Throwdown No.202 – 14/08/14

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Pinned against each other, as well as the unappealing elements of wind and rain, 289 of the world’s fastest Junior motocross riders were put to the test in Lierneux, Belgium as they each vied for the best spot they could achieve in the most prestigious youth event of the year – the 2014 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship. Australia’s Jett Lawrence was crowned the 65cc champion, and 2012 65cc champion, Australia’s Caleb Grothues, was crowned the 85cc runner-up for 2014. Detailed results from the event can be found here. 

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At the tenth round of the 2014 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the Unadilla National, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey went 1-2 to claim the 450 Class Overall, ahead of Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Trey Canard (4-1) and GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac (3-3). In the 250 Class, Frenchman Christophe Pourcel went 1-2 to to secure his first Overall win of the season, ahead of Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin (3-1) and Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin (2-5). To check out the highlights from the event, click here. Round 11 is taking place at Indiana this weekend. 

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This Ken Roczen late-season swoon is certainly strange, but it’s made worse by the sudden impact of the Honda duo of Eli Tomac and Trey Canard. Seriously, at this point, Kenny probably hates Eli’s presence more than he did while battling him for a title last year. At Washougal, where Ryan Dungey and Tomac pushed him back to third place for the day, Kenny said he wondered how Eli would be doing if he had raced all season long. Clearly, Kenny knows Eli is feeling fresh, rested and ready, while he’s feeling anything but. Read more in this week’s USA Insider column. 

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The penultimate round of the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship is taking place this weekend in Ukraine. It’s almost guaranteed that Red Bull KTM’s Antonio Cairoli is going to be crowned this year’s MXGP champion, and all eyes are now on the MX2 category, where Jordi Tixier battles to secure enough points to win the championship before his teammate, Jeffrey Herlings, returns to racing at the final round. This weekend’s going to be a wicked one in Europe.

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Check out this insane GoPro footage of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s newest recruit, Davi Millsaps, on board his all-new KX450F.

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The fifth and final round of the 2014 East Coast MX series, presented by Transmoto Dirt Bike Magazine, is taking place this weekend at Mt Kembla. If you’re racing the round this weekend, upload a photo of your bike to Instagram, tag #transmoto and #eastcoastmx, and you could win a sweet prize pack from us that included DVDs, shirts, magazines, goggles and more!

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Feld Motor Sports has unveiled the 2014 Monster Energy Cup track design, that is inspired by five-time Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion, Ricky Carmichael. The Monster Energy Cup will be held at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday, October 18.

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The 2014 Yamaha Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE) in Dungog, NSW is underway! After Day 1, the CDR Yamaha duo of Chris Hollis (who won this year’s Prologue on Tuesday) and Daniel Milner (2012 and 2013 Overall winner), was leading the way. Australia’s GNCC star, Josh Strang, was sitting in third ahead of KTM Enduro Racing Team’s Toby Price, who won’t be letting this year’s A4DE title slip away without a fight. Stay tuned to our social media channels over the next couple of days to be in touch with results.

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100% Goggles has secured the services of Australia’s Matt Phillips with a multi-year deal, that will see him reppin’ the range until the end of 2016. “I’m really happy to sign and be one of the athletes for the 100% company,” said the 21-year-old. 100% CEO, Ludo Boinnard, is a long-time enduro and rally racer himself. “I am always keen on following the EWC scene and I count many many friends amongst the racing community,” said Bonniard. “So when a talent as unique and fun as Matthew comes up, it’s impossible to miss him!” Fellow EWC champions and 100% athletes, Antoine Meo and Johnny Aubert, were both telling Bonniard to bring him into the 100% fold as soon as he was available.

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Sherco has finally released their all-new 450cc four-stroke, which has already claimed stage wins in the Dakar Rally. But what other surprises were in store from this determined little French manufacturer? Transmoto’s Llel Pavey checked in from the recent launch in France earlier this week to find out.

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The Aussie Adrenaline crew is putting on a live freestyle motocross demonstration in Boulia, Qld this Saturday, August 16. Professional FMX riders, Chucky Norris, Joel Brown and Luke McNeill will be putting on a world-class show. Accompanied by the annual drag racing event, it’s shaping up to blow the minds of the Boulia locals. “We are super pumped to be bringing Aussie Adrenaline’s films to a live crowd, by taking FMX to the desert town of Boulia,” said a representative of Aussie Adrenaline. “All the boys are psyched and getting ready to put on one hell of a show in front of the FMX-deprived locals.” If you’re anywhere near the area, be sure to check out the spectacle.

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There are a few really good Australian freestyle motocross demonstration teams getting around at the moment. Fresh on the scene is Freestyle Kings (FK) – Australia’s newest FMX team. FK is a rider-owned organisation, which aims to have riders paid correctly while riding a safe portable landing, in a safe environment under safe conditions. Read more about the all-new team in this week’s FMX Insider column.

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The end of July marks the busiest time of the year for all things moto in America’s north west. With perfect weather, epic riding spots and plenty to do in the week leading up to Washougal National, it was the perfect time for Josh Hansen to make the trip up. Check out what went down as Hanny gives us his perspective on some time well spent riding dirt bikes.

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Heroes are remembered, but legends never die. Watch this sweet video from META that showcases the day hundreds gathered to celebrate the legacy of Evel Knievel in Butte, Montana.

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Click here to find out what’s inside Transmoto Dirt Bike Magazine’s 2015 July-August Issue (#45), and be sure to grab yourself a print or digital edition.

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Lock it in, ladies and gentlemen. The fifth annual Transmoto 12-Hour, powered by InsureMyRide, will take place at Batemans Bay, NSW on March 15-16, 2015. The 12-Hour has established itself as one of the most challenging, but fun, dirt bike events on the calendar. Earlier this year, over 400 dirt bike enthusiasts descended on the South Coast of NSW for the 2014 edition, and not one walked away disappointed. We trust that we’ll see many returning and new faces at next year’s event. To be the first to hear about entries opening, be sure to like the official Transmoto 12-Hour Facebook page, and check out the website regularly.

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Transmoto is giving you the opportunity to hang out and ride with multiple Aussie off-road champ, CDR Yamaha’s Chris Hollis, in a relaxed, safe and fun environment. At a private property in Stroud, NSW, on Sunday October 26, be a part of Transmoto’s first-ever “Day In The Vineyard”. No racing, no pressure – just a day of riding arrowed trails and a Hollis-designed grasstrack. Food and drinks included. All ages welcome. Spots will be limited, so if you think you’re going to be keen to secure a place, please email online@transmoto.com.au now!

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Tickets are now on sale for the official premiere of RIDE: World Elements, the sequel to RIDE: The Australian Off Road Moto Film, currently being produced by the talented crew at Fourohfour. The official premiere will take place at Sydney Event Cinemas in Sydney’s CBD on Saturday, December 6. General admission tickets cost $25 each and VIP Gold Class tickets cost $70 each. Tickets are limited so get in fast! You can also now pre-order your copy of the DVD for $25, and have it shipped out to you for free before the film’s official premiere.

Click here to purchase tickets!

Click here to pre-order RIDE: World Elements!

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Victorian based business, Mojo Motorcycles (national distributors of Sherco enduro bikes in Australia since April), has recently been appointed as the national distributor for the New Zealand market, too, effective as of October. According to Mojo Motorcycles CEO, Michael Poynton, “The move into New Zealand is all part of our expansion plans. In Australia, our immediate focus is on building a 35-strong dealer network, all of whom will stock a full range of Sherco models. Our demo days have been very successful for us this year and that will continue to be a key part of our business model, both in Oz and NZ. The bikes are so good that, once we get bums on seats, the things almost sell themselves – particularly as we’ve managed to keep prices the same as the 2014 models.” Keep an eye out for the growing business’s all-new website in late August.

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Transmoto, part of one of Australia’s largest sports media groups covering moto, surf and snow, located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, is now seeking a highly creative advertising sales manager. The role requires strong relationship skills with key accounts, an ability to develop and manage creative solutions across media channels, be a self-starter, and be prepared to go the extra mile to ensure client satisfaction. Send CV to Group HR Manager, jmacnaughton@threecrowns.com.au if interested.

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