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Moto News Weekly Wrap

May 1, 2018 – By Darren Smart

Proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax

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Latest News & Reports

• Yamaha’s Ferris and Crawford Win Appin MX Nationals
• KTM’s Musquin & McElrath Win Salt Lake Supercross
• Salvini and Holcombe Win Spanish Enduro GP
• Herrlien and Breece Win Arenacross in Reno
• Mess Wins Texas Half Mile
• Wade Young Wins Machete Hard Enduro
• Graham and Wilkche Battle in SA Enduro Championships
• KTM Continue Dominance in Russian MXGP
• AORC Hits Hedley May 5-6
• YCF Launches 2017 Model Run Out Sale
• Broc Tickle Responds to Drug Suspension
• Husqvarna Riders Win Tansmoto ‘Young Guns’
• Houlihan Heading to Hellas Rally

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Yamaha’s Ferris and Crawford Win Appin MX Nationals

Yamaha riders Dean Ferris and Nathan Crawford have convincingly won the MX1 and MX2 classes respectively at round two of the Australian MX Nationals that was held at the highly regarded Appin circuit on the outskirts of Sydney last weekend.

Ferris was for all intents and purpose untroubled on his way to claiming 70 points for the two moto wins which earned the CDR Yamaha rider not only the round win but extended his championship lead to 13 points after just two rounds.

Ferris won the opening moto over Kirk Gibbs, Brett Metcalfe, Dylan Long and Luke Clout then had to battle Clout and a re-start to take the second moto win over Clout, Long, Gibbs and Metcalfe so the overall placings went like this:

See our report yesterday for full results and rider quotes: 
Yamaha slam dunk MX Nationals Round Two at Appin (link)

MX1 Round Results

1. Dean Ferris – 70
2. Kirk Gibbs – 60
3. Luke Clout – 58
4. Dylan Long – 58
5. Brett Metcalfe – 56
6. Caleb Ward – 48
7. Rhys Carter – 48
8. Kade Mosig – 48
9. Connor Tierney – 43
10. Mitch Evans – 43

Thor MX1 Championship Points Standings

1. Dean Ferris 140
2. Kirk Gibbs 127
3. Luke Clout 108
4. Dylan Long 104
5. Mitch Evans 103
6. Kade Mosig 101
7. Caleb Ward 99
8. Rhys Carter 96
9. Brett Metcalfe 89
10. Connor Tierney 85

 

MX2

Crawford was very ‘Ferris-Like’ as he sliced around the rutted Appin layout and he made the rest of the field look pedestrian to take the first moto win ahead of Jay Wilson, Dylan Wills, Aaron Tanti, Jackson Richardson, Wilson Todd, Egan Mastin, Richie Evans, Kyle Webster and Hamish Harwood.

Moto two saw Wilson out front early but Crawford repeated his first moto performance with another win this time over Todd, Wilson, Richardson, Webster, Mastin, Jy Roberts, Dylan Wills, Kale Makeham and Harwood while Tanti crashed late in the moto to finish back in 14^th place.

Crawford obviously won the overall and now heads to round three with a 23 point lead over Tanti.

 

MX2 Round Results

1. Nathan Crawford – 70
2. Jay Wilson – 62
3. Wilson Todd – 57
4. Jackson Richardson – 54
5. Dylan Wills – 53
6. Egan Mastin – 49
7. Kyle Webster – 48
8. Aaron Tanti – 45
9. Kale Makeham – 42
10. Hamish Harwood – 42

MX2 Championship Standings

1. Nathan Crawford 133
2. Aaron Tanti 110
3. Wilson Todd 109
4. Jay Wilson 108
5. Jackson Richardson 102

MXD

The MXD class put on another stellar display at Appin and this time it was second generation champion in Riley Dukes who scored the overall win on the back of two second place finishes and now leads the championship by three points over Hugh McKay but there is only 12 points separating the top five after two rounds.

MXD Round Results

1. Riley Dukes – 64
2. Morgan Fogarty – 61
3. Hugh McKay – 61
4. Callum Norton – 55
5. Rhys Budd – 54
6. Bailey Malkiewicz – 53

MXD Championship Standings

1. Riley Dukes 124
2. Hugh McKay 121
3. Morgan Fogarty 119
4. Callum Norton 115
5. Bailey Malkiewicz 112

2018 MX Nationals Calendar

• Round 1 Newry VIC Sunday April 15th
• Round 2 Appin NSW Sunday April 29th
• Round 3 Wonthaggi VIC Saturday May 19th
• Round 4 Wonthaggi VIC Sunday May 20th
• Round 5 Murray Bridge SA Sunday May 27th
• Round 6 Conondale QLD Sunday July 1st
• Round 7 Maitland NSW Saturday July 14th
• Round 8 Maitland NSW Sunday July 15th
• Round 9 Gladstone QLD Sunday August 5th
• Round 10 Coolum QLD Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th August

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KTM’s Musquin & McElrath win Salt Lake Supercross

Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin took out his second 450SX main event win in a row at Salt Lake City and in doing so has reduced his championship point’s deficit to just 14 points behind Jason Anderson with just one round remaining while TLD KTM’s Shane McElrath stormed to the 250 main event win to keep the 250 West championship alive.

For the full report see – 
SX Championship shaken up in Salt Lake City (link)

Musquin moved to the lead early in the race and quickly built himself a cushion to second-placed Blake Baggett while arch rival Eli Tomac was stuck outside the top ten and more importantly championship leader in Jason Anderson was sitting in the pit area while his team replaced his front wheel after crashing in the first corner.

Out front, Marvin continued to peel off consistent laps around the slippery layout while Tomac’s charge towards the lead suffered a set-back when he lost the front end while trying to pass Baggett for second place – Eli would re-mount in fourth place, then pass Christian Craig and Baggett to get into second place but Marvin was long gone and crossed the line to take a comfortable win ahead of Tomac with Baggett rounding out the podium.

Marvin Musquin

“The track conditions were crazy and dry, but the track crew did a good job. I had no idea about Jason. Obviously towards the end I was going through lappers, and I knew Jason would take it easy today to get points, but I only knew how he did when the race was over. I’m excited to head to the final round in Vegas next week.”

Anderson who re-entered the race two laps down put on a charge and at race end crossed the line in 17th position, some 20 points shy of Musquin’s haul leaving the Husqvarna rider to head into next weekend’s Las Vegas finale with a 14 point lead over Musquin.

Jason Anderson

“I was pretty good in practice all day, I had a solid heat race and qualified well. I just went down in the first turn in the main and had to go all the way around the track. I broke some spokes in the first turn and had to come into the mechanic’s area to get my front wheel changed. By that time I was two laps down. I was able to un-lap myself and get up to 17th and at least get some points. I’m going into next week in Vegas with a 14 point lead.”

Chad Reed was running in fourth place on the opening lap but a small crash in a left hand turn forced the Aussie champion to rebound back to finish in 11th aboard his CR22 Husqvarna.

AMA Supercross 2018 – Round 16
Salt Lake City – 450 Results

1. Marvin Musquin – KTM
2. Eli Tomac – Kawasaki
3. Blake Baggett – KTM
4. Christian Craig – Honda
5. Justin Barcia – Yamaha
6. Justin Brayton – Honda
7. Weston Peick – Suzuki
8. Benny Bloss – KTM
9. Vince Friese – Honda
10. Tyler Bowers – Kawasaki
11. Chad Reed – Husqvarna
12. Kyle Cunningham – Suzuki
13. Dean Wilson – Husqvarna
14. Malcolm Stewart – Suzuki
15. Cedric Soubeyras – Suzuki
16. Joshua Hill – Yamaha
17. Jason Anderson – Husqvarna
18. Austin Politelli – Honda
19. Cody Vanbuskirk – KTM
20. Scott Champion – Yamaha
21. Dakota Tedder – KTM
22. Alex Ray – Yamaha

AMA Supercross 2018 – 450 Championship Standings

1. Jason Anderson 338
2. Marvin Musquin 324
3. Eli Tomac 292
4. Justin Brayton 264
5. Blake Baggett 264
6. Weston Peick 235
7. Dean Wilson 193
8. Broc Tickle 184
9. Cooper Webb 181
10. Justin Barcia 163
11. Malcolm Stewart 159
12. Vince Friese 155
13. Chad Reed 147
14. Tyler Bowers 146
15. Cole Seely 124

In the 250 West main event it was Joey Savatgy who quickly moved into the lead with Plessinger working his way into second but with Plessinger riding tight Adam Cianciarulo took over the second place position behind Savatgy before McElrath pushed Plessinger back to fourth place.

With the Kawasaki duo of Savatgy and Cianciarulo out front McElrath closed the gap then blitzed the left side of the treacherous whoop section to move from third to first and from there the KTM pilot took off for a relatively easy win over Cianciarulo with Savatgy rounding out the podium.

Plessinger finished in fourth and will carry a 13 point lead into the big East v West 250 final this weekend in Las Vegas.

Hayden Mellross had a shocker to battle his way to a disappointing 16th place finish in the main event and will be looking for a better result this weekend in Vegas.

AMA Supercross 2018 – Round 16
Salt Lake City – 250 Results

1. Shane McElrath – KTM
2. Adam Cianciarulo – Kawasaki
3. Joey Savatgy – Kawasaki
4. Aaron Plessinger – Yamaha
5. Chase Sexton – Honda
6. Phillip Nicoletti – Suzuki
7. Dakota Alix – KTM
8. Mitchell Harrison – Husqvarna
9. Kyle Chisholm – Yamaha
10. Martin Castelo – Yamaha
11. Blake Wharton – Yamaha
12. Dylan Merriam – Yamaha
13. Justin Starling – Husqvarna
14. Justin Hill – Suzuki
15. Michael Leib – Yamaha
16. Hayden Mellross – Yamaha
17. Brandan Leith – Kawasaki
18. Jess Pettis – Yamaha
19. Josh Mosiman – Husqvarna
20. Bradley Lionnet – Kawasaki
21. Robbie Wageman – Yamaha
22. Chase Marquier – Husqvarna

AMA Supercross 2018 – 250 Championship Standings

1. Aaron Plessinger 196
2. Adam Cianciarulo 183
3. Joey Savatgy 174
4. Shane McElrath 172
5. Chase Sexton 150
6. Justin Hill 128
7. Kyle Chisholm 124
8. Mitchell Harrison 115
9. Christian Craig 106
10. Phillip Nicoletti 94
11. Hayden Mellross 88
12. Justin Starling 82
13. Mitchell Oldenburg 75
14. Bradley Taft 64
15. Dakota Alix 61

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Salvini and Holcombe Win Spanish Enduro GP

Veteran campaigner Alex Salvini and defending champion Steve Holcombe have won Day 1 and Day 2 respectively in treacherous conditions at the Spanish round of the FIM Enduro GP.

Salvini battled with Holcombe for the Enduro GP victory on Saturday and thanks partly to Holcombe drowning his Beta in a water crossing Salvini eventually scored his first win in three seasons ahead of championship leader Eero Remes who in turn got over the line ahead of Loïc Larrieu, Jamie McCanny and Danny McCanny.

Alex Salvini

“I am very happy with this victory … my first win in 3 years! I worked very hard this winter and the work has paid off with this success, which just increases my motivation!”

Holcombe had to dry out his airbox on the side of the track and bounced back to sixth place while Matthew Phillips landed back in 10th place after struggling in the wet conditions.

Steve Holcombe

“I am very frustrated today. I rode well but it is what it is, and we can’t do anything about conditions … tomorrow will be another day!”

Jammy McCanny won the E1 class, Salvini the E2 class and Danny McCanny the E3 class.

EnduroGP Day 1 Highlights

EnduroGP Day 1 Results

1. Alex SALVINI – Italy
2. Eero REMES – Finland
3. Loïc LARRIEU – France
4. Jamie MCCANNEY – United Kingdom
5. Daniel MCCANNEY – United Kingdom
6. Steve HOLCOMBE – United Kingdom
7. Brad FREEMAN – United Kingdom
8. Davide GUARNERI – Italy
9. Antoine BASSET – France
10. Matthew PHILLIPS – Australia
11. Christophe NAMBOTIN – France
12. Victor GUERRERO – Spain
13. Thomas OLDRATI – Italy
14. Manuel MONNI – Italy
15. Deny PHILIPPAERTS – Italy

Sunday dawned with more rain and all of the top riders were forced to overcome their own issues but this time Holcombe was able to keep his bike dry to race on to victory this time ahead of Jamie McCanny and Salvini while Phillips ended the day in a disappointing 11^th place.

Holcombe now leads the E3 class by 12 points and sits second in the overall EnduroGP category behind Remes.

Steve Holcombe

“At last a victory, I’m very happy of course! The day was difficult because of the weather but nothing impossible or dangerous. We had just made some adjustments with the suspension on my Beta and now we’ll head for the GP of Portugal!”

Jamie McCanney easily won the E1 class ahead of Brad Freeman and Antoine Basset.

Jamie McCanney

“The day was long… very long! Finishing 2nd in EnduroGP is great… especially since my main rivals used soft tyres, unlike me. My Yamaha worked perfectly in these extreme conditions and I want to thank all the Yamaha Outsiders Team for their excellent work.”

Alex Salvini enjoyed a superb double in E2 class ahead of  Loïc Larrieu and Eero Remes while Christophe Charlier (4th) is expected to improve race by race and will likely have something up his sleeve as the season goes on, as will the spectacular Matthew Phillips (6th).

Alex Salvini

“It was a very physically and mentally tiring day, but I’ve made good ground in E2 and another EGP podium is a great start to the season for me.”

Matthew Phillips

“I tried hard but didn’t come close all weekend, frustrating to say the least. I know I’m better, but I have to take a loss when it’s handed to me. Head up and onto the next one. Only up from here.”

EnduroGP Day 2 Highlights

EnduroGP Day 2 Results

1. Steve HOLCOMBE United Kingdom
2. Jamie MCCANNEY United Kingdom
3. Alex SALVINI Italy
4. Loïc LARRIEU France
5. Eero REMES Finland
6. Christophe CHARLIER France
7. Christophe NAMBOTIN France
8. Brad FREEMAN United Kingdom
9. Antoine BASSET France
10. Luis OLIVEIRA Portugal
11. Victor GUERRERO Spain
12. Thomas OLDRATI Italy
13. Deny PHILIPPAERTS Italy
14. Anthony GESLIN France

EnduroGP Championship Standings

1. Eero REMES 64
2. Steve HOLCOMBE 50
3. Jamie MCCANNEY 45
4. Alex SALVINI 44
5. Aleksi JUKOLA 36
6. Brad FREEMAN 32
7. Toni ERIKSSON 32
8. Loïc LARRIEU 30
9. Henri HIMMANEN 20
10. Eemil POHJOLA 18
11. Daniel MCCANNEY 17
12. Mika TAMMINEN 16
13. Antoine BASSET 14
14. Christophe NAMBOTIN 14
15. Henry OLENIUS 12
    …22. Matthew PHILLIPS 8

There is no rest for the riders with the next stop on the EnduroGP calendar being the EnduroGP of Portugal this coming weekend.

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Herrlien and Breece Win Arenacross in Reno

Reno, Nevada hosted then penultimate round of the AMSOIL Arenacross Series and it was the first win of the year for Daniel Herrlein in the 250AX class while point’s leader Ryan Breece who continued his winning ways in the Lites West Class.

The first 250AX Main Event saw tight action into the first turn where Jacob Hayes got held up after the start, and Chris Blose took off with the early lead. By Lap 6, Hayes moved into second place behind Blose, with Travis Sewell and Daniel Herrlein also at the front of the pack.

Hayes waited until the final turn of the Main Event to take the inside line on Blose, and the two connected and went down with both riders scrambling to get on their bikes and finish the race. Hayes made quick work and ended up taking the win with Sewell in second, Herrlein third and Blose fourth.

The anticipated second Main Event saw Blose get out to an early lead with Herrlein, Hayes and Sewell in tow. Hayes worked his way up to second behind Blose, and it seemed as if Blose would have an easy win ahead of Hayes until an eventful last lap when Hayes ran Blose high on the straight before heading into the whoops, and the two made contact. Herrlein and Sewell both made passes on the top running duo, with Herrlein pulling off his first Main Event win of the season and Sewell in second followed by Hayes and Blose.

One point separates Blose and Hayes as the series concludes in Las Vegas to crown a new 250AX champion on May 4.

In the fourth round of the AX Lites West Class, Carson Brown took the early lead with Ryan Breece and Kevin Moranz in third but just as the race reached the halfway mark Breece saw the opportunity to make the pass on Brown and found the lead.

Moranz also made the pass on Brown to secure second a couple of laps later. The win did not come easy for Breece as Moranz was quickly making up time and gave a solid effort up until the chequered flag, but the race win belonged to the current point’s leader Breece with Moranz in second and Brown third.

250AX Class Main Event Results

1. Daniel Herrlein, Bethesda, Ohio, KTM (3-1)
2. Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., Kawasaki (2-2)
3. Jacob Hayes, Greensboro, N.C., Kawasaki (1-3)
4. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz, Honda (4-4)
5. Gared Steinke, Woodland, Calif., Kawasaki (5-5)
6. Kyle Bitterman, West Pelzer, S.C., Kawasaki (6-7)
7. Ryan Breece, Athol, Idaho, Kawasaki (4-6)
8. Kevin Moranz, Topeka, Kan., KTM (8-7)
9. Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki (9-8)
10. Dare Demartile, Lincoln, Calif., Honda (10-10)

250AX Class Championship Standings

1. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Honda (135)
2. Jacob Hayes, Greensboro, N.C., Kawasaki (134)
3. Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., Kawasaki (99)
4. Daniel Herrlein, Bethesda, Ohio, KTM (97)
5. Gared Steinke, Woodland, Calif., Kawasaki (96)

AX Lites West Class Main Event Results

1. Ryan Breece, Athol, Idaho, Kawasaki
2. Kevin Moranz, Topeka, Kan., KTM
3. Carson Brown, Ravensdale, Wash., Honda
4. Mitchell Falk, Costa Mesa, Calif., KTM
5. Devin Harriman, Brush Prairie, Wash., KTM
6. Richard Jackson, Holdenville, Okla., Kawasaki
7. Dare Demartile, Lincoln, Calif., Honda
8. Dawson Newby, Eaton, Co., KTM
9. Hunter Schlosser, El Paso, Texas, Honda
10. Derek Drake, San Luis Obispo, Calif., KTM

AX Lites West Class Championship Standings

1. Ryan Breece, Athol, Idaho, Kawasaki (78)
2. Kevin Moranz, Topeka, Kan., KTM (65)
3. Carson Brown, Ravensdale, Wash., Honda (64)
4. Devin Harriman, Brush Prairie, Wash., KTM (41)
5. Johnny Garcia, Moriarty, N.M., Honda (31)

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Mess Wins Texas Half Mile

Texas hosted the latest round of the 2018 AMA Flat Track Championships it was Jared Mees who worked his way past the fast starting duo of Chad Close and Briar Bauman to grab the lead and eventual win to take over the championship lead.

Jared Mees

“First off, thoughts and prayers to all the downed riders. I don’t know the condition of any of them, but we had a lot of downed riders tonight and nobody wants to see that. [All riders were reported to be awake and alert afterward.] On my end, we just came out and were really focused on getting this win, and we made it happen. We were fast right out of the gate. Huge hats off to my entire team for just sticking behind me and making it happen for me week-in and week-out. The Indian motorcycle is a phenomenal bike for me.”

Zanotti Racing ace Bauman came home second while Close held onto third aboard his Indian Motorcycle of Oklahoma City Scout FTR750 to earn his first-ever AFT Twins podium.

Mees is back in a familiar position – leading the AFT Twins championship table with 50 points with Henry Wiles, who finished fifth in Texas, is second, and followed by Bauman in third.

AFT Twins Result

1. Jared Mees (Indian)
2. Briar Bauman (Kawasaki)
3. Chad Close (Indian)
4. Brandon Robinson (Harley-Davidson)
5. Henry Wiles (Indian)

AFT Singles

The AFT Singles final saw Morgen Mischler narrowly fend off a hard-charging Shayna Texter to secure his first-career professional victory by a scant 0.094 seconds while Brandon Price rounded out the podium in third, taking over the AFT Singles points lead in the process as former championship leader Dan Bromley finished 17th.

Mischler’s victory put to rest any lingering doubt he may have had regarding his skills to compete with, and beat, the best the AFT undercard has to offer. He said, “It’s one of those things – when you move up to the pro ranks, you ask yourself if you belong. On that last lap… it stepped out pretty good, but I just pinned it.”

AFT Singles

1. Morgen Mischler (Yamaha)
2. Shayna Texter (Husqvarna)
3. Brandon Price (Honda)
4. Kolby Carlile (Yamaha)
5. Andrew Luker (Kawasaki)

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Wade Young Wins Machete Hard Enduro

Sherco’s Wade Young has claimed the 2018 Machete Hard Enduro after three gruelling days of racing in tropical Caribbean conditions of 30-degree Celsius heat and up to 100 percent humidity.

The Sherco Factory Racing star placed fourth in Friday night’s prologue which was run in a super enduro format that closely resembled an enduro-cross track by Australian standards. Albeit, largely constructed from 122 rum barrels, palm trees and coconuts.

Young took control of the race on day-1, victorious after four 50km loops that included an incredible beach section before an energy-sapping jungle course on the third and final day.

Wade Young

“The race went really well, and the bike felt good, this place is insane, and the support is overwhelming. I couldn’t be happier to get the Sherco on the top step.”

Young proved extremely popular with the Dominican Republic fans adding his name to an impressive list of previous Machete Hard Enduro race winners.

Machete Hard Enduro Results

1. Wade Young
2. Graham Jarvis
3. Manuel Lettenbichler

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Graham and Wilkche Battle in SA Enduro Championships

The country town of Auburn on the scenic southern edge of the Clare Valley hosted the opening round of the 2018 South Australian Off-Road Championship and it was defending champion Riley Graham who came away with a narrow victory over young-gun Andy Wilksch.

Wilksch fired the first shot by dominating the opening sprint, winning by a healthy 6-second margin and over the two remaining sprints it came down to a tight battle between Wilksch and Graham, with Wilksch completing the dry and dusty event a mere 2-seconds behind Graham.

Andy Wilksch

“I was definitely having the most fun out there. The 300 SE-R didn’t miss a beat in the brutally-dry and rocky conditions. I was able to hold the 300 wedged with both wheels in controlled power-slides in 4th and 5th gear, feet up on the pegs. I kept the Sherco upright all day and worked hard at minimizing mistakes, I’m happy with the way I rode. I went extremely close to cracking that top step of the podium and I’ll be doing all I can to get there at the next round.”

Round-2 of the 2018 South Australian Off-Road championship will be staged at Wanbi, June 3 while Wilksch will line up with the Motul Pirelli Sherco Team this coming weekend for rounds 3 and 4 of the Australian Off-Road Championship at Hedley, Victoria on May 5-6, 2018.

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KTM Continue Dominance at Russian MXGP

I know it’s weird but the MXGP of Russia is being held on a Monday and Tuesday so we only have the results from the Monday qualifying with the actual GP being held tomorrow but as you will see from the results below KTM has continued its unbeaten run after Jeffrey Herlings and Pauls Jonass took victory this morning.

In tricky conditions Jed Beaton had worked his way up to fourth place before a small crash dropped the Aussie back to ninth place.

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 23:42.878
2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:01.513
3. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:03.211
4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:04.042
5. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:04.729
6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:07.579
7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, TM), +0:09.940
8. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:12.027
9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +0:13.161
10. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:16.580

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten

1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 23:59.316
2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:06.531
3. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, Honda), +0:30.736
4. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Yamaha), +0:35.865
5. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:41.673
6. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:44.933
7. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Honda), +0:49.497
8. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:56.258
9. Jed Beaton (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:59.625
10. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +1:01.173

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AORC Hits Hedley May 5-6

Australia’s best off-road racers will head to the Victorian town of Hedley this weekend for rounds 3 and 4 of the 2018 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championships which will feature the first Cross-Country of the season.

E2 championship leader Daniel Sanders is looking forward to the challenge.

Daniel Sanders

“Cross Country is my favourite race, it brings out the speed and endurance of a rider in the three hours of racing intensity. I prefer and have always like the longer distances racers, it will be tough down at Hedley and my fingers are crossed for some rain to keep the dust down. I had a Victorian round last week and that was good to get that under the belt, my body pulled up well and showed that my training is on the right track.”

Sanders’ lead in the E2 class will no doubt be tested at Hedley by his closest rivals in Josh Green and Lyndon Snodgrass while over in the E1 class former motocross champion Luke Styke is currently leading the class over another former motocross star in Jack Simpson but after the recent A4DE you can bet that the in-form Fraser Higlett is looking to put himself at the top of the podium.

Then there is Daniel Milner who is arguably the fastest rider in the country right now and is looking to continue his red hit form from the 4DE to continue his dominance of the E3 class but Lachlan Stanford and Broc Grabham will be looking to stop Milner’s stellar start the 2018 season.

There will be a full report on rounds 3 and 4 of the AORC at Hedley right here in Smarty’s Moto Wrap next week.

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Broc Tickle Responds to Drug Suspension

Red Bull KTM’s Broc Tickle has sent out a statement regarding his provisional suspension by the FIM due to the results of a failed anti-doping test held at the San Diego round of the 2018 AMA Supercross Championship. Below is Tickle’s statement:

“As has been widely reported, on April 12, 2018 I was notified by the FIM of an alleged Adverse Analytical Finding for 5-Methylhexan-2-Amine, stemming from a random urine test on February 10, 2018, directly after the San Diego Supercross Event. The notification from the FIM was a complete surprise to me because I have never, intentionally or negligently, ingested any prohibited substance, and specifically, the alleged substance I allegedly had in my system on February 10, 2018. I have never cheated, doped, or tried to better myself by taking the short way; nor, has anyone around me offered or provided to me any substance that is prohibited by the FIM Anti-Doping Code. I have worked too hard throughout my career to put my career at stake by taking any prohibited substance.

“I am devastated about this allegation, and really frustrated with the process. The FIM has been less than professional with me regarding timeliness of communication, disclosure of information related to my Sample A test, and request to Test Sample B. After much delay, the FIM finally has informed me that the soonest that my Sample B will be tested is May 16, 2018*, the receipt of results and supporting lab documentation undisclosed. In addition, the soonest I will receive the lab documentation associated with Sample A is 10-15 working days from April 15th, 2018.

“At this point, I have filed a Request to Lift the Discretionary Provisional Suspension imposed, but have little faith in this process as it is based solely on written documentation. The soonest that I will have a full blown hearing regarding this allegation will be months from now. I have discovered that the FIM is an organization that possesses ultimate power — to suspend a professional athlete with the stroke of a pen, without any process, opportunity to defend, and no supporting evidence. Consequently, the FIM eliminates the athlete’s source of income, and consequently their financial wherewithal to defend themselves with what little information is provided, all while refusing to timely communicate, and disclose evidence. To say that the process is unfair is an understatement.

“Despite this disproportionality, I will do everything possible to fight this allegation, clear my name, and continue with my career. Should anyone have any information that may be relevant to my case, please contact my attorney, Brian D. Harrison at [email protected]. Thank you.

“*Interestingly, shortly after filing of my Request to Lift the Provisional Suspension, the FIM advised me that they contacted the Laboratory to change the date for Sample B testing to May 9, 2018; however, no information was conveyed as to date of receipt of such test, or the lab documentation associated therewith.”

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Husqvarna Riders Win Tansmoto ‘Young Guns’

Husqvarna riders Mitch and Josh Brierley along with teammate Jack Heffernan have won the Young Guns (under 23) class at the Transmoto 8 Hour held in the Victorian country town of Bright last weekend.

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Houlihan Heading to Hellas Rally

Albury off-road rider Andrew Houlihan is heading to Greece to race in the 2018 Hellas Rally which is a round of the FIM European Rally series and is one of the largest Motosport Rally events in Europe.

Hellas Rally will be the first of a number of international races that Houlihan plans to compete in over the next 18 months with the goal to qualify and compete in the DAKAR Rally in 2020.

The race is navigational over 7 days and run in the same format as the DAKAR Rally using Roadbook navigation and Compass bearings for direction through the ancient site of Olympia in Greece with a variety of terrain varying each day from sandy beaches, sand dunes, forest tracks, mountain peaks, snow and deep river crossings.

With over 300 bikes and 30 offroad buggies / SSV’s in this race, the plan for Houlihan is to just finish unscathed and get the full experience and gather the information needed to make a commitment to DAKAR 2020.

Good luck Andrew……