Moto News Weekly Wrap with Smarty

Moto News Wrap for November 22, 2016 by Darren Smart

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This Week’s News Overview

• Stewart Brothers Go Blue
• JGR Suzuki Team Announced
• McCormack Injured
• Aussie Wins Asian Supermoto Round
• YZ125 Cup Students Graduate From Yamaha Masterclass
• Night of Jumps Final in Poland
• Pablo Quintanilla Stays with Husky
• Vamo Racing Team to MX2 in 2017

This Week’s Racing Overview

• 2016 A4DE – Merrijig, Victoria
• Red Bull Knock Out – – Scheveningen Beach – The Hague, Holland
• 2016 AMA Endurocross – Round 8 – Ontario
• ADAC Supercross – Munich, Germany
• Australian Rhythm-X – – Symonds Plains – Tasmania

Stewart Brothers Go Blue

James and Malcolm Stewart have reportedly purchased their own Yamaha YZF450s to compete in the 2017 AMA Supercross Championships where they could well be operating out of Sprinter vans.

James Stewart

“It’s been a struggle with putting things together for next year with so many sponsors pulling out of MX and a deep pool of great riders and lack of rides. That being said, I’ve been working on trying to make things happen because I’m not ready to retire. I still have wins in my future, so hopefully I’ll be on the gate soon.

Malcom Stewart

“As it sits right now my plan is to still show up at Anaheim 1. Clearly all the factory teams are taking riders so my goal is to figure out what bike I want to get and see if a team is going to give me some factory help or anything like that and show up in the sprinter van and do good and go from there. As of right now whatever is going to help me out the most, the only thing I can think of is going to maybe Kawi or Yamaha, somebody that doesn’t have as much manufacturers out on the track. That’s kind of where I would go.”

JGR Suzuki Team Announced

Justin Barcia and Weston Peick will remain the 450 riders for the AutoTrader.com/ Monster Energy/JGR Suzuki team.

Phil Nicoletti will continue with the JGR team but in the 250 class for the 250SX East Region and Matt Bisceglia will compete in the 250SX West Region series.

Nicoletti will move to the 450 class when the motocross series kicks off.

Coy Gibbs – JGR MX Team Owner

“We are looking forward to having a 250 effort this year as part of our team. This is the perfect opportunity for riders who feel they have some unfinished business in the class like Phil and other riders like Matt who are looking for a stepping stone into the 450 ranks in the coming years.”

McCormack Injured

CDR Yamaha rider Tom McCormack took a heavy fall during the early running of the A4DE and was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital with a severe concussion and some internal issues.

At the time of writing Tom remains in Hospital while team manager Craig Dack evaluates a challenging A4DE.

Craig Dack – CDR Yamaha Team Manager

“As a team manager, it has been a hard week emotionally. Tom’s injury is shattering and we are heartbroken for him and his family. Then to have Daniel in the lead and slip away at the end, Chris to announce his retirement and then ride like a demon and then finish with a team 2-3, it has been a real rollercoaster. First up, we wish Tom a quick recovery and hope to see him fit and healthy again ASAP.”

Aussie Wins Asian Supermoto Round

Aussie hard charger Andy McLiesh has capitalised on his pole position to win both motos at round three of the FIM Asia Supermoto Championship held in Angeles City in the Philippines last weekend.

Andy McLiesh

“It was really hot today, sitting a long time on the start line in leathers. It was really hard. We got away to a great start in Race 1. Our strategy was knowing Gabit will get held up by Gaban. In Race 2 I just wanted to put the hammer down, build up a massive lead, because Gabit isn’t going to let up at all throughout the race. To come here after lots of bad luck previously and win both Motos was what we wanted.”

McLeish will head to Malaysia for the fourth and final round from the 16th to the 18th of December needing to make up a 14 point deficit to championship leader Muhd. Habibullah Mohd. Salleh.

YZ125 Cup Students Graduate From Yamaha Masterclass

Yamaha is investing in their motocross racing future with 2008 World Motocross Champion David Philippaerts conducting a Masterclass for seven up and coming YZ125 riders from across Europe.

Tim Edberg (15 years old / Sweden), Jeroen Bussink (15 years old / The Netherlands), Arvid Lüning (15 years old / Sweden), Nicolo Folli (15 years old / Italy) and Rasmus Holm (15 years old / Sweden), Hugo Johansson (15 years old / Sweden) and Gervasio Cañas (15 years old / Spain) spent last weekend at the Ottobiano Motorsport track in Italy with Philippaerts and Yamaha Motor Europe N.V. bLU cRU Racing Manager, Alberto Barozzi.

Night of Jumps Final in Poland

Despite wrapping up the championship at the penultimate round Maikel Melero continued his winning way at the final round of the Night of Jumps held in Poland last weekend.

Melero won the final from Remi Bizouard, Petr Pilat and Aussie Rob Adelberg with his Flair, Lazyboy Flip and the ‘Melero Roll’ to take out his 10th win from 11 events in the 2016 season.

Night of the Jumps – Final Results

1. Maikel Melero
2. Remi Bizouard
3. Petr Pilat
4. Rob Adelberg
5. Brice Izzo
6. Leonardo Fini

Pablo Quintanilla Stays with Husky

Husqvarna Motorcycles have announced that Chilean rally sports specialist and 2016 World Rally Champion Pablo Quintanilla has signed a contract to stay with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing until the end of the 2018 season.

Quintanilla was third in the Dakar Rally in January 2016 and in October secured the title in the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship.

Pablo Quintanilla

“I’m very happy and proud to extend my agreement with Husqvarna Motorcycles into a long-term relationship. The brand is doing extremely well since it was re-launched, and it is very committed to rally sport. This allows me to concentrate on racing with the best team and the best bike available today. It is also a special privilege for me to race in the colours of a brand that represents so much history and heritage in motorsport off-road racing.”

Vamo Racing Team to MX2 in 2017

Honda and the Vamo Racing Team have joined forces for a 2017 campaign in the MX2 category of the FIM Motocross World Championship, completing the Honda-supported stable of teams ready for next season.

With riders Michael Ivanov and Lars Van Berkel riding the Honda CRF250R, the team will compete in the MX2 World Championship alongside a programme that will take in the Dutch and Belgian national championships, too.

Smarty’s Race Reports

2016 Yamaha A4DE– Merrijig, Victoria

Mathias Bellino has won the 2016 A4DE held in country Victoria last week but it took a giant effort for the Husqvarna rider to take the win ahead of the CDR Yamaha duo of Chris Hollis and Daniel Milner who rode the wheels off their WR450s throughout the event.

In fact, Bellino did not wrap up the win until the final motocross test where the former World Enduro Champion held on to second place behind Hollis and more importantly ahead of Milner who crashed early in the race.

Mathias Bellino – Outright P1 – E2 P1

“I wasn’t sure what to expect, there were not that many tests but they were awesome to ride, especially the fourth one. So, it was enjoyable. It was a great event, I’m glad I came this year, because it was fun to ride it also when you win that helps! Everything went well for us and the bike was working perfectly like it did all season. I had to work with a completely new crew and some things that were different to Europe. Here you have to have your own bumbag and Camelbak at every test and it was actually a tough race; Day Two especially, was tougher than any six-day or anything else I’ve done.

“Nine tests and uphill and downhill, it was quite tough. It’s really good to win here especially in front of the fast guys like Milner, Sanders, Chris Hollis, so it was good to fight against them, especially Chris, he’s a good guy. I’m really happy to get this victory, for myself and for the team. So it is great to finish like that.”

Chris Hollis announced his retirement on the eve of the final day of racing before winning the final moto to earn second overall ahead of his teammate and defending champion Daniel Milner.

Chris Hollis – Outright P2 – E2 P2

“I wanted to finish my career on a high and my goal was to finish in the top three so to be able to achieve that in an event like this is a good feeling. The dust was pretty bad in the final moto so I knew a good start was important and I was able to get to the lead pretty quickly and just so my own thing. It’s been an awesome week and so many people have come up to me and wished me well for the future so it’s been a real special way to end my career.”

Milner was in the lead after day one but mistakes during day two saw the Yamaha pilot lose ground to Bellino.

The four time winner battled hard on day three to close the gap down to just six seconds entering the final day but things didn’t go his way in the final moto and he fell to third place in the outright standings.

Daniel Milner – Outright P3 – E2 P3

“Overall, the first three days were pretty good and I put myself in a position to win this year but it wasn’t to be. I fell in the final moto and the dust was pretty bad making it difficult to pass and I just didn’t get it done. I have no excuses and I congratulate Mathias and Chris on a great week of racing. All of us were pretty close and they were both riding well. I wanted to make it five in a row but I didn’t so I will be back next year to start a new streak.”

Matthew Phillis – E2 P4

“What a great event, this is my off-season now so I came here just to say thanks to Sherco, it’s been a great experience with all of the team and the Sherco crew, it’s been great to catch up with all of the riders and even had my old man over helping out so yeh, it was great to see everyone and there is nothing like getting beaten heading into the off-season to give me a bit of fire on my belly to do some training and get ready for next season.”

Broc Grabham – E2 P5

“I’m pretty happy – E2 this year around was really something. My outright position I was a little unhappy with. I got really crook the night before the event, only slept about an hour and spewed up all night. So going into the first day I wasn’t feeling that energised. I finished 16th then, but I got a bit better as I went and knew I could go quick. But it’s hard to make up the time you’ve lost. Then yesterday I was riding along with Daniel Sanders and a lob bounced up after he went over it and I had a decent crash and tweaked my wrist. The times were pretty close this morning between me and Kearney and Jack Simpson and Riley Graham, but I got a crap start and was 13th on the first lap. I just could not see the track at all; I might as well have had my eyes closed for the majority of the time. Coming from 16th up to as high as seven is a positive for me, but it’s a shame we couldn’t stay there and finish inside the top 10. We’ll be back next year.”

Lyndon Snodgrass – E3 P3

“I ended up 12th outright and 3rd in class – my four-day was a tough one but I definitely had a lot of fun out there in conditions that got very dry and dusty. Crossing the finish line in that horrid final moto today was my highlight of the event, I couldn’t see anything after big Lachy got by me! After the DNF last year, the goal was to finish this one and try to do the best we can so I’m pretty happy. I’m a little disappointed on my outright position after being inside the top 10 for two days, but I’m stoked to get third in class!”

Evergreen David Fleming won the Masters class and Dylan Rees got the nod in the Veteran class while Tayla Jones won the Woman’s class from her ISDE winning teammates Jemma Wilson and Jess Gardiner.

2016 A4DE Outright Results

1. Mathias BELLINO – 2:08:28.623
2. Chris HOLLIS – 2:08:40.857
3. Daniel MILNER – 2:09:04.995
4. Josh GREEN – 2:09:11.774
5. Daniel SANDERS – 2:10:10.920
6. Lachlan STANFORD – 2:10:25.041
7. Matt PHILLIPS – 2:11:27.466
8. Glenn KEARNEY – 2:11:38.834
9. Jack SIMPSON – 2:12:06.448
10. Riley GRAHAM – 2:13:03.630

2016 A4DE E1 Championship Results

1. Josh GREEN – 2:09:11.774
2. Glenn KEARNEY – 2:11:38.834
3. Jack SIMPSON – 2:12:06.448
4. Riley GRAHAM – 2:13:03.630
5. Stefan GRANQVIST – 2:13:47.264
6. Fraser HIGLETT – 2:15:56.030
7. Brad HARDAKER – 2:16:04.249
8. Tom JONES – 2:16:12.602
9. Tom KITE – 2:17:55.232
10. Shane WATTS – 2:19:48.349

2016 A4DE E2 Championship Results

1. Mathias BELLINO – 2:08:28.623
2. Chris HOLLIS – 2:08:40.857
3. Daniel MILNER – 2:09:04.995
4. Matt PHILLIPS – 2:11:27.466
5. Broc GRABHAM – 2:13:12.684
6. Wil RUPRECHT – 2:13:28.718
7. Tye SIMMONDS – 2:13:41.206
8. Ben KEARNS – 2:15:03.894
9. Peter BOYLE – 2:17:03.524
10. Justin CARAFA – 2:18:28.551

2016 A4DE E3 Championship Results

1. Daniel SANDERS – 2:10:10.920
2. Lachlan STANFORD – 2:10:25.041
3. Lyndon SNODGRASS – 2:13:22.842
4. Christopher DAVEY – 2:14:41.842
5. Nic TOMLINSON – 2:16:00.101
6. Tom MASON – 2:17:15.770
7. Lincoln BIRD – 2:18:35.248
8. Jesse LAWTON – 2:20:53.487
9. Trent TUCCI – 2:23:16.771
10. Vivien JACOB – 2:38:36.655

2016 A4DE Masters Championship Results

1. David FLEMING – 2:23:16.089
2. Brett STEEL – 2:31:02.546
3. Jason SALOPAYEVS – 2:32:02.653
4. Mark PEACOCK – 2:34:31.836
5. Fred PATTERSON – 2:35:09.001
6. Brett KENNY – 2:35:15.760
7. Peter SCHAPER – 2:39:50.089
8. David SALT – 2:41:47.568
9. Darrin STRAUCH – 2:49:31.866
10. Anthony MARTIN – 2:50:37.799

2016 A4DE Veterans Championship Results

1. Dylan REES – 2:16:40.701
2. Damian SMITH – 2:17:37.748
3. Kirk HUTTON – 2:19:26.115
4. Rowan PUMPA – 2:26:07.842
5. Brandon KIENHUIS – 2:28:04.381
6. Con PRIVITERA – 2:31:18.940
7. Jason PEARCE – 2:33:22.672
8. Scott CAMPBELL – 2:36:24.513
9. Travis SELWYN – 2:38:42.826
10. Hugh HOWARTH – 2:39:17.956

2016 A4DE Women’s Championship Results

1. Tayla JONES 2:20:10.605
2. Jemma WILSON 2:28:20.050
3. Jess GARDINER 2:29:05.649
4. Emelie KARLSSON 2:33:03.980
5. Sophie COLDICUTT 2:34:16.610
6. Tamara GRAY 2:42:39.489
7. Danielle FOOT 5:53:47.778
8. Niki BEDFORD 6:00:03.254

Red Bull Knock-Out – Scheveningen Beach – The Hague, Holland

If you think that riding a dirt bike around a rut infested sand track which has had jumps and logs built into it for the best part of two hours is fun well you should sign up for the annual Red Bull Knock-Out held on Scheveningen Beach in Holland.

If you are Jeffrey Herlings the event is nothing short of a walk in the park with the Red Bull KTM pilot lapping all of the 750 competitors except for his two team mates in Nathan Watson and Glenn Coldenhoff.

A record crowd of almost 100,000 got to see the three times MX2 World Motocross Champion blitz his way around the circuit where he was at times more than 10 seconds a lap quicker than his competition.

Jeffrey Herlings

“It’s been good, obviously with the half final the track was flat, but as it got rough I got better. We did a great job as a team. We are not specialists in this type of racing. I had great racing and I showed I am number one. I started at motocross speed at the final, it was like a Grand Prix, and I pulled a gap and went from there. This is the toughest beach race in the world. I think when I hit my bed tonight I will sleep straight away.”

Nathan Watson

“Obviously Jeffrey is the sand king and I found something I didn’t know I had. I didn’t expect to get second with all these good riders. I haven’t ridden the 450 that much, but it’s fantastic. The X loop was difficult, but I found some good lines. 1.45 around the roughest track in the world, it was unbelievable. I am so happy. Sometimes when back markers were in the way I got through, and Glenn and I battled for a couple of laps and that was a lot of fun.”

Glen Coldenhoff

“It was early at 9am when we started, and a two hour moto, it was tough, that last 45 minutes was really difficult. The X Loop and the last two laps I didn’t enjoy. I had a good fight with Nathan, and my goal was to finish on the box. I only did two weeks of practice and I knew that wasn’t enough. I am happy with a podium. I was really tired, I am honest. It’s the toughest beach race in the world and it felt like that. Of course, we knew that Jeffrey is the fastest man in the sand and we all knew that. Three KTMs on the box, so that’s good.”

Red Bull Knock Out – Top Ten

1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)
2. Nathan Watson (KTM)
3. Glenn Coldenhoff (KTM)
4. Steve Ramon (Suzuki)
5. Axel Van de Sande (Yamaha)
6. Maxime Renaux
7. Camille Chapeliere
8. Victor Brossier
9. Daymond Martens
10. Timothee Florin

2016 AMA Endurocross Championships – Round 8 – Ontario, California

Cody Webb has won the eighth and final round of the 2016 AMA Endurocross Championships held in Ontario last weekend but Colton Haaker overcame mistakes and crashes to hold on to second place and secure the title by nine points ahead of Webb.

Haaker took an early lead in the main event but several mistakes and crashes saw the championship leader end the event in a distant second place while Webb rode smart and fast throughout the 15 lap final.

Colton Haaker

“It’s great to finally wrap up the 2016 EnduroCross championship. I had more crashes tonight than in the rest of the series put together, but I did what I needed to do. I didn’t want to ride at 50% and just take it easy – I really wanted to give my all tonight. I got a great start and felt good but the track bit me a couple of times and things didn’t go quite as well as I hoped they would. Second is still a good result but getting the championship is what really matters. It was my results in the seven rounds prior to tonight that earned me the title.”

Cody Webb

“To be honest, I knew the chances (to win the championship) were slim but I wanted to end the season with a bang and I think I proved that I wasn’t a two-time champion for nothing.  I felt confident coming in and I rode well all day but Colton rode solid all year. I gave it my all this season so I can’t complain – I was always right there but one little mistake would take me away from the win. I’m looking forward to 2017!”

Round 8 Results

1. Cody Webb (KTM) 15 laps
2. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 15 laps
3. Cory Graffunder (KTM) 14 laps
4. Ty Cullins (Beta) 14 laps
5. Ty Tremaine (KTM) 14 laps
6. Noah Kepple (KTM) 14

2016 Endurocross Championship Standings

1. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 201pts
2. Cody Webb (KTM) 192pts
3. Ty Tremaine (KTM) 127pts
4. Mike Brown (Husqvarna) 126pts
5. Kyle Redmond (Beta) 116pts
6. Cory Graffunder (KTM) 111pts

Australian Rhythm-X – Symonds Plains – Tasmania

Justin Brayton and Geran Stapleton have won the SX1 and SX2 classes respectively at the inaugural Rhythm-X held at Symonds Plains, Tasmania last weekend.

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The event was divided into two formats – the Rhythm-X knock-out challenge and the Supercross race with Brayton’s effort landing the American $30,000.00 as he returns to America.

Justin Brayton

“It felt awesome, the fans were incredible. The track was amazing, it’s a world class track. I love doing stuff like that, I had a blast, I expected the win, but you never know and especially with Rhythm X one mistake can ruin your whole run. What a way to finish my stay in Australia. The past three months have been nothing short of amazing.  I have loved being back on the Honda, my family and I have been welcomed by everyone and I can’t wait to return next year.  All things going well, Australia could become my second home over the next few seasons.”

The event also marked the final race as a professional rider for American Wil Hahn.

Wil Hahn

“It was unreal tonight, it’s something really familiar to what we do in the States, it was a great event. The crowd was unreal all night, yelling out and slapping our hands, they were just awesome.”

SX1 Class – Rhythm-X

Heat 1:

1. Justin Brayton
2. Brody Jennings

Heat 2:

1. Kade Mosig Winner
2. Daniel Reardon

Heat 3:

1. Dean Ferris
2. Cheyne Boyd

Heat 4:

1. Wil Hahn
2. Geran Stapleton

Semi Final 1:

1. Justin Brayton
2. Kade Mosig

Semi Final 2:

1. Wil Hahn
2. Dean Ferris

Final

1. Justin Brayton
2. Wil Hahn

SX1 – Supercross Final

1. Justin Brayton
2. Wil Hahn
3. Dean Ferris

SX2 Class – Rhythm-X

Heat 1:

1. Joel Wightman
2. Charles Young

Heat 2:

1. Geran Stapleton
2. Hugh McKay

Heat 3:

1. Jesse Madden
2. Tomas Ravenhorst

Heat 4:

1. Aaron Tanti
2. Daniel Young

Semi Final 1:

1. Geran Stapleton
2. Joel Wightman

Semi Final 2:

1. Jesse Madden
2. Aaron Tanti

Final

1. Geran Stapleton
2. Joel Wightman

SX2 – Supercross Final

1. Geran Stapleton
2. Joel Wightman
3. Aaron Tanti

ADAC Supercross – Munich, Germany

The annual ADAC Supercross in Munich was run in front of a more than healthy crowd last weekend and it was the American duo of Gavin Faith and Kyle Cunningham who shared SX1 main event wins while local hero Stephan Buttner won all three of the SX2 main events.

Night 1 – SX1 Main Event Result

1. Gavin Faith
2. Kyle Cunningham
3. Jace Owen
4. Nick Schmidt
5. Charles Lefrancois
6. Chris Blose
7. Loic Rombaut
8. Sullivan Jaulin
9. Dominique Thury
10. Steven Mages

Night 2 – SX1 Main Event Result

1. Kyle Cunningham
2. Nick Schmidt
3. Gavin Faith
4. Jace Owen
5. Chris Blose
6. Dominique Thury
7. Matthew Bayliss
8. Charles Lefrancois
9. Jesse Wentland
10. Carlos Macanas

Night 1 – SX2 Main Event Result

1. Stephan Buttner
2. Julien Lebeau
3. Clement Briatte
4. Luca Nijenhuis
5. Gradie Featherstone
6. Chris Bayliss
7. Brian Hsu
8. Nolan Cordens
9. Adrien Malaval
10. Boris Maillard

Night 2 – SX2 Main Event Result

1. Stephan Buttner
2. Brian Hsu
3. Chris Bayliss
4. Adrien Malaval
5. Luca Nijenhuis
6. Gradie Featherstone
7. Johannes Klein
8. Julien Lebeau
9. Clement Briatte
10. Alessandro Contessi

Night 2 – SX2 Main Event Results

1. Stephan Buttner
2. Chris Bayliss
3. Julien Lebeau
4. Brian Hsu
5. Johannes Klein
6. Adrien Malaval
7. Glen Meier
8. Alessandro Contessi
9. Paul Haberland
10. Clement Briatte