Thursday Throwdown No.51 – Kirk Hutton injuried at the ISDE

What’s this “Thursday 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, Thursday Throwdown will touch on everything from racing to trailriding; from industry tidbits to issues facing the sport. It’s about delivering you timely information that can’t wait till the next issue of Transmoto magazine, and stuff we’d like to hear your immediate feedback on.

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The 2011 Monster Energy Super X has announced the return of the traditional 20-lap format (15 laps for the Lites class) to be run at the finale in Ipswich, Qld. And in a first for the series a new class has been added to the mix. This year an Under 19s class will join the Opens, Lites and Michelin Development Series (riders aged 14 and 15).

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GEICO Honda rider Justin Barcia will ride a factory CRF450R with the American Honda Racing team for the remaining four rounds of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championship. Barcia feels confident on the bike and is excited to get the opportunity to race the 450, saying, “I raced the CRF450R to the overall win at the Bercy Supercross last year and I felt great competing on the bike, so I’m excited to now get the chance to race several rounds of the Outdoor series on it.”

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Steven Frossard, Marvin Musquin and Gautier Paulin have been selected to represent the French team at the Motocross of Nations (MXoN), which takes place on September 18 in Saint Jean d’Angely, France. Now the French have got the ball rolling, we should start seeing other countries announce their teams soon.

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David Philippaerts had a midweek training accident and has broken both his wrists. Loss of traction on a step-up double was the cause of the off that lead to his injuries. The Italian had corrective surgery on his left wrist but is still waiting for a final operation to his right wrist. Philippaerts was in seventh position in the MX1 championship standings before the incident.

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The Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championship starts up again at Unadilla this weekend after a three-week break. Lets hope that TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed has healed up after his high-flying crash at Spring Creek and can claw back the number one plate after holding it for the majority of the 2011 season. The team owner currently sits in third place in the 450cc standings, nine points behind Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto and eight off Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey.

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On the back of his fourth-straight MX Nationals Pro Open title, CDR Rockstar Yamaha’s Jay Marmont crossed the giant stretch that separates the east and west coast to defend his King of the Cross title. The zealous champion battled the likes of Berry Sweet Lucas Oil Honda’s Kade Mosig and Team 07 Axis Motorsports Honda’s Cody Mackie to claim victory.

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The inaugural Dubbo Roar MX Open is set to rock the iconic Morris Park Circuit, in Central NSW, this Saturday and Sunday. There’s over $4000 in prize money to be won by the fastest riders on the day, with cash prizes down to fifth place in each class and a $1000 winner-takes-all in the any-capacity Super X-style elimination race – the Roar All Powers Championship. Newly crowned Under 19’s Champion Errol Willis and his Raceline Pirelli Suzuki teammate, Lawson Bopping – who finished 7th Overall in the Pro Open class – will be going head-to-head. Plus, we’ve just heard GHR Honda’s Jake Smith will be racing in Sunday’s event. Transmoto’s Ollie Sharp and Jake Jackson will be in attendance with a bunch of magazines to give away. For further information and last minute entries head over to http://www.dubbodirtbikeclub.com.au.

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USA’s premier amateur event saw 35 champions crowed over the weekend at the 2011 Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship held at the famous Loretta Lynn’s ranch. Take a look at the wrap.

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The top-15 finishers of the Super-Mini class (12-15 years old) at Loretta Lynn’s have earned a spot in the Super-Mini class at the Monster Energy Cup, set for October 15 in Las Vegas. Among them include aspiring young rider, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo.

Day three of the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) is over and Australia has managed to hold onto seventh in the World Trophy standings – after dropping from third to seventh on Day 2 – thanks to Toby Price and Matthew Phillips efforts in the E2 class. Price and Phillips took first and second place, respectively, beating the likes of Spanish rider Cristobal Guerrero and Portugal’s Luis Correia. Stella effort boys!

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Australian ISDE rider, Kirk Hutton’s, Six Days has come to an end after suffering head and chest injuries during a big get off in the final test on Day 2. He was transported to Kotka Hospital and stayed overnight for observation. He suffered a bad concussion and swollen lungs but he should make a full recovery. All of Oz wishes you a speedy recovery, mate.

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TM Australia’s Josh Green has cracked a vertebra after a nasty off that saw his bike land on him. Greeny narrowly avoided serious damage but will have to stay off the bike for about a month. Meaning, he will miss the Murray Bridge Australian Off-Road Enduro (AORC) round next weekend.

The X-Fighters tour leader, Andre Villa, sustained a broken femur while attempting a Backflip during practice at the fifth round of the Red Bull X-Fighters in Poland. The injury happened after the Norwegian under-rotated and landed face first into the ground. The 29-year-old came into the penultimate round with a five point lead and will now have to sit out the finale in Sydney on September 17.

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In front of 35,000 spectators in the City Stadium in Poland, American Nate Adams won his third victory of the Red Bull X-Fighters season. He now takes the series lead with a 40-point gap between himself and his fierce rival Dany Torres.

You’ll be seeing a lot more of Australian FMX champion, Robbie Maddison, in the lead-up to the Sydney X-Fighters finale with the Red Bull athlete featuring on Red Bull’s retail drink ‘four-packs’.

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A US-based company, BRD Motorcycles, is currently developing an electric powered motocross machine. Their objectives include making a faster, tougher and quieter race bike run on battery power. We’d say they could tick the box for two-out-of-three of those objectives without too much of a fuss, but getting the all-electron motor to pump out the required power for a faster-than-conventional race bike will be the challenge. Plus, it’s going to have to go longer than 20-minutes. Is it the future of motocross? Maybe…one day. Take a look at their website.

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During the Husaberg Hot Laps event held at Wyaralong, Qld, on the weekend, word is that a Berg burnt to a cinder after a rider lost the front end during a slippery downhill section. All we can say is, are the Hindenburg’s of old returning again?

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From August 1 to October 31, Suzuki is offering buyers a Suzuki Finance offer of just 4.99% on new RM-Z250s, RM-Z450s and RM250s. It sure smashes banks finance rates, that’s for sure!

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Yoshimura’s USA Research and Development arm has announced that the RS-4 and the all-new RS-4D will become available for both the 2011 and 2012 Honda CRF450R, as well as the KX450F.

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If you live on Sydney’s beautiful Northern Beaches, mark September 25 on the calendar because the Car & Bike Fest will be coming to town. Held at Rat Park (1472 Pittwater Rd, Warriewood), there will be a mix of hot cars, bikes and ladies all lined up for your viewing pleasure (maybe we’re over exaggerating the ladies bit). If you want your car or bike on display it’s $20 entry or $25 on the day. Public entry costs $8 for adults or $12 for a couple. Children under 16 are free. For more info call Barney on 0478 032 122, Graham on 0418 273 386 or Joe on 0408 226 625.

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Youthstream have announced a three-year partnership with Scott for the Monster Energy FIM Junior World Championship, starting this weekend in Cingoli, Italy. As part of the deal, Scott will offer a race service to young riders that have chosen to wear Scott goggles. Also, the winner of each class (65cc, 85cc and 125cc) will receive a Scott bicycle to help with future training.

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Motorcycling Australia (MA) has announced the withdrawal of the Australian team from the 2011 FIM Team Speedway Under 21 World Championship to be held in Balakova, Russia, on September 3. The decision was made on the grounds of logistical and insurance concerns that MA’s CEO David White says, “could have a negative impact upon our riders.”