Throwdown No.83 – Inner city enduro action

What’s this “Throwdown”? It’s a digital home for rumour, fact and innuendo, delivered on a weekly basis. Covering a broad spectrum of the off-road world’s news, the Throwdown will touch on everything from racing to trailriding; from industry tidbits to issues facing the sport. It’s about delivering you timely information all in one place so you don’t have to scour the internet looking for it.

JDR J-Star KTM’s PJ Larsen is due in for surgery to his torn ACL next week and in the mean time he’s enjoying the Australian sun during a spur-of-the-moment holiday. Larsen suffered the injury during a practice crash at the Toronto SX and will be sidelined well into the AMA Motocross series. “The Surgeon said he couldn’t do surgery until the following week due to the swelling, so I figured why not hop on a plane and check out the first round of the nationals over here,” said Larsen. Sounds like a good way to switch off and recharge the batteries.

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More bad news for JDR J-Star KTM; Lites rider Malcolm Stewart’s bad luck has continued after crashing during the first corner of the main event. He managed to come back from dead last to 16th but he’s only just inside the top 10 in the standings with two rounds to go.

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Did you see Kevin Windham’s massive crash while battling James Stewart in the heat race at Houston over the weekend? Turns out Windham dislocated his shoulder and damaged his wrist and hip. “I’ve definitely got a dislocated shoulder so that ends my season right there,” Windham said. “I’ve had my wrist examined by two doctors; one said it was broken and the other one said it’s not. It’s very swollen and black and blue so it’s hard for them to tell. I can’t move my left thumb at all and my hip hurts. I’m not really sure what’s going on with either of them at the moment. I’m basically hurting all over.”

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Round 1 of the Victorian Junior Motocross titles was held at Ballarat over the weekend and it was 14-year-old local, Emma Milesevic, who was the standout after dominating the Women’s class (Vic Chicks). “I’m really excited about the win,” said Milesevic. “I’ve been training lots, my fitness has definitely improved and I’m more consistent.” In the 250cc A Grade it was Wayde Carter, Nathan Denny and Jeremy Tyndall who took the top three spots, respectively.

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Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha’s Kirk Gibbs and Luke Styke began their 2012 motocross campaign with an impressive 1-3 result, respectively, in the Pro Lites class at the opening round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals series at Conondale. It’s an impressive result for the team and even more so for Gibbs who came into the round with an injured wrist sustained two weeks prior. Gibbs went 2-5-1 in the three-race round, while Styke took a 2-5-1 victory to take third, one point behind rival, Ford Dale.

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Choice Motorsports’ Dylan Long won the MX Development (Under 19s) class at the MX Nats opener. It’s a great way for the all-new team to debut on the national race scene. “I finished the day strong and that allowed me to take the overall win,” said Long. “I just want to finish as close to the front the entire season and hopefully I can get some good results.” Unfortunately his teammate, Jacob Wright, did extensive damage to his leg and arm prior to the round and was sidelined.

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Privateer KTM rider, Tye Simmonds, announced Red Bull Mobile Me as major team sponsor for 2012. Along with Red Bull, Simmonds has also scored a deal with the Australian Motorcycle Expo, which will see the young Aussie take on an ambassadorial and marketing role for the Nov 23-25 event in the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing have announced Belgium’s Ken De Dycker will fill in for injured Max Nagl during the first five rounds of the MX1 World Championship (beginning at Valkenswaard, Round 1). Nagl is still recovering from the back surgery he had at the end of the 2011 season.

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GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia copped a $5000 fine over the weekend for his outburst after the weekend’s racing. Reports say he roosted Asterisk medical personnel, lapper Lance Vincent and race winner, Ken Roczen, after having a crash with Vincent that cost him the win. You’ll find more details here.

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Turns out Hart and Huntington/InsureMyRide’s Lewis Woods was stung on the face by a bee during Moto 3 in the Pro Lites class in the MX Nats over the weekend. By Monday it has swollen up to badly he couldn’t even open his eye.

There were a few April Fools stories going around in the AORC pit paddock; one of which was E1 enduro rider, Josh Ballard, getting 30 stitches in his arse after sustaining severe whiplash. Go figure…

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Speaking of Ballard, he’s been competing in the E1 class on a stock 125cc two-stroke and finished eighth and seventh at Round’s 3 and 4 in the AORC last weekend. “I haven’t had a lot of time to ride it much yet,” said Ballard, “I’ve never raced on a two-stroke before so it’s taken a bit of getting use to. I was feeling good towards the end though.” Feeling a top five in the future Ballard?

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Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing’s Toby Price has been dominating on the big-bore KTM 500EXC in 2012; having won every round in the E3 class and currently sitting first Outright. Will we see a repeat of his 2010 performance where he won the AORC, A4DE, Finke and Hattah? We’re sure reigning champion, Chris Hollis, and desert aficionado, Ben Grabham, will have something to say about that, as well as Yamaha’s Daniel Milner and Matt Phillips (currently second and third Outright in the AORC).

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In the Enduro World Championship it was KTM riders, Antoine Meo (E1) and Christophe Nambotin (E3), who dominated the second leg of the South American tour and retained top spots in their respective classes. While in E2 it was Gas Gas’ Ivan Cervantes who took a 1-3 victory over the two days to gain the early lead.

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Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing’s Ben Grabham took out top honours at the Quit Forest Rally in Western Australian over the weekend. Grabbo beat his brother, Damien, and Dakar and Aussie Safari veterans, Warren Strange and Rob Pollard, to take the win. He’ll now prepare for the Condo 750, which takes place this Easter long weekend.

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Red Bull City Scramble, taking place in New Zealand over the weekend, turned out to be an epic battle between Graham Jarvis and Paul Bolton. The two battled it out over rough terrain that included tones of rock, concrete, earth and water right in the heart of Auckland with over 10,000 spectators and 78 other competitors! Check the highlights.

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Reigning Women’s Champion, Jemma Wilson, took second and third at Round 3/4 of the Wonthaggi AORC over the weekend. Her rival Jess Gardiner took top honours during Round 3, while Yamaha’s Emilie Karlsson won in Round 4. “I had a bit of a shocker,” said Wilson. “The YZ-F went great, and I didn’t have any major dramas, but I’m just a bit out of practice with the Sprint format and the dry conditions. I have a bit of work to do before Coonabarabran.”

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Ever wondered what the great Aussie adventure really is? Transmoto reader, Stuart Ball, has and he wasted no time finding out as he planned his solo voyage across Australia from east to west on a KTM 990 Adventure. In what is a remarkable feat of endurance, he traversed the 4000-odd kilometers across the country, through the Simpson and Gibson Deserts and made it out the other side with his only lifeline: a Satellite phone. Read his story.

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With years of Dakar experience, riding the Dakar 15-times and now as Cyril Despres’ manager, Chris Evans will once again host a Dakar Workshop and Information Season in Sydney, Mascot, on April 28 and Perth on May 5 for those interested in making the 2013 rally. It’s a great way to gain valuable insight to help prepare you for the ultimate adventure. For bookings and more details email Sue Fisher at sfisher@millerstreet.com.au.

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Aspiring Safari contenders still have the chance to experience what cross-country rallying is all about and rub shoulders with Australia’s top exponents during the Condo 750 this Easter long weekend. Past winners Steve Riley, John Hederics, Paul Sinderberry and Bruce Broad will be there cheering on the competitors whilst the Smith boys, Ben and Damien Grabham, and current champion, Rod Faggotter, will be fighting for the title.

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The Victorian Harrow Vinduro is set for July 28-29. In its fourth running, the ‘Harrow’ is a pre-1985 trail and enduro event for those who enjoy their classics. For more details and entries call 0422 299 003 or email petrell@optusnet.com.au.

Get a look at this teaser for action sports maniac, Travis Pastrana. In a new web series from Red Bull, you’ll get a look in at TP’s amazing career to date and what his plans are for the future.

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French FMX superstar, Tom Pagès, recently traveled to Australia for the first annual Crusty Demons Cup where he won the ‘Best Whip’ competition then got flown up to the Goldy for some R&R. Get a load of his trip.

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing signs a deal with lifestyle clothing and action sports-wear company, JetPilot.

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Want to watch the MX World Championship live from your iPhone or iPad? MX-Life.TV has released the Live+ app that will allow you to view the series. You’ll need to purchase a GP pass to watch the live races though. You can download the app here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/digotel-live+-for-ios/id472736696?mt=8

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Kawasaki has teamed up with major Monster Energy Kawasaki Race Team sponsors to give away a prize for each round of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals Championship. They’re calling the comp: 10 Rounds for 10 Winners. The first prize is a signed jersey and KX number plate of the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider of your choice. Cool, eh? To enter, head to the Kawasaki Australia Facebook page and fill out the form: https://www.facebook.com/kawasakiaus?v=app_210601755710376&app_data=wlbb%3D1

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Honda have announced a new deal on their 2012 models if you buy before June 30. If you purchase a new CRF450X or CRF250X you’ll get $1250 HondaDollars while you’ll get up to $1000 HondaDollars on a CRF250R and CRF450R.

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Check the website that Transmoto’s European Correspondent, Jonty Edmunds, has recently launched: www.enduro21.com. It might sound like a real estate agent, but on it, you’ll find everything about the Enduro World Championship, International Six Days Enduro, Endurocross, Extreme Enduro, Sprints and Rallies.