RED BULL OVERRIDE
THE TOP
KTM 300 XC-W TPI
KTM Factory riders are continually shifting the boundaries of possibility. Their demands have resulted in a new generation of complete high-performance offroad machines that offer outstanding handling and agility, improved ease of use and efficient power delivery across the whole rev range.
The new KTM 300 XC-W TPI is a race-refined machine of the highest caliber, built to conquer every challenge in your journey to the top.
Photo:
The Big Picture
AND GAM ROOTY TOOTY
Red Bull KTM’s Manuel Lettenbichler makes short work of the roots and rocks while winning this year’s Red Bull Override.
PHOTO BY SHAN MOORE
The Big Picture
AND GAM
MAKING A POINT
Toni Bou hops from point to point round two of the FIM X-Trials series in Rennes, France. To no one’s surprise, the Repsol Honda rider took another win.
PHOTO BY REPOSL HONDA/ PEP SEGALES
ELEVATE THE STANDARD
The FX and TX cross-country model range offers purpose-built motorcycles with ultra-modern components like electric start to get the rider off the line faster and a Map Select switch to put the power to the ground. Performance-focused innovations were implemented to ensure power accessibility and agility to stay ahead of the competition.
Photo: F. Lackner
THE LOOP
News and Culture From The World Of Trials, Offroad and Extreme Racing
BAYLOR BROS TO SHERCO
In addition to signing Cody Webb, which we reported on last issue, FactoryONE Sherco has also signed Steward Baylor Jr. and Grant Baylor to the FactoryONE Sherco Enduro team. The South Carolina natives recently agreed to a multi-year agreement to ride the SEF 450 Factory Sherco in both the GNCC and NEPG series starting in January 2020.
“Stew and Grant provide us with a big one-two punch on the East coast” Said team manager, Wayne Dickert. “GNCC is arguably the largest off-road series in the world based on the total number of participants and fans. This provides Sherco USA with an amazing opportunity to bring the brand front and center in front of thousands of loyal fans. I am excited to get the new season kicked off.”
The Baylor brothers will be racing the full GNCC and NEPG series as well as a few select Full Gas Sprint Enduros.
Photo Courtesy Darrin Chapman
Kenda Full Gas Sprint Schedule
The Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series recently announced its schedule for the 2020 season. The series consists of eight rounds, starting in Gaston, South Carolina on February 8-9, and finishing up on August 8-9 in Young Harris, Georgia. More info can me found at www.sprintenduro.com.
Feb 8-9 Gaston, SC
Feb 29-March 1 Garfield, GA
March 28-29 Henderson, NC
May 9-10 Union, SC
May 23-24 Glen Daniel, WV
June 13-14 Bristol, VA
July 18-19 Fairmount City, PA
Aug 8-9 Young Harris, GA
2020 BETA TEAM ANNOUNCED
CODY BARNES RETURNS TO THE NATIONAL ENDURO SERIES WITH BETA USA
For 2020, Beta has re-signed multiple riders, and has added a few new riders to the lineup, including Thorn Devlin, who will compete in the National Enduro Series. National Enduro rider Ron Commo was also added to the team to compete in the Outdoor Extreme Enduro Series and the EnduroCross Series.
Returning to the team are Cody Barnes (GNCC (XC2 Class)/National Enduro Series, Max Gerston (Outdoor Extreme Enduro/EnduroCross Series), Rachel Gutish (GNCC/National Enduro Series), Chance Fullerton (WORCS/Big 6 Grand Prix Series), Joe Wasson (National Hare & Hound/West Hare Scramble Series), Zane Roberts (National Hare & Hound/WORCS Series), Chase Colville (GNCC Series(XC3 Class) and Morgan Tanke (National Hare & Hound/Enduro X Series).
“I’m very excited for this coming racing season,” said Beta USA Team Manager Rodney Smith. “Going on my third year as a team manager for Beta I couldn’t be more happy with the way things are going at Beta and especially the race team! I feel we have our best team yet and all of my riders are capable of winning a championship.” n
CABESTANY SIGNS WITH GASGAS
TO RIDE TRIAL-E WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
GasGas Factory Racing has announced the signing of Albert Cabestany who will compete in the 2020 FIM Trial-E World Cup. Assisting GasGas to push forward with the development of electric powered machinery, the Spanish trials legend will officially represent the brand and compete aboard the GasGas TXE.
GasGas Motorcycles are three-time FIM Trial-E World Cup winners.
“I’m looking forward to this great opportunity with GasGas Motorcycles,” said Cabestany. “Winning this year’s Trial-E World Cup with the TXE gave me a real insight into the true potential of this exciting motorcycle. I was very impressed with its capabilities and know that moving forward we can raise the bar again in 2020. It’s going to be a lot of fun fighting to defend my crown and hopefully delivering GasGas a fourth consecutive title.” n
Photos Courtesy GasGas
AMA ANNOUNCES TWO EXTREME OFF-ROAD SERIES
Nine events in two qualifying series provide more opportunities to secure a spot in the 2020 AMA Extreme Off-Road Grand Championship, the Tennessee Knockout on Aug. 14-16 at the Trials Training Center in Sequatchie, Tenn.
The new format and additional events open up 26 more spots at the TKO.
“With this new format, more riders can qualify directly to the Saturday afternoon and Sunday races, instead of having to race their way in on Saturday morn-
ing,” AMA Off-Road Racing Manager Erek Kudla said. “The nine qualifying events bring extreme off-road competition to regions across the nation, and we welcome back several events to the qualifier schedule that did a great job serving as AMA State Championships in 2019.”
Riders can secure starting spots in the Saturday afternoon TKO 2 race based on their participation at any of the qualifying events. The top 10 finishers in each event move directly to the TKO 2 competition.
Additionally, the top three riders from each qualifying series -- who are not on the “invited riders” list -- skip Saturday’s TKO 1 and TKO 2 competitions and compete against the world’s best extreme off-road riders in the Sunday pro races.
“When we started the Tennessee Knockout event in 2011, there were just a few extreme off-road racing events taking place,” event organizer Eric Peronnard said. “Now, as we prepare for the tenth edition of the TKO, it’s great to see the popularity of these types of events growing. We are proud to be the host event for the AMA Extreme Off-Road Grand Championship.”
For more information about the 2020 AMA Extreme Off-Road Grand Championship/Tennessee Knockout, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com/racing/extremeoff-road.
2020 AMA Extreme Off-Road East Series
March 28-29: RevLimiter Extreme Enduro, Decatur, Texas
May 16-17: Madd Moose, Marquette, Mich.
July 4-5: Tough Like RORR, Tamaqua, Pa.
July 18-19: Fallen Timbers, Little Hocking, Ohio
Aug. 1-2: Battle of the Goats, Taylorsville, N.C.
2020 AMA Extreme Off-Road West Series
Feb. 8: King of the Motos, Lucerne Valley, Calif.
March 28-29: RevLimiter Extreme Enduro, Decatur, Texas
May 2-3: EnduroFest, Reno, Nev.
June 6-7: Last Dog Standing, Devore, Calif.
June 20-21: Stix and Stones, Kellogg, Idaho
2020 AMA Extreme Off-Road Grand Championship
Aug. 14-16: Trials Training Center, Sequatchie, Tenn.
BETA CUP RETURNS FOR 2020 ENDURO
In 2019 Beta had announced that they were going to be starting the Beta Cup as part of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series Presented by Moose Racing. They challenged any rider to race a Beta 125 in their respective class to try to earn the most points and take home a New 2019 Beta 250rr at the end of the season. In the first season Alexis Phillips from the Women’s Amateur class eventually was our winner as she took home the Beta Cup and the new Beta 250rr at the season finale in Alabama.
Beta is going to continue their Beta Cup in part of the 2020 Kenda AMA National Enduro Series Presented by Moose Racing. This season the format remains the same as 2019 with a slight modification. Now you have the opportunity to race a Beta 125rr or Beta 200rr in your respective class. The winner at the end of the 2020 season will have their choice between a Beta 200rr, 250rr, or 300rr.
2020 Beta Cup Rules
The rules for the Beta Cup are simple. Ride a Beta 125RR or Beta 200rr in any class that you qualify for on a 125cc or 200cc motorcycle, submit your entry by email to info@nationalenduro.com to be entered in the Beta Cup. When entering your events you will simply sign up for an existing class in the National Enduro Series. The rider that earns the most points in his or her NEPG class will win the Beta Cup along with their choice of a Beta 200RR, 250RR, or 300RR. This will give any rider a chance, whether they are an A, B, C, Schoolboy or Women’s Rider.
*NE PRO1, NE PRO2, Beta Factory Support Riders, Beta USA Employees, dealers, and family members are ineligible.
* There will be 1 winner of the Beta Cup. The rider with the highest points in his or her class at the end of the season compared to all other Beta Cup Riders will be the winner.
* Submit an email to info@nationalenduro.com before your first race part of the Beta Cup to be eligible. Please send your Name, Email, Phone Number, Class, Bike, and a photo of you with your Beta 125 or 200. Must receive a confirmation response to be considered. n
PAT SMAGE WINS AMA ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
The American Motorcyclist Association honored the 2019 season’s fastest amateur motorcycle racers and top event organizers at the KTM AMA Championship Banquet at the Hilton Columbus Downtown on Dec. 7, and Pro MotoTrials rider Pat Smage was recognized as the AMA Athlete of the Year from AMA National Championship Series competition. He won his 11th AMA/ NATC MotoTrials Pro Class championship in 2019.
“This is an honor, not just for me, but for the sport of trials in general,” Smage said. “We don’t always get the recognition of the other sports, as they’re much better known. Trials is growing in the [United] States a bit, and we’re trying to take it to the next level. So, I’m glad I could be a part of this.”
The AMA sanctions thousands of motorcycle and ATV races each year on dirt, sand, asphalt, ice and snow. The competitors attending the banquet placed in the top three in their classes and are among the elite amateur motorcycle racers in the country.
AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman highlighted the importance of those in attendance to the sport.
“This night is for the riders, racers and their families who invest emotion, time and money into the sport we all love,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. “Your dedication and passion are the fuel that powers AMA racing and riding. You are the heart of the most expansive sanctioned motorsports program in the world. Thank you for your commitment to motorcycling in all its forms.” n
SMAGE RIDING TECHNIQUE PAT
FOR THE NEXT YEAR, 11-TIME US MOTOTRIALS CHAMPION PAT SMAGE WILL BE BRINGING US MONTHLY RIDING TIPS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU A BETTER RIDER. AND WHO DOESN’T WANT TO BE A BETTER RIDER? WHETHER YOU’RE A TRIALS RIDER OR AN OFFROAD ENTHUSIAST, WE’RE CERTAIN YOU’LL BENEFIT FROM PAT’S TIPS, SO SIT BACK AND TAKE IT ALL IN. BE SAFE AND DON’T FORGET TO PRACTICE WITH A BUDDY!
LESSON 25:
RELEASING THE CLUTCH
Stylmartin Impact Pro Boots
Max Sug. Retail: $334.95
Website: www.rypusa.com
Part Number: APRBT01
The Impact Pro Boot has 3 adjustable rapid release levers which enable the ankle area to flex in a fluid and natural way. Impact protectors are at the shin, heel and ankle, together with an internal heat shield, while the internal lining is 100% waterproof. The inside padding on the Impact Pro model helps reduce the wear on the frame and on your boot while riding. These boots are perfect to keep your feet safe and allow the movement necessary for trials.
Enduro Engineering Sherco Skid Plates
Max Sug. Retail: $119.95, $134.95 (Extreme Plate)
Part number: 24-900, 24-900X (Extreme Plate)
Fitment: 250/300 2-Stroke 2014-2020
Website: www.EnduroEng.com
2020 KTM 450 SX-F
FACTORY EDITION
KTM North America, Inc. recently announced details for the 2020 KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION – the pinnacle of KTM’s motocross line – in anticipation of the 2020 AMA Supercross Championship beginning January 4 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. Developed with feedback from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, the latest KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION offers a host of upgrades over the already light, agile and powerful KTM 450 SX-F using technology and equipment that make it as factory as it gets.
The 2020 KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION will display the No. 1 in celebration of Cooper Webb’s 2019 450SX title, which marks another step in making this one of the most prolific and successful race motorcycles in recent history. Available in limited numbers, this special edition production model offers many of the same performance enhancing features that are found on the race machines of Webb and his teammate Marvin Musquin, allowing riders around the globe to ride and compete like their racing heroes.
With KTM’s incredible success in the Supercross and Motocross Championships around the world, the 2020 KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION is designed to be the most competitive out-of-the-box machine available. Highlighting KTM and WP engineers’ commitment to the development and progression of suspension technology, the WP XACT forks with AER technology feature a redesign of the internals for 2020 including a new mid-valve damping system for improved con-
trol and feedback, a 10 mm increase to the bypass slot on the air-leg for enhanced initial comfort and a new oil bypass in the outer damping-leg tube to reduce pressure peaks, providing better performance at any Motocross or Supercross track. The fully adjustable WP XACT rear shock features new settings for improved pressure balance and to compliment the updates to the front forks. A new billet Hinson clutch cover has been added for increased durability and to enhance the factory look.
To dominate the competition, this READY TO RACE model includes an Akrapovič slip-on silencer constructed out of lightweight titanium, orange anodized Factory triple clamps offering perfect fork alignment with no ovalization of the tubes, Factory wheels with D.I.D. Dirt Star rims for an ultralight, durable package, a Factory start for the fork to lock in holeshots and a composite skid plate to protect vital components. In addition, the bike has a semi-floating front disc ensuring maximum braking performance, a front brake disc guard, and a lightweight aluminum rear sprocket in eye-catching orange.
The 2020 KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION is slated to arrive in North American KTM dealerships by early 2020. For more information on the 2020 SX lineup and to view a complete list of KTM dealerships you can visit www.ktm.com/us/. n
• A versatile trials or trail bike (with the addition of a removable seat)
• The T-18 Dragonfly is an adult electric trials bike featuring a real hydraulic clutch
• A 5 speed gearbox provides the best match of engine power to terrain requirements
• M4 39mm Aluminum AIR FORKS
• Special Ohlins shock direct to swing arm (Linkless suspension)
• 3 hr quick change battery
• Weighs in at 132 pounds
JASON
SPRINT
BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME
JASON HOOPER TALKS ABOUT THE KENDA FULL GAS
SPRINT ENDURO SERIES
JASON HOOPER
Jason Hooper has been on virtually every side of the world of dirt bike racing, starting out as a racer (and a good one), to working in the media (with RacerX magazine and then his own website), to his latest venture as a promotor.
His series, the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series, is recognized as one of the top series in America and enjoys support from the top riders and the factory teams.
We sat down with “Hoop” to find out just what goings into starting and building a series.
You are starting your sixth year with the series. How do you feel about where it’s at at this point?
I think we’ve finally come into our own here. When we started out, it was sort of something people did for fun. It was pretty laid back. No one was really taking it too seriously. Now you see where basically all the factories have somebody competing at the highest level. It’s become a legitimate thing that the pro riders especially want to compete in. They’re competing for a championship, a legit thing. I think especially this past weekend shows it’s probably the best pro field in off-road of the whole year, having guys from the west coast, having both riders, Americans, that have ever won the ISDE here competing at the same time. Then in the women’s class having two-thirds of their women’s trophy team competing against our whole women’s trophy team. Before Strang got hurt he’s been a trophy guy for Australia. So I think we’re no long just a niche thing or a “just for fun” thing. Even in the amateur ranks our entries are up 30% this year from last year. It’s our biggest year we’ve ever had. So I think we’re legit now.
You’ve worked in every aspect of this business. You’ve been a racer and you’ve worked in the media for RacerX and with your own website. What made you want to promote a series?
It sort of happened by accident, really. I didn’t have the intent of becoming a full-on, full-time race promoter. You were with me when we went to the first Six Days that we went to in Germany. I know my mind was blown to see it in real life. Seeing photos of it and video of it didn’t really translate, and then you go over there and see what’s really happening. I just fell in love with the format. I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. It excited me. It made me want to ride my dirt bike, which a lot of times in off-road it’s so grueling or it doesn’t look like any fun. I was like, man, this is rad. So it just took a year of convincing my wife to let
JOHN HOOPER AND VIDEOGRAPHER ROB MITCHELL ARE A HUGE PART OF THE SERIES
me try. So we went to Germany and watched all that, and talked with JONTY who had been running something kind of similar in England. It took a year to convince Krista to be like, “Hey, let’s try it.” So finally the next year we went to Italy and watched. So then that year she let me have a go at it. Then we did one race and I think we maybe had a hundred riders or something like that. It wasn’t a smashing success, but it wasn’t a complete failure. The feedback was just crazy. Not one person had a bad thing to say. That kind of made me think that maybe this could work, but still it was scary to try. I had a good job. I was doing okay. To just throw everything aside… We did that first real series which was five rounds. It went well enough that we were like, all right. By the end of that year I was pretty burnt out at my old job. I was tired of being a desk jockey. So here we are four years later. I’m a full-time race promoter. I guess that’s the way things work, though. Sometimes you don’t plan them out and it’s just meant to be.
What was it about this format that appealed to you and what do you think it is about it that appeals to riders?
I grew up with a motocross background, so even in the early ‘90s motocross tracks were closer to a grass track now. They weren’t super jumpy. Photos from when I raced at Loretta’s in the mid ’90s, there was a lot more ribbon and stakes and stuff defining the course. So it kind of just reminded me of that. If you were into riding dirt bikes and you look at a big, old, grass track like that, and if that doesn’t make you want to go rip on it, I don’t know. Check your pulse. I have a moto background so I’ve ridden enduros and stuff that were super, duper tight and I didn’t like it. Then the idea of riding for three hours just didn’t really appeal to me. So I think that was really just personal preference. This is the kind of stuff that I would want to ride. I think that works out really well. You get your weekend warrior guy who maybe doesn’t get to ride during the week. Works a 9-5, has a family and stuff. They can come out here and be competitive and feel like they’re going really fast. It’s super fun. Just hold it open a little bit. You don’t get to do that in other races. So that’s the weekend warrior kind of guy who it appeals to, but then on the super high end of the spectrum where you’ve got guys like Sipes and Kailub and Stew and Grant and Taylor and all those guys. They need a place to practice this format. I think that was the biggest thing that shocked me when we went to Six Days. There’s nothing like this in the US, and our guys are getting their asses kicked every year. Doing pretty well for having no practice. All the European countries are racing some sort of format like this. So I think that’s the appeal for both ends, for the novice and for the pro. It works on both ends.
KRISTA HOOPER
Do you think the fact that you’re not racing bar to bar with someone else, like with motocross or GNCC, is a factor for some to ride the series? I think it matters to the dude that has a mortgage. He’s less concerned about getting cleaned out by somebody or a big first-turn pileup. I think that definitely matters. There’s a lot of these things that are happy accidents. I didn’t plan it. That’s not why I wanted to do it, but you talk to some of the youth riders that are just getting started. They start at the end of the pack. They’ve got their own little window that they to ride in. You put your first-year kid on a 65 out a hare scramble, he’s getting lapped five times by a dude on a supermini that’s going A class speed. It’s pretty intimidating stuff. It can turn some kids away from the sport. So it’s worked out. I’m not that smart. A lot of the things that have made it awesome are things that I wasn’t really thinking of. It’s kind of worked out that way.
You can still compare yourself with everybody because it’s all timed. Yeah, that’s the other super cool thing. You went and rode the same grass track that Kailub Russell rode. It gives you a real appreciation for how fast they are. It gives you some motivation. Maybe you had a really good test and you were only 40 seconds off or something. That’s cool.
Did you underestimate the amount of work that goes into putting on a race?
A hundred percent. I’ll never forget the first year we went to Big Buck and the red clay down here in South Carolina is hard as a rock. I went to hammer in the very first stake. I’ll never forget. It was way harder just to get that one stake into the ground. I was like, man, what did I get myself into here? We started out with a skeleton crew. I didn’t have any money, so it was my dad and my brother and my uncle and my father-in-law and my brother-in-law. That was our crew. People were taking off work. We were doing it with just a couple guys. Then everybody would bail because they’d have to go back to work on Monday and it would be me and Krista and Macy cleaning up. Those first few years were a freaking grind, man. A lot of times wondering what the heck I got myself into. You have a bad race where you don’t make any money and you’re still there until Thursday cleaning up the mess and it doesn’t matter. So we’re to the point now where it’s still not easy. It’s a massive undertaking. You look around there and a couple thousand stakes don’t put themselves into the ground. It’s all manual labor. Tearing everything back down, you still got to walk through the woods. We’re to the point
now where we have closer to a real crew of people that help make it happen. It’s definitely lightened the load a little bit.
I don’t think people appreciate the attention to detail because I don’t know of any other series that ribbons the entire course. Yeah. That’s usually the first thing people are just absolutely shocked by, if they come from a hare scramble or a traditional American enduro background. But when you start looking at the times, after Sunday, Sipes was ahead of Kailub by six-tenths of a second. You have to have defined boundaries because the difference between first and second sometimes is less than a second. If you don’t have the course cut in like that and bannered off, then who knows what can happen?
Can you talk about any future plans for the series?
Don’t really know what the future holds. I get asked that a lot. I want to just keep moving forward. It’s funny, a lot of people ask if I’m going to keep doing it. I’m way past the point of no return now. There’s no turning back. I’ve invested everything I have into making this thing work, so there’s no turning back. There’s all sorts of ideas that I have. I’d like to do another three-day enduro, but make it part of the series to try and get more riders involved. I talked with Taylor Robert if we could figure out some way of doing some sort of east/west shootout with the sprint enduro series. There’s all sorts of things. A lot of people ask if maybe we could add a third special test. As we continue to grow and build the infrastructure to where we could do things like that, there’s all sorts of things that I’d like to do. It’s just right now trying to do my best to perfect what we’re doing and just keep going from there.
I’m sure people are aware of it, but talk just about the scheduling nightmare every year of just putting together a series with everybody else?
It’s a problem we’ve kind of created for ourselves where we’ve got the top riders from basically all of the series on this side of the coast racing. So I can’t schedule on top of GNCC and I can’t schedule on top of national enduro. So there’s 23 weekends gone right off the bat. Then you’ve got two weekends for the ISDE. We’re at 25. Half the year is gone before I ever get a chance. It’s really tough, but in a way our schedule almost gets made for us. I wait for national enduro. I wait for GNCC. I wait for Six Days to post their dates, and then we just kind of fill in between. But it’s hard. There’s always a local series that we don’t want to schedule against when we’re moving around the country. You add those dates in, and
holidays. It’s a struggle. It just is what it is. I think it’s the right thing to do, to work around the other series. I know on the west coast there’s a lot of fighting between series and they schedule on top of each other and it doesn’t do anybody any good to do that. So I do my best to fit in with all the local series, all the national series. I want everybody to be successful. I think that’s the best way to do it, but it’s not easy.
Was there anything that surprised you about running the series?
A couple things. I knew that there were a lot of political stuff that went on in racing, but I didn’t realize the full effect of it and the impact that it could have. So it’s been a struggle. Kind of uphill the whole time. That definitely surprised me. I had all the best intentions when I started this series that I wanted to make our trophy team, club team more competitive on the international level, and I thought that was something that everybody could get behind, but I definitely was wrong on that. The other thing I think I underestimated was how devoted a lot of people are to their local series. That’s something that we’ve really learned. Like we were talking about the scheduling. There are some local series that you just can’t schedule over. They might have 16 races and they get four drops, but those people are not taking their drops. We move around and we come someplace and I just figured we’re something different, something new, and everybody wants to do it, but they would pick their local over us. That was hard to understand. I didn’t really get it. You just got to be mindful of all that stuff.
Did you get any personal satisfaction when Team USA won in Spain in 2016 and then again this year? Especially those guys mentioning the Full Gas series?
Yeah. That was awesome. That was kind of the dream. I don’t want to take a whole bunch of credit for it, but I feel like we definitely had some sort of impact on that. Like you said, having those guys mention our series at press conferences and stuff at the Six Days is pretty surreal. This whole deal started at an ISDE for me, the idea, and then for it to come full circle like that is pretty awesome. Now we’re here at ISDE training camp at our series. Everybody gets it now. I think it’s cool. n
TONI BOU WINS 25TH ANNIVERSARY SHEFFIELD TRIAL
FlyDSA ARENA
DECEMBER 30, 2019
ROTHERHAM, ENGLAND
TONI BOU
25TH SHEFFIELD INDOOR TRIAL
Spain’s Toni Bou - Repsol Honda confirmed himself as the undisputed King of Sheffield by winning the 25th anniversary edition of the Sheffield Indoor Trial held at the FlyDSA arena. After having had to settle for second spot in the earlier part of the competition, Bou made amends for the mistakes he suffered in the qualifying heat to run out a comfortable victor in the final.
This marked Bou’s fourteenth win in total at the Steel City, and his fourth on the bounce having last been beaten at the famous Yorkshire venue by Adam Raga - TRRS back in 2016. It was Raga again, himself already a two-time winner of this event, who was Bou’s closest challenger on the night, finishing as the eventual runner up after having topped the qualifying heat.
Vertigo’s Jaime Busto rounded out the podium in third place, after having only just made it into the four-rider final by beating local hero James Dabill - Beta in a nail-biting tie-decider that brought a premature end to the night for one of the home crowd’s favourites. Dabill finished in fifth spot, just one mark ahead of Jeroni Fajardo - Sherco in sixth place, who failed to show his best form in his new colors.
While the typically noisy British fans were obviously disappointed by the early exit of Dabill, Jack Price - Gas Gas and Jack Peace - Sherco, the latter having been one of the two riders to successfully progress from the Young Guns Shoot-Out, they still had plenty to cheer about as nineteen year-old Toby Martyn - TRRS produced one of the best performances of his young career on this big stage.
Despite their best efforts, Dan Peace - Sherco and Pau Martinez - Vertigo were out shone by Martyn and Jack Peace in the evening’s opening shoot-out. Having won this initial four-way head to head race format encounter Toby then followed this up with a hugely impressive ride in the qualifying heat to secure third spot and a place in the final alongside Raga, Bou, and Busto - the latter who he had just demoted into fourth position.
As has so often been the case in more recent years, Bou proved too strong for his challengers as the six sections were ridden in the reverse direction in the final, with him taking win number fourteen by a seven-mark margin. Raga was a worthy runner up on the night, and Martyn can count himself slightly unfortunate not to have secured a podium place, as Busto just edged the British teenager off the box in what was a fitting finale to the 25th anniversary of this great event. n
ADAM RAGA
RESULTS
Final
1: Toni Bou (Hon) 10
2: Adam Raga (TRS) 17
3: Jaime Busto (VERT) 25
4: Toby Martyn (TRS) 28
Shoot-Out
Qualifiers
1: Toby Martyn -TRRS 0, 2: Jack Peace - Sherco 2
Non-Qualifiers
3: Pau Martinez - Vertigo 6, 4: Dan Peace - Sherco 11
Heat Qualifiers
1: Adam Raga - TRRS 14, 2: Toni Bou - Repsol Honda 16, 3: Toby Martyn - TRRS 25, 4: Jaime Busto - Vertigo 26 (won tie-break)
Non-Qualifiers
5: James Dabill - Beta 26 (lost tie-break) 6: Jeroni Fajardo - Sherco 27, 7: Jack Peace - Sherco / Jack Price - Gas Gas 30
TKTKT
TRIAL IN PARADISE
SMAGE THIRD IN COSTA RICAN CLASSIC
Jurassic 3-Day Trial
Costa Rica, Central America
November 29, 30, December 1, 2019
Photos
by
Hannah Smage
PARADISE CLASSIC
PHOTO BY PAT SMAGE
Jurassic 3-Day Trial
Costa Rica, Central America
November 29, 30, December 1, 2019
Called “the most savage trails competition in the world”, the 2019 version of the Jurassic 3-Day Trial was a huge success, drawing riders from all over Europe, Mexico, South America, and even 11-time US MotoTrial Champion Pat Smage. The FactoryONE Sherco USA rider finished third in the competition and afterwards he told On The Pegs that it was one of the most enjoyable events he had ever ridden, although a bit longer than he was used to.
“I had never done any long-distance rides like that,” said Smage. “I think it was about twenty miles just to get to the first section. The first day it was like a twenty-mile loop and then another twenty miles back to the pits. So pretty long days on the bike. It was just really enjoyable because of the trails and the views and everything, there’s plenty of just cruising easy miles, but then there were some really fun parts to the loop where it felt like a mountain bike trail or something.”
For those who still don’t know about the Jurassic 3 Day Trial is a 3-day trial event located in Costa Rica, Central America. The trial consisted of 3 days riding in exotic & paradisiac areas in the jungle of the Nicoya Peninsula. It is considered the largest blue zone in the world; surrounded by wild animals and exotic nature covering, rivers, mountains, waterfalls and beaches while experiencing the authentic local folklore of the country. An average of 60 kilometers of
inter zones and 20 sections per day with a total of 60 delightful, all level sections, mostly waterfalls with easy bypasses.
“The whole experience is set up as an all-inclusive trials vacation, basically,” said Smage. “For a lot of riders the organizer would actually ship a crate to them and then they would ship their personal bikes down. That was part of the whole package. So, there was a package that you’d buy and then they take care of everything once you get there as far as all your transportation and all your food, your meals, transporting the bike.’
According to Smage, the event was long so they provided fuel stops throughout. So, everything is just really well-taken care of that way. You can get your flight, show up, ride and enjoy the weekend at a nice hotel.
“The event leaves from the hotel each day, so you just walk down the street to where all the bikes are and take off into the jungle,” said Smage. “So it was really cool to have that sort of experience. Definitely a low pressure, fun style event but still has the challenge element of the enduro, with the longer days.”
Remember, it’s a 3-day event, and on Friday and Saturday the sections were all in the jungle, on the rocks with running water.
“It was really neat, interesting different sort of terrain I would say,” said Smage. “Nothing I have really ridden or seen anywhere else. It became pretty tough to read the rocks because the traction was… Sometimes you wanted to be in the water, other times you didn’t. So little challenges like that made it extra interesting. Then it was just really cool
to be out on the move all day and stop for lunch in the middle of the event.”
Pat said that they stopped and smashed sugar cane at one point along the trail.
“It took like four people to spin this big, wooden, crazy machine to smash some sugar cane which made the sugar water which was really tasty along the loop,” said Smage. “We stopped for refreshment there. One night they even had dinner out on the beach. Set up tables and everything out on the sand on the beach. Tried to go all-out to make it a full Costa Rican experience.”
According to Pat, the majority of the riders were from Europe, around 60 riders. “Probably I would guess ten or so, maybe fifteen from Central America, one from Canada, one from the US, one from Australia, and the rest from Europe,” said Smage. “It’s much easier for people from the US to do than those from Europe.
“For me it was the same time zone,” said Smage. “A lot less travel time and jet lag compared to someone from Europe. So they really want to promote it to American riders to come down and do it.”
After three days of competition, Pat finished third overall.
“Another huge part of it was the scoring,” added Smage. “There’s no score cards. The observers just write what they think you got on their page, and then that gets submitted at the end. So I know what I felt I got, and that was not what I ended up getting. I just say I had some bonus points in there for something.”
Of course, there were different classes and two lines in the sections for different levels.
TRIAL IN PARADISE
“The lower line, the blue line, was pretty similar to our support class,” said Smage. “Some might be a bit easier, some might be harder, but I would definitely suggest being at the support level to start. Maybe some club riders could attempt it, but it should be a lot more enjoyable for a support-level rider to try that. Then the red line was pretty close to our ES class, but then it had a few that were more like expert thrown in there. But if you’re an ES level rider, I wouldn’t be afraid to attempt the red class. There might be one thing maybe you don’t want to try, but there were also a lot of the bigger, longer climbs had ropes and there were people hanging out to spot if needed. Nothing too crazy, but just kind of really cool and really well-rideable for an ES level rider.”
One cool part of the event was a water crossing where all of the bikes and riders had to be floated across on a raft.
“So that was actually on Saturday,” said Smage. “I ended up getting lost for a while. I was really, really worried about missing that boat, because that’s one of the cool features of the event, something real unique. But, I did end up making it. You just go down this hill and ride right onto this little raft. There’s a guy kind of guiding it with a rope, pulling you along. Then there’s four or five kids just hanging on with their hands and kicking, swimming to get the raft to move. I guess a deep
spot in the river that they thought it would be the best way through it to put you on a raft. So that was really neat. Never seen anything like that before.”
Pats wife Hannah and Pat’s mother all made the trip with Pat and they actually went down a week early to check out Costa Rica.
“We came down a week early because they had a show that they really wanted me to do in San Jose,” said Smage. “So we were there for a few days and then came down on Monday night to the place that we stayed the rest of the week. Just hung out at the beach. Did some body surfing, then went to a zip lining place. Then Friday and Saturday I was riding. While I was riding, my mom and wife went out and did some kayaking and sightseeing around the area. Hung out at the beach some more. It was a bit of a vacation for them while I was out riding. I still got some vacation in, too. So a good combo trip for all of us.” n
TRIAL IN PARADISE
BOU AGAIN
FIM X-TRIAL ROUND 2 RENNES, FRANCE
NOVEMBER 23, 2019
Images Courtesy Repsol Honda/Pep Segales
TONI BOU
The second round of the X-Trial World Championship got underway this afternoon at the brand new Glaz Arena in Rennes, France, with Repsol Honda Team ace Toni Bou dominating throughout to claim a second 2020 indoor season victory.
Toni Bou did not disappoint the French crowd, turning out a fine display of riding prowess in front of the Rennes spectators in Brittany. The Repsol Honda Team rider made it through the first five sections of the heats as the superior rider, picking up just four marks. In the second round, with the top rider from each group qualifying directly for the final, Bou has once again gave a masterful showing, collecting 7 marks in the process.
The grand finale saw Toni Bou overcome the six sections with a total of 15 points ahead of the 27 accrued by arch-rival Adam Raga, to seal a second season victory.
Repsol Honda Team will now enjoy a almost twomonth break ahead of the third X-Trial World Championship season date which will not be held until January 19, 2020 in Budapest. Bou will arrive as clear leader in the contest on 40 points, 10 more than the nearest second-place rival.
“Today I did not start the first round very well; the points were fine, but I didn’t feel right with the riding sensations,” said Bou. “I didn’t feel comfortable and it took me a while to get into the sections. We will have to work so that in the coming trials we won’t experience these feelings, since it is very easy to get knocked out in the eliminations. In the end, I was able to enjoy
TONI BOU
myself more in the second round and the final to take the victory. I want to congratulate the organizer of the event, who set up a very tough trial, where I think the spectators really enjoyed it. Now there will be a break before the third trial in Budapest so it is very important to take the leadership here.”
RESULTS
1. Toni Bou (Hon) 15
2. Adam Raga (TRRS) 27
3. Jeroni Fajardo (Shr) 12 - Semi Final
4. Miquel Gelabert (Ver)
5. Jaime Busto (Ver)
6. Benoit Bincaz (Bet)
GOOD OLD TIMES BLOG 1946-1960: MODERN TIMES
BY KENNETH OLAUSSON PHOTOS: HUSqvARNA
Scrapping their 98cc light-weight machine during the war, Husqvarna took up production again in 1946. A year after WWII came to an end there was a giant need for inexpensive transportation. Therefore, it was decided to start manufacturing a 120 cc machine where footpegs replaced pedals. This economic bike soon developed into being every man’s vehicle in Sweden.
In the legendary “Black-Mill” Husqvarna produced a 118 cc engine with model identification 24. The single-cylinder, 2-stroke power unit had a three-speed gearbox. The song from the exhaust pipe was well recognized from the loud knocking sound that arose from the piston bolt. It had been launched in 1939, but the war soon stopped production, so it took a few years until the cogs started turning again.
Husqvarna sales started racing after the war. In 1946 they already delivered more than two thousand vehicles and the following year it was up to five thousand. Even though the margins for each unit were slim, the light-weight machines positively contributed to the profits to the factory’s financial status. From model 24 to model 30, there were 70,000 happy owners. In a Husqvarna advertisement it was announced that four versions of the 120 cc were available, the most expensive 30 Sport costing 1,618 Swedish Kronor (approx. 320 US dollars). And the catalogue now offered a red version, properly named the Red-Mill. In the end the engine capacity increased to 125 cc and there was also a Blue-Mill outfit. The last model 32 was introduced in 1957 as model 32 Sport, giving an output of 6 HP. It has been calculated that close to 100,000 units were sold from 1939 to 1959.
The next progress came with Husqvarna’s “Dream Machine” that was presented in 1952. Model 281 was colourful and had a little carry-over from the Black and Red-Mill models. “Drömbagen” - in Swedish - had a new 175 cc engine, designed by Olle Edlund. He developed a reliable 2-stroke power source, which turned out to be unbreakable - lifelong. The power package had a performance of 7.5 HP at 5,000 rpm. This motorcycle offered young people an affordable transport alternative and the bike was successful from the start. The Dream Machine weighed 100
kgs, capable of running at a top speed of around 100 km/h. Sales started in the spring of 1953 and the bike cost approximately 2,000 Kronor (around 400 US dollars). The production lasted over six years, during which time Husqvarna managed to wring out more than 6,000 units. There were actually two models of the Dream Machine – the Tourist model and a Sports version, with dual exhaust and more power. Both were supplied with a three-speed gearbox.
But the Dream Machine never sold to expectations and a new bike was introduced in 1955, stealing the name “Silver Arrow” from Mercedes’ successful racing cars. This machine was probably the most important development in the Husqvarna history. The newcomer had the right styling and tempted many young
people to buy a motorcycle in the 1950s. The model reference consisted of the three figures 282, which later had the extra tag of an “E” on refined export versions. It was equipped with a 3-speed 175 cc 2-stroke engine. According to the Swedish law, the new machine should have a total weight just under 75 kilos, which was the official formality for using a “Light-weight Machine”. Then the bike became legal for 16-year-olds, teenagers with a riding license. Let’s look at the technical facts of this little wonder. Maximum power from the engine was a “stunning” 9 HP at 6,000 rpm. The cylinder was 60 mm in bore diameter and the stroke was 61.5 mm giving exactly 173.8 cc. A German Bing twin port carburettor was incorporated in the engine design. This beast was capable of doing over 100 km/h, which was a very good performance in the middle of the 1950s.
According to standards the light-weight tubular frame was a simple but elegant stamped-steel product where the engine is part of the build-up and helped in making the bike stable. The “rubber band” suspension was acceptable at the time, which only gave little riding comfort. But demands were not so advanced in these days. Streamlining was an ingredient of the styling concept and Husqvarna wanted no less. Both the front forks with leading and rubber-links and the headlamp suited well into this up-to-date design. The 1955 price of a Silver Arrow was 1,890 Kronor (around 375 US dollars).
After some years on the market, it became clear that the existing 175 cc power plant needed development in a complement version. Increasing the capacity to 200 cc the “Golden Arrow” had 15 HP under continuous load while the machine was only 10 kilos heavier than its predecessor. This made a subtle advantage on the market, but the bike - made between 1957 and 1959 - was never well accepted as it weighed more than 75 kilos. Consequently, only 1,250 units were produced before Husqvarna skipped the model.
But overall, the Silver Arrow was a tremendous success for the Swedish motorcycle industry. Husqvarna established an international name, although exports were limited. In a decade and a half after WWII the sales figures were around 80,000 machines. And after half a century, Husqvarna had sold some 110,000 units in total. But the big-time era would arrive in the sixties when the Swedish name became a global best seller. n
2019 Schedule
• February 24 - CTC Fun Trial
• March 30-31 - Trials Training Days
• May 4-5 - Splish Spalsh Trial (STRA)
• June 23-26 - Family Camp
• June 27-29 - East Coast Youth Nationals & Women’s Open
• June 28 - TdN Fundraiser Gate Trial
• June 30 - July 4 - Great American Teen Camp (Invitational)
• August 16-18 - 9th Annual Kenda Tennessee Knock Out
• September TBA - ITSA Vintage Trial National
• October 19-20 - 27th Annual 58K Fall Trial
• December 1 - Troy Trial - CTC Winter Series Round 1
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USA DEALERS
Dirt Riders West - Mike Carlton, 800.467.0604, Scottsdale, AZ
Lewisport USA - Adrian & Mandy Lewis, 209.785.6878, Copperopolis, CA
Balance Trials Supply - Bill Haskell - 720.207.7715 - Erie, CO
Trial Store USA - Alex Niederer - 941.404.0757 - Bradenton, FL
Aloha Trials - Clayton Oshita, 808.822.2706, Kapaa, HI
Northwest Cycle - Ron Rivenburgh, 815.344.7780, McHenry, IL
Jack’s Cycles - Stuart Preston, 207.337.1274, South Berwick, ME
Competition Wheels - James McKenzie, 704.906.3238, Concord, NC
HVC Cycle - Brad Obidowski, 402.817.4795, Lincoln, NE
Miller Ranch Trials - Aaron & Andy Miller 607.765.8362 Corning, NY
Torne Mountain Trial - Jon France, 914.490.0637, Hillburn, NY
Adroit Engineering - Jon Rentschler, 440.668.3207, Chardon, OH
Gran Prix Cycle - Gary & Robyn Byers, 541.926.3139, Albany, OR
MotoMex - Danny Aguirre, 214.912.9005, Dallas, TX
Skagit Powersports - Gary Lawver, 360.757.7999, Burlington, WA
TTC - Charlie Roberts, 423.942.8688, Sequatchie, TN
MANNI TOPS MANNI TOPS
TOPS OVERRIDE TOPS OVERRIDE
2019 Red Bull Override Hard Enduro
December 7-8, 2019
Rocky Ridge Ranch
Decatur, TX
Fresh off of winning the WESS World Enduro Championship, Red Bull KTM’s Manuel “Manni” Lettenbichler dominated the inaugural Red Bull Override Hard Enduro held in Decatur, Texas. The only rider to finish on the same lap as Lettenbichler was Beta USA rider Benjamin Herrera from Chile.
For a Hard Enduro, the Red Bull Override was a bit unusual in that half of the race was run in the dark.
Three special “override routes”, which the Pro riders had to take every lap after a certain time in the race, where lit up with hanging lights so that the spectators could watch some of the toughest portions of the course. These sections offered a unique risk vs. reward challenge in the quest to attain victory, giving the rider an option to take a longer, but easier route, or a short, and potentially faster route, which was also much tougher and definitely riskier.
Lettenbichler took the lead early on in the race, followed by Herrera and Didier Goirand, as they led the 15 pros into the opening lap.
By the second lap, Lettenbichler was beginning to pull away, as Herrera, Trystan Hart (RPM Racing), Cory Graffunder (SRT Husqvarna), Beta USA’s Max Gerston and Sherco’s Nick Fahringer battled over second.
Sherco’s Quinn Wentzel lost a lot of time when he picked up a wrong arrow, which brought him back around to the start.
After six hours of racing (three at night), Lettenbichler crossed the finish almost 17-minutes ahead of Herrera for the victory.
“It was a really long and tough day,” said Lettenbichler. “Especially in the dark, it was challenging. We
had to put lights on for the night portion, so it was unique.
“It was also long and grueling and I think I had a good pace from the beginning on. I actually kept a good pace until the last lap. But if I’m to be honest, I was struggling a little bit in the last lap. I was just tired, because I knew that I had a good gap.
“The technical stuff, like all the uphills, it was kind of cool because the light there was no problem if you go uphill. The downhills were a little bit sketchy, but in general I was surprised how good it worked out with lights and the full setup.”
In his first-ever Hard Enduro, 25-year-old Chilean Benjamin Herrera impressed a lot of people with his runner-up finish. Herrera used a calm and collected approach to the race.
“It was really good,” said Herrera. “The track was hard, but if you stay calm you can make all the sections clean. The hardest point was when the night came and after you get the lappers and all this. But the track was really nice. For the public also it was really good to watch. So I’m really happy with this race, really, and happy for second place.”
Herrera was also a little surprised by his finish.
“Maybe I was a little bit surprised because it’s my first hard enduro race,” added Herrera. “Before I was only doing normal enduro stuff, the world championship series. So I’m really happy with my finish.”
A lap down from Herrera came Trystan Hart in third. The RPM Racing KTM rider from Arizona
“Where do I begin,” said Hart. “The first couple laps, the marking wasn’t exactly perfect so a bunch of us were just running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Then me and Benji started battling pretty good and it was pretty fun. Then I had a mechanical problem and I lost sight of him. Then I got going again and then I had another problem; I
got a hole in my radiator hose. So a couple nice guys helped me get back on track and finish third. So it was a long six hours. I was cramping unbelievably. I just couldn’t even sit anymore. Happy to finish third, though.”
Fourth went to veteran Hard Enduro rider Cory Graffunder on the SRT Husqvarna.
Cory described the hectic first lap when several of the top riders got lost.
“Yeah. I was in second, and then eighth, and then third, and then seventh… Just all over the place,” said Graffunder. “That part was really fun. I was having a really good time, even though it was frustrating getting lost. It was cool to be in a race and also have fun, because at that point in the race it really didn’t matter. Everyone’s learning the track. So the race hasn’t really started yet. Manni got away, but other than that no one else was able to get away. So it was really cool. We were yelling at the other riders and throwing our hands up in the air like, “Where’s the course?” Then someone would see it and take off and then we’d all take off. So I had a lot of fun there.”
Sherco USA’s Nick Fahringer rounded out the top five. The Indiana rider got to the start late and was back in the rear of the pack on the first lap.
“It was just a chaotic start to begin with,” said Fahringer. “I was way back in the pack so I got pretty aggressive on the grass track getting into the woods. I think I went from tenth to third. I don’t know. We were just kind of training together, riding in a tight group the top three, five, whatever it was. We diced it up a little. I knew we had to pace ourselves and try to find the course because the markings left a little to be desired. I wasn’t comfortable racing on the first lap because I didn’t know where we were going. Then I started riding stronger and stronger.
“I had a few little incidents here on the course.
Smashed my foot. Didn’t really start dropping the bike until the last two laps. Just running out of steam halfway up a hill. I was pretty happy coming from working Monday through Friday, just doing the best I can to be training.
“Fifth isn’t the best, but there was a pretty focused group of talented guys here. I’m happy to finish where I did. I could have done a little better, but I’m happy to ride strong. I’m not a full-time racer anymore, so to finish strong after six and a half hours of racing is pretty awesome.”
Sixth went to Beta USA’s Max Gerston.
“I think it was a cool race,” said Gerston. “I was pacing myself, but I paced myself a little bit too much. I didn’t go hard enough early enough. I should have pushed the envelope a little bit more, which sounds crazy since I was on the bike for six and a half hours. So I kind of paced myself a little too much, but at the end of the day I had fun. Ready to take a little time off and hit next year hard.”
Seventh was Sherco’s Grayson Gonslaves, who finished over 16 minutes behind Gerston.
Husqvarna rider David Garza was eighth, while Didier Goirand (KTM) and Mitch Carvolth (Shr) rounded out the top 10. n
OVERALL RESULTS
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)
2. Benjamin Herrera (Bet)
3. Trystan Hart (KTM)
4. Cory Graffunder (Hsq)
5. Nick Fahringer (Shr)
6. Max Gerston (Bet)
7. Grayson Gonslaves (Shr)
8. David Garza (Hsq)
9. Didier Goirand (KTM)
10. Mitch Carvolth (Shr)
Manuel Lettenbichler
PHOTOS AND CONTENT COURTESY FUTURE7MEDIA
Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) became the 2019 WESS Enduro World Champion by claiming an emphatic win at the GetzenRodeo World Enduro Super Series finale.
Entering the prestigious Hard Enduro event as world champion elect, Lettenbichler didn’t disappoint in front of his thousands of adoring fans. Winning the morning GetzenRace qualifier, he then rode a near mistakefree race during the all-important GetzenChamp finale, shown live on Red Bull TV, to victoriously arrive onto the podium.
Exhausted and clearly emotional, the crowning of Lettenbichler brought to a close to what has been an incredibly thrilling second season of the World Enduro Super Series. Now, with the championship celebrations taken care of, it is time to catch up with Lettenbichler - the new WESS Enduro World Champion…
Mani, firstly congratulations on your GetzenRodeo victory and becoming the 2019 WESS Enduro World Champion. Despite the enormity of the occasion you seemed to take the race in your stride?
Manuel Lettenbichler: “It was an incredible day. So amazing. Actually, I struggled on the opening laps of the morning race because I was too nervous and riding stiff. But after that I relaxed and got my head into it. I’m happy with how the second race went. I was exhausted during the final few laps and was simply trying to avoid entering survival mode. When Taddy passed me it fired me up and the race was back on. I managed to pass him back to get the win. I think we put on a great race for the fans and made for a great end to the season.”
What made GetzenRodeo so demanding this year?
“All of the sections are proper hard and technical and there’s not much chance to rest in between. I was just trying to take them individually. I tried not to rush them and clean each one as best I could. Once you started struggling you lost a lot of power and energy.”
Along with what you’ve just achieved at GetzenRodeo, your Red Bull Romaniacs win must also stand as an incredible moment of the year?
“Winning at GetzenRodeo matched what I felt at Red Bull Romaniacs, but to win there was a step higher than the rest. It’s such a gnarly race with so much history. It’s five days on the limit - I’m super happy to have got both wins.”
As the championship leader after Red Bull Romaniacs, were you nervous that races like the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country or BR2 Enduro Solsona could change things?
“Of course, I was super worried because I am a Hard Enduro rider. But I surprised myself with those events, especially at Hawkstone Park Cross-Country. I hoped for a top-five there at best, but I went and finished second, which was amazing.”
Do you feel you’ve shown that you’re more than a Hard Enduro rider, that you’re now a complete all-rounder?
“Honestly, I just try my best everywhere I race. In rounds I didn’t think I could win I made sure to collect as many points as possible. And at the end of the year that made the difference. I’m naturally better at the Hard Enduro races, but now I’m beginning to bridge that gap in the faster conditions. I feel like I’ve a long way
to go to match guys like Josep Garcia or Nathan Watson, but I’m getting closer.”
Did you feel under pressure to win the title this year, having finished as runner-up in 2018?
“Yes, for sure because people started to talk about how I could win this year. But in the end I tried not to think about it. The more you stress, the less you perform and I knew what I achieved in 2018 was good, but also that it was last year. For me, that was in the past and it was only what I could do this year that would matter. Going for it at every race without thinking about the season as a whole was the best thing I could do.”
The calendar for the 2020 WESS Enduro World Championship has been announced. As a recent winner of Tennessee Knockout, what’s your thoughts on going to the USA next year?
“I’m excited to go to the USA with the series. I won Tennessee Knockout this year and I really enjoyed the experience. The race is gnarly and the American fans are super passionate about Enduro. With guys like Cody Webb there, it’s going
to be a big fight to win again. Going to America will help grow the series more, which is important for the sport and with Red Bull Media House putting it on our TV screens it will make Enduro even bigger.”
Your tight team of Flatschingfast Factory Racing has become like a movement of 2019, everyone is talking about it. What’s the secret because you guys have nailed it!
“Yeah, we’ve nailed it for sure - everyone is talking about Flatschingfast now, it’s so funny. It’s crazy. It’s just a made up name, like a joke, but everyone knows it and fans are even making posters about it, too. It’s trending! It’s a cool thing because it’s doesn’t really mean anything. It’s not actually a word, but it’s cool that it has become something to represent having fun.”
Finally, win, lose or draw you’re always happy and smiling - has that been the key to your success this year?
“I always want to have fun. Of course results are important, but it’s not just about that. You’ve got to enjoy the moment too. I feel humbled to be out there riding bikes as my job. We all started to ride Enduro because it’s a fun thing to do - it takes you to places you only dreamed of and you become friends with people you otherwise would never have met. For me that’s what our sport is all about. Keeping a smile on my face reminds me of that every time I ride.” n
2020 WESS Enduro World Championship Schedule
Round 1: Extreme XL Lagares (Portugal) May 8-10
Round 2: Trefle Lozerien AMV (France) May 21-23
Round 3: Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble (Austria) June 10-14
Round 4: Red Bull 111 Megawatt (Poland ) June TBC
Round 5: Red Bull Romaniacs (Romania) July 21-25
Round 6: Tennessee Knockout (USA) August 15-16
Round 7: Hawkstone Park Cross-Country (UK) September TBC
Round 8: Hixpania Hard Enduro (Spain) October TBC
2020 FIM WORLD X-TRIAL
Nov16
Reunion island, Nov 23 Rennes, France
Jan 19 Budapest,
Feb 2 Barcelona, Feb 15 Bilbao, Spain
March 21 Neustadt, April 25 Andorra la
2020 KENDA AMA NATIONAL
Feb 2
Sumter, SC
Mar 22 Turkey, TX
April 26 Forest Hill, June 7 Greensboro, June 21 Huntersville, July 26 Cross Fork, Aug 23 Chandlersville, Sept 20 Prk Hill, MO
Oct 4 Mathews, Nov 1 Stanton, AL www.nationalenduro.com
2020 KENDA FULL GAS SPRINT
Feb 8-9 Gaston, Feb 29-March 1 Garfield, March 28-29 Henderson, May 9-10 Union, May 23-24 Glen June 13-14 Bristol, July 18-19 Fairmount Aug 8-9 Young www.sprintenduro.com
2020 FIM WORLD ENDURO
April 17-19 Marco de April 24-26 TBA, Spain
island, France
France
Budapest, Hungary
Barcelona, Spain
Spain
Austria
la VellA, Andorra
NATIONAL ENDURO
SC
Hill, LA
Greensboro, GA
Huntersville, MN
Fork, PA
Chandlersville, OH MO
SPRINT ENDURO
Gaston, SC
Garfield, GA
Henderson, NC
Union, SC
Glen Daniel, WV
Bristol, VA
Fairmount City, PA
Young Harris, GA
June 5-7
June 12-14
July 17-19
July 24-26
Sept 18-20
Oct 16-18
Spoleto, Italy
Hungaroring, Hungary
Saaremaa, Estonia
Skovde Estonia
Requista, France
Zschopau, Germany
2020 WESS ENDURO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
May 8-10
May 21-23
June 10-14
June TBA
July 21-25
Aug 15-16
Extreme XL Lagares, Portugal
Trefle Lorerien, France
Erzbergrodeo, Austria
Red Bull Megawatt, Poland
Red Bull Romaniacs, Romania
Tennessee Kncokout, Tennessee
Sept TBA Hawkstone Park, UK
Oct TBC Hixpania, Spain
www. iRideWESS.com
2020 FIM
ISDE
TBA
Lombardy, Italy
Cavaneses, Portugal
Spain
Jan 4
Riesa, Germany
Jan 18 La Coruna, Spain
Feb 1
Budapest, Hungary
Mar 14 Lodz, Poland
2020 WORCS
Jan 24-26
Feb 21-23
Mar 20-22
April 17-19
May 1-3
May 39-31
July 17-19
Sept 18-20
Oct 16-18
Primm, NV
Taft, CA
Havasu, AZ
Blythe, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Cahullia, CA
Prineville, OR
Glen Helen, CA
TBD