TEAM USA WIN MXON 2010 - UPDATE

By: Ollie S
Images: MotocrossMX1.com



Under magnificent weather Team USA have won the 64th running of the Motocross of Nations at the prestigious Thunder Valley Park, Lakewood, Colorado.

With each country providing their best riders out of three divisions MX1, MX2 and Open, every position counting towards the overall meant the team with the lowest overall score from three races wins.

In the end with a total of 23 points over Belgium’s 30 points for 2nd and Germany’s 44 points for 3rd, few could argue that Team USA showed a global audience that they are once again the dominant motocross nation with an undisputed 6th Motocross of Nations (MXoN) title on trot.

Fantastic starts from key Team USA members Ryan Dungey (MX1) and Andrew Short (Open) in their respective moto’s meant the two yanks were never in doubt of pivotal race control from the drop of the gate.

Andrew Short

Third Team USA member MX2 rider, Trey Canard, touted as being the rider to decimate the MX2 division, suffered from shocking starts all day long. Despite Canard’s brilliant back-of-pack charges making for crowd erupting displays of skill and craft, German whizz kid 16 year old Ken Roczen (MX2) was truly sensational in both his races battling with more powerful 450cc machines on his Red Bull sponsored Teka Suzuki RMZ250; even leading the early stages of the second MX2 + Open race.

Team USA MX2 rider Trey Canard

Roczen was to be the standout rider from Team Germany with team members Marcus Schiffer (MX1) and Max Nagl (Open) both individually finishing strong but eventually dropping the teams’ overall podium hopes when Nagl suffered a huge high side, knocking him out early in race 3 (MX1 + Open). Nagl’s crash effectively ended Team Germany’s run for 2nd overall leaving the door wide open for the super consistent Belgian’s of Clement Desalle (Open), Steven Ramon (MX1) and Jeremy Van Horebeek (MX2) who only racked up 30 points in total for 2nd overall behind the Americans, leaving Germany in 3rd on 44 points.

Great Britain’s last minute put-together team of Dean Wilson (MX2), Brad Anderson (Open) and Jake Nicholls (MX1) put together a string of strong finishers for 4th overall with 45 points; narrowly missing out on an MXoN podium after a nail biting Race 3 (MX1 + Open) result with both Jake Nicholls (MX1) and Brad Anderson (Open) going 11th and 12th respectively. Either one of them unable to make the jump on Australian Jay Marmont for 10th that would have provided them with the much needed points to claim 3rd overall.

Italian stallion and MX1 rider Antonio "Tony" Cairoli

Team Italy’s boy-wonder and newly crowned MX1 World Champion Antonio Cairoli, aboard his KTM350SXF, at times showed immense speed in the first race against Ryan Dungey, but inevitably lacked the tenure to make the pass for a class win gradually slipping off the pace late into Race 1. In Race 3 Cairoli’s early bad start left him with too much lost ground against the flying Americans of Dungey and Short. Awkwardly for Team Italy the strong individual efforts from Cairoli’s countrymen, Alessandro Lupino and Manuel Monni still weren’t enough to clinch a podium finish for Italy, finishing 5th overall on 50 points.

Dominant Australian rider, seasoned AMA professional Brett Metcalfe (MX1), with the aid of Jay Marmont (Open) lead the Australian campaign with solid finishes helping Team Australia climb to 6th overall on 54 points.

After a promising start in the early stages of Race 1 (MX1 + MX2), Team France’s hopes of glory dissolved like candle wax in a cauldron when newly crowned MX2 World Champion Marvin Musquin was forced to retire; Musquins Factory Red Bull KTM250SXF suffering from a serious electrical problem and further imploding his dreams of showing up the Americans on home soil as a precursor to his AMA 2011 plans. Musquin’s KTM250SXF was then a double jeopardy when it expired again in his second race rendering team riders Xavier Boog (Open) and Gautier Paulin (MX1) strong individual results useless in the overall with Team France finishing up in 7th on 71 points.

Brad Groombridge (NZL) with the holeshot in MX2 Qualifying on Saturday

Team New Zealand riders Ben Townley (Open), Josh Coppins (MX1) and Brad Groombridge (MX2) were left picking up the pieces in a lowly 8th overall position on 90 points despite Ben Townley’s absolutely breath taking Race 2 (MX2 + Open) win. Race 3 (MX1 + Open) spelt disaster for Townley who, whilst hunting down Team USA star Ryan Dungey in 2nd position, suffered what looked to be a minor front wheel wash-out eventually forcing Townley to retire in the late stages of the race. Josh Coppins’ 11th and 14th in Race 1 and Race 3 respectively, coupled with rookie MXoN team member Brad Groombridge’s respectful results, were simply not enough to push Team New Zealand further up the leader board.

Portugal and “American B-Team” Puerto Rico Teams closed out the top 10; whilst Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Finland and Estonia made up the top 15 positions.

At the end of the day a final one two from Ryan Dungey and Andrew Short in Race 3 sealed the MXoN 2010 Crown for Team USA. Ken Roczen’s prolific display of speed on the RMZ250 against the 450cc machines will be remembered just like the great 250cc battles at MXoN of yesteryear will be. And Ben Townley’s magnificent Race 2 win will be the highlight of his 2010 professional come back campaign, albeit slightly tarnished by the unfortunate mishap in Race 3. Townley, Coppins and Groombridge can rightfully be proud of an emphatic display of brilliance from an almost entirely self-supported team budget.

Update 1: not mentioned earlier but Ken Roczen won the MX2 class on Sunday for his performances. Roczen is the most successful youngest rider of GP Motocross. As you would have expected Ryan Dungey won the MX1 class outright, whilst Clement Desalle snatched the Open class outright from the hands of Andrew Short. Kiwi Ben Townley was on par to take the Open class crown of MXoN 2010 until his unfortunate Race 3 crash.

Update 2: Reports through the grapevine have it that BT busted some ligaments in his ankle during his unfortunate Race 3 crash.

All Photos courtesy of MotocrossMX1.com



Official Results http://www.motocrossmx1.com/reslists.aspx?ct=7&c=6

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PIRELLI CLAIMS TWO MORE WORLD TITLES

By: Ollie S
Source: Pirelli Press Office


Pirelli Scorpion MX enjoys glory as Tony Cairoli and Marvin Musquin bring home the 2010 MX Titles; with these victories, Pirelli reaches the 54th Championship win and KTM records its first in the premiere class since 1985.

Milan (Italy) 5 September, 2010 – Following the MX1 World Championship win by Tony Cairoli in his memorable first season aboard the new KTM 350 SX-F with the Pirelli Scorpion MX tyres, Pirelli celebrates another 2010 trophy with Marvin Musquin’s victory this past weekend, the reining World Champion who again dominated the MX2 class and repeated his 2009 result. With these two victories, Pirelli adds its 53rd and 54th World titles in the MX1 and MX2 classes.

2010 World Champions Cairoli & Musquin

The FIM World Motocross Championship strongly evidences Pirelli’s racing passion and successes in the most competitive global racing series, demonstrated on two wheels also in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World, the Enduropale du Touquet and MX Season’s opening Series.

MX1 WORLD CHAMPION 2010 - A SUCCESS STORY

Cairoli, the winner of 8 GPs so far this year on the factory KTM, wrapped up the title with two GP’s left in the season after winning more than half of the motos in the MX1 class, giving the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team the trophy in Brazil. The four-time World Champion was just shy of the podium only once during the entire season, having finished in fourth place at the GP of Germany.


On a new bike and new tyres, the 24-year-old Sicilian’s victorious debut with Red Bull KTM Racing brings to his career total to 37 Grand Prix wins, more than that of top ten GP riders Roger De Coster (BE) and Mickaël Pichon (FR). Pirelli and Cairoli set also an important milestone in the history of KTM Motorsport, for this year represents the Austrian manufacturer’s return to success in the MX1 class after 25 years.


The new KTM 350 SX-F packaged with Pirelli Scorpion MX tyres was developed in close
cooperation with 10-time Word Champion and Pirelli rider Stefan Everts, now the MX Director for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. The bike’s smaller engine size at the start of each race was overcome by off-the-line traction of the Scorpion MX tyres combined with the bike’s electronics, thus delivering many unexpected holeshots. Additional cornering stability from the tyres and the bike’s increased agility from a reduced weight and electronic quick-starts helped maintain every advantage Cairoli could gain throughout the race, playing a critical role in the Cairoli-KTM success story.

In an interview with Motocross magazine of Italy, Cairoli commented, “I didn’t change anything [on my starts]. My method of starts is always the same, it’s true, and this year I’ve started better. I changed tyre supplier…” From KTM, Cairoli summed it up best: “Scorpion MX is an awesome tyre, it feels really comfortable to ride and also really safe, you feel a lot of traction in a lot of different types of ground.”

MX2 – Repeat title for the Frenchman

Cairoli’s KTM Factory teammate and reining MX2 World Champion Marvin Musquin captured the title again this year in the MX2 class together with Pirelli, having already raced to 8 GP victories in 14 rounds in the 125/250cc class, winning with an average of seven seconds advantage and finishing out of podium position at only three rounds during the season. The MX2 victory marks the sixth world title achieved with the Pirelli/KTM partnership.


Marvin Musquin commented, “This is the second year that I ride with Pirelli tyres and Team Red Bull KTM, and I was very surprised with their behavior. My favorite is Scorpion MX MidSoft (32) rear and the also the front which I ride very often and on all different terrains! The traction is excellent and my starts are great! Thank you to Pirelli for their support throughout the 2009 and 2010!”

With the title victory in the most important MX championship, Pirelli demonstrates its incredible dominance for delivering racing performance and with KTM has illustrated a truly user-friendly setup by taking a completely new bike to victory its first year.

“KTM needs the best rubber (tyres) to get the best performance out of the KTM bikes, that's why we choose the best tyres out there and that's the Pirelli Scorpion MX model. Since my active racing career I have been convinced that Pirelli has been making and finding the maximum grip out there”, declared Stefan Everts, MX Director for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Pirelli’s position as market leader in production-based off-road racing tyres is derived from the company’s leading principles “We Race What We Sell, We Sell What We Race”, focused on producing tyres that offer the same performances to all off-road sports enthusiasts looking to win titles and races at events spanning everything from the elite world championships to national, regional and club level.

Pirelli congratulates Tony Cairoli, Marvin Musquin and the entire Red Bull KTM Factory Team and looks forward to more success at the last Championship round in Italy and at the Motocross of Nations in the USA! The championship in 2011 should certainly see the presence of more 350cc machines on the grid in MX1, but surely Cairoli, KTM and Pirelli will defend their Titles as they face even stronger opposition on the global stage of the FIM World Motocross Championship. More detailed information on the Scorpion MX tyres as well as the entire range of Pirelli motorcycle tyres can be found online at www.pirellimoto.com.

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FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - BRAZIL

Posted by: Ollie S
Source: Pirelli

22 August 2010, Campo Grande (Brazil)

The mechanical problem experienced by Clement Desalle’s Suzuki delivered the MX1 title into the hands of champion Antonio Cairoli who with the Pirelli Scorpion MX confirmed a successful defence of his crown. It was a triumphant day for KTM at the Grand Prix of Brazil but it was also a momentous occasion for Pirelli, having equipped the first nine of ten riders in the top ten of the classification. With second position overall in MX2, standings leader Marvin Musquin now has one hand on the championship and could wrap up the 2010 series at Lierop, Holland in two weeks.

WEATHER: Sunshine TEMPERATURE 28° HUMIDITY 47% TERRAIN Hard-pack

MX1
Antonio Cairoli had planned to celebrate his 2010 world championship at Lierop in two weeks and the penultimate round of the series, instead his victory at the new circuit in Campo Grande combined with the mechanical failure experienced by Desalle meant an early celebration for the KTM rider and team using the 350SX-F booted with Scorpion MidSoft 32 front and rear. The timing of the success was not completely expected but there is no doubt that Cairoli thoroughly deserves his spoils and in the alliance with Pirelli has owned seven of the thirteen rounds this season so far. The same tyre combination in Campo Grande was used by the next eight riders. Second place was earned by David Philippaerts followed by Max Nagl, Steve Ramon, Rui Goncalves, Davide Guarneri, Joshua Coppins, Tanel Leok and Clement Desalle. One of the revelations of the 2010 campaign, Evgeny Bobryschev, did not take part after a crash in practice caused several cracked ribs.

Cairoli in action

Overall Classification:

1. Antonio Cairoli KTM
2. David Philippaerts Yamaha
3. Max Nagl KTM
4. Steve Ramon Suzuki
5. Rui Goncalves KTM

World Championship standings:

1. Antonio Cairoli KTM Team Red Bull De Carli 578
2. Clement Desalle Suzuki Team Teka 471
3. David Philippaerts Yamaha Team Yamaha Monster 441
4. Max Nagl KTM Team Red Bull De Carli 420
5. Steve Ramon Suzuki Team Teka 408

MX2
The Brazilian stage saw MX2 championship leader Marvin Musquin lose a set of duels with Ken Roczen but the Frenchman only has to wait two weeks for the Grand Prix of Benelux in the sand of Lierop to place his hands on the title for the second year in succession. The works KTM rider, using Scorpion MidSoft 32 front and rear, finished runner-up to the German Suzuki representative at both times of asking. The absent Jeffrey Herlings was joined on the sidelines by Red Bull KTM team-mate Shaun Simpson who also dislocated his shoulder (left) on the first lap of the opening moto. Yamaha’s Gautier Paulin was out of luck after his involvement with the Simpson incident led to a broken water pump and a DNF. In the second moto he took fourth place but could have been one position higher if it had not been for a crash on a slippery part of the terrain in the waves section.

Overall Classification:

1. Ken Roczen Suzuki
2. Marvin Musquin KTM
3. Jeremy Van Horebeek KTM
4. Arnaud Tonus Suzuki
5. Zach Osborne Yamaha

World Championship standings:

1. Marvin Musquin KTM Team Red Bull Factory 571
2. Ken Roczen Suzuki Team Teka 499
3. Steven Frossard Kawasaki Team CLS 430
4. Jeffrey Herlings KTM Team Red Bull Factory 391
5. Zach Osborne Yamaha Team Yamaha Bike-it 329

Cairoli

David Philippaerts won first heat

MX1 podium in Campo Grande

Clement Desalle

Marvin Musquin, MX2 leader

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