the opening main event Robertson emerged with the holeshot ahead of Carson Mumford and Seth Hammaker. On Lap 2, Hammaker took possession of the lead and rode to victory. Robertson and Mumford rounded out the podium in second and third.
Mumford started the second and final main event with the holeshot as Jack Rogers and Robertson followed in second and third, respectively. Robertson made short work of Rogers to move into second, followed by first race winner Hammaker in third. The lead trio engaged in an intense battle for the race lead.
Robertson forced his way past Mumford for the number one position on the third lap, but Mumford remained glued to the Kawasaki’s riders rear wheel and began searching for a way back around. At the finish, Robertson held on to take the win, narrowly edging out Mumford in second. Joshua Varize took advantage of a late race crash by Hammaker to finish third.
Robertson took the overall win via 2-1 scores, while Mumford was second (3-2) and Aiden Tijero (4-5) rounded out the podium in third. “It was tough, I didn’t get off to as good of a start in the second race,” said Robertson. “The entire race was a battle with Carson [Mumford]. We stuffed each other back and forth several times for the win, but I was able to make a pass stick in the closing laps.”
Supermini Class Results
- Stilez Robertson, Bakersfield, Calif., Kawasaki (2-1)
- Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., Honda (3-2)
- Aiden Tijero, Ripon, Calif., KTM (4-5)
- Joshua Varize, Perris, Calif., KTM (9-3)
- Jace Kessler, Eagle, Mich., Husqvarna (6-6)
- Max Miller, Springfield, Ore., KTM (10-4)
- Devin Xindaris, Copperas Cove, Texas, Kawasaki (5-12)
- Juan Valderrama, Cairo, Ga., KTM (11-8)
- Seth Hammaker, Bainbridge, Penn., Kawasaki (1-18)
- Tyson Johnson, Ripon, Calif., Kawasaki (12-10)
2016 ISDE – Navarra, Spain
After six tough days of competition Taylor Robert (USA) emerged as the overall winner of the 2016 ISDE and the E2 class champion over compatriot Kailub Russell thus helping Team USA win the World Trophy Team class while Aussie Daniel Sanders managed to salvage Aussie pride with a solid second outright and the E3 class win. The E1 class went to Josep Garcia (ESP) ahead of Nathan Watson (GBR) second.
After Ryan Sipes won the event in 2015 this is the second year in a row that an American rider has won the outright and the first time that Team USA has won the World Trophy Team class. “The team rode well all week,” said Robert. “Everyone made some mistakes but we helped each other and I know a few had banged up knees and arms but they all went out there and put in their best effort. I was super stressed out the last days. I lost time yesterday and the Motocross test was super sketchy. It was such a good feeling when I got the phone call to say Thad had finished and I had beaten Sanders.”
Kailub Russell came to Spain with a point to prove. “I really wasn’t prepared as I could have been with my bike and I missed my setup by miles. I struggled and I got pushed back as the tracks got rougher so I definitely need to do a bit more preparation with the bike and figure out the terrain. But I had a few good tests and I was pretty consistent all week. I’m happy we got the win. It’s been out goal since 2013, but I’m frustrated with how I was 20 seconds off in some tests I know I could do well in.”
Josep Garcia had a great ISDE with 3rd outright and E1 category winner. “This has been the third and by far the best ISDE of my career. I felt very good on my bike as soon as the race started and I decided to push for the win. The dry conditions during the first two days suited my style so I managed to get the overall victory on day two. When the rain came on day three, it made things a bit more complicated for everybody. But I’m really happy I got away with a second outright victory on day five. That was the best day for me as I could battle for the top in each and every special test. I really couldn’t think of a better way to end this season.”
Sanders was the star for Australia with his second outright and E3 class win but it was the loss of Josh Strang to injury and Daniel Milner to a broken sprocket in the World Trophy Team that put pay to a repeat of 2015 where the Aussie were on top of the standings. The ‘other’ World Trophy Team member Lachlan Stanford rode brilliantly for 12th in E1 category for 31st outright.
As for the Australian Junior Trophy Team it was a tough week with Nic Tomlinson finishing 16th in E3 category and 71st outright while rookie Jack Simpson finished second in the final motocross test for 17th in E1 category and 47th outright and Tom McCormack rode strong for 18th in E2 and 43rd outright. Pick these riders again for 2017 and look out!!
As for our girls, Jessica Gardner, Tayla Jones and Jemma Wilson did it again and won the ISDE for an incredible fourth time in a row!! “Here we are, we are currently four-time World Champions with team Australia. It’s great to have Jemma Wilson, Tayla Jones and myself as the three chicks that have done it four years in a row,” Gardiner said. “It has been really great with the whole of team Australia behind us. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without them, plus the supporters and the whole crew. It’s a big effort to get Australia over here and it definitely doesn’t go unappreciated. It has been a pleasure to ride with the girls these last four years as this year was one of the most exciting in women’s racing that I have seen yet.”
“We had some tough competition and many of the girls were strong, and very well-known riders. We didn’t have much time for errors, and although I made a small error on day one I am really happy to be able to come back strong. It’s a little disappointing on my individual results but as a team I couldn’t be happier being on that top step. It’s an honourable feeling to hear that national anthem playing and Australia cheering us on. I would like to especially give a big thank you to Yamaha Blu Cru. It’s a very special moment,” Gardiner concluded.
ISDE 2016 – Top Finising Individuals Outright Results
- Taylor Robert
- Daniel Sanders +17.9 secs
- Josep Garcia +46.24 secs
- Giacomo Redondi +74.05 secs
- Luis Correia +88.70 secs
- Daniel McCanney +140.45
- Kailub Russell +155.86 secs
- Jame McCanney +207.33 secs
- Nathan Watson +230.62 secs
- Jonathan Barragan +244.32
Enduro 1
- Josep Garcia (Husqvarna), 3:23:32.89
- Nathan Watson (KTM) 3:26:37.27
- Victor Guerrero (KTM) 3:27:14.71
- Pascal Rauchenecker (Husqvarna) 3:28:12.57
- Davide Soreca (Honda) 3:28:26.09
- Layne Michael (Husqvarna) 3:30:01.36
Enduro 2
- Taylor Robert (KTM) 3:22:46.65
- Kailub Russell (KTM) 3:25:22.51
- Jamie McCanney (Yamaha) 3:26:13.98
- Albin Elowson (Husqvarna) 3:28:13.99
- Jaromir Romancik (KTM) 3:28:36.25
Enduro 3
- Daniel Sanders (KTM) 3:23:04.55
- Giacomo Redondi (Honda) 3:24:00.70
- Luis Correia (Beta) 3:24:15.35
- Daniel McCanney (Husqvarna) 3:25:07.10
- Jonathan Barragan (Gas Gas) 3:26:50.97
Top 5 Women
- Maria Franke (GER), KTM, 3:51:58.61 (E1 class)
- Laia Sanz (ESP), KTM, +52.35 (E1)
- Tayla Jones (AUS), Yamaha, +2:26.71 min (E1)
- Tarah Gieger (USA), Honda, +14:51.97 (E1)
- Jemma Wilson (AUS), Yamaha, +14:54.33 (E1)
ISDE 2016 – FIM World Trophy Results
- USA
- GB
- Czech Republic
- Sweden
- Estonia
- Argentina
- Mexico
- Switzerland
- Ecuador
- Norway
ISDE 2016 – Junior World Trophy Results
- Sweden
- USA
- Italy
- Finland
- France
- Australia
- Mexico
- Chile
- Austria
- Poland
ISDE 2016 – FIM Women’s Trophy Results
- Australia
- Spain
- Germany
- USA
- Sweden
- Canada
- Slovakia
Transmoto 6 Hour – Conondale, Qld
The Husqvarna Team of Christian Horwood, Fraser Higlett and Zak Small have taken out the Transmoto Six Hour held at Conondale last weekend while Robert Byrnes won the Ironman Class and KTM Australia won the pairs class.
Tansmoto Six Hour – Outright Top Ten
- Husqvarna Australia
- The Team From Up Here
- It’s a Stitch Up
- KTM Australia
- Thomas Lee KTM
- Skegs
- Brisbane Dirtbike Services
- Robert Byrnes
- The Fluffs
- Bush Cat’s
Ironman – Top 10
- Robert Byrnes
- Dudley Duffy
- Tim Egan
- Jordan Atkinson
- Jeremy Sims
- Thomas Howe
- Jason Dwyer
- Mitch Turner
- Joel Turner
- Andrew Hinchcliffe
Pairs – Top 10
- KTM Australia
- Skegs
- Devious
- The Chancing Paddies
- Suspension Matters
- Jericho jets
- Team Wastie
- Toddally Radicole
- Dirt Squirters (2)
- SSWR