The Big Picture
AND GAM YOUTH MOVEMENT
Stephanie Vetterly covered the East Coast Youth and Women’s Championship for us. The youth program is responsible for the talented class of pro riders currently competing.
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE VETTERLY
The Big Picture
AND
GAM
READY, SET, GO!
The Hixpania Hard Enduro gets underway in Spain. Rockstar energy Husqvanra’s Graham Jarvis won the three-day event ahead of Manuel Lettenbichler and Mario Roman. PHOTOS COURTESY REDBULLCONTENT
The Big Picture
AND GAM MADDIE HOOVER
For the past two years, US Women’s Pro Champion Maddie Hoover has been competing in the FIM TrialGP series. Most recently, Maddie was 9th in TrialGPWomen’s class in France.
PHOTO COURTESY FIM/PEP SEGALES
The Big Picture
AND GAM ROCKET MAN
Vertigo factory rider Jorge Casales flies up a ledge with a beautiful Auron ski resort in the background at the French TrialGP where Toni Bou clinched a 13th outdoor world title.
PHOTO COURTESY FIM/PEP SEGALES
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:
RACE EDITION
BETA’S COMPLETE RANGE OF OFF ROAD 4-STROKE RACE EDITIONS
BETA
Enduro Alaska • Wasilla, AK • 907-350-6584
& TRIALS DEALERS
S&T Cycles • North Clanton, AL • 205-755-1001
Al’s Cycle Center • North Little Rock, AR • 501-758-4800
Dirt Riders West • Scottsdale, AZ • 800-467-0604
Happy Trails Cycles• Bouse, AZ • 307-690-9493
Manic Moto • Queen Creek, AZ • 480-783-3243
On Any Moto • Tucson, AZ • 520-269-6606
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
Coyne Powersports • El Centro, CA • 760-353-2110
Douglas Motorcycles • San Bernardino • CA • 909-884-4776
Honda Kawasaki Beta of Modesto • Modesto, CA • 209-529-5424
Jetworld Powersports • Castaic, CA • 661-294-0072
KC Power sports • San Juan Capistrano, CA • 949-942-9854
Moore & Sons • Santa Cruz, CA • 831-475-3619
MotoXotica • Vacaville, CA • 707-446-4282
Mountain Motorsports • Ontario, CA • 909-988-8988
Simi Valley Cycles • Simi Valley, CA • 805-522-3434
Uptite Husky • Santa Ana, CA • 714-540-2920
Lewisport USA • Copperopolis, CA • 209-678-5779
Tec-Cycles • Riverside, CA • 909-224-3375 Balance Trial Supply • Arvada, CO • 720-207-7715
Apex Sports • Colorado Springs, CO • 719-475-2437
Extreme Power Sports • Steamboat, CO • 970-879-9175
Grand Mesa Motorsports • Delta, CO • 970-874-8621
Handlebar Motorsports • Durango, CO • 970-247-0845
MotoAdventure • Loveland, CO • 970-669-5377
Spirit Lake Motorsports • Grand Lake, CO • 970-627-9288
Timberline Motorsports • Buena Vista, CO • 719-395-4272
Level 10 Performance Motorsports • Ormond Beach, FL • 386-944-9160
Priotrity 1 Powersports • Fort Pierce, FL •772-448-8555
Tiki Cycles Unlimited • Mililani, HI • 808-486-8454
Cycle Tech • Fremont, IA • 641-632-8201
DR Powersports • Waterloo, IA • 319-235-6453 ext5
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
Revolution Motorsports • Moscow, ID • 208-883-7800
Sandpoint Marine & Motorsports • Ponderay, ID • 208-263-1535
Braaap Shop • Mendota, IL • 815-538-6686
Integ Motorsports • East Peoria, IL • 309-699-3929
Fatty’s Cycle • Fortville, IN • 317-485-6200
The Cycle Shed • Vernon, IN • 812-346-8620
Trial Store USA • Bradenton, FL • 941-404-0757
Aloha Trials Shop • Kapaa, HI • 808-822-2706
Northwest Cycle Center • McHenry, IL • 815-344-7780
•207-783-7349
989-635-5500
Bucher Sales • Rock, KS • 620-986-5666
On The Pegs Vol. 4 Issue 8 - August 2019
Poet Motorcycles
• Helena, MT • 406-457-8230
Big Toy Superstore • Winston Salem, NC • 336-768-3433
Brewer Cycles • Henderson, NC • 252-492-8553
Redline Motorsports • Bismarck, ND • 701-426-0083
Johnny’s Cycle • Nebraska City, NE • 402-873-6913
Smart Auto Sales • Omaha, NE • 402-715-4647
Naults Powersports • Manchester, NH • 603-669-7220
Town & Country Cycle Center • Hamburg, NJ • 973-875-2111
Trapani Race Setups • Waretown, NJ • 609-693-3773
Champion Motorsports • Roswell, NM • 575-624-0151
DT Motorsports • Alamogordo, NM • 575-434-0454
S Squared Motorsports • Albuquerque, NM • 505-839-0505
Sun Country Powersports • Farmington, NM • 505-325-4195
Sierra BMW Motorcycle • Sparks, NV • 775-355-0655
Sportsman Cycle • Las Vegas, NV • 702-641-6401
3 Seas Recreation • Mayville, NY • 716-753-2628
Barnstormers Off Road • Whitehall, NY • 518-769-1058
Powerline Cycles • Mahopac, NY • 845-528-3401
Steve’s Custom Cycle • Lockport, NY • 716-625-4372
Beaver Creek Cycle • Lisbon, OH • 330-386-7353
Championship Powersports • Wauseon, OH • 419-335-8600
KRW Cycles • Dayton, OH • 937-477-0522
Competition Wheels & Cycles • Concord, NC • 704-906-3238
Trialdog Motorsports • Albuquerque, NM • 505-730-5614
The Tryals Shop • Locke, NY • 315-497-2904
RL Racing • Collinsville, OK • 918-519-6505
Pony Powersports • Westerville, OH • 614-212-7888
Staud Cycles• Fairfield, OH • 513-604-2391
Airhead Sales & Service • Klamath Falls, OR • 541-882-3572
Beaverton Motorcycles • Tigard, OR • 503-718-6670
Dan’s Motorsports Outlet • Salem, OR • 503-385-8108
Bromley Motorcycle • Trevose, PA • 215-357-1534
Bromley Motorsports • Stevensville, PA • 215-450-5487
Ephrata Cycle & Sports • Ephrata, PA • 717-738-1184
First Bike Motorsports • Butler, PA • 724-287-3052
Kissell Motorsports • Tyrone, PA • 814-861-7890
RyanCo Cycle Works • Bloomsburg, PA • 570-437-4034
South Mtn Cycle Shop • Dillsburg, PA • 717-432-4997
San Juan Motorsports • San Juan, PR • 787-399-6866
Upstate Cycle • Greenville , SC • 864-232-7223
Outdoor Motorsports • Spearfish, SD • 605-642-7731
Rosco’s Motorcycle & ATV • Rapid City, SD • 605-348-3946
Adventure Offroad • Leoma, TN • 931-852-5445
Garry Griffith Cycle • Chattanooga, TN • 423-867-0423
GDM Motorsports • Murfreesboro, TN • 615-907-7212
Knox Enduro • Knoxville, TN • 865-308-0330
D Squared Trials & Trails • Amarillo, TX • 806-576-0271
Diehl’s Beta Sales • Danville, PA • 570-437-2487
Moto-Skills •Rogersville, TN • 602-999-5395
Rising Sun Cycles • Harriman, TN • 865-590-1363
Mototrialsport • Midlothian, TX • 972-754-9686
380 Motorsports • Decatur, TX • 817-752-8456
Big Country Motorsports • Magnolia, TX • 281-356-2506
Fun Motors of Longview • Longview, TX • 903-663-9100
Moto El Paso • El Paso, TX • 915-566-6666
Cutler’s Inc. • Orem, UT • 801-224-5005
Offroad Specialists • Fillmore, UT • 435-743-4180
Ridgeline Motorsports • Vernal, UT • 435-789-7433
Steadmans Recreation • Tooele, UT • 435-882-3344
Sunny Offroad • Perry, UT • 801-430-1101
Allsport Cycles • Roanoke, VA • 540-772-2500
Commonwealth Motorsports • Hayes, VA • 804-642-2200
Early’s Cycle Center • Harrisonburg, VA • 540-433-2585
Motor Bikes • Bellevue, WA • 425-603-9000 Smitty’s Outdoor Power & Cycle • Yakima, WA • 509-453-9966 Xtreme Powersports • Okanogan, WA • 509-826-5771
Motorcycle • Neenah, WI • 920-722-0700
Offroad • Lanes, WV • 304-932-0437
of Henderson • Henderson, WV • 304-675-5111
DSD Kawasaki Motorcycle & Rv Sales • Parkersburg, WV • 304-861-0449
Elkins Motorsports • Elkins, WV • 304-636-7732
Alpine Motorsports • Casper, WY • 307-234-4944 Raw Power Motorsports • Thayne, WY • 307-883-3278
Explore every road and trail this summer with a Husqvarna Motorcycles dual-sport. For a limited time only, receive special financing on select dual-sport models. To locate a dealer near you, visit Husqvarna-Motorcycles.com. See website or authorized dealer for program details.
shan@tandenews.com
THE LOOP
News and Culture From The World Of Trials, Offroad and Extreme Racing
2019 US Trial des Nations Team Announced Eight of America’s Best Representing the USA in Spain
Eight of the nation’s best trials riders, including 11-time AMA/MotoTrials National Champion Pat Smage, have been selected to represent the United States at the 2019 FIM Trial des Nations, which takes place Sept. 28-29 in Ibiza, Spain.
The 2019 U.S. men’s team includes Smage (Sherco), Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (GasGas) and Joshua Roper (Sherco). Alex Myers (Scorpa) is the alternate rider. The U.S. women’s team features riders Madeleine Hoover (GasGas) and Louise Forsley (Scorpa). Kylee Sweeten (Sherco) is the team’s alternate rider.
The event is sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, and the U.S. teams are organized by the AMA and the North American Trials Council.
“The AMA looks forward to great results from both teams at this year’s running of the Trials Des Nations,” AMA Racing Assistant Manager Mike Jolly said. “We have a very strong men’s team this year, led by international competition veterans Pat Smage and Daniel Blanc-Gonnet.
“Our women’s team keeps getting stronger every year, and we’re happy to have Madeleine, with her experience on the world stage, competing on the team,” Jolly said. “We’re also happy to welcome back Louise after a five-year hiatus, while she worked as a stunt rider for Marvel Universe live shows.”
The sport of trials involves riders navigating their motorcycles over seemingly impossible terrain.
The FIM Trial des Nations began in Europe in 1983 as a way to bring the best trials riders from each country together to compete as teams. It has evolved into one of the most anticipated motorcycle events of the year. Each competing country fields two teams: a men’s and women’s team, each consisting of three riders. n
The Death of Marland Whaley
Last week US Trials legend Marland Whaley passed away suddenly from what appears to have been a heart attack. Marland was 60 years old and in peak physical condition. The news has left the trials world in Europe and America, stunned.
Whaley was the most dominant trials rider in the Golden Age of US trials the 1970’s. A factory rider for both Montesa and Honda he won 5 AMA National Championships: 1975,76,77, 79 and 1980. A native of Santee, California, Marland quickly rose through the highly competitive ranks of Southern California trials. At a time when 8 of the top 10 in the Nation were from California, Marland and rival Bernie Schreiber battled every weekend and pushed each other to the top. According to 1979 World Champion Schreiber “ Marland could have been World Champion if he had stayed in Europe.”
In the early 1990’s Marland moved to Montana where he pursued his passion for the outdoors becoming an avid bow hunter, snowboarder and
mountain biker. It was mountain biking where we saw his brilliance shine again. He became the Masters (55+) Champion of the National Ultra Endurance mountain bike championship. These races required ultimate fitness. Nine hours in long and 100 mile distances with elevation changes of 10 to 16,000 ft.
Supremely talented, focused and driven were what made him great, but he was also the best and most fun teammate any one could hope for. In an era where long loops and tight time limits were the norm, he was wicked fast, no one was faster on single track than Marland. I am so glad that were re-connected about 5 years ago, we would spend hours on the phone reliving the glory days. Talking about our families and how lucky we were to have had the opportunities we had. It was like we were 18 again. For those of us that knew and loved him, we will be telling “Marland stories” for the rest of our lives.
Marland is survived by his wife Dawn, daughters Kendra and and Kiah and four grand children. n
YOUNG WINS BAD MEDICINE HARD ENDURO
PHOTOS BY PATSY DAVIS
Round three of the AMA American Hard Enduro Series took place at Wildwood Lake Raceway in Little Hocking, Ohio, where Sherco factory rider Wade Young win the Bad Medicine Hard Enduro.
Hot off the win at the Tough Like RORR Extreme Race in Pennsylvania two weeks before, Young picked up where he left off by taking a dominating win in extremely hot and humid conditions at the Ohio event over Tely Energy Racing’s Liam Draper, who was riding his first hard enduro. Former Pro Trials rider Quinn Wentzel used his “feet up” skills to round out the podium in third.
FMF/KTM’s XC2 GNCC ace Ben Kelley settled for fourth ahead of fomer National Enduro winner Nick Fahringer.
The AMA American Hard Enduro Series resumes on August 3-4 for the Battle of the Goats at Brushy Moutian in North Carolina.
RESULTS
1. Wade Young (Shr)
2. Liam Draper (KTM)
3. Quinn Wentzel (Shr)
4. Ben Kelley (KTM)
5 Nick Fahringer (Shr)
ABOVE: WADE YOUNG HAS TWO WINS AND AS SECOND SO FAR IN THE AMA AMERICAN HARD ENDURO SERIES.
LEFT: LIAM DRAPER MADE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE SERIES PAY OFF WITH A SECOND.
BELOW: JACKSON DAVIS WAS 11TH OVERALL ON A KTM.
BACK IN ACTION
LOUISE FORSELY RETURNS TO THE NATC/AMA US MOTOTRIALS
SERIES AFTER A FIVE-YEAR HIATUS
Check out Part One of a mini-series documentary that follows Moto Trial legend Louise Forsley during her return to MotoTrials in 2019 after a five-year hiatus touring the world with the Marvel Universe Live production. The video series was produced by Bryanna and Brittany Marcotte at Studio 55 Media House (www.marcottestudio55.com). The two film makers attended every round in 2019 accumulating footage of the series.
KTM Announces Ride Orange Moto Tour
KTM North America, Inc. is pleased to announce the schedule dates and locations for this year’s KTM Ride Orange Moto Tour, where riders have the chance to demo KTM’s model year 2020 offroad products prior to purchase. The 2019 schedule kicks off this Saturday, July 27, in conjunction with the Rattlesnake National Enduro and continues with stops at many of the nation’s premier motocross and offroad facilities.
The KTM Moto Tour provides an exciting opportunity for riders to experience first-hand the defining attributes of KTM’s READY TO RACE philosophy. Additionally, participants will receive a VIP voucher – good for up to $500 MSRP (Excluding Tax) in KTM PowerWear, KTM PowerParts and/or KTM SpareParts –when you purchase a non-current (2019 or prior) 125cc+ offroad motorcycle.
KTM will have the entire full-sized range of 2020 models available throughout the summer. For a list of KTM Moto Tour locations and to connect with your local participating dealer, please visit www.ktm.com or email events@ktmusa. com. Follow KTM USA on all social media platforms for the most up-to-date information on events.
SMAGE RIDING TECHNIQUE PAT
FOR THE NEXT YEAR, TEN-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!
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
DeCal Works Stars and Stripes Graphics Kit
Max Sug. Retail: $199.95 to $269.90
Website: www.decalmx.com
Contact: (815) 784-4000
DeCal Works, the original and still #1 Graphic and Number company, proudly introduces the all-new Stars and Stripes design, available in both Ready Made and Semi Custom Graphics Kit. This customizable kit gives any rider patriotic pride year-round and is sure to turn heads at the track.
The Stars and Stripes Graphics Kits come with graphics for Rad Covers, Rear Fender, Lower Fork Guards, Swing Arm, Front Fender, Arched Front Fender DeCals and Number Plate DeCals. The DeCal Works website enables riders the Freedom and the Liberty to customize their own unique design and colors using the Interactive Design Studio.
Lower Seat Kit For Beta 125 RR-S and X-Trainer
Max Sug. Retail: $400 extra
Website: www.betausa.com
Beta USA is now offering two of their most popular models to be ordered with a lower seat height. The 125 RR-S and Xtrainer are now available to order at all USA Beta dealers with the optional 2” lowering kit installed. The standard height models are still available as well.
The bikes retail for $400.00 more than the standard model and are now in stock for delivery to all Beta USA dealers.
on the pegs
2020 Beta RR & RRS
Four 2-Strokes and 4 Four-Strokes
Beta recently launched its 2020 RR and RR-S models. These models are all new and represents a new generation for the RR and RR-S range.
The 2020 range includes 8 different engine sizes: four 2-stroke (RR 125/200/250/300 cc) and four 4-stroke (RR-S 350/390/430/500 cc) engines that offer Beta customers an extremely wide selection of bikes to take on their next adventure.
Major advances have been made by the Beta team of engineers these past twelve months including introducing a completely new engine design to the 4-stroke range, added smoothness to the 2 stroke engine, and an all new frame that boasts completely redesigned geometry and rigidity. The popular 200 RR Model returns as well for 2020.
Besides the all-new engines and frames, the sub-frame, tail section, seat, fuel tank, and bodywork, many other new details are also coming together to provide the best looking and most friendly cockpit layout on the market.
Also new for 2020 is the ability for customers to order any RR or RR-S model straight from the factory with a 2” lower seat height over the stock models. These “lowboy” models have parts installed inside the front fork and rear shock to lower the seat height.
Beta USA’s popular BYOB (Build Your Own Beta) program will continue for 2020. This program allows riders to custom build his or her new Beta to fit their special needs by allowing the addition of more than 400 accessories to their bike.
2020 NEW FEATURES
ENGINE
4-stroke RR-S (350/390/430/500 cc):
• A complete redesign, with the aim of reducing the weight and bulk of moving parts, achieved by raising the clutch and moving the crankshaft back. Moving the center of gravity closer to the swingarm pivot makes for significantly better handling. An overall weight reduction of 2.2 lbs.
• A redesigned magnesium clutch cover, redeveloped to improve the oil flow into the clutch assembly more efficiently.
• Magnesium flywheel cover, redesignedin-line with the rest of the engine, now with a more functional and modern look.
• New water pump system that improves flow-rate and therefore the efficiency of the cooling system’s ability to transfer heat, keeping average temperatures lower, improving performance, and providing a more simplified cooling hose system.
• Cylinder and head redesigned matched with the updated cooling system to lower engine temperatures.
• Twin Injectors improve performance and increase fuel mileage.
• Oil circuit redesigned to provide better heat transfer between oil and water in the front section of the crankcase in order to keep the oil temperature lower.
• Clutch with redesigned discs in a new material to ensure smoother and more modular gear shifting.
• Redesigned gearing, now shorter and lighter.
• New gearshift mechanism with lighter cam to improve shifting.
• Gearshift lever redesigned in line with the new engine and frame layout.
• Addition of a neutral sensor.
• Updated EFI mapping.
2020 Beta RR-S (Street Legal Off Road)
2-stroke (250/300 cc):
• Now with a counter-balancer to reduce vibration by increasing inertia and improving the power delivery curve. The counter-balancer improves the power delivery throughout the rpm range.
• Cylinder head redesigned (250 cc only) to improve torque at low rpm.
2020 125 RR
2-stroke (125 cc):
• New cylinder with modified exhaust port and diameters.
• New exhaust flange.
• New exhaust valve system and new boosters.
• New clutch cover with airpurging system operated by the modified clutch mechanism; modified oil inlet cap position to improve oil change time.
• New exhaust valve drive, opens at a different rate to improve power delivery.
• New expansion chamber provides broader power delivery.
• These modifications to the 125 RR (derived straight from the 2019 Racing model) provide added torque at low rpm while greater power at the high revs, for increased performance across the entire power curve while at the same time, provides a bike that is easier to ride.
CHASIS (All RR and RR-S Models)
• All-New frame with redesigned geometry and rigidity for increased agility and stability. Weight is reduced and reliability boosted with the use of precisioncast components, while comfort is improved and vibration reduced thanks to
new head bolts. The frame is also narrower at the base which improves handling over difficult sections and typical off-road tracks.
• Modified swingarm, now longer for the 4-stroke range and the 200 cc 2-stroke model, for better stability and traction.
• Completely redesigned tailpiece, greater strength to reduce breakage during off road riding, all filter box components and related accessories are now housed inside it (electrical components and oil reservoir for 2-strokes).
• New air filter boot.
• Air Filter mounting system, providing quicker and more accurate installation.
• Improved fork design compared to previous version, with new inner cartridge to lower the center of gravity providing the perfect level of plushness while also improving the action of square-edge impacts. Internal valving has been updated to work in-line with the new frame design.
• New rear shock absorber with:
• New top-out system, now a spring to improve grip and contact with the ground during hard braking.
• New longer shock bumper with more progressive compression. This ensures good protection of the buffer and improves bottoming resistance.
• New valving, to work in-line with the new frame.
• Cooling system with water hoses placed inside the frame and more efficient radiators. This improves heat transfer and allows engines to operate at lower temperatures even in the most extreme conditions.
• Larger capacity fuel tanks, of 2.4 US gallons for 4-strokes and 2.55 US gallons for 2-strokes. Besides providing greater range, the new fuel tanks improve ergonomics and ease-of-movement in the seat.
• Wider handlebars for greater control.
• Exhaust with new layout in line with the bike’s new rear section.
• Side stand with bigger foot pad.
• New precision-cast footpegs that are better at shedding mud and teeth to increase boot grip.
• New chain guide, longer to suit new swingarm.
• New brake pedal, more robust and with larger bearings.
• Shorter 430/480 cc gearing compared to previous models.
For more information, go to: www.betausa.com
2020 GAS GAS
A BOND BETWEEN BIKE AND ATHLETE
The new TXT RACING 2020 is a direct result of rigorous testing in the most demanding test bed of all: the TrialGP World Championship. The new TXT RACING 2020 accumulates the experience of years of evolution, the careful balance of adjustments that have been giving shape and temper to our flagship bike. The control provided by the clutch controls and the evolution of the brakes for the specific practice of the Trial sport. The suspensions and damping system have been tuned after every evolution, however small, in order to domesticate the power that our engine can deliver to the rider.
Racing design, symbol of identity.
The new TXT RACING 2020 goes back to a purely Racing style, dominated by the red color that defines the brand. A minimalist look that transgresses the lines to which we are used to, applying large masses of color. A motorbike of attractive and passionate appearance aligned with the heart of the machine, with the GASGAS DNA.
Frame and Suspension, our personality.
The new center of gravity arrangement stands out, allowing greater traction in the rear train. The well-known and proven two-way Öhlins shock absorber is accompanied by a link that achieves the perfect stability to control the increase in torque transmission of the rear wheel to the ground, even in the most challenging situations.
The rear assembly also shows improvements in the swingarm, in close teamwork with the manufacturer of extensive experience with parts of this type. After a meticulous work of analysis and optimization, we have maintained its lightness while increasing its already proven resistance.
The relocation of the center of gravity has also allowed us to improve the front end, undoubtedly the most agile, reactive and accurate among all trial bikes on the market. Its stability has increased thanks to the careful tuning of both the suspension and the set of components, such as, for example, the new suspension bridge that provides a better anchorage point of rigidity and precision.
We take safety very seriously, as well as all the recommendations by the FIM (International Motorcycling Federation). Thus, we constantly update our models and incorporate the necessary components in accordance with the latest FIM regulation so that our users can compete in accordance of the latest regulatory provi-
sions. In this line, the new TXT RACING 2020 incorporates a new chain sprocket protector that protects the hands and fingers of the minder preventing them from being caught between the chain and the sprocket.
The engine, our DNA.
We must also highlight our well-known 2T engine, born by and for the practice of trial. The evolution of our genuine kevlar discs clutch system incorporates a new spring and variable preload that offers the possibility of adjusting the tension of the clutch to the driver’s preferences. The new clutch disc cover not only gives it a renewed look, but also allows direct access to this crucial component in the trial engine.
When driving at reduced engine speed, the sensitivity of the throttle has been significantly improved, by changing the distribution and density of the fiber at the end of the exhaust, improving on top the characteristic sound of the TXT as well.
Our R+D department have redefined and optimized the internal measures of this unit to obtain the smoothness and lightness required by the intense practice of the sport of trial. A freer crankshaft has been profiled so that the engine pushes upwards even on the most difficult steps, fitting perfectly to the most specialized techniques for the practice of this discipline. 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
JARVIS WINS HIXPANIA
HIXPANIA HARD ENDURO
WORLD ENDURO SUPER SERIES
ROUND 4
AGUILAR DE CAMPOO, SPAIN
JUNE 21-23, 2019
HIXPANIA HARD ENDURO
Claiming his second win in the 2019 World Enduro Super Series, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Graham Jarvis has topped the Hixpania Hard Enduro in Spain. Battling his way to a well-deserved overall victory in the three-day event, Jarvis also moves to the top of the championship standings heading in to the second half of the season. Giving Jarvis a fight for the topspot throughout the event, Alfredo Gomez won the opening two days to finally place as the overall runner-up. Completing a strong team performance, Billy Bolt enjoyed a positive performance to claim fourth.
After his winning result in round three at Erzbergrodeo, Jarvis headed to the fourth stop of WESS confident of adding to his win tally. Last topping the race in 2017, he arrived in confident spirits, but with teammate Gomez also a previous winner knew he would have to give his all in order to challenge for the win.
Staged over three days, racing began on Friday with the SuperEncierro Prologue in Aguilar de Campoo’s town square, followed by Saturday’s Campoo X-Treme cross-country and concluding with Sunday’s feature race the Lost Roads hard enduro.
From the off Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing set the pace with Gomez securing a solid victory in Friday’s prologue. Determined to put in a good showing in front of his home crowd, Gomez didn’t disappoint. Joined on the podium by teammate Bolt, it was immediately clear the fight for victory
would be closely contested.
Faced with a challenging 50-kilometre cross-country loop, that was ridden three times, Saturday’s Campoo X-Treme saw the Husqvarna trio take command of proceedings. Gomez and Jarvis led for the majority of the outing, with Bolt always within striking distance. Pushing a little harder, Gomez was able to break away from Jarvis in the closing stages to record his second win of the event and take a six-point lead over his teammates, headed into Sunday’s Lost Roads race.
In determined mood, Jarvis was immediately up to speed, working the incredibly technical sections of the course to his advantage. Moving up to the head of the field, he battled back and forth with eventual race winner Mario Roman. A mistake on the penultimate climb while leading meant Jarvis dropped a place, but in crossing the line in second he secured the overall Hixpania Hard Enduro victory, and with it moved to the top of the WESS standings.
Hopes of a home win for Gomez were dashed on the final day, despite dominating the majority of the event. Making energysapping mistakes early on, Gomez never quite settled into a fast rhythm. Finishing fifth on Sunday, he ended the event as runner-up.
For Bolt, the weekend was a huge confidence boost as he begins to regain his form following a serious off-season leg injury. Runner-up in Friday’s prologue, he then backed that up with an impressive third on Saturday. With an overall podium result with-
in his grasp, the defending WESS champion pushed hard but wasn’t quite able to make his way inside the top three. Finishing fourth, he signed off on Hixpania Hard Enduro in a hard-fought fourth overall.
DAY 1 - SuperEncierro Friday
1. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna - ESP) 20 laps, 11:26.598; 2. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna - GB) 11:48.953; 3. Jonny Walker (KTM - GB) 19 laps, 11:37.596; 4. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTMGER) 11:46.913; 5. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna - ESP) 11:59.753; 6. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna - GB) 18 laps, 11:55.954; 7. Mario Roman (ShercoESP) 17 laps, 11:39.032; 8. Josep Garcia (KTMESP) 11:44.124; 9. Travis Teasdale 16 laps, (KTM - RSA) 11:35.744; 10. Xavier Leon (Husqvarna - ESP) 11:39.676
DAY 2 - Campoo X-Treme
1. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna - ESP)
4:40:48.790; 2. Graham Jarvis (HusqvarnaGB) 4:41.14.980; 3. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna - GB)
4:43:34.070; 4. Mario Roman (Sherco - ESP)
4:45:31.614; 5. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTMGER) 4:49:34.667; 6. Jonny Walker (KTM - GB)
4:59:04.432; 7. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM - POL)
5:00:38.306; 8. Josep Garcia (KTM - ESP)
5:02:26.673; 9. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna - ESP)
5:10:52.436; 10. 26. David Cyprian (KTM - CZ)
5:29:01.991
Day 3 - Mitas Lost Roads
1. Mario Roman (Sherco - ESP) 11 laps, 2:48:45.335; 2. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna - GB)
COMPETITORS RACE ON TO GET THIER BIKES IN A
2:50:12.484; 3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTMGER) 2:51:50.081; 4. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna - GB) 2:54:49.879; 5. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna - ESP) 2:57:57.720; 6. Taddy Blazusiak (KTMPOL) 3:05:37.421; 7. Jonny Walker (KTM - GB) 3:11:17.212; 8. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna - ESP) 8 laps, 2:57:38.224; 9. Xavi Leon (Husqvarna - ESP) 2:59:02.441; 10. Travis Teasdale (KTMRSA) 7 laps, 2:43:34.967
Hixpania Hard Enduro Overall
1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna - ESP) 44pts; 2. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna - ESP) 44 pts; 3. Mario Roman (Sherco - ESP) 43pts; 4. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna - GB) 40pts; 5. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM - GER) 36pts; 6. Jonny Walker (KTM - GB) 30pts; 7. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM - POL) 29pts; 8. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna - ESP) 25pts; 9. Josep Garcia (KTM - ESP) 21pts; 10. Xavier Leon (Husqvarna - ESP) 19pts…
WESS Championship Standings (After Round 4 of 8)
1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna - GB) 2690pts; 2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM - GER) 2570pts; 3. Mario Roman (Sherco - ESP) 2540; 4. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna - ESP) 2314; 5. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna - GB) 2155; 6. Josep Garcia (KTM - ESP) 2125pts; 7. Jonny Walker (KTM - GB) 2090pts; 8. Taddy Blazusiak (KTMPOL) 1900pts; 9. Nathan Watson (KTM - GB) 1631pts; 10. Travis Teasdale (KTM - RSA) 1610pts. n
GRAHAM JARVIS
Hixpania winner Graham Jarvis talks about winning the event:
“What an event. It’s crazy to think I’m leading the WESS championship now. It was a tough race today and I was still tired from yesterday. It was fast but there were still some technical bits. I think everyone was really feeling it, I know I was on the limit today. I never had plans to win the WESS series this year – I just wanted to concentrate on the hard enduros. I guess this changes things. I’m not going to get too excited just yet though, my plan is to take each race as it comes. Romaniacs is going to be the game changer – hopefully I can at least finish it this year and then we’ll see how things are looking.”
ALFREDO GOMEZ
Alfredo Gomez won the Campoo de Extreme on Day 2 and finished second overall:
“I tried to push as hard as I could today, but just ran out of strength in the last half of the race – no power at all. All I could do was to keep on going, try not to crash and stay on the bike. It was great fun racing out there with all the home fans cheering. I’m sorry I couldn’t bring home the win for them and the team and get the overall win. I am happy with how the race has gone and I gave it my all. Congratulations to Graham, he did it again.”
MANUEL LETTENBICHLER
Manuel Lettenbichler, fifth at Hixpania, talks about working to get faster:
“I think what I improved on the most last year was my overall speed. I had the technical skills but lacked pace on the fast stuff. I didn’t race SuperEnduro during the last winter, so that I could work on that. Following my results at Trèfle Lozérien AMV I feel that I’ve stepped things up. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do at Hawkstone Park Cross-Country and the BR2 Enduro Solsona later in the year. Overall, I feel like I’ve got faster too and moved another step forward with my riding. That’s basically all I’m trying to do at the moment - improve little by little and the results will come. I want to win too, but I don’t think you can rush it either. That’s how you make mistakes. But I know I’ll get there because I don’t want to be the guy leading the championship and not winning races!”
EX MARKS THE SPORT: AMA
Tod Hammock Talks Fixes and Future Plans for
AMA ENDUROCROSS
Racers can have good years and bad years, and often it’s something behind the scenes that determines which. The same can be true of race series; and EnduroCross has recently had a few tough years. It had been owned by The Enthusiast Network, but without an off-road group running the operation, the series was not a priority. It nearly went under until Bonnier Corp took the reins for the 2017 and 2018 seasons; it revitalized interest and attendance, but that company had its own problems and in late 2018, after the series had wrapped up, Bonnier sold the series to WHR, a promoter in Kent, Washington that held its own monster truck, supermoto and arenacross events. Riders, teams and fans were curious how they’d run with the EnduroCross series. Unfortunately, they lost the momentum before even a schedule had been made, and once again it looked like the series was going away.
But the man who brought EnduroCross to America, Eric Peronnard, hadn’t given up on the sport’s potential – it just needed to be in the right hands. With this in mind, and a plan to pull the 2019 season out of its nosedive, Perronard teamed up with Tod Hammock, a man who might not be familiar to off-road racers, but one with a career’s worth of experience in Arenacross promotion (he’s the president and founder of Cycle City Promotions that runs the Kicker Arenacross Winter Series) to know how to put together and run a series that is both entertaining and profitable enough to remain healthy.
We recently got a chance to sit down with Hammock to discuss what happened, what’s been done, and the future of EnduroCross.
You’re starting out with a three-round series, but then you’re scheduled for a full-blown series starting next year, right?
Right. By the time that we got our hands on it, we knew that it was going to be difficult to put a six or eight race series together. A lot of people didn’t have funding to go that distance. So we elected to keep it alive, run a good, solid,
2019 ENDUROCROSS SERIES SCHEDULE:
• August 24th, 2019 | Prescott Valley, Arizona | Findlay Toyota Center
• October 19th, 2019 | Denver, Colorado | National Western Center
• October 26th, 2019 | Boise, Idaho | Ford Idaho Center
three-race series at a good part of the year and show everybody what we can do. Then we will return in 2020 with six to eight events.
Are you making any changes in the format or the way you operate?
One of the changes that we’re going to do is the evening performance. You and I would know it as a three-moto format. We’re going to call it a triple crown. The way that it works is the people who qualify in the main event [night] show for the pro class are going to run three motos. They’re going to hot lap during the day. Their times will be their pick for the gate in main one. It’s a sixteen-man starting gate that’s eight up front, eight in the back. Then how they finish in main one, we’re going to invert them for the second one. When you really start to think through it, it’s pretty neat. Now you’ve put the fast guys in the back. If you’re a fast guy you think, ‘I can’t screw up in moto one to try to get myself a better position in moto two. So I’ve got to win moto one, then I’ve got to deal with moto two.’ It’ll be really interesting; that will make it very entertaining. Then moto three will just basically be your results from moto two for gate pick. We’ll use the Olympic scoring system - whoever has the lowest point total at the end of the night is going to be the overall winner.
Do you have Shane Schaefer building the tracks again?
Yes. I’ve worked with Shane for well over twelve years at my [Kicker] arenacross events. Shane does a phenomenal job. There’s no change there; shane is on board. Mike Hathaway - Mike’s been with him forever. Mike’s on board. Eric Peronnard, he’s on board. Lance [Bryson] is with Moto America now. I like Lance,
would love to have Lance on board, but he’s got something else going on. Then I’ve got my existing arenacross crew that knows all the setup, knows all about racing, and are very experienced there. We’ll pick up a few other people. Steve Travis, the president of Tulsa Trail Riders, is going to come help us. We’ve got a good crew.
Will you work your arenacross and EnduroCross races together, maybe have them on back to back weekends?
No. The Kicker arenacross series is a winter event only. We’ve found that with EnduroCross it’s kind of navigated itself to the summer/fall. I think that it fits perfect there. You can correct me if I’m wrong, but you get supercross over and you’re kind of deep into your outdoor motocross series, but enduros seem to take a break in the summer in a lot of places. So does GNCC. So now, boom, we pop in. We’re a few summer events. We bleed over into September. Motocross then is over. Nobody’s doing anything. It’s great. It’s great for the sport because our goal is by 2020 to be back on TV.
Riders have said the tracks were getting too jumpy, too much like supercross. Then there’s always complaints about it being too technical. What’s your opinion on the right track layout?
I’m going to rely on Eric [Peronnard]. Eric invented the sport and knows what people want. I know that people voice their opinion one way or the other. You’ve got to keep in mind a lot of things. One of them is you’ve got to make it exciting for the fans. [If] you don’t have a base, you don’t have a reason to do
it, or the funds to go racing… I think I need to live at three races. I’ve been real successful with arenacross. I’ve done it so many times to make it challenging and also a good spectator event, but yet not kill everybody. I think we can get there.
The trials bikes were a big part of EnduroCross when it first started. Are there any thoughts about bringing trials bikes back?
We’re not going to do it for ’19. Yes, we’re definitely going to look at it and look at additional classes. I want to get more amateurs involved in this. I think there’s a huge off-road base, and people want to come. Now that they’ve seen the sportbefore the sport existed nobody knew to go out and train for it. Now these guys have endurocross tracks. Once you start training for it, it’s not a bad deal. It’s a fun deal.
Do you have the commitment from the factories teams?
We do, yes. As a matter of fact, obviously KTM and Husky were quick to come on board. Sherco, TM, GasGas, a few others that have contacted [us] and said they’re going to be there.
Can you talk about some of the venues that you might be going to next year?
I just sent a selection of venues over to the motorcycle manufacturers and to the AMA advising them that we need to start working on 2020. They range everywhere. I want to go back to Reno. Every Washington was good. I want to try to change it up and not play the same cities every year, but you just don’t have that
much selection in venues for what we do. I already do an event in Amarillo, Texas. I know that sounds nuts, but that is a huge motorsport community. It’s got a phenomenal facility. When I threw that out to KTM, they were like, “Yeah, West Texas. Not bad.” I even do a show in Hobbs, New Mexico. It’s not a big town, but you don’t realize this - in southeastern Mexico there’s over a quarter-million people there. It’s a sleepy town but I do two shows there already, and it’s good. But asking the manufacturer, I thought, ‘Do you mind if I’m either in Chicago or I’m just in a neat building in Hobbs, New Mexico?’ If I get on TV, it doesn’t matter. They just want to go win a race and they want to look good on TV. Maybe [we’ll be] going back to Las Vegas. [We’re] trying to have a Southern California round so I can get out in front of all the manufacturers and show them what this [new series] is about.
Is it too expensive to go back east, or is there just no market there? It’s interesting. I do Albany, New York. It’s called the Times Union Center for arenacross. I pack it. I pack that place. The riders there, I get over 600 entries. It’s crazy. And you’ve got J-Day up there, and you got a lot of racing. So my thought was to try one up there. The problem you have is that in the summer you’ve got J-Day, you’ve got GNCC, you’ve got a national - You’ve got a lot of races up that way that compete for the riders. I don’t think a lot of the EnduroCross series’ west coast guys want to travel that far. So there’ll be some looking at that to see what we can do. Maybe it’ll be a one-off event. I don’t know.
Are you going to have a live feed?
We’re trying to figure it out. We know this year unless something happens, and it
could - we’ve got people out working trying to get us a TV deal. If it comes together, great. If not, then we’re going to try look at some type of live feed, whether it’s Facebook or something like that.
Talking about the amateurs, the racers you want to draw in, are you making any changes to the classes?
Looking right now, again going with just the three-race series and we’ve got to get out and prove ourselves, we’re going to stay close to home. There’s a women’s class and the over 35 is a great class as well. Of course the amateur intermediate, that’s your bulk. The expert rolls into the pro class. Then the club class. That’s for the guys, the normal Joe that maybe doesn’t fit into the over 35 but isn’t an expert-level rider. These club guys can get together and have their own class. I need to live it this year and then wrap my head around it and look for next year to try to grow the competitor’s side of it. I think that needs to happen.
What kind of numbers were the EnduroCross events drawing for the last few years?
It seems that last year they got serious about putting butts in seats. It seems like before that they didn’t care. I followed [the attendance numbers a little]. They’re in the same buildings, same markets I am (as an arenacross promoter). I’d look in there and think, you just don’t have a lot of people there.
We’re always still looking for more sponsors to come on. We’re getting ready to have a press release with the ones that we’ve got already. n
WADE YOUNG TOUGH ENOUGH
2019 TOUGH LIKE RORR
EXTREME RACE
TAMAQUA, PA
JULY 6-7, 2019
PHOTOS BY PATSY DAVIS AND SHAN MOORE
QUINN WENTZEL (15) GRABS THE HOLESHOT TO START THE FINAL
South African Wade was tough enough at this year’s Tough Like RORR extreme off-road event in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, beating out fellow Sherco rider Nick Fahringer by a 36-minute margin on one of the toughest courses to date. This year’s finale amounted to two laps over an 17-mile course that included several new sections set up by the Reading Off-road Riders. The race also doubled as a round of the new AMA Extreme Off-road Series. Young pocketed $5,000 of the $15,000 purse for his efforts, and etched his name in the Tough Like RORR history book.
“It definitely feels good to win it,” said Young. “I think this is my first win in America, so I’m happy with that. Hope it’s not the last.”
Organized by the Reading Off-Road Riders, Tough Like RORR is unique in that two races on Saturday serve as a prelude to the $15,000 finale held on Sunday afternoon where only the 60 fastest riders qualify to participate on the rugged and slippery course that features rock fields, vertical climbs, and treacherous downhills with names like “Sickness,” “Stairway to Heaven,” “Cruella da Hill,” and “Land of Confusion.”
Young posted fastest times in both of his qualifiers, seeding the factory Sherco rider into the first row in Sunday’s finale.
Fahringer grabbed the holeshot to start the finale, but Young took control when Fahringer took a wrong turn onto part of last year’s course.
“I got the holeshot and then somebody on a KTM went by and we both took a wrong turn,” said Fahringer. “So, I’m looking down at everybody passing us down in this gulley so I side-hilled down into that ravine. I think I was probably in sixth or fifth place and just started picking people off.”
Young sprinted during the opening lap, extending his lead at each check point, and at the end of the first lap he held a 20-minute advantage over the field. Fahringer worked his way up into second by the end of lap one and was 12-minutes ahead of Canadian Jake Stapleton when he started the final lap.
Young shifted into cruise for the final lap to easily claim the checkers and the check, while everyone else shifted into survival mode.
“I enjoyed the race,” said Young. “I found it challenging. I was a little bit tired at the end but just tried to keep the wheels turning and keep flowing and just make no mistakes.”
Fahringer kept a solid pace to finish second, although Stapleton gained on the Sherco rider and was just over five minutes behind at the finish.
“Wade blew us all away,” said Fahringer. “He had a good ride. I had a reasonable ride. I had a few problems, but I’m happy with second.”
Like Young, Stapleton was making his first attempt at Tough Like RORR and was pleased with third.
Fahringer took home $2600 for second, while Stapleton won $1500 for third.
Quinn Wentzel (Hsq) turned in a gutsy performance to finish fourth. The former Pro Trials rider broke both his brake pedal and his shift lever on lap one and had to hold on for life on some of the near-vertical downhills.
“I caught up to Nick in a gnarly rock section and next thing I know, my rear brake pedal is busted off,” said Wentzel. “Also, my shifter was busted off all the way down to a nub. So, I was missing shifts and I could barely stop, so I really had to take it really easy on any downhill sections there were. As I was going slow, taking it easy, I got passed by fourth place. Me and him battled for a while. Ultimately, I wasn’t able to catch back up because I just was too timid about going down hills and not being able to stop. Overall, I felt pretty good. It was a good race.”
Thirty-seven-year-old Stephen Edmondson ran third after the start, but, like Fahringer, dropped back when he took a wrong turn. Edmondson used his experience to work his way up into fifth when it started to rain on the last lap.
KTM-mounted Ed Emery finished sixth, eight minutes behind Edmondson, while Tennessee extreme specialist Josh Rooken-Smith was seventh.
Jason Gilleland (Hsq) edged local ace Jarrett Mohn (KTM) for eighth, while Adam Hartnagel rounded out the top 10 on a KTM. n
RESULTS
1. Wade Young (Shr)
2. Nick Fahringer (Shr)
3. Jake Stapleton (KTM)
4. Quinn Wentzel (Hsq)
5. Stephen Edmondson (KTM)
6. Ed Emery (KTM)
7. Josh Rooken-Smith (KTM)
8. Jason Gilleland (Hsq)
9. Jarrett Mohn (KTM)
10. Adam Hartnagel (KTM)
FORMER PRO TRIALS RIDER QUINN WENTZEL WAS FOURTH IN THE TOUGH LIKE RORR FINAL
DEBRIEFED: WADE YOUNG
After three hours of racing, Wade Young sat down with On The Pegs and talked about his experience at Tough Like RORR:
On The Pegs: What did you expect coming in here?
Wade Young: I saw some videos and pictures of the track on Instagram before I got here, so I sort of had a bit of an idea. But yesterday wasn’t too hard. It was just pretty easy going. Today they made the track quite a bit harder, and with the rain that also challenged us a bit. I enjoyed it. Found it challenging. I was a little bit tired at the end but just tried to keep the wheels turning and keep flowing and just make no mistakes.
OTP: What was the course like?
WY: It was a lot of single track and a lot of rocks. The rocks were the difficult part, and also just very tight. No place to rest. Then just trying to make it through the slippery rocks, especially with the rain and moss on it. That got challenging. So there was no time to rest, so if you made a mistake and used energy it took a while to recover. So that was the challenging part.
OTP: Was there any certain place that was especially challenging?
WY: Yeah. They added a new section on that last lap. That was quite challenging and pretty nice going. I enjoyed that.
OTP: Tell me how your year has been so far this year.
WY: It’s been all right. I was hoping for a little bit better, but everyone’s riding so good. We just got to keep grinding and stay injury-free. There’s still quite a few more races coming up, so hopefully we can get some good results like last year.
OTP: How does it feel to win the race?
WY: Definitely feels good. I think this is my first win in America, so I’m happy with that. Hope it’s not the last.
KR CONTINUES TO ROLL
KAILUB RUSSELL TAKES FIFTH WIN AT LL RACEWAY FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO
PHOTOS
BY
DARRIN CHAPMAN
JOSH STRANG
Kailub Russell capitalized on speed and consistency to take the overall win at this weekend’s LL Raceway Full Gas Sprint Enduro, round six of the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series in Fairmount, Pennsylvania.
Over the course of the two-day event, Russell won 6 of the 12 tests while finishing second in the remaining 6 tests, giving the FMF/ KTM rider a 20-second margin of victory over Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Josh Strang.
The win was Russell’s fifth overall victory of the season and it extended his lead in the series standings to 46 points over Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Thad Duvall. Duvall rounded out the podium in Pennsylvania, finishing 34 seconds behind Strang.
“The tests were really fun and it was a good weekend for me,” said Russell. “I was able to stay pretty consistent both days and take home another win.”
Russell got off to a quick start on Saturday by winning the first two tests, however Strang got it in gear in test three, the Cross test, and edged Russell by almost four seconds. Russell won test four, but Strang closed out the day with wins in the final two tests.
At the end of the day, Russell won Saturday’s round by 5.3 seconds over Strang. Strang got off to a slow start to the weekend, finishing fourth in the opening test, before finding a good pace.
“The first test on Saturday, the Cross test, it was slicker than I thought, and I just didn’t ride very well,” said Strang. “In the woods test I felt good, I won the last test of the day and I felt
SHEETS
like I had some pretty good lines.”
Strang praised the event, saying it was one of the best courses of the year.
“Actually, the conditions were perfect pretty much all weekend,” said Strang. “As far as the dirt goes, it couldn’t get much better. The grass track was a little tighter than the last two rounds. It just wasn’t as high speed. The Enduro test, I think it was the best one all year so far just because they opened it up a little more so there was opportunity for more lines. I just think you could flow a little better and I think it just made for better racing.”
Russell and Strang accounted for all six of the test wins on Saturday, with each rider taking three wins. In the end, Russell topped Strang by almost five seconds for Saturday’s win. Duvall finished outside the top three just once on Saturday and ended up third on the day, with Husqvarna-backed Layne Michael and Tely Energy Racing’s Grant Baylor finishing fourth and fifth.
The tests were a bit drier on Sunday and the Enduro test got a bit choppy, but that didn’t change the order, as Russell and Strang still dominated the day with the exception of the final test, which was won by Duvall.
As the Enduro test dried out the lines got faster, which played into Russell’s hand.
“The Enduro test kept getting faster, it just kept getting more traction and the main line got better to ride and easier to ride, so the times got faster,” said Russell. “I was really good in that test. That’s where I made up most of my time.”
Russell won three tests on Sunday, two En-
duro wins and one Cross win, while Strang won the Cross test twice and was second for the day. Russell beat Strang by 14 seconds for Sunday’s win, which combined for a 20-second overall win.
Third overall went to Duvall, who finished off the weekend with a win in the final test (Enduro test).
Jordan Ashburn had a solid weekend and was third in the first three tests on Saturday. Having signed with the Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki team during the off-season, Ashburn is starting to look comfortable now on the new bike.
“I got off to a good start, but I seemed to struggle on the Enduro test,” said Ashburn. “The test got rougher on Sunday and I still struggled.”
Ashburn made up for his struggles in the Enduro test with some fast times in the Cross test and finished off the weekend in fourth overall.
Rounding out the top five was Layne Michael. The Husqvarna-back North Carolina rider was fifth for the day on Saturday but got stronger when the track dried a bit on Sunday and was fourth overall for the day.
Sixth overall was Tely Energy Racing KTM’s Grant Baylor. Like Michael, Baylor got stronger on Sunday, as well.
Seventh overall and first in the Pro2 division was Evan Smith. The Husqvarna/Max Motorsports/FXR rider dominated the Enduro test but took a back seat to Pro motocrosser Ben Nelko in the Cross test.
Despite riding with an injured hand, Smith beat Nelko by over a minute in the overall class standings, however Nelko topped the Cross test four of the six times, with Beta USA’s Mike Wikowski winning the remaining two times.
“I hurt my hand a few weeks ago at Snowshoe and it’s been pretty painful,” said Smith. “I can’t really pull my clutch in all that well and I haven’t really been practicing at all since then.”
Coastal Racing Husqvarna’s Craig DeLong finished eighth overall, while Nelko brought his Yamaha in for ninth. Nelco is currently riding the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series and decided to ride the Sprint Enduro since the motocross series was off this weekend.
“I struggled a little bit on the enduro tests, but I won four out of the six Cross tests,” said Nelko. “I loved the race, it was a lot of fun. I liked it because it was so laid back and you just went out and rode. It was a good time. What I liked most about it compared to the outdoors stuff is how much everybody got along. Everybody was so cool. I like the way you jump back and forth from the grass track to the woods stuff. I thought it was pretty cool.”
Nelco finished second in the Pro2 class, while Witkowski was 10th overall and third in the Pro2 division.
Maxxis/KTM’s Becca Sheets took the win in the Women’s Pro class, beating out Beta USA’s Korie Steede by just over three minutes. Team Green Kawasaki’s Shelby Rolen was third.
THAD DUVALL
Mason Atherton (14th overall) topped Billy Schlag (15th overall) for the win in the Pro-Am class, with RJ Cook in third (16th overall).
OVERALL RESULTS
1. Kailub Russell (KTM)
2. Josh Strang (Kaw)
3. Thad Duvall (Hsq)
4. Jordan Ashburn (Kaw)
5. Layne Michael (Hsq)
6. Grant Baylor (KTM)
7. Evan Smith (Hsq)
8. Craig DeLong (Hsq)
9. Ben Nelko (Yam)
10. Mike Witkowski (Bet)
SHERCO NEW FOR 2020
SHERCO USA, THE NEW US IMPORTER FOR THE UNITED STATES, HOSTED A NEW-BIKE INTRO IN LOUISVILLE TO INTRODUCE THE 2020 SHERCO OFF-ROAD AND TRIALS MODELS.
Sherco USA introduced the 2020 line up of off-road and trials bikes at a media intro in Louisville this month, featuring two-stroke and four-stroke enduro and cross-country bikes in both “Racing” and “Factory” configurations, as well as the Racing and Factory Trials models.
The two-stroke off-road bikes come in 125, 250 and 300 sizes while the four-stoke models come in 250, 300, 450, and 500 sizes. And each comes as a Racing model or a Factory model, with the Factory being the higher end.
The biggest difference between the Racing models and the Factory models is the suspension, with the Racing models coming stock with WP suspension, while the Factory models come equipped with KYB front and rear.
The two-strokes come with FMF exhaust systems, with the four-strokes getting Akrapovic systems.
The main focus for 2020 was a reduction in weight.
Here is a list of improvements for 2020.
ENDURO IMPROVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Link system improved on SE models
• Reduced friction resulting in a more comfortable ride
• Better sealing for more durability
• New assembly for better handling
• Axial lock for better handling
SE FACTORY SPECIFIC
New intake hose rubber (250/300 SE)
• Ergonomics of the intake system improved
• Better torque and progressivity
• No oil and grease retention
• Better wiring harness passage
Fuel tank modified (250/300 SE)
• Easier access
• New fuel tap (250/300 SE)
• 1.5 L reserve capacity
ENDURO RACING
Enduro Racing Improvements
• New 2020 Racing graphics kit
• More aggressive appearance
WP XPLOR fork and shock absorber
• Adjustable preload settings
• One leg for compression and one for rebound
Racing muffler with plastic tip
• Weight reduction -150 Gr (250/300 SE)
ENDURO FACTORY IMPROVEMENT
Blue frame protectors
2020 Factory graphics kit in-mold
KYB 48 mm fork and the ultimate model 50 mm shock absorber
• Double closed sealed cartridges with hydraulic settings and spring calibration
• 3 way hydraulic adjustment
• More stability and security at high speeds
• Better absorption of big bumps
TRIALS
Simplified and reliability improved New rear sprocket Z42 (Z44 before) to compensate for the increased power
• Better control and reduction of the chain effect
• Better motor control
Trials
Racing
• New 2020 Racing graphics kit
• More aggressive appearance
• R16V rear shock
• Tech steel fork
Factory
• New 2020 Factory Graphics Kit
• Grey frame
• Aluminium Tech fork
• Reiger Shock
Reiger Shock absorber
• New settings, shock absorption improved
• More responsive motorcycle with a lighter feel
GOOD OLD TIMES BLOG A RIDER FROM HELL
BY KENNETH OLAUSSON
PHOTOS: HUSQVARNA
After his 1969 world title, Bengt Aberg was convinced he would conquer the world again. He was Husqvarna-mounted and both physically and mentally ready, ahead of this gruelling season. 1970 turned out to be a strange one as Aberg’s main rival was his neighbour Arne Kring who also had a contract with the weapons factory in Huskvarna. Fasten your seat belt folks – here we go with the bashful Swedes!
The active race season for motocrossers had increased significantly after events in the USA were introduced during the months from October to December. It meant that an elite rider was on the go from March to the end of the year - practically all year around, crossing the globe. This happened by the end of the 60s, which was also a turning point for motocross in the USA. The interest for the sport grew immensely.
“This was a big benefit to our sport,” said Aberg. “Payment increased and the status for motocross became much higher.”
Husqvarna had introduced their 400cc engine for the 1969 season. It measured 81.5 x 76 mm in bore and stroke and gave 40 hp at 6,500 rpm. Its cooling fins were now longitudinal, and the magneto was also new. This four-speed machine was updated for 1970, although it still carried a similar performance. The season was peculiar by any standards, and as said, Bengt Aberg’s main opposition came from his Husqvarna teammate Arne Kring. They lived as neighbours, just a few kilometres away from each other in Helsingland, and raced trying to beat each other since their yearly days. However, Bengt was initially the more successful rider as he won the national junior championship in 1963 on his bulky Triumph. Then the road was paved to the
championship circuits. Bengt Aberg had a memorable show on his Métisse at the home Grand Prix in Hedemora in 1966. The spectators who saw him broadslide with his feet on the foot-pegs will never forget this unbelievable sight. At least I won’t! As reported in a blog text from July 2014, Aberg won his first title in 1969 after a tremendous year. Now it was time to try and repeat his honour on his latest factory machine. He had already caught the fancy of the crowd.
The Swiss track at Payerne was spectacular for its bumpy ride. The actors on their machines had to perform several circus tricks before they could fulfil one lap around this tricky circuit. Hence, the crowd loved it and came to watch by the tens of thousands. Also, this year when the battle for the rostrum began, all the elite had gathered to see what the competition was up to after the wintery offseason. By the end of the day, Husqvarna had a double win. Bengt Aberg crossed the finish line first while team rider from Belgium, Jef Teuwissen came home as the second man. A splendid start. The following week, this winning formula was repeated by Aberg in Sittendorf, Austria, and he now had a grand margin in the 500cc world championship standings.
In the coming two Grand Prix rounds Aberg only managed to take three points. At that time, he was in second place in the championship after his neighbour Arne Kring, who in the meantime had prevailed twice. It was 42 points to 33 points. Razor’s edge now. In the Finnish sand at Tikkurila, Kring beat Aberg fair and square making the table standings 57 to 43. Then came Sweden. In Västeras the two Husky riders fought side-by-side, lap after lap. Everyone was in ecstasy until the inevitable happened. Aberg and Kring were too close over a majestic jump and collided in the air. “I had to retire while Kring tried to continue with broken-off handlebars, which turned out to be impossible”, said Aberg. Zero points for the two matadors, who were disappointed, but still in the lead. A month later all is forgotten in Holice, Czechoslovakia. Kring is faster than Aberg. Result: 72 - 55, advantage Kring. In Beuern, West Germany, things are the other way around. Aberg mastered his race and Kring finished in fourth place: 80 - 70 for the “Helsingland Hell Riders” as they were now nicknamed. “Helsingland” after their home county, “Hell” for their unforgiving pace.
Unfortunately, Arne crashed heavily in Belgium at an international race and hurt his back quite severely. Bengt told me matter-of-factly, “Now the grounds were paved for me during the final Grand Prix rounds as he was a nonstarter.” Not the most comfortable way to win, emotionally.
But Bengt Aberg secured his second 500cc world championship with his fourspeed bike in the last event held in Ettelbruck, Luxemburg.
A Champion full-page advertisement in the U.S. magazine Cycle World summed up the season well. It was published on page 125 in their March issue 1971 with the heading: “King of the Hill”. The new World Champ is standing on top of a hill with his Husqvarna behind him. The bike has Starting Number One and the Champion sparkplug decal is glued to the tank. The contents of that magazine tell us how Bengt Aberg came to do the Phoenix event of the international InterAM series in 1970. Some local riders from Arizona walked up to the Swede in order to distract him. “They’re watering the track. It’s gonna be really muddy.”
Aberg’s answer: “That’s good.” They continued trying to make him nervous. “Yeah, but it’ll dry in an hour. It’s gonna be really dusty.”
Aberg replies calmly: “That’s good, too.” It speaks volumes. 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
LEADERSINELECTRIC DIRT,TRIALSAND MOTOCROSS MOTORCYCLESFORKIDS
Globallyrecognisedas the bestbeginner motorcyclesforchildren todevelopandimprovetheir skillsandconfidence.Being electrictheyhave nohot parts,require nogas and are virtuallysilent which meansriderscanusethem everydayinplacesother bikescannotgo...
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
2019 AMA/NATC Eastern Youth National and Women’s Open Mototrials Championship
Trials Training Center
June 27-29, 2019
By Stephanie Vetterly
You can’t think of mototrials in the United States, or formal training for mototrials, without thinking about the Trials Training Center, a 650-acre mountainous Motorcycle Resort in Sequatchie, Tennessee. Home to the Annual Kenda-sponsored Tennessee Knock Out Extreme Enduro, the premiere Extreme Enduro in the US, TTC (the Trials Training Center) turns to support the youth of motorcycle riding by hosting a trials family camp as well as the AMA/NATC Eastern Youth National and Women’s Open Mototrials Championship Series around the Fourth of July holiday.
The week prior to the Mototrials Championship was dedicated to quality family time spent riding and training vital trials skills, with classes for both riders (ages 4-15) and parents/ minders alike. Morning classes included topics on body positioning, bike setup, log crossings, a minder class, and many more, while afternoons were reserved for swimming at Foster Falls, ice cream, and motorcycle games. On-site camping accommodations allowed all in attendance to fully enjoy the atmosphere of being surrounded by like-minded trials enthusiasts. This was the perfect situation to allow children interested in mototrials to help each other learn new skills while challenging their current knowledge.
Immediately following the four-day camp was the AMA/ NATC Eastern Youth National and Women’s Open Mototrials Championship, a showcase event for riders 15 years of age and younger to formally challenge the rocky and mountainous terrain that is TTC. This year, the venue was lucky to have beautiful sunny weather for every day of the national, an improvement over last year’s mid-event deluge.
The morning of the first day’s event opened with a beautiful layer of fog embracing the nearby mountains, gently lifting as the sun rose higher in the sky. The series was comprised of three separate loops of eight sections, meaning the competitors never rode the same section, or the same area, for more than one day. Each of the three loops had a theme; Friday’s Loop A was set up with a nice combination of equal sections
off-camber and flat, rocky obstacles. Section #2 on his first loop saw Jeremy Amos, riding the B1 Youth B 13 and Under Championship class, fail to clear a rocky roll-up. Even though Jeremy finished the day with a fourth-place finish, taking only 107 points on the day, the crash from this fall resulted in a hand injury that prevented Jeremy from completing the rest of the series.
Section #4 consisted of a large splatter rock for the A0 Youth A 15 and Under Championship class. Armed with minders to catch their bikes in case anything went wrong, riders Will Myers (minder Alex Myers), Dalton Land (minder Nigel Parker), and Dylan Lozano (minder Josh Roper) took to the challenge. Just coming off the Pro class for the last event in the adult national circuit, Will Myers had little trouble clearing the splatter on his first attempt; Dalton Land was able to clear the obstacle with a little work. On his first attempt, Dylan Lozano got off his line towards the top of the rock, shifting his weight too far to the right, causing his rear tire to slide out away from him; his minder Josh safely caught the bike from the top of the rock as Dylan landed on his feet at its base.
Friday also saw the Trials Training Center’s youngest-ever competitor, Kylin Dorman. At only three years old, Kylin was joined in competition by two of her siblings, Maddox Dorman riding the C2 Youth C 11 and Under Championship class and Bronson Dorman riding the E4 Youth D 07 and Under Championship class. Riding the same class as brother Bronson, Kylin was slightly overwhelmed by such a competition and only finished part of her two loops. She came back stronger than ever on Saturday and Sunday, taking her Oset to a seventhplace overall finish for the E4 D 07 and Under Championship class and third-place overall finish in the WOMENS 4 Women’s Novice class.
Saturday’s Loop B had a theme of off-camber sections. The event started with an Advanced line consisting of several large rocks and a steep and slippery dirt hill that stopped a few riders in their tracks. The hill itself was not large, but loose and dusty, resulting in riders spinning their rear tire in place and
having to paddle through. Section #7 was a perfect set-up of stable rocks and dusty terrain that challenged every skill class. Lower lines faced a rocky gully with a single-tire track worn in throughout the day. The rocks shifted the rider’s rear tire numerous times from one side to the other before the rider was through the area, resulting in several points from all classes.
Saturday saw Sherco-rider Courtney Allison promoted to a higher class. Starting the series in the B2 Youth B 13 and Under Advanced class and finishing in second place with 17 points, Courtney moved up to the B1 Youth B 13 and Under Championship class. She completed the weekend with matching fifth-place finishes in the Youth series, Saturday with 2 cleans and 109 points and Sunday with 5 cleans and 69 points to finish sixth place overall, and second place overall in the WOMENS 2 Women’s Expert class. Korah Jones, riding her Beta 80 in the C3 Youth C 11 and Under Advanced class had a clean day on all three loops, as did Asa Fox and Gabriel Kliza in the D3 Youth D 09 and Under Championship class.
After Saturday’s competition, a Gate Trial was hosted as a Trials des Nations fundraiser. This allowed for a different type of challenge, as the event consists of riders working together as teams with a goal of trying to gain the MOST points in a section by clearing as many point-laden obstacles as possible without putting a foot down (also known as “dabbing”), which would lose them all points gained from that section. The team with the most points at the end of the day is declared the winner. Cost for entry to the competition was a donation of any denomination; all proceeds went towards helping the USA Trial des Nations team with expenses for their upcoming events. The day finished off with a delicious BBQ dinner sponsored by Sherco/Scorpa, GasGas, and TTC, as well as a firework display at dusk sponsored by Beta.
Sunday’s competitors rode Loop C, the shortest of the three loops at only a quarter mile in length. This was a nice reprieve, as riders were able to complete the day and start on the long trek home if need be. Again comprised of eight sections, riders were challenged to either flat but very technical sections, or steep hillsides. The lower classes, such as the D4 Youth
D 09 and Under Novice Class and the E4 Youth D 07 and Under Championship Class, were afforded the opportunity to start the day first. These classes only had to complete 16 sections (a total of two loops) on the day; beginning first allowed many of them to complete Sunday’s competition before the upper skill classes began the day. Will Loer ended up taking the top podium spot in the D4 Youth D 09 and Under Novice class with 16 cleans and a completely clean day, while Bronson Dorman took top podium in the E4 Youth D 07 and Under Championship Class, with 15 cleans and only one single point. Standing next to Bronson were Owen Fields in second place, with 14 cleans and three points, and Addie Fox in third place, with 14 cleans and four points. It should be noted that Addie ended up placing first in the WOMENS 4 Women’s Novice Class with this day’s score.
Section #7 was one of the more difficult sections for the upper classes, more so on technicality than on actual obstacle difficulty. Riders entered the section and immediately had a series of logs to cross; after the logs, they navigated up the steep hillside, rolling over a rock as they did so. Once at the top, riders descended the hill, crossed another set of logs only to be sent back up the hill for another gate. The part of this section that was the most technical was the first descent; riders had to ensure a tight path close to their climb in order to be sure they did not cross their tracks on the second climb. One rider, A0 Youth A 15 and Under Championship Class rider Dylan Lozano, found himself in this very situation and ended up taking a full five points on the section for crossing his tire tracks. He learned from the first loop and improved the next loop for a cleaner ride.
Working to add a bonus challenge to the weekend, Will Myers in the A0 class, rode the event as a no-stop trials. This meant that he would not allow himself to stop to balance or stop too long with a foot down. Friday cost him the most dabs, ending the day with 14 points (still enough to take a first-place finish), but he ended up getting his riding back on track with the help of his minder/ brother/fellow adult Pro-class rider Alex. He ended up dropping only a single point on Saturday as well as Sunday, ending the East Coast series with 16 points overall.
East Coast Youth National Winners
A0 Youth 15 and Under Championship Class – Will Myers (earned his AMA number plate)
A1 Youth 15 and Under Advanced Class – Sawyer Stewart
A2 Youth 15 and Under Intermediate Class – Juliana Davis
B1 Youth 13 and Under Championship Class – Max Glueck (earned his AMA number plate)
B2 Youth 13 and Under Advanced Class – Talon Smith
B3 Youth 13 and Under Novice Class – Regan Lozano
C2 Youth 11 and Under Championship Class – Sherman Smith III (earned his AMA number plate)
C3 Youth 11 and Under Novice Class – Korah Grace Jones
D3 Youth 09 and Under Championship Class – Gabriel Kliza (earned his AMA number plate)
D4 Youth 09 and Under Novice Class – Will Loer
E4 Youth 07 and Under Championship Class – Owen Fields (earned his AMA number plate)
East Coast Women’s Open Winners
Women’s Expert Class – Hailey Glueck
Women’s Advanced Class – Juliana Davis
Women’s Intermediate Class – Korah Grace Jones
Women’s Novice Class – Addie Fox
Each day of competition saw almost 50 riders full of smiles and enjoyment, challenging though the event may have been. Events such as these are a great way to introduce children to the world of competitive sports and foster the love of mototrials in one of the kindest, most encouraging environments. The folks at the Trials Training Center do a wonderful job of creating such an environment. Plus, who doesn’t love being able to go to school the next day and tell all your friends you won a dirt bike championship?
Full results on each day, as well as the Overall, can be found on the Trials Training Center’s website (www.trialstrainingcenter.com). Photos and videos of the event can be found on the NATC’s Facebook page, or Instagram (@official_natc_mototrials).
YOUTH AND WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO GALLERY
PHOTOS
OREGON MOTOTRIAL:
SMAGE CLINCHES
2019 NATC/AMA US National MotoTrials Series
Rounds 7-8
June 22-23, 2019
Tillamook, Oregon
With his fourth double victory of the season, Pat Smage claimed a record-breaking 11th US National MotoTrials championship title after winning the final two rounds of the 2019 AMA/NATC US National MotoTrials Series this weekend in Diamond Mill, Oregon. In addition, the FactoryONE/Sherco rider’s win on Sunday marked his 18th in a row going back to last year, which broke three-time champ Scott Head’s record of 17-straight wins.
Although he was pressed hard on day one in Colorado, Smage has dominated the series in 2019 and appears to be capable of winning for several more years.
“There are definitely times when I get a little burnt out and I wonder how am I going to keep pushing, but then when the results come it’s always worth it,” said Smage. “Right now, I can see myself continuing for a while, as long as I can enjoy it.”
The Oregon event was a change of pace from the rest of the events held this year in that it was set up in the spirit of traditional trials, with very little stopping and hopping and lots of long, technical sections. The nine-mile loop included lots of slippery rocky creeks and steep climbs.
In addition to his mastery of the “big sections”, Smage proved he is equally adept at the really technical stuff, too.
“The sections were very technical, for sure, and it was a little bit hard to adjust to the traction at first, just because the last couple of events have been dry and grippy, and I haven’t had a lot of time to ride the slick stuff pretty much since before Minnesota,” said Smage. “You’re not just wide open every section, hitting everything as hard as you could. You really had to think about all the angles, every inch of staying on your line, finding traction, and hitting everything exactly how you wanted to. If you hit it sideways or hit it too hard you’ll end up spinning and sliding out, so you really had to be smooth and precise.”
Like he has done at all of the previous three stops, Smage swept both days of the Oregon round, winning Saturday’s event by 36 points and Sunday’s round by 25.
“All my points were basically single dabs here and there, just either not knowing what traction was there and almost being a little bit on the safe side, or ending up spinning, getting slightly off line, finding myself in a bad spot and having to take a one just to make sure I got out of it without ending up with a five,” said Smage. “Even with the title wrapped up coming in here, for some reason I still felt the same pressure. I was hoping that wouldn’t be the case, so maybe that won’t change until I’m done riding the pro class. It’s just something I feel like I have to do to ride my best.”
FactoryONE/Scorpa’s Karl Davis Jr. and GasGas North America teammates Alex Niederer and Daniel Blanc-Gonnet came into the weekend tied for second place in the final series standings. Niederer left Oregon with the runner-up slot thanks to an impressive second place finish on Sunday, however, things were looking grim for the Florida rider after he finished fifth on Saturday.
“I was afraid I was out of the running after my finish on Saturday,” said Niederer. “Luckily, I had one of my best days of the season on Sunday and managed to pull it out. It’s definitely a dream come true. I worked my butt off all year and it paid off.”
Davis was second behind Smage on Saturday, but his sixth on Sunday dropped him to third overall in the final standings.
Blanc-Gonnet was consistent in the slippery conditions, finishing with a pair of fourths, leaving him fourth overall in the standings.
Rookie Pro Josh Roper turned in his best performances of the season with a pair of third place finishes, putting him in fifth overall in the final standings and top rookie.
“These were definitely more my style of sections even though it was a little bit slippery,” said Roper. “I was able to find a groove and find traction.”
JOSH
Having wrapped up the Expert title on Saturday, FactoryONE/Scorpa rider Will Myers (brother of Alex Myers) moved to the Pro class where he finished ninth. British rider Oliver Smith, of Oset fame, attended the event and finished ninth on Saturday.
PRO RESULTS
Saturday
1. Pat Smage (Shr) 8
2. Karl Davis Jr. (Sco) 44
3. Josh Roper (Shr) 47
4. Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (GG) 62
5. Alex Niederer (GG) 64
6. Sam Fastle (Shr) 69
7. Alex Myers (Sco) 75
8. David Avendano (Ver) 75
9. Oliver Smith (Shr) 88
10. Andreas Niederer (Bet) 97
Sunday
1. Pat Smage (Shr) 10
2. Alex Niederer (GG) 35
3. Josh Roper (Shr) 42
4. Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (Shr) 46
5. Alex Myers (Sco) 53
6. Karl Davis Jr. (Sco) 55
7. David Avendano (Ver) 57
8. Sam Fastle (Shr) 64
9. Will Myers (Sco) 70
10. Andreas Niederer (Bet) 102
OLIVER SMITH , OF OSET FAME, CAME FROM GREAT BRITAIN TO COMPETE IN THE OREGON ROUND AS A GUEST OF TRIALS MARSHALL DENNIS SWEETEN.
OLIVER SAID THAT THE OREGON SECTIONS WERE QUIT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HE’S USED TO RIDING IN EUROPE.
DAVID AVENDANO FINISHED OFF HIS STAY IN THE UNITED STATES WITH EIGHTH AND SEVENTH PLACE FINISHES IN OREGON.
Toni Bou was crowned 2019 TrialGP World Champion at the French Alpine resort of Auron. Bou, who triumphed in the trial takes his tally of consecutive title wins to 13 in TrialGP, in addition to the 13 indoor trophies. 26 titles for the greatest rider in history!
“This is not a miracle, it’s a legend” reads the slogan printed across the Repsol Honda Team commemorative t-shirts for the 26th Toni Bou world title. The latest trial victory, the seventh of the season, means that Toni Bou mathematically seals the TrialGP World Champion title for the thirteenth time in a row.
The Repsol Honda Team rider was a cut above the rest from the get-go in a trial full of long, steep sections and Bou was clearly feeling at ease as evidenced by the mere nine marks accrued throughout. The trial or the title never looked in question. The triumph is the 111th victory for Toni Bou in Trial World Championships as well as the thirteenth consecutive trial win since Andorra last season. The Repsol Honda Team star has made a clean streak so far in the 2019 Trial World Championship, with one event still to contest.
The Trial opened with five sections in a dry riverbed before moving to a perilously steep, heavily-wooded hillside and then signing off at the arena-style section used for yesterday’s Qualification.
Bou was a clear leader following the opening lap of 15 sections and the sublime Spaniard kept the pressure on throughout lap two despite a strong challenge from his compatriot Jaime Busto (Vertigo) who’s finally found his form after what’s been up to now a below-par season for him.
Bou’s opening lap of seven plus one time penalty gave him a comfortable advantage of five from Busto who also picked up a single mark on time. He then signed off in style with a second-lap total of just one mark lost to rewrite his place in the history books. “I made some mistakes on the opening lap,” said Bou, “but my second lap was almost perfect. This year has been a great year for me.”
Busto resisted fierce pressure from Adam Raga (TRRS) – who recorded a second-lap total of just eight – to hang onto second by two marks on a total of 23. Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas) from Spain was five behind Raga with Japan’s Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Honda) recovering from his big Qualification crash to take fifth on 36.
“Today was a day where I had to work hard to make any difference, especially during the opening sections,” said Bou. “But that is what we did and we made
ADAM TRACTION
it to section eight on zero. I think I rode an intelligent trial. I felt very comfortable on the bike. As always, there is no better way to win a new title than with a victory and with good feelings. It was a short but intense world championship. I think that this season we have matured a lot. Last year we had so many injuries, this year we have been very comfortable on the bike, which we’ve seen reflected in the wins and the riding, so now it’s time to savour the moment and enjoy the holidays.”
After a couple of early maximums on her opening lap, Bristow led by just two marks at the halfway point on a score of 15 from of Berta Abellan (Vertigo) from Spain with Neus Murcia (Gas Gas) in third a further seven marks off the pace. Bristow then turned up the heat and added just a further five to her score with a sensational second lap to come home eight clear of Abellan. After an expensive opening lap of 27, Spain’s Sandra Gomez (TRRS) regrouped and her lap-two total of 10 lifted her into third, six marks clear of Maria Giro (Montesa) with Mur-
Results
TrialGP
1. Toni Bou (Mon) 9
2. Jaime Busto (Ver) 23
3. Adam Raga (TRRS) 25
4. Jeroni Fajardo (GG) 30
5. Takahisa Fujinami (Mon) 36
6. Jorge Casales (Ver) 42
7. Miquel Gelabert (Shr) 45
8. James Dabill (Bet) 54
9. Benoit Bincaz (Bet) 57
10. Franz Kadlec (TRRS) 71
TrialGP Women
1. Emma Bristow (Shr) 20
2. Berta Abellan (Ver) 28
3. Sandra Gomez (TRRS) 37
4. Maria Giro (Mon) 43
5. Neus Sadurni (GG) 46
6. Alex Brancati (Bet) 52
7. Ingveig Hakonsen (TRRS) 54
8. Sarah Bauer (TRRS) 64
9. Maddie Hoover (GG) 74
10. Jule Steinert (TRRS) 74
STILL LEARNING ADAPTING TO THE VERTIGO, JAIME BUSTO CLAIMED AN IMPRESSIVE SECOND PLACE FINISH IN FRANCE
PHOTOS BY FIFM/PEP SEGALES
2019 WORLD SUPER ENDURO
Dec 8 Krakow, Poland
Jan 5 Riesa, Germany
Jan 26 Madrid, Spain
Feb 9 Budapest, March 9 Bilbao, Spain
2019 FIM WORLD ENDURO
April 12-14
TBA May 10-12 Santiago, May 17-19 Valpacos, June 14-16 Ajaccio, Corsica
June 21-23 Rovetta, Italy
Sept 13-15 Janovice, Czech Sept 27-29 Ambert, France
2019 FIM WORLD ENDURO
May 10-12
Extreme XL
May 17-19 Trèfle Lozérien
May 30-June 2 Erzbergrodeo, TBA Classic Enduro, July 30-Aug 4 Red Bull Romaniacs, Sept 21-22 Hawkstone
Oct 5-6 Solsona Enduro, Nov 2-3 GetzenRodeo,
2019 INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS November 11-16 Portimao, 22019
WWW.SPRINTENDURO.COM
Feb 9-10 Gaston, SC
March 2-3 Blackshear, GA
April 6-7 Greeneville, TN
May 25-26 Glen Daniel, WV
June 15-16 Bristol, VA
July 13-14 Fairmount City, PA
ENDURO
Poland
Germany
Spain
Budapest, Hungary
Spain
CHAMPIONSHIP
Spain
Portugal
Corsica
Italy
Czech Republic
France
SUPER
SERIES
XL Lagares, Pprtugal
Lozérien AMV, France
Erzbergrodeo, Austria)
Enduro, Italy
Romaniacs, Romania
Hawkstone Park Cross Country, UK
Enduro, Spain
GetzenRodeo, Germany
DAYS ENDURO
Portugal
Aug 10-11 Hayesville, NC
Sept 1-2 Laurens, SC
2019 WORCS
Jan 11-13 Primm, NV
Feb 1-3
March 1-3
Glen Helen, CA
Lake Havasu City, AZ
March 15-17 Peoria, AZ
April 12-14
Las Vegas, NV
April 26-28 Milford, CA
May 17-19 Mesquite, NV
July 31-Aug 4 Grays Harbor, WA
Sept 6-8
Glen Helen, CA
Sept 27-29 Taft, CA
Oct 25-27 Primm, NV
2019 Best In The Desert
Jan 11-12 Parker, AZ
Mar 7-10
Las Vegas, NV
April 5-7 Laughlin, NV
May 2-5 Alamo, NV
Aug 14-17 Vegas-to-Reno
2019 TRIALS INC.
WWW.TRIALSINC.ORG
April 13-14 Tippecanoe, Ohio
April 27-28 Garrettsville, OH
Mar 18-19
Little Hocking, OH
Jul 20-21 Toronto, OH
Aug 10-11 Sidell, IL
Aug 31-Sept 1 Newark, OH
Sept 14-15 Bloominton, IN
Sept 28-29
Nov 3
Bedford, KY
Pickerington, OH