DEFEND YOURLINE
2018KTMPOWERPARTS&POWERWEAR
STAY ON YOUR TOES THROUGH THE ELEMENTS AS YOU DEFEND YOUR LINE ON THE TRAIL. LEAD THE PACK FROM START TO FINISH WITH KTM POWERPARTS AND POWERWEAR. AVAILABLE AT AN AUTHORIZED KTM DEALER
CHAMPIONS RIDE KENDA
The Big Picture AND
GAM MUD BALLET
A participant appears to be performing a dance with his motorcycle during the recent Extreme XL Larages Hard Enduro race in Portugal. The race was won by factory Husqvarna’s Billy Bolt, with KTM’s Jonny Walker in second.
PHOTO
BY FUTURE7MEDIA/REDBULLMEDIA
The Big Picture
AND GAM ROCKY ROAD
Toni Bou launches into a garden of rocks while a massive crowd watches on. Bou drew first blood in the 2018 TrialGP series with a big win at the series opener in Spain. Bou is going for an unpreceidented 12th world outdoor title.
PHOTO BY PEP SEGALES/SPORT7
The Big Picture
AND GAM
ROCK ‘N ROLL
Rockstart Energy Husqvarna’s Colton Haaker threads his way through a creek filled with massive bolders during the final leg of the Extreme XL Larages Hard Enduro race in Portugal. Haaker was third in Friday’s Super Final.
PHOTO BY FUTURE7MEDIA/REDBULLMEDIA
The Big Picture
The Big Picture
AND GAM
NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK
Grant Baylor gets ready to disappear into a sea of green en route to the win at the Dragon’s Back National Enduro held at Oak Ridge Estates in Arrington, Virginia.
PHOTO BY SHAN MOORE
The Big Picture
AND GAM SUNSHINE SUPERMAN
We caught Quinn Wentzel “mid-splatter” at the Colordao round of the NATC/AMA US National MotoTrials event in April. Look for full coverage later in this issue.
PHOTO BY SHAN MOORE
AND GAM JUMP!
North America GasGas rider Alex Niederer aims at the target his minder, Tom Fraser, sets for him as he leaps from boulder to boulder at the Colorado round of the
NATC/AMA US National MotoTrials Series
PHOTO BY SHAN MOOORE
The Big Picture
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Auburn Extreme Powersports • Auburn, CA • 530-885-7105
Browns Cycles • Paso Robles, CA • 805-238-1240
C&D Cycle Center • San Diego, CA • 858-277-3298
Capitol Yamaha • Sacramento, CA • 916-485-9200
Douglas Motorcycles • San Bernardino • CA/909-884-4776
Honda Kawasaki Beta of Modesto • Modesto, CA • 209-529-5424
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Simi Valley Cycles • Simi Valley, CA • 805-522-3434
Uptite Husky • Santa Ana, CA • 714-540-2920
Apex Sports • Colorado Springs, CO • 719-475-2437
Balance Trials Supply • Erie, CO • 720-207-7715
Extreme Power Sports • Steamboat, CO • 970-879-9175
Grand Mesa Motorsports • Delta, CO • 970-874-8621
MotoAdventure • Loveland, CO • 970-669-5377
Spirit Lake Motorsports • Grand Lake CO • 970-627-9288
Trial Store USA • Bradenton, FL • 941-404-0757
Level 10 Performance Motorsports • Ormond Beach, FL • 386-944-9160
Cycle Tech • Fremont, IA • 641-632-8201
Hicklin PowerSports • Grimes, IA • 515-986-4880
Action Cycles N Sleds • Twin Falls,ID • 208-736-8118
Dennis Dillon RV & Marine • Boise, ID • 208-343-2830
Kolby Offroad • Idaho Falls, ID • 208-881-9646
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The Cycle Shed • Vernon, IN • 812-346-8620
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THE LOOP
News and Culture From The World Of Trials, Offroad and Extreme Racing
LAMPKIN TAKES DRAMATIC SSDT WIN
Dougie Lampkin - Vertigo snatched a record extending twelfth Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) in dramatic fashion on the closing day of the 2018 event, despite having never been in the lead throughout week. It was James DabillBeta who was, and had been the front runner from Monday and went into day six with a slim advantage which would cruelly disappear when his rear tyre came off the rim in the final section on Ben Nevis.
Lampkin had never carried the yel-
low leader board this year having not been helped by his own mechanical problems earlier and throughout the competition, however he was never far off the lead and had kept the pressure on his fellow Yorkshireman, Dabill up to and going into today’s deciding encounter. The duel between these two previous SSDT winners did not disappoint and despite the high stakes both rode brilliantly to remain clean through the earlier challenges presented by the sections at Upper and Lower Mamore,
Pipeline, Bradileg right through to and including Glen Nevis.
As has been the case so many times in the recent history of this hundred-year plus event, it was again the rounded boulders in the narrow valleys on the lower slopes of Ben Nevis where the drama unfolded and the marks that ultimately decided the eventual SSDT winner were lost. Carrying his two-mark overnight margin forward to this point Dabill looked very much in control until disaster struck as his rear tyre broke away from the rim to leave him stranded and with a very untimely five-marks. Under brighter skies and aware of the unfolding story ahead of him Lampkin remain calm and focused and simply got on with his own task of plotting his way safety through the sections in the shadow of Britain’s highest mountain for the loss of just a single dab that would seem him win his seventh SSDT in a row, this time by three marks, and to take his tally to twelve Scottish wins in total.
The chasing contingent proved to be as strong as ever with local rider Gary Macdonald - Scorpa finishing a strong third after he kept in touch with the leading duo throughout the week. Macdonald’s place on the podium came by way of a tie-break, as he got the nod over Jack Price - Gas Gas after they both finished on eighteen marks apiece. Jack Sheppard - Sherco rounded out the top five as the Suffolk challenger enjoyed a return to form following some recent
disappointing results in the national series.
Previous SSDT winner Sam ConnorBeta again showed himself to be a Scottish specialist with a fine sixth place as he saw off Andrew Chilton - Scorpa and Richard Sadler - Beta who ended the week seventh and eighth respectively. Locked on thirty-six marks each Guy Kendrew - Beta and Sam Haslam - Gas Gas claimed the last two spots inside the top ten, in that order.
While Lampkin may have claimed the overall win and the best over 40’s award, Emma Bristow - Sherco performance was equally noteworthy as she secured thirty-sixth spot in the general ranking and was by far the best female rider over the six tough days of competition. Macdonald was the clear winner of the best Scottish rider award, leaving Dabill’s World Championship minder, Jiri Svoboda - Beta to deservedly collect the prize for best newcomer.
The 2018 edition of the Scottish Six Days Trial certainly lived up to the rich heritage of what remains widely regarded as the best Trial in the World, and delivered a typically dramatic ending as has been the case so many times over the last century or so. The SSDT lives on, and as strong as ever and waiting to see if Dougie Lampkin will return next year to defend his title once again.
FIM Ponders Body Protection
The Trial, Technical & Medical Commissions of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), together with Sport7 & 2Play, the Trial & X-Trial Promoters and Theresa Bäuml, the Female Trial Riders’ Representative, recently gathered in Mies to meet manufacturers of body protectors suitable for riders in the Trial and X-Trial disciplines.
Alpinestars, Hebo, Leatt, Mots, Ortema, Racer, REV’IT! and S3 were all represented at the meeting and presented their current products and new prototypes.
The FIM is currently working on the next steps toward the implementation of back protectors for the upcoming 2019 season.
The day after this valuable workshop, the FIM Trial Sections & Safety Working Group held its meeting and engaged in fruitful discussions with a view to improving the safety of Sections and other general aspects of Trial, in accordance with the priorities defined in the FIM Strategic plan.
VIDEO: Toni Bou “plays” at the Camp Nou
Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou, not only graced Futbol Club Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium with a visit, but also brought his motorbike along for the ride. The champion even got a chance to play on the ground that hosts the current La Liga and Copa del Rey winners.
The 23-time Trial World Champion (12 X-Trial and 11 TrialGP) Toni Bou attended the Camp Nou, which over the years has witnessed some of Barcelona Football Club’s most epic battles, championship wins and cup victories.
Bou got to take on a very special challenge, which involved crossing the 7.32 metre crossbar of the goal which Barca’s goalkeepers usually defend… aboard the bike. Due to the extreme narrowness of the bar, it meant a tough challenge, but the Repsol Honda Team star was up to the occasion, crossing from one end to the other while keeping his balance.
Toni Bou, emerged from the Barca player’s changing room kitted out in the same number 23 shirt colours as the team and then treated the Camp Nou to a special ‘balancing act tour’ of the stadium grandstands.
The current world champion begins the pursuit of his twelfth outdoor world championship next weekend, May 19th and 20th, in Camprodón (Spain), with the dispute of the first event of the 2018 TrialGP World Championship.
Video courtesy of La Liga 4 Sports
2019 KTM XC-W & EXC-F
The KTM 300 XC-W TPI 2-Stroke NEW for North American Market
Following on from revolutionary model introductions in enduro in the last two years, KTM is proud to announce its refined and updated XC-W and EXC-F model year 2019 lineup with the KTM 150 XC-W to the KTM 250 and 300 XC-W TPI 2-strokes. On the 4-stroke side, KTM offers the well-known range from the super easy to ride 250 EXC-F to the all-rounder 350 EXC-F and the big thumper 500 EXC-F. Thanks to a long history as part of the foundation of the company and with many milestones achieved in producing READY TO RACE, world-beating enduro machines, KTM’s strive for excellence has ensured the orange brand remains the market-leader in
2019 KTM XC-W TPI Two-Stroke
the segment with the KTM XC-W and EXC-F lineup. Last year the Austrian manufacturer announced the world’s first serial-production, fuel-injection 2-stroke offroad competition machines with the KTM 250 XC-W TPI and KTM 300 XC-W TPI models that have taken the possibilities of enduro to new heights, whilst complimenting the high-quality, high-performing 4-stroke models within the range. However, the KTM R&D department in Mattighofen never rests; the latest generation of KTM XC-W enduros and EXC-F models receive updates for model year 2019 with improved WP fork settings, and a reworked WP shock absorber with a re-designed main piston and
XC-W
2019 KTM 300 XC-W
2019 KTM 250 XC-W TPI
2019 KTM 300 XC-W TPI
2019 KTM 500 EXC-F
settings for improved, confidence-inspiring damping characteristics. A new seat cover, stronger battery and new graphics with a READY TO RACE factory-looking orange frame compliment the high-quality Brembo brakes, No-Dirt footpegs, NEKEN handlebar, CNCmilled hubs with high-end black Giant rims and more that comes as standard on these championship-winning machines.
For model year 2019, the KTM 150 XC-W 2-stroke, designed for closed-course use, receives a new cylinder with a machined exhaust port and a new power valve for highend performance. An optimized kick-starter seat along with an ultra-compact, newly designed DS clutch with a new clutch cover reduces overall engine width over previous models. In addition, a re-worked 6-speed transmission offers better function and improved reliability.
“The last two years have been incredibly exciting for our Enduro machine development here at KTM. A brand new ground-breaking generation for model year 2017 that had been re-designed from the ground up, followed by a world first for model year 2018 thanks to the serial-production fuel-injection 2-stroke offroad competition models with the KTM 250 XC-W TPI and KTM 300 XC-W TPI; it’s been an incredibly fast-moving but fruitful few years in terms of development for this segment in which we remain the market leaders. Model year 2019 sees some key adjustments across all models, along with more in-depth refinements for our KTM 150 XC-W machines. As we step into a new era of enduro as a whole, we are looking forward to the latest KTM XC-W models reaching dealer floor,” commented KTM Senior Product Manager Offroad,” Joachim Sauer.
MECATECNO
WATT’S UP IN THE REALM OF ELECTRIC TRIALS BIKES?
Although there is very little information about the bike, there are a few photos of the new Mecatecno Electric Trials bike floating around the internet. What we do know is the bike has a clutch, gears, a three-hour battery and weighs under 60 kg. According to importer Dale Malasek (www.midwestmototrials.com), the bike is due to arrive in the States soon, however Mecatecno is waiting for the Spanish FAA to certify the batteries so they can ship the bikes by air or ocean.
Last year Cesar Panicot managed a second place at the Trial-e World Cup with a Dragonfly prototype, thanks partly to the experience gathered after three years of development. This year, with the experience the firm got from that event, Mecatecno has come up with a much evolved model: The Dragonfly 2.0.
On the 7th of June, Mecatecno will launch its new website in order to publish all of the details.
Go to www.mecatecno.biz for more information.
2019 HUSQVARNA
Husqvarna Motorcycles are proud to lift the covers off their complete range of 2019 enduro models – a sophisticated line-up of premium machines that perfectly embody the brand’s pioneering spirit and feature the most advanced technology ever seen in the offroad motorcycles segment.
The whole range features state-of-the-art, powerful and light engines, together with the most advanced engine management systems. With innovative, recently introduced electronic fuel injection on the 2-stroke TE 250i and
TE 300i models, all 4-stroke machines benefit from traction control with electric starters fitted as standard on all models apart the TX 125.
For model year 2019 Husqvarna Motorcycles introduce a list of carefully-considered updates across their enduro line-up. Combining top-level performance with unprecedented ease of use across all terrains, the 2019 enduro models are here to deliver a next-level enduro riding experience.
2019 FE 250
2019 TE 250I
KEY FEATURES ACROSS THE RANGE
For model year 2019 Husqvarna Motorcycles unveil an exciting new generation of seven [eight with the TE 150 for the US market] new 2-stroke and 4-stroke enduro machines.
Remaining true to their commitment to never-ending development, for MY19 Husqvarna Motorcycles’ engineers introduce a new series of settings for both the WP Xplor 48 forks and the WP DCC shock. The latest suspension on all Husqvarna enduro models provides advanced damping characteristics with a stiffer setting for more bottoming resistance, to suit the needs of a wide range of offroad riders.
Updates for MY19 include the new Diaphragm Steel Clutch on the TX 125 and TE 150 and the new clutch cover with improved wear resistance on all models.
Retaining their dynamic, sharp and sleek looking bodywork, Husqvarna’s 2019 enduro models feature a futuristic design in
their brand new graphics, which stylishly acknowledges the brand’s Swedish heritage. Coinciding with the unveiling of the enduro range, Husqvarna Motorcycles are pleased to introduce a new line-up of clothing and accessories.
Combining Swedish inspired design with premium quality, the 2019 clothing range offers casual and functional garments to meet the needs of all dedicated fans. Enriched for 2019, Husqvarna Motorcycles’ range of accessories contains premium parts designed to enhance and protect all enduro machines.
The new Husqvarna Motorcycles MY19 enduro range will be available in Europe from May 2018 onwards, at all authorized Husqvarna Motorcycles dealers. n
SMAGE RIDING TECHNIQUE PAT
FOR THE NEXT YEAR, NINE-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 OFF-ROAD 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!
MUD TAKE OFFS
S3 FAT BARS
Max Sug. Retail: $30.95
Website: www.rypusa.com
Ryan Young Products carries the S3 Bar Pad in a wide variety of colors.
*Applicable to select models only. Some restrictions apply.
REACH NEW HEIGHTS
Husqvarna Motorcycles presents the perfect opportunity to reach all new heights aboard a new 2016, 2017 or 2018 off-road motorcycle.Rates as low as 1.99% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on eligible models.
EVO2 Roost Deflector
Max Sug. Retail: $24.95
Website: www.enduroeng.com
Enduro Engineering is introducing an All New EVO2 Outer Mount Plastic Roost Deflector. A composite front plate gives a solid mounting surface for flush flat head screws, which also gives strength with a stylish finish. Top & bottom edge rubber over-mold lets the roost shield flex under impact. EVO2 Deflectors are made from a durable injected molded Polypropylene with a new shape that offers a good coverage without being bulky. Drill bit and self-tapping screws are included for installation on older Debris Deflectors.
Beta USA Manual Radiator Fan On/Off Switch Kit
Max Sug. Retail: $44.99
Website: www.betausa.com
• Allows manual On/Off switching of Beta radiator cooling fan
• Useful when expecting hotter than normal riding &/or engine temps
• Won’t override (turn off) cooling fan’s normal automatic cooling cycles
• Flush mount allows lock-to-lock turning & easy key insertion & turning
• Simple installation, detailed instructions online, & included with each kit
• Fits all 2009+ 4-stroke & 2-stroke Beta’s with cooling fans
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
NATC/AMA US NATIONAL MOTOTRIALS SERIES ROUNDS 3 & 4, TEXAS CREEK, CO APRIL 28-29, 2018
DANIEL BLANC-GONNET FIGHTS FOR BALANCE AS HE PREPARES TO DROP INTO SECTION ONE OF SATURDAY. THE GAS GAS NORTH AMERICA RIDER WENT 3-2 OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEKEND.
Pat Smage continued his domination of the 2018 AMA/NATC US National MotoTrials Series by sweeping rounds three and four of the schedule in Texas Creek, Colorado.
As he did the week before in New Mexico, the Sherco USA-backed Smage easily won both days of the two-day event, extending his lead in the championship standings to 28 points after four rounds.
The Colorado event featured much bigger and more intimidating obstacles than the riders faced at the first two rounds. Power-sapping elevation, estimated at around 6500 feet, was an additional factor keeping the riders on their toes.
Smage was solid from the start, scattering four single dabs across 12 sections on his opening lap.
Smage’s total first-lap total of four might have been one point less had he not experienced a problem in section four.
“When I entered section four I knew something was wrong once I hit the first rock,” said Smage. “I had to take a dab to keep going and I noticed that my bike felt like it was starving for fuel. I had experienced that one time before and it ended up being that the one-way valve on the fuel tank overflow had stuck. I reached down and pulled the vent hose off the gas tank and that fixed the problem so I was able to finish out the section. The only problem was that fuel was now shooting up into my face. Luckily, I was able to get through the section with just the single point.”
Gas Gas North America’s Alex Niederer came next, posting a total of 25 points for the first lap. Niederer’s teammate, Daniel Blanc-Gonnet, was 10 points back at 35 points. Niederer and Blanc-Gonnet traded runner-up finishes the previous week, and it was clear the two teammates were headed for another two-way battle in Colorado.
BETA USA’S ANDREAS NIEDERER HAS ADAPTED WELL TO THE PRO CLASS IN 2018.
Sherco USA’s Sam Fastle sat in fourth after the first lap with 51 points, despite suffering a nasty crash in the first section of the day. Meanwhile, Scorpa USA’s Quinn Wentzel and Beta USA’s Andreas Niederer rounded out the top six with 54 and 56 points, respectively.
Smage’s relatively mistake-free ride ended on the second lap where he suffered a pair of fivepoint rides.
“I just felt a little off on the second lap and I ended up taking a five at the exit of section four,” said Smage. The Wisconsin rider took another five in section eight, perhaps the most difficult of the trial, and added a safety dab in section nine for a total of 11.
Unlike Smage, the rest of the Pro class bettered their scores on the second lap, with Alex Neiderer shaving eight points off his first lap for a total on 17 marks for lap two. BlancGonnet dropped 13 points off his first lap for a second-lap score of 22. Fastle followed with 38 points, while Andreas Niederer (51) and Wenzel (53) jockeyed for fifth and sixth.
Smage sealed the win with an impressive one-point third lap. The Sherco rider only needed a safety dab in section nine to complete the lap to claim his third win of the season.
“I was kind of frustrated with the two fives on the second lap and so I did a reset and went out with a little more focus on that last lap,” said Smage.
Continuing to better his loop scores, BlancGonnet turned in a 21-point score card on his final lap – seven points better than Alex Niederer’s 28-point lap, however it was not enough to edge Niederer for the runner-up slot. Alex Niederer’s grand total of 70 points put the Florida rider into second for the day, with Blanc-Gonnet settling for third at 78 points.
Fastle finished fourth for the day with a total
LINE IN
SHERCO WIGGLES
of 129 points, with Wentzel (155) and Andreas Niederer (161) rounding out the top six.
Other than one point in section seven, Smage took all of his points during Sunday’s event in section 12, a section that featured a steep, sandy downhill that left little room at the bottom for stopping. Most of the riders ran over the ribbon at the bottom of the drop, however, Smage managed a three on his first two rides.
At the end of the day, Smage’s 3-3-6 loop scores were more than good enough for win number four on the season.
“Overall, it was a good weekend,” said Smage. “I had a lot of clean rides during the two days, so overall I feel like I’m riding well. There are a few little things I need to work on to improve for the remainder of the season, but the factory Sherco is working really well and I’m really looking forward to the east coast rounds.”
Blanc-Gonnet got his revenge on Niederer on Sunday, holding off a late charge by his teammate to take the win by virtue of a tiebreaker after the two riders tied with a score of 47 points after 36 sections. Blanc-Gonnet was disappointed that it came to a tiebreaker after getting off to such a good start to the day. In the end, Blanc-Gonnet edged Niederer by one clean to take the runner-up spot, as the two riders continue to trade finishes.
“Today was the first time all season that I’ve had a strong first loop – I had an 11-point lead over Alex after one lap,” said Blanc-Gonnet. “I was definitely feeling the effects of the altitude on the second lap and I started to get a little sloppy. Alex made a charge and came back on me during the final lap, so it came down to the last few sections, and I feel lucky to get the win. It was a real eye-opener for me and I know now I need to work on physical fitness.”
Fourth for the day went to Fastle with a total
BETA USA’S JAY GREGORWIZC EASES DOWN A GRANITE DROP WHILE PAT SMAGE GOES TO SCHOOL.
of 96 points. Andreas Niederer was fifth with 104 and Wentzel was sixth with 113.
Sherco USA’s Josh Roper topped the Expert class on both days, beating Alex Myers by 12 points on Saturday and by 17 points on Sunday.
In the Women’s Pro division, Gas Gas North America’s Maddie Hoover remained perfect with a pair of wins, beating Sherco’s Kylee Sweeten on both days.
David Wickersham and Ron Hensley traded wins in the Clubman class, the biggest class of the weekend, with Wickersham getting the win on Saturday and Hensley doing the honors on Sunday.
The AMA/NATC US National MotoTrials Series resumes next weekend with rounds five and six in Sequatchie, Tennessee on June 9-10. For more information on the event, please go to www.mototrials.com.
For full results click HERE.
RESULTS
SATURDAY
1. Pat Smage (Shr) 16
2. Alex Niederer (GG) 70
3. Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (GG) 78
4. Sam Fastle (Shr) 129
5. Quinn Wentzel (Sco) 155
6. Andreas Niederer (Bet) 161
SUNDAY
1. Pat Smage (Shr) 12
2. Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (GG) 47
3. Alex Niederer (GG) 47
4. Sam Fastle (Shr) 96
5. Andreas Niederer (Bet) 104
6. Quinn Wentzel (Sco) 113
RYP Brings us a look at the Colorado trials with video below. Meanwhile, Sam Fastle’s brother and minder, Jordan, gives us a minder’s eye view of the event in the video at the bottom of the page.
SAM FASTLE LOSES TRACTION ON A COLORADO BOULDER AND PREPARES TO PAY THE PRICE.
AROUND THE PITS
ANDREAS “ANDI” NIEDERER HAS MADE AN IMPRESSIVE JUMP TO THE PRO CLASS IN 2018. THE MOVE FROM THE EXPERT CLASS TO THE PRO CLASS IS PERHAPS THE BIGGEST JUMP IN ABILITY OUT OF ALL OF THE NATC CLASSES.
BILL DE GARIS HAS PROBABLY PUT ON MORE MILES TRAVELING TO US MOTOTRIALS EVENTS OVER THE YEARS THAN ANY OTHER RIDER. THE 74-YEAR-OLD HAS LOST TRACK OF HOW MANY TITLES HE HAS WON .
JOSH ROPER TURNED IN A STELLAR PERFORMANCE IN COLORDAO, WINNING THE EXPERT CLASS ON BOTH DAYS
KYLEE SWEETEN GOES THROUGH TECH INSPECTION ON FRIDAY IN PREPARATION FOR THE COLORADO ROUND. THE OREGON RIDER FINISHED SECOND EACH DAY AFTER HARDFOUGHT BATTLES WITH MADDIE HOOVER IN THE WOMEN’S PRO CLASS.
DEBRIEFED ALEX NIEDERER
Alex Niederer grabbed his best-ever showing in the Pro division with a runner-up finish in New Mexico. The former Austrian, now living in Florida, backed up that performance with a second and third in Colorado, leaving him tied at second place in the series standings with his Gas Gas North America teammate Daniel Blanc-Gonnet. Here’s what Alex had to say about his weekend in Colorado.
The weekend started off when we got to the first section on Saturday and we kind of all looked at each other and we were like, “Oh. So this is how the day’s going to go? It’s going to be a tough one.” There were lots of massive, massive steps. The first loop I ended up on a total of 25, so we were just getting really comfortable and confident. Minder Tom Fraser and I were really gelling well. It took us about three and a half hours to do the first loop, so it was a pretty long day. On the second loop we went out and took a hesitant two in section one, and then cleaned section two which I was really pumped about. Again cleaned on three, cleaned on four. Then we just kept the momentum going. I had a big off in section eight. I went over the bars pretty hard and put a couple of scratches on the bike, which I’m not too happy about. I like my bike looking good. Made it through section nine on the second
loop, just like I did the first loop, which was really crucial. Those were some good points to make up on the other guys. There was a really, really massive, quadruple step that had a really huge consequence for failure. That’s kind of how the weekend was. It was really fun. They were all rideable, but they were very dangerous. If you made a mistake, you were really going to get punished for it. Unfortunately, on the last loop I got punished pretty hard for making a couple mistakes. I clipped my foot in three and took a five. I didn’t make it up a step in seven and landed back in the cracks of the rocks, so that wasn’t good. Then the real kicker came in section nine, where I got all the way to the top and didn’t make it over the last ledge and bailed. Tom had the bike, but the rear tire hit the rock and with all this traction, the bike just took off into the atmosphere and landed at the bottom. Ended up shrapnelling my exhaust.
So we had to baby it through the last couple of sections, but wnded up finishing strong. I was still really comfortable and confident and strong ending the day. I’m really happy with second place, matching my career best. Sunday started off really rough. I was really tired, really sore, and really banged up from Saturday and I took a couple of dumb points. I had some really cool rides on the first loop and then ended up banging up myself a
little more and banging up the bike a little more. Then we got to section twelve and nobody wanted to go so I went, and almost made it but almost wasn’t good enough. Pat was the only other one that tried it and he barely made it. On the second loop I finally started warming up a little bit. By the halfway point of the second loop we finally got our stuff together. I went from 22 points, which put us 11 points behind Daniel Blanc-Gonnet, to a 13
point second loop, which was 6 points better than Daniel. So we were back in contention for second place. On the third lap we were motivated. I took a slack point in section one and then got really lucky in section two that I got out with a three. Almost timed out, so that could have been really bad. Then started cleaning up the loop a lot. Made it through section seven, the section I fived the first loop and got a one the second loop and I made it through nine, which was a key section for us too. Then got to twelve. I knew we were going to be tight. He actually had ridden it for the first time and didn’t make it. I was like, hopefully we do. So we made it to the top and we were coming down. I actually got the bike stopped before the ribbon. Got up on the nose wheelie and the rear wheel fell outside of the ribbon. Really bummed about that. Ended up pulling back an 11-point deficit to tie Daniel at 47. Sadly I lost second place to Daniel on one clean. n
ALIEN AUTOPSY
A MOTORHEAD’S GUIDE TO THE COOLEST BIKES
ALEX NIEDERER’S 2018 GAS GAS TXT 300
Steward
TKTKTK
Alex Niederer’s rundown of his 300 TXT GP:
Right out of the box we’ve got the tech forks that the GasGas comes standard with, but it’s also got a compression adjustment that the standard bike doesn’t have. That comes with the GP model. All the way around we’re running the Galfer pads that come standard on the bike. We also use Renthal sprockets. I actually change from an 11-tooth to a 10-tooth in the front, but keep the standard 42 rear, which allows me to use second and third more instead of running first and second. It gives me a little better selection. I can hit the big walls in third versus having to over-rev second, so I prefer that. Going further into the engine, we’re running the Twin Air air filters that also come standard with the bike. Looking at the bike, really not much has changed. We’re running the S3 curve pegs. They kind of put me a little further back on the bike. A little more pressure on the rear tire, and also make it feel a little more comfortable in steep situations. Renthal bars, Renthal grips. The Brake Tech master cylinders that come standard on the
ALIEN AUTOPSY
A MOTORHEAD’S GUIDE TO THE COOLEST BIKES
bike work great. Just little quick adjusters to adjust my clutch and brake levers. Then going on to the engine, we’re running the Boyesen carbon fiber reeds that I had a part in development with. Two years ago we started those. Then last year they were standard on the GP and now again in 2018. The Ohlins rear shock that came out with this bike works really, really well. I’ve just gone two clicks on the rebound and a little up on the pre-load, just to compensate for the hard impact. I take my rear light out of the back fender to prevent it from just taking weight out of it.
The carburetor has an extended float bowl, which just gives it more volume. It’s more of a peace of mind thing than a performance thing. It’s a standard 28-millimeter Keihin, which comes with the bike. It’s matched with a titanium header pipe that the bike comes with, and then obviously the red silicone hoses really put a good touch to it. Everything else is standard. Radiator is standard. I know some of the overseas guys they run larger radiators, so that’s standard. We run a carbon fiber number plate, just to save some weight versus the plastic. Other than that, we changed our tank graphics for the team versus the standard bike. That’s it.
Other than that, we’ve added a Flywheel weight and also an S3 high compression head. The Flywheel heavier. It’s just again a personal thing. I prefer it to decelerate for a little longer than it does standard. It’s just a standard bolt on. There’s nothing custom to it. n
SSDT
Mike McCabe
1st American rider to compete in the Scottish Six Days Trial
“The most fun, but maybe the most scary thing I’ve ever done!!”
Mike McCabe (right), along with Americans Roger Bickham (left) and Kirk Mayfield at the Castrol support vehicle.
The road to Scotland
In the late 60’s and early 70’s, the Spanish factories that made trials bikes were sending their sponsored riders to the USA to put on trials schools and promote trials as well as their bikes. In 1968 the first trials school I knew about was Sammy Miller’s, for Bultaco, in St. Louis. I managed to get an entry, and went with one of my riding friends, “Doober” (not a typo!) Dotson. I rode a Greeves and Doober rode a Penton.
The school was on Saturday, and then there was a trials event on Sunday. For some reason, we had to be back in Tulsa Sunday and couldn’t stay for the trial. After the school, I asked Sammy Miller what I could do to improve my riding - “Get a Bultaco” he said. So, just as soon as I could, I bought my first Sherpa T!
In 1969, I heard about another school/ trial being put on by Mick Andrews for Ossa in Columbia, Missouri. So off we went - same deal, school Saturday, trial Sunday. I lucked out and won the trial, and got a trophy from Mick, which I still have. Fast forward to 1970 and Mick’s back for another school. Again, I won the trial, and also became better acquainted with Mick. We started communicating by mail and the occasional phone call.
In 1971 the North Eastern Oklahoma Trials Team (NEOTT) decided to have Mick do a school here in Tulsa. Everything got arranged and while Mick was in New England getting ready to compete in the SSDT he broke his shoulder.
They called to say he couldn’t do our school, as he was looking for someone to operate on his shoulder. Well, I had just had my first knee surgery and suggested my doctor. After talking to Dr. Myra Peters, she agreed to see Mick. The Ossa factory rep, Roy Weaver, drove Mick and his wife, Jill, down to Tulsa where his shoulder was repaired. He couldn’t travel for a few weeks, so he stayed with us in Tulsa and it was during this stay that he first suggested that I might like to ride the SSDT - see, all that long winded story did lead to my going to the 1972 SSDT!
Logistics
My wife, Carroll, as usual, was super supportive and we began to try to figure how to do it. I had to get an entry and an International competition license, both which were difficult to do - another story there. Then, how to pay for the trip, how to get a bike, etc. etc. Sammy Miller agreed to rent me a Bultaco for about $90.00 for the week, and it turned out to be the bike he had just won the British National Championship on, tag number COT 6K.
At that time, you had to arrange for your own fuel and support for the event. At the time, one of my riding buddies was Kirk Mayfield and I talked his Dad into letting Kirk go with me to Scotland. The plan was for Kirk to chase the trial in a car with gas and supplies for me. (btw, these days an entry includes all your fuel, and the fuel stops are manned by the British Army)
So off we went to London where my friend, Tony Bentley who was also the subscription manager for the English motorcycle newspaper I subscribed to, met us at the airport and kindly put us up for a couple of nights. Tony also arranged for a rental car - a Hillman Hunter station wagon. The first couple of days in London, Tony took us around to all the motorcycle shops we’d heard of and read about.
One of the shops was the official Bultaco imported for England, Comerfords Cycle. This is where I really got lucky. We met Jock Wilson, their shop manager, who was also going to manage their SSDT team. Their team was sponsored
by Castrol Oils, who were doing all their gas stops and support. So Jock got me sponsored by Castrol, which enabled me to get fuel etc. at all their stops. So that let Kirk Mayfield skip every other fueling stop, and made it way easier for us to stay on time. (Note: You are allowed to be one hour late/per day - more than an hour late and you are excluded, so staying on the route, and assigned time is a big deal.)
We then went down to the South coast of England to Sammy Miller’s shop to prepare the bike. We took it apart, stuffed it in the back of the little station wagon, and drove ten hours up to Scotland. Considering that we were
Lane Leavitt (center left) and Mike McCabe (center right) hang out in the paddocks before the event.
driving on the wrong side of the road, completely lost most of the time, it was fairly uneventful except for the time in the middle of the night when Kirk fell asleep while driving - I was asleep in the back, with the motorcycle, when things started flying around - we both woke up in the center median going the right way, so we just went on - how do we survive our youth?
The Big Event
In 1972 the trial started in Edinburgh and then was centered for the rest of the week in Fort Williams. So we got to Edinburgh, went through tech inspection and found the hotel Mick Andrews had arranged for us and got ready for the big adventure!!
Monday morning, and off I go, riding through the huge city of Edinburgh, in traffic, on the wrong side of the road, over a toll bridge and out into the country side -finally getting to ride some sections.
The weather was dry and lucky for me the trial that week was mostly good weather. The first days route was 160 miles and 24 sections, mostly road riding and fairly easy sections. But that didn’t last very long - the rest of the week was much harder and the whole trial comprised of 749 miles and 161 sections.
By Thursday morning when I got ready to go out my clothes and boots were soaking wet and I was tired and sore and I thought “What have I gotten myself into?” But, knowing that I was
also the first American to compete in the SSDT, I was determined NOT to be the first American to DNF!! Thursday evening the City of Fort Williams puts on a street party for the riders and fans - really great fun and a break from the almost constant riding and working on the bike.
Finally, the last day and the long ride back to Edinburgh, with sections all along the way - and to the finish: probably the most anti-climactic part of the whole trial. Just ride in to the finish, they check your bike to see if all the marked parts are still there, and it’s over.
Kirk and I drove back down the whole length of England, returned the bike to Sammy’s shop, Tony took us to the airport and we flew home. A few weeks later my finishers award came in the mail.
1973 - Do it again - bring some friends
After a year of rest and lots of fun memories I decided to do it again in 1973.
This time Kirk was old enough to get an International license, another friend, Rodger Bickham from Kansas wanted to ride, so off we went - we were actually officially listed in the program as the North Eastern Oklahoma Trials Team, so we finally got to live up to our name as a “Trials Team”. Also, in 1973 there were seven Americans enteredbut that’s another story... n
BOU OFF TO FAST START
FIM TRIAL GP
ROUND 1
CAPRODON, SPAIN
MAY 19-20, 2018
Toni Bou goes in search of an unprecedented twelfth straight World crown
It was a case of business as usual for defending champion Toni Bou at the TrialGP in Spain, round one of the 2018 FIM Trial World Championship.
Competing on home ground in the foothills of the Pyrenees at the spectacular Camprodon venue, the thirty-one-yearold Repsol Honda rider - who is bidding for an unprecedented twelfth straight World crown this year - overcame Saturday’s small, but very costly mistake in qualification that forced him to start today’s event as fifth man away.
With the mostly natural sections providing a tough season-opening test, torrential rain at the end of the first lap continued all afternoon turning it into a high-scoring event as the steep banks, imposing rocks and technical streams became increasingly slippery and even Bou’s winning total of forty-three was punctuated with four maximums on the second lap. The rapidly deteriorating conditions also inevitably slowed progress with all but one of the fifteen-strong field incurring time penalties.
“Yesterday didn’t go well, but on the first lap today I was feeling good and riding at my best,” says Bou, who fractured three vertebrae at an indoor event in France in February. “After my injury I’m very happy to start the championship with a win.”
Bou had dominated the first lap on just thirteen marks, twelve ahead of secondplaced Jaime Busto - Gas Gas, but several
JAIME BUSTO
uncharacteristic mistakes allowed his young compatriot to close in the second half of the event. However, any hopes Busto may have entertained of a shock win were crushed in the closing stages and a five on the final section of the Trial - plus an additional four on time compared to Bou’s single time penalty - left him seventeen marks adrift at the end.
Still, his second-placed finish equals his career-best results in Andorra and the USA last year and prove he is adapted well to the switch to two-stroke power this season after parting company with the Repsol Honda team.
Jorge Casales - Vertigo was third following the opening lap on a total of thirtythree, but fellow Spaniard Jeroni Fajardo - Gas Gas reeled him in on lap two to claim the final step of the podium by one mark on seventy-five.
Two-time World Champion Adam Raga - TRRS got his season off to a shaky start when he slumped to fifth, one mark behind Casales, with James Dabill - Beta the first non-Spanish rider home in sixth on a total of eighty-two. He was followed by veteran Spaniard Albert Cabestany - Beta on eighty-eight and Japan’s Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Honda who was eighth, a further fourteen marks back after winning a tie-break with twenty-year-old Britain Jack Price - Gas Gas who matched his career-best finish achieved on day two in Japan last year.
ADAM RAGA
Spain’s Miquel Gelabert - Sherco rounded out the top-ten, one mark behind Price. Trial2 was won by super-experienced Italian Matteo Grattarola - Honda. The thirtyyear-old, who dropped down into the class after finishing tenth in TrialGP last season, parted with just thirteen marks to win from British teenager Jack Peace - Gas Gas. Peace, who was eighth in the championship last year with a top result of third in the Czech Republic, claimed a career-best second-placed finish. The seventeenyear-old’s score of twenty-seven gave him a four-mark cushion over France’s Loris Gubian - Gas Gas who has also switched to Trial2 this year from the TrialGP class.
The World’s best riders now get a weekend off before the Championship resumes with TrialGP Japan at the famous Twin Ring Motegi circuit on 01/02/03 June.
RESULTS
1. Toni Bou (HON) 43
2. Jaime Busto (GG) 60
3. Jeroni Fajardo (GG) 75
4. Jorge Casales (Ver) 76
5. Adam Raga (TRS) 77
6. James Dabill (Bet) 82
7. Albert Cabestany (Bet) 88
8. Takahisa Fujinami (Hon) 102
9. Jack Price (GG) 102
10. MIquel Gelabert (Shr) 103
TRIALGP SPAIN
CABESTANY CHANGE OF IDENTITY
When the 2018 FIM Trial World Championship [recently kicked off at Camprodon in Spain] there will be a very familiar face on what is for him quite an unfamiliar machine.
For the last thirteen years Spain’s Albert Cabestany has been synonymous with the Sherco marque, but the veteran from the Catalan city of Tarragona will start his twentyfirst season in top-flight Trial competition mounted on a Beta after making the switch during the off-season.
Following a tough 2017 season that saw him slip out of the World top five for the first time in fourteen years, Albert - who celebrates his
thirty-eighth birthday next month - decided to return to the Italian manufacturer who he won the FIM X-Trial World Championship with in 2002.
“Last year was very hard for me,” says Albert, the current World number seven. “In my mind I thought it could be the last, but after the season I thought that wasn’t the way I want and deserve to finish my career so I decided that I wanted a bike that fits my riding.”
“I had the chance to speak with Lapo Bianchi and Donato Miglio and after sharing our thoughts and trying the bike I immediately knew I wanted to ride this bike for 2018!”
Albert has gelled very quickly with his new machine and as early as February took a third place ahead of World number three Jaime Busto at the opening round of the Spanish Trial Championship.
“The truth is that I feel so comfortable. From the very first minute riding the Beta I understood that it would take some time to bring out my best, but the main things I was looking for in my bike I found in the Beta Evo.”
“I think it is the first time in my whole career that I don’t look to my competitors’ bikes thinking they have a better weapon than me and this is a fantastic feeling.”
After a solid winter programme of testing and training Albert has his set-up fully dialled in and is confident he can perform at his best in the premier TrialGP class.
“Being honest, I put a lot of pressure on myself because I would like to be in the top positions again. I know this year will be more difficult than ever before because the younger riders are more ready than ever, but I think I have a good chance and I hope to end the season in a podium position!”
2018 Schedule
• March 17 - Down & Dirty Fat Tire Festival - Bicycle HardXC
• March 18 - Down & Dirty Fat Tire Festival - Bicycle Bone Breaker
• March 24-25 - Trials Training Days (All ages)
• March 31 - Downhill Southeast Bicycle Race - TTC Gravity Park
• May 26-28 - Dual Sport Adventure Ride
• June 9-10 - NATC East Coast Nationals Rounds 1 & 2
• June 24-27 - Family Camp (all ages)
• June 28-30 - East Coast Youth Nationals & Woman’s Open
• June 29 - TDN Fundraiser Gate Trial
• June 30 - Bicycle Trials Regional
• July 1-5 - Great American Teen Camp
• August 18-19 - 8th Annual KendaTennessee Knock Out Extreme Enduro
• September 8-9 - ITSA Vintage Trial National
• Sept/Oct TBA - 26th Annual 58K Fall Trial (STRA)
• October TBA - Downhill SE Bicycle Race - TTC Gravity Park
• December 2 - Toy Trial - CTC Winter Series Round 1 Trial
The T-18 (Dragonfly) is coming very soon. The first adult electric trials bike with a real clutch, 3-hr battery, gears and a weight of 120 lbs.
TRS Motorcycles
TRS ONE RR
ADAM RAGA RACING
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
GRANT BREAKS THROUGH
KENDA AMA NATIONAL ENDURO SERIES
ROUND 4
MAY 6, 208
ARRINGTON, VIRGINIA
GRANT BAYLOR BREAKS OUT OF AN EARLY SEASON SLUMP TO TAKE THE WIN AT THE DRAGON’S BACK NATIONAL ENDURO IN VIRGINIA.
AFTER GETTING OFF TO A SLOW START, STEWARD BAYLOR CAME ON STRONG IN THE FINAL TWO TESTS TO FINISH SECOND.
BEN KELLEY CRASHED
TWICE IN THE FINAL TEST AND FINISHED THE DAY IN FIFTH OVERALL.
Depsite being just two weeks out from surgery to repair a broken bone in his hand, Grant Baylor started fast and finished strong to win the Dragon’s Back National Enduro, round four of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series in Arrington, Virginia.
By his own admission, Grant’s performance wasn’t the prettiest of his career, however, despite a few tip-overs and muscues, the Tely Energy Racing KTM rider did what he needed to do to take home the “W” in what most considered epic conditions in Virginia.
“I was struggling all day long,” said Grant. “I just wasn’t riding like I should, I crashed three times in the fifth test and twice in the last test. But I won, so obviously I made fewer mistakes than everybody else. This year has been an uphill battle for me, with the broken hand and all. But I just rode my race and kept trying to smooth out a bit, and I guess I did just enough.”
The Virginia race was held at the Oak Ridge Estates, thanks to the Holland family, and despite a heavy rain that slickened the course during the first test, most of the riders had good things to say about the race and a few called it the enduro of the year.
After six tests and 55 miles of racing, Grant finished with three test wins and beat out his brother and teammate Steward Baylor by 52 seconds for the win.
“This was a good day to get the win,” added Grant. “It’s good to be on the podium again with my brother and I’m really happy to get some valuable points.”
Unlike his brother, Steward didn’t get off to as good of a start, but managed to edge FMF KTM’s Josh Toth for the runner-up slot by mere tenths of a second.
“I struggled the first two tests and I just couldn’t seem to find a groove,” said Steward. “I just made a lot of mistakes and no matter
what I did I just couldn’t get out of it.”
Heading into the final three tests, Steward found himself in a pretty big hole, but the Tely Energy KTM rider managed to dig his way out thanks to a pair of second-place finishes in the final two tests.
“I worked my way back into contention in test five, so I was nine seconds behind Toth heading into the final test,” added Steward. “I just went for it in that last one and I managed to barley get the job done.”
Toth won tests two and three, but tip-overs late in the race left him third overall by the narrowest of margins.
“I rode pretty consistent but I didn’t ride my best today, for sure,” said Toth. “I fell in the fifth test and then I crashed twice in the final test, just trying to catch Grant and that cost me second.”
Thad DuVall finished second in test one and he won test two, however a stumble in test four and a navigation snafu in section five dropped the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider fourth overall.
Ben Kelley rounded out the top five after turning in a performance that saw the FMF KTM Factory rider turn up the heat in the later tests after getting off to a slow start during the first half of the race.
“I was off the pace in the beginning, I just wasn’t aggressive enough at the start,” said Kelley. “I tried to turn it around and my last two tests were faster, although I had a couple of crashes. The first two tests were pretty slick and I think I was just a bit timid.”
SRT Racing’s Evan Smith turned in his best performance of the year with a sixth place finish, edging KR4 Husqvarna’s Cory Buttrick for the position.
Eighth went to Russell Bobbitt on the Gnarly Routes KTM. Meanwhile, Solid Performance KTM’s Ryder Lafferty topped the NE Pro 2 divi-
FMF KTM’S JOSH TOTH CONTINUED HIS RUN OF PODIUM FINISHES WITH A THIRD OVERALL. (NEXT PAGE) THAD DUVALL MISSED AN ARROW IN TEST FIVE AND FINISHED FOURTH OVERALL.
sion with a ninth place overall finish.
“It was pretty slick in the first few tests, but it tacked up starting with the third test and I got a little more comfortable,” said Lafferty. “I was all over the place in that second test, but I’m happy with how I rode, especially in the last three or four tests.”
Rounding out the top 10 was Gas Gas North America’s Andrew DeLong.
DeLong’s Gas Gas teammate Nick Davis was second in the NE Pro 2 division with a 12th overall finish, while Virginia’s Paddy Holloway was third in the class and 14th overall.
In the Women’s Elite class, Tayla Jones grabbed her second win of the season, after topping Bonanza Plumbing/Trail Jesters KTM’s Mackenzie Tricker by 24 seconds.
“I had a good race, even though the track was a bit slippery at the beginning,” said Jones. “I had a few silly mistakes and I got
stuck a few times, but I managed to hold on for the win.”
Jones won three tests compared to two for Tricker.
FLY/Maxxis/Seat Concepts KTM, while Yamaha-mounted Brooke Cosner rounded out the top three, 50 seconds behind Tricker.
OVERALL RESULTS
1. Grant Baylor (KTM)
2. Steward Baylor (KTM)
3. Josh Toth (KTM)
4. Thad DuVall (Hsq)
5. Ben Kelley (KTM)
6. Evan Smith (Hsq)
7. Cory Buttrick (Hsq)
8. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
9. Ryder Lafferty (KTM)
10. Andrew DeLong (GG)
THIS REPRESENTAION OF A DRAGON WAS THE OVERALL TROPHY THAT GRANT BAYLOR TOOK HOME FOR THE WIN. A CLUB MEMBER MADE THE TROPHY FOR THE EVENT. JASON RAINS BROUGHT HIS YAMAHA DEMO PROGRAM TO TOWN
BILLY BOLT PREVAILS
PREVAILS
Britain’s Billy Bolt has claimed victory at the opening round of the inaugural World Enduro Super Series – the Extreme XL Lagares in Portugal. Securing the top step of the podium the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider takes an early lead in this year’s search for the ULTIMATE ENDURO CHAMPION.
In what was a thrilling and at times unpredictable battle, Bolt was followed home by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jonny Walker (GB) in second with Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) completing the podium in third.
Following two days of intense qualification action from Friday’s Endurocross and Saturday’s Urban Prologue, 252 competitors from 20 nations took to the start of Sunday’s Main Race. With Pro riders facing two laps and all other classes one lap, a tough day of riding in slippery, rocky riverbeds, high-speed forestry trails and technical climbs awaited all.
Starting in 15-second intervals, top qualifier Walker was the first rider flagged away, followed by Cody Webb (KTM - USA) and Bolt. Despite facing the tough task of opening
TADDY BLASUZIAK
the course, Walker quickly settled into a fast rythym, setting the pace up front. Behind him Bolt reeled in and passed Webb as the duo tackled the opening stages of the race.
With a significant hurdle to overcome, Poland’s Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) was one of the later riders to start the race due to a poor qualification result. Working his way through traffic at a considerable rate, the Polish star fought his way from outside the top 40 on lap one to become a possible race winner – on corrected time – as riders began lap two.
For Walker, a clean refuelling stop saw him begin the second lap with a six-minute advantage over his closest rival Bolt. Further back Lettenbichler, Webb and Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna - GB) were engaged in a tight battle for a place inside the top five. Struggling to overtake some of the Hobby riders ahead of him on the course, Walker saw his race lead diminish as Bolt upped his pace. With onequarter of a lap to go the Husqvarna rider took control of the race lead and charged his way into the finishing arena to take the che -
quered flag, ahead of Walker.
However, with Blazusiak challenging for the win on corrected time Bolt faced a nervous wait for the KTM rider to arrive. But Blazusiak wasn’t able to finish on the podium as Bolt secured the win and the opening victory in the 2018 World Enduro Super Series. Despite his best efforts, Blazusiak had to settle for fourth, with Jarvis rounding out the top five.
After a difficult opening lap, Webb regrouped to end his day in sixth, while Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young (South Africa)
placed seventh. Britain’s Paul Bolton (KTM) crossed the finish line as top privateer in eighth with Beta Factory Racing’s Travis Teasdale (South Africa) ninth and Spain’s Pol Tarres (Husqvarna) 10th. Adding in Yamaha mounted Blake Gutzeit (South Africa) and Gas Gas Factory Racing’s Lars Enockl (Austria) in 11th and 12th respectively, six manufacturers placed inside the top 12 at round one of WESS.
The 2018 World Enduro Super Series continues with round two at the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble in Austria on June 1-3.
COLTON HAAKER
Billy Bolt (Husqvarna - GB): “I’m so happy to win round one of WESS at Extreme XL Lagares. There were some tense times at the end when I was waiting for the results but it’s a great feeling to stand on the top step of the podium. I started third today and tried to find a comfortable pace early on. The riverbeds were incredibly slippery but I just took the course as it was and remained focused on a long race ahead of me. On the second lap I pushed on and worked the back-markers to my advantage and caught Jonny as a result.
Winning the opening round of WESS is fantastic and with just three weeks to go until round two at Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble I’m excited to keep this momentum rolling in Austria.”
Cody Webb enjoyed his first time competing at Extreme XL lagares. The American, despite having never experienced a race quite like it, put in a superb performance to finish sixth overall, earning himself 570 championship points.
Cody Webb: “I really enjoyed myself today.
CODY WEBB
It’s my first time here so I am happy with my result. On the first lap we hit the water section and I soaked myself straight away – that cost me some time. I rode with Billy for a good distance, but I made a couple of silly mistakes that took me right off the course. It was so slippery and that took me by surprise a little, I have ridden in mud before but these rivers are something else. Things clicked a little better on the second lap and I made some time up
on Graham. I have learnt so much and I know that next year when I come back I will have a better idea of when to conserve energy and when to push. As far as the championship is concerned, I am happy with where I finished –good consistent results are going to be more important than ever this year.” Results - World Enduro Super Series, Round 1,
POL TARRES
RESULTS
Extreme XL Lagares
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna - GB)
2. Jonny Walker (KTM - GB)
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM - Germany)
4. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM - Poland)
5. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna - GB)
6. Cody Webb (KTM - USA)
7. Wade Young (Sherco - RSA)
8. Paul Bolton (KTM - GB)
9. Travis Teasdale (Beta - RSA)
10. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna) - Spain;
11. Blake Gutzeit (Yamaha - RSA)
12. Lars Enockl (Gas Gas - Austria)
13. Josep Garcia (KTM - Spain)
14. Michel Bosi (Beta - Italy)
15. Diogo Vieria (Yamaha - Portugal)…
JOSH STRANG BACK ON TOP
KENDA FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO ROUND 3
AXTON, VIRGINIA
MAY 19-20, 2018
LAYNE MICHAEL
“This was a long time coming, and that’s what makes it special,” Josh Strang said from the podium after winning his first sprint enduro in two years.
To be exact, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider last won a round of the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro series on August 16, 2016, at the Rockcrusher Sprint Enduro in Young Harris, Georgia. However, the Aussie off-road star ended that long dry spell by taking the overall victory at this weekend’s Lake Sugar Tree Sprint Enduro – round three of the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series at Lake Sugar Tree Raceway near Axton, Virginia.
Not long after his 2016 victory, Strang suffered a foot injury during ISDE competition, which was a major setback for him. For just over a year now, Strang has worked hard to regained the speed that once carried him to the 2010 GNCC title.
“I feel like I’ve been getting a little faster with each race, but I got off on the wrong foot this weekend and I wasn’t sure I could recover,” said Strang. “I crashed in the first test on Saturday and lost a lot of time, so I was riding from behind right from the get-go. I just kept grinding away at it and I was able to make up some time and finish second for the day.”
On Sunday, Strang was consitently in the top three throughout the six tests and he won test five outright – a Cross test, which ruined Ryan Sipes’ undefeated status in 2018 Cross tests.
After 12 tests and two days of racing, Strang took the overall win by 17 seconds over Layne Micheal. After the race, Strang revealed that he has changed a few things with his technique.
“I’ve been working on a few things since the last race,” said Strang. “One of them was not using my rear brake as much. At the last race I think I needed five sets of rear brake pads and a complete brake line, and this weekend I didn’t even change pads. So I’m trying to stay off the brakes as much as I can and I think that made a big difference.”
With the win, Strang moved ahead of Grant Baylor and into third overall in the series standings.
Relentless rain on the days leading up to the race, and during Saturday’s event, left the Lake Sugar Tree course in less than desirable condition. However, the Full Gas track crew did a fantastic job of prepping the course and by the end of the weekend, and after the sun came out on Sunday, most of the riders agreed that the course was epic.
Layne Michael struggled with the muddy conditions on
RYAN SIPES
Saturday, but came on strong during Sunday’s event with the track tacking up. The KR4 Husqvarna rider scored two test wins on Sunday to finish just behind Strang in the runner-up slot.
“Things started off a little rough, I think I struggled with the conditions on Saturday,” said Michael, who was fifth at the end of the first day of racing. “The conditions were a lot more to my liking today. The only thing I struggled with was staying off the ground in the Cross test.”
The Enduro test was Michael’s strong suit and that’s where both of his wins came, although he was third in the final Cross test behind Steward Baylor and Ryan Sipes.
“Overall, I’m really happy with my result,” added Michael. “It’s progress for me; I’ve been struggling a little bit this year with comfort and consistency. I feel like today I was able to really find my groove.”
Ryan Sipes rounded out the podium 22 seconds behind Michael. The Rockstar/Leatt/Maxxis Husqvarna rider won five of the six Cross tests over the weekend, but struggled in the Enduro tests.
“I’m surprised to finish third considering how I rode this weekend,” said Sipes. “I had a few falls in the Enduro test, but even when I didn’t fall I was just off the pace. I’ve been traveling a lot lately and racing a lot of different kinds of races and I haven’t ridden in the woods in about a month, and it really showed when I got in the Enduro test.”
Despite the finish, Sipes still leads the overall series standings by 11 points over Steward Baylor.
Fourth overall went to Grant Baylor, who battled for the lead on Saturday, however, the Tely Eenergy KTM rider struggled to stay on two wheels on Sunday.
“I was second in the first three tests on Saturday, so I was leading the race at that point,” said Grant. “After that, things went downhill. I crashed three times in the fourth test, and over the weekend I think I crashed seven or eight times.”
Despite the crashes, Grant was just eight seconds away from a podium finish behind Sipes.
Jordan Ashburn kicked off the weekend by winning the opening test on Saturday, an Enduro test. The Beta USA rider was sitting third behind Evan Smith and Josh Strang at the end of the day. Sunday was a tough day for the Tennessee rider, however, and he settled for fifth overall at the end of two days of racing.
“It was pretty muddy when we started on Saturday and I was able to win that first test, which put me in good shape,” said Ashburn. “I felt really comfortable in that first test but it ended up being shortened because of the conditions, and I think that took away my advantage, so I was trying to make up for that in the Cross test and it just didn’t happen.”
Tely Racing KTM-backed Steward Baylor rounded out the top six, finishing 24 seconds behind Ashburn. Meanwhile, Beta USA’s Mike Witkowsi claimed his best finish of the year in seventh.
Ohio motocrosser Mario Testa was eighth overall on a borrowed KTM, while SRT Racing’s Evan Smith finished a heartbreaking ninth overall after winning Saturday’s round. Smith turned in his best performance of the season on Saturday and was in good shape to take the overall win for the weekend, when a thrown chain in test four on Sunday threw a
“That’s dirt bike racing,” Smith said after the race. “I was feeling good on Saturday and I think I just had fewer mistakes than everyone else. I felt strong and fast and I carried that momentum into Sunday’s race, but in the fourth test a rock hit the chain guide and threw the chain off and it ended up getting wrapped up in the countershaft sprocket.”
Ohio rider James Justice finished off the top 10 on a KTM.
In the Pro2 class, Braxton McGee took top honors on a Husqvarna, finishing almost a minute ahead of KTM-mounted Cole Mattison. The win was Braxton’s first in the Pro2 class.
“It feels good to win one of these things,” said McGee. “I started off with two bad tests so I was trying to push hard to overcome that. I was battling all weekend with Cole and he
wrench in the works and left him with a DNF for the test.
JORDAN ASHBURN
was better in the Cross test, but I was able to get him back in the Enduro tests. I just kept pushing and I was able to make it happen.”
KTM-mounted Billy Schlag was third in Pro2. KR4/Husqvarna/Rockstar’s Tayla Jones came out on top of a close battle with Bonanza Plumbing/Trail Jesters KTM’s Mackenzie Tricker for the win in the Women’s Pro division. Tricker finished a half-second faster than Jones during Saturday’s round, but Jones came back with a good ride on Sunday to take the overall win.
“It was very close with Mackenzie and the track was very challenging which made it a good race,” said Jones. “I was on the ground more than I wanted to but it was a good weekend.”
Jones had the edge in the Cross test, while Tricker was fastest in the Enduro test.
“We were swapping back and forth and we went into the final test separated by seven seconds,” said Tricker. “I wanted to make up the deficit so I just went out and sent up but I ended up going down and that cost me a chance.”
Brooke Cosner was third overall on a Yamaha.
The Lake Sugar Tree race also doubled as an AMA ISDE Qualifier round. Eighteen Letter of Intent (LoI) riders signed up to try and qualify for this year’s ISDE in Chile.
James King of Hot Springs, Arkansas won the LoI class with an 11th overall finish. The Honda rider also won the Lites A division.
“I had a lot of back-and-forth racing all weekend with Tyler Vore,” said King. “I had one bad test on Saturday that I had to come back from but Sunday went pretty well. I tend to do better in bad conditions so Saturday my times were better, but I was able to go 1-1 in the LoI class for the weekend.”
This was King’s first time to attempt to qualify for ISDE.
Cody Pingley won the Open A class over Luke Ross. Meanwhile, Sam Forrester beat out Amel Advokaat for top honors in the Vet A 30+ class.
OVERALL RESULTS
1. Josh Strang (Hsq)
2. Layne Michael (Hsq)
3. Ryan Sipes (Hsq)
4. Grant Baylor (KTM)
5. Jordan Ashburn (Bet)
6. Steward Baylor (KTM)
7. Mike Witkowski (Bet)
8. Mario Testa (KTM)
9. Evan Smith (Hsq)
10. James Justice (KTM)
2018 US MOTOTRIALS
April 21-22
April 28-29
June 9-10
June 16-17
Sept 1-2
Roswell, New Mexico
Salida, Colorado
Sequatchie, Tennessee
Uniontown, Arkansas
Donner, California
2018 FIM TRIAL GP
May 19-20 Caprodon, Spain
June 1-3
June 16-17
Motegi, Japan
Sant Julia, Andorra
June 23-24 Gouveia, Portugal
July 14-15
July 21-22
Sept 1-2
Sept 15-16
Auron, France
Comblain-au-Pont, Belgium
Silsden, Great Britan
Arco di Trento, Italy
2018 TRIAL DES NATIONS
Sept 22-23
Sokolov, Czech Republic
2018 AMA NATIONAL ENDURO SERIES
Feb 4
March 4
April 15
Sumter, South Carolina
Forest Hill, Louisiana
Lynnville, Indiana
May 6 Arrington, Virginia
June 3
July 22
Aug 26
Sept 9
Greensboro, Georgia
Cross Fork, Pennsylvania
Chandlersville, Ohio
Marquette, Michigan
Sept 23 Matthews, Indiana
Nov 4 Stanton, Alabama
2018 WORLD SUPER ENDURO
Jan 6
Riesa, Germany
Feb 17 Malaga, Spain
March 3
March 31
Bilbao, Spain
Lidkowpin,
2018 FIM WORLD ENDURO
March 17-18
April 29-30
Helsinki, Finland
Santiago, May 5-6 Castelo Bronco,
June 3-4 Tallin, Estonia
June 30
Arco di Trento, July TBA TBA, France
Sept 2-3 Edolo, Italy
Sept 23-24 ` Hawkstone
Oct 14-15 Woltersdorf,
2018 FIM WORLD ENDURO
May 11-13
May 31 – June 3
July 24-28
Portugal -
Austria - Erzberg
June 8-10 France - Trefle
Romania -
Sept (TBA) Poland - Red October 26-27 SwedenNovember 10 The Netherlands
2018 INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS
November 12-17
2018 WORCS
Feb 2-4
Vina-del-Mar,
Las Vegas, Feb 22-25
Peoria, Arizona
March 23-25 Lake Havasu, April 20-22 Hurricane, May 25-27 Cedar City, Sept 14-15
Devore, California
Oct 19-21 Adelanto, Nov 9-11 Primm, Nevada
Spain
Lidkowpin, Sweden
CHAMPIONSHIP
Finland
Spain
Bronco, Portugal
Estonia
Trento, Italy
France
Italy
Hawkstone Park, England
Woltersdorf, Germany
SUPER SERIES
- Extreme XL Lagares
Erzberg
Trefle Lozerien AMV
- Red Bull Romaniacs
Red Bull 111 Megawatt
Gotland Grand National
Netherlands - Red Bull Knock Out
DAYS ENDURO
Vina-del-Mar, Chile
Vegas, Nevada
Arizona
Havasu, Arizona
Hurricane, Utah
City, Utah
California
California
Nevada
2018 TRIALS INC.
April 7-8
April 28-29
May 19-20
July 21-22
Aug 18-19
Sept 1-2
Sept 15-16
Sept 29-30
Oct 13-14
Oct 27-28
Nov 10-11
Tippecanoe, Ohio
Garrettsville, Ohio
Sidell, Illinois
North Benton, Ohio
Toronto, Ohio
Newark, Ohio
Bloomington, Indiana
Bedford, Kentucky
Little Hocking, Ohio
S. Bloomingville, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio (Banquet)
2018 STRA TRIALS
March 3-4
March 10-11
March 24-25
April 7-8
May 19-20
June 9-10
Oct 13-14
Oct 27-28
Nov 10-11
Blairsville, Georgia
Ocala, Florida
Sequatchie, Tennessee (Training)
Maryville, Tennessee
Lenoir City, Tennessee
Sequatchie, Tennessee (National)
Cornelia, Georgia
Sequatchie, Tennessee (58K)
Ringgold, Georgia
2018 RMTA TRIALS
March 4
Stock Ranch (Tune up Trial)
May 20 Montevista
June 2/3
Nonami Ranch
July 1 Cledgehammer Gultch
July 21/22 Hartman Rocks
Aug 18/19
Sept 16
Sept 30
Oct 14
Rainbow trail ( Ute Cub)
Valcano gultch
Pilot Peak South
Tucker’s Ranch