Monday, February 27, 2017

THE KING IS BACK! CAIROLI AND SIDI FOR THE WIN!

Courtesy of Sidi

Cairoli kicks off the World Series with a victory in Qatar.

February 27, 2017 – The 2017 MXGP season has gotten off to a fantastic start for Tony Cairoli (KTM), the rider from Patti, Messina, on the island of Sicily. Cairoli already holds eight World titles, and he made his mark towards a ninth at the Qatar MXGP in Losail by dominating both heats. We could’ve called the results after Cairoli’s performance in the Italian Internationals, which he won by a landslide. But the first race in the World Series has confirmed all predictions nonetheless: Tony Cairoli is aiming to recapture the World title!

The bad luck and injuries which compromised his last two years seem to be behind him and he looked back in prime form. What we saw at Losail was a spectacular race among the three big stars going into the World Series competition. In the end, Cairoli came out on top against his two young rivals, Frenchman Romain Febvre (2015 World Champion) and Slovenian Tim Gajser (2016 World Champion). These three will be battling it out all year for the 2017 title.

Tony was wearing his Sidi Crossfire 3 SRS boots. Sidi designed these custom boots with yellow fluorescent/blue graphics dedicated exclusively to the Sicilian ace, who always wants to look as sharp as his performances on the track. Round 2 of the MXGP World Series is this weekend, in Indonesia, where TC222 has his sights set on the top step of the podium once again.

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Geico Honda Atlanta Race Report

Courtesy of Geico Honda Racing

Atlanta, GA (February 25, 2017) – High hopes for GEICO Honda’s 250SX East effort ran into a wall of bad breaks at the second round of the championship, held in the Georgia Dome in downtown Atlanta. RJ Hampshire admits it wasn’t a great night for him, but he was the lone soldier for the team in the night show, and salvaged tenth. Cristian Craig crashed out in his heat race, and Chase Sexton’s pro debut once again stalled due to injury, as a practice crash left him with a broken femur.
Sexton underwent surgery on Sunday afternoon and is out indefinitely. Craig suffered a mild concussion but felt surprisingly well on Sunday, and he might be able to compete this weekend in Toronto.

As for Hampshire, he came in nursing a shoulder injury, but competed for a top five before going down late in the race.

“It was a tough weekend,” said Hampshire. “Struggled with the whoops from the start of the day and never really found a flow after that. I finished third in the heat race but felt like I was lost on my bike, was riding terrible. Got off to a decent start in the main, right around the top five and hung right around there till about five to go. I ended up going down on the landing of the finish and landed right on the hurt shoulder. So a bad night turned even worse! Had to many small mistakes all night that cost me big. But I’m okay–looking forward to Toronto!”

Craig hovered in the top three in practice times throughout the day, with his number popping up in the top spot several times, aided by impressive whoop speed. Unfortunately, the whoops also led to his undoing.

“My day was awesome before the night show,” said Craig. “I was fastest in the first qualifying and second in the last one. I liked the track and was probably one of the best guys through the whoops all the day. I jumped the gate in my heat, giving me a terrible start. I was making a ton of passes, an average of two riders every lap through the whoops! I slid out once, then made my way back up to fifth. On one of the last laps I was going for another two guys in the whoops but there was someone crashed on the right side which left me frazzled with what to do. I kinda just lost it when I saw him down and crashed. I unfortunately got a concussion and wasn’t able to ride in the LCQ or main. I’m super bummed with how these first races have gone. If you watch me in practice, you know what I’m capable of so it’s hard to understand why I can’t make it happen when it matters. Hoping to get clearance to ride early this week and be in Toronto.”

Sexton’s delayed pro debut was supposed to happen in Atlanta, as he missed last week’s 250SX East opener to give his injured wrists an extra week to heal. He looked solid in his first professional practice sessions until the whoops bit him late. Sexton tried jumping out of the section but caught a wheel, sending him to the ground, and also leading to a red flag stoppage of the action in practice. There is no timetable yet on his return from the femur injury.

Hampshire and possibly Craig will represent the team this weekend in Toronto.

GEICO Honda Results
Atlanta Supercross
10. RJ Hampshire


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Sunday, February 26, 2017

STRONG START TO MXGP SEASON FOR ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING

Courtesy of Husqvarna Motorcycles

Enjoying a positive start to their 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship campaigns, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing riders wrapped up the MXGP of Qatar earning top honours in both the MXGP and MX2 classes. In his first GP aboard FC 450 machinery Gautier Paulin finished sixth overall in MXGP, with young Dane Thomas Kjer-Olsen getting an impressive fourth overall in the MX2 class.

With the MXGP series starting once again under the bright lights of the Losail track, Gautier Paulin showed great speed and consistency throughout the racing weekend. Starting the GP with an impressive third place result during the qualifying race, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider was a strong contender for the top three in both MXGP motos. Collecting 6/5 place results he wrapped up his first GP as part of the team with a promising sixth overall in the 450cc class.

For MXGP class rookie Max Anstie, the GP of Qatar ended with the young Brit claiming a strong 10th overall in the category. Getting a good jump out of the gate in the opening moto Anstie suffered a small mid-race mistake that forced him to settle for 13th. Coming back stronger in moto two, the Brit found himself racing as high as seventh to eventually cross the finish line in 10th.

Collecting promising results in his pre-season races, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl arrived in Qatar looking to fight for the top in MXGP. Getting a good start in moto one the German found himself racing in fourth. Pushing hard to stay close to the top he suffered a few small mistakes that dropped him to eighth. Battling to retain his spot inside the top 10 in moto two Nagl suffered a crash that forced him to settle for 16th.

In the MX2 category, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer-Olsen raced two impressive motos to wrap up the GP of Qatar with fourth overall in the 250cc class. A strong contender for the top three in both races, the young Dane found himself racing as high as second before finally settling for fourth in both motos.

For Kjer-Olsen’s teammate Thomas Covington the GP of Qatar was proof that the American has the speed to fight for top honours in MX2 class. Starting the opening MX2 moto in sixth place, Covington had a mid moto fall that dropped him to 13th. Battling his way back he managed to finish race one in eighth. Getting a convincing holeshot in moto two Thomas was racing in fifth place before a crash made it impossible for the American to finish the race.

Enjoying a challenging first GP for the season, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Conrad Mewse struggled with his starts in both motos. Finding himself outside the top 20, the young Brit wrapped up the event with 24/21 results.

The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team will return to action at round two of the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship in Indonesia on March 04/05.

Gautier Paulin: “I’m really satisfied with my performance in Qatar. To start the season with two consistent moto results for sixth overall is hugely important. It just shows there’s a great base for us to continue working during the season. The weekend started with a good third place result during qualifying. It was a good confidence booster for the rest of the GP. My bike has been working great throughout the weekend as well. In moto one I made a small mistake after the start and had to fight from the back of the pack to finish sixth. If I hadn’t lost time at the start, I believe a top three result was well within our reach. Then in moto two I didn’t get a great start but made some quick passes and found myself in fifth. Getting some consistent lap times I managed to finish fifth.”

Max Anstie: “It was a good start to the season. We proved in Qatar that we’ve done our work. I felt fast throughout the weekend and overall I’m happy with my performance. I got a good start in moto one but a few laps later I got off track and lost some time to finish 13th. Then in moto two I got an even better start and battled my way to 10th at the chequered flag. It was my first GP on a 450cc bike and I believe I showed I’m in a good place with my speed. We can continue working hard with the goal to improve from here. I’m expecting the GP in Indonesia to be a good one and I’m looking forward to it.”

Max Nagl: “My riding kept getting better as the racing went on. To be honest, I wasn’t feeling so comfortable on the track during the qualifying moto, but worked hard and managed to get a good pace during the final races. I got a great jump out of the gate in the opening moto, but lost a bit of time entering the first corner. Getting an eighth place result I think is good for the start of this championship. Then in moto two I had a better start but as I was battling with Coldenhoff I hit a kicker on a jump and went over the bars. It was a big crash but luckily I got away unhurt and managed to finish the race. I’m going back to Europe now to continue my training schedule for a few days, before boarding the plane to Indonesia, where the goal is to improve on my results.”

Thomas Kjer-Olsen: “I couldn’t have thought of a better way to start the season. I might have done two GPs in MX2 last year, but this feels like a whole new experience. I can’t thank the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 squad enough for all their great support. The work we’ve done during the off season has paid off and we were capable to battle for the top in Qatar. I got two great starts and kept battling for the top three throughout both motos. We had some great battles with the riders in front and I kept pushing until the end of each race. The speed is there and we shall now focus on remaining consistent. This season is going to be really long and we are hoping for the best.”

Thomas Covington: “It’s been an up and down weekend for us. In moto one I believe I showed the speed is there. I got a decent start and was racing within the first six riders, but a small fall dropped me to 13th. Then I started pushing hard again and managed to cross the line in eighth place. My holeshot in moto two was a good confidence booster. Midway through the moto and as I was running in fifth I had a crash and then couldn’t start the bike. I know I can do a lot better and I’m really looking forward to the coming races. Next week we’re racing for the first time in Indonesia and the goal will be to battle for the top in MX2.”

Conrad Mewse: “It was a tough GP for us. We tried our best during the weekend but nothing seemed to work out for me. Getting poor starts in both motos didn’t help either, so I ended up battling for the top 20. This is definitely not the results I was looking for coming to Qatar but this was just a bad GP for me. We all know the season is really long and I will give my best to go get what’s there for me next week in Indonesia. I believe there is still a lot of opportunities for me to prove my abilities and I am more than willing to go after them.” Download high-resolution images here. 

Results – FIM Motocross World Championship, Round 1 

MXGP - Overall 
1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 50pts; 2. Tim Gajser (Honda) 42; 3. Clement Desalle (Kawasaki) 40… 6. Gautier Paulin (Husqvarna) 31… 10. Max Anstie (Husqvarna) 19… 12. Max Nagl (Husqvarna) 18… 18. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 9; 19. Rui Goncalves (Husqvarna) 8

MXGP - Race 1 
1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 18 laps, 35:02.202; 2. Clement Desalle (Kawasaki) 35:11.106; 3. Tim Gajser (Honda) 35:14.756… 6. Gautier Paulin (Husqvarna) 35:28.278… 8. Max Nagl (Husqvarna) 35:35.274… 13. Max Anstie (Husqvarna) 36:12.923… 16. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 36:25.333… 19. Rui Goncalves (Husqvarna) 36:30.047

MXGP - Race 2 
1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 18 laps, 35:00.353; 2. Tim Gajser (Honda) 35:05.271; 3. Romain Febvre (Yamaha) 35:23.728… 5. Gautier Paulin (Husqvarna) 35:30.449… 10. Max Anstie (Husqvarna) 35:57.742… 15. Rui Goncalves (Husqvarna) 36:28.292; 16. Max Nagl (Husqvarna) 36:31.576; 17. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 36:41.720

MX2 - Overall 
1. Pauls Jonass (KTM) 50pts; 2. Benoit Paturel (Yamaha) 44; 3. Julien Lieber (KTM) 40; 4. Thomas Kjer-Olsen (Husqvarna) 36… 16. Thomas Covington (Husqvarna) 13… 21. Iker Larranaga (Husqvarna) 2; 22. Anton Gole (Husqvarna) 2

MX2 - Race 1 
1. Pauls Jonass (KTM) 18 laps, 35:24.348; 2. Benoit Paturel (Yamaha) 35:26.107; 3. Julien Lieber (KTM) 35:44.387; 4. Thomas Kjer-Olsen (Husqvarna) 35:47.913… 8. Thomas Covington (Husqvarna) 36:11.969… 20. Anton Gole (Husqvarna) 36:38.630; 21. Iker Larranaga (Husqvarna) 36:39.884… 24. Conrad Mewse (Husqvarna) 37:06.681… 28. Ivan Petrov (Husqvarna) 17 laps, 35:58.280

MX2 - Race 2 
1. Pauls Jonass (KTM) 18 laps, 35:32.077; 2. Benoit Paturel (Yamaha) 35:33.092; 3. Julien Lieber (KTM) 35:35.322; 4. Thomas Kjer-Olsen (Husqvarna) 35:39.961… 19. Iker Larranaga (Husqvarna) 36:49.722; 20. Anton Gole (Husqvarna) 37:07.517; 21. Conrad Mewse (Husqvarna) 37:29.651… 25. Ivan Petrov (Husqvarna) 17 laps, 36:12.828

Championship Standings (After Round 1) 

MXGP
1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 50pts; 2. Tim Gajser (Honda) 42; 3. Clement Desalle (Kawasaki) 40… 6. Gautier Paulin (Husqvarna) 31… 10. Max Anstie (Husqvarna) 19… 12. Max Nagl (Husqvarna) 18… 18. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 9; 19. Rui Goncalves (Husqvarna) 8

MX2
1. Pauls Jonass (KTM) 50pts; 2. Benoit Paturel (Yamaha) 44; 3. Julien Lieber (KTM) 40; 4. Thomas Kjer-Olsen (Husqvarna) 36… 16. Thomas Covington (Husqvarna) 13… 21. Iker Larranaga (Husqvarna) 2; 22. Anton Gole (Husqvarna) 2




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Dungey climbs back on top in Atlanta, while Baggett earns first-career podium finish

Courtesy of  KTM Racing


It was a stellar night of racing for the KTM brand as orange riders filled two of the three 450SX podium positions, as well as one step of the 250SX East podium on Saturday night for Round 8 of the AMA Supercross Championship. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Ryan Dungey returned to the top of the box with his second victory of the season at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, while Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/WPS/KTM’s Blake Baggett earned his first-career podium in the premier class. TLD Red Bull KTM’s Alex Martin bounced back from a tough season opener last weekend to capture 2nd place in the 250SX East division.
Ryan Dungey KTM 450 SX-F Atlanta 2017
Copyright: © Simon Cudby KTM Media Library
Ryan Dungey was seeded into 450SX Heat 1, where he shot off the line aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY to lead all seven laps of the heat race. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Trey Canard ran into bad luck early on when he collided with another rider and went down, ultimately finishing outside of a qualifying position.
In 450SX Heat 2, Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/WPS/KTM’s Blake Baggett put himself out front early on where he rode his KTM to a career-first 450SX heat race win. Marvin Musquin got off to a top-five start where he finished 3rd to transfer into the Main Event.
Canard lined up for 450SX Semi 2, where he led from start to finish aboard his KTM 450 SX-F.
Main Event
Dungey put himself into a favorable position off the start as he put his KTM out front on the opening lap. Despite brutal track conditions in Atlanta, Dungey was able to maintain a solid pace out front to lead all 24 laps of the Main Event. Dungey’s second victory of the season puts the three-time champion 25 points ahead of his teammate Musquin in the championship standings as the season hits its halfway point.
Ryan Dungey KTM 450 SX-F Atlanta 2017
Copyright: © Simon Cudby KTM Media Library
Dungey: “We changed a few small things with the bike but for me it was nice to just get back to Florida – it was my first full week where I got to kind of chill out so it was nice, that always helps and I got to ride with the guys at the track. Things kind of slowed down a little bit for a change and the changes we made during the week really related to the night and benefited us. It doesn’t always happen like that but like Eli said, the track was gone – it was nasty and rough. It was nice to get out front and open up a little bit of a gap. I saw where Eli was and just tried to manage it, hit my marks and get a win, so it was nice.”
It was a spectacular night for Baggett, who earned his first-career 450SX heat race victory, as well as his first podium appearance in the premier class. With a good choice in gate following his heat race victory, Baggett got off to a great start inside the top three, where he quickly made the pass for 2nd by lap three. From there, Baggett chased after the leader Dungey for a majority of the race. However, a hard-charging Tomac was able to steal the 2nd place position in the final laps, where Baggett ultimately finished with a solid 3rd place.
Baggett: “We have been plugging away – the whole team – and I’m getting more comfortable on the bike and I’m loving it. We’re getting better and better each weekend and I can’t thank the team and sponsors enough for believing in me and helping me get up here tonight.”
Marvin Musquin KTM 450 SX-F Atlanta 2017
Copyright: © Simon Cudby KTM Media Library

Trey Canard KTM 450 SX-F Atlanta 2017
Copyright: © Simon Cudby KTM Media Library
Musquin began the Main Event just outside the top ten after a bad start allowed him to get caught up in heavy traffic on the opening lap, including a chaotic run through the loose sand section. As far back as 13th on lap one, Musquin immediately went to work in climbing his way back to the front. Musquin laid down several fast laps to bring himself back inside the top five, where he ultimately came back to finish 5th in the Main Event.
250SX East Class
Alex Martin & Jordon Smith KTM 250 SX-F Atlanta 2017
Copyright: © Simon Cudby KTM Media Library
TLD Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordon Smith got off to a great start aboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, with his teammate Alex Martin close in tow. The two KTM riders set the pace in the opening laps until Zach Osborne inherited the lead on lap six. While battling for the 2nd place position, Smith and Martin came together briefly and Smith dropped back one position to 3rd. Martin took over 2nd and held strong to the end, where he captured a solid 2nd place finish following a tough weekend in Minnesota where he experienced a big crash that left him sidelined for the opening round of the 250SX East Championship.
Alex Martin KTM 250 SX-F Atlanta 2017
Copyright: © Simon Cudby KTM Media Library
Martin: “It was pretty cool to start off 1-2 with my teammate Jordon but he made a little mistake on the on-off and I just kind of came around the outside and did the on-off and when we came to the inside we kind of collided there and unfortunately I sent him over. Luckily he kept it on two wheels and I was able to keep it on two wheels and make it up to 2nd. I’m not going to lie, that was a tough pill to swallow (last round) especially in front of the hometown crowd to walk back to the pits and know that you basically took a DNF, but on Sunday I woke up and realized we have eight races left and 200 points on the table and I’ve just been feeling way too good during the off season on the bike and getting along with the team and honestly to get 2nd tonight, it feels really good.”
Smith dropped a couple of positions in the second half of the race to ultimately finish 5th for the night, where he sits 3rd in the championship standings after two rounds of racing.

Jordon Smith KTM 250 SX-F Atlanta 2017
Copyright: © Simon Cudby KTM Media Library

Next Round: March 4, 2017 – Toronto, ON (USA)

Ryan Dungey Podium Atlanta 2017
Copyright: © Simon Cudby KTM Media Library

Results 450SX Class Atlanta 2017
1. Ryan Dungey (USA), KTM, 21:13.858 min (24 laps)

2. Eli Tomac (USA), Kawasaki, +1.509 sec
3. Blake Baggett (USA), KTM, +6.213
4. Jason Anderson (USA), Husqvarna, +12.216
5. Marvin Musquin (FRA), KTM, +14.730

Other KTM
11. Trey Canard (USA), KTM, +47.410

Standings 450SX Class 2017 after 8 of 18 rounds
1. Dungey, 174 points
2. Musquin, 149
3. Tomac, 147
4. Cole Seely (USA), Honda, 138
5. Anderson, 121
Other KTM
6. David Millsaps (USA), KTM, 98
9. Baggett, 83
Results 250SX East Class Atlanta 2017
1. Zach Osborne (USA), Husqvarna, 16:13.993 min (18 laps)
2. Alex Martin (USA), KTM, +6.367 sec
3. Colt Nichols (USA), Yamaha, +7.975
4. Joey Savatgy (USA), Kawasaki, +12.076
5. Jordan Smith (USA), KTM, +13.149

Standings 250SX East Class 2017 after 2 of 9 rounds
1. Osborne, 45
2. Savatgy, 43
3. Smith, 38
4. Nichols, 31
5. Adam Cianciarulo (USA), Kawasaki, 30
Other KTM
9. Martin, 22
www.supercrosslive.com
www.ktm.com





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Osborne Wins at Atlanta SX!

Courtesy of  Husqvarna Motorcycles


The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team headed to Atlanta for the eighth round of AMA Supercross, held at the Georgia Dome on Saturday. Zach Osborne had an amazing night as he earned an exciting victory in the 250SX East Class, while Anderson and Wilson finished fourth and 10th, respectively in the 450 class.

Zach Osborne got third at the start of his heat, settled into a comfortable lead in lap two, and held on for the win. He got a top-five start in the main and moved into second by the end of the third lap. He made an impressive pass for the lead in the fifth lap and held strong to take the victory. He is currently first overall in 250SX East rider point standings and heads to the next round with the coveted red plate.

“I had a great night,” said Osborne. “I worked hard for that win and I’m ready to keep the momentum going into next week. It feels good to have the red plate."

Jason Anderson got a decent start in his heat and settled into sixth where he finished. He got the hole shot in his semi and claimed a victory to earn a transfer position to the main. He pulled a mid-pack start in the main and put on a very impressive charge to finish fourth. He is currently fifth overall in 450 rider point standings.

“I had a pretty good night,” said Anderson. “I wasn’t on the podium, but I worked my butt off for that fourth-place finish. I went for it on the last lap and couldn’t quite get it, but I’ll regroup and will come back next week."

Dean Wilson got a mid-pack start in his heat and moved into fifth where he stayed strong until the finish. He got a third place start in his semi and moved into second by the end of the first lap. He stayed steady until the finish and qualified for the main. He got a mid-pack start in the main and moved steadily through the pack before finishing 10th. He is currently seventh overall in 450 rider point standings.

“I felt pretty good all day,” said Wilson. “This is the loosest I’ve felt riding. The heat race was unfortunate because I was one spot out of qualifying. I was close to winning the semi. I didn’t get a great start in the main - I need to work on that this week. I got into a good rhythm the second half of the race and got into the top-10 where I finished. I’m going to get ready for next weekend and try to get a better result."

Osborne, Anderson and Wilson will now make their way to the eighth round of the series to be held next Saturday at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Atlanta Supercross Results: 
250SX East Main Event:
1. Zach Osborne – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
2. Alex Martin
3. Colt Nichols
250SX East Rider Point Standings:
1. Zach Osborne – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 45 points
2. Joey Savatgy – 43 points
3. Jordon Smith – 38 points
4. Colt Nichols – 31 points
5. Adam Cianciarulo – 30 points
6. RJ Hampshire – 29 points
7. Luke Renzland – 28 points
8. Kyle Peters – 24 points
9. Alex Martin – 23 points
10. Fredrik Noren – 21 points
450 Main Event:
1. Ryan Dungey
2. Eli Tomac
3. Blake Baggett
4. Jason Anderson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

10. Dean Wilson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
450 Rider Point Standings:
1. Ryan Dungey – 174 points
2. Marvin Musquin – 149 points
3. Eli Tomac – 147 points
4. Cole Seely – 138 points
5. Jason Anderson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 121 points
6. Davi Millsaps – 98 points
7. Dean Wilson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 84 points
8. Chad Reed – 83 points
9. Blake Baggett – 83 points
10. Broc Tickle – 76 points



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Friday, February 24, 2017

SEEWER & LAWRENCE TOP-FIVE IN QATAR QUALIFYING

Courtesy of Suzuki Press Office

 Kevin Strijbos – 14th MXGP
Jeremy Seewer – 3rd MX2
Hunter Lawrence – 5th MX2
Bas Vaessen – 24th MX2


The 2017 MXGP World Championships have finally got underway with qualifying day at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. After months of talk and speculation, the riders got down to business on this tricky track and for the Suzuki World MXGP team, it was a mixed start after such a promising pre-season.

The loss of Arminas Jasikonis to visa issues meant that Kevin Strijbos was the sole representative in the MXGP class; and despite showing good speed in Timed Practice with a second-place gate pick, a poor start meant any chance of a good finish would be extremely difficult on what is historically a very difficult track to pass on. However, the Belgian kept charging throughout the entire moto, passing a lot of top-quality riders to finish-up a respectable 14th. With a better start, there is certainly no reason why he can’t battle at the front of field on what is a totally new day of racing. “It was a good day with my speed, which I was happy with. It was just my start, Toni (Cairoli) came a bit to my side so I had to cut off the throttle and then I almost collided with Glenn (Coldenhoff) after he messed-up in a mud puddle. I pushed until the end of the moto and finished 14th but with the gate (the new starting mesh) the position isn’t that important because everyone has the same conditions so I should be fine for tomorrow,” commented the confident Belgian.

In the MX2 race, Jeremy Seewer had a solid start to his 2017 campaign, passing a few riders after a decent start to finish in third place. “Jonass and Paturel were already a bit gone, I could close it a bit but I didn’t find the lines I wanted to find, but the race is tomorrow and we’re in a good position. There is nothing to win today, I just wanted to build-up the confidence for tomorrow,” said the Swiss rider.

Just behind Seewer was rookie Hunter Lawrence who had a great first lap, moving up from mid-pack into the top-10 with some nice moves. He then settled in behind some more experienced riders before putting in another couple of passes to score an impressive finishing position of fifth place. He had this to say about the race: “I just put some laps in, sitting behind Seewer, Prado and Bernardini, trying not to do anything silly. Ended up fifth, which is great, so we’ll see how it goes tomorrow, but I’m excited to have got the first gate drop out of the way, especially under the lights of Qatar, which was pretty cool.”

Unfortunately, Bas Vaessen wasn’t able to quite match his team-mates after a couple of crashes during the moto, but his one-lap speed was there and he can head into tomorrow knowing a good jump out the gate will put himself in with a good chance of some solid results. Although he was a little disappointed, he commented: “I didn’t really feel too comfortable, but my lap-times were good so I’m pumped on that. Now I just have to improve the beginning of the race for tomorrow.”

Despite a surprising amount of rain these past two weeks in Qatar, the forecast is meant to stay dry on Saturday, with hopefully a little less wind, after what was a very blustery evening. The wind caused the track staff some problems as it meant different parts were drying quicker than others, with a few slick spots dotted between some muddier sections. Overall though, the prep was very good and it should hold-up for tomorrow in what will be a very exciting evening of action.
The warm-ups are due to begin at 2.30pm local time with the first MX2 moto gate drop at 5.05pm, and the four members of the Suzuki World MXGP team are excited to step-it-up for the real gate drops tomorrow.

MXGP Qualification Heat Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 25:05.634; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:00.617; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:15.909; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:17.398; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:20.023; 6. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:21.556; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:25.823; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:28.921; 9. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:30.262; 10. Jordi Tixier (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:31.720; 11. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:33.763; 12. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:43.231; 13. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:49.634; 14. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki World MXGP), +1:00.268; 15. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Honda), +1:02.273; 16. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +1:04.431; 17. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +1:06.396; 18. Tanel Leok (EST, Husqvarna), +1:07.144; 19. Rui Goncalves (POR, Husqvarna), +1:12.236; 20. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +1:12.521; 21. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:24.123.

MX2 Qualification Heat Classification: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 25:28.950; 2. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:01.319; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki World MX2), +0:04.215; 4. Jorge Prado Garcia (ESP, KTM), +0:15.022; 5. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Suzuki World MX2), +0:16.129; 6. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +0:19.109; 7. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:21.208; 8. Darian Sanayei (USA, Kawasaki), +0:26.088; 9. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), +0:26.566; 10. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), +0:29.571; 11. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Kawasaki), +0:29.936; 12. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Honda), +0:33.200; 13. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:36.539; 14. Anton Gole (SWE, Husqvarna), +0:42.787; 15. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:50.636; 16. Stephen Rubini (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:54.844; 17. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), +0:56.180; 18. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), +0:59.030; 19. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:02.091; 20. Iker Larranaga Olano (ESP, Husqvarna), +1:05.763; 21. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), +1:06.769; 22. Jay Wilson (AUS, Yamaha), +1:08.474; 23. Conrad Mewse (GBR, Husqvarna), +1:09.740; 24. Bas Vaessen (NED, Suzuki World MX2), +1:21.736; 25. Ivan Petrov (BUL, Husqvarna), +1:29.326; 26. Caleb Ward (AUS, Husqvarna), +1:31.781; 27. Magne Klingsheim (NOR, Kawasaki), +1:52.174; 28. Chihiro Notsuka (JPN, Honda), +1:54.114; 29. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), -13 lap(s); 30. Maykal Grisha Ivanov (BUL, Honda), -13 lap(s).





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Training and Sponsorship Seminars at RCSX

Courtesy of RCSX

Training and Sponsorship Seminars at RCSX

LitPro to Offer Trackside Support
We are happy to announce 2 seminars during the Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross at Daytona International Speedway.
The first one will be a training and nutrition seminar hosted by Robb Beams. Robb Beams is world renowned Human Performance Coach who has over 100 amateur championships and 4 pro number one plates to his resume. He is the founder of MotoE's Complete Racing Solutions Performance Program and creator of the mental development program Blueprint of Success used by many of today's top racers. Ricky Carmichael will also be in attendance to help answer any questions as well.
Coach Robb will be offering free 20 minute phone consultation to anyone who attends the seminar and signs up.
Coach Robb's seminar will cover topics including:
  • How to properly cross train off of the motorcycle to improve the riders opening lap speed & late moto endurance
  • How nutrition and hydration can help eliminate late moto fatigue and eliminate cramping
  • How to mentally prepare your rider for high level racing
  • How to stretch correctly to minimize the risk of injuries
The seminar will focus on the areas of:
  • Nutrition Programs (build muscle - burn fat)
  • Hydration Programs (avoid dehydration and cramping)
  • Race Specific Strength Programs (eliminate fatigue and arm pump)
  • Race Specific Cardio Programs (eliminate late moto fatigue)
  • Mental development program (tools to help you face you address the mental barriers that keep you from achieving your true potential)
  • Soft tissue, trigger point & flexibility protocols to improve your range of motion resulting in enhanced power and endurance & avoid injuries
In addition Coach Robb will be offering free 20 minute phone consultation to anyone who attends the seminar and signs up (a $75 value) to see how Coach Robb and his staff can help your rider reach his/her potential, please email his staff at Contact@CoachRobb.com if you have any questions or need anything clarified.
Join Hookit and learn the ins and outs of sponsorship.
The second seminar will be focused on sponsorship and marketing and will be offered by Kyle Nobel from Hookit.
Join Hookit and learn the ins and outs of sponsorship along with how to properly represent yourself in the rapidly evolving digitally connected world. 
Highlights of the session include:
  • Developing your personal brand
  • Tips on how to gain & maintain sponsorships
  • How to get the most out of your account on Hookit
  • How to best use social media to your advantage
We hope you will find these off-track seminars useful and that you will attend.
Locations and times TBD.
Both seminars are free to any rider and/or family member who is signed up for the RCSX event.
RCSX will be the first event LITPro will support aimed entirely at amateurs and enthusiasts.
Finally, the team from LITPro will be on hand throughout the weekend offering demos and product support to any RCSX rider. LITPro is a GPS-based motocross training aid that automatically captures lap times, segment times, jump statistics, corner analytics, consistency and more. You've likely seen LITPro in use by professional athletes competing in the Supercross and Outdoor series.
RCSX will be the first event LITPro will support aimed entirely at amateurs and enthusiasts. The LITPro team invites you to stop by their tent to learn more about how LITPro can help you achieve faster laps, better starts, and a more effective overall motocross training program.
Thank you and we look forward to having you at this year's RCSX!
About Coach Robb and MotoE
Since 1987 Coach Robb has been working with racers around the world and has built the largest online coaching company within the motocross industry.  With four #1 professional titles and over 100 national amateur championships, Coach Robb has consolidated his methodologies into one complete training solutions performance program that is simple to follow and championship proven!
About Hookit
Based in San Diego, CA., Hookit offers the most comprehensive and exacting data analytics platform for establishing and tracking the value of individuals/athletes, teams and events across the sports and entertainment industries. Through its proprietary platform and Hookit Valuation Methodology (HVM), Hookit brings athletes, teams, brands, agencies, events, leagues and federations together in mutually beneficial partnerships. Hookit's blue-chip client roster includes Go Pro, Monster Energy, Cleveland Cavaliers, KaaBoo Music Festival, LPGA, Vans,  Major League Soccer, Canadian Olympic Team, NHRA, United States Ski and Snowboard Association and The Dew Tour. For more information, visit www.hookit.com
About LitPro
LITPro is the world's best training tool for motocross athletes. By employing proprietary HD-GPSTMtechnology and fusing it with various other sensors and technologies, LITPro provides the most advanced and comprehensive view of every moment spent on the track. Benefit from LITPro's analytics to achieve faster laps, better starts, and a more effective overall training program.






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GNCC Welcomes Four Co-Sanctioning Series to 2017 Schedule

Courtesy of GNCC Racing

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – It is with great pleasure that Racer Productions, producer of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, welcomes four race organizations to serve as co-sanctioning partners in the 2017 season. With a total of 10 of the 13-round GNCC series now partnered with premier regional racing bodies, racers will now be able to connect with various racing series and continue to advance the sport of off-road racing.

"National level racing could not exist without a vibrant grassroots racing rider base," said Tim Cotter, GNCC event director. "We are pleased to work with our co-sanction partners who are the most organized, well attended events in the regions in which we race."

Southeastern Enduro and Trail Riders Association (SETRA) is back and co-sanctioning an astonishing four rounds on the GNCC circuit. SETRA members will compete in the VP Racing Fuels Big Buck, Maxxis Cannonball, FMF Steele Creek, and CST Tires Camp Coker Bullet GNCC races.
"SETRA, a non-profit organization that has been a long-time promoter of Enduro and Hare Scrambles races in the southeast area, with 1000 plus members, is very excited to be a part of the GNCC series this season," said SETRA president Chris Doran. "The four races that we are co-sanctioning partners, which is more than any other organization, will not only provide a chance for our members to race against the best racers in the country in a national venue, but also, will determine our class and overall champions for our next season. On behalf of the members of SETRA, I would like to thank the GNCC crew for allowing us to be a co-sanctioning partner in these southeast races and look forward to a great season."

Indiana Cross Country Racing (IXCR), established in 2007, will be co-sanctioning the inaugural X-Factor GNCC in Peru, Indiana on May 6 and 7, and the popular season finale AMSOIL Ironman GNCC the last weekend of October. The Ironman GNCC has been associated with the IXCR circuit since 2009, helping the event grow into a popular destination for racers and motorsports fans. In 2016, with the help of IXCR, the event set a record becoming the largest attended GNCC event in history.

"IXCR is once again very excited to co-sanction with GNCC for both Indiana rounds for the 2017 season," said Tim Bowman, IXCR President. "We have enjoyed our long-standing relationship with the national GNCC series, as it gives our racers the opportunity to test their skills against the best in the country. With the newest addition to the GNCC schedule being in Peru, Indiana it gives national racers the chance to see the type of diverse terrain we offer in the state."

Celebrating their 13th year partnering with GNCC Racing is Western New York Off-Road Association (WNYOA). WNYOA membership numbers are at a record high, and multiple racers compete in both the entire WNYOA and GNCC series. The 2016 XC2 Pro-Am champion Greg Covert, XC1 Pro rookie Marty Christofferson, and XC2 Pro-Am rookie Hunter Hart, are just a few of the dedicated WNYOA racers who travel the East Coast to compete in America's premier off-road racing series. WNYOA will co-sanction with two rounds in the Empire State, including the Dunlop Tomahawk GNCC in June and the Parts Unlimited Unadilla GNCC in September.

"Since partnering with GNCC 13 years ago, Unadilla has become one of the most anticipated races on our WNYOA schedule," said WNYOA president Scottie Rich. "With the addition of the Tomahawk two years ago, our riders have local access to two of the biggest off road races in the country. It's nice to watch the real time scoring and witness our local racers of all skill levels and ages competitively bang bars at a GNCC, then stand tall on the podium representing WNYOA."

After a successful first year of partnership, Woods Extreme XC Racing (WEXCR) is back on the GNCC schedule. Founded in 2011 with events throughout West Virginia and Ohio, the WEXCR Series is rapidly growing. Top ATV competitors Brycen Neal and Adam McGill often make an appearance at the WEXCR events, along with UTV driver Kyle Chaney. WEXCR competitors ranging from motorcycle, ATV and UTV racers will compete at this year's Wiseco John Penton GNCC and Polaris Ace Powerline Park GNCC events in Ohio.

"We are honored to be able to join forces with the GNCC series by being co-sanctioning partners again this season," said Tim Wood, WEXCR president. "We are looking forward to being back at The John Penton event again as well as making the Powerline Park event our second co-sanction event for the 2017 season! Both of these GNCC events are right in the ‘backyards' of many of our regular WEXCR racers and it's a great opportunity for them to compete against other nationally ranked racers while also earning points towards our series championships. We also see this partnership as a great way to introduce our series to all the GNCC racers, as we provide a great place to come get some practice on their off weekends as they chase their national championships."

The highly anticipated 2017 AMSOIL GNCC series kicks off next weekend, March 4 and 5, with the Big Buck GNCC in Union, South Carolina. To find out more about the SETRA, IXCR, WNYOA, and WEXCR series, please visit their websites.

For more information on the GNCC series, visit the official series website at GNCCracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #GNCCLIVE.




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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Announces Continuing Sponsorships of GNCC and Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/Husqvarna Race Team for 2017

Courtesy of Rocky Mountain ATVMC


PAYSON, UT (February 22, 2017) – Rocky Mountain ATV/MC is pleased to announce their continuing sponsorships throughout the 2017 season of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, an AMA National Championship. Round 1 will mark the opening of the 2017 series and is set to take place at Big Buck Farm in Union, SC, on March 4th and 5th.  

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC is the official online retailer of the GNCC racing series and the presenting sponsor of Round 11 – the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mountaineer Run to be held on September 23rd and 24th. Rocky Mountain ATV/MC is also pleased to help expand the broadcast reach for the series through NBCSN and Racer TV as the Feature/TV Sponsor.

Back again for 2017 is the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Race Gas Fast Track program. The Race Gas Fast Track program awards participants with a $20 gift certificate to Rocky Mountain ATV/MC every time they pre-register for a race. By pre-registering, participants have the chance to skip out on lines during race registration by filling out a quick and easy online registration form.  

“Rocky Mountain ATV/MC’s support for GNCC Racing is still hard to believe,” said MX Sports Event Director, Tim Cotter. “Their help with everything from the Race Gas Fast Track pre-registration gift cards to the Ticket to Ride program makes them important to each and every racer. Not only are they putting thousands of dollars back into the hands of GNCC racers each season, their customer service and company policies make them a level above the rest.”

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC is proud to announce their continuing support of the Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/Husqvarna race team for 2017 as well. Comprised of GNCC pros, expert mechanics, and dedicated industry enthusiasts, the KR4 staff is ready to help this year's 14 riders make an even bigger name for the team. Speaking about the team, Frank Keegan, president of KR4 and team manager says, "We are excited to have Grant Baylor on board with us racing a Husqvarna FX450 this year and competing as our XC1 Pro at the GNCC and NEPG’s events. Sweden Pro rider, Jesper Borjesson, will race a Husqvarna FC250 and compete in the XC2 Class at the GNCC’s and a Pro at the FGSE races. Our XC3 rider Hunter Neuwirth will be racing a Husqvarna TC125 at the GNCC’s. In the Women’s Pro division, we're excited to have Australian Pro rider Tayla Jones as she will race all the GNCC’s, NEPG’s and FGSE races on a Husqvarna FC250.”

Dan Thomas, CEO and owner of Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, had this to say of the company's sponsorship involvement with GNCC, "We are happy to be able to support the GNCC series and the Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/Husqvarna team. We know that racing and showing up each round takes hard work, and the riders that participate in GNCC have put in a lot of time and effort to get where they are. The Race Gas Fast Track program is our way to try and help cut down on the strain so riders can focus more on the race. With a background in off-road racing, we're continually impressed by the level of talent out on the track and are excited to see what the season brings."
For more information on pre-registration through the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Race Gas Fast Track Program, go to gnccracing.com/pages/pre-registration.

About GNCC Racing
The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, is America’s premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1975, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,500 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed and draw talent from all over the U.S., Europe, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, please visit www.GNCCRacing.com.

GNCC on Social Media
·         Facebook: GNCCRacing
·         Instagram: @GNCC_Racing
·         Twitter: @GNCCRacing

About Rocky Mountain ATV/MC
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC is the trusted online source for high quality riding gear, parts and accessories for dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, dual sport bikes and street motorcycles. Rocky Mountain ATV/MC has provided low prices and unparalleled customer service for over 32 years. With the RM Cash program, a fit-guarantee apparel exchange, free three-day shipping and a price match guarantee, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC continues to deliver a premier shopping experience for the off-road enthusiast. For more information, visit www.RockyMountainATVMC.com.

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC on Social Media
·         Facebook: RMATVMC
·         Instagram: @RMATVMC
·         Twitter: @RMATVMC
·         Google+: Rocky Mountain ATV MC
·         YouTube: RockyMountainATVMC





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RCSX Welcomes Returning Sponsors to Eighth Annual Event

Courtesy of  MX Sports

Amateur Racers to Benefit from Industry Support
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (February 22, 2017) - The Eighth Annual Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross is quickly approaching, MX Sports and 15-time National Champion Ricky Carmichael are pleased to welcome back a host of returning sponsors. The event takes place Sunday, March 12, and Monday, March 13, at the historic Daytona International Speedway (DIS), and will feature some of the biggest names in amateur racing, as well as the industry as a whole.
This unique event takes place just one day after the Daytona Supercross by Honda, allowing for the sport's upcoming stars to ride on the same track as their idols. Many industry personnel will remain on site and display their newest and best products for 2017. 
RCSX is supported by the most prestigious companies in the motorcycling business, including Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, Thor, Bell Helmets, Pro Circuit, Cometic Gaskets, Fox Racing, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Dunlop. KTM, Yamaha, Suzuki, Cobra, Honda, Husqvarna, and Kawasaki will also take part in this esteemed event. 
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC will play a key role in the LIVE streaming production provided via Racer TV. Rocky Mountain ATV/MC remains heavily involved in amateur racing, and their support only continues to grow. Race fans from across the world will have the opportunity to watch their favorite racers battle in the finals for the No. 1 plate during the Racer TV LIVE streaming on Monday, March 13. In addition, every participant will receive a $20 Race Gas gift card redeemable on the entire Rocky Mountain ATV/MC inventory. 
The event takes place Sunday, March 12, and Monday, March 13, at the historic Daytona International Speedway (DIS).
The 8th Annual RCSX welcomes back a whole host of sponsors and OEM’s.
Photo: Rob Koy
The Holeshot Awards will once again be sponsored by Bell Helmets. Bell Helmets will be providing a $100 gift certificate to every racer who claims the holeshot in each of the 36 final class motos. Dunlop will be selling and mounting tires in the NASCAR garages with the help of MXTire.com.
Thor, Pro Circuit, Fox and Cometic Gaskets will continue to back the unique two-day amateur supercross event. Sunoco Race Fuels, a brand synonymous with Daytona International Speedway, will return as the official race fuel of RCSX and will have fuel available for purchase both days of the event. 
The class structure includes 36 classes for youth riders on 50cc bikes all the way up to vet and senior classes. The race will follow a supercross format, using heat races and last chance qualifiers in each class to seed the field of riders over the course of two days into the main event on Monday
This event also serves as the opening round of the eight-round ONSIA Sound Art Women's Motocross Championship (WMX), featuring the fastest females on two wheels. Racers must be pre-approved for a 2017 WMX license before registering. For more information on the WMX schedule, licensing and rules, click HERE.
For additional information, visit the official series website at www.racedaytona.com or call (304) 284-0101. Also, follow the official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for exclusive content and to catch the latest news.  
About Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross: 
The Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross event is the world's largest two-day amateur supercross event. Hosted annually since 2010 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, the class structure includes 36 classes for youth riders on 50cc bikes all the way up to vet and senior classes. The race follows a supercross format, using heat races and last chance qualifiers to seed the field of riders into the main event in each class. In collaboration with 15-time champion Ricky Carmichael this event is produced by MX Sports, Inc., a West Virginia-based race production company and sanctioned by AMA. For more information, please visit www.mxsports.com


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